When is the best time to observe HIP 70949?

HIP 70949 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 70949 located in the sky?

HIP 70949 lies in the constellation Virgo at right ascension 14h 31m and declination +04° 46′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 70949?

Splitting HIP 70949 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 55.7″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 4.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 70949 — Double Star in Virgo

Magnitude 6.0^m DoubleStar Virgo (Vir) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.02

Spectral Type gK4

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.42) (reddened by dust)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 30m 45.4s

Dec +04° 46' 20.0"

Constellation Virgo (Vir)

HR 5424

HIP 70949

HD 127337

SAO 120504

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 10.6 mag Separation 55.7″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Hard+	Hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Medium+	Medium
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Easy	Easy	Medium+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 55.7″

Companion Mag 10.6

Position Angle 195°

Star Colors A: Orange (reddened by dust)

Discoverer BU 1443

Notes

Identification of companion questioned.

Separation over time

Measured 1903 → 2017 (114 y)

Separation drift 55.4" → 55.7" (+0.30")

Rate +0.0026" / y

PA drift 196° → 195° (-1°, -0.009°/y)

Essentially fixed on human timescales — the same view your grandchildren will see.

Measured from the WDS observational archive. No orbital solution has been derived — most likely the period is too long to fit an orbit to the available measurement arc.