When is the best time to observe HIP 72308?

HIP 72308 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 72308 located in the sky?

HIP 72308 lies in the constellation Lupus at right ascension 14h 47m and declination -52° 12′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 72308?

Splitting HIP 72308 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 39.2″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 4.9 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 72308 — Double Star in Lupus

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Lupus (Lup) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.07

Spectral Type A1III-IV giant

Star Color White (B-V 0.09)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 47m 12.3s

Dec -52° 12' 20.0"

Constellation Lupus (Lup)

HR 5498

HIP 72308

HD 129932

SAO 241995

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 11.0 mag Separation 39.2″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 39.2″

Companion Mag 11.0

Position Angle 290°

Star Colors A: White B: Orange

Discoverer HDO 240

Separation over time

Measured 1891 → 2015 (124 y)

Separation drift 30.0" → 39.2" (+9.20")

Rate +0.0742" / y

PA drift 280° → 290° (+10°, +0.081°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.