When is the best time to observe HIP 72508?

HIP 72508 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 72508 located in the sky?

HIP 72508 lies in the constellation Boötes at right ascension 14h 50m and declination +51° 22′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 72508?

Splitting HIP 72508 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 15.1″ at magnitudes near 6.5. The companion is about 3.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 72508 — Double Star in Boötes

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Boötes (Boo) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.51

Spectral Type F5IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.40)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 49m 32.3s

Dec +51° 22' 29.0"

Constellation Boötes (Boo)

HR 5537

HIP 72508

HD 131040

SAO 29296

Double Cat 9405

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 9.6 mag Separation 15.1″

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

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 Triple optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 15.1″

Companion Mag 9.6

Companion Sp G7V

Position Angle 93°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer STF1889

Notes

AB binary, B is G7V.

Separation over time

Measured 1900 → 2020 (120 y)

Separation drift 16.1" → 15.1" (-1.00")

Rate -0.0083" / y

PA drift 88° → 93° (+5°, +0.042°/y)

Slow change over generations — observable in lifetime comparisons.

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.