When is the best time to observe HIP 73068?

HIP 73068 is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 73068 located in the sky?

HIP 73068 lies in the constellation Boötes at right ascension 14h 56m and declination +32° 18′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 73068?

Splitting HIP 73068 requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 5.1″ at magnitudes near 6.1. The companion is about 5.0 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 73068 — Double Star in Boötes

Magnitude 6.1^m DoubleStar Boötes (Boo) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.12

Spectral Type A2V

Star Color White (B-V 0.10)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 55m 58.7s

Dec +32° 18' 01.0"

Constellation Boötes (Boo)

HR 5569

HIP 73068

HD 132029

SAO 64408

Double Cat 9442

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.1 mag Companion 11.1 mag Separation 5.1″

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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	Medium+	Medium+	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 5.1″

Companion Mag 11.1

Position Angle 112°

Star Colors A: White B: Orange

Discoverer STT 289

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1846 → 2019 (173 y)

Separation drift 4.6" → 5.1" (+0.50")

Rate +0.0029" / y

PA drift 119° → 112° (-7°, -0.040°/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.