When is the best time to observe HIP 74696?

HIP 74696 is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 74696 located in the sky?

HIP 74696 lies in the constellation Lupus at right ascension 15h 16m and declination -48° 04′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 74696?

Splitting HIP 74696 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 12.7″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 4.5 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 74696 — Double Star in Lupus

Magnitude 6.0^m DoubleStar Lupus (Lup) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.95

Spectral Type A3m

Star Color White (B-V 0.21)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 15h 15m 53.8s

Dec -48° 04' 27.0"

Constellation Lupus (Lup)

HR 5663

HIP 74696

HD 135235

SAO 225590

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 10.4 mag Separation 12.7″

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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 12.7″

Companion Mag 10.4

Position Angle 16°

Star Colors A: White B: Orange

Discoverer HJ 4750

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2020 (186 y)

Separation drift 12.0" → 12.7" (+0.70")

Rate +0.0038" / y

PA drift 23° → 16° (-7°, -0.038°/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.