When is the best time to observe HIP 76733?

HIP 76733 is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 76733 located in the sky?

HIP 76733 lies in the constellation Serpens at right ascension 15h 40m and declination +12° 03′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 76733?

Splitting HIP 76733 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 15.0″ at magnitudes near 6.2. The companion is about 3.8 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 76733 — Double Star in Serpens

Magnitude 6.2^m DoubleStar Serpens (Ser) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.25

Spectral Type G7.5IIIaFe-0.5 bright giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.94)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 15h 40m 10.4s

Dec +12° 03' 11.0"

Constellation Serpens (Ser)

HR 5831

HIP 76733

HD 139862

SAO 101673

Double Cat 9740

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 10.1 mag Separation 15.0″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium+	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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 Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 15.0″

Companion Mag 10.1

Position Angle 261°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer STT 300

Notes

Companion 10.33V, +0.49(B-V), -0.01(U-B), F5V, CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1843 → 2023 (180 y)

Separation drift 14.3" → 15.0" (+0.70")

Rate +0.0039" / y

PA drift 262° → 261° (-1°, -0.006°/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.