When is the best time to observe HIP 78117?

HIP 78117 is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 78117 located in the sky?

HIP 78117 lies in the constellation Norma at right ascension 15h 57m and declination -48° 10′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 78117?

Splitting HIP 78117 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 33.9″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 5.2 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 78117 — Double Star in Norma

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Norma (Nor) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.31

Spectral Type F1IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.38)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 15h 57m 03.8s

Dec -48° 09' 44.0"

Constellation Norma (Nor)

HR 5921

HIP 78117

HD 142529

SAO 226392

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 11.5 mag Separation 33.9″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard	V. hard+	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium	Medium	Hard+
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 33.9″

Companion Mag 11.5

Companion Sp K7

Position Angle 314°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Red

Discoverer SPM 33

Separation over time

Measured 1903 → 2016 (113 y)

Separation drift 33.7" → 33.9" (+0.20")

Rate +0.0018" / y

PA drift 315° → 314° (-1°, -0.009°/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.