When is the best time to observe HIP 83857?

HIP 83857 is best observed from May through July, with peak visibility during June when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 83857 located in the sky?

HIP 83857 lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 17h 08m and declination +50° 51′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 83857?

Splitting HIP 83857 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 18.6″ at magnitudes near 6.5. 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 83857 — Double Star in Draco

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.46

Spectral Type A1V

Star Color White (B-V 0.00)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 17h 08m 17.1s

Dec +50° 50' 32.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 6383

HIP 83857

HD 155328

SAO 30262

Double Cat 10369

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 11.0 mag Separation 18.6″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season May – Jul (peak: Jun)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Separation 18.6″

Companion Mag 11.0

Position Angle 279°

Star Colors A: White B: Orange

Discoverer ES 77

Notes

The visual companion is optical. A companion at 0.168" has been discovered by speckle interferometry.

Separation over time

Measured 1901 → 2021 (120 y)

Separation drift 17.0" → 18.6" (+1.60")

Rate +0.0133" / y

PA drift 274° → 279° (+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.