When is the best time to observe HIP 96688?

HIP 96688 is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 96688 located in the sky?

HIP 96688 lies in the constellation Sagitta at right ascension 19h 39m and declination +16° 34′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 96688?

Splitting HIP 96688 requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 28.4″ at magnitudes near 6.4. The companion is about 3.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 96688 — Double Star in Sagitta

Magnitude 6.4^m DoubleStar Sagitta (Sge) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.38

Spectral Type K4Ib supergiant

Star Color Deep ruby red (B-V 2.07)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 39m 25.4s

Dec +16° 34' 17.0"

Constellation Sagitta (Sge)

HR 7475

HIP 96688

HD 185622

SAO 105104

Double Cat 12750

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 9.5 mag Separation 28.4″

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

5Multiple Star System

Separation 28.4″

Companion Mag 9.5

Position Angle 301°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer H N 84

Notes

CPM companion B3V.

Separation over time

Measured 1796 → 2013 (217 y)

Separation drift 28.2" → 28.4" (+0.20")

Rate +0.0009" / y

PA drift 302° → 301° (-1°, -0.005°/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.