When is the best time to observe HIP 98872?

HIP 98872 is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 98872 located in the sky?

HIP 98872 lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 20h 05m and declination +63° 53′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 98872?

Splitting HIP 98872 requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 5.7″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 3.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 98872 — Double Star in Draco

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.26

Spectral Type A2II-III bright giant

Star Color White (B-V 0.10)

Distance 142 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 20h 04m 44.6s

Dec +63° 53' 26.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 7695

HIP 98872

HD 191174

SAO 18692

Double Cat 13371

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 9.5 mag Separation 5.7″

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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 Triple C: optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 5.7″

Companion Mag 9.5

Position Angle 14°

Star Colors A: White B: Yellow

Discoverer STF2640

Separation over time

Measured 1832 → 2019 (187 y)

Separation drift 4.9" → 5.7" (+0.80")

Rate +0.0043" / y

PA drift 27° → 14° (-13°, -0.070°/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.