When is the best time to observe HIP 98954?

HIP 98954 is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is HIP 98954 located in the sky?

HIP 98954 lies in the constellation Aquila at right ascension 20h 05m and declination +15° 30′.

What telescope do I need to split HIP 98954?

Splitting HIP 98954 requires an aperture of roughly 250 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 2.6″ at magnitudes near 6.3. The companion is about 4.7 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

HIP 98954 — Double Star in Aquila

Magnitude 6.3^m DoubleStar Aquila (Aql) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.34

Spectral Type M2.5III giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.64)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 20h 05m 26.5s

Dec +15° 30' 01.0"

Constellation Aquila (Aql)

HR 7680

HIP 98954

HD 190658

SAO 105663

Double Cat 13344

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.3 mag Companion 11.0 mag Separation 2.6″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 250 mm reflector.

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 2.6″

Companion Mag 11.0

Position Angle 118°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer BU 57

Notes

CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1872 → 2016 (144 y)

Separation drift 2.0" → 2.6" (+0.60")

Rate +0.0042" / y

PA drift 140° → 118° (-22°, -0.153°/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.