When is the best time to observe Iota Crateris?

Iota Crateris is best observed from February through April, with peak visibility during March when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Iota Crateris located in the sky?

Iota Crateris lies in the constellation Crater at right ascension 11h 39m and declination -13° 12′.

What telescope do I need to split Iota Crateris?

Splitting Iota Crateris requires an aperture of roughly 840 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 1.1″ at magnitudes near 5.5. The companion is about 5.5 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Iota Crateris — Double Star in Crater

Magnitude 5.5^m DoubleStar Crater (Crt) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.48

Spectral Type F7V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.52)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 38m 40.1s

Dec -13° 12' 07.0"

Constellation Crater (Crt)

HR 4488

HIP 56802

HD 101198

SAO 156802

Bayer Iota

Flamsteed 24 Crt

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.5 mag Companion 11.0 mag Separation 1.1″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	V. hard	V. hard	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	V. hard	V. hard	V. hard
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	V. hard	V. hard	V. 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 840 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Feb – Apr (peak: Mar)

5Multiple Star System C: optical

Separation 1.1″

Companion Mag 11.0

Position Angle 248°

Star Colors A: Yellow

Discoverer KUI 58

Separation over time

Measured 1934 → 2014 (80 y)

Separation drift 2.0" → 1.1" (-0.90")

Rate -0.0112" / y

PA drift 220° → 248° (+28°, +0.350°/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.