When is the best time to observe Iota Leporis?

Iota Leporis is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Iota Leporis located in the sky?

Iota Leporis lies in the constellation Lepus at right ascension 05h 12m and declination -11° 52′.

What telescope do I need to split Iota Leporis?

Splitting Iota Leporis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 11.9″ at magnitudes near 4.5. 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 Leporis — Double Star in Lepus

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Lepus (Lep) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.45

Spectral Type B8V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.10)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 12m 17.9s

Dec -11° 52' 09.0"

Constellation Lepus (Lep)

HR 1696

HIP 24244

HD 33802

SAO 150223

Bayer Iota

Flamsteed 3 Lep

Double Cat 3778

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.5 mag Companion 9.9 mag Separation 11.9″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Medium	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Easy	Medium+
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 Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 11.9″

Companion Mag 9.9

Position Angle 337°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow-white

Discoverer STF 655

Notes

CPM companion G8Ve, strong lithium.

Separation over time

Measured 1829 → 2015 (186 y)

Separation drift 12.4" → 11.9" (-0.50")

Rate -0.0027" / y

PA drift 343° → 337° (-6°, -0.032°/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.