When is the best time to observe Iota Pictoris?

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

Where is Iota Pictoris located in the sky?

Iota Pictoris lies in the constellation Pictor at right ascension 04h 51m and declination -53° 28′.

What telescope do I need to split Iota Pictoris?

Splitting Iota Pictoris requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 289.4″ at magnitudes near 6.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Iota Pictoris — Double Star in Pictor

HIP 22534; Iota Pictoris

Magnitude 6.4^m DoubleStar Pictor (Pic) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.42

Spectral Type F4V:

2Position & Identifiers

RA 04h 50m 56.3s

Dec -53° 27' 35.0"

Constellation Pictor (Pic)

HR 1564

HIP 22534

HD 31204

SAO 233710

Bayer Iota

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.4 mag Companion 9.1 mag Separation 289.4″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	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 Oct – Dec (peak: Nov)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 289.4″

Companion Mag 9.1

Companion Sp K2V

Position Angle 48°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white B: Orange

Discoverer SHY 173

Notes

CPM with HR 1563.

Separation over time

Measured 1904 → 2016 (112 y)

Separation drift 289.0" → 289.4" (+0.40")

Rate +0.0036" / y

PA drift 48° → 48° (+0°, +0.000°/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.