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 12.3″ at magnitudes near 5.6. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Iota Pictoris — Double Star in Pictor

HIP 22531; Iota Pictoris

Observable Double Star Excellent (64/100)

Sep: 12.3", Companion: mag 6.2

Magnitude 5.6^m DoubleStar Pictor (Pic) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.61

Spectral Type F0IV subgiant

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.33)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 04h 50m 55.2s

Dec -53° 27' 41.0"

Constellation Pictor (Pic)

HR 1563

HIP 22531

HD 31203

SAO 233709

Bayer Iota

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.6 mag Companion 6.2 mag Separation 12.3″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	Easy
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 12.3″

Companion Mag 6.2

Companion Sp F4V

Position Angle 58°

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

Discoverer DUN 18

Notes

CPM with HR 1564. B-V for combined light.

Separation over time

Measured 1826 → 2015 (189 y)

Separation drift 12.6" → 12.3" (-0.30")

Rate -0.0016" / y

PA drift 60° → 58° (-2°, -0.011°/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.