When is the best time to observe Mu Pictoris?

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

Where is Mu Pictoris located in the sky?

Mu Pictoris lies in the constellation Pictor at right ascension 06h 32m and declination -58° 45′.

What telescope do I need to split Mu Pictoris?

Splitting Mu Pictoris requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 2.5″ at magnitudes near 5.7. The companion is about 3.6 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Mu Pictoris — Double Star in Pictor

Magnitude 5.7^m DoubleStar Pictor (Pic) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.70

Spectral Type B9Ve

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.06)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 31m 58.4s

Dec -58° 45' 15.0"

Constellation Pictor (Pic)

HR 2412

HIP 31137

HD 46860

SAO 234564

Bayer Mu

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.7 mag Companion 9.3 mag Separation 2.5″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

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	Medium	Medium	Medium

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 2.5″

Companion Mag 9.3

Position Angle 229°

Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow

Discoverer HJ 3874

Separation over time

Measured 1836 → 2019 (183 y)

Separation drift 2.3" → 2.5" (+0.20")

Rate +0.0011" / y

PA drift 228° → 229° (+1°, +0.005°/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.