When is the best time to observe Nu Aurigae?

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

Where is Nu Aurigae located in the sky?

Nu Aurigae lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 05h 51m and declination +39° 09′.

What telescope do I need to split Nu Aurigae?

Splitting Nu Aurigae requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 55.6″ at magnitudes near 4.0. The companion is about 7.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Nu Aurigae — Double Star in Auriga

Magnitude 4.0^m DoubleStar Auriga (Aur) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.97

Spectral Type K1III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.13)

Distance 230 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 51m 29.4s

Dec +39° 08' 55.0"

Constellation Auriga (Aur)

HR 2012

HIP 27673

HD 39003

SAO 58502

Bayer Nu

Flamsteed 32 Aur

Double Cat 4440

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.0 mag Companion 11.4 mag Separation 55.6″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard	V. hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium+	Medium	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

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Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 55.6″

Companion Mag 11.4

Position Angle 207°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer H 5 90

Notes

Companion optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1782 → 2022 (240 y)

Separation drift 53.7" → 55.6" (+1.90")

Rate +0.0079" / y

PA drift 208° → 207° (-1°, -0.004°/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.