When is the best time to observe Nu¹ Draconis?

Nu¹ Draconis is best observed from May through July, with peak visibility during June when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Nu¹ Draconis located in the sky?

Nu¹ Draconis lies in the constellation Draco at right ascension 17h 32m and declination +55° 11′.

What telescope do I need to split Nu¹ Draconis?

Splitting Nu¹ Draconis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 62.3″ at magnitudes near 4.9. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Nu¹ Draconis — Double Star in Draco

Observable Double Star Excellent (60/100)

Sep: 62.3", Companion: mag 4.9

Magnitude 4.9^m DoubleStar Draco (Dra) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.88

Range 4.84 - 4.91

Variable Type I

Spectral Type A6V

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.26)

Distance 93 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 17h 32m 10.6s

Dec +55° 11' 03.0"

Constellation Draco (Dra)

HR 6554

HIP 85819

HD 159541

SAO 30447

Bayer Nu

Flamsteed 24 Dra

Double Cat 10628

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.9 mag Companion 4.9 mag Separation 62.3″

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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 May – Jul (peak: Jun)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 62.3″

Companion Mag 4.9

Position Angle 312°

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

Discoverer STFA 35

Notes

Binary with HR 6555.

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80x Dawes: 1.9″ TFOV: 0.6°

Seeing

Scale Realistic = true angular size

A: 4.9 · B: 4.9 · Sep: 62.3″ · PA: 312° · N up, E right

Resolved · Rayleigh: 2.3″ · Dawes: 1.9″ · Eff: 2.3″

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6

Size Comparison

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7

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8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map

10

Stellar Lifecycle

11

Blackbody Spectrum

12

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

13

Stellar Fusion

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14Stellar Notes

Variable Star

ADS 10628B, I, 4.84 - 4.91V.

Spectral

Also classified Am(A4/F1V/F1).

15

Light Travel Time Machine

16

Relativistic Travel

Nearby in the Sky

Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.

Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.

Nu² Dra

Easy

Easy double, sep 62.2″

Double Star mag 4.87 0.0° Draco

Alrakis

HIP 83608; Mu Draconis; 21 Draconis

Easy

Tight double — a rewarding split at 2.7″

Double Star mag 5.80 3.9° Draco

NGC 6411

Hard+

Elliptical galaxy

Galaxy mag 13.0 5.6° Draco

39 Dra

Easy

Colorful double, sep 3.8″

Double Star mag 4.98 7.9° Draco

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