When is the best time to observe NW Puppis?

NW Puppis is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is NW Puppis located in the sky?

NW Puppis lies in the constellation Puppis at right ascension 07h 19m and declination -36° 45′.

What telescope do I need to split NW Puppis?

Splitting NW Puppis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 118.9″ at magnitudes near 5.1. 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.

NW Puppis — Double Star in Puppis

Observable Double Star Good (47/100)

Sep: 118.9", Companion: mag 8.7

Magnitude 5.1^m DoubleStar Puppis (Pup) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.11

Variable Type Beta Cephei (Pulsating)

Spectral Type B2IVne supergiant

Star Color Blue (B-V -0.16)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 18m 38.2s

Dec -36° 44' 34.0"

Constellation Puppis (Pup)

HR 2790

HIP 35406

HD 57219

SAO 197837

Variable ID NW Pup

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.1 mag Companion 8.7 mag Separation 118.9″

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

5Multiple Star System

Separation 118.9″

Companion Mag 8.7

Position Angle 215°

Star Colors A: Blue B: Yellow-white

Discoverer JC 10

Separation over time

Measured 1846 → 2011 (165 y)

Separation drift 116.9" → 118.9" (+2.00")

Rate +0.0121" / y

PA drift 215° → 215° (+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.