When is the best time to observe Omega Aurigae?

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

Where is Omega Aurigae located in the sky?

Omega Aurigae lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 04h 59m and declination +37° 53′.

What telescope do I need to split Omega Aurigae?

Splitting Omega Aurigae requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 4.7″ at magnitudes near 4.9. The companion is about 3.3 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Omega Aurigae — Double Star in Auriga

Observable Double Star Good (55/100)

Sep: 4.7", Companion: mag 8.2

Magnitude 4.9^m DoubleStar Auriga (Aur) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.94

Spectral Type A1V

Star Color White (B-V 0.04)

Distance 652 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 04h 59m 15.4s

Dec +37° 53' 25.0"

Constellation Auriga (Aur)

HR 1592

HIP 23179

HD 31647

SAO 57548

Bayer Omega

Flamsteed 4 Aur

Double Cat 3572

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.9 mag Companion 8.2 mag Separation 4.7″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Medium	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 Oct – Dec (peak: Nov)

5Multiple Star System C: optical

Separation 4.7″

Companion Mag 8.2

Position Angle 5°

Star Colors A: White B: Yellow

Discoverer STF 616

Notes

Binary.

Separation over time

Measured 1822 → 2022 (200 y)

Separation drift 6.3" → 4.7" (-1.60")

Rate -0.0080" / y

PA drift 356° → 5° (+9°, +0.045°/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.