When is the best time to observe Omega Serpentis?

Omega Serpentis is best observed from April through June, with peak visibility during May when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Omega Serpentis located in the sky?

Omega Serpentis lies in the constellation Serpens at right ascension 15h 50m and declination +02° 12′.

What telescope do I need to split Omega Serpentis?

Splitting Omega Serpentis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 74.8″ at magnitudes near 5.2. The companion is about 5.1 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Omega Serpentis — Double Star in Serpens

Magnitude 5.2^m DoubleStar Serpens (Ser) Visible 1 Exoplanet

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.23

Spectral Type G8III giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.02)

Distance 121 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 15h 50m 17.5s

Dec +02° 11' 47.0"

Constellation Serpens (Ser)

HR 5888

HIP 77578

HD 141680

SAO 121215

Bayer Omega

Flamsteed 34 Ser

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.2 mag Companion 10.3 mag Separation 74.8″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium	Hard+	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Easy	Medium+	Medium+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Easy	Easy	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 Apr – Jun (peak: May)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 74.8″

Companion Mag 10.3

Companion Sp K0

Position Angle 300°

Star Colors A: Orange B: Orange

Discoverer SKF1311

Separation over time

Measured 1909 → 2016 (107 y)

Separation drift 74.9" → 74.8" (-0.10")

Rate -0.0009" / y

PA drift 301° → 300° (-1°, -0.009°/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.