Menu

Pi Bootis — Double Star in Boötes

HIP 71762; Pi Bootis; 29 Bootis

Observable Double Star Excellent (71/100)

Sep: 5.4", Companion: mag 5.8

Magnitude 4.9m DoubleStar Boötes (Boo) Visible
Star Map
+ List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.94
Range 4.94 - 5.00
Variable Type ACV:
Spectral Type B9pMnHgSi
Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.03)
Distance 1,631 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 40m 43.6s
Dec +16° 25' 06.0"
Constellation Boötes (Boo)
HR 5475
HIP 71762
HD 129174
SAO 101138
Bayer Pi
Flamsteed 29 Boo
Double Cat 9338

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.9 mag Companion 5.8 mag Separation 5.4″
Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.
Telescope Bortle 3 Bortle 4 Bortle 5
80mm refr. Easy Easy Easy
150mm Newt. Easy Easy Easy
C8 203mm Easy Easy Easy
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 Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System Triple C: optical

Components 3 (triple)
Component IDs AB
Separation 5.4″
Companion Mag 5.8
Position Angle 114°
Star Colors A: Blue-white B: Yellow-white
Discoverer STF1864
Binary with HR 5476. Colors for combined light. Mag. for blend, 4.53V.

Separation over time

Measured 1777 → 2023 (246 y)
Separation drift 7.0" → 5.4" (-1.60")
Rate -0.0065" / y
PA drift 105° → 114° (+9°, +0.037°/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.

Eyepiece View

Log in to set your own equipment
80x Dawes: 1.9″ TFOV: 0.6°
Realistic = true angular size
N E 114°

A: 4.9 · B: 5.8 · Sep: 5.4″ · PA: 114° · N up, E right

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

Explore

6

Size Comparison

Querying VizieR for stellar data…
7

Compare Stars

8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

Loading HR diagram…
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

Discover

14Stellar Notes

ADS 9338A, Alpha CV? 4.94 - 5.00V.
Overabundant gallium. Metallic-line star. 4206 MnII line varies in period 2.2445d; other lines vary, some in opposite | phase. Also classified A8.5V; component A, ApMn, component B, A7V.
0.012".
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.

}