When is the best time to observe Pi Capricorni?

Pi Capricorni is best observed from June through August, with peak visibility during July when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Pi Capricorni located in the sky?

Pi Capricorni lies in the constellation Capricornus at right ascension 20h 27m and declination -18° 13′.

What telescope do I need to split Pi Capricorni?

Splitting Pi Capricorni requires an aperture of roughly 100 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 3.5″ at magnitudes near 5.2. 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.

Pi Capricorni — Double Star in Capricornus

Observable Double Star Good (54/100)

Sep: 3.5", Companion: mag 8.5

Magnitude 5.2^m DoubleStar Capricornus (Cap) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.25

Spectral Type B8II-III bright giant

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.07)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 20h 27m 19.2s

Dec -18° 12' 42.0"

Constellation Capricornus (Cap)

HR 7814

HIP 100881

HD 194636

SAO 163592

Bayer Pi

Flamsteed 10 Cap

Double Cat 13860

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.3 mag Companion 8.5 mag Separation 3.5″

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard+	Hard+
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	Medium+	Medium+	Medium+
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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Jun – Aug (peak: Jul)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 3.5″

Companion Mag 8.5

Position Angle 148°

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

Discoverer BU 60

Notes

AB CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1846 → 2019 (173 y)

Separation drift 2.9" → 3.5" (+0.60")

Rate +0.0035" / y

PA drift 145° → 148° (+3°, +0.017°/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.