Psi Velorum — Double Star in Vela

Magnitude 4.5–5.1^m DoubleStar Vela (Vel) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.60

Spectral Type F3V Fe-0.7

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.36)

Distance 61 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 09h 30m 42.0s

Dec -40° 28' 00.0"

Constellation Vela (Vel)

HR 3786

HIP 46651

HD 82434

SAO 221234

Bayer Psi

3How easy to split?

Primary 3.6 mag Companion 5.1 mag Separation 0.6″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	V. hard	V. hard	V. hard
150 mm Newton 150mm Newt.	V. hard+	V. hard+	V. hard+
Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm	Hard	Hard	Hard

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

To reach "Medium" at Bortle 3, you'd need at least a 350 mm reflector.

4Visibility

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Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 0.6″

Companion Mag 5.1

Companion Sp F3IV

Position Angle 148°

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

Discoverer COP 1

Notes

4.1 F2IV, 4.6 F0V, 33.99y, a = 0.795". Combined mag., colors.

Separation over time

Period: 34.1 y Eccentricity: 0.438 Now: 0.62", PA 169° -0.13" in 5 years

Apparent separation over time, computed from ORB6 orbital elements. Steep curves indicate fast-changing pairs — catch them while they're splittable.

Eyepiece View

Telescope Eyepiece

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80x Dawes: 1.9″ TFOV: 0.6°

Seeing

Scale Realistic = true angular size

A: 3.6 · B: 5.1 · Sep: 0.6″ · PA: 148° · N up, E right

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

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7

Size Comparison

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8

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9

Spectral Classification

10

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map

11

Stellar Lifecycle

12

Blackbody Spectrum

13

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

14

Stellar Fusion

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15Stellar Notes

Variable Star

Comp. B, 4.5 - 5.1v.

Dynamical

0.061".

16

Light Travel Time Machine

17

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.

Open Cluster mag 12.50 2.2° Vela

Bright spiral galaxy

Galaxy mag 11.97 3.4° Vela

Tight double — a rewarding split at 2.9″

Double Star mag 5.57 4.6° Vela

Eight-burst planetary

Small bright planetary nebula

Planetary Nebula mag 8.0 6.9° Vela

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