When is the best time to observe Psi Aurigae?

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

Where is Psi Aurigae located in the sky?

Psi Aurigae lies in the constellation Auriga at right ascension 06h 47m and declination +43° 35′.

What telescope do I need to split Psi Aurigae?

Splitting Psi Aurigae requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 28.2″ at magnitudes near 5.2. The companion is about 3.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Psi Aurigae — Double Star in Auriga

HIP 32480; Psi5 Aurigae; 56 Aurigae

Observable Double Star Good (56/100)

Sep: 28.2", Companion: mag 8.7

Magnitude 5.2^m DoubleStar Auriga (Aur) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.25

Spectral Type G0V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.56)

Distance 48 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 06h 46m 44.3s

Dec +43° 34' 39.0"

Constellation Auriga (Aur)

HR 2483

HIP 32480

HD 48682

SAO 41330

Bayer Psi5

Flamsteed 56 Aur

Double Cat 5425

SIMBAD Wikipedia

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.3 mag Companion 8.7 mag Separation 28.2″

Sign in and configure your equipment and default location to see a personalized row.

Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Easy	Easy	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

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Multiple Star System B,C: optical

Separation 28.2″

Companion Mag 8.7

Position Angle 44°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Orange

Discoverer SHJ 75

Notes

Companion orange, optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1782 → 2022 (240 y)

Separation drift 53.0" → 28.2" (-24.80")

Rate -0.1033" / y

PA drift 17° → 44° (+27°, +0.113°/y)

Apparent motion is significant on a human timescale — worth revisiting in a decade.

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.