When is the best time to observe Rho Orionis?

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

Where is Rho Orionis located in the sky?

Rho Orionis lies in the constellation Orion at right ascension 05h 13m and declination +02° 52′.

What telescope do I need to split Rho Orionis?

Splitting Rho Orionis requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 6.9″ at magnitudes near 4.5. The companion is about 4.0 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Rho Orionis — Double Star in Orion

Observable Double Star Good (58/100)

Sep: 6.9", Companion: mag 8.5

Magnitude 4.5^m DoubleStar Orion (Ori) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.46

Spectral Type K0.5III giant

Star Color Red (B-V 1.19)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 13m 17.5s

Dec +02° 51' 40.0"

Constellation Orion (Ori)

HR 1698

HIP 24331

HD 33856

SAO 112528

Bayer Rho

Flamsteed 17 Ori

Double Cat 3797

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.5 mag Companion 8.5 mag Separation 6.9″

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.	Medium	Medium	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 Triple optical

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AB

Separation 6.9″

Companion Mag 8.5

Position Angle 64°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer STF 654

Notes

AB fixed. B, 8.4v, F7V at 7"; C, 11.8 at 182".

Separation over time

Measured 1825 → 2023 (198 y)

Separation drift 7.1" → 6.9" (-0.20")

Rate -0.0010" / y

PA drift 62° → 64° (+2°, +0.010°/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.