When is the best time to observe RX Leonis Minoris?

RX Leonis Minoris is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is RX Leonis Minoris located in the sky?

RX Leonis Minoris lies in the constellation Leo Minor at right ascension 10h 42m and declination +31° 42′.

What telescope do I need to split RX Leonis Minoris?

Splitting RX Leonis Minoris requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 109.4″ at magnitudes near 6.0. The companion is about 4.8 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

RX Leonis Minoris — Double Star in Leo Minor

DoubleStar Leo Minor (LMi) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.02

Range 5.98 - 6.16

Period 150 days

Variable Type Semi-Regular Variable (Late-type Giant)

Spectral Type M4III

Star Color Red (B-V 1.62)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 10h 42m 11.3s

Dec +31° 41' 49.0"

Constellation Leo Minor (LMi)

HR 4184

HIP 52366

HD 92620

Variable ID RX LMi

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.0 mag Companion 10.8 mag Separation 109.4″

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

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

4Visibility

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Best season Jan – Mar (peak: Feb)

5Light Curve

6Multiple Star System

Separation 109.4″

Companion Mag 10.8

Position Angle 176°

Star Colors A: Red

Discoverer BLL 28

Separation over time

Measured 1879 → 2014 (135 y)

Separation drift 119.1" → 109.4" (-9.70")

Rate -0.0719" / y

PA drift 173° → 176° (+3°, +0.022°/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.