When is the best time to observe S Chamaeleontis?

S Chamaeleontis is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is S Chamaeleontis located in the sky?

S Chamaeleontis lies in the constellation Chamaeleon at right ascension 13h 33m and declination -77° 34′.

What telescope do I need to split S Chamaeleontis?

Splitting S Chamaeleontis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 22.0″ at magnitudes near 6.5. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

S Chamaeleontis — Double Star in Chamaeleon

Magnitude 6.5^m DoubleStar Chamaeleon (Cha) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 6.48

Spectral Type F6V

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.48)

Distance 96 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 13h 33m 14.8s

Dec -77° 34' 06.0"

Constellation Chamaeleon (Cha)

HR 5082

HIP 66121

HD 117360

SAO 257060

Variable ID S Cha

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 6.5 mag Companion 9.2 mag Separation 22.0″

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	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 Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 22.0″

Companion Mag 9.2

Position Angle 134°

Star Colors A: Yellow B: Orange

Discoverer HJ 4590

Notes

Component B is CPD -76d769. CPM.

Separation over time

Measured 1837 → 2023 (186 y)

Separation drift 25.0" → 22.0" (-3.00")

Rate -0.0161" / y

PA drift 137° → 134° (-3°, -0.016°/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.