When is the best time to observe Theta Indi?

Theta Indi is best observed from July through September, with peak visibility during August when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Theta Indi located in the sky?

Theta Indi lies in the constellation Indus at right ascension 21h 20m and declination -53° 27′.

What telescope do I need to split Theta Indi?

Splitting Theta Indi requires an aperture of roughly 80 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 7.3″ at magnitudes near 4.4. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Theta Indi — Double Star in Indus

Observable Double Star Good (56/100)

Sep: 7.3", Companion: mag 6.9

Magnitude 4.4^m DoubleStar Indus (Ind) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.39

Spectral Type A5V

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.19)

Distance 76 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 21h 19m 52.0s

Dec -53° 26' 59.0"

Constellation Indus (Ind)

HR 8140

HIP 105319

HD 202730

SAO 246965

Bayer Theta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.4 mag Companion 6.9 mag Separation 7.3″

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

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Best season Jul – Sep (peak: Aug)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 7.3″

Companion Mag 6.9

Companion Sp A5V

Position Angle 269°

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

Discoverer HJ 5258

Notes

Companion A7V or G0V.

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2016 (182 y)

Separation drift 3.7" → 7.3" (+3.60")

Rate +0.0198" / y

PA drift 307° → 269° (-38°, -0.209°/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.