When is the best time to observe Xi Pegasi?

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

Where is Xi Pegasi located in the sky?

Xi Pegasi lies in the constellation Pegasus at right ascension 22h 47m and declination +12° 10′.

What telescope do I need to split Xi Pegasi?

Splitting Xi Pegasi requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 176.9″ at magnitudes near 4.2. The companion is about 6.9 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Xi Pegasi — Double Star in Pegasus

DoubleStar Pegasus (Peg) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 4.19

Spectral Type F6III-IV

Star Color Yellow (B-V 0.50)

Distance 63 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 22h 46m 41.6s

Dec +12° 10' 22.0"

Constellation Pegasus (Peg)

HR 8665

HIP 112447

HD 215648

Bayer Xi

Flamsteed 46 Peg

Double Cat 16261

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.2 mag Companion 11.1 mag Separation 176.9″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Hard+	Hard	V. 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 Jul – Sep (peak: Aug)

5Multiple Star System Triple

Components 3 (triple)

Component IDs AC

Separation 176.9″

Companion Mag 11.1

Companion Sp M2V

Position Angle 6°

Star Colors A: Yellow C: Red

Discoverer HJ 301

Notes

AB binary. B 12v M1 at 12"; C, optical.

Separation over time

Measured 1834 → 2000 (166 y)

Separation drift 110.0" → 176.9" (+66.90")

Rate +0.4030" / y

PA drift 33° → 6° (-27°, -0.163°/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.