When is the best time to observe Zeta Microscopii?

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

Where is Zeta Microscopii located in the sky?

Zeta Microscopii lies in the constellation Microscopium at right ascension 21h 03m and declination -38° 38′.

What telescope do I need to split Zeta Microscopii?

Splitting Zeta Microscopii requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 99.7″ at magnitudes near 5.3. The companion is about 5.4 magnitudes fainter, so glare from the primary — not separation — sets the minimum aperture. Larger apertures and steady seeing help resolve the pair cleanly.

Zeta Microscopii — Double Star in Microscopium

Magnitude 5.3^m DoubleStar Microscopium (Mic) Visible

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Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.30

Spectral Type F3V

Star Color Yellow-white (B-V 0.41)

Distance 136 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 21h 02m 58.0s

Dec -38° 37' 54.0"

Constellation Microscopium (Mic)

HR 8048

HIP 103882

HD 200163

SAO 212666

Bayer Zeta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 5.3 mag Companion 10.7 mag Separation 99.7″

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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	Easy	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

Separation 99.7″

Companion Mag 10.7

Position Angle 207°

Star Colors A: Yellow-white

Discoverer UC 4365

Separation over time

Measured 1904 → 2015 (111 y)

Separation drift 100.4" → 99.7" (-0.70")

Rate -0.0063" / y

PA drift 208° → 207° (-1°, -0.009°/y)

Slow change over generations — observable in lifetime comparisons.

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.