When is the best time to observe Zeta Volantis?

Zeta Volantis is best observed from December through February, with peak visibility during January when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Zeta Volantis located in the sky?

Zeta Volantis lies in the constellation Volans at right ascension 07h 42m and declination -72° 36′.

What telescope do I need to split Zeta Volantis?

Splitting Zeta Volantis requires an aperture of roughly 60 mm or larger — the components are separated by about 16.0″ at magnitudes near 4.0. 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 Volantis — Double Star in Volans

Magnitude 4.0^m DoubleStar Volans (Vol) Visible

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1Physical Properties

Magnitude 3.95

Spectral Type G9IIIb bright giant

Star Color Orange (B-V 1.04)

Distance 141 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 41m 49.2s

Dec -72° 36' 22.0"

Constellation Volans (Vol)

HR 3024

HIP 37504

HD 63295

SAO 256438

Bayer Zeta

SIMBAD

3How easy to split?

Primary 4.0 mag Companion 9.3 mag Separation 16.0″

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Telescope	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
80 mm refractor 80mm refr.	Medium+	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

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Best season Dec – Feb (peak: Jan)

5Multiple Star System

Separation 16.0″

Companion Mag 9.3

Position Angle 117°

Star Colors A: Orange

Discoverer DUN 57

Separation over time

Measured 1835 → 2020 (185 y)

Separation drift 19.0" → 16.0" (-3.00")

Rate -0.0162" / y

PA drift 116° → 117° (+1°, +0.005°/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.