When is the best time to observe Epsilon Doradus?

Epsilon Doradus is best observed from November through January, with peak visibility during December when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Epsilon Doradus located in the sky?

Epsilon Doradus lies in the constellation Dorado at right ascension 05h 50m and declination -66° 54′.

What telescope do I need to see Epsilon Doradus?

At magnitude 5.1, Epsilon Doradus is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Epsilon Doradus — Star in Dorado

Magnitude 5.1^m Star Dorado (Dor) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.11

Spectral Type B6V

Star Color Blue-white (B-V -0.14)

Distance 272 ly

2Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 49m 53.6s

Dec -66° 54' 04.0"

Constellation Dorado (Dor)

HR 2064

HIP 27534

HD 39844

SAO 249368

Bayer Epsilon

SIMBAD

3How easy to spot?

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Equipment	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
Naked eye Naked eye	Medium	Hard+	Hard+
50 mm finder 50mm finder	Easy	Easy	Easy
150 mm telescope 150mm scope	Easy	Easy	Easy

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs

4Visibility

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Best season Nov – Jan (peak: Dec)

5Survey Image

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Explore

6

Size Comparison

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Compare Stars

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8

Spectral Classification

9

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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Read: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram — Reading Stars Like a Map

10

Stellar Lifecycle

11

Blackbody Spectrum

12

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

Simulated absorption spectrum based on spectral type. Hover over lines to identify elements.

13

Stellar Fusion

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14

Light Travel Time Machine

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Relativistic Travel

Nearby in the Sky

Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.

Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.

NGC 2130

Hard+

Open cluster

Open Cluster mag 12.10 0.5° Dorado

NGC 2154

Hard+

Compact globular cluster

Globular Cluster mag 11.79 0.8° Dorado

NGC 2069

Medium+

Diffuse nebula

Diffuse Nebula mag 10.10 2.3° Dorado

Tarantula Nebula

NGC 2070

Medium+

Emission nebula — try an OIII filter

Emission Nebula mag 8.0 2.4° Dorado

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