When is the best time to observe AX Circini?

AX Circini is best observed from March through May, with peak visibility during April when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is AX Circini located in the sky?

AX Circini lies in the constellation Circinus at right ascension 14h 53m and declination -63° 49′.

What telescope do I need to follow AX Circini?

To follow AX Circini through its full brightness cycle (magnitude 5.7 to 6.1) you need any 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars — the star fades out of smaller apertures near minimum light.

AX Circini — Variable Star in Circinus

Observable Variable Star Excellent (60/100)

Range: 5.65 - 6.09, Period: 5.3d, Type: DCEP

VariableStar Circinus (Cir) Visible

Star Map + List + Plan Star Hop

Observe

1Physical Properties

Magnitude 5.87

Range 5.65 - 6.09

Period 5.3 days

Variable Type Classical Cepheid

Spectral Type G3II+B8V

Star Color Orange (B-V 0.72)

2Position & Identifiers

RA 14h 52m 35.0s

Dec -63° 48' 36.0"

Constellation Circinus (Cir)

HR 5527

HIP 72773

HD 130702

Variable ID AX Cir

SIMBAD

3How easy to follow?

Magnitude 5.7 – 6.1 mag Amplitude 0.4 mag Period 5.27 d Type DCEP

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Equipment	Bortle 3	Bortle 4	Bortle 5
Naked eye Naked eye	V. hard+	V. hard	V. hard
50 mm finder 50mm finder	Hard+	Hard+	Hard+
150 mm telescope 150mm scope	Hard+	Hard+	Hard+

Easy Medium Hard Very hard Impossible

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

Out of reach for typical amateur telescopes, even at Bortle 3.

4Visibility

Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.

Best season Mar – May (peak: Apr)

5Light Curve

6Comparison Stars for AX Cir (5.7–6.1)

Nearby stable stars for estimating brightness (AAVSO)

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7

Size Comparison

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8

Compare Stars

Compare with another star

9

Spectral Classification

10

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

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

11

Stellar Lifecycle

12

Blackbody Spectrum

13

Stellar Absorption Spectrum

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

14

Stellar Fusion

Discover

15Stellar Notes

Variable Star

CDelta 5.65 - 6.09V, 5.273268d.

Double Star

In Innes catalogue, 6.5, 6.5v sep. 0.5" in 1913. Not confirmed.

Spectroscopic Binary

Secondary B4. SKYLAB indicates cool star with hot companion.

Color

Large color excess.

Spectral

Also classified F2-G2II + B4 and F6IIab + B8V.

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 5617

Easy

Rich open cluster

Open Cluster mag 6.3 4.1° Centaurus

R Cen

Hard+

Mira-type variable, range 5.3–11.8

Variable Star mag 6.39 5.8° Centaurus

X TrA

Medium+

Semi-regular variable, range 5.0–6.0

Variable Star mag 5.81 6.6° Triangulum Australe

V Cen

Medium+

Pulsating variable, period 5.5d

Variable Star mag 6.93 7.3° Centaurus

S TrA

Medium

Pulsating variable, period 6.3d

Variable Star mag 6.41 7.6° Triangulum Australe

NGC 5189

Hard+

Planetary nebula — try an OIII filter

Planetary Nebula mag 10.0 8.6° Musca

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