Iota Cancri (ι Cnc)

Iota Cancri (ι Cnc) is a double star in the constellation Cancer, magnitude 4.1.

A wide, easy color-contrast pair in Cancer, often compared to Albireo. Its components (magnitudes 4.1 and 6.6; spectral types G8 III (yellow) and A2 V (white)) lie 30.5″ apart at PA 308° (measured 2022).

When and where to see it

It is best placed in the evening sky around March, when it crosses the meridian at about 10 pm local time (around midnight in January). It can be seen from everywhere north of 61°S and never sets north of 61°N.

At its highest it stands 69° up from 50°N, 84° up from 35°N, 61° up from the equator, 26° up from 35°S.

Facts

Type

Double star

Constellation

Cancer

Designations

ι Cnc, 48 Cnc, 48 Cancri, STF 1268, HIP 43103

Magnitude

4.1

Position

RA 8h 46.7m, Dec +28° 46′ (J2000)

Open AstroPilot to see when Iota Cancri (ι Cnc) is highest tonight from your location, how easy it is with your telescope or binoculars, and an eyepiece view.