Observer's guide
About Theta Carinae Cluster
Theta Carinae Cluster (C102) is catalogued as an open cluster in Carina. Its J2000 position is RA 10:42:57, Dec -64:24:06, corresponding to 160.6129 degrees RA and -64.4261 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 492 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 173.9 by 173.9 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a very easy target at magnitude 1.9. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around February. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 0 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Its brightness makes it a practical binocular or small-telescope candidate when it is well above the horizon.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is OpC. A published radial velocity value is 17.6 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 745 bibliographic references.
At roughly 173.9 arcminutes across, it favors a wide-field imaging setup. Use the listed 173.9 by 173.9 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.