Open Cluster · Canis Major

C58 Caroline's Cluster

Magnitude
7.2
Season
Winter
Difficulty
Moderate
Planner
Star-hop chart
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10.0° vertical field
RA 07h 17m 48sDec −15.63°0° · N/E orientation
Imaging reference
Caroline's Cluster (C58) Open Cluster

Observer's guide

About Caroline's Cluster

Caroline's Cluster (C58) is catalogued as an open cluster in Canis Major. Its J2000 position is RA 07:17:48, Dec -15:38:00, corresponding to 109.4429 degrees RA and -15.6311 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 3,700 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 18.5 by 18.5 arcminutes.

Observing tips

This is rated as a moderate target at magnitude 7.2. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around January. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 22.4 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

A small telescope under reasonably dark skies is a good starting point; use the live altitude chart to choose its highest point.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is OpC. A published radial velocity value is 27.9 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 217 bibliographic references.

At roughly 18.5 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 18.5 by 18.5 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 109.442917° · Dec -15.631111°
SIMBAD classification
OpC
Angular extent
18.5′ × 18.5′
Position angle
0°
Radial velocity
27.86 km/s
Redshift
0.00009294
Linked bibliography
217 references
Best midnight placement
January
Observable latitude range
-90° to 74.4°

Source: SIMBAD ↗

24-hour altitude profile

Photographic sky survey