Open Cluster · Puppis

C71 NGC 2477

Magnitude
5.8
Season
Winter
Difficulty
Very Easy
Star-hop chart
C710.0° field0° rotation
Stars

Drag to pan · scroll or pinch to zoom

Imaging reference
NGC 2477 (C71) Open Cluster

Observer's guide

About NGC 2477

NGC 2477 (C71) is catalogued as an open cluster in Puppis. Its J2000 position is RA 07:52:18, Dec -38:31:48, corresponding to 118.0458 degrees RA and -38.5369 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 3,700 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 18 by 18 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a very easy target at magnitude 5.8. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around January. 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 7.3 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 319 bibliographic references.

At roughly 18 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 18 by 18 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

Measurements for C71 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 118.045833° · Dec -38.536944°
SIMBAD classification
OpC
Angular extent
18′ × 18′
Position angle
Radial velocity
7.3 km/s
Redshift
0.00002435
Linked bibliography
319 references
Best midnight placement
January
Observable latitude range
-90° to 51.5°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

Your selected location

24-hour altitude profile

Use the highest part of the curve to plan the clearest observing window.

90°
60°
30°
-10°
10:25
14:25
18:25
22:25
02:25
06:25
10:25
Live sky imagery