Observer's guide
About NGC 5286
NGC 5286 (C84) is catalogued as a globular cluster in Centaurus. Its J2000 position is RA 13:46:26, Dec -51:22:27, corresponding to 206.6117 degrees RA and -51.3743 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 36,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 9.1 by 9.1 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 7.6. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around April. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 0 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 GlC. A published radial velocity value is 62.2 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 491 bibliographic references.
At roughly 9.1 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 9.1 by 9.1 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.