Observer's guide
About Omicron Velorum Cluster
Omicron Velorum Cluster (C85) is catalogued as an open cluster in Vela. Its J2000 position is RA 08:40:32, Dec -53:03:36, corresponding to 130.2921 degrees RA and -52.9911 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 500 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 97.7 by 97.7 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a very easy target at magnitude 2.5. 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 15.6 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 881 bibliographic references.
At roughly 97.7 arcminutes across, it favors a wide-field imaging setup. Use the listed 97.7 by 97.7 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.