Open Cluster · Circinus

C88 NGC 5823

Magnitude
7.9
Season
Spring
Difficulty
Moderate
Star-hop chart
C880.0° field0° rotation
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Imaging reference
NGC 5823 (C88) Open Cluster

Observer's guide

About NGC 5823

NGC 5823 (C88) is catalogued as an open cluster in Circinus. Its J2000 position is RA 15:05:31, Dec -55:36:14, corresponding to 226.365 degrees RA and -55.6081 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 3,888 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 16.1 by 16.1 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 7.9. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around May. 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 OpC. A published radial velocity value is -19.8 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 76 bibliographic references.

At roughly 16.1 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 16.1 by 16.1 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 C88 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 226.3650° · Dec -55.608056°
SIMBAD classification
OpC
Angular extent
16.1′ × 16.1′
Position angle
Radial velocity
-19.8 km/s
Redshift
-0.00006604
Linked bibliography
76 references
Best midnight placement
May
Observable latitude range
-90° to 34.4°

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

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24-hour altitude profile

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