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.
