Observer's guide
About S Normae Cluster
S Normae Cluster (C89) is catalogued as an open cluster in Norma. Its J2000 position is RA 16:18:57, Dec -57:56:06, corresponding to 244.7208 degrees RA and -57.9161 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,939 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 29.5 by 29.5 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a very easy target at magnitude 5.4. It is associated with summer 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.
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 3.1 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 201 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 29.5 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 29.5 by 29.5 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.