Observer's guide
About NGC 2516
NGC 2516 (C96) is catalogued as an open cluster in Carina. Its J2000 position is RA 07:58:06, Dec -60:45:12, corresponding to 119.5271 degrees RA and -60.8 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 1,300 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 59.5 by 59.5 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as a very easy target at magnitude 3.8. 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 23.8 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 805 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 59.5 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 59.5 by 59.5 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.