Open Cluster · Centaurus

C97 NGC 3766

Magnitude
5.3
Season
Spring
Difficulty
Very Easy
Star-hop chart
C970.0° field0° rotation
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Imaging reference
NGC 3766 (C97) Open Cluster

Observer's guide

About NGC 3766

NGC 3766 (C97) is catalogued as an open cluster in Centaurus. Its J2000 position is RA 11:36:12, Dec -61:36:00, corresponding to 174.0608 degrees RA and -61.6161 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 5,800 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 13.9 by 13.9 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a very easy target at magnitude 5.3. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. 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 -16.5 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 226 bibliographic references.

At roughly 13.9 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 13.9 by 13.9 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 C97 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 174.060833° · Dec -61.616111°
SIMBAD classification
OpC
Angular extent
13.9′ × 13.9′
Position angle
Radial velocity
-16.49 km/s
Redshift
-0.000055
Linked bibliography
226 references
Best midnight placement
March
Observable latitude range
-90° to 28.4°

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

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