Observer's guide
About NGC 4609
NGC 4609 (C98) is catalogued as an open cluster in Crux. Its J2000 position is RA 12:40:19, Dec -62:59:00, corresponding to 190.5821 degrees RA and -62.995 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 4,200 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 13 by 13 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as an easy target at magnitude 6.9. 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.
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 -25.2 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 96 bibliographic references.
At roughly 13 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 13 by 13 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.