Observer's guide
About NGC 1039
NGC 1039 (M34) is catalogued as an open cluster in Perseus. Its J2000 position is RA 02:42:07.40, Dec +42:44:46.1, corresponding to 40.5308 degrees RA and 42.7219 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 1,400 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 48.4 by 48.4 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as an easy target at magnitude 5.5. It is associated with autumn observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around October. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 80.7 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 -9.8 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 475 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 48.4 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 48.4 by 48.4 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.