Observer's guide
About NGC 1960
NGC 1960 (M36) is catalogued as an open cluster in Auriga. Its J2000 position is RA 05:36:17.74, Dec +34:08:26.7, corresponding to 84.0842 degrees RA and 34.135 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 4,100 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 120 by 120 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as an easy target at magnitude 6.3. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around December. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 72.1 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 7 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 208 bibliographic references.
At roughly 120 arcminutes across, it favors a wide-field imaging setup. Use the listed 120 by 120 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.