Observer's guide
About Winecke 4
Winecke 4 (M40) is catalogued as a double star in Ursa Major. Its J2000 position is RA 12:22:11.48, Dec +58:05:16.0, corresponding to 185.55 degrees RA and 58.0833 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 510 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 49 by 49 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as an easy target at magnitude 9.3. It is associated with spring observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around March. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 83.9 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is ?. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 10 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 49 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 49 by 49 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.