Observer's guide
About NGC 2287
NGC 2287 (M41) is catalogued as an open cluster in Canis Major. Its J2000 position is RA 06:45:59.94, Dec -20:45:15.2, corresponding to 101.4992 degrees RA and -20.7161 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,300 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 39.8 by 39.8 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as an easy target at magnitude 4.6. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around December. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 17.3 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 23.4 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 317 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 39.8 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 39.8 by 39.8 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.