Observer's guide
About NGC 2548
NGC 2548 (M48) is catalogued as an open cluster in Hydra. Its J2000 position is RA 08:13:43.18, Dec -05:45:01.6, corresponding to 123.4121 degrees RA and -5.7261 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 1,500 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 44.3 by 44.3 arcminutes.
Observing tips
This is rated as an easy target at magnitude 5.5. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around January. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 32.3 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 41.5 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 234 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 44.3 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 44.3 by 44.3 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.