Globular cluster · Vela

NGC 3201

Also known as: C79

mag 6.89.6′ across

About

NGC 3201 is a globular cluster of magnitude 6.8 in Vela, about 9.6′ across.

NGC 3201 is in the constellation Vela.
Best evenings: around mid-April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 34° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A fuzzy ball, brighter towards the middle.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Resolves into a swarm of stars at medium power, with a dense core.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	NGC 3201, C79
Type	Globular cluster
Magnitude	6.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	9.6′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 20.3 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Vela
Right ascension (J2000)	10h 17m 36.8s
Declination (J2000)	−46° 24′ 40″