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C97

NGC 3766

Open Cluster Excellent (73/100)
C97 OpenCluster Centaurus Visible Level 1 Naked eye / Binoculars - Wide field preferred
Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 5.3
Angular Size 6.9′
Distance 5800 ly
Open Cluster [Distance: 5800 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 36m 31.9s
Dec -61° 36' 43.2"
Constellation Centaurus
Catalog C97

Visibility

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About C97

Description

NGC 3766 is a bright open cluster in Centaurus, about 5,500 light-years away. Known as the Pearl Cluster, it contains about 100 stars within 12 arcminutes, with many forming attractive patterns visible at low magnification.

Observing Tips

A fine cluster for small telescopes and binoculars. A telescope at 40-80x shows a rich grouping of stars with some color variety. Located near the Eta Carinae Nebula region. Best from southern latitudes in spring.

History

Discovered by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751 from South Africa. The Pearl Cluster nickname comes from its appearance as a scattering of luminous drops in a small telescope.

Fun Facts

NGC 3766 is about 20 million years old and contains a class of slowly pulsating B-type stars that has helped astronomers discover a new type of stellar variability mechanism.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026