NGC 3201 is a globular cluster in the constellation Vela, located 5.7° NW of Mu Velorum.
Its discovery is uncertain; some sources claim that it was discovered by James Dunlop on May 28, 1826 and cataloged by him as Dunlop 445. Another source claims earlier discovery by Sir John Herschel at the Cape of Good Hope, with an 18-inch f/13 speculum telescope.
NGC 3201 is a good object for visual observation with a 6" or larger telescope under dark skies. It consists of magnitude 13-16 stars, with a total magnitude of 6.8. It is irregularly round, with an apparent diameter of 18.2 arc minutes. It has a very low central concentration of stars; Dreyer calls it "very large, roundish, and loose."
NGC 3201 is a relatively nearby globular, 16,300 light years from the Sun, and 29,000 light years from the galactic center. With a low galactic latitude, it is known to experience notable irregular variability of reddening across its face.