NGC 3766 Centaurus open cluster

[Placidus]

Full moon, and house guests. No astrophotos for 5 weeks as we've been in Europe photographing castles and cathedrals. Getting withdrawal symptoms. Needing a quick fix.

NGC 3766 is a beautiful open cluster in Centaurus, about 12 min arc across. Mostly hot blue-white stars with two conspicuous red giants.

RGB 12 off 1 minute exposures per channel.

We've processed this to emphasise the cluster, as you might see it in a good visual scope with tiny pinpoint stars, rather than being all egalitarian and emphasising the general milky way behind it at the expense of the main game.

Big one here (https://photos.smugmug.com/Category/Clusters/i-sGFpMGM/0/4bc8dc28/O/NGC%203766%20Centaurus%20open%20clu ster%20RGB%2012%20mins%20each.jpg)

Best,
MnT

[Lognic04]

Nice!

[gregbradley]

Nicely done, more what it looks like visually through a scope.

Greg.

[Atmos]

Very nice MnT, looks very much like what the Mewlon 259 throws up :)

[topheart]

Very nicely done!!

Cheers,
Tim

[Placidus]

Logan, Greg, Colin, Tim,

Thanks muchly, colleagues.

Open clusters can be surprisingly pretty despite requiring almost negligible effort to capture; a bit like tossing a good steak on a hot barbie for a few minutes a side.

Although the moon was full, it was only just rising, and the beastie was close to the meridian. The very short exposures reduced the chance of gremlins. There are pairs 2 sec arc apart in the distant milky way background that you could drive a truck through, so we were pretty happy.

After close to 6 weeks of idleness, the only troubles we had were stale petrol in the generator carbie so it didn't want to do a remote start, and a big hairy huntsman seeking warmth, that landed on Mike in the dark. So good to be back in Oz.

Best,
MnT

[willik]

Very nice and the star colour looks great
Martin

[Ryderscope]

A good opportunity to grab a nice cluster MnT. Certainly shows off the capabilities of your scope. The analogy of the steak on the barbie is a good one.

[multiweb]

:eyepop: Some serious res here Mike. Beautiful star colours. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Placidus]

Martin, Rodney, Marc,

Thanks very much for kind comments.

Glad the stars aren't too pastel :D

[multiweb]

:lol: Just right mate. ;)