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Hi PGC,
A good report as usual and I particularly enjoyed the sketch -- a very good rendering.
NGC 2362 isn't a huge cluster but really benefits from a low power to put a big, big "frame" around it. Looks pretty ordinary in a 16" f/10 S/C at x140 with a 24 arcminute field, but much, much better in my 18" at x83 with a full one degree field. My old (old) 8" at x45 was extremely nice too.
There is said to be a very, very faint ill-defined nebula surrounding the cluster illuminated by Tau Canis Majoris. Never seen it myself (not even suspected) but one or two amateurs have reported a positive on it.
IC 2531 is a seasonal favourite of mine -- simply gorgeous but really needs a proper dark sky in 10". It was very faint up at Mudgee in the 10", somewhat better in 12" but simply stunning in the 18".
Good description of NGC 3195.
Thanks for taking the time to post your observations!
Best,
Les D
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