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Brian W
25-02-2011, 04:47 PM
Hi all, last night cleared off a for about 2 hours and I got to do a little faint fuzzy hunting. Managed to bag NGC 2207 with averted vision in our 8" LB at @ 40x. Then I swung over to NGC 2354 which was just plain big and beautiful.

Next I went surfing the low southern sky and I came across a most beautiful cluster.

This is where I need some help. I just plain could not identify it using Stellarium simply because of all the other stuff in the area.

The sighting was at 23:30 (+8 GMT) and pretty much due south about 20 - 25 degrees elevation. Eta Carina was below and to the left and within 3 degrees of this o. p..
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I have no idea just how big the open cluster is but the core is made up of (8" reflector at 40x) 4 or 5 bright blue pin point stars and 2 or 3 pin point orange stars.

I am thinking NGC 3293?
Brian

Rob_K
25-02-2011, 05:48 PM
Yep, sounds like NGC 3293 Brian, not like any of the other close ones in that vicinity. Also called the Gem Cluster. It's a bit closer than three degrees though.

http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/NGC3293.html

Cheers

Brian W
25-02-2011, 06:25 PM
Thanks Rob, the link confirms 3293. Well deserving of title Gem Cluster!
brian