Those baby stars in the Carina Nebula

[overlord]

There is a group of luminescent white stars in the Carina Nebula of very great beauty. Viewed it at 50x w/plossl.

So sorry I don't have a picture but do people know what i'm talking about? I think there are 4 quadrants of the Carina and one of them has this awesome little collection and it was quite a moment seeing them!


I actually wrote in my sketchbook... "millions of glittering baby stars inside here, glittering like jewels."

[Suzy]

Hi Chucky,
This sounds like NGC 3293 (The Gem Cluster) :question:

It sits on some of its nebulosity, north and slightly to the right of the cluster, about one degree from the nebula (just sits on the edge of it).
I'm still trying to learn co-ordinates, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific. But basically a little nudge up and to the right.

Others will join in and be more specific I'm sure.
It is a very pretty cluster!

Hope this map helps. Apart from showing The Gem Cluster, it shows many great treats in the area- The Wishing Well Cluster, The Pearl Cluster, The Jewell Box Cluster and Omega Centauri Globular Cluster.

http://www.ngc3532.com/

[pgc hunter]

The Eta Carina Nebula contains 4 open clusters within its boundaries. The most obvious are Trumpler 14, 16 and Cr228. Tr 14 and 16 are fairly tight and rich while Cr 228 loose and large, but still contains dozens of bright stars which together create a rich starfield within the boundaries of the nebula. A 4th cluster, Trumpler 15, lies in the northern reaches of the nebula and is similar to Tr 14 and 16 in compactness, but is somewhat poorer in its star count.

[Paddy]

Hi Chucky,

You might find this map of the Eta Carinae nebula helpful

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/nebulae/ngc3372.html

You will need to bear in mind that the image extends well beyond NGC 3372 itself. AS Sab said, you're probably looking at Tr 14 + 16 and Collinder 228. You would probably see the nebula as far as Bochum 10 and a little beyond then see NGCs 3324 and 3293 as separate entities to 3372 - 3324 as a nebulosity with some stars in it and 3293 as a discrete and beautiful cluster.

It's a fascinating area. The most useful map of it that I've found so far is in the Night Sky Observer's Guide - mainly because it's based on a B & W image that's pretty much like the view through the eyepiece.

Hope this helps.

[overlord]

Both of my drawings of the of the Carina Nebula look different so I am not sure what I was looking at. That photo is very rich and the nebula is much brighter than the stars so I don't know what I was looking at oh well. But I might try to find out by doing some more sketching. :thumbsup: Thanks guys! cheers