Theta Carinae Cluster IC2602

[TrevorW]

A slightly different process of a recent capture


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylotian/6913100116/in/photostream

IC 2602 (and Caldwell 102) (also known as the Theta Carinae Cluster or Southern Pleiades) is an open cluster in the constellation Carina. It was discovered by Abbe Lacaille (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/../wiki/Abbe_Lacaille) in 1751 from South Africa. The cluster is at a distance of about 479 light-years away from Earth and can be seen with the naked eye. The Southern Pleiades (IC 2602) has an overall apparent magnitude of 1.9, which is 70% fainter than the Taurean Pleiades, and contains about 60 stars. Theta Carinae, the brightest star within the open cluster, is a third-magnitude star with an apparent magnitude of +2.74. All the other stars within the cluster are of the fifth magnitude and fainter. Like its northern counterpart in Taurus, the Southern Pleiades spans a sizeable area of sky, approximately 50 arc minutes, so it is best viewed with large binoculars or telescope with a wide-angle eyepiece. The cluster is thought to have the same age as the open cluster IC 2391, which has a lithium depletion boundary age of 50 million years old

[LightningNZ]

Very nice, looks much more like a "through telescope" image than many photos. I like it - it's very different. Also it's one of my favourite clusters. Ye,s I have many favourites :)

Thanks for posting,
Cam

[tilbrook@rbe.ne]

Hi Trevor,

That looks good, the way you processed it gives it depth. That's my perception anyway.

Cheers,

Justin.

[multiweb]

That's a really natural shot with lot of depth Trev. Very nicely processed. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Quite nice Trevor... would make a great background for a Christmas card actually :thumbsup:

Mike

[TrevorW]

Thanks Cam, Justin,Marc and Big Mike

[Tom Davis]

Dang it! I forgot to image this beautiful cluster when my stuff was downunder.

Your gorgeous image reminded me of this. Great image!

-Tom

[stevous67]

Lovely version of the southern Pleiades, beautiful Trevor.

Steve

[TrevorW]

Thanks Tom much appreciated

Thanks Steve glad you liked