This cluster is one of my favourite binocular clusters, also known as the "Southern Pleiades". The bright star theta Carinae lies at the heart of these diamond-like stars. Being over 1 degree in diameter, it fills the field of a low power eyepiece. Most people overlook the fainter and scattered open cluster Mel 101 just south of it. From a dark site, IC 2606 appears to the naked eye as more than a star. With care, a number of stars can be seen.
