most brilliant open cluster - check it out!!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Spent Sat night under exceptionally dark skies (near Mt Samaria). I have never seen the Milky Way quite so gobsmacking bright with so much detail. I took the 12" with all the accessories, but I actually got more out of my 8x and 12x binos. Cruising along with my 12x60 I stumbled on NGC 6067 in Norma within about 15 degrees of alpha Cent.

I am not usually all that big on open clusters, but this one stood out as something special. It is in the sparkling glow of the Milky Way but also happens to be on the shore of a dust lane as it is about to split in two carving out an island from our galaxy. The rich texture of the surroundings is truly amazing. Next time you're under dark skies I highly recommend you take a look.

Best seen with binoculars 50-70mm, 10x-15x. Dark skies are a must!

[mickoking]

Thanks for the review Steve NGC 6067 is a fantastic O/C, I have obseved it with my 80mm short tube and 300mm Dob and it looks great thru both. Near the centre of the cluster is a pretty double star with it's components Orange/Blue.

The planetery neb Menzel 2 (PK 329-2.2) lies close to the cluster.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Steve, will check it out.

On OC's, Rod and I observed M11 on Saturday night, it's another fine example of a brilliant open cluster. Second only to the jewelbox.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Looks like a nice cluster, I will add it to this weeks observing list.
There is so much to see in that part of the sky!

[glenc (Glen)]

James Dunlop found it in 1826 with a 9" homemade metal-mirrored reflector from Parramatta in Sydney.
He wrote "D360. A pretty large cluster of small stars of mixed magnitudes, about 12’ diameter; the stars are considerably congregated towards the centre, extended south preceding and north following. 5 observations"

[MarkN]

Yes, that and NGC3532 (Caldwell 91) which is apparently known as the "wishing well" cluster are my favourites.

Mark.