Cluster in Carina - help me identify (NGC3114)

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

I took this image about 2 weeks ago now, but only just got around to processing it. And I have no idea what object it is.

It's an open cluster in Carina - I was trying to slew to the Southern Pleiades, and in the finderscope found a smudge of stars and figured it was it. I'm pretty sure it's not

I can't find any images that match with this object, so if you can help me identify it, that'd be great

36 minutes total exposure, with a batch of 3 and 4 minute exposures. ICNR used, flats calibrated in ImagesPlus. I used some wool sticky-taped to the dewshield for the diffraction spikes It's all I could find at the time, but they're a bit too thick as a result.

EQ6+ED80+unmodded 350D+WO 0.8x reducer. Guided with DMK+PHD.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the image.

Thanks

[glenc (Glen)]

Dunlop 297 = John Herschel 3224 = NGC 3114, I think it looks like a snail if you turn the image with the left side down.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Glen - I knew you'd know. I thought it might be that one but couldn't find any images that looked like mine - they all had too much focal length.

[iceman (Mike)]

Link to a page with a 1200px wide less compressed version:
NGC3114

[tornado33]

A nice rich starfield there
Scott