NGC3532 The Wishing Well Cluster

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Open cluster NGC3532 The Wishing Well Cluster. It lies 1300 light years away in the Constellation of Carina. It was discovered by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille whilst observing from South Africa in 1752. NGC 3532 covers an area of the sky that is almost twice the size of the full Moon. This grouping of stars is about 300 million years old.

8" F4 Newtonian, 139 x 30 seconds, HEQ5 Pro unguided, Pentax K-5, Astronomik CLS filter.

My goal was to try and get some embedded Ha nebula as well as the cluster. A challenge with an unmodified camera.
Bigger at Astrobin ---> http://astrob.in/179256/0/

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

Really nice Kevin, the nebula stands out clearly, and the focus is sharp!

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Thanks Barry. I really liked your rendition of the cluster and nebula.

[jase (Jason)]

One of my favorite open clusters. Well done Kevin

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Thanks Jason. It's my favourite visual open cluster. First saw it back in 1976 with an 80mm refractor.

[Ross G]

Another beautiful photo Kevin.

Love the colour and composition.

Ross.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Thanks again Ross.

[Rex]

Loving these Kevin. Really pretty, and a nice little wisp of nebula in the background. Great shot.