Identify this cluster please!

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi all,
Clearish night last night, so decided to pull an impromptu imaging session.
But, got caught up in alignment/tracking issues.
In the process managed to get 7x30sec iso400 shots of an unidentified cluster above the southern cross/ milky way region!!!??? (sorry, was trying to balance scope and not paying attention to sky - astrophotographer's curse!!)
Pic has come out quite well, but I have no idea of the name of the cluster.
It must be well known enough to see in my 8x50 finder.
Those 2 stars to the left should be good pointers!?
Can you chaps help me out?
Taken with ED80 f7.5, Prime Focus
Cheers
Doug

[Arcturus]

It's NGC 6231, The Northern Jewel Box. An open cluster in Scorpius.

The two 'pointers' are ζ1 and ζ2 Sco.

Excellent pic, by the way.

[Ric]

A great looking image Doug, you've captured some nice colours in the stars.

Cheers

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Very nice image Doug

Here is the culprit: http://seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n6231.html

What camera did you use Doug? You have very nice stars!

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Very nice image Doug

Here is the culprit: http://seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n6231.html

What camera did you use Doug? You have very nice stars!

Thanks a lot guys
Ken - that was taken with my one and only Pentax ist-D DSLR and ED80.
I had around 24 pics - cut them back to 7 decent (2 of which were really good)and stacked those.
Also used a "reduce star size" action in PS.
Cheers
Doug

[Dr Nick (Nick)]

Nice shot!

If you look closely, does this cluster look like orion to any of you guys?