(IAAC) Obj: NGC 2281 - Inst: Vixen 9x63 binoculars

[anonymous at sedna.atmob.org]

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Observation Poster: Stéphane Meloche <stephanemeloche at videotron.ca>

Observer: Stéphane Meloche
Your skills: Intermediate (some years)
Date/time of observation: 2005/02/04 04h 52 UT
Location of site: St-Joseph-de-Coleraine (Lat , Elev )
Site classification: Exurban
Sky darkness: 5,6 <Limiting magnitude>
Seeing:  <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: Vixen 9x63 binoculars
Magnification: 
Filter(s): 
Object(s): NGC 2281
Category: Open cluster.
Class: 
Constellation: Aur
Data: mag 5.4  size 15'
Position: RA 06:48  DEC 41:05
Description:
Halfway between Menkalinan and Castor, in Gemini. At the beginning of my observation, the cluster appeared in the form of a small nebulosity, probably because of a great number of weak very tight stars, on which I could distinguish 2 stars individually. Thereafter, it seemed to me that one of two stars (the southern one) "was stretched", leaving the northern one. After checks, the stretching represents in fact the cluster, very close to a star of magv 8,6 (SAO 41356). NGC 2281 thus takes the aspect of a small group of very compact stars, lengthened form, and low brightness.
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