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(IAAC) OBJECT: NGC3532 (open cluster) INST: 80mm APO Refractor f/6
Observer: Todd Gross
Your skill: Intermediate
Date and UT of observation: 1/1/98
Location & latitude: Cancun, Mexico
Site classification: Urban/Suburban
Limiting magnitude (visual): 5.1 zenith (est) 3.5 (est) in vicinity of object
Seeing (1 to 10 - worst-best): 5
Moon up (phase?): No
Weather: Clear to pt. cloudy
Instrument: 80mm APO refractor f/6 - f/l 480mm
Magnifications: 16x,32x,69x
Filters used: none
Object: NGC3532
Constellation: Carina
Object data: Open cluster
Size(s): about 20x60'
Position: RA 11:05 DEC -58:44
Magnitude: 3
Personal Rating (for this aperture): B+
I stumbled onto this spectacular open cluster with binoculars while
searching for the infamous Eta Carina emission nebula. It was easy
to see in 8x32 as a very large cluster, partially resolved.
In the 80mm scope at 16x it was a large, very tight, elongated open
cluster with medium-bright uniform stars. It is oriented primarily E-W.
It looks best around 50x.
At 69x it started to loosen up a bit, but still fairly dense. The greatest
density was in an oval shape near the center, as the E side loosens
and broadens out a bit. In fact, I was using a star diagonal, and in this
orientation the clustery roughly resembled the constellation Leo.
(East on the right, West on the left, broadest on the East side)
The cluster took up the entire field of view using the 7mm eyepiece (69x)
Thanks!
- Todd
___________________________
Boston Meteorologist Todd Gross
toddg@weatherman.com
http://www.weatherman.com
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