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(IAAC) Obj: NGC 3532 - Inst: naked eye, 10x50 and 16x80 binoculars




Observer: Steve Coe
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: February 1998
Location of site: SS Dawn Princess, Caribbean Sea (Lat 15oN, Elev 0m)
Site classification: Exurban(!)
Sky darkness: 4 <1-10 Scale (10 best)>
Seeing: 5 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: naked eye, 10x50 handheld, 16x80 tripod binoculars
Magnification: 1x, 10x, 16x
Filter(s): none
Object(s): NGC 3532
Category: Open cluster.
Class: II 1 m
Constellation: Car
Data: mag 3.9  size 56'
Position: RA 11:06  DEC -58:39
Description:
NGC 3532 is a splendid cluster, I can resolve 32 stars across
the bright face of this large, dense open cluster.  It shows
a high surface brightness and I can easily see it naked eye.
A hint of the dark lane that cuts into this group can be
seen on the north side of the cluster.  Also, with the wide
angle view, I can see that NGC 3532 is in a very dense region
of the Milky Way.  It is surrounded by a myriad of stars on
all sides, many in beautiful curving chains.  Using 16X80
binocs, I could resolve 36 stars and the dark lane within
this cluster was much easier.  Very much reminds me of M-11
and the Scutum Star Cloud.