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Wishing Well Cluster (NGC 3532)
open cluster in Carina
The Wishing Well Cluster is a large open cluster in Carina, shaped like a pea pod. It holds hundreds of stars and is among the brightest open clusters in the southern sky. It lies not far from the Carina Nebula.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 3532
- Also known as
- C 91, Caldwell 91
- Type
- open cluster
- Constellation
- Carina
- Size
- 55′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3
- Distance
- about 1,300 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Mar
- Typical prime months
- Dec to May
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Filter
- No filter (broadband)
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How to image Wishing Well Cluster
- Use 300 to 600 mm; it is about 55 arcminutes across.
- No filter is needed. Short exposures keep star colors natural.
- It never rises north of about 31 degrees north, so it is for southern latitudes.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 3532 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 500 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 880 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 1350 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 3532 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 6° | Stays low |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 66° | High in the sky |
Also worth imaging
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