IC 2581

 OPEN CLUSTER IN VELA  

(Image centered at: ra 10 h:28 m / dec - 57º 44')

April 2022, Home Backyard in Martínez, Buenos Aires, Argentina

DATA

TYPE: Open Cluster

APPARENT DIAMETER: 8 arc minutes

VISUAL BRIGHTNESS: 4,3 (mag)

DISTANCE: 8.000  light years or 2446 parsecs   

IMAGE INFORMATION

INSTRUMENT: 8" ORION OPTICS UK (Ultra Grade Optics) w/Televue Paracorr working at at f5,75

CAMERA: QSI 583 WS

MOUNT: SKY WATCHER NEQ6, OAG with Starligh Xpress Lodestar

FILTERS: Baader LRGB Set, Astronomik Ha 6nm

SKY CONDITIONS: urban skies - Bortle 8

EXPOSURES: LHARGB (30,40,30,30,30)

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

IC2581 is a small but relative bright Open Cluster in the constellation of Carina close to the boundaries of Vela. The bright star in the centre of the image is A7 supergiant HD 90772, shining at visual magnitude 4,69. IC 2581 is embedded with nebulosity coming from Gum 29 / Westerlund 2. The cluster is also known as Collinder 222.