NGC 2354

 OPEN CLUSTER IN CANIS MAJOR (THE GRATER DOG)    

(Image centered at: ra 07 h:14 m / dec - 25º 44')

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

DATA

TYPE: Open Cluster

APPARENT DIAMETER: 20 arc minutes 

APPARENT MAGNITUDE (V): 6.5

DISTANCE: 4270 light years    

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 Starlight Xpress Lodestar

FILTERS: Baader LRGB Set

SKY CONDITIONS: urban skies - Bortle 8

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

i

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

NGC 2354 is in the southern east side of the constellation of Canis Major. It is located a bit more of 1º to the south west from NGC 2362 or 4,37 magnitude star tau Canis. With a 9x binoculars both objects can be seen in the same field of view. This open cluster has a low brightness surface due the fact that the stars members are quite sparse, thus is kind of difficult to discern the outer limits of this object.

On the upper left we have 26 canis majoris shining at magnitude 5.91.