NGC 4609; HOGG 15 & RCW 69

 OPEN CLUSTER INSIDE THE COAL SACK IN CRUX (THE CROSS)  

(Image centered at: ra 12 h:43 m / dec - 63º 07')

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR A LARGE VIEW

IMAGE WITH LABELS

July 2021, Villa de Merlo, San Luis, Argentina

DATA

TYPE: Open Cluster

APPARENT DIAMETER: NGC 4609 6 arc minutes; Hogg 15 2 arc minutes

VISUAL BRIGHTNESS: 6,9 and 10,3 respectively

DISTANCE: 5000 light years

IMAGE INFORMATION1

INSTRUMENT: TMB 92 f5,5

CAMERA: QSI 583 WS

MOUNT: SKY WATCHER NEQ6, OAG with Starligh Xpress Lodestar

FILTERS: Baader LRGB Set

SKY CONDITIONS: rural skies - Bortle 4

EXPOSURES: LRGB (40,40,40,40)

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

There are many interesting objects within the Coal Sack in Crux. NGC 4906 and Hogg 15 are two small open clusters separated by 5,27 magnitude star SAO 252002 right in the centre of the image. Studies indicates that NGC 4609 (approximately 5000 light years away). is well beyond the Coalsack which is only 600 lights years from Earth.

At the lower right we have RCW 69. It can be seen at 100% resolution here ; also below at the left corner we have RCW 70  with 48 arc seconds of diameter.  Below a wider image with labels.

NGC 4609; HOGG 15 & RCW 69

IMAGE WITH LABELS

ROGERS CAMPBELL & WITHEOAK 69 -  (aka RCW 69)

 TMB 92 SS f 5.5 - 100% RESOLUTION CROP