NGC 2360 – Caroline’s Cluster
Observation Details
Location: Decatur, GA (33.7748° N, 84.2963° W)
Date and Time: 2025-02-04
Time: 21:37 – 23:07 ET
Sky conditions: Seeing – Average , Transparency – Mag 5
Instrument: Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet APO Refractor @ f/6 (native) – Aperture: 60mm, Focal Length: 360mm
Mount: Celestron Advanced VX
Eyepiece: N/A (Imaging)
Reticle Device: N/A
Imaging Equipment: ZWO ASI224MC, UV/IR cut filter, Apertura 32mm guide scope, ASI174MM-mini guide camera
Image type and sensor: ZWO ASI 224MC – CMOS, IMX224 1/3″ sensor
Image capture details: 83 minute integration, 83x60s, Gain – 100, Flats – 20, Darks – 30, Bias – 30
Software: PixInsight, Photoshop
Trumpler Class: II 2 m
Description: NGC 2360 is a large, rich open cluster with a moderately concentrated center. The cluster contains many similarly bright white and blue-white stars, with several brighter yellow and orange stars standing out among them. Its overall shape is somewhat irregular, and the cluster gradually becomes less dense toward the edges, blending into the surrounding star field.
Project Objectives
Open Cluster Observing Program page: https://www.astroleague.org/open-cluster-observing-program/
Record the location (Latitude and Longitude), date and time, Seeing and Transparency, telescope aperture, power, and a brief description of the observed object, the Trumpler classification, and an image of any 100 (Silver Level) or 125 (Gold Level) and include the equipment and processing used for clusters from the lists.
Silver Level, Imaging:
- Image 100 of the open clusters on the provided lists.
- Classify all 100 of the imaged open clusters using the Trumpler classification system.
- All observing techniques may be used under the basic program, including go-to, computer-controlled, star-hopping, digital setting circles, imaging, etc.
Gold Level, Imaging:
- Image 125 of the open clusters on the provided lists.
- Classify all 125 of the imaged open clusters using the Trumpler classification system.
- All observing techniques may be used under the advanced program, including Go-To, computer-controlled, star-hopping, digital setting circles, imaging, remote telescopes, etc.