NGC3114

NGC3114 is a rather sparse looking open clusters of stars in the constellation of Carina, nearby the Carina Nebula. Due to the high numbers of field stars in the region around the cluster, it has been difficult to study it and the degree of contamination with start counts has been fairly high. Though it appears to have a rather defined squarish shape in photographs, this is but the core of the cluster. Studies over the years have obtained various parameters for its size, age and distance, but it is generally agreed upon that the cluster contains around 350 or so stars, lies 940pc (3064.4ly) from Earth and is around 100-200million years old. It's metallicity (elements other than Hydrogen and Helium found in the stars) is around the same as the Sun's. Pic was taken with t68 at the Bathurst Observatory (BAT-iTelescope Network). 15x60sec subs.
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