The Diamond Cluster

NGC 2516
Sketch and Details by Orestis

The Open Cluster: NGC 2516

As soon as i laid my eyes on this beautifull cluster i knew that i must sketch it and so i did.
Observation and sketch was made at my home in Australia.

It was a beautifull clear sky but there was a near full moon so i decided to try and sketch something bright and the first object which came to mind was ngc 2516 which i could still see naked eye despite the near full moon.

I observed for a while and then started sketching ,i had never sketched a open cluster before and i didn’t know it was going to be so fun.I counted about 80 or so stars in the fov and noticed that the distibution of the stars was quite irregular were they seemed to loop out from the red central star.There was also a bright yellow star to the far east.

Sketch info:I used a 130mm reflector and a 20mm plossoll as my observing tools.I used a #2 mechanical pecil to plot the stars on 110 gsm white paper and then digitized it using gimp.All in all the sketch took about an hour to complete at the eyepiece.

To me ngc 2516 is like a blossoming flower waiting to be gazed upon,it truelly is an amazing open cluster.