NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 2362 13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): gorgeous low power field surrounding Tau CMa using the 20 Nagler (75x). Tau was easily resolved into a triple with two mag 10 and 11.2 companions at 8.5" and 14" to the east. At 170x, 75-80 stars are visible and the cluster appears fully resolved. A string of stars passes to the north of Tau oriented NW to SE. Several faint stars and a detached clump lie to the north of Tau beyond the string. A mag 8.5 star marks the south border of the cluster. 13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): stunning open cluster at 105x surrounding Tau Canis Majoris which is a very close triple star. Perhaps 75 stars are resolved in a well-detached 6' region. 17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, this is a gorgeous, uniformly rich cluster surrounding Tau CMa, which is offset north of center. A WNW-ESE string of stars north of Tau gives a flattened border and the rich southern portion tapers to the south giving a triangular appearance. At 220x, ~60 stars are visible in a 6' diameter, many of 10.5-11. Just following the central star to the ESE are two mag 11 companions. Several other fainter stars are in the central core including one fairly close preceding. 17.5" (2/28/87): about 75 stars in 6' diameter surrounding Tau Canis Majoris (V = 4.4) in an unusually rich, impressive cluster! Tau is resolved into several components. 13.1": 50 stars in a triangular-shape surrounding Tau Canis Majoris, very rich, impressive.