NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 2547 13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): this naked-eye cluster to the south of Gamma Velorum (bright binocular double) is roughly 30'x20' in size. There is a very distinctive, gently curving arc of stars bowed out to the east that defines the eastern side of the central region and the brightest mag 6.5 star (HD 68478) is along this arc. Three nice pairs are to the west and NW of the mag 6.5 star (one of these pairs has a third fainter companion forming a triple). The main portion of the cluster is enclosed in two outer strings of stars that form a large "V" with the vertex to the east of the mag 6.5 star and the pair of strings increase the diameter to 30'. While scanning for NGC 2547 I ran across a bright, distinctive red star to the west (probably M3-class HD 67821). 13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this is a very bright naked-eye cluster that includes a number of mag 7-8 stars. It appears at least 20'-25' in diameter, though the outer boundaries are pretty arbitrary. Very unusual arrangement as a number of the brighter stars form a curving arc which is bowed out towards the east and which defines the eastern border of the cluster! The brightest mag 6.5 star is within this arc on the south side of the cluster. The cluster is encased in faint reflection nebulosity, though this was not visible.