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Wishing Well Cluster

Black Arrow Cluster, Football Cluster, Pincushion Cluster
C91, NGC 3532

Open Star Cluster in Carina

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Proper Names	Wishing Well Cluster, Black Arrow Cluster, Football Cluster, Pincushion Cluster
Caldwell Number	C91
NGC/IC Number	NGC 3532
Constellation	Carina
Right Ascension	11h 5m 39s
Declination	-58° 45' 12"
Distance	c.1,600 light years c.500 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +3.0 Absolute: -5.5
Diameter	Apparent: 50' Actual: 23 light years
Number of Stars	c. 150
Optimum Visibility	March (Usually visible from southern latitudes)
Notes	This open cluster stands out against the backdrop of a dense region of the Milky Way, near the extensive Eta Carinae Nebula in the sky. It became known as the 'Wishing Well' Cluster because its stars were said to resemble coins sparkling in the depths of a well.

The Wishing Well or Football Cluster is one of a host of star clusters in one of the most densely starred regions of the Milky Way.

An open star cluster in the constellation of Carina, lying more than a thousand light years from the Sun.

Image of NGC 3532, the Wishing Well Cluster

The night sky of a hypothetical gas giant orbiting the star HD 96564, which lies in the busy Wishing Well Cluster. This populous cluster of stars lies near the Carina-Centaurus border, and is easily visible with the naked eye.

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