(IAAC) Obj: NGC 3372, Tr 16 (Eta Carinae) - Inst: naked eye, 10x50 and 16x80 binocs

Observer: Steve Coe
Your skills: Advanced (many years)
Date/time of observation: February 1998
Location of site: SS Dawn Princess, Caribbean Sea (Lat 15oN, Elev 0m)
Site classification: Exurban(!)
Sky darkness: 4 <1-10 Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: naked eye, 10x50 handheld, 16x80 tripod binoculars
Magnification: 1x, 10x, 16x
Filter(s): none
Object(s): NGC 3372, Tr 16 (Eta Carinae)
Category: Emission nebula. Open cluster.
Constellation: Car
Data: mag ?, 5.0  size 120'x120', 10'
Position: RA 10:45  DEC -59:41
Eta Carina is unmistakeably naked eye, a bright, elongated
glow in the Milky Way.  Using the 10X50 binocs it is a large
and bright nebulosity that is cut into two almost equal parts
by a V-shaped dark lane.  There are 12 stars involved within
the nebula.  With averted vision the outer, dimmer portions
of this huge nebula are seen.  All together this nebulous
complex is about 2 degrees is size.  Using a friends' 16X80
binoculars for a peek, I counted 16 stars involved and the
glow of the nebula is easily half of the field of view,
I estimate 2 degrees in size.  The star Eta Carina is
yellow-orange in color, using the big binoculars.