NGC 2467 and environs. This beautiful region is worth considerable time at the eyepiece. In this photo, NGC 2467 is lost in the glow of Sharpless 2-311. To the upper left of the bright cloud is the cluster Haffner 19, enveloped by the circular glow of LBN 1066. POSS/DSS photo.

This complex region of nebulosity is relatively bright and should be visible in 6- to 8-inch scopes. The open cluster is bright, about seven arc-minutes across, and contains roughly 30 stars as seen in a 12-inch scope.

The nebulosity associated with the cluster is cataloged as Sharpless 2-311. Vaguely reminiscent of the Rosette Nebula, this nebula appears as a bright glow about five arc-minutes across and slightly darker in the center. Several dark bands cut across the ring, the most prominent of which enters from the southeast and terminates near the center of the nebula. Other faint glows are visible to the east and to the north. Your best view will probably be with an OIII filter, which gives the nebula a noticeable contrast boost.

To the northeast of NGC 2467 is a much fainter open cluster, Haffner 19. This cluster is fairly bright and contains about 15 stars in a two arc-minute area. The cluster contains several bright stars. Surrounding this cluster is LBN 1066, a roundish, faint glow about three arc-minutes in diameter.

With dark skies, you may also be able to detect the faint nebulosity to the northeast of the complex. This segment is about 18 arc-minutes long running northwest-southeast. While much fainter than the other nebulosities, it should be visible in 12-inch scopes.

How to get there:

NGC 2467 lies 1.7° south-southeast of magnitude 3.3 Xi Puppis.

Finder chart for NGC 2467