The Southern Cross and Coal Sack

The diffuse stars are the result of dew building up on the camera lens during the exposure. The "Jewel Box" (open cluster NGC 4755) is located near the center, about 1.5 degrees southeast of Beta Crucis.

Instrument	:	Minolta 135 mm f/4 piggyback
Film	:	Kodak Ektapress Multispeed PJM
Date	:	26 March 1998, 01:34 - 02:05 UTC
Site	:	Cederberg Observatory, South Africa
Image #	:	1998-1/6