Star positions in 14 southern galactic clusters

The 14 regions are centred on one of the southern galactic clusters NGC 1981, 2287, 2437, 2451, 2516, 2546, 2547, 2548, 3114, 3532, IC 2391, 2395, 2602 and Trumpler 10. Combining the Ritchey-Chretien reflector optics with a single element Schmidt-type corrector, gives a considerably enlarged flat field (radius about 25 minutes of arc, or 95mm) with stellar images of excellent definition.

With the exception of distortion, which can be allowed for, the effect of the primary aberrations is negligible. A frame of reference has been established for each region using ESO Schmidt plates centred on the clusters, each plate containing from 20 to 35 measurable Perth 70 stars. These objects have served for determining positions of some 200 to 400 fainter stars within a central field of 25 minutes of arc radius, covering the corresponding 1.5-m plates.