Astronz Object of the Week – NGC 2516: The Southern Beehive

If you’re looking for a rewarding binocular target this week, look no further than NGC 2516, also known as the Southern Beehive Cluster.

This open cluster lies in the constellation Carina and is a Southern Hemisphere favourite. It’s large, bright, and easily visible even from the edge of town — though like all deep-sky objects, it’s best viewed under darker skies.

NGC 2516 is sometimes compared to the more famous Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer, but this one’s all ours — tucked away in the autumn sky, high overhead for New Zealand observers in the evenings. It contains hundreds of stars, including some hot blue giants and a few red giants that stand out beautifully in a telescope.

How to find it:
Look for the Southern Cross and follow the Milky Way band down toward the False Cross and Carina. NGC 2516 sits near the star Avior (Epsilon Carinae). With binoculars or a wide-field telescope, it appears as a loose sprinkling of stars across a generous patch of sky.

Best time to observe:
Autumn evenings are ideal — the cluster is well placed after dark and visible for most of the night. Moonless nights will give the best view, especially if you’re using a smaller scope or binoculars.

What you’ll need:
– Binoculars
– A wide-field telescope
– A dark sky — your backyard may be enough, but it shines under rural skies
– A star map or sky app to help guide you to Carina

If you’re new to astronomy or want help choosing binoculars or a telescope, we’re here to help. We’ve got gear for every level — and we love talking about the night sky.

Explore the stars with us.
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