Positions for a total of 3487 stars, scattered over 14 regions, have been determined using the Danish 1.5-m telescope at La Silla. 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. The fainter stars serve as a secondary standard. Based on three 1.5-m plates for each region, taken on different nights, an internal mean error in one plate position in the range 0.030 to 0.048 seconds of arc has been derived.

Cone search capability for table J/A+AS/53/181/table4 (Positions of 3487 stars in 14 southern open clusters)