Discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654.
Independently rediscovered by Le Gentil in 1749.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 449-450 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of September 25 to 26, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of
small stars in Auriga, near the star Sigma of that constellation, little
distant from the two preceding clusters: this one is of square shape, &
doesn't contain any nebulosity, if one examines it with a good instrument:
its extension may be 15 minutes of arc. I have determined its position: its
right ascension was 78d 10' 12", & its declination 36d 11' 51" north.
[p. 458]
1764.Sep.25. RA: 78.10.12, Dec: 36.11.51.B, Diam: 0.15.
Cluster of small stars, near the star Sigma Aurigae, & little distant
from the two preceding clusters
[M36 and M37].
Last Modification: May 22, 2005