Perhaps known to Aristotle about 325 B.C.
Discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654.
Discovered by John Flamsteed on February 16, 1702.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 450 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of January 16 to 17, 1765, I have observed below Sirius
& near the star Rho of Canis Major a star cluster; when examining it
with a night refractor, this cluster appeared nebulous; instead, there is
nothing but a cluster of small stars. I have compared the middle with the
nearest known star; & I found its right ascension of 98d 58' 12", &
its declination 20d 33' 50" north [actually, south; see table below].
[p. 458]
1765.Jan.16. RA: 98.58.12, Dec: 20.33. 0.A.
Cluster of stars below Sirius, & near the star Rho Canis Majoris.
Last Modification: March 25, 2005