DeLisle Stewart discovered IC 2146 = DS 304 from a plate taken 18 Dec 1900 at Harvard's Arequipa Station. He noted "Cl, vF, bet 2 st."

400/500mm - 18" (4/8/16 - Coonabarabran, 139x and 236x): at 139x this outlying LMC cluster appeared as a large, fairly faint to moderately bright glow, 1.3' diameter, round, mottled. The surface brightness is relatively low and there was only a slightly brighter core. One or two mag 15 stars were resolved at the southeast edge. A mag 13-13.5 field star is at the NNW edge. At 236x, the surface is very mottled with a few interior stars popping in and out of view, suggesting it was on the verge of more resolution. Located 6' SE of mag 8.0 HD 38331. IC 2140, another LMC cluster, is 39' SSW.

600/800mm - 25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; moderately bright, large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~1.5'x1.0', irregular surface brightness, mottled. Slightly brighter middle but no distinct core. A mag 13 star is at the NNW edge. A few faint stars (mag 15+) were resolved on the south side.

S-L 620, located 23' NNW, appeared fairly faint, large, round, diffuse or fluffy appearance, at least 1.2' diameter, slightly irregular surface brightness but no visible core. Located 10' SSE of mag 9.1 HD 38151.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb