Williamina Fleming discovered IC 431 = HN 61 on a Harvard College Observatory photographic plate taken on 27 Jun 1888. She noted "nebulosity surrounding DM -1° 1001." Edward Pickering published the discovery in the 1890 Harvard Annals publication (1890AnHar..18..113P).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, hazy glow surrounding mag 7.7 SAO 132436 and 11' WNW of brighter IC 432, which encases a mag 7.5 star. Located 30' NNW of Zeta Orionis!

600/800mm - 24" (1/1/19): at 200x; fairly faint reflection nebula surrounding mag 7.8 HD 37674, round, perhaps 3' diameter. The glow was evident comparing to similar mag stars. A brighter mag 7.1 star (HD 37660) is 3' NW and mag 10 stars lie to the S and SW. IC 432, a brighter reflection nebula, is 11' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb