Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered M42 = NGC 1982 = H III-1 around 1731 with a small, long-focal length refractor (18 or 22 ft). It's sometimes referred to as "De Mairan's Nebula". This prominent patch in the Orion Nebula complex was not mentioned by Piersec or sketched by Huygens. William Herschel catalogued it as H III-1 on 3 Nov 1783 (third night of sweeps), noting "vF, S, mE. In the Large nebula."

200/250mm - 8" fairly large, irregular, protrudes to the NE, includes a bright star.

300/350mm - 13.1" large detached piece of M42, mottled outer region, very bright center. Has a large rotated "comma" shape with a dark indentation on the east side. A mag 8 star is embedded.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb