John Herschel discovered NGC 1581 = h2642 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, E, gbM." His position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~0.6'x0.25', no noticeable concentration. Two mag 10 stars at 1' separation lie 6' E. This Dorado Group member is located 40' due east of the bright galaxy NGC 1566.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb