William Herschel discovered NGC 1647 = H VIII-8 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 143) and called it "a cluster of scattered stars consisting chiefly of large ones, it takes up above 20' of space; but there is not a great number of them." Sue French notes it was the first object discovered while trying out a new speculum mirror. He wasn't satisfied with the mirror, repolished it, and put it back into action 4 nights later.

300/350mm - 13.1" (1/11/86): about 80 stars in a scattered cluster including several bright stars. Very large, bright. Includes a mag 8.5/8.9 double star at 33" separation in the center. Also includes many faint double stars.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb