John Herschel discovered NGC 1652 = h2661 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "vF; S; R; gbM; 12" across." His position (measurd on 3 sweeps) is accurate. NGC 1649 is probably a duplicate observation with a 10' error in declination.

600/800mm - 30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, moderately large, round, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration but azonal, symmetrical, no resolution. Located 8.4' NNE of mag 8.1 HD 29994. NGC 1649 lies 6.5' SSW and NGC 1676 lies 31' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb