John Herschel discovered NGC 1861 = h2790 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "eF, R, gvlbM, 90 arcseconds." His single position is accurate.

600/800mm - 30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, round, fairly small, 35" diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core, no resolution. A mag 12 star lies 4' W and there are no stars brighter than mag 11 in the field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb