John Herschel discovered NGC 1894 = h2818 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 80"; resolvable. On a ground of small stars." His position from a single sweep is accurate.

600/800mm - 30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright to very bright, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter, high surface brightness. A couple of mag 15+ stars are at the edge on the north side as well as a mag 13.5 star at the northwest edge. Situated in a rich region of the LMC with a glowing background. NGC 1903 and NGC 1916, both showpiece globulars, lie 11' NE and 15' ENE, respectively. NGC 1876 and neighbors, an impressive HII complex, lies 15' NW and NGC 1898 is 12' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb