John Herschel discovered NGC 2087 = h2946 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "eF, R, vlbM, 40"." His position is accurate.

300/350mm - 14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, slightly elongated, 30"x25", weak concentration. Mag 7.5 HD 38873 is 11' ESE, mag 7.5 HD 38683 is 10' S, and unequal double HJ 3802 (8.4/10.7 at 8") is 14' SE, the trio forming a striking right triangle of stars.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb