E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2141 in Jan 1883 with his 5-inch refractor. His announcement note in Sidereal Messenger, Vol 3, p9 titled "A New and Faint Nebulosity" gives an accurate position and describes a "very faint nebulosity. It lies a little over 3/4° north of Mu Orionis, and requires a low power to be seen at all. With my 5-inch refractor and a power of 30, it is quite distinct; but high powers diffuse it greatly. There is a faint star in its center, and several others on its border, about 2' diameter. I have repeatedly seen this nebula since January 1883."

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/8/90): 20-25 faint stars mag 13-15 at 220x over extensive haze. Located within an incomplete circle of several brighter mag 11-12 stars about 8' diameter.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb