John Herschel discovered NGC 2191 = h3023 on 9 Jan 1837 and reported "pB, vS, E, vsbM; a ruddy star 9th mag precedes about 5 seconds in R.A." His position is accurate. The ruddy star is mag 9 HD 42537.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this Carina galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'. Sharply concentrated with a very small brighter core. Surrounded by several brighter stars including mag 9 HD 42537 1.9' SW and mag 9 HD 42545 5' ESE. Located 2.4 degrees west of Canopus on the Pictor border.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb