John Herschel discovered NGC 2231 = h3050 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, pL, R, gvlbM, precedes a double star [h3862]." On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, 50", among 10 or 12 stars 10th and 11th mag." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is good.

300/350mm - 14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this LMC globular appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~45" diameter, fairly low but irregular surface brightness, increases in size with averted, no resolution. A number of brighter stars in the field including HJ 3862, a mag 9.5/11.5 pair at 8", which lies 5' SE. In addition, a mag 10 star is 6' NNE and two other mag 11 stars are within 4' N. Several more mag 12 stars (some closer) are in the field. S-L 885 lies 3.7' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb