Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2246 = Sw. III-36 on 27 Feb 1886 and described as "eeF; L; iR; e diff. Probably an offshoot of [NGC 2237] Two or three others suspected." The position is on a brighter patch of the Rosette Nebula in the inner portion of the annulus on the northeast side. Wolfgang Steinicke notes this is the last discovered emission nebula included in the NGC (published in 1888).

300/350mm - 13.1" (1/23/82): this is a brighter patch on the inner northeast side of the Rosette Nebula. A slightly darker gap in the annulus is located at the west end of this portion.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb