WH (VIII 51) noted this object as "a cluster of very scattered stars" and JH, who observed it three times (h416) described as an outlying portion of VIII 39 = NGC 2302 and "has no title to be called a cluster."

William Herschel discovered NGC 2306 = H VIII-51 = h416 on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and noted "a very much scattered cluster." John Herschel made 3 observations and described an outlying portion of NGC 2302 = H VIII-39 that "has no title to be called a cluster." Karl Reimuth also comments "many st, but nothing like a cluster.", based on its photographic appearance. RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7). See Corwin'sidentification notes.

400/500mm - 18" (1/26/09): at 175x, ~75 stars are resolved in an 18'x10' Milky Way group or cloud that streams WSW to ENE. The richest portion is on the west side just south of mag 8.6 HD 50734 (not part of the group). This subgroup includes a fairly close double star and a very small clump that resolves into at least 4 tightly packed stars. Appears to be an unimpressive Milky Way field, though the cloud is somewhat detached so is distinguishable.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb