William Herschel discovered NGC 2343 = H VIII-33 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and called it "a cluster of scattered large stars, not so extensive as the last [NGC 2335], nor so rich." His position is just off the southeast side of the cluster.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/20/93): two dozen stars mag 8-13 in compact 5' diameter. The cluster has a distinctive boxy shape but is not rich. Includes an unequal double star ∑1028 = 8.8/11.1 at 11" at the east side. Stars are arranged in small subgroups with no central concentration, well detached in field. Located off the NE end of the huge, strip of nebulosity IC 2177.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb