John Herschel discovered NGC 2383 = h3081 on 15 Feb 1836 (along with NGC 2384 = h3083) and recorded "cluster, irregularly round, pretty much compressed, 6'. Stars of mixed magnitudes." His first position (of two) is accurate.

200/250mm - 8" (3/28/81): small, rich cluster of mag 11-13 stars, three mag 10 stars are near, NGC 2384 lies 8' SSE.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/7/92): about 30 stars mag 10-14 in 5' diameter and rich in mag 13-14 stars near the center. Includes three mag 10 stars; one at the west end, another just east of center and the last at the east end. Just SW of the mag 10 star near the center is a rich glowing knot which is very pretty with averted. The cluster is set over unresolved background haze. NGC 2384 is in the field 8' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb