William Herschel discovered NGC 2489 = H VII-23 = h479 = h3107 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 501) and reported "a compressed cluster of pretty large stars, considerably rich." This cluster was probably first discovered by James Dunlop on 28 May 1826 and logged as "a cluster of small stars, of an irregular round figure, with faint nebula, easily resolvable. The 257 Argus is south following." His position for D 626 is 30' WNW of center, but despite the poor position the description is reasonable.

JH observed the cluster from the Cape of Good Hope on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "A round, pretty compressed cluster of stars 11..13th mag; 6th or 7th class; gradually brighter in the middle, pretty rich, 7' diameter." On a second sweep he wrote "Cluster 7th class. Round, 5' diameter, stars 12th mag."

300/350mm - 13.1" (1/18/85): about 50 stars in a 8' diameter. Rich in mag 11-14 stars. A richer group of stars is at the center surrounded by a larger incomplete ring of stars. Located 13' N of mag 6.3 PX Puppis (6.3-6.7).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb