John Herschel discovered NGC 256 = h2348 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and described "not vF, S, R, has a star 9th mag Nf." On a second sweep he logged "F, S, R, gbM, 40" south of a star 8th mag. (In Nubecula Minor)." His third observation reads "F, lE, 30", precedes a star 9th mag" and a fourth record states "F, S, R, 18"; a star 9th mag Nf."

Pietro Barachhi observed this cluster on 16 Dec 1887, along with a number of other SMC clusters, with the 48" Melbourne telescope. He described NGC 256 (labeled as "H" as "follows G [NGC 248] by 30s and is 7' 20" south of it. pB, very small, sparkling, stars are in it - resolvable? Probably a group of close stars, only few - immersed in very faint nebulosity."

400/500mm - 18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, triangular or wedge-shaped, 30" diameter. Weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core but there was no resolution. Located 1.9' SSW of mag 9.7 HD 4558, which detracts somewhat from viewing. NGC 248 lies 8' NNW and several clusters are within 15' including NGC 265 6' ENE.

600/800mm - 25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; bright, fairly small, roughly triangular outline, 30"-35" diameter, high surface brightness, bright core, mottled. A few faint stars were resolved. A mag 9.7 star (HD 4558) lies 2' NNE. Several clusters are nearby; NGC 265 is 5.8' ENE, NGC 269 is 10' ESE, NGC 248 is 8' NNW and NGC 242 is 11' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb