2661 2659
Vel
☀8.8mag
Ø 3.0'

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John Herschel discovered NGC 2660 = h3138 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded a "Cl VI cluster; irreg R; gbM; 4'; resolved into distinct stars 14m." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this distant cluster appeared relatively faint, small, and was only partially resolved. It appeared ~2' in diameter and comparable to a faint globular cluster. A few faint stars were resolved on the west side and an unresolved brighter knot of stars resides on the south side. The cluster is wedged between a yellow/orange mag 8.4 star 2.5' S and a mag 10 star to the north. Located 16' ENE of mag 4.7 HD 74272.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb