William Herschel discovered NGC 2681 = H I-242 = h530 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and recorded "vB, large bright resolvable nucleus with vF chevelure." John Herschel gave a similar description on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328): "B; L; vsmbM to a * 10-11m, but sharply defined. It is a nebulous star with a vF extensive nebulosity." Eleven observations were made at Birr Castle, though no additional details were clearly recorded.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, about 2' diameter. Contains a small unusually bright core and stellar nucleus. A pair of mag 12 stars are 2.1' W with separation 30" oriented NW-SE. NGC 2693 lies 32' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb