William Herschel discovered NGC 2802 = H III-62 = h575 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "Two [with NGC 2803]; vF, pS, R, r, both rather bright middle. 240 shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian." His position was ~30 seconds of RA west of this pair. Henrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position that was used in the NGC position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Almost in contact with NGC 2803 30" ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb