13.1 (1/28/84): the cluster is a faint group of two dozen stars mag 12 and fainter. The planetary on the west side of the cluster is a pretty sight using a UHC filiter at 79x. It appeared fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0'x0.8', elongated N-S or SSW-NNE.

The planetary had been assumed to be the only one to be physically associated with an open cluster, although recent research firmly places the planetary in the foreground.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2818 = D 564 = h3154 on May 28 1826 and recorded a "pretty large faint nebula [star cluster] of a round figure, 6' or 8' diameter; the nebulosity is faintly diffused to a considerable extent. There is a small nebula [PN] in the north preceding edge, which is probably a condensation of the faint diffused nebulous matter; The large nebula is resolvable into stars with small nebula remaining." His position is 15' southwest of the planetary.

John Herschel recorded on 7 Aug 1837 (sweep 787): "A very curious object which reminds me strongly of M46 and IV. 39 [NGC 2438]. It is a rich cluster of the VI class, stars 12..14m; about 8' dia, gpmbM; all but a sort of vacuity, in which is situated a pB, R, neb; 40" diam; of a character approaching to planetary, having its edges shading off very rapidly, and being but very little brighter in the middle." His sketch is reproduced on plate V, figure 8 of the CGH Observations. A second observation on 22 Jan 1838 (sweep 809) describes the planetary first and the NGC summary refers to the planetary (in a large cluster). So the number NGC 2818 could apply to the planetary or the cluster. RNGC lists the cluster as NGC 2818 and the planetary as NGC 2818A.

Joseph Turner (date uncertain) and Pietro Baracchi (15 Jan 1885) sketched NGC 2818 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished Plate VI, figure 65).

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): the cluster appears as a faint group of 25-30 stars mag 12 to 15, over unresolved haze, though good seeing might resolve more. Includes a fairly faint planetary (NGC 2818A) on the west side. At 166x using a Daystar 300 filter, the planetary appeared moderately bright and large, elongated ~N-S. Also responds well to an OIII filter at 79x.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/25/00): NGC 2818 refers to both an open cluster and a superimposed planetary nebula (identified as NGC 2818A in the RNGC). The moderately bright PN is nestled on the west side of a faint but fairly rich open cluster. At 220x it appeared moderately bright, irregularly shaped, ~1.0'x0.8' and elongated roughly N-S. Excellent view at 280x with a UHC filter and unfiltered at 380x. The rim is irregularly brighter and gave a weak annular appearance; brightest at the south and southwest rim. The center is slightly darker but there was no well-defined central hole. The outline is not crisp and seemed to change orientation somewhat with averted vision.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb