George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2823 on 13 Mar 1850 though a sketch of the cluster was constructed the following year (by George or Bindon). NGC 2823 was unlabeled but placed at the north end of the cluster with a star close west, so the identification is certain. The NGC declination is 5' too far north (NGC 2827 and 2828 are also placed 3' too far north).

600/800mm - 24" (3/9/13): faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 24"x12", weak concentration. Elongated in the direction of a mag 10.4 star 1.2' SSW. Member of AGC 779.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb