John Herschel discovered NGC 6396 = h3693 on 7 Jul 1836 and recorded "Cluster VIII; small, 5', place of chief D star". His position is 35 seconds east of the double star at the northwest side of the cluster, and well outside the confines of the cluster. Herschel's poor RA is used in the RNGC, NGC 2000.0 and the Sky Catalogue 2000.0. The ESO and Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas position is correct.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/8/91): consists of a dozen mag 9-13 stars in a small group of 4' diameter. Includes four stars in a distinctive 2' string oriented NNW-SSE and continuing north a pretty double star (h4966 = 9.8/10.8 at 12") which is oriented E-W. The brightest star mag 9 SAO 209043 is just off the WSW edge 4' from the center. Not rich or impressive but stands out well. Also a large scattered group of fairly bright stars is roughly 20' to the north.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb