John Herschel discovered NGC 657 = h146 on 28 Nov 1831 and noted "A double star (h2070), the chief of a p rich loose cl; st 12m."

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/25/97): very unimpressive asterism near at the double star O∑ 35 = 7.2/10.4 at 13". Possibly John Herschel was attracted to a group of ~10 stars 4'-5' SW of the bright double. There are a few additional stars following this group which lead back to the double. This grouping includes a couple of close, faint doubles but appears to be a weak asterism at all powers as there is no evident clustering.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb