Messier 41 (original) (raw)

January 16, 1765. 41. 6h 35m 53s (98d 58' 12") -20d 33' 00"
Cluster of stars below Sirius, near Rho Canis Majoris; this cluster appears nebulous in an ordinary telescope of one foot [FL]; it is nothing more than a cluster of small stars.

[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 450 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of January 16 to 17, 1765, I have observed below Sirius & near the star Rho of Canis Major a star cluster; when examining it with a night refractor, this cluster appeared nebulous; instead, there is nothing but a cluster of small stars. I have compared the middle with the nearest known star; & I found its right ascension of 98d 58' 12", & its declination 20d 33' 50" north [actually, south; see table below].
[p. 458] 1765.Jan.16. RA: 98.58.12, Dec: 20.33. 0.A. Cluster of stars below Sirius, & near the star Rho Canis Majoris.