NGC 1856 = ESO 056-073 = S-L 271

05 09 30.1  -69 07 43; Dor
V = 10.1; Size 2.7’x2.4′

18″ (7/10/05 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this LMC rich cluster appeared bright, moderately large, 1.5′ diameter. Well concentrated with a very bright 30″ core similar to a globular cluster. Located 2′ N of mag 9.4 HD 34144 and 23′ SSE of NGC 1850.

Notes: James Dunlop discovered NGC 1856 = D 118 = h2784 on 24 Sep 1826 and described “a pretty well-defined small nebula, with a small star south of it.” His position is 6′ too far ENE, a comparable offset to NGC 1839 and NGC 1850, the previous objects in his drift on September 25th. The “small star south” matches a mag 9.4 star 2′ S and the identification is secure.

John Herschel swept up the cluster on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep #509), logging it as “B, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 12 seconds diameter in RA in time. Has a bright star to south.” Robert Innes observed it in 1926 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory and described a “cluster, 90″ diameter, bright middle, stars 14th mag and fainter.”

Harlow Shapley listed NGC 1783 as one of the 8 LMC globulars in his 1930 book “Star Clusters”, though it’s age is now known to be only 250-450 million years.

NGC 1860 = ESO 056-075 = S-L 284

05 10 39.9  -68 45 13; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.1’x1.1′

24″ (4/5/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster was fairly faint, moderately large, possibly elongated slightly N-S, ~35″x30″, very weak concentration. HD 269128, a mag 10.4 blue supergiant (LBV candidate), lies 1.7′ SW. NGC 1860 was picked up after viewing NGC 1863 (5.5′ ENE) and NGC 1865 (9.5′ ESE). The amazing field containing NGC 1850 (brightest cluster in the LMC), NGC 1854 and 1858 is just to the SW.

Notes: John Herschel discovered NGC 1860 = h2787 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as “F; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60.” His position is 30″ too far south.

NGC 1863 = ESO 056-077 = S-L 299

05 11 40.1 -68 43 36; Dor
V = 11.0; Size 1.2’x1.0′

24″ (4/5/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC globular appeared very bright, moderately large, irregular outline, ~40″ diameter, high surface brightness. A faint star or clump is at the NE edge. Forms a pair with NGC 1865 5′ SE. The remarkable field containing NGC 1850 (brightest cluster in the LMC), NGC 1855 and 1858 lies 15′ SW.

Notes: James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1863 = D 173 = h2791 on 25 Sep 1826. He recorded “a small faint round nebula 12″ diameter.” His reduced position was 12′ ENE of the cluster, a comparable offset in RA (time) as the previous object (NGC 1858) in his drift.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1863 = h2791 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded “B; vS; R; 20″.” On a second sweep he added, “resolvable, 15″, has a small star very near the edge.” His position (recorded on 5 sweeps) is accurate.

NGC 1865 = ESO 056-078 = S-L 307

05 12 25.0  -68 46 19; Dor
V = 12.9; Size 1.4’x1.4′

24″ (4/5/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster was fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1′ diameter with a weak concentration and no resolution. It has a symmetrical appearance like a globular. Located 5′ SE of the bright cluster NGC 1863.

Notes: John Herschel discovered NGC 1865 = h2794 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded “very faint, pretty large, round, very gradually little brighter middle, 45″.” His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

NGC 1870 = ESO 056-081 = S-L 317

05 13 10.9  -69 07 03; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 0.8’x0.8′

24″ (4/5/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared very bright, small, round, at most 30″ in diameter. The cluster was very grainy and lively at 350x and a few extremely faint stars occasionally popped into view.

Notes: James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1870 = D 123 = h2799 on 3 Aug 1826. He described, “a faint ill-defined nebula, 2′ diameter, preceding a large faint nebula.” His position, from a single observation, is 9.5′ too far ESE. Adding some doubt, though, is his size estimate of 2′, which is much too large for this small object. Furthermore, there is no “large faint nebula” directly following, though he could be referring to NGC 1910, which is ~30′ ESE and also observed that night.

John Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 30 Jan 1835 and logged “B; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25.” His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.

NGC 1885 = ESO 056-88 = S-L 338

05 15 06.8  -68 58 43; Dor
V = 12.0; Size 1.0’x0.7′

24″ (4/5/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared very bright, round, moderately large, ~35″ diameter. It was very irregular and slightly elongated E-W at 350x with a few extremely faint stars resolved around the edges and a few stars resolved within the halo (including a brighter one).

Notes: John Herschel discovered NGC 1885 = h2814 on 31 Jan 1835 and described as “pB; R; bM; 15″.” His position from a single sweep is about 1′ too far WNW.