Andrew Cooper
Jan 14, 2018    Kaʻohe, Mauna Kea, HI (map)
28cm f/10 SCT, NexStar 11" GyPSy @ 233x
Seeing: 7 Transparency: 7 Moon: 0%

A perfect annular ring amoung the rich cluster M46, round, 1' in diameter, bright, a distinct central cavity, no color noted, averted vision reveals what may be a faint central star

Andrew Cooper
Dec 4, 2005    Sentinel, AZ (map)
46cm f/4.5 Deep Violet

Planetary in the northern margin of M46, small, round, crowded by bright stars, a fairly bright star at the center, central star or cluster member? no color noted

Rev. T.W. Webb
May 19, 1885    94mm f/18 Tully Achromat

A little feeble neb. on its [M46] N. verge is in La.'s 20-ft. refl., 'an astonishing and interesting object'; he and E. of Rosse see it annular: so Buffham, 9-in. 'With'

Captain William Henry Smyth
Mar 28, 1836    No. 6 The Crescent, Bedford, England (map)
150mm f/17.6 refractor by Tully 1827

[From entry CCCII M46] ...Among the larger stars on the northern verge is an extremely faint planetary nebula, which is 39 ♅. IV., and 464 of his son's Catalogue. This was discovered by Messier in 1769, who considered it as being "rather enveloped in nebulous matter;" this opinion, however, must have arisen from the splendid glow of the mass, for judging from his own remark, it is not likely that he perceived the planetary nebula on the north. ♅., who observed it in 1786, expressly says, "no connexion with the cluster, which is free from nebulosity."...

― A Cycle of Celestial Objects Vol II, The Bedford Catalogue, William Henry Smyth, 1844

John Herschel
Dec 16, 1827    

A planetary nebula 3.75s in diameter. Exactly round of a faint equable light. Has a very minute star north 1 n of centre. It is not brighter to the middle nor fading away, but a little velvety at the edges. At the northern edge of the fine cluster M46.

William Herschel
Mar 19, 1785    19 New King Street, Bath (map)

pB. R. r. [Pretty bright, Round] within the 46th of the Connoiff. des Temps almosft of an equal light throughout 2' dia. no connection with the clufter, which is free from nebulosity

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