NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 2356 is most likely NGC 2355 with a 10-12 arcmin error in declination. There is no other group of stars in the area that fits WH's description "A pretty rich and compressed cluster of stars" as well. JH did not see NGC 2356, but found NGC 2355 easily. Note, too, that WH's position for N2355 is about 1m 40s too far west; here is what Dreyer has to say in his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues: "H's R.A. is 1m 40s too small, but on the 'register sheet' it is stated that the star was not well taken. Transits both of the cluster and star only given to whole minutes. The Journal adds after the star: 'Windy, and liable to some small uncertainty on that account, especially in the P.D.'"

===== NGC 2356 18" (2/23/06): there is no cluster at William Herschel's position or nearby group of stars that match his description "A pretty rich and compressed cluster of stars" other than NGC 2355 10' S of his position. Corwin equates NGC 2356 = NGC 2355 (see description for NGC 2355). Also about 20' W of Herschel's position are 15 stars in a 3' arrowhead outline. This asterism is well detached in the field and though not impressive is also a possible candidate. A nice equilateral triangle of mag 11.5-12.5 stars with sides of 1' form the eastern corner of the group.