NGC 1981 (also Cr 73, OCl 525, Lund 187, h 362, and GC 1184) is a magnitude +4.2 open star cluster located 1305 light-years away in the constellation Orion. The cluster is positioned inside the Orion Arm of the MilkyWay, about 4° south of the celestial equator, and forms the northern most part of 'Sword of Orion', and is visible from the north and south hemispheres from between November and April. NGC 1981 is composed of a dozen blue (and young) stars of magnitude 6-8, and easily resolved with 10x50 binoculars. The cluster belongs to the Orion OB1 Association.
The cluster was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel using a 47.5 cm (18.7 inch) reflecting telescope at Windsor Road, Slough, on the 4th January 1827.
Right Ascension 05 35 09.0 Declination -04° 25' 54"
