NGC 1 = UGC 57 = MCG +04-01-025 = CGCG 477-054 = Holm 2A = LGG 002-001 = PGC 564
00 07 15.9  +27 42 29; Peg
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

24" (10/12/20): moderately bright, oval 4:3 or 3:2 WNW-ESE, strong sharp concentration with a very bright core.  The 40"x30" halo has a nearly even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 0.9' NE and a mag 13 star 1.5' NNW.  Member of a group (LGG 002), that also includes NGC 23 and NGC 26.

UGC 69, located 16' SE and also a group member, appeared faint, round, low even surface brightness, ~0.6' diameter.  UGC 24, located 25' SW, is faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low nearly even surface brightness. 

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 2 just 1.8' S.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~E-W, small, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 1.9' NNE and a mag 13 star is 1.5' NNW of center.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, very small, small bright core.

13.1" (11/5/83): faint, very small.  Forms a pair with NGC 2 2' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1 on 30 Sep 1861 while testing the 11-inch f/17.5 Merz refractor of the Copenhagen Observatory.  He missed nearby NGC 2.  This was d'Arrest's first deep sky discovery, though he was uncertain if his object was identical to h4 or h5 (both of which refer to NGC 16).  His descriptions (combination of 4 observations) read "faint, small, round, 20", no concentration.  In a straight line connecting two stars 11 and 14 mag."  Herman Schultz observed NGC 1 three times in 1866 and 1868 with a 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala and he also missed fainter NGC 2.  The NGC 1 and 2 pair are not physically related. NGC 1 lies at a distance of ~200 million l.y. with NGC 2 at roughly 320 million l.y.
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NGC 2 = UGC 59 = MCG +04-01-026 = CGCG 477-055 = Holm 2B = PGC 567
00 07 17.1  +27 40 41; Peg
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 115°

24" (10/12/20): at 375x; fairly faint, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~35" major axis, broad weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.1' W.

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.1' W of center.  Forms a pair (optical) with brighter and larger NGC 1, just 1.8' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, elongated ~E-W.  A mag 13 star lies 1' W.

13.1" (8/24/84): very faint, very small, low surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2 on 20 Aug 1873 and recorded a "vF companion [to NGC 1] south".  Dreyer confirmed the observation on 29 Oct 1877 and noted, "Nova 2' ssf easily seen, vF, eS stellar."

NGC 2 was missed by d'Arrest, who discovered NGC 1 on 30 Sep 1861 with an 11-inch refractor, as well as by Herman Schultz, who observed NGC 1 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala.  Yann Pothier credits Auguste Voigt with the original discovery on 14 Sep 1865 with the 31-inch Foucault reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 3 = UGC 58 = MCG +01-01-037 = CGCG 408-035 = PGC 565
00 07 16.8  +08 18 06; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 111°

48" (10/24/11): at 610x appeared fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 30"x12", well concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star lies 1.3' SW.  Brightest in a group with the other members much fainter.  These include NGC 4 4.7' NE, NGC 7840 5.3' NNW and 2MASX J00074110+0814053 7.2' SE.

18" (10/21/06): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.25', very small slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 11.5 star lies 1.2' SW.  Brightest in a group of faint galaxies.

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly faint, small, bright core, slightly elongated.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.2' WSW.  Brightest in the NGC 3 group with NGC 7838 6.3' NW, NGC 7837 6.9' NW, NGC 7835 10' NW, NGC 7834 11' WNW and NGC 4 5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3 = m 1 on 29 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, vS, R, alm stellar."  NGC 3 is the brightest in a small group of faint galaxies (NGC 7834, 7835, 7837, 7838, 7840, 3, 4) all discovered by Marth on the same night.  Édouard Stephan made observation on 26 Sep 1867 and 19 Sep 1873, and measured an accurate position on 9 Oct 1876.
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NGC 4 = LEDA 212468
00 07 24.4  +08 22 23; Psc
V = 15.9;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

48" (10/24/11): at 610x appeared fairly faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, high surface brightness.  This description applies to the core as the faint thin extensions on the DSS were not noticed.  Located 2.9' W of mag 9.5 SAO 109022 and 4.7' NE of NGC 3 in a group.

18" (10/21/06): extremely faint and small, round.  This threshold object appeared virtually stellar, perhaps 4" diameter and only visible occasionally with averted vision.  Located 3' due west of a mag 9 star.  Another very difficult galaxy, NGC 7840, lies 4' WNW.

17.5" (8/2/86): faintest member of the NGC 3 group.  Extremely faint and small, at visual threshold.  Located 2.9' W of mag 9 SAO 109022 and 4.8' NNE of NGC 3.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4 = m 2 on 29 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF".  His position is 10 tsec of RA following and 5' N of NGC 3 (discovered on the same night, along with 5 other faint galaxies).  The galaxy listed here (PGC 212468) is situated 4.7' NNE of NGC 3, so is a close match in position.  RNGC and PGC misidentify NPM1G +07.0004 = PGC 620 as NGC 4.  PGC 620 is located 15' SE of NGC 3, so is much too far away to be a reasonable candidate.  NED and HyperLeda have the correct identification but SIMBAD still (as of 2017) misidentifies PGC 620 as NGC 4.
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NGC 5 = UGC 62 = MCG +06-01-013 = CGCG 517-017 = IV Zw 7 = PGC 595
00 07 48.9  +35 21 44; And
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5 = St. 12-1 on 18 Sep 1871.  His rough position 5' too far ESE.  His published micrometric position (list 12, #1) was made 10 year later on 21 Oct 1881 with description "Small core of 13 to 14 mag, surrounded by a very small and faint nebula."
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NGC 6 = NGC 20 = UGC 84 = MCG +05-01-036 = CGCG 498-082 = PGC 679
00 09 32.6  +33 18 31; And

See observing notes for NGC 20.

Lewis Swift found NGC 6 = Sw. 2-3 on 20 Sept 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; cE; vS; one of 5 stars which point to it is pretty near."  There is nothing at his position, but 75 seconds of RA east and 47' north is NGC 20 = UGC 84.  The RA offset is shared by several other objects discovered this night (NGC 19, 21, 7831, 7836) though the declination error is much larger (8' for the other objects).  But his description matches the chain of five stars just following NGC 20.  So, it is nearly certain NGC 6 = NGC 20 (discovered by R.J. Mitchell using LdR's 72" on 18 Sep 1857). The RNGC misidentifies NGC 6 as NGC 7831. See Corwin's notes for more info.
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NGC 7 = ESO 409-022 = MCG -05-01-037 = PGC 627
00 08 20.8  -29 54 55; Scl
V = 13.9;  Size 2.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 29°

17.5" (8/20/88): extremely faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE.  Requires averted vision due to low surface brightness and low elevation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 7 = h4014 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "vF, pL, vmE, gradually very little brighter middle, 2' long."  The next night he observed the galaxy again and noted "vF, mE, very gradually very little brighter middle."  On a third sweep he called it "eeF, L, mE, requires the utmost attention to perceive though the sky is perfectly pure."

Surprisingly Pietro Baracchi searched for it unsuccessfully twice in 1887 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.
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NGC 8 = Holm 3b = PGC 648
00 08 46  +23 50 16; Peg
V = 15.3/16.5;  Size 6"

= **, Corwin.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 8 on 29 Sep 1865 with the 15-inch refractor at Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  He described it as fainter than NGC 9 (found 2 nights earlier) and placed it 3' northwest (10 sec of RA west and 1' north).  At this exact separation is a fairly close, faint double star at 00 08 46 +23 50 16 (2000) with components mag 15.3/16.5. MCG misidentifies MCG +04-01-030 as NGC 8.  Although the RNGC New Description reads "looks like double star", the classification is a galaxy.  HyperLeda (as of 2016) also misclassifies this object as a galaxy.
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NGC 9 = UGC 78 = MCG +04-01-030 = CGCG 477-059 = Holm 3a = PGC 652
00 08 54.6  +23 49 03; Peg
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.  Located at the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 9 stars 6' E and 6.5' NE.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 9 on 27 Sep 1865 with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor at Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  It was found while unsuccessfully searching for Comet Biela (never returned after 1852).  Struve's position was 15 seconds of RA too small and 2' too far south.  He noted a mag 9 star follows by 26 seconds (time), so the identification is certain.  This is one of 4 NGC galaxies that Struve discovered while fruitlessly searching for Comet Biela (3 others were rediscoveries).  See NGC 8.
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NGC 10 = ESO 349-032 = MCG -06-01-024 = PGC 634
00 08 34.5  -33 51 30; Scl
V = 12.5;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 25°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE.  A mag 13 star follows by 2.9'.  Located 21' SSE of mag 5.7 SAO 192367.

John Herschel discovered NGC 10 = h4015 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "Not vF, L, little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 1'.".  On a later sweep he logged it "F, pL, R, bM, 40"."  His mean position matches ESO 349-032 = PGC 634.
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NGC 11 = UGC 73 = MCG +06-01-015 = CGCG 517-020 = PGC 642
00 08 42.5  +37 26 53; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 111°

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE.  A close double star with mag 11/12 components lies 3' N.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 11 = St. 12-2 on 28 Sep 1867 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and recorded a rough unpublished position (3' SW of the galaxy) in his logbook.  On 24 Oct 1881 he measured a micrometric position and recorded, "vF; vS; little irregular oval SE to NW; two very faint stars involved."
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NGC 12 = UGC 74 = MCG +01-01-040 = CGCG 408-038 = PGC 645
00 08 44.8  +04 36 45; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 125°

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 12 = H. III-868 = h1 on 6 Dec 1790 (sweep 984) and logged "eF, pS, irregularly faint."  The 4 Nov 1850 observation using Lord Rosse's 72" reads "Some stars seen in it, it is vF. Nothing further remarkable."
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NGC 13 = UGC 77 = MCG +05-01-034 = CGCG 498-081 = PGC 650
00 08 47.7  +33 25 59; And
V = 13.2;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 53°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.  A mag 13 star is 30" S and a mag 12 star lies 1.2' SSW of center.  First of three with NGC 20 12' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 13 = H. III-866 = h2 on 26 Nov 1790 (sweep 981) and logged "vF, vS. 300 verified and showed 3 stars and the nebula placed in the form of a square; the nebula being the np corner."  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 18 Sep 1857, recorded "2 neb. nearly in line p. and f; about 14' apart; the p one [NGC 13] is of irregular outline; F; bM. The f. one [NGC 13] is S; R; pB; bM."  The pair was observed 5 times up to 1873.
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NGC 14 = Arp 235 = VV 80 = UGC 75 = MCG +03-01-026 = CGCG 456-034 = PGC 647
00 08 46.1  +15 48 56; Peg
V = 12.1;  Size 2.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 25°

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, broad concentration, faint extensions.  Located 1.4° ESE of NGC 7814.

William Herschel discovered NGC 14 = H. II-591 = h3 on 24 Dec 1783 and noted it was "very faint, elongated", but without the ability to determine an accurate position he didn't include it in his first published catalogue.  He found the galaxy again, though, in sweep 590 on 18 Sep 1786 and recorded "F, pL, iF, unequally bright."  The two observations were connected in Caroline's Sweep Records.

John Herschel first observed NGC 14 on 2 Nov 1823 (sweep #1, though 7 earlier sweeps were performed in May through Sep).  On 11 Sep 1828 (sweep 174), he logged "eF; R; bM; a star 10 m north preceding, dist. 5'."
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NGC 15 = UGC 82 = MCG +03-01-027 = CGCG 456-035 = PGC 661
00 09 02.5  +21 37 28; Peg
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 15 = m 3 on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM".  His position is reasonably match with UGC 82 = PGC 661. Stephan independently discovered it on 28 Sep 1867, though only recorded a rough position.
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NGC 16 = UGC 80 = MCG +04-01-032 = CGCG 477-061 = PGC 660
00 09 04.3  +27 43 46; Peg
V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 16°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 22 lies 12' NE. 

13.1" (8/24/84) : moderately bright, small, bright stellar nucleus, small fainter lens SSW-NNE.

8" (8/16/82): fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, bright nucleus at 200x.

8" (6/19/82): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration.

William Herschel probably discovered NGC 16 = H. IV-15 = h4 = h5 on 8 Sep 1784.  He recorded "Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs [sic].  F, S." His RA was 1 min 24 seconds too large (using a different star Corwin found an error of 1 min 6 seconds).

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 5 Sep 1828 and described h4 as "pB; R; bM; 30" (? if not IV. 15)"  Due to the difference in position he wasn't sure if his object was new.  John Herschel swept the area again 11 nights later and found a nebula (h5) that he assumed was his father's H. IV-15: "a star 15m with a burr, RA from Catalogue."  Édouard Stephan made several observation, apparently trying to find two different objects as reported in the General Catalogue (GC 8 and 12). In the NGC, Dreyer combined the previous designations into NGC 16 and Corwin favors this interpretation. Wolfgang Steinicke feels H. IV-15 more likely applies to NGC 22 than NGC 16.  Herschel's RA was off by 40 seconds (too far east) and 7' too far south but the description "F, S, Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs" may be a better fit.  

J.L.E. Dreyer, observing with the 72" on 29 Oct 1877, recorded "pB nucl with vF neby; round; E sp nf; 2 st 13 and 12 mag preceding in the parallel about 4' and 5' distant."
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NGC 17 = NGC 34 = MCG -02-01-032 = Mrk 938 = VV 850 = PGC 781
00 11 06.7  -12 06 27; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

48" (11/5/21): at 488x; bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, gradually increases towards the center, overall high surface brightness with a faint thin halo.  A faint, roundish glow [apparently tidal debris] is attached on the NW side.  With careful averted vision, a thin, very low surface brightness tidal tail occasionally pops to the NE, ~30" in length.  A fairly bright double star (WZ 1 = 12.4/13.9 at 7") is 2' W.

17.5" (8/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A close double star is 2' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 35 6' NNE.

This infrared-luminous galaxy is in an advanced stage of merger with a tidal tail to the NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 17 = LM 2-276 in 1886 and logged "mag 13.5, 0.1' dia, irregularly round, two stars mag 9.5, 2.0' in PA 280°."  Muller's position was 2.0 min of RA west of PGC 781 (typical error found in Leander McCormick observations) and his description of the nearby double star 2' west clinches the identification.

This galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift (Sw. 6-1) on 21 Nov 1886 (same year) at Warner Observatory and catalogued as NGC 34.  Herbert Howe noted the identity NGC 17 = NGC 34 (Mon. Not. LXI) based on the descriptions, and Dreyer copied the correction in the IC II Notes section.  I've used the primary designation NGC 34.
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NGC 18
00 09 23.0  +27 43 56; Peg

= **, Carlson and Corwin.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 18 on 15 Oct 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  Schultz's micrometric position is 19 sec of RA following NGC 16 and corresponds precisely with a double star at 00 09 23.0 +27 43 55 (2000).  Dreyer noted that Heinrich d'Arrest and Lord Rosse couldn't find NGC 18 and neither could Édouard Stephan (notes section of his 11th list).
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NGC 19 = UGC 98 = MCG +05-01-046 = CGCG 499-065 = PGC 759
00 10 40.9  +32 58 59; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 42°

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, diffuse.  A mag 15 star is 1' SW.  Located 9' S of mag 6.8 SAO 53694.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 21 in RNGC and UGC and NGC 19 is listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 19 = Sw. 2-4 on 20 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His description reads, "eeF; little extended; in [the] center of 3 vF st forming an equilateral triangle, two of them double."  There is no obvious candidate at Swift's position but 74 seconds of RA east and 8' north is UGC 98.  Similar offsets in RA and Dec yield identities for NGC 21, 7831 and 7836, all discovered the same night (NGC 6 also shares the same offset in RA).  Furthermore, his description of the surrounding stars matches this galaxy.  Hermann Kobold suggested this identification when he measured its position in 1898 at Strasbourg with the 18-inch refractor.  Heber Curtis found it again on a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector in 1912-13 and reported it as new ("not noted in the NGC).

NGC 19 is mislabeled as NGC 21 in RNGC, PGC and UGC (and software Megastar) and not assigned a NGC designation in MCG and CGCG.  Finally, RNGC misclassifies NGC 19 as nonexistent because of the error in Swift's position.  See Corwin's Notes.
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NGC 20 = NGC 6 = UGC 84 = MCG +05-01-036 = CGCG 498-082 = LGG 001-008 = PGC 679
00 09 32.6  +33 18 31; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just 30" E and a brighter mag 10 star lies 2.4' E.  Second of three with NGC 13 12' NW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 20 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Sep 1857 and recorded as "S; R; pB; bM").  Although no position was measured it was catalogued as GC 6 (Rosse nova) and later by Dreyer as NGC 20.  Herman Schultz independently found the galaxy on 16 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and it was entered by Dreyer in the GC Supplement as GC 5086, though Dreyer added the comment "Query = GC 6".  Schultz's micrometric position matches UGC 84.

Lewis Swift later independently found this galaxy on 20 Sept 1885 and published it in his second discovery paper (#3).  Swift's position for NGC 6 was 1.1 minutes of RA west and 47' S of UGC 84.  His RA offset is identical to the error in his positions for NGC 19, NGC 21, NGC 7831, NGC 7836, all found the same evening.  Although the dec error is large, his description ("one of 5 st which point to it is p nr") matches the chain of 5 stars just following, so NGC 6 is a duplicate of NGC 20 (primary designation).
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NGC 21 = NGC 29 = UGC 100 = MCG +05-01-048 = CGCG 499-066 = PGC 767
00 10 46.9  +33 21 11; And

See observing notes for NGC 29.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 21 = Sw. 2-5 on 20 Sept 1885 and recorded "eF; S; lE."  His positions for NGC 19, 7831 and 7836 from the same evening are all offset ~70 seconds in RA and 8' in declination.  The offset position for NGC 21 lands on NGC 29.  So, NGC 21 is a duplicate of NGC 29.  RNGC, UGC and PGC misidentify UGC 98 = NGC 19 as NGC 21.  See NGC 19.
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NGC 22 = UGC 86 = MCG +05-01-039 = CGCG 499-055 = PGC 690
00 09 48.2  +27 49 57; Peg
V = 13.6;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 160°

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Located 2.5' S of a mag 10 star.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 16 12' SW.

13.1" (8/24/84): very faint, fairly small, roundish, very diffuse, even surface brightness.

13.1" (11/5/83): extremely faint, small, round.  A mag 9 star 3' N interferes with viewing.  Located 12' NE of NGC 16.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 22 = St. 13-1 on 28 Sep 1867 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  On this date he only wrote a rough position for NGC 16 in his logbook but gave an offset (38 seconds of RA and 5' dec) to NGC 22.  He observed NGC 22 again on 29 Oct and 1 Nov 1877 and published an accurate position (reduced on 2 Oct 1883) with description "eF; pS; R; little brighter middle, resolvable".

William Herschel possibly discovered this galaxy on 8 Sep 1784 (H. IV-15, sweep 260) and recorded "F, S, Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs."  His position is poor -- 40 sec too far east and 7' too far south -- but the description is a reasonable fit.  Dreyer assumed the observation referred to NGC 16, which is 1 min 25 sec of RA to the west and he commented in the NGC notes "Some error in recording the transit, probably simply of 1 min; reductions correct."  Wolfgang Steinicke feels H. IV-15 refers to NGC 22 and Herschel never observed brighter NGC 16, but Corwin and Seligman favor Dreyer's interpretation.
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NGC 23 = UGC 89 = MCG +04-01-033 = CGCG 477-062 = Mrk 545 = LGG 002-003 = PGC 698
00 09 53.3  +25 55 26; Peg
V = 12.0;  Size 2.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 8°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, diffuse.  Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is superimposed 26" SE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 26 9' SE.  Brightest member of a group (LGG 002) at a distance of ~200 million l.y.

8" (7/24/82): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, stellar nucleus.  A star is at the SE end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 23 = H. III-147 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 264).  He recorded "2 or 3 stars in a line, with seeming nebulosity between them." I only noted a single superimposed star, though Herschel's second "star" may be the nucleus.  Stephan made an observation on 28 Oct 1875, while Dreyer (as Lawrence Parsons' assistant) observed the galaxy a month at Birr Castle and described a "vS neb, with a starlike nucl = 11-12 mag and a *13 in PA 135.2°. Dist 26.2"."  Englemann measured an accurate position, in Astronomische Nachrichten 2485.
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NGC 24 = ESO 472-016 = UGCA 2 = MCG -04-01-018 = PGC 701
00 09 56.4  -24 57 49; Scl
V = 11.6;  Size 5.5'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 46°

24" (10/17/20): fairly bright, large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 4.0'x1.2', large brighter middle bulge (elongated).  A mag 12.7 star is just east of the NE end.

17.5" (8/2/86): moderately bright, pretty edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 4.0'x0.8', large bright core.  A mag 12 star is just east of the NE end.  This is a little-known striking spiral.

William Herschel discovered NGC 24 = H. III-461 = h2308 on 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467). He logged it as "vF, cL, little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 4 or 5' long."  John Herschel observed it from the Cape of Good Hope as "F; vL; vmE; very gradually brighter middle; 4' l; 1' br."  Pietro Baracchi, observing with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 9 Dec 1887, called it "pF; L; vmE; gradually brighter in the middle; fades away gradually at the ends - outline not well defined, woolly."  Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, reported the length as 3' and PA = 45°.
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NGC 25 = ESO 149-019 = PGC 706
00 09 59.4  -57 01 14; Phe
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 85°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.5', fairly well concentrated with a brighter core.  Flanked by a mag 15 star 0.6' NE and a similar star 1' S.  Located 2.7' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  NGC 28 lies 4' NE, NGC 31 5.7' ENE, 2MASX J00101851-5700419 2.5' ENE and Fairall 1 3.0' SSE.  NGC 25 is a member of AGC 2731 (distance ~420 million l.y.) and the first (SW end) in a distinctive string of galaxies oriented WSW-ENE that includes four NGCs.  A total of 9 members were logged in the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 25 = h2309 on 28 Oct 1834 and recorded as "F; R; 30" across."  His position matches ESO 149-019 = PGC 706.
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NGC 26 = UGC 94 = MCG +04-01-034 = CGCG 477-064 = LGG 002-004 = PGC 732
00 10 25.8  +25 49 55; Peg
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Two mag 13.5 stars are 1.0' NE and 1.2' N of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 23 9' NW. 

13.1" (12/11/82): very faint, fairly small, oval.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 26 on 14 Sep 1865 with an 11" Merz refractor at Copenhagen and made a total of 3 observations.  His position and descriptions (combined in the NGC as "vF, pL, R, 2 F stars north) match.  As the observer for the 4th Earl of Rosse, Dreyer rediscovered this galaxy on 28 Sep 1875 and recorded "eF, pL, R.  Clouds came on."  Édouard Stephan also made an observation on 28 Oct 1875, perhaps aware of d'Arrest's discovery.

Yann Pothier credits Auguste Voigt with the original discovery on 13 Sep 1865 (just one day before d'Arrest!) with the 31-inch Foucault reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 27 = UGC 96 = MCG +05-01-044 = CGCG 499-063 = PGC 742
00 10 32.7  +28 59 46; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 117°

24" (8/25/19): at 324x; moderately bright and large, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~0.9'x0.4'.  Contains a round, small bright core that gradually increased to a slightly brighter stellar nucleus.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.6' S.

NGC 27 forms a close pair with superthin galaxy UGC 95 just 1.5' SW. At 225x and 324x it appeared as a moderately large, thin ghostly sliver, ~10:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.1'.  The surface brightness was very low and nearly even with only a slightly brighter core.  I could often hold it continuously at 225x once acquired.

CGCG 499-70, situated 10' NE, appeared faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, ~35"x8", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration to a brighter core.  Located 1.5' N of mag 9.5 SAO 73786.  A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars are 1.4' NNW and 2.0' NNW.  Forms a pair with UGC 105 10' SE.  Alpheratz (Alpha Andromedae, V = 2.1) lies 28' WNW.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, roundish, very small brighter core.  Situated between two mag 13 and 14 stars.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 27 = Sw. 1-1 on 3 Aug 1884 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded as "vvF; vS; E; B* nr."  His position matches UGC 96 = PGC 742.
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NGC 28 = PGC 730 = LEDA 395160
00 10 25.2  -56 59 21; Phe
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 30"x25", fairly high surface brightness, steadily increases to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located in the core of AGC 2731 with NGC 31 1.8' E, NGC 25 4' SW and PGC 394784 2.4' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 28 = h2310 on 28 Oct 1834 and described as "eF, preceding of 2. Requires attention, but no doubt remains." The 2nd object is h2311 = NGC 31.  His position matches PGC 730.  This galaxy is missing from ESO and RC3, but is included in the Southern Galaxy Catalogue (0007.9-5716) with the correct identification.  The data in RC3 for NGC 28 refers to NGC 31 and PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 28 and 31.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 29 = NGC 21 = UGC 100 = MCG +05-01-048 = CGCG 499-066 = PGC 767
00 10 46.9  +33 21 10; And
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 154°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is at the north edge.  Located 13' N of mag 6.8 SAO 53694.  Third of three with NGC 13 and NGC 20.

William Herschel discovered NGC 29 = H. II-853 = h6 on 26 Nov 1790 (sweep 981) and noted "F, S, E nearly in the meridian."  John Herschel called it "pB; pL; irr figure."  Swift found the galaxy on 20 Sep 1885 and recorded it as new in his second discovery list (#5).  His position was offset  by 70 seconds of RA too far west and 8' in declination, so Dreyer assumed it was a different object and catalogued it as NGC 21.  But Swift's position for NGC 19, 7831 and 7836, all discovered on the same night, carry this same offset.  So, NGC 21 is a duplicate observation of NGC 29.  NGC 29 was observed 8 times with Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded on 16 Oct 1854 as "Elongated north and south, * at one end of nebula involved, and another rather fainter south of center."
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NGC 30
00 10 50.8  +21 58 37; Peg

= **, Carlson and Corwin.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 30 = m 4 on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "Neb * 13."  SDSS shows a very close double 1' N of Marth's position at 00 10 50.8 +21 58 37 (J2000).  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "*14 and ? neb *15 nf alm att; *13.3 nff 2.9'.  Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 lists of NGC/IC corrections, identifies NGC 30 as a double star.
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NGC 31 = ESO 149-020 = PGC 751
00 10 38.5  -56 59 11; Phe
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): this is the largest of 9 members of AGC 2731 viewed.  Appeared moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, bright core.  Situated in the center of the cluster with NGC 28 1.8' W, NGC 25 5.7' SW and NGC 37 6.3' ENE.  A mag 12 star lies 1.7' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 31 = h2311 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "eeF; the following of 2. Requires attention, but leaves no doubt" and on a later sweep as "eeF; S; R." The preceding object is h2310 = NGC 28.  Herschel's positions clearly establishes NGC 28 = PGC 730 and NGC 31 = ESO 149-020 = PGC 751.  Nevertheless, the PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 28 and 31.  The galaxy identified in the RC2 as NGC 28 is actually NGC 31. The ESO entry (149- G20) for NGC 31 does not give the NGC equivalence. The SGC (Southern Galaxy Catalogue) identifications are correct although the PGC errata paper claims the SGC reverses the identifications.
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NGC 32
00 10 53.5  +18 47 46; Peg

= wide **, Corwin.  =several stars, RNGC.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 32 = Au 1 on 10 Oct 1861 while observing Comet Encke with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at Athens Observatory.  Although it wasn't Schmidt's first discovery, it was published (AN 1355) in time to be included in Auwers' 1862 list in new nebulae and by John Herschel as GC 16.  His position corresponds precisely with a pair of mag 13.6/14.7 stars at 27" separation in PA = 200.  Harold Corwin identifies Schmidt's object as a double star and RNGC calls it several stars.
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NGC 33
00 10 56.6  +03 40 33; Psc

= **, Corwin.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 33 = m 5 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, vS, or neb st."  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes NGC 33 as a "? Neb *13.7, eS, R; *9.5 sp 2.0', *13.0 ssf 1.8'."  The POSS shows a faint evenly matched double star at 00 10 58 +03 40.5 located 2.0' NW of a mag 10 star.  This appears to be Reinmuth's object although the *9.5 is sf 2.0' not "sp".  Corwin also identifies NGC 33 as a double star near Marth's position.
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NGC 34 = NGC 17 = MCG -02-01-032 = Mrk 938 = VV 850 = PGC 781
00 11 06.7  -12 06 27; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

48" (11/5/21): at 488x; bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, gradually increases towards the center, overall high surface brightness with a faint thin halo.  A faint, roundish glow [apparently tidal debris] is attached on the NW side.  With careful averted vision, a thin, very low surface brightness tidal tail occasionally popped into view to the NE, ~30" in length.  A fairly bright double star (WZ 1 = 12.4/13.9 at 7") is 2' W. 

17.5" (8/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A close double star is 2' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 35 6' NNE.

This infrared-luminous galaxy is in an advanced stage of merger with a tidal tail to the NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 34 = Sw. 6-1 on 21 Nov 1886, along with NGC 35, with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position and description ("equilateral triangle with 2 stars, one a close double") matches MCG -02-01-032 = PGC 781.  Frank Muller independently found this galaxy in 1886 and listed it as LM II-276 (later NGC 17).  His RA was 2.0 minutes too small, but the description matches.  So, NGC 34 = NGC 17 (discovery priority unknown).  Herbert Howe searched for NGC 17 unsuccessfully with the 20" refractor at Denver and concluded it was equivalent to NGC 34 based on the similar descriptions.
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NGC 35 = MCG -02-01-033 = PGC 784
00 11 10.5  -12 01 15; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.4

17.5" (8/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A close double star (WZ 1 = 12.4/13.9 at 7") is 2' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 35 6' NNE.

This LIRG (infrared-luminous galaxy) is in an advanced stage of merger with a tidal tail to the NE.

Lewis Swift independently discovered NGC 35 = Sw. 6-2, along with NGC 34, on 21 Nov 1886. Frank Muller also found NGC 35 = LM 2-277 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Swift's position is 48" N of MCG -02-01-033 = PGC 784.  The discovery priority is unknown.
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NGC 36 = UGC 106 = MCG +01-01-043 = CGCG 408-040 = PGC 798
00 11 22.3  +06 23 21; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 2.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 21°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, bright core.  A mag 14 star lies 1.9' NE.  Forms a close pair with MCG +01-01-044 1.0' E of center, though the companion was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 36 = H. III-456 on 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) and recorded "vF, pS, irr figure."  His RA is 1.0 minute too large, but it was corrected by d'Arrest and Bigourdan and the NGC position is just 1' south of UGC 106 = PGC 798.
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NGC 37 = ESO 149-022 = PGC 801 = LEDA 395521
00 11 23.0  -56 57 26; Phe
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 35°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright compact core, surrounded by a low surface brightness halo.  A mag 15 star lies 0.8' E.  LEDA 95382, a very compact galaxy, is just off the NW side.  This member of AGC 2731 is located 6.3' ENE of NGC 31.  A couple of additional faint members lie 2.5' NNE (LEDA 128414) and 3' NE (LEDA 128413).

John Herschel discovered NGC 37 = h2312 on 2 Oct 1836 and recorded as "extremely faint, small, round.".  His position matches ESO 149-022 = PGC 801, though ESO doesn't label their catalogue entry as NGC 37.
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NGC 38 = MCG -01-01-047 = PGC 818
00 11 47.0  -05 35 10; Psc
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, almost round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 1.4' WNW a mag 12 star 2.6' ENE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 38 = St. 12-3 on 30 Sep 1867 and recorded a rough position (3' too far SE) in his logbook.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 25 Oct 1881 and described it as "F; S; R; bM; bright stellar nucleus."
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NGC 39 = UGC 114 = MCG +05-01-052 = CGCG 499-076 = PGC 852
00 12 19.0  +31 03 42; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse.  A mag 14 star is at the south edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 43 12' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 39 = H. III-861 = h7 on 2 Nov 1790 (sweep 975) and noted "eF, S."  John Herschel made three observations as well as two by d'Arrest.
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NGC 40 = PK 120+9.1 = PN G120.0+09.8 = Bow Tie Nebula
00 13 01.0  +72 31 19; Cep
V = 10.6;  Size 38"x35";  PA = 14°

14.5" (9/21/25): at 226x; bright mag 11.5 star surrounded by slightly elongated N-S halo, ~40" in diameter.  The interior appeared slightly darker with the west and east rim very slightly enhanced.  A dim star was visible at the SSW edge of the PN. Located in a very nice star field at low power with a mag 9.6 star 3.5' SSW and a mag 9.1 star 3.8' NE.

48" (10/23/14): this showpiece, annular planetary was observed unfiltered (low-excitation) at both 488x and 813x, and a remarkable amount of structure was seen .  The main body of NGC 40 was nearly round and 0.7' in diameter but outer extensions on the north and south ends increased the dimensions to roughly 1.0'x0.8' SSW-NNE.  The darker interior surrounding the blazing mag 11.5 central star (WC8-type carbon Wolf-Rayet) had a very uneven surface brightness and was slightly darker SW of the central star. 

The rim was irregular and much brighter along fairly narrow N-S strips on the W and E side.  The western rim was the brighter of the two and somewhat patchy with a slightly darker notch to the south of its center.  At its N end was a small, faint extension. The rim was more uniform in brightness on the E side.

A very faint, thin outer loop curled N and W at the north end of the main disc!  A small, detached, elongated patch floated near its N edge, but slightly S of the tip of the outer loop to its east. A very faint star or stellar knot is involved in this patch.

The rim was very weak on the S side and an easy star was visible at the SW end.  A faint, very small detached piece was easily visible at the southern extremity [32" SSW of the central star] of NGC 40.  This patch forms the E vertex of a small triangle with the star ~10" NW (noted earlier) and a fainter star 10" SW.  

17.5" (12/30/99): at 100x appeared (unfiltered) as a slightly elongated, moderately bright disc surrounding a bright mag 11.5 central star. A slightly fainter mag 12 star lies 1.0' SW.  NGC 40 is a low excitation PN with an OIII/H-beta ratio of just 0.4. There was a noticeable enhancement using the H-beta filter, while it dimmed with an OIII filter.  At 220x, a star was intermittently visible at the SW edge and the PN was slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  The UHC filter gave the best response at this power.  The surface brightness appeared irregular -- darker around the central star and slightly brighter along the west and east side of the rim.  At 280x, the faint star I noted earlier was barely off the SW edge and the PN was weakly annular with a brighter rim along the west and east side and a darker center.  The SW and NE ends of the halo were clearly weaker, though.  380x provided a nice view with subtle irregularities in the interior.

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, moderately large, round.  Contains a prominent mag 11.5 central star surrounded by a fairly bright halo.

13.1" (12/7/85): at 166x (unfiltered): bright central star visible centered within a fairly small prominent disc.

13.1" (1985): moderately large, bright central star surrounded by a moderately bright halo at 166x and 214x using a UHC filter.

8": at 100x; a bright central star is surrounded by an easy halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 40 = H. IV-58 = h8 on 25 Nov 1788 (sweep 886).  He recorded, "a star about 9th mag [central star], surrounded with very faint milky nebulosity; other stars of the same size are perfectly clear from that appearance. The star is either not round or double; but I am [viewing] in the north and above the pole, I could not view it sufficiently to determine it. Less than 1' in diameter."  He used NGC 40 in his 1791 PT paper as one of several examples where the association of the nebula and star was unquestionable.

On 20 Nov 1829 (sweep 228), John Herschel described it as "a star 11m with a luminous atmosphere 30" to 40" diameter."  On 29 Oct 1831 he noted "a * 10m with strong nebulous atmosphere 15" diameter.  Exactly round and pretty suddenly fading away makes a double star class 5 with a star preceding."

Williamina Fleming first noted the bright emission spectrum in 1905: "Five bright lines or bands appear in the spectrum..[but] the nebular lines near wavelength 5000 are not seen."  Based on Crossley photographs, Curtis (1918) described, "Central star about mag 10.  The nebula resembles a truncated ring from the ends of which extend much fainter wisps.  The brighter central portion is 38"x35" in PA 14°, while the total length along this axis is about 60"."
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NGC 41 = MCG +04-01-039 = CGCG 478-042 = PGC 865
00 12 48.0  +22 01 25; Peg
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, round, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 42 5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 41 = m 6, along with NGC 42, on 30 Oct 1864.  Using Lassell's 48" on Malta he recorded "pF, S, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 42 = UGC 118 = MCG +04-01-041 = CGCG 478-043 = PGC 867
00 12 56.3  +22 06 02; Peg
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, compact.  Forms a pair with NGC 41 5' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 42 = m 7, along with NGC 41, on 30 Oct 1864.  He called it "F, vS, stell."
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NGC 43 = UGC 120 = MCG +05-01-054 = CGCG 499-079 = PGC 875
00 13 00.8  +30 54 55; And
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 49" NW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 39 12' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 43 = h9 on 11 Nov 1827.  His description reads, "eF; has a 12m star 45" dist; pos 325°?"  His position was 2' too far N (nearby NGC 39 is also offset 1.5' too far N).
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NGC 44
00 13 13.4  +31 17 11; And

= **, Corwin.  Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 44 = h10 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged as "eF, vS; not to be seen but in the clearest night."  There is a faint, very close double star at his position (00 13 13.4 +31 17 11) on the SDSS.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, appears to identify this double star as NGC 44: "cF, eS, E, identification doubtful; BD +30d17 npp 6.6'; double star 16 and 12.5 nf 1.5', *14 sf 1.3'."  Corwin's confirms the identification as a double star.
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NGC 45 = ESO 473-001 = UGCA 4 = MCG -04-01-021 = DDO 223 = PGC 930
00 14 03.9  -23 10 52; Cet
V = 10.7;  Size 8.5'x5.9';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 142°

17.5" (8/2/86): faint, large, almost round, very diffuse.  A mag 10 star (SAO 166133) is attached at the south end.  Located 4' ENE of mag 6.9 HD 941.  Both stars interfered with viewing!

NGC 45 is a low surface brightness, metal-poor spiral with a weak star formation rate.  It resides in the background of the Sculptor Group at a distance of ~23 million l.y.

13.1" (12/7/85): extremely faint, fairly large.  A mag 7 star 4' WSW detracts from observation.

13.1" (8/24/84): only suspected at visual threshold.  The nearby mag 7 star interferes with viewing.

John Herschel discovered NGC 45 = h2313 on 11 Nov 1835 and logged "extremely faint; large; round; very gradually very little brighter in the middle; attached to and nearly involving a large star; the following of two. A very faint object of singular appearance, 3 or 4' diameter; forms a kind of cometic appendage to the star, which, however, is quite at the edge."  His position is 9 sec of RA west of ESO 473-001 (error corrected by Herbert Howe in 1900).
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NGC 46
00 14 09.8  +05 59 16; Psc

= *, Carlson and Corwin.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 46 = Au 2 on 22 Oct 1852 with the 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland.  While compiling the comprehensive Markree Ecliptic Catalogue it was noted (probably by assistant Andrew Graham) as a nebulous star but there is only a single mag 12.2 star at his position.  Auwers reported only finding a sharp, nebulous star on 28 and 30 Sep 1861, but included it in his 1862 list of new nebulae. Bigourdan also reported he could not find a nebula at the Markree position.
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NGC 47 = NGC 58 = MCG -01-01-055 = PGC 967
00 14 30.7  -07 10 04; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.4

24" (11/7/18): at least fairly faint and nearly moderately bright, round,  up to 1.5' diameter with averted vision, broad concentration with a relatively large slightly brighter central region, no distinct nucleus.  The halo fades out without a perceptible edge.  Located 5' NE of a 1' pair of mag 7.3/9.5 stars that point to the galaxy.

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core.  Collinear with mag 9 SAO 128650 5.4' WSW and a mag 10 star 4.5' WSW.  In a group with NGC 54 10' ENE and NGC 50 11' SSE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 47 in 1886 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  There is no published record on his observation, so the discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer, but Tempel's position matches PGC 967.  Lewis Swift likely discovered this galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886, though his position for Sw. 5-3 (later NGC 58) is 1 min of RA to the east.  The discovery priority is unknown.
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NGC 48 = UGC 133 = MCG +08-01-031 = CGCG 549-027 = WBL 005-003 = PGC 929
00 14 02.1  +48 14 05; And
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 15°

17.5" (8/31/86): third and largest of six in a group (first of three NGC galaxies with NGC 49 and NGC 51 along with the IC trio 1534/1535/1536!).  Fairly faint, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness, diffuse.  Lower surface brightness than NGC 49 and NGC 51 but larger.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 48 = Sw. 2-6, along with NGC 49 and 51, on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position was 0.7 minutes of RA too large.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as E.E. Barnard, who found them without prior knowledge (AN 4136).
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NGC 49 = UGC 136 = MCG +08-01-033 = CGCG 549-029 = WBL 005-005 = PGC 952
00 14 22.4  +48 14 48; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 165°

17.5" (8/31/86): fifth of six in the NGC 51 group.  Fairly faint, small, almost round, bright core.  Second of three NGC galaxies and situated between NGC 48 and 51.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 49 = Sw. 2-7, along with NGC 48 and 51, on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position was 0.5 minutes of RA too large, though his description "middle one of 3 in line" pins downs the identification.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as Barnard.  Barnard's sketch of the field was published in AN 4136.
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NGC 50 = MCG -01-01-058 = PGC 983
00 14 44.7  -07 20 43; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 2.3'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 155°

24" (11/7/18): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, strong concentration with a very bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. Flanked by a mag 12.9 star 1.8' S and a mag 13.7 star 1.7' NW.

MCG -01-01-057, located 3' NNW, was fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 21"x14". 
MCG -01-01-056, located 4' NNW, was extremely faint and small, 12" diameter. Required averted vision.
MCG -01-01-059, located 6' NE, was fairly faint, very elongated ~N-S, 30"x12", low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.3 star is close SW of the S tip.

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE.  Rises to a small, very bright core.  Brightest in a group with MCG -01-01-057 3' NNW (logged as "faint, very small, round") and NGC 47 11' NNW.

Gaspare Ferrari discovered NGC 50 = Nova #13 = Sw. 5-1 on 8 Jan 1866 while searching for Biela's Comet, which never returned after 1852.  He was using the 9.5-inch Merz equatorial at the College Romain as an assistant to Father Angelo Secchi, the observatory's director (see AN 1571).  His position matches MCG -01-01-058 = PGC 983.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 24 Sep 1878, probably aware of the nebula from the General Catalogue.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886 and reported it in his 5th discovery list. Swift's position was 12 seconds of RA too large and 25" too far south. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with GC 5092 (later NGC 50) in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) listing nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue that had been discovered previously (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list).  Only 2 or 3 out of the 14 objects claimed as new by Ferrari (Dreyer attributed his discoveries to Secchi) can be identified with confidence!
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NGC 51 = UGC 138 = MCG +08-01-035 = CGCG 549-031 = WBL 005-006 = PGC 974
00 14 34.9  +48 15 20; And
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.  A faint star is superimposed on SE edge.  Brightest and last of six in the group.  Also the third of three NGC galaxies in the NGC 51 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 51 = Sw. 2-8 on 7 Sep 1885, along with NGC 48 and 49, with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His RA was 0.5 minutes too large (similar offset as the other two).  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as Barnard (AN 4136).
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NGC 52 = UGC 140 = MCG +03-01-030 = CGCG 456-042 = PGC 978
00 14 40.1  +18 34 54; Peg
V = 13.3;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 127°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, thin edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 52 = H. III-183 = h11 on 18 Sep 1784 (sweep 277) and recorded "eF, S, irr E." The NGC position is 0.4 min of RA east of UGC 140 = PGC 978.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Nov 1889 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 53 = ESO 111-020 = PGC 982
00 14 42.8  -60 19 44; Tuc
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 160°

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 N-S, 1.2'x0.7'.  Broadly concentrated, then suddenly condenses to a sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 1.7' W of center and a faint star lies 1' NE of center [this is a close double star].  Several mag 10-12 stars are in the field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 53 = h2314 on 15 Sep 1836 and recorded "extremely faint; round; very little brighter in the middle; 30" across."  His position matches ESO 111-020 = PGC 982.
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NGC 54 = MCG -01-01-060 = PGC 1011
00 15 07.7  -07 06 25; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 93°

24" (10/17/20): at 260x; fairly faint, very elongated 4:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.2', brighter in the middle along the major axis.  Part of a small group (USGC S005) with NGC 47 10' SW. 

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, even surface brightness.  Located 10' ENE of NGC 47 in a group.

Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered NGC 54 = Sw. 5-2 in 1886 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, as well as Lewis Swift on 21 Oct 1886.  Tempel's observation doesn't appear in any of his lists, so the discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer.  The first discovery date is unknown.
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NGC 55 = IC 1537 = ESO 293-050 = MCG -07-01-013 = LGG 004-001 = PGC 1014
00 15 05.9  -39 13 01; Scl
V = 7.9;  Size 32.4'x5.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 108°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): NGC 55 nearly filled the 37' field of the 21mm Ethos at 264x, extending close to 30' in length WNW-ESE and roughly 4' in width.  The structure was fascinating at 429x with a highly irregular surface brightness due to dusty patches and rifts, along with bright clumps and knots. The "bright" central section, which is offset WNW of center, spans ~9' in length.  At the west end of the central section, the surface brightness dims significantly, and the galaxy tapers, extending several arc minutes further WNW. On the east side of the central region is the "core" (cataloged as HII region [HK83] 17-19). It appeared ~1' in length and bright, elongated, mottled, and slightly bulging.

Just ESE of the core are two noticeable, elongated knots separated by 0.7' WNW-ESE; the W knot [WS83] 1 is small, while the E knot [WS83] 2 = [HK83] 14 is very bright and elongated. With careful viewing the second knot resolved into two individual pieces or clumps [V61] 2/3.

Continuing further ESE, the surface brightness abruptly drops significantly, and a large, elongated dark notch appears to take a bite out of the galaxy. As the galaxy begins to brighten again, there is another bright round knot [HK83] 10 = [V61] 4, with a very small piece, [V61] 5, just detached to its SE. The ESE extension of the galaxy brightens a bit more and has an irregular, patchy appearance, with a couple of brighter stars (mag 12.0 and 13.7) superimposed along the S edge.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed at nearly 60° elevation at 212x, this huge galaxy was an amazing sight and overfilled the 23' field (at least 25' in length).  Near the core were two small, prominent HII knots, [HK83] 14 and [WS83] 1. A couple of additional low surface brightness knots, [HK83] 10, were visible further east along the mottled extensions. The appearance was asymmetric with the brighter WNW section bulging slightly.

17.5" (11/1/86 and 12/3/88): very large, edge-on 6:1 WNW-ESE, 16'x3'.  Very asymmetric with a bright, elongated western portion, darker center and a faint, nearly detached eastern section (IC 1537). Faint stars are involved at the west side. The eastern portion appears tilted at a slight angle to the main western portion. 

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly bright, very large.  The very faint eastern portion is near detached from the bright WNW section.

8" (9/25/81): very large, very elongated, brighter to the west, very faint eastern section.

15x50 IS binoculars (10/21/06): although very low in the southern sky, NGC 55 was visible as a faint, relatively large elongated patch using handheld IS binoculars. NGC 55 is easy to locate 3.8° NW of Alpha Phe as the galaxy is exactly collinear with three mag 7 stars to the east that are aligned from east to west.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 55 = D 507 = h2315 on 7 Jul 1826 from Parramatta, New South Wales.  Using his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector, he described it as "a beautiful long nebula, about 25' in length; position N.p. and S.f., a little brighter towards the middle, but extremely faint and diluted to the extremities. I see several minute points or stars in it, as it were through the nebula: the nebulous matter of the south extremity is extremely rare, and of a delicate bluish hue. This is a beautiful object."  Dunlop observed the galaxy on 4 nights and made a simple sketch (Figure 21).

John Herschel first observed this galaxy from the Cape on 3 May 1834: "bright; very large; very much elongated in a long irregular train, the preceding end being much the brightest. Whole length = 1.5 diam. of field, or 22' The nucleus is either a double star or a much more sharply terminated nebulous mass, elongated in a different position (146.5 ) from that of the nebula (109.8 )." He observed it again on 23 October 1835, recording it as "very bright; very large; very much elongated; at least 25' long and 3' broad. The following part is faint, the preceding and shorter trinuclear the 2d, nucleus taken. A strange object." His final observation on 4 October 1836 reads: "very bright, very large; a very long irregular crooked ray with 3 nuclei, the second of which appears to consist of stars." His sketch of the galaxy (fig. 8, plate IV) clearly shows its convoluted form and three brighter sections with the central one containing a three stars or stellar knots. In his discussion, he grouped NGC 55 together with the galaxy NGC 300 and the star cluster NGC 1950 as "nebulae of irregular forms having a tendency to several centres of condensation; in the case of [NGC 1950] but little conspicuous - in that of [NGC 55] (otherwise remarkable for its extravagant length and crooked shape) much more so, while in [NGC 300], the formation of separate nuclei is decided, the intermediate faint nebula barely sufficing to mark them as forming a connected system."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 55 using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope on 29 Oct 1875 (plate I, figure 2 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885").  He reported "The present appearance agrees well with H.'s description and drawing. The 'following' portion is now much fainter than shown by H.'s sketch; indeed it is so very faint that its exact outlines cannot with certainty be determined, a faint whitishness being all that can be made out, while the star-like appearance described by H. in his portion cannot now be seen. The 'preceding' portion is still, as shown by H., much the brightest. There are still three nuclei, the centre one of which is much the brightest. H. says this one appears to consist of stars; but although I have tried several powers, I cannot with any certainty, determine this point, although it has, at times, a sparkling appearance. The 'following' portion of this nebula appears to have become much fainter since H. observed it."  Turner's sketch shows the bright knot on the eastern end of the galaxy.

Observing from Southern California (Lowe Observatory), Lewis Swift reported the eastern section as a new object (Sw. 11-2): "eeeF; vL; extremely extended; close following NGC 55; following of 2."  He added a long note, "This with its associated compainon is a remarkable nebula. I am undecided as to whether it is all one, or consisting of two...if single, it is curved, if double are included to each other. I am inclined to think they are two distinct nebulale, one reason being that the brighter ends sharply, which would be improbable if the brighter merged into the second.  As Sir John Herschel does not mark it with a sign as being a remarkable object, lends plausibility to the idea that it was not seen even by him."  Although the fainter eastern section was sketched by both Dunlop and Herschel (plate IV, #8), Dreyer assigned it the number IC 1537.

The first photograph was taken before 1908 at Harvard College Observatory's Boyden Station in Arequipa, Peru.  Solon Bailey, the director of the station described it as "A remarkable object, similar in many respects to NGC 6618 [M17]…the nebula has several condensations or nuclei…". Between 1909 and 1911, Knox-Shaw photographed it at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt with the 30" Reynolds reflector and noted it had "no obvious nucleus, but several nebulous stars involved, one double."  For IC 1537, he reported it's "not a separate nebula, but the following and fainter part of 55. Apparently a mistake on the part of Swift, as Herschel drew the whole nebula."

The photographic appearance of the fainter eastern portion continued to cause confusion.  Based on a photograph taken with the 60-inch reflector at the Boyden Station, Bloemfontein, South Africa, Harlow Shapley and J.S. Paraskevopoulo wrote in 1940 that  NGC 55 was "so peculiar that it cannot easily be classified. Is it, perhaps, a highly resolved spiral without nucleus, nearly on edge; or an equally tilted system of the Magellanic type; or possibly two over-lapping systems, similarly inclined, with similar internal structure?"


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NGC 56
00 15 24  +12 26; Psc

= Not found, Carlson and Corwin.

John Herschel found NGC 56 = h12 on 13 Oct 1825 and logged "about this place a considerable space seems affected by nebulosity."  Neither Guillaume Bigourdan nor Édouard Stephan found anything near Herschel's position and nothing was found on Mount Wilson and Lick photographs.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 57 = UGC 145 = MCG +03-01-031 = CGCG 456-046 = PGC 1037
00 15 30.9  +17 19 43; Psc
V = 11.6;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

24" (9/16/17): at 375x; moderately bright and large, round, diffuse outer halo, 1'-1.2' diameter, but well concentrated with a small bright core and occasional sharp stellar nucleus.  IC 4, located 31' NW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 35"x25".  No significant concentration but contains a quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision.

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 57 = H. II-241 = H. II-243 = h13 on 8 Oct 1784 (sweep 286) and recorded (for H. II-241) "pS, cometic, but hazy weather." A couple of nights later he logged this galaxy again as H. II-243, "faint, small, irregularly round."  In the GC, John Herschel notes that Auwers misidentified H. II-243, which is identical to H. II-241 (the confusion was caused by an omitted offset star).  This galaxy was observed 7 times at Birr Castle and the 26 Oct 1854 observation reads "vF, I think it is resolvable [mottled]."
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NGC 58 = NGC 47 = MCG -01-01-055 = PGC 967
00 14 30.7  -07 10 04; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 47.

Lewis Swift found NGC 58 = Sw. 5-3 on 21 Oct 1886, in a trio with NGC 50 and NGC 54, with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  There is nothing at Swift's position but his description reads "vF, pS, R, wide D * near sp; 3rd of 3." Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, was unable to find NGC 58 on two nights and suggested that NGC 58 was a duplicate of NGC 47, discovered earlier by Wilhelm Tempel in 1886.  This requires that Swift's RA for NGC 58 was 1.1 minutes too large.  Despite Swift's comment "3rd of 3", his description of a "wide D[ouble] star nr sp" applies to NGC 47, making this equivalence very likely.  Dreyer repeats Howe's efforts in the IC II Notes and adds "probably = [NGC] 47".  See Corwin's notes for the full story.
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NGC 59 = ESO 539-004 = MCG -04-01-026 = PGC 1034
00 15 25.3  -21 26 42; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 127°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, large bright core.  There are four mag 13-14 stars to the west.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 59 = LM 1-1 on 10 Nov 1885 and recorded "pS, irregularly round, lE 120°".  His very rough RA (to nearest tmin) is coincidentally just 0.2 tmin E of ESO 539-004 = PGC 1034 and the position angle matches.  In the paper "Southern Nebulae" from Leander McCormick Observatory, the position was micrometrically measured and pinpoints ESO 539-004.
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NGC 60 = UGC 150 = MCG +00-01-048 = CGCG 382-037 = PGC 1058
00 15 58.4  -00 18 13; Psc
V = 14.4;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (8/20/88): extremely faint, small, round.  A mag 15 star is off the west edge.  Located 17' due east of mag 8 SAO 128658.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 60 = St. 12-4 on 28 Oct 1875.  His published position (list 12, #4) was made 7 years later on 2 Nov 1882 with description "eeF; vS; R; slightly condensed towards the center."
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NGC 61 = MCG -01-01-062 = VV 742 = PGC 1083
00 16 24.5  -06 19 21; Psc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (8/20/88): this is a double system with the brighter component (NGC 61A = MCG -01-01-062) at the SSE end appearing faint, very small, contains a small bright core.  In a common halo with NGC 61B = MCG -01-01-063 at the NNW edge, 18" between centers.  The fainter component appeared very faint, extremely small, round. Located near the Cetus border. MCG -01-01-065 lies 10' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 61 = H. III-428 = h14 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435). He logged "very faint; very small; irregular figure."  John Herschel called it "faint; round; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15" diameter."  The declination in RNGC (copied from MCG) is 5' too large.  MCG and RC3 label the brighter component as NGC 61A.
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NGC 62 = MCG -02-01-043 = Holm 5a = PGC 1125
00 17 05.5  -13 29 13; Cet
V = 11.5;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 130°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Located between mag 7.2 SAO 147195 9' WNW and mag 6.5 SAO 147208 13' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 62 = St. 13-2 on 8 Oct 1883 (date position was reduced) and recorded "F, vS, R, gradually little brighter middle."  His position matches MCG -02-01-043 = PGC 1125.  This is the southernmost galaxy discovered by Stephan.  Francis Leavenworth independently found this nebula in 1886 and included it in list I-2.  His rough position was 1.5 tmin too far W (typical error).
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NGC 63 = UGC 167 = MCG +02-01-030 = CGCG 433-042 = PGC 1160
00 17 45.5  +11 27 01; Psc
V = 11.6;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 108°

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly bright, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 63 = Sf. 96 on 27 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (combining two observations) "class II, round, 35", mag 16 nucleus; lying between two mag 12 and 13 stars, the first precedes the nebula by 9.7 sec."  His position and description matches UGC 167.

Truman Safford made an independent discovery on 30 Sep 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  Hermann Vogel made an observation on 16 Aug 1868 (he credited d'Arrest) with the 8.5" refractor at the Leipzig Observatory, as well as Édouard Stephan at Marseilles Observatory on 18 Sep 1871.

Birr Castle assistant J.L.E. Dreyer observed NGC 63 on 30 Oct 1877. He logged, "pB, pS, oval p f, suddenly much brighter middle.  Inside a triangle of 3 st 12, one of them in PA 268.9 (W), Dist 143.7", the 2 others about the same distance np and f."
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NGC 64 = MCG -01-01-068 = PGC 1149
00 17 30.3  -06 49 30; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration.  An anonymous galaxy (2MASXi J0018358-070255) lies 21' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 64 = Sw. 5-4 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 17 sec of RA east and 1.6' south of MCG -01-01-068  = PGC 1149.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 65 = ESO 473-010A = MCG -04-02-001 = PGC 1229
00 18 58.7  -22 52 50; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 178°

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, round.  Located 2.6' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 166184.  Forms a pair with NGC 66 3.6' SSE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 65 = LM 2-278, along with NGC 66, in 1886.  His position is 1.0 minute of RA west of ESO 473-010A = PGC 1229.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The MCG entry for this galaxy (-04-02-001) gives the NGC designation as "uncertain".
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NGC 66 = ESO 473-010 = MCG -04-02-002 = PGC 1236
00 19 05  -22 56 18; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 32°

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  Located 1.4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 166184.  Forms a pair with NGC 65 3' NNW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 66 = LM 2-279, along with NGC 65, in 1886.  His position is 1 min of RA west and 1' south of ESO 473-010 = PGC 1236.  His description of a mag 9 star 1.2' NNE matches this galaxy.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  The MCG entry for this galaxy (-04-02-002) gives the NGC designation was  "uncertain".
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NGC 67 = Arp 113 = VV 166g = Holm 6e = PGC 138159
00 18 12.2  +30 03 19; And
V = 15.6;  Size 0.45'x0.3';  PA = 112°

24" (9/15/12): very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, just visible continuously. This galaxy is at the west end of the NGC 68 group and on a line extending northeast with PGC 1185, NGC 68 and NGC 70 with each galaxy separated from the next by less than 1'.  PGC 1185, misidentified in most catalogues as NGC 67 and the faintest galaxy in the central region, is situated just 44" NE.  PGC 1185 appeared extremely faint and small, 8" diameter.

18" (11/14/09): this galaxy and PGC 1185 were the faintest members viewed in the NGC 68 group.  NGC 67 appeared as a mag 16 threshold glow 1.7' SW of NGC 68.  It required averted to occasionally glimpse, though a few times I could tell it was elongated.  In a 22" scope, I was able to hold this galaxy continuously at over 400x.

PGC 1185 was occasionally glimpsed as a threshold "star" sandwiched between this galaxy and NGC 68 (0.8' from both galaxies).  Most sources identify PGC 1185 as NGC 67 and this galaxy as NGC 67A or anonymous although it was clearly shown on Rosse's sketch of the field.  The identification is corrected on the NGC/IC Project site.

17.5" (8/27/87): extremely faint and small.  First in the NGC 68 group of 9 with NGC 68 0.9' NE, NGC 69 1.8' SE and NGC 71 1.9' E.  This observation may apply to NGC 67 or PGC 1185 very close NE.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 67 on 7 Oct 1855, while observing and sketching the NGC 68 group (plate XXV, fig 1 in the 1861 publication).  PGC 1185 (close northeast) is misidentified as NGC 67 in various sources including Megastar.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 68 = Arp 113 = VV 166b = Holm 6a = UGC 170 = MCG +05-01-065 = CGCG 499-106 = WBL 007-008 = PGC 1187
00 18 18.5  +30 04 18; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.1'

24" (9/15/12): at 322x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, high surface brightness though contains a brighter nucleus.  One of the brighter members in a dense group of galaxies and forms a tight trio with NGC 70 1.0' NE and NGC 71 1.3' SE.  In addition, CGCG 499-104 is just 57" SW.  In total, 10 galaxies were logged in a 5' circle!

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Appears as a compact knot (like a core) of moderate surface brightness with no outer halo.  Forms the southwest vertex of a tight trio with NGC 70 and NGC 71 in a dense group. 

17.5" (8/27/87): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  This galaxy is the brightest in a compact group and first in an interconnected trio with NGC 70 1.0' NE and NGC 71 1.2' SE.  An extremely difficult galaxy, NGC 67, is just 0.9' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 68 = H. V-16 = h15 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and recorded "extremely faint, 5 or 6' dia, 3 or 4 stars in it; but they seem to have connection with it."  This is the only galaxy credited to Herschel in the compact group, but he placed it in his fifth class of "large" nebulae, so doesn't apply to a single small galaxy.  Instead, Harold Corwin feels it's likely that Herschel saw the merged glow of NGC's 68, 70, and 71 (3 brightest in a small triangle in the core) and I agree based on his size estimate.

John Herschel made a similar observation.  On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178) he wrote "An extremely faint cluster with nebulosity, 5' diam.  Several *s 15...18m.  Seen distinctly, but there is also unresolved nebulosity.

Birr Castle assistant made a sketch of NGC 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74 (Plate XXV, Fig. 1, 1861 LdR publication) on 7 Oct 1855.  The NGC position matches UGC 170 = PGC 1187.
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NGC 69 = Arp 113 = VV 166e = Holm 6f = MCG +05-01-066 = CGCG 499-105 = WBL 007-007 = PGC 1191
00 18 20.5  +30 02 24; And
V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.3'

24" (9/15/12): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  Member of the compact NGC 68 group and first in a string with NGC 72 1.8' E and NGC 72A 3.0' E.

18" (11/14/09): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 1.6' SSE of NGC 71 and a similar separation due west of NGC 72.

17.5" (8/27/87): extremely faint and small, faint stellar nucleus.  In the core of the NGC 68 group with NGC 67 1.8' NW, NGC 71 1.6' NNE, NGC 72 1.8' E.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 69 on 7 Oct 1855, while observing the NGC 68 group.  It's clearly shown on the sketch on plate XXV in the 1861 publication. The NGC position matches CGCG 499-105 = PGC 1191.
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NGC 70 = Arp 113 = VV 166a = Holm 6c = UGC 174 = MCG +05-01-067 = CGCG 499-108 = WBL 007-010 = IC 1539 = PGC 1194
00 18 22.6  +30 04 47; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 0°

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S.  Extends between two mag 14 stars separated by 42".  Sharply concentrated with a small, high surface brightness core and a much fainter halo.

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, sandwiched between two mag 13.5-14 stars at the NNE and SW ends [42" separation].  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and a diffuse, low surface brightness halo that might extend to 0.8'x0.6', though the stars confuse the extent of the halo.  Forms the northern member of a very tight trio with NGC 71 1' SSE and NGC 68 1' SW.  A total of 9 members were viewed within a 7' circle!

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Located in the core of NGC 68 group and nearly between two mag 13.5 stars 25" NE and 20" SSW.  In an interconnected trio with NGC 68 1.0' SW and NGC 71 1.0' SSE.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 70 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group.  It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication.  The NGC position matches UGC 174 = PGC 1194.  Bigourdan found the galaxy again on 19 Dec 1897, while misidentifying a star as NGC 70, and NGC 70 was catalogued a 2nd time as IC 1539.  See Corwin's notes.

Heber Curtis, in his 1918 description of nebulae photographed with the Crossley reflector at Lick, misidentified NGC 70 as NGC 68.
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NGC 71 = Arp 113 = VV 166c = Holm 6b = UGC 173 = MCG +05-01-068 = CGCG 499-107 = WBL 007-009 = PGC 1197
00 18 23.5  +30 03 48; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness 0.4' core and a much fainter halo to 40" diameter.  In a tight group of 10 galaxies including NGC 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, along with numerous stars mixed in!  A mag 14 star is 40" ENE.

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Compact appearance with a fairly high uniform surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is close following [38" ENE].  Forms the SE vertex of a tight equilateral triangle of galaxies with NGC 68 and NGC 70.

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, small, oval ~E-W, weak concentration.  Member of the NGC 68 group and third in a close trio with NGC 68 1.2' NW and NGC 70 1.0' NNW.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 71 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group.  It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the galaxy on 23 Sep 1865.
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NGC 72 = Arp 113 = VV 166d = Holm 6d = UGC 176 = MCG +05-01-069 = CGCG 499-109 = WBL 007-011 = PGC 1204
00 18 28.3  +30 02 26; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 15°

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 30"x24", very small brighter nucleus.  Member of the compact NGC 68 group and in a string with NGC 60 1.7' W and NGC 72A 1.3' ESE.

18" (11/14/09): faint, small, slightly elongated, 35"x30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 2-3' SE of a tight trio (NGC 68/70/71).  NGC 72A, an extremely compact galaxy, lies 1.3' E. 

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  Located in the core of the NGC 68 group with NGC 72A 1.3' ESE, NGC 69 1.8' W, NGC 71 1.7' NW.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 72 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group.  It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication.  The NGC position matches UGC 176 = PGC 1204.
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NGC 73 = MCG -03-01-026 = PGC 1211
00 18 39.0  -15 19 20; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 145°

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  A mag 14/15 double star is close following (separation of 24" oriented SW-NE).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 73 = Sw. 5-5 on 21 Oct 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "vF; S; R; vF D* close following."  His position is 30" N of MCG -03-01-026 = PGC 1211 and his comment about the "vF D * close f" applies.
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NGC 74 = MCG +05-01-071 = PGC 1219
00 18 49.3  +30 03 42; And
V = 14.5;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 130°

24" (9/15/12): faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.25', broad weak concentration.  On the east side of the NGC 67-72 group, 5.6' due east of NGC 71.

18" (11/14/09): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2'.  Appears as a phantom streak with averted vision.  Located ~6' E of the NGC 68/70/71 triple and furthest east member of the group.

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, small, elongated NW-SE, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Located 6' E of NGC 71 at the east edge of the NGC 68/NGC 70 group.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 74 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group.  It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 29 Sep 1886, matching PGC 1219, as well as Hermann Kobold in 1898.
******************************

NGC 75 = UGC 182 = MCG +01-01-051 = CGCG 408-048 = PGC 1255
00 19 26.4  +06 26 57; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5' SE of an isosceles triangle of mag 11/12 stars with sides 1.3', 1.6' and 1.7'.  Mag 7.2 SAO 109145 lies 13' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 75 = Sw. 5-6 on 22 Oct 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 6 sec of RA west and 48" north of UGC 182 = PGC 1255.
******************************

NGC 76 = UGC 185 = MCG +05-01-072 = CGCG 499-111 = Holm 8a = WBL 007-013 = PGC 1267
00 19 37.8  +29 56 01; And
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 80°

24" (8/31/16): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 30"x25", very small bright nucleus.  Forms a close pair with MCG +05-01-073 1.1' E.  The companion is very faint, small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 15.0 star is 30" NE.  Member of the NGC 68/70 Group (VV 166).

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~E-W, small bright core.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 76 = Big. 1 on 22 Sep 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory.  This was Bigourdan's first discovery.
******************************

NGC 77 = ESO 473-015 = PGC 1290
00 20 01.6  -22 31 56; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint spot on the threshold of visibility with averted vision.  Only glimpsed for moments several times although sighting certain.  Located 3.1' ESE of a mag 11.5 star.  Next closest is a 14th mag star 4.0' WSW.  Incorrectly identified in the RNGC as MCG -04-02-003.

17.5" (10/21/95): not seen, though viewed through thin clouds.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 77 = LM 2-280 in 1886 using the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick observatory in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Although the discovery positions at the observatory were generally very imprecise due to poorly calibrated circles (in this case off by 30 seconds of time in RA), Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section), which matches ESO 473-015 = PGC 1290.  Furthermore, Muller stated a mag 9 star lies 2.8' W (in PA 280°) and a mag 11 star is 3.1' WNW in PA 282°.  ESO and SGC correctly identify this galaxy as NGC 77, but the RNGC misidentifies MCG -04-02-003 as NGC 77.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
******************************

NGC 78 = UGC 193 = MCG +00-02-004 = CGCG 383-001 = Mrk 547 = VV 878 = KPG 6 = PGC 1306
00 20 27.5  +00 50 01; Psc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 80°

17.5" (8/20/88): this is a double system with the southwestern member appearing faint, very small, round, bright core.  The companion is attached at the northeast end and appears very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  The two components are separated by just 37" and within a common halo.

Carl Frederick Pechüle discovered NGC 78 around 1876 using the 11-inch Merz refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  The discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer as it was included in the GC Supplement (5094), but there was no published announcement.  The NGC position is 1.5' north of UGC 193 = PGC 1306. This is a double galaxy and identified as NGC 78A and 78B in the MCG.  NGC 78B is  and RC3.  The RNGC designations are reversed in RA.
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NGC 79 = MCG +04-02-003 = CGCG 479-003 = WBL 009-002 = PGC 1340
00 21 02.9  +22 34 00; And
V = 14.0;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, broad weak concentration.  This member of the NGC 80 cluster situated between NGC 86 located 6' E and IC 1542 located 5.2' WNW.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, fairly small, almost round, broad concentration.  Located at the NW end of the NGC 80 group 9.1' NW of NGC 83.  NGC 80 lies 13' SSE.

13.1" (9/29/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 79 = Big. 2, along with NGC 86 and 94, on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory at the NW end of the NGC 80 group.  His position matches CGCG 479-003 = PGC 1340.  10 days later he also picked up NGC 96.
******************************

NGC 80 = UGC 203 = MCG +04-02-004 = CGCG 479-006 = WBL 009-003 = PGC 1351
00 21 10.9  +22 21 26; And
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/22/08): this giant lenticular galaxy is the brightest in a visually rich group (WBL 009), with 20 galaxies viewed in a 25' circle.  At 283x it appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 30" core that increases to the center and a much fainter outer halo.  The closest cluster members are NGC 81 1.6' NNE, LEDA 1668596 3.7' WNW and NGC 83 5.3' NNE.

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, sharp concentration, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 81, 83, 85, 86, 90, 91, 93, 94, 96, IC 1546 and MCG +04-02-010.  Forms a close pair with extremely faint NGC 81 1.6' NNE and NGC 83 is 5.3' NNE.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, almost round, small bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 80 = h16 on 17 Aug 1828 and noted "faint; small; round; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle; 15" diameter."  The NGC 80 group was observed 5 times by Lord Rosse's assistants.  On 19 Sep 1857, R.J. Mitchell wrote, "S; R; or nearly so; and little brighter in the middle."  The NGC position matches UGC 203 = PGC 1351.
******************************

NGC 81 = PGC 1352
00 21 13.3  +22 22 58; And
V = 15.2;  Size 0.3'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 84°

18" (11/22/08): this companion to NGC 80 appeared extremely faint and small, round, just 6"-10" diameter.  A mag 15 star lies 0.7' NNW.  Located 1.7' NNE of NGC 80.

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, slightly elongated.  Two mag 15 stars are close NW, the nearer star is 40" NW.  Located just 1.6' NNE of NGC 80 in a group.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 81 on 15 Nov 1873 during one of the observations with Lord Rosse's 72" of the GC 38 = NGC 80 group.  Copeland described a "F neb, fairly certain. Pos 212.3°, dist 219.5" from [NGC 83]".  His micrometric offset matches PGC 1352.  Corwin notes that Bigourdan mistook a star NW of the galaxy (mentioned in my visual observation of the galaxy) as NGC 81.
******************************

NGC 82
00 21 17.4  +22 27 42; And

= *, Corwin and Carlson.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 82 = Big. 3 on 23 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory.  According to Corwin, Bigourdan's offset matches a star at 00 21 17.4 +22 27 42 (2000).  NGC 82 is incorrectly equated with NGC 83 in the MCG.
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NGC 83 = UGC 206 = MCG +04-02-005 = CGCG 479-008 = WBL 009-004 = PGC 1371
00 21 22.5  +22 26 01; And
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, round, 20"-24" diameter, weak concentration.  Cradled by three brighter mag 10-10.5 stars off the following side with the closest 0.9' SSE.  NGC 83 is the brightest in a subgroup that is currently "falling into" the larger NGC 80 subgroup.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration.  This is the second brightest member of the NGC 80 group with NGC 80 5.3' SSW and the NGC 91/93 pair 7.0' ESE.  Three mag 10-10.5 stars lie 0.9' SSE, 1.4' ESE and 1.6' E.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, very small, round.  Three mag 10 stars follow.  Located 5' NE of NGC 80 in a group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 83 = h17 on 17 Aug 1828 and recorded "E; perhaps bicentral; makes trapezium with three B stars."  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 26 Oct 1854, noted "round and brighter in the middle."  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 2 Nov 1877 and Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.  

This galaxy is identified as NGC 82/83 in MCG although NGC 82 refers to a star.
******************************

NGC 84
00 21 21.3  +22 37 03; And

= *, Thomson and Corwin.  Incorrectly identified in the RNGC as MCG +04-02-010.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 84 = Big. 4 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory.  At his position is a single star.  The RNGC misidentifies MCG +04-02-010 as NGC 84.  The identification was discussed in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal for July, 1991.
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NGC 85 = NGC 85A = MCG +04-02-007 = CGCG 479-009 = WBL 009-005 = PGC 1375
00 21 25.5  +22 30 43; And
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (11/22/08): faint, very small, slightly elongated, ~18"x15".  Forms a very close pair with IC 1546 = NGC 85B just 0.9' SE within the NGC 80 cluster.  Situated between NGC 83 4.7' S and NGC 86 2.8' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Forms a close pair with IC 1546 = NGC 85B 53" ESE and NGC 83 lies 5' S.

13.1" (9/29/84): extremely faint, very diffuse, small, almost round.  Located 5' N of NGC 83.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 85 on 15 Nov 1873 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "eeF, cL, R neb, was certainly and repeatedly seen.  Pos 7.4°, dist 289.2" or 2.7s f, 4'46" N of [N83].  His micrometric offset points directly at CGCG 479-009 = PGC 1375.  MCG identifies this galaxy as NGC 85A and assigns NGC 85B to IC 1546.
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NGC 86 = MCG +04-02-009 = CGCG 479-011 = WBL 009-007 = PGC 1383
00 21 28.6  +22 33 24; And
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 9°

18" (11/22/08): this member of the NGC 80 group appeared faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~20"x14".  Elongated in the direction of a mag 12.5 star located just 0.7' S of center.  NGC 85 lies 2.8' S.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, elongated ~N-S.  A mag 12.5 star is 35" S.  MCG +04-02-010 (incorrectly identified in RNGC as NGC 84) lies 2.2' NNE.  Located 4' N of NGC 85 in the NGC 80 group.

13.1" (9/29/84): extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 13 star is close S.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 86 = Big. 5 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, along with NGCs 79 and 94.
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NGC 87 = ESO 194-008 = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1357 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group
00 21 14.2  -48 37 42; Phe
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7' diameter, low even surface brightness.  Westernmost and second faintest in the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) with NGC 88 1.5' SE, NGC 89 2.8' SE and NGC 92 2.9' E.  The arrangement is distinctive with the three brighter galaxies (NGC 87/89/92) arranged in an equilateral triangle and NGC 88 at the center, forming a "Y" or propeller shape.  ESO 194-13 lies 12' ENE of the quartet.

John Herschel discovered NGC 87 = h2316 (along with NGC 88, 89, 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle, first of four."  The next sweep two nights later he logged "eF; S; R. The first of a group of four nebulae."
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NGC 88 = ESO 194-010 = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1370 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group
00 21 22.0  -48 38 24; Phe
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, very small bright core.  An extremely faint star is attached at the SW end.  This galaxy is the faintest in the Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) and centered in an equilateral triangle of galaxies with NGC 87 1.5' NW, NGC 92 1.9' NE and NGC 89 1.5' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 88 = h2317 (along with NGC 87, 89 and 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF, vS, R, 2nd of 4, in centre of gravity of the others.".
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NGC 89 = ESO 194-011 = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = SCG 0018-4854 = PGC 1374 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group
00 21 24.4  -48 39 55; Phe
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 148°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', very small slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  Has a slightly higher surface brightness than NGC 92.  Furthest southern member of the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) with NGC 87, 88, and 92.  NGC 88 lies 1.5' N and a faint star is 43" N (at the midpoint to NGC 88).

John Herschel discovered NGC 89 = h2318 (along with NGC 87, 88 and 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle. The 3rd of four."
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NGC 90 = Arp 65 = UGC 208 = MCG +04-02-011 = CGCG 479-013 = WBL 009-009 = PGC 1405
00 21 51.4  +22 24 00; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 113°

48" (10/30/16): at 488x and 610x; bright, oval 3:2 E-W, sharply concentrated with a very bright roundish core (slightly elongated at 610x) and a fairly large oval halo, ~60"x40".  A spiral arm is visible on the NW side, curling clockwise to the S but the long, thin tidally stretched extensions to the NW and SE were not seen.  Forms a striking (interacting) pair with NGC 93 2.8' ENE.  A mag 12 star is 1.3' SW.  Although this galaxy is often identified as NGC 91, that number applies to a mag 14.8 star 1.9' S.

NGC 90 = Arp 65 was classified as a Spiral galaxy with small, high surface-brightness companions on arms.  LEDA 1669552, the "companion" just beyond the NW tidal extension (2.4' NW of NGC 90), appeared faint (V ~17.1), small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 10"x6".  A mag 15.7 star is 30" SE. No redshift is available on this object, so it may lie far in the background.

18" (11/22/08): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.35'; contains a small, round, brighter core.  NGC 93 lies 2.8' ENE and a mag 12 star is 1.4' SW.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, small (only the central portion of the galaxy observed), slightly elongated, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1.3' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 93 2.8' E.  Located on the east side of the NGC 80 group 7.0' ESE of NGC 83.

13.1" (9/29/84): very faint, elongated NW-SE.  A mag 13 star is 1' SW.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 90 and 93 on 26 Oct 1854. His description mentioned "Several S; F neb visible at once in finder" so John Herschel assumed at least 3 objects were discovered, which he catalogued as GC 40, 41, 42.  But a sketch of the NGC 90 field shows only two nebulae labeled as Alpha (now NGC 90) and Beta (now NGC 93).  Herman Schultz observed the field on 17 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and measured an object he thought was GC 40, but was actually Mitchell's Alpha.  His micrometric position matches UGC 208 = PGC 1405.  Stephan observed the pair (identified as GC 5097 and 5098) on 12 Oct 1869.  Because of an uncertainty in the position and identification, Dreyer catalogued this object in the GC Supplement (#5096) with the comment "Query = GC 40, 41, 42?". Dreyer equated GC 40 = 5096 in the NGC.

Modern catalogues misidentify UGC 208 as NGC 91 but Schultz's position for NGC 91 falls precisely on a very faint star 1.9' S.  This misidentification may have originated in Curtis' description of nebulae (1918) based on Crossley photographs at Lick observatory.  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 91 = LEDA 3325956
00 21 51.6  +22 22 06; And
V = 14.8

48" (10/30/16): this number applies to a mag 14.8 star 1.9' due south of the center of NGC 90 = Arp 65.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 91 on 17 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  Schultz's micrometric position of 00 21 52.1 +22 22 06 (2000) pinpoints NGC 91 as a mag 15 star at 00 21 51.6 +22 22 06.  Lord Rosse and d'Arrest are credited with this number in the NGC, but Corwin notes this star was not mentioned in the Birr Castle observations of the field nor by d'Arrest.  All modern catalogues misidentify NGC 90 = UGC 208 = PGC 1405 as NGC 91.
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NGC 92 = ESO 194-012 = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1388 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group
00 21 31.6  -48 37 30; Phe
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 144°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): this galaxy is the brightest member and furthest east in the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34).  It appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', broad concentration to a bright core.  The faint tidal tail to the SE was not seen.  The nearby members of the quartet are NGC 87 2.9' W, NGC 88 1.9' SW and NGC 89 2.6' SSW.

ESO 194-013, a fifth member of the group, lies 11' ENE.  At 429x, it appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core but no distinct zones.  A distinctive string of three mag 13 stars [length 1.4'] is centered 2' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 92 = h2319 (along with NGC 87, 88 and 89) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle; 20" across. The last of four"."
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NGC 93 = Arp 65 = UGC 209 = MCG +04-02-012 = CGCG 479-015 = WBL 009-010 = PGC 1412
00 22 03.3  +22 24 29; And
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 48°

48" (10/30/16): at 488x and 610x; very bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.3', well concentrated with an intense core that elongates into a bar with averted vision.  A low surface brightness outer halo increases the size to 1.0'x0.45'.  Three mag 13.5-14 stars are close following.  Forms a striking interacting pair with NGC 90 2.8' WSW.

LEDA 1669768, located 1.4' NNW, appeared fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 30"x10".  At a redshift of z = .071 (light-travel time 950 million years) it resides far in the background of the cluster.
 
18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 0.5'x0.2', contains a very small brighter core.  A triangle of mag 13.5-14 stars follows by 1'-2'.  NGC 90 lies 2.8' W.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, oval SW-NE, faint stellar nucleus, bright core.  This is a double system with an anonymous companion 35" S.  Three mag 13.5-14 stars follow at 1.2' E, 1.9' E and 1.9' ESE forming a small right triangle.  Forms a pair with NGC 90 2.8' W at the east side of the NGC 80 group.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, very elongated.  There is a trio of very faint stars to the east.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 93 and 90 on 26 Oct 1854 and labeled it as "Beta" on his sketch. The description mentions "Several S; F neb visible at once in finder" so John Herschel assumed at least 3 objects were discovered, which he catalogued as GC 40, 41, 42, but only two are labeled on the sketch. NGC 93 was independently found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 5 Oct 1864 and catalogued by Dreyer as GC(S) 5098, as he was unsure of the positions and identifications.  Stephan observed NGC 90 and 93 (identified as GC 5097 and 5098) on 12 Oct 1869.  The two GC entries, #42 and #5098, were combined under NGC 93.
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NGC 94 = CGCG 479-017 = WBL 009-011 = PGC 1423
00 22 13.6  +22 28 59; And
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 25°

18" (11/22/08): faint, very small, elongated 4:3, ~20"x15".  This member of the NGC 80 group forms a nearly contact pair with PGC 1670567 just 35" S of center.  The companion appeared extremely faint and small, round.  Located 5' NE of NGC 93.  NGC 96 lies 4' NNE.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with an anonymous galaxy (2MASX J00221387+2228242) 35" SSE.  Located on the east edge of the NGC 80 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 94 = Big. 6 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, along with NGCs 79, 86 and 96.  His position is a reasonable match with CGCG 479-017 = PGC 1423.
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NGC 95 = UGC 214 = MCG +02-02-003 = CGCG 434-003 = PGC 1426
00 22 13.6  +10 29 31; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 75°

17.5" (12/19/87): moderately bright, moderately large, round, bright core, very faint stellar nucleus, diffuse halo.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' NE of center. 

13.1" (12/19/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 95 = H. II-257 = h19 on 18 Oct 1784 (sweep 298) and logged "F, S, R, little brighter in the middle."  He found it again on 23 Nov 1785 (sweep 477) and noted "F, pL, much brighter in the middle, iR."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 96 = MCG +04-02-014 = PGC 1429
00 22 17.8  +22 32 47; And
V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6

18" (11/22/08): very faint, small, round, 24" diameter, irregular surface brightness.  Occasionally a faint star at the edge or possibly a stellar nucleus sparkles.  Last of 20 galaxies viewed in the NGC 80 group.  The SDSS reveals a faint star is superimposed.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly larger but more diffuse than NGC 94.  Located at the NE edge of the NGC 80 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 96 = Big. 7 on 24 Oct 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory.  10 days earlier he discovered NGCs 79, 86 and 94 in the NGC 80 group.
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NGC 97 = UGC 216 = MCG +05-02-007 = CGCG 500-009 = PGC 1442
00 22 30.0  +29 44 43; And
V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 30" WSW and a mag 14 star 1.3' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 97 = h18 on 16 Sep 1828 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter middle; 15"."
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NGC 98 = ESO 242-005 = PGC 1463
00 22 49.5  -45 16 09; Phe
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 0°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, sharply concentrated with a bright core and very small bright nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 98 = h2320 on 6 Sep 1834 and recorded as "very faint; round; brighter in the middle; resolvable."  His position (single observation) matches ESO 242-005 = PGC 1463.
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NGC 99 = UGC 230 = MCG +02-02-006 = CGCG 434-006 = PGC 1523
00 23 59.4  +15 46 12; Psc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' WNW.  NGC 100 lies 42' N.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 99 = St. 13-3 on 8 Oct 1883 (date the position was reduced) and recorded "vF, R, 1' dia, gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 100 = UGC 231 = MCG +03-02-009 = CGCG 457-012 = FGC 42 = Holm 9a = PGC 1525
00 24 02.6  +16 29 10; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 5.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 56°

48" (11/8/15): bright, extremely large and thin edge-on 10:1 WSW-ENE, extends at least 4.0'x0.4'.  A brighter central region extends ~2' in length and the outer extensions fade significantly and taper towards the tips as they dim out.  A mag 15.3 star is just beyond the east end of the galaxy.  Four mag 15.2-16.2 stars (in an E-W string) lie within 2.5' south of the galaxy.

PGC 1509358 is just south of the southwestern tip of the galaxy.  At 488x it appeared very faint (V = 17.2), very small, slightly elongated, ~10"x7".  With careful averted vision, I could just hold the galaxy continuously. A fairly difficult mag 17+ star is 30" SW.  The redshift based light-travel time (based on z = .10) is 1.2 billion years.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, thin edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, moderately large, 2.0'x0.3', weak concentration.  NGC 99 lies 42' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 100 = Sw. 3-1 on 10 Nov 1885 with a 16" refractor at his Warner Observatory.  His description reads "vF; pS; vE" and the position matches UGC 231 = PGC 1525, the flattest galaxy in the NGC.  Guillaume Bigourdan observed the galaxy on 7 Sep 1891 and mentioned that the "form and extension are incredible."
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NGC 101 = ESO 350-014 = MCG -05-02-003 = PGC 1518
00 23 54.5  -32 32 12; Scl
V = 12.8;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 84°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, low surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 101 = h2321 on 25 Sep 1834 and logged as "pretty bright; pretty large; a little elongated; 45"; precedes a star of 14th magnitude."  On a later sweep he noted "very faint; round or very little elongated; gradually brighter in the middle; 15 arcseconds."  So the two observation differ significantly in terms of brightness.  His position matches ESO 350-014 = PGC 1518.

Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 5 Oct 1885 with the Melbourne telescope and wrote "pF, pL, a little elongated following and preceding, about 70" long and 50" broad.  A star 14m following, a little north.  This object is not conspicuous - it is quite flat - or evenly lighted and the outline is not sharp."
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NGC 102 = MCG -02-02-011 = PGC 1542
00 24 36.5  -13 57 22; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, bright core.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 102 = LM 1-3 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and described as "0.2'.  Round."  His rough position is just 1' S of MCG -02-02-011 = PGC 1542.
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NGC 103 = Cr 1 = OCL-291 = Lund 13
00 25 17  +61 19 18; Cas
V = 9.8;  Size 5'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~40 stars mag 12-15 were resolved, mostly within or near a distinctive 3.3' string oriented SSW-NNE.  Two brighter mag 11.8/12.3 stars lie at the N end of the string, just detached from the richest clump of stars near the center of the cluster.  Another sparser string of stars is parallel and just 1' W of the main string. A string of stars oriented N-S is detached to the SE of the main string.  Observed with a 4 day moon up.

13.1" (10/20/84): 20 faint stars over unresolved haze, very elongated SSW-NNE.  Two mag 11 stars are at the north end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 103 = h20 on 5 Oct 1829 and recorded, "pS, p compressed cl; 3' diam; st 11...18m in 2 or 3 principal branches.  If this be VI 35 [NGC 136], there must be a mistake in my father's observation or mine of 6 m[inutes] in RA."  Herschel's conjecture was wrong - NGC 136 is a much smaller cluster, 6 minutes of RA east.

The first observation was made by William Herschel on 26 Nov 1788 (sweep 887).  He noted "clustering, small stars, considerable rich", but didn't assign it a discovery number.  He mentioned again, though, in his 1817 paper "Astronomical observations and experiments tending to investigate the local arrangement of the celestial bodies in space, and to determine the extent and conditions of the Milky Way."
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NGC 104 = 47 Tucanae = ESO 050-9
00 24 05.2  -72 04 50; Tuc
V = 4.0;  Size 30.9';  Surf Br = 0.1

25" (3/29/25 - OzSky): at 187x; 47 Tuc is always an amazing globular with stars resolved over nearly the entire 26' field.  A few 11th mag and fainter red variables were noticed as well as the golden core.

25" (10/26/22 - OzSky): I viewed 47 Tuc at only 102x with a large 48' field.  The astonishing cluster seemed to fill the vast majority of the eyepiece field. The intensely luminous core was distinctly yellow-ochre colored.

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; the core was distinctly orange-yellow.  In addition, I immediately noted a couple of obvious orange supergiants at the S edge of the core and in the outer halo on the E side.

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 163x and 264x): absolutely stunning view in the 30" at 163x and 264x.  Even in the 37' field of the 21mm Ethos, the stars appeared to fill the entire field, only thinning out near the edge.  The pinpoint stars were amazingly packed, but increased in intensity to a relatively small, blazing core, which was plastered with resolved stars.  The very center of the nucleus contained a small, intense knot overlaid with packed stars giving a strong impression of layers.  I immediately noticed the core had a pale yellowish tint.  

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at low power (76x using a 27mm Panoptic) the blazing core had an unusual, pale yellow hue.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was the best view I had of 47 Tucanae during the week.  At 212x, the entire 23' field was packed edge-to-edge with pinpoint stars and the blazing, intense core, which had a yellowish tint, was resolved into a mesmerizing dense mat of stars.  The halo extended to at least 30'.  

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this breathtaking globular was viewed at over 50° elevation and was stunningly resolved into several thousand stars out to a diameter of over 25'.  The star density steadily increases towards the center.  The relatively small 4' core was blazing and highly resolved right to the edge of a very small compressed nucleus.  A 3-dimensional affect was very strong with layers of stars forming a dense mat over the core.  Many of the stars in the halo are connected in chains and lanes.  The 9 mm Nagler did a better job of busting apart the stars in the core, although the cluster overfilled the field at this power. Although the total visual magnitude is just slightly fainter than Omega Centauri and the size slightly smaller, 47 Tucanae is certainly equal if not surpassing Omega Centauri in visual impact due to its dazzling central blaze.

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): While at Bargo, I observed 47 Tucanae for the first time. Though still very low in the sky the view was thrilling.  At 186x, the globular filled the 26' field with an uncountable number of stars. Strongly concentrated to an intense, blazing core which was only partially resolved at a low elevation.  The highly resolved outer halo extended ~25' in an irregular outline while the central halo was very symmetric.  This is the most prominent naked-eye GC as so much of its light is concentrated into the central core and it lies in a sparse field with no other rivals other than the SMC.

Naked-eye: easy 4th magnitude naked-eye blur just west of the SMC, seen many times from the southern hemisphere.  Visible in a dark sky while very low in the sky and from suburban locations when higher in the sky.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered the nebulous appearance of NGC 104 = Lac I-1 = D 18 = 47 Tucanae = h2322 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  It appeared "like the nucleus of a fairly bright comet."  He placed it in group I, consisting of nebulae without stars.  The cluster was noted, though, as a "star" in Bayer's Uranometria, which was first published in 1603. The designation "47 Tuc" comes from Bode's extension of Flamsteed numbers to the southern constellations (these are not used today except for 47 Tuc and 30 Dor).

With his 9-inch speculum reflector, James Dunlop logged "(47 Toucan, Bode) this is a beautiful large round nebula, about 8' diameter, very gradually condensed to the centre. This beautiful globe of light is easily resolved into stars of a dusky colour.  The compression to the centre is very great, and the stars are considerably scattered south preceding and north following." His sketch (figure 1 in his catalogue) shows a beautifully resolved, elongated cluster.

John Herschel observed it for the first time on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "the great cluster preceding the Nubecula Minor. Estimated dia of the denser portion 5'; of the whole (not, however, including loose stragglers) 8'. Stars 14..16 mag. and one of 12th mag N.p. the centre. Excessively compressed. (N.B. In a sweep below the pole, when of course owing to the low altitude much of the light was lost.)"  His observation of 12 Aug 1834 reads: "A most glorious cluster. The stars are equal, 14th mag., immensely numerous and compressed. Its last outliers extend to a distance of 2 min, 16 sec in RA from the centre. It is compressed to a blaze of light at the centre, the diameter of the more compressed part being 30 arcsec in RA. It is at first very gradual, then pretty suddenly very much brighter in the middle. It is completely insulated. After it has passed, the ground of the sky is perfectly black throughout the whole breadth of the sweep. There is a double star 11th mag. preceding the centre (Pos. 226.5 - 6.5 arcsec in RA from centre of neb.)" On 21 Sep 1835 he wrote: "Fills the field with its stragglers, condensation in three distinct stages, first very gradually, next pretty suddenly, and finally very suddenly very much brighter in the middle up to a central blaze whose diameter in RA is 13.5 sec and whose colour is ruddy or orange-yellow, which contrasts evidently with the white light of the rest. The stars are all nearly equal (12..14 mag). A stupendous object."  His final record of the object was on 5 Nov 1836: "A most magnificent globular cluster. It fills the field with its outskirts, but within its more compressed part, I can insulate a tolerably defined circular space of 90" dia wherein the compression is much more decided and the stars seem to run together; and this part I think has a pale pinkish or rose-colour."  In his diary Herschel also refers to the "Rose coloured central mass".
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NGC 105 = UGC 241 = MCG +02-02-008 = CGCG 434-009 = PGC 1583
00 25 16.8  +12 53 02; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 167°

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.  Two mag 13.5 star lie 0.7' W and 1.4' ESE.  Situated in a group of six mag 13/14 stars.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 105 = St. 13-4 = Sw. 5-7 on 15 Oct 1884 (date position reduced) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His description reads "eF, S, R, very little brighter middle".  Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 31 Oct 1886 and included it in his 5th discovery list (#7).  His position is just 5 seconds of RA too small and the description "inside of and near [the] preceding corner of equilateral triangle" applies.
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NGC 106 = PGC 1551
00 24 43.8  -05 08 55; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 80°

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 106 = LM 1-4 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position in list I is 1.0 tmin E of PGC 1551.  N.M. Parrish corrected the RA with a micrometric offset in "Southern Nebulae" and Dreyer repeated this correction in the IC 1 notes.
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NGC 107 = MCG -02-02-014 = PGC 1606
00 25 42.1  -08 16 59; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

17.5" (9/17/88): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  Located 4.9' NW of mag 7.8 SAO 128758.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 107 on 14 Jan 1866 with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  It was found while unsuccessfully searching for Comet Biela.  This is one of 4 NGC galaxies Struve discovered in his search (the comet never returned after 1852) and 3 others that had been previously discovered. MCG (-02-02-014) doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 107, although the identity is certain.
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NGC 108 = UGC 246 = MCG +05-02-012 = CGCG 500-020 = PGC 1619
00 25 59.8  +29 12 43; And
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, small very bright core, faint extensions SSW-NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 108 = H. III-148 = h21 on 11 Sep 1874 (sweep 266). He noted "very faint, pretty large, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made two observations, logging on 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178): "pretty bright; round; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle; 20" diameter."

Birr Castle assistant made an observation on 3 Nov 1855: "elongated sp nf, the arms being very faint, and preceding one rather the brighter, they are perhaps cut off from central Nucl. by dark spaces, but all this is very uncertain.  Night not good."
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NGC 109 = UGC 251 = MCG +04-02-020 = CGCG 479-031 = PGC 1633
00 26 14.6  +21 48 27; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 77°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, oval ~E-W.  Located about 75' SE of the NGC 80 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 109 = Au 3 on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen (early discovery) and described it (combining two observations) as "vF, vS, R.  Forms a quadrilateral with 3 stars."  Auwers included it as #3 in his 1862 list of new nebulae.
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NGC 110 = OCL-300 = Lund 14
00 27 25.4  +71 23 27; Cas

17.5" (9/2/89): this is a loose group of mag 11-14 stars surrounding a mag 10 star.  Near the bright star are several faint stars in a string.  The status as a cluster is doubtful and this is very possibly a random grouping.

John Herschel discovered NGC 110 = h22 on 29 Oct 1831 and recorded "a very loose; p rich cl; *s 9...12m; *9m in middle taken."
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NGC 111 = NGC 113?
00 26 42  -02 38; Cet

= Not found, SG.  = possibly equal to NGC 758, HC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 111 = LM 2-281 in 1886 and recorded "vF, vS, R, little brighter middle, *8.5, preceding 36s and 2' N, RA doubtful".  There is nothing at his position and the RNGC misidentifies MCG -01-02-016 = NGC 113 as NGC 111.  NGC 113 (discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1876) is 7.5' N of Leavenworth's position (not an unusual error), but there is no bright nearby star matching Leavenworth's description.  Bigourdan was unable to recover NGC 111.

John Ponting has suggested NGC 111 is identical to NGC 758, though the RA is 1.5 hours off and the declination is 20' off.  See Corwin's NGC ID notes for more on this suggestion.
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NGC 112 = UGC 255 = MCG +05-02-013 = CGCG 500-021 = PGC 1654
00 26 48.8  +31 42 11; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 108°

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, small, oval WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.8' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 112 = Sw. 2-9 on 17 Sep 1885 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His RA is just 4 sec east of UGC 255 = PGC 1654.
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NGC 113 = MCG -01-02-016 = PGC 1656
00 26 54.6  -02 30 03; Cet
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 45°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 43' S of the NGC 114/118 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 113 = T. 1-1 = T. 4-1 on 27 Aug 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  He described it as a "class III nebula, small, mag 14-15 nucleus."
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NGC 114 = UGC 259 = MCG +00-02-027 = CGCG 383-014 = PGC 1660
00 26 58.2  -01 47 11; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, very small bright core.  Forms a twin of NGC 118 4' E.  NGC 124 lies 14' ESE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 114 = Sf. 114 = T. 4-2, along with NGC 118, on 23 Sep 1867 with the 18.5" Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  The discovery list was not published until 1887 so Safford wasn't credited in the NGC. Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 27 Sep 1880 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included it in his 4th discovery paper. Tempel was credited with the discovery in the main NGC table.
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NGC 115 = ESO 350-017 = MCG -06-02-006 = PGC 1651
00 26 46.1  -33 40 36; Scl
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 127°

17.5" (12/3/88): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE.  An unequal double star is 1' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 115 = h2323 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "faint; large; very little elongated; 60" across; has a double stars 2.5' distant N.p.".  His position and description matches ESO 350-017 = PGC 1651.
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NGC 116 = MCG -01-02-017 = PGC 1671
00 27 05.2  -07 40 07; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 99°

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, bright core.  A mag 11 star is 2.5' SSW.  The NGC identification of this galaxy is uncertain.

Gaspare Ferrari discovered NGC 116 = Nova #14 on 14 Jan 1866 while searching for Biela's Comet.  He was using the 9.5-inch Merz equatorial at the College Romain as an assistant to Father Angelo Secchi (see AN 1571).  There is nothing at his position but PGC 1671is 15' further north and Corwin assigns it to NGC 116 (with uncertainty).  MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 116.  PGC 1677 is closer to Ferrari's position but is probably be too faint.  Wolfgang Steinicke classifies this number as lost.
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NGC 117 = MCG +00-02-029 = CGCG 383-015 = PGC 1674
00 27 11.0  +01 20 01; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 100°

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W.  A mag 15 star is involved at the west edge 24" from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 117 = m 8 on 13 Sep 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and described as "F, vS."  His position matches MCG +00-02-029 = PGC 1674.
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NGC 118 = UGC 264 = MCG +00-02-032 = CGCG 383-016 = III Zw 9 = PGC 1678
00 27 16.2  -01 46 49; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms a twin of NGC 114 4' W.  NGC 124 lies 10' ESE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 118 = Sf. 91 = T. 4-3, along with NGC 114, on 23 Sep 1867.  Wilhelm Tempel found the galaxy again on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 114 and NGC 124) with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and he was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 119 = ESO 150-008 = PGC 1659
00 26 57.6  -56 58 41; Phe
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright and large, irregularly round, ~0.9'x0.8', smooth halo, sharply concentrated with a small, very bright nucleus. Sparsely populated star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 119 = h2324 on 28 Oct 1834 and recorded "pretty bright; round; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle; 25" diameter."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 120 = UGC 267 = MCG +00-02-033 = CGCG 383-017 = PGC 1693
00 27 30.0  -01 30 48; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 73°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 16' NNE of the NGC 114/NGC 118 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 120 = T. 4-4a on 27 Sep 1880.  In his description of NGC 124 (4th entry in his 4th discovery list), he mentioned he found another nebula 10' north of a mag 9.5 star (about 8' north of NGC 124).  The NGC position is 5' too far north.  Bigourdan measured an accurate mircrometric position on 16 Nov 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 121 = ESO 050-012 = Lindsay 10
00 26 48.3  -71 32 09; Tuc
V = 11.2;  Size 1.5'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x appeared fairly bright, roundish, 1.3' diameter, with a brighter core but no evident resolution.  A mag 12 star lies just 1' W of center, a bit beyond the halo.  NGC 121 is in the same low power field with 47 Tucanae and 35' SW of mag 6.1 Theta Tuc.  This globular is the oldest and most luminous in the SMC (part of the West Halo), though it is still 2-3 Gyr younger than the oldest galactic globulars.

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this is one known classical globular in the SMC. At 186x is appeared fairly faint, small, 1.5'x1' E-W, contains a small brighter core.  There was no hint of resolution.  Located 35' NNE of 47 Tucanae.

John Herschel discovered NGC 121 = h2325 on 20 Sep 1835 and logged as "pretty bright; a little extended; very gradually brighter in the middle; 40" dia."  His position is accurate.  It was described as a "Bright globular cluster, near 47 Tucanae" in the 1935 Harvard Observatory Bulletin 899 based on Bruce plates taken at Arequipa, Peru.
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NGC 122
00 27 38.3  -01 38 26; Cet

= *15?, Gottlieb and Corwin.  Not found, RNGC

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 122 = T. 4-4b on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 124) with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  Tempel noted two nebulae 3'-4' north of a mag 9.5 star.  These numbers may refer to a pair of mag 15.5 stars about 5' NW of the brighter star.  If this is the case, then NGC 122 is at 00 27 38.3  -01 38 26 (2000) and NGC 123 at 00 27 40.0 -01 37 39.  See Corwin's NGC ID notes.
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NGC 123
00 27 40.0  -01 37 39; Cet

= *15?, Gottlieb and Corwin.  Not found, RNGC

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 123 = T. 4-4c on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 120, 122 and 124) with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  In the observation, Tempel noted two nebulae 3'-4' north of a mag 9.5 star.  These numbers may refer to a pair of mag 15.5 stars about 5' NW of the star. Assuming this identification is correct, then NGC 123 is at 00 27 40.0 -01 37 39 (2000).  See Corwin's NGC ID notes.
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NGC 124 = UGC 271 = MCG +00-02-038 = CGCG 383-018 = PGC 1715
00 27 52.3  -01 48 38; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 168°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A pair of mag 14 stars are 1.8' W of center.  Member of a group with NGC 114 and NGC 118 12' WNW.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 124 = Sf. 92 = T. 4-4d, along with NGC 114 and 118, on 23 Sep 1867.  Wilhelm Tempel found the galaxy again on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 114 and 118) with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported it as new in his 4th discovery paper.  Tempel was credited in the NGC.
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NGC 125 = UGC 286 = MCG +00-02-048 = CGCG 383-027 = PGC 1772
00 28 50.3  +02 50 19; Psc
V = 12.1;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 85°

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core ~15" diameter surrounded by a faint halo.  A 20" pair of similar mag 12.5/12.6 stars (HJ 623) is less than 1' S of center.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, round, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 double star at 20" separation oriented NNW-SSE lies 1' SW.  Located 6' WSW of NGC 128 in a compact group. 

13.1" (11/5/83): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Two stars close SW are oriented N-S.  Second brightest of three in the NGC 128 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 125 = H. III-869 = h23, along with NGC 128, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "vF, vS, bM, N.f. 2 small stars.  300 shewed it very plainly in the field with the following [NGC 128].  The CGCG failed to label CGCG 383-027 as NGC 125.
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NGC 126 = MCG +00-02-049 = CGCG 383-028 = LGG 006-009 = PGC 1784
00 29 08.1  +02 48 40; Psc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

18" (12/3/05): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.3'x0.2', weak concentration, low surface brightness but easy with averted vision and slightly brighter than the close companions to NGC 128.  Located 3.6' SW of NGC 128 in a group of five.  A mag 12 star lies.1.6' NW.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, oval ~E-W?.  Located 3.6' SSW of NGC 128 in a group.

13.1" (11/5/83): extremely faint, very small.  Member of the NGC 128 group.

Bindon Blood Stoney probably discovered NGC 126 on 4 Nov 1850.  Lord Rosse's 1861 publication mentions "3 others near [NGC 125 and 128]."  But no diagram was given and only two new objects - NGC 127 and 130 - were described in the 1880 publication.

Heinrich d'Arrest measured accurate positions on 19 and 21 Sep 1865 (published in 1867).  Édouard Stephan possibly observed it on 23 Aug 1871 as he noted 5 objects in the field (but no separate positions).  J.L.E. Dreyer, Lord Rosse's assistant, observed the field on 12 Dec 1874 and reported NGC 126 as "Suspected a nebulous knot between [NGC 125] and [NGC 128], a little south."  A sketch in the 1880 publication accurately places NGC 126.  Lord Rosse (1) and d'Arrest (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 127 = MCG +00-02-050 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 006-010 = VV 894a = PGC 1787
00 29 12.4  +02 52 21; Psc
V = 14.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 70°

18" (12/3/05): this very close companion to NGC 128 is quite dim, appearing as an extremely faint knot just 12" diameter with no details.  It is fainter and closer than NGC 130 and situated just west of the northern extension, 0.8' from center.  Not noticed initially, but once seen was not difficult with averted vision at 225x.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round.  Located just 0.8' NW of NGC 128.  Faintest of five in the NGC 128 group.

Bindon Blood Stoney and Lord Rosse discovered NGC 127 and NGC 130, on 4 Nov 1850, while observing NGC 128.  Stoney reported "2 small objects [NGC 127/130] about equally distant from [NGC 128].  Both Lord Rosse and I thought they were small nebulae, they lie a little below the minor axis of [NGC 128]."
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NGC 128 = UGC 292 = MCG +00-02-051 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 006-002 = VV 894b = PGC 1791
00 29 15.1  +02 51 51; Psc
V = 11.8;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 1°

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 N-S, 1.4'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus.  The N-S extensions fade out and taper towards the tips.  Flanked on either side of the northern extension by two close companions, NGC 127 and NGC 130, less than 1' NW and 1' NE.

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group of five with two extremely close companions: NGC 127 0.8' NW and NGC 130 1.0' ENE.  NGC 125 lies 6' WSW.

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly bright, fairly small, spindle N-S.

8" (8/16/82): faint, small, elongated N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 128 = H. II-854 = h25, along with NGC 125, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and logged "pB, vS, R, very gradually much brighter middle, pretty well defined on the margin".  Birr Castle assistant J.L.E. Dreyer observed this galaxy on 12 Dec 1874: "considerably elongated in PA 2.4°, much brighter middle, probably sharp on f side, and a little curved, convex side f; two stars (or eS nebulous knots perhaps?) follow very near."
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NGC 129 = Cr 2 = OCL-294 = Lund 15
00 29 58.5  +60 12 43; Cas
V = 6.5;  Size 21'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~100 stars resolved in a 10'x5' region elongated N-S.  The cluster is more compressed on the south side, where three mag 9 stars (HD 236429, HD 236433 and HD 236436), form a near equilateral triangle with sides of 3'-4'.  Fainter stars nearly complete an oval ring with these stars, though several stars are also inside of the ring.  Starting with the mag 9 star at the south end of the triangle, a number of the brighter stars form two strings extending NNW and NNE, so the overall appearance is an elongated wedge. Two mag 9.5/10 stars are at the N tips of these strings and the eastern string is richer and better defined.  Scattered mag 12-15 stars fill the interior of the wedge, with a couple of brighter stars on the south end, which is more eye-catching .

17.5" (8/29/92): 60 stars mag 10-15 in the 8'x6' central region of the cluster formed by an isosceles triangle with the vertex at the south end.  Each side of this triangle includes a mag 10 star and most cluster members are contained within the triangle.  No real boundaries and many mag 15 stars are at the edges of this triangle.  Mag 6.0 SAO 21457 lies 10' S.  Berkeley 2 lies 35' NW.

8": ring-shaped open cluster with stars mag 9-13.  There is a line of stars to the north on the east edge.

15x50mm (10/14/23): fairly large, a few easily resolved 9th mag stars on one side of an oval unresolved glow.

William Herschel discovered NGC 129 = H. VIII-79 = h24 on 16 Dec 1788 (sweep 892) and logged "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, mixed with smaller ones, not very rich."  John Herschel reported "a * 9m about middle of a vL, coarse sc rich cluster of *s 9..13 which more than fills field."
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NGC 130 = MCG +00-02-052 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 00-011 = VV 894c = PGC 1794
00 29 18.5  +02 52 13; Psc
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 44°

18" (12/3/05): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~0.3'x0.2', weak concentration, easy with averted vision.  Slightly brighter of two companions to NGC 128 and situated just off the NE flank, 1.0' from center.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, oval ~SW-NE, small bright core.  Located 1.0' ENE of NGC 128.  Second faintest of five in the NGC 128 group.

Bindon Blood Stoney and Lord Rosse discovered NGC 130 and NGC 127, on 4 Nov 1850, while observing NGC 128.  Stoney described "2 small objects about equally distant from [NGC 128].  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (3 different nights) with the 11-inch at Copenhagen.
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NGC 131 = ESO 350-021 = MCG -06-02-010 = LGG 007-002 = PGC 1813
00 29 38.3  -33 15 36; Scl
V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 63°

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is off the ENE edge.  Located 9' WSW of much brighter NGC 134.

John Herschel discovered NGC 131 = h2326 on 25 Sep 1834 and logged "pretty bright; pretty large; pretty much elongated; very gradually brighter in the middle."  On a later sweep he noted "very faint; the preceding of two. The other [NGC 134] very large and bright."
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NGC 132 = UGC 301 = MCG +00-02-063 = CGCG 383-032 = PGC 1844
00 30 10.6  +02 05 34; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 40°

17.5" (11/6/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' NE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 132 = H. II-855 = h26 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985).  He catalogued summary from 2 observations reads "pB, cL, irregularly round, resolvable, very gradually brighter middle, about 1 1/2' sp a vS star."

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney logged on 6 Dec 1850: "R, F nucleus, 40" broad."
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NGC 133 = Cr 3 = OCL-296 = Lund 17
00 31 17  +63 21 12; Cas
Size 7'

17.5" (10/13/90): about 15 stars including 5 brighter stars forming a "Y" asterism and 10 faint stars.  One of the brightest stars is a very close double star (9.7/11.3 at 6") and a curving lane of very faint stars passes through this double star, not rich.  This is the poorest of three clusters just north of Kappa Cassiopeia.  

8" (8/16/82): group of 8 stars in "Y" asterism, in field with open cluster NGC 146 and King 14.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 133 on 4 Feb 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (single observation) a "double star in a group of scattered stars, mag 10 and fainter.  Found while observing h28 [NGC 146].  The double star is mag 10 and 11 at a separation of 6"."  His position and description matches this weak cluster.
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NGC 134 = ESO 350-023 = MCG -06-02-012 = LGG 007-003 = PGC 1851
00 30 21.5  -33 14 50; Scl
V = 10.4;  Size 8.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

17.5" (12/3/88): bright, fairly large, very elongated SW-NE, sharp concentration with a bright core and long faint arms.  Two mag 13.5 stars are nearby; one at the preceding edge 40" NW of center and one on the opposite side of the core, 1.5' SE of center.  NGC 131 is in the field 9' WSW.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly bright, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core, sharp edge along the west side.  A mag 13 star is off the preceding side.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, elongated, low surface brightness.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 134 = D 599 = D 590 = h2327 with his 9" reflector on 7 Jul 1826.  His description for D 599 reads "very faint nebula, about 25" diameter, rather elliptical.  North of Eta Caelae Sculptoris.  There are four small stars south of the nebula in the form of a lozenge."  His position is 22' NNW of the galaxy but the description of the four nearby stars to the south clinches the identification.  For D 590 he logged (handwritten notes), "a very faint round nebula, about 2' diameter, rather brighter in the middle, il defined.  South following Eta Sculptoris."

John Herschel's position for h2327 is accurate and he noted it could be identical D 590.  His observation on 25 Sep 1834 reads, "vB; vL; vmE; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 8' long; 1' broad; pos = 47.9°; dies away gradually at both extremities; has a star 10th mag., distance 45", pos = 327.9.  On a second sweep on 19 Oct 1835 he logged "bright; large; vmE; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 4' long; 1' broad; position = 227°; the following of 2."  He also sketched the galaxy (Plate VI, figure 19), clearly showing its spindle-shape with tapering edges.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 134 on 2 Nov 1875 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope (plate I, figure 1 of "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...") and noted, "The present appearance of nebula is exactly as represented in Herschel's sketch; the centre is sharp and stellar-like with power of 255; but with 420 it is more diffused, and somewhat sparkling. A careful examination leaves the impression that it is practically unchanged since Herschel's time, the only difference between his sketch and present aspect being the position of the North star, which in Herschel's sketch is shown in a straight line with the centre of nebula and s.f. star, whilst at present it is somewhat to the n.f. of that point; this may however be the fault of the engraver."

The earliest photograph is probably from 1909-1911 by Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector.  It was described as "bright, 5' x 1', an elongated spiral."
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NGC 135 = IC 26 = PGC 2010 = LEDA 138192
00 31 45.9  -13 20 16; Cet
V = 15.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (10/21/95): faint, very small, round, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  Forms a quadrilateral with three mag 14 stars, all within 2'.  Located 3.5' SW of a mag 9.5 SAO 147324.

IC 27, misidentified as NGC 135 in the RNGC and PGC, lies 20' ESE.  It appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, very low surface brightness.  Located 7.9' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 147331 and 8.6' NW of mag 8.6 SAO 147330.  MCG -02-02-051 lies 13' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 135 = LM 1-5 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is 2 min of RA west (typical error) of LEDA 138192 but his sketch (examined by Harold Corwin) clearly identifies NGC 135 with this galaxy.  Javelle rediscovered the galaxy on 4 Nov 1891, reported it as new, and Dreyer catalogued J. 1-19 as IC 26.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 135 around 1899 (repeated in the IC 2 notes) though Dreyer failed to equate NGC 135 and IC 26.  See Corwin's notes.

RNGC and PGC (and second sources such as Megastar) misidentify NGC 135 as IC 27 based on their positions.  The correct identification is given in NED, HyperLeda and SIMBAD.
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NGC 136 = Cr 4 = OCL-295 = Lund 18
00 31 31  +61 30 36; Cas
V = 11.6;  Size 1'

24" (1/4/14): ~10 faint stars are resolved in a small, circular patch ~1' diameter, over unresolved haze.  A small detached group to the southeast increases the total to 15 stars and the size to 2'.  Most of the resolved stars are mag 14-15.  Located ~6' NE of mag 8.5 SAO 11238.  Observed with a 4 day moon up, so it wasn't dark.

17.5" (8/16/93): 7-8 faint stars mag 14 resolved in very tight, compact group of 1.5' diameter, over background haze.  A few additional stars trail to the SE so there are about 10 stars in the group.  Located 6' NE of mag 8.3 SAO 11238.

13.1" (10/20/84): 5 or 6 very faint stars 13/14 over haze.  Appears similar to a small, faint gc with no strong concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 136 = H. VI-35 on 26 Nov 1788 (sweep 887). He described a "a small cluster of very faint, exceedingly compressed stars about 1' diam.  The next step to an easily resolvable nebula."  He considered this cluster a miniature globular.
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NGC 137 = UGC 309 = MCG +02-02-017 = CGCG 434-019 = PGC 1888
00 30 58.1  +10 12 30; Psc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 137 = H. II-471 on 23 Nov 1785 (sweep 477) and logged "F, irr figure, little brighter in the middle."  His position is very accurate.  Heinrich d'Arrest also measured an accurate position.
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NGC 138 = UGC 308 = MCG +01-02-016 = CGCG 409-023 = PGC 1889
00 30 59.2  +05 09 35; Psc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, oval N-S, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 1' N.  Brightest in a trio with NGC 141 5' ENE and NGC 139 5' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 138 = m 9 (along with NGC 139 and NGC 141) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, eS, suddenly brighter middle."  Marth's position is accurate.
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NGC 139 = CGCG 409-022 = PGC 1900
00 31 06.4  +05 04 43; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, small, almost round.  Located in a group with NGC 138 5' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 139 = m 10 (along with NGC 138 and NGC 141) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S."  Marth's position is 2' N of CGCG 409-022 = PGC 1900.
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NGC 140 = UGC 311 = MCG +05-02-021 = CGCG 500-038 = PGC 1916
00 31 20.5  +30 47 32; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 45°

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, broad concentration.  Two faint stars following including a mag 15 star 44" SSE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 140 = Sf. 60 = St. 12-5 on 8 Oct 1866 with the 18" refractor at Dearborn Observatory and described it as "probably a small cluster".  His discovery list was not published until 1887, too late to be credited in the NGC.  Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy on 5 Nov 1882 and is credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 141 = CGCG 409-027 = PGC 1918
00 31 17.5  +05 10 47; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 0°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 5' ENE of NGC 138 in a compact trio.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 141 = m 11 (along with NGC 139 and NGC 138) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "vF, vS, iR."  His position is 0.1 minute east of CGCG 409-027 = PGC 1918.
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NGC 142 = ESO 473-021 = MCG -04-02-014 = PGC 1901
00 31 07.9  -22 37 07; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 101°

17.5" (10/8/88): first of three with NGC 143 and NGC 144.  Faint, small, round, very weak concentration.  A mag 14/14.5 double star at 20" separation is off the NNW edge.  NGC 143 lies 3' NNE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 142 = LM 2-282 (along with NGCs 143 and 144) in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is OK and his note of a double star 0.5' N pins down the identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 143 = ESO 473-022 = MCG -04-02-015 = PGC 1911
00 31 15.6  -22 33 36; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 20°

17.5" (10/8/88): second of three with NGC 142 and NGC 144.  Extremely faint, small, oval SSW-NNE.  Located 3' NNE of NGC 142.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 143 = LM 2-283, along with NGCs 142 and 144, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is a reasonable match with ESO 473-022 = PGC 1911. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 144 = ESO 473-023 = MCG -04-02-016 = PGC 1917
00 31 20.6  -22 38 45; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/8/88): third of three with NGC 142 and NGC 143.  Faint, small, round, very weak concentration.  Located 3' SE of identical NGC 142.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 144 = LM 2-284, along with NGC 142 and 143, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is a reasonable match with ESO 473-023 = PGC 1917. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 145 = Arp 19 = MCG -01-02-027 = PGC 1941
00 31 45.7  -05 09 09; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 135°

48" (11/8/15): at 375x and 488x; fascinating irregular spiral galaxy.  A bright bar extends 30" N-S.  A spiral arm is attached at the north end of the bar and is easily visible extending to the west, and curling clockwise.  The arm has a fairly high contrast and definition.  A small HII knot (~8" diameter) is nearly attached to the north end of the bar where the spiral arm begins.  A fainter, low contrast arm is attached at the south end of bar and extends 30" due east.

Two companions were picked up.  LEDA 1048844 is 3.1' NE.  At 488x it appeared fairly faint (V = 16.0), small, roundish, 15" diameter.  LEDA 1048201, 2.8' SE of NGC 145, appeared faint (V = 17.1), very small, round, 12" diameter.

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval ~E-W, small bright core.  Located 6' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 128813.  This star is situated within a string oriented SW-NE with a mag 10 star 7' SSE of NGC 145 forming the southwest end of this string.  The northeast end of the string intersects a shorter line of four mag 11-12 stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 145 = h27 = h2328 on 9 Oct 1828 and recorded "vF; very little extended; gradually little brighter middle, 60" long."
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NGC 146 = Cr 5 = OCL-299 = Lund 21
00 33 01  +63 18 42; Cas
V = 9.1;  Size 7'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~60 stars are resolved in a 7' region that stands out reasonably well at low power.  Near the southeast end of the group is the pair HJ 1033 = 10/10 at 7".  The cluster is generally elongated NW-SE and includes a dozen or so brighter stars.  A rectangular "void" lacking stars is on the NW side.

17.5" (10/20/90): about 30 stars in a fairly large group about 10' diameter.  Includes a close mag 10 pair at 7" separation, 10 stars mag 12-13 and 20 stars mag 14-15.  Third of three open clusters in low power field with King 14 10' SW and NGC 133 10' WNW.  

8" (11/28/81): includes a few mag 10 stars, many mag 12 stars and fainter stars over haze.  Located 22' N of a mag 4 star.  NGC 133 is in the field to the WNW and King 14 is close SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 146 = h28 on 27 Oct 1829 and recorded a "loose cl; *s 11 and 12m; 10' diam; place that of a double star (h 1033) whose RA is erroneously stated in my 4th catalogue."
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NGC 147 = UGC 326 = MCG +08-02-005 = CGCG 550-006 = DDO 3 = LGG 011-004 = PGC 2004
00 33 11.7  +48 30 27; Cas
V = 9.5;  Size 13.2'x7.8';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 25°

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, very large, elongated almost 2:1 SSW-NNE, 5'x3', very low almost even surface brightness.  A mag 13.8 foreground star is superimposed just north of center.  The halo gradually fades into background.

17.5" (8/29/92): at 115x (20mm Nagler) appears up to 8'x4' from the White Mountains (elevation 12,500 ft).  

8" (8/28/81): very faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, diffuse.

24" (1/1/16): Hodge III is the brightest globular cluster in NGC 147 at V ≈ 16.5.  At 450x and 500x it only occasionally popped but was verified at the same position using a detailed finder chart.

I first identified two mag 13 stars at 1' separation oriented N-S, which are situated 5' SSE of the center of NGC 147.  These stars are just outside the halo of the galaxy.  A mag 14.7 star is 1' further NW, forming an obtuse isosceles triangle with the two mag 13 stars.  Hodge 3 is 41" N of the mag 14.7 star and nearly forms the 4th vertex of a parallelogram with these three stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 147 = h29 on 8 Sep 1829 and recorded "very faint; very large; irregularly round; 4..5' diam; loses itself insensibly; has a *11m in the centre."  Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 25 Oct 1851, logged "L, vF neby, round a * 12m.  I suspect it is a spiral of the faintest class, perhaps h 29."  Although William Herschel discovered NGC 185, his sweep pattern never included NGC 147.

On 21 Aug 1852, Birr Castle assistant George J. Stoney (returning after examinations at Trinity) wrote, "Involves some stars, one of about 12th or 13th magnitude, elongated; very faint."

In 1944 William Baade announced that NGC 147, along with NGC 185, were members of the Local Group (1944ApJ...100..147B) when they were resolved into stars on plates take with the 100-inch at Mt Wilson.  NGC 147 is considered a satellite system of M31 at a distance of 2.3 million light years.
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NGC 148 = ESO 410-020 = MCG -05-02-017 = PGC 2053
00 34 15.5  -31 47 10; Scl
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 90°

17.5" (8/2/86): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated E-W, small bright core. 

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly bright, small, elongated E-W, very small bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 148 = h239 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "vB; S; lE in parallel; suddenly much brighter middle to a * 11m."  His RA was 1.0 min west of ESO 410-020 = PGC 2053, although he noted his two positions differed by a minute.  The incorrect position was used in NGC.  An accurate micrometric position was measured n 1906 at the Cincinnati Observatory.  MCG (-05-02-017) gives the NGC equivalence as uncertain.
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NGC 149 = UGC 332 = MCG +05-02-024 = CGCG 500-044 = PGC 2028
00 33 50.3  +30 43 24; And
V = 14.3;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 155°

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus or a mag 15 star is involved.  A mag 13 star is close SW just 0.6' from the center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 149 = St. 13-5 on 1 Nov 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His reduced position was measured nearly 6 years later on 4 Oct 1883 with description "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle, mag 14 stellar nucl, *12 close sp".
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NGC 150 = ESO 410-019 = MCG -05-02-018 = UGCA 7 = PGC 2052
00 34 16.0  -27 48 16; Scl
V = 11.4;  Size 3.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 118°

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration, irregular surface brightness [probably due to spiral arms], slightly mottled.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 150 = Sw.6-3 on 20 Nov 1886 with his 16" refractor.  His position was 30 seconds of RA west of ESO 410-019 = PGC 2052.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  The error was also noted in the Harvard College Observatory NGC correction list published in 1906.

It was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as a "Fine small spiral".  The galaxy was also photographed between 1909-11 by Harold Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory and described as a "two-branched spiral".
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NGC 151 = NGC 153 = MCG -02-02-054 = LGG 008-003 = PGC 2035
00 34 02.5  -09 42 20; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 3.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 75°

48" (10/29/19): very bright striking spiral with an inner ring and a long, drawn out spiral arm!  Overall, at 610x the galaxy extended over 2:1 WSW-ESE, ~3.2' x 1.4'.  Very strongly concentrated with a very bright core that gradually increased to the center.  Immediately west of the core was a noticeably darker gap and a lower contrast gap was east of the core.  These gaps were outlined by bright arcs, each about 90°, creating a partial oval ring surrounding the core.

The western half of the halo had a low surface brightness and extended at least 1.5' from the center.  I noticed a brightening at the extreme west end of the halo.  Checking the SDSS, this is a split spiral arm, separated beyond a darker dust lane.  A thin, long spiral arm was attached at the south side of the core (along the inner ring) and was easily seen gently curving northeast, extending directly to a mag 12.6 star! 

A small, faint knot, at most 10" diameter, was easily seen near the end of this arm, very close SSW [16"] of the mag 12.6 star.  This "knot" is a companion galaxy (2MASX J00340814-0941481), though its redshift is 1/3 greater than NGC 151, so it may be in the background.

24" (12/1/16): bright, fairly large, contains a very bright boxy rectangular central section that is slightly elongated NNW-SSE (this is the central bar and nucleus), encased by a fairly low surface brightness halo extended at least 2:1 E-W, ~2.7'x1.2'.  A mag 12.5 star is at or just off the ENE edge (1.7' from center). A superimposed companion is at the tip of the eastern spiral arm of the galaxy, very close southwest of the mag 12.5 star.  It was marginally glimpsed but only occasionally popped.

17.5" (9/17/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.5', bright nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the ENE edge, 1.7' from the center. 

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, bright core, very bright nucleus, very faint halo elongated ~E-W.  A faint star is at the ENE edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 151 = H. II-478 = h30 = h2330 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479).  He logged "pretty bright, large, little extended, little brighter middle." On 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1086) he noted "considerably bright, considerably large, brighter middle, nearly in the parallel, a little from south preceding to north following."

John Herschel observed this galaxy at Slough and at the Cape, where he recorded "pF; R; gradually brighter middle; 60" diameter."  His two entries were combined in GC 74 and his position matches MCG -02-02-054 = PGC 2035.  Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 9 Aug 1886 and reported it as new in his 4th catalogue (#1) = NGC 153, though his RA was 17 seconds of too large.  So NGC 151 = NGC 153.

Based on photos taken at the Helwan Observatory in 1919-20 with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector, NGC 151 was described as "4' x 1.5', bright almost stellar nucleus; spiral with at least 3 long, much curved arms in what are almost stellar condensations.  One of the arms appears to wind completely around the nucleus, and possibly extend to more than 3' from it to a star in p.a. 190°."
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NGC 152 = ESO 028-024 = Lindsay 15
00 32 55.5  -73 06 59; Tuc
V = 12.3;  Size 3'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this SMC cluster appeared as a fairly faint, fairly large, round glow, ~2' diameter.  At 228x, the cluster had a fairly smooth, fairly low surface brightness with no core and no signs of resolution.  NGC 176 lies 13' ESE.  Located 1.2° SSE of 47 Tucanae in the West Halo of the SMC, .

John Herschel discovered NGC 152 = h2331 in the SMC on 20 Sep 1835 and logged "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 2'."  His position was 2 min of RA too far west, but the position was corrected in the GC and NGC.
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NGC 153 = NGC 151 = MCG -02-02-054 = PGC 2035
00 34 02.5  -09 42 20; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 3.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 75°

See observing notes for NGC 151.

Lewis Swift found NGC 153 = Sw. 4-1 on 9 Aug 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "pF; pS; R; * near north-following".  There is nothing at his position but 17 seconds of RA west is NGC 151.  This is a similar offset as other objects he observed that night and his description matches this galaxy. Rudolph Spitaler analyzed the equivalence NGC 153 = NGC 151 in AN 130, p57 (1892) and Dreyer mentioned it in the IC 1 Notes.

Strangely, in the RC1 notes section, de Vaucouleurs stated the mag 12.5 star at the end of the northeast arm was Swift's NGC 153!
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NGC 154 = MCG -02-02-053 = PGC 2058
00 34 19.4  -12 39 24; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Forms a triangle with two mag 13.5 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 154 = H. III-467 = h31 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "eF, vS, 240 power left some doubt."  His position matches MCG -02-02-053 = PGC 2058.  John Herschel made the single observation "eF; S; R; 15 or 16"."  The RNGC position is 15 seconds of RA too small.
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NGC 155 = MCG -02-02-055 = PGC 2076
00 34 40.1  -10 45 59; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, very small, oval 4:3 N-S, bright core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 155 = Sw. 4-2 = LM 1-6 on 1 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His RA was 10 seconds too small.  Frank Muller also found the galaxy in 1886 (sometime before Oct 12th) with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor and reported "mag 13.0, S, R, bsp, *12 in PA 90° at 3.2' separation."  Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 21 Oct 1890 as well as Howe at Denver near the end of the century.
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NGC 156
00 34 35.8  -08 20 24; Cet

= **, Carlson and Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 156 in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, while observing NGC 157.  The discovery was included in his 5th discovery paper. There is a mag 15.7 star at his position although Corwin and Carlson identify it as a double star (the second star is much fainter).
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NGC 157 = MCG -02-02-056 = PGC 2081
00 34 46.6  -08 23 48; Cet
V = 10.4;  Size 4.2'x2.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 35°

48" (10/29/19): at 610x; showpiece spiral with the sweep of two prominent spiral arms, outlined by dust lanes, forming a striking, stretched "S" pattern, similar to Superman's logo!  Overall, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~3'x2'.  At the center was a very small, intense nucleus.  A beefy spiral arm was attached at the west side of the nucleus.  It showed a high contrast, due to inner and outer dust lanes with a brighter, curving arc at its southwest end.  This arm rotated clockwise towards the southeast side, and hooked towards the northeast.  The second thick arm as attached on the east end of the nucleus.   It also showed a high contrast arc along its northeast portion, then rotated sharply clockwise towards the west and angled southwest to the west of the central region.  Two mag 13.6/15.3 stars (0.6' apart) lie 1.3' NE of center.  A dusty triangular wedge (between spiral arms) extended from these stars towards the core.

17.5" (9/17/88): bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, broad concentration, small bright core, mottled appearance, sharp edge along the east side.  Two mag 13.5 and 15 stars are near the NE edge.  The galaxy is bracketed between 9.5-mag HD 3154 5.5' S and 8.6-mag HD 3144 6' NNW. 

8": fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse.  Located between two mag 8.5/9.5 stars to the north and south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 157 = H. II-3 = St. 9-1 on 13 Dec 1783 (sweep 42).  This was the first object he discovered using a vertical sweep in the meridian. From his official sweep #1 on 29 Oct until sweep #41, he used horizontal movement or oscillations.  His published description (based on two observations) reads, "F, L, much extended, between two considerably bright stars [visible in the finder]."

Eduard Schönfeld, Heinrich d'Arrest and Father Secchi provided accurate positions, so the NGC position is correct.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 18 Sep 1873 (probably looking for H. II-3) and commented it was "tres belle".  He measured an accurate position on 28 Oct 1878 and reported it as new in his 9th discovery list (#1).  Dreyer listed d'Arrest and Stephan in the "Other Observers" column.
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NGC 158
00 35 05.3  -08 20 40; Cet

= *?, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 158 in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded in list V while observing the field of NGC 157.  Corwin identifies his object as a single star at 00 35 05.3 -08 20 40.
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NGC 159 = ESO 150-011 = PGC 2073
00 34 35.7  -55 47 24; Phe
V = 13.8;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 95°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated nearly 3:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.3', contains a small bright, round core and a stellar nucleus.  Located 29' SSE of mag 7.3 HD 3075 = HJ 3376 (7.5/10 pair at 7").

John Herschel discovered NGC 159 = h2332 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "vF, S, R, 15", precedes 3 stars."  On a second sweep he noted "vF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 20 arcseconds".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 160 = UGC 356 = MCG +04-02-033 = CGCG 479-043 = PGC 2154
00 36 04.1  +23 57 29; And
V = 12.6;  Size 3.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 45°

24" (9/30/16): at 200x; fairly bright or bright, large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 SW-NE, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Surrounding the core is a large, low surface brightness halo ~1.8'x0.8'.  Situated 4.3' SSW of mag 7.3 HD 3293.  NGC 169/IC 1559 (close pair) lies 11' ENE and mag 6.2 HD 2311 is 15' ENE.

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, almost round.  Located 4.2' SSW of mag 7.5 SAO 74134.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 169 11' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 160 = H. III-476 = h32 on 5 Dec 1785 (sweep 484).  He described it as "Very faint, very small, stellar, a few minutes south preceding a pretty bright star [mag 7.3 HD 3293].  240 showed the same."  Herschel missed NGC 169, which is only 11' ENE.  John Herschel reported that NGC 160 (h 32) "has a * 7m, 5' distant; position of neb from * 195.5°."  The Birr Castle assistants made 7 observations of the field.
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NGC 161 = MCG -01-02-036 = PGC 2131
00 35 33.9  -02 50 55; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 150°

24" (10/6/18): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~30"x20" though the length increases with averted.  Contains a bright core and a very tiny nucleus.  A mag 12.1 star is 1.2' N.  Forms a pair with IC 1557 1.7' due south (in line with the mag 12 star).

24" (11/24/14): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, fairly high surface brightness.  Contains a small bright nucleus that increases to a stellar point.  A mag 12 star is 1.2' N and a mag 12.5 star is 2' SSW.  Forms a close pair with IC 1557 1.7' S.  Located 6' SE of mag 8.8 HD 3205.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Bracketed by two mag 12 stars 1.2' N and 1.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 161 = Sw. 6-4 on 21 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. He recorded, "eF; eS; R; nearly between 2 equal mag stars."  His position is 18 sec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -01-02-036 = PGC 2131 but his description matches.  Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 9 Oct 1890, as well as Herbert Howe at Denver.

The MCG, PGC, RNGC and Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 incorrectly equate NGC 161 with IC 1557.  IC 1557 is a separate galaxy just 1.7' south that was discovered by Howe.
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NGC 162
00 36 09.2  +23 57 45; And

= * 75" NE of NGC 160, Thomson and Corwin.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 162 on 16 Oct 1866 using Lord Rosse's 72" and by Herman Schultz on 5 Sep 1867 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala Observatory. Both observers recorded a single star 75" NE of NGC 160.  This star was possibly noted even earlier by Heinrich d'Arrest on 22 Aug 1862.  Schultz assumed this object was GC 82, discovered by R.J. Mitchell at Birr Castle on 18 Sep 1857.  But Mitchell's object is a close companion of NGC 169 (now known as IC 1559), not NGC 162 as John Herschel assumed.  Dreyer also observed this star on 6 Nov 1874 and noted "An eS, F neb point, or probably a F* nf h79 in PA 78"."

In the GC Supplement, Dreyer incorrectly decided "Rosse nova does not exist [so GC 82 = IC 1559 did not receive an NGC number].  82 was undoubtedly observed instead of 79, which latter nebula is not double.  The description in PT 1861, agrees perfectly with the appearance of 82"  He added that "Schultz's GC 80 has not been seen in Birr before 1874: I have therefore entered it in the catalogue as a nova."  So, Dreyer assigned Schultz's GC 80 to the single star (the one first seen by Lawrence Parsons in 1866) following NGC 160 and renumbered it as GC 5107.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 162 with an anonymous galaxy close SE of NGC 160 and Dorothy Carlson incorrectly equates NGC 160 = NGC 162 in her NGC errata list.  Wolfgang Steinicke thoroughly covered the identifications of GC 80 and 82 in his book on the history of the NGC.
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NGC 163 = MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149
00 35 59.8  -10 07 18; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 85°

24" (8/29/19): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, well concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  The halo drops off quickly in surface brightness. It was obvious only to 30" and ~45" diameter with averted vision.  In a trio with NGC 165 7' E and MCG -02-02-064 14' N.  NGC 163 and 165 form an equilateral triangle with a mag 9.6 star to the north.

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, small, round, brighter core, stellar nucleus, diffuse halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 165 6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 163 = Sw. 4-3 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (also measured on the next night) matches MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149.  Although William Herschel's H. III-954 is equated with NGC 163, his observation more likely applies to NGC 165 (see that number).  d'Arrest noted the 32 second discrepancy between his RA for NGC 163 and that of H. III-953, but surprisingly d'Arrest didn't record NGC 165, so didn't make the connection between H. III-953 and NGC 165.

Lewis Swift independently found NGC 163 on 9 Aug 1886 and reported it in his 4th discovery list (#3).  Swift's RA was 14 seconds too large and falls between NGC 163 and 165 but Swift's positions for three other galaxies he observed on this night (NGC 153, 217 and 7774) are all 10 - 15 seconds of time too large.  This implies that Swift missed slightly fainter NGC 165. Based on a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector between 1912-13, Heber Curtis described NGC 163 as "Almost stellar; structureless; bright nucleus. A very faint spindle is 1.5' s.p.
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NGC 164 = MCG +00-02-089 = PGC 2181
00 36 32.9  +02 44 59; Psc
V = 15.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (11/6/88): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located about 30' W of the NGC 182 group.  Sighting not 100% certain but sketch matches the POSS.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 164 = m 12 on 3 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "eF".  MCG +00-02-089 is a good match with Marth's position.  Bigourdan searched for this object unsuccessfully (too faint for his 11").  Engelhardt's position corresponds with a single star at 00 36 39.0 +02 43 46.
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NGC 165 = MCG -02-02-069 = PGC 2182
00 36 28.8  -10 06 23; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 50°

24" (8/29/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, brighter core, low surface brightness halo ~45" diameter. A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' NE.  NGC 165 is the fainter of a pair with NGC 165 7' E.  A mag 9.6 star (HD 3336) lies 7' NW.

MCG -02-02-064, located 15' NW, appeared faint, oval ~5:2 SSW-NNE, soft even surface brightness, ~0.75'x0.3' 

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, fairly small, almost round, very weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Slightly larger but fainter than NGC 163 6' W.  A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 165 = H. III-954 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1086) and recorded "extremely faint, small."  His position is just 1.6' NNW of NGC 165 = PGC 2182, and much further from NGC 163 = PGC 2149, the galaxy associated with III-954 in the NGC.  In the 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues, Dreyer noted the RA of H. III-954 was 28 seconds too large (for NGC 163).  Wolfgang Steinicke and Harold Corwin agree with the conclusion that H. III-954 more likely applies to NGC 165.

Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 165 in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported it as new in his fifth discovery paper.  He noted finding another fainter nebula 30 seconds following NGC 163.  Tempel's second nebula was assumed to be new, so he was credited with the discovery of NGC 165 in the NGC.  Spitaler measured an accurate position in 1891 at Vienna.

Based on a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector between 1912-13, Heber Curtis described NGC 165 as "Nearly round, 1' in diameter. A very faint, rather regular spiral. Nucleus almost stellar."
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NGC 166 = MCG -02-02-063 = PGC 2143
00 35 48.8  -13 36 38; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval NW-SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 166 = LM 1-285 in 1886 with the 26" refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is just under 1 min of RA preceding MCG -02-02-063.  A mag 12 star is 5' NW, matching Leavenworth's description.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 167 = ESO 473-029 = MCG -04-02-022 = PGC 2122
00 35 22.9  -23 22 29; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 171°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, oval 3:2 ~N-S, very weak concentration.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 167 = LM 2-286 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "0.8', irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is 1 minute of RA east of ESO 473-029 = PGC 2122.  Frank Muller is incorrectly attributed with the discovery in the NGC.

Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  The NGC error in RA was also noted in the table of corrections published by Harvard Observatory based on plates taken at Arequipa between 1898 and 1901.
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NGC 168 = ESO 474-004 = MCG -04-02-026 = KTS 4A = PGC 2192
00 36 38.7  -22 35 37; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 26°

24" (10/3/13): first of three edge-ons with NGC 172 8.1' E and NGC 177 13' ENE.  At 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, 40"x8", broad weak concentration.  A mag 10.4 star is 5.5' N.

17.5" (12/3/88): first of three in a group with NGC 172 and NGC 177.  Very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  An extremely faint star is possibly involved.  NGC 172 lies 7' E and NGC 177 13' ENE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 168 = LM 2-287, along with NGC 172 and 177, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position and description matches ESO 474-004.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 169 = Arp 282 NED1 = UGC 365 = MCG +04-02-035 = CGCG 479-044 = PGC 2202
00 36 51.7  +23 59 27; And
V = 12.4;  Size 3.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 88°

24" (9/30/16): at 200x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~0.8'x0.3'.  Contains a small, bright elongated core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Forms a disturbed, interacting pair (Arp 282) with IC 1559 at the south edge [22" between centers].  The companion is fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 15" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  Located just 3.8' SW of mag 6.2 HD 3411.

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W.  Located 3.8' WSW of mag 6.4 SAO 74148!  Forms a contact pair with IC 1559 = NGC 169A just 21" S of center (Arp 282).  Similar appearance to NGC 160, which lies 11' WSW.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 169 on 18 Sep 1857.  His description reads, "a vS, double nebula, the north one is elongated south-preceding north-following, brighter middle."  A month later he logged "double nebula, alpha [on a diagram] is much extended preceding-following, bM.  Beta is lE nearly north-south, bM."  In Lord Rosse's 1861 publication, it was mistakenly assumed that the observation referred to NGC 160, so was not a new object.  The following year Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 169 and was credited with discovery in the General Catalogue (GC 82), published in 1864.  Mitchell's "Beta" was assigned GC 80.

d'Arrest listed his discovery in a large table of new nebulae published in 1865, so he was able to add a footnote that his object was discovered earlier at Birr Castle (assuming it was identical to GC 80).  In the NGC, Dreyer correctly credited both Lord Rosse (Mitchell) and d'Arrest for the discovery of NGC 169, but he mistakenly described NGC 160 as a double nebula (repeating Mitchell's error) and deleted GC 80 (Mitchell's "Beta").  Finally, the companion was catalogued as IC 1559, though it should have received a NGC designation.  See that number for more.  William Herschel recorded the nearby mag 6.2 star on 4 Dec 1784 (sweep 328), but missed the galaxy.  Immediately after logging the star he noted "a very thin whitish haziness all over", so sky conditions were poor.

MCG labeled the brighter northern galaxy as NGC 169B and the fainter southern galaxy (IC 1559) as NGC 169A.
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NGC 170 = MCG +00-02-091 = CGCG 383-042 = PGC 2195
00 36 45.8  +01 53 11; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 85°

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round.  Located 2.0' NW of mag 9.0 SAO 109310 and 7.5' SW of NGC 173.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 170 = m 13 on 3 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, S, R."  Marth's position is 1' N of CGCG 383-042 = PGC 2195.
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NGC 171 = NGC 175 = ESO 540-006 = MCG -03-02-024 = PGC 2232
00 37 21.6  -19 56 04; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 175.

William Herschel discovered NGC 171 = H. III-223 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and recorded "vF; lE or rather oval; roughly 1' dia; np 2 pB stars".  There is nothing at the NGC position, but Dreyer states in the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that Carolyn Herschel made a one degree error in copying the declination for III-223.  Once corrected, NGC 171 is identical to NGC 175, found by John Herschel on 11 Nov 1834.  This galaxy is generally identified as NGC 175, due to the error in declination for NGC 171.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 172 = ESO 474-005 = MCG -04-02-027 = KTS 4B = PGC 2228
00 37 13.6  -22 35 13; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 2.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 12°

24" (10/3/13): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.2', irregular surface brightness.  Second of three edge-ons in the KTS 4 triplet with NGC 168 8' W and NGC 177 5.3' NE.

17.5" (12/3/88): second of three with NGC 168 and NGC 177.  Faint, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness.  NGC 168 lies 7' W and NGC 177 5' ENE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 172 = LM 2-288, along with NGC 168 and 177, in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is a good match with ESO 474-005 = PGC 2228.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and commented there is mag 13 star close southwest.
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NGC 173 = UGC 369 = MCG +00-02-092 = CGCG 383-043 = PGC 2223
00 37 12.4  +01 56 32; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 3.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 15.2;  PA = 90°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly large, round, broad concentration.  Bracketed midway between a mag 12 star 1.5' SW and a mag 13 star 1.6' NE.  Forms a pair with fainter NGC 170 7.5' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 173 = H. III-871 = h33 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and logged "vF, S, R, very gradually brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 4' north of UGC 369.  On 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113), John Herschel recorded "vF; R; bM; 20".  A star 11m pos 225° +/-, dist = 80"."
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NGC 174 = ESO 411-001 = MCG -05-02-028 = PGC 2206
00 36 58.9  -29 28 40; Scl
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 152°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is just off the SE edge.  Situated among a group of mag 10-11 stars including mag 9.5 SAO 166412 3' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 174 = h2333 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, little extended, among several bright stars."  The next sweep he noted "vF, S, R.". Finally on a third sweep he recorded "vF, R, 25", near one or two stars."  His mean position matches ESO 411-001 = PGC 2206.
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NGC 175 = NGC 171 = ESO 540-006 = VV 791a = MCG -03-02-024 = PGC 2232
00 37 21.6  -19 56 04; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 109°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, oval small bright core, diffuse halo.  Forms a right angle with two mag 11 stars 4' SSE and 5' ENE.  

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 175 = h2334 on 11 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, pL, E, gradually brighter in the middle, r, 80" long, 60" broad. If this nebula be really III.223 [NGC 171], the P.D. [polar distance] assigned to that nebula by my Father's observations must be 1 degree in error. The error cannot lie in this observation, the 109th degree of Polar distance being beyond the possible reach of the instrument in [this] sweep."  His position and description matches ESO 540-006 = PGC 2232.

By historical precedence, the principal designation should be NGC 171, but the galaxy is usually identified as NGC 175 due to the unambiguous position.
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NGC 176 = ESO 029-002 = Lindsay16
00 35 54  -73 10 00; Tuc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this SMC cluster is fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~40" diameter, low surface brightness with a brighter core.  It appeared unresolved except for a mag 13 star at the north edge and a mag 14 star at the south edge.  NGC 152 lies 13' WNW.  Located 3.5' NNE of mag 8 HD 3395.

John Herschel discovered NGC 176 = h2335 in the SMC on 12 Aug 1834 and recorded "eF; R; near a *8m (At the beginning of the Nubecula Minor."  On a second sweep he logged "eF; S; little extended, resolvable."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 177 = ESO 474-006 = MCG -04-02-028 = KTS 4C = PGC 2241
00 37 34.3  -22 32 57; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 2.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 9°

24" (10/3/13): this galaxy is the most prominent of a trio of edge-ons (KTS 4) with NGC 172 5' SW and NGC 168 13' WSW.  Moderately bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 nearly N-S, 1.5'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small, bright elongated core increasing to a stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/3/88): third and brightest of three with NGC 168 and NGC 172.  Faint, edge-on 4:1 N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 172 lies 5' WSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 177 = LM 2-289, along with NGC 168 and 172, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Muller's position is 2' S of ESO 474-006 = PGC 2241, although he was uncertain if this object was a star.  His comment "E 175°" is fairly accurate (actual PA = 9°).  The IC 2 notes remark "Delete the (original) query; it seems to be a nebula (Howe)"
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NGC 178 = IC 39 = VIII Zw 34 = MCG -02-02-078 = PGC 2349
00 39 08.4  -14 10 26; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

24" (9/30/16): at 282x; fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~1.5'x0.6'.  Appears mottled along the major axis with a brighter knot or region at the north end [HST image reveals this is a giant star-forming region].  The galaxy appears to spread or bulge out with a faint extension on the southwest side [the HST image shows this is a series of HII/star-forming clumps].  This highly disrupted galaxy lies 8' NE of mag 9.0 HD 3579.  Brightest in a trio with NGC 207 8.7' SE and IC 41 7.8' E.

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.8'x0.8', broad low concentration but no nucleus.  NGC 207 is in the field 9' ESE and NGC 210 lies 27' NE.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, fairly small, weak concentration, elongated 2:1 N-S, lies 27' SW of NGC 210.

R.J. Mitchell probably discovered NGC 178 = LM 1-7 on 7 Dec 1857 as the observer on Lord Rosse's 72".  He stated "about one field of finder [26'] south, and a few seconds preceding, is another neb., faint, elongated nearly north-south, no nucleus."  Dreyer assumed this description applied to GC 108 = NGC 207, but the north-south elongation clearly applies to NGC 178, which is 18' S, though 1.4 minutes of RA to the west.  Yann Pothier caught this correction in March 2020.

Ormond Stone made an independent discovery on 3 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "F, S, mE 0°, bM, faint wing south-preceding."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.5 min of RA too far west but his description and sketch (examined by Harold Corwin) matches this galaxy. Stone was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  Finally, Stephane Javelle discovered NGC 178 again on 26 Aug 1892, assumed it was new based on position and listed it as the 28th object in his first discovery paper (J. 1-28, later IC 39).  Herbert Howe later searched for NGC 178 and measured an accurate position in 1898-99 (repeated in the IC 2 notes), though Dreyer failed to equate NGC 178 and IC 39.  See Corwin's notes.

The galaxy was described as "sausage shaped with a tail south", in the 1924 list of "nebula" descriptions at Helwan observatory.
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NGC 179 = ESO 540-007 = MCG -03-02-026 = PGC 2253
00 37 46.1  -17 50 57; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 113°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round.  Forms a double with a mag 14.5 star just 25" NNW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 179 = LM 2-290 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position matches ESO 540-007.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 180 = UGC 380 = MCG +01-02-039 = CGCG 409-050 = PGC 2268
00 37 57.7  +08 38 06; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 160°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 11 star is at the NW edge 39" from the center. 

13.1" (12/7/85): faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  A mag 10.5 star at the NW edge detracts from viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 180 = H. III-876 on 29 Dec 1790 (sweep 991) and logged "vF, pL, irregularly round, just S.f. a small star which is partly involved in the nebulosity."  Auwers' reduction was 1° off in North Polar Distance, though the NGC position was just 2' N.
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NGC 181 = MCG +05-02-032 = CGCG 500-055 = PGC 2287
00 38 23.2  +29 28 21; And
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 151°

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15'.  Located 2.7' SSW of NGC 183.  Second brightest in a trio of NGCs with NGC 184 3.1' SW.  A mag 12.4 is near the midpoint of NGC 181 and 184.  This trio is apparently in the foreground of Abell Galaxy Cluster 71. 

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.2'.  In a trio with NGC 184 4' ESE and NGC 183 2.7' NE.  A mag 12 star lies 1.5' SE 

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, small, round, diffuse.  First of three with NGC 183 2.7' NE.  Located 10' N of 30 Andromedae (V = 4.4).  Member of AGC 71.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 181 = St. 13-6, along with with NGC 183 and 184, on 3 Nov 1877.  His published position (list 13, #6) was reduced on 6 Oct 1883.
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NGC 182 = UGC 382 = MCG +00-02-095 = CGCG 383-045 = PGC 2279
00 38 12.4  +02 43 43; Psc
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 75°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', sharply concentrated with a very bright round core.  Located 3.6' SE of mag 7.7 HD 3503.

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4' SE of mag 7.6 SAO 128868.

Brightest in the large NGC 182 group (sometimes called the NGC 200 group) including NGC 186, NGC 193, NGC 194, NGC 198, NGC 199, NGC 200, NGC 202, NGC 203, NGC 204, NGC 208.

William Herschel discovered NGC 182 = H. III-870 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and logged "vF, S, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 183 = UGC 387 = MCG +05-02-035 = CGCG 500-057 = PGC 2298
00 38 29.3  +29 30 40; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

24" (9/15/12): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 50" diameter, well concentrated with a bright core increasing to a very small bright nucleus.  Brightest and largest in a group including NGC 181 2.7' SSW, NGC 184 4.1' SSE and LEDA 1871091 (very low surface brightness edge-on) 5.2' NNE.  A mag 12.4 star lies 3.2' S.  It was easy to locate this group as it is situated just 12' N of mag 4.4 Epsilon And.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very small bright nucleus, 40" diameter.  Based on the listed dimensions, I missed a very low surface brightness halo and viewed the high surface brightness core.  Forms the NW vertex of a triangle with a mag 12 star 3' S and a mag 13 star 3' E.  Brightest in a trio with NGC 181 and NGC 184 close south.  MCG +5-2-31 lies 6' N.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  Located 12' N of 30 Andromedae (V = 4.4).  Brightest of three in AGC 71 with NGC 181 2.7' SW and NGC 184 4.1' SSE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 183 = Sf. 65 = St. 13-7 on 5 Nov 1866 with the 26" refractor at Dearborn Observatory and simply called a "neb. * 13m."  Édouard Stephan also found the galaxy on 3 Nov 1877 (perhaps aware of Safford's discovery?).  He reported it as new in his 13th discovery list (#7) with a micrometric position measured on 6 Oct 1883.  Stephan was credited with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's discovery list wasn't published until 1887, after the NGC was going to press.  William Herschel recorded nearby Epsilon And on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266), but missed NGC 183.
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NGC 184 = CGCG 500-059 = PGC 2309
00 38 35.8  +29 26 51; And
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 5°

24" (9/15/12): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 24"x12", slightly brighter core.  Faintest in a trio with NGC 181 3.1' NW and NGC 183 4.1' NNW.  Bracketed by a mag 12.4 star 1.6' WNW and a mag 13.5 star 50" E.

18" (10/21/06): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 24"x16".  Situated between a mag 13 star 0.9' E and a mag 12 star 1.6' WNW.  In a trio with NGC 181 3' NW and NGC 183 4' NNW.  Located 8' N of mag 4.4 Epsilon (30) Andromedae.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' E.  Third of three in AGC 71 cluster with NGC 183 4.1' NNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 184 = St. 13-8, along with NGC 181 and NGC 183 (discovered earlier by Truman Safford), on 6 Oct 1883.  His position was accurate.
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NGC 185 = UGC 396 = MCG +08-02-010 = CGCG 550-009 = PGC 2329
00 38 57.2  +48 20 15; Cas
V = 9.2;  Size 11.7'x10.0';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 35°

24" (9/14/12): Hodge V is the brightest globular cluster in NGC 185, first identified by Paul Hodge in his 1974 paper "Photometry of the Globular Clusters of NGC 185" (PASP, 86, 289).  At 325x and 450x it appeared as an extremely faint star (V = 16.7), forming the southern vertex of a small equilateral triangle with a mag 14.5 star 20" N and a mag 15 star 20" NW.  This extragalactic globular was repeatedly glimpsed for brief moments and a couple of times it could be held for a few seconds.  Situated 3.8' NE of the center of NGC 185 and outside the visible halo of the galaxy.

17.5" (10/13/90): bright, very large, slightly elongated ~E-W, broad concentration but no nucleus. Three mag 14 stars are at the W, NW and SW ends.  Higher surface brightness than NGC 147.  LEDA 2318158, a mag ~16.5 galaxy, was marginally glimpsed at high power 8' N of center. NGC 185 is a satellite system of M31 and a Local Group member at a distance of 2.15 million light years.

8" (10/4/80): fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse, NGC 147 58' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 185 = H. II-707 = h35 on 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786). He recorded "pretty bright, very large, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle, resolvable, 5 or 6' diameter."

The first observation at Birr Castle on 28 Mar 1848 reads "Resolved by a power of 800, although the night was rather hazy." This is a good example of how preconceptions that nearly all nebulae were resolvable influenced the results. James Keeler first photographed the galaxy using the Crossley reflector at Lick before 1900.  It was described (1918 Curtis publication) as "rather irregular slightly oval, 3' long; there are two curious rifts near the nucleus; it appears to be an irregular spiral.  The nebular matter is faint and diffuse.  A star of mag 14 is north of the very faint nucleus."

In 1944 William Baade announced that NGC 185, along with NGC 147, were members of the Local Group (1944ApJ...100..147B) when they were resolved into stars on plates take with the 100-inch at Mt Wilson. In an unusual situation, Baade requested that an actual photographic print of NGC 185 was bound in his ApJ paper to demonstrate resolution, as detail was lost with an ordinary halftone illustration.
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NGC 186 = UGC 390 = MCG +00-02-098 = CGCG 383-047 = PGC 2291
00 38 25.3  +03 09 59; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 23°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 40"x20".  Sharply concentrated with a very bright round core and bright stellar nucleus.  Situated just north of the line connecting a mag 6.4 star 14' W and a mag 7.4 star 12' E.  Located on the west side of the NGC 182 group.  LEDA 212560, situated 2.8' SW, was barely seen as extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, stellar nucleus.  Located between mag 6.4 SAO 109315 15' W and mag 7.4 SAO 109348 11' E.  Member of the large NGC 182 group.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 186 on 6 Dec 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was noted as "much smaller than alpha (NGC 194), and is suddenly brighter in the middle and I think a nova."  Heinrich d'Arrest made an independent discovery on 23 Sep 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  d'Arrest measured an accurate position.  Édouard Stephan made another observation on 29 Oct 1875, while working through the galaxy group.
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NGC 187 = MCG -03-02-034 = PGC 2380
00 39 30.3  -14 39 23; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 148°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Located 30' SSE of NGC 178.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 187 = LM 1-8 on 3 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and he logged "F, S, mE 150°, bM."  His rough position is 1 min west of MCG -03-02-034 = PGC 2380 and the description matches.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 188 = Cr 6 = Mel 2 = OCL-309
00 47 15  +85 14 49; Cep
V = 8.1;  Size 14'

17.5" (12/26/00): At 100x, ~75 stars resolved within 10'-12', roundish group.  The cluster is fairly rich but unconcentrated, with a noticeable void of stars near in the center and a somewhat ill-defined boundary.  The stars appear to be layered; at least a dozen mag 12-13 stars are superimposed on a much richer carpet of mag 14-15 stars over unresolved haze.  At 220x, some additional very faint stars are visible, bringing the total up to ~85 stars.  Two mag 9.5-10 field stars (SAO 109 and 11) are just off the west edge and mag 8.7 SAO 149 is beyond the ENE border.

NGC 188 is one of the older known open clusters with an age of ~6.3 billion years and the closest to the north celestial pole.

13.1" (8/24/84): about 50 stars at 62x with several mag 7-9 stars in field, appears fully resolved.

8" (8/24/84): large cluster, many faint stars, not rich, blank areas near center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 188 = h34 on 3 Nov 1831 and recorded a "Cl, vL, p Rich, 150-200 stars mag 10-18; more than fills the field." The Sky Catalogue 2000.0 gives a poor position of 00 44.0 +85 20.
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NGC 189 = Cr 462 = OCL-301 = Lund 23
00 39 36  +61 05 42; Cas
V = 8.8;  Size 4'

24" (1/4/14): well detached, roundish group of stars at 125x.  Using 260x, ~40 stars are resolved in a 5'-6' group.  There are several pairs and tight groupings.  Many of the stars are in a richer 3' inner group, generally arranged in a ring and including HJ 1043 = 11.6/12.7 pair at 12" (oriented N-S).  A few of the brighter stars, though, form the 6' outline.  A distinctive quadrilateral of stars is ~6' NW.

17.5" (12/23/92): 30 stars mag 10-14 in 6' diameter, weakly compressed, no dense areas but appears to have some unresolved background haze.  Elongated E-W due to a couple of strings extending to the west.  A 6'x5' parallelogram of four mag 9 stars in the field to the south.  Not an impressive cluster.

8" (11/13/82): about two dozen stars, moderately large, irregular shape, scattered, haze.

15x50mm (10/14/23): faint, fairly small, ~5' diameter. Picked up to the SW of NGC 225 (by ~50').

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 189 = h36 on 27 Sep 1783, along with NGC 225, with her 4.2-inch comet-seeker reflector.  She logged "about 1° south of the above cluster (NGC 225) a faint nebula surrounded with a great number of both large and small stars..."   She entered this object as #12 in her discovery log and NGC 189 is the only cluster fitting the description.  William Herschel made no observations but John Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 27 Oct 1829.  He logged, "Cl, L; pretty rich; irreg R; 8' diam; straggling; *s 11...15m."  Dreyer credited John Herschel with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 190 = UGC 397 = MCG +01-02-041 = MCG +01-02-042 = CGCG 409-051 = III Zw 10 = HCG 5A/5B = PGC 2324
00 38 54.7  +07 03 46; Psc
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

48" (10/25/11): HCG 5A is the brighter northern component of a double system forming NGC 190.  It appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 50"x40", bright core, stellar nucleus.  5A forms a very close double with smaller and fainter HCG 5B just 21" between centers.  The halos of the two galaxies are in contact.  HCG 5C is 0.8' NNE and HCG 5D is 0.9' S.  The entire length of the N-S chain of four galaxies is 1.6'.

18" (8/26/06): this double system was just resolved into two very close, small knots, roughly 20" each in diameter with their halos in contact.  Both components have faint stellar nuclei.  The northern component (HCG 5A) was slightly brighter and larger.  HCG 5C is a difficult object 1' NW.  The entire quartet is arranged in a N-S chain with a total length of only 1.6' and the three brightest members are part of the galaxy cluster Abell 76 (AGC 76).

18" (11/23/05): NGC 190 is a double system which often appears as an elongated glow, 40"x20", oriented N-S.  With careful viewing, the system just resolves into two very small round knots, just 20" between centers.  The northern component is ~20" diameter and the southern member ~15". The two knots both have faint stellar nuclei and appear virtually tangent.  A third member, HCG 5C, is occasionally visible as an extremely faint knot off the NW side.

17.5" (12/11/99): Initially seen as a single faint, elongated glow at 220x.  At 280x in moments of good seeing this object cleanly resolved into two very close, very small knots with the brighter component on the north side.  HCG 5C was only intermittently visible with averted vision as a 15" threshold knot.

17.5" (9/5/99): NGC 190 is a challenging double system best viewed at high power.  Using 280x, at first appeared as an elongated irregular glow but with extended viewing, two "knots" oriented N-S were resolved within a common halo.  The brighter and larger component (HCG 5A) is at the north end and appears very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  The southern component (HCG 5B) is extremely faint and small, perhaps 15" diameter.  HCG 5C is a threshold knot 1' NW.  The HCG is a subgroup of AGC 76 whose core is ~20' SSE and includes IC 1565, 1566 and 1568.

17.5" (10/8/88): very close double system, faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, irregular.  HCG 5B is a very small companion attached at the south edge just 22" between centers.  In a compact group of four (HCG 5).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 190 = Sw. 5-8 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 6 sec of RA east of UGC 397.  His description mentions "3 or 4 stars near sp".  There are two mag 13 and 14.7 stars about 2' SW, but perhaps he also noticed the companion at the south edge (HCG 5B) and took it to be stellar.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor in Denver, noted a mag 12.5 star lies about 30" due south of the nebula.  But this probably refers to HCG 5B.  MCG identifies M+01-02-042 as NGC 190 instead of both -041 and -042.
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NGC 191 = Arp 127 NED1 = Holm 13a = MCG -02-02-077 = PGC 2331
00 38 59.3  -09 00 09; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 125°

17.5" (9/17/88): close double system with IC 1563 0.6' SE.  Fairly faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is 30" SE of center.  A very faint halo surrounding the core extends to IC 1563 and the mag 14 star.  IC 1563 appeared faint, very small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 191 = H. II-479 = h38 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and logged "pB, mE nearly in the meridian, near 2' long".  Sir Robert Ball, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 12 Dec 1866, recorded "One neb, with either 2 stars or B, S, neb knots very closely foll - cB, pL, R, bM, two pB st preceding."  One of these "knots" is IC 1563, although discovery credit is given to Bigourdan in the IC.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 192 = HCG 7A = UGC 401 = MCG +00-02-104 = CGCG 383-051 = LGG 010-002 = PGC 2352
00 39 13.5  +00 51 49; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 167°

18" (11/23/05): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3' or 1.0'x0.3'.  Well concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Brightest in the HCG 7 quartet with NGC 196, NGC 197 and NGC 201.

17.5" (10/8/88): brightest of four in the HCG 7 group.  Moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated NNW-SSE, bright core.  NGC 197 lies 2.1' NNE, NGC 196 3' N and NGC 201 5' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 192 = H. III-872 = h39, along with NGC 196 and NGC 201, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and logged "vF, vS, bM."  John Herschel made 5 observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 193 = UGC 408 = MCG +00-02-103 = CGCG 385-055 = PGC 2359
00 39 18.5  +03 19 52; Psc
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 55°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x32", sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core.  A mag 13 star is barely off the SW edge and a mag 10 star is 2.6' ESE.  NGC 204 is 6.7' ESE (on line with the mag 10 star).

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, sharp concentration.  Located 2.6' WNW of a mag 10 star (9.9/10.6 at 2").  A mag 13 star is off the west edge.  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 204 7' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 193 = H. III-595 = h37 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 657).  He recorded "very faint; small; 3 or 4 stars in it, but I have not been out long enough [he had just started observing this night], however I have no doubt." Only 25 seconds later, Herschel logged a second object: "very faint, very small, but I have not been out long enough, any may be a deception."  His offset from NGC 193 clearly matches NGC 204, though likely due to his uncertainty it wasn't catalogued.

William's RA for NGC 193 was off, so his son John thought his own observation (recorded as h37) was new: "very faint; large; close to a *15.  RA by III. 595, which this precedes 25.5 seconds."  Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell observed the galaxy on 24 Nov 1854 and noted "Not L; R; bM; a bright star close sp; resolvable?"
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NGC 194 = UGC 407 = MCG +00-02-105 = CGCG 383-054 = PGC 2362
00 39 18.4  +03 02 14; Psc
V = 12.2;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; bright, fairly small, slightly out of round, ~35"x30".  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 7.4 star is 6' NNW.  Near the center of the NGC 182 group with several galaxies near; NGC 200 is 10' SSE, NGC 199 is 7' NE and NGC 186 is 15' NW.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5' S of mag 7.3 SAO 109348!  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 199 6' NE and NGC 200 10' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 194 = H. II-856 = h40 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "F, S, very gradually brighter middle."  John Herschel called it "pB; S; R; bM."
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NGC 195 = MCG -02-02-079 = PGC 2391
00 39 35.8  -09 11 41; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

24" (12/1/16): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration.

MCG -02-02-086, the brightest cD member of AGC 85 (distance ~750 million l.y.) lies 34' ESE.  It appeared fairly faint, irregularly round, 40" diameter, low irregular surface brightness, no distinct core or zones.  Two other cluster members were also viewed.

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 195 = T. 1-2 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His position was 0.4 min of RA west and 5' north of MCG -02-02-079 = PGC 2391.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 16 Dec 1897 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 196 = HCG 7B = UGC 405 = MCG +00-02-110 = CGCG 383-053 = LGG 010-003 = PGC 2357
00 39 17.8  +00 54 46; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 3°

18" (11/23/05): moderately bright, small, fairly high surface brightness.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, very small core surrounded by a much fainter oval halo 3:2 N-S, ~0.6'x0.4'.  Second brightest in the HCG 7 quartet with NGC 192 3' SSW and much fainter NGC 197 1' SSE.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 197 1' SSE in the HCG 7 group.  NGC 192 lies 3' SSW and NGC 201 5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 196 = H. II-860 = h41, along with NGC 192 and NGC 201, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988).  He noted "pF, pS, very gradually brighter middle."  John Herschel made 4 observations.  MCG mislabeled this galaxy as NGC 197.
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NGC 197 = HCG 7D = UGC 406 = MCG +00-02-107 = CGCG 383-053 = LGG 010-006 = PGC 2365
00 39 18.8  +00 53 31; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

18" (11/23/05): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  This galaxy is the smallest and faintest in the HCG 7 quartet and was missed by William and John Herschel.

17.5" (10/8/88): extremely faint, very small, almost round.  Member of the HCG 7 group and located 2.1' NNE of NGC 192.  Forms a close pair with NGC 196 1' NNW and NGC 201 lies 4' SE.  Appears fainter than 14.2z.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 197 = m 14 on 16 Oct 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, s of 196."  His position matches UGC 406 = PGC 2365.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 196 in the MCG (+00-02-107).
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NGC 198 = UGC 414 = MCG +00-02-109 = CGCG 383-057 = LGG 009-003 = PGC 2371
00 39 23.0  +02 47 52; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

24" (12/12/17): at 200x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 60"x50", large bright core.  Slightly higher surface brightness than NGC 200 6' NNE. Two mag 12 stars 3.5' N and 4.5' N are collinear with the galaxy.  A mag 9.9 star is 5.3' SSE.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration.  Located within the NGC 182 group with NGC 200 6' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 198 = H. II-857 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "F, S, very gradually brighter middle".  At the same time he found H. II-858 = NGC 200 to the northeast.  Herman Schultz, Heinrich d'Arrest and Basilius von Engelhardt all measured accurate micrometric positions.
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NGC 199 = UGC 415 = MCG +00-02-111 = CGCG 383-058 = PGC 2382
00 39 33.1  +03 08 19; Psc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 160°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Situated 5' E of a mag 7.3 star and 7' NE of NGC 194.  Member of the NGC 182 group.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core.  Located 5' E of mag 7.3 SAO 109348 within the NGC 182 group.  NGC 194 lies 6' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 199 on 24 Sep 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and described (from 3 observations) "faint and small. A mag 8 star precedes 27 sec and somewhat south."  Ralph Copeland, Lord Rosse's (Lawrence Parsons) assistant, found this galaxy on 11 Dec 1873 and logged "cF, L neb."  Édouard Stephan made another observation at the Marseilles observatory on 29 Oct 1875.
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NGC 200 = UGC 420 = MCG +00-02-112 = CGCG 383-060 = PGC 2387
00 39 34.8  +02 53 15; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 161°

24" (12/12/17): at 200x; moderately bright or fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 60"x40", broad concentration but no distinct nucles.  One of the brightest members of the NGC 182 group.  NGC 198 lies 6' SSW.  A 1' pair of mag 12.4 stars oriented N-S lies 3'-4' SW.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 198 6' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 200 = H. II-858, along with NGC 198, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "pB, S, very gradually brighter middle."  Ralph Copeland, Lord Rosse's assistant on 17 Sep 1873, logged "cB, L, considerably elongated north-south, gradually brighter in the middle."  There was a confusion, though, in the orientation with respect to NGC 198.  The NGC position (from d'Arrest and Herman Schultz?) is accurate.
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NGC 201 = HCG 7C = UGC 419 = MCG +00-02-115 = CGCG 383-059 = LGG 010-004 = PGC 2388
00 39 34.9  +00 51 35; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 155°

18" (11/23/05): NGC 201 is the largest member of the HCG 7 quartet.  At 225x appears faint, fairly large, round, ~1.6' diameter, low nearly even surface brightness with only a very weak concentration.  Located 5' E of NGC 192.

17.5" (10/8/88): largest in the NGC 192 group = HCG 7.  Faint, moderately large, diffuse, even surface brightness, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Last of four including NGC 192, NGC 196 and 197.

William Herschel discovered NGC 201 = H. III-873 = h43, along with NGC 192 and NGC 196, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and recorded "eF, cL. I should not have seen it but for the other two [III-872 = NGC 192 and II-860 = NGC 196]."  On 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113), John Herschel recorded "vF; L; E; 60".  The last of 3 on the parallel of the first."
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NGC 202 = UGC 421 = MCG +00-02-113 = CGCG 383-062 = PGC 2394
00 39 39.8  +03 32 11; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 153°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE. A mag 13.6 star is off the east side [42" from center] and a mag 15-15.5 star is at the NNW tip.  Located 7' SSW of mag 7.6 HD 3703. Member of the large NGC 182 group with NGC 203 5.6' S.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, elongated NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is at the east edge 0.7' from center.  Located 7' S of mag 7.8 SAO 147387.  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 203 5' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 202 = St. 8a-1 on 29 Oct 1875.  His rough position was 5' too far W. His published position (list 8a, #1) was made on 17 Nov 1876 with description "eF, vS, a few faint points (stars) involved".  One star is at the N end.
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NGC 203 = NGC 211 = MCG +00-02-114 = CGCG 383-061 = PGC 2393
00 39 39.5  +03 26 34; Psc
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 85°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval E-W, 30"x20", fairly high surface brightness, quasi-stellar nucleus.  In the NGC 182 group with NGC 193 8.6' SW, NGC 204 8.6' S and NGC 202 5.6' N.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval E-W, weak concentration.  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 202 5' N.

Ralph Copeland, assistant for Lord Rosse (Lawrence Parsons), discovered NGC 203 on 19 Dec 1873.  It was found while observing the field of NGC 193 and 204.  His micrometric position matches CGCG 383-061.  Édouard Stephan also discovered this galaxy on 29 Oct 1875 (rough position 3' to the WNW) and reported it as new (list 8, #2) based on a position taken 18 Nov 1876. But Stephan misidentified his offset star so his position for NGC 211 was 20' too far east.  Applying his offsets to the correct stars lands NGC 211 on NGC 203, with discovery priority going to Copeland.
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NGC 204 = UGC 423 = MCG +00-02-116 = CGCG 383-063 = PGC 2397
00 39 44.2  +03 17 58; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; moderately or fairly bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core that mildly increases towards center.  LEDA 1249738, situated 2.6' ENE, was very faint, round, only 10"-12" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 193 lies 6.6' WNW, beyond a mag 9.7 star.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4' ESE of a mag 9.5 star.  Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 193 7' WNW.

William Herschel made the first observation of NGC 204 = h42 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 657).  Just 25 seconds after discovering H. III. 595 (later NGC 193), he logged "very faint, very small, but I have not been out long enough [he had just started observing that night], any may be a deception."  His offset from NGC 193 clearly matches NGC 204, but it wasn't catalogued and Herschel was uncredited in the GC and NGC.

John Herschel made an independent discovery on 16 Oct 1827: "pretty bright; round; the following of 2 [with NGC193]."  His position (marked as uncertain) is between NGC 193 and 204.  In the Slough Catalogue, he mistakenly equated h42 with his father's III. 595, which applies to NGC 193.
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NGC 205 = M110 = UGC 426 = MCG +07-02-014 = CGCG 535-014 = Holm 17c = PGC 2429
00 40 22.0  +41 41 07; And
V = 8.1;  Size 21.9'x11.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 170°

13.1": bright, very large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 10'x4', quite prominent but only a gentle broad concentration.  G73, the brightest globular cluster in M110 (or associated with M31), lies 6' E of center and appears as a 15th magnitude "star".

8" (10/4/80): fairly bright, large, elongated ~N-S, companion to M31.

Charles Messier discovered M110 = NGC 205 = H. V-18 = h44 on 10 Aug 1773 and made a sketch showing M31 and its two companions, though he didn't mention it in his three catalogues. He first published a description in 1798 and the sketch was published in 1807. Kenneth Glynn Jones suggested adding NGC 205 as M110 in a 1967 Sky & Telescope article.

Caroline Herschel independently discovered M110 on 27 Aug 1783 with her 4.2-inch comet-seeker reflector.  She entered it as #9 in her discovery log and described "about 1/2° preceding and a little north of Mess. 31, a nebula, there are many stars besides in the field, but these two are rather largest."  William observed M110 on 24 Oct 1783, just before starting his sweeps.  Observing with his 18.7", he first observed H. V-18 (later NGC 205) in his 18.7" on sweep 282 (5 Oct 1784), when he was observing off the meridian to the east.  On 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 613), he called it "vB, mE, above 20' long nearly in the meridian; a few degrees from np to sf, the branches lose themselves." Again a week later on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621), he logged "eB, mE.  I suppose not less than 1/2° long and 10 or 12' broad.; very gradually much brighter middle; so as to come to a luminous nucleus.  The time very inaccurate, the telescope being off the roller, and only guided by hand."  William wrote In his 1785 Philosophical Transactions paper, "there is a very considerable, broad, pretty faint, small nebula near it; my sister discovered it, August 27th, 1783, with a Newtonian two-feet sweeper. It is not the 32d of the Connoissance des Temps.."  Caroline was credited with the discovery in the NGC.

M110 was observed with Lord Rosse's 72" on 2 Nov 1850 and "spirality" was suspected (falsely).  A later observation on 16 Oct 1855 recorded "vL; mE np by sf; sharp nucleus, for some distance round which, the neb. is bright and then suddenly decreases; there is a bright star np the nucleus; and another involved in sf end; another in preceding border.”
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NGC 206 = M31-A78 = OB 78
00 40 31.4  +40 44 16; And
Size 4.2'x2';  PA = 0°

24" (8/25/19): quite prominent, very large elongated patch, extending 4'x2' N-S.  A number of faint stars were easily seen superimposed.  A brighter, narrow "spine" stands out well with the general star cloud.  NGC 206 can be traced further SSW, where it merges with Association 79, a very large 6'x2' cloud of lower surface brightness oriented SSW-NNE.  Association 80 is a 3' patch directly south of NGC 206 by 7' and has 3 brighter stars superimposed on the north side.  This patch also includes C107, a 5" open cluster on its south side.

48" (11/1/13): Using Jimi Lowrey’s 48-inch f/4, we carefully examined the large association NGC 206 for resolved stars using the finder chart in Stephen Odewahn's 1987 study "A photometric survey of the rich OB association NGC 206 in M31”.  I assumed using a labeled photographic chart it would be easy to identify individual stars, but the chart failed to capture the range in visual brightness of the Milky Way and cluster stars.  As a result I had to carefully verify small patterns of stars (triangle, quadrilaterals, etc.) several times to feel confident of the identifications.  After several minutes of observation, I had identified the 6 or 7 brightest members down to V = 17.6, as well as the superimposed Milky Way stars.  The brightest “star" (Odewahn #12 at V = 16.1) at the north edge was relatively prominent, but most were in the mag 17-17.5 range.

Finally, I stopped carefully scrutinizing individual stars, relaxed my eyes and just gazed at the entire star cloud with averted vision.  I was startled that in moments of good seeing, roughly 20 additional extremely faint stars popped in and out of view, mimicking the appearance of a dense open cluster or partially resolved globular cluster!  Based on photometry in the paper, the magnitudes of the resolved stars extended down to approximately V = 18.3-18.4. The cloud, itself, was quite irregular and split up into several slightly brighter patches.

Checking journal articles afterwards, I found that Odewahn #12 (= BH05) is not a single star but was listed as a globular cluster candidate (M31GC J004030+404530) in Barmby & Huchra’s 2001 paper "M31 Globular Clusters in the HST Archive: I. Cluster Detection and Completeness”.  But the 2010 paper "A Photometric catalog of 77 newly-recognized star clusters in M31” by Paul Hodge described the results of an HST WFPC2 search for star clusters in active star-formation regions of M31.  BH05 was reclassified as a luminous and massive young cluster with an unusually elliptical shape.  In addition, Odewahn’s #40 and #112 (and perhaps others) are also clumps of stars or clusters, but visually were essentially stellar.

17.5" (8/18/93): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 4.0'x1.6', low and uneven surface brightness.  A few very faint stars are just visible over surface including a brighter star at the south tip.  Located 40' SW of the core of M31.  This is the huge star cloud at the SW end of M31.

8" (12/6/80): very faint, moderately large, elongated N-S, low surface brightness patch near the SW end of M31.

William Herschel discovered NGC 206 = H. V-36 = h45 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 613). He recorded "very faint, very large, much elongated, about 20' long nearly in the meridian [N-S], or a little from np to sf."  His orientation is accurate, but the size estimate was much too large!  Caroline assumed it was a new discovery but according to Wolfgang Steinicke, William's first observation was made on 5 Oct 1784 (sweep 282), while observing off the meridian to the east.  He logged "a streak of milky nebulosity, horizontal, or part of the 31st Nebula."  An accurate position couldn't be determined in this orientation.  John Herschel simply called it "a very large space filled with neb.”

E.E. Barnard independently discovered NGC 206 in 1883 and assumed it was new.  On 14 Sep 1885 he reported [AN 2687], "about two years ago, I found with my 5-inch refractor, a moderate size nebula involved with the extreme preceding end of the Great Nebula in Andromeda.  I have now confirmed the observation with the 6-inch Cooke Equatorial and as I can find no record of such nebula I suppose it is new."  Barnard quickly caught his mistake and credited Herschel the next month [AN 2691].  Interestingly, Barnard also reported discovery of the M31 association A54 on the opposite end of M31, though for some reason Dreyer didn’t assign this object a NGC designation.
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NGC 207 = MCG -03-02-035 = PGC 2395
00 39 40.6  -14 14 13; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 85°

24" (9/30/16): at 282x; fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, 25"x15".  A mag 14 star is close southwest [separation 38"].  NGC 178 is 8.7' NW and IC 41 is 3.8' N.  A mag 9.5 star lies 4.4' SE.

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x15".  A mag 14.3 star is just 40" SW of center.  Located 4.4' NW of mag 9.2 SAO 147389.  Forms a pair with NGC 178 9' WNW.  Member of the NGC 210 group.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 207 on 29 Oct 1877 as the observer on Lord Rosse's 72".  He wrote, "About 35 seconds preceding and 25' ± south [of NGC 210] is [NGC 178], very faint, S, lE p f, much brighter middle to a nucleus, stellar, 5' nnf a coarse double star 10-11 and 12m.  A very insignificant object."  The description applies, as well as the time difference (actual value 32 seconds preceding) in RA although the galaxy is 5' NNW of the coarse double star instead of NNE as stated.

Dreyer assumed R.J. Mitchell's description from 7 Dec 1857 referred to NGC 207, but as it mentions the object is elongated N-S, it more likely applies to NGC 178.  Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 207 at Leader-McCormick Observatory on 3 Nov 1885 and reported it as new (LM 1-9) in the observatory's first discovery list.

IC 41 (discovered by Javelle) lies 3.7' north, although MCG, PGC and HyperLeda incorrectly equate IC 41 with NGC 207 (error also in Megastar).  RNGC misclassified NGC 207 as nonexistent and it was reported as not found at Helwan observatory in 1924, though a galaxy was noted 4' S of IC 41.  See RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 208 = MCG +00-02-118 = CGCG 383-064 = PGC 2420
00 40 17.6  +02 45 23; Psc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; faint, small, round, 24" diameter, low even surface with no nucleus.  Three brighter stars follow; a mag 11.1 star 3.0' ENE, a mag 11.7 star 5' ESE and a mag 12 star 6' ENE.  NGC 208 is one of the faintest NGC members of the NGC 182 group.  CGCG 383-067, located 10' NE, appeared very faint, small, elongated SW-NE, 20"x12".

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round.  Located west of four mag 11-13 stars that form a rhombus.  The closest is a mag 11 star 3' ENE.  Member of the NGC 182 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 208 = m 15 on 5 Oct 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "pF".  His position is very close SE of CGCG 383-064 = PGC 2420.  Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 29 Oct 1875.  Initially he noted it as new in his logbook, but later crossed that out.
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NGC 209 = ESO 540-008 = MCG -03-02-031 = PGC 2338
00 39 03.6  -18 36 30; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Located 70' SW of Beta Ceti.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 209 = LM 1-10 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is ~1.4 min of RA east of ESO 540-008 = PGC 2338.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and called it "almost a nebulous star."  MCG does not identify -03-02-031 as NGC 209.
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NGC 210 = MCG -02-02-081 = PGC 2437
00 40 34.8  -13 52 28; Cet
V = 10.9;  Size 5.0'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 160°

24" (11/21/19 and 10/17/20): at 322x; the central region is very bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 ~N-S, 1.2'x0.7'.  Contains an intense, roundish core that gradually increases to the center.  With averted vision, a very large, low surface brightness halo - more easily visible on the south side - increased the size dramatically to nearly 4'x2'.  Often the halo seemed like a ring as there was a dip in brightness surrounding the brilliant central region.  Although there was hint of structure, the arms were not evident. The halo passes through a mag 12.6 star on the west side [1.2' from center].

MCG -02-02-082, located 7.7' NE, was pretty faint, oval 3:2 N-S, 30"x20", fairly low even surface brightness.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~NNW-SSE, small very bright core.  A mag 11.5 star is close WSW [1.3' from the center].  Located 7' E of mag 8.3 SAO 147392.

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round.  A mag 9 star is 7' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 210 = H. II-452 = h46 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451) and recorded "pB, pS, much brighter in the middle, resolvable, star 1.5' distant".  His position is 30 tsec too far west.

R.J. Mitchell, LdR's observer on 7 Dec 1857, logged "bright centre; much elongated north and south, arms vF."  Francis Leavenworth independently found the galaxy on 2 Oct 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and included it in the LM first discovery list (#11).
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NGC 211 = NGC 203 = MCG +00-02-114 = CGCG 383-061 = PGC 2393
00 39 39.5  +03 26 34; Psc

See observing notes for NGC 203.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 211 = St. 8a-2 on 29 Oct 1875 (rough position 3' to the WNW).  He reported it as new (list 8, #2) based on a position taken 18 Nov 1876, but there is nothing (other than a faint star) near his position.  Corwin found that Stephan misidentified his offset star (GSC 0014-1250 at 00 40 43.5 +03 28 05) so his position for NGC 211 was 20' E of NGC 203.  When his offsets are reapplied they point directly to NGC 203, discovered three years earlier by Ralph Copeland.  So, NGC 211 = NGC 203, with the original discovery going to Ralph Copeland.  Emmanuel Esmiol didn't catch Stephan's error when his rereduced Stephan's positions at the Observatoire de Marseille, so the position is incorrect in his 1916 paper.
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NGC 212 = ESO 150-018 = PGC 2417
00 40 13.3  -56 09 11; Phe
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 131°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): NGC 212, along with NGC 215, are the two brightest members in the core of AGC 2806.  At 429x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, ~55"x45", broad concentration.  A dozen members were easily picked up in the 23' field, though I didn't spend time looking for the faintest members.  The nearest is 2MASX J00400662-5609299 just 1' WSW, while NGC 215 lies 6' SE.  Located 25' NW of mag 5.7 Xi Phoenicis and just 2.4' N of mag 9.6 SAO 232142.  2MASX J00400423-5610499 is situated  just 1' NW of the mag 9.6 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 212 = h2336 on Oct 28 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, 15", the preceding of two [with h2337 = NGC 215]".
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NGC 213 = UGC 436 = MCG +03-02-023 = CGCG 457-026 = PGC 2469
00 41 10.0  +16 28 09; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  A mag 13.5-14.0 star is off the SE edge 26" from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 213 = H. III-200 on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and logged "2 small stars with nebulosity between, verified with 240 power."  His position is accurate.  On 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 590) he noted "2 small stars with faint nebulosity, most of the chevulure is about the preceding star; the stars are within 1/2' of each other."
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NGC 214 = UGC 438 = MCG +04-02-044 = CGCG 479-059 = PGC 2479
00 41 28.0  +25 29 58; And
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 214 = H. II-209 = h47 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 264) and recorded "vF, pL, irregularly round, equally bright, r."  R.J. Mitchell (LdR's assistant) observed the field on 3 Nov 1855 and noted, "I find 3 neb, perhaps 4, as in annexed sketch.  A is oval, and I think resolvable; and has a star at np edge."  Mitchell goes on to describe 1 or 2 additional nebulae in the field, but these are either stars or close doubles.  E.E. Barnard swept up the galaxy on 18 Jan 1893 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick.  He called it "hazy, 1' diameter, not round, 13th magnitude."
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NGC 215 = ESO 150-019 = PGC 2451
00 40 48.9  -56 12 51; Phe
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 120°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): this is the brightest member of AGC 2806. Appeared moderately bright or fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, well concentrated with a bright core that increases to the center.  NGC 212 (just barely inferior) lies 6' NW.  Located 4' NE of mag 10 SAO 232144.  The nearest two members are PGC 101135 3.4' WSW and PGC 128457 2.9' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 215 = h2336 (along with NGC 212 = h2336) on Oct 28 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, 20", the following of two [with NGC 212]."  On a later sweep he logged "F, R, very gradually brighter middle; among stars." His position is accurate.
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NGC 216 = ESO 540-015 = MCG -04-02-035 = PGC 2478
00 41 27.1  -21 02 44; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 27°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, fades at tips.

William Herschel discovered NGC 216 = H. III-244 = h49 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 330) and noted "eF, vS, E."  John Herschel logged "eF; little extended; nf to sp." The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 217 = MCG -02-02-085 = PGC 2482
00 41 33.8  -10 01 20; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small.  This is a pretty edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 217 = H. II-480 = h48 = Sw. 4-4 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479). He recorded "faint, pretty large, little elongated, little brighter middle."  John Herschel observed NGC 217 on 14 Dec 1830 (sweep 310) and noted "not vF; S; gradually brighter in the middle; 10-15"."  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 9 Aug 1886 and reported it as new in his 4th discovery list (#4).  His position was 15 seconds of RA too large, a similar offset as other objects he observed that night.

In his comprehensive book on William Herschel observations, Wolfgang Steinicke mentions that Herschel made an early observation ("nebula north preceding 17 Ceti") on 24 Dec 1783 (sweep 62), but didn't catalogue the observation, probably due to an insufficient position.
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NGC 218 = VV 527 = UGC 480 = MCG +06-02-016 = CGCG 519-021 = KPG 16A = PGC 2720 = The Pattern
00 46 31.9  +36 19 32; And
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 177°

24" (12/22/14): at 260x: moderately bright and large, irregularly round, ~0.8' diameter though the halo increases in size and shape with averted vision.  A brighter nucleus is offset to the east side of the galaxy, so could be mistaken for a knot in the halo.  Forms an interacting pair (VV 527) with CGCG 519-022 1.4' ENE.

CGCG 519-022 was fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.2', very weak concentration.  The SDSS reveals numerous thin, blue arm segments of NGC 218 that are apparently tidally stretched towards CGCG 519-022.

17.5" (9/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular shape and surface brightness, 1.0' diameter, broadly concentrated.  Forms the right angle of a small isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5-14 stars 1.4' N and 1.3' W.  Forms an interacting pair with MCG +06-02-017 1.4' E.  The companion is very faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.25'.  Member of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 218 = St. 8a-3 on 19 Oct 1873.  He recorded a tentative position only 30" E of center of UGC 480, but there is nothing at his published position (measured again on 17 Oct 1876), which is 40" S of mag 8.9 SAO 54096 (Delta RA = 0).  The only nearby candidate is UGC 440, about 9' WNW of this position, and this galaxy is taken as NGC 218 in all modern catalogues.

I checked Emmanuel Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions at Marseilles Observatory and found that NGC 218 was left off of the main tables, but replaced with an "Anonymous" galaxy using a delta RA of +4 min from the same offset star.  This offset corresponds exactly with UGC 480.  At the bottom of the page Esmiol added the note "wrongly identified as NGC 218."  So, clearly NGC 218 = UGC 480.  Harold Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke agree with this analysis.  Wolfgang notes in his book on the history of the NGC, that Esmiol's catalogue gives 4 discoveries of Stephan that did not receive NGC designations, but he missed this connection with NGC 218.  This identification has now been incorporated into NED, although it is still incorrect in HyperLeda (as of 2013) as well as the NGC/IC Project, which has not been updated in a long time.
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NGC 219 = MCG +00-02-128 = CGCG 383-073 = PGC 2522
00 42 11.3  +00 54 16; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 60°

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated.  A mag 12 star is 1.1' SSW of center.  Located 3.7' NNW of NGC 223.

George Phillips Bond, director of Harvard College Observatory, discovered NGC 219 = HN 1 on 16 Sep 1863 at Harvard College observatory with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor.  His position and description matches MCG +00-02-128.  This is one of the few galaxies "discovered" by Bond that are not single or multiple stars.
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NGC 220 = ESO 029-003 = Lindsay 22 = Kron 18
00 40 30.6  -73 24 11; Tuc
V = 12.4;  Size 1.2'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~50" diameter, brighter nucleus.  There was no resolution except for a single faint star near the center.  A mag 11 star lies 1' NE and just south of NGC 222.  NGC 220 is the first of three in a chain with NGC 222 1.5' NE (physical pair) and NGC 231 4.0' NE.  Also NGC 176 lies 24' NW.  NGC 220 is located at the west edge of the large SMC star cloud/association Hodge 3.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 220 = D 2 = h2338 on 1 Aug 1826.  He described (single observation) a "faint ill-defined nebula, about 1 1/2' long, irregular figure, rather branched.  This is just involved in pretty strong margin [edge] of the Cloud."  His position is 3.6' NW of NGC 220 and the comment "rather branched" suggests he may have seen both NGC 220 and 222 as a single elongated object.  Herschel assigned Dunlop 2 to NGC 231 = h2340 (also in the chain), but this cluster has a lower surface brightness and is less likely to have been noticed.

John Herschel observed NGC 220, along with NGC 231, on 12 Aug 1834 (sweep 482) and recorded "F, very gradually brighter middle, irregular figure."  In Sep 1835 (sweep 625) he wrote "The first of an irregular string of nebulae and stars which descends at an angle of about 45 degrees from the centre to the edge of the field (i.e. in a north-following direction)."   Harold Corwin notes that h2339 (later NGC 222) may be a 4th observation of this cluster (see notes).

Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 16 Dec 1887 (first of 14 objects) with the Melbourne telescope and called it "pB, irr, pS, little brighter middle, amidst stars."

SIMBAD misidentifies NGC 220 with Bruck 23 (B23), an extremely small cluster 1.8' to the east of NGC 220.
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NGC 221 = M32 = Arp 168 = UGC 452 = MCG +07-02-015 = CGCG 535-016 = Holm 17b = PGC 2555
00 42 41.9  +40 51 53; And
V = 8.1;  Size 8.7'x6.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 170°

24" (11/24/14): extremely high surface brightness, large, elongated at least 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~5'x3.5'.  The large halo is highly concentrated to a small very bright core.  The core itself is sharply concentrated to a very small, very bright nucleus punctuated by an intense stellar nucleus.

13.1" (8/24/84): very bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, about 4'x3', increases to small very bright core which is almost stellar.  Located 24' S of the center of M31.  

8" (8/24/84): very bright, moderately large, round, 24' S of M31.

15x50mm (7/26/06): an intense "star-like" core is surrounded by a small halo in my IS binoculars.

Guillaume Le Gentil discovered M32 = NGC 221 = h51 on 29 Oct 1749.  He reported "While observing the Andromeda Nebula with a fine 18-foot telescope ... I saw another small nebula, about one minute in diameter which appeared to throw out two small rays; one to the right and the other to the left."  Messier found it independently in 1757 while observing M31, unaware of Le Gentil's earlier observation.

William Herschel first observed M32 with his 18.5" on 5 Oct 1784 (sweep 282), while observing off the meridian to the east. The position could not be determined accurately, but it was catalogued as I-54. A correction was made later when Caroline realized it referred to M32.  A late observation was made on 26 Dec 1813: "A very bright, round nebula, very gradually brighter to the middle up to a nucleus."  John Herschel recorded (1 Oct 1828), "eB; pL; suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 10m; 40"; a small star follows it 11.5 seconds."
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NGC 222 = ESO 029-004 = Lindsay 24 = Kron 19
00 40 44.5  -73 23 03; Tuc
V = 12.2;  Size 0.6'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): second and the smallest of three SMC clusters in a string with NGC 220 1.5' SW and NGC 231 2.5' NE.  At 228x, it appeared as a fairly faint, small, round glow of ~30" diameter, unresolved.  A mag 11.5 star lies 30" south. NGC 220, 222 and 231 form the core of Hodge Association 3.

John Herschel discovered NGC 222 = h2339 on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441) and simply recorded "vF, R, outlying."  His position, though, is unusually poor - landing 3.7' S of NGC 220.  Since h2339 was only recorded on this single sweep, Harold Corwin suggests h2339 is more likely another observation of NGC 220, which was recorded on 3 later sweeps, but not on 11 Apr 1834!  Since NGC 220 is much more prominent than the smaller cluster taken as NGC 222, it seems unreasonable that Herschel would have missed NGC 220.  On sweep 625, Herschel recorded NGC 220 as "The first of an irregular string of nebulae and stars which descends at an angle of about 45 degrees from the centre to the edge of the field (i.e. in a north-following direction)".  It's very possible that the cluster taken as NGC 222 was one of these "string of nebulae and stars" as it is just 1.5' NE of NGC 220, so perhaps he did see the cluster on this date.  See Corwin's notes for more on this identification.

James Dunlop's D 2, discovered on 1 Aug 1826, probably refers to NGC 220 (only), though perhaps the chain.  He described a "faint nebula, about 1 1/2' long, irregular figure, rather branched.  This is involved in the margin of the Nebula minor."  His position is ~3.5' WNW of NGC 220/222.  Herschel assigned D 2 to NGC 231 = h2340, but this identity is probably incorrect due the low surface brightness of NGC 231.

Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 16 Dec 1887 (second of 14 objects) with the Melbourne telescope and called it "pB, roundish, pS little brighter middle, amidst stars."
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NGC 223 = IC 44 = UGC 450 = MCG +00-02-129 = PGC 2527
00 42 15.8  +00 50 44; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 62°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 219 3.7' NNW.  Located close to the midpoint of a mag 11 star 2.8' SE and a mag 12 star 3.0' NW that is just south of NGC 219.

George Phillips Bond discovered NGC 223 = HN 7 = Au 4 = Sw. 6-5 on 5 Jan 1853.  It was found with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone observations of stars near the celestial equator.  He noted a round nebula, between stars #131 and 132 and measured the dec, but not the RA.  The discovery was listed as #4 in Auwers 1862 list of new nebulae, though the RA was only given to the nearest minute of time.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the galaxy on 1 Jan 1862 and assumed it was a new discovery.  He added a note of Bond's earlier discovery in his 1865 catalogue of new nebulae.  Lewis Swift made another discovery (list VI, #5) on 21 Nov 1886.  Finally Swift "discovered" it again on 12 Nov 1890, and described Sw. 10-1 (later IC 44) as "eF; S; R; bet 2 st." His position was ~2' too far north and Dreyer either assumed it was new or just missed the equivalence.  In any case, NGC 223 = IC 44.
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NGC 224 = M31 = UGC 454 = MCG +07-02-016 = CGCG 535-017 = And A = Holm 17a = PGC 2557 = Andromeda Galaxy
00 42 44.1  +41 16 08; And
V = 3.4;  Size 191'x62';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 35°

48" (11/21/25): observed 15th-mag AT2025abao, a rare Luminous Red Nova (LRN) discovered 10/17/25. It was identified 20' W of NGC 206 in a small triangle with a mag 15.8 star 13" E and a mag 16.7 star 0.4' SW.

17.5" (7/5/86): the remarkable "Andromeda galaxy" is very bright, extremely large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, about 2.5° length.  Very large bright core containing a stellar nucleus using direct vision.  There are two black parallel dust lanes along the NW side of the core.  The galaxy extends beyond the star cloud NGC 206 located about 40' SW of the core.

18": a total of 38 globular clusters have been tracked down in M31 as well as 9 star clusters.

8" (numerous observations starting in 1980): amazing at 50x with a prominent dust lane along NW side, stellar nucleus.

Persian astronomer Abd-al-Rahman Al-Sûfi first mentioned M31 = NGC 224 = h51 in his "Book of Fixed Stars" (964 AD) as the "Little Cloud" lying before the mouth of a Big Fish (an Arabic constellation).  Surprisingly, Tycho Brahe didn't mention M31 in his star catalogue (nor Hipparchus or Bayer), which included 6 nebulous objects (the only real one was M44). German astronomer Simon Marius made the first telescopic observation of M31 (actually of any nebula) on 15 Dec 1612 and described the appearance as "resembling the flame of a burning candle, at some distance, shining through translucent horn."  He added "with the telescope no stars can be seen...but only glimmering rays, which are the brighter the closer they are to the center. In the center is a faint and pale glow which occupies a diameter of about a quarter of a degree."

Giovanni Hodierna listed M31 as a new nebula in his catalog based on his observation in 1654, apparently unaware of Marius'earlier observation.  Cassini, in 1740, represented its shape as nearly triangular.  Le Gentil considered it round for some years, then oval, but always of a uniform light.  In 1764 Messier wrote "it resembles two cones or pyramides of light, opposed at their bases, the axes of which are in direction NW-SE."  Due to these varying descriptions, it was thought the nebula might be variable.

William Herschel first observed M31 with his 6.2" reflector on 6 Aug 1780 ("has no star in it").  But using the same scope on 2 Aug 1783 he noted, "227x, a strong suspicion of stars.  This speculum has not light enough.  I doubt not but 20 feet will confirm it.  460x, suspicion still stronger."  He was obviously mistaken on the resolvability.  Herschel also noted the nebula "begins to shew a faint red colour."  Perhaps he detected a slight hue to the nuclear region (red giants), though this seems unlikely and he described many globular clusters, as well as double stars, as having a faint red color.  In 1826 John Herschel wrote, "At present it has not, indeed, a star, or any well-defined disk in its center, but the brightness, which increases by a regular gradation from the circumference, suddenly acquires a great accession, so as to off the appearance of a nipple as it were in the midd, of very small diameter (10" or 12")...Its nebulosity is of the most perfectly milky absolutely irresolvable kind, with the slightest tendency to that separation into flocculi above described in the nebula in Orion..."

The quasi-stellar nucleus was observed by Johann Lamont on 13 Oct 1836 with a 10.5-inch refractor at Munich Observatory and measured as 6.9" diameter.  George Bond made a remarkable sketch in 1847 using the new 15-inch Harvard refractor, showing two sharply defined dust lanes, a stellar nucleus and M32 and M110 embedded within the halo of M31. He mentioned "a sudden interruption of light, appearing like a narrow, dark band, in which the eye could detect no deviation from perfect straightness, streating, in the direction of the axis of the nebula, entirely across the field of view; exterior to this, with respect to the axis, was another band or canal..."  Bond also traced the major axis to a length of 4°.  Leopold Trouvelot produced a beautiful sketch of the dust lanes in 1874 at the Harvard College Observatory.

The spiral nature, though, was first revealed in photographs by Isaac Roberts in 1888 with a 20-inch reflector (reproduced in many publications) and E.E. Barnard in 1890 with the 12-inch refractor, though neither used in the word "spiral" in their papers.  Roberts speculated wildly on the nature of M31, suggesting it was a "new solar system in the process of condensation from a nebula" and the two companions, M32 and M110, were "already undergoing their transformations into planets."

Ernst Hartwig discovered the first extragalactic supernova near the center of M31 on 20 Aug 1885 with the Dorpat Observatory's 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor.  SN 1885A = S And reached mag 5.85 and faded to mag 14 a half a year later.  The brightness (if a nova) seemed evidence that M31 was relatively nearby (within the Milky Way).  In 1899, though, German astronomer Julius Scheiner obtained a spectrum using a 7.5 hour exposure and found "No traces of bright nebular lines are present, so that the interstellar speace in the Andromeda nebula, just as in our stellar system, is not appreciably occupied by gaseous matter." He further stated "previous suspicion that the spiral nebulae are star clusters is now raised to a certainty, the thought suggests itself of comparing ..our stellar system, with especial reference to its great similarity to the Andromeda nebula."  This added strong support for the "island-universe" theory.

In 1919 Knut Lundmark obtained a distance of 650,000 light years based on the brightness of M31 novae, implying an extragalactic nebula. But in the early 1920's Adriaan van Maanen claimed he measured internal displacements on photographs taken 12 years apart that showed rotation or motion outward along the spiral arms, implying a close distance and small diameter. The Island Universe question was effectively ended when Hubble identified a Cepheid variable (V1) in M31 on a plate taken October 5-6, 1923 and derived a distance of 930,000 l.y based on the Period-Luminosity relation.  In 1929 he obtained a distance of 900,000 l.y. based on a large number of Cepheids.

In 1943-44, while the Los Angeles area was in a World War II blackout, William Baade first resolved the central region of M31, M32, M110 as well as NGC 147 and NGC 185 using the 100-inch at Mount Wilson.  He  identified two distinct populations of stars based on their metallicity, naming young, high-velocity stars in the disk as Type I and older red stars in the bulge as Type II. The differences in Population I and II Cepheids modified the P-L relation and increased the distance by 2.5x.
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NGC 225 = Cr 7 = OCL-305 = Lund 25 = Sailboat Cluster
00 43 35  +61 46; Cas
V = 7.0;  Size 12'

24" (1/4/14): bright, large, scattered group of ~50 stars in 10' group.  Includes 15-18 brighter stars that stand out (mag 9.5-11).  A ragged N-S string of stars defines the eastern border of the cluster.  There are no rich subgroups and a lack of faint stars.

A detached group of stars is off the north side, but these stars do not appear to be part of the cluster.  vdB 4, a very faint reflection nebula, is involved with these stars though it was not noticed.

17.5" (11/2/91): about two dozen stars at 100x in a 12' diameter.  Bright but scattered.  Outline forms an isosceles triangle with the vertex at west edge and the long base on the east side.  Most stars are mag 10-11 and evenly spaced.  The cluster appears completely resolved.  Only one fairly close double star in group.  Just ENE of the main group is a line of five mag 9 stars oriented N-S.

8": two dozen stars in a cluster, fairly bright but scattered, no dense spots.

15x50mm (10/14/23): large, 12'-15' diameter, partially resolved with a half-dozen mag 9.5-10.5 stars

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 225 = H. VIII-78 = h52 on 27 Sep 1783, along with NGC 189, with her 4.2" comet seeker reflector.  She described "about 2° from Gamma Cas, making an isosceles triangle with Gamma and Kappa, a small cluster of stars, seeming to be intermixed with nebulosity."  She observed it again a few times, including 30 Oct 1783 and 23 Feb 1784, and entered it as #11 and possibly #15 (based on different observations) in her discovery log, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.

William Herschel first observed the cluster on 12 Mar 1784 before he began sweep 165 and called it "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, seeming to contain many smaller...7 ft [6.2"] power 57. 20 large stars. Carolina found it Sept. 27, 1783."   On 26 Nov 1788 (sweep 887 with his 18.7"), he recorded "a good many coarsely scattered L stars of an equal size, they take up a space of 15 or 20'."
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NGC 226 = UGC 459 = CGCG 500-076 = LGG 014-003 = PGC 2572
00 42 54.0  +32 34 52; And
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (9/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.45', very weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is just off the south side, 30" from the center.  Located 11' ESE of mag 8.5 HD 3925, which is just outside the 220x field.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, bright core, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 30" S.  Located 7' NE of mag 9.4 SAO 54094 and 10.5' ESE of mag 8.5 SAO 54088.

John Herschel discovered NGC 226 = h53 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "eF; S; R; has a 13m to south, dist 20"."  His position and description matches UGC 459 = PGC 2572.  R.J. Mitchell (LdR assistant) recorded it on 19 Sep 1857 as "vF, S, R, bM, just on of a vF *."
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NGC 227 = UGC 456 = MCG +00-02-135 = CGCG 383-076 = PGC 2547
00 42 36.8  -01 31 43; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 155°

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, very small bright core or stellar nucleus?  Brightest in a small group (USGC U027) that includes UGC 438 22' SW.

13.1" (9/29/84): compact galaxy elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small prominent nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 227 = H. II-444 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "F, pL, little brighter middle."  The micrometric position from Engelhardt in the NGC is accurate.
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NGC 228 = UGC 458 = MCG +04-02-048 = CGCG 479-062 = PGC 2563
00 42 54.5  +23 30 12; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (10/13/90 and 10/20/90): faint, small, almost round, weak concentration.  In a tight quadruple group with NGC 229 2.5' E, CGCG 479-061 1.5' SW ("extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very low even surface brightness") and CGCG 479-065 11' ESE ("very faint, very small, round, bright core").

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 228 = St. 10-1, along with NGC 229, on 3 Oct 1869 (single unpublished position between the pair).  His published micrometric position was made on 10 Oct 1879.
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NGC 229 = MCG +04-02-049 = CGCG 479-064 = PGC 2577
00 43 04.6  +23 30 33; And
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (10/13/90 and 10/20/90): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, stellar nucleus.  In a quadruple group with NGC 228 2.5' W and CGCG 479-065 9' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 229 = St. 10-2, along with NGC 228, on 3 Oct 1869 (single unpublished position between the pair).  His published micrometric position was made on 10 Oct 1879.
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NGC 230 = ESO 474-014 = MCG -04-02-037 = PGC 2539
00 42 27.1  -23 37 44; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 1.1'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 44°

24" (12/22/14): extremely faint to very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~20"x10", low surface brightness.  Requires averted and concentration, but clearly visible ~25% of time.

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely tough, very small object that I suspected on a couple of pops.  My field sketch shows it situated just south of the midpoint of two stars oriented NW-SE [separation 1.5'] and it seemed extended SW-NE (perpendicular to the line connecting the stars).  This matches the DSS image, so I probably finally detected this galaxy.  Located 6' SW of NGC 232 and 8' SW of the double system NGC 235.

17.5": negative sightings on 12/3/88, 10/21/95 in thin clouds and 12/20/95.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 230 = LM 2-291, along with NGC 232 and 235, in 1886 with the 26" refractor the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 0.2 min of RA east of ESO 474-014.  As Leavenworth gave a size of just 0.1' and mag 16.0, it must have appeared nearly stellar.
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NGC 231 = ESO 029-005 = Lindsay 25
00 41 06.4  -73 21 08; Tuc
V = 12.7;  Size 1.0'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared as a moderately large, low surface brightness hazy region with an irregular outline, ~2' diameter.  A few mag 14 stars were resolved.  Last of three open clusters with compact NGC 222 2.5' SW and NGC 220 4.0' SW.  These three clusters form the core of Hodge OB-association 3.

John Herschel discovered NGC 231 = h2340 on 12 Aug 1834 (sweep 482) and recorded "an irregular train of stars and nebulosity in the Nubecula Minor. (Evidently that referred to in sweep 625 [NGC 220])." His position falls very close to the cluster taken as NGC 231 (ESO 029-005 = Lindsay 25), but Corwin suggests NGC 231 really refers to the entire string of 3 clusters - NGC 220, 222 and 231.  I agree - this was his first observation here and he certainly wouldn't have picked up just the single faintest cluster and missed the brightest cluster NGC 220. 

Herschel suggested h2340 might be equivalent to D 2, but Dunlop likely saw only NGC 220 or both NGC 220 and 221, which he described as "a faint nebula, about 1.5' long, irregular figure, rather branched. This is involved in the margin of the Nubecula Minor."

Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster of 16 Dec 1887 (third of 14 objects) with the 48" Melbourne telescope and called it "eeeF, very small thin nebulosity around a minute star. Two or more stars near."
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NGC 232 = ESO 474-015 = MCG -04-02-040 = VV 830 = PGC 2559
00 42 45.7  -23 33 41; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 171°

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration.  NGC 235/235B lies 2.0' NE and NGC 230 is 6' SW.

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Forms a trio with NGC 235A/NGC 235B 2.5' NE.  Extremely difficult NGC 230 lies 6' SW (see notes of 10/4/97).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 232 = LM 2-292, along with NGC 230 and 235, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position essentially matches ESO 474-015 = PGC 2559, but Herbert Howe measured a precise position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 233 = UGC 464 = MCG +05-02-041 = CGCG 500-078 = PGC 2604
00 43 36.6  +30 35 13; And
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo, no distinct edges.

William Herschel discovered NGC 233 = H. III-149 = h54 on 14 Oct 178 (sweep 266) and logged "eF, vS, R."  R.J. Mitchell, assistant to Lord Rosse's on 22 Nov 1854, recorded "pB, vS, R, a F* v close preceding??". There is a very faint star close west of the core.
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NGC 234 = UGC 463 = MCG +02-02-028 = CGCG 434-032 = PGC 2600
00 43 32.4  +14 20 33; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, broad concentration, faint nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 234 = H. II-245 on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289).  He logged "F, pS, irregular oval."  On 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 590) it was called "pB, cL, gradually much brighter middle."  Dreyer made a detailed observation at Birr Castle on 8 Nov 1876: "pB, pL, irregularly round, seems with higher power to have two points of condensation, p and f, the f. one the brighter.  I think the p one is a S * involved. Lord Rosse thought it resolved."  A mag 16.3 star is at the west edge and the following "point of condensation" probably refers to the nucleus. The NGC position is 2.5' too far south.
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NGC 235 = ESO 474-016 = MCG -04-02-041 = PGC 2569
00 42 52.8  -23 32 29; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 117°

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; NGC 235A, the brighter northwest component of this interacting double system, appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter high surface brightness, bright core increases to a very bright stellar nucleus.  NGC 235B is attached on the SE side and appeared fairly faint, small, 12" diameter, round, very small brighter nucleus.  The pair of galaxies are separated by just 21" between centers!

17.5" (12/3/88): the western member of this double system appeared faint, very small, round, small bright core.  The E component, attached at the following end, appeared extremely faint and small, round.  Forms a double with NGC 232 2.5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 235 = LM 2-293, along with NGC 230 and 232, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.3 min of RA east of ESO 474-016 = PGC 2569.  This is a double system with the brighter component on the NW side, although it was not resolved by Leavenworth.  Often NGC 235 is taken as the northwest component with the southeast component (ESO 474-017) a separate galaxy, though Leavenworth likely observed the merged image of both objects.  MCG labeled the two galaxies as NGC 235A and 235B but PGC as NGC 235 and 235A.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), but also makes no reference to it appearing double.
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NGC 236 = UGC 462 = MCG +00-03-001 = CGCG 383-080 = PGC 2596
00 43 27.5  +02 57 30; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 160°

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, fairly low even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is off the NE edge 1.4' from center.  Located roughly 1 degree east of the large NGC 182 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 236 = m 16 on 3 Aug 1864 using Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta and recorded "vF, pL".  His position is 1.5' N of UGC 462 = PGC 2596.
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NGC 237 = UGC 461 = MCG +00-02-136 = CGCG 383-079 = PGC 2597
00 43 27.9  -00 07 30; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core. 

13.1" (12/7/85): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, weak concentration.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 237 = Sf. 94 = Sw. 6-76 on 27 Sep 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. His discovery list was not published until 1887, so Dreyer was unable to credit him in the NGC. The galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift on 21 Nov 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and catalogued it as #6 in his 6th discovery list, though his position was 16 seconds off in RA.  Swift is credited with the discovery in the NGC.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 238 = ESO 194-031 = AM 0041-502 = PGC 2595
00 43 25.5  -50 10 57; Phe
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 93°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, roundish, ~1.5' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  A weak central bar extends NW-SE from the nucleus.

Subtle structure was evident in the halo with slightly enhanced regions.  A slightly brighter patch is on the northwest and west side (images show this part of an inner ring) and an extremely faint "star" is superimposed [25" NW of center].  The DSS2 image reveals this is either a bright knot or possibly an interacting companion.  In 1981ApJS...46...75A ("Spectroscopic Measures of Galaxies, Their Companions, and Peculiar Galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere"), Arp identifies this object as a companion galaxy as well as Madore in the 2007 paper "The Curious Case of NGC 6908".

John Herschel discovered NGC 238 = h2341 on 2 Oct 1834 and recorded "eF, pL, R, gradually very little brighter middle, 50"."  His position matches ESO 194-031 = PGC 2595.
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NGC 239 = MCG -01-03-007 = PGC 2642
00 44 37.4  -03 45 34; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 28°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, broad concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.6' E of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 239 = LM 1-12 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 1' S of MCG -01-03-007 = PGC 2642.  Ormond Stone's "corrected" position, given in the IC 1 notes, is 1.1 tmin too far E.  In the IC 2 notes section, Max Wolf states the original NGC position was correct!
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NGC 240 = UGC 473 = MCG +01-03-001 = CGCG 410-003 = PGC 2653
00 45 01.9  +06 06 47; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, oval 4:3 ~E-W, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' SSE of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 240 = Sw. 5-9 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; S; R; * nr south".  His position is 9 sec of RA east of UGC 473 and his "* nr south" is probably the mag 13.6 star 1.2' SE.
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NGC 241 = NGC 242 = ESO 029-006 = Lindsay 29 = Kron 22
00 43 34  -73 26 36; Tuc
V = 12.0;  Size 0.9'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 282x, the SMC cluster NGC 241 = NGC 242 appeared fairly bright, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  A faint star is at the west end and another faint star (a mag 14.2 A3-type supergiant) or clump of stars is at the SE end.  A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars lies 2.5' SW.  NGC 248 lies 9' NE and NGC 256 can be found 11' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 241 = h2342 on 12 Aug 1834 and described "a very F, R nebula or group (We are now fairly in the Nubecula Minor, and field begins to be full of faint perfectly irresolvable nebulous light."  There is nothing at his single position but 10' N is h2343 (later NGC 242).  Herschel caught this error and corrected the NPD in an errata list at the end of the Cape of Good Hope catalogue, though apparently he didn't notice the nearly identical positions.  Since Herschel only observed NGC 241 on a sweep where NGC 242 was not recorded, Harold Corwin (as well as ESO and Eric Lindsay) equate NGC 241= NGC 242.  Since NGC 242 refers to his first observation it should be the primary designation.  See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 242 = NGC 241 = ESO 029-6 = Lindsay 29 = Kron 22
00 43 34  -73 26 36; Tuc
V = 12.0;  Size 0.9'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 282x, the SMC cluster NGC 241 = NGC 242 appeared fairly bright, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  A faint star is at the west end and another faint star (a mag 14.2 A3-type supergiant) or clump of stars is at the SE end.  A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars lies 2.5' SW.  NGC 248 lies 9' NE and NGC 256 can be found 11' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 242 = h2343 on 11 Apr 1834 and recorded "pL; vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; (in a sweep below the pole and ill seen) the RA is probably also in error.  On a second sweep he recorded "a binuclear nebula, or two, vS, R, running together."  Finally on a third sweep he noted "a small irresolvable knot in the bright part of the Nubecula Minor."  NGC 241 = h2343, recorded in Aug 1834, is a duplicate observation (see notes).

Interestingly, Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 16 Dec 1887 (as well as numerous other SMC clusters) with the 48" Melbourne telescope and logged it as two objects (labeled as "D" and "E") "almost forming a double nebula".  The main NW clump was called "pB, very small, nebulous star" and the SE knot as "pB; eeS; nebulous star very close to D.  I believe two minute stars in D and one in E which makes the objects sparke, many stars in the field."  This matches Herschel's description of "a binuclear nebula, or two..."

SIMBAD labels the NW clump as NGC 241 = Kron 22W = Lindsay 29W and the SE clump as NGC 242 = Kron 22E = Lindsay 29E.  In addition, NGC 241/242 is listed as a star cluster pair in 2000A&AS..146...57D and more recently the two parts (NW and SE) are identified as NGC 241 and 242 in Nayak+ "SMC clusters age-dating & classification" (2018) 

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NGC 243 = MCG +05-02-043 = CGCG 500-082 = PGC 2687
00 46 00.9  +29 57 34; And
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 145°

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 1.4' E of a mag 10.5 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 243 = St. 12-6 on 6 Oct 1869 and recorded an unpublished position 2' SSE of center.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 18 Oct 1881 and recorded "Faint, very small, round, gradually brighter middle, *10 precedes by 6 seconds [of time]."
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NGC 244 = UGCA 10 = Haro 14 = MCG -03-03-003 = VV 728 = PGC 2675
00 45 46.7  -15 35 50; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, small bright core.  Located 3.5' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.  A tight trio of mag 14.5 stars is 8' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 244 = H. III-485 = h55 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "vF, S, iF, resolvable."  The NGC position is just 1' too far N.
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NGC 245 = UGC 476 = MCG +00-03-005 = Mrk 555 = PGC 2691
00 46 05.5  -01 43 22; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 145°

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, stellar nucleus.  A pair of stars mag 13.5 and 14.5 with a separation of 35" lie 1.5' S.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, star superimposed or faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 245 = H. II-445 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and recorded "F, irregularly round, easily resolvable, 1' broad." The NGC RA is just 0.1 tmin too large.
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NGC 246 = PK 118-74.1 = PN G118.8-74.7 = Skull Nebula
00 47 03.3  -11 52 19; Cet
V = 10.4;  Size 240"x210";  PA = 120°

48" (10/23/14): At 488x with an NPB filter the view of the Skull Nebula was breathtaking and all the structure in a detailed photograph was visible.  The thin brighter rim varied in brightness, thickness and scalloped structure along its entire length.

The rim is brightest along a 60° arc on the western side, bulging inward just north of center, creating a small darker indentation in the rim due west of the prominent central star. Moving counterclockwise around the rim, a small brighter, elongated patch is at the northwest edge, close to a mag 11.5 star just outside the planetary.  The rim is relatively weak along the north side, but two brighter (detached) patches are along the northeast side.  An irregular, elongated luminous patch spreads inward here.  This glow is fairly prominent just northeast of center, on line with the central star and the second interior mag 12 star (southwest of center). A second luminous patch is midway from the central star to the north rim.  The rim is weakest overall along a 90° arc on the eastern side, near a mag 13.5 star, which is embedded just within the planetary. Two more luminous patches are visible at the south rim, with the westernmost glow both larger and brighter.

The interior is relatively dark, though glows weakly with subtle variations, creating pockets of darkness - one is northeast of the central star - and mild enhancements.  A small diaphanous glow is just south of the mag 12 star on the southwest side.  More extensive milky nebulosity extends inward from the southern rim, though the most prominent interior glow is the split nebulosity mentioned earlier on the northwest side.

33" (9/15/07): gorgeous annular planetary viewed at 200x.  The thin brighter rim was striking and varied in brightness and thickness around the periphery.  The rim is brightest along the western or WNW edge and weakest on the east side.  The interior was darker but irregular in surface brightness.

18" (10/13/07): 175x gave an excellent view using the NPB filter and the thin, bright irregular rim (only dimming on the east side) and darker center was quite striking.

18" (8/23/03): I took a quick look at 160x from Chew's Ridge with a thin waning crescent low in the ENE.  Without a filter I don't remember the brighter rim being so crisply defined and the annularity so clear.  The superimposed stars gave the planetary a transparent, 3-dimensional feel as if I was seeing inside the object.  

17.5" (1/8/00): at 100x, appears as a moderately bright, 3.5' irregular glow with a darker center and encompassing four stars including the 12th magnitude central star.  Excellent contrast gain using an OIII filter, which sharpens up the edge of the roundish annulus and enhances the irregular surface brightness.  The halo is brightest along a 270° arc running from SW to NE and is clearly weakest at the east edge of the halo.  A mag 11.5 star is embedded at the NW edge of the halo 2.0' from center.  The irregular central hole is much darker but faintly luminous.  A mag 12 star is also superimposed southwest of the central star and a 4th star is just inside the eastern boundary.  The central star forms a thin right triangle with the other two brighter stars.  At 220x, the western 90° outer arc is brightest and there appears to be a knot embedded at the NE edge of the halo.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly bright, large, 4' diameter, annular.  Four stars are involved including the central star.  This planetary has an irregular surface brightness with subtle structure. 

13.1" (many dates from 11/13/82 to  8/24/84): fairly bright with filter, clearly annular, sharper edges.  NGC 255 lies 15' SSE. 

8" (11/5/83): fairly faint, large, four stars involved.  No annularity noted.

16x80 (8/24/84): faintly visible in finder.

80mm finder (10/13/07): visible unfiltered at 25x.  Nice contrast gain using the NPB filter and the planetary also appears to increase in size.

William Herschel discovered NGC 246 = H. V-25 = h56 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478).  He recorded "four or five pretty large stars forming a trapezium of 4 or 5' diameter. The enclosed space is filled up with milky nebulosity faintly terminated. The stars seem to have no connection with the nebulosity."  Immediately afterwards he swept up the galaxy NGC 255, which is 25' NNE.

Isaac Roberts described NGC 246 as a spiral nebula based on an early photograph.  In 1912 Knox-Shaw reported it was not a spiral, but "like the Owl nebula", based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector from 1909-11.  Still Hardcastle later classified NGC 246 as a spiral nebula.  Campbell (at Lick) and Paddock found the spectrum to be of a PN.  Based on a Crossley photograph, Heber Curtis described (1918) "a somewhat irregular oval, brightest on western edge; 4'x3.5' in PA 120°.  Periphery clear-cut, with a broken ring effect.  Very faint, irregular matter in inner parts.  The central star is bluish, and considerably brighter photographically than visually."

The 1973 "Revised New General Catalogue of Nonstellar Objects" (RNGC) reversed the sign of the declination (+), and this typo was copied into some amateur software and digital setting circles.
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NGC 247 = ESO 540-022 = MCG -04-03-005 = UGCA 11 = PGC 2758
00 47 08.2  -20 45 37; Cet
V = 9.1;  Size 21.4'x6.9';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 174°

48" (10/31/13): at 287x, NGC 247 spanned at least 18'x5' NNW-SSE and stretched from an HII region at the NNW tip to beyond the mag 9.5 star (HD 4529) near the SSE end.  A very large, elongated darker region (though not primarily caused by dust extinction), dubbed the "Needle's Eye", forms an interesting feature on the NNW side of the halo.  Visually it extended at least 3.5'x1.0'.

A relatively bright HII knot (identified in NED as MRSS 540-038059 from the "Muenster Red Sky Survey") is beyond this feature at the NNW end of the major axis, 9.5' from center.  This knot appeared fairly faint, relatively large for an HII region, elongated ~N-S, 20"x12".  A second well-defined HII knot is MRSS 540-038506, found 5' NNW of center.  This easy patch appeared fairly faint, elongated, 15"x10".  At least two small knots (including MRSS 540-038001) are on the SW side of the halo, ~2.4' from center and ~1.5' E of a mag 12-12.5 star just off the west edge of the disc.  Finally, I picked up a faint, very small knot, ~6" diameter, situated 3.5' SSE of center and 1.1' N of a mag 13.5 star.  This HII region (not in the MRSS) forms a "double" with a mag 15 star 15" N.

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, very large, bright core, elongated 7:2 N-S, 14'x4'.  The southern extension is brighter and mag 9 SAO 166572 is superimposed at the southern end about 6' from the core.  Burbidge's Chain (VV 518) lies 18' NNE.

13.1" (8/5/83): fairly bright, diffuse, very large, bright core.  

8" (10/4/80): very large, elongated ~N-S, bright core.  A mag 10 star is at the south tip.  The southern extension appears brighter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 247 = H. V-20 = h57 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and logged "a Streak of light about 27' long, and in the brightest part, which was pretty bright is 3' or 4' broad. The extension nearly in the meridian (I believe a little from from S.p. to N.f.) ... The situation is so low, that it would probably appear of much greater extent in a higher altitude."  His size estimate (27') was much too large but it was probably a difficult observation, with the large galaxy at an elevation of 16°.   John Herschel also  observed NGC 247 at Slough on 16 Sep 1830 (sweep 293) and noted "extremely faint; very large; very much elongated; very gradually little brighter middle; 10' long; pos 172.0 deg. Has no bright star in it, but a star 8.9 mag at some distance n.p."  Surprisingly, he made no (published) observations at the Cape of Good Hope.

Based on a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector, Heber Curtis described NGC 247 as "a faint, very large spiral, 18'x5' in p.a. 175°.  Nucleus stellar; many almost stellar condensations.  Whorls somewhat irregular, and indistinct." (1918)
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NGC 248 = SMC-N13A/B = ESO 029-8
00 45 24.0  -73 22 47; Tuc
Size 0.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this fairly faint SMC nebulous cluster appeared as an irregular glow, 0.8'x0.6', elongated NW-SE.  There was a good response using a UHC filter at 76x.  One or two stars or knots are involved including a small nebulous knot at the southeast end (N13A).  NGC 256 lies 8' SSE and NGC 242 is 9' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 248 = h2344 on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "very faint.  Below the pole, and the sweep otherwise irregular."  On a later sweep he recorded "faint, elongated or binuclear, small, very gradually a little brighter in the middle."  His position matches the knot at the southeast end.

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster on 16 Dec 1887 along with a number of other SMC clusters with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  He listed NGC 248 as two separate objects; the NW object (SMC-N13B) was labeled as "F" and called "pF; eeS a faint nebulous star" and the SE object was labeled as "G" (SMC-N13A) and described as "very close to F, almost forms a double nebula - this is a little brighter and larger than F.  pB; vS; R; pmbM."

Annie Jump Cannon discovered the emission knot at the SE end in 1933.
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NGC 249 = SMC-N12B = ESO 029-9
00 45 33  -73 04 48; Tuc
Size 2.0'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): NGC 249 is the first of four striking, collinear SMC nebulae and clusters with NGC 261 5' ESE, SMC-N19 10' ESE and SMC-N30 15' ESE.  At 244x it appeared fairly bright, large, roundish, ~1.5' diameter. A few individual stars were superimposed.  The view with a NPB was superb as the contrast increased as well as the size to over 2'.  NGC 249 resides in a gorgeous region of the SMC with a bright background due to the high star density.  This nebula contains one of only 12 known Wolf-Rayet stars in the SMC (mag 15.5 SMC AB 10).

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC cluster with nebulosity appeared fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, 1.3'x0.9', weakly concentrated. Two or three faint stars are involved including a mag 13 star just north of the center. The UHC filter produces a good contrast boost and increased the size to at least 2'.  Forms a pair with NGC 261 4.5' ESE with NGC 242 18' S.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 249 = D 19 = h2346 on 5 Sep 1826 with his homemade 9" speculum reflector. He recorded "a small faint elliptical nebula - this is the preceding in a line of small faint nebulae."  His position is just 3.7' N of this SMC nebula.

John Herschel recorded NGC 249 on 3 sweeps.  In Sep 1835 (sweep 635), he remarked "faint, large, round; very gradually brighter in the middle; 2' across. Here begins a starry region of the Nubecula Minor."  On 4 Oct 1836 (sweep 738), he wrote, "pretty bright, pretty large, oval, resolvable, 2' diameter."  Herschel noted that Dunlop's D 19 or 21 might be equivaent.
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NGC 250 = UGC 487 = MCG +01-03-002 = CGCG 410-005 = PGC 2765
00 47 16.0  +07 54 36; Psc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 153°

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, almost round, faint stellar nucleus.  Located in the center of a small right triangle consisting of two mag 13.5 stars 2.1' NE and 2.8' NE and a mag 12.5 star 2.7' S.  Located 29' NW of mag 4.4 63 Psc.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 250 = Sw. 3-2 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 17 sec of RA east of UGC 487 = PGC 2765.  His description "in center of 3 stars in form of a right angle triangle" applies to UGC 487, so this identification is secure.
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NGC 251 = UGC 490 = MCG +03-03-003 = CGCG 458-005 = PGC 2806
00 47 54.0  +19 35 48; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 105°

24" (11/21/19): at 322x; nearly moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, decent concentration with a bright core and faint halo that extends over 1'.  The surface brightness seemed irregular like a face-on spiral (it is) and the periphery varied with averted vision.  A mag 12.5 star is 1' NE of center and a 3.5" pair of mag 14.5 stars is just off the E edge.  Located 10' E of mag 6.1 59 Psc.

UGC 477, located 25' WSW, is a challenging edge-on. At 200x and 322x it was very faint, moderately large, very low surface brightness streak ~N-S with only a slightly brighter core region, ~1.5'x0.3'.

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration.  Enclosed by a small group of four mag 12-14.5 stars including a mag 12.5 star (close double) just 0.7' E.  Located 9.5' E of 59 Piscium (V = 6.1).

William Herschel discovered NGC 251 = H. III-204 = h58 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291).  His description reads, "vF, S, s.p. 2 vS stars, a third star in it but not in the center, and I suppose is not connected with it.  240 verified it."  On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 635) he logged "vF, S, little brighter middle, just preceding two stars are in the same meridian."  John Herschel recorded "vF; R; follows a *6.7 40s and is 1.5' north of it.  It is near 2 v s st.  If this be III 204, my father's polar distance is 5' wrong."
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NGC 252 = UGC 491 = MCG +04-03-004 = CGCG 480-007 = Holm 23b = PGC 2819
00 48 01.5  +27 37 26; And
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, moderately large, large slightly elongated halo, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest and first of three with NGC 258 3.2' NE and NGC 260 8.4' NE.  An uneven double star is 4' WNW (9.5/12 at 30").

William Herschel discovered NGC 252 = H. II-609 = h59 = h60 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "pB, S, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made 4 observations under h59 and a 5th observation listed as h60.

Both Herschels missed NGC 258 and NGC 260, which were discovered by Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney on 22 Dec 1848 ("3 neb in a line, 2 of the novae").
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NGC 253 = ESO 474-029 = MCG -04-03-009 = UGCA 13 = PGC 2789 = Sculptor Galaxy = Silver Coin Galaxy
00 47 33.1  -25 17 17; Scl
V = 7.2;  Size 27.5'x6.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 52°

48" (10/23/14): although I've viewed NGC 253 several previous times with Lowrey's 48", I'm always amazed by the spectacular view as the mottled galaxy explodes into numerous bright knots, dusty patches, dark lanes and luminous star associations.  Using a 21mm Ethos (232x), NGC 253 completely filled the 26' field.  The central region of this starburst galaxy displayed a blazing, nonstellar nucleus surrounding by an intense, elongated core with several bright patches around the periphery of the core (segments of the inner spiral arms).  Just northwest and southeast of the nucleus are extremely bright sections of the core.  Since the galaxy is only 12° from edge-on, many visible features extend parallel to the SW-NE major axis (PA = 52°).

A dark lane running SW-NE parallels the core just off its northern side.  Close northwest and parallel to this dust lane is a very bright, fairly narrow arm, extending ~3' in length.  Another thin arm (also running SW-NE) is to the southeast of the core with a prominent, very thin section ~3.5' SW of center, just southwest of a superimposed mag 12.5-13 star.  Three smaller bright patches surround a superimposed star ~2.5' NE of the nucleus.  The brightest and largest of these patches is close southeast of the star.  Further northeast the surface brightness lowers in the outer portion of the galaxy, but it still appears curdled and blotchy.  Several bright stars are near the periphery including a mag 9.3 star 6.2' SW of center and a mag 11.6 star 3.8' W of center.  A brighter patch is ~3.5' WSW of center is near the latter star.  Additional luminous patches are further out on the southwest end.

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): superb view at 152x and 303x with NGC 253 within 10° of the zenith.  Much of the detail seen in Lowrey's 48" was visible, although the bright patches were not quite as contrasty.  The nucleus is a very small region embedded in a very bright, elongated central region that is enhanced immediately south of the nucleus.  A thin, luminous "arm" extends in the direction of the major axis near the north side.  A long spiral "arm" is along the northeast flank of the galaxy, extending 5 or 6' in length.  Three slightly brighter patches were noted to the northeast of the core close to a superimposed star (also marked in the 48" observation).  A bright, elongated strip was along the southwest side, about 2.8' NNW of a mag 9.3 star near the southwest edge (6.2' from center).

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): stunning view in the 13mm Ethos at 264x although the galaxy overfilled the 23' field.  The dust structure and knots were mesmerizing but I didn't take detailed notes.

17.5" (many dates 8/2/86 to 8/29/92): at 100x; very bright, very large, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 30'x5', at 100x.  The galaxy exhibits only a weak central concentration to a small elongated core that is slightly larger than the visible knots.  Remarkable dust structure and mottling visible particularly on the southwest extension and a dark lane runs along the north side.  Three faint HII knots are visible near a superimposed star on the southwest side and a slightly brighter knot lies northeast of a star near the core.

13.1" (9/11/82): very bright, elongated 4:1 SW-NE, very mottled, dust lanes, dark patches, 30' diameter. 

8" (10/4/80 and 9/11/82): very bright, large and elongated!  Mottled appearance, 25'-30' diameter.

10x30mm IS binoculars: easily visible as an elongated glow.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 253 = H. V-1 = h61 = h2345 on 23 Sep 1783 from Datchet with her "small Newtonian Sweeper of 27" focal length [4.2" aperture], and a power of 30."  She entered it as #10 in her discovery log and NGC 253 was the only galaxy she discovered.  William observed it in his 6.2" reflector and described it using 57x as a "nebulous spot lengthened out to a considerable extend from south preceding to north following ..."

William found it again just a month later (30 Oct 1783) while just starting to sweep horizontally with his new 18.7-inch (solo object in sweep 8).  Initially he thought it was new, but after unsuccessfully looking for his sister's nebula, he realized it was the same object.  He wrote, "On looking at the nebula a long while the suspicion of its consisting of stars grows stronger as it begins to put on a faintly mottled appearance."  On 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467) he recorded "about 45' long and 7 or 8' br; cB, much brighter in the middle.  The place taken is that of the brightest part of it, where there is a small star visible, which however I suppose has no connection with the nebula.  It makes an angle of 25 or 40° with the meridian, from sp to nf.  The faint ends of it require much attention to be seen, and I believe extend much farther than I could trace them."

John Herschel recorded it from the Cape as "vvB; vvL; vmE; 30' long, 3' or 4' broad; has several stars in it; gradually much brighter middle to a centre elongated like the nebula itself. The nebula is somewhat streaky and knotty in its constitution and may perhaps be resolvable." A second observation in 1836 was logged as "vvB; vvvL; a superb object; 24' in length, breadth about 3'; pos = 143.8 very exact. Its light is somewhat streaky, but I see no stars in it but 4 large and one very small one, and these seem not to belong to it, there being many near."  In the GC, he noted the position angle should read 54.5°.  John Dunlop didn't publish an observation from Paramatta (near Sydney) as it lies a couple of degrees outside his northern declination cut off.

William Lassell sketched NGC 253 from Malta in November 1863 with his 48".  His sketch included numerous dark lanes and rifts on the southwest side and a very irregular outline. Wilhelm Tempel's sketch with the 11" Amici refractor at Florence captures several small knots (brightest in the nucleus) and accurately depicts the surrounding star field and superimposed stars.  The origin of the "Silver Coin" nickname goes back to at least 1964 (Time-Life International edition of "The Universe"), with the description "Silvery Coin of the flat Sc spiral NGC 253", though the 1962 edition published in the U.S. reads "Silvery Dollar ..."
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NGC 254 = ESO 411-015 = MCG -05-03-005 = AM 0045-314 = PGC 2778
00 47 27.6  -31 25 20; Scl
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 137°

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5' SW of mag 7.1 SAO 192746.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly bright, small, elongated ~E-W, small bright nucleus.  Located 5' SW of a mag 8 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 254 = h2347 on 28 Sep 1834 and logged "vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, 40", has a star 8th mag 5' distant."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 255 = MCG -02-03-017 = PGC 2802
00 47 47.1  -11 28 07; Cet
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

17.5" (8/16/93): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.6', broad mild concentration.  A mag 14 star lies 2.5' ESE.  Forms a pair with MCG -02-03-13 11' NNW.  Planetary nebulae NGC 246 is located 25' SSW.

13.1" (8/24/84): similar to previous observation but exhibits a weak concentration.

13.1" (11/5/83): moderately bright, fairly small, round, no noticeable concentration.  

8" (8/28/81): faint, small, round.  Located 25' NNE of NGC 246.

William Herschel discovered NGC 255 = H. II-472 = h62 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "F, pS."  The previous object discovered in the sweep was the large planetary NGC 246.

John Herschel made a single observation, "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  In 1912 Harold Knox-Shaw identified this galaxy as an "spiral with many stellar condensations in the whorls", based on photographs taken with the 30" Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11.
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NGC 256 = ESO 029-11 = Lindsay 30
00 45 54  -73 30 24; Tuc
V = 12.5;  Size 0.9'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; bright, fairly small, roughly triangular outline, 30"-35" diameter, high surface brightness, bright core, mottled.  A few faint stars were resolved.  A mag 9.7 star (HD 4558) lies 2' NNE.  Several clusters are nearby; NGC 265 is 5.8' ENE, NGC 269 is 10' ESE, NGC 248 is 8' NNW and NGC 242 is 11' NW.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, triangular or wedge-shaped, 30" diameter.  Weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core but there was no resolution.  Located 1.9' SSW of mag 9.7 HD 4558 (foreground star), which detracts somewhat from viewing.  NGC 248 lies 8' NNW and several clusters are within 15' including NGC 265 6' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 256 = h2348 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and described "not vF, S, R, has a star 9th mag Nf."  On a second sweep he logged "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40" south of a star 8th mag. (In Nubecula Minor)."  His third observation reads "F, little extended, 30", precedes a star 9th mag" and a fourth record states "F, S, R, 18"; a star 9th mag Nf."

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster on 16 Dec 1887, along with a number of other SMC clusters, with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  He described NGC 256 (labeled as "H" as "follows G [NGC 248] by 30s and is 7' 20" south of it.  pB, very small, sparkling, stars are in it - resolvable?  Probably a group of close stars, only few - immersed in very faint nebulosity."
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NGC 257 = UGC 493 = MCG +01-03-003 = CGCG 410-006 = PGC 2818
00 48 01.6  +08 17 48; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 105°

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~E-W, weakly concentrated but no core.  The galaxy is between a mag 9 star is 5' S and a mag 8.4 star is 6' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 257 = H. II-863 on 29 Dec 1790 (sweep 991). He logged "pretty bright, little extended, gradually brighter middle, resolvable."  John Herschel made no observations, though Stephan measured a position on 23 Aug 1871.
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NGC 258 = MCG +04-03-005 = Holm 23d = PGC 2829
00 48 12.8  +27 39 26; And
V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 11 star is close WSW 40" from center.  Second of three with NGC 252 3.2' SW and NGC 260 5.3' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 258 on 22 Dec 1848.  This was his first discovery and he noted "3 nebulae in line, 2 of them novae."  The field was observed no less than 7 times at Birr Castle, though the descriptions are sometimes contradictory and made under poor conditions. Stoney probably also discovered NGC 260 to the northeast (the 3rd nebulae), and it was also seen in 1854, though d'Arrest was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 259 = MCG -01-03-015 = Holm 22a = PGC 2820
00 48 03.2  -02 46 31; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 140°

17.5" (11/28/97): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.7', broad concentration.  Forms the vertex of a right isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 3' SSE and a mag 11.5 star 3.4' WSW.  MCG -01-03-012 lies 14' WNW (see notes for NGC 331).

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus, pretty system.  Forms a right angle with a mag 10.5 star 3' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 259 = H. II-621 = H. II-703 = h63 = h64 on 13 Dec 1786 (sweep 646).  He recorded II.621 as "faint, elongated from np to sf, 1 1/2' long, little brighter middle."  He found it again the following year on 11 Sept 1787 (sweep 756) and Caroline assumed it was new.  As a result it was catalogued again as II. 703 (both numbers in his second catalogue).

Strangely, John Herschel also recorded the galaxy twice, as h63 (called a "Nova") and h64 = H. II-621.  Heinrich d'Arrest noted the equivalence of both entries. See notes in the GC and NGC.
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NGC 260 = UGC 497 = MCG +04-03-006 = CGCG 480-009 = Holm 23c = PGC 2844
00 48 34.6  +27 41 33; And
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated.  A faint mag 14.5-15.0 star is close NE.  This galaxy is the third of three with NGC 252 8.4' SW and NGC 258.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 260 on 22 Dec 1848 with LdR's 72" and recorded "3 nebulae in a line nff, preceding one = h59 [NGC 252], other two vF [NGC 258 and NGC 260], middle one [NGC 258] eF, vS, distance of extremes about 12'."  Although NGC 260 = UGC 497 is 9' ESE of NGC 252, it is collinear with the other two, and most likely the 3rd nebula seen by Stoney.  Another observation in 1854 also mentions "3 neb".

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 260 on 27 Aug 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position matches UGC 497.  He noted it was "one of Rosse's" although d'Arrest, instead of LdR, was credited with the discovery by Dreyer.  Édouard Stephan also made an observation on 28 Oct 1877, after observing NGC 252, though he was likely already aware of NGC 260.
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NGC 261 = SMC-N12A = ESO 029-12
00 46 29  -73 06 06; Tuc
Size 1.8'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; NGC 261 is a prominent, fairly large roundish glow, ~1.25' diameter, with a high surface brightness. It surrounds a 13.5-magnitude H-alpha emission star (SK 9 = Lin 78).  Excellent contrast gain adding a NPB (narrow-bandpass) filter yielding a superb 2' nebula, sandwiched between similar NGC 249 5' WNW and the stellar association Hodge 12 with nebulosity (SMC-N19).  A number of stars are close east (part of the association) including three collinear mag 13.5-14 stars 2' E and a 4th mag 12.5 star 3' E.

SMC-N19 lies 5' ESE.  At 244x it was a fairly faint, very large nebulous glow, ~3' diameter.   With careful viewing an uncatalogued detached piece is sometimes visible to the NW (centered at 00 47.5 -73 05) and very faint nebulosity spreads to the southwest for a total diameter of 4' diameter.  Unfiltered, a 6' cloud of at least 50 mag 12.5-15 stars (Hodge Association 12) are involved with the nebula. At the west edge is mag 12.9 RMC 4, a candidate Luminous Blue Variable.

SMC-N30 lies ~11' ESE.  At 244x unfiltered it was a fairly easy, fairly large, irregular curving or kidney-shaped nebula SW-NE, ~1.5'x0.8'. Unfiltered a couple of 14th magnitude stars are involved. Adding a NPB filter, the nebulosity was prominent and filled in to a more roundish outline. 

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC HII region appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter with a single mag 13 star at the center (emission-line star Lin 78 = SK 9, a high-mass X-ray binary).  A UHC filter produced a good contrast gain and increased the size to over 2'.  A group of four stars follows including supergiant SK 13 (three brighter in a string and one faint star) and a number of faint stars are scattered nearby.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 249 4.5' WNW.  NGC 267 lies 12' SE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 261= h2349 = D 4 = D 21 on 1 Aug 1826.  He described "a considerable condensation of the nebulous matter of an irregular figure in the margin of the bright part of the cloud, 2' or 3' diameter.  His position is about 7' too far ENE, though the description probably applies to both NGC 249 and NGC 261 and perhaps N19.  His published description for D 4, though, is "faint round nebula, about 30" diameter."   D 21 was logged during a drift on 5 Sep after recording D 19 = NGC 249.  He noted a "small round faint nebula." and his position was 3' to the north (same offset as NGC 249).

John Herschel made 3 observations, first logging it in Sep 1835 (sweep 625) as "very faint, round, gradually brighter in the middle, 2' across, resolvable."  On 4 Oct 1836 (sweep 738), he described it as "pretty bright, round, 60". Has a star 13th mag in centre. Occurs in a field illuminated by the Nubecular Minor and many stars."  Herschel noted this object could be either Dunlop 3, 4 or 21.
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NGC 262 = UGC 499 = MCG +05-03-008 = Mrk 348 = PGC 2855
00 48 47.1  +31 57 25; And
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (11/24/14): moderately bright, small, round, dominated by a high surface brightness core that increases to the center, very low surface brightness halo, ~25" diameter.  Forms a pair with LEDA 212600 just 1.2' E.  The companion appeared very faint, round, just 10" diameter. It was too faint (V = 15.4) for any details.

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, small, round, bright core.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus about 15th magnitude.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 262 = Sw. 2-10 on 17 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 15 sec of RA east of UGC 499.  Bigourdan's measured an accurate RA on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 263 = MCG -02-03-021 = PGC 2856
00 48 48.4  -13 06 27; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 30" W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 263 = LM 1-13 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is close to MCG -02-03-021 = PGC 2856.
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NGC 264 = ESO 295-006 = MCG -07-02-016 = PGC 2831
00 48 21.0  -38 14 04; Scl
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 113°

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.3'.  Contains a very small brighter core with direct vision.  A group of 4 stars including mag 9 HD 4735, that nearly form a trapezoid, follows by ~6'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 264 = h2350 on 30 Aug 1834 and noted "F, S, R, very small & very much brighter middle to a star 13th mag. A trapezium of large stars follows."
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NGC 265 = ESO 029-14 = Lindsay 34
00 47 10  -73 28 36; Tuc
V = 12.0;  Size 1.0'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; bright, fairly large, irregular outline, ~1' diameter, mottled appearance, brighter on the north end.  A few resolved stars occasionally sparkled.  Three other clusters are within 6'; NGC 256 to the WSW, Kron 25 is 3.6' WSW and NGC 269 to the SE.  A mag 9.7 star is 4.8' W and a mag 8.5 star is 9' E.  Situated in a very rich field of faint stars with numerous HII regions and clusters to the north.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, 1' diameter, round, fairly symmetrical appearance with no concentration.  NGC 256 lies 5.7' WSW with NGC 269 6' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 265 = h2351 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and remarked "vF; situated on the edge of the Nubecula Minor." On a later sweep he recorded as "vF, R, 30 arcseconds."

Pietro Baracchi observed this SMC cluster, along with many others, on 16 Dec 1887 with the Melbourne telescope.  He called it "pB; S; R, gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 266 = UGC 508 = MCG +05-03-009 = CGCG 501-022 = PGC 2901
00 49 47.8  +32 16 40; Psc
V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x2.9';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located on the Andromeda border 4' N of mag 8.2 SAO 54174.  Brightest in a large group (LGG 014).

William Herschel discovered NGC 266 = H. III-153 = h65 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and noted "vF, pL, little extended, r, very little brighter towards the following side."  John Herschel observed NGC 266 on 4 sweeps and 5 observations were made by Lord Rosse's assistants.  On 18 Sep 1857 it was described as "S, pB disc, in vF haze of mottled nebulosity, which seems brightest in a line p and f."  E.E. Barnard found NGC 266 in Feb 1889 while sweeping with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He described it as "R, 1' +/- or less, bM to faint nucleus of 13m."
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NGC 267 = SMC-N22 = ESO 029-15
00 48 02.9  -73 16 27; Tuc
Size 2.5'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; bright, very large nebulous cluster, slightly elongated N-S, ~2'x1.6'.   Removing the filter, several faint stars were peppered across the glow (this is Hodge Association 15.)  Very good contrast gain using the NPB filter.

SMC-N25 is a separate 1' patch 2' NNE that appeared fairly bright (with the filter), moderately large, round glow, ~50" diameter.  SMC-N28 is a very large, lower surface brightness patch (barely detached from NGC 267), ~1.5' diameter, centered ~2.3' ENE of NGC 267.  On close inspection it was divided into two sections on the north and south side and weaker in the center.  The southern section (SMC-N28A) was extended E-W and slightly brighter.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC cluster with nebulosity appears as a fairly faint, fairly large irregular glow ~2'x1.4'.  The surface was grainy with a half-dozen mag 14 stars resolved (Hodge Association 15).  There was a good response using a UHC filter, which increased the size of the visible nebulosity.  Collinear with two mag 10.5 stars ~6' SE.  A string of brighter stars to the north heads east for 17' towards NGC 290.  LHa 115-N25, a very small detached piece ~2' N, appears as a 15" glow and increases the total size to nearly 5'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 267 = h2352 in the SMC on 4 Oct 1836 and recorded "a faint, pretty large, cluster of very small stars. It is the preceding knot (or centre of condensation) of the resolvable portion of the Nubecula Minor which fills the subsequent field and consists of irregularly scattered clustered stars 12...20th mag."  His position is on the southwest side of the cluster/nebula.

Pietro Baracchi observed this nebulous cluster (labeled as "I prime" on 17 Dec 1887 with the 48" Melbourne telescope. He logged it as "Cl; F; pL; very faint stars.  Not observed last night."
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NGC 268 = MCG -01-03-017 = PGC 2927
00 50 09.4  -05 11 38; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, weak concentration but no nucleus.  Lies west of a group of four bright stars including mag 8.5 SAO 128977 5' NE, mag 7.8 SAO 128978 9' SSE, mag 8.5 SAO 128987 15' E and mag 6.8 SAO 128986 18' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 268 = H. III-463 = h66 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 474) and logged "vF, pL, irr R, resolvable."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 269 = ESO 029-016 = Lindsay 37
00 48 21  -73 31 54; Tuc
V = 12.6;  Size 0.6'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; bright, fairly large, round, 45" diameter.  This SMC cluster contains a relatively large brighter core that appeared a little lively but showed no resolution.  A mag 10.5 star is 3' SE.  Kron 25, situated 3' NNW, appeared  fairly faint, irregular glow, ~35" diameter, low surface brightness.  NGC 269 is located in a rich SMC region with numerous clusters and nebulae to the north.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration but no core or resolution.  A 2.5' string of three stars follows by 2'-3' and a mag 11 star lies 3' SE.  Situated in a rich SMC star field 6' SE of NGC 265.

John Herschel discovered NGC 269 = h2353 on 5 Nov 1836 in the SMC and described as "vF; S; R; 30"."  His position is accurate.

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster on 16 and 17 Dec 1887, along with a number of other SMC clusters, with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  He described NGC 269 (labeled as "L") as "F ,S , R, gradually brighter in the middle.  This follows K [Kron 25] by 21s and is 2' 40" south of it.  A star 10m follows L by 64s and is 3' north of it."
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NGC 270 = MCG -02-03-027 = PGC 2938
00 50 32.4  -08 39 07; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  NGC 277 is 12' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 270 = H. III-955 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1086). He logged "considerably faint, very small, irregularly round."  His position is accurate, though nearby NGC 277 was missed.
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NGC 271 = UGC 519 = MCG +00-03-012 = CGCG 384-013 = PGC 2949
00 50 41.9  -01 54 37; Cet
V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  Mag 8.4 SAO 128981 is off the SE edge 1.5' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 271 = H. II-446 = h67 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and noted "F, S, E, milky; about 1 1/2' preceding a pB star."  On 13 Dec 1786 (sweep 646) he noted "pB, R, much brighter in the middle, about 1' south preceding a bright star." John Herschel logged "Not vF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 30"; a star 8-9m follows."
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NGC 272 = OCL-312
00 51 25  +35 49 18; And
V = 8.5;  Size 5'

17.5" (9/26/92): 9 stars in a 5' diameter forming a "hook" asterism.  Includes a mag 9 star and a close double star.  Appears to be fully resolved and only an unimpressive, scattered asterism.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 272 on 2 Aug 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position points directly to this group of stars.  It is listed in the 4th edition of the Gosta Lynga catalogue but was removed from the 5th edition.  Visually it appears to be a scattered asterism.
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NGC 273 = MCG -01-03-019 = KTS 7A = PGC 2959
00 50 48.4  -06 53 08; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 105°

24" (10/5/13): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, ~48"x16".  Contains a very small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is off the NW edge by ~20".  NGC 272/274 = Arp 140 lies 11' SSE.

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W.  A mag 14 star is off the NW edge, 42" from center.  NGC 272/274, a contact pair of galaxies, lies 11' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 273 = H. III-430 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and noted "vF, vS.  This precedes the former [NGC 274]".  The NGC position from Wilhelm Tempel is accurate.
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NGC 274 = Arp 140 NED1 = VV 81a = Holm 26b = MCG -01-03-021 = KTS 7B = LGG 015-002 = PGC 2980
00 51 01.9  -07 03 28; Cet
V = 11.8;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 155°

24" (10/5/13): bright, round, fairly small, 0.6' diameter, sharply concentrated with a small intensely bright core that gradually increases to the center, but no nucleus.  This is the brighter but smaller component of a striking double system (Arp 140 = VV 81) with NGC 275, which is attached on the SE side.  NGC 273 lies 11' NNW.  Part of the NGC 337 group (LGG 015)

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, small, compact, very small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 275 1' SE.

8" (11/13/82): faint, very small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 274 = H. III-429 = h69 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435), although he only noted a single object as "vF, pS, E."

The pair was observed 8 times with Lord Rosse's 72-inch.  On 3 Oct 1856, assistant R.J. Mitchell's wrote, "69 [NGC 274] is S, B, R, with bright nucleus; 70 [NGC 275] is F, E and patchy.  Suspect formed of two knots involved in faint nebulosity; there appears to be a nebulous connexion between them all."  On 15 Nov 1857, Lord Rosse experimented with a silvered secondary (the speculum secondary was covered with a thin silver layer) and noted "silvered mirror shows the object brighter than before, but no new details.”
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NGC 275 = Arp 140 NED2 = VV 81b = Holm 26a = MCG -01-03-022 = KTS 7C = LGG 015-002 = PGC 2984
00 51 04.5  -07 03 56; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

24" (10/5/13): at 375x appeared moderately to fairly bright, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~45"x27".  Very unusual patchy, irregular appearance!  A brighter elongated N-S patch (or arm) is on the east end.  Also the southwest border is slightly brighter with a sharp, curving edge. This edge is more prominent at the NW end of the galaxy, where it merges with NGC 274 just northwest.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 274 1' NW.

8" (11/13/82): faint, very small, round.

John Herschel discovered NGC 275 = h70 on 9 Oct 1828 and logged "A fine double neb; the preceding only seen by my father.  pB; S; suddenly much brighter middle.  The f is vF; S; R; pos = 60°; dist of centres 40".  The neb join at borders."  Also see the observations using Lord Rosse's 72" under NGC 274.

Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory with the Reynolds reflector in 1927-31, NGC 275 was described as an "irregula nebula with 4 pB stellar knots, and one vF knot involved.  These knots are joined together in the form of an "M", the preceding side of which curves round and extends as far as NGC 274."
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NGC 276 = IC 1591 = ESO 474-034 = MCG -04-03-021 = PGC 3054
00 52 06.5  -22 40 49; Cet
V = 14.9;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 90°

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, very small, 20" diameter.  This is a threshold object and can just glimpse at moments.  No details visible including shape but detection repeated several times.  View hampered by mag 7.6 SAO 166640 4.0' NNE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 276 = LM 2-294 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and he noted a "*11, position 0° [North] Delta 3.2'."  His position is 1.2 min of RA west of ESO 474-034 = PGC 3054.  This galaxy was independently found by DeLisle Stewart on a Harvard plate, correctly placed, and catalogued as HN 123 (later IC 1591).  But Muller's note about the star (much brighter than 11th magnitude!) clearly establishes that NGC 276 = IC 1591, with the discovery priority going to Muller. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 276 in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 277 = MCG -02-03-028 = PGC 2995
00 51 17.2  -08 35 49; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, very small, round.  A mag 11 star is just off the NW edge 50" from core.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 277 on 8 Oct 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position and description of the nearby mag 11 star (52" distant) is a perfect match with PGC 2995.
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NGC 278 = UGC 528 = MCG +08-02-016 = CGCG 550-016 = PGC 3051
00 52 04.3  +47 33 02; Cas
V = 10.8;  Size 2.1'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.2

48" (10/27/16): at 610x and 813x; NGC 278 is extremely bright, large, the halo has a squarish appearance, ~1.4' diameter, high surface brightness.  Very well concentrated with an intense round core that increases to the center.  Sections of the two main thick spiral arms are visible, particularly along the north and south portion of the halo.  Slightly darker lanes outline the inside of the arms. The inner arm sections are only noticed as subtle brighter patches.  A well defined, small knot is on the east side of the halo [25" from center] and a second small knot is on the northeast side [23" from center].  These two star-forming complexes are catalogued as X-ray sources in NED.  I also noted a third object at the NE edge, but at this position on the HST image is a very faint star.

17.5" (10/13/90): bright, moderately large, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 3' S of mag 8.8 SAO 36725.

14.5" (12/17/20): fairly bright striking galaxy, moderately large, 1.25' diameter, high surface brightness, large bright core, sharp stellar nucleus. The halo has an irregular surface brightness, well defined periphery.

William Herschel discovered NGC 278 = H. I-159 = h71 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 644) and logged "very bright, round, very gradually much brighter middle, about 1.5' dia., about 1' south of a pretty considerable star."  At the latitude of Slough, the galaxy transited the meridian just 5° from the zenith.  On 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) he noted "considerably bright, round, very gradually brighter middle, about 1 1/2' dia.

Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell made an observation on 16 Oct 1855: "pretty bright, round, nucleus, light certainly patchy, but I can distinguish no stars in it.  It is a right handed spiral??  I suspect a faint star cluster following the nebula."
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NGC 279 = UGC 532 = MCG +00-03-19A = Mrk 558 = PGC 3055
00 52 08.9  -02 13 07; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 5°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 279 = H. III-439 = h73 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "vF, S, irr figure."  John Herschel made two observations of NGC 279 at Slough.
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NGC 280 = UGC 534 = MCG +04-03-013 = CGCG 480-017 = PGC 3076
00 52 29.9  +24 21 01; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 95°

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the SE edge 1.0' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 280 = H. III-477 = h72 on 5 Dec 1785 (sweep 484) and logged "vF, S, R, just preceding a vF star."  This galaxy was observed with on 3 nights at Birr Castle and R.J. Mitchell recorded on 26 Oct 1854, "F object with two nuclei, possibly a spiral."  There is no double nuclei, but the spiral suggestion is correct.
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NGC 281 = IC 11 = IC 1590 = Cr 8 = LBN 616 = Sh 2-184 = Ced 3 = Pacman Nebula
00 52 49  +56 37 40; Cas
Size 35'x30'

18" (2/16/07): remarkable view of this detailed emission nebula/cluster at 115x and 220x.  Without a filter at 220x about three dozen stars are visible in the region of the nebula, including a number of faint stars.  At the center of the cluster (IC 1590) and nebula (NGC 281) is the multiple star HD 5005 = Burnham 1, a striking triple with a difficult 4th component at 1.1".  A 13" pair of mag 11.5 stars lie 0.9' SW of Burnham 1.

The nebulosity responded dramatically to both UHC and OIII filters.  The two brightest regions have a butterfly appearance with the lobes or wings partially divided by a curving dust lane oriented roughly N-S. A fainter detached portion is on the SE side.  The overall dimensions extend to 15'-18'.  The two lobes are fairly similar in size and surface brightness, though the E section is larger including the S piece.  The W section has the brightest and most sharply defined edge running along its S border and oriented E-W.  A long straight dust lane extends along the southern boundary of both lobes and defines the sharp edge on the western lobe.  The curving central dust lane intrudes into the nebula on the south side and nearly divides the two sections, though weak nebulosity connects the two wings.

17.5" (9/28/02): the bright central quadruple (ADS 719 = Burnham 1) includes a mag 8.6/9.1/9.8 trio at 4" and 9".  At 140x, a fainter companion (mag 10) at 1.54" separation was just visible close following the brightest member and is cleanly resolved at 324x.

17.5" (10/17/98): spectacular view of this detailed HII region at 100x using an OIII filter.  This 15' nebulous complex has a mushroom appearance and is separated into three main lobes apparently by dust.  The brightest and largest lobe is following a bright triple star embedded near the center (8.6/9.2/9.8 at 4" and 9").  There appears to be a much fainter detached piece off the south end of this lobe.  Preceding the triple star is a section that is noticeably elongated and irregular in surface brightness fading to the NW.  The section to the north is faintest and separated from the eastern lobe by a curving dark lane.  A dark intrusion, apparently due to obscuring dust, is visible south of the triple star.

13.1" (8/24/84): very large, fascinating nebulosity, very irregular, dark gaps between sections, five brighter stars mag 8.6-12.5 involved.  The brightest star is a very close double.

80mm (2/16/07): at 13x and a UHC filter, the PacMan nebula is easily visible surrounding the central star.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 281 visually on 26 Nov 1881 (Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2, p226 and AN 108, 369) with his 5-inch refractor at Nashville and recorded a "large, faint nebula, very diffuse, not less than 10' diameter."  IC 11, found around 1892 by Barnard using the 6-inch Cooke refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory in Nashville (probably relayed directly to Dreyer) was placed 30 min of RA west, but Corwin notes that the description "vF, L, triple * on np corner" points to NGC 281 and perhaps he made a transcription error.  IC 1590, discovered by Bigourdan on 31 Oct 1899 is a large, scattered cluster on the west side.  NGC 281 is misclassified as an open cluster in the RNGC, as Barnard made no reference to a cluster.
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NGC 282 = MCG +05-03-015 = CGCG 501-030 = PGC 3090
00 52 42.2  +30 38 21; Psc
V = 13.7;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 2' N of mag 8.4 SAO 54223.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 282 = St. 10-3 on 6 Oct 1869 and recorded an unpublished position 1' SE of center.  He published an accurate micrometric position made 10 years later on 13 Oct 1879 with description, "faint, small, round, little brighter middle."
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NGC 283 = MCG -02-03-031 = PGC 3124
00 53 13.2  -13 09 50; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  PA = 160°

24" (10/5/13): first and largest of five galaxies including four similar NGCs and much fainter MCG -02-03-03.  At 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NE.  NGC 284 and 285 follow directly east by 2.7' and 4.1' with NGC 286 5.2' NE and much fainter PGC 173072 is 1.9' NNE.  The entire quintet fits in a 5' circle.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NE.  First of four similar galaxies with NGC 284 3' E and NGC 285 5' E almost on a line.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 283 = LM 1-14 (along with NGCs 284, 285 and 286) on 2 Oct 1886.  He gave the same positions for NGC 283, 284 and 285 in his discovery list, although the (rough) position is good.  NGC 286 was placed 2' further N.  Since the positions were only given to the nearest minute of RA, this is reasonable and his rough position is a reasonable match with MCG -02-03-031 = PGC 3124.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 of NGC 282, 284, 285 and 286 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 284 = MCG -02-03-032 = PGC 3131
00 53 24.2  -13 09 33; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15".  Collinear with NGC 285 1.4' E and NGC 283 2.7' W, all three similar in brightness.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NW with MCG -02-03-032 2.4' NW.

17.5" (10/28/89): extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' NW.  Second of four similar galaxies with NGC 283 3' E, NGC 285 1.5' E and NGC 286 3' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 284 = LM 1-15 (along with NGCs 283, 285, and 286) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-032 = PGC 3131.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 285 = MCG -02-03-033 = PGC 3141
00 53 29.8  -13 09 39; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 18"x15", very small brighter nucleus.  Third in a string with similar NGC 284 1.4' W and NGC 283 4.1' W.  NGC 286 is ~3' due N.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round.  Third of four in a group and third of three almost on a line with NGC 283 and NGC 286 3.5' S.  Appears similar to NGC 284 2' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 285 = LM 1-16 (along with NGCs 283, 284 and 286) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-033 = PGC 3141.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 286 = MCG -02-03-034 = PGC 3142
00 53 30.3  -13 06 46; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 175°

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 N-S, 40"x30", weak concentration, small brighter nucleus.  By a slight margin, the brightest in a compact quartet of similar NGC galaxies with NGC 283/284/285 in an east-west string just 3' S.  Also PGC 173072, a much fainter galaxy, lies 3.7' SW.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  Fourth of four with NGC 285 3.5' S and NGC 284 4' SSW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 286 = LM 1-17 (along with NGCs 283, 284 and 285) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-034 = PGC 3142.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 287 = CGCG 501-033 = PGC 3145
00 53 28.3  +32 28 56; Psc
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  PA = 15°

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 287 = h75 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "eF; S; R.  The faintest object imaginable; (night wonderfully clear)." His position matches CGCG 501-033 = PGC 3145.  This galaxy is not catalogued in the RC 3, MCG or UGC.
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NGC 288 = ESO 474-37
00 52 45.2  -26 35 03; Scl
V = 8.1;  Size 13.8';  Surf Br = 0.1

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): this very loose globular appeared fully resolved at 303x.  There were too many stars to possibly count, but certainly several hundred were resolved including a number of relatively bright stars (brightest members mag 12.6).  The core was loosely overlaid with a dozen or so brighter stars.  A number of stars in the halo appeared to be arranged in strings and arcs including one string extending towards the west.

18" (1/1/08): at 220x-280x, ~60 stars were resolved in an 8' diameter.  This globular has a very loose, irregular appearance with a very small brighter core containing a clump of resolved stars.  A string of stars running SSW-NNE runs through the west side of the halo with a brighter star (double) at the NNE end of this string.  A roughly parallel string also passes through the east side of the halo.  Located 1.8° SE of NGC 253 and form a nice pair in the 80mm finder at 13x.

18" (8/25/06): this bright globular is quite loose (concentration class 10) and well-resolved at 220x over the entire face and halo.  The outer halo is very irregular with a scraggly appearance and extends to 8'-10' in diameter.  Roughly 100 stars were resolved in total.

18" (8/23/03): bright but loose globular, well-resolved at 323x into 75-100 stars (difficult to count).  A number of the stars are clearly aligned in long chains.

17.5" (8/29/92): very bright, very large, round, ~8' diameter.  Well-resolved over entire disc into 75-100 stars mag 13-15 over background glow although not densely packed.  Observation made from the White Mountains (12,500 ft).  In a previous observation, roughly 60 stars were resolved, only weakly concentrated in core.

13.1" (9/11/82 and 11/5/83): 30-40 stars resolved over haze.

8" (10/31/81): faint stars resolved across entire disc at 200x with averted, many near visual limit

8" (10/4/80): very large, grainy, few stars resolved at the NW and south edges, other clumps on the verge of resolution.

15x50mm (8/25/06): easily visible in IS binoculars as a fairly large, diffuse glow.

8x50mm (11/5/82): fairly easy at just 8x.

William Herschel discovered NGC 288 = H. VI-20 = h74 = h2354 on 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467).  He described it as "pretty bright, large, oval round, brighter in the middle, 7 or 8' long, 4 or 5' br."  His summary description (including a 2nd observation) reads "cB, irregularly round, 8 or 9' diameter, a great many of the stars visible, so that there can remain no doubt but that it is a cluster of vS stars."  Caroline Herschel missed this cluster two years earlier when she discovered NGC 253.

John Herschel observed this globular both at Slough and at the Cape.  From the southern hemisphere is called it a "globular cluster; bright; large; round; gradually brighter in the middle; all resolved into stars 12..16 mag; 5' diameter."

NGC 288 has a galactic latitude of -89.4°, so it is within 37' of the south galactic pole.
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NGC 289 = ESO 411-025 = VV 484 = AM 0050-312 = MCG -05-03-010 = PGC 3089
00 52 41.6  -31 12 28; Scl
V = 11.0;  Size 5.1'x3.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 130°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly bright, fairly large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is off the NW edge 3.2' from the center.  Brightest in a group that includes NGC 254 situated 1.1° WSW.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly bright, oval ~E-W.  A mag 13 star is off the west edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 289 = h2355 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "vB; L; pmE; oval; has a star 11th mag north preceding.". His position and description is accurate.

In 1914, Hardcastle classified NGC 246 as a "spindle-shaped nebula" but the following year, Knox-Shaw reported it was a"open spiral" based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector.  
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NGC 290 = ESO 029-019 = Lindsay 42
00 51 14  -73 09 42; Tuc
V = 11.7;  Size 0.8'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, fairly small, irregular, triangular shaped, 40" diameter.  A star or quasi-stellar knot is at the north tip.  SMC-N45, located 4.5' SE, appeared bright, moderately large, irregular or triangular in shape, 35"-40" diameter.  Several very faint stars are superimposed or at the edges of the glow including a couple of mag 15 stars at the south edge and a couple of mag 15.5 stars at the east edge.  Two mag 13/14 stars lie 0.8' SE. 

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, very small, granular, 20" diameter, brighter core.  A faint star or knot is at the north edge (may be a compact HII region).  A pair of mag 10/11 stars 8' NE are collinear with the cluster.

LHA 115-N45 (cluster with nebulosity) lies 4.5' SE.  This SMC HII region and cluster appeared as a faint, elongated patch with a few faint stars resolved around the edges.

John Herschel discovered NGC 290 = h2357 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and simply logged "eF".  His position (single sweep) is about 35" N of the cluster.  

Glen Cozens associates Dunlop's D 5, discovered on 5 Sep 1826, with NGC 290.  Dunlop's rather generic description "a faint ill-defined nebula about 12" diameter" and poor match in position (12' to the SE), makes this identification rather arbitrary.  In fact, his position for D 5 is 5' due north of NGC 294, which seems a more logical assignment.
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NGC 291 = MCG -02-03-035 = PGC 3140
00 53 29.8  -08 46 04; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 45°

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, very thin extensions.  Located 12' W of 21 Ceti (V = 6.2) at the edge of 220x field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 291 = m 17 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, vS, little extended, alm stellar."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 292 = ESO 029-021 = PGC 3085 = Small Magellanic Cloud = SMC
00 52 38  -72 49 40; Tuc
V = 2.3;  Size 320'x185';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 45°

18" (7/6/02 - 7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory): During a week's stay I went through the most prominent clusters and nebulae in the SMC using the fork-mounted 18" at Zane Hammond's observatory.

Naked-eye (6/29/02 - Bargo): this number refers to the entire SMC.  My first view of the SMC was outside Sydney with Les Dalrymple.  I only took observing notes (through a 12.2") on SMC globular NGC 121 and nearby cluster Kron 3, as well as 47 Tucanae.

Amerigo Vespucci was probably the first northern hemisphere explorer to report seeing the SMC in 1501, 20 years earlier than Magellan.  Elly Dekker made this conclusion based on Vespucci's description of the southern sky in a 1990 article titled "The light and the dark: A reassessment of the discovery of the Coalsack Nebula, the magellanic clouds and the southern cross."

John Herschel (h2356) has two entries describing the SMC: "I should consider this to be about the main body of the Nubecula Minor, which is here fairly resolved into excessively minute stars, which are however certainly seen with the left eye. [12 Aug 1834]"  On a later sweep he noted: "Hereabouts seems to be placed the main body of the Nubecula Minor which is a Faint, Rich, Large Cluster of very small stars (12..18) filling many fields, and broken up into many knots, groups, and straggling branches. But the whole is clearly resolved into stars. [21 Sep 1835]"

Pietro Baracchi observed the region between NGC 220 and NGC 294 over 16 and 17 Dec 1887 using the 48" Melbourne telescope.  Along with discovering a few new objects that went uncredited (Bruck 67 near NGC 294, Kron 25, SMC-N45), he wrote "About this region there is a very large cluster of stars scattered in an irregular way - from 12 to 18.  This covers more than one field ..with the supposed [GC 166 = NGC 294], there are other small groups surrounded by extremely faint nebulosity; and along this space occupied by the objects from A [NGC 220] to N [NGC 294] there are several stars which seem to be nebulous.  All the region along with these objects the sky is almost continuously covered with a multitude of stars, which render the observations difficult and confusing."
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NGC 293 = MCG -01-03-030 = PGC 3195
00 54 16.0  -07 14 08; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 10°

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is off the SE end 1.1' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 298 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 293 = m 18 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, S."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 294 = ESO 029-22 = Lindsay 47
00 53 05  -73 22 49; Tuc
V = 12.2;  Size 0.8'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; bright, moderately large, round, 40" diameter, slightly mottled but there was evident no resolution.  Bruck 67, located just 2.3' SSW, appeared faint, fairly small, irregular low surface brightness patch, 35" diameter.

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 45"-50" diameter, contains a bright core.  The halo has a smooth moderately high surface brightness but there were no resolved stars.  Four mag 12-13 stars forming a parallelogram are centered 4.5' NW, but there are no bright stars in the immediately field.  Bruck 67, a slightly smaller irregular glow with a low surface brightness, lies 2.2' SW.  NGC 267 lies 23' WNW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 294 = D 5 or D 6 = h2358 on 5 Sep 1826.  He described D 5 as "a small faint nebula, about 10" or 12" diameter." and D 6 as "a faint nebula, about 20" diameter".  D 5 was placed 5' too far N, while D 6 (logged next on the drift) is 5' too far SSE.  Either could apply.

John Herschel first observed this nebula on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441).  He simply noted "eF.  In a sweep below the Pole." and added a note later "This obs give 47 -- instead of 46 -- for the min of RA.  The earlier minute preferred."  In Sep 1835 (sweep 625) he recorded the RA minute as 46, which was used in the GC and NGC but this is 1.0 min too far west.  He referenced D 5 as the discovery. 

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster on 16 and 17 Dec 1887, along with a number of other SMC clusters with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  He described NGC 294 (labeled as "N") as "pB, pL, R, gradually brighter in the middle.  N follows M [Bruck 67, which he discovered] by 18 seconds and is 2' north of it."

The Hodge-Wright SMC Atlas labels NGC 294 as Lindsay 47, though Table 6 suggests NGC 294 = L47?
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NGC 295 = CGCG 501-056 = PGC 3555
00 59 32.3  +31 47 53; Psc
Size 0.55'x0.5'

24" (10/1/16): at 375x; faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"-18" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 6.5' SW of mag 7.8 HD 5801.

NGC 295 is the slightly fainter of a pair with CGCG 501-058 4.8' ENE.  The companion appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, increases to a small bright nucleus and stellar peak, overall fairly high surface brightness.  CGCG 501-058 is situated just 2' SW of mag 7.8 HD 5801 and it helped to place the bright star off the edge of the field.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 295, along with CGCG 501-058, on 26 Oct 1872.  While observing the field he assumed was NGC 296, he found two nebulae and wrote, "(GC) 167 [NGC 296] F, R, *10m (yellow) Pos 29.6 deg, Dist 123.1".  Nova [NGC 295], S, R, and with a * or another neb 10" n. Pos from [NGC 296] 242.0 deg, Dist 314.6" or 21.6 seconds p[receding], 147.6" s[outh]."  Dreyer used William Herschel's (inaccurate) position for NGC 296 to compute a position for the "nova" GC 5123 (future NGC 296) in the GC Supplement and NGC.

There is nothing at Copeland's offset from NGC 296.  A 10th magnitude star is near NGC 296 but it's not at the reported position angle and separation, so it's clear Copeland misidentified the field and Corwin considered NGC 295 as lost.  Confusing the situation further, the computed position for NGC 295 happens to land on NGC 296!  As a result, all modern catalogues label NGC 296 as NGC 295 and UGC 562 is misidentified as NGC 296.

Recently (2016) Yann Pothier was able to identify the correct field about 1° ENE, surrounding mag 7.8 HD 5801 = SAO 54330.  This star is 115" distant in PA 32° from CGCG 501-058, so Copeland assumed this galaxy was NGC 296.  The second object is CGCG 501-056, located 288" in PA 248° (southwest) from CGCG 501-058.  Although Copeland discovered both galaxies, NGC 295 applies to CGCG 501-056 and CGCG 501-058 is left without an NGC designation.
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NGC 296 = (R)NGC 295 = UGC 562 = MCG +05-03-024 = CGCG 501-042 = PGC 3260
00 55 07.6  +31 32 32; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 164°

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated NNW-SSE, bright core.  Located just 30" W of a mag 10 star.  Brightest in a group of four with UGC 565 9' NNE and UGC 567 13' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 296 = H. II-214 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  His description reads, "F, E, preceding a bright star.  Appears almost like a brush issuing from the star, but does not join it by a good deal."  Although his RA was 20 seconds too large and his declination 1' too far N, it's clear from his description that NGC 296 = UGC 562.

Dreyer used Herschel's (poor) position to derive the position of NGC 295, a much fainter galaxy found by Ralph Copeland.  See NGC 295 for the story.  Coincidentally, Dreyer's erroneous position for NGC 295 happens to land on Herschel's II-214!  As a result UGC, CGCG, PGC and RNGC misidentify NGC 296 as NGC 295.  In addition, RNGC misidentifies UGC 565 as NGC 296.
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NGC 297 = 2MASX J00545892-0720591 = PGC 3243
00 54 58.9  -07 20 59; Cet
V = 15.7;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

18" (11/22/03): this extremely faint and tiny galaxy was a marginal object at 257x, barely glimpsed several times as a fleeting quasi-stellar spot just 1.3' SW of NGC 298.  If this observation is valid, NGC 297 is one of the very faintest NGC galaxies (B = 16.7) that I've recorded.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 297 = m 19 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF".  His position is 2 sec of RA west and 1' S of much brighter m 20 = NGC 298, discovered at the same time.  It's possible that Marth confused a close, faint double situated 2' S of NGC 298 as a nebula.  But 1.3' SW of NGC 298 at 00 54 58.9 -07 20 59 (2000) is a nearly stellar galaxy, described here, which is a more likely candidate.  In any case, NGC 297 is not identical to NGC 298 as stated in the RNGC.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 298 = MCG -01-03-033 = LGG 015-003 = PGC 3250
00 55 02.2  -07 20 00; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 87°

18" (11/22/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5', weak concentration.  Located 11' W of a mag 6 star that I kept outside the field.  NGC 297 is an extremely difficult companion just 1.3' SW.  Member of a small group (LGG 015) including NGC 274/275 and NGC 337.

17.5" (10/13/90): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 E-W.  Forms a pair with NGC 293 11' NW.  Located 11' W of mag 5.9 SAO 129032 in field!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 298 = m 20 (along with NGC 297) on 27 Sep 1864 using Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 299 = ESO 051-005 = Kron 32 = Lindsay 49
00 53 24.5  -72 11 50; Tuc
V = 11.7;  Size 0.9'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, 0.8' diameter. Contains an intensely bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  A few stars were resolved at the edges at 397x.  Brightest in a group of clusters with NGC 306 5' SE, Kron 30 3.7' W, Lindsay 51 8.5' NE, and Kron 28 14' NW.

Lindsay 51 appeared moderately bright, fairly small, irregular shape, ~30" diameter, very small bright nucleus. Situated just 0.6' W of a mag 10.6 star (SMC yellow supergiant) in a rich section of the SMC.

Kron 28 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~45" diameter, low surface brightness glow extending to the west of mag 10.7 HD 5148 = V Tucanae (mag 10-12 eclipsing binary superimposed at east edge).

18" (7/11/05) - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 50" diameter with a broad weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 306 5' SE.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this SMC cluster appeared as a small, round, bright knot, ~45" diameter. Forms the southeast vertex of an obtuse triangle with two mag 11 stars ~3.5' NNE and 4' W.  Forms a trio with NGC 306 4.7' SE and Kron 30 3.8' W.  Kron 30 appeared as just a hazy patch, ~1.5' diameter with a few mag 13/14 stars superimposed or resolved.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of two small knots of stars (the other being NGC 306) located 26' W of NGC 346.  At 171x, it appeared as a small glowing spot, ~40" in diameter, though standing out fairly well in the field.  The cluster is embedded within a scattered group of brighter stars in the field.  Forms a pair with NGC 306 4.7' SE.  The second edition of Uranometria 2000.0 and DSFG incorrectly list both objects twice - as open clusters and bright nebulae.

John Herschel discovered NGC 299 = h2360 on 12 Aug 1834 (sweep 482) and recorded "F; vS; R; gradually little brighter middle; r; 15"."  His final observation on 5 Nov 1836 (sweep 745) reads, "pB, vS, R, 12", resolvable. Situated at the upper limit of the nubecula which here is starry. At the other it is nebulous."

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 299 earlier on 5 Sep 1826.  Dunlop's D 50, 51 and 52 were described as three small, faint nebulae in a line with orientation NW to SE and his position is 17' to the NE of NGC 299 and NGC 306.  Although the positions are a poor match, the orientation and separations of the two clusters match up well (with two of Dunlop's numbers), suggesting that NGC 299 is D 50 or D 51.  NGC 306, though, might be too faint for Dunlop's 9" speculum reflector, so perhaps his orientation is a coincidence.

This cluster is misclassified as a Bright Nebula in the RNGC, and the wrong type was copied into the NGC 2000.0 and first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0.
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NGC 300 = ESO 295-020 = MCG -06-03-005 = AM 0052-375 = LGG 004-002 = PGC 3238
00 54 53.4  -37 41 00; Scl
V = 8.1;  Size 21.9'x15.5';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 111°

25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): at 187x; bright, extremely large, irregular, elongated roughly 5:3 WNW-ESE, at least 15'x9'.  Contains a large, brighter core region with a mag 11.5 star at the ENE edge of the core.  A mag 9.6 star is in the halo (along a faint spiral arm), 2.6' SW of center and a mag 10.6 star is superimposed in the outer halo, 5.3' SE of center. Spiral structure was surprisingly subtle. A low contrast, broad inner arm extends W from the N side of the core, curls S on the W side and spreads out. A more obvious inner arm emerges from the S side of the core and sweeps E and N, though the root of the arm is not defined.

The arm passes through a relatively bright and large HII patch/OB association, ~25" diameter, situated 3.9' E of center and loses contrast further N. This giant HII complex is catalogued as #65 in a 1966 paper by Sersic and #137 in a 1988 study by Deharveng et al, "H II regions in NGC 300."  A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' further NE in the outer halo of the galaxy. I didn't have time to examine the galaxy at higher power to search for additional H II knots.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly large oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, very diffuse appearance, bright stellar nucleus.  There is a hint of structure although the galaxy has a low surface brightness and was viewed at a low elevation (13° at most) from my latitude of +38.5°.  This nearby galaxy is located at a distance of 6 million light years in the Sculptor group, and may be physically paired with NGC 55.

15x50 IS binoculars: (11/18/06): visible in binoculars as a relatively large, very low surface brightness hazy region, roughly 15' in size.  A star is superimposed on the SW side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 300 = D 530 = h2359 on 5 Aug 1826 with his 9" speculum reflector.  Based on 3 observation he described "a pretty large faint nebula, irregular round figure, 6' or 7' diameter, easily resolvable into exceedingly minute stars, with four or five stars of more considerable magnitude; slight compression of stars to the centre." There are several superimposed Milky Way stars.  In his first observation, he noted "a pretty bright small star south of it [probably mag 8.7 HD 5229] - and two or three minute stars north, and following involved in the nebula."

John Herschel observed the galaxy on 3 occasions. On the first sweep (1 Sep 1834) he described it as "B; vL; vgpmbM; vmE; irregular figure; 8' to 10' long, 3' or 4' broad; has subordinate nuclei."  His sketch (plate V, figure 10) includes the nucleus and two or three additional regions of nebulosity. Three nights later, he noted it as "faint, very large, very gradually brighter towards the middle; 4' long; 2' broad; has another nebula attached."  The secondary nebula is the large HII complex [DCL88] 137 on the east side.  On 30 Nov 1837 he wrote: "A large oval nebula, containing three stars." He had tentatively identified it with Dunlop 530, but noted: "Mr. Dunlop's neb 530 is described by him as easily resolvable into very minute stars. Its identity with [NGC 300] is therefore very doubtful."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 300 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope on 20 Dec 1875 (plate I, figure 3 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..."). The giant HII complex on the east side is clearly shown on the sketch as a distinct oval patch.  Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 300 on 7 Oct 1884 and thought there might be changes based on Herschel's sketch and Turner's sketch.  He wrote "The appearance of this nebula may be greatly altered by the state of the atmosphere; but an inspection of drawings shows some change, I think. The principal change is this, that the patch following does not exist at present, or it must be very much fainter than all the rest."  The galaxy was photographed by Harold Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11 and described as a "spiral with many conensations".
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NGC 301 = PGC 3345
00 56 18.3  -10 40 25; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 70°

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round.  Situated between two mag 9/9.5 stars with a separation of 15'.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 301 = LM 1-18 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is fortunately just 0.2 tmin W of PGC 3345 and his note that a *8 precedes by 30" applies (though the star is NW). But the RNGC still managed to identify a plate defect as NGC 301!  He also placed NGC 302 (List I-19)  just 1' ENE, but there is only a star there.
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NGC 302
00 56 19.1  -10 40 42; Cet

= * 1.8' ENE NGC 301, Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 302 = LM 1-19 in 1886 and placed 1.0' ENE (PA 75°) of NGC 301.  The only object close to this position is a faint star.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 302 with PGC 3311, an edge-on galaxy  6' WNW of NGC 301. This error was followed by PGC and others sources (such as Megastar) based on the PGC.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 303 = PGC 3240
00 54 54.7  -16 39 18; Cet
V = 15.3;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 158°

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness with just a weak concentration.  Can almost hold steadily with averted vision once identified on my finder chart.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 303 = LM 1-20 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 1' N of PGC 03240.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and he noted the PA was 160°.
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NGC 304 = UGC 573 = MCG +04-03-018 = CGCG 480-023 = PGC 3326
00 56 06.0  +24 07 37; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 175°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small very bright core.  Forms a pair with CGCG 480-021 4' WNW.  The CGCG appeared very faint, very small, elongated 3:1 E-W.  A mag 14 star lies 40" SSE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 304 = St. 9-2 on 4 Nov 1875.  His published position (list 9, #2) was recorded 3 years later on 23 Oct 1878.
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NGC 305
00 56 20.9  +12 03 54; Psc

17.5" (9/26/92): small group of 7 stars, including a mag 9.5 star, in a 3' diameter. A small equilateral triangle of three mag 11-12 stars is just south.  This is an unimpressive but fairly distinctive asterism in a very sparse field.  RNGC, PGC and RC 3 incorrectly equate NGC 305 with the galaxy UGC 571.

John Herschel discovered NGC 305 = h76 on 17 Oct 1825 as "a small cluster of pretty closely scattered stars".  At Herschel's position is a small unimpressive asterism (not a cluster). MCG, RNGC and RC3 misidentify the galaxy UGC 571 as NGC 305.  HyperLeda now shows NGC 305 as stellar (or stars) and NED correctly identifies the number as "six galactic stars".  Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's "Catalogue Corrections" and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 306 = ESO 029-023 = Kron 33 = Lindsay 50
00 54 14.7  -72 14 30; Tuc
V = 12.1;  Size 1.1'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): NGC 306 is slightly fainter and smaller than NGC 299 4.7' NW.  At 244x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, ~35" diameter.  At 397x, two faint stars were resolved at the northeast and southwest ends.  Two brighter mag 12 and 13 stars lie 1.8' ESE and 2' ENE.  A fairly close pair of mag 13/14 stars (~9" separation) is 1.4' WNW.

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): slightly fainter of a pair with NGC 299 5' NW.  Appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution.  Two mag 12 stars lie 2' E and SE.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 306 is a slightly smaller and fainter companion of NGC 299, situated 4.7' NW.  At 128x it appeared small, round, fairly faint, ~35" diameter with no sign of resolution. Forms the west vertex of a small triangle with two mag 12 stars ~2' SE and a 2' E.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a fainter of a pair of small SMC clusters with NGC 299 and located 4.7' SE of NGC 299.  At 171x it was just a small, hazy compact knot, ~30" in diameter, with no resolution and fairly even surface brightness to the edge.  A mag 12 star is ~2' SE.  In the same low power field with the impressive NGC 346 located 22' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 306 = h2361 on 4 Oct 1836 and recorded "an extremely small faint [in italics] knot of the Nubec. Min. 15" diameter."  His position is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly made an earlier discovery on 5 Sep 1826.  Dunlop's D 50, 51 and 52 were described as three small, faint nebulae in a line with orientation NW to SE and his position is 17' to the NE of NGC 299 and NGC 306.  Although the positions are a poor match, the orientation and separations are a good match (perhaps a coincidence?), suggesting either D 51 or D 52 refers to NGC 306.  But I'm not convinced as this cluster may be too faint to have been seen by Dunlop (Herschel only noticed it on 1 of the 4 sweeps that he logged NGC 299!).
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NGC 307 = UGC 584 = MCG +00-03-035 = CGCG 384-039 = LGG 013-005 = PGC 3367
00 56 32.5  -01 46 19; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

24" (9/28/19): at 322x; moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', strong concentration with a bright core that increases to a very bright nucleus.

LEDA 212626, misidentified as NGC 308 in RNGC and PGC, lies 3' SW.  It appeared extremely faint and small (V = 15.8), round, ~8" diameter.  Required averted vision and only popped for a second or two at a time.

18" (10/16/09): at 285x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  This galaxy is in the foreground of Abell Galaxy Cluster 119, which lies 1/2 degree to the north.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval 3:2 E-W, small bright core.  A mag 15.5 star (NGC 308) is 1' SSE.  The center of  AGC 119 lies 30' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 307 = h77 on 6 Sep 1831 and logged "pF; S; E; 15"."  His position matches UGC 584 = PGC 3367.  This galaxy is located just south of the central region of AGC 119 but the redshift is only z = .013, which is 3 times less than the other cluster members so it is very unlikely to be a member.
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NGC 308
00 56 34.3  -01 47 03; Cet

= *, Corwin.

Sir Robert Ball discovered NGC 308 on 31 Dec 1866 while observing the field of NGC 307.  He recorded a faint "Nova" in PA 147° (SE) at a separation of 60" (measured at 52" on 23 Oct 1876).  In this position (51" separation) is a 15th magnitude star that Ball apparently mistook for a very small nebulous object.

The RNGC misidentified PGC 3354, an extremely faint galaxy 3' SSW of NGC 307, as NGC 308, though with a poor position.  PGC also repeated this identification.  I listed this RNGC error in my RNGC Corrections #3.  Interestingly, it's possible PGC 3354 was seen by Robert Ball with the 72" on 8 Nov 1866, but it didn't receive a NGC designation.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 309 = MCG -02-03-050 = Holm 27a = PGC 3377
00 56 42.8  -09 54 50; Cet
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 175°

24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, fairly low but uneven surface brightness, contains a brighter core that increases somewhat to the center.  I detected hints of spiral arms in the halo (slightly brighter arcs).  A mag 12.5 star is 2' NNE and a mag 15 star is off the west side, 1.5' from center.  IC 1602, the brightest member of AGC 117, lies 13' WSW.  It appeared fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus.

17.5" (10/28/89): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is off the NNE edge 2.1' from center.  A mag 15 star is off the west edge. 

8" (10/31/81): very faint, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.

At a redshift distance of ~260 million light years, NGC 309 is one of the largest and most luminous spiral galaxies known.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 309 = T. 1-4 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His RA was 10 seconds too small.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 26 Oct 1897 as well as by Howe in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

Based on a photograph taken with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan observatory, NGC 309 was described as a "open spiral with a pB sharp stellar nucleus, well defined arms and many condensations".
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NGC 310
00 56 48.1  -01 45 58; Cet

= *, Corwin and Gottlieb.

Sir Robert Ball discovered NGC 310 on 31 Dec 1866 while observing the field of NGC 307.  His placed this object, with respect to NGC 307, at 225" separation in PA 81°.  The offset was measured again on 23 Oct 1876 as 239" in PA 84.8°.  At this position (233" in PA 85°) is a single mag 15.3 star that Harold Corwin identifies as NGC 310.

The RNGC and PGC misidentify LEDA 3325895 = PGC 3396 as NGC 310.  This extremely faint galaxy is situated 303" in PA 91° of NGC 307.  As the single star was measured twice and is a much closer fit, this identification is very unlikely.  See Corwin's identification notes under NGC 308.
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NGC 311 = UGC 592 = MCG +05-03-028 = CGCG 501-049 = PGC 3434
00 57 32.7  +30 16 51; Psc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 120°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  First of three on line and equally spaced with NGC 315 6' NE and NGC 316 12' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 311 = h78 on 15 Sep 1828.  While observing H. II-210 = NGC 313 he recorded "F, vS; R; bM; 6".  The next sweep he logged "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"."
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NGC 312 = ESO 151-006 = PGC 3343
00 56 15.6  -52 46 58; Phe
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 62°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, 40"x30", sharply concentrated with an intense core.  The halo is extended 4:3 or 5:4 WSW-ESE.  A mag 11.3 star lies 2.4' W.

NGC 312 is the furthest north in a group of 8 galaxies in a 25' string to the south.  The galaxies share a common redshift of z = .026, implying a distance of ~350 million l.y.  The closest companion is ESO 151-5 is 3' SSW.  It appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated at least 2:1 N-S, sharply concentrated with a small bright core and faint extensions ~40"x20".  NGC 328 lies 10.6' SE and NGC 323 is 12' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 312 = h2363 on 5 Sep 1836 and noted "vF, S, R".  On a later sweep he logged "F, S, R, 15", follows a star 12th mag on same parallel".  The mag 12 star mentioned in the description is 2.5' W.  His mean position from 2 observations is accurate.
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NGC 313 = Holm 28c
00 57 45.7  +30 22 00; Psc

= ** 1' NW of core of NGC 314, Carlson and de Vaucouleurs. =***, Corwin

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 313, along with NGC 316, on 29 Nov 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  Stoney's offset of 1' NW of NGC 315 points directly to a double star (clearly resolved on the DSS) at 00 57 45.7 +30 21 56 (2000) - position on the southern star.  The sketch in the 1861 publication shows two stars encased in a small nebula (labeled as Gamma), but in the 1880 publication there are only two stars.

Dorothy Carlson (in her 1940 NGC Correction paper) and Harold Corwin identify this double star (the northern component itself is a very close double, so technically a triple) as NGC 313.
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NGC 314 = ESO 411-032 = MCG -05-03-015 = PGC 3395
00 56 52.3  -31 57 48; Scl
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 168°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.1' ESE of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 314 = h2362 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, eS, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a stellar nucleus." On a later sweep he logged "eeF, vS; almost doubtful whether really the object looked for.  Has a pB star following 2' distant. (N.B. The coincidence of the places destroys this doubt)."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 315 = UGC 597 = MCG +05-03-031 = CGCG 501-052 = Holm 28a = PGC 3455
00 57 48.8  +30 21 09; Psc
V = 11.2;  Size 3.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 ~SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 3.5' NW of mag 8.5 SAO 54298.  Brightest of three and at midpoint connecting NGC 311 6' SW and NGC 318 6' NE.  A close faint double star is 1' NW of center = NGC 313.

William Herschel discovered NGC 315 = H. II-210 = h79 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and noted "F, pL, unequally bright, resolvable, near a pB star."  John Herschel observed NGC 315 on 3 sweeps and NGC 311 was also found.  When the field was observed by Lord Rosse's assistants, NGC 318 was also discovered, though a nearby single star (NGC 316) and a double star (NGC 313) were mistaken as nebulous.
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NGC 316 = Holm 28b
00 57 52.4  +30 21 16; Psc

= * 47" following NGC 315, Gottlieb.  =**, de Vaucouleurs.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 316, along with NGC 313, on 29 Nov 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  It was noted as "suspected" and labeled as Delta on a diagram with an offset of 44" ENE from the center of NGC 315.  At this position is a single star (noted as such in the 1855 observation published in 1861).  John Herschel repeated it was a star in the GC notes but Dreyer still added it to the GC Supplement.
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NGC 317 = UGC 594 = MCG +07-03-010 = CGCG 536-013 = V Zw 42 = KTG 2B = KPG 19 = VV 928 = PGC 3445
00 57 40.4  +43 47 32; And
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 105°

24" (10/5/13): this is the larger component of a close double system with NGC 317A = UGC 593 just 35" NNW (between centers).  At 375x appeared fairly faint, very elongated WNW-ESE, ~45"x15", weak concentration, slightly brighter core.  Two mag 11.5/13.8 stars lie 1' W.  NGC 317A appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, small, fairly high surface brightness (core region) ~15".  With averted vision, the core is surrounded by a thin, very low surface brightness halo increasing the diameter to 25". CGCG 536-014 lies 5.5' S, forming the isolated triplet KTG 2.  It appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 25"x18", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (8/29/92): the SSE component of this double galaxy appeared very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 1' W and a faint mag 14 star is 1' SW, forming a wide 30" double.  The NNW component is the slightly brighter of the pair and appears faint, very small, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. On the POSS the SSE galaxy is the brighter component.  MCG +07-03-011 lies 6' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 317 = Sw. 2-11 on 1 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His description reads "eeF; little extended; pS; iR; D * close following; v difficult."  His position is poor (28 seconds of RA too large) and the "Double star close following" is actually to the west.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 317A in the MCG as the close pair are given separate designations.
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NGC 318 = CGCG 501-054 = PGC 3465
00 58 05.2  +30 25 32; Psc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 15°

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 is off the NW edge 0.9' from the center.  Located 5.6' NE of NGC 315 and the third of three in a group.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 318 = St. 12-7 on the 3 Nov 1855 observation of NGC 315 .  It was noted as "F, S, R." and placed accurately on a sketch in line with NGC 311 and 315.  Dreyer noted it was not seen earlier in the 1850 observation or later.  Édouard Stephan independently found this galaxy on 6 Nov 1882 and listed it as new in his 12th discovery list, missing the earlier GC entry.  Stephan's position is accurate.
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NGC 319 = ESO 243-013 = MCG -07-03-001 = PGC 3398
00 56 57.5  -43 50 20; Phe
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.5', contains a very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 15.4 star is 33" SW of center and a mag 13 star is 2.3' SSE.  Forms a pair NGC 322 7.1' NNE.

24" (10/5/13): at 225x appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 20"x15".  NGC 322 lies 7' NNE.  Despite an elevation of only 10°, both galaxies were easily seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 319 = h4007, along with NGC 322, on 5 Sep 1834 and remarked "eF; vS; R; little brighter in the middle."  His CGH position has a typo of 23h instead of 00h in RA, but he corrected this mistake in his errata list at the end.
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NGC 320 = ESO 541-003 = MCG -04-03-037 = PGC 3510
00 58 46.5  -20 50 24; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 159°

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, very small, round, very small bright core, very faint stellar nucleus, diffuse slightly elongated halo.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' NNW.  Located 15' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 166710.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 320 = LM 2-295 in 1886 with a 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.4 tmin of RA east is ESO 541-003 and his published position angle (160°) matches this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 321 = MCG -01-03-043 = PGC 3443
00 57 39.1  -05 05 11; Cet
V = 14.8;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8

24" (12/1/13): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Easily visible 1.5' SE of a mag 12.5 star and 5.7' WSW of NGC 329 in a group.

17.5" (12/11/99): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  The faintest of 5 galaxies in the field (NGC 325 = MCG -01-03-045 not seen in very soft seeing) including NGC 327 4.8' SE, MCG -01-03-041 5.1' NNW and NGC 329 5.7' WNW.  Located 1.4' SE of a mag 12 star.

13.1" (7/12/86): very faint, small, round.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 321 = m 21 (along with NGCs 325, 327 and 329) on 27 Sep 1864 using Lassell's 48" on Malta.  His description simply reads "eF, vS", but his position matches MCG -01-03-043.  Nevertheless, the RNGC, MCG, RC3 and others misidentify MCG -01-03-041 (located 5' further N) as NGC 321.  Furthermore, MCG -01-03-043 is misidentified as NGC 325 in RNGC, MCG, PGC and other sources.  MCG -01-03-041 was visible in my 13" so it is odd that Marth did not notice this galaxy.
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NGC 322 = ESO 243-015 = AM 0054-435 = MCG -07-03-003 = PGC 3412
00 57 10.0  -43 43 39; Phe
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 153°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.25', contains a very small bright nucleus.  PGC 95427 is an extremely faint companion at the west edge [13" from center] of NGC 322.  At 394x it was barely distinguishable from a very dim star.  NGC 319 lies 7.1' SSW.

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, 25"x15".  A mag 13 star lies 1.4' SW.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 319 7' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 322 = h4007, along with NGC 319, on 5 Sep 1834, and recorded "vF; vS; R; little brighter middle; follows 3 stars 12, 13 and 14m."  His position is 6 sec of RA east and 1' south of ESO 243-015 = PGC 3412 (after corrected for a 1 hour typo in the Cape catalogue).
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NGC 323 = ESO 151-009 = PGC 3374
00 56 41.6  -52 58 34; Phe
V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 178°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, 40" diameter, very small bright core.  In a group of galaxies (8 recorded in a 25' string N-S) with NGC 328 4' NE and ESO 151-010 4.7' N.  Forms a very close pair with PGC 95384 1.0' S.  The close companion (not catalogued in Megastar) is faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x10", low surface brightness.

ESO 151-012, situated 7.3' SSE, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~50"x25", sharply concentrated with a bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1.5' SE and a mag 15.5 star is 1' N.  ESO 151-012 is located 10' NE of mag 6.6 HD 5474 and I'm surprised that John Herschel missed it.  Just 2' E of the bright star is ESO 151-004.  This galaxy appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, contains a slightly brighter elongated core.  A mag 14.5-15 star is at the south tip, 45" from center.  The nearby mag 6.6 star detracts from the view.

John Herschel discovered NGC 323 = h2365 on 3 Oct 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R. The RA may err several seconds. The polar distance also is not very good." On a much later sweep he recorded "Viewed; found exactly in the place of No 29, Sweep 498 [previous description] pB, S, R, bM, 15 arcseconds, there is also another [NGC 328], pos = 36.8 degrees [NE], delta in PD = 4'."
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NGC 324 = ESO 295-025 = AM 0054-411 = MCG -07-03-002 = PGC 3416
00 57 14.7  -40 57 34; Phe
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 95°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; moderately bright and large, elongated at least 3:1 E-W, ~1.0'x0.3'. Strongly concentrated with a bright core and much fainter extensions that were initially missed.  Resides in a sparsely populated field with a mag 12 star 5' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 324 = h2364 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "F, S, Stellar, the bad definition of a south-easter prevents certainty, but I think it is not a star."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 30' S is ESO 295-G25 = PGC 3416, a galaxy that fits Herschel's description, assuming he noticed only the central region.  ESO, MCG and RC3 correctly identify this galaxy as NGC 324 but RNGC misidentifies IC 1609 as NGC 324, and as a further complication gives incorrect coordinates for IC 1609.  Nothing exists at the RNGC position on the POSS, but the photographic description clearly applies to IC 1609.
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NGC 325 = MCG -01-03-045 = FGC 111 = PGC 3454
00 57 47.8  -05 06 45; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 1.5'x0.2';  PA = 90°

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~20"x10".  Occasionally a mag 16.5 star appeared to be involved [DSS shows a very faint star just north of the core].  Situated 2.1' NW of NGC 327.

17.5" (11/6/93): only highly suspected several times as an extremely faint and small glow situated 2.1' NW of NGC 327.  This galaxy is a very low surface brightness edge-on in a group with NGC 329 4' NE and NGC 321 2.7' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 325 = m 22 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, vS."  His position matches MCG -01-03-045 = PGC 3454, an extremely faint edge-on in a quartet.

RNGC and MCG misidentify NGC 321 = MCG -01-03-043 as NGC 325.  RC3 doesn't label MCG -01-03-045 as NGC 325.  The "Deep Sky Field Guide" (version 1) mentions a "faint, anonymous galaxy 2' NW" of NGC 327 and this is probably NGC 321.  I find it odd that Marth described NGC 325 as "vF", while NGC 321, which is noticeably brighter, is described as "eF".
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NGC 326 = UGC 601 = MCG +04-03-025 = CGCG 480-026 = IV Zw 35 = PGC 3482
00 58 22.7  +26 51 56; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.0

24" (12/6/18): NGC 326 is a merged double system with twin nuclei separated by only 7"-8".  At 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, slightly brighter core.  Increasing to 500x, the nucleus was precisely collinear with a mag 13.0 star 1.2' W and a mag 13.7 star 2.5' W.  This corresponds with the northern of the dual nuclei.  Occasionally the second nuclei (10" SE) seemed to sharpen as a faint quasi-stellar spot within the halo.  Located 5' NNW of mag 7.3 HD 5650 and 3.6' W of a mag 9 star.  STF 77, a 10" pair of mag 10.4/10.5 stars, is 5' NW.

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' W.  Situated at the center of an isosceles triangle consisting mag 7.2 SAO 74405 5' SSE, mag 8.5 SAO 74400 5' NW (nice close double star) and mag 9 74409 3.6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 326 on 24 Aug 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 601 = PGC 3482 and he accurately measured the mag 9-10 star that follows by 15.5 seconds of time and 26" south.  MCG misidentifies +04-03-024 (a much fainter galaxy to the NW) as NGC 326, instead of +04-03-025.  NGC 326 has a double nucleus and appears to be a close pair of merged compacts in a common halo.
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NGC 327 = MCG -01-03-047 = Holm 30a = PGC 3462
00 57 55.2  -05 07 50; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

24" (12/1/13): at 375x appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, ~48"x15", fairly high even surface brightness with only a weak concentration.  Brightest in a small group with NGC 329 3.9' NNE and NGC 321 4.8' NW.

13.1" (7/12/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Second of three with similar NGC 329 3.8' NNE and MCG -01-03-041 9' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 327 = m 23 (along with NGC 321, NGC 325 and NGC 329) on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, E."  His position and description is appropriate.
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NGC 328 = ESO 151-013 = PGC 3399
00 56 57.4  -52 55 26; Phe
V = 13.3;  Size 2.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.35', contains a slightly bulging core that is only weakly concentrated.  In a group of 8 galaxies in a 24' string N-S including NGC 323 4' SW and ESO 151-010  2.6' NW.  The ESO galaxy (B = 15.7) appeared fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 15"x10".

John Herschel discovered NGC 328 = h2366 on 5 Sep 1836 and logged "vF, little extended, very gradually brighter middle.".  His position is 0.1 min of RA east and 1' north of ESO 151-013 = PGC 3399.  Both NGC 323 and 328 were observed on the same sweep (730), although NGC 323 was first picked up on an earlier sweep.
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NGC 329 = MCG -01-03-048 = Holm 30b = PGC 3467
00 58 01.4  -05 04 17; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 20°

24" (12/1/13): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 45"x15".  NGC 327, the brightest member in the group, lies 3.9' SSW.

13.1" (7/12/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Third of three with NGC 327 3.8' SSW and MCG -01-03-041 8' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 329 = m 24 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, E."  This galaxy is the last in a quartet along with NGC 321, NGC 325 and NGC 327.  His description and position applies to MCG -01-03-048 = PGC 3467.
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NGC 330 = ESO 029-024 = Lindsay 54
00 56 18  -72 27 32; Tuc
V = 9.6;  Size 1.9'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; extremely bright, fairly large, elongated NW-SE, ~1.5' diameter, high surface brightness cluster.  Easily over 20 stars were resolved in the central region and more than three dozen including outliers around the periphery.  NGC 330 is situated in a rich, glowing section (Hodge Association 40) of the SMC just 20' SW of NGC 346, the top HII region in the SMC.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is one of the brightest SMC clusters and a fascinating object at 228x.  It appears as a bright, extremely rich knot of stars, just 1' to 1.5' diameter, which was only partially resolved.  Streaming out from the dense core were numerous mag 12 and fainter stars, some arranged in a curving chain off the following side of the core.  The bright outliers seemed scattered about to at least 5' (Hodge Association 40).  NGC 330 is situated 20' SW of the remarkable HII region NGC 346 within a rich star field!

10x30 IS binoculars (11/4/12 - Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand): visible as a very small, but non-stellar knot.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 330 = D 23 = h2367 on 1 Aug 1826.  His published description (based on his 5 Sep observation) reads, "A small, but very bright nebula, exceedingly condensed. This is the brightest nebula in the small cloud. I think I perceive two bright nuclei in this body."  His published position was just 2' due N of center.

John Herschel observed the cluster on 5 separate sweeps. His first observation on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 440) reads, "pretty bright, small, oval, resolved, 60"."  On 12 Aug 1834 (sweep 482), he called it a "globular cluster, S, B, little elliptic, gradually brighter in the middle; 2' across. Fairly resolved into rather large and not very crowded stars."
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NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 = PGC 2759
00 47 06.9  -02 43 51; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  PA = 127°

17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Requires averted to glimpse and can only view for moments knowing exact location.  A nice mag 13/14 double lies 6' N [at 20" separation].  Located 14' W of NGC 259.  The identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 is very tentative.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 331 = LM 2-296 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, though he mentions the RA (which is often bad) is doubtful.  Harold Corwin suggests the possible identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 = PGC 2759 (listed here), though that assumes Leavenworth made a 10 min error in RA.  Leavenworth's description mention a *12 located 3' NE and there is a faint star (closer to mag 15) in this relative position. RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG -01-03-039 as NGC 331.  This galaxy is closer to Leavenworth's position but has a mag 7 star 5' NW, so does not fit his description.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 332 = UGC 609 = CGCG 410-021 = PGC 3511
00 58 49.1  +07 06 41; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, bright core, slightly elongated NW-SE.  A line of three mag 12-13 stars is close SW.  Located 18' NNE of a mag 6.9 star SAO 109563.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 332 = Sw. 5-10 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position and description ("5 or 6 stars near south in a curve") matches UGC 609 = PGC 3511.
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NGC 333 = MCG -03-03-013 = PGC 3519
00 58 51.3  -16 28 09; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 119°

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, very slight central brightening.  Almost on a line with two mag 13 stars 3' SE and 5' SE.  This is a double system (not resolved).

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 333 = T. 1-5 in 1877 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  Tempel's position is 10 sec of RA west and 4' south of PGC 3519.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  This is a double galaxy (often listed as NGC 333A and 333B) with a very small companion just southwest of the nucleus.  Based on RA order, the main galaxy is identified as NGC 333B in NED, RNGC and MCG, and the companion (PGC 3073571) as NGC 333A.
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NGC 334 = ESO 351-026 = MCG -06-03-012 = PGC 3514
00 58 49.8  -35 06 58; Scl
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 169°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration.  Best viewed at 280x.  Forms the north vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11-12 stars 2.5' SW and 2.5' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 334 = h2368 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually little brighter middle; makes a triangle with two stars south of nebulosity." On later sweep he logged "eF, S, R, at the northern angle of an equilateral triangle formed with two stars 11th mag."  His position and description (of the nearby mag 11 stars) clearly establishes NGC 334 = ESO 351-026.
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NGC 335 = ESO 541-006 = MCG -03-03-015 = PGC 3544
00 59 19.5  -18 14 01; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 137°

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  NGC 336 lies 20' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 335 = LM 1-21 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His very rough position is just 0.1 tmin of RA east and 2' S of ESO 541-006.  He gave the same RA as NGC 336 although both are shown on his discovery sketch (examined by Corwin).  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 336 = ESO 541-002 = PGC 3470
00 58 02.8  -18 23 05; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 42°

17.5" (10/21/95): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2.2' NW of center.  NGC 335 lies 20' NE.  Incorrect identification in RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 336 = LM 1-22 on 31 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Corwin examined the discovery sketch and verified NGC 336 = ESO 541-002 = PGC 3470.  The RNGC, PGC and ESO misidentify ESO 541-004 = PGC 3526 (located 30' SSW of NGC 335) as NGC 336.  See Corwin's notes and my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 337 = MCG -01-03-053 = IV Zw 35 = LGG 015-004 = PGC 3572
00 59 50.3  -07 34 43; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 2.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

48" (11/1/13): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, very irregular with a number of obvious clumps.  Although the galaxy is generally elongated 3:2 or 5:3 NW-SE it contains a bright, elongated N-S central region that seems to be a bar.  On the south end of the "bar" is a brighter elongated patch extending towards the WSW.  Another brighter knot is at the north end of the bar, extending to the east.  On the southeast flank of the galaxy is an elongated, fainter patch.  The northwest side of the halo extends further out, giving an asymmetric outline, and one or two small knots are involved.  A mag 11 star lies 5' E.  Member of a group (LGG 015) that includes NGC 274/275 and NGC 298.

17.5" (12/26/00): fairly bright and large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.2', broad concentration.  The appearance is asymmetric -- with a noticeably mottled or irregular surface brightness.  Brighter knots within the halo are also clearly visible at moments.  The visual impression matches well with the DSS image, which shows a chaotic structure with a number of large HII knots.  NGC 337A, a large faint dwarf spiral, lies 27' E.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, fairly even surface brightness, diffuse outer halo.  A mag 11.5 star is 5.4' E of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 337 = H. II-433 = h80 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435).  His description reads "pB, pL, bM, irregular parallelogram in the direction of the meridian."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, observed this irregular galaxy on 3 Oct 1856 and recorded "pL, not vF.  Its brightest part is a line running diagonally, and there is a knot at either end.  Perhaps it shaped like an "S".  The galaxy has a distorted appearance on CCD photo.
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NGC 338 = UGC 624 = MCG +05-03-034 = CGCG 501-061 = LGG 014-015 = PGC 3611
01 00 36.4  +30 40 09; Psc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 109°

17.5" (10/5/02): nice, fairly small edge-on oriented WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.25', very small bright core.  A pair of evenly matched mag 14 stars are close off the south side.

IC 66, located 8' N, appeared faint, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.3'.

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, very elongated WNW-ESE, moderately large, bright core.  An easy mag 14 double star at 22" separation is off the SSE edge just 0.8' from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 338 = T. 1-6 = St. 12-8 on 13 Oct 1869 with additional observations on 28 Oct 1875 and 3 Nov 1877.  His published micrometric position (discovery list 12, #8) was not made until 6 Nov 1882 with the description "vF, vS, irregular, bright nucleus."

Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered NGC 338 in 1877 with an 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded "small but class III;  has 2 stars mag 14-15 near the south end."  His RA is 11 seconds too small and 1' S, but the description of the nearby stars fits.  Tempel was credited with the discovery in the NGC with Stephan listed second due to Stephan's later publication, though the discovery order is reversed.  E.E. Barnard later swept it up again (along with NGC 315) on 2 Sep 1891 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory
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NGC 339 = ESO 029-025 = Lindsay 59
00 57 46.4  -74 28 11; Tuc
V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly large, roundish, 3' diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core.  The outer halo appears ragged and mottled but the only definite resolution was a star on the east side of the halo.  This cluster is located 15' SE of mag 6.7 HD 5499 and 45' NE of mag 5.1 Lambda Hyi.  There are no brighter stars within 5'.  NGC 339 is a massive intermediate age cluster (6.5 billion years old) on the south side of the SMC.  Kron 37 lies 8.6' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 339 = h2369 on 18 Sep 1835 in the SMC. His description reads "vF, L, round, very gradually brighter middle, 3' or 3.5' diameter" and his position is 1.3' NNW of center.  NGC 339 was described as "probably globular" in the 1935 Harvard Observatory Bulletin 899 based on Bruce plates at Arequipa.
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NGC 340 = MCG -01-03-055 = PGC 3610
01 00 34.9  -06 52 00; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 65°

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, bright core.  First of six in the NGC 349 group (USGC S034) with NGC 342 7' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 340 = m 25 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E".  This is the first in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).  His position is accurate.
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NGC 341 = Arp 59 = VV 361 = MCG -02-03-063 = Mrk 968 = PGC 3620
01 00 45.8  -09 11 09; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  PA = 55°

48" (11/4/21): at 610x; bright, moderately large, roundish, 1' diameter.  Strong concentration with a very bright, slightly elongated core that increased to an intense stellar nucleus.  A fairly low contrast spiral arm is attached on the SE side of the core. It curled around the south side and extended to the NW, fading out west of center.  The northern arm was very weak along the north side of the halo.

MCG -02-03-064, an interacting companion with very active star formation and tidal stellar streams, was easily seen detached in the halo on the east side, 30" ESE of center.  It was fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 15" long, fairly low nearly even surface brightness.  The two galaxies form Arp 59.

17.5" (10/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located along the west side of a triangle formed by a mag 11.5 star 2.5' N, a mag 12.5 star 3' ESE and a mag 13.5 star 3' SSE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 341 = St. 12-9 on 3 Oct 1869 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and recorded an unpublished position 2' NE of center.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 21 Oct 1881 and recorded "faint; irregularly round; moderately large; a little central condensation; fairly distinct nucleus; seems resolvable."

Forms a double system (Arp 59) with NGC 341B = PGC 3627 on the east edge. In the Arp category of spiral galaxies with small, high surface-brightness companions on arms, though NGC 341B may just be an large region of increased star formation activity.  The RC3 doesn't identify this galaxy as NGC 341.  
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NGC 342 = MCG -01-03-058 = PGC 3631
01 00 49.8  -06 46 22; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 105°

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 340 7' SW and second of six in the NGC 349 group (USGC S034).  Located 11' WNW of mag 7.2 SAO 129088.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 342 = m 26 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS".  Second in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).
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NGC 343 = AM 0055-232 = PGC 133741
00 58 24.1  -23 13 30; Cet
Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 9°

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, ~12" diameter.  Appears as a very low surface brightness spot with averted vision located 2' W of a 1.2' pair of mag 14 stars.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 344.  Uncertain historical identification due to a poor position at Leander McCormick observatory.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, small, round, very low surface brightness.  Situated 2' W of a N-S pair of mag 14 stars.  A mag 15 star is 1' N.  NGC 344 close SE was not seen.  The identification of this pair is uncertain.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 343 = LM 2-297, along with NGC 344, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  This nebula was placed 1' N of NGC 344 but there is nothing at Muller's position.  Corwin suggests NGC 343/NGC 344 are the faint pair of galaxies AM 0055-232 = PGC 133741/PGC 198261, located 2.5 min of RA following Muller's position, but matching in declination.  As the Leander McCormick positions are often well off in RA (but generally good in dec), this candidate is reasonable, though uncertain.  ESO and RNGC apply NGC 343 to a single star 1' N of ESO 475-006 and ESO 475-006 is misidentified as NGC 344 in ESO and RNGC.
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NGC 344 = LEDA 198261
00 58 25.4  -23 13 46; Cet
Size 0.3'x0.2'

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint and small, 5" diameter.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 343 close preceding, just 24" between centers.  At times this object appeared stellar and easier to view than NGC 343, though there doesn't appear to be a faint star close by that I might have confused it with.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 344 = LM 2-298, along with NGC 343, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory..  Muller described both objects as possible stars and his position is 0.3 min of RA east and 1.5' north of ESO 475-006.  Corwin suggests that NGC 343 and NGC 344 may instead refer to a faint pair of galaxies (Arp-Madore 0055-232 = PGC 13374/198261) about 2.5 min of RA due east of Muller's position.  If Muller observed this pair, then NGC 344 (fainter SE component) at B = 17.2 is the faintest discovery at Leander McCormick Observatory with the Clark refractor.
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NGC 345 = MCG -01-03-064 = PGC 3665
01 01 22.0  -06 53 04; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  Located 6' SSW of mag 7.2 SAO 129088.  Third of six in the NGC 349 group (USGC S034) with NGC 347 5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 345 = m 27 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, gradually brighter in the middle."  Third in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350) and placed accurately.
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NGC 346 = SMC-N66 = ESO 051-010 = Lindsay 60 = Kron 39 = SMC Ass 45
00 59 05  -72 10 36; Tuc
V = 10.3;  Size 14'x11'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the largest HII region in the SMC and an amazing sight at 171x using a UHC filter.  The brightest section is a "bar" extending NW-SE with a well-defined edge along the northern side.  Extending from the central region are two sweeping "arms" or extensions, creating an exaggerated "S" appearance similar to a barred spiral galaxy!  The longer but lower surface brightness arm is attached at the southeast end of the central region and broadly sweeps towards the west, below the bar.  The shorter, but high surface brightness arm is attached at the northwest end and hooks towards the east.  These extensions increase the diameter to 8'-10' in total size! 

Viewing unfiltered, the nebula is set in a rich star field (Hodge Association 45) and a number of stars are superimposed or involved with the nebula, some in the center. NGC 346 hosts 33 O-type stars, several in a small clump including a massive 02-type mag 12.8 star and a mag 12.6 O4-type star.  On the NE side is HD 5980, an ultra-luminous mag 11.3 spectroscopic multiple (one of the brightest stars in the SMC). The components include a LBV (luminous blue variable) and a Wolf-Rayet. The surrounding region is rich in fainter stars.

NGC 371 is in same low power field 22' NE and NGC 330 lies 21' SW.  The small clusters NGC 306 and 299 lies 22' WSW and 26' W, respectively.

10x30mm and 15x50mm: NGC 346 is easily visible in binoculars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 346 = D 25 = h2370 on 1 Aug 1826.  His published description (based on an observation on 5 Sep) reads "pretty large, pretty bright nebula, about 2.25' diameter, irregular round figure, resolvable, very slight condensation, not well defined at the edges."

John Herschel lists 5 observations in his Cape catalog: He first observed it on 11 Apr 1834 as "B, L, pmE, pretty gradually much brighter middle, 5', resolvable (ill seen, below the pole)." On a second sweep he called it "Cluster, imperfectly resolved; rather irregular figure; 5' diameter. Not equally condensed about centre; fades imperceptibly; has a double star (12th mag) in centre." His third observation was recorded as "B, L, irregularly round, gradually much brighter middle, 3' or 4' in extent, fades away insensibly." His next sweep was recorded as "B, L, neb with resolvable centre; irregularly extended into a kind of broad train as in figure, gently graduating away to the borders. 6' diameter." His final observation was logged as "B, L, irregular figure, with a star 13th mag in most compressed part."  His published sketch is in the CGH catalogue on plate IV, figure 6.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 346 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope on 17 Dec 1875, with an "arm" attached on the NW end of bar, hooking to the east.  It also shows a very small knot of stars about 0.8' NE of center (plate I, figure 4 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885").  He commented, "It is very unlike H.'s drawing and description; indeed I cannot trace any resemblance between that and its present appearance; and were it not for its position, and the fact that L.S. observed and sketched it on 5th February 1870, I should be in great doubt as to its being the proper object. The position, however, accords with that given by Herschel, and Le Sueur's sketch [unpublished plate VII, figure 79] is, in its general features, very like mine, so that there is no room for doubting its identity. The central portion is by far the brightest, being a cluster of stars so very distinct that they could almost be counted; and the nebula here also appears the most dense. From this point it proceeds s.f. for almost 1' 30", terminating in a few very faint stars. Towards the n.p. direction it forms a complete bend or hook, and is here very faint. A little n.f. the main or central portion is a very small and faint round patch, which at times looks like a cluster of very faint stars, but I cannot with certainty determine whether or not it be stars or only nebula, although the night is an exquisite one, being clear and steady."

Although a spectrum taken in 1919 at the Cordoba Observatory of Argentina clearly revealed a gaseous spectrum, Charles Perrine declared "the first true spiral which I have encountered that appears appears to consist almost wholly of gaseous nebulosity." (confusing the spiral morphology with a spiral galaxy).
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NGC 347 = PGC 3673
01 01 35.2  -06 44 02; Cet
V = 15.0;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 105°

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 4' N of mag 7.5 SAO 129988.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.1' NE.  Member of the NGC 349 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 347 = m 28 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS".  This is the 4th in a group of 6 galaxies discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).  At Marth's position is PGC 3673, situated 4' N of mag 7.2 HD 6031 and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey of Herschel's catalogues based on Heidelberg plates, identifies this galaxy as NGC 347.

But RNGC misidentifies PGC 1028378 as NGC 347 and it is misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 Atlas..  PGC 1028378 is located at 01 01 29.1 -06 48 41 (J2000), just 1.5' SW of the mag 7.2 star, and is a more difficult object visually (see notes).  PGC correctly identifies NGC 347 but also claims it is equal to IC 71.  See Corwin's notes and my RNGC Corrections #7.
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NGC 348 = ESO 151-017 = PGC 3632
01 00 52.0  -53 14 41; Phe
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 91°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; NGC 348 and ESO 151-018 form a contrasting 7' pair with two bright stars nearby.  NGC 348 appeared moderately bright at best, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, at most 30" diameter, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the north edge.  The galaxy forms the western vertex of a triangle with mag 8.4 HD 6143 9' SE and mag 8.4 HD 6158 10' NE.  A mag 10.8 star, 5.2' W of NGC 348, forms a larger triangle with the two bright stars, and the two galaxies are just south of this mag 10.8 star and HD 6158.

ESO 151-018, situated 7' ENE of NGC 348, appeared fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.2', small bright core.  The extensions fade out at the tips.

John Herschel discovered NGC 348 = h2371 on 3 Oct 1834 and recorded "eF, S, R."  On a later sweep he noted "eeeF, seems to have a vF star involved."  His position and description matches ESO 151-017 = PGC 3632, with the faint star at the north edge.
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NGC 349 = MCG -01-03-068 = PGC 3687
01 01 50.7  -06 47 59; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Located 4' E of mag 7.2 SAO 129088!  Forms a close pair with NGC 350 1.5' E.  Brightest in a group of six galaxies (USGC S034).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 349 = m 29 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS".  This is the fifth in a group of 6 galaxies discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).  His position is just 1' too far south (same offset as NGC 350).
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NGC 350 = MCG -01-03-069 = PGC 3690
01 01 56.6  -06 47 45; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, round, bright core.  A mag 11 star is 1.2' E.  Last of six in the NGC 349 group and forms a close pair with NGC 349 1.5' W.  Located 6' W of a mag 7.2 SAO 129088.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 350 = m 30 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF."  This galaxy is the last in a group of 6 he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).  His position is 1' S of MCG -01-03-069 = PGC 3690.
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NGC 351 = UGC 639 = MCG +00-03-057 = CGCG 384-057 = PGC 3693
01 01 57.8  -01 56 12; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 142°

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 353 at 7' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 351 = Sw. 3-3, along with NGC 353, on 4 Nov 1875.  His rough RA for NGC 351 was 8 seconds too large.  Stephan didn't confirm or publish the discovery, so didn't receive credit in the NGC.

Lewis Swift rediscovered both galaxies on 10 Nov 1885 and included them his 3rd discovery list, #3 and #4.  His RA for NGC 351 was also 12 seconds too large.  Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 25 Oct 1897 as well as Howe in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 352 = MCG -01-03-071 = PGC 3701
01 02 09.2  -04 14 45; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 2.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 165°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.5', broadly concentrated with fainter extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 352 = H. III-191 = h81 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and logged "vF, mE."  His position was poor but John Herschel measured a fairly accurate (mean) position.

The position angle in Harold Corwin's ESGC and the Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) is in error (10° or NNE-SSW), instead of 165° or NNW-SSE.
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NGC 353 = UGC 641 = MCG +00-03-058 = CGCG 384-058 = PGC 3714
01 02 24.6  -01 57 28; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 26°

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 351 7' WNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 353 = Sw. 3-4, along with NGC 351, on 4 Nov 1875.  His rough RA for NGC 351 was 10 seconds too large.  Stephan didn't confirm or publish the discovery, so didn't receive credit in the NGC.

Lewis Swift rediscovered both galaxies on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  The RA in his third discovery list, #4, was 9 seconds too large (similar offset as NGC 351).
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NGC 354 = UGC 645 = MCG +04-03-037 = Mrk 353 = PGC 3763
01 03 16.3  +22 20 33; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 29°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the WNW end and a mag 11 star is 1' E.  Located 3.3' NNW of mag 9.1 SAO 74452.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 354 = St. 12-10 on 5 Oct 1869.  He published an accurate micrometric position made 12 years later on 24 Oct 1881 with the description "eF and S; R; a mag 14 star precedes by 1 sec".
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NGC 355 = MCG -01-03-077 = PGC 3753
01 03 06.9  -06 19 26; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 125°

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, very small, round.  Near my visual threshold and only glimpsed with averted vision for moments.  Located just 4' WNW of NGC 357. Appears extremely faint on the POSS (16 pg) with a nearly stellar core and very small low surface brightness arms that were not visible.  Previously missed using my 13.1".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 355 = m 31 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS."  His position matches MCG -01-03-077 = PGC 3753, although it is surprisingly faint and was barely visible in my 17.5" (missed with my 13").
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NGC 356 = MCG -01-03-078 = VV 486 = PGC 3754
01 03 07.0  -06 59 17; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 70°

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very weak concentration.  Located about 30' SE of the NGC 349 group (USGC S034).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 356 = m 32 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, iR."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 357 = MCG -01-03-081 = PGC 3768
01 03 21.9  -06 20 22; Cet
V = 12.0;  Size 2.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

13.1" (9/3/86): moderately bright, small, compact, very bright core.  A faint mag 14 star is at the ENE edge.  NGC 355 4' WNW not seen in 13.1" but glimpsed in 17.5".

William Herschel discovered NGC 357 = H. II-434 = h82 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and recorded "F, S, irr figure, bM, resolvable."  His position is accurate. John Herschel observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, logging on 10 Oct 1828: "F; R; suddenly brighter middle; to a *13m; 20" a *14 10 sec nf."  His position and description is a perfect match with MCG -01-03-081 = PGC 3768.  On 19 Oct 1873, Stephan made an observation he assumed was of NGC 357, but his position is a good match with Shapley-Ames 1 = PGC 3853.
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NGC 358
01 05 10.9  +62 01 14; Cas

17.5" (11/6/93): consists of just four mag 11-12 stars in a 2'x1' trapezoid at the NGC position.  This appears to be just a small asterism.  10' SE is also a scattered group in two detached sections elongated E-W with about a dozen mag 12-13.5 stars in each group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 358 on 4 Feb 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen while observing h 83 = NGC 366.  Harold Corwin suggests his description (translated roughly from Latin) is "A cluster of several stars -- not many members.  Found when inspecting the cluster h 83 [NGC 366], which is nearly of the same nature."  His position matches the group of 4 stars in my visual observation although the NGC description ("Cl, vl Ri") is inaccurate.
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NGC 359 = UGC 662 = MCG +00-03-066 = CGCG 384-066 = PGC 3817
01 04 16.9  -00 45 53; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 135°

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.2' SSE.  Forms a pair with NGC 364 7' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 359 = m 33, along with NGC 364, on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. Édouard Stephan made an observation on 28 Oct 1875.
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NGC 360 = ESO 079-014 = FGC 119E = PGC 3743
01 02 51.4  -65 36 36; Tuc
V = 12.6;  Size 3.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 144°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; excellent large, thin edge-on NW-SE with tapered tips, stretching ~2.5'x20".  The center is slightly brighter with a mottled or clumpy appearance. A faint double (mag 14.5/15) at ~12" is just west of the southeast end.  Two bright stars are near; mag 8.8 HD 6221 lies 6.5' WSW (just outside the field at 397x) and mag 6.3 HD 6311 lies 9' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 360 = h2372 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "eF, vmE, very little brighter middle; a Ray nebula, pos = 145.4°".  His position and descriptions matches ESO 079-014 = PGC 3743.
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NGC 361 = ESO 051-012 = Lindsay 67 = Kron 46
01 02 11  -71 36 24; Tuc
V = 11.8;  Size 1.6'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter, weak concentration to center, grainy.  A single star or clump was resolved.  Located 4.5' SE of mag 7.8 HD 6222 (2' pair with a mag 9.8 companion).  Observation made through thin clouds.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 361 = D 54 = h2374 on 6 Sep 1826.  After logging mag 7.8 HD 6222 (less than 5' NW), he recorded "a small round pretty well-defined nebula, 15" or 20" diameter."  His position was 7' too far SE, but in the same offset direction as NGC 411 and NGC 458 in the same drift.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 361 on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441) and noted "vF, L, oval, very gradually very much brighter in the middle."  He listed the possible equivalence with D 55, which was the next object in the drift and offset 10' E of NGC 361.  D 55 may refer to a pair of stars at 01 03 02 -71 33.2.
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NGC 362 = ESO 051-013 = 75 Tuc
01 03 14  -70 50 54; Tuc
V = 6.5;  Size 12.9';  Surf Br = 0.1

25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 318x; gorgeous globular that is highly resolved into a few hundred stars over the entire face of the cluster. The halo, which extends roughly to 8', was plastered with a large number of fairly brighter stars overlaying a dense layer of fainter stars.  Strongly concentrated with a bright 2' circular core with a much higher stellar density that extends right up to a very small intensely bright nucleus.  Situated 3.3° ENE of 47 Tucanae at the north tip of the SMC.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 228x, NGC 362 appeared very bright and well-resolved into a couple of hundred stars! The rich halo was plastered with stars and extended to nearly 8' diameter. The 2' compressed core was well-concentrated to a blazing center (concentration class III). Stars appeared to stream out of the core in curving spiral lanes. This globular has a classic symmetric appearance with a prominent, round core and halo. NGC 362 is situated just north of the SMC, though 47 Tuc (NGC 104) overshadows the splendor of NGC 362.

Naked-eye (11/4/12 - Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand): this 6.5-magnitude globular was just visible naked-eye to the north of the SMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 362 = D 62 on 1 Aug 1826.  He described "a beautiful bright round nebula, about 4' diameter, exceedingly condensed. This is a good representation of the 2nd of the Connaissance des Temps [M2] in figure, colour, and distance; it is but a very little easier resolved, rather a brighter white, and perhaps more compact and globular. This is a beautiful globe of white light; resolvable; the stars are very little scattered." He observed the globular 11 times (sketched in Figure 3 of his catalogue) and his published position was 2' NE of center.

John Herschel (h2375) reported it with his 18" reflector from the Cape of Good Hope on 12 Aug 1834 as a "Fine, highly condensed globular cluster; pretty suddenly brighter middle; diameter 4'." On 3 Nov 1834 he called it "very bright; very large; pretty suddenly very much brighter middle; round; 5' or 6' diameter; all resolved." Observing the next night, he recorded it as "a globular cluster; vB; very little extended; gradually very much brighter in the middle. Diameter of more condensed part approx. 60 sec in RA; but there are loose stars to a considerably greater distance, stars 13 or 14 mag all nearly equal and distinct, but run into a blaze in centre."

There was a 1.0 tmin error in reduction in the NGC position too far west.  This error was noted in Harvard College Observatory NGC corrections based on plates taken with the Bruce telescope at Arequipa between 1898 and 1901 and repeated by Dreyer in the IC 2 notes.
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NGC 363 = MCG -03-03-023 = PGC 3911
01 06 15.8  -16 32 34; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 49°

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter, very small brighter core.  A mag 12 star is 3' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 363 = LM 1-23 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is 1.5 min of RA west of MCG -03-03-023 = PGC 3911.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The MCG does not identify their entry as NGC 363.
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NGC 364 = UGC 666 = MCG +00-03-069 = CGCG 384-067 = PGC 3833
01 04 40.8  -00 48 10; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 359 7' WNW.  Plotted too far south on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 364 = m 34, along with NGC 359, on 2 Sep 1864 and logged "vF, vS". Édouard Stephan made an observation on 28 Oct 1875.

The RNGC position is 3' too far south.  CGCG  doesn't identify its 384-067 as NGC 364 and the UGC position is 26' too far S!
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NGC 365 = ESO 352-001 = MCG -06-03-017 = PGC 3822
01 04 18.7  -35 07 17; Scl
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 5°

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  A pair of mag 11/13 stars [45" separation] lie ~5' SE.  Required averted vision to comfortably view this galaxy.

John Herschel discovered NGC 365 = h2373 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 20"." His mean declination from two observations is ~1.3' S of ESO 352-001.
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NGC 366 = Cr 9 = OCL-286 = Lund 37
01 06 26  +62 13 42; Cas
Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): small, rich group with 30 stars resolved in a 3' region at 260x, with several small knots of stars.  On the south side is the multiple star STI 177 A/B/C = 12/12.9/13 at 3.8" and 10".  Just 48" NE, is the 12" mag 12/13 D and E components with a fainter component at 7" and another close pair or triple is ~30" E.  On the N end of the group is DAM 304 = 12/14 pair at 9".  A string of mag 14-15 stars oriented SW-NE is on the west side of the main grouping.

17.5" (11/6/93): 10 stars mag 12-14 in a small 3' group.  Consists of two mag 12-13 stars both of which form very close doubles and a tight trio of mag 13-14 stars on the east side.  The rest are faint stars and the cluster is set over unresolved haze.  Not impressive but stands out clearly in field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 366 = h83 on 27 Oct 1829 and reported a "small cl 2' in diam.  Place that of the double star h 1070."  His position, though, is 2' S of the double star.
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NGC 367 = PGC 3894
01 05 48.9  -12 07 42; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 15°

17.5" (12/26/00): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Requires averted vision but visible ~80% of the time with concentration at 280x once identified in the eyepiece field.  Elongation not noted so I probably only picked up the brighter central region.

17.5" (10/4/97): uncertain sighting.  Possibly barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions using a GSC finder chart to pinpoint location and averted vision at 280x.  No elongation noticed.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 367 = LM 2-299 in 1866 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.2', E 175°, bright nucleus, 3 stars 12th mag, north-preceding 30°.  There is nothing at his position but 1 min of RA east is PGC 3894. This galaxy is elongated SSW-NNE (Muller's PA is nearly N-S) and his description of three nearby stars matches this galaxy.  RNGC misidentifies FGC 120 = PGC 90518, an extremely thin edge-on, as NGC 367.  PGC 90518 is 13' S of Muller's position and does not match his description.
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NGC 368 = ESO 243-023 = PGC 3826
01 04 21.9  -43 16 36; Phe
V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (10/5/13): at 225x; very faint, very small, round, 18" diameter.  Situated 3.1' NE of mag 8.8 HD 6368.  Viewed at ~10° elevation from Lake San Antonio.

John Herschel discovered NGC 368 = h4012 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "eeF; vS; N.f. a star 7-8 mag distant 3'."  His position and description is accurate (after correcting for a 1 hr typo in RA).
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NGC 369 = ESO 541-017 = MCG -03-03-022 = PGC 3856
01 05 08.9  -17 45 32; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 52°

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, gradually weak concentration.  A similar pair of mag 10.7 and 11.1 stars oriented NW-SE lie 5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 369 = LM 1-24 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is 3' S of ESO 541-017 = PGC 3856.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 370 = NGC 372
01 06 44.6  +32 25 43; Psc

See observing notes for NGC 372.  Identification uncertain.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 370 = Au 5 on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  There is nothing at his single position, though he mentions a mag 13 star is 15" to the south.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 370 is possibly equal to NGC 372.  This is a triple star found by Dreyer at Birr Castle on 12 Dec 1876 at a mean position of 01 06 44.6 +32 25 43 (2000).  The triplet is about 10 seconds of time greater and 1' further north than d'Arrest's position and the separation for the north-south pair is close to his estimate.  This identification is uncertain, but there is nothing else in the vicinity that matches.
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NGC 371 = SMC-N76 = ESO 051-14 = Lindsay 71 = Kron 48 = SMC Ass 53
01 03 30  -72 03 24; Tuc
Size 8'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter, NGC 371 is a fairly bright, prominent, round SMC nebulous cluster, up to 6' in diameter with a fairly well-defined edge.  The haze has a pretty consistent high surface brightness and seems suspended in a large, scattered cluster or star cloud (Hodge Association 53).  A 5' string of four mag 12-13 stars oriented NW-SE is superimposed on the glow, as well as a number of fainter stars.  One star is the main ionizing source: mag 13.0 Wolf-Rayet spectroscopic binary SMC AB 7.  SMC AB 6, another mag 12 WR binary, is at the south end of the cluster.

This is an excellent low power field with the striking HII region NGC 346 22' WSW and NGC 395/IC 1624 8'-10' NE. HD 6406, a mag 9.6 yellow supergiant is 2.8' SW of center and HD 6536, a mag 8.4 yellow supergiant, is 12' SSE.

10x30mm and 15x50mm IS binoculars: easily visible along with NGC 346.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 371 = D 31 = h2376 on 1 Aug 1826.  Based on 5 observations he described it as "a pretty large unequally bright nebula, about 5' diameter, round figure, resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes."  His published position was 8' too far south, but the description fits.  On 5 Sep 1826 he wrote "a large faint ill-defined nebula, irregular round figure, easily resolvable, about 5' diameter.  This is the large faint nebula in the northern extremity or what I have called the 3 nebulae in the [Small]] Cloud."

John Herschel made 5 observations beginning on 11 Apr 1834, recording "cluster, 6th class; faint, round, 10' diameter, stars 15..18th mag."  The next observation was logged as "vF, L, p rich cluster, 6th class. Stars 14..15th mag." On a third sweep he noted it as "a F, L, p compressed cl of 6th class. 10' diameter. gradually brighter in the middle; stars 12..16th mag - in some parts almost nebulous." The fourth observation was recorded as a "cluster 6th class; stars 12..15th mag, a few = 10th mag and one of 9th mag; much compressed in the middle; fills field and has loose straggling lines and crooks branching off." The final sweep was recorded as "F, L, cl; little compressed; gradually brighter in the middle; 7' diam; resolved into stars 14..16th mag."  Herschel was very uncertain (??) if Dunlop 31 referred to this cluster.
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NGC 372 = NGC 370
01 06 44.6  +32 25 43; Psc

18" (11/18/06): faint triple star resolved at 280x.  The components form a very small equilateral triangle 1' N of a mag 12 star with the components ~10" apart.  The brightest component of the triple is at the north vertex and the other two are mag 15-15.5.  NGC 370 may also refer to this multiple star.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 372 on 12 Dec 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle and stated "the last nova [GC 5146 = NGC 372] looks at first sight like a hazy *, the higher power seems to resolve it, at all events sev luminous points were seen. Has a *12 in pos 166.5d, dist, 74"."  This pins down the equivalence with a triple star with a mean position of 01 06 44.6 +32 25 43 (2000).  Heinrich d'Arrest *possibly* also observed this triple star (or one or more of its components) on 7 Oct 1861 and it was catalogued as GC 197 = NGC 370.
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NGC 373 = PGC 3946
01 06 58.2  +32 18 31; Psc
V = 14.9;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/18/06): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  There appears to be a 15-16th magnitude star superimposed as a stellar point was sometimes visible offset from the center.  Located on the SW side of the "Pisces Group", 9' SW of NGC 383.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W.  Located 8.3' SW of NGC 383 in the core of the cluster.  Forms a pair with NGC 375 2.8' NNE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 373 on 12 Dec 1876 using the 72" at Birr Castle in the NGC 383 group.  His description is simply "vF, vS" but he accurately placed it 428" in PA 225.8° with respect to a mag 12.2 star situated SSW of NGC 382/383.  This offset matches PGC 3946.  This is one of 8 galaxies in the Pisces Group discovered at Birr Castle.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, described this object as a double nebulous star (there appears to be a very faint star at the NW edge) and Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Corrections list, states "nebula + star".
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NGC 374 = UGC 680 = MCG +05-03-048 = CGCG 501-080 = PGC 3952
01 07 05.8  +32 47 42; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 175°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus or mag 15 star is superimposed [SDSS shows a nucleus].  Located almost midway between two mag 14 stars 0.7' NE and 0.9' SW.  Located about 25' N of the core of the NGC 383 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 374 = Au 6 on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor at the observatory in Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate and he noted it was "between 2 stars mag 15."  The discovery was early enough to be included in Auwers 1862 list of new nebulae.
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NGC 375 = PGC 3953
01 07 05.9  +32 20 53; Psc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/18/06): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, weak concentration.  Situated ~2' W of a triangle of mag 12/13/14 stars (on the opposite side from NGC 384/385) and 5.6' SW of NGC 383 in the "Pisces Group".  The closest cluster member is NGC 373 situated 3' SSW.

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, round.  Three mag 12-13.5 stars forming an isosceles triangle with the long base oriented N-S are about 2' SE.  Located 5.6' SW of NGC 383 in the core of the cluster.  Forms a pair with NGC 373 2.8' SSW.

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 375 on 1 Dec 1874 with his father's 72" and shown on the constructed sketch of the entire Pisces Group in the 1880 publication.  The GC and NGC position matches PGC 3953, an extremely compact elliptical.  MCG misidentifies UGC 679 = MCG +05-03-049 (an extremely low surf brightness edge-on ~2.5' north) as NGC 375.
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NGC 376 = ESO 029-29 = Lindsay 72
01 03 53.6  -72 49 32; Tuc
V = 10.9;  Size 1.0'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; very bright, fairly small, irregular or triangular shape, 35"-40" diameter.  A half-dozen stars were resolved within the glow surrounded by a much fainter halo.  NGC 419, which is brighter and larger, lies 20' ESE.  NGC 376 lies in the inner eastern extension of the SMC toward the LMC, known as the SMC wing.

Lindsay 60 is 16' ENE (see NGC 419 for notes) and Lindsay 66 is 18' NW.  The latter resolved into three brighter stars in a small string oriented WSW-NNE [length of 21"].  At 397x, the middle "star" was a very small knot, ~6"-8" diameter.  This is probably the core of the cluster. The three stars seem surrounded by an extremely low surface brightness halo.

N63 and N64 are a fairly similar pair of compact emission nebulae 27' WNW.  Both are ~30" in diameter and separated by 1.4' NW-SE.  They were easily noticed at 397x with N63 on the NW side slightly brighter.  The contrast was increased at 244x through an NPB filter.  A mag 12 star lies 0.7' NW of N63.

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, small, round, 30" diameter, a few individual stars or clumps are resolved. A 10' string of stars (Hodge Association 56) passes ~4' N and angles towards the NE.  NGC 419 follows by 20'.  Observation made through thin clouds.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 376 = D 36 = h2378, along with NGC 419, on 2 Sep 1826.  He recorded (single observation) "a faint ill-defined nebula, about 1 1/2' diameter."  His reduced position (from a drift) is 9.5' ENE, though matches his offset error in declination (about 3.5') for NGC 419. So despite a size estimate that's too large, the discovery appears highly likely.

John Herschel recorded this cluster on two sweeps: on 12 Aug 1834 he logged "pretty faint, small, round, resolvable, pretty compact."  On a later sweep he recorded it as a "globular cluster, a vS, vB knot of visible stars 15 or 20" diameter almost like a solid mass."  His position and description on both sweeps is accurate, although DeLisle Stewart reported erroneously (based on plates taken at Harvard's Aqrequipa station between 1898 and 1901) that this object was a "double star only, components 10" apart at 270° (E-W).  Herschel credited Dunlop as the possible discoverer (D 36) in his General Catalogue but not the Cape Catalog.
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NGC 377 = ESO 541-019 = MCG -04-03-053 = PGC 3931
01 06 34.8  -20 19 57; Cet
V = 15.1;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

24" (12/1/13): at 325x appeared extremely faint, small, round, 18" diameter.  Visible perhaps 25% of the time as an extremely faint patch and too fleeting to detect an elongated shape.  Forms the northern vertex of a triangle with a mag 14.5 star 6' SW and a mag 13.5 star 4.7' SE.  A large scattered group of stars including several mag 10-11 lies ~10' E.

18" (12/3/05): not seen at 225x.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, small, round, 20" diameter (core only viewed?).  Only visible intermittently with averted and concentration (in fairly poor seeing) but sighting definite.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 377 = LM 1-25 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Based on the discovery sketch, Corwin determined NGC 377 = ESO 541-019 = PGC 3931.  This would place NGC 377 17' S of Leavenworth's rough position, an unusual error in declination.  ESO misidentifies 541-019 as possibly NGC 412 (also from Leavenworth).
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NGC 378 = ESO 412-005 = AM 0103-302 = MCG -05-03-024 = PGC 3907
01 06 12.1  -30 10 41; Scl
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 90°

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'.  A mag 11.5 star is 3' NNE.  Located 8' WSW of mag 10.7 SAO 192929.

John Herschel discovered NGC 378 = h2377 on 28 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 15 arcseconds." His position matches ESO 412-005 = PGC 3907.  Listed in category 8 (Galaxies with apparent companions) in the Arp-Madore catalogue and an image is on page 8.2.
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NGC 379 = Arp 331 NED1 = UGC 683 = MCG +05-03-050 = CGCG 501-082 = VV 193 = IV Zw 38 NED1 = PGC 3966
01 07 15.7  +32 31 13; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 0°

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 380 2.3' S.  This galaxy is at the north end of the Pisces Group centered on NGC 383 and is one of 11 NGC galaxies viewed in the field at 280x!

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with similar NGC 380 2' S in the NGC 383 group.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 379 = H. II-215 = h84, along with NGC 380 and NGC 383, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He recorded the trio as "Three, F, vS, R, all in a row in the meridian, nearly of equal size, the distance between the two most south [NGC 383 and 383] is about double that of the other."
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NGC 380 = Arp 331 NED2 = UGC 682 = MCG +05-03-051 = CGCG 501-081 = LGG 017-001 = PGC 3969
01 07 17.6  +32 28 59; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core.  Forms a 2.2' pair with NGC 379 and 4.5' NNW of NGC 383 at the north end of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 379 2' S in the NGC 383 group. 

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 380 = H. II-216 = h85, along with NGC 379 and NGC 383, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  See description under NGC 379.
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NGC 381 = Cr 10 = OCL-317 = Lund 38
01 08 18  +61 35; Cas
Size 6'

24" (1/4/14): nice group of ~75 stars, fairly uniformly distributed in a 6' group.  A triple star (STI 185 = 10.8/12.5 at 9" and a third closer companion) is just north of center.  The cluster is roughly circular with no denser patches, but it does include a number of faint stars so the appearance is fairly rich.  Pretty well detached in the 50' field at 125x (less so on the north side).

17.5" (8/16/93): 40 stars mag 11-15 in loose 6' diameter, stands out best at 100x.  The brightest mag 10.8 star is part of a triple along the north side.  Fairly uniform in mag 12/13 stars with a scattering of faint stars, fairly even distribution with no rich regions.  Not recognizable as a cluster at 220x.

17.5" (11/2/91): about three dozen stars in 6' diameter, fairly faint, roughly a circular group.  Consists mostly of mag 12/13 stars.  Includes a triple star (10.8/12.5/13 at 8"/~3") and two mag 11 stars on the west side.  Several stars are arranged in strings.  Relatively few stars in center.  A line of mag 10 stars trail off to the north edge of field and the mag 10 star at the end of the string 11' N is a close double star.

8": ~30 stars in a circular group, bright curving string to the north.  A mag 8 star is 10' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 381 = H. VIII-64 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and noted "a forming cluster of pretty compressed stars."  In his second published catalogued he added "Caroline Herschel disc[overy] 1783".

Caroline Herschel is often attributed with the discovery of NGC 381 based on this comment, but her description places the intended cluster west of Gamma Cas (and east of Kappa) forming an isosceles triangle, but NGC 381 follows Gamma.  NGC 225 forms a flat isosceles triangle with the two stars and Wolfgang Steinicke argues this was the observed cluster.  The same conclusion was reached in the August 2007 issue of Sky & Tel.
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NGC 382 = Arp 331 NED5 = VV 193b = UGC 688 = MCG +05-03-052 = CGCG 501-086 = LGG 018-002 = PGC 3981
01 07 23.9  +32 24 15; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (11/18/06): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Situated at the south edge of the halo of NGC 383 (the brighter member of the "Pisces Group"), just 30" from the center.

17.5" (9/23/00): very faint, extremely small, round, 20" diameter, very faint quasi-stellar nucleus at moments.  This galaxy is the fainter of a close pair with NGC 383 in the Pisces group.

Supernova SN 2000dk (Type Ia) was discovered 5 days ago (18 Sept.) and was visible as a mag 15.5 "star" at the NW edge of the halo (5" W and 9" north of center).  At the first glance using 280x, the galaxy appeared elongated in the direction of the SN, but in moments of better seeing, the SN was clearly resolved and similar in brightness to the nucleus of NGC 382.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, round.  Forms a double system with much brighter NGC 383 30" NNE in a group. 

13.1" (9/29/84): very faint, extremely small, round.  Nearly attached to NGC 383.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 382 on 4 Nov 1850.  It was labeled "Gamma prime" in his sketch of the Pisces Group.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this nebula on 26 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  This is one of 5 galaxies discovered by Stoney on that night including NGCs 384, 385, 386 and 388.  E.E. Barnard also found the NGC 382/383 pair while sweeping for comets on 14 Jul 1891 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He called it "a vvS, very faint nebula 1/2' south preceding [NGC 383].
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NGC 383 = Arp 331 NED6 = VV 193a = UGC 689 = MCG +05-03-053 = CGCG 501-087 = LGG 018-003 = PGC 3982
01 07 24.9  +32 24 45; Psc
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.3' diameter, broadly concentrated to a bright core that increases to a 6" nucleus.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 382 30" S of center.  This galaxy is the brightest and largest member of the "Pisces Group" (at the southwest end of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster) and is surrounded by 10 galaxies within 8'!

17.5" (9/19/87): brightest in the NGC 383 cluster.  Fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo.  Forms a double system with NGC 382 30" SW.  NGC 380 is 4.5' NNW, NGC 379 6.8' NNW, NGC 386 3.3' SSE, NGC 385 5.5' SSE.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, almost round, bright core.  Forms a double with NGC 382.

William Herschel discovered NGC 383 = H. II-217 = h86, along with NGC 379 and NGC 380, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  See description under NGC 379. 

John Herschel made 3 observations and reported on 22 Nov 1827 (sweep 106), "pB; pL; gradually brighter in the middle."  Both Herschel's missed NGC 382, only 30" S of center, perhaps as their magnification was too low.
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NGC 384 = Arp 331 NED3 = UGC 686 = MCG +05-03-055 = CGCG 501-084 = LGG 017-002 = PGC 3983
01 07 25.0  +32 17 34; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.6'x0.5', fairly well concentrated with a small bright core.  At the south end of the "Pisces Group" with NGC 385 1.7' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, slightly elongated, bright core.  NGC 385 2' N and NGC 386 is 4.3' NNE in the NGC 383 group.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 385.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 384 = Au 7 on 4 Nov 1850. He labeled it "Zeta" on his sketch of the Pisces Group.  Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered this galaxy (along with NGC 385) and measured an accurate position on 12 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  Auwers published d'Arrest's observation in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and John Herschel credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC. Dreyer credited Lord Rosse, as well as d'Arrest, in the NGC.
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NGC 385 = Arp 331 NED4 = UGC 687 = MCG +05-03-056 = CGCG 501-085 = LGG 018-004 = PGC 3984
01 07 27.2  +32 19 12; Psc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, strong concentration with a bright 20" core.  Located near the south end of the "Pisces Group" and appears slightly larger and brighter than nearby NGC 384 1.7' SSW.  A trio of mag 12-13 stars lies 2'-3' WNW and the two northern stars are collinear with the galaxy.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Forms a trio with NGC 386 2.6' N and NGC 384 1.8' S in the NGC 383 group. 

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, small bright core, similar to NGC 384.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 385 = Au 8 on 4 Nov 1850. He labeled it "Epsilon" in his sketch of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen and measured an accurate position (4 measurements).  d'Arrest's observation was included in Auwers 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and John Herschel credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC.  Dreyer credited both LdR and d'Arrest when compiling the NGC.
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NGC 386 = Arp 331 NED7 = MCG +05-03-057 = CGCG 501-088 = PGC 3989
01 07 31.3  +32 21 43; Psc
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6

18" (11/18/06): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, gradually increases to a very small brighter core.  Located 3.3' SSE of NGC 383 and on a line to the north of the NGC 384/385 pair in the core of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round, bright core.  Located 3.3' SSE of NGC 383 in a group.  NGC 385 lies 2.6' S.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 386 on 4 Nov 1850. He labeled it "Delta" in his sketch of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group.
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NGC 387 = PGC 3987
01 07 33.0  +32 23 28; Psc
V = 15.5;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

18" (11/18/06): at 280x appeared very faint, very small, round, 8" diameter.  This is perhaps the smallest and faintest NGC galaxy in the "Pisces Chain".  Located 2' SE of NGC 383 and 2.5' N of NGC 386 in the heart of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint, round, almost stellar.  Located 1.8' NNE of NGC 386 and 2.1' SE of NGC 383 in the NGC 383 group.  Not 100% certain of its non-stellar appearance.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 387 on 10 Dec 1873 with Lord Rosse's 72" and included it on the sketch that was made of the cluster (later labeled as GC 5149), along with offsets from NGC 383.  The GC (5149) and NGC position matches PGC 3987.
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NGC 388 = Arp 331 NED8 = MCG +05-03-059 = CGCG 501-090 = LGG 018-018 = PGC 4005
01 07 47.1  +32 18 36; Psc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 168°

18" (11/18/06): at 280x appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 4.5' E of the NGC 384/385 pair at the south end of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87):extremely faint and small, round, size 10"-15".  Located 5'-6' E of NGC 385 in the NGC 383 group.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 388 on 4 Nov 1850. He labeled it "Theta" in his sketch of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group.
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NGC 389 = UGC 703 = MCG +06-03-014 = CGCG 520-017 = PGC 4054
01 08 30.0  +39 41 44; And
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 54°

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is just off the NE edge 0.7' from center which detracts from viewing.  Forms a pair with NGC 393 3.3' SSE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 389 = Sw. 2-12 on 6 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 30 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 703 = PGC 4054.  His description "* near" applies to the star just off the NE end of this galaxy.
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NGC 390
01 07 54.4  +32 25 59; Psc

= *, Corwin.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 390 = Big. 9 on 19 Nov 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory and recorded "mag 13.4-13.5; stellar aspect".  According to Harold Corwin (private correspondence), Bigourdan's offsets match a star at 01 07 54 +32 25 59 (2000).  This identification was first given by Hubble in his 1920 paper "Photographic investigations of faint nebulae"

RNGC misidentifies PGC 4021 as NGC 390.  PGC 4021 is  4' ENE of Bigourdan's place.
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NGC 391 = UGC 693 = MCG +00-03-075 = CGCG 384-077 = PGC 3976
01 07 22.6  +00 55 33; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 45°

24" (11/21/19): at 322x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, very small bright core increasing to a bright stellar nucleus.  Situated within a group of stars including a mag 10.7 star 1.7' NNW.

UGC 695, situated 10' NE, appeared as a very low surface brightness patch, fairly small, roundish, 25" diameter. 

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, very small, round, compact, well-defined edge, small bright core.  Located 1.7' SSE of a mag 10 star and 4.4' NNE of mag 9.5 SAO 109686.

George Phillips Bond discovered NGC 391 = HN 3 = Au 9 on 8 Jan 1853 with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor while taking micrometric positions of stars for the Harvard Zone Catalogue.  He noted a "faint nebula, 1' 30" south following star number 32 [11th magnitude]."  At this exact position is UGC 693 = PGC 3976.  Auwers included Bond's discovery in his 1862 Catalogue of new nebulae, before the GC was published.
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NGC 392 = UGC 700 = MCG +05-03-062 = CGCG 501-094 = Holm 36a = KTG 3A = PGC 4042
01 08 23.5  +33 08 00; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 50°

24" (10/5/13): brightest member of the KTG 3 triplet with NGC 394 1.0' NNE and NGC 397 2.2' SE.  At 375x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30"x25", increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1.2' SW.  Also recorded IC 1619 13' WSW and UGC 692 15' SW.  The KTG 3 trio are probably members of the larger "Pisces Chain" group.

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, round, bright core, sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1' SW.  Brightest of three (KTG 3) with NGC 394 1' NE and NGC 397 2' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 392 = H. II-218 = h87 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and simply noted "F, resembling the foregoing [NGC 379, 380, 383]."  He missed the nearby fainter galaxies NGC 394 and 397.

John Herschel observed NGC 392 on 16 Nov 1827 (sweep 102): "pretty faint; brighter middle nearly to a *; between 2 stars".  A 13th magnitude star is 1' SW, but there is no corresponding star on the NE side.  Perhaps the presumed second "star" was actually NGC 394.
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NGC 393 = UGC 707 = MCG +06-03-015 = CGCG 520-018 = V Zw 52 = PGC 4061
01 08 37.0  +39 38 39; And
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, sharp concentration, faint halo, two mag 13/13.5 star are 1.2' WNW and 1.6' NW with a separation of 36".  Forms a pair with NGC 389 3.3' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 393 = H. I-54 = h88 on 5 Oct 1784 during sweeps 281-285, which were made in the east (not in Caroline's fair copy of the sweeps).  On 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) he recorded "pB, S, R, very gradually brighter middle."  John Herschel logged on 1 Oct 1828 (sweep 183), "vF; vS; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 10".  Allowing the moon & c. this cannot be a 1st class neb [as his father placed it]; no other neb near it."  In the GC notes, John Herschel mentioned "This [h88] is not the I. 54 of the P.T, which proved to be one of Messier's nebulae, but another subsequently inserted by WH, so as not to break the order of the numbers..."  Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 389 (discovered by Lewis Swift).
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NGC 394 = MCG +05-03-063 = CGCG 501-095 = Holm 36b = ARK 30 = KTG 3B = PGC 4049
01 08 26.0  +33 08 52; Psc
V = 13.9;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.3;  PA = 135°

24" (10/5/13): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2', small brighter core.  Second brightest in a small triplet (KTG 3) with brighter NGC 392 1.0' SW and NGC 397 2.6' SSE.

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, oval NW-SE, small brighter core.  In a group with NGC 392 1' SW and NGC 397 3' SSE. Located west of the "Pisces Chain" at a similar redshift.

R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 394 on 26 Oct 1854.  His described GC 212 (later NGC 392) as "B, S, R, bM. [John Herschel] described it as between 2 stars.  I think the northernmost one is a nebula [NGC 394] of same character but smaller."

The General Catalogue includes two entries for this galaxy, the second (GC 215) is from Heinrich d'Arrest's independent discovery on 22 Aug 1862.  d'Arrest acknowledged his object was first seen at Parsonstown in a note in his 1865 catalogue.  Dreyer combined the two GC entries in the NGC with credit given to both d'Arrest and LdR.
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NGC 395 = SMC-N78A/B = ESO 051-16 = Kron 51 = Lindsay 75
01 05 07.9  -71 59 37; Tuc
Size 2'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): easily picked up in the same field as brighter NGC 371.  At 171x, this object appeared as a moderately bright 4' round knot of mag 14 or fainter stars with a good response to the UHC filter (the emission component is SMC-N78).  The surface brightness was fairly high with the filter although Hartung just described this object as a "star group".  NGC 395 forms a pair with IC 1624 3.2' SSE.  Located 8' NE of NGC 371.

IC 1624 appeared about half the size of NGC 395, roughly 1' in diameter with a mottled appearance and no central condensation or resolution.  A mag 13 star is close west with a mag 11 star 2' W (supergiant SK 118).  A very small nebulous knot (SMC-N78C) was also noted ~2' SE. A large, scattered group of stars (OB-association Hodge 57) is superimposed on the field.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 395 = D 35 = D 34 = h2379 on 1 Aug 1826.   He described D 35 (handwritten notes) as "a very faint ill defined nebula, rather elongated, with a star south of it."  His notebook position is  9' to the SSE.   D 34, found on a drift on 5 Sep 1826 and described as "a faint elliptical nebula", was placed 7' due south.  

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 395 on 5 Nov 1836 and recorded "very faint, pretty large, round, gradually a little brighter in the middle; 2' across."

Delisle Stewart photographed this object at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901.  He noted it was a "Group of about 10 stars, not a nebula."
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NGC 396 = PGC 99944
01 08 08.4  +04 31 51; Psc
V = 15.2;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Required averted vision to identify with GSC finder chart but with concentration I could just hold it steadily.  Located 2.1' NNW of a mag 13 star.  By a remarkable coincidence, Saturn was in the same low power field just 15' due S!  Best view of NGC 396 at 280x with Saturn sufficiently out of field to avoid any glare.  Misidentified in the RNGC (MCG +00-04-020).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 396 = m 35 on 27 Oct 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, S, lE."  Harold Corwin notes that a faint galaxy (PGC 99944) is very close to Marth's position (just 5 sec of RA west) with a star superimposed on the north side.  RNGC misidentifies UGC 729 as NGC 396.  UGC 729 is located 1° S and 2.2 min of RA east of Marth's position!
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NGC 397 = MCG +05-03-064 = CGCG 501-096 = KTG 3C = PGC 4051
01 08 31.0  +33 06 33; Psc
V = 14.6;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (10/5/13): faintest in the KTG 3 triplet with brighter NGC 392 2.2' NW and NGC 394 2.5' NNW.  At 375x appeared fairly faint, small, 15"x12", slightly elongated SW-NE, very weak concentration.

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint and small, slightly elongated, very low even surface brightness.  Faintest of three with NGC 392 2' NW.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 397 on 6 Dec 1866.  While observing GC 212 = NGC 392 he noted a "suspected neb preceded by a vF*".  The closest match is MCG +05-03-064 and MCG gives the tentative identification "NGC 397?". There is no "very faint star" preceding this compact galaxy but there is one close following.
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NGC 398 = MCG +05-03-065 = CGCG 501-100 = PGC 4090
01 08 53.6  +32 30 52; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 135°

18" (11/18/06): very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  Member of the "Pisces Group" (z = 0.016), though located 20' NE of NGC 383.

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint and small, round, low surface brightness.  Requires averted to see well.  NGC 399 lies 7' NNE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 398 = Big. 10 on 28 Oct 1886 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 399 = UGC 712 = MCG +05-03-067 = CGCG 501-101 = LGG 018-005 = PGC 4096
01 08 59.2  +32 38 03; Psc
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

18" (11/18/06): this member of the NGC 383 group ("Pisces Group") appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.45', weak even concentration.

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even concentration to bright core, substellar nucleus.  NGC 403 is 7.5' NE and NGC 398 7' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 399 on 3 Oct 1869 and recorded a rough unpublished position 1' NE in his logbook.  I assume his target was nearby NGC 403, which was discovered by d'Arrest in 1862.  Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 399 again on 7 Oct 1874 and noted a "small nebula" 464.3" (7.7') in PA 205.4° (SSW) from GC 217 = NGC 403.  This offset matches UGC 712 = PGC 4096.  The actual separation is 465" and the PA 204°.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position.  Parsons was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement and the NGC.
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NGC 400
01 09 02.5  +32 43 57; Psc
V = 15.4

=*, HC.  = Not found, JS.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 400 on 30 Dec 1866.  He placed his object, with respect to GC 217 = NGC 403, at a separation of 151" (2.5') in PA 242° (WSW).  At this offset is a very faint star at 01 09 02.5 +32 43 57.  NGC 401, described in the same observation, also refers to a faint star!  These identification were first given by Hubble in his 1920 paper "Photographic investigations of faint nebulae"
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NGC 401
01 09 07.7  +32 45 35; Psc
V = 15.8

=*, HC.  = Not found, JS.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 400 on 30 Dec 1866.  He placed his object, with respect to GC 217 = NGC 403, at a separation of roughly 110" in PA 291.3°.  At this offset is a very faint star at 01 09 07.7 +32 45 35.  This identification was first given by Hubble in his 1920 paper "Photographic investigations of faint nebulae.  "GC 5153 = NGC 400, described in the same observation by Ball, is also a faint star!
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NGC 402
01 09 13.3  +32 48 23; Psc
V = 15.5

=*, HC.  = Not found, JS.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 402 on 7 Oct 1874 with his father's 72" and recorded a "faint nebulous knot" and placed 281.7" in PA 353° from star 1 in the sketch.  This star is 87.3" in PA 177° from NGC 403 and has a position of 01 09 15.7 +32 43 42 (2000).  This offset points to a very faint star at 01 09 13.3 +32 48 23 (2000).  This identification was first given by Hubble in his 1920 paper "Photographic investigations of faint nebulae"
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NGC 403 = UGC 715 = MCG +05-03-068 = CGCG 501-104 = LGG 018-006 = PGC 4111
01 09 14.1  +32 45 07; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 86°

18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~1.3'x0.4', sharp concentration with a small, very bright core.  The extensions are fairly low surface brightness but appear a bit asymmetric; possibly misaligned at slightly different angles or slightly different widths.  A group of four stars nearly forming a trapezoid is close south.  Located ~30' NE of the core of the NGC 383 group ("Pisces Group") and one of the brightest members of the cluster.

MCG +05-03-071,situated 2' SE, appeared extremely faint, round, only ~8" diameter. 

17.5" (12/23/89): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, bright core, small bright nucleus.  Four mag 10-13 stars are close south.  Brightest of a trio with MCG +05-03-071 = CGCG 501-105 2' SE and NGC 399 8' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 403 on 29 Aug 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 715 = PGC 4111 and he also noted the four stars to the south, measuring the one nearly due south.
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NGC 404 = UGC 718 = MCG +06-03-018 = CGCG 520-020 = LGG 011-009 = PGC 4126 = Mirach's Ghost
01 09 26.9  +35 43 05; And
V = 10.3;  Size 3.5'x3.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (10/13/01): bright, fairly large, round, at least 2' diameter.  Contains a bright 30" core that increases steadily to a bright stellar nucleus.  Located 7' NW of mag 2.1 Beta Andromedae (Mirach), which detracts somewhat from viewing.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, round, bright stellar nucleus.  Located 7' NW of Beta Andromedae (V = 2.1)!

William Herschel discovered NGC 404 = H. II-224 = h89 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271). He recorded "pretty bright (not withstanding the light of Beta Andromeda, which is in the field with it), considerably large, round, brighter in the middle."

The observers on Lord Rosse's 72" tried to resolve this nebula.  R.J. Mitchell reported on 16 Oct 1855, "pL, B.  I have no doubt it is a cluster.  The faint borders of the nebula extend a long way out, involving several stars."
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NGC 405 = SLR 2 = ESO 243-39
01 08 33.9  -46 40 05; Phe
V = 7.1/8.7;  Size 1.3"

= Double star 7.3/8.3 at 1.2", Corwin and ESO.

John Herschel discovered NGC 405 = h2380 on 6 Sep 1834 and recorded "After a long and obstinate examination with all powers and apertures, I cannot bring it to a sharp disc and leave it, in doubt whether it be a star or not. The star [Beta Phe] immediately preceding offered no such difficulty, giving a good disc with 320."  This is clearly a double star on the Southern Sky Survey (SAO 215379) and is identified in the Sky Catalogue 2000 as SLR (Sellors) 2 = 7.3/8.3 at 1.2".
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NGC 406 = ESO 051-018 = PGC 3980
01 07 24.4  -69 52 33; Tuc
V = 12.5;  Size 3.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 160°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this interesting edge-on is fairly bright, large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.5'x0.8'.  Contains a large, elongated core.  Emerging from the east edge of the north end of the core is an extremely thin extension or arm that stretches north-northwest.  A fainter, less obvious arm is attached at the west edge of the south end of the central region.  In addition there appears to be a faint star or knot involved [images reveal a star superimposed south of the core]. This galaxy is located 1° NNE of the bright globular cluster NGC 362 and 3° NNE of the center of the SMC!

John Herschel discovered NGC 406 = h2381 on 6 Sep 1834 and logged "F, R, vL, very gradually little brighter middle, 3' dia.".  His position matches ESO 051-018 = PGC 3980.  NGC 406 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "BN with extremely elongated wisps [spiral arms] through it at 165°." (repearted in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 407 = UGC 730 = MCG +05-03-077 = CGCG 501-115 = PGC 4190
01 10 36.5  +33 07 35; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 0°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, bright core.  Faintest of three with NGC 410 5' ENE and NGC 414 8.4' E. 

13.1" (8/23/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, NGC 410 5' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 407 = H. II-219, along with NGC 410, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He described both as "Two, eF and vS.  The following [NGC 410] the largest."  He gave a single position, roughly between the two galaxies.  Just prior in the sweep he discovered the trio NGC 379, 380 and 383, as well as the NGC 392, which itself is the brightest in a trio. 

Édouard Stephan (XIII-9) independently discovered the galaxy on 2 Oct 1883 at the Marseilles Observatory and published an accurate position.  Herman Schultz also measured a precise micrometric position and recorded a nearby star as a "nova" (NGC 408).
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NGC 408
01 10 51.1  +33 09 05; Psc

= * 1.6' W of NGC 410, Gottlieb and Carlson.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.  17.5" (12/23/89): (R)NGC 408 not found.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 408 = Nova III on 22 Oct 1867 with the 9.6-inch refractor at the Uppsala Observatory.  Schultz placed this object just 8 tsec of RA preceding NGC 410.  At this offset is a mag 14.5 star at 01 10 51.1 +33 09 05 (2000), which almost certainly is his object.  RNGC misidentified PGC 4221 as NGC 408.  This galaxy is 3' SW of NGC 410.  Since Schultz micrometric measurement placed his “nova” due west of NGC 410, the RNGC identification is incorrect.  Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 paper on NGC errata, also came to this conclusion based on Mount Wilson photographs.  Finally, the RNGC has misinterpreted the NGC description to read "406 F 8S" instead of "410 F 8S".  Bigourdan probably observed PGC 4221 (described as almost stellar) although I missed it with my 17.5".  See Malcolm Thompson's "Catalogue Corrections" and my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 409 = ESO 352-012 = MCG -06-03-023 = PGC 4132
01 09 33.2  -35 48 21; Scl
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Located just 45" SE of a mag 13 star.  Identified at 280x after missing at 220x.  Brighter than NGC 415 20' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 409 = h2382 on 29 Nov 1837 and reported "eF, R, S, near a vS star." His position is 8 sec of RA east and 2' north of ESO 352-012 and the description of the nearby star (to the NW) clinches the identification.
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NGC 410 = UGC 735 = MCG +05-03-080 = CGCG 501-118 = Mrk 562 = PGC 4224
01 10 58.9  +33 09 07; Psc
V = 11.5;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 30°

17.5" (12/23/89): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo, stellar nucleus.  In a trio with NGC 407 5' WSW and NGC 414 5' SE.   Part of a large group (USGC U045).

13.1" (9/29/84): brightest of 3, fairly bright, bright core, slightly elongated SW-NE, NGC 414 4.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 410 = H. II-220, along with NGC 407, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He recorded the pair together as "Two. The preceding faint, very small. The following pretty large". Herman Schultz measured an accurate position at Uppsala.
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NGC 411 = NGC 422 = ESO 051-019 = Kron 60 = Lindsay 82
01 07 55.9  -71 46 04; Tuc
V = 11.8;  Size 1.9'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  At 228x, appeared as a low surface brightness glow with a very weak concentration and no sign of resolution.  Located 5' NW of mag 8.6 HD 7031, a yellow supergiant in the SMC, and 19' NE of NGC 395.  Viewed through thin haze.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly faint SMC cluster was immediately noticed in the same lower power field while viewing NGC 395/IC 1624 about 20' SW.  At 128x it appeared fairly small, round, ~1.5' diameter, mottled but with no resolution.  Located 5.3' NW of mag 8.6 HD 7031 and 13' ESE of mag 7.4 HD 6623.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 411 = D 57? = h2384 on 6 Sep 1826.  He logged "a small faint nebula, about 15" diameter", though the reduced position was 19' too far SE.  But the previous object in the drift was noted as a 7th mag star and assuming this refers to mag 7.4 HD 6623, it was also offset 18' in the same direction.  Some doubt remains as this cluster might be too faint to have been noticed in Dunlop's 9" speculum reflector.

John Herschel discovered NGC 411 in Sep 1835 (sweep 625?) and recorded "vF, pL, R, very little brighter middle; 2'."  His position is accurate.  On 5 Nov 1836 (sweep 745) he logged a similar description and position, but Harold Corwin found the RA minute (1 tmin too large) was miscopied into his table of "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor" and it received the designations GC 231 and NGC 422.  So, NGC 411 = NGC 422, with NGC 411 the primary designation.  See entry for NGC 422.

Delisle Stewart first photographed NGC 411 at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described it in a list of NGC corrections: "as in NGC, but round, small, stellar, cB."
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NGC 412
01 10 18  -20 01; Cet

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 412 = LM 1-26 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and simply noted "Neb?" There is nothing near Leavenworth's position.  Corwin examined the discovery sketch, but it wasn't of much help and he was unable to recover this object (or even identify it with a star).  ESO lists ESO 541-019 = PGC 3931 as a possible candidate, although this galaxy is 3.8 min of RA west and 19' S of Leavenworth's place.  So, at this time NGC 412 is lost.
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NGC 413 = MCG -01-04-013 = PGC 4347
01 12 31.5  -02 47 37; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 151°

17.5" (8/4/97): very faint, diffuse glow located 1.3' SSE of a mag 13.5-14 star. The galaxy is roundish and ~1' in diameter with little or no concentration.  The star to the north is preceded by a mag 14-14.5 star 1.4' W.  The RNGC identification at  01 12 31.5 -02 47 38 is probably incorrect and this number was deleted from DSFG.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 413 = LM 2-301 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His very rough position (to nearest minute of RA and given as doubtful) is 2 tmin west of MCG -01-04-013 = PGC 4347.  This galaxy is not identified as NGC 413 in the MCG.  RNGC misidentifies MCG -01-04-004, an edge-on galaxy, as NGC 413.
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NGC 414 = UGC 744 = CGCG 501-123 = IV Zw 39 = WBL 031-004 = VV 938 = KPG 25 = PGC 4254
01 11 17.6  +33 06 48; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 23°

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 21"x14" NW-SE with a very faint halo extending SW-NE.  This is a merged double system with twin nuclei NW-SE, separated by only ~7".  I suspected it to be double at 375x and it was definitely "resolved" at 500x.  The brighter NW nucleus (higher surface brightness) was ~6" diameter and appeared more centered in the halo.  The southeast nucleus (~5" diameter) was nearly attached as a round, tiny "bulge" or knot.

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  Third of three with NGC 410 5' NW and NGC 407 8.4' W.  NGC 414 consists of a merged pair of compacts, though they were not resolved.

13.1" (9/29/84): faint, thin streak NW-SE, weak concentration.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 414 = Nova IV on 15 Oct 1866 with the 9.6-inch Steinheil & Söhne refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  His micrometric position is accurate.  This appears to be the only galaxy in the NGC that Schultz discovered first.  He independently discovered NGC 20, but it was discovered earlier at Birr Castle.  He discovered NGC 90 but it was found earlier at Birr Castle (GC 40).  Another is NGC 7553, which was discovered earlier (GC 4913) by Lord Rosse's assistant George Stoney. Finally NGC 7571 is probably a duplicate of NGC 7597, discovered previously by Albert Marth.  All his other NGC objects are single or double stars.  Stephan apparently also observed NGC 414 on 2 Oct 1869, while observing NGC 407 and 410.

This is a double or merged system with two nuclei.  The companion on the southeast side is catalogued separately as PGC 93079.  Based on Crossley photographs at Lick Observatory, Heber Curtis described NGC 414 as "very small, binuclear.  The almost stellar nuclei are 7" apart in p.a. 142°."
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NGC 415 = ESO 352-014 = MCG -06-03-024 = PGC 4161
01 10 05.7  -35 29 27; Scl
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 55°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter (probably only viewed the core).  Required averted vision at 280x and could not hold it steadily.  NGC 409 is located 20' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 415 = h2383 on 1 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 20"." On a later he called it "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 15"." Herschel's mean position matches ESO 352-014.
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NGC 416 = ESO 029-32 = Lindsay 83 = Kron 59
01 07 59.0  -72 21 20; Tuc
V = 11.8;  Size 1.1'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. A mag 13 star lies 1' N.  Located in a rich faint star field 31' N of NGC 419 and 27' SE of the large, nebulous cluster NGC 371.  HD 6884, a mag 10.2 star 7.5' SSW, was the first luminous blue variable (LBV) discovered in the SMC

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 416 = h2386 = D 42 or D 43? on 5 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector.  He described D 42 as a "round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter." His position was 13.5' SE of the cluster.  D 43, logged on a separate drift on the same date, was called "a small round nebula, 8" diameter, bright at the centre" and placed 12' ENE.  Either or both entries might apply to this cluster.

John Herschel made 4 certain observations at the Cape.  His earliest was on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441) with description "F; S; R; 30".  On other sweeps he noted sizes up to 60" and his positions are accurate.  Herschel didn't reference a Dunlop number, probably because of the poor positions.
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NGC 417 = ESO 541-024 = MCG -03-04-019 = PGC 4237
01 11 05.5  -18 08 54; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 55°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Can almost hold continuously with averted vision after identified at 280x.  Very weak if any concentration.  No brighter stars in field.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 417 = LM 2-300 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His RA is 0.4 min west of ESO 541-024, a close enough match.  This is a double system, though Leavenworth missed the fainter northern component.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 418 = ESO 412-009 = MCG -05-04-002 = PGC 4189
01 10 35.5  -30 13 17; Scl
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 19°

24" (11/7/18): at 200x; fairly faint, large, very diffuse, 2' diameter, low surface brightness.  Broad concentration with a slightly brighter core region.  The visual brightness profile corresponded with a face-on spiral and this was verified afterwards on the DSS.  IC 1637 lies 14' SSE.

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, slightly elongated, fairly small, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness though slight broad concentration, gradually fades into the background.  A mag 14 star is 2' S.  Located 7' S of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 418 = h2385 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "not vF, pL, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 60"."  On a later sweep he noted "F, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40", the preceding of two [with NGC 423]."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 419 = ESO 029-33 = Lindsay 85
01 08 17.6  -72 53 04; Tuc
V = 10.3;  Size 2.6'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): this SMC cluster (sometimes considered an intermediate-age globular) appeared extremely bright, large, round, 2' diameter, strong concentration with a relatively large bright core.  The halo was mottled but no individual stars were resolved.  A mag 11 star is 1.6' SSE and a mag 11.3 star is 2.9' E.

Lindsay 80, located 8' NNW, appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated and irregular, 30"-35" diameter. A mag 13.8 star is at the west edge.

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large, impressive, large bright core, fainter halo, 2' diameter.  Mottled and lively but not resolved.  A mag 9 star lies 8' S and mag 7 HD 7187 lies 9' SE.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): quite bright, fairly large, round, 1.8' diameter, moderately concentrated, granular but no resolution.  Appears like an unresolved globular cluster with a very symmetrical appearance although classified as a rich open cluster.  Located on the E side of the SMC (inner Wing) 9' NW of mag 7 HD 7187 and 7.5' N of mag 9 HD 6997.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 419 = D 38 = h2387 on 1 Aug 1826.  He described D 38 as "a very small oval nebula about 10" diameter, a little brighter in the middle with a very small star south of it.  A star 7 or 8th mag following [HD 7187]."  His position was off by 7' to the SSE (similar offset as NGC 395) and the description matches.  He made a second observation on 6 Sep 1826 and called it "a pretty bright round nebula preceding a star 6th or 7th magnitude, rather elliptical, gradually a little condensed to the center, well defined with two minute stars following but not involved."  His position was off by 4' SE and the description is an exact match.  D 39, recorded on 2 Sep and placed 4' NE, might be another observation although the description is a poor match: "a rather faint nebula, about 2' long, extended in the direction of the meridian, easily resovable."

D 39 as a "pretty bright round nebula preceding a star 6th or 7th magnitude [HD 7187].  Rather elliptical, gradually a little condensed to the center.  Well defined with two minute stars [11th mag] following, but not involved." His position was 4.5' to the SE and the description is an excellent match.  D 39 may another observation from 2 Sep 1826.

John Herschel reported 4 observations in his Cape catalogue, first on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441) as "pB; pL; R; 2'. Has two stars near".  His position and description are accurate.  Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 36, though that entry more likely applies to NGC 376.
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NGC 420 = UGC 752 = MCG +05-03-083 = CGCG 501-127 = PGC 4320
01 12 09.6  +32 07 24; Psc
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, moderately large, round, bright core, large fainter halo.  Located 10' W of STF 98 = 7.0/8.0 at 20".

William Herschel discovered NGC 420 = H. III-154 = h90, along with NGC 421, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He described them together as "Two. Both eF, vS. The following [NGC 421] is the largest.”  Earlier in the sweep, Herschel discovered the trio NGC 379, 380 and 383 in Pisces, as well the pair NGC 407 and 410.  But John Herschel found only a single nebula at his father's position on 16 Nov 1827 (sweep 102).  He described it as "pB; S; R; bM.”  Dreyer commented in the notes section of the NGC: "Nothing said in the sweep about their distance apart. John Herschel, d'Arrest (only once, in moonlight), an observer at Birr Castle and Bigourdan have seen only one nebula, no doubt the following one.”

Harold Corwin mentions that since Herschel's commented the "following is the largest", the higher number Herschel designation (III-155 = NGC 421) should apply to the galaxy, but "all the observers have assigned the preceding number (H III-154 = NGC 420)" to the galaxy.
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NGC 421
01 12 12  +32 07; Psc

= Not found, Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 421 = H. III-155, along with NGC 420 = III-154 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged both as "Two. Both eF, vS. The following [NGC 421] is the largest."  Dreyer notes there was no mention in the sweep of the separation between the objects and that only a single galaxy was observed by John Heschel, Bigourdan, and at Birr Castle.  Perhaps William Herschel thought that NGC 420 was double?  In any case, although the original description seems to imply that NGC 421 should be the number of the single galaxy here, everyone has assigned NGC 420 to the galaxy.  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 422 = NGC 411 = ESO 051-019 = Kron 60 = Lindsay 82
01 07 55.9  -71 46 01; Tuc
V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'

See observing notes for NGC 411.  The cluster previously assumed to be NGC 422 is IC 1641 and my notes for this cluster are copied below --
18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very faint, small, 30" diameter, low surface brightness and no hint of resolution.  Follows NGC 411 by 7' and forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 411 and a mag 8 star 6' SW.  Observation made through thin haze.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this faint SMC cluster is located 7' following NGC 411.  At 228x it appeared as just a very faint knot, less than 1' diameter with a low surface brightness and no resolution.  Located 5.5' NE of mag 8.6 HD 7031.

John Herschel discovered NGC 422 in 1836 with his 20-foot (18") reflector and it was included as #162 in his catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor".  His position was 30 seconds of RA west (very small offset at this declination) of ESO 051-SC022 = Kron 65 = Lindsay 87, the faint cluster taken as NGC 422 by all modern sources (ESO, NED, SIMBAD, etc).

But Harold Corwin found that the entry #162 in "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor" actually derives from Herschel's second observation of NGC 411 = h2384 ("eF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle 2'.") on sweep 745 (5 Nov 1836) though he accidentally increased the RA by 1.0 tmin.  So, NGC 411 has two entries in this table (both indicated as deriving from a sweep with his 18") -- #162, which is 1.0 minute of RA too large, and #157, which was copied correctly.  Entry #162 later acquired the numbers GC 231 and NGC 422.  So, NGC 422 = NGC 411 with NGC 411 the primary designation.

The cluster previously assumed to be NGC 422 was later discovered by DeLisle Stewart on plates taken in 1900 at Harvard's station in Arequipa, Peru and received the designation IC 1641.  Instead, IC 1641 has been misidentified as a very faint cluster (Hodge-Wright 62) just following the real IC 1641.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 423 = ESO 412-011 = MCG -05-04-004 = PGC 4266
01 11 22.2  -29 14 04; Scl
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 114°

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, even surface brightness.  Located 7' S of mag 9.3 SAO 166858.

John Herschel discovered NGC 423 = h2388 on 14 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF, S, E, gradually little brighter middle."  Two sweeps later he logged it as "eF, S, little extended, 20", following of two [with NGC 418]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 424 = ESO 296-004 = MCG -06-03-026 = PGC 4274
01 11 27.6  -38 05 01; Scl
V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 60°

17.5" (10/4/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6', brighter core.  NGC 438 lies 27' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 424 = h2389 on 30 Nov 1837 and logged "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 18 arcsec."  His position matches ESO 296-004 = PGC 4274.
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NGC 425 = UGC 758 = MCG +06-03-023 = CGCG 520-026 = PGC 4379
01 13 02.6  +38 46 06; And
V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (8/16/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', fairly even high surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is just off NW edge [29" from center].

Truman Safford discovered NGC 425 = Sf. 62 = St. 10-4 on 29 Oct 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded "pS, pB, gar[?] bM."  Édouard Stephan (X-4) discovered the galaxy again on 5 Oct 1869 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  He published an accurate micrometric position made 12 years later on 24 Oct 1881 (discovery list 10, #4) with the description "faint, small, round, weak condensation, tangent on the NW with a mag 11 star."  Dreyer credited Stephan with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's discovery list was published in 1887, too late for Dreyer to see.
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NGC 426 = UGC 760 = MCG +00-04-035 = CGCG 385-026 = PGC 4363
01 12 48.6  -00 17 25; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 140°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, prominent bright core.  First of trio with NGC 429 4' SE and NGC 430 3.5' NE.  Slightly fainter than NGC 430 but comparable in brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 426 = H. III-592 = h91, along with NGC 429 and reobserved NGC 430, on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655).  The trio were recorded together as "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 430], which is the largest and most north, faint, small.  The next in size is about 2 or 3' sp [NGC 426], very faint, very small.  The last [NGC 429] is about 5' south of the 1st; extremely faint, extremely small, not verified."  NGC 430 had been discovered on 1 Oct 1785 using the Newtonian focus, but had failed to see the two companions, which were noticed using the front view (without a secondary).

John Herschel reobserved this galaxy on 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113) as "very faint; round; suddenly brighter middle."
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NGC 427 = ESO 412-014 = MCG -05-04-007 = PGC 4333
01 12 19.2  -32 03 41; Scl
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 0°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (only core viewed?).  Required averted vision and a finder chart to identify at 280x.  Located in a sparse field.  A couple of very faint nearby stars were not recorded.

John Herschel discovered NGC 427 = h2390 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "Rather doubtful, but I strongly incline to the suspicion of its being a vF neb with 2 vS stars near it".  On a second sweep (#635) he noted "I believe it only 3 vF st, but yet there remains a suspicion of nebulosity."  His position is just 1.3'  S of ESO 412-014, despite the uncertain observations.
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NGC 428 = UGC 763 = MCG +00-04-036 = CGCG 385-028 = PGC 4367
01 12 55.6  +00 58 54; Cet
V = 11.5;  Size 4.1'x3.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 120°

48" (11/4/21): at 488x; very large and unusual asymmetric knotty spiral.  Contains a very patchy spiral arm and and an ill-defined irregular halo.  The halo is elongated ~4:3 SW-NE and ~3' in diameter.  The brighter central region has a very weak concentration with no core or nucleus.  The halo is more extensive on the south side (so the central region is offset to the north), spreading within 0.8' of a 6" pair of mag 13/13.5 stars.  A mag 12 star is 1.9' NW of center (outside the halo).

A faint, 10" HII knot ([HK83] #10/12 in the Hodge-Kennicutt Atlas of HII regions) is ~50" SE of center.  A patchy, arcing train of knots (brightest part of the northern spiral arm), ~1' in length, is a similar distance on the NW side.  The brightest individual knot ([HK83] #44) is ~8" diameter and situated at its south end [0.7' WNW of center].  A fainter patch is at the north end [0.7' N of center].

24" (12/22/14): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~NW-SE, mottled irregular appearance, broad weak concentration.  With averted vision the halo increased in size to ~2.5'x2.0'.  A quasi-stellar HII region, catalogued [HK83] 44-46, occasionally popped as a very small detached knot, ~6" diameter.  This is the brightest in a series of blue HII knots on the NW side of the outer core [45" WNW of center].  NGC 428 forms the SE vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 8.7 HD 7208 6' W and mag 8.6 HD 7276 8' NNE.  Mag 12.5 stars are 2' NW and 2' SSW [6" pair].

13.1" (9/3/86): fairly bright, moderately large, oval ~N-S, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is at the NW edge 1.8' from center.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 8.5 stars SAO 109728 and SAO 109733 6.0' W and 6.0' NNE, respectively.

William Herschel discovered NGC 428 = H. II-622 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and noted "F, R, bM, easily resolvable."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position on 30 and 31 Oct 1864.
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NGC 429 = UGC 762 = MCG +00-04-037 = CGCG 385-027 = PGC 4368
01 12 57.4  -00 20 43; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 19°

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1' N.  Faintest of three with NGC 430 6' N and NGC 426 4' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 429 = H. III-593 = h92, along with NGC 426 and reobserved NGC 430, on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655).  He recorded the trio together as "They were recorded together as "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 430], which is the largest and most north, faint, small.  The next in size is about 2 or 3' sp [NGC 426], very faint, very small.  The last [NGC 429] is about 5' south of the 1st; extremely faint, extremely small, not verified."
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NGC 430 = UGC 765 = MCG +00-04-039 = CGCG 385-029 = PGC 4376
01 13 00.0  -00 15 09; Cet
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 155°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, prominent small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1' SSW.  Brightest in a group with NGC 429 6' S and NGC 426 3.5' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 430 = H. II-447 = h93 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and noted "extremely faint, very small, 240x confirmed it with difficulty but left no doubt."  The discovery was made at the Newtonian focus.  He made a second observation the following year using the front view (without a secondary) and discovered both NGC 426 and 429.   John Herschel reported on 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113), "F; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a star."
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NGC 431 = UGC 776 = MCG +05-04-002 = CGCG 501-132 = PGC 4437
01 14 04.5  +33 42 15; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 431 = h95 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "F; S; very suddenly brighter in the middle".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 432 = ESO 113-022 = PGC 4290
01 11 46.3  -61 31 40; Tuc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 126°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; fairly faint, small, round, 25".  Contains a small bright nucleus that gradually increases to a faint stellar peak.  Located 35' NE of mag 5.35 Iota Tucanae.  NGC 432 is the brightest member of the unstudied cluster ACO S137 (distance ~365 million l.y., richness class 0).

I didn't make a careful survey of possible cluster members but picked up the following two galaxies: PGC 127867, situated 9.5' WSW, appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. A mag 11.0 star is 2.4' ENE.  ESO 113-019, located 10.2' WNW, appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, low surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 432 = h2391 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "F, S, R."  No position was determined on that sweep.  On a later sweep he noted "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15 arcseconds, has a star 12th mag following" and commented the "place is liable to some error".
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NGC 433 = Stock 22 = OCL-319 = Lund 41
01 15 09  +60 07 36; Cas
Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): the most distinctive part of this cluster is a mag 9.3 star surrounded by a 2' cloud (mostly south) of ~15 mag 13-14 stars.  A mag 11 star is at the NW corner, a 50" pair of mag 11 stars is at the SE end and a mag 11.5 star is at the SW corner.  A small string of stars extends from the mag 9.3 star to the southwest.

17.5" (8/16/93): 30 stars mag 10-14 in a 6' triangular outline although very few stars are inside the triangle.  The mag 10 star at the north vertex is surrounded (mostly on the south side) by a rich subgroup of faint stars,   including at least three close multiple systems.  Mag 8.7 SAO 22122 is just south of the triangle and 8' SSW of the mag 10 star in the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 433 = h94 on 29 Sep 1829 and described a "star 8m the chief of a small loose cluster." The mag 9.3 star is on the north side of the cluster. Robert Ball observed the cluster using the 72" at Birr Castle and logged "Loose CL. consisting of 50 or 60 stars of various sizes from about 8 mag down."
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NGC 434 = ESO 113-023 = AM 0110-583 = KTS 8A = LGG 019-001 = PGC 4325
01 12 14.2  -58 14 51; Tuc
V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 6°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 or 3:2 N-S, ~1.25'x0.9'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, elongated core enclosing a round, intensely bright nucleus.  The halo has a subtle but definite uneven surface brightness.  NGC 434 is the brightest in a trio (KTS 8) with NGC 440 5' SE and NGC 434A 3.2' NE.  A mag 11.8 star is midway between NGC 434 and 440.  Located 37' SSE of mag 6.4 HD 7082.

NGC 434A appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 12", very low surface brightness.  This galaxy is a thin edge-on with very faint curving arms similar to the Integral Sign galaxy, but only the core was noticed.  NGC 434A is the faintest in the trio.

John Herschel discovered NGC 434 = h2392 on 28 Oct 1834. He logged "bright; round; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 40" dia."  His position is accurate (2 sweeps).  Joseph Turner observed the pair of the NGCs on 14 Jan 1879 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and commented that NGC 434 was "considerably elongated" and not round as Herschel described.
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NGC 435 = UGC 779 = MCG +00-04-046 = CGCG 385-035 = PGC 4434
01 13 59.9  +02 04 18; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

24" (1/1/19): at 260x and 375x; faint to fairly faint, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, ~30"x18", fairly low surface brightness, weakly brighter core but no nucleus.  Situated midway between a mag 10.9 star 2.3' NNE and mag 8.8 HD 7375.  The major axis of the galaxy is nearly parallel to the line connecting these stars. A mag 14.9 star (very blue on the SDSS) is 50" W.  In a group (WBL 034 = USGC U049) with NGC 445 16' SE.

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just off the WSW edge 20" from the center.  Located midway between mag 8.5 SAO 109745 2.5' SSW and mag 10.5 2.5' N.  NGC 445 lies 15' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 435 = m 36 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, S, E".  His position is 2' N of UGC 779 = PGC 4434.
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NGC 436 = Cr 11 = Mel 6 = OCL-320
01 15 58  +58 49 00; Cas
V = 8.8;  Size 6'

24" (1/4/14): at 200x, ~50 stars are resolved in a rich, 4' group that is well-detached and distinctive.  The main group is confined within a triangular outline with a mag 10.9 star at the S end, a mag 12 star at the W end and a mag 11.5 star at the N end.  Contains a very rich central region ~1.5' diameter and includes STI 1550, a close triple with components 11.2/11.3/11.8 at 9" and 12".  Another uncatalogued pair is just 0.6' S of STI 1550.  Two mag 9.5/10 stars are collinear to the east of the mag 10.9 star at the south end.

17.5" (8/16/93): 40 stars mag 10-15 in 4' diameter.  Includes a rich 1.5' region with 15 stars with a nice triple star in a tight equilateral triangle.  Other brighter stars in this grouping form a pentagon outline.  Three equally spaced mag 9-10 stars oriented E-W begin just off the south side.  Several sprays of stars emanate out in various directions from the central region.

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly bright and compact, ~30 stars mag  9-14 at 220x in a 4' diameter, distinctive group.  Just north of center is a tight triple star with 4th star to E, also second trio of stars is close south.  A mag 9 star near the south edge is collinear with two mag 9 stars 2' SE and 4' SE all equally spaced.

15x50mm (10/14/23): fairly faint, roundish glow with 1 or 2 stars resolved.

William Herschel discovered NGC 436 = H. VII-45 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774).  His summary description is "a small pretty compressed cluster of stars, not rich, iF, like a forming one."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 437 = UGC 788 = MCG +01-04-005 = CGCG 411-009 = PGC 4464
01 14 22.3  +05 55 37; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 130°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 437 = Sw. 5-11 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 8 seconds of time too far west but his description "F * nr np" applies to this galaxy.  Hermann Kolbold measured an accurate positionin 1895 at the Strasbourg Observatory (not published until 1907).
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NGC 438 = ESO 296-007 = MCG -06-03-029 = PGC 4406
01 13 34.2  -37 54 06; Scl
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 126°

17.5" (10/4/97): faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration.  Situated just following the midpoint of two mag 13 stars 3.1' SSE and 2.8' NNE.  NGC 424 lies 27' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 438 = h2393 on 1 Sep 1834.  On one sweep he called this nebula "vF" and another time "pB". His mean position matches ESO 296-007 = PGC 4406.
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NGC 439 = ESO 412-018 = MCG -05-04-015 = PGC 4423
01 13 47.2  -31 44 51; Scl
V = 11.5;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 156°

24" (9/15/12): at 175x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.2', increases to a bright core.

NGC 439 is the brightest in the cluster ACO S141 = Klemola 1 with NGC 441 2.6' SSE, MCG -05-04-018 7' SE and a trio of MCGs (-011/-012/-013) 5' SW.  MCG -05-04-018 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, 24"x16" and the small trio of MCGs were all between extremely faint and very faint, round, 12" to 18" diameter.

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.3' SW and a mag 14 star is 2.2' SE of center.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 441 2.5' SSE.  Located 11' NE of mag 8.2 SAO 192988.  This is the brightest member of ACO S141.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, small, round.  Can just hold steadily with averted vision.  A mag 8 star is 10' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 439 = h2394 (along with NGC 441 = h2395) on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "pB, R, bM, 20 arcseconds."  His mean position from 2 sweeps is accurate.
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NGC 440 = ESO 113-025 = AM 0110-583 = KTS 8C = LGG 019-002 = PGC 4361
01 12 48.5  -58 16 56; Tuc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 45°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', well concentrated with a very small bright core and much fainter extensions.  Second brightest in a trio (KTS 8) with NGC 434 5' NW and NGC 434A 5' NW.  A mag 11.8 star is 2.3' WNW, midway to NGC 434 and a mag 10.8 star is 2.8' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 440 = h2396 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, R, 15" dia."  His position (typo corrected at the end of the Cape of Good Hope catalog) matches ESO 113-25 = PGC 4361.
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NGC 441 = ESO 412-019 = MCG -05-04-016 = PGC 4429
01 13 51.1  -31 47 19; Scl
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

24" (9/15/12): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:2 WSW-ENE, bright core, increases to the center.  A mag 14 star lies 1.2' NE.  Second brightest member of ACO S141 with NGC 439 2,6' NNW.

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' NE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 439 2.5' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 441 = h2395 (along with NGC 439 = h2394) on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 442 = UGC 789 = MCG +00-04-054 = CGCG 385-041 = PGC 4484
01 14 38.7  -01 01 14; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 157°

13.1" (9/3/86): Located 3.9' SW of 38 Ceti (V = 5.7).  Fairly faint, small, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 450.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 442 = Sw. 5-12 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 11 seconds of RA west and 15" south of UGC 789 = PGC 4484.  The bright star mentioned in Swift's description as southeast is northeast of NGC 442.  This was first noted by Knox-Shaw in his 1924 description of the galaxy based on a photograph at the Helwan observatory.
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NGC 443 = IC 1653 = UGC 796 = MCG +05-04-005 = CGCG 502-010 = PGC 4512
01 15 07.5  +33 22 38; Psc
V = 13.0;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 20' NNW of NGC 447.  Identified as IC 1653 in the UGC and CGCG.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 443 = Au 10 = Big. 114 on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  There is nothing at his single position, but he stated a mag 15 star was 8.3 seconds of time directly west.  UGC 796 is located 9' due north of his position and 8 seconds west of this galaxy is a very faint star, matching d'Arrest's description.  So, this identification is certain.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 12 Oct 1869 though his rough position was 7' too far north. Bigourdan measured an accurate position (listed as B. 114) and noted d'Arrest's error in the remarks section of his second Comptes Rendus list (1887).

Stephane Javelle independently discovered NGC 443 on 17 Oct 1903 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory, placed it accurately, and Dreyer recatalogued J. 3-849 as IC 1653.  UGC, MCG (+05-04-005) and CGCG (502-010) label this galaxy IC 1653, although the primary designation should be NGC 443 as there was at least three observations prior to Javelle's.  Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his unpublished "CGCG Corrections".
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NGC 444 = IC 1658 = UGC 810 = MCG +05-04-007 = CGCG 502-015 = PGC 4561
01 15 49.6  +31 04 50; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 157°

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 NNW-SSE.  A mag 11 star is 3' ESE.  Forms a pair with NGC 452 6' SE.  Appears fainter than the CGCG magnitude.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 444 on 26 Oct 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72" at Birr Castle while observing NGC 452.  The first description reads "vvF ray, elongated NW-SE, without nucleus."  The NGC RA is 28 sec too small but Mitchell's description and sketch clearly identifies NGC 444 = UGC 810 = 4561.  Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 17 Oct 1903 with the 30" refractor at Nice, assumed it was new and placed it correctly in paper 3-851 (later IC 1658).  So, NGC 444 = IC 1658 with discovery priority to Mitchell.
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NGC 445 = CGCG 385-047 = WBL 034-002 = PGC 4493
01 14 52.6  +01 55 03; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

24" (1/1/19): at 375x; better than fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~25"x20", strongly concentrated with a fairly high surface brightness core and much fainter outer halo.  An extremely faint star is superimposed at the northeast edge.  The galaxy is bracketed by a mag 11.9 star 2.0' ESE and a mag 12.7 star 0.9' WNW. Brightest in a group (WBL 34 = USGC U049)

NGC 445 forms the northern vertex of a triangle with with UGC 791 and CGCG 385-050.  UGC 791, situated 6' SW, appeared faint, slightly elongated, ~25" diameter, low nearly even surface brightness, halo increases in size with averted vision.  CGCG 385-050, 7' SSE of NGC 445, had a slightly higher surface brightness and was small, round, 20" diameter.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, broad concentration.  On a line between a mag 12 star 0.9' WNW and a mag 11 star 1.9' ESE.  NGC 435 lies 15' NW.  UGC 791 6.3' SW not seen.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 445 = m 37 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  His position matches CGCG 385-047.  This galaxy is not included in the MCG, although MCG +00-04-052, located 6.3' SW, was noted as possibly NGC 445 (it's not).
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NGC 446 = IC 89 = UGC 818 = MCG +01-04-012 = CGCG 411-016 = Mrk 565 = PGC 4578
01 16 03.6  +04 17 38; Psc
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, prominent sharp bright core with a nearly stellar nucleus.  This galaxy is identified as IC 89 in UGC, CGCG and RC3.  NGC 446 lies 19' WSW and NGC 462 is 30' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 446 = m 38 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48-inch on Malta.  There is nothing at Marth's position but Corwin suggests NGC 446 is UGC 818, which is situated exactly 1.0 minute of time east of Marth's position.  Édouard Stephan found this galaxy on 20 Oct 1873, perhaps looking for Marth's object.  His position was only 1' E, though he didn't publish the discovery.  Javelle made another discovery on 20 Aug 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice. His published position became IC 89, which UGC, CGCG, MCG and RC3 label this galaxy.  Karl Reinmuth also made the equivalence NGC 446 = IC 89 in his survey of NGC objects using Heidelberg plates and gives the IC position.  UGC, CGCG (411-010) and RNGC misidentify UGC 794 = PGC 4494 as NGC 446.  This galaxy is located 13 sec of RA east and 7' north of UGC 794, which would require random errors in both directions by Marth instead of a single digit error.
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NGC 447 = IC 1656 = UGC 804 = MCG +05-04-006 = CGCG 502-013 = PGC 4550
01 15 37.6  +33 04 04; Psc
V = 14.0;  Size 2.2'x2.2';  Surf Br = 15.5

17.5" (9/19/87): at 222x; very faint, very small, round.  A mag 15 star is involved at the southeast end.  In a group with NGC 449 and NGC 451.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 449 in the RNGC, CGCG, UGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 447 = Au 11 on 8 Oct 1861with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 4 nights) is accurate. He noted the mag 11 star that follows by 9.2 seconds of RA and 110" north as well as an involved star about 18-19th magnitude (the star is closer to mag 15).  Auwers included this discovery in his 1862 list of 50 new nebulae.  Stephan observed it on 5 Oct 1869 at Marseilles. A week later on a second observation he apparently discovered NGC 449 and 451.

Barnard found this galaxy again, along with NGC 451, on 25 Oct 1888 using the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He noted (in his logbook) the "nebula is south preceding a comparison star [mag 6 HD 7578] and close north preceding. a small star.  A 9 1/2 magnitude star is south following 3'+/- [should read n.f.], a 12m star is south following. 1/4'."  His offset in RA from the bright star (~40 seconds of time) matches NGC 447, though his declination is 1.4' too far north (similar offset as IC 1661 = NGC 451).  He reported the discovery directly to Dreyer who recatalogued it as IC 1656.  So, NGC 447 = IC 1656. In Barnard's notebook, he later added the comment "This is NGC 447.  The star is wrongly located in NGC."  See NGC 443 = IC 1653 and NGC 451 = IC 1661 for more duplicate IC entries.

Based on the NGC positions, the RNGC has reversed the identifications of NGC 447 and NGC 449 whose correct orientations should be SW-NE.  UGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 447 = PGC 4550 as NGC 449 = IC 1656 and NGC 449 is misidentified as IC 1661 in CGCG.  MCG identifies these galaxies correctly.  These errors were noted in my RNGC Corrections #3 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 448 = UGC 801 = MCG +00-04-060 = CGCG 385-051 = PGC 4524
01 15 16.5  -01 37 35; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 116°

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, brighter along major axis, bright core, high surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 448 = Sw. 4-5 on 2 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is just 5 tsec of RA east and 33" S of UGC 801 = PGC 4524.
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NGC 449 = MCG +05-04-009 = CGCG 502-018 = Mrk 1 = PGC 4587
01 16 07.2  +33 05 22; Psc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (9/19/87): at 222x; very faint, very small, round, bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 451 1.9' SE.  Located 2.9' SW of mag 6.0 SAO 54567.  Incorrectly listed as NGC 447 in RNGC and IC 1661 in CGCG.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 449 = St. 12-11, as well as NGC 451, on 12 Oct 1869 while observing NGC 443.  His published micrometric position was made 12 years later on 11 Nov 1881 with description "vF, vS, R, very little brighter middle, vF * involved".

The RNGC misidentifies NGC 447 as NGC 449 (reversing the identifications of NGC 447 and NGC 449).  CGCG labels NGC 449 as IC 1661. Although it is possible that IC 1661 (discovered by Barnard) is a duplicate observation of NGC 449, Corwin feels it is more likely that IC 1661 applies to NGC 451.  More in my RNGC Corrections #3 and Malcolm Thomson's "CGCG Corrections".
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NGC 450 = UGC 806 = MCG +00-04-062 = CGCG 385-052 = PGC 4540
01 15 30.4  -00 51 40; Cet
V = 11.5;  Size 3.1'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 72°

48" (10/22/11): at 610x this double system is dominated by NGC 450, which appeared bright, large, 2.3' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a relatively large 30" bright core, surrounded by a very large, low surface brightness halo.  The halo is slightly asymmetric and more extensive on the west side.

Three faint "stars" are superimposed on the east side of the galaxy; two appeared stellar, but the faintest and most westerly object was clearly "soft" at 610x.  These are apparently HII knots in the galaxy and the southeast object is listed in NED as UM 311 from the University of Michigan Emission Line Survey.

NGC 450 has a very close companion, UGC 807, which is attached at the northeast side of the halo, 1.4' between centers.  UGC 807 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.3', even surface brightness except for a very small brighter nucleus.  Despite the fact that UGC 807 appears to form a double system, the companion has a redshift that is over 6x greater than NGC 450, so they are an optical pair.

13.1" (9/3/86): very large, diffuse, broad concentration, slightly elongated.  Located 12.5' NE of 38 Ceti.

William Herschel discovered NGC 450 = H. III-440 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448).  Just 35 seconds after recording 5.7-mag 38 Ceti, he logged III-440 as  "very faint, very large, requires great attention."  Heinrich d'Arrest later measured an accurate position used in the NGC.  This system is a noninteracting spiral pair with the companion (UGC 807) over 6 times as distant.
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NGC 451 = IC 1661 = MCG +05-04-011 = CGCG 502-019 = Mrk 976 = PGC 4594
01 16 12.4  +33 03 51; Psc
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (9/19/87): at 222x; very faint, very small, oval.  Located 3.3' SSW of mag 6.0 SAO 54567!  Forms a close pair with NGC 449 1.9' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 451 = St. 12-12, as well as NGC 449, on 12 Oct 1869 while observing NGC 443.  His published micrometric position was made 12 years later on 10 Nov 1881 with description "vF, vS, R, very little brighter middle".

E.E. Barnard independently found this galaxy visually, along with NGC 447, on 25 Oct 1888 observing with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He noted it was 6 seconds of time preceding his comparison star (mag 6 HD 7578) and called it "vvF, S, R."  The rediscovery was sent directly to Dreyer who cataloged it again as IC 1661, though his declination was 1.2' too far north (similar error with IC 1656 = NGC 447).  Barnard later wrote in pen in his notebook that "This is NGC 451".  CGCG labels this galaxy IC 1661, though NGC 451 should be the primary designation.
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NGC 452 = VV 430 = UGC 820 = MCG +05-04-010 = CGCG 502-020 = PGC 4596
01 16 14.8  +31 02 02; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 2.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 43°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, bright core.  Located 3.2' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 444 6' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 452 = h96 on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "vF; E; a * 9m np and a small * nf at the extremity of the nebula."  His position is accurate and a star is superimposed at the NE end.  The field was observed 7 times using Lord Rosse's 72".  R.J. Mitchell's observation on 3 Nov 1855 reads "mE, pB nucleus and a star in north end; np. this neb. is a star of the 9th mag, and about the same distance preceding this star is another neb., vF, mE [NGC 444].
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NGC 453
01 16 17.4  +33 00 51; Psc

= ***, Corwin.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 453 = St. 12-13, along with NGC 449 and 451, on 12 Oct 1869.  At his position (reduced on 10 Nov 1881) is a collinear triple star 2.2' SSE of NGC 451. The triple is cleanly resolved on the DSS.  It is very possible the two brighter (northern) stars were unresolved (nebulous) to Stephan.
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NGC 454 = ESO 151-036 = PGC 4468
01 14 23.0  -55 23 54; Phe
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): NGC 454 was resolved into a neat contact double system at 244x [28" separation between centers], though better viewed at 397x.  The main component is on the east side and appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 E-W, ~50"x25".  At 397x it was sharply concentrated with an extremely high surface brightness elongated core and stellar nucleus. The interacting companion, PGC 4461, appears as an appendage, poking out of the southwest side and was easily seen at 397x. It appeared faint or fairly faint, small, probably elongated ~3:2 N-S, ~20"x14".  On the DSS, this galaxy is highly disrupted with plumes and knots.  A mag 11.9 star lies 1.6' NNW.  Situated 4.7' WSW of mag 8.3 HD 7597.

John Herschel discovered NGC 454 = h2397 on 5 Oct 1834 and logged "vF, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 455 = Arp 164 = UGC 815 = MCG +01-04-011 = CGCG 411-015 = PGC 4572
01 15 57.6  +05 10 43; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 165°

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.  Located 2.5' NW of a mag 10.5 star.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 455 = m 39 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, vS, alm stell".  His position is 1' N of UGC 815 = PGC 4572
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NGC 456 = SMC-N83A = ESO 029-38 = Kron 65 = Lindsay 94 = Hodge Ass 61
01 13 44.4  -73 17 26; Tuc
Size 5'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in an unusual chain of three nebulous clusters with NGC 460 and NGC 465 within 10'.  The best view of the entire group was at 171x using an UHC filter.  At 220x, NGC 456 is the largest in the trio, appearing as a roundish 3' glow with a very small elongated knot embedded in the SE end (SMC-N83A).  A few stars are superimposed (Hodge Association 61) on the glow including a mag 13.5 O2-3 type near the center. HD 7583, a mag 10.2 SMC supergiant (A0-type), is 3’ SSW.  NGC 460 lies 4' ESE.  Visible in 10x30 IS binoculars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 456 = D 7 = D 10 = h2399 on 1 Aug 1826, along with NGC 460 and NGC 465.  He recorded "a faint round nebula, 35" diameter, with a small star near the south margin [probably mag 10.2 HD 7583], but not involved."  His position was 3' too far SE.  He apparently viewed in again during a short drift on 6 Sep 1826 that included NGC 460 and NGC 465, but his reduced positions were 20'-25' too far ENE.  

John Herschel observed this object on at least 3 sweeps from the Cape.  He noted it was the first of 3 nebulous clusters with NGC 460 (observed 4 times) and NGC 465 (recorded once).  In addition, it appears that h2398, which did not enter the GC or NGC, is a 4th observation of NGC 456 but with a poor RA.  Herschel equated D 7 with h2399.

NGC 456 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "several cB stars, involved in nebulosity."
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NGC 457 = Cr 12 = Mel 7 = OCL-321 = ET Cluster = Owl Cluster
01 19 35  +58 17 15; Cas
V = 6.4;  Size 13'

17.5" (9/19/87): ~150 stars in a beautiful cluster including mag 5 Phi 1 (yellow supergiant possibly in the foreground) and mag 7 Phi 2 Cassiopeiae.  Includes many mag 14-15 stars.

8" (1/1/84): ~75 stars in cluster at 100x.

6: striking bird-shape with two prominent "arms".  One of my favorite objects in this scope at 36x.

15x50mm (10/14/23): bright, large, distinctive outline easily seen, about a dozen stars resolved, mottled.
15x50mm (7/26/06): the cluster was slightly resolved in IS binoculars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 457 = H. VII-42 = h97 on 18 Oct 1787 (sweep 769) and described "A star [Phi Cass].  About 50 seconds preceding is a cluster of small scattered stars, not very rich."  John Herschel recorded "a double star 10m, pos 324.5°, dist 12", in the midst of a p rich L cl which fills the field.  The stars are 10m; one of 7 and 1 of 8m in the sf part."

By analyzing William Herschel's early "reviews" of bright stars (before his systematic sweeps), Wolfgang Steinicke uncovered that Herschel first discovered the cluster on 8 Aug 1780 using his 6.2" reflector in his second review.  He logged "a little north of this [Phi Cas] are several double, treble, quadrupole stars, very small, this is a very rich spot."
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NGC 458 = ESO 051-026 = Lindsay 96
01 14 54  -71 32 54; Tuc
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this cluster is an outlying member of the SMC in the outer NE region and 70' SE of NGC 362.  At 228x, it appeared fairly bright, small, 1.5'-2' diameter, brighter core, slightly elongated.  The surface brightness was irregular with some mottling but there was no apparent resolution.  Three mag 10 stars are on the SW edge of the field, 10' from the cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 458 = D 60 = h2401 on 6 Sep 1826.  He described "a round well-defined nebula, gradually brighter to the centre, about 25" diameter."  His position is 12' too far E, but correctly matching in declination with HD 6222 (close to  NGC 361), the first object recorded in the drift.

John Herschel made 2 observations, recording on 12 Aug 1834 (sweep 482) "Faint, large, round, very gradually brighter middle, 4' dia."  Herschel noted the equivalence with D 60.

NGC 458 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "probably a cluster, extremely small, close, no neb. seen."  NGC 458 was described as "probably globular" in the 1935 Harvard Observatory Bulletin 899 based on Bruce plates at Arequipa.
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NGC 459 = UGC 832 = MCG +03-04-017 = CGCG 459-024 = PGC 4665
01 18 08.1  +17 33 44; Psc
V = 14.6;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (8/16/93): extremely faint, very small, round, very low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 1' SE.  Located 5' WSW of two mag 10/11.5 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 459 = H. III-205 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and described as "eF, 240 left a doubt, though it rather confirmed it. I perceived it in counting a field, otherwise I should never have suspected it."  WH's position for III-205 is 01 18.2 +17 39 which is 7' north of UGC 832 = PGC 4665, and this is the only nearby candidate.
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NGC 460 = SMC-N84A = ESO 029-39 = Kron 66 = Lindsay 97 = Hodge Ass 62
01 14 41  -73 17 50; Tuc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the second of three SMC clusters with NGC 456 and NGC 465 in a chain.  At 128x and UHC filter, two close nebulous patches roughly oriented NW-SE were visible, separated by a dusky lane oriented SW-NE.  The total diameter is ~2.5'.  The northwest component, which corresponds with John Herschel's position, has a very small knot or star (SMC-N84A) at the south end.  Mag 9.6 HD 7755 is 2.5' NNE.

The fainter southeast section has some stars involved (Lindsay 97), including Sk 155, a mag 12.5 massive O9-type star and mag 14.2 SMC-N84B, an emission-line "star" [resolved by HST as a compact HII knot] just 36" NNW.  Located 4' ESE of NGC 456 with NGC 465 a similar distance southeast.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 460 = D 8 = D 12? = h2402, along with nearby NGC 456 and NGC 465, on 1 Aug 1826.  He described a "a small oval nebula, about 10" diameter" and his single position is just 2' NE.  He apparently viewed in again during a short drift on 6 Sep 1826 that included NGC 456 and NGC 465, but his reduced positions were 20'-25' too far ENE.

John Herschel discovered this SMC cluster/nebula on 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 441) and recorded it 4 times.  He noted it was the second of three nebulous clusters with NGC 456 (observed 3 times) and NGC 465 (observed once).  Herschel placed h2402 at a mean position of 01 14 40 -73 18.2 (2000), which was used in the GC and NGC.  Nevertheless, the declination given in RNGC, Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition only), NGC 2000.0 and Uranometria 2000 Atlas (first edition only) is one degree too far north.  The declination given in ESO is correct.

NGC 460 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "Several stars involved in nebulosity."
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NGC 461 = ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636
01 17 20.4  -33 50 28; Scl
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 23°

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration.  Lies in a barren field with a mag 13 star 3.3' SW.  Incorrect position in RNGC and on U2000 atlas.

John Herschel discovered NGC 461 = h2400 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, R, gradually little brighter middle, 20 arcseconds".  There is nothing at his position but 30' S is ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636.  He noted in his observation that because he was not able to relocate this galaxy, which was probably due to his error in declination. So, h2400 = ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636.  The RNGC position is 1.1 minutes of RA (time) too far W and 7' S (17' SW) of this galaxy.  As a result it was plotted incorrectly on the first edition of Uranometria 2000.  MCG (-06-04-002) missed assigning the NGC number.
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NGC 462 = PGC 4667
01 18 10.9  +04 13 34; Psc
V = 14.8;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (12/23/92): extremely faint and small, round, visible continuously with averted vision.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.5' S.  The galaxy is almost collinear with mag 9.2 SAO 109796 5' SE and mag 9.1 SAO 109798 10.5' SE.  IC 89 lies 30' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 462 = m 40 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS, stellar".  His position is accurate.  This galaxy is not included in the CGCG, MCG, RC3 and UGC.
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NGC 463 = UGC 840 = MCG +03-04-019 = CGCG 459-025 = PGC 4719
01 18 58.2  +16 19 33; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 4°

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, very small brighter core, extremely faint extensions.  NGC 473 lies 20' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 463 = St. 3-1 on 13 Oct 1869.  His published accurate position was made on 16 Dec 1871 with the description "eF, vS, R, little brighter middle."

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NGC 464
01 19 26.7  +34 57 20; And

= ** or asterism of 4*, Gottlieb.  Unlikely identification in the RNGC.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 464 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, Italy, and recorded it in list V at 01 19 33 +34 57.7 (2000).  According to Bigourdan who searched for NGC 464, Tempel's entry may refer to a small asterism of four stars close northeast.  But just 1' W of his position is a 9" pair of mag 14 stars with a mean position of 01 19 26.7 +34 57 20 (2000).  Interestingly, my observing notes with the 17.5" indicate that I thought the close faint double could possibly be a non-stellar object!

RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 4721 as NGC 464.  This extremely faint galaxy is located just 6' W of the NGC position and is missing in the CGCG, MCG and UGC.  But Corwin mentions that although Tempel included this object in his 5th list, the original observation was made by the BD observers with a 78mm refractor and hence the faint RNGC candidate is not plausible. Listed in my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 465 = ESO 029-040 = Kron 67 = Lindsay 99 = Hodge Ass 63
01 15 42.7  -73 19 27; Tuc
V = 11.5;  Size 4'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 465, situated ~4' ESE of NGC 460, is the last in a chain of interesting knots and clusters including NGC 456, NGC 460nw and 460se.  At 171x it appears as mainly a 3' curving chain of mag 12 and fainter stars (Hodge Association 63) with no central concentration. Includes Sk 158, a mag 12.7 blue supergiant on the N side, Sk 156, a mag 11.9 blue supergiant on the W side and 12th mag Sk 157 on the S side (a multiple star with 12 components).  Some faint haze is involved, though this glow is from unresolved stars (no noticeable nebulosity shows on the red DSS 2 image).  The entire complex of stars and nebulosity is ~10' in length and fascinating at 171x field (29' field).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 465 = D 9 = D 13? = h2404, along with NGC 456 and NGC 460, on 1 Aug 1826. He described "a faint nebula, about 1 1/2' diameter, of an irregular round figure.  His position was 6' too far E, but the description fits.  He apparently viewed in again during a short drift on 6 Sep 1826 that included NGC 456 and NGC 460, but his reduced positions were 20'-25' too far ENE.

John Herschel observed the cluster on 4 Oct 1836 (sweep 738) and described it as the third of three "in an irregular line of loose stars and nebula."  This object was only recorded on this one sweep, while NGC 456 and 460 were recorded 3 or 4 times.

NGC 465 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "many stars, but no nebula, perhaps open cluster."
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NGC 466 = ESO 113-034 = AM 0115-591 = LGG 019-004 = PGC 4632
01 17 13.4  -58 54 36; Tuc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 103°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter.  Gradually increases to a small brighter nucleus and a stellar peak.  An extremely low surface brightness outer halo was not seen at higher power.  Collinear with a mag 11.7 star 3.5' N and a mag 12.2 star 9' N.

ESO 113-035, located 16' NE, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.5'x0.4', broad concentration.  Situated within a group of stars including a mag 11.7 star 2.7' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 466 = h2403 on 3 Oct 1836 and logged "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30" dia."  His position matches ESO 113-034 = PGC 4632.  RNGC classifies this galaxy as an "unverified southern object".
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NGC 467 = UGC 848 = MCG +00-04-079 = CGCG 385-065 = KTG 5A = PGC 4736
01 19 10.1  +03 18 02; Psc
V = 11.9;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (1/12/13): bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a relatively large high surface brightness core that increases to a very small, very bright nucleus.  Located 3.5' WNW of mag 7.5 HD 7991.  First in a trio with NGC 470 and 474 to the northeast.  CGCG 385-068 (which has a similar redshift) lies 6.8' SE.

13.1" (8/25/84): moderately bright, slightly brighter core.

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Collinear with mag 8.1 SAO 109805 3.6' ESE at midpoint and mag 10 SAO 109809 6.9' ESE.  NGC 470 is 11' NE and NGC 474 15' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 467 = H. I-108 = h99 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged  "cB, vL, irregularly round, preceding a very bright star."  He had missed Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position.
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NGC 468 = NGC 472 = UGC 870 = MCG +05-04-022 = CGCG 502-034 = PGC 4833
01 20 28.7  +32 42 32; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

See observing notes for NGC 472.

Modern sources associate NGC 468 = IC 92 (below).
17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, small.  A mag 15 star is 1' NW.  Located 10' WNW of NGC 472 = NGC 468.

John Herschel discovered NGC 468 = h98 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; eS; stellar."  His position was 3.8' south of IC 92 = CGCG 502-029 = PGC 4780, and this galaxy has been assumed to be NGC 468 until recently.

In March 2015, Harold Corwin checked Herschel's observing logs (in response to an inquiry from Courtney Seligman about the identity), and found he made an error in reducing the position of NGC 468 by 37 seconds in RA (recording the wrong wire).  Once corrected for an additional 37 seconds, the position of h98 = NGC 468 is a close match with UGC 870 -- a significantly brighter galaxy than IC 92.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 29 Aug 1862, measured an accurate position, and it was catalogued as NGC 472.  So, NGC 468 = NGC 472.  By historical discovery, the primary designation should be NGC 468, but this galaxy has been known only as NGC 472 up to this time.  See Corwin's notes for the full story.
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NGC 469 = MCG +02-04-023 = CGCG 436-024 = Holm 39a = PGC 4753
01 19 32.9  +14 52 19; Psc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.5'

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 5.1' NNE of mag 8.6 SAO 92336.  Situated just north of a string of three mag 11-13 stars oriented NNW-SSE with a length of 3.3'.  Pair with NGC 471 10' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 469 = m 41 (along with NGC 471 and NGC 475) on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "eF, S, R".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 470 = Arp 227 NED1 = UGC 858 = MCG +00-04-084 = CGCG 385-070 = KTG 5B = PGC 4777
01 19 44.8  +03 24 36; Psc
V = 11.8;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 155°

48" (10/25/14): very bright, large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~1.8'x1.2'.  The bright core contains an intense circular nucleus.  Two spiral arms are visible with the brighter and better defined arm on the southwest side of the core.  It extends ~40" SW-NE and is fairly narrow and straight.  A second matching arm to the northeast of the core also stretches SW-NE, but has a lower contrast.  Neither arm clearly connects to the nucleus, so they appear more as bright arcs.

24" (1/12/13): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.9', high surface brightness.  The halo gradually and weakly increases towards the center and then a sharp increase to a bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Forms a 5.5' pair with NGC 474 to the east.  NGC 467 lies 11' SW.

13.1" (8/25/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration at center.  Largest of three with NGC 467 11' SW and NGC 474 6' E.  

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 470 = H. III-250, along with NGC 474, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338).  He described both as "Two. vF, vS, R, almost stellar 4' or 5' from each other, nearly in a parallel [E-W]."  On 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) he noted "pB, L, R, much brighter in the middle."  Just one minute earlier he discovered NGC 467, which was missed on 13 Dec 1784 probably due to the vertical sweep motion.
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NGC 471 = UGC 861 = MCG +02-04-024 = CGCG 436-029 = PGC 4793
01 19 59.6  +14 47 10; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, very small, round, very small very bright core, sharp stellar nucleus.  NGC 469 is 10' NW.  Superimposed on the distant cluster AGC 175.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 471 = m 42 (along with NGC 469 and NGC 475) on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "neb *12m".  His dec is 1' N of UGC 861.  Engelhardt provided a micrometric position.
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NGC 472 = NGC 468 = UGC 870 = MCG +05-04-022 = CGCG 502-034 = PGC 4833
01 20 28.7  +32 42 32; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Located 3.5' SE of a mag 10 star.  IC 92 (generally misidentified as NGC 468) lies 10' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 472 on 29 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) and description (he measured the nearby mag 9.7 star as preceding by 14 seconds) corresponds with UGC 870 = PGC 4833.  d'Arrest is credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC, but in Mar 2015 Harold Corwin found that h98 = NGC 468, which had previously been equated with IC 92, actually refers to this galaxy.  So, NGC 472 = NGC 468, with discovery priority to John Herschel.  See NGC 468.
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NGC 473 = UGC 859 = MCG +03-04-022 = CGCG 459-030 = PGC 4785
01 19 55.1  +16 32 41; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 153°

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Several bright stars are in the field including three mag 9 stars 5' SE, 10' SSW and 11' NW.  NGC 463 lies 20' SW.

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated.  Two very faint stars are off the east edge and a mag 9 star follows.

William Herschel discovered NGC 473 = H. III-206 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and noted "eF, S."  His position is 5' southeast of UGC 859 = PGC 4785, but this is the only nearby galaxy.
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NGC 474 = Arp 227 NED2 = UGC 864 = MCG +00-04-085 = CGCG 385-071 = KTG 5C = PGC 4801
01 20 06.7  +03 24 56; Psc
V = 11.9;  Size 7.1'x6.3';  Surf Br = 15.7;  PA = 75°

48" (10/25/14): the outer halo of NGC 474 was examined closely at 375x for evidence of the outer, concentric shells and circular streams that are visible on deep images.  Immediately there was a strong sense of arcs from two or more different shells. The easiest arc to confirm was the outermost on the eastern side, which curves south from a mag 13.3 star situated 3.3' NE of center.  The arc passes through a mag 16.3 star and extends 30°-40°.  A second outer arc on the northeast side is half the distance (~1.6') to the center.  This arc has a stronger curvature and measures roughly 60°.  Only a single outer arc (slightly more difficult to confirm) was noted on the southwest side, 2'-2.5' from center.  My rough sketch shows it also curving ~60°.  Additional inner arcs or ripples were strongly sensed in the main halo of the galaxy, but were too subtle and fleeting to pinpoint locations.  The center was sharply concentrated with a very prominent 1' core.  The core itself was sharply concentrated to a small, blazing nucleus. 

24" (1/12/13): bright, very large with a huge very low surface brightness halo, extending roughly 4'x3.5' NW-SE.  Very sharply concentrated with a very bright, slightly oval core, ~1.0'x0.8', which increases to a small intense nucleus.  Largest in a trio with NGC 470 5.5' W and NGC 467 16' SW.

13.1" (8/25/84): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 470 6' W.  NGC 467 lies 15' SW and NGC 479 is 30' NE.

8" (10/31/81): faint, very small, round, bright core.  Located 30' ESE of mag 5.2 89 Piscium.

William Herschel discovered NGC 474 = H. III-251, along with NGC 470, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338).  He logged them together as "Two. vF, vS, R, almost stellar 4' or 5' from each other, nearly in a parallel."  On 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) he noted "pB, pL, much brighter in the middle."  Again on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), he reported "pB, S, R, suddenly much brighter middle, the following of 2."
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NGC 475 = IC 97 = PGC 4796
01 20 02.0  +14 51 40; Psc
V = 15.0;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (10/4/97): threshold object that was barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions at 280x with averted vision using a GSC finder chart to pinpoint the location.  Visible less than 10% of time and would not have detected at all without first knowing precise position.  Appeared ~10" diameter but much too faint for any details.  Located 4.5' N of NGC 471 and 7' E of NGC 469.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 475 = m 43 on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S".  His original position matches PGC 4796 and Dreyer used Marth's position in the GC Supplement (GCS 5666).  But Dreyer's NGC position (supposedly an improved micrometric position from C.H.F. Peters) is 0.3 minutes of RA too far east.  Bigourdan independently found this galaxy with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, listed it as nova Big. 117 (misidentifying NGC 475 with a star).  Dreyer mistakenly assumed this was a new object and catalogued it again as IC 97.  So, NGC 475 = IC 97, with NGC 475 the primary designation.
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NGC 476 = MCG +03-04-023 = CGCG 459-033 = Holm 40a = PGC 4814
01 20 19.9  +16 01 13; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, 20" diameter, weakly concentrated core.  Located just east of distinctive 13' string of six mag 12-13 stars oriented NW-SE including a mag 13 star 3' NW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 476 = m 44 on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He logged it as "eF, vS, stellar" and his position is a close match with PGC 4814.
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NGC 477 = UGC 886 = MCG +07-03-032 = CGCG 536-032 = PGC 4915
01 21 20.3  +40 29 17; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 135°

18" (7/11/10): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with just a slightly brighter center but no core or zones.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.8' SE.  Brightest of three with MCG +07-03-031 2.3' SW ("very faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low even surface brightness") and MCG +07-03-029 4.4' SW ("barely visible as an extremely faint, elongated glow, roughly 0.4'x0.15'.")

17.5" (8/16/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', weakly concentrated but no core, larger halo with averted.  A mag 13.5 star is at the SE edge.  Forms a very close pair with MCG +07-03-031 2.3' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 477 = H. III-577 = h100 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "vF, pL, little extended, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel reported on 1 Oct 1828 (sweep 183), "eF; S; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 15" [diameter]; moonlight."
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NGC 478 = ESO 476-003 = VV 398 = MCG -04-04-005 = PGC 4803
01 20 08.9  -22 22 40; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 128°

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Situated between two mag 13.5-14 stars ~1.5' S and a similar star 1.2' NNW.  ESO 476-G5 lies 30' SE (picked up first sweeping in the region).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 478 = LM 2-302 in 1886 with the 26" refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 14 sec of RA east of ESO 476-003 = PGC 4803.
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NGC 479 = UGC 893 = MCG +01-04-031 = CGCG 411-031 = PGC 4905
01 21 15.7  +03 51 44; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, small, round, broad mild concentration.  Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a mag 11 star 6.6' WSW and a mag 12 star 7' NW.  NGC 474 lies 30' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 479 = m 45 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S, R".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 480 = PGC 4845
01 20 34.3  -09 52 50; Cet
V = 15.2;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 65°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round, ~10" diameter.  This marginal object required averted vision and the GSC finder chart to glimpse at 280x.  Located 8' E of mag 7 SAO 147742 and nearly at the midpoint of two mag 12 stars 3.7' SW and 3.3' NE.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC and this identification of a Leavenworth discovery is uncertain (see notes).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 480 = LM 2-304 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 25 sec of RA following PGC 4845 (described here). This galaxy satisfies the condition of being 40' S of NGC 481 which is the difference in dec given by Leavenworth and Corwin identifies PGC 4845 = NGC 480.  Bigourdan failed to find NGC 480 at Leavenworth's position and the number is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.
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NGC 481 = MCG -02-04-030 = PGC 4899
01 21 12.4  -09 12 40; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 85°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1' NW.

Lewis Swift independently discovered NGC 481 = Sw. 6-7 = LM 2-303 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory, along with Francis Leavenworth sometime in 1886 or early 1887 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  The discovery priority is unknown.  Swift's comment "F * nr np" applies to PGC 4899.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 482 = ESO 296-013 = MCG -07-03-017 = AM 0118-411 = PGC 4823
01 20 20.5  -40 57 59; Phe
V = 13.7;  Size 2.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 84°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; very nice thin edge-on, elongated at least 6:1 E-W, ~1.5'x0.25'.  Contains a slightly bulging core and very narrow tips.  Slightly brighter along a thin strip of the major axis. Located 13' W of mag 8.6 HD 8283.

ESO 296-012, located 5.7' N, appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 30"x15", low nearly even surface brightness, faint extensions.  The major axis is perpendicular and points to NGC 482.  

The interacting pair VV 578 = ESO 296-011 lies 17' SSW.  It appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2, ~24"x18". I was too tired at the end of a long night to use high power for resolving the components.

John Herschel discovered NGC 482 = h2405 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "eF, little extended, 20". A difficult object but certain after long attention with the left eye."  His position is 1' S of ESO 296-013 = PGC 4823.
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NGC 483 = UGC 906 = MCG +05-04-029 = CGCG 502-050 = WBL 038-004 = PGC 4961
01 21 56.3  +33 31 17; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, high surface brightness, increases gradually to a small bright nucleus.  The halo is slightly elongated with averted vision.  Two mag 10.2/11 stars lie ~3' E.  IC 1679 lies 3' SW (very faint, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 20"x14") and PGC 169764 ("extremely faint and small, round, 8" diameter") is just 1.2' SE.  Member of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  There is a string of three stars oriented SSW-NNE following including two mag 10 stars 2.6' ESE and 3' ENE and a mag 13 star 3.8' NE.  Member of the NGC 499/507 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 483 = h102 on 11 Nov 1827 and reported "vF, so that had difficulty in finding it again when it had quitted the field".  His declination is 5' S of UGC 906, but it was marked as uncertain in the observation and he assumed it was his father's H. III-156 = NGC 495.  The NGC position is correct (Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz provided accurate positions).  See Corwin's notes for NGC 499.
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NGC 484 = ESO 113-036 = LGG 019-005 = PGC 4764
01 19 34.7  -58 31 28; Tuc
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 94°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright nucleus that increases to a nearly stellar peak and a much fainter halo.  A mag 15.1 star is barely off the southeast side and a mag 14.7 star is 1.7' WSW.  Brightest in a group (LGG 019) with ESO 113-035 14' SW and NGC 466 30' SW (on a line).

John Herschel discovered NGC 484 = h2406 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "vB, S, little extended, pretty suddenly much brighter middle."  His mean position from 2 observations is accurate.
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NGC 485 = UGC 895 = MCG +01-04-032 = CGCG 411-032 = PGC 4921
01 21 27.6  +07 01 07; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 3°

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, weak concentration.  Located 3.7' NE of mag 8.6 SAO 109824.

John Herschel discovered NGC 485 = h101 on 8 Jan 1828 and recorded "eF; pL; R; has a red * 7.8m 45 degrees south preceding."  Herschel's description and the NGC position (from Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz) matches UGC 895.
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NGC 486 = LEDA 1281966
01 21 43.1  +05 20 47; Psc
V = 16.5;  Size 0.3'x0.25'

17.5" (10/4/97): A stellar object was glimpsed a few times at the plotted position 5.5' NNW of NGC 488.  On the DSS a nearly stellar galaxy (V = 16.5) forms a close pair with a very faint star (V = 16.4) off the NE side.  It's possible that I glimpsed the star, which may be brighter than the galaxy.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 486, along with NGC 490, 492 and 500, on 6 Dec 1850 (Friday).   Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. The field was observed on four nights, although this object was mentioned twice as only "suspected" (labeled Delta on the sketch in the 1880 publication).  The micrometric position from the 22 Oct 1876 observation is 339" N (PA 353°) of NGC 488.  This corresponds with an extremely faint galaxy along with a faint star.  This galaxy is too faint to be included in CGCG, MCG, RC3, PGC but is now listed in HyperLeda as PGC 1281966.  RNGC, PGC and DSFG misidentify MCG +01-04-037 = PGC 4975 (situated close southwest of NGC 492) as NGC 486.  Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's unpublished Catalogue Corrections.
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NGC 487 = MCG -03-04-056 = PGC 4958
01 21 55.1  -16 22 14; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 112°

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, weak concentration.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 487 = LM 1-27 on 28 Nov 1885.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.6 tmin west of PGC 4958. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 488 = UGC 907 = MCG +01-04-033 = CGCG 411-033 = PGC 4946
01 21 46.8  +05 15 25; Psc
V = 10.3;  Size 5.2'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 15°

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, large, very bright core, oval 4:3 ~N-S.  A mag 11 star is at the south edge just 1.6' SSE of center and a mag 10 star lies 3' SW.  Located 9' W of mag 8.3 SAO 109832.  In a group with NGC 490 8' NE (similar redshift), NGC 486 5.5' NNW and NGC 500 18' NE.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, large, oval 4:3 N-S, 3.2' major axis.  Contains a large prominent core that increases to a very small, very bright nucleus. Hint of mottling in uneven halo. A mag 11.6 star is at the SSE edge of the halo [1.6' from center].

William Herschel discovered NGC 488 = H. III-252 = h103 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and recorded "vF, pL, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel  gave a more detailed description on 24 Sep 1830 (sweep 300): "B; L; suddenly very much brighter in the middle, and losing itself imperceptibly; resolvable in centre with 320x; *7m in parallel 1 min following."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 489 = UGC 908 = MCG +01-04-034 = CGCG 11-034 = LGG 023-001 = PGC 4957
01 21 53.9  +09 12 24; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 120°

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on streak NW-SE, 0.9'x0.2', well concentrated with a very small bright core.  Contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Furthest west of a large group of galaxies in the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core.  Member of the NGC 524 group with NGC 502 18' SE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 489 on 22 Dec 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) and description (he also noted the double star that precedes by 22 seconds) matches PGC 4957.
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NGC 490 = MCG +01-04-035 = CGCG 411-035 = PGC 4973
01 22 02.9  +05 22 02; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, small, round, bright core.  Located 8' NE of NGC 488.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 488 and mag 8.3 SAO 109832 8' SE.  Seeing conditions very poor.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 490, along with NGC 486, 492 and 500, on 6 Dec 1850.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  It was labeled Beta in the sketch and described as "vvF".  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 491 = ESO 352-053 = MCG -06-04-011 = PGC 4914
01 21 20.2  -34 03 49; Scl
V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 93°

24" (11/21/19): at 322x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 E-W, 48"x35", strong concentration with a small very bright core.  The surface brightness is irregular, suggesting a face-on spiral.  A mag 13.5 star is less than 1' SW of center.

ESO 352-057, 12' SE, was faint, elongated 2:1 or 3:1 ~N-S, 20"x8" (probably the core region of this edge-on).  A mag 13 star is 40" E and a mag 10.2 star is 2.5' E.

NGC 491A, 18' NW, was extremely faint, small patch, very low surface brightness.  Easier at 200x; very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 35"x25" (core region).

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, slightly brighter along major axis.  A mag 13.5 star is off the west edge 50" WSW of core.

ESO 352-041, situated 27' WSW, appeared fairly faint, very small, round, fairly high surface brightness.  Forms the SW vertex of a triangle with two mag 10.8 stars 2.5' NNE and 3.2' ESE.

8" (1/1/84): extremely faint, round, very small, threshold object.  A mag 13.5 star is off the west edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 491 = h2407 on 25 Sep 1834 and reported "B, very little extended, pretty gradually much brighter middle, near a vS star."  His mean position (2 observations) and description matches ESO 352-053 = PGC 4914.
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NGC 492 = MCG +01-04-038 = CGCG 411-036 = PGC 4976
01 22 13.6  +05 25 01; Psc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration.  On line with a mag 12 star 3.7' NW and a faint pair of mag 14-14.5 stars [at 22" separation] 2' NW.  Forms a close pair with MCG +01-04-037 1' SW (not seen). NGC 492 is located 12' NE of NGC 488 member with several other faint galaxies (NGC 486 8.5' SW, NGC 490 4' SW, NGC 500 7' ESE) in the field.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 492 on 6 Dec 1850 during an observation of the NGC 488 field.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was labeled "Delta" in the diagram and called "vvF".  The sketch and position clearly identifies NGC 492 = PGC 4976. The sketch appears to show a faint double star mentioned in my notes close NW but not the close companion to the SW, which was first mentioned in Heber Curtis' published descriptions of nebulae photographed with the Crossley reflector (1918) at Lick.
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NGC 493 = UGC 914 = MCG +00-04-099 = CGCG 385-084 = PGC 4979
01 22 09.1  +00 56 47; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 3.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 58°

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 3.5'x1.0', weakly concentrated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 493 = H. III-594 = h105 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and logged "vF, mE, bM, 3.5' long, 1.5' broad." John Herschel reported on 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113), "vF; L; E pos by diag 60°±; little brighter middle; 90" length."
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NGC 494 = UGC 919 = MCG +05-04-034 = CGCG 502-057 = WBL 038-007 = PGC 5035
01 22 55.4  +33 10 26; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 50"x20", large bright elongated core.  A mag 15.5 star is at the south edge [16" from center].  A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars lie 1.4' SW and a similar star is 1.4' SE.  Located near the center of the NGC 507 Group with IC 1685 2.6' NE, NGC 504 7' ENE, NGC 507 11' NE and IC 1682 10' NW.  IC 1685 appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 10" diameter. 

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, bright core. A wide mag 13 double star at 30" separation is just 1' SW.  Forms the vertex of a right triangle with mag 7.8 SAO 54647 8' NNE and mag 8.7 SAO 54632 11' WNW.  First in a group with NGC 504 7' ENE, NGC 507 11' NE, NGC 508 12' NE and IC 1685 2.5' NE (seen in 17.5" only).

John Herschel discovered NGC 494 = h104 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; E; has a D* to south".  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 495 = UGC 920 = MCG +05-04-035 = CGCG 502-058 = WBL 038-008 = PGC 5037
01 22 55.9  +33 28 18; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 30"x20", contains a small bright core.  Bracketed by two 14th magnitude stars 1' SSW and 1' NNE.  Located in the core of the NGC 507 group (actually the NGC 499 subgroup), with NGC 499 3.3' ESE, NGC 498 3.4' ENE, IC 1684 3.5' S, NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 501 6' SE.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Located midway two mag 14 stars 1.1' SSW and 1.1' NNE.  First of three with NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 499 3.3' ESE.  Located in a rich galaxy group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 495 = H. III-156, along with NGC 496 and NGC 499, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He recorded them together as "Three [along with NGC 496 and 499], eS and F, forming a triangle."  Earlier in the sweep he discovered the trio NGC 379, 380 and 383 in the Pisces Group, as well as the pair NGC 407 and 410 and five members of the NGC 507 group (in two fields).  He also observed the NGC 495/496/499 trio the next night (sweep 271) in more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south [NGC 499], the short leg preceding [NGC 495], the long towards the north [NGC 496].  Those in the legs [NGC 495 and 496] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle [NGC 499] a deal larger and brighter, but still vF."  The NGC position (from Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz) is accurate.
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NGC 496 = UGC 927 = MCG +05-04-036 = CGCG 502-060 = WBL 038-010 = PGC 5061
01 23 11.6  +33 31 48; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 28°

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.45', low fairly even surface brightness with a weak concentration. but no distinct core.  Located in the NGC 499 subgroup of the NGC 507 Group with NGC 498 2.4' S, NGC 499 4.2' S, NGC 495 4.8' SW and NGC 501 6.3' SSE.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, low even surface brightness.  Second and largest of three with NGC 495 4.8' SW and NGC 499 4.2' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 496 = H. III-157, along with NGC 495 and NGC 499, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). See description under NGC 495.  He observed the trio again the next night (sweep 271).
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NGC 497 = Arp 8 = UGC 915 = MCG +00-04-100 = CGCG 385-085 = PGC 4992
01 22 23.8  -00 52 30; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 132°

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.2' SE of center.  Located northwest of the core of AGC 194.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 497 = St. 12-14 = Sw. 5-13 on 6 Nov 1882 (or earlier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 31 Oct 1886 and reported it in his 5th discovery list.  Frank Muller equated the two discoveries in an Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) listing nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue that had been discovered previously.
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NGC 498 = MCG +05-04-037 = PGC 5059
01 23 11.3  +33 29 22; Psc
V = 15.0;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

24" (10/4/13): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", low surface brightness.  Located 1.8' N of NGC 499 and 2.4' S of NGC 496, on a line between the two brighter galaxies.  This is perhaps the faintest NGC galaxy in the NGC 507 Group.

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, no details visible.  This very difficult object was only detected after extended viewing at 220x, 280x and 420x.  Finally started to glimpse a virtually stellar spot for moments at 280x using a detailed finder chart to pinpoint the location.  Located 1.7' N of NGC 499 and 2.4' S of NGC 496 within the cluster.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 498 on 23 Oct 1856 with Lord Rosse's 72" and placed on two sketches (object D in the original sketch) in the field of NGC 499.  His description says "only suspected", but the object is placed correctly on the sketch between NGC 496 and 499.
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NGC 499 = IC 1686: = UGC 926 = MCG +05-04-038 = CGCG 502-059 = LGG 024-002 = WBL 038-009 = PGC 5060
01 23 11.5  +33 27 37; Psc
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 82°

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 60"x45", well concentrated with a very bright core.  Brightest member of a subgroup of the NGC 507 Group with NGC 498 1.8' N, NGC 501 2.8' SE, NGC 498 3.4' WNW, NGC 496 4.2' N. 

13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, moderately large, very bright core with a much fainter halo!  Third of three with NGC 495 3.3' WNW and NGC 496 4.2' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 499 = H. III-158 = h106, along with NGC 495 and 496, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). See NGC 495 for his description. The trio was observed again the next night (sweep 271). 

John Herschel made two observations. On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 100) his description reads: "pB; R; bM.  Nebulae numerous hereabouts."

Stephane Javelle independently found this galaxy on 1 Dec 1899 with the Nice Observatory 30" refractor and it was also catalogued as IC 1686.  His position is 1.7' S of NGC 499 (matches in RA) but this is a similar offset that he gave for IC 1684 and IC 1692.  This makes the equivalence NGC 499 = IC 1686 pretty certain, although Javelle claims he also measured NGC 499 so there is still some doubt on the equivalence.
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NGC 500 = MCG +01-04-040 = CGCG 411-039 = PGC 5013
01 22 39.4  +05 23 14; Psc
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 95°

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 1' NE.  Located 10' NE of a mag 8 star.  NGC 490 is 9' WSW and NGC 488 18' SW.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 500, along with NGC 486, 490 and 492, on 6 Dec 1850.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was labeled Epsilon on the diagram in the 1861 and 1880 publications and noted as "vF."
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NGC 501 = CGCG 502-062 = WBL 038-012 = PGC 5082
01 23 22.4  +33 25 59; Psc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", very small brighter nucleus.  Located 2.8' SE of NGC 499 and 1.8' SW of a mag 11.3 star in the NGC 507 Group.

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Can just hold continually with averted vision once identified.  Located 2.8' SE of NGC 499 in a cluster.  A mag 10.5 star lies 1.8' NE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 501 on 28 Oct 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72".  It was sketched as object "E" and described as "vF, S."
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NGC 502 = UGC 922 = MCG +01-04-043 = CGCG 411-040 = LGG 023-002 = PGC 5034
01 22 55.6  +09 02 57; Psc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core ~10" diameter.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, small bright core, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 524 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 502 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 4 nights) matches UGC 922 = PGC 5034.  The identifications of NGC 502 and NGC 505 are reversed in the MCG and should read NGC 502 = MCG +01-04-041 and NGC 505 = MCG +01-04-043.
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NGC 503 = MCG +05-04-040 = CGCG 502-065 = WBL 038-014 = PGC 5086
01 23 28.4  +33 19 55; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".  Two mag 13.4/13.8 stars 0.6' SE and 1.1' SE are collinear with the galaxy.  Located 4' NE of mag 7.6 HD 8347 and 5' NNW of NGC 507, in the central hub of the cluster.

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 0.6' SE and 1.0' SE.  Located 4' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 54647 within the NGC 507 Group (NGC 507/508 in the field).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 503 on 13 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single micrometric position is an exact match with CGCG 502-065 = PGC 5086.  He was uncertain if it might be one of William Herschel's previous discoveries in the area [NGC 495, 496 and 499].
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NGC 504 = NGC 506: = UGC 935 = MCG +05-04-041 = CGCG 502-064 = WBL 038-013 = PGC 5084
01 23 27.9  +33 12 16; Psc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 47°

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, ~40"x16", well-concentrated with a very bright elongated nucleus and faint extensions.  Located 4' SW of NGC 507 in the core of the NGC 507 Group.  IC 1687 is 4.7' NNW, NGC 508 5.2' NE, NGC 494 7' WSW.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, small bright core.  First of three with NGC 507 4' NNE and NGC 508 5.3' NNE.  Also NGC 494 lies 7.2' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 504 = h107 = Au 12 on 22 Nov 1827.  No visual description was published but he noted it "precedes III.159 [NGC 507] by about 10 sec, and is half a field to the south of it."  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this object on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  His discovery was included in Auwers 1862 catalogue of new nebulae with a total of 5 observations in d'Arrest's 1867 "Siderum Nebulosorum".  Herschel catalogued the two observations separately as GC 291  and 292, but Dreyer combined them to NGC 504, assigning credit to d'Arrest.
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NGC 505 = UGC 924 = MCG +01-04-041 = PGC 5036
01 22 57.1  +09 28 08; Psc
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1

18" (12/3/05): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 7' WNW of NGC 509 in the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, extremely small, round.  NGC 509 lies 7' ESE.

13.1" (8/24/84): extremely faint, slightly elongated ~E-W?  Located 7' WNW of NGC 509 in the NGC 524 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 505 = m 46 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, stellar".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 506
01 23 35.3  +33 14 41; Psc
V = 15.3

24" (10/4/13): this number probably applies to a mag 15.3 star 1.3' SW of the center of NGC 507, beyond the halo.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 506 on 7 Nov 1874 during the 8th and last observation of the NGC 499/507 Group.  There is no description but a micrometric measure is given 223.1" in PA 153.7° from mag 7.6 HD 8347 at 01 23 12.1 +33 17 24 (J2000).  There is no object at this offset but the NGC position is further southeast (perhaps Dreyer had additional information) and the NGC description adds "sp 507".  Near this position is a single star given here that Corwin identifies as NGC 506.  RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 506 with NGC 504.
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NGC 507 = Arp 229 NED1 = VV 207a = UGC 938 = MCG +05-04-044 = CGCG 502-067 = WBL 038-015 = PGC 5098
01 23 40.0  +33 15 22; Psc
V = 11.2;  Size 3.1'x3.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (10/4/13): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a blazing core that increases to the center.  The outer halo gradually fades out, so there is no distinct edge, but just beyond the halo on the north side is NGC 508 (1.5' between centers).  Brightest in a large group with over 20 members that is part of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster.

A number of galaxies are nearby including NGC 504 4' SW, IC 1687 4.6' WNW, PGC 5100 3.0' S, CGCG 502-072 5.1' NE ("fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter") and NGC 503 5.2' NNW.  A mag 14.3 star is just off the NW side, 1.3' from center and a mag 15.3 star (= NGC 506) is off the southwest side, 1.3' from center.  Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6.2' WNW. 

13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, very bright core.  Second of three with NGC 508 1.5' N and NGC 504 4' SSW in a large group.  Located 6' ESE of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

William Herschel discovered NGC 507 = H. III-159 = h108, along with NGC 508, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). He recorded them together as "Two. Both extremely faint, small, but unequal."  Just earlier in the sweep he discovered NGC 495, 496 and 499 in the galaxy group.  During the same sweep he also found the trio NGC 379, 380 and 383 in the Pisces Group, as well as the pair NGC 407 and 410.

John Herschel made 2 observations. On 17 Nov 1827 (sweep 104) he noted "extremely faint" and 5 nights later, "pretty bright".
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NGC 508 = Arp 229 NED2 = VV 207b = UGC 939 = MCG +05-04-045 = CGCG 502-068 = WBL 038-016 = PGC 5099
01 23 40.6  +33 16 51; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, round, broad concentration with a brighter nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S in the central region of the NGC 507 Group.  Also nearby is NGC 503 3.9' NW, CGCG 502-72 4.2' NE, IC 1687 4.6' W and NGC 504 5.3' SW.  Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6' W.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, round.  Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S.  Third of three with NGC 504 5.3' SSW.  Located 6' E of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

William Herschel discovered NGC 508 = H. III-160 = h109, along with NGC 507, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded both as "Two. Both eF, S, but unequal."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 509 = UGC 932 = MCG +01-04-045 = CGCG 411-043 = LGG 023-011 = PGC 5080
01 23 24.1  +09 26 01; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 82°

18" (12/3/05): faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.5', broad weak concentration.  Situated between two mag 13.8/14.3 stars less than 2' SW and NNE.  NGC 505 lies 7' WNW.  Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, elongated ~E-W.  Located between a mag 14 star 1.9' SW and a mag 13.5 star 1.4' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 505 7' WNW in the NGC 524 group. 

13.1" (8/24/84): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W.  Two faint stars are north and south.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 509 = m 47 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 510
01 23 55.6  +33 29 49; Psc

17.5" (10/4/97): this is a faint and difficult double star that was just resolved at 280x.  The fainter eastern component is difficult to cleanly resolve [separation 8"] and it is easy to imagine that Schultz would mistake this oibject as nonstellar.  Located 7' ESE of NGC 499 and 9' WNW of NGC 515 in the field of the NGC 507 Group. The RNGC mislabels PGC 5102 as NGC 510.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 510 = Nova V on 11 Nov 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  At Schultz's micrometric position (44 seconds following NGC 499) is a close, faint double star (also observed by Bigourdan) with a separation of 8" and mean position of 01 23 55.6 +33 29 49.  The RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 5102 as NGC 510.  PGC 5102 is 32 sec east in RA and 3' S of NGC 499.  Discussed in  Malcolm Thomson's "Catalogue Corrections".
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NGC 511 = UGC 936 = MCG +02-04-033 = CGCG 436-037 = PGC 5103
01 23 30.7  +11 17 27; Psc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is attached at the south edge 17" from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 511 = St. 8a-4 on 2 Nov 1875.  His accurate published position (list 8a, #4) was made on 26 Oct 1876 with description "eF, diffuse, vS, faint star involved and touches a mag 14-15 star."  His description and position matches UGC 936 = PGC 5103, with the two faint stars on the west side.
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NGC 512 = UGC 944 = MCG +06-04-013 = CGCG 521-018 = PGC 5132
01 23 59.8  +33 54 30; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 116°

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 14 star is just off the SE edge 0.6' from center and a mag 12 star is 1.6' SSW.  Located 6.5' NE of a mag 11 star.  NGC 513 lies 9' SE.  The RNGC misidentifies NGC 512 with a faint companion 2.5' S.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, edge-on streak NW-SE, requires averted.

John Herschel discovered NGC 512 = h110 on 17 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; vS."  His position (single observation) is just 23" S of UGC 944.  The new description in the RNGC refers to CGCG 521-017, located 2.5' S of NGC 512.  The bright, elongated companion mentioned as 2' N of NGC 512, actually refers to NGC 512!  This misidentification was mentioned in my RNGC Corrections #1 and the Webb Society Quarterly Journal in April 1980.
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NGC 513 = UGC 953 = MCG +06-04-016 = CGCG 521-020 = PGC 5174
01 24 26.8  +33 47 59; And
V = 12.9;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.1;  PA = 75°

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Located at the NE end of a line of four mag 12-13 stars which extend to SW; the closest mag 13.5 star is 0.9' SW and is followed by a second parallel line of stars.  NGC 512 lies 9' NW.  Incorrect RA by 0.6 minutes west in the RNGC and plotted incorrectly on the U2000.

William Herschel discovered NGC 513 = H. III-169 = h111 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar."  This object is in a large group of galaxies found on this sweep using Beta Andromedae as a reference star.  Seven of these objects have varying errors in RA except for NGC 404. In this case, Herschel's RA is off by ~30 seconds from UGC 953.  John Herschel made the single observation "F; S" in Nov. 1827 (sweep 105) and measured a good position.

The RA in the RNGC is also 0.6 min too far west and the galaxy is misplotted on the first version of Uranometria 2000. The position is given correctly in UGC and RC3.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 514 = UGC 947 = MCG +02-04-035 = CGCG 436-038 = PGC 5139
01 24 03.9  +12 55 03; Psc
V = 11.6;  Size 3.5'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 110°

24" (10/12/20): Type Ia supernova SN 2020 uxv was discovered 46" ENE of center of NGC 514 on Oct 5, 2020.  It was easily visible at mag ~14.0.  A mag 9.5 star is 3' E of the galaxy with 3 stars nearby; a wide pair HJ 13 = 14.4/14.7 at 29" is 1' W (in direction of the galaxy) and a mag 14.8 star 1' S. The SN was about 1/2 mag brighter than the mag 14.4 star.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly large, 2.5'x2.0', elongated ~E-W, broad weak concentration, edges fade into the background, low surface brightness but granular or mottled texture.  Located 3.1' WNW of a mag 9.5 star.  A mag 13.5 star is 3.4' SW.  Several faint stars are close east and a a mag 15 star is just off the south edge 1.5' from center.

8" (1/1/84): faint, moderately large, very diffuse, even surface brightness.  A mag 9 star off the east edge interferes with viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 514 = H. II-252 = h112 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295).  His description reads, "F, pL, oval, little brighter middle, preceding a pretty bright star." John Herschel reported on 17 Oct 1825 (sweep 15), "vL; irr R; very gradually little brighter middle; by diagram at least 3' in diameter; a remarkable object.  Is closely followed by the double star h13; see fig. 38."

The galaxy was observed 6 times at Birr Castle.  The earliest observation on 13 Dec 1848 noted "John Herschel's D* [referring to h 13] is triple and perhaps quadruple.  2 nuclei or nucleus and star in nebula."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 515 = UGC 956 = MCG +05-04-052 = CGCG 502-077 = WBL 038-021 = PGC 5201
01 24 38.6  +33 28 22; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.1'

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 ~NW-SE, ~36"x24", fairly well concentrated with a bright core.  A mag 15.7 star is superimposed on the NW side.  Forms a pair with NGC 517 2.9' SE.  Located on the east side of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, faint stellar nucleus.  An extremely faint mag 16 star is suspected at the NW end (confirmed on the POSS).  Forms a pair with NGC 517 3' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 515 = H. III-167 = h113, along with NGC 517, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271 using Beta Andromedae as the reference star).  He simply noted "Two, both stellar" and his single position (marked uncertain) is about 35 sec of RA east of UGC 956.  John Herschel made the single observation "Precedes [NGC 517] and is 2' north."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (4 nights) and noted the error in WH's position.
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NGC 516 = UGC 946 = MCG +01-04-048 = CGCG 411-046 = LGG 023-004 = PGC 5148
01 24 08.1  +09 33 06; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 44°

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, moderately large, appears as a thin streak, ~1.0'x0.25' oriented SW-NE, weak concentration, bulging core and tapering extensions.  Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. Located 10' W of NGC 524. 

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, even surface brightness.  Located about 10' W of NGC 524.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 516 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position and offset from NGC 524 (41 seconds preceding) is an exact match with UGC 946 = PGC 5148.
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NGC 517 = VV 36a = UGC 960 = MCG +05-04-054 = CGCG 502-079 = WBL 038-022 = PGC 5214
01 24 43.8  +33 25 47; Psc
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

24" (10/4/13): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~45"x22", well concentrated with a bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 515 2.9' NNW.  Member of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE.  Appears slightly brighter than NGC 515 3' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 517 = H. III-168 = h114, along with NGC 515, on on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271 using Beta Andromedae as the reference star).  He simply noted "Two, both stellar" and his single position (marked uncertain) is about 35 sec of RA east of NGC 515 = UGC 956.  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; R". Heinrich d'Arrest measured a pretty accurate position (3 nights).  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 518 = UGC 952 = MCG +01-04-049 = CGCG 411-047 = LGG 023-009 = PGC 5161
01 24 17.7  +09 19 52; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 98°

18" (12/3/05): faint or fairly faint, very elongated E-W, 1.0'x0.3', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1' SW.  Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10.5 star.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is off the SSW side 0.9' from center.  Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10 star and 15' SSW of NGC 524 in a group. 

13.1" (8/24/84): very faint, small, elongated ~E-W.  A mag 10 star is NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 518 = m 48 on 17 Dec 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, vS, R."  His position is 1' S of UGC 952 = PGC 5161.
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NGC 519 = CGCG 385-103 = PGC 5182
01 24 28.6  -01 38 29; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 14 star is 45" S.  Member of the AGC 194 cluster.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 519 = Sw. 6-8 (along with NGC 530, 538, 557) on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 7 seconds of RA west and 1.3' south of CGCG 385-103 = PGC 5182.
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NGC 520 = Arp 157 = VV 231 = UGC 966 = MCG +01-04-052 = CGCG 411-050 = PGC 5193
01 24 34.4  +03 47 42; Psc
V = 11.4;  Size 4.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

48" (10/22/11): the view of this very bright, highly irregular, disrupted galaxy (merging pair) was fascinating at 488x.  The most prominent feature is a very high surface brightness curving "bar" oriented NW-SE (VV 231a), bending in the middle towards the southwest, and fading out on the SE end with a faint extension.  The total length of the banana-shaped bar is close to 2.5'.  The brightest part is at the NW end, where there is a large, bright knot (the northern nucleus), 24" diameter that increases to the center.  The edge of the bar is very well defined along the north side.  At the SE end of the main bar, the brightness dims sharply but a much fainter hazy glow continues further SE (VV 231c) and spreads out.

On the south side is a fairly bright, elongated section oriented WNW-ESE (VV 231b), that is separated from the northern "bar" by a prominent, irregular dark lane running NW to SE, paralleling the bar in the central region. A slightly brighter "knot" is located is the middle of the southern section (the dust lane just north of this knot optically obscures the southern nucleus).  At the SE end, the glow dims rapidly and fans out further SE. 

18" (10/19/06): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2'x0.6'.  This disturbed galaxy has a very unusual appearance with a bright knot at the NNW end.  The SSE end is wider and fainter and appears to feather out with a fainter, more delicate section that branches from the main body (VV 231b).  The periphery at the SSE end is difficult to trace due to this chaotic structure.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 3.0'x1.2'.  Very unusual appearance; the NW portion is noticeably brighter with a bright knot at the NW tip and a mottled texture.  Fades towards the SE where it merges into a fainter section which is tilted ~E-W with an irregular surface brightness and ill-defined edges.

14.5" (12/17/20): fascinating galaxy (mid-stage merger) at 226x.  Appears very elongated 3:1 NW-SE with a brighter central region, ~2' length. A much more prominent knot is at the NW end (nucleus of the northern galaxy)! The SE end is more diffuse and feathers out.  Appears brighter (bar) along the major axis.  The galaxy almost mimics a comet in appearance.

8" (11/28/81): faint, diffuse, elongated N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 520 = H. III-253 = h116 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and remarked "eF, cL, E."  On 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), he reported "cL, E from sp to nf."  John Herschel reported on 16 Oct 1827, "pB; E like a comet, pos 135°±; 60" length".  Using LdR's 72", Bindon Stoney wrote on 18 Dec 1851, "South end is like a brush or broom with a split in it."  His sketch was included in the 1861 publication (as well as 1880). A second observation on 9 Nov 1876 reads "Lord Rosse thought it had two points of condensation 3/4' apart.  I (Dreyer) thought it spread out in the following end like a fan.  Not well seen."  This galaxy is in Arp's category of disturbed galaxies with interior absorption.
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NGC 521 = UGC 962 = MCG +00-04-118 = CGCG 385-106 = PGC 5190
01 24 33.8  +01 43 53; Cet
V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x2.9';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 20°

24" (9/23/17): at 375x; bright, large, round, at least 2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to the center (quasi-stellar nucleus), halo fades out at the periphery.  NGC 533 lies 14' ENE.

13.1" (1/1/84): sharply concentrated with a very small bright core surrounded by a fairly large but very diffuse round envelope.  Located 14' W of NGC 533.

William Herschel discovered NGC 521 = H. II-461 = h115 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and recorded "F, pL, irr R, bM."  On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he noted "vF, R, very gradually brighter middle, 1 1/2' diam."  John Herschel made two observations, calling it "B" and "vF" on the two sweeps.  R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 3 Oct 1856, logged "pB, S, disc enveloped in F outlying neby and looks like an unresolved cluster." The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 522 = UGC 970 = MCG +02-04-038 = CGCG 436-043 = FGC 163 = LGG 023-009 = PGC 5218
01 24 45.9  +09 59 40; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 2.6'x0.35';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 33°

18" (12/3/05): faint to fairly faint edge-on streak SW-NE, 1.2'x0.2'.  This is a pretty slash with a slightly brighter core.  Fades at the tips but uniformly narrow in width (does not bulge in the center).  NGC 525 lies 17' S within the NGC 524 group.  A couple of faint members, IC 101 and IC 102, lie 10' SW and 8' SW.

IC 101 is a faint hazy spot, irregularly round, ~20"-25" diameter.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1' S. IC 102 is extremely faint, very small, 15" diameter, no details.  This marginal object was just glimpsed as drifted through the field.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, pretty edge-on steak SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  Located 27' N of NGC 524 in a group. 

13.1" (8/24/84): very faint, edge-on streak SSW-NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 522 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (2 observations) matches UGC 962 = PGC 5190.
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NGC 523 = Arp 158 = NGC 537 = UGC 979 = MCG +06-04-018 = CGCG 521-022 = IV Zw 45 = VV 783 = PGC 5268
01 25 20.8  +34 01 30; And
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 108°

48" (11/5/21): at 488x; very bright, very elongated 3:1 or 4:1 ~E-W, with an unusual misshapen structure.  The brightest part extends ~40" E-W in a thin bright "bar", connecting a superimposed mag ~14.5 star (west side) and a bright 15" knot on the east side (the knot is possibly the nucleus of a merging galaxy) . A second slightly brighter "core" (of main galaxy) lies along the bar, midway between the star and knot.

The main body flares or widens on the east end and a very low surface brightness plume continues east. A brighter (but still faint) thin extension is west of the superimposed star for a total length of ~1.25'.

24" (11/24/14): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 ~E-W, ~1.1'x0.3'.  This disrupted galaxy (or merger) appeared very asymmetric, widening a bit at the east end and tapering slightly to the west.  A small, relatively bright knot, ~10" diameter, is at the east end.  An easily visible mag 14-14.5 star is embedded at the west end.  The main body, which extends ~40" from the knot to the star, is fairly thin and only very weakly brighter in the center (second nucleus).  With careful viewing, a very faint narrow plume extends west of the main glow.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, thin edge-on 4:1 ~E-W.  Located north of the NGC 483-517 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 523 on 23 Aug 1862 and described this galaxy as a "Double Nebula, F, S, both very near.  A *11 precedes by 11.65 seconds."  As he noted this object as a "Nebula duplex", he apparently saw the knot at the east end (identified in NED as NGC 523 NED02).  William Herschel probably made the first discovery on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and simply noted H. III-170 = NGC 537 as "stellar".  His RA readings for objects in this sweep are poor (given to the nearest minute) and assuming H. III-170 has an error of about 55 sec in RA, then NGC 523 = NGC 537.  The eastern knot was the site of SN 2001EN.
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NGC 524 = UGC 968 = MCG +01-04-053 = CGCG 411-051 = LGG 023-005 = PGC 5222
01 24 47.8  +09 32 19; Psc
V = 10.3;  Size 2.8'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.3

18" (12/3/05): very bright, large, round, well concentrated with a bright core increasing to a very bright small nucleus.  The halo extends to 2.0' or 2.5'.  A mag 11 star lies 2.3' S of center.  Brightest in a large group of 8 NGC galaxies and a few IC galaxies.

17.5" (10/17/87): very bright, fairly large, very bright core, large faint halo, bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.5' S.  Brightest in the NGC 524 group including NGC 505, NGC 509, NGC 516, NGC 518, NGC 522, NGC 525, NGC 532. 

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, large, round, ~2.2' diameter. There are 3 distinct zones: a large round halo and a relatively large very bright core that increases to an intense nucleus.  Surrounded by four stars including a mag 13.5 star right at the edge of the halo on the ESE side.

13.1" (8/24/84): bright, small very bright core surrounded by fainter round halo.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, round, bright core.  Located just north of a mag 10 star.

br well concen gx among sev br *s @ 80x. 140x: circ, strong even concen to ill-def 20" core and *ar nuc just discernable over it.  Halo rel f by comp to core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 524 = H. I-151 = h117 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 581).  Described as "considerably bright, considerably large, round, cometic, very gradually much brighter middle to a nucleus, several small stars near."  He included a sketch (fig. 26) in his 1811 publication as representative of "round nebulae increasing gradually in brightness up to a nucleus in the middle."  On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118), John Herschel desribed this object as "vB; pL; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 60"; 4 st near."
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NGC 525 = UGC 972 = MCG +01-04-054 = CGCG 411-053 = PGC 5232
01 24 52.9  +09 42 12; Psc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~50"x40", symmetrical appearance and increases steadily to a brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 524 group.  A mag 11 star lies 2' NW.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Located 2' SE of a mag 10.5 star in the NGC 524 group. 

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, small, almost round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 525 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (2 observations) is fairly accurate and also noted the nearby mag 11-12 star (2' northwest) as 5 seconds preceding and 1.5' north.
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NGC 526 = ESO 352-066 = MCG -06-04-019 = AM 0121-351 = VV 959 = PGC 5120 = PGC 5131
01 23 54.2  -35 03 56; Scl
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 112°

17.5" (11/1/97): initially NGC 526 appeared as a very faint, small glow, slightly elongated WNW-ESE.  After extended viewing, it resolved at times into a close double system with NGC 526B = MCG -06-04-020 = PGC 5135, [36" between centers] that was oriented WNW-ESE.  Both galaxies had very small brighter cores at moments.  Forms a trio with NGC 527 3.1' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 526 = h2408 (along with NGC 527 = h2409) on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, rather a doubtful object. The preceding of two [with NGC 527]".  On a later sweep he noted "vF;; S; little extended; this is the "doubtful" neb of a former sweep."  This double system consists of NGC 526A = PGC 5120 and NGC 526B = PGC 5135.
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NGC 527 = ESO 352-068 = MCG -06-04-021 = PGC 5128
01 23 58.1  -35 06 54; Scl
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 14°

17.5" (11/1/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4', weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1' NE.  The double system NGC 526 is 3.1' N.  NGC 527, itself, is a double system with MCG -06-04-022 = PGC 5142 (not seen), a faint edge-on system, close following the south end and just 46" between centers.

John Herschel discovered NGC 527 = h2409 (along with NGC 526 = h2408) on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, E, bM, 20".  The following of 2 [with NGC 526]".
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NGC 528 = UGC 988 = MCG +05-04-057 = CGCG 502-083 = PGC 5290
01 25 33.6  +33 40 18; And
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core.  There is a string of mag 10 stars to the north including two mag 10.5 stars 3.6' NNW and 7.6' NE and a mag 9.5 star 5.6' NNE.  Two bright stars lie SE including a mag 10 star 6' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 528, which was missed by both Herschels, on 22 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is quite accurate.

In March 2020, Yann Pothier found that Bindon Blood Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, made an earlier discovery on 7 Nov 1850.  A diagram in the 1880 publication shows two nebulae with distances to nearby stars.  Although the orientation for west is off (the arrow should be pointing down) the separations are a perfect match with NGC 513 (discovered by William Herschel) and NGC 528.  A later observation on 27 Nov 1857 by R.J. Mitchell mentions a similar diagram was made, so NGC 528.was seen twice at Birr Castle before d'Arrest's observation.  Dreyer questioned if the two nebulae were novae but he wasn't left with any positions, so d'Arrest was credited in the NGC.
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NGC 529 = HCG 10B = UGC 995 = MCG +06-04-019 = CGCG 521-023 = PGC 5299
01 25 40.3  +34 42 47; And
V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 160°

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core.  Located 10' NW of mag 6.3 SAO 54695.  NGC 529, along with NGC 536 8.5' E, are the two brightest members of the HCG 10 group.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, diffuse.  Located among group of 4-5 mag 10-11 stars with a mag 6 star 10' ESE.  Brightest in a group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 529 = h118 on 17 Nov 1827 and recorded "pB; vS; suddenly brighter middle.  The preceding of two [with NGC 536]."  Corwin suggests that William Herschel first catalogued this galaxy as H. III-171, but made an error in RA of over 1 minute of time.  But Wolfgang Steinicke argues that H. III-171 refers to NGC 536, according to the sweep order.  Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell discovered the other two members of HCG 10 in 1855.
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NGC 530 = IC 106 = UGC 965 = MCG +00-04-119 = PGC 5210
01 24 41.7  -01 35 14; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 134°

24" (11/7/18): at 375x; moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 NW-SE, well concentrated with a very bright elongated core and sub-stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is just off the SE tip.  Several galaxies within AGC 194 are nearby including IC 1696 3.3' SE and Mrk 1154 1.5' NE.  The latter galaxy was just glimpsed (V = 16.4) 40" NW of a mag 14 star.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is at the SE end 0.9' from center.  Forms a pair with IC 1696 3' SE within AGC 194. 

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 12 star is off the SE end.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 530 = Sw. 6-9 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 15 sec of RA east of UGC 965 = PGC 5210.  This galaxy was found again by Guillaume Bigourdan on 16 Nov 1887, assumed to be new, and reported as Big. 119 (later IC 106). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.  The equivalence of NGC 530 and IC 106 was mentioned in the IC 2 Notes.  MCG identifies this galaxy as IC 106 only (NGC 530 is misidentified as MCG +00-04-122) but UGC states NGC 530 = IC 106.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 531 = HCG 10C = UGC 1012 = MCG +06-04-020 = CGCG 521-024 = PGC 5340
01 26 18.8  +34 45 15; And
V = 13.8;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 34°

17.5" (8/31/86): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, fairly small.  A mag 12 star is just off the NE end 1.0' from center.  Member of the NGC 529-536 group = HCG 10 with NGC 536 3.1' SSE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 531 (along with NGC 542) with Lord Rosse's 72" on 16 Oct 1855 while observing NGC 529 and 536 (found earlier by the Herschels).  His position is 28 sec of RA west of UGC 1012 = PGC 5340, but the sketch confirms the identity.  The error in the position was caused by a confusion in the reference object.  PGC 5340 is not identified as NGC 531 in UGC (1012), CGCG (521-024) or MCG (+06-04-020).  Carlson advocated removal of NGC 531 from the NGC.  See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and WSQJ April 1986.
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NGC 532 = UGC 982 = MCG +01-04-056 = CGCG 411-055 = LGG 023-006 = PGC 5264
01 25 17.3  +09 15 51; Psc
V = 12.9;  Size 2.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 28°

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 7:2 SW-NE, ~2.0'x0.4', broad concentration, patchy appearance with an irregular surface brightness.  Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly large, edge-on 3:1 or 4:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration.  Member of the NGC 524 group with NGC 518 15' W and NGC 524 18' NW. 

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, thin streak elongated SSW-NNE, slightly brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 532 = H. III-556 = h119 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 581) and noted "vF, mE, about 1 1/2' long; the extent about 15° from the meridian from sp to nf."  On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118), John Herschel recorded "not vF, L, R, bM, 40" dia."  He included both his father's and his own observations as separate entries in the General Catalog because "the description differ so materially, especially in the particular of extension."  Nevertheless, GC 313 = GC 314.  Dreyer combined both entries into NGC 532.  E.E. Barnard found this galaxy on 28 Jan 1895 while observing Edward Swift's Comet from Nov. 1894.
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NGC 533 = UGC 992 = MCG +00-04-131 = CGCG 385-121 = PGC 5283
01 25 31.4  +01 45 33; Cet
V = 11.4;  Size 3.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 50°

24" (9/23/17): at 375x; bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~2.5'x1.6', sharply concentrated with a large bright core that is slightly elongated, halo gradually fades into the background sky.  NGC 521 lies 14' WSW and IC 103/105/109 is ~20' NNW.

13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, bright core, faint stellar nucleus suspected, elongated halo WSW-ENE.  A mag 13.5 star is 3.4' WNW. 

8" (1/1/84): very faint, very small, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 3.5' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 533 = H. II-462 = h121 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged "pB, R, pL, much brighter in the middle."  On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he noted "pB, R, very gradually brighter middle, about 1.5' dia." and on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  John Herschel recorded on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), "B; pL; R; bM."
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NGC 534 = ESO 296-021 = MCG -06-04-026 = PGC 5215
01 24 44.6  -38 07 45; Scl
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 142°

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, ~25" diameter, weak concentration.  Slightly fainter than NGC 544 5.8' ENE.  First in a group with NGC 544, NGC 546 and NGC 549 (latter not seen).  Located 4' NNW of a mag 11 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 534 = h2410 (along with nearby NGC 544 and 546) on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "eeF, S, bM."  His mean position from two sweeps matches ESO 296-021 = PGC 5215.
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NGC 535 = UGC 997 = MCG +00-04-133 = CGCG 385-124 = PGC 5282
01 25 31.1  -01 24 30; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 58°

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration.  In the central core of the AGC 194 cluster on line with NGC 541 3.8' NE and NGC 545/NGC 547 8' NE. 

13.1" (9/22/84): extremely faint, elongated SW-NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 535 on 31 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "eF, vS, 1st of 3 in a line [with NGC 541 and 545 (double)]".
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NGC 536 = HCG 10A = UGC 1013 = MCG +06-04-021 = CGCG 521-025 = WBL 046-003 = PGC 5344
01 26 21.7  +34 42 12; And
V = 12.4;  Size 3.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 62°

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, slightly elongated WSW-ENE.  A mag 14 star is involved at the north edge.  Located 8' NNE of mag 6.3 SAO 54695.  Brightest along with NGC 529 in HCG 10 with NGC 529 8.5' W, NGC 542 2.6' SE and NGC 531 3.1' NNW.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, very small faint core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 536 = H. III-171 = h120 on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar".  Objects that were discovered on this sweep (NGC 513, 515, 517, 523, 536, 552, 553, 614) have various offset errors in RA.  His position for H. III-171 is 1.0 min of RA east of UGC 1013.  John Herschel made a single observation in Nov. 1827 (sweep 105) and recorded "pB; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; the following of two." His position was accurate.  Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 observations and mentioned the star involved on the north side.

Analyzing the sweep data, Harold Corwin suggests H. III-171 applies instead to NGC 529, which is 1 min 40 sec of RA west of Herschel's place. But Wolfgang Steinicke argues that H. III-171 must apply to NGC 536 (coming from the previous object NGC 537 in the sweep).
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NGC 537 = NGC 523 = UGC 979 = MCG +06-04-018 = CGCG 521-022 = Arp 158 = IV Zw 45 = PGC 5268
01 25 20.8  +34 01 30; And

See observing notes for NGC 523.

William Herschel discovered NGC 537 = H. III-170 on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar".  All the RA positions are off by varying amounts in this sweep, computed with respect to Beta Andromedae (except for NGC 404) in varying amounts.  Dreyer questioned if this object was identical to Heinrich d'Arrest's NGC 523 and these numbers are equated in the RNGC.  If Dreyer's suggestion is correct, WH's RA 1.0 tmin too large and Corwin came to the same conclusion.  See his notes for more on the story.
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NGC 538 = UGC 991 = MCG +00-04-130 = CGCG 385-120 = PGC 5275
01 25 26.1  -01 33 02; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is at the north edge 34" from center.  UGC 995 lies 3' NNW within AGC 194. 

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, star on NE tip.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 538 = Sw. 6-10 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; vE; pF * close N; Not 5180 [NGC 558]".  Swift's position is 10 sec of RA east of UGC 991 = PGC 5275 and his comment "pF * close N" applies, though the star is not faint.
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NGC 539 = NGC 563 = ESO 542-010 = MCG -03-04-063 = PGC 5269
01 25 21.7  -18 09 51; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 145°

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, low even surface brightness.  Followed by a line of three mag 13-14 stars oriented SSW-NNE located 3.2' SSE, 2.6' SE and 2.7' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 539 = LM 1-28 on 31 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is just 1' to 2' S of ESO 542-010 = PGC 5269.  NGC 563 (found again by Leavenworth the next year) is a duplicate observation with a 2 tmin error in RA.  So, NGC 539 = NGC 563.
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NGC 540 = ESO 542-012 = PGC 5410
01 27 08.9  -20 02 12; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 179°

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round.  Only glimpsed at moments at 280x using a Guide Star Catalog (GSC) finder chart but several times appeared virtually stellar.  On two occasions a 20" halo was seen (too faint to determine elongation but extended 2:1 N-S on DSS). A mag 14 star lies 1.3' due north.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 540 = LM 1-29 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position by ~2 min of RA east and 5' south is ESO 542-012 = PGC 5410.  Corwin examined the sketch, but there is only one star shown, so the field cannot be confirmed and identification is uncertain.
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NGC 541 = Arp 133 = UGC 1004 = MCG +00-04-137 = CGCG 385-128 = PGC 5305
01 25 44.3  -01 22 46; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

48" (10/22/11): very bright, fairly large, round, sharply concentrated with an intense core 30" core surrounded by a much fainter halo, nearly 1.5' diameter.  Just off the east side of the halo are two faint galaxies: PGC 86298 1' E and Minkowski's Object 0.8' NE.  PGC 86298 was faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, visible continuously.  Minkowski's Object was very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, low even surface brightness.  A 17th magnitude star 1.4' NE of NGC 541 forms an equilateral triangle with the pair of faint galaxies.

Minkowski's object, experiencing a burst of star formation, was actually triggered by the jet from the nucleus of NGC 541 because the body of the jet can be traced all the way to the region where the new stars are forming.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, oval SSW-NNE.  Slightly fainter than NGC 545/NGC 547 4.4' NE in the core of AGC 194.  Also at midpoint with NGC 545/547 and NGC 535 3.7' SW.  A bridge of stars and gas connects NGC 541 and the interacting pair NGC 545/547.  Embedded in the bridge just NE of NGC 541 is "Minkowski's Object" (not seen) which has a very unusual optical spectrum.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 541 on 30 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured on 3 nights.  I'm surprised that William Herschel missed this galaxy in his discovery observation of NGC 545/547.

A bridge of stars and gas connects NGC 541 and the interacting pair NGC 545/547.  Embedded in the bridge just northeast of NGC 541 is "Minkowski's Object" which has a very unusual optical spectrum.  See "Minkowski's object - A starburst triggered by a radio jet" at http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/bib_query?1985ApJ...293...83V.  A brief summary and excellent image is at http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/M/Minkowskis_Object.html.
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NGC 542 = HCG 10D = MCG +06-04-022 = CGCG 521-026 = PGC 5360
01 26 30.8  +34 40 32; And
V = 14.7;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (8/31/86): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated.  Located 2.6' SE of NGC 536 in the HCG 10 = NGC 529-536 group.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 542 on 16 Oct 1855 with Lord Rosse's 72" while observing NGC 529 and 536 (discovered earlier by the Herschels).  This nebula was shown on the sketch as Delta and Dreyer measured a micrometric position.
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NGC 543 = MCG +00-04-138 = CGCG 385-130 = PGC 5311
01 25 50.0  -01 17 34; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 90°

48" (10/22/11): fairly bright/bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.2', contains a small bright core.  MCG +00-04-140 lies 1.5' SSE.  In a string of galaxies oriented SSW-NNE in AGC 194 with NGC 545/547 4' SE.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, very elongated ~E-W.  Located 4.5' NW of NGC 545/NGC 547 duo in the core of AGC 194. 

13.1" (9/22/84): very faint, very small.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 543 on 31 Oct 1864, while measuring positions for other members of AGC 194 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single micrometric position is just off the south edge of CGCG 385-130 = PGC 5311.
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NGC 544 = ESO 296-024 = MCG -06-04-028 = AM 0122-381 NED01 = PGC 5253
01 25 12.0  -38 05 41; Scl
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 2°

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, 25" round, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Precedes a mag 14 star by 1.5' and forms a close pair with NGC 546 1.5' N; the two galaxies and the star form a nearly perfect equilateral triangle.  Located ~15' SW of the core of the distant AGC 2911.

John Herschel discovered NGC 544 = h2411 (along with nearby NGC 534 = h2410 and NGC 546 = h2412) on 23 Oct 1835.  His description reads "eeF; the Sp of two [with NGC 546] which form an equilateral triangle with a star 13th mag" and matches ESO 296-024 = PGC 5253.
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NGC 545 = Arp 308 NED1 = UGC 1007 = MCG +00-04-142 = CGCG 385-132 = Holm 42a = 3C 40 = PGC 5323
01 25 59.1  -01 20 25; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 2.4'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 55°

48" (10/22/11): very bright, large, oval 2:1 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.7', well concentrated with a large bright core and fainter halo that merges with NGC 547 on the southeast side.
CGCG 385-129, situated 2.5' NW of NGC 545, is moderately bright, small, elongated 0.4'x0.3' WNW-ESE, small bright core.  CGCG 385-127, located 3' W of NGC 545, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 0.4'x0.3' SSW-NNE, contains a small bright core.

17.5" (9/19/87): NGC 545 is the brightest member of AGC 194.  It appeared moderately bright, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a double system with NGC 547 in a common envelope.
CGCG 385-129, located 2.5' NW of NGC 545, is extremely faint and small, round.  It forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with a pair of mag 13 stars 45" SW and NW.  RNGC and MCG misidentify CGCG 385-129 as NGC 545.  CGCG 385-127, located 3' W of NGC 545 is extremely faint and small, almost round.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, bright core.  Preceding of a double system with NGC 547 0.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 545 = H. II-448, along with NGC 547, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448).  He recorded them together as "Two, stellar of equal size and within 1' of each other.  Their nebulosities run together and at first sight seem to form only one extended nebula."  These galaxies are the brightest members of AGC 194 and the closest pair (30" between centers) that Herschel discovered.  The NGC 741/742 pair is another close Herschel discovery, only 45" between centers.  Later in the sweep he also discovered cluster members NGC 560 and 564.

RNGC misidentifies the double system NGC 545/547 as NGC 547/547A.  MCG calls the double galaxy NGC 547a/NGC 547b.  RNGC and MCG both misidentify MCG +00-04-140 as NGC 545.  See RNGC Corrections #1 and the Webb Society Observer's Handbook, Volume 5.
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NGC 546 = ESO 296-025 = MCG -06-04-029 = AM 0122-381 NED02 = PGC 5255
01 25 12.7  -38 04 09; Scl
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 35°

17.5" (11/1/97): extremely faint, very small, round, requires averted to view.  Located 1.5' N of brighter NGC 544.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 546 = h2412 (along with nearby NGC 534 = h2410 and NGC 544 = h2411) on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "eeF.  The on f of two."  On a later sweep he logged "eeF; S; R; very gradually brighter middle."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 547 = Arp 308 NED2 = UGC 1009 = MCG +00-04-143 = CGCG 385-133 = Holm 42b = 3C 40 = PGC 5324
01 26 00.7  -01 20 43; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 85°

48" (10/22/11): very bright, round, moderately large, 1' diameter, very bright core.  The halo merges with NGC 545, which is in contact on the NW side.

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 545 0.5' NW and the brightest (pair) in AGC 194.  NGC 541 is 4.6' SW and NGC 543 lies 4.1' NW.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, bright core, in contact with NGC 545 very close NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 547 = H. II-449, along with NGC 545, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448).  He reported both as "Two, stellar of equal size and within 1' of each other.  Their nebulosities run together and at first sight seem to form only one extended nebula."   These galaxies are the brightest members of AGC 194 and the closest pair (30" between centers) that Herschel discovered.
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NGC 548 = UGC 1010 = MCG +00-04-141 = CGCG 385-134 = PGC 5326
01 26 02.5  -01 13 32; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 135°

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Member of AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 548 = HN 33 on 2 Nov 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #25) at Harvard Observatory.  His micrometric position matches UGC 1010 = PGC 5326.
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NGC 549 = ESO 296-022 = PGC 5243
01 25 07.1  -38 00 29; Scl
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

18" (12/17/11): extremely faint, fairly small, round, no structure, required averted vision.  Located ~5' NNW of NGC 544/546 pair.  Viewed at 11° elevation.

17.5" (11/1/97): not visible

John Herschel discovered NGC 549 = h2413 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "eeeF, S, R, very gradually brighter middle. The 4th of a group of four [with NGC 534, 544 and 546]."  There is nothing at this position, but 15' N is ESO 296-026 = PGC 5278, and ESO, SGC and RC3 identify ESO 296-026 = NGC 549. These galaxies were observed on two sweeps and given very accurate positions.

Instead, I suggested that NGC 549 = ESO 296-022 = PGC 5243. This galaxy matches Herschel's position in declination but his RA would be off by 18 tsec.  Although ESO 296-022 is much smaller and fainter than ESO 296-026, it is closer in position (off only in RA) and a much better match with Herschel's description "The 4th of a group of 4" [with NGC 534, 544 and 546].  So, although the identification of NGC 549 is not definite, NGC 549 = PGC 5243 appears to be a much better choice.  See Corwin's identification notes.

This identification was suggested by Pietro Baracchi, when he observed the group with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 19 Dec 1887.  He noted "GC 324 [NGC 549] found but out of position...It is eeF; eS; R."  It precedes [NGC 544] by 6s and is 5' 10" north of it.  In this group [GC] 316, 320, 321 agree with Herschel in appearance, relative and absolute position, but 324 [NGC 549] is out altogether.  It agrees very well in appearance but its relative position with regard to the other three objects is quite different.  Herschel observed [NGC 549] only once and the other three were observed twice - it is probable that he made some mistake in placing or connecting the four objects together."
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NGC 550 = UGC 1021 = MCG +00-04-146 = CGCG 385-139 = PGC 5374
01 26 42.5  +02 01 20; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 120°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.5', bright core has a fairly high surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus, faint halo.  Located 9' SW of a mag 9.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 550 = H. II-463 = h122 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and noted "F, S, lE."  On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he logged "F, S, much brighter in the middle, irr lE nearly in the parallel" and again on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), "F, vS, irr R, little brighter in the middle."

John Herschel reported on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), "pB; S; E from p to f; BM; has a granulated (i.e. a resolvable) appearance."  Dreyer, as Lord Rosse's assistant, observed NGC 550 on 23 Oct 1876 with description, "F, pL, E npsf, 2 st 13-14m p & np  2.5'.  Orange-red *9-10 (with a F companion 3/4' preceding) is 9.2' NE."  The mag 9.0 star is the K2-type HD 8827.
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NGC 551 = UGC 1034 = MCG +06-04-027 = CGCG 521-030 = PGC 5450
01 27 40.6  +37 10 59; And
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 140°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the NW end 1.1' from center.  A close mag 14.5 double is just following the SE end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 551 = H. III-560 = h123 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, S, E, among some stars."  John Herschel reported "vF; E; very gradually little brighter middle; near a * 13m." (Oct. 1828).  R.J. Mitchell observed this galaxy with the 72" on 18 Sep 1857 and recorded, "much elongated np-sf.  Faint triple star following; at Alpha a vF * or neb. patch."  Although the orientation of the sketch is not shown, at the position of Alpha there is just a very faint star.
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NGC 552
01 26 10.1  +33 24 22; Psc

17.5" (12/9/01): this number possibly applies to the mag 15 star just 30" preceding CGCG 502-084, assuming NGC 553 applies to CGCG 502-084.  The star was actually slightly easier to view than the galaxy.

William Herschel discovered NGC 552 = H. III-172, along with NGC 553, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271).  He listed both together as "Two. Both very small, stellar; but a little doubtful."

There is nothing near his position and Harold Corwin suggests NGC 552 may apply to a star at 01 26 10.1 +33 24 21, which is just preceding CGCG 502-084 = NGC 553?  Wolfgang Steinicke also identifies it as a star, but at 01 26 57.0  +33 33 29.  See NGC 553.
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NGC 553 = CGCG 502-084 = Mrk 1155 = LGG 026-033 = PGC 5333
01 26 12.6  +33 24 19; Psc
V = 14.6;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 15°

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter (viewed core only of this faint edge-on), requires averted.  A slightly brighter mag 15 star (possibly NGC 552) is 30" preceding.  Located 18' ESE of NGC 517, just following the NGC 507 Group.

This identification is very uncertain due to a poor position by William Herschel.

William Herschel discovered NGC 553 = H. III-173, along with NGC 552, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271).  He recorded both as "Two [with NGC 552 = III-172]. Both vS. stellar, but a little doubtful."  There is nothing near his position and RNGC classifies NGC 553 as nonexistent.  Dreyer notes the observation by Sir Robert Ball at Birr Castle on 4 Jan 1867 ("Two, perhaps 3 neb, but I had not time to examine the field closely.  Alpha is faint, very small; Beta extremely faint; Gamma is doubtful") may refer to other objects.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 553 is possibly CGCG 502-084 = PGC 5333.  NGC 552 might apply to the faint star close preceding.  This assumes Herschel's RA was 1.6 minutes too large, and his dec 3' too far north (his errors in RA were greater as the sweep progressed).  But Wolfgang Steinicke disagrees. He argues that Herschel's sweep path from H. III-171 = NGC 536, the previous object in the sweep, is not consistent with CGCG 502-084, which is too far west and south to be seen.  So, perhaps it is best to classify NGC 553 and 552 as lost (likely stars).
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NGC 554 = ESO 476-011 = MCG -04-04-013 = PGC 5412
01 27 09.6  -22 43 30; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 177°

48" (11/21/25): at 488x and 610x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 N-S, ~30"x20". The bright core is often resolved at 610x into two extremely small nuclei, only 6" separation N-S!  The southern halo (NGC 554B) may be larger. Deep images show long tidal tails stretching N and S.

24" (12/6/18): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~30"x24".  Contains a very small brighter core/nucleus. A mag 12.3 star is 1.8' E.  Brightest in a small triplet with NGC 556 1.8' NNE and NGC 555 2.3' SSW.  NGC 554 is a merged pair (not resolved) with the two nuclei separated by only 5"-6".

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular round, 40" diameter, weak concentration.  Two mag 12 stars follow 1.8' E and 2.5' SE.  Close pair with NGC 552 2.3' S.

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, round.  Forms the SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with a mag 13.2 star 1.8' NE and a mag 12.8 star 1.8' E.  Forms a close pair with NGC 555 2' S.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 554 = LM 2-305, along with NGC 555 and 556, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.4 min of RA too far west. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  This is an extremely close double system (PGC 5412 and 5413), with the two components identified as NGC 554A and 554B in NED and NGC 554 and 554A in PGC.
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NGC 555 = ESO 476-012 = MCG -04-04-014 = PGC 5419
01 27 11.8  -22 45 44; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 13°

48" (11/21/25): at 488x and 610x; moderately bright, fairly small, ~30" diameter, small brighter core. In a bent line with NGC 554 (merged pair) 2.3' NNW and NGC 556 3.9' N.  PGC 3617976 is 0.7' N.

24" (12/6/18): at 260x; faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.  In a triplet with NGC 554 2.3' NNW and NGC 556 4' N.  Located 15' ENE of mag 7.1 HD 8767.

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, round.  Appears as a very low surface brightness hazy spot with averted vision. ~15" diameter.  Visible at best 1/3 of the time with averted vision.  Located 2.3' S of NGC 554.

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, very small, round.  In a small group with NGC 554 2' N and NGC 556 (not seen).

17.5" (11/6/93): extremely faint, very small, just glimpsed at moments though definitely visible.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' ENE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 554 2' N.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 555 = LM 2-306, along with NGC 554 and 556, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.4 tmin west of ESO 476-012 = PGC 5419.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 556 = ESO 476-013 = PGC 5420
01 27 12.6  -22 41 52; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 136°

48" (11/21/25): at 488x and 610x; moderately bright, small, round, stellar nucleus, 0.3' diameter.  NGC 554 (merged pair) is 1.8' SSW.

24" (12/6/18): at 260x; very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter.  Situated 1.8' NNE of NGC 554.  A mag 12.3 star is 1.7' SE.

18" (12/3/05): marginal object, glimpsed a few times but confirmed off the NNE side of NGC 554 and faintest in a close trio with NGC 554 and NGC 555.  Appeared quasi-stellar, ~6" in diameter.  Situated just 1.8' NNE of NGC 554.

17.5" (11/6/93): not seen.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 556 = LM 2-307, along with NGC 554 and 555, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.5 min of RA east of ESO 476-013 = PGC 5420.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 557 = IC 1703 = UGC 1016 = MCG +00-04-144 = PGC 5351
01 26 25.1  -01 38 20; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, broad concentration, halo gradually fades into background.  Located 4.5' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 129302 and 20' SE of the core of AGC 194.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 557 = Sw. 6-11 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; B * f 15 seconds and is on of it."  His position is poor; 46 sec of RA east of UGC 1016 = PGC 5351 and the bright star is southeast of the galaxy, but the identification NGC 557 = UGC 1016 is secure.  Bigourdan couldn't find the galaxy at Swift's position but "rediscovered" it on 27 Oct 1897 assuming it was new.  Big. 369 (later IC 1703) has an accurate position.  So, NGC 557 = IC 170, with NGC 557 the primary designation.  UGC and CGCG label this galaxy as IC 1703 but RC3 identifies it as NGC 557.
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NGC 558 = CGCG 385-143 = PGC 5425
01 27 16.1  -01 58 16; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.1;  PA = 110°

24" (9/23/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, ~20" diameter.  Appears to have a brighter bar oriented WNW-ESE [confirmed on the SDSS].  A mag 12.0 star is 1.3' WNW.  NGC 560 lies 4.2' NNE.  In AGC 194.

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE in direction of a mag 12.5 star 1.3' WNW of core.  Member of AGC 194 with NGC 560 4' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 558 on 1 Feb 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen, while measuring nearby NGC 560 and NGC 564.  He also accurately placed the nearby mag 12 star (called mag 10) as 5 seconds preceding.
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NGC 559 = Cr 13 = OCL-322 = Lund 45
01 29 34  +63 18 12; Cas
V = 9.5;  Size 4'

17.5" (11/2/91): about 50 stars mag 10-15 at 220x in a 6'x4' region.  Fairly compact and rich with an irregular outline.  Includes a thin isosceles triangle of three mag 10 stars with the base to the south.  The southeast star in this base is a close unequal double.  A number of the stars are arranged in strings including four mag 13-14 stars over haze trail from base to the north.  Also four mag 8/9 stars precede the cluster to the northwest in a 10' string.

William Herschel discovered NGC 559 = H. VII-48 = h124 on 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) and noted "a compressed cluster of some pL and many vS stars, irregularly round, 6' or 7' diameter."  John Herschel independently found this cluster on 5 Oct 1829 and described "A fine rich cluster 5' diameter, irregular."  He made a clerical error in reducing the PD, which is 1° too far south (error caught by Auwers) and assumed this was a new discovery when compiling the Slough Catalogue.  This error was corrected in the General Catalogue (h124 = H. VII-48).
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NGC 560 = IC 117 = UGC 1036 = MCG +00-04-151 = CGCG 385-145 = PGC 5430
01 27 25.4  -01 54 47; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 178°

24" (9/23/17): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, very elongated at least 3:1 N-S, ~50"x15", slightly brighter core, small bright nucleus.  Middle of 3 with NGC 558 4' SW and NGC 564 6' ENE.  Also IC 120 is 12' E and IC 119 is 11' SE.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, well-defined very small bright core, faint narrow extensions.  In a trio with NGC 558 4' SSW and NGC 564 6' ENE within AGC 194.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, small, elongated ~N-S, bright core.  Located 5' WSW of NGC 564.

William Herschel discovered NGC 560 = H. III-441, along with NGC 564, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448).  He logged "vF, vS, iE."  Earlier in the sweep he discovered NGC 545 and 547, the two brightest members of AGC 194.

Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate postion on 5 Jan 1864.  Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 4 Nov 1875 (already aware of it?).  He reported it as new (list 8b, #1) with an accurate position determined on 21 Nov 1878, but added a footnote that it was probably equal to H. III-411 (similarly, St. 8b-2 = NGC 564).  Both d'Arrest and Stephan are mentioned as "Other Observers" in the NGC.  Harold Corwin found that Stephane Javelle's J. 1-58 (later IC 117) was another duplicate observation, due to an error in the offset star.  So, NGC 560 = IC 117.  See Corwin's write-up on this error.
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NGC 561 = UGC 1048 = MCG +06-04-029 = CGCG 521-032 = PGC 5489
01 28 18.8  +34 18 30; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located 15' ESE of mag 6.3 SAO 54705.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 561 on 23 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "eF, 30" dia, R".  His single position matches UGC 1048 = PGC 5489.  Both William and John Herschel missed this galaxy although they both swept up many galaxies in the region.
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NGC 562 = UGC 1049 = MCG +08-03-025 = CGCG 551-020 = PGC 5502
01 28 29.3  +48 23 15; And
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 20°

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness.  A bright wide double star is located 4' S with components 8/10 at 21".

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 562 = Sw. 3-5 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and noted "eF; pS; R; D * near south".  His position is 17 tsec following UGC 1049 and his comment "D * near south" applies to a wide pair 4' S of this galaxy.
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NGC 563 = NGC 539 = ESO 542-010 = MCG -03-04-063 = PGC 5269
01 25 21.7  -18 09 51; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 539.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 563 = LM 1-30 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  The description mentions "sev faint stars follow in a line n and s".  Corwin identifies NGC 563 as a duplicate observation of NGC 539 = ESO 542-010 = PGC 5269 (discovered earlier by Leavenworth) with a 2 tmin error in RA as the description of the line of faint stars matches NGC 539.  ESO 542-013 is misidentified as NGC 563 in RNGC, SGC and RC3 as well as in Megastar.
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NGC 564 = UGC 1044 = MCG +00-04-154 = CGCG 385-148 = Holm 44a = PGC 5455
01 27 48.2  -01 52 46; Cet
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 145°

24" (9/23/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, 30" diameter.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' S and a mag 15 star is 40" NW of center.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very small bright core.  A mag 15 star is just off the west edge.  Third of three and similar to NGC 560 6' WSW although different position angles.  Located 7' NNW of mag 8.6 SAO 129314 and 10' NNW of mag 6.9 SAO 129315.  Member of the AGC 194 cluster.  

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, bright core.  Two bright stars are in the field to SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 564 = H. III-442, along with NGC 560, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448). He logged "vF, vS, iE."  d'Arrest measured an accurate postion on 5 Jan 1864.

Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 4 Nov 1875 (already aware of it?).  He reported it as new (list 8b, #2) with an accurate position determined on 21 Nov 1878, although he noted the probable equivalence with III-442 (similarly, St. 8b-1 = NGC 560).
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NGC 565 = UGC 1052 = MCG +00-04-158 = CGCG 385-153 = PGC 5481
01 28 10.1  -01 18 22; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 36°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, bright core.  Located just west of the midpoint of two mag 10 stars 3.9' NE and 4.7' S in the rich cluster AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 565 = HN 34 on 2 Nov 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #26) at the Harvard Observatory.  His micrometric position is accurate.
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NGC 566 = UGC 1058 = MCG +05-04-062 = CGCG 502-092 = PGC 5545
01 29 03.0  +32 19 56; Psc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 178°

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, even surface brightness.  NGC 571 lies 15' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 566 = h125 on 22 Nov 1827 and noted "vF; S; R".  His position matches UGC 1058 = PGC 5545.
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NGC 567 = MCG -02-04-053 = PGC 5402
01 27 02.3  -10 15 55; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 125°

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star is 4.5' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 567 = LM 1-31 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15, vS, R".  His rough position (RA given as uncertain) is 1.0 tmin east of MCG -02-04-053 = PGC 5402.
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NGC 568 = IC 1709 = ESO 353-003 = MCG -06-04-037 = PGC 5468
01 27 57.0  -35 43 04; Scl
V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 137°

17.5" (11/1/97): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core.  Larger of pair with NGC 574 15' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 568 = h2414 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "very faint, small, round."  His position matches ESO 353-003 = PGC 5468, although he was uncertain of the declination.  Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 4 Sep 1897 and assumed it was a new discovery, reporting it in list XI-21.  His position is 10 seconds of RA east and 2.8' south of PGC 5468. The ESO, PGC and Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) misidentify ESO 353-004, a much fainter galaxy 4.3' NE, as IC 1709.  As Swift makes no mention of NGC 568 in his description, it is much more likely he picked up this brighter galaxy.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 569 = UGC 1063 = Mrk 997 = MCG +02-04-053 = PGC 5548
01 29 07.2  +11 07 54; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  PA = 163°

24" (10/1/16): fairly faint, but moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~40"x20", fairly low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Forms a disrupted interacting pair with UGC 1065 1.1' NE.  The companion was only occasionally visible as an extremely faint hazy spot (probably the core).

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness with weak concentration.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 569 = m 49 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He noted "eF, vS, R" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 570 = UGC 1061 = MCG +00-04-162 = CGCG 385-159 = PGC 5539
01 28 58.6  -00 56 57; Cet
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, small bright core.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus offset towards the west end or a very faint star is superimposed.  A mag 13 star is 1.8' SSW.  Member of AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 570 = HN 32 on 31 Oct 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #27) at Harvard Observatory.  His micrometric position is accurate.
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NGC 571 = UGC 1069 = MCG +05-04-063 = CGCG 502-098 = PGC 5587
01 29 56.1  +32 30 04; Psc
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, small, round, very diffuse.  A close mag 14/15 double star is close west.  Located 5.6' SSW of mag 9.0 SAO 54740.  NGC 566 lies 15' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 571 on 1 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  As well as providing an accurate position he measured the mag 14 star that precedes by 6 seconds of RA (or 74" separation), though did not note it was double.
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NGC 572 = ESO 296-031 = MCG -07-04-009 = PGC 5508
01 28 36.4  -39 18 26; Scl
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (10/3/13): although quite low from central California, viewed at 280x and 375x and appeared faint, very small, round, 18" diameter (core only).  A mag 14.6 star is at the NW edge.  A mag 10.3 star lies 6.2' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 572 = h2415 on 4 Sep 1834 and reported "eF, S; attached to a minute star, and very near a bright one.".  His position and description apply to ESO 296-031 = PGC 5508.
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NGC 573 = UGC 1078 = CGCG 537-010 = PGC 5638
01 30 49.3  +41 15 26; And
V = 13.1;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 10.9

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, small, fairly strong smooth surface brightness, only a gradual concentration but no core or nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 30" SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 573 = St. 12-15 on 21 Oct 1881 (or earlier) and recorded "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter to the center".
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NGC 574 = ESO 353-006 = MCG -06-04-039 = PGC 5544
01 29 03.0  -35 35 57; Scl
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 2°

17.5" (11/1/97): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak even concentration to a brighter core.  Follows an asterism of four mag 13 stars, the closest being 2.4' W.  In same field with NGC 568 15' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 574 = h2416 on 1 Sep 1834 and described "A Double Star. The left eye leaves no doubt of its being involved in a vF neb. diffused over 15". An extremely delicate and difficult object. Pos. of the double star 225 degrees; dist. 4", 15 and 16 mag." On a later sweep he noted "vF, S, R." and the next sweep he recorded it again: "There is a nebula but I perceive no double star in it."  This galaxy is a barred spiral, and possibly he detected a brightening in the bar at one end.
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NGC 575 = IC 1710 = UGC 1081 = MCG +03-04-051 = CGCG 459-072 = PGC 5634
01 30 46.7  +21 26 25; Psc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, low almost even surface brightness, broad mild concentration, edges fade into background.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 575 = St. 8a-5 on 19 Oct 1873.  His published observation was made 3 years later on 17 Oct 1876 with description, "eF, almost unobservable, irr R, dia 3/4 to 1'."  Dreyer made a transcription error and the declination in the GC Supplement and NGC is two degrees too far north.  Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again on 18 Jan 1896, placed it correctly, and reported it in list 3-888 (later IC 1710).  So, NGC 575 = IC 1710.  CGCG, UGC and MCG use the IC designation based on position, although NGC 575 should apply based on historical discovery.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, noted the equivalence of NGC 575 with IC 1710.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 576 = ESO 196-007 = AM 0126-515 = PGC 5535
01 28 57.7  -51 35 55; Phe
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 18°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; moderately bright, fairly small, 30" diameter.  Sharply concentrated with an elongated bar oriented NW-SE containing a faint stellar nucleus.  The outer halo has an extremely low surface brightness.  Situated along the north side of a pentagon of mag 11.3-14 stars.  Located 7.6' SE of mag 7.7 HD 9195 and 19' ESE of mag 7.5 HD 8926.

John Herschel discovered NGC 576 = h2417 on 3 Oct 1834 and logged "F; S; R; bM; among 5 or 6 stars 11m."  His position and description matches ESO 196-007 = PGC 5535.
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NGC 577 = NGC 580 = UGC 1080 = MCG +00-04-165 = CGCG 385-165 = PGC 5628
01 30 40.7  -01 59 40; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 140°

24" (11/15/22): at 327x; fairly faint, elongated ~3:2 NW-SE, 45"x30", occasionally a brighter bar is visible running through the major axis. In moments of better seeing a sharp stellar nucleus was seen.  Outlying member of AGC 194.

IC 126, situated 13' W, appeared faint, round, 20" diameter (core only).  Just visible continuously with averted.  Located less than 1' N of a mag 12.6 star.

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, weak concentration, occasionally a very faint stellar nucleus is visible.  Located near the east edge of AGC 194 and 5' WSW of a mag 10 star.

Aaron Skinner discovered NGC 577 = Sf. 100 = T I-7 = T. 4-5 on 23 Oct 1867 with the 18.5" Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  Truman Safford published the discovery list 20 years later (1887), so Dreyer didn't notice it in time for Skinner to be credited in the NGC.

Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 14 Aug 1877 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded it in both his first discovery paper (#7) and his 4th paper.  Tempel claimed he found two nebulae 2m 50s following NGC 560 and 564 (there is only a single galaxy at this position), which Dreyer assigned to NGC 577 and NGC 580. His description in the first table reads, "Near the star Lalande 2666, which has in its field the nebulae III 441-42, are still two more nebulae following by 2m 50s, one as bright as the preceding of Herschel's."  In the 4th paper he described only a single nebula, "II class, somewhat brighter than the two preceding nebulae, H. III 441, 442 [NGC 560, 564]." Tempel is credited with the discovery of NGC 577 in the NGC.  So, NGC 577 = NGC 580.
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NGC 578 = ESO 476-015 = MCG -04-04-020 = UGCA 18 = AM 0128-225 = PGC 5619
01 30 28.9  -22 40 00; Cet
V = 10.9;  Size 4.9'x3.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 110°

48" (11/5/21): at 375x; fascinating structured 3-armed spiral extending nearly 4'x2.5' WNW-ESE.  A very bright, well defined thin bar runs E-W through the center of the galaxy, ~40"x10", with a slightly brighter nucleus.  

Two spiral arms were obvious - the northern spiral arm was detached from the bar and seemed to start just north of the eastern end of the bar.  It swept roughly due west in the northern halo, with a brighter, patchy section to the NW of the bar.  The southern arm was nearly attached to the west end of the bar and was easily seen shooting straight east.  It was fairly thin and well defined, with a slightly brighter section to the SE of the bar.  There was a strong suggestion of a third arm extending west, with an isolated section on the south side of the halo.

An easily visible, relatively large "knot",  ~15" diameter, was noticed immediately on the east side [1.0' ENE from center], though it's not embedded in one of the arms.  I assumed at the time it was a giant HII region, but images revealed it's an overlapped background galaxy (LEDA 133775).  A second background galaxy, LEDA 810586, is just beyond the western edge.  It appeared as a fairly faint, thin edge-on 5:1 E-W, ~30"x6".

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, ~4'x3', slightly brighter middle is mottled, no distinct core.  A mag 14 star or knot is at the east end 1.3' from the center.  Images reveals this is a galaxy, catalogued as PGC 133775.  Located 11' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 81972.  

8" (9/25/81): faint, fairly large, elongated.  Lies SE of a mag 8 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 578 = h2418 on 11 Nov 1835 and logged "B; L; pmE; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 3' long, 2' broad."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 579 = UGC 1089 = MCG +05-04-064 = CGCG 502-103 = PGC 5691
01 31 46.6  +33 36 55; Tri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, weakly concentrated but no core.  Pair with NGC 582 8' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 579 = h127 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; pL; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 1089 = PGC 5691.  Herschel missed NGC 582 located 8.7' SSE, which was later discovered later by Heinrich d'Arrest.
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NGC 580 = NGC 577 = UGC 1080 = MCG +00-04-165 = CGCG 385-165 = PGC 5628
01 30 40.7  -01 59 40; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 577.

Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 580 = T. 1-8 = Sw. 6-12 on 14 Aug 1877 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, claiming to see two nebulae 2m 50s following NGC 560 and 564.  The second object was assigned NGC 580. But there is only the single galaxy UGC 1080 = PGC 5628 at this position, so possibly one of his objects was a faint star. NGC 580 is generally equated with NGC 577. Aaron Skinner discovered this galaxy 10 years earlier on 23 Oct 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn.  As the discovery wasn't published until 1887, Skinner wasn't credited in the NGC.

Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 20 Nov 1886 and reported it as new in his 6th discovery list.  Dreyer assigned Swift's position to NGC 580 with Swift and Tempel credited in the NGC.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 581 = M103 = Cr 14
01 33 22  +60 39 30; Cas
V = 7.4;  Size 6'

13.1" (10/20/84): 50-60 stars in cluster, fairly rich.  Includes several bright stars in a distinctive triangular wedge shape.  At the NW edge is STF 131, a triple consisting of mag 7.3 HD 9311 (background star), a 9.9-mag star at 14" and an 11.8-mag star at 28".  Mag 8.4 SAO 11826, a colorful orange M2-class supergiant, is just SE of center with mag 8.9 SAO 11824 only 1' S.  Mag 8.2 HD 9365 is on the SE edge and lies in the foreground.

15x50mm (10/14/23): bright, quite elongated, 3-4 brighter stars resolved, mottled.

Pierre Méchain discovered M103 = NGC 581 = h126 in April 1781.  Messier added it at the last minute to his 1781 catalogue (published in the 1784 Connaissance des temps), but since the discovery occurred after the manuscript was sent out for publication, he wasn't able to provide visual confirmation or specific coordinates.

William Herschel observed the cluster on 8 Aug 1783 and wrote, "14 or 16 pretty large stars with a great many extremely small ones. Two of the large ones are double, one of the 1st the other of the 2nd class. The compound eye glass shews a few more that may be taken into the cluster so as to make about 20. I exclude a good many straggling ones, otherwise there would be no knowing where to stop."  On 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) he called it "a cluster of pretty large stars, 5 or 6' diam, pretty compressed, irregularly round."

John Herschel included M103 in his Slough Catalogue (h126) but only referenced STF 131, Wilhelm Struve's entry (1825) from his catalogue of double stars, so he was apparently unaware of the equivalence with M103. He reported it on 29 Sep 1829 (sweep 213) as "A fine cluster; round; rich; rather coarse; 6 or 8' diam; stars 10...11m. One of Struve's "acervi" [heap of stars].
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NGC 582 = UGC 1094 = MCG +05-04-065 = CGCG 502-105 = PGC 5702
01 31 58.1  +33 28 35; Tri
V = 13.2;  Size 2.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 58°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration.  Pair with NGC 579 8' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 582 on 9 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He mentioned the mag 12-13 star that precedes by 4.5 seconds of time and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 583 = ESO 542-20 = MCG -03-04-077 = PGC 5576
01 29 44.1  -18 20 22; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

17.5" (10/21/95): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration with no distinct core.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' NW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 583 = LM 2-308 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His typical poor position is 1 min of RA east of ESO 542-020 = PGC 5576.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  MCG (-03-04-077) does not equate their entry with NGC 583.
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NGC 584 = IC 1712 = MCG -01-04-060 = Holm 45b = LGG 027-001 = PGC 5663
01 31 20.7  -06 52 06; Cet
V = 10.5;  Size 4.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

24" (12/28/16): at 200x and 375x; very bright, large, oval ~3:2 SW-NE, ~2.4'x1.6', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that gradually increases to quasi-stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group (LGG 027) with NGC 586 4.3' SE.  LEDA 1028168, situated 7' WNW, appeared extremely faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 20" diameter, very low surface brightness.

17.5" (8/2/86): very bright, moderately large, oval WSW-ENE, very bright large core.  Forms a pair with NGC 586 4.5' SE.  

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE with a very low surface brightness halo increasing to 2'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright round core containing a small intense nucleus. Pair (similar redshift) with NGC 586 4.4' ESE.

8" (9/25/81): bright, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 584 = H. I-100 = h128, along with NGC 586, on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435). He recorded both as "two, the first [NGC 584] cB, pS, R, much brighter in the middle.  The second [NGC 586] eF, S, about 5 or 6' following the former, requires great attention to be seen."  His position is fairly accurate.  John Herschel made 3 observations, desribing it on 9 Oct 1826 (sweep 186) as "vB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25" [diameter]."

E.E. Barnard rediscovered this galaxy while making an observation of his comet C/1888 RI, which he discovered the morning of September 3, 1888. At the time the comet was passing in front of the galaxy!  He wrote, "The comet's nucleus passed some 30" N of the nucleus of the nebula.  The comet is probably 5 times as bright as the nebula and is a great many times larger."  Barnard reported the discovery directly to Dreyer, who overlooked the nearly identical position with NGC 584 and catalogued it again as IC 1712. Barnard later added in his notebook, "= NGC 584".
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NGC 585 = UGC 1092 = MCG +00-05-001 = CGCG 386-001 = PGC 5688
01 31 42.4  -00 55 55; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 86°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', small bright core, faint thin extensions.  This is an outlying member of AGC 194 cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 585 = h129 on 20 Dec 1827 and reported "vF; R; bM; 25" [diameter]."  His position was off by 7 sec of RA west and 1' S.
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NGC 586 = Holm 45a = MCG -01-05-001 = LGG 027-002 = PGC 5679
01 31 37.0  -06 53 38; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

24" (12/28/16): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.4', small bright core.  Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 584 4.3' NW.

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly faint, fairly small, diffuse, very weak concentration.  Located 4.5' SE of NGC 584.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~45"x20", fairly low surface brightness, small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 586 = H. III-431 = h130 = Sw. 3-6 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) along with NGC 584. See description under NGC 584.  John Herschel made a single observation on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), "vF; R; 15 arcsec".

R.J. Mitchell observed NGC 586 with the 72" on 28 and 29 Nov 1856.  John Herschel catalogued the Birr Castle observations as a new discovery: GC 343 = R[osse]. nova.  But in compiling the 1880 Rosse Catalogue Dreyer noted the equivalence with h130 = III 431.

Lewis Swift apparently thought he discovered the galaxy on 30 Nov 1885, though his position for Sw. 3-6 was 19 seconds of time too far east.  His description stated "south-following GC 363 [NGC 615], but this must be a typo.
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NGC 587 = UGC 1100 = MCG +06-04-037 = CGCG 521-045 = PGC 5746
01 32 33.4  +35 21 30; Tri
V = 12.8;  Size 2.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 67°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WSW-ENE, even surface brightness.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 587 on 27 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is 4.5' S of UGC 1100.  Although this is an unusually large error there are no other candidates nearby.  Stephan made an unpublished observation on 2 Oct 1869, with his position 3' E of center and another on 22 Nov 1875 (2' E of center).

The CGCG, UGC and PGC label this galaxy IC 1713, although according to Malcolm Thomson, Bigourdan's micrometric position for Big. 247 = IC 1713 on 28 Nov 1891 clearly refers to a faint star near NGC 587.  Bigourdan also determined the position of NGC 587, so NGC 587 cannot be equal to IC 1713.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 588 = M33-A27 = BCLMP 280
01 32 45.9  +30 38 51; Tri
Size 0.5'

18" (12/8/07): moderately bright M33 HII region, ~40"x30", well-defined outline.  Situated at the western edge of M33 along the outer spiral arm that winds counterclockwise from the south to the west.

17.5" (7/5/86): extremely faint nebulosity in M33, requires averted vision to view.  Located 14' W of the center of M33 and forms the western vertex of a very obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 592 6' E and NGC 595.  Nearly collinear with NGC 592 and the core of M33. This is a HII region and star cluster.

13.1" (7/5/86): barely visible with averted.  Almost collinear with NGC 592 and NGC 595.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 588 = Au 13 in M33 on 2 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  His micrometric position (measured on several nights) was accurate.  Auwers included this HII region in his 1862 catalogue of 50 new nebulae.
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NGC 589 = MCG -02-05-004 = Mrk 999 = PGC 5758
01 32 39.9  -12 02 34; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, very small, round, small brighter core, very faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 2.3' SW.  In a trio with NGC 599 10' SSE and NGC 593.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 589 = LM 2-309 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory. He reported a size of 0.3', magnitude of 13.5, with a "gradually brighter middle and nucleus", and noted a mag 10 star was 2' in P.A. 240° (SW).  His position is 50 sec of RA west of MCG -02-05-004 = PGC 5758 and a mag 12 star is 2.3' in P.A. 226°.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 590 = UGC 1109 = MCG +07-04-003 = CGCG 537-013 = PGC 5808
01 33 40.9  +44 55 44; And
V = 12.9;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 150°

24" (11/7/18): at 200x; moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core and a much fainter halo.  Situated in a rich star field with four mag 10 stars within 5'.

Forms a pair with CGCG 537-012 2.3' WNW.  The companion (same redshift) appeared nearly fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus.

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broad concentration, faint almost stellar nucleus, rich star field.  There is a group of mag 10 stars in the field to the north including mag 10 stars 2.1' ENE, 3.2' N and 4.5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 590 on 22 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 591 = UGC 1111 = MCG +06-04-038 = CGCG 521-046 = Mrk 1157 = PGC 5800
01 33 31.2  +35 40 06; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' N and a faint mag 15.5 star 1.5' WNW.  Located 6.6' NW of 7.3 SAO 54785.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 591 = Sf. 61 = Sw. 3-7 on 10 Oct 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and described as "pF, S, R, bM."  Safford was not credited in the NGC as Dreyer missed his discovery list published in 1887, just prior to the NGC. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 30 Nov 1885 and reported it in his 3rd discovery paper.  Dreyer credited Swift with the discovery in the NGC.  Swift's position is 13 seconds off in RA.
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NGC 592 = M33-A59 = BCLMP 277
01 33 12.5  +30 38 50; Tri
Size 0.8'x0.7'

18" (12/8/07): moderately bright HII/star complex, ~40"x30".  There appears to be faint star involved [mag 14.6 foreground on SE end].  Located 8' W of the core of M33.  NGC 588 lies an additional 6' W on the same line.

17.5" (7/5/86): faint nebulous patch in M33 9' WSW of the core.  Forms the vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 588 6' W and NGC 595 6' NE.

13.1" (8/15/82 and 8/5/83): fairly easy HII/star-forming region with averted vision.

R.J. Mitchell, the observer on Lord Rosse's 72" on 7 Dec 1858, discovered NGC 592.  His excellent sketch in the 1861 publication (plate 26, figure 10) shows NGC 592 at the right edge of the page.  This knot is not mentioned, though, or included in the diagram in either the 1861 publication or the 1880 "Observations of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars made with the six-foot and three-foot reflectors at Birr Castle from the year 1848 up to the year 1878."

Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered NGC 592 = Au 14, along with NGC 588, on 2 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen.  His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) is fairly accurate.  Auwers included the discovery in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae.  Dreyer credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 593 = MCG -02-05-003 = PGC 5733
01 32 20.7  -12 21 16; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 12°

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, low surface brightness.  In a small group with NGC 589 12' NE and NGC 601 3.3' ESE (see observation of 10/4/97).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 593 = St. 12-17 on 30 Oct 1869.  He noted a rough offset from NGC 599; 40 seconds preceding and about 15' S.  The actual offsets are 33 seconds preceding and 10' S.  His published micrometric position was made 13 years later on 2 Nov 1882 with the somewhat odd description "very small group of stars, a little elongated SSW to NNE and appearing to be enveloped in a very slight nebulosity."  There is a very faint star on the south end, though I didn't note it in my 17.5" observation.
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NGC 594 = MCG -03-05-005 = PGC 5769
01 32 57.0  -16 32 08; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 32°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core.  Located in a barren field 9' SSE of mag 8.8 SAO 147877.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 594 = LM 1-32 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.5, pS, E 225°." His rough position essentially matches MCG -03-05-005 = PGC 5769 and the position angle is close (SW-NE).  Harold Corwin suggests Lewis Swift may have rediscovered this galaxy on 29 Sep 1897 and recorded it in list Sw. 12-7 (later IC 1714).  Swift's position is 3 degrees north of NGC 594.
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NGC 595 = M33-A62 = BCLMP 49
01 33 33.5  +30 41 31; Tri

18" (12/8/07): fairly bright knot near the core of M33, just 4' NW of center and close west of the spiral arm that winds north from the core on the west side.  Appears elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x30", with a fairly well-defined outer edge.  This is the second most luminous HII region in M33 after NGC 604.

17.5" (7/5/86): very faint nebulosity in M33, located 4' NW of the center.  Situated just off the west edge of the beginning of the spiral arm that extends north and then northeast from the core on the west side.  This is a combination star cluster and HII region.

13.1" (8/15/82 and 8/5/83): faintly visible with averted.  Situated at the edge of a spiral arm.

Bindon Blood Stoney or George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 595 = Sf. 63 on 27 Dec 1850 (Friday). An offset was measured from a star superimposed on M33.  It was possibly first seen on Sept. 13, though the description on that date only mentions "full of knots").  The nebula was labeled as "1" on the diagram in the 1861 publication.  No coordinates were ever measured at Birr Castle.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this HII knot on 1 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured a fairly accurate position (4 seconds of RA too large).  d'Arrest is credited with the discovery in the NGC.  Truman Safford rediscovered it on 1 Nov 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded Sf. 63 as "pF, vS, probably a well-known outlier of M33."
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NGC 596 = MCG -01-05-005 = LGG 027-003 = PGC 5766
01 32 51.9  -07 01 54; Cet
V = 10.9;  Size 3.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly bright, fairly small, very bright core, surrounded by a small faint halo.  Located 12' W of mag 5.8 SAO 129371. 

8" (9/25/81 and 11/28/81): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  Located 12' W of a mag 6 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 596 = H. II-4 = h132 on 13 Dec 1783 (sweep 44), the first night he switched to sweeping vertically in the meridian.  On 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) he logged "pB.  Much like the brightest of the two preceding [NGC 584]; but rather smaller." His summary description from 6 observations reads "pB, pS, R, much brighter in the middle, resembling a telescopic comet."

 On 2 Jan 1827 (sweep 40), John Herschel reported "pB; R; a * 6m follows 47.5 seconds and is 40" north."  On 31 Oct 1877, R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, noted "B, S, R, Nucl, a vF * preceding and another north."  The two stars he mentioned are mag 16-16.5.
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NGC 597 = ESO 353-011 = MCG -06-04-044 = PGC 5721
01 32 14.7  -33 29 44; Scl
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Located just 1.9' NNW of a mag 12.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 597 = h2419 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF, R, 25"." On a later sweep he logged "F, S, R, bM, 15"." His mean position matches ESO 353-011 = PGC 5721.
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NGC 598 = M33 = UGC 1117 = MCG +05-04-069 = CGCG 502-110 = PGC 5818 = Triangulum Galaxy
01 33 50.9  +30 39 37; Tri
V = 5.7;  Size 70.8'x41.7';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 23°

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, very large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, weakly concentrated irregular halo, rises suddenly to a small bright core.  Two prominent spiral arms form an "S-pattern" with an irregular surface brightness.  At least a dozen HII regions or clusters are resolved (see the numerous IC listings).  Overall, the entire galaxy is very mottled and the outer extent is difficult to define.

13.1" (several dates from 8/16/82 to 8/23/84): two prominent spiral arms distinctly visible and three HII knots in arm leading to NGC 604.

8" (10/4/80): the bright central region was slightly grainy and the halo showed two main spiral arms indicated by their outer edges.

Naked-eye (several times): just glimpsed in very dark skies, perhaps visible 25% of the time in best conditions.

Gioivanni Hodierna possibly discovered M33 = NGC 598 = H. V-17 = h131 before 1654 and catalogued it as a cloud-like nebulosity or obscuration "near the Triangle".  Charles Messier made a certain discovery of M33 on 25 Aug 1764.  William Herschel first viewed the galaxy with his 6.2" on 2 Aug 1783 and again three weeks later (24 Aug) he wrote (57x), "There is a suspicion that the nebula consists of exceedingly small stars. With this low power it has a nebulous appearance; and it vanishes when I put on the higher magnifying powers of 278 and 460."

William Herschel first viewed M33 with his 18.7" on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) but didn't recognize it as M33, perhaps as it wasn't located at Messier's position.  He wrote, "18' long, and about 8 or 10' broad, or near 12' in the middle, faint, brightest and broadest in the middle.  To the [north] of it is a small round nebula [NGC 604], brightest in the middle, very faint.  The ends lose themselves nearly in the meridian or from a little SW to NE.  There is also a roundish places which seems brighter than the rest and is almost detached enough to form a different nebula but may perhaps belong to the same."  Another observation was made the next night (sweep 267) and he measured the polar distance of the "small nebula" [NGC 604].  On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he noted "The large nebula [no identification]. The middle of it easily resolvable and some of the stars visible; it is impossible to say how far it may extend; the nebulosity losing itself so gradually, but goes undoubtedly a great way in every direction, but chiefly from sp to nf."  Caroline added a memorandum in her sweep record that he "Looked for the 33rd of the Conoiss des Temps, but it is not in the place."  So clearly there was still confusion about the identification of M33, which overfilled they eyepiece field.  Again in 1785 PT paper, Herschel mentioned his two observations as an example of an extended "milky Ray", but didn't refer to it as M33, and included it as new nebula in his first catalogue (V. 17).  In observations made after his sweeps had ended, Herschel seemed to treat M33 as a cluster.  Using "Large 10 feet telescope" (24" f/5) in 1805 and 1810, he wrote "The condensation of the stars is very gradually towards the middle; but with the four powers 71, 108, 171, and 220, some nebulosity remains. The stars of the cluster are the smallest points imaginable."

John Herschel included only a single observation in the Slough Catalogue from 15 Sep 1828 (sweep 177): "Enormously L; very gradually brighter middle.  The nucl taken; has a * 12m, nf the nucl.  The diffused neb extends 15' s[outh] and as much nearly to n[orth].  It has irregularities of light, and even feeble subordinate nuclei [HII knots] and many small stars."

Lord Rosse and/or assistant George Johnstone Stoney observed spiral sturcture in M33 on 6 Sep 1849 and a drawing by Rosse on the 16th with four or more spiral arms was included in the 1850 PT paper (figure 5).  The description reads, "New spiral, s(outh) branch the brightest, none faint, north-following one short but pB, p(receding) on pretty distinct, sf one but suspected; the whole involved in F neby which probably extends past several knots which lie about it in different directions.  Faint nebulosity seems to extend very far following."  R.J. Mitchell produced a more detailed drawing on 18 Dec 1857 (included in the 1861 publication).  Isaac Roberts made the first excellent photograph of M33 in 1895 with his 20" reflector, revealing more detail than seen visually.

Based on the discovery of three dozen Cepheids by 1926, Edwin Hubble found a distance of ~860,000 l.y. using the Period-Luminosity relation.  This determination, along with M31, proved they were external galaxies and effectively ended the "Island Universe" debate.  The actual distance is ~3x larger, due to mixing different types of Cepheids (Population I and II) .
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NGC 599 = MCG -02-05-005 = PGC 5778
01 32 53.7  -12 11 28; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 135°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration, in a poor star field.  NGC 589 lies 10' NNW and NGC 593 12' SW.  Forms a close pair with NGC 601 3.3' ESE (not seen but appears stellar on the POSS).

William Herschel discovered NGC 599 = H. II-473 = LM 2-310 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and logged "F, S, iF, easily resolvable, some of the stars visible.".  His position was fairly accurate.  This is an S0 galaxy, so I wouldn't expect that Herschel would find it mottled or resolvable.  Frank Muller found it again in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and he reportedit as new in the observatory's second discovery paper (#310) with description "mag 13.0, 0.8' dia, gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 600 = MCG -01-05-007 = LGG 027-004 = PGC 5777
01 33 05.3  -07 18 43; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 3.3'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 85°

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter.  Appears as a low surface brightness glow without core or structure.

William Herschel discovered NGC 600 = H. III-432 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and simply noted as "eF".  John Herschel made no observations of this low surface brightness galaxy and it was probably missed at Birr Castle.  The single observation on 29 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" commented "searched for 20' sf [NGC 596], doubtful whether found, perhaps it was a vF stellar object 2.5' S of a *13m and about 6' S of a *10m."  This appears to refer to a 15th mag star and not the galaxy.

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory between 1914-16, NGC 600 was described as "vF, 2' x 1', nucleus elongated 20°, giving this spiral an almost Phi-type [barred] appearance."
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NGC 601 = Mrk 1000 = PGC 73980
01 33 06.5  -12 12 32; Cet
Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round.  Initially appeared as a mag 15.5 "star" but a very small 10" halo was visible after extended viewing. Located 3.3' ESE of NGC 599.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. Appears stellar on the POSS.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 601 = LM 2-311 (close southeast of II-310 = NGC 599) in 1886 using the 16" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 5 sec of RA west of PGC 73980 and his PA of 115° with respect to NGC 599 is within 5° of the correct value.  Bigourdan missed this object and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  PGC 73980 is not catalogued in the MCG or RC3, but is included in Harold Corwin's Southern Equatorial Galaxy Catalogue (ESGC).  It appears virtually stellar on the POSS with a slightly "soft" appearance.  PGC equates NGC 599 = NGC 601.
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NGC 602 = SMC-N90 = ESO 029-43 = Lindsay 105 = SMC Ass 68
01 29 26  -73 33 36; Hyi
Size 3'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; NGC 602 is a large nebulous cluster (SMC-N90) that was clearly brighter on the SE end.  The total size is ~3' with the SE end fairly bright, fairly large, irregular shape.  A tight knot of three stars is near the center. Additional stars are involved near the edges.  A weak dust lane was on the west end oriented SW-NE, separating the roundish western section.

A mag 13.8 star (O3-type Sk 183) is involved just W of the dust lane. This star is one of the massive O-type stars in the SMC and the dominant ionizing source of the nebula (part of Hodge Association 68).  The two portions are separated (barely) without a filter but tangent when I added a NPB filter.  A mag 12.5 star is off the SW side (1.8' from center) and a mag 13 star is off the north side, 2.2' NNW of center.  NGC 602, along with N89 and N88 to the northwest, is situated in the SMC "Wing", along the boundary of SMC-1 (also called SMC-SGS 1), the only supergiant shell (diameter ~1°) in the SMC.

SMC-N89, located 20' NW, is fairly faint, large, roundish, irregular glow, ~3.5' diameter.  At the northeast end are four mag 11.5 to 13 stars (part of Hodge association 67) in a near equilateral triangle with a 4th star at the center and a 12th mag star is at the E or SE end of the nebulosity.   Lindsay 104 is a very faint, unresolved patch (cluster) just southwest of the four distinctive stars. Situated at the western boundary of SMC-1.

SMC-N88, located 33' NW, is dominated by a Highly Ionized Blob (HEB) of only 3.5" diameter and mag ~12.5.  At 244x + NPB filter it appeared as a bright "star" or quasi-stellar object surrounded by faint nebulosity on the east and south side.  I assume there was a contrast gain with the filter as this dense, high-excitation object has a ratio of O III lines/H-beta > 10.5.   The nebula is surrounded by Hodge Assoication 64 including a mag 14 star 2' E, two close mag 14 stars 1.8' SE and a mag 14.5 star 1' SSE.  A mag 11.2 star (part of Hodge Associatin 65) lies 5.6' S.  Situated at the NW edge of supershell SMC-1.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, a knot of stars is embedded in a 3' fairly bright oval nebula (N90).  On closer inspection the knot of stars is offset to the SE side of the nebula.  At 171x and UHC filter, the nebulosity is fairly bright and clearly locally brighter on the SE end around the knot of stars.  A weak dark rift, running SW-NE, separates the fainter portion of nebulosity to the NW.  This nebulous cluster is an outlying member of the SMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 602 = D 17 = h2421 on 1 Aug 1826.  He described "a faint round nebula, about 2' diameter, a very little brighter in the middle, with some minute stars in it."  Dunlop's position is just 3' too far east.

On 11 Apr 1834 (sweep 411), John Herschel logged "pB, S, irregularly round, pretty suddenly brighter, but not to the middle, but rather to a point near the southern edge. Is decidedly resolved, and has scattered stars. (This is an outlier of the Nubecula Minor)".  On 5 Nov 1836 (sweep 745), he called it "bright; round or little extended; pretty suddenly brighter middle, to a star; has also a star involved which looks like a second nucleus and several small stars about it."

Joseph Turner observed this object on 26 Jan 1879 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and noted there was clearly a double star in the center.
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NGC 603
01 34 44.0  +30 13 58; Tri

17.5" (9/28/02): identified at 162x as a slightly fuzzy glow and cleanly resolved into a faint triple star at 325x (7.5mm Tak and Paracorr).  Situated ~30' SE of the core of M33.

17.5" (8/11/96): this is a faint, close triple star within M33 described by Lord Rosse as a "A small neb. or Cl. with 3 stars in it."  It appeared as a faint nebulous spot at low power and was barely resolved at 220x.  The trio of mag 14/15 stars was cleanly resolved at 410x.  The maximum separation is 15", the close pair at 9" separation and the other side 12" with the trio forming a 3-4-5 right triangle!  Located 28' SE of the center of M33.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 603 on 29 Nov 1850 (Friday).  Bindon's brother, George Johnstone, may have participated in the discovery as he visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was recorded as "A small nebula or cluster with 3 stars in it.  It is about 8' ssp a [double star] whose components are of the 11 m.  RA 1h 26m +/- NPD 60d 35' +/-.  (I obs)."  This description pins down the identification as a triple star whose components have a maximum separation of 15".  In the IC 2 notes, Dreyer mentioned he only saw an extremely faint star on plates of M33.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "Cl of 3 st 14".  This identification was noted by Mayall and Aller (1942) in the article "The Rotation of the Spiral Nebula Messier 33," ApJ, 95, pp. 5-23.  See Corwin's Notes.
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NGC 604 = M33-A84 = BCLMP 680
01 34 31.9  +30 47 13; Tri

48" (11/5/21): at 488x (unfiltered): NGC 604 appeared very bright, highly structured, with several mag 16.5+ supergiant stars resolved in the HII region.  The main section is roughly 50" in diameter and elongated NW-SE, but with a very irregular outline, particularly on the eastern side.

The brightest region has a dented triangular shape, ~15" on each side, with a very high surface brightness along the SW facing edge (W side of NGC 604). Just to the NNW of the triangle is a 15" patch that is nearly detached.  Adding an NPB filter, the nearly detached patch is fully connected and the SW facing flank brightens significantly.  Also the SSE end of the nebula has a small elongated patch that noticeably improved contrast.

Very close to the NE vertex of the triangle is a faint Wolf-Rayet star (WR 4, V = 17.4) and a slightly brighter star (WR 2) is close to the S vertex.  Two or three additional very faint stars are within 15" to the east of the triangular region (one is 17.9-mag WR 6).

18" (12/10/07): bright, large HII knot in M33 at the end of the spiral arm that trails to the east on the north side of the core.  A mag 10.5-11 star is located 1.5' SE and NGC 604 is elongated 3:2 in the direction of this star.  The outline is oval, though a bit irregular, particularly on the east side.  It appears brighter and mottled on the northwest side and with direct vision a slightly brighter stellaring is embedded near the northwest end.

13.1" (7/5/86): bright HII region located 12' NE of the core of M33.  Situated at the end of the large spiral arm of M33 that extends north and then east of the core.  Bright, fairly small, ~30" diameter, round. 

8": fairly bright, round, knot in M33.

William Herschel discovered NGC 604 = H. III-150 = h133 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) during his first observation of M33 with his 18.7".  He noted it was "very faint, small, round nebula, brightest in the middle."  The sighting was confirmed the next night and was logged again on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) as "the small nebula; small, round" , although he still didn't recognize "the large nebula" as M33.

 Lord Rosse or assistant reported on 13 Sep 1850: "large spiral full of knots, north following is a bright, small neb [NGC 604], which on a very good night might appear attached to the spiral, than which it is brighter."  Bindon or George Stoney measured an offset from a star superimposed just north of the core of M33 on 2 Jan 1851 and the nebula was labeled as "3" on the diagram in the 1861 publication.  Vogel first identified its gaseous spectrum in 1890.
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NGC 605 = UGC 1128 = MCG +07-04-004 = CGCG 537-014 = PGC 5891
01 35 02.4  +41 14 53; And
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 145°

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus, very small halo surrounds core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 605 = St. 12-18 on 3 Oct 1869 and recorded an unpublished position 1.4' E of center.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 21 Oct 1881 and recorded "very faint, extremely small, round, bright stellar nucleus."
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NGC 606 = UGC 1126 = MCG +03-05-010 = CGCG 460-011 = PGC 5874
01 34 50.2  +21 25 05; Psc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 2.5' S of mag 8.8 SAO 74804.  A 30" pair of mag 12 stars is 3' W.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 606 = St. 12-16 on 5 Oct 1869.  He published an accurate micrometric position made 12 years later on 18 Oct 1881 and recorded "extremely faint, round, diameter about 45", very little central concentration, seems resolvable."
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NGC 607
01 34 16.3  -07 24 46; Cet
V = 11.7/13.9;  Size 14"

= **, Spitaler.  =***, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 607 = Au 15 on 23 Aug 1855 with a 4.6-inch Fraunhofer refractor at Leibniz.  At his micrometric position (measured on two nights) is a pair of mag 12/14 stars at 14" separation.  He also measured a mag 9.2 star (called mag 11) that follows by 29.7 seconds and 2' north, so this identification is certain.  Auwers included this object in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae.  In the NGC notes, Dreyer mentioned "no nebulosity seen by Schönfeld, but Auwers saw it [with the Konigsberg heliometer and reported the observation in the notes section of the catalogue]."  Rudolph Spitaler found a double star (mag 11 with a 14th magnitude companion), which was mentioned in the IC 1 Notes section.
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NGC 608 = UGC 1135 = MCG +05-04-073 = CGCG 502-117 = PGC 5913
01 35 28.2  +33 39 24; Tri
V = 13.2;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 32°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, oval SSW-NNE, gradually increases to small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 614 5' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 608 = h134 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle.  Stellar".  His position in the Slough and General Catalogue is 7 seconds of RA too small.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 609 = Cr 16 = King 3 = OCL-325
01 36 27  +64 32 12; Cas
V = 11.0;  Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): at 200x, ~15 faint to very faint stars sparkle over an unresolved background glow ~2.5' diameter.  Two brighter mag 12/13 stars are detached, just off the southwest end.  The cluster is 2.5' NW of MLB 187, a 5" pair of mag 9/9.5 stars.

13.1" (12/7/85): faint, fairly small, diffuse, about six very faint stars over unresolved haze.  Located 10' SSW of mag 6.6 SAO 11875.

8" (1/1/84): not found.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 609 on 9 Aug 1863 (one of two open clusters he found, along with NGC 133) with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted it as "subtle and elegant group of stars mag 14-15; 4' dia; nearly round."  His single RA measure is ~50 seconds too large and this error was carried over into the NGC, RNGC and Sky Catalogue 2000.
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NGC 610 = ESO 542-029
01 34 18  -20 09; Cet

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 610 = LM 2-312 (along with NGC 611 = LM 2-313) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position and Corwin was unable to recover this object after an extensive search for a candidate.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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NGC 611 = ESO 542-029
01 34 18  -20 08; Cet

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 611 = LM 2-313, along with NGC 610, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position and Corwin was unable to recover this object after an extensive search for a candidate.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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NGC 612 = ESO 353-015 = MCG -06-04-046 = PGC 5827
01 33 57.7  -36 29 36; Scl
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 172°

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~1.2'x0.8', weak concentration.  Located 1.0' following a mag 11 star.  First of three with NGC 619 11' E and NGC 623 14' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 612 = h2423 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "F, R, 12", follows a star 12th mag. This is possibly identical with the next [h2424 = NGC 619] but one with a mistaken minute." His position is 1' S of ESO 353-015 = PGC 5827 and the description applies.
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NGC 613 = ESO 413-011 = MCG -05-04-044 = VV 824 = AM 0132-294 = PGC 5849
01 34 18.2  -29 25 07; Scl
V = 10.1;  Size 5.5'x4.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 120°

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): this very large barred spiral was a stunning showpiece at 303x!  The bright central bar region is oriented NW-SE and extends ~2.5'x1' with the halo and arms stretching ~5'x3.6'.  The central region was sharply concentrated with a very intense oval core that increased to a bright stellar nucleus.  A prominent spiral arm was easily visible on the SE end.  It had a well defined edge and a high contrast as it emerged from the central region and unfurled E and N.  The arm then dimmed significantly but could be followed as it bent backwards on the E side towards the NW!  The arm faded away before reaching a mag 9.6 star (SAO 167149) 2.2' NE of center.  A second relatively bright, well-defined arm is attached on the NW end of the bar and it curled S on the W end of the halo.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.3', prominent elongated core, almost stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The halo is broader with averted vision. There appeared to be a very faint extension or large knot southeast of the core . The DSS reveals this feature to be the bright spiral arm extending southeast from the central bar.  Located 2.4' SW of mag 9 SAO 167149.

8" (11/28/81): faint, moderately large, diffuse, small bright core. A mag 9 star lies 2.5' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 613 = H. I-281 = h139 = h2422 = D 621 on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1084). He recorded "considerably bright, elongated from north preceding to south following, 5 or 6' long, 1 1/2' broad, a nucleus in the middle. A pretty considerable star is about 3' north of it, and a little following."  NGC 613 is the 10th southern-most galaxy he discovered.

James Dunlop independently found the galaxy on 5 Aug 1826, apparently unaware of Herschel's prior discovery (or perhaps thought it was a different object).  He described "a very small round nebula, about 15" diameter, pretty well defined, bright at the center." His position was over 30' too far E.  Stephen O'Meara finds it curious that Dunlop failed to note any elongation and didn't mention its proximity to the 10th magnitude star just off its NE flank.

John Herschel observed the galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape of Good Hope.  On 27 Sep 1834, his Cape observation reads "vB; vL; vmE; pos 118.3 ; 1st gradually then suddenly much brighter to the middle to a nucleus 4' long 1.5' broad, has a star 9th mag N.f."  He also noted that the position assigned in his Slough Catalogue was incorrect.  On a second sweep, he logged "pB; vmE; pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 2 1/2' length.  No other near it within 3 fields in RA and 1 field's breadth in declination."  Finally on a third sweep he logged "vB; L; vmE; pspmbM; has a *10; N.F."
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NGC 614 = NGC 627 = UGC 1140 = MCG +05-04-075 = CGCG 502-118 = PGC 5933
01 35 52.3  +33 40 55; Tri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broadly concentrated, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 608 5' WSW.  Located 9' S of mag 7 SAO 54817.

William Herschel discovered NGC 614 = H. III-174 = h135 on 13 Sep 1784 (last object using Beta And as the reference star in sweep 271) and noted "Stellar, verified with 240 power."  There is nothing at his position, but 78 seconds of RA (time) to the west is UGC 1140.  John Herschel measured an accurate position and reported "pF; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle.  Stellar, or like a star blurred" (sweep 106, 22 Nov 1827).  He also discovered NGC 608 to the southwest.  NGC 627 and NGC 618 may be duplicate observations – see comments on these numbers.
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NGC 615 = MCG -01-05-008 = LGG 027-005 = PGC 5897
01 35 05.6  -07 20 27; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 3.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2'x1', evenly concentrated halo, very small bright core, bright stellar nucleus.  Located 5.4' ENE of mag 8.5 SAO 129385 but otherwise the immediate field is almost devoid of stars.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, slightly elongated.  Located 5' E of an 8th magnitude star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 615 = H. II-282 = h137 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "pF, cL, irregular brightest about the middle, r."  His summary description (including an observation on 10 Sep 1785, sweep 435) reads "pB, cL, little extended, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel observed NGC 615 on 9 Oct 1828 (sweep 186): "pB; R; is sf a * 8m distant 10'."  The galaxy is only 5' north-following the star.  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate position with the 27" refractor at Vienna.
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NGC 616
01 36 04.3  +33 46 12; Tri

= **, Carlson and Corwin.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 616 on 14 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted (single observation) a "double star veiled in faint nebulosity."  He measured the offset to nearby mag 6.5 HD 9728 and his position matches a pair of mag 14 stars at 11" separation.  Harold Corwin and Dorothy Carlson equate NGC 616 with this double star.
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NGC 617 = MCG -02-05-007 = PGC 5831
01 34 02.5  -09 46 27; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (11/1/97): at 220x appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Requires averted to view and cannot hold steadily.  Slightly easier to view at 280x.  Located 30' NW of NGC 624.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 617 = LM 2-314 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 1.2 tmin east of MCG -02-05-007 = PGC 5831, a common error with the observations there.  MCG (-02-05-007) does not label this galaxy as NGC 617.
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NGC 618
01 36 18  +33 24; Tri

= NGC 614??, Corwin.  = Not found, Dreyer and Carlson.  = *?, IC 1 notes.  = NGC 608?, Burnham.

John Herschel discovered NGC 618 = h136 on 16 Nov 1827 and reported "pB; pL; bM; precedes a * 2m 51.0s".  There is nothing at his position and there is no fairly bright star at the required separation east of his position. In the NGC Notes section, Dreyer commented "never found at Birr [in 5 attempts], nor by d'Arrest [in several attempts].  Schönfeld (II) has two observations, vF, eS = *13, place agreeing with [John Herschel].  Query: only a faint star..."  In the IC 1 Notes and Corrections entry for NGC 618 and 627, Dreyer adds "Not observed by John Herschel in the same sweep as [NGC 608 and 614].  Neither of them seen by Burnham."

Wolfgang Steinicke suggests NGC 618 may be a mag 10 star at 01 41 36.6 +33 17 40 (J2000) with a mag 12.7 star 30" southwest and a mag 15.7 star 30" south.  Harold Corwin is skeptical that this combo would mimic a "pretty bright" nebula and suggests that NGC 618 is possibly a duplicate observation of NGC 614, although the brighter star following is not at the required separation, unless Herschel meant 51 seconds, instead of 2m 51s.  Wolfgang Steinicke analyzed the sweep data and arrived at a different position, close to 01 42 +33° 23' (J2000), assuming the bright star precedes the object, but this "corrected" position has no "pB" objects nearby.
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NGC 619 = ESO 353-021 = MCG -06-04-051 = PGC 5878
01 34 51.7  -36 29 22; Scl
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 130°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8'.  Difficult to determine orientation as requires averted to glimpse (probably affected by fairly low elevation).  Preceding of pair with brighter NGC 623 2.9' E.  In a group with NGC 612 11' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 619 = h2424 on 30 Nov 1837 and noted "eeF, vS, R; the preceding of two [with NGC 623] in the field together." His position is accurate.
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NGC 620 = UGC 1150 = MCG +07-04-006 = CGCG 537-016 = V Zw 81 = PGC 5990
01 36 59.8  +42 19 23; And
V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 45" WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 620 = St. 3-2 on 13 Oct 1869.  His published accurate position was made on 14 Dec 1871 with the description "eF, vS, R, eF, vS, R, bM but no nucleus."
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NGC 621 = UGC 1147 = MCG +06-04-045 = CGCG 521-055 = IV Zw 54 = PGC 5984
01 36 49.0  +35 30 43; Tri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, almost round, broad concentration.  Located 2' SW of a mag 10.5 star and 7' S of mag 8.4 SAO 54831.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 621 = St. 13-10 on 24 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and noted "vF, eS, R, bM and nucleus".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 622 = UGC 1143 = MCG +00-05-014 = CGCG 386-016 = Mrk 571 = PGC 5939
01 36 00.1  +00 39 49; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W.  Even surface brightness except for a well-defined very small bright core and faint stellar nucleus or faint star superimposed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 622 = H. III-454 = h138 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and logged "Suspected, eF, pL, 240 power left it doubtful."  The NGC position matches UGC 1143 = PGC 5939.  John Herschel recorded on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), "vF; not vS; not bM."
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NGC 623 = ESO 353-023 = MCG -06-04-052 = PGC 5898
01 35 06.4  -36 29 25; Scl
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 94°

17.5" (11/10/96): brighter of pair with NGC 619 2.9' preceding.  Fairly faint, fairly small, 1.0' diameter, round.  Collinear with NGC 619 and NGC 612 14' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 623 = h2425 on 30 Nov 1837 and recorded "F, S, R; the following of two [with h2424 = NGC 619]."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 624 = MCG -02-05-010 = PGC 5932
01 35 51.0  -10 00 10; Cet
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5'.  A mag 13 star is at the south edge 30" from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 624 = H. III-471 = h140 on 30 Nov 1837 (sweep 479) and described "a few small stars mixed with seeming nebulosity. 240 showed the same."  There is a star at the south edge and another 1.4' N.  John Herschel noted on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 315), "eF; S; among 2 or 3 vF st, very difficult".
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NGC 625 = ESO 297-005 = MCG -07-04-017 = AM 0132-414 = PGC 5896
01 35 05.1  -41 26 12; Phe
V = 11.1;  Size 5.8'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 92°

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, brighter core.  Viewed at a very low elevation (less than 10°).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 625 = D 479 = h2426 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a very faint nebula, of a round figure, with two or three minute stars in it near the meridian".  His single position is ~8' too far E.  John Herschel logged on 5 Sep 1834, "B, pL, much elongated, nearly in the parallel; pretty much brighter middle." On a second sweep on 4 Dec 1836 he called it "B, mE, gradually brighter in the middle, 80"." The next night he logged the galaxy again as "B, L, much elongated, gradually brighter in the middle, 1.25' long."

Joseph Turner observed NGC 625 on 24 Jan 1879 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and noted "it is at present much brighter at the following extremity, giving it the appearance of a tail. This extra brightness is caused by a small star being situated there as shown in the above sketch."  His small star appears to be a bright HII region in the galaxy.
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NGC 626 = ESO 297-006 = MCG -07-04-018 = AM 0133-392 = PGC 5901
01 35 12.0  -39 08 48; Scl
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 43°

18" (10/25/08): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, small bright core, very faint halo.  NGC 630/ESO 297-008 lies 13.5' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 626 = h2427 on 4 Sep 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 627 = NGC 614? = UGC 1140 = MCG +05-04-075 = CGCG 502-118 = PGC 5933
01 35 52.3  +33 40 55; Tri

= NGC 614?, Corwin.  =**, Steinicke.

John Herschel discovered NGC 627 = h141 on 11 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; R; another precedes; which must be III.174 [NGC 614].  The RA conjectural and [polar distance] liable to some error."  Heinrich d'Arrest was unsuccessful in locating an object at Herschel's position and he commented "is not in the heavens. Anyway, the place assigned [by Herschel] as doubtful, is errant."

Sherburne Burnham (Publ of the Lick Observatory, Vol II) was also unable to find the object and Dreyer concluded "should be struck out" in the IC 1 notes section.  Burnham suggested this might be a duplicate observation of NGC 614 in which case the object that preceded would be NGC 608 (misidentified as III 174).  But Wolfgang Steinicke argues that NGC 614 is located 2.4° due north of the double star STF 137, the previous object in the sweep, so he could not have arrived at the field of NGC 614 as the next object. See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 628 = M74 = UGC 1149 = MCG +03-05-011 = PGC 5974 = Phantom Galaxy
01 36 41.6  +15 47 03; Psc
V = 9.4;  Size 10.5'x9.5';  Surf Br = 14.2

48" (10/22/11): beautiful face-on spiral with long, graceful arms wrapping around an intense 1' core that increases towards the center, but there is no sharp nucleus.  At first glance at 375x there appeared to be four arms, but with a more careful look there are two main arms that each wrap more than 360° around the core as well as a couple of side branches.  Each arm is studded with a number of non-stellar HII regions that highlight the arms.  In addition, a number of stars are superimposed, both in the inner region (two faint stars are within 25" of the center) and around the edge of the halo, which extends to 7'-8' diameter.

The more prominent arm "southern" arm is very regular - emerging from the core on the south side and wrapping counterclockwise around the core to the north, unwinding gradually as it curves to the east and then pulls away from the central region more suddenly on the south side.  This arm is very patchy and delineated by a large number of HII knots with the two most prominent ones near the outer southern end.  The "northern" arm begins to emerge from north of the core, tightly wraps counterclockwise around the core, passing near or through a few superimposed stars on the south side of the core, unwinding more as it stretches again to the north.  The arm structure is a bit more complex on the north side due to side branches and the embedded HII knots are more scattered.

The HII regions were viewed more carefully at 610x.  The following identifications are from Paul Hodge's 1976 "HII regions in NGC 628" (ApJ, 205, 728), which lists over 700 HII knots.  The brightest is #627, near the end of the outer southern arm 2.7' SSW of center. It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, ~20" diameter.  Moving clockwise along this arm towards the core, the next prominent knot is #598 situated 2.2' SSE of center.  It was slightly fainter than #627, round, 15" diameter.  Next in line is #552, a faint round knot of 10" situated 1.8' SE of center.  East of the core by 1.5' is #406, a very faint, round 10" knot situated 36" S of a superimposed mag 14.5 star.  Just 30" W of this star and 1.2' NE of center is #292, a fairly faint, very small knot, ~8" diameter.  Continuing inward along this arm, the next knot is #196, a very faint hazy spot 1.3' N of center.  Finally, less than 1' NW of center is another very faint patch with multiple Hodge numbers #260-268.

There were no notable knots on the inner southern portion of the northern arm, but a noticeable clump of knots is on the NW portion of this arm.  First was #167/168, a faint 10" knot 1.6' NW of center.  Continuing outward 2.0' NNW of center is a faint, elongated patch, ~25" diameter, consisting of #91-95 and #49 at the north end of the glow.  I didn't search the outer region of the halo for additional HII knots, except noted #330, a 10" knot situated between two mag 12-13 stars at the eastern edge of halo, 3.9' from center.

24" (8/7/13): viewed type IIP SN 2013ej, discovered on July 25th, 92" E and 135" S of center.  It appeared bright at mag 12.5.

17.5" (2/2/02): viewed type Ic SN 2002ap, discovered just 3 days earlier on Jan 29th. The supernova was easily visible as a mag 12.5 "star", situated 4.6' W and 1.5' S of center.  This very energetic event is considered a hypernova, resulting from an extreme core-collapse scenario.

17.5" (8/31/86): bright, large, round, very bright core.  A spiral arm is attached at the east side of core winding towards the west along the south side.  A dark gap is visible between the arm and the main central portion.  Several stars are superimposed in the halo.

13.1" (8/24/84): very prominent, fairly small bright core surrounded by a very large, diffuse glow.  Visible in 16x80 finder.

8" (many dates from 10/4/80 to 8/24/84): very small bright core surrounded by a large faint halo. Fairly even surface brightness.

Pierre Méchain discovered M74 = NGC 628 = h142 in September 1780.  William Herschel made several observations of M74 with various telescopes and claimed to partially resolve it into a number of extremely faint stars.  With the 18.7" on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289): "easily resolvable; some stars visible in it, the coma extremely faint at the edges and not resolvable."  M74 is the only Messier galaxy that Herschel observed in the 40-foot telescope (48-inch mirror), though he didn't notice spiral structure under poor conditions on 28 Dec 1799: "Very bright in the middle, but the brightness confined to a very small part, and is not round; about the bright middle is a very faint nebulosity to a considerable extent. The bright part seems to be of resolvable kind, but my mirror has been injured by condensed vapours."  The same night he completed sweep 1092 with the 18.7".

John Herschel  called it "resolvable" and classified M74 as a globular cluster in the General Catalogue of 1864.  On 13 Dec 1848, Lord Rosse and/or assistant George Johnstone Stoney detected spiral structure with the 72" and noted "Rough sketch made. Spiral?"  The next night he "confirmed last night's observations; feel confident it is a spiral."  LdR listed M74 as "Spiral or curvilinear" in his 1850 paper.  Isaac Roberts photographed the spiral in September 1893.
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NGC 629
01 38 58.5  +72 52 01; Cas

17.5" (10/13/01): near Struve's position is a striking 1' chain of 5 stars mag 12.5-13.5 extended WSW-ENE.  Two of the stars at the following end of the chain form a very close pair.  There is also a wider trio of stars which follows by 6', but this is a courser, less interesting group in the field and less likely to fit Struve's description "3*+ neb".

Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 629 = ∑ 2 = Au 16 in 1825 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at Dorpat.  Struve included this object in a list of 9 "Nebulae detectae" in an appendix to his main catalogue of double stars, published in 1827.  Auwers included "Struve 2" in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae with the description "irregular nebula with 3 *."  Auwers was unable to find it, though, with the Königsberg Heliometer in February 1861.  About 6' west of Struve's position is a tight string of 5 stars within 1' and Harold Corwin identifies this asterism as NGC 629. The brightest mag 12.2 star has companions at 11" and 13".
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NGC 630 = ESO 297-009 = MCG -07-04-020 = PGC 5924
01 35 36.5  -39 21 29; Scl
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 60°

18" (10/25/08): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.45, small bright core increases to the center, fairly high surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with slightly fainter ESO 297-008 1.8' SW, which was surprisingly missed by John Herschel. NGC 626 lies 13.5' NNW.  The companion is just over the constellation border into Phoenix and appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', low even surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 630 = h2428 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15", precedes two stars 11th mag.  The two stars are there and Herschel's position is accurate.
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NGC 631 = UGC 1153 = MCG +01-05-007 = CGCG 412-006 = PGC 5983
01 36 47.0  +05 50 07; Psc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.3

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, round, smoothly increases to small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 632 8' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 631 = m 50 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He noted "vF, S, gradually brighter in the middle." Stephan independently discovered it on 30 Sep 1867, though only measured a rough position for NGC 632.
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NGC 632 = UGC 1157 = MCG +01-05-010 = CGCG 412-008 = Mrk 1002 = PGC 6007
01 37 17.5  +05 52 39; Psc
V = 12.3;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, small, very small very bright core dominates, slightly elongated much fainter halo.  A mag 14.5 star is embedded in the north side.  Forms a pair with NGC 631 8' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 632 = h143 on 24 Sep 1830 and logged "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15" [diameter]."
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NGC 633 = ESO 297-011 = MCG -06-04-056 = PGC 5960
01 36 23.4  -37 19 18; Scl
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 177°

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration (hampered by low elevation).  Located 3' SE of a mag 9/10 double (HJ 3448) at 28" separation.  Forms a pair with ESO 297-012 1.1' S (not seen).

John Herschel discovered NGC 633 = h2429 on 1 Sep 1834 and logged "pB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"; follows a pretty bright double star." On a later sweep he noted, "Not vF, R, 30", has a double star N.p."  His mean position and description matches ESO 297-11 = PGC 5960.  He missed a fainter companion (ESO 297-12 = PGC 5959) 1.1' S. 

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 11 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and wrote, "Extraordinary - This is a double nebula.  There are two distinct nebulae in the field pretty close to one another as shown in diagram - How is it that Herschel only has one?"  The companion he discovered was ESO 297-012.
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NGC 634 = UGC 1164 = MCG +06-04-048 = CGCG 521-060 = PGC 6059
01 38 18.5  +35 21 54; Tri
V = 13.0;  Size 2.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 167°

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; nice edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, moderately bright, 1.0'x0.2', brighter along the major axis.  A mag 14.7 star is just off the W edge [22" from center].  Located 2' NE of mag 7.6 HD 9983.

UGC 1166, located 23' S, appeared fairly faint, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, ~45"x18", small brighter core  Two mag 13.7 and 14.3 stars less than 2' N are collinear with the galaxy.

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, very elongated ~N-S.  A mag 15 star is at the west edge.  Located 2' ENE of mag 7.7 SAO 54855.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 634 = St. 8a-6 on 2 Nov 1875.  His pubished position was made on 26 Oct 1876 with description "eF, eS, several F* involved".  He explored the region further in 1881 and made another observation on 19 Nov 1881.
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NGC 635 = MCG -04-05-002 = PGC 6062
01 38 17.8  -22 55 44; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms the SW vertex of a triangle with a mag 10 star (SAO 167193) 2.9' ENE and a mag 12.5 star 1.6' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 635 = LM 1-33 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position but based on the discovery sketch (which shows two or three stars to the NE and another to the SSE), Harold Corwin has identified NGC 635 = PGC 6062.  In this case, Leavenworth's dec was 3° too far north.  RNGC lists the number as nonexistent (not found).  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 636 = MCG -01-05-013 = LGG 027-006 = PGC 6110
01 39 06.5  -07 30 46; Cet
V = 11.5;  Size 2.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 140°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly bright, fairly small, round, bright well-defined circular core, very small nucleus.  The faint halo increases diameter to almost 2'.  A mag 12 star is 3' ENE.  

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, round, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 636 = H. II-283 = h144 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "pB, S, of equal light, r, a star or two visible in it."  On a second observation on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) he noted "pB, S, much brighter in the middle." John Herschel made two observations and reported on 9 Oct 1828 (sweep 186), "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20" [diameter]."
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NGC 637 = Cr 17 = OCL-329 = Lund 51
01 43 03  +64 02 12; Cas
V = 8.2;  Size 4'

18" (10/25/08): very pretty cluster at 283x.  The central 2.5' region is rich and contains roughly 3 dozen stars including a mag 10.2/11.4 double (STI 264 = ADS 1342) at 9.5" separation.  A third mag 11 star forms a wide trio  46" to the south.  An arc or "C" shaped curve of stars passes through the central double and opens to the north.  A chain of brighter stars begins at the center of the open end of the arc (on north side) and zigzags to the north and NE.  A wide bright double (23" separation) sits at the east end of the central region.  Finally another fainter linear chain of stars heads to the west of the central region.  Within a 5' region, 50-60 stars are resolved.
  
13.1" (12/7/85): rich cluster of two dozen stars arranged in an arc.  There are five bright stars including a mag 10/11.2 double star at 9" separation.

8" (1/1/84): 10 stars in cluster includes four mag 10 stars and fainter, mottled, over haze.

William Herschel discovered NGC 637 = H. VII-49 on 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) and noted "a cluster of some cL stars and many eS, so as hardly to be visible. The large ones arranged in circular order 3' or 4' diameter."
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NGC 638 = UGC 1170 = MCG +01-05-014 = CGCG 412-011 = Mrk 1003 = PGC 6145
01 39 37.8  +07 14 15; Psc
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 20°

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, almost even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 638 = Sw. 5-14 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 639 = ESO 413-013 = MCG -05-05-002 = VV 419 = AM 0136-301 = PGC 6105
01 38 59.1  -29 55 31; Scl
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 31°

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, very small.  Fainter of a close pair with NGC 642 1.7' NE.  At first only a 10" round core seen, but with extended viewing can just detect faint extensions which increase dimensions to 0.9'x0.2' SW-NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 639 = h2430 (along with NGC 642 = h2431) on 27 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, vS; the preceding of two [with NGC 642].".  His mean position from 3 observations matches ESO 413-013 = PGC 6105.
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NGC 640 = MCG -02-05-031 = PGC 6130
01 39 24.8  -09 24 03; Cet
V = 14.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 147°

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration.  Collinear with a mag 11-12 double star (30" separation) located 6' NNE.  A mag 11.5 star lies 4.0' SSW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 640 = LM 2-315 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.8; 0.6'; lE 170°; little brighter middle to a nucleus; *10 s 4'.".  His position is only 9 sec of RA east of MCG -02-05-031 = PGC 6130 and the star 4' S is just where he placed it.
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NGC 641 = ESO 244-042 = AM 0136-424 = MCG -07-04-026 = PGC 6081
01 38 39.1  -42 31 40; Phe
V = 12.1;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (10/3/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 36", well-defined E-type appearance, gradually increases to the center.  A mag 10 star lies 4.2' SW and a mag 13 star is 1.9' NE, but the field is quite barren of stars.  Forms a pair with NGC 644 4.3' SE.  Located 24' N of mag 6.7 HD 10167.  Surprisingly bright for a galaxy at only 10° elevation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 641 = h2432 (along with NGC 644 = h2433) on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle; the preceding of two [with NGC 644]."  His mean position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 244-042 = PGC 6081.
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NGC 642 = ESO 413-014 = MCG -05-05-003 = VV 419 = PGC 6112
01 39 06.3  -29 54 56; Scl
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 31°

17.5" (12/20/95): brighter of a pair with NGC 639 1.7' SW.  Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, ~1.2'x0.8' (fades into background so difficult to estimate PA and size), broad weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is just off the SE end 50" from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 642 = h2431 (along with NGC 639 = h2430) on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15", has a star near it, following.".  His mean from 3 observations matches ESO 413-014 = PGC 6112.
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NGC 643 = ESO 029-050 = Lindsay 111
01 35 02  -75 33 24; Hyi
V = 13.5

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, broad weak concentration without a distinct core, some mottling but no resolution.  Located 8.5' NNE of mag 8 HD 10041.  NGC 643 is an outlying cluster of the SMC in the extension on its southeast side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 643 = h2435 on 18 Sep 1835 and logged "eF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"."

In 1957, Gerard de Vaucouleurs published a note (based on Mt Stromlo plates) that NGC 643 was an outlying cluster of the Small Magellanic Cloud and not a galaxy as listed in the 1932 Shapley-Ames Catalogue.  Eric Lindsay independently listed it as a new cluster (not making the connection initially with NGC 643) in his 1958 paper on SMC clusters and described it from a 30 minute ADH plate (South Africa) as "a conspicuous object, clearly recognizable as a cluster with 20-30 faint resolved stars.  The texture and distribution of the outlying stars suggest it is globular; otherwise it would have been classified as certainly open."  NGC 643 was deleted from de Vaucouleur's 1964 Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies and Alan Sandage's 1981 revision of the S-A Catalogue.  RNGC gives the type as 28 (cluster in the LMC) instead of 29 (cluster in the SMC).  NGC 2000.0 classifies it as a globular cluster.  NGC 643B = ESO 029-053 = PGC 6117 is misidentified as NGC 643 in the RC3 (letter designation from the RC1).
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NGC 644 = ESO 244-043 = AM 0136-425 = MCG -07-04-027 = PGC 6097
01 38 53.1  -42 35 06; Phe
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

24" (10/3/13): difficult due to low elevation (10°) and fairly poor seeing this far south.  At 200x appeared very faint, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, ~24"x18", required averted.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 641 4.3' NW.  A mag 10 star lies 6.8' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 644 = h2433 (along with brighter NGC 641 = h2432) on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, little extended, gradually little brighter middle. The following of two [with NGC 641].".  His position and description matches ESO 244-043 = PGC 6097.
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NGC 645 = UGC 1177 = MCG +01-05-016 = CGCG 412-013 = PGC 6172
01 40 08.7  +05 43 35; Psc
V = 12.6;  Size 2.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 125°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, slight broad concentration.  A line of three mag 9.5-10.5 stars aligned E-W are located just north including a mag 9.5 star 3' NW, a mag 10.5 star 2.2' N and a mag 10 star 4.7' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 645 = m 51 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, pL, mE."  His position and description applies to UGC 1177.
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NGC 646 = ESO 080-002 = VV 443 = AM 0135-650 = PGC 6010
01 37 21.2  -64 53 42; Hyi
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 107°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): this interacting double system (NGC 646 + PGC 6014) was resolved at 244x, though more cleanly viewed at 397x.  NGC 646, the brighter and larger western galaxy, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, 24" diameter, weak concentration.  I didn't notice the very low surface brightness arms that are tidally stretched (one extends to to PGC 6014).

The companion, PGC 6014, appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  It was easily seen close east of NGC 646 [0.9' separation between centers].  The pair is located 8' NE of mag 9.5 HD 10080.

John Herschel discovered NGC 646 = h2434 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "vF, irregularly round, very gradually little brighter middle."  His position matches this double system.
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NGC 647 = MCG -02-05-033 = PGC 6155
01 39 56.1  -09 14 33; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, small, elongated 4:3, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 649 3.3' SE.  Located 5' W of mag 8.8 SAO 129437.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 647 = LM 2-316 (along with NGC 649 = LM 2-317) in 1886) with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.4 tmin east of MCG -02-05-033 = PGC 6155.  The galaxy identified as NGC 647 in the MCG is actually NGC 649.
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NGC 648 = IC 146 = ESO 543-006 = MCG -03-05-011 = PGC 6083
01 38 39.8  -17 49 53; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 114°

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration.  A bright uneven double star HJ 2067 = 7.7/12.9 at 31" lies 10' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 648 = LM 1-34 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.6 min of RA east of ESO 543-006 = PGC 6083.  Because of the poor position, Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy.  Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 30 Sep 1892 with the 30" refractor at the Nice Observatory, assumed it was new, and Dreyer catalogued J. 1-70 as IC 146.  Herbert Howe reobserved and measured an accurate position for NGC 648 around 1900 (repeated in the IC 2 notes), though neither Howe nor Dreyer noticed the equivalence NGC 648 = IC 146.  ESO states the equivalence NGC 648 = IC 146.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 649 = MCG -02-05-034 = PGC 6169
01 40 07.4  -09 16 18; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 20°

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 3' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 129437, which hampers the observation.  Forms a pair with NGC 647 3.3' NW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 649 = LM 2-317 (along with NGC 647 = II-316) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position angle (N-S) is off by 20° but it is clear that NGC 649 = MCG -02-05-034 = PGC 6169.  MCG misidentifies NGC 649 as NGC 647.
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NGC 650 = M76 = PK 130-10.1 = PN G130.9-10.5 = Little Dumbbell Nebula
01 42 18.1  +51 34 16; Per
V = 10.1;  Size 163"x107"

18" (10/19/06): superb view at 225x using a UHC filter.  The main bi-polar body was very bright, elongated ~SW-NE and dominated by two large, irregular knots at either end.  The SW knot is brighter and the brightest portion is more elongated in the direction of the minor axis.  Both knots are somewhat irregular in shape and brightness.  A faint star is just off the SW end. The two bright knots are attached with a fainter bridge of nebulosity. Extending off the north end is a large "arm" that sweeps around towards the west and a slightly less obvious counterpart is attached at the south end and sweeps towards the east.  The overall effect mimics a photograph of a barred spiral galaxy with a thick bar or perhaps a rotating sprinkler head with jets of water curving away.

17.5" (8/2/86): bright, fairly large, consists of two prominent irregular lobes with a darker center; the SW lobe is brighter with straight edges while the NE lobe has a slightly curved edge.  A mag 13.5 star is attached at the southern edge of the SW lobe.  Extending from the main body of this striking bipolar planetary is a large halo that contains two large outer arms or wings similar to a spiral galaxy!  The outer "arm" attached at the NE end is brighter and longer and curves to the west.  The southern extension is short, fainter and less defined.  The general features described above were clearly seen in my 13.1" at 166x using an OIII filter on 10/10/86.

13.1" (8/24/84): SW end is brighter while the NE end is slightly curved.  Boxy appearance with a dark center.

80mm (1/20/07): at 12.5x appears as a very faint, very small low surface brightness spot that blinks well using an OIII filter and increases significantly in contrast.  At 25x and OIII filter appears as a fairly faint, round knot with a fairly high surface brightness.

Pierre Méchain discovered M76 = NGC 650 = H. I-193 on 5 Sept 1780 with a 3" refractor.  Surprisingly, William Herschel made no observations prior to his sweeps and first encountered the planetary on 12 Nov 1787 (sweep 780) as "Two close together, their nebulosities run into each other; distance of their centers is 1 1/2 or 2'."  The second nebula was catalogued as H. I. 193 (later NGC 651), assuming it was a newly discovered object.

Observing on Lord Rosse's 72" on 5 Nov 1866, Sir Robert Ball described M76 in detail as a "new spiral": "remarkable object; a new spiral possessing details of interest.  Previous observation as to form confirmed with some further particulars well seen in single lens.  It consists principally of the two B knots which according to Herschel are the pair of double nebula, and third much fainter knot p the other two.  Form compared to a reaping hook.  Sketched by Lord Oxmantown.  The nebulosity terminates very suddenly on the s edge where there is a star, probably distinct from, through very close to the nebulosity.  A branch of nebulosity in the following direction was suspected by both observes preceding from between the two knots."

Sir William Huggins first observed a single emission line in the spectrum (a second was likely present) in 1865-66.  It was first photographed by Issac Roberts in 1891 and he suggested the appearance was probably due to a broad ring seen edge-on.  Based on a Crossley photograph, Curtis (1918) described, "central star of mag 16.  Quite irregular, but evidently to be included as one of the larger members of the planetary class.  The central and brighter portion of the nebula is an irregular, patchy oblong 87"x42" in pa 40° from the ends of which faint, irregular, ring-like wisps extend total length 157" in pa 128°.  Brightest patch at southern end of central part."

T.W. Webb's "Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes" (1881 or 1885 edition?) described it as a "Pearly white nebula, double; curious miniature of M27 and like it, gaseous, preceding a little the brighter. Earl of Rosse, spiral."  In the 1903 "Popular Astronomy" publication, an observing report is titled "The Miniature Dumb-bell Nebula, Messier 76."  Leland Copeland called it the "Little Dumbbell" in a Feb. 1960 Sky & Telescope article "An Amateur's Tour of Planetary Nebulae" .
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NGC 651 = PK 130-10.1 = M76 = PN G130.9-10.5 = Little Dumbbell Nebula
01 42 21.9  +51 34 49; Per
V = 10.1

17.5": part of NGC 650 = M76, see description for NGC 650.

William Herschel discovered NGC 651 = H. I-193 on 12 Nov 1787 (sweep 780).  He recorded "Two close together; both very bright, their nebulosities run into each other.  Distance of their centers 1 1/2' or 2' from sp to nf."  Although Herschel avoided cataloguing Messier objects, he assigned one new designation (H. I.193).  Dreyer identified NGC 650 as M76 and NGC 651 as H. I.193 (following of the double nebula).
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NGC 652 = UGC 1184 = MCG +01-05-017 = CGCG 412-014 = PGC 6208
01 40 43.2  +07 58 58; Psc
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 55°

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, very weak concentration.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 652 = Sw. 5-15 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 14 tsec east of UGC 1184 = PGC 6208.  See Corwin's notes for more info on Swift's discoveries that night.
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NGC 653 = UGC 1193 = MCG +06-04-058 = CGCG 521-070 = PGC 6290
01 42 25.7  +35 38 18; And
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 39°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on SSW-NNE, small bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.3' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 653 = St. 13-11 on 17 Nov 1881.  His published position was reduced on 29 Nov 1883 with description "very faint spindle, elongated NE to SW, length ~1'; a little gradual condensation; several faint stars involved."
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NGC 654 = Cr 18 = Mel 9 = OCL-330
01 43 59  +61 53 00; Cas
V = 6.5;  Size 5'

24" (2/5/21): rich cluster immediately NW of mag 7.3 HD 10494.  Includes a large number of multiple stars.  STI 277, a wide, but very unequal pair of mag 11.4/14.5 stars, is 1.5' N of HD 10494.  The central section includes 4 pairs/trios: STI 274 (12.1/12.4 at 9") with 1 or 2 additional fainter components.  Only 35" to its north is STI 275, a 12.5/12.5 pair at 7" with a third 12.5 star at a wide 15".  Less than 30" to its west is an uncatalogued 10" pair (oriented N-S).  Finally, less than 1' further NW is STI 269, a mag 13 pair at 8".

13.1" (10/20/84): 35 stars, rich, includes several doubles.  Located just northwest of mag 7.3 HD 10494, which is a likely member.

8": rich in faint stars including doubles.  A mag 7 star is at the southeast edge.

15x50mm (10/14/23): single bright star at edge, round glow, no other resolution.

William Herschel discovered NGC 654 = H. VII-46 = h145 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and noted "a small cluster of pretty large stars, pretty rich."  John Herschel described on 5 Oct 1829 (sweep 216), "a fine rich cluster; stars 11...14m; 3' dia; irreg fig; place that of the most compressed part; one star 6.7 mag, south-following the center, is ruddy."
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NGC 655 = MCG -02-05-037 = PGC 6262
01 41 55.1  -13 04 56; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, weakly concentrated halo, rises quickly to small bright core.  A mag 12/14 double star at 20" separation is 2' S.  Located 10' NNW of a mag 9.5 star.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 655 = LM 1-35 on 12 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 2' S of MCG -02-05-037037 = PGC 6262.  Bigourdan was unable to find this galaxy.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 656 = UGC 1194 = MCG +04-05-002 = CGCG 482-004 = PGC 6293
01 42 27.3  +26 08 35; Psc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 35°

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core.  A mag 11 star is 1.5' NW.  Located 8' ESE of mag 9 SAO 74879.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 656 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He measured a very accurate position on 2 nights as well as the nearby mag 10 star (5 seconds preceding and 1 1/4' north).
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NGC 657 = OCL-337 = Lund 52
01 43 21  +55 50.2; Cas

17.5" (10/25/97): very unimpressive asterism near near the double star STT 35 = 7.0/10.8 at 13".  Possibly John Herschel was attracted to a group of ~10 stars 4'-5' SW of the bright double.  There are a few additional stars following this group which lead back to the double.  This grouping includes a couple of close, faint doubles but appears to be a weak asterism at all powers as there is no evident clustering.

John Herschel discovered NGC 657 = h146 on 28 Nov 1831 and noted "A double star (h2070), the chief of a pretty rich loose cl; stars 12m."
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NGC 658 = UGC 1192 = MCG +02-05-009 = CGCG 437-009 = PGC 6275
01 42 09.7  +12 36 06; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 3.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration, fairly faint small core.  Located 4' SSW of mag 8.8 SAO 92587.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 658 = St. 11-1 = Sw. 2-13 on 3 Oct 1869 and recorded an unpublished position less than 1' NE of center.  A second observation was made on 5 Nov 1875.  He published an accurate micrometric position (list 9, #1) made on 27 Nov 1880 and recorded "very faint, very small, irregular, brighter in the middle."

Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy on 17 Sep 1885 and reported it as possibly new in his second discovery list (#13).  His position and description are correct, though he criticized Stephan by writing "pB; pL; vE; nearly bet 2 pB st.  If this is Stephan's No 1 of his catalogue of 60 nebulae, A.N. 2390, then his description is wrong in every particular."  Dreyer credited both Stephan (1) and Swift (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 659 = Cr 19 = Mel 10 = OCL-332
01 44 23  +60 40 12; Cas
V = 7.9;  Size 5'

13.1" (10/20/84): ~20 stars in cluster, not impressive.  Located 80' E of M103.

13.1" (11/5/83): 18 stars at 166x over haze.  In field to the SW of NGC 663.

15x50mm (10/14/23): faint glow just 35' SSW of much brighter NGC 663. Located 10' NE of a mag 5.8 star.

Caroline Herschel possibly discovered NGC 659 = H VIII-65 on 27 Sep 1783 with her 4.2-inch comet-seeker reflector.  According to Wolfgang Steinicke, she logged a "cluster of stars in the middle [of Delta and Epison Cas & Chi Per (Double Cluster)]."  Additional observations were made on 30 Oct 1783 and 9 Apr 1785.  William Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and logged "a small cluster of small stars, not very rich." In his main catalogue, he noted "Caroline Herschel [discovered it in ] 1783." and Dreyer credited Caroline with the discovery in the NGC. 

Michael Hoskin supports this identification, but Wolfgang argues that Caroline more likely discovered nearby NGC 663, which is both larger and richer.
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NGC 660 = UGC 1201 = MCG +02-05-013 = CGCG 437-012 = LGG 029-002 = PGC 6318
01 43 01.7  +13 38 35; Psc
V = 11.2;  Size 8.3'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 170°

48" (10/23/11): this large, striking polar-ring galaxy contains a very bright, elongated bar oriented SW-NE, ~2'x1' (this is the main edge-on spiral disc).  The northeastern half of the bar is noticeably brighter with a very high surface brightness. The galaxy is fainter and wider on the southwest portion of the bar.  The central region in mottled and dusty, but I didn't notice the X-shaped dust lanes that intersect on the NE side.

A broad low surface brightness arm emerges at the southwest end (part of the polar ring that is extended N-S) and sweeps south, curving slightly east for a length of 2'.  A second faint wing begins at the northeast and extends north a similar distance, bending gradually towards the west.  These two brighter sections of the polar ring give the galaxy a stretched "S" appearance and significantly increase the overall size to ~6.5'x2.5', roughly N-S. 

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly bright, large, oval SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, mottled.  A mag 14 double star is 1.8' ESE of center.  Located 10' SE of mag 8.1 SAO 92589.  UGC 1195 (possibly = IC 148) lies 22' NNW.  It appeared faint, moderately large, oval SW-NE, low even surface brightness.  NGC 660 and IC 148 are members of the loose M74 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 660 = H. II-253 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and noted "pB, pl, E, bM, r".  Sir Robert Ball, an assistant with the 72" at Birr Castle, described "a fine neb of the character of the neb in Andromeda.  cB, vL, E 37.1°, possibly curved and with details.  E Nucl which was suspected to be in two parts or have some peculiarity."  A later observation by Dreyer reads "pB, pL mE 41°.  Looks like a brush, fades away gradually south-following, more sharply defined north-preceding.  Condensation in nf end."
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NGC 661 = UGC 1215 = MCG +05-05-005 = CGCG 503-014 = PGC 6376
01 44 14.6  +28 42 22; Tri
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 60°

17.5" (9/26/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, prominent core, bright stellar nucleus.  Bracketed by two mag 14 stars 75" SW and 75" NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 661 = H. II-610 = h147 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "F, S, bM, resolvable".  John Herschel described it on 15 Sep 1828 (sweep 177) as "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle."  E.E. Barnard found it on 11 Oct 1882 with his 5-inch refractor and described it as a "minute speck of a nebula...which I assume to be new."
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NGC 662 = UGC 1220 = MCG +06-04-060 = CGCG 521-073 = V Zw 98 = PGC 6393
01 44 35.5  +37 41 46; And
V = 12.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 20°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, very small, fairly high even surface brightness, elongated 3:2 ~N-S.  Located 3' ENE of mag 6.9 SAO 10617, which hampers viewing.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 662 = St. 13-12 on 17 Nov 1881 and recorded "F, S, R, rather marked central condensation."  He reduced the position on 22 Nov 1884 and published it in his large 13th discovery list (#12).
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NGC 663 = Cr 20 = Mel 11 = OCL-333
01 46 16  +61 13 06; Cas
V = 7.1;  Size 16'

13.1" (10/20/84): ~75 stars, fairly large, rich.  Includes several doubles, the most prominent pairs are STF 153 = 9.3/10.3 at 8", STF 152 = 9.0/11.2 at 9" and STF 151 = 10.5/10.9 at 7".

15x50mm (10/14/23): large, bright, few stars easily resolved, very grainy.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with NGC 654 40' NNW and NGC 659 35' SSW.

Caroline Herschel possibly discovered NGC 663 = H. VII-31 on 27 Sep 1783 with her comet-seeker reflector.  She found "a cluster of stars in the middle [of Delta and Epsilon Cass & Chi Per (Double Cluster)]."  Additional observations were made on 30 Oct 1783 and 9 Apr 1785.  In his main catalogue, though, William credited Caroline with the discovery of H. VIII-65 (later NGC 659).  But Wolfgang Steinicke argues in his book "William Herschel - discoverer of the Deep Sky" that NGC 663 is brighter and larger, so more likely to have been seen by Caroline.

William Herschel independently discovered NGC 663 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "a beautiful cluster of pretty large stars near 15' diameter, considerably rich."  Neither John Herschel nor Lord Rosse's assistants observed the cluster and Dreyer credited William with the discovery in the NGC.

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NGC 664 = UGC 1210 = MCG +01-05-029 = CGCG 412-023 = PGC 6359
01 43 45.8  +04 13 23; Psc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 65°

24" (11/15/22): at 327x; nearly moderately bright class, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~0.7'x0.5', weakly brighter core.  Four stars mag 13.5 to 15.1 are within 2' off the west side, with a mag 14.8 star 0.9' NW and a mag 15.1 star 1' SW.  IC 150 is 12' WSW.

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration.  Nearby are a mag 15 star 50" NW and two mag 14 stars 1.8' WSW and 2' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 664 = h148 on 24 Sep 1830 and noted "vF; R; 20" [diameter]."  Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded it on 11 Dec 1854 as "small, round, bright middle to a nucleus.  Forms a trapezium [eastern vertex] with 3 stars."
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NGC 665 = UGC 1223 = MCG +02-05-019 = CGCG 437-019 = PGC 6415
01 44 56.1  +10 25 22; Psc
V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 125°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, prominent core, bright nucleus.  Brightest in a group of four with IC 154 14' NNE, IC 156 11NE and CGCG 437-020 6' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 665 = H. II-588 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and logged "F, irr R, r."
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NGC 666 = UGC 1236 = MCG +06-05-002 = CGCG 521-079 = PGC 6483
01 46 06.3  +34 22 28; Tri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus.  Almost collinear with a mag 12.5 star 2' NNE and a mag 13 star 3' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 666 = St. 13-13 on 22 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His position is accurate and his description "very small star in an extremely small and faint nebula" applies to the stellar nucleus and small halo.
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NGC 667 = ESO 477-002 = PGC 6418
01 44 56.7  -22 55 09; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 82°

17.5" (10/25/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  Not seen with certainty at 220x and verified at 280x.  Located 1.4' SE of a mag 12 star.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 667 = LM 2-318 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3' west and 2' south of ESO 477-002 = PGC 6418.  A mag 10 star mentioned in his notes as 1.6' in PA 320° (NW) clinches the identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 668 = UGC 1238 = MCG +06-05-003 = CGCG 521-080 = PGC 6502
01 46 22.6  +36 27 37; And
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 30°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, small bright core.  Located 2.5' W of a mag 10.5 star at the NW edge of AGC 262 galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 668 = St. 11-2 on 3 Oct 1869 and recorded a unpublished position just 1' to the NE.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 4 Dec 1880 in his 11th discovery list with description "pretty faint, pretty small, gradually brighter middle."  He made a later observation on 17 Nov 1881.
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NGC 669 = UGC 1248 = MCG +06-05-004 = CGCG 522-004 = PGC 6560
01 47 16.2  +35 33 46; Tri
V = 12.3;  Size 3.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 36°

17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright bulging core, thin tapering extensions, fairly striking appearance.  A mag 13 star is just south of the SW tip 1.5' from the center.  Three mag 12 stars form a shallow obtuse triangle close north with the nearest star 1.8' NW.  Located at the SW edge of AGC 262 galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 669 = St. 13-14 on 17 Nov 1881 and a second observation two nights later.  His published position in list 13 was reduced on 28 Nov 1883 with description, "pF; mE NE to SW; 1.5' length; gradually brighter in the middle; mottled center or several small stars involved."
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NGC 670 = UGC 1250 = MCG +05-05-012 = CGCG 503-024 = PGC 6570
01 47 24.9  +27 53 09; Tri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 172°

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly faint, small, compact, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core.  Located 28' NNW of NGC 672.

William Herschel discovered NGC 670 = H. II-611 = h149 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "F, S, lE".  John Herschel logged on 15 Sep 1828 (sweep 177), "not vF; S; E nearly in Meridian [N-S]; 15" C; 10" br." R.J. Mitchell, using the 72" on 18 Sep 1857, recorded "S, pretty much E np sf, bM, is about 2' preceding a double star."
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NGC 671 = UGC 1247 = MCG +02-05-029 = CGCG 437-027 = PGC 6546
01 46 59.1  +13 07 31; Ari
V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, seems brighter at both ends.  A double star with components mag 12.5/13.5 (oriented NW-SE with separation 20") lies 3' S.

Located very close to the Pisces border. First in a galaxy group (USGC U077) that includes NGC 675, 677 and several nearby UGC galaxies.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 671 = Sw. 2-14 on 17 Sep 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "eF; pS; R; "between a double star and a star with a distant companion."  Swift's position is 18 sec of RA east of UGC 1247 = PGC 6546 and his description of the nearby stars to the north and south pins down the identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 672 = VV 338b = UGC 1256 = MCG +04-05-011 = CGCG 482-016 = Holm 46a = KTG 8B = PGC 6595
01 47 53.9  +27 25 56; Tri
V = 10.9;  Size 7.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 65°

24" (12/28/13): at 225x appeared very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, mottled appearance.  Contains a brighter, elongated "bar" that is slightly angled (roughly 7:2 E-W) to the major axis of the halo.  Slightly brighter "patches" were visible just beyond the bar (on both the east and west side), probably where spiral arms attach to the bar.  IC 1727 lies 8' SW.

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, even surface brightness.  Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star 2.2' WNW and a mag 13 star 3.2' E.  Brightest in a group with IC 1727 8' SW. 

8" (11/13/82): fairly faint, low even surface brightness, fairly large, diffuse.  Two mag 13.5 stars lie NW and at the east edge.

8" (11/28/81): faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated ~E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 672 = H. I-157 = h150 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626).  He recorded it as "considerably bright, considerably large, extended in the parallel [E-W], much brighter middle, about 6 or 7' long, 3' broad."

NGC 672 was observed 7 times with the 72" at Birr Castle.  On 26 Oct 1854, assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded "A tolerably B ray, bM.  The B portion is narrow, but I think F neby extends laterally; * south of centre and another fainter one sp center? [this may refer to an HII region]."  I'm surprised, though, that IC 1727 was missed during these observations.
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NGC 673 = UGC 1259 = MCG +02-05-033 = CGCG 437-030 = PGC 6624
01 48 22.5  +11 31 18; Ari
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 0°

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  Located 3.1' WSW of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 673 = H. II-589 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and logged "F, pL, E, brightest following the middle, 2' south-preceding a considerably bright star [10th mag]."

Birr Castle assistant J.L.E. Dreyer in 1875 accurately described the galaxy as "pB, pL, irr R, very little brighter middle, *10-11m Pos. 65.8°, Dist 195.6".
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NGC 674 = NGC 697 = UGC 1317 = MCG +04-05-022 = CGCG 482-027 = PGC 6848
01 51 17.4  +22 21 28; Ari

See observing notes for NGC 697.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 674 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted "pretty bright, elongated, *14 follows by 8 seconds."  There is nothing at his position, but 2.0 min of RA east is NGC 697 and the description fits!  John Herschel and Dreyer assumed this was a new discovery and catalogued d'Arrest's object as GC 398 = NGC 674.  Curiously, he claims the object was found the same night (4th of 411) that he also observed NGC 697.  Father Hagen and Bigourdan searched fruitlessly for NGC 674 and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, says "not found, = NGC 697?"  That conclusion is warranted.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 675 = UGC 1273 = MCG +02-05-041 = CGCG 437-037 = PGC 6665
01 49 08.6  +13 03 35; Ari
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 99°

14.5" (12/12/23): at 158x and 226x; very faint, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~30"x15".  A faint mag 14.6 star is off the NE end. The major axis points to the center of NGC 677, just 1.4' E.  Member of a galaxy group (USGC U077) that includes NGC 671, 677 and several nearby UGC galaxies.

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 30"x12".  A mag 14.6 star is close northeast.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 677 1.3' E.

17.5" (12/18/89): extremely faint, small, elongated E-W.  Forms a pair with NGC 677 1.4' ENE.  Located just SW of a mag 14 star, which is 1' W of NGC 677.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 675 = Sw. 5-16, along with NGC 677 = Sw. 5-17, on 25 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 5 sec of RA west and 17" south of UGC 1273 = PGC 6665.
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NGC 676 = UGC 1270 = MCG +01-05-034 = CGCG 412-028 = PGC 6656
01 48 57.3  +05 54 24; Psc
V = 11.9;  Size 4.0'x1.2';  PA = 172°

17.5" (12/18/89): very unusual appearance as a mag 10 star (BD +5 244) is superimposed on the core!  Fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, almost even surface brightness except for the bright star [5" SSW of the nucleus].  NGC 693 lies 26' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 676 = H. IV-42 = h151 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607).  He recorded this edge-on as "a star with very branches in the direction of the meridian [N-S], each branch about 1' in length; the star about 8 or 9 m; other stars of the same size are free from these branches".  His sketch was included in the 1814 PT paper (fig. 7) and he used the description as evidence of not only of the association of a star [very near the center] and a nebula, but that the nebula was brighter near the star as nebulous matter was being drawn by gravity to the star.

John Herschel made two observations.  On 24 Sep 1830 (sweep 300) he wrote, "a *9m with a vF narrow ray of nebulosity; a most curious object."  The galaxy was observed four times at Birr Castle.  On 8 Nov 1876, Dreyer recorded "*9m with pF neb elongated 168.4°, longer on the side of *, concave preceding, convex following."

The bright superposed star is included in the CGCG magnitude (10.5z).  Steinicke notes that the separation from centre is only 9", the smallest value of all cases of bright superimposed stars in the NGC!
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NGC 677 = IC 152? = UGC 1275 = MCG +02-05-042 = CGCG 437-039 = PGC 6673
01 49 14.0  +13 03 19; Ari
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.7

14.5" (12/12/23): at 158x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter (though halo increases in size to 45" with averted). Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core!. A faint mag 14.6 star is off the the NW end.  NGC 675 is close SW of this star. Brightest in a galaxy group (LGG 031 = USGC U077) that includes NGC 671, 675, 683 and several nearby UGC galaxies.

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; moderately bright or fairly bright, moderately large, round, at least 1' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a small, intensely bright nucleus and a low surface brightness halo.  A mag 15.3 star is close to the south edge of the halo.  Brighter of a very close pair with NGC 675 1.3' W.

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core increases to a very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1' W and a mag 15 star is 1' S.  Forms a close pair with NGC 675 1.4' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 677 = Sw. 5-17, along with NGC 675 = Sw. 5-16, on 25 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 10 sec of RA west and 14" north of UGC 1275.  He described NGC 675 as "vF" and 677 as "eeF", although NGC 677 is the brighter galaxy at the eyepiece. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, but identifies the object as NGC 675.
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NGC 678 = UGC 1280 = MCG +04-05-014 = CGCG 482-018 = LGG 034-002 = WBL 052-001 = PGC 6690
01 49 24.8  +21 59 51; Ari
V = 12.2;  Size 4.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 78°

24" (8/30/16): fairly bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.6'.  Sharply concentrated with an unusually brighter core that is irregularly round, stellar nucleus.  The arms are long and low surface brightness, but the warped dust lane was not seen.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 680 5.5' ESE.

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a small bright core that increases to the center.  The extensions are much fainter.  Forms a pair with NGC 680 5' ESE in the NGC 697 group (also called the NGC 691 group).

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated 3:1 ~E-W.  Forms a pair with NGC 680 5' ESE in the NGC 697 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 678 = H. II-228, along with NGC 680, on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274) and described them together as "Two. Both F, pS, irregularly R."  On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he logged "pB, S, much brighter in the middle."
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NGC 679 = UGC 1283 = MCG +06-05-012 = CGCG 522-015 = V Zw 114 = PGC 6711
01 49 43.7  +35 47 08; And
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, broad concentration, in AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 679 = H. III-175 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar."  His RA was 17 seconds of time too large.  Édouard Stephan made observations on 2 and 5 Nov 1875, 1 Nov 1877 and 17 Nov 1881.  He reduced a precise micrometric position on 23 Nov 1876 (perhaps to correct Herschel's error).
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NGC 680 = UGC 1286 = MCG +04-05-015 = CGCG 482-019 = WBL 052-002 = LGG 034-003 = PGC 6719
01 49 47.3  +21 58 16; Ari
V = 11.9;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 156°

24" (8/30/16): bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.5'x1.2'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright 30" core that increases gradually to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 10.8 star is 3.5' E.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 678 5'.5 WNW.  IC 1730 is 3.5' NE.

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, high surface brightness elliptical or lenticular, slightly elongated, 1.7'x1.5'.  Contains a well-condensed 30" bright core surrounded by a fainter halo that fades gradually.  Surrounded by three mag 10-11 stars 3'-4' S, E and NE.  In a trio with NGC 678 5' WNW and IC 1730 3.5' NE.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 678 5' WNW in the NGC 697 group (also called the NGC 691 group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 680 = H. II-229, along with NGC 678, on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274).  On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he noted "pB, S, much brighter in the middle." See NGC 678.
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NGC 681 = MCG -02-05-052 = LGG 033-002 = PGC 6671
01 49 10.7  -10 25 35; Cet
V = 12.0;  Size 2.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 68°

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the NW edge of the halo.  Just SW is a perfect rhombus asterism consisting of four mag 13 stars with sides 1.5' with an additional mag 14 star just east of the rhombus.  MCG -02-05-053 lies 22' N.  On images, this galaxy has a striking resemblance to the Sombrero Galaxy, although the dust lane was not noticed.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated ~E-W, diffuse edges, weak concentration, small bright nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is at the west edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 681 = H. II-481 = h2436 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and noted "pB, cL, R, about 1.5' following a small star [mag 13]."  His position is 7' N of MCG -02-05-052 = PGC 6671.  Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel measured an accurate position and noted "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 35."
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NGC 682 = MCG -03-05-022 = PGC 6663
01 49 04.5  -14 58 29; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 95°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very small bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated fainter outer halo.  Located 15' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 148020.

William Herschel discovered NGC 682 = H. II-501 = h154 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "F, S, R, very small pretty bright nucleus."  On 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), John Herschel called it "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 15" [diameter]." The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 683 = UGC 1288 = MCG +02-05-047 = CGCG 437-043 = PGC 6718
01 49 46.7  +11 42 05; Ari
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, small, round.  A pair of mag 14 stars are 2' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 683 = h153 on 17 Oct 1825 and noted "eF; AR may be a whole minute wrong [the transit was missed]." Despite his uncertainly, Herschel's position matches UGC 1288 = PGC 6718.
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NGC 684 = IC 165 = UGC 1292 = MCG +04-05-017 = CGCG 482-022 = KTG 8C = PGC 6759
01 50 14.0  +27 38 48; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 3.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, beautiful edge-on 7:1 E-W, 1.8'x0.25', sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core and a faint stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 E-W, even concentration, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 32' NE of NGC 672 in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 684 = H. II-612 = h152 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "pB, pL, lE nearly in the parallel, much brighter in the middle."

Edward Swift, Lewis' son, found this galaxy again on 18 Jan 1890 while "searching for Swift's Comet" and it was reported as a new object in list IX-6.  In Astronomische Nachrichten #3429, Isaac Roberts noted the equivalence of IC 165 and NGC 684.  Dreyer repeated this identity in the IC 2 notes.
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NGC 685 = ESO 152-024 = PGC 6581
01 47 42.5  -52 45 47; Eri
V = 11.0;  Size 3.7'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 75°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large, slightly elongated ~WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a large brighter core, 3' diameter.  Just outside the core, the surface brightness is irregular or mottled and a couple of extremely faint quasi-stellar knots (HII regions) are just visible in the outer halo.  There is an impression of spiral structure in the halo, but I couldn't trace the arms.

John Herschel discovered NGC 685 = h2438 on 3 Oct 1834 and logged "F, vL, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 3'.". His position is 1.5' S of ESO 152-024 = PGC 6581.
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NGC 686 = ESO 477-006 = MCG -04-05-008 = PGC 6655
01 48 56.1  -23 47 54; For
V = 12.4;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 0°

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus.  Forms the vertex of a right angle with mag 9.2 SAO 167314 4' WNW and mag 8.1 SAO 167315 5' SW.  Located at the NW edge of Fornax on the Cetus border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 686 = H. III-459 = h155 = h2437 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 465) and noted "vF, vS, easily resolvable."  John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope.  He logged it from Slough on 14 Oct 1830 (sweep 306) as "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"; a *8 m south-preceding."
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NGC 687 = UGC 1298 = MCG +06-05-014 = CGCG 522-017 = PGC 6782
01 50 33.2  +36 22 15; And
V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Member of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.

13.1" (12/11/82): fairly bright, small, round, bright core, ~1' diameter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 687 = H. III-561 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, stellar."  Stephan made observations on 5 Oct 1869, 17 Nov 1870, 30 Nov 1877, 17 Nov 1881 and 19 Nov 1881.  He discovered several unpublished discoveries in the cluster including UGC 1308, UGC 1319, UGC 1339 and IC 1732. The NGC position is off by 4 seconds of RA too large and 2.3' S.
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NGC 688 = UGC 1302 = MCG +06-05-015 = CGCG 522-020 = Mrk 1009 = PGC 6799
01 50 44.2  +35 17 04; Tri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 145°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with UGC 1299 within in AGC 262.

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 688 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position matches this starburst (nucleus) galaxy.  Stephan made an observation on 13 Oct 1869 at Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 689 = ESO 414-005 = MCG -05-05-019 = PGC 6724
01 49 51.7  -27 27 59; For
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 68°

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, small, round, broad concentration.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.5' SW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 689 = LM 1-89 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is 0.8 tmin west and 3' north of ESO 414-005 = PGC 6724.
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NGC 690 = MCG -03-05-021 = PGC 6587
01 47 48.1  -16 43 17; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 145°

17.5" (10/25/97): marginal object that required a GSC finder chart and averted vision just to glimpse.  As the observation was extremely difficult, no details were visible, although it seemed round, perhaps 20" diameter.  The correct position confirmed with respect to a couple of collinear mag 12 stars 5' SE and 10' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 690 = LM 1-37 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is 1.5 tmin east of MCG -03-05-021 = PGC 6587.
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NGC 691 = UGC 1305 = MCG +04-05-019 = CGCG 460-031 = CGCG 482-023 = LGG 034-004 = PGC 6793
01 50 41.7  +21 45 35; Ari
V = 11.4;  Size 3.5'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 95°

18" (11/22/03): bright, large, slightly elongated E-W, ~2.0'x1.5'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a well-defined 45" core surrounded by an unconcentrated halo.  A close pair of mag 9-10 stars (uncatalogued) is just off the northeast edge!  NGC 691 is the brightest in the NGC 691 group (also called the NGC 697 group and LGG 034) that includes NGC 678, NGC 680, NGC 691, NGC 694, NGC 695, NGC 697, IC 163, IC 167, IC 1730 and others.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly faint, fairly large, almost round, very diffuse, weak concentration.  A close double star is off the NE edge.  Located 15' SSE of NGC 680 in the NGC 697 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 691 = H. II-617 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) and noted "F, cL, very gradually little brighter middle".  The NGC position matches UGC 1305 = PGC 6793.
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NGC 692 = ESO 197-003 = PGC 6642
01 48 42.0  -48 38 55; Phe
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly bright, moderately large, roundish, 50"-60" diameter.  Contains a bright, elongated core NW-SE that appears to be a bar (verified later on the DSS) and a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Four stars curl south off the southwest side including a mag 12 star 3.7' SSW.  Mag 9.8 HD 11265 lies 11.5' NE

John Herschel discovered NGC 692 = h2439 on 2 Oct 1834 and noted "B, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30"." On a later sweep (744) he described it as "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 20"."  His position (h2439) is accurate, although there was a 10 tsec error in RA on sweep 744.
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NGC 693 = UGC 1304 = MCG +01-05-035 = CGCG 412-033 = PGC 6778
01 50 30.9  +06 08 42; Psc
V = 12.4;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 106°

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, broad concentration.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.4' E of center.  NGC 706 is 22' NE and NGC 676 26' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 693 = H. II-859 = h156 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 986).  His log reads "pretty bright, small, extended nearly in parallel [E-W], south preceding a small star."  John Herschel observed NGC 693 on 24 Sep 1830 (sweep 300): "pretty bright; extended; very gradually brighter middle; a * 10m, north-following." Five observation were made at Birr Castle.  On 7 Oct 1850, assistant Bindon Blood Stoney recorded "Light rather equable, a minute star in the p part, resolvable?".  Bindon Blood's sketch on 24 Nov 1851 was included in in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication (Plate XXV, fig 2).
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NGC 694 = UGC 1310 = MCG +04-05-020 = CGCG 482-024 = Mrk 363 = V Zw 122 = LGG 034-007 = PGC 6816
01 50 58.4  +21 59 50; Ari
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  PA = 160°

18" (11/22/03): moderately bright, fairly small, 0.7'x0.5'. Fairly high surface brightness, which increases to an occasional faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 10.5 star is 2.3' SE.  IC 167, which lies 5.5' SSE, is very faint, elongated 4:3, 0.8'x0.6', low surface brightness.  

13.1" (9/29/84): faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Member of the NGC 697 group (also called the NGC 691 group) with IC 167 5.5' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 694 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the nebula was collinear with two mag 15 stars [probably to the NW and SE].
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NGC 695 = UGC 1315 = CGCG 482-026 = V Zw 123 = PGC 6844
01 51 14.2  +22 34 57; Ari
V = 12.8;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 40°

13.1" (9/29/84): faint, very small, round.  A mag 13 star is at the west end, 0.5' from center.  Located 14' N of NGC 697 in a group, though physically this galaxy lies far in the background.

William Herschel discovered NGC 695 = H. II-618 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636). He noted it as "very small, stellar."  The NGC position is 1' too far south.
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NGC 696 = ESO 353-050 = MCG -06-05-004 = SCG 9 = PGC 6695
01 49 31.2  -34 54 19; For
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

17.5" (11/1/97): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 40"x30", weak concentration.  A mag 12 star follows by 3.3'.  Forms a pair with fainter NGC 698 5.1' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 696 = h2440 (along with NGC 698 = h2441) on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "F, S, R, 15"."  His position is 0.2 tmin east and 2.5' south of ESO 353-050 = PGC 6695 (same offset as NGC 698).
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NGC 697 = NGC 674 = UGC 1317 = MCG +04-05-022 = CGCG 482-027 = LGG 034-006 = PGC 6848
01 51 17.4  +22 21 28; Ari
V = 12.0;  Size 4.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 105°

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, ~3.0'x1.3'.  Contains a fairly well-defined bright elongated core and a fairly smooth halo.  Located 16' ENE of the bright double star 1 Arietis.  NGC 695 is located 13' N.

13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, only a weak broad concentration.  The striking double star 1 Arietis (6.2/7.4 at 3") lies 16' WSW.  Brightest in the NGC 697 group (also called the NGC 691 group) with a number of members about 30' S.

8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, elongated.  Located ~15' E of a close mag 6/7 double (1 Arietis).

William Herschel discovered NGC 697 = H. III-179 on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274) and recorded "vF, pL, lE."  On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he noted "pB, cL, E, much brighter in the middle."  Heinrich d'Arrest found this galaxy on 2 Dec 1861 but his RA was 2 minutes too small.  Dreyer assumed d'Arrest's object was new, and recatalogued it as NGC 674. So, NGC 697 = NGC 674, with NGC 697 the primary designation.
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NGC 698 = ESO 353-051 = MCG -06-05-005 = SCG 9 = PGC 6710
01 49 43.7  -34 49 52; For
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 171°

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably viewed core only), low surface brightness, no concentration.  Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily.  Forms the northern vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 4.7' S and brighter NGC 696 5.1' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 698 = h2441 on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "vvF; S."  His single position is 10 tsec of RA east and 2.5' south of ESO 353-051 = PGC 6710 (same amount of offset as NGC 696).
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NGC 699 = MCG -02-05-059 = PGC 6798
01 50 43.7  -12 02 09; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

17.5" (12/23/92): extremely faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, very low surface brightness, brighter core.  Located 7' NNE of mag 8.5 SAO 148050.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 699 = LM 2-319 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.4', E 105°, bnp, curved; *9.5 p 22 sec".  His position matches MCG -02-05-059 = PGC 6798 and the mag 9 star he described to the west is accurate.
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NGC 700 = CGCG 522-030 = Holm 49e = WBL 054-006 = PGC 6928
01 52 16.9  +36 02 12; And
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; CGCG 522-30 is faint, small, round, low surface brightness, 20" diameter.  Located 5' ESE of mag 9.2 SAO 55045 and 8' SW of the central quartet in AGC 262.  UGC 1336 (identified as NGC 700 in most sources) is 3.7' NNW.

UGC 1336 appeared very faint, small,round, 18", low surface brightness (core region) with extremely low surface brightness extensions N-S.  A mag 15.4 star is off the N end and a mag 14.5 star (with mag 15.5-16 companion) is off the S end.

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, small, round.  Two mag 14 stars are collinear 1.5' WSW and 2.7' WSW.  Located about 8' SW of the central core of AGC 262 in a group of four galaxies with UGC 1336 3.7' NW.  This galaxy (CGCG 522-030) is not identified as NGC 700 in any of the major catalogues.

UGC 1336 (NGC 700 in most sources) appeared extremely faint, very small, irregularly round. Several faint stars near. 

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint, small, round.  A mag 14 star lies 1' W.

R.J. Mitchell, assistant to Lord Rosse, discovered NGC 700 on 12 Oct 1855.  He noted "about 8' sp same group [NGC 703, 704, 705, 708] is another neb., F, S, R"  This rough position is a reasonable match with CGCG 522-030 = PGC 6928.  Bindon Blood Stoney possibly observed the galaxy earlier on 28 Oct 1850, though he just mentioned a nebula was found preceding the group.  Édouard Stephan also made an observation on 17 Nov 1881.

The RNGC, UGC and CGCG misidentify UGC 1336 as NGC 700.  This latter galaxy is 6.5' WSW the center of the group, but is not as obvious at the eyepiece.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 701 = MCG -02-05-060 = Holm 47a = LGG 033-003 = PGC 6826
01 51 03.7  -09 42 10; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, broadly concentrated halo, faint stellar nucleus suspected.  Forms a pair with IC 1738 5.4' S.  The smaller companion appeared faint, small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 701 = H. I-62 = h160 = h2442 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and noted "F, pS, irr R." On 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) he called this object "cB; pL; E; bM."  It was placed in class I (Bright Nebulae).  John Herschel observed the galaxy at both Slough and at the Cape, commenting on 9 Dec 1835 (sweep 650) from the Cape, "eF, pL; certainly not entitled to a place in the 1st class." In the GC notes, he added d'Arrest missed it with a 4.5-inch refractor at Leibzig.  Stephan observed it at Marseilles on 22 Nov 1875.
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NGC 702 = Arp 75 = MCG -01-05-043 = PGC 6852
01 51 19.2  -04 03 21; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 10' NNW of mag 7.3 SAO 129535.

Arp classified NGC 702 (Arp 75) as a spiral with "small high surface-brightness companion on arms", though this appears to be a bright emission region.  The core of this galaxy, though, may contain two close nuclei so NGC 702 might be a post-collisional system.

William Herschel discovered NGC 702 = H. III-192 = h158 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF, S, 240 verified it with difficulty."  John Herschel observed the galaxy on 3 sweeps and logged on 18 Oct 1827 (sweep 97), "eF; lE in meridian; has a * 14m 90" south."
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NGC 703 = UGC 1346 = MCG +06-05-029 = CGCG 522-037 = Holm 49c = PGC 6957
01 52 39.6  +36 10 17; And
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 50°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", contains a very small core and stellar nucleus.   A mag 15.3 star is just off the SW end [27" from center].

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, oval, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is at the SW end.  Located in the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 708 1.8' SE, NGC 705 1.7' SSE and NGC 704 2.7' S.

13.1" (10/22/84): faint, very small, third brightest of four in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (12/11/82): very faint, round, difficult.

William Herschel discovered NGC 703 = H. III-562 = h157, along with NGC 704/05/08, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599).  He recorded the quartet together as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them.  All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others."  The RA order of NGC 704 (west) and NGC 703 (east) is flipped in the NGC.

John Herschel logged on 17 Nov 1828 (sweep 105), "vF; the np of two [with NGC 708], dist 90" ±."
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NGC 704 = UGC 1343 = MCG +06-05-028 = CGCG 522-034 = Holm 49b = PGC 6953
01 52 37.8  +36 07 32; And
V = 13.1;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, brighter nucleus. At 375x the southern component (LEDA 197601) of this merged double system (10" between centers) bulged out as a small "knot" at the south end. CGCG 522-033, an extremely faint galaxy, is 1.2' SW.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration.  Located in the dense core of AGC 262 with NGC 705 1.3' NE, NGC 703 2.7' N and NGC 708 2.7' NE.  This double galaxy was unresolved, but was merged in the N-S direction.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, very small.  Second brightest of four in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (12/11/82): very faint.  On a line with NGC 705 and NGC 708.

William Herschel discovered NGC 704 = H. III-563, along with NGC 703/05/08, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599).  He described the quartet as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them.  All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others."

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell observed the group on 7 Oct 1855, noting "[NGC 704] is seen with higher power (single lens) to be double."  So, he resolved this double system.  I suggested to Harold Corwin (in Mar 2014) that the two components could justifiably be labeled NGC 704A and NGC 704B.
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NGC 705 = UGC 1345 = MCG +06-05-030 = CGCG 522-036 = Holm 49d = VI Zw 90 = PGC 6958
01 52 41.5  +36 08 39; And
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 117°

24" (12/8/20): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~25" in length, contains a small brighter core with small "wings".  A mag 15 star is 40" S.  Situated at the exact center of the small triangle formed by NGC 703, 704 and 708.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Located in the core of AGC 262 with NGC 703 1.7' N, NGC 704 1.3' SW and NGC 708 1.1' NE.  A mag 14 star is 40" south, midway to NGC 704.

13.1" (10/20/84): very faint, very small, star less than 1' SW between NGC 703 and NGC 704.

13.1" (12/11/82): extremely faint, very small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 705 = H. III-562, along with NGC 703/04/08, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599).  He described the quartet as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them.  All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others."
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NGC 706 = UGC 1334 = MCG +01-05-040 = CGCG 412-037 = PGC 6897
01 51 50.5  +06 17 48; Psc
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, almost even surface brightness but faint stellar nucleus seen at moments.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' N of center.  NGC 693 lies 22' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 706 = H. II-596 = h161 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607).  He noted "Faint, small, irregular figure, about 1' south of a very small star."  John Herschel recorded it on 24 Sep 1830 (sweep 300): "pretty bright; 30"; a *13m 1 radius of neb distance from edge."
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NGC 707 = MCG -02-05-063 = PGC 6861
01 51 27.1  -08 30 20; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 85°

24" (11/7/18): at 375x; small but fairly high surface brightness.  Elongated ~2:1 (at least the brighter major axis), ~30"x15", faint stellar nucleus.  A faint star (mag ~15.5) is superimposed on the southeast end.

Brightest in a group at z = .018 with IC 170 7.6' E,  MCG -2-5-64 5.5' N, MCG -2-5-65 6.7' NNE, IC 168 is 15' WSW, LEDA 1002631 11' WSW.

MCG -02-05-064 appeared very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, ~30"x24", low surface brightness.  MCG -02-05-065, a dimmer companion, is 2' NE. LEDA 1002631 was extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Situated just 40" S of a mag 11.5 star and 3.5' E of IC 168.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  A faint star is superimposed [only 12" SE of center] and it gave the appearance of a double nucleus.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 707 = T. 4-6 on 13 Nov 1879 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported "III class, with star in the middle."  His micrometric position matches MCG -02-05-063 = PGC 6861 (verified by Sherburne Burnham in the Publications of Lick Observatory, Volume II).  Burnham also discovered IC 168 1.0 minute of time west.
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NGC 708 = UGC 1348 = MCG +06-05-031 = CGCG 522-039 = Holm 49a = PGC 6962
01 52 46.4  +36 09 08; And
V = 12.7;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.9;  PA = 35°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 15 star is attached at the north end [0.3' from center].

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is at the north end just 0.2' from center.  NGC 708 is the brightest galaxy in the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 703 1.8' NW, NGC 705 1.1' SW and NGC 704 2.7' SW.

13.1" (9/22/84): very faint, small, round, largest in a group of four.  A mag 15 star is off the north edge.

13.1" (12/11/82): brightest in the central group, small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 708 = H. III-565 = h159, along with NGC 703/04/05, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599).  He described the quartet together as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them.  All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others."  John Herschel recorded on 17 Nov 1828 (sweep 105), "pB; pL; little brighter middle; 40" [diameter]."
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NGC 709 = CGCG 522-040 = PGC 6969
01 52 50.6  +36 13 25; And
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 130°

24" (12/8/20): between faint and fairly faint, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE, ~25"x12", brighter core/nucleus.  Situated midway between a mag 9.8 star 2' NW and a mag 12 star 2' SE. The galaxy is elongated in the same orientation.  Lies in the central region of galaxy cluster AGC 262.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, elongated NW-SE.  Located almost at midpoint of a mag 12 star 1.9' SE and a mag 10 star 2.0' NW.  Located just north of the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 708 4.3' SSW and NGC 703 3.8' SW.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 709 on 28 Oct 1850.  He recorded "4' or 5' nnf of group [NGC 703/704/705/708] is another nebula, perhaps two."  Édouard Stephan made an observation at the Marseilles Observatory on 24 Nov 1875.   Dreyer found it again on 18 Nov 1876 and recorded "Nova [=5195] nf h 157 [NGC 703]., Pos 35.1, Dist. 210.5", vF, pS, it has a *11 m in Pos 297, Dist 110.3", *12-13m about same distance sf, the 2 st and neb being almost in a line."  Dreyer was credited with the discovery in the NGC, though Stephan was earlier.
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NGC 710 = UGC 1349 = MCG +06-05-033 = CGCG 522-041 = PGC 6972
01 52 53.9  +36 03 12; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, ~50" diameter, even surface brightness.  Largest galaxy in the central core of AGC 262.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W.  A mag 15 star is 40" SSW of center.  Located about 6' SSE of the central four galaxies (NGC 703, NGC 704, NGC 705, NGC 708) in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, fairly small, largest in field.

13.1" (12/11/82): faint, round, visible with direct vision, second brightest in the central core.

Bindon Blood Stoney probably discovered NGC 710 on 28 Oct 1850. He recorded "ssf [a group of 5 or more nebula] about 12' is a F, pL nebula with stars in it."  It was picked up again by assistant R.J. Mitchell on 12 Oct 1855 and noted as "6' or 7' sf this group is a pB, R, neb, bM."  Heinrich d'Arrest next found and accurately measured NGC 710 on 12 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  Édouard Stephan observed NGC 710 on 24 Nov 1875 from the Marseilles Observatory, along with a discovery of IC 171.  Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, recorded this galaxy on 18 Nov 1876 as "Sf the centre of the group of 4 neb is an eF, pL neb [Nova d'A = 5196], Pos 166°, Dist 390", it has 2 stars 12-13 mag south."
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NGC 711 = UGC 1342 = MCG +03-05-024 = CGCG 460-038 = PGC 6940
01 52 27.7  +17 30 46; Ari
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 15°

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE.  A mag 14 star is 20" E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 711 = St. 12-19 on 5 Nov 1875.  His published observation (list 12, #19) was made 6 years later on 4 Nov 1881 with description "vF star [nucleus] surrounded by vF, vS nebulosity."
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NGC 712 = UGC 1352 = MCG +06-05-035 = CGCG 522-043 = PGC 6988
01 53 08.5  +36 49 12; And
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 85°

17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, even concentration, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is close SW 0.6' from center and a mag 12 star is 1' N.  UGC 1353 lies 9' NNE.  Member of AGC 262.

John Herschel discovered NGC 712 = h163 in October 1828 (sweep 188 between 11 and 27 Oct) and logged "vF; R; among several pB stars."
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NGC 713 = MCG -02-05-075 = PGC 7161
01 55 21.5  -09 05 01; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 95°

17.5" (10/25/97): at 280x, appeared very faint, small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.7'x0.2', low even surface brightness.  Located 7.7' SE of brighter NGC 731.

17.5" (11/6/93): not found.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 713 = LM 2-320 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 3 min of RA west of MCG -02-05-075 although his PA of 90° matches this galaxy.  There is also a mag 15 star 2.2' NNW in agreement with Leavenworth's note of "*14, np 2'."  MCG does not label -02-05-075 as NGC 713.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, mentions a galaxy 8' SE of NGC 731 is much elongated in PA 90°, which fits Leavenworth's description for NGC 713.
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NGC 714 = UGC 1358 = MCG +06-05-037 = CGCG 522-047 = PGC 7009
01 53 29.6  +36 13 17; And
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 112°

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core.  Two mag 13.5 stars are 1.0' W and 1.4' NW of center.  Member of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, bright core, edge-on WNW-ESE, two faint stars are close west.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 714 on 28 Oct 1850. He mentioned it in respect to NGC 709: "following this last [NGC 709] is one about 11' [east]."  R.J. Mitchell found NGC 714 again on 12 Oct 1855 and noted "about 10' nf the group is a pB, 1L neb, with B Nucl, susp resolvable."  Heinrich d'Arrest next found the nebula on 2 Dec 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured an accurate position.  Stephan made observations on 24 Nov 1875, 3 Nov 1877 and 30 Nov 1877 at Marseilles.  Finally, Lawrence Parsons observed it again on 18 Nov 1876, noting "forming a triangle with 2 stars 13m preceding and north-preceding (perhaps a 3rd star)."  In the 1880 publication Dreyer indicated the observation was a duplicate of GC 5197 (d'Arrest). d'Arrest and LdR are attributed with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 715 = MCG -02-05-069 = PGC 6991
01 53 12.5  -12 52 23; Cet
V = 15.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 175°

17.5" (10/25/97): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4'.  Located 3.5' N of a mag 11 star.  A mag 8 star is 11' NW edge at the edge of the 220x field.  Best viewed at 280x.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 715 = O St I-38 on 12 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.5 min of RA east and 3' S is MCG -02-05-069 = PGC 6991.  Due to the poor position, Guillaume Bigourdan could not recover the galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 716 = IC 1743 = UGC 1351 = MCG +02-05-054 = CGCG 437-049 = PGC 6982
01 52 59.7  +12 42 30; Ari
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 57°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.7', broad weak concentration but no nucleus.  Located 8' WNW of mag 7.5 SAO 92682.  Identified as IC 1743 in UGC, MCG and CGCG.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 716 = Sw. 4-6 on 1 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but Corwin identifies NGC 716 = UGC 1351.  This implies Swift made a 40' error (copying?) in declination, though his description matches this galaxy, including the "bright * near foll".

Bigourdan found this galaxy again on 1 Jan 1892, placed it correctly as a nova, and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1743.  The description for IC 1743 mentions  "=NGC 716?" and in the IC 2 notes Dreyer comments that Bigourdan couldn't find NGC 716 but B.250 = IC 1743 may equal NGC 716.  This galaxy is identified as IC 1743 in UGC, MCG and CGCG, although the earlier discovery by Swift implies that NGC 716 should be the primary designation.
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NGC 717 = UGC 1363 = MCG +06-05-041 = CGCG 522-052 = PGC 7033
01 53 55.1  +36 13 46; And
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 117°

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, edge-on WNW-ESE, small bright core.  Located 5.1' E of NGC 715 in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): very faint, slightly elongated ~E-W, 6' E of NGC 714.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 717 on 12 Oct 1855 and noted "5' nf this nebula [NGC 714] is another fainter ray."  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the nebula on 16 Sep 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  Lawrence Parsons made another observation on 18 Nov 1876, recording "Foll last neb [NGC 714] is an eF, pL neb with a star 15m ~1' sf."  In the 1880 publication Dreyer indicated that the Birr Castle observation was a duplicate of d'Arrest's GC 5198.  LdR and d'A are mentioned as the discoverers in the NGC.
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NGC 718 = UGC 1356 = MCG +01-05-041 = CGCG 412-039 = PGC 6993
01 53 13.2  +04 11 45; Psc
V = 11.7;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, increases to very small prominent core, stellar nucleus, very faint larger halo 1.5' diameter.

8" (10/31/81): faint, very small, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 718 = H. II-270 = h164 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged "pB, S, irregularly round, much brighter middle."  John Herschel made two observations and called it "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25" [diameter]" (sweep 300 on 25 Sep 1830).
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NGC 719 = IC 1744 = UGC 1360 = MCG +03-05-026 = PGC 7019
01 53 38.8  +19 50 26; Ari
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 150°

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round, broad concentration.  Two mag 14 and 15 star are close east.  The bright double star Gamma Arietis (components 4.4/4.7) lies 30' S.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 719 on 24 Nov 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is 13 sec of RA following UGC 1360 = PGC 7019.  Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 18 Jan 1896 with the 30" refractor at the Nice Observatory and measured an accurate position.  Dreyer assumed J. 3-896 was new and it was catalogued again as IC 1744.  So, NGC 719 = IC 1744.  MCG labels this galaxy IC 1744 and UGC equates NGC 719 = IC 1744.
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NGC 720 = MCG -02-05-068 = LGG 038-003 = PGC 6983
01 53 00.4  -13 44 20; Cet
V = 10.2;  Size 4.7'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (9/26/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.0', well-defined very bright core with dimensions 40"x20".  A very faint halo extends the major axis to almost 2' length.

William Herschel discovered NGC 720 = H. I-105 = h165 = h2443 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451) and noted "cB, pL, irregularly round, much brighter in the middle.".  This galaxy was observed by John Herschel at both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope where he logged "pB, little extended, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 40"."
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NGC 721 = UGC 1376 = MCG +06-05-043 = CGCG 522-056 = PGC 7097
01 54 45.5  +39 23 00; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, 1' diameter, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very diffuse, low surface brightness, no central concentration.  Located in fairly rich star field.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 721 on 27 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "eF, pL, no ncl".  His RA is 8 seconds too large (single measure). MCG doesn't label their entry as NGC 721.
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NGC 722 = UGC 1379 = MCG +03-05-032 = CGCG 460-046 = PGC 7098
01 54 47.1  +20 41 54; Ari
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 138°

24" (12/1/16): at 225x; fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~30"x20", slightly brighter nucleus.   This galaxy lies a mere 7' SSE from the glare of 2.7-magnitude Beta Arietis, but the galaxy was not difficult with the star placed off the edge of the field.  A group of mag 11.5-13 stars is nearby, including a mag 12 star 2.7' ENE. 

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, oval 3:2 NW-SE.  Remarkable location as situated 7' SSE of Beta Arietis (V = 2.6) in the same 220x field.  This is a similar situation as NGC 404 near Mirach, but NGC 722 is much fainter.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 722 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "vF, vS, R, Beta Arietis 7' north."  His position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 1379 = PGC 7098, just 6.9' SSE of Beta Ari.
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NGC 723 = NGC 724 = ESO 477-013 = MCG -04-05-016 = PGC 7024
01 53 45.6  -23 45 28; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, 1.0' diameter, just a slight central brightening.  A mag 12.8 star is 2.5' S.  Located very close to Cetus-Fornax border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 723 = H. III-460 = h166 = h167 = h2444 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 465) and noted "vF, vS".  The galaxy was observed by John Herschel at both Slough and at the Cape of Good Hope where he logged "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25". No other neb within 15' all round."  His first of two observations from Slough on 14 Sep 1830 differed in North Polar Distance so he catalogued it separately as h167 (later NGC 724) .  The Cape observation made it clear there was only a single object, so NGC 723 = NGC 724.
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NGC 724 = NGC 723 = ESO 477-013 = MCG -04-05-016 = PGC 7024
01 53 45.8  -23 45 28; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 723.

John Herschel found NGC 724 = h167 on 14 Sep 1830 and noted "vF; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; has a small * 75° sp.  It is barely possible that this may be H III 460 [NGC 723] with a mistake in reading the polar distance."  Herschel's suspicion was correct as he later reobserved the galaxy from the Cape (h2444) and noted there was only one nebula in the vicinity.  Nevertheless, h167 became GC 436 and finally NGC 724.  So, NGC 723 = NGC 724 with the two entries equated in ESO and RNGC.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 725 = MCG -03-05-025 = PGC 6950
01 52 35.5  -16 31 04; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x20", low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Located 6.4' WSW of mag 7.8 SAO 148081.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 725 = LM 1-39 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.6 min of RA west is MCG -03-05-025 = PGC 6950.  Bigourdan was not able to recover the object at Leavenworth's position. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 726 = MCG -02-06-003 = PGC 7182
01 55 31.8  -10 47 58; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 100°

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, low smooth surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 2.8' E of center.  Located 6.5' SE of mag 8.9 SAO 148102.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 726 = LM 1-40 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (given to the nearest minute of RA) is 1.0 tmin west of MCG -02-06-003 = PGC 7182.  He noted a mag 9 star at 3.6' E, though the separation is 2.8' and the star is closer to mag 12.  Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy at Muller's position.
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NGC 727 = NGC 729 = ESO 354-010 = MCG -06-05-012 = PGC 7027
01 53 49.4  -35 51 23; For
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 76°

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, round, appears as a low surface brightness hazy spot with averted, no details.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  Collinear with two mag 11 and 12 stars 5' NE and 10' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 727 = h2445 on 1 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec."  His position is just 1.5' S of ESO 354-010 = PGC 7027 and there are no other galaxies near, so this identification is secure.  He added the note in italics that "It is barely possible that this and the next nebula [h2446 = NGC 729] may be identical with Nos. 2440 [NGC 696] and 2441 [NGC 698] by a mistaken degree in PD."  Corwin disagrees, though, and concludes it is more likely that NGC 729 is a duplicate observation of NGC 727.
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NGC 728
01 55 01.4  +04 13 21; Psc

= ***, Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 728 = h168 on 16 Oct 1827 and noted a "suspected nebula".  There are three cleanly resolved stars on the DSS at Herschel's position.  Heinrich d'Arrest and Guillaume Bigourdan were unable to find Herschel's object.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 729 = NGC 727? = ESO 354-010 = MCG -06-05-012 = PGC 7027
01 53 49.4  -35 51 23; For
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 76°

See observing notes for NGC 727.

John Herschel discovered NGC 729 = h2446 on 30 Nov 1837 and logged "eeeF, S, R.  RA only rudely taken by a star, being out of the field."  Harold Corwin feels this entry is  most likely a duplicate observation of h2445 = NGC 727, found earlier on 1 Sep 1834.  His position happens to be 12 tsec west of a double star located 5.4' NE of NGC 727 at 01 54 11.3 -35 48 17 and ESO equates NGC 729 with this close double.  The RNGC classification is a galaxy, although the position and description "USB, CLOSE DB*?" applies to this double star!
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NGC 730
01 55 18.0  +05 38 11; Psc

= *, Carlson and Corwin.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 730 = Big. 11 on 7 Nov 1885 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory.  At his position is just a 15th mag star, though he may have logged a different star on a separate observation.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 731 = NGC 757 = MCG -02-05-073 = PGC 7118
01 54 56.1  -09 00 38; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.5' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 731 = H. III-266 = h2447, along with NGC 755, on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and reported "eF, stellar, 240 verified it." John Herschel probably observed the galaxy from the Cape and simply described "eeF; 40 arcsec".  Neither of the Herschel's positions are very accurate.  Christian Peters measured a more accurate position in 1881 that was used in the NGC.  Ormond Stone (I-43) probably independently discovered the galaxy in 1886, though his rough position is 1.5 tmin east and 5' north of PGC 7118.  Dreyer assumed this was a different object (there is nothing at Stone's position) and the galaxy was catalogued as NGC 757.  So NGC 731 = NGC 757, with NGC 731 the primary designation.
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NGC 732 = UGC 1406 = MCG +06-05-057 = CGCG 522-076 = Mrk 1011 = PGC 7270
01 56 27.7  +36 48 08; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 13 star is 45" NW of center.  Member of AGC 262.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 732 = St. 13-15 on 19 Nov 1881.  His published position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 5 Dec 1883 with description "vF* involved with a vF, vS, round neby".
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NGC 733
01 56 33.9  +33 03 19; Tri

= *, Corwin.  Listed as a faint galaxy 3.6' NW of NGC 736 in RNGC.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 733 on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  The "nebula" was labeled Epsilon in a field sketch and an offset was measured of 115" in PA 293.3 deg (NW) from Alpha [NGC 736].  There is nothing at this exact position, though a mag 15 star is 97" from NGC 736 in PA 296 deg and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 733 with this star.

RNGC and PGC probably misidentify PGC 7255 as NGC 733.  This small elongated galaxy is located 3.6' NW from NGC 736.  The separation appears to be too large to be a match though the PA = 291d is coincidentally close and the galaxy was (barely) visible in my 17.5".
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NGC 734 = 2MASX J01532872-1659442 = PGC 170023
01 53 28.7  -16 59 44; Cet
Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 28°

24" (10/3/13): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Can hold continuously at 375x.  Located 10' SE of mag 5.8 HD 11522.  PGC 7121, identified as NGC 734 in the RNGC and PGC, is located 22' ESE.  PGC 7121 appeared extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", required averted vision.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 734 = LM 1-41 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 14.0, vS, R, brighter middle to a nucleus, *11 p[recedes] 11 sec."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) happens to be just 3' N of PGC 7121, and this galaxy is identified as NGC 734 in the RNGC and PGC.  The 11th mag star in the description (also shown on his discovery sketch) might refer to a star situated 4.3' WNW (the difference in RA is 17 sec), though a brighter star even closer (3.2' SSE) is not shown on the sketch.  I proposed to Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke that a better candidate for NGC 734 is 2MASX J01532872-1659442 = PGC 170023.  This galaxy is brighter than PGC 7121 and has a star 13 tsec due west.  PGC 170023 is further off in RA from Leavenworth's position than PGC 7121 but is a better match in declination, typical of the Leander McCormick positions.  Corwin agrees with my identification and is now incorporated in NED, but not HyperLeda.
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NGC 735 = UGC 1411 = MCG +06-05-058 = CGCG 522-078 = PGC 7275 = PGC 7282
01 56 38.0  +34 10 37; Tri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 138°

24" (11/24/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 36"x15", contains a very small brighter core. A mag 14 star is superimposed on the NW tip.  A mag 10.2 star is 1.5' SW and a mag 12 star is 1.4' NW.

Two faint companions are nearby, the trio forming V Zw 146.  LEDA 2045360 is 1.4' NW of center.  It appeared faint, round, 10" dia.  Easily visible due to a reasonably high surface brightness.  It is situated just 35" NNW of the mag 12 star to the NW of NGC 735.  PGC 7293 is 1.4' NE of NGC 735 and appeared extremely faint, round, 8" diameter. Only visible occasionally with averted.

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE.  The apparent elongation may be exaggerated due to a mag 14 star located at the NW edge 20" from center.  Several stars are nearby including a mag 10 star 1.5' SW and a mag 11.5 star 1.3' NW.  Located about 1° north of the NGC 750/751 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 735 = H. III-176 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and logged "Stellar, the faintest imaginable, even 240 left some little doubt."  His position is 7' north of UGC 1411 = PGC 7282.  Perhaps due to his error in polar distance, Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy.  MCG (+06-05-058) doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 735.
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NGC 736 = UGC 1414 = MCG +05-05-028 = CGCG 503-055 = VI Zw 111 = PGC 7289
01 56 40.9  +33 02 37; Tri
V = 12.1;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, small halo.  A mag 15 star is 30" N (this is NGC 737).  In a close quadruple group with NGC 738 1.3' NE, NGC 740 3' SE and (R)NGC 733 3.6' WNW.

13.1" (12/11 82 and 10/20/84): moderately bright, small, a faint star is at the north edge.  A nearly stellar galaxy (NGC 738?) is close NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 736 = H. II-221 = h169 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "faint, pretty large, much elongated, resolvable, 1 1/2' long."  One minute later he discovered NGC 750 in the sweep.

John Herschel observed NGC 736 on 3 sweeps. He described it on 11 Nov 1827 as "pB; R; bM; has a *13m np".  Both Herschel's positions are accurate and they missed the nearby edge-on NGC 740.  John Herschel thought his father's description was irreconcileable ("much elongated" vs "round"), so they probably referred to different objects and he assigned separate designations in the General Catalogue.  Bindon Stoney sketched the group using the 72" on 11 Oct 1850 and NGC 736 is labeled Alpha.
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NGC 737
01 56 40.8  +33 03 00; Tri

17.5" (11/1/86): mag 15 star only located 30" N of NGC 736.

Bindon Blood Stoney, possibly accompanied by his brother George Johnstone, discovered NGC 737 on 11 Oct 1850 during an observation of the NGC 736 field.  The galaxy was labeled "Beta" on a constructed diagram.  He measured a distance of 30" in PA 12° from NGC 736.  At this offset is a mag 15 star.  The 9 Jan 1874 observation notes "[h169 = NGC 736] has a 12m star 11.9°, 35.1" distant, this must be beta of Oct 11 1850, when it was recorded as a nebula.  [Sir J. Herschel records 3 observations of this companion object, all taken in Nov 1827.  Nov 11 has *13 np, Nov 16 has a "* near it" and lastly, Nov 22 "has a S* or stellar neb to the n."

In "Publications of Lick Observatory (Vol II), Sherburne Burnham identified NGC 737 as a mag 15.5 star about 30" N of NGC 736.  He accurately measured the offset from NGC 736 as PA = 10°, distance 32".  Curtis concluded "Does not exist; is simply a faint star" based on Crossley reflector plates at Lick and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, also writes "*14.7 0.7' N of N736, no neb...".
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NGC 738 = CGCG 503-057 = VI Zw 113 = PGC 7303
01 56 45.7  +33 03 30; Tri
V = 14.9;  Size 0.3'x0.2'

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, extremely small, just non-stellar.  Forms a pair with NGC 736 1.4' SW.

13.1" (10/20/84): possible observation as a very faint quasi-stellar object just 1.4' NE of bright NGC 736.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 738 on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  It was labeled "Gamma" on a field diagram with a measured offset of 79" in PA 46° from NGC 736, matching CGCG 503-057.  This galaxy is mentioned in UGC notes to NGC 736 but is not identified as NGC 738.
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NGC 739 = MCG +05-05-030 = CGCG 503-059 = PGC 7312
01 56 54.7  +33 16 00; Tri
V = 13.9;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round.  Forms the south vertex of a triangle with a mag 13.5 star 1.1' NW and a mag 14 star 40" NE.  The galaxy pair NGC 750/NGC 751is in the field 9' SE.  Incorrect declination in the NGC (SW of NGC 750 instead of NW) and not identified as NGC 739 in the CGCG.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 739 on 9 Jan 1874 with the 72" at Birr Castle in an observation of NGC 750/751 group.  Described as "A cF, vS, R neb, bM (inside a triangle of st) is south-preceding the n[orth] component".  The direction should have read north-preceding the north component but Copeland gave the correct orientation as PA 292° (WNW) and separation 524" (8.7').  Because of his error the derived position was in error and this was copied into the NGC.  In 1913 Curtis noted there was nothing at the NGC position and suggested MCG +05-05-030 was NGC 739, based on Crossley photographs at Lick.  CGCG (503-059) fails to label its entry as NGC 739. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 740 = UGC 1421 = MCG +05-05-031 = CGCG 503-058 = PGC 7316
01 56 54.9  +33 00 55; Tri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 137°

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, thin edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE.  Located midway between a mag 10 star 1.3' ESE and a mag 14 star 1.2' WNW.  Last in a group with NGC 736 3' NW.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 740 on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday).  Bindon's brother, George Johnstone, may have participated in the observation as he visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was labeled "Delta" on the field diagram with an offset of 197" in PA 115° from NGC 736.  Close to this offset is UGC 1421 = PGC 7316.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 741 = IC 1751 = VV 175a = UGC 1413 = MCG +01-06-003 = CGCG 413-008 = III Zw 38a = WBL 061-004 = PGC 7252
01 56 21.0  +05 37 44; Psc
V = 11.1;  Size 3.0'x2.9';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (12/21/16): at 375x; bright, moderately large, round, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to the center.  The halo increases with averted to over 1'.  A mag 11 star is 2.4' NW.  NGC 741 is the brightest in a group (WBL 061) with NGC 742 0.8' E of center, at the edge of the halo.  NGC 741 has a extended X-ray halo reaching a distance of 19' from its center.  Furthermore, twin radio jets emerge from the nucleus of NGC 742 and spread into a larger lobe that encircles NGC 741. A total of 8 members of the group were logged within 15' of NGC 741.

CGCG 413-006 (often misidentified as IC 1751) is 1.5' NW.  It appeared faint or fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.3'x0.2', sharp stellar nucleus. The mag 11 star lies 1.4' W.
CGCG 413-002, 3.3' SW of NGC 741, appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.
CGCG 413-001, 9.5' NW of NGC 741, is very faint, very small, elongated ~2:1 ~E-W, 18"x9".  Not noticed initially but once picked up could just hold continuously with careful averted vision.
CGCG 413-010, 11' NNE of NGC 741, is faint, very small, irregularly round, ~15"x12".
UGC 1425, 12' NE of NGC 741, is fairly faint to moderately bright, small, roundish, 18" diameter, high surface brightness (core only), occasional sharp stellar nucleus.  Increases a bit in size with averted.
UGC 1435, 15' E of NGC 741, is faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 30"x20", very low surface brightness patch, no core or zones.  Collinear with two 14th magnitude stars 2' and 3' E.

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, round, prominent core, faint stellar nucleus at moments, larger halo with averted.  A mag 11 star is 2.4' NW.  In a common halo with NGC 742 attached at the east end at 0.8' separation in pa 100°.  Brightest in a group and forms a close triple with CGCG 413-006 1.5' NNW.  CGCG 413-006 (generally misidentified as IC 1751) appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  A mag 10.5 star lies 1.3' WNW.  CGCG 413-002, 3' SW, appeared very faint and small, round.

8" (1/1/84): faint, round, diffuse edges, small faint core.  A mag 12 star is close NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 741 = H. II-271 = h172 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338).  He recorded it as "considerably large, just following a pretty bright star; of an unequal light and scatteredly extended."   He observed it again on 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) but this time resolved much smaller and fainter NGC 742: "Faint.  I take it to be two very near each other.  240 strengthens the suspicision; not far from from the parallel [E-W]. The following [NGC 742] is the smallest, and most north, it is also the faintest."  This is the one of the closest pairs that Herschel discovered and perhaps more impressive than NGC 545/547 at 30", which are much closer in magnitude.

R.J. Mitchell , Lord Rosse's assistant on 24 Nov 1854, described a "Double nebula, the preceding one is pB, R, bM, the following one is smaller and fainter and little brighter in the middle."

Lewis Swift found NGC 741 on 26 Nov 1897 and reported it new in his 11th list (#28) with description "pF; pS; R; 9m * near np."  His position was 6' too far northwest and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1751.  Herbert Howe corrected Swift's position though didn't make the connection with NGC 741.  The CGCG (413-006) labels the galaxy as IC 1751, instead of NGC 741.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 742 = VV 175b = MCG +01-06-004 = CGCG 413-009 = III Zw 38a = WBL 061-005 = PGC 7264
01 56 24.2  +05 37 36; Psc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.3x0.3'

24" (12/21/16): at 375x; fairly faint or moderately bright, small, round, 15" diameter, high surface brightness.  NGC 742 is 0.8' E of center of NGC 741 (closest companion) and lies near the edge its halo.

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, extremely small, round.  Located just off the east edge of NGC 741 in a common halo.  Clearly visible, though just 10"-15" diameter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 742 = H. II-272 = h173 on 25 Oct 1785 ( (sweep 464)).  He described the NGC 741/742 pair as "Faint.  I take it to be two very near each other.  240 strengthens the suspicision; not far from from the parallel [E-W]. The following [NGC 742] is the smallest, and most north, it is also the faintest."  This is one of the closer pairs that Herschel discovered and perhaps more impressive than NGC 545/547 at 30", which are much closer in magnitude.

John Herschel observed the pair on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 95) and noted NGC 742 as "The f]ollowing] and fainter of a double neb [with NGC 741]; vF; R; suddenly brighter middle; 12" diameter."

On 24 Nov 1854, Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell logged a "D neb, the preceding one is pB, R, bM, the following one is smaller and fainter and little brighter in the middle."  CGCG 413-009 is not labeled as NGC 742.
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NGC 743 = OCL-343 = Lund 66
01 58 31  +60 10 00; Cas
Size 5'

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, distinctive but scattered group in a triangular outline.  Consists of two dozen stars in a 6' diameter including 10 brighter mag 9-11.5 stars.  The brightest star is mag 9.1 SAO 22794 at the NW end. A distinctive line with three mag 10 stars heads SE and includes a fairly wide uneven double star (John Herschel's HJ 1098 = 10/12.5 at 12").  Two mag 8 stars to the NW (mag 7.9 SAO 22785) and SW (mag 8.3 SAO 22796) are collinear with the sides and form a 10' triangle with the eastern vertex of the cluster.  The classification of this group as a true cluster is uncertain.

John Herschel discovered NGC 743 = h170 on 29 Sep 1829 and recorded a "double star in the following part of a L, poor, triangular cluster of 15 or 20 stars 10...13m.".
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NGC 744 = Cr 22 = OCL-345 = Lund 65
01 58 30  +55 28 30; Per
V = 7.9;  Size 11'

13.1" (11/5/83): about two dozen stars in a 7' diameter including several fairly bright stars.  The brightest is mag 7.8 SAO 22809 at the NNE edge.  Pretty scattered appearance.

John Herschel discovered NGC 744 = h171 on 28 Nov 1831 and logged, "p rich, irr fig cluster of *s 11...13m, 8' dia."  Sir Robert Ball, observing on the 72" on 29 Oct 1866, recorded "about 100 stars, more or less, of various sizes, scattered about, two of the 7th and the rest from the 8th mag down".
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NGC 745 = ESO 152-032 = AM 0152-565 = PGC 7054
01 54 07.8  -56 41 37; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 30°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6', broad concentration to a brighter core.  A mag 15.5 star is just off the east side, 27" from center. A group of 4 stars zigzag to the east including a mag 10 star 4.8' ENE. Located 2.3° NE of Achenar.

NGC 745 forms a close pair with PGC 95386 just 42" NE of center.  The companion appeared faint, very small, elongated at least 2:1 E-W, 18"x8".  NGC 754 is also in the field 4.5' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 745 = h2449 on 27 Oct 183 and recorded "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30"."  His position matches ESO 152-032 = PGC 7054.
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NGC 746 = UGC 1438 = MCG +07-05-003 = CGCG 538-004 = PGC 7399
01 57 51.0  +44 55 06; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 90°

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is at the west tip.  Several other faint stars are near and some nice star chains (both faint and fairly bright) lead off from the west side.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 746 = Sw. 2-15 on 12 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 5 tsec west of UGC 1438 = PGC 7399.
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NGC 747 = MCG -02-06-007 = PGC 7366
01 57 30.4  -09 27 45; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 175°

17.5" (10/25/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, no concentration.  Located 7' SW of a mag 10.5-11 star.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 747 = LM 2-321 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded a slightly elongated nebula in PA 180°.  His position is 1.2 minutes of RA west of MCG -02-06-007 = PGC 7366 but the position angle matches (N-S) matches this galaxy, so this identification is very reasonable given the often poor RA.  MCG does not apply the NGC number and RNGC classifies NGC 747 as nonexistent.  Nothing was found on photographs at the Helwan Observatory around 1920 because of the poor position.
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NGC 748 = MCG -01-06-004 = PGC 7259
01 56 21.7  -04 28 03; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 138°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 1.9' SE of a mag 10.5 star and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 748 = H. III-193 = h176 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and reported "eF, verified with 240 power with difficulty, near a small star".  His position was well off in RA, but John Herschel measured an accurate position on two consecutive sweeps in October 1827.
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NGC 749 = ESO 414-011 = MCG -05-05-023 = PGC 7191
01 55 41.1  -29 55 21; For
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 111°

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.8'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a prominent core and faint extensions.  The core brightens to a very small but non-stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 3.9' W of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 749 = h2448 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "B, S, E, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His mean position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 414-011 = PGC 7191.  See Corwin's comments for IC 1740.
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NGC 750 = Arp 166 NED1 = VV 189a = UGC 1430 = MCG +05-05-034 = CGCG 503-062 = VI Zw 123 = KPG 046A = LGG 042-001 = PGC 7369
01 57 32.4  +33 12 37; Tri
V = 11.9;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, small, round.  Forms a contact double system with NGC 751 virtually attached at the south end.  Resolved into two distinct galaxies at 220x with the centers separated by 24".

13.1" (10/20/84): double galaxy with NGC 751 N-S, two distinct nuclei in a common halo.

8" (11/28/81): both components merged into a single elongated object.

William Herschel discovered NGC 750 = H. II-222 = h175 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "just like the former."  The "former" refers to NGC 736, which was discovered just 1 minute earlier in the sweep and recorded as "faint, pretty large, much elongated, resolvable, 1.5' long."  Oddly, NGC 736 is basically round, though the NGC 750/751 pair is clearly elongated.

John Herschel described NGC 750/751 pair as "round" on one sweep and "elongated" on another, but neither Herschel was able to resolve the pair, perhaps as their magnification was too low.  Lord Rosse's assistant Bindon Stoney first resolved the pair on 11 Oct 1850.  Édouard Stephan also noted the two nuclei on 13 Oct 1869 at Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 751 = Arp 166 NED2 = VV 189b = UGC 1431 = MCG +05-05-035 = CGCG 503-062 = VI Zw 123 = KPG 046B = LGG 042-002 = PGC 7370
01 57 32.9  +33 12 13; Tri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x1.4'

17.5" (11/1/86): this is the southern member of double system with NGC 750.  Fairly faint, very small, round.  Appears smaller and fainter than NGC 750 just off the north edge.

13.1" (10/20/84): double nebula with NGC 750 with two distinct nuclei and probably a common halo, oriented N-S.

8" (11/28/81): both components of NGC 750/751 merge into a single object.

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 751 on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday).  Bindon's brother, George Johnstone, may have participated in the observation as he visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. It was described as a "D neb [with NGC 750], Pos 171°, Dist 25", nf is a third nebula [NGC 761]."

On 10 Dec 1873, Ralph Copeland gave a more detailed description: "Double neb; cB, pL, R, suddenly brighter in the middle and pF, S, R, suddenly brighter middle."  John Herschel's entry for GC 456 is confused; his description "north-following h175 [=NGC 750]" refers to NGC 761, but he used the same position as NGC 750 ("D neb"), so his comment could be interpreted as referring to NGC 751.  Perhaps to avoid confusion, Dreyer added the entry GC 5200 in the GC Supplement (with reference to the 1861 publication) for NGC 751 and used GC 456 for NGC 761 in the NGC.
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NGC 752 = Cr 23 = Mel 12 = OCL-363
01 57 48  +37 51 00; And
V = 5.7;  Size 50'

17.5" (11/1/97): easy naked-eye cluster and it overfills the 100x field (20mm Nagler).  The brightest star is a yellowish mag 7 star just south of center. Two equal mag companions to the south form an isosceles triangle.  There are no dense regions and the many brighter mag 9-10.5 stars are pretty evenly distributed throughout the field.  Many of the stars appear to be arrange in long strings and arcs, though.  There are perhaps 150 stars in the field (difficult to count) with a few nice pair and trios.  Off the SW side just out of the field is a wide bright pair of mag 5.7/5.9 stars at 3.6' (56 And).  The western of these two stars has a striking orange-red hue and the SE star has a mag 12 companion at 18" separation.

8": very large, bright, many doubles, overfills low power field.  Easy naked-eye open cluster in dark sky.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel discovered NGC 752 = H. VII-32 = h174 on 24 Aug 1783 with his 6.2-inch reflector.  He noted (a couple of months before starting his sweeps) "Cluster of stars near 56 Andromeda, very rich, Messier has it not."  He recorded a naked-eye sighting, along with several other groups of stars, on 29/30 Oct 1783 (Steinicke).

He viewed it again with his 18.7" on sweep 599 (21 Sep 1786) and called it "a vL coarse scattered cluster of vL stars, irregularly round, very rich.  I suppose it takes up half a degree."  Later he noted "like a nebulous star to the naked eye."

Caroline Herschel independently discovered NGC 752 on 29 Sep 1783 with her 4.2-inch comet-seeker reflector and called it a "fine cluster of stars. Messier has it not."  She added it to her discovery list as #13.

Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna perhaps made the original discovery around 1654, but his entry (Table 4, #4, "Near the Triangle") could refer to M33 instead.
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NGC 753 = UGC 1437 = MCG +06-05-066 = CGCG 522-086 = PGC 7387
01 57 42.2  +35 54 58; And
V = 12.3;  Size 2.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 125°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration.  Bright member of AGC 262.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.

8" (9/25/81): faint, small, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 753 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 13-14 star followed by 17 seconds of time and measured an accurate position (2 nights).
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NGC 754 = ESO 152-033 = PGC 7068
01 54 20.9  -56 45 40; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x35", weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Located 4.5' SSE of brighter NGC 745.  Two mag 10 stars lie 5' E and NE and a third mag 11.3 star is 4' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 754 = h2450 (along with NGC 745 = h2249) on 27 Oct 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, bM.".  His position matches ESO 152-033 = PGC 7068.
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NGC 755 = NGC 763 = MCG -02-06-005 = PGC 7262
01 56 22.5  -09 03 42; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 3.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 50°

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.5'x0.8', brighter along major axis, brighter core but no well-defined nucleus, appears mottled.

William Herschel discovered NGC 755 = H. III-265 = h177 = h2447 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and logged "vF, little extended, verified with 240 power."  John Herschel's observations of h177 and h2447, which he assumed referred to H. III-265, may instead apply to NGC 731. Christian Peters measured an accurate position in 1881 that was given in the NGC.

Ormond Stone independently found this galaxy in 1886 and reported it as #44 in the Leander McCormick Observatory's first discovery paper (later NGC 763).  There is nothing at his position but NGC 755 is 1 min of RA west and 5' S and his size estimate (1.6'x0.4') and PA (65°) applies.  So, NGC 755 = NGC 763.

Based on photographs taken in 1919-20 with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory, NGC 755 was described as "bright irregular central portion 1.25' long with no distinct nucleus, but showing some indications of spiral structure; the outer portions are vF and also show spiral strucutre."
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NGC 756 = MCG -03-05-029 = PGC 7078
01 54 29.2  -16 42 27; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  Situated ~2' S of a small obtuse triangle of mag 13-14 stars.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 756 = LM 1-42 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  His rough position is 1.7 min of RA east of MCG -03-05-029 = PGC 7078. Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy at Leavenworth's place.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 757 = NGC 731 = MCG -02-05-073 = PGC 7118
01 54 56.1  -09 00 38; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 731.

Ormond Stone found NGC 757 = O St I-43 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  There is nothing at his position, but 10' S is NGC 755.  Harold Corwin originally equated NGC 757 with NGC 755 but now feels NGC 757 is a duplicate of NGC 731. Although there is no discovery sketch for NGC 757, the sketch for NGC 763 (#44 in the first list) shows that NGC 763 = NGC 755. Applying the same relative offsets suggests NGC 757 = NGC 731 assuming both galaxies were observed at Leander McCormick on the same night.
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NGC 758 = PGC 7198
01 55 42.1  -03 04 00; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak even concentration to a very small core.  The RNGC position is 4.5' too far ESE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 758 = LM 2-322 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  His position is about 0.6 tmin east of PGC 7198 at 01 55 42.1 -03 04 0.  The RNGC position is 0.3 tmin east and 2' south (4.5' ESE) of PGC 7198.  This error is listed in my RNGC Corrections #7.
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NGC 759 = UGC 1440 = MCG +06-05-067 = CGCG 522-087 = PGC 7397
01 57 50.3  +36 20 35; And
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.  Member of AGC 262 with UGC 1434 6' SW.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, faint elongated halo.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 759 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position matches UGC 1440 = PGC 7397.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 3 Nov 1877.
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NGC 760
01 57 47.4  +33 21 20; Tri

= **, Carlson.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 760 on 19 Dec 1873, observing with the 72" at Birr Castle.  With respected to GC 456 = NGC 761, he placed this nebula 80" distant in PA 202.5° (close southwest) and described it as a "cF, R neb".  At this exact offset is a close double star just resolved on the DSS.  Corwin and Carlson also identify this double star as NGC 760. The MCG misidentifies MCG +05-05-036 as NGC 760.
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NGC 761 = UGC 1439 = MCG +05-05-036 = CGCG 503-064 = VV 425 = LGG 042-003 = PGC 7395
01 57 49.6  +33 22 37; Tri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 143°

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  A faint triangle of stars is off the north edge.  Follows a mag 8.5 star.

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  Located close SW of three mag 13-13.5 stars 1.5' NE, 2.1' NE and 1.0' ENE.  Also 5' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 55129.  The NGC 750/NGC 751 pair lies 11' S.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 761 on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday).  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  A third nebula was noted NE of NGC 750/751.  On 10 Dec 1873, assistant Ralph Copeland described it as "pB, cL, 4 S near; it has a *11m in Pos 309°, Dist 314.1"."  At this precise offset is UGC 1439 = PGC 7395.
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NGC 762 = MCG -01-06-006 = Mrk 1012 = PGC 7322
01 56 57.7  -05 24 11; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 25°

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 762 = H. III-464 = h178 = h2451 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 474) and logged "eF, S, I found it in gauging [counting stars in a given region], otherwise it might have been overlooked."  John Herschel observed this galaxy from both Slough and the Cape, where he described it as "vF, E, very little brighter middle, 30 arcseconds."
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NGC 763 = NGC 755 = MCG -02-06-005 = PGC 7262
01 56 22.5  -09 03 42; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 755.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 763 = O St I-44 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded 1.6'x0.4' in PA = 65°.  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 tmin of RA west and 5' S is NGC 755, which matches his description.  Harold Corwin checked the discovery sketch and confirmed that NGC 763 is a duplicate of NGC 755 (discovered earlier by William Herschel).  Corwin also notes that if NGC 757 was discovered by Stone on the same night, then the same offset leads to NGC 757 = NGC 731 (also discovered by William Herschel).
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NGC 764
01 57 03.5  -16 03 51; Cet

= **, Carlson and Corwin. Not found, RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 764 = O St I-45 on 6 Jan 1886 with the 26" at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing near his position and Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify this number with a double star.  See Corwin's notes for further comments.
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NGC 765 = UGC 1455 = MCG +04-05-025 = CGCG 482-033 = PGC 7475
01 58 48.0  +24 53 33; Ari
V = 12.8;  Size 2.8'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.9

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus.  Located 8' WNW of mag 7.8 SAO 75071 = STF 194 = 8.4/8.7 at 1.2".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 765 = m 52 on 8 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, vS". His position matches UGC 1455 = PGC 7475.  William Herschel apparently recorded the nearby bright star on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 264), but missed this galaxy.
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NGC 766 = UGC 1458 = MCG +01-06-019 = CGCG 413-019 = PGC 7468
01 58 42.0  +08 20 48; Psc
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, low even concentration, very small brighter core.  Forms the west vertex of isosceles triangle with a mag 11.5 star 2.4' NE and a mag 12 star 3.0' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 766 = h180 on 8 Jan 1828 and recorded "vF; S; R; 15...20"; a *10m 15° np; 2' dist."  His position matches UGC 1458 = PGC 7468 with the star 2.4' ENE.
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NGC 767 = MCG -02-06-010 = PGC 7483
01 58 50.7  -09 35 12; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 165°

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, very low surface brightness with no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 2.0' N.  Located 7' W of mag 8.4 SAO 129606.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 767 = LM 2-323 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.6 tmin west of MCG -02-06-010 = PGC 7483 and his description 1.3'x0.3' in PA 160° matches this galaxy.
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NGC 768 = UGC 1457 = MCG +00-06-016 = CGCG 387-018 = PGC 7465
01 58 40.8  +00 31 46; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 30°

24" (12/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, 40"x18", brighter along a the major axis (elongated core or bar?).  A mag 15.7 star is 50" E of center and a mag 14.5 star is 2' NE.  IC 1761 lies 3.7' NE, with the mag 14.5 star nearly at the midpoint.  IC 1761 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round 12" diameter (only the core seen with certainty).

17.5" (12/7/90): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 8' W of mag 8.2 SAO 110258.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 768 = Sw. 3-8 = Sw. 5-18? on 2 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position was 18 seconds east and 1' S of UGC 1457 = PGC 7465, but his description "B * 32 seconds following" applies to this galaxy. Swift found the galaxy again on 2 Oct 1886 and reported in his 5th list as "eF; pS; R; B * 30s f and 1' s."  His second position was just 40" northwest of center.  The equivalence was suggested by Frank Muller in an 1887 Sidereal Messenger article on duplicate entries by Swift, but Harold Corwin mentions that Swift's second observation is sometimes taken to be IC 1761, which is less than 4' northeast NGC 768.
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NGC 769 = UGC 1467 = MCG +05-05-037 = CGCG 503-066 = PGC 7537
01 59 35.9  +30 54 35; Tri
V = 12.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 73°

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, fairly even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is on the east edge 30" from the center.  Located about 30' SSW of NGC 772.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 769 = Sf. 68 = St. XII-20 on 9 Nov 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  He recorded "small, pretty faint, irregular figure, gradually brighter middle."  Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 22 Nov 1875 (already aware of Safford's prior discovery?), measured an accurate position on 5 Nov 1882, and included it in his 12th discovery list (XII-20).  Dreyer credited Stephan in the NGC as Safford's list wasn't published until 1887, too late for inclusion in the NGC.

William Herschel may have made the earliest observation on  11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680).  He noted "a patch of a few small stars. The place not very accurate."  His position with respect to Alpha and Iota Tri, which bracket the "patch" in the log, is 1 minute of RA to the east and 3' to the south.  Wolfgang Steinicke mentions this observation in his book on Herschel's sweeps.
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NGC 770 = UGC 1463 = MCG +03-06-010 = CGCG 461-016 = LGG 040-001 = PGC 7517
01 59 13.6  +18 57 17; Ari
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 15°

48" (11/1/13): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x32", very high surface brightness.  Forms a double system 3.5' SSW of NGC 772, a showpiece spiral.

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, increases to a small bright core.  This is a companion to NGC 772 and may be the cause of its bright, disturbed spiral arm.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, ~25" diameter, contains a very small bright nucleus.

13.1" (11/5/83): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Located 3.5' SSW of NGC 772.

R.J. Mitchell (GC 464) discovered NGC 770 on 3 Nov 1855 while observing NGC 772.  He noted, "has companion neb. 5' or 6' south."  Dreyer later measured an accurate offset.  Heinrich d'Arrest (GC 461) independently found NGC 770 in 1861 and it was listed twice in the GC.  Both entries were combined in the NGC with an accurate position.
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NGC 771 = 50 Cas
02 03 26.6  +72 25 16; Cas
V = 4.0

= *4.0 = 50 Cas

John Herschel found NGC 771 = h179 on 29 Oct 1831 and noted "I suspect this star[50 Cas] to be nebulous."  There are several other instances where Herschel thought a bright star had a nebulous halo (e.g. NGC 4530) but 50 Cas (V = 4.0) is the brightest single star in the NGC.  Dorothy Carlson may have first noted there is no nebulosity here.
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NGC 772 = Arp 78 = UGC 1466 = MCG +03-06-011 = CGCG 461-018 = LGG 040-002 = PGC 7525 = Fiddlehead Galaxy
01 59 19.8  +19 00 30; Ari
V = 10.3;  Size 7.2'x4.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 130°

48" (11/1/13): very bright, very large, elongated at least 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~5.4'x3', sharply concentrated with a blazing core that increases to the center.  Contains two spiral arms, though dominated by a bright, long arm that attaches to the core on the E side, wraps clockwise to the N of the core and then extends in a fairly thin arch to the W. The arm extends over 3' in length and ends at the NW tip of the galaxy, ~2.5' from the center.  It contains 1 or 2 very faint H II knots.

A second low contrast arm begins at the S end of the core and spirals out clockwise to the E.  This arm is broader and does not have a sharply defined edge but was fairly easily visible.  The outer halo to the SE of this arm has a very low surface brightness.  NGC 772 forms an interacting pair with NGC 770 3.5' SSW.  PGC 212884 (8x the redshift) was easily picked up 5.8' SW and appeared fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter.

24" (9/7/13): bright, very large, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 4'x2.5'.  Strongly concentrated with a very bright oval core.  The halo is clearly asymmetric and more extensive on the NW side.  With careful viewing a long arm is visible at 200x extending from the central region towards the NW.  The arm is better separated from the main body at 450x and ends near NGC 772:[HK83] 57, a slightly brighter HII knot that appears as an extremely faint, "soft" star.

18" (12/3/05): bright, very large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, roughly 4'x3'.  The halo is asymmetric and more extensive on the NW side with a very strong impression of a spiral arm attached on the N side and sweeping to the W (confirmed on image).  Forms a pair with much fainter NGC 770 3.5' SSW.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly bright and large, oval ~4:3 WNW-ESE, at least 3' major axis.  Strong central concentration with a very bright core that increases to a stellar peak. There was an impression of an "enhancement" on the north side, but not a distinct arm.  Pair with NGC 770 3' SSW.

13.1" (11/5/83): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, sharp concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 770 3.5' SSW.  

8" (10/4/80): fairly faint, fairly large, oval, bright core, two mag 11 stars to SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 772 = H. I-112 = h181 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481).  His description reads, "cB or vB, L, R, much brighter in the middle, 3 or 4' dia, difficulty resolving.  In the most resolvable part a faint red colour perceivable."  Herschel described several globulars (and many double stars) as having a red colour, though a galaxy is unusual.

On 3 Nov 1855, Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell wrote "...One branch in particular strongly suspected as at A [in diagram] curved towards the * preceding."  This description refers to the northern spiral arm and star preceding (indicated on the diagram) is the HII region NGC 772:[HK83] 57, from Hodge & Kennicutt's "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies".  Dreyer also noted this HII region on a 9 Jan 1875 observation: "An eeF neb point was by glimpses seen by both observers in Pos 315° +/, Dist. 2' +/- from [GC] 463."
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NGC 773 = MCG -02-06-011 = PGC 7486
01 58 52.0  -11 30 53; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 0°

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', very weak concentration.  Located 11' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 148138 at the edge of the 220x field.  Just outside the field 14' NNW is mag 6.6 SAO 148139.

William Herschel discovered NGC 773 = H. III-468 = h2452 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "vF; E; 1.5' long, 1' broad, nearly in the meridian [N-S]; little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel reported from the Cape of Good Hope, "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30"."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 774 = UGC 1469 = MCG +02-06-008 = CGCG 438-010 = PGC 7536
01 59 34.7  +14 00 29; Ari
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 165°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, small, almost round, 0.5' diameter, slight even concentration, no distinct core.  Forms a triangle with two mag 12 stars 2.3' NNW and 3.5' NE.  Located 12' ESE of a mag 9.5 star and 9' ENE of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 774 = H. III-214 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and logged "vF, stellar, verified with 240 power.".  J.L.E. Dreyer, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 7 Oct 1874, recorded "F, stellar, not quite R but of somewhat irregular shape, probably vlE north-south or very nearly towards a *11m in Pos 333°, Dist 143.7 arcsec". The NGC dec is 1' S of UGC 1469 = PGC 7536.
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NGC 775 = ESO 477-018 = MCG -05-05-024 = PGC 7451
01 58 32.6  -26 17 36; For
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 167°

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1.5'x1.2, broad concentration with no distinct core.  An elongated group of six mag 13-14 stars (6' length oriented E-W) lies 5' S.  Located 13' NW of mag 6.7 SAO 167461.

John Herschel discovered NGC 775 = h2453 on 14 Nov 1835 and noted "pB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 18 arcsec"  His positions from two sweeps differed by 10 tsec in RA, but clearly identifies ESO 477-018 = PGC 7451.
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NGC 776 = UGC 1471 = MCG +04-05-028 = CGCG 482-037 = PGC 7560
01 59 54.5  +23 38 40; Ari
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; moderately bright and large, round, very small bright core in a diffuse 1' halo.  A mag 15.5-16 star is at the north edge.  Two small companions are close; IC 181 is 2.0' NE and IC 180 is 2.7' SSE.

CGCG 482-041 = V Zw 162, located 7.6' NNE, appeared fairly faint, round, 25" diameter.  Occasionally a slightly brighter core region elongated SW-NE was seen.  A mag 14.9 star is 1.2' SSW.

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus, halo fades into background.  A mag 15 star is 30" N.  Brightest of three with IC 180 2.6' SE and IC 181 2.0' NE. IC 180 appeared very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE and IC 181 is extremely faint and small, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 776 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, S, R".  His single position matches UGC 1471 = PGC 7560.
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NGC 777 = UGC 1476 = MCG +05-05-038 = CGCG 503-067 = LGG 042-004 = PGC 7584
02 00 14.9  +31 25 46; Tri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 155°

24" (11/24/14): at 375x; bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright rounder core, ~0.9'x0.7'.  Two fairly bright stars are in the field to the south, mag 9.3 SAO 55174 lies 5' SW and mag 8.7 SAO 55185 is 6.4' SE.  NGC 778 lies 7' SSE.  Brightest in the NGC 777 Group (LGG 042).

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, small, almost round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 778 7' SSE.  NGC 783 is 29' NNE and NGC 769 30' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 777 = H. II-223 = h182 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded "pB, pS, R."  John Herschel logged on 22 Nov 1827 (sweep 106), "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"; a considerable nebula."  R.J. Mitchell, assistant to Lord Rosse on 18 Sep 1857, wrote "S, R, bM, several S st p and np the nucleus."
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NGC 778 = UGC 1480 = MCG +05-05-039 = CGCG 503-069 = PGC 7597
02 00 19.4  +31 18 47; Tri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 150°

24" (11/24/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~30"x20", weak concentration.  A mag 8.7 star is 3' NE.  Second brightest in a trio with brighter NGC 777 7' N and much fainter KUG 0156+310 = PGC 74060 6' W.  The latter was an extremely faint 8" glow just north of a mag 13-13.5 star.

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Located within a bright trapezoid formed by two mag 9 stars 7' N and 4.8' NW (SAO 55174), mag 8.5 SAO 55185 3.0' NE and a mag 10.5 star 2.8' WSW.  Forms a pair with NGC 777 7' NNW.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 778 = Sf. 64 = St. 8a-7 on 5 Nov 1866 with the 18" refractor at Dearborn Observatory.  Édouard Stephan found the galaxy on 2 Nov 1875 during an observation of NGC 777 or he was already aware of Safford's prior discovery.  Stephan made another observation two nights later and reported it as the 7th new object in list 8a, with an accurate position measured on 17 Nov 1876.  As Safford's discovery was not published until the fall of 1887 as the NGC was going to press, Stephan was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5205) and NGC.
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NGC 779 = MCG -01-06-016 = PGC 7544
01 59 42.3  -05 57 51; Cet
V = 11.2;  Size 4.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 160°

48" (10/24/14): extremely bright, very large, nearly edge-on 7:2 NNW-SSE, 3.5'x1.0'.  Contains an intensely bright, mottled core and nucleus.  The core is within a brighter, elongated "bar".  The outer halo appears to extend further to the south with averted vision and bend slightly with respect to the central region.  The northern end of the halo has a similar effect as if the galaxy is very slightly warped.

17.5" (11/27/92): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE in PA 160°, 3.0'x1.0', brighter core, substellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 4.6' SSW of center.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, bright core, edge-on N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 779 = H. I-101 = h183 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436). He logged "considerably bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, elongated a few degrees deviating from the meridian [N-S]; from np to sf."  A sketch (fig. 19) was including in his 1811 publication as representative of "Nebulae that are gradually much brighter in the middle." Wolfgang Steinicke mentions in his comprehensive book on Herschel's observations that William observed NGC 779 with the 40-foot telescope on 20 Oct 1789 during a short sweep #1 that lasted 25 minutes.

John Herschel observed the galaxy on 3 sweeps, including 2 Jan 1827 (sweep 40): "pB; pL; E; pos about 160° by diag."
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NGC 780 = UGC 1488 = MCG +05-05-041 = CGCG 503-072 = V Zw 164 = PGC 7616
02 00 35.2  +28 13 31; Tri
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round.  Two mag 15 stars nearby 0.7' S and 20" E.  Lies within a 12' group of stars roughly forming a "Big Dipper" asterism.

William Herschel discovered NGC 780 = H. III-583 = h184 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "vF, vS, E.  Resembles 3 faint stars in a line, with vF nebulosity between them."  John Herschel logged it on 15 Sep 1828 (sweep 177): "eF; 3 stars in Meridian precede it; the large 10m is 20° sp the nebula."  Lord Rosse failed to find this object on one occasion with the 72", but it was confirmed and measured twice by d'Arrest with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the 15th mag star off the south end and measured an accurate position used in the NGC.
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NGC 781 = UGC 1482 = MCG +02-06-010 = CGCG 438-011 = PGC 7577
02 00 09.0  +12 39 22; Ari
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 13°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.3', dominated by a round small bright core, much fainter extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 781 = H. III-215 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and logged "eF, stellar, found with 240 power."  His position is 2' north of UGC 1482 = PGC 7577.
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NGC 782 = ESO 114-015 = AM 0155-580 = PGC 7379
01 57 40.4  -57 47 26; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 15°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, ~1.0' diameter.  Contains a central "bar" oriented ~E-W within a brighter quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14-14.5 star is superimposed at the northeast end of the galaxy with the nucleus WSW [by 28"].  A thin, low surface brightness spiral arm is attached at the east end of the galaxy. It was occasionally glimpsed, extending towards the southwest and separating from the central region.

John Herschel discovered NGC 782 = h2454 on 27 Oct 1834 and logged "pB, pL, little extended, attached to a star 12th mag."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 783 = IC 1765 = UGC 1497 = MCG +05-05-042 = CGCG 503-073 = Mrk 1171 = LGG 042-005 = PGC 7657
02 01 06.4  +31 52 57; Tri
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 35°

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, diffuse, slightly elongated E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the WNW edge of halo and a mag 12.5 star is off the SE edge 1.1' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 785 8' ESE.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 783 = St. 8a-8, along with NGC 785, on 5 Oct 1869 with further observations on 22 Sep 1871, 28 Oct 1875, and 1 Nov 1877.  He described NGC 783 as "extremely faint, small, irr round, diffuse, very small brighter nucleus, star attached."  E.E. Barnard later found this galaxy again at Lick (date unknown) and reported the discovery directly to Dreyer, who cataloged again as IC 1765.  Barnard's position was about 30 seconds of RA too small and 2' too far S, so perhaps Dreyer thought it was a new object.
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NGC 784 = UGC 1501 = MCG +05-05-045 = CGCG 503-074 = PGC 7671
02 01 16.9  +28 50 14; Tri
V = 11.7;  Size 6.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly bright, very large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, weak concentration.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 784 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He questioned if it was elongated or double and his single position is accurate.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 22 Nov 1875.
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NGC 785 = IC 1766 = UGC 1509 = MCG +05-05-046 = CGCG 503-076 = LGG 042-006 = PGC 7694
02 01 40.0  +31 49 35; Tri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 80°

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 783 8' WNW.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 785 = St. 8a-9, along with NGC 783, on 5 Oct 1869 at the Marseilles Observatory.  He made additional observations on 22 Sep 1871 and 28 Oct 1875.  He published an accurate micrometric position (discovery list 8a, #9) made on 25 Oct 1876 with description "extremely faint and small, a faint star is involved."  E.E. Barnard found this galaxy again sometime in the early 1890's at Lick Observatory and communicated the discovery directly to Dreyer.  Barnard's position was about 30 seconds of RA west and 3' S of NGC 785 (similar offset error with IC 1765 and NGC 783), so Dreyer thought it was a different object and catalogued it again as IC 1766.
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NGC 786 = UGC 1506 = MCG +02-06-012 = CGCG 438-013 = PGC 7680
02 01 24.6  +15 38 48; Ari
V = 13.3;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  NGC 792 lies 12' ENE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 786 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) is 1' too far south-southwest.
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NGC 787 = MCG -02-06-015 = PGC 7632
02 00 48.5  -09 00 08; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 90°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 3' W of center.  Located 4' NW of a mag 9.5 star.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 787 = T. 4-7 = LM 1-46? on 27 Feb 1865, perhaps while asteroid hunting.  He was observing with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory in New York. Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered the galaxy on 9 Nov 1879 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported it in his 4th discovery paper.  This galaxy was possibly "discovered" again by Ormond Stone at Leander McCormick in 1885 or 1886 and included in the first discovery list (#46).  His position is 1.4 tmin W and 6' N of PGC 7632.  But Dreyer didn't assign Stone's object a NGC designation.
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NGC 788 = MCG -01-06-025 = PGC 7656
02 01 06.4  -06 48 57; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 115°

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, stellar nucleus. (IC 184 lies 19' W and HCG 14 lies 24' SW - see observations).

William Herschel discovered NGC 788 = H. II-435 = h185 on 26 Sep 1865 (sweep 436) and noted "F, S, irregularly round, bM".  John Herschel observed the galaxy on 30 Dec 1826 (sweep 39) and logged "B; pL; R; bM."
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NGC 789 = UGC 1520 = MCG +05-05-047 = CGCG 503-077 = LGG 042-007 = PGC 7760
02 02 26.0  +32 04 20; Tri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.7;  PA = 3°

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus?  Forms a pair with NGC 798 11' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 789 = St. 3-3 on 24 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 22 Sep 1871 and 16 Nov 1871 and measured an accurate position on 10 Dec 1871 (probably aware of d'Arrest's prior discovery.  Stephan listed NGC 789 as new in his third discovery list (#3), as well as NGC 953 and NGC 1050, which d'Arrest also discovered first.  Both d'Arrest (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 790 = MCG -01-06-026 = PGC 7677
02 01 21.6  -05 22 15; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, strong stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 790 = H. III-433 = h186 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and logged "vF, vS."  John Herschel logged "F; pL; R; bM; 25" diameter." (8 Jan 1831).
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NGC 791 = UGC 1511 = MCG +01-06-031 = CGCG 413-028 = PGC 7702
02 01 44.3  +08 29 59; Psc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, small, round, even concentration, very small bright core, very symmetrical appearance.  Located 3.3' SW of a mag 10 star.  A mag 12.5 star is 2.8' E of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 791 on 3 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 13-14 star that follows by 11.5 seconds and measured the position on 3 nights.
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NGC 792 = UGC 1517 = MCG +02-06-015 = CGCG 438-014 = PGC 7744
02 02 15.3  +15 42 44; Ari
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core.  Three mag 11-12 stars in a E-W line of 2' length begins 3' SSW and extends to the west.  NGC 786 lies 12' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 792 = h187 on 7 Sep 1828 and logged "eF; S; R; has a *11m 15° nf."  His position and description matches UGC 1517 = PGC 7744.
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NGC 793
02 02 54.5  +31 58 51; Tri

= **?, Corwin.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 793 in 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  It was placed southeast of NGC 789, but there are no galaxies in the vicinity, only several faint stars.  Corwin tentatively identifies a very faint double as NGC 793.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 794 = IC 191 = UGC 1528 = MCG +03-06-024 = CGCG 461-031 = PGC 7763
02 02 29.3  +18 22 23; Ari
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 794 = H. III-207 = h188 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and noted "eF, vS, stellar, 240 showed it very plainly."  John Herschel made a single observation on 7 Sep 1828 and noted "F; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 12" [diameter]."  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 20 Oct 1889 and catalogued it as Sw. 9-9 (later IC 191) with description "pB; pL; lE."  Dreyer thought Swift's nebula might be new because of the disparate descriptions, though added the parenthetical "probably = [NGC 794]" in the IC description.  So, NGC 794 = IC 191.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 795 = ESO 153-008 = PGC 7552
01 59 49.4  -55 49 27; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 141°

25" (10/15/17 - OzSky): at 397x; fairly faint or moderately bright, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~30" diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core (also slightly elongated NW-SE) that increases to an intensely bright nucleus.  13th mag stars are just 0.9' NW and 1.5' ENE, and a 15th mag star is off the west side [30" from center].

John Herschel discovered NGC 795 = h2455 on 27 Oct 1834 and logged "pF, S, R; makes an obtuse angled triangle with 2 stars 11th mag."  His position and description of the nearby stars matches ESO 153-008 = PGC 7552.
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NGC 796 = ESO 030-006 = Lindsay 115
01 56 45  -74 13 10; Hyi
Size 1.1'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright but only ~30" in diameter.  The main knot is round with a single star that stands out at the SE edge.  A 10" knot is barely off the NW edge and possibly detached.  This knot increases the total size to nearly 45"x30", elongated NW-SE.  Located 8.5' SW of mag 8.2 HD 12440.

NGC 796 is a young, massive cluster and the most compact and dense cluster at the SMC Wing/Magellanic Bridge border.

John Herschel discovered NGC 796 = h2456 on 18 Sep 1835 and remarked "F, vS, R, has a *12m 25" distance at 45° np."  On a second sweep he recorded "somewhat doubtful, but I believe it is a very faint nebula involving a vF star."  His third observation was reported as "extremely faint, small, round, 10" close to a vS star."  

This object was first identified as an outlying open cluster of the SMC in 1935, based on long exposure Bruce plates taken at the Arequipa station in Peru.
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NGC 797 = UGC 1541 = MCG +06-05-078 = CGCG 522-105 = VV 428 = V Zw 170 = PGC 7832
02 03 28.0  +38 07 01; And
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 65°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is just 0.8' WNW of center and a brighter mag 13 star lies 1.7' ENE.  Forms a pair with NGC 801 9' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 797 = H. III-566 = h189 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, pL, iR."  He apparently found it again on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and logged "pB, cL, little extended, much brighter in the middle.", though his position is much closer to NGC 801.  In Oct 1828 (sweep 188), John Herschel logged, "vF; R; suddenly brighter middle; near a *."  There are actually a couple of stars very near and his position matches UGC 1541 = PGC 7832.
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NGC 798 = UGC 1539 = MCG +05-05-048 = CGCG 503-078 = PGC 7823
02 03 19.6  +32 04 39; Tri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 137°

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, very small, very elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  Located 11' E of NGC 789.

Édouard Stephan possibly discovered NGC 798 = St. 3-4 on 22 Sep 1871.  His single position was 2.5' E of NGC 789 but he mentioned "observations", implying two objects were seen.  He measured an accurate position on 10 Dec 1871 that was reported in his third discovery list (along with NGC 789, discovered earlier by d'Arrest).  A later observation was apparently made on 1 Nov 1877.
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NGC 799 = UGC 1527 = MCG +00-06-023 = CGCG 387-029 = Holm 54a = PGC 7741
02 02 12.3  -00 06 04; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 100°

48" (11/5/21): at 610x; very bright, fairly large, ~1.5' diameter.  Strong sharp concentration with a very bright, central region that is slightly elongated and increases modestly towards the center (no distinct nucleus).  A mag 14.5-15 star is on the east end, 45" from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 800 less than 2' S.

Contrasting the very high surface brightness central region is a very low surface brightness halo with definite spiral structure. The arms seem to form a weak ring around the central region with a darker gap in the interior!

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, very small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 14 star is just 45" E.  Forms a close pair with NGC 800 1.8' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 799 = Sw. 2-16, along with NGC 800, on 9 Oct 1885.  His RA was 30 seconds of time too large (same error as NGC 800) and his discription reads, "eeF pS; R; s[outh] of 2" should read "eeF pS; R; n[orth] of 2".  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 800 = UGC 1526 = MCG +00-06-024 = CGCG 387-028 = Holm 54b = PGC 7740
02 02 11.8  -00 07 49; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 10°

48" (11/5/21): at 610x; bright, moderately large, round central region with weak concentration.  The slightly elongated halo showed weak spiral structure on the north and south side and spanned 0.9' in diameter.  A mag 15.2 star is 1' SW.  NGC 800 is the smaller of a pair with NGC 799 1.8' N.

17.5" (12/7/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 799 1.8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 800 = Sw. 2-17, along with NGC 799, on 9 Oct 1885  with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His RA was 30 seconds of time (RA too large), which is the same offset as NGC 800. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 801 = UGC 1550 = MCG +06-05-079 = CGCG 522-106 = PGC 7847
02 03 44.9  +38 15 32; And
V = 13.1;  Size 3.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 150°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very elongated NNW-SSE, fairly small, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 797 9' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 801 = Sw. 2-18 on 20 Sep 1885 and recorded "eF; pS; iR; D * close f; v difficult."  UGC 1550, an edge-on spiral, is 19 seconds of RA west of Swift's position, though there is no obvious double star close following.  NGC 801 was discovered on the same evening with NGCs 19, 21, 7831 and 7836.  All of these galaxies have offsets of -1.2 min in RA and -8' in declination from their correct positions, but there is nothing at this offset to NGC 801.  So, this identification is somewhat uncertain, though there are no other obvious candidates.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 802 = ESO 052-013 = PGC 7505
01 59 06.0  -67 52 13; Hyi
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 152°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration.  Located 27' SE of mag 4.7 Eta-2 Hyi.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' W. Forms a pair with ESO 052-014 5.4' NNE.  This galaxy appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.3', brighter along the major axis.  Two mag 12.7 and 11.7 stars are located 3' W and 5' W of ESO 52-14.  The brighter star forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with ESO 52-14 and NGC 802.  NGC 813 lies 37' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 802 = h2457 on 15 Oct 1784 and logged "eeF, vS, R; has a star 13th mag preceding, distance 100"."  His position and description matches ESO 052-013 = PGC 7505.
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NGC 803 = UGC 1554 = MCG +03-06-028 = CGCG 461-038 = PGC 7849
02 03 44.7  +16 01 52; Ari
V = 12.6;  Size 3.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 8°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on N-S.  A mag 11 star is 1.0' WSW of center.  Located 49' SE of mag 7.6 HD 12315.

William Herschel discovered NGC 803 = H. III-208 = h190 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and logged "eF, vS, irregularly round, just following a pB star."  On 11 Jan 1831 (sweep 319), John Herschel reported, "vF; not vS; gradually little brighter middle; follows *10m 3.5 sec."  His description and position matches UGC 1554 = PGC 7849.
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NGC 804 = IC 1773 = UGC 1557 = MCG +05-05-049 = CGCG 504-001 = PGC 7873
02 04 02.1  +30 49 59; Tri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 7°

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, very small brighter core with thin faint extensions.  Two mag 11.5 stars are 1.9' WSW and 3.5' SW of center.  UGC 1577 lies 27' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 804 = Sw. 2-19 on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged "eeF; vS; R; little brighter middle; v difficult."  His position is 22 seconds of RA east of UGC 1557.  Because of his imprecise position, Guillaume Bigourdan, observing with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, mistook a faint star for NGC 804 and listed the galaxy as a new discovery, and Dreyer catalogued the galaxy again as IC 1773.  So, NGC 804 = IC 1773.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 805 = UGC 1566 = MCG +05-05-050 = CGCG 504-004 = PGC 7899
02 04 29.5  +28 48 44; Tri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, very small, oval 3:2 ~E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the SW edge 30" from center and a mag 14 star is 1' WNW.  NGC 807 lies 13' NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 805 on 26 Sep 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 13-14 star preceded by 2 seconds and measured a fairly accurate position (2 nights).
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NGC 806 = MCG -02-06-021 = PGC 7835
02 03 31.4  -09 55 56; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 60°

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, irregular surface brightness, probably brighter on the west end.  A mag 11 star is 3.7' NNE of center.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness, asymmetric appearance with a very faint stellar nucleus offset to the NE end or an extremely faint star may be superimposed near NE tip.  A mag 11 star is 3.5' NE.

Distorted, patchy appearance on the SDSS that may be the result of the post-collision merger.  HyperLeda catalogues the companion a PGC 3100716 and NED gives the primary designation SHOC 103.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 806 = Sw. 5-19 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "eeF; S; R; pB * nr; extr difficult".  His RA was 13 seconds too large but his comment of a "pB * nr" applies to this galaxy.
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NGC 807 = UGC 1571 = MCG +05-06-001 = CGCG 504-006 = PGC 7934
02 04 55.7  +28 59 16; Tri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 145°

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 45" N.  Located 2' NE of a mag 10.5 star and 8.5' SW of mag 7.9 SAO 75133.  NGC 805 lies 13' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 807 = H. III-151 = h191 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and wrote "vF, vS, stellar, between a pretty large and small star, but nearer to the smallest."  John Herschel recorded on 15 Sep 1828 (sweep 177), "vF; vS; 6"; has a *12m 1' N, and another about 20° sp.".  His description and position matches UGC 1571 = PGC 7934.
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NGC 808 = ESO 478-001 = MCG -04-06-003 = PGC 7865
02 03 56.6  -23 18 42; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 7°

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, very weakly concentrated along the major axis.  A string of three mag 14 stars extending NW are collinear with the galaxy and equally spaced at 1.0' separation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 808 = h192 = h2458 on 14 Oct 1830 and logged "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 40" [diameter]." He observed it again from the Cape of Good Hope and noted, "vF, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle, 25"."  Joseph Turner sketched NGC 808 on 10 Nov 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate I, figure 5 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...") and described it as small, faint, considerably elongated, brighter in the middle, no appearance of resolvability.
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NGC 809 = MCG -02-06-023 = PGC 7889
02 04 18.9  -08 44 07; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, very small brighter core, stellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 809 = Sw. 5-20 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 22 sec of RA east of MCG -02-06-023 = PGC 7889.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 810 = UGC 1583 = MCG +02-06-026 = CGCG 438-024 = PGC 7965
02 05 28.5  +13 15 05; Ari
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 25°

24" (11/30/21): at 260x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~45"x35", relatively large brighter core, low surface brightness halo.  Mag 7.9 HD 12805 is 7' NE.

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, round, bright core.  Located on a line to the SW of mag 7.8 SAO 92789 7' NE and mag 7.2 SAO 92795 19' NE.  Appears brighter than the CGCG mag of 15.4.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 810 = St. 3-5 on 16 Nov 1871.  His rough position was 3' too far ENE.  His published micrometric position (list III, #5) was made a month later on 11 Dec 1871 with description "vF, vS, R, more condensed in the center but no bright nucleus." Corwin notes the RA in the NGC is 10 seconds too small (transcription error).

A companion (not seen) is superimposed 0.25' following the nucleus, which itself looks double on the SDSS.
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NGC 811 = PGC 7870
02 04 00  -09 06 21; Cet
Size 0.6'x0.5';  PA = 33°

18" (10/25/08): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Once identified this faint galaxy could be held continuously.  Located 5.7' ENE of a mag 10.9 star and 22' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 12627.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 811 = LM 2-324 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and commented "neb?, *10 1' S."  There is nothing at his position but 50 sec of RA west is PGC 7870 and there is a star (closer to mag 14) 40" S, so the identification NGC 811 = PGC 7870 is reasonable.  The RNGC, PGC, NED and HyperLeda  misidentify MCG -02-06-024 = PGC 7905 as NGC 811.  This galaxy is 1° south of Leavenworth's position and it's possible Leavenworth made a transcription error of 1°, but there is no star to the south, so this identification is less likely.
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NGC 812 = UGC 1598 = MCG +07-05-014 = CGCG 538-019 = PGC 8066
02 06 51.5  +44 34 20; And
V = 11.2;  Size 9.3'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 160°

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very elongated NNW-SSE, diffuse.  A mag 11 star is 1.1' SW.  Located 17' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 37787.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 812 = St. 8b-3 on 4 Nov 1875.  His accurate published position (list 8b, #3) was made on 11 Dec 1876 with description: "eF, thin shape, E 45° with the meridian [135°], 1.5' length, bM, difficult observation."
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NGC 813 = ESO 052-016 = PGC 7692
02 01 36.0  -68 26 21; Hyi
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 99°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly small, oval E-W, 40"x25", sharp concentration with a small bright core.  A very faint star is superimposed on the east side of the halo and a second very faint star lies 30" S of center.  NGC 802 lies 37' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 813 = h2459 on 24 Nov 1834 and noted "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30"." His position matches ESO 052-016 = PGC 7692.
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NGC 814 = MCG -03-06-010 = PGC 8319
02 10 37.6  -15 46 25; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 4°

17.5" (10/25/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5', broad concentration.  Located close NE of a mag 12 star [0.9' from center].  At moments appears to have a faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with extremely difficult NGC 815 2.4' S.  Due to a poor position by Stone, these objects are misidentified in RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 814 = LM 1-47 (along with NGC 815 = I-48) on 6 Jan 1886.  There is nothing near Stone's position but his discovery sketch was examined by Corwin and it establishes NGC 814 = MCG -03-06-010 = PGC 8319 and NGC 815 = PGC 906183.  In this case Stone's RA was 4 min of RA too far west.  RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG -03-06-005 = PGC 7799 as NGC 814 and MCG -03-06-004 = PGC 7798 as NGC 815.  Megastar and other sources based on the PGC may also carry this error.
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NGC 815 = LEDA 906183
02 10 39.4  -15 48 47; Cet
Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (10/25/97): not seen initially at 220x.  After extended viewing, just glimpsed for moments on a few occasions at 2.4' S of NGC 814.  Appeared virtually stellar, ~5"-10", no details due to faintness.

See comments for NGC 814.  RNGC and PGC (as well as Megastar, etc.) misidentify MCG -03-06-004 = PGC 7798 as NGC 815.  NGC 815 appears to be a very close and small double system (virtually stellar).
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NGC 816 = CGCG 504-016 = PGC 8152
02 08 08.8  +29 15 21; Tri
V = 14.5;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.7

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 15 star is involved at the south edge just 0.2' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 819 5.7' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 816 = St. 6-1 on 15 Sep 1871 during an observation of NGC 819.  His recomputed position is a perfect match.
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NGC 817 = UGC 1611 = MCG +03-06-033 = CGCG 461-047 = PGC 8109
02 07 33.7  +17 12 09; Ari
V = 13.2;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 27°

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, low almost even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 817 = Sw. 4-7 on 2 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported "eF; vS; R; right angled with 2 stars".  His position is 24 tsec east of UGC 1611 = PGC 8109 and his comment "right angled with 2 stars" matches this galaxy. Bigourdan reported Swift's position is 26 seconds too large (Remarks section of his 1891 Comptes Rendus list), though Dreyer's "corrected" position in the IC 1 Notes is 0.8 tmin too far east.
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NGC 818 = UGC 1633 = MCG +06-05-086 = CGCG 522-116 = PGC 8185
02 08 44.5  +38 46 38; And
V = 12.5;  Size 3.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 113°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated WNW-ESE, broad concentration, no core.  A mag 15 star is 30" E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 818 = H. II-604 = h194 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and logged "pB, cL, little extended, much brighter middle."  Bindon Blood Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 3 Oct 1850, recorded "bM, some stars seen in it; night hazy."
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NGC 819 = UGC 1632 = CGCG 504-017 = PGC 8174
02 08 34.4  +29 14 02; Tri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.7;  PA = 10°

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, small, round.  A mag 13 star lies 1' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 816 5.7' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 819 = St. 6-2 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the mag 13 star just 42" north and measured an accurate position.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 15 Sep 1871, probably aware of d'Arrest's prior discovery (published in 1867), and also discovered NGC 816.  He reported both NGC 816 and NGC 819 as new in his 6th discovery list (#1 and #2).  Dreyer credited both d'Arrest (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 820 = UGC 1629 = MCG +02-06-036 = CGCG 438-031 = PGC 8165
02 08 25.0  +14 20 58; Ari
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 72°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core.  A mag 15 star is just off the east edge 0.7' from the center.  Located almost at the midpoint of two mag 14 stars 1.6' SW and 1.4' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 820 = h195 on 7 Sep 1828 and logged "F; R; bM; 15 arc seconds."  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 30 Nov 1856, recorded "oval, major axis sp-nf, a F* follows closely.  There is another F* in the on edge."  His description is accurate and the star at the north edge is roughly mag 16.5.
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NGC 821 = UGC 1631 = MCG +02-06-034 = CGCG 438-033 = PGC 8160
02 08 21.1  +10 59 41; Ari
V = 10.7;  Size 2.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 25°

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, very bright elongated core.  Located just 1.1' SE of mag 10 SAO 92805!  

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, small, compact.  A mag 10 star is just 1' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 821 = H. I-152 = h193 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and commented "pB, vS, R, bM, 1' sf a considerable star with a small one sf the nebula." Dreyer's 1912 notes to the Second Catalogue mentions "A second obs. (Sweep 591, Sept. 18, 1786) describes it as vB, vS, little extended, vBN. But the neb. is in reality only pB, second class."

John Herschel also logged it on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121) as "Not vB; R; suddenly brighter in the middle to nucl; has a *1m sp, dist 55"."  Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell on 18 Dec 1856: "bright middle to a nucleus, E spnf, small * in south end."  This star is around mag 15.5 and was not seen in my observation.
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NGC 822 = LGG 050-002 = ESO 298-009 = MCG -07-05-008 = PGC 8055
02 06 39.1  -41 09 24; Phe
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 77°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~35"x25", small bright nucleus rises to a stellar peak.  Located 10.7' ENE of mag 8.5 HD 12948.  Forms the eastern vertex of a small triangle with a mag 13.7 star 2.7' W and a mag 13.0 star 3.2' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 822 = h2461 on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, R, suddenly brighter in the middle, resolvable, 15", a difficult object."  His mean position from two sweeps matches ESO 298-009 = PGC 8055.
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NGC 823 = IC 1782 = ESO 478-002 = MCG -04-06-005 = PGC 8093
02 07 20.1  -25 26 31; For
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 110°

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.3'x0.2' although with averted vision the outer halo doubles in diameter.  The appearance is unusual with a mag 13 star attached at the east end. The galaxy appears as a "fuzzy" component just west of the star.  Located 4' N of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 823 = h196 on 14 Oct 1830 and recorded "A vF double star enclosed in a vF neb."  Herschel also observed this nebula at the Cape (h2460) and gave the same description.  Lewis Swift apparently independently found this object on 8 Oct 1896.  Swift's entry in his 11th discovery list (Sw. 11-34, later IC 1782) was described as "vF; double star of equal mag in nebulosity.  Curious object."  He added the note "This appears like a nebulous double star, but I think it is simply a double star in a nebula.  There is a vast difference between a nebulous star, and a star in a nebula."  Dreyer must have missed the close match of Swift's and Herschel's position and their descriptions are virtually identical.  So, NGC 823 = IC 1782.  See Corwin's notes.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 823 with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 11 Nov 1876 (plate I, figure 6 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..."), showing a brighter star at the east edge and a stellar nucleus, though he interpreted these as a "very small double star involved".
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NGC 824 = ESO 354-037 = MCG -06-05-028 = PGC 8068
02 06 53.1  -36 27 13; For
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 21°

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably only viewed the core).  Contains a sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 4.7' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 824 = h2462 on 29 Nov 1837 and commented "F, R, 40", very small & very much brighter middle to a star 12th magnitude."  He also observed it on the next sweep and his position (typo in NPD was corrected at the end of the CGH) matches ESO 354-037 = PGC 8068.
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NGC 825 = UGC 1636 = MCG +01-06-045 = CGCG 413-046 = LGG 047-003 = PGC 8173
02 08 32.3  +06 19 26; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 2.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 53°

24" (1/25/14): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 5:1 SW-NE, ~0.7'x0.15', brighter elongated core.  An extremely faint star (mag 16.3) is just north of center.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' NNE.

NGC 825 forms a pair with IC 208 4.5' NNW.  The companion (similar redshift) appeared fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.5' diameter, very low though irregular surface brightness, no core or nucleus.  Brightest member of a group that includes IC 1776, UGC 1646 and UGC 1649.

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.7' N.  Located 5.5' WNW of mag 9.3 SAO 110366.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 825 = m 53 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, S, mE.".  His position is 1.5' S of UGC 1636 = PGC 8173 and the description "much elongated" applies to this edge-on.  Marth missed fainter IC 208, just 5' N.
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NGC 826 = CGCG 504-019 = PGC 8230
02 09 25.1  +30 44 23; Tri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 20°

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is 40" NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 826 = St. 6-3 on 18 Sep 1871 (also the date the position was reduced, according to Esmiol, an assistant at Marseilles Observatory).  This is a double system (not known if a physical pair) with a very faint companion overlapping on the north side.  The same night he discovered NGC 860 about 1.2° to the E.
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NGC 827 = UGC 1640 = MCG +01-06-046 = CGCG 413-047 = PGC 8196
02 08 56.3  +07 58 17; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 2.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 85°

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, oval E-W, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 827 = H. III-227 = h198 = Sw. 1-2 on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 308) and reported "suspected 2 or 3 small stars with seeming nebulosity between them, 240 rather confirmed it, but left a doubt."  Dreyer commented in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that the "Place perfectly correct, no other nebula near, but it is not a nebulous cluster but a neb, vF, S, little brighter middle, difficult". Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 9 Oct 1884 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported it in his first discovery list.  Although Swift insisted his observation "cannot be [NGC 827]", his position and description ("vF; pS; eE; spindle") clearly apply to this galaxy.
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NGC 828 = UGC 1655 = MCG +06-05-092 = CGCG 522-125 = VI Zw 177 = PGC 8283
02 10 09.6  +39 11 26; And
V = 12.3;  Size 2.9'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 145°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core.  A wide double star with components 10.5/11 (separation 25" in PA 0°) is 3' E.  Located 15' NW of the bright double star 59 And = 6.1/6.8 at 17".

William Herschel discovered NGC 828 = H. II-605 = h197 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618).  He recorded "pretty bright; small; irregular figure."  John Herschel observed it in Oct 1828 (sweep 188) as "pretty bright; round; gradually brighter middle; has a double star 15 seconds following."

Six observations were made at Birr Castle. The earliest (perhaps by Lord Rosse) on 4 Nov 1848 reads, "F, scarcely seen in finder, another S neb 60° np 1.5' dist, if it be not a F *."  A later observation noted "Either a single R neb with * inv sf center or double."  NGC 828 is a disrupted spiral with a dust lane on the south side of the core, so some structure was resolved.
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NGC 829 = MCG -01-06-049 = PGC 8182
02 08 42.2  -07 47 26; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 70°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE.  A mag 11 star is 0.9' SE.  First of three and similar shape as NGC 830 4.5' ENE but only a weak concentration.  NGC 842 lies 16' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 829, along with NGC 830, on 23 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 11 star was 0.7' distant and his position (measured on two nights) is accurate.
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NGC 830 = MCG -01-06-050 = Mrk 1020 = PGC 8201
02 08 58.7  -07 46 01; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 110°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Second of three and similar dimensions as NGC 829 4.5' WSW.  NGC 842 lies 12' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 830, along with NGC 829, on 23 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position and offset from NGC 829 is accurate.
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NGC 831 = CGCG 413-049 = PGC 8241
02 09 34.6  +06 05 47; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.8

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, round.  Located just east of the midpoint of a line connecting mag 7.1 SAO 110371 7' SSW and mag 8.6 SAO 110372 7' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 844 10' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 831 = m 54 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, pS".  His position matches CGCG 413-049 = PGC 8241.
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NGC 832 = NGC 1226?
03 11 05.4  +35 23 12; Per

See observing notes for NGC 1226.  Here's the description of the double star suggested by Harold Corwin as a candidate for NGC 832:

17.5" (11/1/97): faint double star mag 14/15 at 7" separation.  Difficult to resolve cleanly at 220x in mediocre seeing due to faintness of the north-northeast component.  Easier to resolve at 280x.  Although the identification as NGC 832 is not certain, this close double star could easily be mistaken as a small nebulous object.  Located 4.3' NE of a mag 9.5-10 star. Also 2' SW is a wider, brighter pair of mag 13.5-14 stars at 11" separation, which is much easier to resolve.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 832 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted (single observation) that a mag 9-10 star was 5' southwest.  There is nothing at his position and there is not a bright star 5' SW.  Corwin suggests this number may apply to a close double star (7" separation) at 02 11 00.8 +35 32 29.  This pair is 24 seconds following d'Arrest's position (similar dec) and has a mag 9-10 star 4.3' southwest.  RNGC misidentifies PGC 8280 as NGC 832.  This extremely faint galaxy is 6.6' W of d'Arrest's position and is certainly too faint to have been seen.

In an email on 26 Jul 2016, Harold Corwin found that if d'Arrest made a 1-hour transcription error in RA his position is a good match (about 1' too far north) with NGC 1226.  Furthermore, there is a mag 10.4 star 4.3' SW, matching d'Arrest's description.  This identification seems likely as d'Arrest made several similar 1-hour errors in RA: NGC 3167 (= NGC 2789), NGC 3575 (= NGC 3162), and NGC 3760 (= NGC 3301).
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NGC 833 = HCG 16B = Arp 318 NED2 = Arp 318:C1 = MCG -02-06-030 = LGG 049-002 = PGC 8225
02 09 20.8  -10 07 59; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 85°

18" (11/14/09): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~2:1 E-W, 55"x25", contains a small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 835 1' E in the striking HCG 16 quartet.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  First of four in HCG 16 and forms a close double with NGC 835 1' E.  NGC 838 is nearly on a line with the pair, 4.4' ESE of NGC 833.

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, small, edge-on ~E-W, bright core.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 835 1.0' E of center in the HCG 16 with NGC 838 and NGC 839.

William Herschel discovered NGC 833 = H. II-482 = h199 = h2463, along with NGC 835/38/39, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479).  He recorded the quartet as "Two, both faint, both extended and small within a minute of each other [NGC 833 & NGC 835], and not far from the parallel.  About 4 or 5' south and about 2 seconds following are two more [NGC 838 & NGC 839], a little fainter and smaller; bot also elongated and resembling each other, and the situation not far from the meridian.  240x verified them all, so as to leave no doubt."

Joseph Turner made a nice sketch of the group in 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate I, figure 7 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").
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NGC 834 = UGC 1672 = MCG +06-05-099 = CGCG 522-128 = PGC 8352
02 11 01.4  +37 40 01; And
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 20°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 834 = H. III-567 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and logged as "vF, S, lE".
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NGC 835 = HCG 16A = Arp 318 NED1 = MCG -02-06-031 = Mrk 1021 = LGG 049-003 = PGC 8228
02 09 24.6  -10 08 10; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.3

18" (11/14/09): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~55"x35", sharply concentrated with a small intense core.  Brightest in the striking HCG 16 group.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright small core.  This galaxy is the brightest member of HCG 16 (one of the best Hickson groups) and the eastern member of a close pair with NGC 833 1' W.  A mag 9.7 star lies 2.7' S and NGC 838 lies 3.5' E, roughly on a line with NGC 833.

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.  Brightest of four in the HCG 16 group and forms a close pair with NGC 833 1.0' W.  NGC 838 lies 3.4' E and NGC 839 5.3' SE.  A mag 10 star lies 2.7' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 835 = H. II-482 = h200 = h2464, along with NGC 833/38/39, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479).  See notes for NGC 833.

Joseph Turner sketched the quartet on 4 Nov 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. (page 115 of his logbook and plate I, figure 7 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...")
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NGC 836 = ESO 544-017 = MCG -04-06-012 = PGC 8304
02 10 24.9  -22 03 18; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 110°

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 2.3' ENE.  NGC 837 lies 23' S and NGC 849 is 16' SSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 836 = LM 2-325 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east is ESO 544-017 = PGC 8304.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 837 = ESO 478-010 = MCG -04-06-011 = PGC 8297
02 10 16.3  -22 25 52; Cet
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 12°

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 0.5'x0.3', no concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1.1' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 849 6.6' NNW.  NGC 836 lies 23' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 837 = LM 2-326 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.5, 0.8' dia, vE 0°, *10 1' N."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.1 min of RA east is ESO 478-010 = PGC 8297 and his description is an exact match with this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 838 = HCG 16C = Arp 318 NED3 = Arp 318:C2 = MCG -02-06-033 = Mrk 1022 = LGG 049-004 = PGC 8250
02 09 38.4  -10 08 47; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

18" (11/14/09): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x35", well concentrated with small high surface brightness nucleus.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, small bright core, high surface brightness.  Located 3.5' ESE of NGC 835 with NGC 838 just 2.5' SE.

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, slightly elongated, very small bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  Third of four in HCG 16 and located 3.4' E of NGC 835.

William Herschel discovered NGC 838 = H. II-482 = h201 = h2465, along with NGC 833/35/39, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479).  See NGC 833 for description.

John Herschel noted it was the "third in order and in size."  Observing with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope, Joseph Turner noted NGC 838 was "rather the brightest of the group", though the later observer Pietro Baracchi thought it was the faintest.
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NGC 839 = HCG 16D = Arp 318 NED4 = Arp 318:C3 = MCG -02-06-034 = LGG 049-005 = PGC 8254
02 09 42.7  -10 11 01; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 85°

18" (11/14/09): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', small bright core.  A faint star lies 1' NW.  Last in the HCG 16 quartet of fairly bright NGC galaxies.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 7:2 E-W, 1.0'x0.3', fairly weak concentration.  A mag 14 star lies 1' NW.  Located 4' E of a mag 9.7 star and 5' SE of NGC 835 (brightest in HCG 16).

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, edge-on ~E-W, bright core.  Last of four in HCG 16 and has a similar appearance to NGC 833.  Located 2.5' SE of NGC 838.  A mag 10 star lies 4.2' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 839 = H. II-482 = h202 = h2466, along with NGC 833/35/38, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479). See notes for NGC 833.  John Herschel noted it was the largest in the quartet.
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NGC 840 = UGC 1664 = MCG +01-06-049 = CGCG 413-053 = PGC 8293
02 10 16.2  +07 50 43; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 73°

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, low almost even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 840 = m 55 on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS".  His position matches UGC 1664 = PGC 8293.
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NGC 841 = UGC 1676 = MCG +06-05-101 = CGCG 522-131 = V Zw 194 = LGG 051-002 = PGC 8372
02 11 17.4  +37 29 50; And
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 834 lies 11' NNW and UGC 1695 = (R)NGC 845 12' E.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 841 in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG, MCG.

William Herschel discovered NGC 841 = H. III-604 = St. 13-16 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and commented "vF, stellar, confirmed 240x."  His position (reduced by Caroline Herschel and Arthur Auwers) is just 4 seconds of RA west of UGC 1676. John Herschel mistakenly assumed his father's object was identical to his h204 (= NGC 845) and the end result was Dreyer equated NGC 845 = GC 501 = H. III-604 = h204. Heinrich d'Arrest observed the galaxy on 22 Sep 1865.  His RA was 13 seconds too large but he commented there was an error in the Herschel's positions (Auwer's reductions).

Probably based on d'Arrest's comments, Édouard Stephan observed NGC 841 on 24 Nov 1883 (he observed all 3 NGC galaxies here), as well as 5 Dec 1877, and reported it in his 13th discovery list (#16) at the correct position.  Dreyer assumed Stephan's object was new, so he was credited with the discovery of NGC 841 in the NGC instead of William Herschel. He also observed this galaxy among his last recorded observations on 22 Nov 1886.  Malcolm Thomson discussed the identifications in Q. Jl R. astr. Soc. (1991), 32, 17-24.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 842 = MCG -01-06-055 = PGC 8258
02 09 50.8  -07 45 45; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 145°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE in direction of a mag 13 star 1.5' SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Third of three with NGC 830 12' W and NGC 829 16' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 842 = h203 on 8 Jan 1831 and noted "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" [diameter]."  His position was 2' N of MCG -01-06-055 = PGC 8258.  Stephan made an observation on 16 Nov 1871 at Marseilles Observatory.  The PGC equates Mrk 1023 with NGC 842 but Mrk 1023 = LEDA 1013430.
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NGC 843
02 11 08.0  +32 05 52; Tri

= ***, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 843 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  There are three mag 14.6-15.0 stars at his position with separations of 9"/9".  In his first observation he states it is possibly a planetary nebula, but on the second he resolved it at 226x.  MCG misidentifies +06-05-098 as NGC 843 although this galaxy is over 5 degrees north of d'Arrest's position.
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NGC 844 = CGCG 413-052 = PGC 8291
02 10 14.3  +06 02 59; Cet
V = 15.0;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, extremely small, round.  Located 5.3' WSW of mag 7.4 SAO 110383!  Forms a pair with NGC 831 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 844 = m 56 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, S".  Marth's position is a good match with CGCG 413-052 = PGC 8291, although it is strange he didn't mention the bright nearby star.
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NGC 845 = UGC 1695 = MCG +06-05-104 = CGCG 522-135 = PGC 8438
02 12 19.8  +37 28 38; And
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 149°

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, small, thin edge-on NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located 12' E of NGC 841.  This identification of this galaxy with NGC 845 is uncertain.

John Herschel discovered NGC 845 = h204 in Oct 1828 and logged "vF; irregular figure."  His position corresponds with UGC 1695 = PGC 8438.  Herschel and Heinrich d'Arrest equated H. III-604 with h204, but Harold Corwin concludes H. III-604 applies to NGC 841 and William missed NGC 845.  On the other hand, Malcolm Thomson concluded NGC 845 = NGC 841.

Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 1 Dec 1877 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory (added as an "anonymous" nebula in Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions), though didn't report it as new in any list.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 846 = NGC 847 = UGC 1688 = MCG +07-05-024 = CGCG 538-032 = PGC 8430
02 12 12.3  +44 34 07; And
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, weak concentration, almost round, in rich field.  Located 4' NW of mag 9.2 SAO 37855 and 23' NW of 60 Andromedae (V = 4.8).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 846 = St. 8b-4 on 2 Nov 1875.  His published accurate position was measured on 22 Nov 1876 with description "eF, eS, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 30 Nov 1885 and reported as new in his 3rd list, #9 (later NGC 847).  So, NGC 846 = NGC 847, with discovery priority to Stephan.
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NGC 847 = NGC 846 = UGC 1688 = MCG +07-05-024 = CGCG 538-032 = PGC 8430
02 12 12.3  +44 34 07; And

See observing notes for NGC 846.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 847 = Sw. 3-9 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position and description "nearly between a pB star and 3 vF equal mag stars" matches UGC 1688.  This galaxy was discovered earlier by Édouard Stephan (St. 8b-4) on 22 Nov 1876 and catalogued by Dreyer as NGC 846.  In AN 2992, Spitaler concluded NGC 846 = NGC 847 and this is mentioned in the IC 1 notes.  Since Stephan made the original discovery, NGC 846 should be the primary designation. The RNGC misidentifies a very close clump of stars (6' N of N846) as NGC 847.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #2.
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NGC 848 = MCG -02-06-036 = Mrk 1026 = LGG 049-006 = PGC 8299
02 10 17.5  -10 19 16; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.2' NE.  Located 17' SE of NGC 835 (HCG 16)

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 11 star is just off the north edge 1.2' from center.  Member of the Arp 318 group.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 848 = LM 1-49 = Sw. 5-21 on 11 Dec 1885 and reported "mag 15.5, eS, E 325°, gradually brighter in the middle, *10 north 1.0'."  His position is 1 min of RA east of MCG -02-06-036 = PGC 8299, and the description of the nearby bright star applies.  Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 1 Nov 1886 and reported Sw. 5-21 as "eeeF; pL; ee diff.; * near north-following; 495-7-8-9 in field."  Swift's position was 16 seconds of RA too far east. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article in Feb 1887 that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously.
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NGC 849 = ESO 478-009 = PGC 8286
02 10 11.2  -22 19 23; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 117°

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 837 6.6' SSE.  NGC 836 lies 16' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 849 = LM 2-327 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 14.8, 0.5', R, neb?".  His position is 1.5' S of MCG -02-06-036 = PGC 8299.  Herbert Howe reported in 1899-00, "The object is as bright as a star of mag 12, and appeared to me a trifle un-starlike.  I could see nothing else which appeared nebulous in the neighborhood.
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NGC 850 = UGC 1679 = MCG +00-06-049 = CGCG 387-053 = PGC 8369
02 11 13.6  -01 29 08; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 85°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, small round, 0.8' diameter, evenly concentrated, faint stellar nucleus.  Collinear with a mag 14 star 1.7' SE and a mag 13 star 3.4' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 850 = H. III-259 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "eF, eS, irr figure."  His derived RA was 22 seconds too large.  NGC 863, the next object in the sweep, shares a similar offset error (from 70 Ceti).  Heinrich d'Arrest's micrometric position (used in the NGC) was accurate.
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NGC 851 = UGC 1680 = MCG +01-06-054 = CGCG 413-058 = Mrk 588 = PGC 8368
02 11 12.1  +03 46 46; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 or 2:1 NW-SE, ~30"x15", contains a small brighter core.  A mag 14.7 star is at the NE edge [23" from center].  Located 20' E of mag 6.8 HD 13285.

NGC 851 forms a pair with IC 211 4.5' NNW.  This companion was faint, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, low surface brightness and difficult to estimate diameter, increases in size with averted but at least 1.0'x0.8', slightly brighter core.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the NE edge just 22" from center.  Located 20' E of mag 6.9 SAO 110378 20' W and 21' NNW of mag 6.7 SAO 110395.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 14 year-old son, discovered NGC 851 = Sw. 3-10 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  The Swifts' published position is 12 sec of RA following UGC 1680 = PGC 8368.
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NGC 852 = ESO 153-026 = PGC 8195
02 08 55.5  -56 44 13; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 83°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter. A star is superimposed at the northwest edge of the galaxy [measured 18" from center].  At 397x contains a slight brighter nucleus and the halo has a slightly irregular surface brightness.  A mag 10.5 str lies 9' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 852 = h2467 on 27 Oct 1834 and reported "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40", resolvable."  His position corresponds with ESO 153-026 = PGC 8195.
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NGC 853 = MCG -02-06-038 = PGC 8397
02 11 41.2  -09 18 22; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 70°

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.8'.  Located midway between two mag 12 and 13 stars 1.8' NE and 1.7' SW.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 9.5 and 10.5 stars in the field 7' NW and 5' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 853 = H. II-486 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and logged "F, S, E".  John Herschel didn't observe this galaxy, though Stephan made an observation on 16 Nov 1871.
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NGC 854 = ESO 354-047 = MCG -06-05-038 = PGC 8388
02 11 30.7  -35 50 06; For
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated (PA uncertain), 0.8' diameter.  A mag 13.5-14 star follows by 2.0'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 854 = h2468 on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB; lE in meridian; 50" l; gradually brighter in the middle."  On later sweeps it was called "vF".
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NGC 855 = UGC 1718 = MCG +05-06-016 = CGCG 504-035 = PGC 8557
02 14 03.7  +27 52 38; Tri
V = 12.6;  Size 2.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 67°

17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.8', bright middle, fainter extensions.  A mag 14.5 star is just 30" S.  Located just north of the Aries border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 855 = H. II-613 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "F, S, lE in parallel, bM."  His position is 0.2 tmin west of UGC 1718 = PGC 8557.
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NGC 856 = NGC 859 = UGC 1713 = MCG +00-06-054 = CGCG 387-058 = PGC 8526
02 13 38.4  -00 43 02; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, round, 0.8' diameter, no concentration except for faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.8 star is just off the east edge 1.0' from center.  NGC 863 lies 14' ESE.

Lewis Swift found NGC 856 = Sw. 5-22 on 31 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; S; little extended; F * close.".  His position was 6 seconds of RA west and 1' north of UGC 1713 and the faint star is 1' ENE.  He had discovered this galaxy 4 weeks earlier (3 Oct), listing it as V-23 and logging "pF; pS; little brighter middle; np of 2 [with NGC 863 = NGC 866].  His first position was 14 seconds of time too far east and neither Swift nor Dreyer (who later catalogued it as NGC 859) recognized the equivalency as the descriptions were pretty different.  NGC 859 should take historical precedence as it was discovered first but all modern catalogues label the galaxy NGC 856.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1907 using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory and mentioned Swift's 14 second error.  Dorothy Carlson and Jack Sulentic (RNGC) both called NGC 859 nonexistent.
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NGC 857 = ESO 415-006 = MCG -05-06-008 = PGC 8455
02 12 37.0  -31 56 42; For
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 92°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a very small bright core surrounded by a very faint halo.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.8' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 857 = h2469 on 18 Nov 1835 and logged "B, S, E, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 18"."  His position (also measured on the next sweep) matches ESO 415-006 = PGC 8455.
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NGC 858 = ESO 478-013 = MCG -04-06-016 = PGC 8451
02 12 30.2  -22 28 17; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 79°

17.5" (10/29/94): extremely faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, very low surface brightness.  Weak concentration at the center.  Located 8.5' W of a mag 10 star.  A faint companion off the east side was not seen.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 858 = LM 2-328 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.7 min of RA east and 1.7' south of ESO 478-013 = PGC 8451.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 859 = NGC 856 = UGC 1713 = MCG +00-06-054 = CGCG 387-058 = PGC 8526
02 13 38.4  -00 43 02; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 856.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 859 = Sw. 5-23 on 3 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and found again by Swift on 31 Oct 1886 and listed as 5-22 = NGC 856.  Herbert Howe reported he was unable to find NGC 859 on a night he measured NGC 856.  That's to be expected as there is only a single galaxy here and Swift's comment of "F* close" for NGC 856 applies.  The two positions are close enough that it's surprising Swift didn't notice the equivalence, although his descriptions are quite different.  Since NGC 859 was discovered first, this designation should take historical precedence, although the galaxy is generally labeled as NGC 856.See Corwin's comments.
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NGC 860 = CGCG 504-037 = V Zw 204 = PGC 8606
02 15 00.2  +30 46 44; Tri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.3'

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, extremely small, round, 10"-15" diameter.  With direct vision the small halo disappears and a tiny core with a stellar nucleus is visible.  A mag 15 star lies 1.9' SSE.  Located 9' ENE of mag 7.4 SAO 55373.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 860 = St. 6-4 on 18 Sep 1871 with description "*13 in F nebulosity"  Esmiol, an assistant at Marseilles Observatory, reported that Stephan reduced the position on the same date.
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NGC 861 = UGC 1737 = MCG +06-06-003 = CGCG 523-005 = PGC 8652
02 15 51.2  +35 54 48; Tri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 38°

13.1" (11/14/87): faint, very small, edge-on SW-NE.  A mag 13 star is attached at the SW end 0.5' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 861 on 18 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 12 star (double) was joined to the south and his single position is just off the southwest side of UGC 1737 = PGC 8652.
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NGC 862 = ESO 298-020 = MCG -07-05-012 = PGC 8487
02 13 03.0  -42 02 02; Phe
V = 12.8;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; fairly faint to moderately bright, round, 0.5'-0.6' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  A mag 16 star is just off the west side [30" W of center].  Located 8' WNW of a mag 10.3 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 862 = h2470 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "pF, vS, suddenly very much brighter middle, like a blurred star."  On a second sweep he noted "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30"." His mean position matches ESO 298-020 = PGC 8487.
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NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = PGC 8586
02 14 33.6  -00 46 00; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, very small, round, fairly concentrated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 856 is 14' WNW and NGC 868 21' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 863 = H. III-260 = h205 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and noted "vF or eF, vS, stellar, not so faint as the last [NGC 850]".  There is nothing at his position, but 30 seconds of RA west and 3' north is UGC 1727.  John Herschel measured an accurate position on 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 108) and described it as "vF; R; bM."

On 3 Oct 1856, Lewis Swift recorded 3 galaxies: NGC 859, NGC 866 and NGC 868.  The second entry, which reads "pF; pS; R; little brighter middle; sf of 2", also fits UGC 1727, though Swift's RA was 70 seconds too large.  Then on 31 Oct 1886, Swift revisited the area and found NGC 885, described as "vF, vS, R, little brighter middle."  There is nothing at his position but Corwin suggests he may have made a 5 minute error in RA in which case this would be another reobservation of NGC 863!  If so, then NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885, with NGC 863 the primary designation.
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NGC 864 = UGC 1736 = MCG +01-06-061 = CGCG 413-066 = KIG 96 = PGC 8631
02 15 27.8  +06 00 09; Cet
V = 10.9;  Size 4.7'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 20°

48" (10/29/16): this striking two-armed barred spiral appeared bright, fairly large, overall elongated 3:2 SW-NE, well concentrated with a bright core.  The core extends into a weakly defined bar WNW-ESE.  A long thin spiral arm is attached to the west end of the bar and it curled gradually counter-clockwise to the south for nearly 90°, ending due south of the core [separation 1.2'].  A bright mag 10.7 star is superimposed on the east side [44" ESE of center].  The second spiral arm was not as easily seen as it begins just inside (west) of the bright star, which detracted from the view.  This thin arm extended straight north, roughly at a right angle to the bar and merged into the halo on the northeast side.  UGC 1775 = Arp 10 is 49' SE.

24" (12/6/18): at 260x; fairly bright interesting galaxy with a mag 10.7 star superimposed on the east side that detracts from viewing structure.  Overall the galaxy is fairly large with an irregular halo roughly SW-NE, ~2.5'x1.8'. Contains a very bright, round nucleus and the brighter central region appeared extended WNW-ESE.  A spiral arm on the west and south side appeared as a slightly enhanced "wing", mostly seen as an enhanced curving edge. The opposing arm was only a short and weak arc enhancement that extended north of the bright star.

13.1" (9/3/86): fairly faint, oval SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  A fairly bright mag 11 star is at the following edge 43" ESE of the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 864 = H. III-457 = h206 on 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) and noted "vF, considerably large, very little brighter middle, milky, preceding a bright star and the nebulosity joining to it, but probably unconnected."  John Herschel logged on 25 Sep 1830 (sweep 300), "eF; R; attached to and np a * 11.12 mag.  Clouded before it could be fully verified."  Despite the clouds, his position and description match.
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NGC 865 = UGC 1747 = MCG +05-06-020 = CGCG 504-042 = PGC 8678
02 16 15.2  +28 35 59; Tri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 158°

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on NNW-SSE, bright middle.  Located between a mag 11 star of the SSE end and a mag 13.5 star off the north end.

STF 239, a fairly wide 14" pair with some color contrast (fainter companion is a very light blue), lies 17' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 865 = St. 5-1 on 9 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and recorded "eF; eS; irregular."  His position (reduced on the same date, according to Esmiol) was accurate.
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NGC 866 = NGC 863 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = NGC 885: = PGC 8586
02 14 33.6  -00 46 00; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 863.

Lewis Swift found NGC 866 = Sw. 5-24 on 3 Oct 1886 and again on 31 Oct 1886 (NGC 885 = Sw. 5-27) with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, and Herbert Howe reported he could not find NGC 866 in 1899-00.  Swift's discovery positions for NGC 866 and 885 are similar in declination but differ by 4 minutes in RA.

In the case of NGC 866, Swift's RA was 1 min of RA east of NGC 863 = UGC 1727, and NGC 885 is 5 min of RA east of NGC 863.  William Herschel (III-260) discovered this galaxy 100 years earlier and it was catalogued as NGC 863.  So, NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885.  There are several cases where Swift recorded two observations of the same galaxy in two different lists, including Sw. 5-23 = NGC 859 (3 Oct 1886) and Sw. 5-22 = NGC 856 (31 Oct 1886), which were found on the same two nights!
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NGC 867 = NGC 875: = UGC 1760 = MCG +00-06-060 = CGCG 387-065 = PGC 8718
02 17 04.8  +01 14 39; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 875.  Possibly equal to IC 225.

William Herschel discovered NGC 867 = H. III-2 on 21 Dec 1783 (the only nebula in his short sweep #61).  His complete description (in Dreyer's 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues) reads "An almost invisible faint neb, it is R and about 8 or 10" diameter, being brighter in the centre than outwards.  It can only be seen when the glass if perfectly clean and the attention confined to the object."  Dreyer noted "By two diagrams it is about 1.5° nf a star which was taken to be 69 Ceti, but obs[ervation] was interrupted by clouds."  There is nothing at Herschel's rough position and Bigourdan was unable to recover H. III-2 on two attempts.

Heinrich d'Arrest suggested NGC 867 might be a duplicate of NGC 875 and Dreyer noted this in the NGC entry for 875, although Herschel's position is a poor match.  Corwin also suggests IC 225 as another possibility.  See his identification notes for more.
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NGC 868 = UGC 1748 = CGCG 387-063 = PGC 8659
02 15 58.5  -00 42 49; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 95°

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, round, low smooth surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' NE and a mag 11.5 star 3' NE.  NGC 863 lies 21' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 868 = Sw. 5-25 on 3 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is a good match with UGC 1748 = PGC 8659, although other galaxies found that night in the area have poor positions, which seems like an odd coincidence.  See Corwin's notes on NGC 859 and 863.
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NGC 869 = h Per = Cr 24 = Double Cluster
02 19 04  +57 08 06; Per
V = 4.6;  Size 30'

17.5" (10/25/97): this is the brighter and richer western member of the famous "Double Cluster". Includes mag 6.6 HD 14134 near the center and mag 6.7 HD 14143 2.5' NNE.  Close following the mag 6.6 star is a neat parabolic group of five stars opening towards the star.  On the west side of this star is a rich group of ~20 stars mostly arranged in an incomplete ring.  A faint curving string of stars from the mag 6.7 star leads to the parabolic quintet.  The 20' field at 220x has too many stars to count, but probably has ~200 stars.

8": this is the western component of the "double cluster".  Very bright, large, about 30' diameter.  Very rich with about 100 stars resolved, includes several bright mag 6.5-7.0 stars in the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 884 at edge of 100x field.

Naked-eye (11/13/07): I noticed that the Double Cluster was clearly resolved into two "clumps" naked-eye.

Hipparchus catalogued the Double Cluster about 130 BC and Ptolemy copied it into his Almagest: "At the tip of the right hand [of Perseus] and nebulous [or misty]."  Giovanni Battista Hodierna first resolved the Double Cluster into stars by 1654.  He described "The third nebulous star, which is the first of all that Ptolemy invokes, [lies] in the constellation Perseus, at the tip of his right hand, below Cassiopeia.  [It is] very prominent amid the Milky Way, on account of a large profusion of stars, which are grouped in two places."

William Herschel viewed NGC 869 = H. VI-33 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 877). He recorded "A very beautiful brilliant cluster of large stars, very rich.  The place taken is the most compressed part of it, which is not in the middle; the middle of it contains a vacancy".  This was his first observation with the 18.7-inch, although he had observed it earlier through his 6.2-inch in August 1780.
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NGC 870 = MCG +02-06-052 = PGC 8721
02 17 09.2  +14 31 23; Ari
V = 15.5;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

18" (1/15/07): extremely faint and small, round, 12" diameter.  Only glimpsed with averted as an extremely faint spot but the detection was repeated several times with concentration and patience.  Located 1.5' SSW of NGC 871 and just NE of a mag 13 star off the SW side of NGC 871.  At a redshift-based distance of ~755 million light years (z = .057), this is one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC.

18" (11/22/03): not found

17.5" (12/18/89): not found

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 870 (along with NGC 876) on 22 Nov 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72" and commented "I am pretty sure of the existence of an eeF patch of neby south [of NGC 871] and in line with its longer axis, but it needs confirmation".  This nebula is shown on the sketch to the south of NGC 871 and marked as Beta.
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NGC 871 = UGC 1759 = MCG +02-06-053 = CGCG 438-046 = LGG 053-002 = PGC 8722
02 17 10.7  +14 32 52; Ari
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 4°

18" (11/22/03): at 300x appears fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S.  Irregular surface brightness and a slightly asymmetric shape with the impression of a very faint star or knot at the east edge.  NGC 870, located just 1.5' S, was not seen (but detected on 1/15/07).

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, weak concentration.  A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars at 30" separation lies 2.5' SSW.  Located 5' NNW of mag 9 HD 14108.  Forms an interesting pair with NGC 877 12' E as both are elongated systems with bright stars situated 5' SSE.  The galaxies and the bright stars form a perfect parallelogram with bases oriented exactly E-W.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, small, even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 4' SE and two mag 13.5 stars lie south.  Located 12' W of NGC 877.

William Herschel discovered NGC 871 = H. III-201 = h208, along with NGC 877, on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and noted "vF, vS, E.  South [the galaxy is 5' north] of pretty considerable star."  George Johnstone Stoney, using the 72" on 22 Nov 1854, recorded "E nearly n-s; a small but conspicuous star closely follow centre, but not involved."  This star is probably 16th mag.  NGC 870 to the south was missed but confirmed in later observations.
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NGC 872 = ESO 544-032 = MCG -03-06-019 = PGC 8629
02 15 25.2  -17 46 51; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 174°

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint but moderately large and almost requires averted vision, low surface brightness, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'.  A mag 11 star is 3.1' NW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 872 = LM 1-50 on 15 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest tmin of RA) is 0.8 tmin following ESO 544-032 = PGC 8629 and the description "vE 0° [N-S]" matches.  Corwin also examined two sketches made by Leavenworth, all pointing to this galaxy.
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NGC 873 = MCG -02-06-048 = PGC 8692
02 16 32.4  -11 20 56; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 145°

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, broad concentration with no distinct core.  A mag 11 star is 3.6' SW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 873 = H. II-474 = h209 = h2471 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and logged "pB, pL, little extended, brightest in the middle."  John Herschel observed this galaxy twice at Slough and three times at the Cape of Good Hope.
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NGC 874 = ESO 478-018 = MCG -04-06-019 = PGC 8663
02 16 02.0  -23 18 22; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 173°

17.5" (10/25/97): threshold object barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions.  Could not verify the observation with certainty although the exact spot was examined using a GSC chart.  Located 3' SSW of a mag 11 star. This galaxy is incorrectly listed as nonexistent in RNGC and is not plotted on U2000.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 874 = LM 2-329 in 1886 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor and reported "mag 15.5 (nucleus), 0.3'x0.1' in PA 170° and possibly a double star."  Additionally, he noted a mag 10 star is 2.8' in PA 320° (NW).  His position is 8' N of ESO 478-018 = PGC 8663.  This galaxy has a PA of 173°, which is an excellent match though the nearby star is 2.9' NE (not NW).  ESO and RC3 correctly identify NGC 874 = ESO 478-018.  Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) could not find NGC 874 "in or near this place" and Dreyer repeated this in the IC I notes.  This is probably the reason RNGC misclassifies NGC 874 as nonexistent and MCG does not label MCG -04-06-019 as NGC 874.  See Corwin's NGC identifications for more on this number.
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NGC 875 = UGC 1760 = MCG +00-06-060 = CGCG 387-065 = NGC 867? = PGC 8718
02 17 04.8  +01 14 39; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 105°

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core that increases to a nearly stellar nucleus.

NGC 875 forms a pair with IC 218 2.4' NNE.  The companion (similar redshift) is very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 25"x8", low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is close off the ENE edge [35" ENE of center].

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, even symmetrical concentration down to small bright core.  Forms a pair with IC 218 2.4' NNE, though the companion was not seen with certainty.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 875 = Sw. 5-26 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  Lewis Swift independently found it again on 7 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; R."  Both of their positions match UGC 1760 = PGC 8718.  William Herschel may have originally discovered this galaxy and catalogued it as H. III-2 = NGC 867 (the identity was suggested by d'Arrest), but this identification is uncertain due to a poor position.  See NGC 867.
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NGC 876 = UGC 1766 = MCG +02-06-057 = LGG 053-004 = PGC 8770
02 17 53.4  +14 31 16; Ari
V = 14.7;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (12/18/89): extremely faint, visible for moments with averted, very small, almost round.  A pair of mag 14.5 stars lie 1.5' S.  Located just 2' SW of NGC 877 and 4' NW of mag 8 SAO 92878.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 876 on 22 Nov 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72", during his observation of h210 = NGC 877.  He noted this nebula as "sp [h210 = NGC 877] I suspect a vvF patch" and labeled it on the sketch as  Delta.  Copeland computed a micrometric position on 15 Nov 1873.  The field of NGC 870, 871, 876 and 877 was observed at Birr Castle 14 times from 1850 to 1875.
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NGC 877 = UGC 1768 = MCG +02-06-058 = CGCG 438-052 = LGG 053 -005 = PGC 8775
02 17 59.4  +14 32 40; Ari
V = 11.9;  Size 2.4'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 140°

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 13.5 star is at the SE end 1.1' from center.  Located 5' NNW of mag 8.0 HD 14192.  Brightest in a group with NGC 876 2' SW and NGC 871 12' W.

8" (1/1/84): faint, fairly small, even surface brightness.  An extremely faint star is at the SSE edge.  A mag 9 star is 4' SE.  NGC 871 lies 12' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 877 = H. II-246 = h210, along with NGC 871, on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289).  He recorded "faint, pretty large, elongated, south of a considerable star [the galaxy is 5' north of the star]; the situation of these two is very similar with regard to the star, and rather remarkable; the distance from the star about 4 or 5'."

John Herschel made an observation on 7 Sep 1828 (sweep 173): "pB; R: pretty gradually brighter middle; a small * south following; distance 1' and a * 9m 5' dist nearly s[outh], a little following."  On 3 Nov 1855, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell, wrote, "[NGC 877] has a * or knot in p[receding] end, centre suspected resolvable; dark space running along southern side of nucleus?"  The "dark space" is a gap between the core and a spiral arm and the "* or knot in p[receding] end" appears to be an HII region.
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NGC 878 = ESO 478-022 = MCG -04-06-021 = PGC 8771
02 17 54.3  -23 23 03; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 112°

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is 3.0' ENE of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 878 = LM 2-330 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 40 sec of RA west of ESO 478-022 = PGC 8771.  Sherburne Burnham corrected the RA (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.  MCG does not label MCG -04-06-021 as NGC 878.
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NGC 879 = PGC 8705
02 16 51.2  -08 57 50; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6

18" (1/15/07): extremely faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Very low surface brightness and only glimpsed at 220x.  Once identified I could repeatedly detect this dim galaxy with concentrated averted vision but it was a difficult object.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Required averted and concentration in fairly poor seeing and just barely visible as  a very low surface brightness spot.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 879 = LM 2-331 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.0 tmin west is PGC 8705.  Bigourdan was unable to find the galaxy.
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NGC 880 = PGC 8805
02 18 27.2  -04 12 20; Cet
V = 15.0;  Size 0.55'x0.35';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 26°

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.2' diameter.  Located 7' SSE mag 8.5 SAO 129810 and 8' N mag 8.8 SAO 129813.  RNGC misidentifies 2MASX J02180039-0414300 as NGC 94.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 880 = LM 2-332 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.8, 0.2' dia, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His position matches PGC 8805.  The RNGC position is probably 24 tsec of RA too far west or possibly RNGC misidentifies PGC 1060940 (closer to the RNGC position) as NGC 880.
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NGC 881 = MCG -01-06-089 = PGC 8822
02 18 45.2  -06 38 20; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 140°

24" (1/1/22): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly large, elongated ~4:3 NW-SE.  Appears to be a spiral with a relatively large bright core enveloping a small bright nucleus.  The halo increases in size with averted and has an uneven surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 1' NNE and mag 8.4 HD 14282 is 5' WNW.  NGC 883 is 10' SSE and IC 219 is 16' S.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.4'x1.0', broadly brighter middle but no distinct core.  A mag 12 star is 1.4' NNE.  Located 5.3' ESE of mag 8 SAO 129814.  NGC 883 lies 11' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 881 = H. II-436 = h211, along with NGC 883, on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and reported "F, pS, little extended, south of 2 or 3 unequal stars." The RNGC position is 3' too far north.
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NGC 882 = UGC 1789 = MCG +03-06-052 = CGCG 462-001 = PGC 8874
02 19 39.8  +15 48 51; Ari
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 82°

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 0.9' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 882 = h213 on 11 Jan 1831 and logged "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12"; near a * 16m.".  His position is 1' N of MCG -01-06-089 = PGC 8822 and the faint star is to the SW.
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NGC 883 = MCG -01-06-090 = PGC 8841
02 19 05.2  -06 47 29; Cet
V = 12.3;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 100°

24" (1/1/22): at 375x; bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with a very bright well defined core and an intensely bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 9.2 star (very wide, unequal pair HJ 327) is 3.4' S. IC 219 lies 9' SW and NGC 881 is 10' NW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, fairly high surface brightness, increases to small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' W and an uneven mag 10/12 double star at 25" separation is located 3' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 883 = H. II-436 = h215, along with NGC 881, on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and logged "F, pS, lE."  On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel wrote "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"; a coarse D* in field."
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NGC 884 = Chi Per = Cr 25 = Double cluster
02 22 32  +57 08 36; Per
V = 4.6;  Size 30'

14.5" (1/7/24): I easily identified 6 M-type red variable supergiants in NGC 884, though one or two may reside in NGC 869 (or the general field). All appeared a deep orange or orange-red color that was quite vivid. On the east side of NGC 869 is the pair V403 and V439 at 2' separation. Within the rich part of the cluster is RS Per (7.8-9.0). Between the two clusters is the bright red variable FZ Per (7.5-8.4). About 10' to its SSW is similar AD Per (7.7-8.4).  Finally, BU Per (8.2-10.1) is 17' N of the center of NGC 869.

18" (8/11/10): NGC 884 includes three rare M-type red supergiants including two mag 8/8.5 colored stars separated by 1.9' on the NE side of the cluster appearing red and warm yellow (V403 and V439).  On the east side of the core of the cluster is the orange M-supergiant RS Per.

17.5" (10/25/97): NGC 884, the eastern cluster of the remarkable "Double Cluster" field is not as large or bright as NGC 869, but is centered around two wide triple stars.  The central 5' region has up to 50 stars including a number of faint mag 14-15 stars forming a rich background.  Off the west end of the central region is a long string of stars that heads NE for 10' towards 3 brighter stars and then turning south and heading back past mag 8 orange-red RS Persei.  The brightest star is mag 6.4 HD 14433 to the north of the core. The 20' field includes ~200 stars, although NGC 884 contains fewer bright stars and is less compressed than NGC 869.

8": this is the eastern component of the "double cluster".  Very bright, large, very rich, ~20' diameter, ~60 stars, includes bright colored stars, many doubles.

Hipparchus catalogued the Double Cluster about 130 BC and Ptolemy copied it into his Almagest: "At the tip of the right hand [of Perseus] and nebulous [or misty]."  Giovanni Battista Hodierna first resolved the Double Cluster into stars by 1654.  He described (No. 3 of his 2nd table) "The third nebulous star, which is the first of all that Ptolemy invokes, [lies] in the constellation Perseus, at the tip of his right hand, below Cassiopeia.  [It is] very prominent amid the Milky Way, on account of a large profusion of stars, which are grouped in two places."

William Herschel logged NGC 884 = H. VI-34 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 877) as "A very beautiful, brilliant cluster of large stars irregularly round, very rich, near one-half degree in diameter."  John Herschel noted on 9 Dec 1831 (sweep 387) that "a fine ruby star in the centre".  The cluster was examined at Birr Castle looking for colored stars and five red stars were reported and one with a bluish tinge.

In William Denning's "Telescopic Work for Starlight Evenings", he noted it "In a telescope it forms a double cluster, and is one of the richest and most beautiful objects that the sky affords."  The earliest use may be in George Chamber's 1867 edition of Descriptive Astronomy"
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NGC 885 = NGC 863 = NGC 866 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = PGC 8586
02 14 33.6  -00 46 00; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 863.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 885 = Sw. 5-27 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  There is nothing near his position and Herbert Howe "searched for it on three nights without success [using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory]."  Corwin suggests Swift made a 5 minute error (too far east) in RA, finding NGC 863 again -- he also recorded this galaxy (discovered 100 years previously by William Herschel ) 4 weeks earlier and reported it as Sw. 5-24 (later NGC 866).  So, likely NGC 885 = NGC 866 = NGC 863, with NGC 863 the primary designation.
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NGC 886 = Stock 6 = OCL 347
02 23 12  +63 46 42; Cas
Size 14'

17.5" (8/5/97): the most noticeable grouping in this area is a 6' scattered group which is arranged into a rough pentagon with a broad triangular "roof" forming the west side.  Nearly all of the stars here form the border of this figure and it visually appears to be an asterism. The brightest member is mag 8.5 SAO 12256 at the north vertex and a nice collinear triple star (with a close pair at ~10") marks the SW vertex.  Only a few mag 13 stars are in the interior of this figure.  This object is labeled Stock 6 on the Uranometria 2000 Atlas.

John Herschel discovered NGC 886 = h214 on 30 Oct 1829 and described "a coarse straggling cl; not v rich; 10 or 12' dia.  Stars 9...13".  The NGC position is only 5' off from this scattered cluster (Stock 6).  RNGC labels this cluster as "nonexistent" (Type 7).
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NGC 887 = MCG -03-07-001 = PGC 8868
02 19 32.6  -16 04 12; Cet
V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, fairly small, round.  Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is embedded in the NE end.  Located between a mag 11 star 3.5' SE and a mag 12 star 3.9' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 887 = H. III-486 = h216 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "vF, vS, iF, better with 240 power".  On 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), John Herschel logged "pB; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 25" [diameter]."  George Stoney, using the 72" on 17 Sep 1852, recorded a "* in the edge, perhaps cometary or like a snowdrop."
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NGC 888 = ESO 115-002 = PGC 8743
02 17 27.3  -59 51 40; Hor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 72°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, small, round, 30" diameter, broad concentration to center but no defined zones.  A star is just off the NW edge, 25" from center.  One the east side are two very faint stars.  The closest is at the edge of the halo, just 16" from center while the second star is 35" NE of center.  A wide pair of mag 13 stars is centered 3.5' NNE.  PGC 101153 (2MASX J02162596-5956270) was picked up 9' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 888 = h2473 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "eF, S, R, has two small stars very near it.". His position and description matches ESO 115-002 = PGC 8743.
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NGC 889 = ESO 298-027 = MCG -07-05-016 = PGC 8843
02 19 07.0  -41 44 58; Phe
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 7' NW of mag 6.4 HD 14509.  NGC 893 lies 23' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 889 = h2472 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "eF, vS, R, pretty suddenly brighter middle, has a star 7th mag Sf and 6 other small stars intermediate".  His position and description matches ESO 298-027 = PGC 8843.
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NGC 890 = UGC 1823 = MCG +05-06-030 = CGCG 504-064 = PGC 8997
02 22 01.0  +33 15 58; Tri
V = 11.2;  Size 2.5'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 55°

17.5" (10/29/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.0'.  Sharply concentrated with a prominent core containing a stellar nucleus.  Using averted vision the faint extensions increase to 2' length.  A group of stars is off the west side.

8" (11/8/80): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, wide double star mag 12/13 lies 3' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 890 = H. II-225 = h217 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and noted "F, vS, R."  John Herschel made 4 observations and first logged it on 11 Nov 1827 (sweep 100) as "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; has 3 or 4 S stars p [west] in a chain".  The galaxy was also observed 6 times at Birr Castle.  On 12 Oct 1855, observer R.J. Mitchell remarked "pL, oval major axis sp to nf, suddenly brighter in the middle, probably a distant globular cluster."  There are a couple of very faint stars around the periphery and this may have given the impression of a distant globular.
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NGC 891 = UGC 1831 = MCG +07-05-046 = CGCG 538-052 = PGC 9031
02 22 33.4  +42 21 03; And
V = 9.9;  Size 13.5'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 22°

48" (10/25/11): at 375x, the stunning edge-on NGC 891 was one of the top highlights of the observing week with the 48".  The galaxy nearly filled the 16' field, stretching nearly 12' by 2' SSW-NNE.  A 17th magnitude star is superimposed close to the NNE tip and a mag 16.5 star is near the SSW end.  The brighter, bulging central region extends 2.5' with a mag 12 star just north of the core on the west side.  A similar star is superimposed on the southern extension along with a few fainter stars.  A very high contrast dust lane slices through most of the galaxy except at the tips, where the galaxy fades out.  I was surprised how broad the dust lane appeared, particularly through the central section.  Although the dust lane perfectly bisects the galaxy into two symmetric halves, the edge of the lane was ragged and uneven.

A very small, dim galaxy was visible just off the east edge, 2.3' NNE of center and collinear with two mag 12 and 13.3 stars off the west edge of the galaxy.  It appeared as a very faint, elongated glow, ~15"x6".  Once identified I could hold this galaxy nearly continuously with averted vision.  In addition, an extremely compact anonymous galaxy is just 50" NW the center of NGC 891 and 40" SE of the mag 13.3 star.  It was visible continuously at 375x and 488x as a faint glow, roughly 6" diameter.  Surprisingly this object is not listed in NED, HyperLeda or SIMBAD, though it's probably no fainter than mag 16.5.

18" (8/26/06 and 11/13/07): the long, remarkable dust lane that bisects this galaxy was quite contrasty with a scalloped appearance along the edges.  Member of the NGC 891/1023 Group.

17.5" (8/31/86): bright, extremely large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, 10'x2'.  A striking dust lane bisects the galaxy and is most prominent through the bulging central region.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, extremely large edge-on ~10'x1.5'.  Brighter central region ~2.5'x1.5', but no nucleus. Subtle dust lane evident and pretty obvious in the central region.  A mag 12.8 star is superposed near the SSW end, 4.4' from center, and a mag 11.8 star is 1.4' N of center, at the west edge.

13.1" (7/16/82 and 9/11/82): at 140x; dust lane visible with averted.  Fairly easy using 166x.

8" (11/28/81): fairly bright, large, edge-on, central bulge.

80mm (11/13/07): I was surprised how evident the galaxy appeared at 25x in the 80mm finder.

William Herschel discovered NGC 891 = H. V-19 = h218 on 6 Oct 1783 (sweep 283) when the telescope was pointing off the meridian in the east so accurate positions could not be fixed.  He observed it again on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "cB, about 15' long and 2 or 3' broad, bM, nearly in the meridian, a little from sp to nf."  A week later (sweep 621), he apparently had a better view and commented on the dark lane: "considerably bright, gradually brighter in the middle, about 15' l and 3' br, a black division in the middle in the direction of the length; at least 3 or 4' long."  He published a sketch with a distinct "black division" in his 1811 paper (Fig. 12) as an illustration of "nebulae that are remarkable for some particularity in figure or brightness."

In the notes section of his first catalogue, William mentioned that Caroline discovered this object on 27 Aug 1783, but this was a transcription error in the handwritten copy sent to the printer as she found V-18 (later NGC 205 = M110) on that date, though Messier had sketched it earlier.  Admiral William Smyth repeated this error in his Cycle of Celestial Objects (1844).  Herschel also found two members of nearby Abell Galaxy Cluster 347 (NGC 898 and 910) on 17 Oct 1786.

John Herschel remarked on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182): "has a chink or dark division in the middle and two stars."  He sketched the galaxy and remarked "An extraordinary object. Perhaps the figure is too nicely symmetrical as it certainly is too sharply defined.  It is of the last degree of faintness and may very well be though full in the field of view. There can hardly be a doubt a thin flat ring of enormous dimensions seen very obliquely."  The galaxy was also sketched at Birr Castle in 1850-51 and Dreyer noted, "I think the split is broader at one end, and that the nebula is a little more sharply defined on the following [Eastern] branch.  The central part is longer, but perhaps not so bright as on the preceding branch.  A bifurcation suspected at south end by Lord Rosse."
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NGC 892 = ESO 478-026 = PGC 8926
02 20 52.0  -23 06 49; Cet
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.4'.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 892 = LM 2-333 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.2 tmin west of ESO 478-026 = PGC 8926.
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NGC 893 = ESO 298-029 = MCG -07-05-017 = PGC 8888
02 19 58.5  -41 24 11; Phe
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 115°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration to a small, brighter core.  Located 3.2' WSW of mag 8.6 HD 14575.

John Herschel discovered NGC 893 = h2474 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "Not vF, R, pretty gradually brighter middle, 35", has a star 9th mag following 4' distance." His position (two sweeps) and description matches ESO 298-029 = PGC 8888.
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NGC 894 = NGC 895 = MCG -01-07-002 = PGC 8974
02 21 33.7  -05 30 46; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 895.  NGC 894 is the NW spiral arm.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 894 on 28 Nov 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72" and described a "D neb, components unite a preceding end.  The south one [NGC 895] is large, oval gradually brighter in the middle, the north one [NGC 894] is more elongated and fainter, also bM."  But the observation by J.L.E. Dreyer on 14 Oct 1876 revealed a single spiral with GC 530 = NGC 894 the brightest portion of a spiral arm: "pF, L, seemed first to have 2 Nuclei preceding-following, the following one being the brighter, but it was soon seen that the preceding one is no Nucl, but only the brightest part of a curved arm, convex south-preceding, very soft.  Sometimes I thought there was also some condensed part f the Nucl; Lord Rosse thought there was some patch or neby s of the nucleus [this probably refers to the southeastern spiral arm].  So, NGC 894 is the brightest part of the northwestern spiral arm of NGC 895.  This was recognized by Curtis after being photographed with the Crossley reflector at Lick Observatory (see 1918 Lick publication).
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NGC 895 = MCG -01-07-002 = PGC 8974
02 21 36.2  -05 31 14; Cet
V = 11.7;  Size 3.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 65°

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly bright, large, broadly concentrated halo, diffuse halo.  A mag 14 star is off the following edge, 2.0' ENE from the center and a mag 12 star is 4.7' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 895 = H. II-438 = h219 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and commented "pB, pL, irr figure, much brighter in the middle."  On 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 456), he noted "F, vL, irr figure, r, unequally bright."  The northwest spiral arm (discovered at Birr Castle) was catalogued separately as NGC 894.  See historical notes on NGC 894.
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NGC 896 = LBN 645? = Ced 6
02 25 31  +62 00 54; Cas
Size 27'x13'

18" (10/13/07): NGC 896 and IC 1795 form a bright, detailed HII region at the NW corner of the huge IC 1805 HII ring ("Heart Nebula").  This complex is split into three or 4 distinct sections by dust lanes.  The largest section is IC 1795, which extends mostly north of the mag 10.3 star TYC 4050-2597-1for ~8'.  To the west of the mag 10 star is a  dust lane oriented NW-SE and beyond this lane to the west is a small, moderately high surface brightness patch (NGC 896) of 2' diameter.  To the east of the star is another broad dust lane extending N-S and following this lane is a fainter wash of nebulosity that streams to the north for over 15' in length.  It passes through mag 9 SAO 12287 and just north of this star the nebulosity has a small, brighter patch.  Initially, I thought the complex ended there on the NE side, but fainter nebulosity was noticed spreading out to the west for several arc minutes increasing the total size to 15'-20' for both N-S and E-W directions.  

17.5" (11/27/92): at 100x with OIII filter this is a fairly bright emission nebula, very large, about 20' diameter.  Elongated roughly E-W but consists of two distinct sections (NGC 896 and IC 1795) which merge together.  The bright western portion = NGC 896 has a high surface brightness, round, ~7' diameter and a star is off the NW edge.  A weak dark lane separates NGC 896 from faint IC 1795.  The region is weakly nebulous without filter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 896 = H. III-695 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "eF, pL, iF.  Mem. The PD must be reckoned inaccurate, the string having been touched since the last cluster was taken."

NGC 896 is generally taken as the brightest portion of the IC 1795 complex on the southwest end (IC 1795/NGC 895 being the northwest portion of the huge "Heart Nebula").  John Herschel did not make an observation to confirm the position.  Corwin suggests that IC 1795 (found by Barnard) is a separate knot in the same HII complex, though Wolfgang Steinicke equates NGC 896 with IC 1795.
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NGC 897 = ESO 355-007 = MCG -06-06-003 = PGC 8944
02 21 06.5  -33 43 15; For
V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 17°

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.8' diameter, small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 44" E of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 897 = h2475 on 19 Oct 1835 and logged "pB, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle. Has a star 10th mag exactly following in the parallel just at the edge or 35" distant from centre."  His position and description is a perfect match with ESO 355-007 = PGC 8944.
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NGC 898 = UGC 1842 = MCG +07-06-004 = CGCG 539-004 = PGC 9073
02 23 20.43  +41 57 05; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 170°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; very pretty edge-on ~6:1 N-S, ~1.2'x0.2'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  Situated in a rich star field with a group of 4 stars mag 11-13 that nearly form a rhombus ~3' SE (sides ~1').

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, very elongated ~N-S.  Located 10' SSW of mag 6.7 SAO 38002 within AGC 347.  NGC 911 lies 19' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 898 = H. III-570 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "eF, vS, lE.".  His RA was 40 seconds too large.  Immediately afterwards he discovered cluster member NGC 910 (= III. 571).

Édouard Stephan observed NGC 898 on 1 Dec 1875 and also discovered the cluster members NGC 912 and NGC 914. The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 538-060 as NGC 898.  This is a fainter galaxy 8' ENE of NGC 898.  
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NGC 899 = UGCA 26 = ESO 545-007 = MCG -04-06-030 = KTS 16A = PGC 8990
02 21 53.1  -20 49 24; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 116°

24" (10/3/13): brightest (or highest surface brightness) in a trio (KTS 16) with IC 223 5' NNE and NGC 907 17' NE.  At 375x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, irregular, ~0.9'x0.7'.  A very faint extension was repeatedly visible on the southeast end protruding towards the east.  This asymmetry is confirmed on the DSS, which reveals a chaotic system with knots. A wide pair of mag 13 stars is less than 2' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x1.0', only a weak concentration.  An easy pair of mag 13 stars at 25" separation oriented WSW-ENE is located 1.5' WSW.  Forms a pair with IC 223 5' NNE with NGC 907 17' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 899 = h2476 on 13 Nov 1835 and reported "pB, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable, 30", has a coarse double star preceding."  His position and description (the coarse double is southwest) matches UGCA 26 = PGC 8990.
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NGC 900 = UGC 1843 = MCG +04-06-020 = CGCG 483-023 = PGC 9079
02 23 32.2  +26 30 41; Ari
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 30°

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Brighter of a close pair with NGC 901 2.8' NNE.  Forms the east vertex of a "cross" asterism with three mag 11-13 stars 2.8' NW, 3.1' SW and 4.5' W.  Almost collinear with a bright wide pair of mag 9-10 stars at 32" separation located 7' S.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, weak even concentration, small brighter core.  A mag 9.5 star is 7.5' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 900 = m 57 (along with NGC 901) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, stellar".  Marth's position matches UGC 1843 = PGC 9079.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 901 in the MCG (+04-06-020) and the position is 2' too far north.
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NGC 901 = LEDA 212967
02 23 34.1  +26 33 25; Ari
V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, very small, round, 0.3' diameter, no concentration.  Can view with direct view and hold continuously with averted vision.  Located 2.8' NNE of NGC 900.  Incorrectly listed as identical to NGC 900 in RNGC.  Not listed in any of the major catalogues!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 901 = m 58 (along with NGC 900) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS".  His position is 3 sec of RA east and 3' N of NGC 900 (which was placed accurately) and at this offset is PGC 212967.  This faint galaxy is not listed in any of the major galaxy catalogues based on the POSS.  MCG misidentifies NGC 900 as NGC 901.  The RNGC claims NGC 901is nonexistent (identical to NGC 900).
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NGC 902 = MCG -03-07-005 = PGC 9021
02 22 21.8  -16 40 45; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration.  A mag 13 star is 3.2' SSE of center.  Located 10' S of mag 7.8 SAO 148358. Appears fainter than listed V = 13.7.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 902 = LM 2-334 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 1' S of MCG -03-07-005 = PGC 9021.
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NGC 903 = PGC 9097 = PGC 212969
02 24 00.9  +27 21 23; Ari
Size 0.7'x0.4';  PA = 175°

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, glimpsed for moments.  Located 1.5' NW of NGC 904.  First in a group of 6 galaxies.  This is probably the faintest galaxy (LEDA gives 16.4B) discovered by Stephan with the 31.5-inch silver-on-glass reflector at Marseille.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 903 = St. 13-17, along with NGC 904, on 13 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His position matches PGC 9097, located 1.5' NW of NGC 904. This is probably the faintest galaxy discovered by Stephan!  NGC 903 is mentioned in the UGC notes as a companion to NGC 904 but it is not identified as NGC 903.
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NGC 904 = UGC 1852 = MCG +04-06-024 = CGCG 483-028 = PGC 9112
02 24 05.6  +27 20 33; Ari
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 130°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, elongated NW-SE, smooth surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 903 1.5' NW.  Second of six in a group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 904 = St. 13-18, along with NGC 903, on 13 Dec 1884 (or earlier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and reported "vF, vS, R, little brighter middle."  His position matches UGC 1852 = PGC 9112.
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NGC 905 = PGC 9038
02 22 43.5  -08 43 08; Cet
V = 15.7;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (10/13/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  Requires averted and concentration to glimpse (in fairly poor seeing).  Located 4.4' S of a mag 10 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 905 = LM 2-334 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.7 tmin of RA east of PGC 9038.  An 11th magnitude star is 23 tsec west, matching Leavenworth's notes "*9, p[recedes] 20 s[ec]", so the identification is certain.  Sherburne Burnham searched for this object with the 36" refractor (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and found "what seemed to be an exceedingly faint patch of luminous light" although he did not measure a position.
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NGC 906 = UGC 1868 = MCG +07-06-012 = CGCG 539-014 = PGC 9188
02 25 16.2  +42 05 24; And
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, round, relatively large, 50" diameter, diffuse halo, slightly brighter core/nucleus.  Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 909 3.5' SSE and NGC 911 9' SSE.

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, small, round.  Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 909 3.5' S.

13.1" (11/13/82): faint, furthest north in the string of galaxies.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 906 = St. 10-5 on 30 Oct 1878 (date position reduced) and recorded "eeF, irregular oval; dia = 45 arcsec."  Except for NGC 898 and NGC 923 (discovered by William Herschel), Stephan discovered all the NGC galaxies in the cluster.
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NGC 907 = UGCA 28 = ESO 545-010 = MCG -04-06-034 = KTS 16C = PGC 9054
02 23 01.9  -20 42 43; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 81°

24" (10/3/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.5'.  Irregular surface brightness and clearly brighter on the east side.  Third in the KTS 16 triplet with IC 223 14' WSW and NGC 899 17' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.8'x0.6', broad weak concentration.  IC 223 lies 14' WSW and NGC 899 16' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 907 = H. III-224 = h2477 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and noted "vF, S, irr R".  John Herschel described the galaxy from the Cape as "F, E in parallel; gradually little brighter middle, 20" long."
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NGC 908 = ESO 545-011 = MCG -04-06-035 = UGCA 29 = LGG 056-006 = PGC 9057
02 23 04.6  -21 14 02; Cet
V = 10.2;  Size 6.0'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 77°

48" (10/27/19): at 375x; Showpiece two-armed spiral extending 5'x2' WSW-ESE and displaying a great deal of structure.  Contains a bright oval core with a very small, very bright nucleus. A knotty spiral arm is rooted at the northeast end of the core. It bends sharply to the west on the north side of the core and displays a blotchy surface. As this arm extended west it separated from an inner arm by a dark lane, spread out and faded at the west end.

A longer spiral arm emerges from the west side of the core.  It wraps tightly to the east in a bright arc to the south of the core.  This arm has a fairly well defined outer edge, but was not as splotchy as the northern arm.  At the east end, it splits into two arms with a slightly darker gap between and passes north of a mag 14.4 star.  The northern split arm has a brighter 15" patch at its tip [1.0' NNW of the mag 14.4 star]. 

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly bright, large, elongated 4.5'x2.0' WSW-ENE.  The brighter middle has an irregular surface brightness and a faint star or knot is just west of the geometric center [this is probably the nucleus].  A mag 14 star is just south of the following end.  Four mag 11-12.5 stars lie 3' to 5' N and form a trapezoid with parallel bases oriented E-W.

8": fairly bright, large, elongated E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 908 = H. I-153 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 596) and noted "cB, vL, E from sp to nf, I believe above 15' long; but the ends are very faint."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is accurate. John Herschel made no observations of this galaxy either from Slough or the Cape.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 909 = UGC 1872 = MCG +07-06-013 = CGCG 539-016 = PGC 9197
02 25 22.8  +42 02 08; And
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, gradually increases to a brighter core and nucleus.  A mag 9.8 star is 2.4' SW and a mag 9.2 star is 4' W.  In the core of the cluster AGC 347 with NGC 906 3.5' NNW.

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, very small, round, compact.  Located 4' ENE of a mag 9.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 906 in the core of AGC 347.

13.1" (11/13/82): faint, just south of NGC 906.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 909 = St. 10-6 on 30 Oct 1878 (or earlier) and reported "eF, vS, stellar nucl".  His position matches UGC 1872 = PGC 9197.
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NGC 910 = UGC 1875 = MCG +07-06-014 = CGCG 539-017 = PGC 9201
02 25 26.8  +41 49 26; And
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.7

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly bright, relatively large, round, 1.0'-1.2' diameter, strong concentration with a very bright core that increases to an intense nucleus.  The halo is low surface brightness and fades out at the periphery, making it difficult to gauge the exact size.  Located at the core of AGC 347 with several other members near including UGC 1866 4' NW and NGC 912 4' SE.

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly bright, small, round.  Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 911 8.5' NNE and NGC 913 3.5' ESE.

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, similar brightness to NGC 911 in the core of AGC 347.

William Herschel discovered NGC 910 = H. III-571 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614).  He recorded "extremely faint, stellar, not verified."  His position was accurate despite the uncertainty.  Two minutes earlier he discovered NGC 898.
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NGC 911 = UGC 1878 = MCG +07-06-016 = CGCG 539-021 = PGC 9221
02 25 42.3  +41 57 23; And
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 40"x20", contains a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 9.3 star (HD 14933) is 2' N.  Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 909 6' NW and CGCG 539-018 4.5' SW.

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated.  Located 2.1' S of mag 9.2 SAO 38019.  Member of AGC 347 with NGC 910 8.4' SSW.

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, just south of a 9th magnitude star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 911 = St. 10-7 on 30 Oct 1878 (or earlier) and recorded "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  Except for NGC 898 and 923 (discovered by William Herschel), Stephan discovered all the NGC galaxies in the cluster.
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NGC 912 = MCG +07-06-015 = CGCG 539-020 = PGC 9222
02 25 42.7  +41 46 38; And
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; faint, fairly small, round, 24", gradually increases to the center.  Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 913 1.4' N and brighter NGC 910 4' NW.

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint and small, round.  Forms a close pair with NGC 913 1.3' N.  Located 4' ESE of NGC 910 in the core of AGC 347.

13.1" (11/13/82): extremely faint, very small, round.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 912 = St. 10-8 on 1 Dec 1875 during an observation of NGC 910.  He note "+ two other nebulae new."  Almost certainly one of these was NGC 912.  His published accurate position (list 10, #8) was made on 30 Oct 1878 with description "F, vS, R, bM."  Except for NGC 898 and NGC 923 (discovered by William Herschel), Stephan discovered all other NGC galaxies in the cluster.
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NGC 913 = PGC 9230
02 25 44.6  +41 47 58; And
Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 22°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 30"x15", low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 912 1.4' S.  Situated 3.7' SE of NGC 910 in the core of AGC 347. 

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint and small, round.  Located 3.5' ESE of NGC 910 in the core of AGC 347.  Forms a close pair with NGC 912 1.3' S.

13.1" (11/13/82): extremely faint and requires averted to glimpse, nonstellar knot.

Édouard Stephan possibly discovered NGC 913 = St. 10-9 on 1 Dec 1875 during an observation of NGC 910.  He noted that two other new nebulae were seen.  His published position (list 10, #9) was made on 30 Oct 1878 with description"eeF, eS, little brighter in the middle."
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NGC 914 = UGC 1887 = MCG +07-06-017 = CGCG 539-023 = PGC 9253
02 26 05.1  +42 08 39; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 117°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, ~0.8'x0.6', low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Three mag 13.5-14.5 stars are equidistant (1.6') SSW, W and NW. This relatively large member of AGC 347 is 10' ENE of similar NGC 906.

13.1" (11/5/83): very faint, fairly small, diffuse, almost round.  Located at the NE corner of the core of AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 914 = St. 10-10 on 1 Dec 1875.  His rough position was 3' to the E, nearly identical as other galaxies he logged in the cluster that night.  His published accurate position (list 10, #10) was made on 30 Oct 1878 with description "eF, diffuse, 1' dia."
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NGC 915 = MCG +04-06-033 = CGCG 483-041 = KUG 0222+269 = WBL 073-002 = PGC 9232
02 25 45.6  +27 13 16; Ari
V = 13.9;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6

24" (11/21/19): between faint and fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, small brighter nucleus.  Forms a very close, fairly similar pair with NGC 916 1.4' N.  In a group with NGC 919 7' E, CGCG 483-038 5' NNW and UGC 1885 12' N.

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 916 1.4' NNE and first of three with NGC 919 7' E.  Member of the larger group WBL 073.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 915 = m 59, along with NGC 916 and NGC 919, on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He called it "eF, vS, stellar".
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NGC 916 = MCG +04-06-034 = CGCG 483-043 = PGC 9245
02 25 47.6  +27 14 33; Ari
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 5°

24" (11/21/19): between faint and fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', small brighter nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 915 1' SSW.

CGCG 483-38, just 3.7' NNW, appeared very faint, small, round, 20", very low surface brightness.
UGC 1885, located 10' N, was quite faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness.  

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  Appears similar to NGC 915 just 1' SW amd second of three along with NGC 919 6.7' ESE.  Member of the WBL 073 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 916 = m 60, along with NGC 915 and 919, on 5 Sep 1864 from Malta with Lassell's 48".
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NGC 917 = UGC 1890 = MCG +05-06-039 = CGCG 504-079 = PGC 9258
02 26 07.7  +31 54 44; Tri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 55°

24" (2/5/13): at 375x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration to a bright oval core. Just north of a group of mag 12-13 stars and 2' N of mag 8.2 SAO 55553.  UGC 1856 (very faint superthin!) lies 27' SW.

17.5" (10/5/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.5', broad concentration to a brighter core.  Located 2.0' N of a mag 8 star and 18' NW of mag 5.6 11 Trianguli.  Several mag 13/14 stars in a curving chain are just south.  This galaxy is identified as UGC 1890 in most sources.

17.5" (8/5/97): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, 1.5'x0.8', broad concentration with large slightly brighter core.  Located close north of a semi-circular group of stars and just 2.0' NNW of mag 8.2 SAO 55553.  The identification of this galaxy with NGC 917 is uncertain.

John Herschel discovered NGC 917 = h220 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF, S, R, forms a semicircle with 4 stars."  There is nothing at Herschel's single position.  Dreyer looked for h220 on 5 Nov 1874 at Birr Castle and noted "no nebulosity seen, only 3 st about 18-20 mag close together nearly in a line pf" (these stars are visible on the DSS).  In the NGC notes, Dreyer adds: "h220.  No neb, only a vs, Cl with 4 stars near north-preceding (2 Birr obs, 1874-76, not found by d'Arrest)."  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 917 = UGC 1890.  This galaxy is situated exactly 20' S of Herschel's position and there are several stars just south that form a slightly curving arc.  Corwin also checked the sweep and found a diagram matching the nearby stars to UGC 1890 nearly perfectly.  So, Herschel must have made a clerical error in recording or transfering the position or simply misread the NPD on his telescope. Archinal and Hynes (Star Clusters) misidentify an asterism near Herschel's original position as NGC 917.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 918 = UGC 1888 = MCG +03-07-011 = CGCG 462-011 = PGC 9236
02 25 50.6  +18 29 49; Ari
V = 12.2;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 158°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly large, almost round, very low surface brightness, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is involved near the northwest edge.  Located 3' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 918 = h221 on 11 Jan 1831 and logged "pF; L; R; 60"; np a *10 m, dist 3'."  This galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle.  On 30 Nov 1856, R.J. Mitchell recorded "vvF, pL, R.  A * easily see in or near the centre, 2 others not so certain involved north of center."
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NGC 919 = UGC 1894 = MCG +04-06-039 = CGCG 483-049 = WBL 073-005 = PGC 9267
02 26 16.7  +27 12 43; Ari
V = 14.5;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 138°

24" (11/21/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~40"x15", irregular surface brightness [perhaps due to a dust lane].  A very faint star appears to be superimposed [a 16th mag star is ~8" S of center].  In a group (WBL 73) with NGC 915 and 916 ~7' W.

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE.  Third of three with the NGC 915/NGC 916 pair 7' W and fifth of six in a group (WBL 073)..

Albert Marth discovered NGC 919 = m 61, along with NGC 915 and 916, on 5 Sep 1864 from Malta with Lassell's 48".
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NGC 920 = IC 1799 = UGC 1943 = MCG +08-05-012 = CGCG 553-014 = PGC 9432
02 28 45.9  +45 58 14; And
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 34°

17.5" (8/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, broad concentration to a brighter core.  A mag 14 star is at the west edge .  Viewed after glimpsing UGC 1920 (the galaxy taken to be NGC 920), which is 9.5' W.

UGC 1920 (listed as NGC 920 in all modern sources) appeared extremely faint, moderately large, ~1.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, required averted vision to glimpse.  This roundish unconcentrated glow is situated within a group of stars including a mag 11 star 1.6' WSW and mag 13 stars 1' NW and 1' SE.  I would not have noticed this object without averted vision and knowing the exact location using a printed finder chart.  Located 9.5' W of much brighter NGC 920 = IC 1799 and 15' WNW of NGC 933.

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration to a fairly bright core and occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is very close west and a mag 12 star (unequal double) is 1.4' NNW.  Located in a rich star field 11' WSW of a mag 7 SAO 38067.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 933 6.6' ESE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 920 = Sw. 2-20, along with NGC 933,  on 11 Sep 1885.  His description reads "eF, eS, R; 1 or 2 eF * close; e diff." and his position is 16 seconds of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 1920 = PGC 9377, the galaxy which has always been taken as NGC 920.  I wrote the following note in Jan 2014 to Harold Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke after I realized that NGC 920 probably refers to IC 1799, a brighter galaxy 10' ENE:

"Swift's position in list II-20 is also 70 tsec due west of IC 1799 = UGC 1943, and an excellent match in declination (given Swift's general accuracy). So, IC 1799 is only off in RA from Swift's position. His description mentions "1 or 2 eF* nr", which could apply to either galaxy, but UGC 1920 also has brighter nearby stars that to me would be mentioned.  More importantly, though, IC 1799 is a more prominent galaxy than UGC 1920. In fact I probably would have missed UGC 1920 (the halo is very low surface brightness) in my 18-inch if I wasn't looking in the right place. IC 1799, on the other hand, was immediately noticed in the field, and has a much higher surface brightness. So, I'm suggesting NGC 920 = IC 1799 = UGC 1943."

Wolfgang Steinicke responded that his copy of Swift's paper came from Max Wolf's library in Heidelberg and "The '0' (of 20) is struck through and a '1' is noted to the right of the digit." Therefore Wolf also suspected a 1 minute error in Swift's RA.  Corwin notes that once 1 tmin of RA is added to Swift's RA, this leaves only a "difference in RA of only -10 seconds in RA and just -7 arcseconds in Dec -- negligible, in the face of Swift's usual errors."

Guillaume Bigourdan independently discovered this galaxy on 28 Jan 1891, measured an accurate position, and it was catalogued as Big. 251 (later IC 1799).  All major catalogues, as well as NED, HyperLeda and SIMBAD, identify this galaxy as IC 1799.  This leaves UGC 1920, the galaxy always assumed to be NGC 920, without a NGC or IC designation.
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NGC 921 = MCG -03-07-015 = PGC 9287
02 26 33.5  -15 50 51; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 81°

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.6'.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' SE of center.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 921 = LM 1-51 on 6 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east is MCG -03-07-015 = PGC 9287, and given the rough positions (nearest minute of RA), this is the likely object.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 922 = ESO 478-028 = MCG -04-06-037 = AM 0222-250 = UGCA 30 = PGC 9172
02 25 04.7  -24 47 17; For
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

48" (11/21/25): at 488x; this asymmetric ring galaxy displayed a very peculiar shape in the eyepiece.  A bright, very elongated "bar" extended SW-NE with a very bright small nucleus.  From the NE end a narrow, mottled, circular arc (part of the collisional ring) curved counter-clockwise, passing through a fairly bright, very small knot (roughly 16th mag) on the SSE side with a stellar center. This knot is the brightest and youngest star-forming complex in the galaxy. A diffuse glow filled the space between the arc and the bright "bar", which is offset on images to the NE side of the ring.  The westerh half of the galaxy and ring was barely seen.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, slightly elongated N-S, 1.2'x1.0', weak concentration, stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 12 star is 2' NNW.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, even surface brightness, slightly elongated N-S.  A mag 12.5 star is 2' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 922 = H. III-239 = h2478 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "vF, S, near 1' diameter or more". John Herschel reported on on 20 Nov 1835 (sweep 646), "pB; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 60" [diameter]".
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NGC 923 = UGC 1915 = MCG +07-06-022 = CGCG 539-030 = PGC 9355
02 27 34.6  +41 58 40; And
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 95°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint (relatively bright member of AGC 347), fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, brighter core, 0.6'x0.4'.  Collinear with CGCG 539-029 3' SSW and CGCG 539-031 1.8' NNE.  A mag 8.7 star (HD 15163) is 2.4' NE.

18" (11/26/03): faint or fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  Located 2.4' SSW of a mag 9 star.  Second of three on a line with fainter MCG +07-06-023 1.8' NNE and MCG +07-06-21 2.8' SSW in AGC 347.

13.1" (11/5/83): very faint, very small.  Located just 2.4' SSW of mag 9 SAO 38041, which interferes with viewing.  Member of AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 923 = St. 10-11 on 30 Oct 1878 (or earlier) and recorded "vF, S, R, weak concentration."

In March of 2020, Yann Pothier suggested the original discovery was made by Dreyer on 6 Nov 1874, though he assumed his observation applied to H. III-570 = NGC 898.  His description, which reads "pB (at least not vF), S, lE npp sff.  A * in Pos. 27.3°, Dist. 145.5".", does not apply to NGC 898, but NGC 923 instead, which is located 4.2 minutes of time following NGC 898.

Wolfgang Steinicke added the following comments: "The reason why Dreyer missed III 570 (NGC 898) on 6 Nov. 1874 is not due to an incorrect setting of the 72-inch. This is shown by correct data given for the other objects in that night (all observed before GC 533 [NGC 898]): GC 5036 (NGC 7794), GC 82 (NGC 169+IC 1559) and GC 272/78/89 (NGC 483/95/99). Dreyer simply had no coordinates. The main source of the Birr Castle astronomers were John Herschel's catalogues (h, GC). Unfortunately, Herschel could not find III 570 (and III 571 = NGC 910) in his sweeps, though both objects were in his working lists, based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue. Thus young Dreyer could only use WH's 2nd catalogue, giving relative positions to Beta Persei. Happy to see a "lE" nebula (at the place of NGC 923), he took the first choice: III 570 (NGC 898), though not at WH's place. For Dreyer derived no position for himself, he used WH's in his catalogues [and therefore later entered Stephan's observation to the NGC as a new object]."
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NGC 924 = UGC 1912 = MCG +03-07-012 = CGCG 462-012 = LGG 061-008 = PGC 9302
02 26 46.8  +20 29 51; Ari
V = 12.7;  Size 2.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 53°

24" (1/1/16): at 375x; moderately bright, oval SW-NE, 45"x30", sharply concentrated with a small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with CGCG 462-013 2.1' NE.  This physical companion appeared extremely faint, low surface brightness, ~15" diameter.  Member of a large group (LGG 061), inlcuding NGC 932, 935, 938 and 976.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, distinct stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 924 = H. III-474 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and logged "eF, vS, irregularly round, confirmed at 240 power." His position (Auwer's reduction) is a close match with UGC 1912 = PGC 9302.
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NGC 925 = UGC 1913 = MCG +05-06-045 = CGCG 504-085 = PGC 9332
02 27 17.0  +33 34 43; Tri
V = 10.1;  Size 10.5'x5.9';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 102°

24" (1/25/14): on this observation I used 375x and focused on the HII regions in the spiral arms of NGC 925.  [HK83] 120/121 was visible as an extremely faint, very small knot on the W end of NGC 925, 3.2' from center. This HII complex is near the W tip of the southern spiral arm. I couldn't trace the arm itself as far as this knot, but a mag 14 star was identified 0.9' SSE.

[HK83] 44, a very faint 6" knot, was barely detached off the E end of the central bar. [HK83] 46/49, a fainter and even smaller knot, was occasionally seen ~20" WNW, right at the tip of the bar. [HK83] 42, a faint 6" knot, was visible along the weak southern arm, 1.5' SE of center.  The location was pinpointed just N of the midpoint of two mag 13.5/14.5 stars oriented E-W at 1.6' separation.

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, large, about 5' diameter although the halo is irregular.  The core appears as a bright bar running through the center. The bar is elongated WNW-ESE with a fainter halo N and S of the bar. The bar is moderately concentrated and has a mottled texture.  I can see a strong impression of very faint extensions or arms that begin to hook N on the WNW end and S on the ESE ends of the bar.

An extremely faint knot is just visible off the W side 3.3' from the center. This knot is an HII complex and association near the edge of a spiral arm. It is catalogued as #120 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies."  Several stars are near; a mag 10.5 star lies 3.4' S of center, two mag 12 stars are just N of the core 1.0' and 1.5' from the center and a wide pair of mag 12.5 star are 5' W.  Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly bright, large, elongated WNW-ESE with a very low surface brightness halo making it a wider oval, ~4.5' diameter.  A prominent bar runs through the major axis WNW-ESE, with a slightly brighter nucleus at the center.  I see a strong suggestion of arm structure in the halo, particularly on the south side.  Several stars are superposed; the brightest three are mag 13-13.5.

8" (11/8/80): faint, fairly large, diffuse, irregular, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 3.5' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 925 = H. III-177 = h222 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and reported "vF, cL, irregularly round, resolvable, 2 or 3' diameter."  On 11 Nov 1827 (sweep 100), John Herschel logged "pB; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; among stars."  Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 14 Sep 1850, called it "3' by 50", rather F dash of light; a conspicuous star nf the middle outside edge."
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NGC 926 = UGC 1901 = MCG +00-07-011 = CGCG 388-014 = PGC 9256
02 26 06.6  -00 19 57; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 36°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.6, diffuse unconcentrated glow.  A mag 13 star is 2.5' SSW.  Located 7' N of a mag 9.5 star.  NGC 934 lies 22' ENE.  R Ceti (7.2-14) is 7' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 926 = T. 1-9 = Sw. 5-28 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and noted a 1' diameter. Tempel's position is 3' S of UGC 1901 = PGC 9256.  This galaxy was also found by Lewis Swift on 3 Oct 1886 and reported new as Sw. 5-28. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Tempel's object in a Sidereal Messenger article in Feb 1887 that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list).
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NGC 927 = UGC 1908 = MCG +02-07-009 = CGCG 439-009 = Mrk 593 = PGC 9292
02 26 37.3  +12 09 19; Ari
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, pretty smooth low surface brightness.  Located 10' NW of mag 9.1 SAO 92955.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 927 = Sw. 3-11 on 18 Jan 1885 with the 27-inch Grubb refractor at the Vienna University Observatory and reported it in AN 2732.  This galaxy is the only NGC to be discovered with the Great refractor.  Lewis Swift independently discovered it later that year on 2 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  Swift's position is just 6 seconds of time too large.  E.E. Barnard swept it up on 29 Jul 1895 while searching for his comet D/1884 O1 (Barnard 1) with the 12-inch at Lick Observatory and made an accurate field diagram at 80x.
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NGC 928 = MCG +04-06-050 = CGCG 483-060 = PGC 9368
02 27 41.0  +27 13 15; Ari
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Sixth in a group including NGC 903, NGC 904, NGC 915, NGC 916, NGC 919.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 928 = m 62 on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS, stellar".  His position matches CGCG 483-060 = PGC 9368.
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NGC 929 = MCG -02-07-009 = PGC 9334
02 27 18.3  -12 05 12; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 170°

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE.  Located 3.3' SW of mag 8.5 SAO 148396.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 929 = LM 2-335 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.3, 0.6'x0.2' in PA 170°, precedes *8.5 3.8' PA 15°."  There is nothing at his position but 0.8 min of RA east is MCG -02-07-009 = PGC 9334 and his description is fits.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 930
02 27 54  +20 21; Ari

= Not found, Gottlieb and Corwin.

Ralph Copeland, assitant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 930 on 26 October 1872. While observing NGC 932 (GC 543) he noted a second object close nearby, which he described as "F, S, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle" and offset from NGC 930 by 60" in PA 314.3 deg (NW) or 3.1" p and 42" N.  This nova was not mentioned in the subsequent three observations of NGC 930 in 1872, 1873 and 1876 but Dreyer added it to the GC Supplement (5238), repeating Copeland's description.

I carefully examined the POSS print of the field and the only object near the offset is a mag 12.4 star (GSC 1221-478).  There is a small reddish condensation with dimensions about 10" diameter at the northeast edge of the galaxy and Karl Reinmuth took this as NGC 930 ("eF, vS, R, very gradually very little brighter middle; 0.6' nf att NGC 932.").  But neither the separation nor the direction is a good match. So, NGC 930 is nonexistent.

The RNGC mixes up the identifications and lists the main galaxy as NGC 930 and calls NGC 932 non-existent.  Since Herschel was definitely the first to observe this galaxy, H. II-489 = GC 543 = NGC 932 should apply and the data listed in the RNGC under NGC 930 should be transferred to NGC 932.  UGC and CGCG equate the numbers NGC 930 = NGC 932, but the galaxy should be identified as NGC 932 only, since Copeland was clearly referring to something different.  Listed in RNGC Corrections #4.
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NGC 931 = UGC 1935 = MCG +05-06-049 = CGCG 504-089 = Mrk 1040 = PGC 9399
02 28 14.5  +31 18 41; Tri
V = 12.8;  Size 3.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 73°

24" (11/24/14): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.3', brighter core, sharp stellar nucleus.  LEDA 212995, a very close (physical) companion, is at the north edge just 18" from center.  At 375x, it appeared as an extremely faint and small glow, ~6" diameter.

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.5', broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Several brighter stars are in the field including a pair of mag 10 stars 6' NW and 10' N.  NGC 940 lies 25' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 931 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (mean of 2 observations) is on the east edge of the galaxy.
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NGC 932 = UGC 1931 = MCG +03-07-014 = CGCG 462-014 = LGG 061-001 = PGC 9379
02 27 54.7  +20 19 57; Ari
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (1/1/16): fairly faint/moderately bright, round, 40" diameter, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 50" SE and a mag 12.4 star is 1.7' NW.  Member of a large group (LGG 061), inlcuding NGC 924, 935, 938 and 976.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A very faint 15th magnitude "star" (emission knot) is involved at the NE end.  A mag 14 star is 1' ESE.  NGC 938 lies 10' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 932 = H. II-489 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and noted "F, S, little extended, 3 stars visible in it, but they seem not to belong to it."  His position was 2' too far north.  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 930 in RNGC, MCG and RC3 (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar).  UGC and CGCG equate the numbers NGC 930 = NGC 932, but only NGC 932 should apply.  See notes for NGC 930.
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NGC 933 = UGC 1956 = MCG +08-05-013 = CGCG 553-016 = PGC 9465
02 29 17.5  +45 54 41; And
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 35°

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration but no well-defined core.  A mag 15 star is 30" N.  Located 8.8' SW of mag 7 SAO 38067.  Forms a pair with IC 1799 6.6' NW.  This galaxy makes a right angle with IC 1799 to the NW and the bright star NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 933 = Sw. 2-21 on 11 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory, on the same night he found Sw. 2-20 = NGC 920.  His position is accurate (as opposed to NGC 920) and matches UGC 1956 = PGC 9465.
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NGC 934 = UGC 1926 = MCG +00-07-016 = CGCG 388-017 = PGC 9352
02 27 32.9  -00 14 41; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, very small, round, small concentrated core 15" diameter, stellar nucleus.  Located 13' W of mag 8.5 SAO 129923.  NGC 926 lies 22' WSW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 934 = T. 1-10 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and described as "very small and faint.  5" dia = tiny planetary nebula".  His position matches UGC 1926 = PGC 9352.

Based on a photograph taken by Perrine with the Crossley reflector, Heber Curtis noted "A small, faint, nearly round nebula is near this place, but it is not a planetary."  In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw also noted it was not a planetary based on a visual observation at the Helwan Observatory south of Cairo.
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NGC 935 = Arp 276 NED1 = VV 238a = UGC 1937 = MCG +03-07-015 = CGCG 462-016 = LGG 061-004 = PGC 9388
02 28 11.2  +19 35 56; Ari
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 155°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is superimposed.  Located 1.2' NE of a mag 10 star.  Forms a double system with IC 1801 off the southeast end.  IC 1801 appeared very faint, very small, elongated SW-NE, low surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 935 = Sw. 2-22 on 18 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 4 sec of RA east of PGC 9388 (part of Arp 276).  He mentions the bright star close west though the description implies the galaxy precedes the star. I'm surprised that Swift missed IC 1801 at the SE end.
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NGC 936 = UGC 1929 = MCG +00-07-017 = CGCG 388-018 = LGG 060-002 = PGC 9359
02 27 37.5  -01 09 19; Cet
V = 10.1;  Size 4.7'x4.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 135°

17.5" (12/4/93): bright, fairly large, very bright core 30"x20" elongated E-W (bar), core increases to almost stellar nucleus.  The much larger fainter halo extends up to 3.0'x1.5'.  Three mag 9 stars lie N; mag 8.7 SAO 129912 8' NNW, mag 9 SAO 12911 12' NNW, mag 9.5 12' N.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 941 12.5' E and UGC 1945 is 14' SE.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly bright and large, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~2.5'x2.0'.  Strong, fairly sharp concentration with an impresssive core than increased to an intense nucleus.  Extending through the core is a brighter "bar" oriented E-W.  NGC 941 is in the field 12' E.

8" (1/1/84): bright, moderately large, very bright core, oval NW-SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 941 12' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 936 = H. IV-23 = h223, along with NGC 941, on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351).  His description reads, "considerably bright, a very bright nucleus with a chevelure of 3 or 4' diameter."  He placed this nebula in the fourth class, which included planetary nebulae as well as stars with burs, with milky chevelure, with short rays, remarkable shapes, etc.   He published a sketch (fig. 31) in his 1811 PT paper as one example of "round nebulae that show the progression of condensation."

 On 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 108), John Herschel described it as "vB; vL; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 2' diameter; fades away insensibly."

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt, it was described in 1921 as "4'x3', E145°, vB almost stellar nucleus; a Phi-type spiral with pB cross-arms in p.a. 80° and 1.5' long, surrounded by a vF oval haze showing no structure.
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NGC 937 = UGC 1961 = MCG +07-06-024 = CGCG 539-032 = PGC 9480
02 29 28.1  +42 15 00; And
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 117°

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, very small glow either surrounding a bright stellar nucleus or a mag 13 star is superimposed at the center.  Located within a group of about a dozen faint stars in a 4' diameter with a single brighter mag 11 star at the SW side 2.3' from NGC 937.  Unusual appearance as the galaxy appears set in a very faint cluster.  Located on the east side of AGC 347 with NGC 946 15' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 937 = St. 13-19, along with NGC 946, on 1 Nov 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  The position was reduced on 12 Dec 1884 with description "vF* with slight nebulosity."
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NGC 938 = UGC 1947 = MCG +03-07-017 = CGCG 462-017 = LGG 061-002 = PGC 9423
02 28 33.5  +20 17 01; Ari
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

24" (1/1/16): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 35"x27", small bright core.  A mag 15 star is at or just off the southeast edge [35" from center].   NGC 930 is 10' WNW.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, broad concentration, small faint halo.  NGC 932 lies 10' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 938 on 30 Dec 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 1947 = PGC 9423.
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NGC 939 = ESO 246-011 = MCG -07-06-004 = LGG 062-001 = PGC 9271
02 26 21.3  -44 26 46; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter.  Well concentrated with a relatively large bright core.  A mag 10.5 star lies 5.4' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 939 = h2479 on 18 Oct 1835 and noted "eF, S, very little brighter middle, 20 arcsec." His position matches ESO 246-011 = PGC 9271.
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NGC 940 = NGC 952 = UGC 1964 = MCG +05-06-050 = CGCG 504-095 =Ark 85 = PGC 9478
02 29 27.5  +31 38 27; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 20°

14.5" (12/3/24): at 226x; moderately bright, oval 4:3 N-S, well concentrated with a small bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.

UGC 1963, which lies 10' S, appeared faint or pretty faint (can hold steadily), oval 4:3 ~E-W, smooth surface brightness, ~40"x30".  A distinctive string (linear) of 4 mag 11-12.5 stars oriented SW to NE is 6' W.

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent small bright core, stellar nucleus, high surface brightness.  NGC 931, which has a similar redshift, lies 25' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 940 = Sw. 3-12 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He called it round, small, mag 13 stellar nucleus.  His position (3 measures) was accurate.  Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 7 Nov 1885 and reported it as new in his 3rd discovery list (#12) with description "vF; eS; R; BM; 5239 [NGC 931] nr; v diff."  NGC 952, found by Stephan in 1871, is a duplicate number.
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NGC 941 = UGC 1954 = MCG +00-07-022 = CGCG 388-023 = PGC 9414
02 28 27.8  -01 09 05; Cet
V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 N-S, 2.0'x1.5'.  Appears to have a slightly brighter bar within a diffuse halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 936 12.5' W.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, nearly 1.5' major axis, mild concentration to a slightly brighter core/bar that occasionally seemed elongated.

8" (1/1/84): extremely faint, very small.  Located 12' E of NGC 936.

William Herschel discovered NGC 941 = H. III-261 = h224, along with NGC 936, on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and noted, "vF, cL.  It will just go into the field with the last [NGC 936]."  Dreyer, Lord Rosse's assistant on 22 Oct 1876, recorded "vF, vL, irregularly round, or perhaps lE ns?  No stars near it".
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NGC 942 = Arp 309 NED2 = VV 217b = MCG -02-07-019 = Holm 59a = PGC 9457
02 29 10.3  -10 50 10; Cet
V = 11.4;  Size 3.4'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

24" (12/22/14): NGC 942 is the slightly brighter and southern component of a close double system with NGC 943.  At 375x it appeared moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3'.  Well concentrated with a very small, very bright core and stellar nucleus.  NGC 943 is just 31" SSE (between centers) and within a common halo.

IC 230 (discovered by S.W. Burnham in 1891) lies 5.5' due west and appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter.  Easily seen despite a mag 15.7B.  

17.5" (12/4/93): this is the slightly brighter southern member of a double system with NGC 943.  Appears faint, very small, round.  Increases to a small brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 943 is just 30" N and both galaxies appear immersed in a common halo.  NGC 950 lies 12' S.

Ralph Copeland, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 942 = LM 1-53, along with NGC 943 on 31 Oct 1872.  He recorded a "Double in position 159.0°, distance of nuclei = 40".4; both are round; pretty suddenly brighter middle but the north preceding [nebula] is slightly larger than the other.  Position of a 12m * from the brighter of the nebulae = 286.4°, distance = 139.3".  But he mistakenly assumed he was observing NGC 945.  As a result, Copeland's discovery went unnoticed until recovered by Yann Pothier in March 2020.  Édouard Stephan also found the pair (only a single position) on 29 Oct 1875, but never published the discovery.

Frank Muller rediscovered the pair in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described both as a "nebulous double star?".  They were included in the observatory's first discovery paper (#53 and #54) with #53 (later NGC 942) placed 1' N of #54 (later NGC 943).  Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, as well as Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II).  Muller was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  RC 2 reverses the identifications (identifying NGC 942 as the northwestern galaxy), so the NGC designations go in RA order.
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NGC 943 = Arp 309 NED1 = VV 217a = MCG -02-07-018 = Holm 59b = = PGC 9458
02 29 09.6  -10 49 40; Cet
V = 11.4;  Size 3.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 15°

24" (12/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 18"x15", very small brighter nucleus.  NGC 943 is the southern component of a 31" double system with NGC 942.  The halos of the two galaxies are merged.  IC 230 lies 5.5' W.

17.5" (12/4/93): this is the northern member of a contact pair with NGC 942.  Faint, very small, weak concentration.  The center of NGC 942 is just 30" S within a common halo.  NGC 950 lies 12' S.

Ralph Copeland, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 943 = LM 1-54, as well as NGC 942, on 31 Oct 1872, but he mistakenly assumed he was observing NGC 945.  As a result, Copeland's discovery went unnoticed until recovered by Yann Pothier in March 2020.  See NGC 942 for more.

Frank Muller rediscovered the pair in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described both as a "nebulous double star?".  They were included in the observatory's first discovery paper (#53 and #54) with #53 (later NGC 942) placed 1' N of #54 (later NGC 943).  Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, as well as Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II).  Muller was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  Édouard Stephan also found the pair (only a single position) on 29 Oct 1875.

MCG, VV, and RC 2 switch the identifications NGC 942 and NGC 943, making NGC 942 the northern of the pair, instead of the southern. This disagrees with the NGC, but places the NGC designations in RA order.
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NGC 944 = IC 228 = MCG -03-07-016 = PGC 9300
02 26 41.6  -14 30 57; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 15°

17.5" (10/8/94): faint small streak, elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.2'.  A mag 14 star is 2.3' E of center.  Two bright stars are following: mag 9 SAO 148394 4.3' ENE and mag 9.3 SAO 148395 7.2' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 944 = LM 1-55 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.4', vE 0°, sbN like a double star."  There is nothing at his rough position but 1.5 min of RA west is MCG -03-07-016 = PGC 9300 and Corwin verified Leavenworth's discovery sketch matches PGC 9300.  Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again on 7 Dec 1891, assumed it was new and catalogued it in list 1-85 (later IC 228).  So, NGC 944 = IC 228, with NGC 944 the primary designation.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 944 in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 945 = MCG -02-07-013 = Holm 58a = LGG 063-001 = PGC 9426
02 28 37.3  -10 32 21; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration to a small core.  A mag 14 star is off the SE side 1.4' from center.  Located 5' N of mag 8.5 SAO 148906.  NGC 945 forms a pair with much fainter NGC 948 2.5' NE.  Brightest in the LGG 063 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 945 = H. II-487 = h225 = h2480 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, cL, iF, little brighter middle."  Herschel missed the companion NGC 948.  John Herschel observed NGC 945 from Slough on 6 Jan 1831 and at the Cape, though he also missed NGC 948.  His Cape observation from 9 Dec 1835 reads "eF, L, R, gradually little brighter middle, 2'."  Francis Leavenworth (list I-56) probably independently found the galaxy again in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory.
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NGC 946 = UGC 1979 = MCG +07-06-026 = CGCG 539-034 = PGC 9556
02 30 38.5  +42 13 57; And
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 65°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.6', sharp concentration with a small, round bright core and stellar nucleus.  Forms the southern vertex of a quadrilateral with three mag 11 stars between 2.5' and 3' separation NNW, NNE and NE.  NGC 937 lies 15' W.  Located at the east edge of galaxy cluster AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 946 = St. 13-20 on 1 Nov 1877 and recorded a rough position 6' too far east.  His published micrometric position (list 13, #20) was reduced (along with NGC 937) on 12 Dec 1884 with description "F, S, R, gradually little brighter middle".

Wolfgang Steinicke states that William Herschel made the original discovery on 6 Oct 1784 (sweep 283), while observing off the meridian towards the east.  During the same sweep he discovered NGC 891.  But due to the orientation, he wasn't able to fix determine accurate positions and this discovery was never catalogued.
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NGC 947 = ESO 545-021 = MCG -03-07-022 = PGC 9420
02 28 33.2  -19 02 32; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.8', broad weak concentration.  A mag 11 star is 3.1' NW of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 947 = h2481 on 10 Nov 1835 and reported "pB, E, gradually brighter in the middle, 50" long, 35" broad." His position is a good match with ESO 545-021 = PGC 9420.
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NGC 948 = MCG -02-07-015 = Holm 58b = LGG 063-002 = PGC 9431
02 28 45.4  -10 30 49; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated halo has a very low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with much brighter and larger NGC 945 2.5' SW.

Lewis Swift found NGC 948 = Sw. 5-29 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged a "D neb with GC 547 [NGC 945]...". Swift's position is about 15 tsec of RA east of MCG -02-07-015.

Ormond Stone perhaps discovered this galaxy a month earlier on 12 Oct 1886.  The nebula in Leander McCormick list I-56 is a close match with NGC 948, though there is no mention of brighter NGC 945, so I'm not certain of the identification.  NGC 945 and 948 were observed and measured by Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) but his RA is too far west.  Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 949 = UGC 1983 = MCG +06-06-048 = CGCG 523-053 = PGC 9566
02 30 48.8  +37 08 12; Tri
V = 11.8;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 145°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, fainter outer halo extends dimensions to 2.0'x0.8', broad concentration, no distinct core but brighter along major axis.  A mag 14 star is at the SE tip.  Located in a fairly rich star field.  Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located 30' E of a mag 7 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 949 = H. I-154 = h226 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599). He logged (summary description) "cB, pL, E np to sf, very gradually much brighter middle, 3' long, 2' broad."  On 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) he recorded "cB, very gradually brighter middle, little extended, about 3' long and 3' broad."

The galaxy was observed 5 times at Birr Castle.  On 16 Oct 1855, assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded "Oval, no Nucl, light pretty equable, major axis np-sf, clearly resolvable.  I can at moments see some of its stars.  B* at the south edge".
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NGC 950 = MCG -02-07-021 = LGG 063-003 = PGC 9461
02 29 11.7  -11 01 30; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

24" (12/22/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, fairly low even surface brightness.  Collinear with two mag 13/14.5 stars to the southwest.  Forms a pair with MCG -02-07-020 = PGC 9454 2.1' due west.  The companion (B = 15.5) appeared very faint to faint, small, 18"x12", can just hold continuously. An uncatalogued double star at ~6" separation lies 5.7' NW.  NGC 942/943, a double system, lies 12' N.

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, unconcentrated with a low surface brightness.  A wide pair of mag 13/14 stars with separation 37" are 2' SW.  Located 5.1' NNW of mag 8.3 SAO 148415.  The double system NGC 942/NGC 943 lies 12' N.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 950 = LM 1-57 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position matches MCG -02-07-021 = PGC 9461.
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NGC 951 = ESO 479-008 = MCG -04-07-001 = PGC 9442
02 28 56.9  -22 20 55; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 48°

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint, small, round, 0.4'.  The faint glow requires averted and  has a low surface brightness with no noticeable core.  Situated at midpoint between two mag 11.5 stars 3' NW and 3' SE.  Forms a close pair with MCG -04-07-002 2' S (not seen).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 951 = LM 2-336 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.3, 0.4' dia, E 0° [N-S], double star?"."  His position is just 1.5' S of ESO 479-008 = MCG -04-07-001 = PGC 9442 and his PA = 0° matches the central bar.
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NGC 952 = NGC 940 = UGC 1964 = MCG +05-06-050 = CGCG 504-095 = PGC 9478
02 29 27.5  +31 38 27; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 20°

See observing notes for NGC 940.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 952 = St. 3-6 on on 13 Oct 1869 and recorded a rough position 2' to the SE of NGC 940, discovered by d'Arrest in 1865.  Another observation on 24 Nov 1870 was 4' to the W.  He reported it as new in his third discovery list (#6) based on a micrometric position made on 14 Dec 1871, but there is nothing nearby and Bigourdan was unable to recover it. 

Corwin concluded that Stephan must have misidentified his offset star (given as 4713 Lalande), though wasn't able to identify another candidate.  Emmanuel Esmiol, an assistant at Marseilles Observatory, reported in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions that the offset star was HD 15866 and he identifies the nebula as NGC 940.  In fact, Stephan's record book from 1886 notes his observation was a duplicate of d'Arrest's GC Supplement 5242 (= NGC 940), so he realized the equivalence before the NGC was published.
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NGC 953 = UGC 1991 = MCG +05-07-001 = CGCG 505-001 = PGC 9586
02 31 09.8  +29 35 19; Tri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.5'

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, gradually increases to small brighter core.  A mag 12-13 star is 1.3' W of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 953 = St. 3-7 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the star 5.5 seconds preceding (1.3' W) and measured an accurate position (3 measures).  Édouard Stephan observed this galaxy on 16 Nov 1871. His published micrometric position (list III, #7) was made the following month on 7 Dec 1871.  Dreyer credited both d'Arrest (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.  Nine galaxies discovered by d'Arrest were reported as new by Stephan, suggestng in several cases he probably knew their positions beforehand.
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NGC 954 = ESO 299-004 = MCG -07-06-006 = LGG 062-006 = PGC 9438
02 28 51.6  -41 24 10; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 19°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SSW-NNE, ~1.25'x0.8'.  Broadly concentrated with slightly brighter core region.  Mag 9.4 HD 15612 lies 7.6' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 954 = h2482 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "F, pL, little extended, has a star 8th mag 3' distant S.f."  His position (measured on 4 sweeps) and description (the star is 3.5' SE) matches ESO 299-004 = PGC 9438.
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NGC 955 = UGC 1986 = MCG +00-07-027A = CGCG 388-029 = LGG 060-003= PGC 9549
02 30 33.3  -01 06 31; Cet
V = 12.0;  Size 2.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 19°

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.4', fairly bright elongated core.  A mag 12 star is 2.5' SE.  Located 25' W of 75 Ceti (V = 5.4).

8" (11/28/81): very faint, small, elongated SW-NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 955 = H. II-278 = h229 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and noted "pB, S, E."  John Herschel also observed this galaxy on 2 sweeps and gave a similar description.  Both of the Herschels' positions match UGC 1986, so there's no doubt about the identification.

In the NGC notes, Dreyer mentioned this object was a possible "variable nebula" because it was easily seen by Schönfeld in 1863, 1864 and 1868, Friedrich August Winnecke and Heinrich d'Arrest, but was not found by Vogel in 1865 nor Schönfeld in 1861.  Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) observed and measured the object without difficulty.  Winnecke wrote a paper in 1878 that claimed NGC 955 showed a "periodic variability".  It was also compared for variability on plates taken with the 60" at Mt Wilson in 1913 and 1917 and at the Helwan Observatory around 1920.  Wolfgang Steinicke covers the story in his book on the NGC (p519).
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NGC 956 = Cr 27 = OCL-377 = Lund 80
02 32 31  +44 35 36; And
V = 8.9;  Size 8'

17.5" (11/26/94): 15 stars mag 12-14 and two mag 9 stars in a 5'x2' group, very elongated N-S.  The two mag 9 stars bracket the group at the north (mag 8.9 SAO 38098) and south ends.  Not rich but stands out reasonably well at low power as the stars roughly form a curving "S" asterism.  Two additional mag 9/10 stars lie 3' and 5' W of SAO 38098 but do not appear part of the cluster.  A 2008 study concluded this group is a chance alignment and not a cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 956 = h228 on 23 Dec 1831 and described a "p rich cl; 2 or 3 B and about 20 st 13...15m; a star 9th mag taken"  His position is 1' SW of the mag 9.3 star in Herschel's description.
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NGC 957 = Cr 28 = OCL-362 = Lund 84
02 33 19  +57 34 12; Per
V = 7.6;  Size 11'

17.5" (10/25/97): moderately rich cluster, ~9'x4' in size and oriented ~E-W.  Includes a mag 8 star (HD 15621) on the SW side and a mag 8/10 pair (HJ 2143) on the SE end at 24" separation.  About three dozen stars are fairly evenly distributed within this elongated cluster.  There are few faint close double stars along the NE side and the bright double has a couple of much fainter companions.  A mag 7.5 star is off the west side of the cluster but appears completely detached.

8": 30 stars in cluster, fairly large, moderately rich, elongated ~E-W, unresolved haze. A bright wide double star (HJ 2143) mag 8/10 at 23" is on the SE edge.  Bracketed by fairly bright stars to the east and west.  Located 1° NE of the Double Cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 957 = h227 on 9 Dec 1831 and noted "a p rich, pL, cl; st 13...15; not compressed at the centre.  Figure an irregular parallelogram."
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NGC 958 = MCG -01-07-019 = PGC 9560
02 30 42.7  -02 56 22; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 2.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 2.5'x1.0'.  Contains a brighter, bulging core and appears brighter along a thinner "bar" (the major axis).  A similar comment was made in the 12/4/93 observation.  MCG -01-07-016 lies 24' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.8'.  Appears brighter along the major axis.  The brighter core has an occasional sparkle or bright spot.  A mag 13.5 star lies 2.0' N of center.

8": faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, slightly brighter along the major axis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 958 = H. II-237 = h230 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and recorded "faint, extended about 2' long in the direction of the meridian".  On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), John Herschel logged "pB; R; or irreg figure; bM."  Bindon Stoney, using the 72" on 24 Nov 1851, commented the "brightest part near preceding edge; E nnf-ssp; double star north, to which nebula does not reach."
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NGC 959 = UGC 2002 = MCG +06-06-051 = CGCG 523-055 = PGC 9665
02 32 24.0  +35 29 41; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 65°

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, fairly large, weak concentration, slightly elongated WSW-ENE.  Located 13' S of mag 7.6 SAO 55638 and 39' S of 14 Trianguli (V = 5.2).  Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 959 = St. 8b-5 on 29 Oct 1875.  His published position (list 8b, #5) was made on 9 Nov 1876 with an estimated major axis of 1.25'.  He made a later observation on 1 Nov 1877.
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NGC 960 = MCG -02-07-028 = PGC 9621
02 31 41.2  -09 18 01; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 125°

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, only 25"x10", very small bright core.  Located 5.6' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 960 = LM 2-337 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, R, neb?; *9 south-preceding 30 sec."  His position is 30 sec west of MCG -02-07-028 = PGC 9621.  I'm surprised he listed this galaxy as round, though a mag 12 star is 5.7' SW (Leavenworth calls it mag 9) or 22 sec preceding in RA.
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NGC 961 = NGC 1051 = IC 249 = MCG -01-07-033 = UGCA 40 = LGG 071-004 = PGC 10172
02 41 02.4  -06 56 09; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 1051.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 961 = LM 2-338 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "1.5'x1.0', E 230°, *10 at end."  There is nothing at Stone's position but Harold Corwin found that if Stone made a 10 min (transcription?) error in RA, then NGC 961 is a duplicate of NGC 1051 = PGC 10172 (discovered by Édouard Stephan).  The declinations are similar and Stone's description applies perfectly to NGC 1051.  So NGC 961 = NGC 1051 = IC 249 (another duplicate observation by Javelle), with NGC 1051 the primary designation.  NGC 961 is classified as nonexistent in RNGC and NGC 961 is not included in the aliases of NGC 1051 in HyperLeda.
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NGC 962 = UGC 2013 = MCG +05-07-004 = CGCG 505-003 = PGC 9682
02 32 39.9  +28 04 12; Ari
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  PA = 170°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 6' W of a mag 9 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 962 = St. 3-8 on 13 Oct 1869 with a rough position 2' to the SE.  A second observation was on 16 Nov 1871.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 13 Dec 1871 with description "eF, S, grad incr to the center."
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NGC 963 = IC 1808 = MCG -01-07-017 = PGC 9545
02 30 31.0  -04 12 59; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, weak concentration but no distinct core.  Located just north of the midpoint of the line connecting two mag 13/14 stars 2' SE and 2' WNW.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 963 = LM 2-339 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east (a common error) is MCG -01-07-017 = PGC 9545.  Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy (list 3-929) on 14 Dec 1903, measured an accurate position and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1808. So, NGC 963 = IC 1808, with discovery priority to Leavenworth.  RNGC appears to misidentify PGC 1066010 as NGC 963, though the position is 9' S of this galaxy.
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NGC 964 = IC 1814 = ESO 355-024 = MCG -06-06-010 = PGC 9582
02 31 05.8  -36 02 06; For
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 31°

17.5" (10/25/97): fairly faint, moderately large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.4'x0.4', brighter core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 964 = h2483 on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "B, pmE, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 30" long; position 215.7°."  His position (measured on 4 observations) and description matches ESO 355-024 = PGC 9582.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 22 Dec 1897 while observing from Echo Mountain in southern California, and recorded Sw. 11-40 as "pB; pS; vE."  His RA was 40 seconds too small and Swift and Dreyer didn't connect Sw. 11-40 with NGC 964, so it was catalogued again as IC 1814.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 965 = ESO 545-032 = MCG -03-07-031 = PGC 9666
02 32 24.9  -18 38 24; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 10°

17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, no concentration, requires averted vision.  A mag 12 star is 3.4' SSE of center.  Located 11' SSE of mag 9.5 SAO 148446 at the edge of the 225x field.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 965 = LM 1-58 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is a fairly good match with ESO 545-032 = PGC 9666.
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NGC 966 = ESO 545-030 = MCG -03-07-029 = PGC 9626
02 31 46.7  -19 53 05; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 112°

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak even concentration.  Located 40" NNE of a mag 9.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 966 = LM 2-340 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3 tmin east of ESO 545-030 = PGC 9626, a relatively good match.  His notes mention a "*9, 2' sp", though the separation is only 40".  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 967 = ESO 545-031 = MCG -03-07-030 = PGC 9654
02 32 12.7  -17 13 01; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 33°

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, gradually brightens but no distinct core.  An occasional stellar nucleus is visible.  Located 6.0' E of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 967 = h2484 on 10 Nov 1835 and noted "pF, S, R, pretty gradually much brighter middle, 25"." The following October he called it "eF, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  His position matches ESO 545-031 = PGC 9654.

William Herschel made an unpublished observation on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "a patch apparently nebulous; but may be only a few stars."  His re-reduced position is 4.5' due south of this galaxy.  He never returned to this field on a later sweep to verify the observation and due to his uncertainly it wasn't included in his catalogues.
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NGC 968 = UGC 2040 = MCG +06-06-056 = CGCG 523-061 = PGC 9779
02 34 06.2  +34 28 48; Tri
V = 12.2;  Size 3.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 60°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, stellar nucleus.  A 12th mag star is 1.7' ESE. Located 10' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 55659  and 15' ESE of mag 5.8 SAO 55650.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 968 = St. 10-12 on 1 Dec 1875 and recorded a rough position 2' to the ESE.  He made additional observations on 1 Nov 1877 and 5 Dec 1877.  His accurate reduced position (list 10, #12) was made on 5 Dec 1879 with description "pF, pS, R, incr to a bright core."  E.E. Barnard found this galaxy while sweeping with the 12-inch on 4 Aug 1891 at Lick Observatory.  He noted it as "12 1/2 mag, very small, indistinct, a 12th mag star 2' south-following, a 6th mag star 20' north preceding and another 20' north following."
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NGC 969 = UGC 2039 = MCG +05-07-008 = CGCG 505-010 = PGC 9781
02 34 08.0  +32 56 50; Tri
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 5°

24" (2/18/20): at 375x;  between moderately and fairly bright, oval 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5'.  There are three distinct zone; the oval halo, a bright roundish core and a prominent stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.  Brightest in the small trio with NGC 974 3.8' E and NGC 970 (double system) 1.9' NNE.  CGCG 505-8, located 7' NW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', very small brighter nucleus, brighter along the central axis (~E-W).

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', sharp concentration with a small, very bright core.  In a tight trio with NGC 970 2' NNE and NGC 974 3.8' E.  Also nearby is CGCG 505-008 7.4' NW and NGC 978 10' SE (a dozen total are within 35').  A mag 14 star is just off the SE side of the halo, 0.9' from the center.  Located 3.4' SSW of a mag 10 star.  

17.5" (12/4/93): first of four in the NGC 978 group.  Fairly faint, small, round, sharp concentration.  A mag 14 star is just 0.9' S.  Located 3.4' SSW of a mag 9.5 star in a rich star field.  NGC 974 lies 3.8' E, NGC 970 2' NNE and NGC 978 10' SE, all in the same field.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, small bright nucleus, slightly elongated N-S.  In a trio with NGC 974 3.9' E and NGC 978 11' SE.  NGC 970 2' NE not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 969 = h231, along with NGC 974 = h233 and NGC 978 = h234, on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "S; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle.  The first of 3."
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NGC 970 = MCG +05-07-009 = PGC 9786
02 34 11.8  +32 58 38; Tri
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 55°

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, with averted vision often extends to 18"x12" but the two components of this double system were merged.  A mag 10 star is 1.5' N.  In a close trio with much brighter NGC 969 and NGC 974.  NGC 971 is a mag 15.8 star 0.9' E.

18" (1/26/11): faintest in a trio with NGC 969 2' SSW and NGC 974 3.3' SE.  At 285x appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 15"x10".  Located 1.5' S of a mag 10 star.  Two mag 14 stars lie 1.3' NW and 1.7' NE.  NGC 971 is a 15.5 magnitude star 0.9' E.

17.5" (12/4/93): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located near the midpoint and just east of the line connecting a mag 9.5 star 1.5' N and NGC 969 2' SSW.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.3' WNW.  This is a double system (unresolved). Member of the NGC 978 group with NGC 974 3.3' ESE and NGC 978 10' SE.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 970 on 14 Sep 1850 (Saturday) while observing the NGC 978 group.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. This galaxy is labeled "Gamma" on the sketch of 11 Oct 1850 and the micrometric offset from NGC 969 is accurate, though it was seen as single.

The RNGC misidentifies the northeast component of NGC 970 as NGC 971.  This error is included in my RNGC Corrections #7.
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NGC 971
02 34 16.0  +32 58 47; Tri
V = 15.8

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; NGC 971 is a mag 15.8 star situated 0.9' E of NGC 970.  It was very faint, but easily visible.

18" (1/26/11): at 285x an extremely faint mag 15.5 star (mistaken as a nebula at Birr Castle) situated 0.9' due east of NGC 970.  It's sandwiched between NGC 970 and a mag 14 star 0.9' NE.  Also lies 1.6' SE of a mag 10 star.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 971, along with NGC 970, on 14 Sep 1850 (Saturday) while observing NGC 969 and 974.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850.  Offsets measured on 11 Oct 1850 (Friday) point precisely to a mag 15-15.5 star situated 56" east of NGC 970.

The RNGC misidentifies the northeast component of NGC 970 as NGC 971.  This error is included in my RNGC Corrections #7.
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NGC 972 = UGC 2045 = MCG +05-07-010 = CGCG 505-012 = PGC 9788
02 34 13.4  +29 18 43; Ari
V = 11.4;  Size 3.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 152°

17.5" (12/23/92): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.0', large bright core dominates, much fainter outer halo, appears brighter on the SE side.  Three stars (including two mag 9 stars at 45") are in a line off the SW flank and equally spaced.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, round, bright core, bright double star to SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 972 = H. II-211 = h232 = St. 3-9 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and logged "F, pL, little extended, bM, just north of 2 stars."  On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he recorded "pB, cL, E from sp to nf [should be np to sf] but nearer the meridian, much brighter in the middle, about 1' north of 3 stars in a row."  On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178), John Herschel wrote "pB, little extended, pretty gradually much brighter middle."  Stephan found the galaxy again on 11 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory and this observation led to the entry 5247 in the GC Supplement.  Dreyer combined the two GC entries (560 = 5247) in the NGC.

NGC 972 was observed 15 times at Birr Castle.  On 7 Oct 1855, R.J. Mitchell recorded "has a knot in p edge [probably an HII region]; neb spreads out and fades away gradually sf."  A sketched made on 12 Oct 1855 was included in the 1861 publication (Plate 25, Fig. 3)
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NGC 973 = UGC 2048 = MCG +05-07-013 = CGCG 505-014 = FGC 314 = PGC 9795
02 34 20.2  +32 30 19; Tri
V = 12.8;  Size 3.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 48°

18" (1/26/11): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.25', sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core and very faint thin extensions.  A faint star is very close preceding the SW extension.  Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.5 HD 15896.  The major axis of the galaxy is collinear with this star.

IC 1815 lies 4.5' S and 2MASX J02342777+3233439 lies 3.8' NNE.  IC 1815 appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, even moderate concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  The 2MASX galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE, 20"x12".

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 55664.  Forms a pair with IC 1815 4.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 973 = Sw. 4-8 on 30 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeF; S; vE; pB * nr sp".  His position and description matches UGC 2048 = PGC 9795.
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NGC 974 = UGC 2049 = MCG +05-07-012 = PGC 9802
02 34 25.8  +32 57 16; Tri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, ~50"x40", broad weak concentration to a small brighter core.  Two mag 14.5 stars are close off the S side and N side.  Brighter NGC 969 is 3.8' W.

18" (1/26/11): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration in the halo, then sharply concentrated with a small bright core.  Bracketed by a mag 14 star 0.8' S, and a mag 14.5 star 0.9' N.  Forms the eastern vertex of a small triangle with brighter NGC 969 3.8' W and NGC 970 3.3' NW.  NGC 978 lies 8' SE.  Located 4' SE of a mag 10 star and 11' NW of mag 8.1 HD 16015.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, small brighter core.  Situated between two mag 14 stars 56" NNW and 45" SSE.  Located in the NGC 978 group with NGC 969 3.8' W, NGC 970 3.3' NW, NGC 978 8' SSE.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, moderately large, broadly concentrated, diffuse halo, two faint stars on opposite ends.  Forms a pair with NGC 969 3.9' W.  NGC 970 not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 974 = h233, along with NGC 969 and NGC 978 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged  "vF; R; bM.  The second of 3".  His position matches UGC 2049 = PGC 9802.
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NGC 975 = UGC 2030 = MCG +01-07-009 = PGC 9735
02 33 22.8  +09 36 06; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 0°

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Symmetrical appearance with an even concentration to a small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  A mag 10 star is 2.3' NNW of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 975 = Sw. 1-3 on 9 Nov 1884 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; cE."  His position is 8' north of UGC 2030 = PGC 9735, but his description "considerable extended" applies to this galaxy (correction in the notes section of his 3rd list).
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NGC 976 = UGC 2042 = MCG +03-07-027 = CGCG 462-027 = LGG 061-006 = PGC 9776
02 34 00.0  +20 58 36; Ari
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (1/20/90): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, large bright core, very small bright nucleus. 

13.1" (9/3/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core.  Situated between two faint stars oriented N-S.  Located about 30' SE of a mag 7 star.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 976 = T. 1-11 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His description (published in 1878) reads, "Class III, small and faint; on one side of a trapezoid of 4 stars."  The trapezoid of stars is just to the north of the galaxy.  Édouard Stephan made another discovery on 31 Oct 1877.
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NGC 977 = MCG -02-07-031 = LGG 063-004 = PGC 9713
02 33 03.4  -10 45 35; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 65°

48" (10/26/11): at 488x this galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very intense oval core oriented WSW-ENE, ~36"x27", The core increases to a bright quasi-stellar nucleus and sometimes a stellar point.  The core is surrounded by a much fainter outer halo, 1.6'x1.3', that is only slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  PGC 175239 was picked up 5' NNE.

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, weak concentration, occasional stellar nucleus.  Just NW are three equally spaced stars mag 11 and 12 which form a line NW-SE of length 6'.  Located 7.7' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 148452.  NGC 981 lies 13' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 977 = H. III-472 = h2485 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "vF, pL, very little brighter middle, near some scattered stars.".  Both William and John Herschel measured accurate positions.
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NGC 978 = UGC 2057 = MCG +05-07-016 = CGCG 505-018 = KPG 071A = VV 1035 = PGC 9821
02 34 47.0  +32 50 46; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 80°

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~35"x30", gradually increases to a bright core but no distinct nucleus.  NGC 978 is a contact pair with NGC 978B = PGC 9823, which is merged at the SE end of the galaxy [18" between centers]. The companion was visible as a very faint, low surface brightness extension, poking out towards the SSE, ~15"x8". It contained a brighter stellar nucleus.  Mag 8.1 HD 16015 is 6' ENE and NGC 969, 970 and 974 are ~10' NW.

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appears moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x32". Sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core and a thin faint halo.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 978B at the SE end.  The companion appeared as an elongated brightening, ~15"x10" N-S, within the SSE portion of the outer halo.  Located 6' WSW of mag 8.1 HD 16015.  A trio consisting of NGC 969, NGC 970 and NGC 974 lies 10' NW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent core within a small halo.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' ESE.  Located 6' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 55679.  Brightest of four in a group with NGC 969 10' NW, NGC 974 8' NNW and NGC 970.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core.  Brightest of three with NGC 969 10' NW and NGC 974 8' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 978 = h234, along with NGC 969 and NGC 974, on 22 Nov 1827.  His position is a good match with UGC 2057 = PGC 9821, despite being mentioned as roughly placed with respect to NGC 969.  The brighter northern component of this double system is identified as NGC 978A in MCG.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 978B = MCG +05-07-017 at the southeast end, 0.35' from center.
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NGC 979 = ESO 246-023 = AM 0229-444 = MCG -07-06-014 = KTS 17C = PGC 9614
02 31 38.8  -44 31 28; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 115°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~35" diameter, faint but sharp stellar nucleus.  Situated within a string of 3 stars ~E-W with a mag 11.5 star 1.8' W.

Forms a pair (similar redshift) with ESO 246-022 9' NE.  It appeared faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 3:2 NW-SE, ~30"x 18".  The surface brightness is low and nearly uniform.  Situated 1.6' NE of a mag 9.6 star.  LEDA 130202, 2.2' N, was not noticed (B = 16.5). The trio forms KTS 17, though the last galaxy is far in the background.

John Herschel discovered NGC 979 = h2486 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "Not vF, S, R; almost stellar; between 2 stars nearly in the parallel."  His two observations differ by 7 sec in RA.
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NGC 980 = UGC 2063 = MCG +07-06-038 = CGCG 539-054 = PGC 9831
02 35 18.6  +40 55 35; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.25'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 110°

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, small bright core, similar appearance but slightly fainter by 0.5 mag than NGC 982 3.5' SSE.  The identifications of NGC 980/NGC 982 reversed in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

See notes for NGC 982.
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NGC 981 = MCG -02-07-030 = PGC 9710
02 32 59.9  -10 58 25; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, unconcentrated round spot with a low surface brightness.  Two mag 13 stars are 2.1' SW and 3.3' SW.  NGC 977 lies 13' NNE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 981 = LM 1-59 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.4' dia, gradually brighter in the middle."  His (rough) position falls close to MCG -02-07-030 = PGC 9710.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 982 = UGC 2066 = MCG +07-06-039 = CGCG 539-056 = PGC 9838
02 35 24.9  +40 52 11; And
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 132°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 2' NE of a mag 10 star.  Brighter of a striking pair with NGC 980 3.5' NNW.  Identifications of NGC 980 and NGC 982 are reversed in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

William Herschel discovered NGC 982 = H. III-573 = h236, along with NGC 980, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614).  He described them together as "Two.  Both very faint, very small, easily resolvable, about 4' distance [apart], the time and number between them."  Since Herschel didn't measure individual positions (offsets), Dreyer used John Herschel's positions for h235 and h236.  JH measured the position of h236 accurately, but instead of directly measuring the position of the western object (NGC 980), he noted it was separated by about 3' at a position angle of 337.0°, or north-northwest.  But in computing the coordinates for h235 (NGC 980) he reversed the declination offset, placing h235 5.5' too far south. Dreyer copied these positions into the NGC, and noted the orientation as SW-NE, instead of NW-SE as they appear on the sky.

Because of this error, several catalogues (RNGC, CGCG, UGC, PGC and RC3) reversed the identifications of NGC 980 and 982, which should be NGC 980 = UGC 2063 = PGC 9831 and NGC 982 = UGC 2066 = PGC 9838.  MCG has the correct identifications.  This summary is based on Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.
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NGC 983 = NGC 1002 = UGC 2133 = MCG +06-06-070 = CGCG 523-079 = PGC 10034
02 38 55.7  +34 37 21; Tri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

See observing notes for NGC 1002.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 983 = St. 3-11 on 13 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His 6th magnitude reference star was misidentified, so the position in list 3, #11 (published in 1872) is incorrect. The error was caught and mentioned in a footnote in MN XXXII, although there was still a typo of 10 tmin in RA in the corrected position.  Using Stephan's offsets (3 minutes 8 seconds and 3' 38") from 15 Triangulum, his position corresponds with UGC 2133 = PGC 10034.  Stephan found the galaxy again 10 years later on 14 Dec 1881, measured an accurate position in St. 12-21, and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 1002.  Karl Reinmuth missed the footnote in MN and in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, couldn't find NGC 983.  In any case, NGC 983 = NGC 1002.  Although NGC 983 should be the primary designation due to the earlier discovery, the galaxy is usually identified as NGC 1002.  RNGC misclassifies NGC 983 as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes
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NGC 984 = UGC 2059 = MCG +04-07-012 = CGCG 484-010 = V Zw 257 = PGC 9819
02 34 43.1  +23 24 47; Ari
V = 12.8;  Size 3.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 120°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small very bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.2' S.  Located 6' SE of mag 8.4 SAO 75448 6' NW.  This is a double system (not resolved) with a very small, faint companion at the SE end.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 984 = St. 3-10 on 16 Nov 1871.  His position was 3' too far E.  His published micrometric position (list 3, #10) was made a month later on 13 Dec 1871 with description "vF, eS, R, bM."
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NGC 985 = VV 285 = MCG -02-07-035 = Mrk 1048 = PGC 9817
02 34 37.4  -08 47 10; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

48" (10/26/11): at 488x and 610x this disrupted galaxy (possible collisional ring) revealed its structure.  A very bright, sharp stellar nucleus is offset to the SE side of the halo.  The moderately large halo appears as a 0.9'x0.7' oval or a circle that is squashed along the S and SE edge, near the nucleus.  With averted vision, the brighter rim was noticeable and the galaxy appeared as a ring with a darker center and a "diamond" (the Seyfert nucleus) attached on the SE side.  The ring appeared similar to a faint annular planetary.  An extremely faint mag 18 star is at the N edge of the rim.

2MASX J02343785-0853042, an easily visible galaxy, lies 6' S.  It appeared faint to fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, 20"x15", broad concentration, brighter core.  A mag 12.5 star lies 45" NW.

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, sharp stellar nucleus with a small very faint halo (Ring)!  A triangle of mag 10/11 stars with sides 1.7', 2.5' and 3.0' is about 5' WNW and the galaxy forms the bottom of a "cross" asterism with these stars.  This is a Seyfert galaxy, accounting for the dominant nucleus.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 985 = LM 2-341 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is only 1' S of VV 285 = PGC 9817.
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NGC 986 = ESO 299-007 = MCG -07-06-015 = PGC 9747
02 33 34.2  -39 02 43; For
V = 10.9;  Size 3.9'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): at 264x, this beautiful, barred S-shaped spiral appeared very bright, large, with a very bright elongated central region that increased to a small, very bright core and bright stellar nucleus.  Within the central region it was brighter along the central axis (bar) oriented SW to NE.  At the southwest end of the central bar a relatively thin arm emerged and swept ~1.3' SE (clockwise).  From the NE end of the central region another thin arm shot north for 1.5' and contained a very small, brighter knot or HII region.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.2'.  Dominated by a 20" rounder core.  A nice evenly matched mag 10.5 pair at 12" separation is 9' NNE with another similar star 1' S.  Located 8' due north of mag 9 SAO 193771.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, bright core, diffuse edges.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 986 = D 519 = h2487 on 5 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta (near Sydney) and described "a faint nebula, of an irregular round figure, about 30" diameter, north of a bright small star."  His single position is 9' SE of NGC 986 (typical error) and there are no other nearby brighter galaxies that he might have been picked up instead. 

John Herschel described the galaxy on 23 Oct 1835 as "pB, L, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 3' long 2' broad, either binuclear or more elongated on the n.f. side than on the opposite."  On a later sweep he logged "B, L, pmE, very suddenly much brighter middle, 100" long 60" broad, unequally bright, and exhibiting an approach to binuclear form."  See Plate VI, figure 14 of the CGH Observations.  Herschel's secondary nucleus appears to be the brighter southwest end of the central bar.

Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 29 Nov 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  He resolved it as a stretched S-shaped barred spiral (Plate I, figure 8 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885".  Albert Le Sueur earlier made a sketch (unpublished plate VII, figure 80).
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NGC 987 = UGC 2093 = MCG +05-07-021 = CGCG 505-023 = Mrk 1180 = PGC 9911
02 36 49.6  +33 19 38; Tri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 30°

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core.  Located 26' N of mag 6.3 SAO 55711.

William Herschel discovered NGC 987 = H. III-161 = h237 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "vF, S, irregularly extended, resolvable".  John Herschel observed this galaxy on two sweeps, recording on 11 Nov 1827 (sweep 100):"vF; R; S; bM; 2 st 14m np point to it."
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NGC 988 = MCG -02-07-037 = UGCA 35 = LGG 071-013 = PGC 9843
02 35 29.7  -09 21 35; Cet
V = 11.0;  Size 3.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 112°

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, wider on ESE edge.  Unusual appearance as mag 7.2 HD 16152 (79 Cet) is directly superimposed on the WNW side!  Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 988 = St. 10-13 on 29 Nov 1875 and called it a 6th magnitude star (4811 Lalande) surrounded by a faint round nebulosity, a bit extended to the southeast."  Stephan's RA was about 20 seconds too small as he misidentified the superimposed 7th magnitude star (79 Ceti).  Dreyer corrected the position in the NGC, commenting in the IC 2 notes section: "No nebulosity seen by Burnham [Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and Barnard. Stephan's position is wrong, being taken from Baily's Lalande, where the places of two stars (with an 18 second difference in right ascension) are mixed up. I took the northeastern star, as I was not certain that it was not nebulous, while the southwestern one was certainly free from haze".  Emmanuel Esmiol deleted NGC 988 in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's measurements.

William Herschel logged the bright star on sweep 355 (10 Jan 1788), but missed the galaxy.
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NGC 989 = MCG -03-07-034 = PGC 9762
02 33 46.0  -16 30 41; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 11.4

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter core.  Located off the SE end of a string of four mag 12-13 stars oriented NW-SE and 6.0' NNE of mag 9.0 SAO 148466.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 989 = LM 1-60 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is 1.4 tmin east of MCG -03-07-034 = PGC 9762.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 990 = UGC 2089 = MCG +02-07-018 = CGCG 439-019 = LGG 069-001 = PGC 9890
02 36 18.2  +11 38 32; Ari
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, even symmetrical concentration from halo to nucleus.  Located 6' W of a mag 9.5 star and 4' N of a mag 10.5 star.  Part of the NGC 1024 group (LGG 069)

William Herschel discovered NGC 990 = H. III-557 = h238 = Sw. 4-9 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 591).  His description reads, "vF, vS, little extended, resolvable, 240 power the same.".  On 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121) John Herschel logged "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25"; moonlight."

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, observed NGC 990 on 12 Dec 1848.  Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 1 Sep 1886 and catalogued it as new in his fourth discovery paper (#9).
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NGC 991 = MCG -01-07-023 = LGG 071-002 = PGC 9846
02 35 32.2  -07 09 16; Cet
V = 11.7;  Size 2.9'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 60°

24" (11/21/19): at 322x; large, slightly elongated, broad and fairly weak concentration with only a slightly brighter core.  Overall, low surface brightness but the halo seems slightly mottled as if a face-on spiral (it is).  Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

MCG -1-7-22, located 33' SSW, was relatively bright, round, 35"-40" diameter, moderate surface brightness, slightly brighter core/nucleus.  This galaxy is 11' N of 77 Ceti (V = 5.7).

17.5" (8/31/86): large, diffuse, weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' S of center.  Located 40' N of mag 5.5 80 Ceti (V = 5.5).

William Herschel discovered NGC 991 = H. III-434 = h239 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and recorded "vF, cL, irr figure, little brighter middle, 4' or 5' long, 2 or 3' broad". His reduced position is accurate.  John Herschel simply noted "eF" on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), and his position is 9 seconds of RA too large.
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NGC 992 = UGC 2103 = MCG +03-07-035 = CGCG 462-035 = PGC 9938
02 37 25.5  +21 06 02; Ari
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 10°

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 45"x22", well concentrated to a small bright core increasing to a stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1.5' SSE.  Located 4.3' SW of mag 9 SAO 75477.

Forms a pair with CGCG 462-036 2.6' NNE.  This galaxy is situated just 2' SE of SAO 75477 and appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, very faint extensions.  Located 4.3' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 75477.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.4' SE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 992 = Sw. 4-10 on 31 Oct 1877.  His rough notebook position was 2.5' to the SE.  He never reduced and published the discovery.

Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 992 on 6 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His RA was 8 seconds too small but his description ("cE, * nr S") in his 4th discovery list (#10) matches.  Bigourdan noted "it passes 7 seconds before the NGC position" in the correction list in his 1891 Comptes Rendus paper. But his comment should read "7 seconds after".  Kobold measured an accurate position in 1902 with the 18" refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory (published in 1907). Swift received discovery credit in the NGC.

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NGC 993 = NGC 994 = UGC 2095 = MCG +00-07-052 = CGCG 388-063 = PGC 9910
02 36 46.0  +02 03 01; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 110°

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star lies 30" N.  Located between two mag 10 stars 6.7' SW and 4.3' NE at the west edge of the NGC 1016 group.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, moderate concentration with a very small brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is just 34" NNW of center.  Located 4.4' SW of a mag 9.5 star.  An unequal double star (mag 12/14 at 19" separation) lies 3' E.  Located at the west end of the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 993 = m 63 on 15 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, vS".  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 1 Dec 1875 and noted it as "Lassell 63".  Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 17 Oct 1885.  He claimed it was not NGC 993 and listed it as new in his 3rd discovery list (#13).  As a result, it also carries the designation NGC 994.
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NGC 994 = NGC 993 = UGC 2095 = MCG +00-07-052 = CGCG 388-063 = PGC 9910
02 36 46.0  +02 03 01; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 993.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 994 = Sw. 3-13 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  He described this nebula as "vF * close; between a pB* and a faint double star; np of 2 [with NGC 1004]".  Swift mentions is "not [N993], [NGC 1016] nor [NGC 1073]", but his position and description matches NGC 993, which was discovered by Albert Marth (m 65) on 15 Jan 1865.  So, NGC 993 = NGC 994, with priority to Marth (NGC 993).  RNGC notes the equivalence.
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NGC 995 = UGC 2118 = MCG +07-06-044 = CGCG 539-063 = PGC 10008
02 38 32.0  +41 31 46; And
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 35°

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core except for a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 14.5 star is at the east edge.  Member of the NGC 995-1005 cluster (~40' N of NGC 1003).  Nearby galaxies include NGC 1000 5.3' SE, 2MASX J02382515+4135182 3.8' NNW and NGC 996 7.2' NNE.  These galaxies, as well as NGC 999, NGC 1001 and NGC 1005 are arranged in a partial ring of diameter 13'!

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core.  A mag 15 star is just off the east edge.  Located at the west edge of the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 996 7' NNE and NGC 1000 5' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 995 = St. 3-12 on 8 Dec 1871 (date position was reduced) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His position matches UGC 2118 = PGC 10008.  First in a group of 6 NGC galaxies (NGCs 995, 996, 999, 1000, 1001, 1005) discovered by Stephan.
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NGC 996 = UGC 2123 = MCG +07-06-045 = CGCG 539-064 = PGC 10015
02 38 39.9  +41 38 51; And
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.9', gradually increases to a small, brighter core.  This galaxy is the brightest, along with NGC 995 7.2' SSW, of a group of 8 galaxies (6 NGC's) generally arranged in a ring (part of the NGC 1023 group).  Forms a close pair with NGC 999 2' NE and also forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10.5-11 stars 3' NE and 3' NW.

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 999 2' NE in the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 996 = St. 3-13, along with NGC 999, NGC 1001 and UGC 2111, on 10 Nov 1871.  He possibly made an earlier observation of NGC 996 and 1001 (noted at 31 seconds of RA separation) on 30 Nov 1866, assuming a recording error of 5 minutes in RA.  His published micrometric position (list 3, #13) was made on 7 Dec 1871.  Second in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.
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NGC 997 = UGC 2102 = MCG +01-07-015 = CGCG 414-027 = PGC 9932
02 37 14.5  +07 18 21; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8

24" (12/28/16): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, small bright core, stellar nucleus, high surface brightness.  Mag 9.5 HD 16303 is 1.4' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 998 1.8' NNE.  Brightest in a group (redshift-based distance ~250 million l.y.) with CGCG 414-028 8' N and UGC 2092, an extreme superthin, lies 10.6' W.

CGCG 414-028 appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  I was surprised the visibility is comparable to NGC 998.
UGC 2092: extremely faint, fairly small, elongated ~5:2 SW-NE, ~20"x8", very low surface brightness!  As the axial ratio of this bulgeless superthin is ~12:1, I only picked up the slightly brighter central section.

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration, small ill-defined core.  Located 1.4' NE of mag 9 SAO 110644!  Forms a close pair with NGC 998 1.8' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 997 = m 64, along with NGC 998, on 10 Nov 1863 and noted "F, S".  His position was accurate.  Brightest in a group of faint galaxies -- one of which (NGC 997 NED01) is in the halo on the north side.  Stephan made an observation on 13 Oct 1869 at the Marseilles observatory.
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NGC 998 = MCG +01-07-016 = PGC 9934
02 37 16.5  +07 20 09; Cet
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (12/28/16): at 375x; very faint to faint, small, round, 18" diameter, very low surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 997 1.8' SSW.

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Very low even surface brightness and requires averted vision.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 997 1.8' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 998 = m 65 (along with NGC 997) on 10 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF".  NGC 998 was placed 2 sec of RA following and 1' N of NGC 997, and at this position is PGC 9934.

CGCG misidentified CGCG 414-028 = PGC 2802440 as NGC 998.  This galaxy is 6' NNE of NGC 998. The UGC notes to NGC 997 and the RNGC follow the CGCG error and misidentify CGCG 414-028 as NGC 998.  PGC has the correct identification, though is incorrect to use CGCG 414-028 as an alias.  MCG reverses the identifications as well as the declinations.  The identification of NGC 997 is included in my RNGC Corrections #7.
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NGC 999 = UGC 2127 = MCG +07-06-047 = CGCG 539-066 = PGC 10026
02 38 47.4  +41 40 14; And
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 61°

18" (12/18/06): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  Sandwiched between a mag 11 star 1' NE and a mag 14 star just off the SW edge [28" from the center].  Located just 2' NE of NGC 996 in the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 1001 4.5' E.

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 12 star is 1.0' NE.  Member of the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 1001 4.7' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 999 = St. 3-14, along with NGC 996, NGC 1001 and UGC 2111, on 10 Nov 1871.  His published micrometric position was made the following month on 8 Dec 1871.  NGC 999 is the third in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

CGCG, UGC, PGC and HyperLEDA incorrectly equate NGC 999 and IC 240.  Bigourdan measured IC 240 with respect to NGC 999 so they cannot be equivalent.  Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his survey of IC identifications and Harold Corwin suggests IC 240 is probably a line of 4 faint stars.
8 Dec 1871
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NGC 1000 = MCG +07-06-048 = CGCG 539-067 = PGC 10028
02 38 49.7  +41 27 35; And
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (12/18/06): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Located 5.3' SE of NGC 995 at the south end of the NGC 995-1005 cluster (35' N of NGC 1003).  Appears very compact on the DSS.

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE.  Member of the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1000 = St. 3-15, along with NGC 1005, on 9 Dec 1871 (according to Yann Pothier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His position matches CGCG 539-067 = PGC 10028.  This is the fourth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan over 3 nights.
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NGC 1001 = MCG +07-06-050 = CGCG 539-069 = PGC 10050
02 39 12.7  +41 40 18; Per
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 114°

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.2'.  With direct vision a faint stellar nucleus is visible.  Occasionally I thought the nucleus was double, but instead there appeared to be an extremely faint star at the NW edge.  Located 4.7' E of NGC 999.

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, very elongated WNW-ESE.  An extremely faint mag 15.5 star is at the west end or an extremely faint companion (appears elongated on the POSS).  A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' SE.  NGC 999 lies 4.7' W in the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1001 = St. 3-16, along with NGC 996, NGC 999 and UGC 2111, on 10 Nov 1871.  He possibly made an earlier observation on 30 Nov 1866, if he recorded a 5 minute error in RA.  His published micrometric position was made the following month on 8 Dec 1871.  NGC 999 is the fifth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.
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NGC 1002 = UGC 2133 = MCG +06-06-070 = CGCG 523-079 = N983 = PGC 10034
02 38 55.7  +34 37 21; Tri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, larger brighter core, irregular surface brightness.  Collinear with a mag 12.5 star 1.2' NE and a mag 13 star 2.8' NE.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 1002 = St. 12-21 on 5 Nov 1875 and measured an approximate position 3' to the ENE.  His published position (list 12, #21) was reduced on 14 Dec 1881 with description "very faint, very small, irr round, condensation around a bright central nucleus."  He made an earlier discovery in 1871 (list 3, #11), but misidentified his comparison star, so the position for NGC 983 is incorrect.  When corrected, NGC 983 = NGC 1002.  Because the position for NGC 1002 is unambiguous, catalogues use this identification.  He observed NGC 1002 on his last documented night (22 Nov 1886).  See Corwin's notes for NGC 983.
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NGC 1003 = UGC 2137 = MCG +07-06-051 = CGCG 539-070 = LGG 070-005 = PGC 10052
02 39 16.9  +40 52 20; Per
V = 11.5;  Size 5.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 97°

48" (11/21/25): I only took a fairly quick look at this galaxy using 610x. It appeared bright, large, very elongated 7:2 E-W, ~4.0'x1.2', with a noticeably mottled surface, presumably from HII regions. The brighter, elongated central region appeared off-center; with the galaxy extending noticeably further to the west. There was no distinct brighter, inner core or nucleus. The SW flank appeared cut-off by dust, so mainly a long "finger" along the NW side "pointed" to the west. A mag 12.9 star is along the N edge, just E of center, and a 10th mag star is 2' SW of center.

18" (12/18/06): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 2.5'x0.9', broad concentration with a large, brighter core.  The core brightens slightly to the center but there is no distinct nucleus, although the center has a mottled appearance with an occasional sparkle or two (possibly a faint, superimposed star or a slightly brighter knot).  A mag 13 star is just off the NE edge of the core.  Located 2' NE mag 10 SAO 38196 and two degrees SSW of M34.  Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, bright core.  A mag 13 star is involved at the NE side, just 0.8' from center.  Located 2' NE of a mag 10 star. 

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is on the NE edge 0.8' from center.  An extremely faint knot is at the NW edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1003 = H. II-238 = H. III-198 = h240 on 6 Oct 1784 (sweep 283). He recorded III-198 as "Suspected, but the haziness will not permit to verify it."  The observation was made with the telescope off the meridian, pointing towards the east, so he could observe objects in Andromeda and Perseus that normally transit close to the meridian.  But due to the orientation he wasn't able to fix a position (offsets from known stars).  He found the galaxy again on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged H. II-238 as "pB, much elongated nearly in the parallel [E-W], much brighter in the middle, near 4' long and about 1' br." On the following night (sweep 618) he noted. "cB, mE, very gradually much brighter middle, near 4' l."  John Herschel combined the two H-designations in the GC, so there is only a single NGC designation.

According to Wolfgang Steicke, Herschel accidentally found NGC 1003 in November 1805, while observing M34 with his X-foot telescope (24" f/5). He noted "the brightest part of it is very small.  It has a resolvable nucleus with very faint extensive braches.  With 0.75" glass the braches extend beyond the field of view."

Fritz Zwicky discovered the type-Ia SN 1937D, in his early search using the 18-inch Schmidt telescope at Paloomar.
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NGC 1004 = UGC 2112 = MCG +00-07-057 = CGCG 388-068 = PGC 9961
02 37 41.8  +01 58 31; Cet
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

18" (11/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is attached at the west edge of the halo.  Observation through thin clouds. 

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, round, bright nearly stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is barely off the WSW edge.  Located 13' SW of NGC 1016 on the west side of the cluster.

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter.  A mag 12 star is just off the WSW edge 25" from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1008 7.1' NE at the SW end of the NGC 1016 cluster.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.  A mag 12 star is just 25" WSW of the center.  Member of the NGC 1016 cluster with NGC 1008 8' NNE and NGC 1016 13' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1004 = St. 11-3 = Sw. 3-14, along with NGC 1019, on 1 Dec 1875.  It was found immediately after observing NGC 993 (15' WNW).  An accurate micrometric position was measured 5 years later on 1 Dec 1880 with description "extremely small; moderately bright; round; strong central condensation; almost stellar; 2 seconds before is a mag 10-11 star."   Lewis Swift  found the galaxy again on 17 Oct 1885 and reported it as new. His position (list 3, #14) is also accurate and the comment "pF * very close" applies.
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NGC 1005 = MCG +07-06-052 = CGCG 539-071 = PGC 10062
02 39 27.7  +41 29 36; Per
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, increases to a samll bright core.  Located on the SE side of the NGC 995-1005 group, 3' E of a 40" pair of mag 11.5-12 stars.

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core.  Located in the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1005  = St. 3-17 on 9 Dec 1871 (or earlier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  Yann Pothier lists a possible discovery date as 10 Nov 1871.  Sixth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.
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NGC 1006 = NGC 1010 = MCG -02-07-044 = PGC 9949
02 37 34.9  -11 01 31; Cet
Size 0.9'x0.9'

See observing notes for NGC 1010.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1006 = Sw. 5-30 on 29 Sep 1886 with a 16" refractor. His position was 10 sec of RA west of NGC 1010, discovered 10 years earlier by Édouard Stephan.  Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Tempel's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) listing nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. Nevertheless, Dreyer assigned Sw. 5-30 to NGC 1006, resulting in two NGC designations.
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NGC 1007 = CGCG 388-069 = MCG +00-07-059 = PGC 9967
02 37 52.2  +02 09 21; Cet
V = 15.1;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 49°

18" (11/18/06): very faint, extremely small, round, 12" diameter.  Located 7.2' WNW of NGC 1016 and 2.7' S of a mag 9.5 star.  This is the faintest NGC galaxy in the cluster.

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 9 star (SAO 110651) lies 2.8' N.  Located 4.6' NNW of NGC 1008 within the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1007 = m 66 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, stellar".  Marth's position is 1' S of CGCG 388-069 = PGC 9967.
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NGC 1008 = UGC 2114 = MCG +00-07-060 = CGCG 388-070 = PGC 9970
02 37 55.3  +02 04 47; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

18" (11/18/06): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 6.5' WSW of NGC 1016 and 3' NW of a mag 11 star.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.35', weak even concentration.  Located 3' NW of a mag 11 star and 7' WSW of NGC 1016 in the core of the cluster.

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round.  A mag 10 star is 2.9' SE.  Located between NGC 1004 7.1' SW and NGC 1016 6.5' ENE.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  NGC 1007 lies 4.6' NNW. Located 7' SW of NGC 1016 in the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1008 = m 67 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, eS, stellar". His position is accurate.
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NGC 1009 = UGC 2129 = MCG +00-07-065 = CGCG 388-077 = FGC 325 = PGC 9995
02 38 19.0  +02 18 35; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 1.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 124°

18" (11/18/06): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.2', low even surface brightness.  Located 11.5' due north of NGC 1016 in a cluster.

18" (10/21/06): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.45'x0.15'.  Brighter IC 241 lies 6' WNW.  Located 11' due north of NGC 1016 in the cluster.

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 11 star is 2' SE.  IC 241 lies 6.2' WNW and NGC 1016 11.5' S in a cluster.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 15 year-old son, discovered NGC 1009 = Sw. 3-15 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  The Swifts' published positon is 15 sec of RA west of UGC 2129.
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NGC 1010 = NGC 1006 = MCG -02-07-044 = Holm 62a = PGC 9949
02 37 34.9  -11 01 31; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, fairly small, round, no concentration.  A mag 13 star is 3.7' NW.  First in and brightest of a trio with NGC 1011 1.5' NE and NGC 1017 3.8' ENE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1010 = St. 8b-6 (possibly along with NGC 1011), on 29 Oct 1875.  His single rough position was 6' to the WNW, but his published position in 1877 is accurate.  Swift rediscovered the pair on 29 Sep 1886 and reported both as new in his 5th discovery list (#30).  Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stephan's nebula in an 1887 article on Swift's duplicate catalogue entries (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list).  Nevertheless Dreyer assigned Sw. 5-30 to NGC 1006, so NGC 1006 = NGC 1010.
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NGC 1011 = MCG -02-07-045 = Holm 62b = PGC 9955
02 37 38.9  -11 00 20; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round.  Located 1.5' NE of NGC 1010.  Second of three with NGC 1017 2.7' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1011 = St. 8b-7 = Sw. 5-31, along with NGC 1010, on 21 Nov 1876.  His position is accurate.  Lewis Swift independently found the pair on 29 Sep 1886.  His position in his 5th list is just 10 seconds of RA too far west. Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stephan's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list).  Dreyer combined the two observations into NGC 1011 and credited both observers.
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NGC 1012 = UGC 2141 = MCG +05-07-027 = CGCG 505-030 = PGC 10051
02 39 14.9  +30 09 05; Ari
V = 12.0;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 24°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, broad concentration.  Unusual appearance as a mag 13.5 star is embedded just east of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1012 = H. III-152 = h241 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and recorded "vF, pS, of equal light."  On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he logged "F, irr figure, some stars visible, but they seem not to belong to it."  On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178), John Herschel recorded "pB; irreg R; bM; 18"; resolvable. RA doubtful".  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, made a sketch on 23 Nov 1857 that was included in the 1861 publication (plate XXV, figure 4).
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NGC 1013 = MCG -02-07-046 = PGC 9966
02 37 50.4  -11 30 26; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  Located 8.8' SW of a mag 8.5 star (∑288 = 8.9/11.9 at 12").  The galaxy is collinear with an elongated group of four mag 12-13 stars oriented SW-NE starting 6' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1013 = Sw. 5-32 on 29 Sep 1886 with his 16" Clark refractor.  His position is 7 tsec west and 26" south of MCG -02-07-046 = PGC 9966 and his comment "between 2 distant D stars" applies to this galaxy.
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NGC 1014
02 38 00.8  -09 34 24; Cet
V = 14.8/15.2;  Size 10"

24" (2/5/13): this NGC designation applies to a close pair of faint stars that was resolved at 282x.  The two stars are both 15th magnitude (14.8/15.2) and at a separation of 10" or less.  Located 3' SW of NGC 1018.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1014 = LM 2-342 in 1886 with the 26" refractor and reported "0.1' diameter, irregularly round, and 1st of 2 [with NGC 1018]."  With respect to NGC 1018, Muller's offset is 0.2 tmin west and 1' south.  Just 1' further south is a very faint double star (separation ~11") and Corwin identifies this double as NGC 1014.
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NGC 1015 = UGC 2124 = MCG +00-07-066 = CGCG 388-075 = PGC 9988
02 38 11.5  -01 19 08; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo.  Located 6.4' NW of mag 8.0 SAO 130029.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1015 = T. 1-13 = T. 5-1 on 27 Dec 1875 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His micrometric position in list V is a precise match with UGC 2124 = PGC 9988.
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NGC 1016 = UGC 2128 = MCG +00-07-067 = CGCG 388-076 = WBL 081-005 = PGC 9997
02 38 19.5  +02 07 09; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter.  Contains a bright 20" core that increases to the center.  Located 8' SE of a mag 9.6 star.  Brightest and largest member of the NGC 1016 cluster (WBL 081 = USGC U137) at a distance of ~300 million l.y.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly large, round.  The bright 30" core increases to the center.  Surrounding the core is a fairly large, low surface brightness halo ~2' in diameter.  This is the dominant galaxy in the cluster.  A parallelogram of four mag 14 stars is just south.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, bright core.  This galaxy is the brightest and largest in the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1016 = m 68 = Sf. 103 = T. 1-12 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. HIs description reads, "F, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." and the position matches UGC 2128, the brightest member of the cluster.  Truman Safford independently rediscovered the galaxy on 1 Nov 1867 with the 18.5-inch refractor at Dearborn Observatory and listed it as #103 in his discovery paper.  It was next observed by Édouard Stephan on 1 Dec 1875 (noted as "Lassell 68") and again by Wilhelm Tempel in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. Dreyer credited Tempel with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5264), but both Marth and Tempel are listed in the NGC.  Safford's list was missed by Dreyer until after the NGC was compiled.
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NGC 1017 = MCG -02-07-047 = Holm 62c = PGC 9964
02 37 49.8  -11 00 37; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, small, round.  Last and faintest of three with NGC 1011 2.7' W and NGC 1010 3.8' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1017 = Sw. 5-33 = LM 1-61 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeeF, vS, R, eee dif 3rd of 3 [with NGC 1010 and 1011].  His position was 1.4' NNE of MCG -02-07-045 = PGC 9955.  Ormond Stone independently discovered the galaxy sometime before Oct 12th (when his paper was dated at the Leander McCormick Observatory), so the discovery order is unknown.  But Frank Muller noted the equivalence of Sw. 5-33 and LM 1-61 in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously.  Both observers were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 1018 = MCG -02-07-048 = PGC 9986
02 38 10.3  -09 32 38; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

24" (2/5/13): faint to fairly faint, small, oval 4:3 N-S, 20"x15", weak concentration.  A group of stars lies immediately to the east.  NGC 1014, a close pair of stars, is 3' SW.

17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, unconcentrated.  Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily.  A mag 12 star is 2.2' SE.  Located 22' NW of mag 6.7 SAO 148523.  Appears fainter than listed V = 13.7.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1018 = LM 2-343 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.2'x0.1', E 180 (N-S), 2nd of 2 [with NGC 1014]."  His position is 0.1 tmin west and 2' north of MCG -02-07-048 = PGC 9986, though NGC 1014 is a faint double star.
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NGC 1019 = UGC 2132 = MCG +00-07-068 = CGCG 388-079 = PGC 10006
02 38 27.5  +01 54 27; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.0'x0.8', low surface brightness.  Located 13' SSE of NGC 1016.  CGCG 388-080 lies 3.7' N.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Located 13' S of NGC 1016 in cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1019 = St. 11-4, along with NGC 1014, on 1 Dec 1875.  An accurate micrometric position was measured (list 11, #4) 5 years later on 1 Dec 1880 with description "vF; irregular oval; very slightly brighter core with an eccentric nucleus."
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NGC 1020 = CGCG 388-081 = PGC 10018
02 38 44.3  +02 13 52; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  PA = 20°

18" (11/18/06): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.35', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core surrounded by a low surface brightness halo.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 1021 1.2' SE.

18" (10/21/06): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.25', very faint stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed at the center.  Located 9' NE of NGC 1016 on the NE side of the cluster.  Forms a pair with NGC 1021 1' SE.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1021 1.2' SE in the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1020 = m 69, along with NGC 1021, on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He noted it as "eF, vS" and recorded an accurate position. Édouard Stephan logged it on 1 Dec 1875 (noted as "Lassell 69") when he observed the galaxy group.
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NGC 1021 = CGCG 388-084 = PGC 10027
02 38 48.0  +02 13 02; Cet
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

18" (11/18/06): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low surface brightness with no concentration.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1020 1.2' NW.

18" (10/21/06): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.35', low even surface brightness.  Fainter member of a close pair with NGC 1020 1' NW.

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint, very small, oval ~N-S, diffuse.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1020 1.2' NW in the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1021 = m 70, along with NGC 1020, on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  He noted "eF, S" and recorded an accurate position.  Édouard Stephan logged it on 1 Dec 1875 (noted as "Lassell 70") when he observed the galaxy group.
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NGC 1022 = MCG -01-07-025 = LGG 071-003 = PGC 10010
02 38 32.6  -06 40 39; Cet
V = 11.3;  Size 2.7'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.2'.  Broadly concentrated halo contains a well-defined fairly bright 30" core.  The core increases to a stellar nucleus.  At times the elongation appears more pronounced.  A mag 13 star lies 2.1' NE of center.  Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, diffuse, broad concentration, slightly elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1022 = H. I-102 = h244 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and recorded "cB, pL, much brighter in the middle."  On 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 456) he noted "cB, pL, R, much brighter in the middle."

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell on 28 Nov 1856: "pL, much brighter middle to a nucleus, patchy.  Suspect the preceding end is separated from the rest of the neb by a darkish line.  Small * or knot close NW."
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NGC 1023 = Arp 135 = UGC 2154 = MCG +06-06-073 = CGCG 523-083 = LGG 070-003 = PGC 10123
02 40 23.8  +39 03 48; Per
V = 9.4;  Size 8.7'x3.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 87°

48" (10/25/11): this gorgeous galaxy appeared extremely bright, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~7'x1.8', with a large, brighter central core that increases to an intensely bright inner core punctuated by a bright stellar nucleus.  The outer halo gradually fades at the ends of the extensions.  Several stars are superimposed on both sides of the core.

NGC 1023A = PGC 10139, a low surface brightness dwarf companion, is superimposed on the east side (2.4' ESE of center).  It appeared as a faint, fairly large, low surface brightness patch oriented SSW-NNE, roughly 1.2'x0.8', and it blends into the main galaxy.  Although most of the companion is within the halo of NGC 1023, part of it juts out the southeast edge of the galaxy.  The halo of NGC 1023 extends beyond (east) of the dwarf.

18" (8/1/05): at 225x, this striking galaxy appeared very bright, large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~4.5'x1.0', though it seemed to extend further with averted vision.  The central region has a dramatic, sharp concentration with an unusually bright, oval core.  Two mag 14 and 15 stars are superimposed off the west side of the core and a mag 14 star is off the east side.

17.5" (12/7/90): bright, large, very elongated 7:2 E-W, very bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  A large fainter halo increases the dimensions to 7'x2'.  Two 15th magnitude stars are superimposed on the east and west ends.  Brightest in the NGC 1023 group, which includes NGC 1003 and IC 239.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; very bright and large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~5' major axis. Very strong concentration with a prominent core that increases to an intense nucleus.  A mag 14 star is superposed E of the core and another is closer in W of the core [0.85' from center].

13.1" (12/22/84): very bright, impressive, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  

8" (11/8/80): fairly bright, bulging bright core, lens-shaped.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1023 = H. I-156 = h242 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618).  He noted "extremely bright, much extended, a very bright nucleus, the branches losing themselves in the direction of the parallel [E-W] nearly."  On 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692), he recorded "very bright, gradually much brighter middle to a very bright nucleus, much elongated nearly 10' long, from about 12° sp to nf."

John Herschel sketched the galaxy in Oct 1828 as well as Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney on 27 Dec 1850 (plate XXV, figure 5 in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication).
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NGC 1024 = Arp 333 = UGC 2142 = MCG +02-07-020 = CGCG 439-022 = KTG 9A = LGG 069-002 = PGC 10048
02 39 11.9  +10 50 49; Ari
V = 12.1;  Size 3.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 155°

48" (10/30/16): very bright, large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE.  Sharply concentrated with a large, very bright elongated core, and a more circular nucleus.  A very large, much lower surface brightness halo, extends nearly 3'x1'.  The halo is a bit more diffuse on the northwest side.  The minor axis nearly reaches a mag 12.3 star 0.7' NNE of center.  A mag 13.7 star is off the SSE end, 2.2' from center.  Brightest in a group with nearby NGC 1028 and 1029.

24" (1/12/13): bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core ~25"x15" and much fainter extensions increasing the size to ~1.2'x0.4'.  Interestingly, the elongation of the core seems is slightly misaligned with respect to the major axis of the extensions.  The extremely low surface brightness outer arms were not seen.  A mag 12 star is 0.7' NNE of center.  Brightest in a trio (KTG 9) with NGC 1029 7' SE and NGC 1028 6' E, though the latter lies in the background.

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, rounder bright core, brighter along major axis.  A mag 11 star is 42" NNE of center.  Located 13' NNE of mag 6.8 SAO 93034.  Forms a pair with NGC 1029 7' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1024 = H. II-592 = h243 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 591) and logged "pB, S, E, bM".  John Herschel logged on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121): "F; R; bM; 20"; has a * 11m 40° nf; 25" distant."
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NGC 1025 = ESO 154-004 = PGC 9891
02 36 20.0  -54 51 49; Hor
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 6°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright but fairly small, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration.  A star or stellar companion is at the NW edge of the halo.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1031 situated 2.7' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1025 = h2488 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "eF, S, R, 15"; the preceding of two [with NGC 1031]."  His position is 16 tsec of RA west of ESO 154-004 = PGC 9891.
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NGC 1026 = UGC 2145 = MCG +01-07-018 = CGCG 414-033 = PGC 10055
02 39 19.2  +06 32 38; Cet
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.8' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1026 = m 71 on 24 Dec 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta, noting "pF, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1027 = IC 1824 = Cr 30 = Mel 16
02 42 35  +61 35 42; Cas
V = 6.7;  Size 20'

17.5" (11/27/92): 90 stars in 15' diameter, fairly scattered but still a striking cluster. Surrounds mag 7.0 SAO 12402 and includes about 15 mag 10-11 stars and many mag 13-14 stars.  A number of the stars are arranged in spiraling rays emanating from the dominant star.  The cluster is composed of a mixture of bright and faint stars.  

8": includes a dozen stars mag 8 to 12.5.  Fairly small, rich, over unresolved background haze.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1027 = H. VIII-66 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and described "a cluster of coarsely scattered considerably large stars, 8' or 10' diameter, one 7th mag, near the middle."  On 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) he logged "a much scattered cluster of cL stars.  A star 7m not far from the middle, about 15' diam."

Corwin comments that E.E. Barnard independently found the object (probably on a plate), sent a note directly to Dreyer and it was catalogued again as IC 1824.  Barnard's position is at the west edge of the cluster and his description reads "Cl, sts F, perh[aps] F neby p extends to it."  So, NGC 1027 = IC 1824.
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NGC 1028 = MCG +02-07-023 = CGCG 439-025 = KTG 9C = PGC 10068
02 39 37.2  +10 50 37; Ari
V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 15°

24" (1/12/13): at 375x appeared faint, elongated ~5:3 SSW-NNE, 25"x15", low surface brightness though seems slightly uneven or patchy like a face-on spiral.  Faintest in the KTG 9 triplet with NGC 1029 3' S and NGC 1024 (brightest) 6' W.  The redshift of NGC 1028 is over twice that of NGC 1024 and 1029, so it is a background galaxy.

17.5" (11/26/94): extremely faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4'.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' N and a mag 12 star lies 1.7' SW.  Faintest of trio and located 3.0' N of NGC 1029 and 6.1' E of NGC 1024.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1028 = m 72 (along with NGC 1029 = m 72) on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1029 = UGC 2149 = MCG +02-07-024 = CGCG 439-024 = KTG 9B = LGG 069-003 = PGC 10078
02 39 36.5  +10 47 36; Ari
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 70°

24" (1/12/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.3', well concentrated with a small high surface brightness core that increases to a stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A very faint mag 15 star is superimposed at the NE edge.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' NW.  Forms a trio with NGC 1024 7' WNW and NGC 1028 3.0' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1029 = m 73, along with NGC 1028, on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, S, mE".  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 24 Nov 1875.
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NGC 1030 = UGC 2153 = MCG +03-07-039 = CGCG 462-039 = PGC 10088
02 39 50.8  +18 01 28; Ari
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 8°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated N-S, low surface brightness, weak concentration and slightly brighter along major axis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1030 = H. III-581 = h245 on 25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and reported "vF, E, irr F.  The time very inaccurate."  As noted, his RA was poor, but John's Herschel's position, measured on 11 Jan 1831 (sweep 319) matches UGC 2153, despite his comment "Doubtful observations. Clouded".
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NGC 1031 = ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907
02 36 38.7  -54 51 35; Hor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 23°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star lies 3.3' NNE.  Forms a pair with fainter NGC 1025 2.7' W.  Located 15' W of h3520 = 7.6/8.8 at 21" and 40' SW of mag 5.2 Zeta Hor.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1031 = h2490 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 20"; the following of two [with NGC 1025]".  His position is close west of ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907.
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NGC 1032 = UGC 2147 = MCG +00-07-073 = CGCG 388-086 = PGC 10060
02 39 23.6  +01 05 37; Cet
V = 11.6;  Size 3.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 68°

48" (10/26/11): at 385x and 488x appears very bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x0.8'.  Well concentrated with a prominent, bulging oval core that brightens towards the center and long, thin, fainter tapering extensions that dim at the tips. A mag 13 star is at the tip of the ENE extension.  The visual treat, though, is a razor thin dust lane that clearly bisects the large central bulge.  As the much fainter extensions start to taper down, the dust lane loses contrast and disappears towards the ends.

18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.8'x0.9'.  Well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  The galaxy extends to a mag 12.5 star at the ENE edge making the total length nearly 2.8'.  The thin dust lane seen on images was not visible.

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.6'.  Dominated by a bright core which is broadly concentrated and contains a faint stellar nucleus.  The extensions are smooth and unconcentrated.  A mag 12.5-13 star is at the ENE edge 1.4' from the center and two mag 13 stars are along the north side (1.8' NE and 1.3' NNW of center) forming a right triangle.

8" (1/1/84): faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Four mag 13 stars to north including one 1.8' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1032 = H. II-5 = h246 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 47) and noted "very faint, small, like a small comet, 3/4° above Delta Ceti."  His sketch confirms the identification.  On 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470), he called it "the nebula in the quartile.  It is not quite round, but little extended having very faint rays sp and nf."   December 18th was only the second night that Herschel used vertical sweeps with the telescope pointing along the meridian.  NGC 1032 was only the third nebula discovered using this system.  It was also the first night that Caroline Herschel assisted him by taking notes by candlelight in her room.

NGC 1032 was just his 10th deep sky discovery with his 20-foot telescope, though he ended up observing it up to 8 times.  Lord Rosse's 1861 publication mentions "Spirality suspected".
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NGC 1033 = MCG -02-07-053 = PGC 10108
02 40 16.1  -08 46 37; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 0°

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, very low even surface brightness, no details.  Located 7.1' NE of mag 8.5 SAO 130043 at the SW end of the NGC 1052 group.  Appears fainter than listed magnitude V = 13.2.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1033 = LM 2-344 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but 1.2 minutes of RA east is MCG -02-07-053 = PGC 101083, and Leavenworth's position angle of 10° matches this galaxy.  The number was reported as "not revealed" in a 60 minute exposure with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan observatory (1935).
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NGC 1034 = MCG -03-07-043 = PGC 9991
02 38 13.9  -15 48 35; Cet
V = 11.5;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 11.2;  PA = 135°

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.5', weak concentration.  A wide pair of evenly matched mag 12-13 stars lie 5' W (58" separation in PA 316°).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1034 = LM 1-62 on 12 Nov 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 tmin of RA west is MCG -03-07-043 = PGC 9991 and his comment "2 B st, p 20s" matches this galaxy.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  He noted the two "B st" are only mag 11 and 12.
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NGC 1035 = MCG -01-07-027 = KTS 18A = LGG 071-006 = PGC 10065
02 39 29.1  -08 07 58; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 150°

48" (10/29/19): at 610x, bright, large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2'x0.6', slightly brighter core.  Unusual appearance as the eastern half of the galaxy is significantly affected by dust, so it appeared noticeably darker than the western half.  Furthermore, the eastern half was mottled, with an irregular surface brightness and several slightly brighter knots or patches.  A bright mag 14 star is just inside the SSE tip.  A mag 10.9 star is 5' N and a mag 9.2 star (HD 16583) is 7' SSW.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; relatively bright, fairly large, very elongated nearly 4:1 NNW-SSE, ~2'x0.5', very weak concentration with no distinct core or nucleus. The surface brightness, though, was slightly uneven or irregular.  A mag 14 star is at the SSE end.

13.1" (9/3/86): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE (PA 150°), fairly small.  A mag 14 star is attached at the SE end.    Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071), which lies 25' ESE.

13.1" (9/9/83): at 166x; fairly faint, very elongated (nearly edge-on) NW-SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1035 = H. II-284 = h249 = h2489 on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 355) and recorded "F, mE, about 3' long and 3/4' broad, resolvable."  John Herschel observed this galaxy from both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope.  His latter observation, made on 9 Dec 1835 (sweep 650) reads "vF, pmE, has a vF star at the S.f. extremity".
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NGC 1036 = IC 1828 = UGC 2160 = MCG +03-07-041 = CGCG 462-041 = Mrk 370 = PGC 10127
02 40 29.1  +19 17 50; Ari
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 5°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, large brighter core, very small bright nucleus is possibly stellar.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1036 = H. III-475 = h247 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and logged "vF, S, confirmed with 240 power."  His position is within 1' of UGC 2160 = PGC 10127.  Stephane Javelle independently found this galaxy on 18 Jan 1898 and recorded it in his list 3-939 (later IC 1828) despite Herschel's fairly good position.  So, NGC 1036 = IC 1828.  CGCG and UGC also equates IC 1829 with NGC 1036 but Javelle made an error in reducing IC 1829 and once corrected it matches CGCG 439-026.  Discussed by Malcolm Thomson in WSQJ #84, April 1991 and his Catalogue Corrections.
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NGC 1037
02 40 00  -01 44; Cet

= Not found, Gottlieb and Corwin.  The RNGC identification of UGC 2119 is incorrect (see notes).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1037 = Sw. 5-35 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and wrote "eeeF; vS; vE; eee dif; [NGC 1032] in field".  There is nothing near his position and furthermore NGC 1032 is ~3° away from his coordinates.  But no reasonably bright galaxy is in the field of NGC 1032 either. Perhaps he misidentified NGC 1032?  RNGC, PGC, and RC3 misidentify UGC 2119 = PGC 9973 as NGC 1032.  This galaxy is 2 tmin of RA west and 7' S of Swift's position and still doesn't agree with Swift's comment about NGC 1032.  See my RNGC Corrections #2 and Corwin's identification comments.
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NGC 1038 = UGC 2158 = MCG +00-07-076 = CGCG 388-090 = PGC 10096
02 40 06.3  +01 30 32; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 61°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.4', bright core is moderately concentrated.  Forms a pair with IC 1827 5.6' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1038 = Sw. 3-16 = Sw. 5-34 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at the Warner Observatory and "discovered" it again on 2 Oct 1886, recording it in his 5th discovery list.  Dreyer combined both entries in the NGC.  Swift's position is accurate.

William Herschel made the first observation on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 505) but he was uncertain: "Suspected, may be 2 small close stars in the parallel."  He never confirmed the observation and it was not catalogued but the position (Caroline's reduction) is less that 1' NW of NGC 1038, so identification is certain.
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NGC 1039 = M34 = Cr 31
02 42 00  +42 47; Per
V = 5.2;  Size 35'

24" (12/28/13): gorgeous low power field with 21mm Ethos (125x; 49' diameter).  The cluster roughly extends 35' with a much richer and brighter core of ~12'-15' that contains a large number of mag 8-10 stars.  Several of the brighter stars appear as wide doubles or in chains.  A long string of stars is on the south side of the core, extending towards the southeast.  Other chains extend north and east out of the core.  Several doubles were identified using the chart in Stoyan's "Atlas of the Messier Objects".  STT 44 is a challenging mag 8.5/9.0 pair at 1.4" that just resolved at 225x and better at 300x.  Another 8th mag star (C component) is widely separated at 86".  HJ 2154 is a 9.5/10.9 pair at 10" on the SW side and HJ 1123 is a very wide 20" pair of mag 8.4/8.5 stars.  Also in the core is ES 1506, a challenging mag 8.9/14 pair at 7" and HJ 2155, a very wide 8.3/10.3 pair at 17" on the NE side.  PN Abell 4 lies 38' ESE of center.

13.1" (12/22/84): about 100 stars in a 30' diameter.  Very bright, very large, many double stars, three main curved lanes.  Includes a bright double star h1123 = 8.0/8.0 at 20".  Naked-eye object in fairly dark sky.

Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered M34 = NGC 1039 = h248 around 1654, though there is some doubt on his intended object. Charles Messier found M34 again on 25 Aug 1764, and he is generally credited with the discovery.

William Herschel described M34 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) as "a cl of scattered large stars, considerably rich."  Wolfgang Steinicke states his first observation was made on 6 Oct 1784, while observing off the meridian towards the east.  Due to the telescope's orientation, he wasn't able to fix determine accurate positions on sweeps 282-285.  John Herschel called it a "fine cluster, about 20 st 9 10...11m and as many less.  Fills field, coarsely scattered."
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NGC 1040 = NGC 1053 = UGC 2187 = MCG +07-06-060 = CGCG 539-083
02 43 12.4  +41 30 03; Per

See observing notes for NGC 1053.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 1040 = St. 3-18 on 9 Dec 1871 (date the position was reduced) with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but precisely 1.0 minute of RA west is NGC 1053 = UGC 2187, which was found by Swift on 21 Oct 1886 and accurately placed in his 5th discovery list (#37).  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, and Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Corrections paper, equate NGC 1040 = NGC 1053.  Based on the earlier discovery, NGC 1040 should be the primary designation. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1041 = MCG -01-07-030 = PGC 10125
02 40 25.2  -05 26 26; Cet
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 15°

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter.  Symmetrical appearance with an even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A distinctive line (4.5' length) consisting of three equally spaced mag 11 stars oriented WNW-ESE is 3' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1041 = St. 12-22 on 4 Nov 1875 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  His published micrometric position (list 12, #22) was made on 17 Nov 1881 with description "pF, pS, irregularly round, bM."
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NGC 1042 = MCG -02-07-054 = KTS 18B = LGG 071-009 = PGC 10122
02 40 23.9  -08 26 01; Cet
V = 11.0;  Size 4.7'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

48" (10/26/16): at 488x; bright, very large, face-on spiral with a small bright core and a relatively small weak bar oriented ~NW-SE.  Low contrast spiral structure was visible around the core.  Most prominent, though, was an outer spiral arm along the east side, which swept N-S in a gentle arc.  It was brightest just to the west of a mag 13.6 star [SDSS reveals numerous HII knots] situated 1.6' SE of the core.  The outer spiral arm along the western edge was more diffuse and ill-defined, passing just east of a 16th magnitude star 1.7' WSW of the core.

17.5" (11/1/86): very large, very diffuse low surface brightness system best viewed at 83x or 133x.  Almost round, slightly brighter on the SE end with either a very faint star(s) superimposed or a brighter knot.  Forms a pair with NGC 1048 (double system) 6' SSE.   Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071), which lies 14' SW.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; large, diffuse galaxy, roundish, ~3' diameter, slightly irregular surface brightness to halo, no distinct core. A mag 13.6 star is just off the E side of halo, 1.6' ESE of center and a mag 13.3 star is 2.6' due N.  NGC 1052 is 15' SW.

13.1" (9/3/86): very large but diffuse, only a very weak concentration.

13.1" (9/9/83): 62x and 166x; large, very diffuse, no central brightening, irregularly round, best at 62x (too large and diffuse for higher power).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1042 = Sw. 3-17 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "eeF, L, R, np of 2 [with NGC 1052]".  In his 5th discovery list, Swift corrected the description to read "sp of 2" [with NGC 1052].  Based on a photograph taken with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan observatory in the late 1920s, NGC 1042 was described as an "open spiral with a pF stellar Ncl, well defined [arms] with some [knots]."
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NGC 1043 = CGCG 388-094 = PGC 10155
02 40 46.5  +01 20 35; Cet
V = 15.0;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 110°

17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  I just glimpsed the core as a very small, round, knot with a mag 14.5 star 0.4' SSE of center.  The small, thin extensions of this edge-on spiral were not seen.  Located 14' SE of NGC 1038 and 20' SE of IC 1827 (on a line).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1043 = Sw. 5-36 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 4 tsec east and 36" south of CGCG 388-094 = PGC 10155.
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NGC 1044 = MCG +01-07-023 = CGCG 414-038 = VV 1042 = PGC 10174
02 41 06.1  +08 44 16; Cet
V = 13.2;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 11.8

24" (1/31/14): NGC 1044 is a double system with fainter LEDA 3080165 barely off the SE side.  At 375x the main galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 24"x20", gradually increases to a sub-stellar nucleus.  PGC 3080165 is attached at the SE side [18" between centers].  The companion was faint, extremely small, round, 8" diameter.  This pair is flanked by CGCG 414-36 1.0' NE (noted as "faint, very small, round, 10" diameter") and NGC 1046 2.0' SE, with the collinear quartet spanning 3.0'.  The four galaxies have identical redshifts, though there is no sign of interaction on the DSS.

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration to a large brighter core.  A mag 11 star lies 2.3' NW.  Brightest of a collinear compact trio with NGC 1046 2.0' SE and MCG +01-07-022 = CGCG 414-036 off the NW edge 57" from the center (logged as "very faint, extremely small, round"). NGC 1044 appears larger than the listed dimensions probably due to the combined glow with an unresolved contact companion (PGC 3080165) at the SE edge.  The four galaxies are very nearly on a straight line.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1044 = III-228 = h251, along with NGC 1046, on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 308) and noted "eF, vS, 240 power confirmed it.  Another still smaller and fainter about 1' following [NGC 1046]."  John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118) and wrote "vF the p[receding] of two; a * 10m, p[receding] in same line.".
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NGC 1045 = MCG -02-07-059 = PGC 10129
02 40 29.1  -11 16 39; Cet
V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

17.5" (10/29/94): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5', well concentrated to a small prominent core and a stellar nucleus.  A nice evenly matched pair of mag 11-12 stars (16" separation in PA 78°) lies 11' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1045 = H. II-488 = h253 = h2491 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, S, iF, bM."  John Herschel observed this galaxy at both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope. His Cape description from 22 Nov 1835 (sweep 648) reads "pB, R, bM, 35". Observed in a south-east cloud drift."
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NGC 1046 = MCG +01-07-024 = CGCG 414-039 = PGC 10185
02 41 12.8  +08 43 09; Cet
V = 13.8;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

24" (1/31/14): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 50" SE.  Fourth of 4 in a 3' string oriented NW to SE line with NGC 1044 (double) 1.8' NW and CGCG 414-36 2.9' NW.

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is off the SE edge 48" from the center.  Forms the third of three on a line with double system NGC 1044 2.0' NW and MCG +01-07-022 = CGCG 414-036 2.9' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1046 = H. III-229 = h252, along with NGC 1044, on 7 Nov 1784  (sweep 308) , recording "Another still smaller and fainter about 1' following [NGC 1044] suspected; but 240 power left it doubtful." John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118).
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NGC 1047 = MCG -01-07-032 = LGG 071-007 = PGC 10132
02 40 32.9  -08 08 52; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 88°

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W, diffuse with only a very weak concentration, no distinct core.  A mag 11.5 star is 3.9' S.  Located 10.2' NW of NGC 1052 and 15.8' E of NGC 1035 in the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1047 = Sw. 3-18 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 6 tsec of RA east and 1' S of MCG -01-07-032 = PGC 10132.
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NGC 1048 = NGC 1048B = MCG -02-07-062 = PGC 10140
02 40 37.9  -08 32 00; Cet
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

48" (10/26/16): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 40"x16", bright core.  A mag 14.4 star is 1' NNE.  Located 7' SW of NGC 1042.

Forms a similar pair with NGC 1048A 1.0' SW.  It was moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 30"x15", bright core, mottled appearance.  LEDA 1002216, a compact companion, is just 30" S.  It appeared faint (V = 16.8), very small, round, 10" diameter, low surface brightness.

17.5" (11/26/94): at first glance, appeared as an ill-defined faint glow 1' S of a mag 14 star.  One closer inspection, NGC 1048 resolved into a pair of small, faint galaxies 1.0' between centers oriented NNE-SSW.  The northern member (generally identified as NGC 1048) was clearly brighter and elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.3'.  Just 1.0' SSW is a fainter companion (NGC 1048A).  Located 7' SSE of the large, low surface brightness system NGC 1042 within a large group.

17.5" (11/1/86): large, very diffuse system best viewed at 83x. There was a slight brightening to the south but the fainter companion was not clearly resolved in poor seeing.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1048 = Sw. 3-19 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position matches the contact pair PGC 10137 and 10140, and he perhaps viewed the combined glow of both.  The northern component is brighter and often labeled NGC 1048, though sometimes the southwestern component is called NGC 1048A and the northeastern galaxy NGC 1048B (as in the RC1 and RC2).
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NGC 1049 = Fornax-3 = ESO 356-3 = MCG -06-06-017
02 39 49  -34 15 30; For
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'

48" (10/29/16): at 488x; very bright, moderately large, very high surface brightness, granular appearance, ~50" diameter.  There are three well defined brightness zones: an extremely bright compact nucleus, a small bright core and a much lower surface brightness halo with a fairly well defined circular edge.   

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, moderately large, very sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core surrounded by 1' halo that dims around the periphery.

24" (9/14/12): at 325x, moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, 30" diameter.

18" (12/10/07): moderately bright gc in the Fornax Dwarf.  Appears small, round, ~30" diameter, gradually increases to a small brighter core.  Located 15' NNE of mag 8.4 HD 16690.  Brightest gc in the Fornax Dwarf.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.

13.1" (10/10/86): brightest of four globular clusters in the Fornax Dwarf galaxy.  Moderately bright (estimate V = 12), small, very small bright core, faint halo.  Located 15' NNE of mag 8.0 SAO 193841.  The Fornax Dwarf galaxy was not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1049 = h2492 on 19 Oct 1835 and reported "pretty bright; small; round; like a star 12th magnitude a very little rubbed at the edges, a curious little object and easily mistaken for a star, which, however, it certainly is not".  His position is 1' N of this Fornax Dwarf globular.  The galaxy itself was discovered over a century later by Harlow Shapley in 1938 while at the Boyden Station in South Africa on photographic plates taken with the 24" Bruce refractor.
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NGC 1050 = UGC 2178 = MCG +06-06-078 = CGCG 523-092 = PGC 10257
02 42 35.7  +34 45 48; Per
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 110°

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 1.0'x0.8', weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is 45" N of center.  This 15th mag star is described as mag 18 in the NGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1050 = St. 3-18 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is just off the north edge of the galaxy and he mentioned the mag 15 star off the north edge of the galaxy (called mag 18).  Stephan observed the galaxy on 16 Nov 1871, probably aware of d'Arrest's discovery at the time.  He measured the position again on 9 Dec 1871 and listed this galaxy as new in his third discovery list #18 (published in 1872).  A later observation was made on 22 Nov 1875.  Dreyer credited both d'Arrest (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 1051 = NGC 961? = IC 249? = MCG -01-07-033 = UGCA 40 = PGC 10172
02 41 02.4  -06 56 09; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.5', no concentration.  Very unusual appearance as a mag 12 star is attached at the northeast end 35" from the center and the galaxy appears to hang from the star.  Forms the east vertex of a triangle with two mag 10 stars 6.7' NW and 5.2' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1051 = St. 11-5 on 13 Oct 1869 with a rough position 2' to the SE.  His published accurate micrometric position was made on 13 Dec 1871 with description "eeF; elongated NE-SW, a little diffuse, *12 attached at NW end."  The star is actually attached at the NE end.

Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 1051 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick and reported it as new in his 2nd discovery paper (#338) but he made a 10 minute time error in RA (error caught by Harold Corwin).  Dreyer catalogued again as NGC 961.  Stephane Javelle also possibly found the galaxy in 1892 and he reported it as J. 1-92 (later IC 249), although Javelle claimed it was a different object.  See Corwin's notes and Thomson's Catalogue Corrections.  So, NGC 1051 = NGC 961 and possibly IC 249, with NGC 1051 the primary designation.
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NGC 1052 = MCG -01-07-034 = KTS 18C = LGG 071-008 = PGC 10175
02 41 04.8  -08 15 21; Cet
V = 10.5;  Size 3.0'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 120°

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 2' diameter, sharply concentrated with an unusually bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.

13.1" (9/9/83): bright, small, round, intense core.  Brightest in a large group (LGG 071) with three galaxies in 62x field including NGC 1042 14' SW and NGC 1047 10.2' NW.

13.1" (9/3/86): at 166x; small oval shape, very bright core, stellar nucleus.

8" (11/8/80): faint, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1052 = H. I-63 = h254 = h2493 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355). He described it as "Bright, round, much brighter in the middle, about 1' diameter, very faint towards the border."  He included the description as an example of "Nebulae that are gradually much brighter in the middle" in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 21).

John Herschel observed this galaxy twice at Slough, recording it on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), "B; S; R; 20"; gb and pretty suddenly much brighter middle to a *12".
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NGC 1053 = NGC 1040 = UGC 2187 = MCG +07-06-060 = CGCG 539-083 = PGC 10298
02 43 12.4  +41 30 03; Per
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Bracketed by two mag 15 stars just off the north and south edges and collinear with three equally spaced stars to the south (mag 11.5 star 2.3' S, a mag 10.5 star 4' S and a mag 13 star 6' S).  Located 5' W of mag 7.5 SAO 38287.  Brightest in a group and forms a pair with UGC 2194 6' SSE.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1053 = Sw. 5-37 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "vF, vS, little extended, 4 stars in line south point to it, one close".  His position and description matches UGC 2187 = PGC 10298.  Édouard Stephan (III-18) earlier discovered this nebula on 9 Dec 1871, but made a 1 tmin error in RA in the reading from his offset star and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 1040.  So, NGC 1053 = NGC 1040, with discovery priority going to Stephan.
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NGC 1054 = MCG +03-07-046 = CGCG 462-045 = PGC 10242
02 42 15.8  +18 13 03; Ari
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 30" NW.  NGC 1030 lies 30' WSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1054 on 8 Oct 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and logged "eF, vS, verified at 230x.  A star is near the northwest rim."
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NGC 1055 = UGC 2173 = MCG +00-07-081 = CGCG 388-095 = LGG 073-001 = PGC 10208
02 41 45.2  +00 26 31; Cet
V = 10.6;  Size 7.6'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 105°

48" (10/24/14): very bright, nearly edge-on spiral, spans ~6'x1.8' WNW -ESE.  The bright central region extends 2'x0.5' and increases gradually towards the center.  A relatively wide, prominent dust lane runs along nearly the entire northern flank of the galaxy!

The fainter portion of the galaxy on the north side of the dust lane was clearly visible paralleling the central region.  Due to a slight tilt in edge-on orientation, the northern section of the galaxy is partially obscured and extended only ~1.6' in length and at most 30" in width.  The glow terminates on its west side after reaching the mag 11.2 star just 1.2' NNW of center.  Forms a wide pair (similar radial velocity) with M77 30' SSE.
 
18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, ~5'x1.6', broad concentration but no well-defined core or nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just north of the core and two mag 13 stars are north of the western flank.  A dark lane runs along the north edge of the galaxy creating a sharp light cut-off, though the faint portion of the galaxy to the north that is cut off by the dark lane was not seen.

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 11 star is just off the NW flank 1.2' from the center.  Located 7' SE of mag 6.8 SAO 110689 and 7' SW of mag 7.8 SAO 110692.  Member of the M77 group. 

13.1" (9/3/83): fairly faint, elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 12 star is 1' N.

8" (11/8/80): faint, elongated.  Located 30' NNW of M77.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1055 = H. I-1 = h258 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 47).  Although his description doesn't appear in Caroline's transcribed Sweep Records summary, Wolfgang Steinicke states that his personal journal mentions a "Nebula, 3/4° north following Delta Ceti, in a line parallel to Gamma and Alpha Ceti."  This is a good match with NGC 1055, although the separation is 35' from Delta.  His summary description for H. I-1 (based on 7 observations as he revisited this field several times) reads "cB, cL, iF, bM."

On 30 Nov 1850, Lord Rosse (or observing assitant) noted "The north edge is the best defined [due to dust cut-off].  It is 4' long at least, and tapers off to the following end.  On 27 Dec 1861, assistant Robert Ball also noted "I strongly suspect a faint parallel patch preceding, which perhaps joings the following end of nebula." 

In Dreyer's 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, he suggested H. II-6 (in addition to H. I-1) was equivalent to NGC 1055, but Steinicke equates H. II-6 with a pair of stars at 02 40 19.5 +00 54 37 (2000).
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NGC 1056 = UGC 2183 = MCG +05-07-032 = Mrk 1183 = PGC 10272
02 42 48.4  +28 34 26; Ari
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, increases to rounder small bright core.  A mag 12 star is 2.2' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1056 = H. III-584 = h256 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and recorded "vF, S, bM".  On 16 Sep 1828 (sweep 178), John Herschel logged "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" [diameter]."
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NGC 1057 = UGC 2184 = MCG +05-07-033 = CGCG 505-037 = WBL 085-001 = PGC 10287
02 43 02.9  +32 29 28; Tri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 115°

24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8'.  Contains a brighter core that seems to extend into a very low contrast bar.  First in the NGC 1060 group (5 NGC galaxies).

24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.35', small brighter core.  The major axis points to NGC 1061 3.1' SE.

18" (1/26/11): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.45', low even surface brightness.  Located 4.7' NW of NGC 1060 in a group with NGC 1061 3' SE.  NGC 1066 and NGC 1067 lies 10' E.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1057 in December 1849.  The sketch and description ("vF double neb") clearly applies to UGC 2184, although the "double" appearance is due to a very close, faint double star at the NW edge.
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NGC 1058 = UGC 2193 = MCG +06-07-001 = CGCG 523-096 = PGC 10314
02 43 29.8  +37 20 27; Per
V = 11.2;  Size 3.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (1/26/11): fairly bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 2' diameter, broad, weak concentration, very small brighter nucleus ~5" diameter, irregular surface brightness, asymmetric appearance.  A star is superimposed on the NW side ~35" from the center.  The halo is more extensive or brighter on the west side and very weak on the east side, so the nucleus appears offset towards the northeast side.  A mag 15 star is at the south end of the galaxy.  Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

17.5" (12/7/90): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness, no distinct core, possibly mottled.  A mag 14 star is involved at the NW edge and a mag 15 star is involved at the south end.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.3' SSW of center. 

13.1" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness.  A faint star mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the NW edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1058 = H. II-633 = h255 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and logged "F, cL, R, little brighter middle, 4' diameter.  In Oct 1828 (sweep 188), John Herschel recorded, "pF; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"."  His RA was 9 seconds too small. This galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle.  On 24 Nov 1854, R.J. Mitchell remarked "L, R. Susp Nucl or * in centre, 2 conspicuous stars inv in the preceding side."  Hermann Kobold measured a fairly accurate position in 1899 at Strasbourg (published in 1907).
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NGC 1059
02 42 35.6  +17 59 48; Ari

= **, Reinmuth and Gottlieb.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1059 = h259 on 25 Jan 1832 and simply noted "eF, hardly sure."  There is nothing nonstellar near his position but just 1' SE is a close pair of mag 14 stars at 10" separation.  Several observers looked for Herschel's object.  Heinrich d'Arrest was unable to find anything "on a very clear night" and Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) also carefully searched unsuccessfully for the object, although in sweeping around he discovered IC 248.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, and Dorothy Carlson in her NGC errata paper identify NGC 1059 with this double star. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1060 = UGC 2191 = MCG +05-07-035 = CGCG 505-038 = WBL 085-002 = LGG 072-003 = PGC 10302
02 43 15.1  +32 25 30; Tri
V = 11.8;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 75°

24" (9/23/17): at 260x; bright, large, nearly 2'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is at the east edge of the halo [1.0' from center].  Brightest in a group (reobserved due to a current supernova in NGC 1067).

24" (2/7/16): very bright, large, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to the center.  The much fainter halo gradually dims and is slightly elongated WSW-ENE, ~1.6'x1.3'.  Brightest in a group of 10 galaxies (including 5 NGCs) in a 20' field.

The two closest galaxies are NGC 1061 2.5' N and PGC 213071 3' SSE ("extremely faint, small, roundish, 12"-15").  On the south side of the cluster is MCG +05-07-034 ("fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness.  Two mag 14.8/15.1 stars at 11" separation lie 1.7' SE.  Located 9.6' S of NGC 1060).  CGCG 505-042 is 4.9' further east-southeast.  It was logged as moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 21"x14", fairly high surface brighness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' E.

18" (1/26/11): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, large low surface brightness halo extends 2.0'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a large, very bright core that is well concentrated to the center.  Brightest in a group of 5 NGC galaxies including NGC 1061 2.5' N, NGC 1057 4.8' NW, NGC 1066 8' NE and NGC 1067 9' NE.  Located 10' WNW of mag 7.4 HD 16954.

17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo gradually brightens to small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 10' WNW of mag 7.7 SAO 55822.  Brightest in a group with NGC 1061 2.5' N and NGC 1066 8' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1060 = H. III-162 = h257, along with NGC 1066, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He described them together as "Two, both vF, pS, R, little brighter middle."  His position was off by 15 seconds of RA too far east and 3' north.   Earlier in the same sweep he discovered the trio NGC 379, 380 and 383 in the Pisces Group, as well as the pair NGC 407 and 410, as well as 5 galaxies in the NGC 507 group (in two fields) and the pair (in two fields) NGC 736 and 750!

John Herschel made 3 observations and mentioned a "red *7.8 43.5 seconds preceding", though the star is ESE.
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NGC 1061 = MCG +05-07-036 = CGCG 505-039 = WBL 085-003 = PGC 10303
02 43 15.8  +32 28 00; Tri
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 25°

24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 32"x24", very weak concentration.  Located 2.5' N of NGC 1060 (brightest in a group) with NGC 1057 3' NW and NGC 1060 7' E.

24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 24"x18", even surface brightness.  NGC 1057 is 3.1' NW and NGC 1060 is 2.5' S.

18" (1/26/11): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x20".  Located in the center of the group, 2.5' N of NGC 1060.  NGC 1057 lies 3' NW.

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Located 2.5' N of NGC 1060 in a group.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1061 in December 1849 and logged "pF, S, R".  The diagram made in 1850 matches CGCG 505-039 = PGC 10303.
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NGC 1062
02 43 24.0  +32 27 44; Tri

= *, Gottlieb and Corwin.  The RNGC and RC3 identification of NGC 1062 = UGC 2201 is incorrect, but here are my notes on UGC 2201.

24" (2/7/16): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~30"x10".  This low surface brightness edge-on was only occasionally glimpsed with effort.  Situated 1.8' NW of NGC 1066 and 1.7' SW of NGC 1067 in the NGC 1060 = WBL 085 cluster.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 1062 on 11 Oct 1873 as observing assistant on the 72" at Birr Castle.  He placed this object with respect to NGC 1061 at 116.8" in PA 97.6 deg (ESE). At this offset (1.9' ESE of NGC 1061) is an extremely faint star.  RNGC and RC3 (as well as SIMBAD and other sources) misidentify UGC 2201 = PGC 10331 as NGC 1062.  This galaxy is located over 6' ENE of NGC 1061.  See my RNGC Corrections #2 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1063 = MCG -01-07-036 = PGC 10232
02 42 10.0  -05 34 07; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 105°

17.5" (11/28/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.5', low even surface brightness.  Preceded by a wide pair of mag 11/13 stars ~4' W.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1063 = St. 12-23 on 16 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1064 = MCG -02-07-071 = PGC 10249
02 42 23.5  -09 21 44; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 30°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Requires averted vision but can hold with concentration due to a very low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with brighter MCG -2-7-72 6.8' SSE (on the first observation of the field, this galaxy was assumed to be NGC 1064) and it is surprising that Leavenworth did not pick up MCG -2-7-72.

NGC 1064 is a face-on spiral with a small core and much fainter arms (halo) and I missed it twice from the brighter skies east of Mt Hamilton.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1064 = LM 2-345 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 0.2 tsec west of MCG -02-07-071 = PGC 10249. This galaxy was missed on two attempts from Digger Pines although nearby MCG -02-07-072 was viewed!  (finally picked up at Fiddletown).
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NGC 1065 = MCG -03-07-059 = PGC 10228
02 42 06.2  -15 05 30; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (1/23/22): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Contains a very bright core with a stellar nucleus and a low surface brightness halo.  Forms a pair with similar IC 253 2.7' N.  Both of these galaxies have dim companions at similar separations.  IC 254, just 1' SSW, appeared very faint, round, 15" diameter.  Mag 7.3 HD 16826 is 9' W.

17.5" (12/20/95): In a trio with slightly brighter IC 253 2.7' N and extremely faint IC 252 just 1.0' SSW (forms compact galaxy group SCG 19).  Appears faint, small, irregularly round, 25" diameter.  There is no core but contains a definite faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.9' SE of center.  Located 9' E of mag 7.6 SAO 48549.

IC 253 is fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, 30" diameter.  IC 254 is an extremely faint, round, barely nonstellar spot just 1.0' SSW of NGC 1065.  Requires averted vision to glimpse and <10" diameter.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1065 = Sw. 5-38 on 29 Sep 1886 and reported "eeF, pS, * near south, B* preceding, e difficult".  His position is just 4 seconds of RA west of MCG -03-07-059 (his dec is good) and the description matches, so the identification appears secure.  Still, I'm surprised he missed nearby IC 253 to the north, which Javelle discovered later at the Nice Observatory and has a slightly brighter core.  RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 1065 and IC 254 (a separate galaxy).
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NGC 1066 = UGC 2203 = MCG +05-07-042 = WBL 085-006 = PGC 10338
02 43 49.9  +32 28 30; Tri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.3

24" (9/23/17): at 260x; fairly bright, large, slightly elongated, well concentrated with a bright core and low surface brightness halo ~1.5'x1.2'.  A mag 7.4 star (HD 16954) lies 7' SSE. NGC 1066 is the second brightest member of the NGC 1060 group = WBL 85, with NGC 1067 2.2' N. 

24" (2/7/16): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.3'x1.0', well concentrated core increases to the center, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Second brightest and largest in the cluster (WBL 085).  In a small trio with NGC 1067 2.2' N and UGC 2201 1.7' NW.

UGC 2201, which is misidentified as NGC 1062 in RNGC, RC3 and SIMBAD, is an extremely low surface brightness edge-on and was only occasionally glimpsed, extending ~30"x10" E-W.  UGC 2202, situated 5.1' S, appeared very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 18" diameter.  A mag 13 star is 0.8' W. This dwarf irregular is located just 2.8' NW of mag 7.4 HD 16954 and it helped to place the star just outside the field.  MCG +05-07-046 is 10.6' SE and 5' ESE of the bright star.  It appeared very faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 E-W, 25"x14", low surface brightness, no concentration.

18" (1/26/11): moderately bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration in halo.  Contains a small brighter core that increases to the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1067 2.2' due north.  Located 8' NE of NGC 1060 and 7' NNW of mag 7.4 HD 16954. 

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.5'x1.3'.  Similar size to NGC 1060 8' WSW but one magnitude fainter.  Broadly concentrated halo but no well defined core.  Located 7' NNW of mag 7.7 SAO 55822.  Forms a pair with NGC 1067 2.2' N, also nearby is NGC 1061 7' W.  Appears brighter than the CGCG mag of 14.9.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1066 = H. III-163 = h260, along with NGC 1060, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He recorded the pair together as "Two, both vF, pS, R little brighter in the middle."  This galaxy was observed 10 times at Birr Castle!
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NGC 1067 = UGC 2204 = MCG +05-07-043 = WBL 085-007 = PGC 10339
02 43 50.6  +32 30 42; Tri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

24" (9/23/17): at 260x; faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness, 30-35" diameter.  SN 2017gjn (Type 1a), discovered 1' NNW of center on 24 August, was visible as a mag 15.5 "star".

24" (2/7/16): fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, low surface brightness with a broad weak concentration [face-on Sc].  In a small trio with NGC 1066 2.2' S and UGC 2201 1.7' SW.  Situated 8' NE of NGC 1060 (brightest in the cluster) and 6.7' NNW of mag 7.4 HD 16954.

18" (1/26/11): very faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~40"x35", very low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  Located 2.2' N of NGC 1066 in a group of 5 NGC galaxies.

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1066 2.2' S in the NGC 1060 group.  UGC 2201 (misidentified in the RNGC and RC3 as NGC 1062) is 1.6' SW and was not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1067 = h261 on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "eF; S; the nf of two [with NGC 1066].  Change in polar distance estimated at 3'."  The actual separation is 2.2'.
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NGC 1068 = M77 = Arp 37 = UGC 2188 = MCG +00-07-083 = Cetus A = 3C 71 = LGG 073-002 = PGC 10266
02 42 40.3  -00 00 48; Cet
V = 8.9;  Size 7.1'x6.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 70°

48" (10/26/11): at 375x; the view through Lowrey's 48-inch was remarkable.  Spiral arm structure was easily visible with two main arms in the central halo and a bright inner arm around the nucleus and core.  The bright inner arm attaches at the east side of the intense core, wraps tightly clockwise around the north side of the core and heads south on the west side of the core.  There were two main arms in the central halo forming an elongated "S" pattern.  A long spiral arm is attached near the east side of the core and wraps clockwise outside the inner arm described above.  It continues around to the west side and heads south, ending near a compact HII knot ([EKS96] 19 from Evans et al 1996 "Atlas of H II Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies").  A second long spiral arm is attached on the southwest side of the core and wraps clockwise to the east side of the core, passing inside of a 10" HII knot [EKS96] 79/80].  The arm rotates to the northern edge of the halo.  Besides these main arms, several fainter sections of additional arms are tightly wrapped in the central halo.  The main central region of the galaxy is encased in a very large, low surface brightness outer halo, extendng ~6'x5' WSW-ENE.  NGC 1055, part of the M77 group, lies 30' NNE.

18" (10/21/06): very bright, fairly large oval, extended 4:3 SW-NE, ~3.5'x2.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, oval core containing a sharp, very bright stellar nucleus.  There was a strong impression of mottling or spiral structure in the halo with a curving dust lane (gap between the spiral arms) embedded in the halo that swings around from the southwest side of the halo towards the north along the west side of the core.  Inner arm detail was also suggested around the edge of the halo with an impression of mottling or turbulence.  A mag 11 star is just off the SE side, ~1.5' from the center.  

17.5" (11/14/87): very bright, moderately large, sharp concentration with an unusually bright core, almost stellar nucleus, diffuse slightly elongated halo.  Appears mottled at high power and a hint of inner arm structure.  A mag 11 star is 1.3' ESE of the center.  This is a Seyfert 2 galaxy and brightest in a group with NGC 1055 and 1073.

14.5" (12/17/20): very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~2.4'x2.0'.  Very sharp and strong concentration with a very intense core punctuated by a brilliant stellar-like nucleus.  The (central) halo has a slightly irregular surface brightness.  A mag 10.8 star is barely off the SE flank, 1.4' from center.

8" (11/28/81): bright, intense core, faint halo.

Pierre Méchain discovered M77 = NGC 1068 = h262 on 29 Oct 1780.  After Messier was notified of the discovery, he observed it in December and called it a "cluster of small stars which contains some nebulosity."

William Herschel first observed M77 on 20 September 1783 with his 6.2" telescope and called it "an ill defined star, surrounded by nebulosity. " Through his 20-ft telescope (12" aperture) he called M77 "Very bright; an irregular extended nucleus with milky chevelure, 3 or 4' long, near 3' broad."  In later observations with his large 10-foot telescope, he also noted it was "A kind of much magnified stellar cluster; it contains some bright stars in the centre."  In addition, he logged M77 on 5 different sweeps in his 18.7".

Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney first observed M77 on 4 Dec 1848 and called it "a blue spiral?"  M77 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" object in Rosse's 1850 PT paper.  Observing assistant Bindon Stoney made a sketch on 24 Nov 1851 (the description reads "The central part is, I am nearly sure, spiral") shown on plate XXV, figure 6 in LdR's 1861 paper (also Plate 1, Figure 4 in the 1880 publication).  William Lassell's 1863 sketch, made using 760x with his 48-inch from Malta, shows a tight spiral emanating from a bright stellar nucleus and wrapping a full 360°.

Isaac Roberts' photograph in 1892 revealed considerable structure in the central region with a "dense composite nucleus, bounded by a broad nebulous ring, which is studded with strong condensations.."
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NGC 1069 = MCG -01-07-038 = PGC 10285
02 42 59.7  -08 17 22; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 145°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.4'x0.7', slightly brighter core.  A mag 12 star lies 2.2' NE.  Located 4.9' W of mag 8.8 SAO 130077 at the east edge of the NGC 1052 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1069 = Sw. 5-39 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeF; pS; R; between two dist stars; B* nr following."  Swift's position is just 6 tsec west of MCG -01-07-038 = PGC 10285 and his comment "B * nr foll" applies to this galaxy.
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NGC 1070 = UGC 2200 = MCG +01-07-026 = CGCG 414-045 = PGC 10309
02 43 22.2  +04 58 05; Cet
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 175°

17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S.  Contains a well-defined bright, round core which is evenly concentrated to the center.  A mag 11 star lies 2.4' SSW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1070 = H. II-273 = h263 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and noted "F, S, iR."   On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 95), John Herschel logged it as "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15" [diameter]."  Stephan made observations on 31 Oct 1869, 24 Nov 1875 and 5 Dec 1877 at Marseilles.
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NGC 1071 = MCG -02-07-077 = PGC 10290
02 43 07.8  -08 46 26; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 160°

17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very low surface brightness, no concentration.  Requires averted vision and probably only viewed the core as this galaxy has low surface brightness arms.  Nearly collinear with two mag 11/12 stars 3.3' E and 4.6' W, respectively.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1071 = LM 2-346 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "0.3'x0.1', pE 180°, *10, p 16s; *9, f 15s".  His position is an exact match with MCG -02-07-077 as well as the two mentioned stars, although they are a couple of magnitudes fainter than given.
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NGC 1072 = IC 1837? = UGC 2208 = MCG +00-07-088 = CGCG 388-103 = PGC 10315
02 43 31.3  +00 18 25; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 11°

18" (1/15/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, ~0.9'x0.5'.  Contains a moderately bright roundish core with much fainter extensions N-S.  A mag 11 star lies 3.9' NNW and a pair of mag 11/13 stars at 14" is 4.7' SE.  Located 23' NE of M77.  

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, bright core.  Located 23' NNE of M77.  

13.1" (9/3/83): very faint, thin, very elongated SSW-NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1072 = St. 12-24 on 31 Oct 1877, after observing nearby NGC 1055.  His position in his 12th discovery list (reduced on 20 Dec 1881) is accurate.  Stephane Javelle found NGC 1072 on 24 Jan 1898 and reported it in his 3rd discovery list (#945, later IC 1837), but Harold Corwin comments that Javelle reversed the sign of his declination offset from his reference star.  Once corrected, IC 1837 = NGC 1072.  Although this is a reasonable assumption (it occured in several other cases), I'm surprised that Javelle described IC 1837 as round as NGC 1072 appeared noticeably elongated in both of my observations.  The RNGC has a typo with the RA given as 00 01.3 (1975).
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NGC 1073 = UGC 2210 = MCG +00-08-001 = CGCG 389-002 = LGG 073-003 = PGC 10329
02 43 40.3  +01 22 33; Cet
V = 11.0;  Size 4.9'x4.5';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 15°

48" (10/24/14): at 488x; the central bar is very bright and well-defined, extending 1.0'x0.3' SW-NE. An easily visible spiral arm is attached at the northeast end of the bar and extends at a right angle to the northwest, passing through a mag 16 star [50" N of center].  The arm then dims but sweeps clockwise around the west side, and merges with the second arm attached at the southwest end of the bar. As a result, the galaxy appears to have a single continuous arm rotating ~270° and ending on the southeast side, ~1.2' from center!  The outer part of the halo has a low surface brightness but extends at least 4' in diameter.  Another mag 16 star is on the southwest side of the halo [1.4' from center].

At least three HII complexes were identified.  The brightest is NGC 1073:[HK 83] 6/9, an elongated patch ~13"x8" E-W, situated at or just beyond the southeast end of the spiral arm [1.4' from center].  A small, fainter knot close west, [HK83] 19, was difficult to resolve.  [HK83] 69, a faint 10" knot, is on the west side of the halo (beyond the arm) [1.4' due west of center].  Finally, [HK83] 49 is a third 10" knot of low contrast in the northwest outer halo [1.9' NNW of center].  The designations are from Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of HII Regions in 125 Galaxies".

13.1" (9/3/83): fairly faint, large, even surface brightness, round.  An equilateral triangle consisting of three mag 9.5-10.5 stars with sides 5' lies SW.  

8" (11/28/81): very faint, fairly large, very diffuse, round.  Three mag 10 stars are close SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1073 = H. III-455 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "vF, vL, little brighter middle, 6 or 7' diameter".  He noted it was  "easily resolvable" on a later sweep. The mottling he noted is due to numerous HII knots.
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NGC 1074 = MCG -03-08-001 = PGC 10324
02 43 36.1  -16 17 50; Cet
V = 13.7;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 167°

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 50"x35", low surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2.8' SSW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1075 5.8' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1074 = LM 1-63 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor.  His rough position essentially matches MCG -03-08-001 = PGC 10324. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1075 = MCG -03-08-002 = PGC 10320
02 43 33.5  -16 12 05; Cet
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 153°

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter.  Requires averted vision.  Forms a pair with NGC 1074 5.8' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1075 = LM 1-64 on 28 Nov 1885 with the Leander McCormick 26" refractor.  His approximate RA (nearest min of RA) is just 0.6 tmin west, though 2' south of MCG -03-08-002 = PGC 10320.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and "noticed that NGC 1075 "really precedes 1074".  I'm surprised that Leavenworth described this galaxy as brighter than NGC 1074 (mag 14.0 vs. mag 15.5).
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NGC 1076 = MCG -03-08-003 = PGC 10313
02 43 29.2  -14 45 16; Cet
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 99°

17.5" (12/20/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.7', broad concentration with a large brighter core.  Located 5.4' W of mag 9.4 SAO 148572.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1076 = Sw. 3-20 on 29 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and commented "vF; pS; R; B* 22s east".  His position is 7 tsec of RA east of MCG -03-08-003 = PGC 10313 and the bright star is accurated placed.
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NGC 1077 = UGC 2230 = MCG +07-06-069 = CGCG 539-095 = PGC 10468
02 46 00.7  +40 05 24; Per
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, almost even fairly low surface brightness.  Forms a double system with NGC 1077b = MCG +07-06-068 at 0.5' ENE (not seen).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1077 = Sw. 2-23 on 16 Aug 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and placed accurately.  This is a double system (with PGC 10465), though the brighter southwestern component is called NGC 1077B in the MCG. The RNGC magnitude of 16.0 is in error.
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NGC 1078 = MCG -02-08-001 = PGC 10362
02 44 08.0  -09 27 08; Cet
V = 14.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round.  Contains a 10" brighter core surrounded by a 25" halo.  A mag 10 star lies 5.8' NNW.  Located close to the Eridanus border.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1078 = LM 2-347 in 1886 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor and noted a "mag 9.5 star follows 30 sec, south 2'."  His position is 0.3 tmin east of MCG -02-08-001 = PGC 10362 and the description applies.
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NGC 1079 = ESO 416-013 = MCG -05-07-017 = LGG 075-001 = PGC 10330
02 43 44.5  -29 00 11; For
V = 11.5;  Size 3.5'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 87°

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, faint elongated halo. Member of the NGC 1097 group (LGG 075).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1079 = h2494 on 14 Nov 1835 and logged "B, pmE, suddenly brighter in the middle, 90" long, 40" broad". His position is accurate.
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NGC 1080 = MCG -01-08-003 = PGC 10416
02 45 10.0  -04 42 39; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, almost even surface brightness, well-defined halo.  Several stars are near and forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 12.5/13.5 stars 2.7' SE and 2.6' NE of center.  A brighter mag 11.5 star lies 3.5' W.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1080 = Sw. 5-40 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 5 tsec east and 15" north of MCG -01-08-003 = PGC 10416.
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NGC 1081 = MCG -03-08-010 = PGC 10411
02 45 05.5  -15 35 17; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 27°

18" (11/26/03): at 160x appears faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.35', low even surface brightness.  Located 10' S of mag 7.6 SAO 14856.  NGC 1105 = IC 1840 lies 20' WSW and NGC 1083 is 16' NE.

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.5', uniform surface brightness.  Located 10' SSW of mag 8.2 SAO 148586 at the edge of the 220x field.  A wide pair of mag 11/12 stars at 1.1' separation is 5' E and a mag 14.5 star is 2' NE.  The mag 8 star to the north is surrounded by a halo of 7 faint mag 14 stars!  First of three with NGC 1083 16' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1081 = Sw. 5-41 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 5 tsec of RA west of MCG -03-08-010 = PGC 10411 (same offset as NGC 1083).
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NGC 1082 = MCG -01-08-004 = PGC 10447
02 45 41.2  -08 10 50; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

17.5" (12/20/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a well-defined 20" core.  A mag 12.5 star lies 2.4' N of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1082 = Sw. 5-42 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate. The RNGC declination is 2' too far south.
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NGC 1083 = MCG -03-08-015 = PGC 10445
02 45 40.6  -15 21 29; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 17°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint but striking edge-on streak 5:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.3'.  Weak concentration with no distinct core.  Located almost at the midpoint of two mag 11 stars 2.5' NW and 3.2' SE.  Second of three on a line with NGC 1081 16' SW and NGC 1089 18' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1083 = Sw. 5-43 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "eeF; pS; vE; surrounded by 5 or 6 stars; np of 2 [with NGC 1089].  His position is close to MCG -03-08-015 = PGC 10445 and the comment "surrounded by 5 or 6 stars" applies.  His comment "np of 2" should read "sp of 2".
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NGC 1084 = MCG -01-08-007 = LGG 071-010 =PGC 10464
02 45 59.8  -07 34 42; Eri
V = 10.7;  Size 3.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 35°

17.5" (10/21/95): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 2.5'x1.2', broad concentration with a large bright core.  The galaxy has an irregular mottled appearance or perhaps the east side has dust or dark lanes.  The west side has a symmetric bulging appearance but there are dark indentations or bays on the NE and SE sides of the halo (probably between the spiral arms).  Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

8" (10/31/81): bright, moderately large, elongated.  Three mag 9-10 stars lie 13' N, 15' NNE and 16' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1084 = H. I-64 = h264 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355). He recorded "vB, pL, little extended, much brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.

The galaxy was observed 8 times at Birr Castle, the earliest by George Johnstone Stoney on 12 Nov 1848. He called it "a curious object with dark spaces."  On 16 Oct 1855, assistant R.J. Mitchell called this a "Fine oval neb, has nucl, light mottled, sometimes I thought I saw a dark bay north of Nucl, certainly the neb is brighter along n and nf side than in the part intervening between that and the nucleus".  Lassell's sketch shows a very tight spiral wrapping 1 1/2 revolutions around a stellar nucleus. He noted "A very obscure faint spiral nebula of apparently this form with power 760.”
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NGC 1085 = UGC 2241 = MCG +00-08-010 = CGCG 389-008 = PGC 10498
02 46 25.3  +03 36 26; Cet
V = 12.3;  Size 3.0'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 15°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', gradually increases to a small bright core.  Forms the east vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 10.5/12.5 stars 4' SW and NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1085 on 26 Sep 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted the nebula was between two mag 11-12 stars - one preceding by 14.5 seconds [4' SW] and the other following by 18.5 seconds [4.6' E].
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NGC 1086 = UGC 2258 = MCG +07-06-071 = CGCG 539-101 = PGC 10587
02 47 56.4  +41 14 47; Per
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 35°

17.5" (10/24/87 and 12/23/92): faint, small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness, rich star field.  A pretty double star lies 5' SE (9.3/11.3 at 8" in PA 90°).  Surrounded by several mag 14-15 stars.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1086 = Sw. 2-24 on 30 Nov 1877.  His rough unpublished position was 5.5' due E, consistent with the other positions taken immediately before and afterwards.  He never measured an accurate position and published the discovery.

Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 1086 on 20 Aug 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; D* near".  His RA in his second discovery list (#24) is 13 seconds too large, but there are no other nearby candidates and a nearby double star is 4.8' SE.
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NGC 1087 = UGC 2245 = MCG +00-08-009 = CGCG 389-010 = PGC 10496
02 46 25.1  -00 29 55; Cet
V = 10.9;  Size 3.7'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1.7' diameter.  Broad concentration with an ill defined core which appears to be offset towards the west side.  The halo gradually fades into the background.  MCG +00-08-012, located 3.5' NE, was just glimpsed.

17.5" (11/14/87): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  Two mag 11 stars 2.9' NE and 3.8' ESE of center are part of a string of brighter stars oriented NW-SE.  NGC 1090 lies 15' NNE.  Nearby MCG +00-08-012 was not seen.

13.1" (9/3/83): fairly bright, moderately large, weak concentration, elongated N-S. 

8" (12/6/80): faint, fairly small, diffuse.  Located near a string of mag 10 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1087 = H. II-466 = h265 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and noted "pB, cL, R, much brighter in the middle."  A month later on 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470) he logged "pB, pL, irr R."

Based on photos taken at the Helwan Observatoiry in 1919-20, the galaxy was described as "B, 3' x 1.5', E 10° ±, spiral with fairly sharp BN and about 20 bright, almost stellar condensations; the whols in south portion of nebula are fairly normal, but the north portion is rather curious."
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NGC 1088 = UGC 2253 = MCG +03-08-009 = CGCG 463-011 = PGC 10536
02 47 04.0  +16 12 00; Ari
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, ~30" diameter, very small brighter nucleus, faint outer halo.  A mag 14.2 star is 1.2' NW.

IC 255, situated 5' N, appeared extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, ~20"x10", very low even surface brightness.

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5'.  Faint stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' NW.  The main body appears elongated E-W on the POSS.  IC 255 wasn't seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1088 = H. III-582 on 25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and noted "vF, S, irr F."  His position was 2' too far south.  About a half-hour later the sweep was interrupted when Jupiter entered the field. John Herschel made no published observations.
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NGC 1089 = MCG -03-08-020 = PGC 10481
02 46 10.1  -15 04 23; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 15°

24" (1/28/17): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~0.5'x0.4', very small brighter core, occasional stellar nucleus.

Arp 131, a close interacting pair consisting of MCG -03-08-025 and -026 off the northeast side [52" between centers], lies 24' NE.  MCG -03-08-025 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 30"x24", strongly concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  MCG -03-08-026 was faint, small, round, 15" diameter, no zones.

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter. Symmetrical appearance with a weak, even concentration to a faint stellar nucleus.  Third of three on a line with NGC 1083 18' SSW and NGC 1081 34' SSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1089 = Sw. 5-44 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "eeF, S, R, sf of 2 [with NGC 1083]".  His position is 9 seconds of RA west of MCG -03-08-020, though his comment "sf of 2" should read "nf of 2".  Dreyer noted this correction in a short errata list at the end of the NGC.
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NGC 1090 = UGC 2247 = MCG +00-08-011 = CGCG 389-011 = PGC 10507
02 46 33.9  -00 14 50; Cet
V = 11.8;  Size 4.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 102°

18" (1/15/07): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, ~2.5'x1', broad mild concentration to a fairly large, slightly brighter core which has a mottled texture.  A mag 15 star is just off the the south edge and an 11th magnitude star lies 3' N.

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, moderately large, oval ~E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is at the south edge 42" from center and a mag 11.5 star is 3.1' N.  NGC 1087 lies 15' S and NGC 1094 is 14' ESE. 

13.1" (9/3/83): faint, moderately large, diffuse, slightly elongated ~E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1090 = H. II-465 = h266 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "F, pL, R, bM."
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NGC 1091 = HCG 21E = ESO 546-016 = MCG -03-08-013 = PGC 10424
02 45 22.4  -17 32 00; Eri
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 77°

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, very small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.5', no concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.4' NNW of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1092 1.8' ESE.  Member of HCG 21 with NGC 1098 10' SW, NGC 1100 10' S and NGC 1099 11' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1091 = LM 1-65 (along with NGC 1092, 1098, 1099 and 1100) on 17 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 1' too far south.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1092 = HCG 21D = ESO 546-017 = MCG -03-08-014 = PGC 10432
02 45 29.5  -17 32 32; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, increases to a bright core.  Brighter of a close pair with NGC 1091 1.8' WNW.  Last in HCG 21, consisting of five faint galaxies with NGC 1091, NGC 1098, NGC 1099 and NGC 1100.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1092 = LM 1-66 (along with NGC 1091 and 1098) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  Herbert Howe's corrected position, repeated in the IC 2 notes, is accurate.  Howe also noted that NGC 1092 is "considerably brighter than its companion" although both were described by Leavenworth as "vF".
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NGC 1093 = UGC 2274 = MCG +06-07-011 = CGCG 524-022 = PGC 10606
02 48 16.2  +34 25 12; Tri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 100°

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, fairly low almost even surface brightness.  Located 4.3' SSE of a mag 9.5 star.

Édouard Stephan probably discovered NGC 1093 = St. 10-14 on 29 Nov 1875 and recorded a rough position 2' to the SE.  He possibly made an earlier discovery on 30 Nov 1886, though the position was off by 30'.  His published micrometric position (list 10, #14) was made on 6 Dec 1879.
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NGC 1094 = UGC 2262 = MCG +00-08-015 = CGCG 389-016 = PGC 10559
02 47 27.8  -00 17 06; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 85°

18" (1/15/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~1'x0.6', broad weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with CGCG 389-017 = PGC 10560 1' N.  This companion appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 20"x10".  It required needed averted vision to just glimpse and was too faint for details but I was confident of the sighting.  NGC 1094 is less than 5' S of a mag 9.5 star.

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core.  NGC 1087 lies 20' SW and NGC 1090 14' WNW.  Located 4.8' S of mag 9.1 SAO 130113.  Forms a close pair with MCG +00-08-014 1.1' N (not seen).

13.1" (9/3/83): very faint, very small, almost round.  Located 14' ESE of NGC 1090.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1094 = H. III-462 = h267 on 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470) and noted "vF, S."  His position is 1' S of UGC 2262 = PGC 10559.  The RA in the UGC is 1 hour too large.
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NGC 1095 = UGC 2264 = MCG +01-08-001 = CGCG 415-008 = PGC 10566
02 47 37.9  +04 38 15; Cet
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8'.  Appears as a low unconcentrated glow just 2.0' SE of a mag 10 star which hampers viewing.  Forms a pair with NGC 1101 10' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1095 = St. 8b-8, along with NGC 1101, on 4 Nov 1875.  His published micrometric position (list 8b, #8) was made a year later on 11 Dec 1876 with description "eF, S, R, diameter = 0.7', very slight concentration."
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NGC 1096 = ESO 115-028 = AM 0242-600 = PGC 10336
02 43 49.4  -59 54 47; Hor
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.0

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 35"x25", fairly even surface brightness.  Mag 9.8 HD 17288 is 9' SSE (along with two nearby mag 12/13 stars).  Viewed through thin clouds.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1096 = h2496 on 3 Oct 1836 and logged "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30 arcsec."  His RA is 10 seconds west of ESO 115-028 = PGC 10336.
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NGC 1097 = Arp 77 NED2 = ESO 416-020 = MCG -05-07-024 = UGCA 41 = LGG 075-003 = PGC 10488
02 46 19.0  -30 16 29; For
V = 9.5;  Size 9.3'x6.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 130°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): NGC 1097 was one of the top highlights of my October 2015 trip to Australia.  At 303x; this showpiece barred spiral contains a bright central bar ~4.5'x1.5' NW-SE. The bar is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, slightly elongated NW-SE core but no distinct stellar nucleus.

A prominent spiral arm is attached on the northwest end of the bar.  The arm is relatively thin, well defined and knotty as it curls counterclockwise to the east, dimming out gradually about 3' ENE of center.  A large bright knot is close to the northwest end of the bar, just inside the beginning of the arm and close east of a superimposed mag 14.5 star.  NED catalogues this region with the multiple designations NGC 1097:[EKS96] 148 and [EKS96] 151 from the 1996 "An Atlas of H II Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies".  Roughly halfway along its length is a pair of fairly prominent HII knots.  The first is [EKS96] 245, a 12" knot 2.5' NNE of center.  Close east is slightly larger [EKS96] 300/304, 2.5' NE of center. The arm then fades as it passes just south of a mag 15 star.

At the southeast end of the bar a delicate, thin spiral arm unfurls counterclockwise towards the northwest.  About halfway along its length is a slightly brighter elongated patch extending ~30" in length, with designations [EKS96] 100/105/119 and others.  The arm dims out about 3' WSW of center.  The arms stretch about 6' tip to tip, giving overall dimensions of perhaps 7'x6'.

The satellite galaxy NGC 1097A is superimposed in the halo on the northwest side, 3.3' from center.  It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 40"x20".

18" (12/30/08): very bright, large, very elongated NW-SE.  The brightest portion is the entire central "bar" which extends ~5'x1.5'.  This region is surrounded by a much fainter "halo", increasing the size to ~5'x3'.  The center is strongly concentrated to a very bright 50"x40" core, slightly elongated NW-SE.  At the northwest end of the bar, a very diffuse arm sweeps to the east in a counterclockwise direction for ~2.5' in length and appears to brighten or have a faint knot near the end.  At the southeast end of the bar, only a hint of a short extension sweeping west was detected.  A faint star (mag ~14.5) is along the west side at the northwest end of the main bar, near where the brighter arm is attached.  NGC 1097A, a small companion galaxy, is situated just off the NW side and appeared faint, very small, irregularly round, 25"x20".  Brightest in a group (LGG 075) including NGC 1079, IC 1826 and ESO 416-032.

17.5" (10/17/87): very bright, very large, very elongated NW-SE, very bright core.  A companion galaxy NGC 1097A is attached at the NW end.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 140x; bright, very large, elongated ~5:2 NW-SE, ~4.5'x2', sharply and strongly concentrated with a prominent core that increases to a very small (non-stellar) intensely bright nucleus. The outer halo is very diffuse but may increase the dimensions to 6'x4'.

NGC 1097A is situated 3.3' NW of center, and in line with the major axis.  It was faint but easily visible, elongated 2:1, 30"x15".

8" (10/31/81): bright, elongated NW-SE, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1097 = H. V-48 = h2495 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972).  He logged "very bright, elongated 75° np to sf; about 8' long.  A very bright nucleus confined to a small part about 1' diameter."  Taking precession into account, this is the 4th most southerly galaxy that Herschel discovered.  In 1790 it culminated at an elevation of just 7.3°.  NGC 1366, which was discovered on the same sweep, is his southernmost discovery. 

John Herschel recorded this barred spiral on 18 Nov 1835 (sweep 643) from South Africa as "B, L, vmE, pspmbM, 3' long; pos = 151.1°." The next night he logged "B, L, vmE, pretty suddenly very much bright middle to a pretty large, round nucleus; 4' long, 40" broad."  Dunlop's D 625 possibly refers to NGC 1097, although his position is too rough to make a positive identification.  He found a "round nebula, about 2' dia, very bright at the centre, and very faint from the centre to the margin , almost equally faint from the bright nucleus to the margin.  There are two pretty bright small stars following the nebula rather north."

NGC 1097 was photographed in 1919-1920 at the Helwan Observatory near Cairo and by Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos in the late 1930s with the 60-inch reflector (mirror originally from Andrew Ainslie Common) at Harvard's Boyden Station in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Shapley and  Paraskevopoulos remarked "The large nucleus shows a strong rift and a peculiar internal structure that perhaps result chiefly from the distribution of obscuration. Along the swollen or elliptical "bar" and in the spiral arms there are also peculiar obscurations and markings."
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NGC 1098 = HCG 21C = ESO 546-014 = MCG -03-08-008 = PGC 10403
02 44 53.7  -17 39 33; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 102°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', small bright core, stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 5.2' SSW of mag 8.1 SAO 148582!  First in HCG 21 with NGC 1099 6.4' SE, NGC 1100 10.1' ESE, NGC 1091 10.2' NE and NGC 1092 11.1' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1098 = LM 1-67, along with NGC 1091 and NGC 1092, on 17 Oct 1885.  There is nothing at his position but 2 tmin east and 2' north is ESO 546-014 = PGC 10403.  Leavenworth noted this was the "1st of 3" [with NGC 1099 and 1100] and this secures the identification.  Ormond Stone and Herbert Howe later measured accurate positions (Stone's is given in the IC 1 notes).
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NGC 1099 = HCG 21A = ESO 546-015 = MCG -03-08-011 = PGC 10422
02 45 17.6  -17 42 31; Eri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.5', no concentration.  Brightest in HCG 21 with NGC 1100 4.5' ENE and NGC 1098 6.4' NW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1099 = LM 1-68 (along with NGC 1098 and NGC 1100) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Ormond Stone's corrected position in the IC 1 is accurate and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00.
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NGC 1100 = HCG 21B = ESO 546-018 = MCG -03-08-016 = PGC 10438
02 45 36.0  -17 41 19; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 58°

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Similar appearance as NGC 1099 4.5' WSW.  A mag 14 star is off the SE side 1.7' from the center and a mag 13 star is 2.3' NNE.  About 9' N is pair of faint galaxies; NGC 1091 = HCG 21E and NGC 1092 = HCG 21D.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1100 = LM 1-69, along with NGC 1098 and NGC 1099, on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. Ormond Stone's corrected position given in the IC 1 Notes is accurate and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00 at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 1101 = UGC 2278 = MCG +01-08-003 = PGC 10613
02 48 14.8  +04 34 41; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.4', very small bright core.  Forms a "double" with a mag 13 star at the west end 24" from the center.  Starting about 4' SW is a very shallow arc of five mag 12-13 stars open to the NW with two 30" pairs at the SW and east ends of the arc and a total length of 4.5'.  Forms a pair with NGC 1095 10' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1101 = St. 8b-9, along with NGC 1095, on 4 Nov 1875.  His published micrometric position (list 8b, #9) was made a year later on 22 Nov 1876 with description  "eF, eeS, R, bM, *13 preceding by 2 seconds in parallel."
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NGC 1102 = ESO 546-019 = MCG -04-07-040 = PGC 10545
02 47 12.9  -22 12 32; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 89°

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, only glimpsed with averted vision.  Situated on a E-W line between two mag 12 and 13 stars 5.4' E and 4.4' W.  There are two mag 14 stars nearly collinear 1.6' and 2.4' S.  Located 17' due north of mag 6.5 SAO 168051.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1102 = LM 2-348 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.7, 0.2', R."  His position is 17 tsec east of ESO 546-019.  ESO misidentifies ESO 546-020 as NGC 1102.  This fainter galaxy is a better match in RA, but further off in declination (a less likely error).
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NGC 1103 = MCG -02-08-005 = PGC 10597
02 48 06.0  -13 57 35; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  Unusual appearance with a mag 12 star just at the NE end of this small streak.  Forms a pair with IC 1853 (noted as "extremely faint, very small") 2.0' SSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1103 = Sw. 3-21 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 8 sec of RA west of MCG -02-08-005 = PGC 10597 and the comment "11 mag * close f" clinches this identification.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, discovered nearby IC 1853 to the south.
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NGC 1104 = UGC 2287 = MCG +00-08-019 = CGCG 389-020 = PGC 10634
02 48 38.7  -00 16 17; Cet
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 70°

18" (1/15/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3, very weak concentration except for a slightly brighter quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1' S.

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' S of center.  Located 18' E of NGC 1094. 

13.1" (9/3/83): extremely faint, very small.  A line of three stars is following and a faint star is off the SE edge.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1104 on 6 Nov 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, vS, a mag 14 star is 50" south."  His position and description matches UGC 2287.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 5 Dec 1877 after viewing NGC 1094 and credited d'Arrest.
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NGC 1105 = IC 1840 = MCG -03-08-004 = PGC 10333
02 43 42.0  -15 42 20; Cet
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (11/26/03): very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', broad concentration with a round 20" core.  Located 6' NW of mag 8.9 SAO 148573.  NGC 1081 lies 20' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1105 = LM 1-71 on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin examined Leavenworth's discovery sketch and it matches PGC 10333, which is located 4.5 min of RA west of his position.

This galaxy was independently discovered by Herbert Howe on 30 Jan 1900, probably while searching for NGC 1105 at the NGC position, and reported it as new in list 3-7 (later IC 1840).  So, NGC 1105 = IC 1840.  Howe mentions he was unable to recover NGC 1105 but found a candidate (MCG -03-08-036 = PGC 10867) 4 minutes of RA east of the NGC position which he suggested might be NGC 1105.  Dreyer reported the "corrected" position in the IC 2 notes.  Because of this "correction", PGC 10867 is labeled as NGC 1105 in the RNGC, MCG, PGC, LEDA, etc., although this was not the galaxy found by Leavenworth. See Corwin's notes.  I've taken PGC 10333 as NGC 1105 here.
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NGC 1106 = UGC 2322 = MCG +07-06-076 = CGCG 539-112 = PGC 10792
02 50 40.5  +41 40 18; Per
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is attached at the west end.  Located 3' WNW of mag 8.5 SAO 38389 which interferes with viewing.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1106 = h268 on 18 Sep 1828, although he was uncertain about the observation: "Query whether a nebula or a knot of minute stars indistinctly seen."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 minute of RA west is UGC 2322 = PGC 10792.  Heinrich d'Arrest corrected the RA and as a result the position is accurate in the NGC.
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NGC 1107 = UGC 2307 = MCG +01-08-006 = CGCG 415-013 = Holm 63a = PGC 10683
02 49 19.6  +08 05 34; Cet
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 140°

17.5" (10/21/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  Fairly high surface brightness with a prominent core and much fainter extensions.  Two strings of stars form a "V" to the south.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1107 = m 74 on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, vS, R."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1108 = PGC 10633
02 48 38.5  -07 57 04; Eri
V = 15.1;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 85°

17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter.  At moments a stellar nucleus is visible.  NGC 1110 lies 11' NE at the edge of the 220x field.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1108 = Sw. 5-45 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 5 tsec east and 24" north of PGC 10633.
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NGC 1109 = IC 1846? = UGC 2265 = MCG +02-08-006 = CGCG 440-008 = PGC 10573
02 47 43.6  +13 15 20; Ari
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/9/99): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Situated 2.5' ENE of a mag 11.5 star.  The NGC identification of this galaxy is very uncertain due to poor positions in the group by Marth and UGC, MCG and CGCG identify this galaxy as IC 1846.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1109 = m 75 on 2 Dec 1863. Observing with William Lassell's 48" on Malta, he simply noted, "very faint."  This is the first of 8 objects that he discovered that night, of which one is perhaps a faint star (NGC 1113), 1111, and 1112 have either poor positions or perhaps he confused some faint stars as nebulous.  There is nothing near his position for NGC 1109 but there are three possible galaxies to the west that were all later discovered by Stephane Javelle and placed correctly (though systematically offset about 1' too far south).

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1109 may be the first observation of IC 1846, which is 2 tmin of RA west of Marth's position (about 28 arcminutes) but matches in declination.  Stephane Javelle discovered this galaxy at the Nice Observatory on 7 Jan 1896 and measured an accurate position. Although NGC 1109 is possibly IC 1846, other nebulae discovered that night seem to have different offsets in RA.

Modern catalogues, including RC3, RNGC, PGC and LEDA equate NGC 1109 with IC 1852.  This galaxy is only 39 sec of RA west (about 9') and 2' S of Marth's position.  Although closer in RA, IC 1852 is further off in declination (a less likely error).  Corwin suggests NGC 1112 (from the same night) applies to IC 1852.  Finally, Courtney Seligman suggests IC 1850 as a better candidate for NGC 1109.  This galaxy is 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position and matches in declination, though  it is fainter than the other two candidates. Corwin assigns NGC 1111 (again from the same night) to  IC 1850.  So, there's lots of uncertainty to go around.  See Corwin's notes and Courtney Seligman's entry for NGC 1109.
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NGC 1110 = MCG -01-08-010 = UGCA 43 = FGC 346 = LGG 071-011 =PGC 10673
02 49 09.5  -07 50 14; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 2.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 18°

17.5" (11/28/97): this unusual galaxy appears a moderately large, low surface brightness streak, 2.0'x0.4' oriented SSW-NNE.  Located 2.7' N of a mag 11.5 star.  NGC 1108 lies 11' SW.  Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1110 = LM 2-349 on 21 Dec 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 15 tsec east of MCG -01-08-010 = PGC 10673 and his dimensions of 2.8'x0.3' clearly refers to this galaxy although his PA (168°) has a quadrant error.
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NGC 1111 = IC 1850? = PGC 1426583
02 48 39.3  +13 15 34; Ari
Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 9°

17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:1 SSW- NNE, ~25"x9".  Originally this object appeared virtually stellar as I probably just detected the core but after viewing for awhile the thin extensions were noticed.  IC 1850 is located 5.6' NW of IC 1852.  This NGC identification (NGC 1111) is very uncertain.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1111 = m 76 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, vS, stellar".  This is the second in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps he confused faint stars as nebulous.  Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1111 = IC 1850 = PGC 1426583, which is located 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position but matches in RA.  Courtney Seligman notes that IC 1850 could just as easily be equated with NGC 1109, as Marth's positions for these two entries are very close.  RNGC, PGC and HyperLEDA label PGC 10719 as NGC 1111.  This galaxy is only 8 sec of RA east, but 6' S of Marth's position (a less likely error).  So, the identification of NGC 1111 is quite uncertain but taken as IC 1850 here.  See Corwin's discussion of NGC 1109 and Seligman's website.
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NGC 1112 = IC 1852? = UGC 2293 = MCG +02-08-011 = CGCG 440-015 = PGC 10660
02 49 00.4  +13 13 25; Ari
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 3°

17.5" (1/9/99): very faint, fairly small, ~40"x25".  Appears as a very low surface brightness glow with no noticeable concentration and an ill-defined edge.  After extended viewing could hold continuously with direct vision.  IC 1850 (possibly NGC 1111) lies 5.6' NW and IC 1846 (possibly NGC 1109) is 19' W.  The NGC identification is very uncertain and CGCG, UGC and MCG label this galaxy as IC 1852 only.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1112 = m 77 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, pS".  This is the third in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or possibly he confused faint stars as nebulous.

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1112 may refer IC 1852 = UGC 2293 = PGC 10660.  Stephane Javelle discovered this galaxy on 7 Jan 1896 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory.  Marth's position is exactly 1.0 min of RA following IC 1852 and matches in declination.  CGCG, UGC and MCG label this galaxy IC 1852, while RNGC, PGC, RC3 and Megastar identify it as NGC 1109.  RNGC classifies NGC 1112 as nonexistent.  Finally, HyperLEDA equates IC 1852 with NGC 1109.  Although NGC 1112 = IC 1852 is a reasonable match, given all the problems in this region this identification is very uncertain. See Corwin's notes for NGC 1109 and Courtney's Seligman website for NGC 1112.
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NGC 1113
02 50 05.0  +13 19 39; Ari

= *??, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1113 = m 78 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted simply as "vF".  This is the 4th in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps he confused faint stars as nebulous.  Marth's position falls very close to a 10th magnitude star, though it is very unlikely Marth could have described this star as "vF" and there are no other non-stellar candidates due west or east.  Corwin suggests that NGC 1113 may refer to a 15th magnitude star 2' NW (position given here) of the bright star, though this is very speculative.  NGC 1113 is classified as nonexistent in the RNGC and there is no entry in LEDA.
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NGC 1114 = MCG -03-08-029 = LGG 081-004 = PGC 10669
02 49 07.2  -16 59 39; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 8°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated almost 3:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.7', broad concentration to a brighter middle but no nucleus.  Appears slightly larger than catalogued dimensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1114 = H. III-449 = h269 = h2497 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and logged "vF, pL, broadly extended, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope, where he recorded on 11 Dec 1835 (sweep 652), "pB, L, pmE, very gradually little brighter middle, 2' long, 40" broad."
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NGC 1115 = MCG +02-08-016 = CGCG 440-020 = PGC 10774
02 50 25.3  +13 15 58; Ari
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Can hold steadily with averted vision.  A nice pair of mag 13.5/14 star lie 2' N [17" separation].  Located 4.8' SSW of NGC 1116.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1115 = m 79 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF".  Although 5 of the 8 objects in the region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, Marth's position is a good match with CGCG 440-021 = PGC 10774.
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NGC 1116 = UGC 2326 = MCG +02-08-017 = CGCG 440-021 = PGC 10781
02 50 35.7  +13 20 06; Ari
V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 27°

17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.2', very small brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1115 4.8' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1116 = m 80 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF".  Although 5 of the 8 objects in the region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, NGC 1116 is an excellent match with UGC 2326 = PGC 10781.
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NGC 1117 = UGC 2337s = MCG +02-08-019 = MCG +02-08-020 = CGCG 440-022s = PGC 10822
02 51 13.0  +13 11 07; Ari
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 5°

17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  Appears as a barely resolved double system oriented N-S, ~30"x20" total size. The object at the south side appears to have a stellar nucleus.  The northern object has a 20" halo and appears larger.  The centers of this pair are only 24" apart.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1117 = m 81 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "Close to a small star".  This is the 7th in a group of 8 galaxies he discovered that night, several of which (NGC 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117) have identification problems because of poor positions or perhaps he confused faint stars as nebulous.  There is nothing near his position for NGC 1117, but UGC 2337 = PGC 10821/10822 lies 30 sec of RA east and is fairly close in declination.  This is a double system and perhaps Marth thought one component was a star.  Neither CGCG or MCG label this system as NGC 1117 but RNGC, PGC and LEDA apply this identification.  The southern component is sometimes taken as NGC 1117.
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NGC 1118 = MCG -02-08-011 = PGC 10748
02 49 58.7  -12 09 50; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 90°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4'.  The small, rounder bright core contains a faint stellar nucleus.  A wide unequal pair [mag 12/14 at 33" separation] lies 5' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1118 = Sw. 5-46 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position and description "vE" is accurate
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NGC 1119 = ESO 546-024 = PGC 10607
02 48 17.1  -17 59 15; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 0°

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms the west vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a mag 10.5 star 3.0' NE and a mag 12 star 3.5' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1119 = LM 1-72 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but Herbert Howe measured an accurate position at the end of the century (repeated in the IC 2 notes) that matches ESO 546-024 = PGC 10607.  This galaxy is 1.8 min of RA west and 2' N of Leavenworth's position (not an uncommon error) and this galaxy is generally taken as NGC 1119.  RNGC incorrectly classifies NGC 1119 as nonexistent.
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NGC 1120 = IC 261 = MCG -03-08-028 = PGC 10664
02 49 04.1  -14 28 15; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

17.5" (11/18/95): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter.  Even concentration to a bright core and nearly stellar nucleus.  A faint, close double star lies 4.2' SSW and 5' NW is a small group of four mag 13 stars (includes a 30" pair).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1120 = LM 1-72 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position, but 1.1 min of RA west (common error) is MCG -03-08-028 = PGC 10664, and Corwin confirms Leavenworth's sketch matches this galaxy.  PGC 10664 was found again by Stephane Javelle on 7 Dec 1891 and placed correctly in list 1-98 (later IC 261).  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 1120 in 1899-00 matching IC 261. Some sources, such as the MCG, label this galaxy IC 261 although NGC 1120 should be the primary designation.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1121 = UGC 2332 = MCG +00-08-030 = CGCG 389-032 = PGC 10789
02 50 39.1  -01 44 03; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 10°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', well concentrated with a small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  Located 1.7' SSW of a mag 10 star in the northwest corner of Eridanus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1121 = Sw. 1-4 on 9 Nov 1884 with his 16-inch refractor.  His RA was 13 seconds too large. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory as well as Porter in 1908 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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NGC 1122 = NGC 1123 = UGC 2353 = MCG +07-06-083 = CGCG 539-117 = PGC 10890
02 52 51.1  +42 12 20; Per
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, diffuse.  A pair of mag 14 stars are at the ESE and NE end and a mag 15 star is at the west end.  Located 12' NNE of mag 7.2 SAO 38407.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1122 = Sw. 2-25 on 6 Sep 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pS, R, * nr north."  His position and description matches NGC 1123 = UGC 2353 = PGC 10890, which was discovered by William Herschel (II-601).  Since neither of the Herschel's position are poor, it's unusual that Dreyer did not catch the equivalence.
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NGC 1123 = NGC 1122 = UGC 2353 = MCG +07-06-083 = CGCG 539-117 = PGC 10890
02 52 51.1  +42 12 20; Per
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, diffuse.  A pair of mag 14 stars are at the ESE and NE end and a mag 15 star is at the west end.  Located 12' NNE of mag 7.2 SAO 38407.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1123 = H. II-601 = h270 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "F, S, iF, resolvable."  His position is within 2' of UGC 2353 = PGC 10890.  John Herschel wrote on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182), "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 25" diameter."  Lewis Swift independently "discovered" the galaxy on 6 Sep 1885, resulting in a second designation NGC 1122.  As the positions for NGC 1122 and NGC 1123 are so close, it's very surprising Dreyer included both entries in the NGC. All modern catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 1122 although by historical priority, NGC 1123 should take precedence.
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NGC 1124 = ESO 480-007 = MCG -04-07-047 = PGC 10838
02 51 35.9  -25 42 07; For
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 0°

17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 1.8' SW of a mag 10.3 star.  This galaxy has a faint outer ring, but the observation records the smaller, round core only.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1124 = LM 1-74 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "*9, nf 1'."  His description and rough position is a good match with ESO 480-007 = PGC 10838.
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NGC 1125 = MCG -03-08-035 = PGC 10851
02 51 40.4  -16 39 02; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 53°

24" (1/28/17): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright, elongated nearly 3:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.35', small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a very close (optical) pair with MCG -03-08-034 barely off the southwest end [0.9' from center].  At 375x, the companion appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 12"x8".   The redshift of MCG -03-08-034 is nearly 3x that of NGC 1089, so they don't form a physical pair. 

17.5" (11/18/95): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.4', small bright core.  MCG -03-08-034 at the southwest tip was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1125 = H. III-450 = h272 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and noted "vF, S, E."  His position is accurate, though falls closer to the fainter southwest component (MCG -03-08-034).  The northeast component (MCG -03-08-035 = PGC 10851) is generally identified as NGC 1125.
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NGC 1126 = MCG +00-08-038 = CGCG 389-038 = PGC 10868
02 52 18.6  -01 17 45; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/7/89): extremely faint, small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  Located 8' WSW of NGC 1132.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1126 = Sw. 5-47 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 44" north of CGCG 389-038 = PGC 10868 and his comment "p of [N1132]" applies.
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NGC 1127 = UGC 2356 = MCG +02-08-024 = CGCG 440-024 = PGC 10889
02 52 51.8  +13 15 23; Ari
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 39°

17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', low even surface brightness with no noticeable core.  Situated in a fairly sparse star field with a mag 10.9 star 6' ESE.  Located 19' NW of NGC 1134 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1127 = m 82 on 2 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF".  Although 5 of the 8 objects in the region he discovered this night have poor positions or are lost, Marth's position for this number is a good match with UGC 2356 = PGC 10889.
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NGC 1128 = 3C 75 = MCG +01-08-027 = CGCG 415-041 = III Zw 52 = PGC 11188 = PGC 11189
02 57 41.6  +06 01 28; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.7

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 N-S.  This merged double system was easily resolved with the two nuclei separated by 16" N-S.  The northern nucleus was noticeably brighter and well defined, ~12" diameter.  The southern nucleus had a lower surface brightness and the edge faded out more gradually into the common halo that enclosed both nuclei.  A mag 13.6 star is 1' W and a mag 12.6 star is 1' SW.

18" (11/22/08): on initial glance the brightest galaxy in AGC 400 appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 25"x18". I soon realized this was an extremely close contact pair oriented N-S with two tangent knots (described in the professional literature as a "dumb-bell system") just 16" between centers in a very small common halo.  Each component was no more than 15" in diameter with the southern member brighter.

17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 40"x20", irregular surface brightness.  On careful examination the glow resolved into a very close pair of extremely small galaxies oriented N-S with tangent halos [just 16" between centers!].  This double system is the brightest in AGC 400 with CGCG 415-040 3.5' SW.

The identification of this galaxy with NGC 1128 is very uncertain.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1128 = Sw. 5-48 on 8 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; little extended; 2 pF stars close preceding."  There are no good candidates near Swift's position.

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1128 is CGCG 415-041 = PGC 11189 +11188, the brightest galaxy (double) in Abell Galaxy Cluster 400.  Swift's position is 5 minutes of RA to the west, though Corwin notes that several other objects found by Swift in October 1886 have similar 5 minute offset errors (NGC 885, 1677, and 1689).  Two mag 12-13 stars just west of this galaxy fit Swift's description.

Interestingly, William Herschel might have first observed this double system.  On 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607), he recorded "Some small stars with suspected nebulosity, probably a deception."  Although he didn't catalog it due to his uncertaintly, his position is just 1' NW of CGCG 415-041!

Stephane Javelle also discovered the double system on 1 Dec 1905 and measured an accurate position for J. 4-1496.  He described it as "faint, double; appearance of a small double star whose two components are about mag 14, but surrounded by nebulosity. The nebulous character is certain."  The 330 objects in his 4th list were never published.
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NGC 1129 = VV 85a = UGC 2373 = MCG +07-07-004 = CGCG 540-006 = CGCG 539-124 = AWM 7-1 = PGC 10959
02 54 27.3  +41 34 46; Per
V = 12.5;  Size 2.9'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 90°

18" (11/18/06): this giant cD galaxy is the brightest in the nearby X-ray bright cluster WBL 88 = AWM 7 (z = 0.017), which is a member of the Pisces-Perseus supercluster. Several faint galaxies lie within a few arcminutes including NGC 1130 1.7' NNW and NGC 1131 1.8' SE.  A very faint companion (MCG +07-07-003) is embedded at the southwest edge of the halo and appears like a short spike jutting out towards the SW.

17.5" (10/24/87): brightest in a compact group.  Moderately bright, moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE, brighter along major axis, small bright core.  A mag 15 star is at the west edge 22" from the center.  Forms a close trio with NGC 1130 1.7' NNW and NGC 1131 1.7' SE.  IC 265 5.6' NE not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1129 = H. II-602 = h271 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "F, pS, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel described it on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182): "vF; R very gradually little brighter middle; 30" diameter."  Their positions match UGC 2373 = PGC 10959, the brightest member of a cluster. MCG +07-07-003 is superimposed on its southwest side.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant in Oct 1854, noted "has either a F* sp or is double."  This refers to MCG +07-07-003, which MCG misidentified this galaxy as NGC 1129.  In December, he noted "suspect the supposed neb close sp edge to be only a faint double star.  Finally in Dec 1855, Mitchell observed with Lord Rosse, who "thought the companion on sp edge to be merely a neb with a * for centre."  Because of the uncertainty, Dreyer didn't assign an NGC designation to MCG +07-07-003.
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NGC 1130 = MCG +07-07-002 = CGCG 540-004 = CGCG 539-122 = AWM 7-6 = PGC 10951
02 54 24.4  +41 36 20; Per
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 35°

18" (11/18/06): faint, very small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.2'.  A mag 14 star is attached at the south end.  Located in the core of the NGC 1129 cluster = AWM 7, just 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129.

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is just south.  Located 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129.

William Parsons (Lord Rosse) and assistant R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 1130 and 1131 on the 8 Dec 1855 observation of the NGC 1129 field.  Their description reads, "there is a knot north about 2' distance [from NGC 1129].  CGCG 540-004 = CGCG 539-122 lies 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129, so it's the logical candidate.  Corwin suggests PGC 197768, situated 1.9' N of NGC 1130, as another possible candidate, but this galaxy is fainter and was not picked up in my observation.  The MCG appears to have a mixup in its identifications.
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NGC 1131 = MCG +07-07-005 = CGCG 539-125 = CGCG 540-007 = V Zw 286 = AWM 7-4 = PGC 10964
02 54 34.0  +41 33 32; Per
V = 13.5;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

18" (11/18/06): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak even concentration.  Located 1.7' SE of NGC 1129 in the core of the AWM 7 cluster.  Brighter MCG +07-07-008 lies 2.7' SE!

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round, bright core.  Third of three with much brighter NGC 1129 1.7' NW and NGC 1130 3.5' NW.

William Parsons (Lord Rosse) and assistant R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 1131 and 1130 during the 8 Dec 1855 observation of the NGC 1129 field.  They recorded, "another about 2' following and a little south of h271 [NGC 1129]".  CGCG 540-004 = PGC 10964 lies 1.7' SE of NGC 1129 and is the best candidate.  Harold Corwin notes that CGCG 540-008, a brighter galaxy, lies 4.5' SE of NGC 1129, but that would require a very poor estimate of the separation.  MCG (+07-07-005) does not label PGC 10964 as NGC 1131.  See Corwin's notes for NGC 1130.
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NGC 1132 = UGC 2359 = MCG +00-08-040 = CGCG 389-040 = PGC 10891
02 52 51.8  -01 16 27; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 140°

17.5" (11/7/89): faint, small, round, almost even surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4.3' WSW of mag 9.5 SAO 130162.  Forms a pair with NGC 1126 8' WSW.

NGC 1132 is the prototype of a "Fossil Group" -- the end-product of extensive merging of a once normal group, leaving a massive central galaxy that dominates the luminosity of a X-ray luminous group (delta Rmag ≥ 2.0 with next brightest group member).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1132 = h273 on 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107) and recorded "eF; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; has a *8m following".  His position and description matches UGC 2359 = PGC 10891.
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NGC 1133 = MCG -02-08-015 = PGC 10885
02 52 42.1  -08 48 15; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

17.5" (11/28/97): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core.  Mag 14.5 stars lie 2.6' E and 2.3' NNW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1133 = LM 2-350 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is a good match with MCG -02-08-015.  His notes mention that mag 12 stars 3' np and 2' nf.  These stars are 2.3' NNW and 2.6' E, and closer to mag 14.
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NGC 1134 = Arp 200 = UGC 2365 = MCG +02-08-027 = CGCG 440-027 = PGC 10928
02 53 41.2  +13 00 53; Ari
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 148°

24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a bright core and fairly bright, sharp stellar nucleus.  Appears slightly brighter along the east edge with averted -- probably a section of the eastern spiral arm, which is bright on the DSS.  A mag 13.6 star is 50" NE of center.  IC 267 is 10' SSE and UGC 2362 is 7' W.

Arp noted "Splash appearance on west side [tidal plume] of galaxy points to low surface brightness companion 7' [west]."  The companion he referred to is UGC 2362, which is possibly interacting (the pair has identical redshifts).  UGC 2362 appeared faint, fairly small, very low surface brightness patch ~20" diameter (probably the brighter central part of this Magellanic system).  A mag 14.8 star is 0.8' S.

IC 267 appeared moderately bright, relatively large, elongated ~4:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.7'x0.4', irregular surface brightness.  This appears to be a central bar (verified on the DSS) rather than an edge-on galaxy.  Either a star is superimposed at the center or the galaxy has a bright stellar nucleus!  Located 10' SSE of NGC 1134.

17.5" (10/21/95): faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 1.8'x0.3', broad weak concentration.  Located 10.3' SSE of NGC 1134.

17.5" (10/21/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration with a large brighter core.  A mag 13 star is 48" ENE of center.  Located 11' ENE of mag 8.9 SAO 93163. Brightest in a group with IC 267 10.3' SSE and NGC 1127 19' NW.  The larger low surface brightness spiral arms extending the diameter to over 2' were not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1134 = H. II-254 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and recorded "F, S, irregularly round, resolvable".  His position is 2.3' SE of Arp 200 = PGC 10928, and there are no other nearby candidates.  Dreyer, as Lord Rosse's assistant, recorded "L, irregularly round, perhaps sharper on nf side".  This probably refers to the brighter arm segment on the east side.  E.E. Barnard found the galaxy while search for his comet D/1884 O1 (Barnard 1) with the Lick 12-inch. He called it "13th mag, 1' diameter, round, gradually brighter middle, faint star close following."
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NGC 1135 = NGC 1136 = ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807
02 50 53.7  -54 58 33; Hor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

See observing notes for NGC 1136 with the 30" from Coonabarabran.

John Herschel found NGC 1135 = h2498 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle.  Taken for No 3 sweep 520 [h2499 = NGC 1136], but proves, on reduction, to be a different nebula".  His position is 1.5' NW of NGC 1136 and 2' S of ESO 154-018 = PGC 10800.  Since there are two NGC numbers as well as two nearby galaxies, ESO 154-018 is taken as NGC 1135 in PGC, ESO, SGC, NED, SIMBAD and Steinicke's Historic NGC.

If this identification is correct, NGC 1135 is John Herschel’s faintest discovery at B = 16.2.  But then why did he classify it as "Faint", instead of "Extremely Faint" (his faintest class)?  Instead, Harold Corwin argues NGC 1135 is a duplicate observation of NGC 1136 (discovered earlier on 5 Dec 1834), despite Herschel stating they were two different objects.  HyperLeda is the only online catalogue that equates NGC 1135 and 1136.
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NGC 1136 = NGC 1135 = ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807
02 50 53.7  -54 58 33; Hor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, ~1.5'x1.2'.  Sharply concentrated with a fairly small (20") very bright core surrounded by a much fainter halo.  Located 7' NW of mag 8.3 HD 18003.  ESO 154-018 (misidentified as NGC 1135 in RNGC, ESO and PGC) lies 3' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1136 = h2499 on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "F; R; gb; - moon up."  There is nothing at his position but 5.4' N is ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807.  This galaxy was probably also later recorded by Herschel as h2498 (closer to ESO 154-019), and it received the designation NGC 1135.  He assumed they were different objects, because of the apparent difference in positions.  The RNGC uses Herschel's incorrect position.  See Corwin's notes for NGC 1135.

Pietro Baracchi searched for GC 622 [NGC 1136] unsuccessfully on 11 Feb 1888 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  He reported "GC 622 is not to be found and probably there is some mistake in the position - according to his description 622 is no fainter than 621 [NGC 1135], therefore I should see it."
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NGC 1137 = UGC 2374 = MCG +00-08-043 = CGCG 389-042 = PGC 10942
02 54 02.7  +02 57 43; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, almost round, broad concentration, stellar nucleus?

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1137 = Sw. 3-22 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 11 seconds of RA east and 1' south of UGC 2374.
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NGC 1138 = UGC 2408 = MCG +07-07-012 = CGCG 540-015 = PGC 11118
02 56 36.5  +43 02 50; Per
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 13 star 0.9' S and a mag 12.5 star 0.9' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1138 = H. III-580 = h274 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620) and remarked "Suspected. resolvable, 1 or 2 stars visible in it."  John Herschel gave a more complete description on 23 Dec 1831 (sweep 389), "vF; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"; makes isosceles triangle with 2 stars 15 mag".
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NGC 1139 = MCG -03-08-038 = PGC 10888
02 52 46.8  -14 31 46; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 36°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Appeared fainter than V = 13.3 and required averted vision to see with certainty using GSC chart.  A mag 15.5 double star is 1' SW (verified on GSC).  MCG -03-38-037 lies 6.1' WSW (not seen).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1139 = LM 1-75 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position, but 1.4 min of RA west is MCG -03-08-038 = PGC 10888.
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NGC 1140 = VV 482 = MCG -02-08-019 = Mrk 1063 = LGG 071-014 =PGC 10966
02 54 33.4  -10 01 42; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 6°

13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, very small, round, stellar nucleus.   Member of the NGC 1052 group (LGG 071).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1140 = H. II-470 = h275 = h2500 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 475) and logged "F, S.  I had hardly been out long enough, but yet I think it was no deception."  A second observation showed it as "pretty bright, but hardly to be distinguished from a star."  John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope.
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NGC 1141 = NGC 1143 = Arp 118 NED1 = VV 331 = UGC 2388 = MCG +00-08-047 = CGCG 389-046
02 55 09.7  -00 10 41; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 1143.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1141 = m 83 on 5 Jan 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and described as "vF, S, [Double neb with NGC 1142]".  There is nothing at his position (not found by Fath in 1914 on Mt. Wilson plates).  However 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144, found by Édouard Stephan (8a-10 and 8a-11) on 29 Oct 1875 (perhaps looking for Marth's objects) and placed accurately. This pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144 due to the unambiguous identification. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.
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NGC 1142 = NGC 1144 = UGC 2389 = MCG +00-08-048 = CGCG 389-046 = VV 331 = Arp 118
02 55 12.0  -00 10 59; Cet

See observing notes for NGC 1144.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1142 = m 84 on 5 Jan 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "pF, S, R [Double neb with NGC 1141]".  There is nothing at his position (not found by Fath in 1914 on Mt. Wilson plates).  However 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144.  This was later found by Édouard Stephan (list 8a-10 and 8a-11) on 29 Oct 1875. The pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144 due to the unambiguous identification. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.
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NGC 1143 = NGC 1141 = Arp 118 NED1 = Arp 118:C1 = VV 331b = UGC 2388 = MCG +00-08-047 = CGCG 389-046 = PGC 11007
02 55 09.7  -00 10 41; Cet
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  PA = 110°

48" (11/4/21): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, ~0.6' diameter, strong concentration with very bright core that increased to the center.  In a common dog-bone shaped halo with NGC 1144 [0.7' between centers].  PGC 1150350, situated 1.2' NW, appeared fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S,  25" length, slightly brighter nucleus.

48" (10/25/11): bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.7', well concentrated with a very bright, intense core!  Slightly fainter of an interacting pair with highly disrupted NGC 1144, just 40" between centers.  The eastern portion of the outer halo of NGC 1143 is merged or overlaps with the halo of NGC 1144 on its northwestern side.

PGC 1150350, listed as a 2nd "collider" with NGC 1144 in Madore's 2009 Atlas and Catalogue of Collisional Rings, lies 1.2' NW.  The 2MASS galaxy appeared fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.4'x0.15', stellar nucleus. 

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round.  In a common halo with NGC 1144 0.5' ESE.  This galaxy is the slightly fainter of the pair.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 1143 = St. 8a-11, along with NGC 1144, on 29 Oct 1875 and again on 1 Dec 1875.  His published accurate position (list 8a, #11) was made on 17 Nov 1876 with description "NGC 1144 and 1143 are contiguous and form a sort of nebula with 2 nuclei; they are almost identical; however [NGC 1144] is a little fainter than [NGC 1143]. Both excessively faint and small; round with central condensation."

Albert Marth earlier discovered this galaxy on 5 Jan 1864 but his position was 40' too far N (also NGC 1142), so he didn't receive credit.  But it is clear that Marth's NGC 1141 = NGC 1143 and Marth's 1142 = NGC 1144.
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NGC 1144 = NGC 1142 = Arp 118 NED2 = VV 331a = UGC 2389 = MCG +00-08-048 = CGCG 389-046 = PGC 11012
02 55 12.0  -00 10 59; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 130°

48" (11/4/21): at 488x; bright, slightly elongated, strong concentration with a very bright core that increased to the center. Slightly brighter of a merged pair with NGC 1143 [center 0.7' NW] in a common peanut or dogbone-shaped halo.  The bridge of material extending from NGC 1144 was slightly darker in the interior forming a "loop". 

48" (10/25/11): at 488x, appeared very bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 50"x35".  Contains a large, very bright core that is offset to the SE side.  The core gradually increases to an intense center.  A mag 16.4 star is off the southeast side.  Forms a double system (Arp 118) with NGC 1143, attached on the northwest side where the halos merge.  This galaxy is highly disrupted with a loop or ring on the NW side.  An extended halo was seen on this side, but only a hint of the actual ring was visible. 

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, round, bright core.  Slightly brighter of pair with NGC 1143 in a common halo 0.5' WNW.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 1144 = St. 8a-10, along with NGC 1143, on 29 Oct 1875 and again on 1 Dec 1875.  His published accurate position (list 8a, #10) was made on 17 Nov 1876  Albert Marth earlier discovered this galaxy on 5 Jan 1864, but his position for NGC 1142 was 40' too far N.  So, NGC 1144 = NGC 1142.  Based on the earlier discovery, NGC 1142 should be the primary designation, but due to Marth's poor position, Stephan's number has been used.  See NGC 1143 for more.
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NGC 1145 = ESO 546-029 = MCG -03-08-042 = UGCA 45 = FGC 360 = PGC 10965
02 54 33.2  -18 38 09; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 3.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 60°

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, moderately large, thin edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, 2.2'x0.3', only a weak concentration.  Among a group of three mag 10-11 stars with a mag 10 star just following the ENE tip.   NGC 1145 is a member of the NGC 1209 Group (LGG 81), which includes NGCs 1163, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1199 and IC 276.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1145 = h2501 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, vmE, 90" long, 10" broad; has two stars 10th mag following."  His position is accurate.  MCG misidentifies MCG -03-08-028 as NGC 1145 and UGC misidentifies UGC 2384 as NGC 1145.
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NGC 1146
02 57 37.0  +46 26 14; Per
Size 0.4'

18" (11/23/05): this asterism consists of a 30" pair of mag 12/13 stars with a couple of fainter companions making a quadruple.  About 1' NW is a faint, hazy clump of three mag 14-15 stars.  Viewed at 225x and 300x.  CGCG 554-017 lies 6.2' NE.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1146 on 29 Jan 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and described "Cl, vS.  At 226x the stars are clearly mixed with nebulosity. A triple star is directly south."  His position is ~1' northwest of a a group of four stars that Corwin identifies as NGC 1146.  Three brighter stars are also close southeast matching d'Arrest's description.
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NGC 1147
02 55 18  -09 07; Eri

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1147 = LM 2-351 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.0, 0.4'x0.2', E 180°, *9.5 f 25s n 1'."  There are no candidates near his position and Corwin found no match within 5° of Muller's position, so it stands now as lost.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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NGC 1148 = MCG -01-08-018 = PGC 11148
02 57 04.4  -07 41 09; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness, no concentration.  A mag 15 star appears superimposed at the NE side.  Forms a pair with NGC 1152 8.5' SE.  Located 9' ESE of mag 8.7 SAO 130198.  Appears fainter than V = 12.7.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1148 = Sw. 3-23 = LM II-352 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate although Bigourdan could not find the galaxy.  Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in the Leander McCormick observatory second list (#352), though his RA was 30 seconds too large
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NGC 1149 = MCG +00-08-058 = CGCG 389-054 = PGC 11170
02 57 23.8  -00 18 34; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 130°

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14.5 star is 30" SSW of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1149 = St. 11-6 on 2 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory and reported "vF, vS, R, bM, S* preceding 2 sec".  His position and description (the star is 0.5' SW) is accurate.
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NGC 1150 = MCG -03-08-048 = PGC 11144
02 57 01.3  -15 02 55; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 65°

17.5" (11/10/96): brighter of pair with NGC 1151 2.3' NNE.  Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  Broad, weak concentration.  Following a group of four stars mag 7.7 SAO 148677 8' WNW.  Member of the IC 270 group.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1150 = LM 1-76 (along with NGC 1151 = LM 1-77) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position is close to MCG -03-08-048 = PGC 11144, with NGC 1151 = PGC 11147 at 2' separation.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), but assumed the pair was NGC 1180 and 1181.  RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 1150 = NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 = NGC 1181.  Although the declinations are similar, NGC 1180/NGC 1181 are a separate 2' pair about 4.7 min of RA further east.
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NGC 1151 = PGC 11147
02 57 04.6  -15 00 47; Eri
V = 15.0;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/10/96): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  Requires averted to glimpse using GSC chart and no details visible.  Located 2.3' NNE of NGC 1150.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1151 = LM 1-77 (along with NGC 1150 = LM 1-76) with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is close to MCG -03-08-048, with NGC 1151 = PGC 11147.  RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 1150 = NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 = NGC 1181.  Although the declinations are similar, NGC 1180/NGC 1181 are a separate 2' pair about 4.7 min of RA further east.
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NGC 1152 = MCG -01-08-019 = PGC 11182
02 57 33.6  -07 45 32; Eri
V = 14.5;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 10°

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1148 8.5' NW.  This galaxy is the smaller of the pair but has a higher surface brightness and is more concentrated.  Located 2.5' N of a mag 11 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1152 = Sw. 3-24 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1153 = UGC 2439 = MCG +00-08-059 = CGCG 389-055 = PGC 11230
02 58 10.2  +03 21 43; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, very small bright core, slightly elongated SW-NE, small halo.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed 20" S of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1153 = H. II-274 = h276 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged "F, vS, iE, easily resolvable."  His position was 3.5' too far SE.  John Herschel made a single observation on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 95) and noted "F; S; R; suddenly brighter middle; 12" diameter."

Four observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 7 Dec 1857, R.J. Mitchell recorded "F, vS, R, a S* close preceding."  The mag 14.5 star is mentioned in my observation.
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NGC 1154 = MCG -02-08-034 = Holm 64a = PGC 11221
02 58 07.7  -10 21 47; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 95°

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1155 1.5' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1154 = St. 8b-11, along with NGC 1155, on 1 Dec 1875.  His published position (list 8b, #11) was made on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 1155 = MCG -02-08-035 = Mrk 1064 = Holm 64b = PGC 11233
02 58 13.0  -10 21 00; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 1154 1.5' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1155 = St. 8b-10, along with NGC 1154.  Coincidentally his rough position is 10' due south of PGC 11198.  Could that have been the object seen instead?  His published position (list 8b, #10) was made on 15 Dec 1876 and is accurate.
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NGC 1156 = UGC 2455 = MCG +04-08-006 = CGCG 485-006 = VV 531 = PGC 11329
02 59 42.3  +25 14 15; Ari
V = 11.7;  Size 3.5'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 25°

48" (11/5/21): at 488x; very bright, large, elongated ~3:1 SSW-NNE, ~2.3' in length.  The main body has a high surface brightness and appeared very mottled and irregular, but there no core or nucleus.  The outer halo has a much lower surface brightness with an irregular outline.

A small, slightly brighter elongated knot is along the west side [0.4' SW of center].  This is cataloged as star cluster [L2004] 486. A second small knot, ~6" diameter is at the SW end [0.8' SW of center].  Three stars are involved or at the edge; a mag 12.2 star and a mag 15 star on the N side [0.7' NNW and 0.4' N of center], and a mag 15 star at the S edge [1.2' SSW of center].

24" (12/12/17): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, ~2.25'x0.9', no well defined core, noticeably irregular outline and surface brightness.  The low surface brightness halo appeared to spread out on the south end and the northeast side had an indentation. The main body was somewhat uneven or mottled with a couple of very small, low contrast knots suspected.  In a friend's 28" at 438x, a knot was confirmed SW of center (~0.4'), as well as a slightly brightening NE of center (this is the "core" on deep images).

A mag 12 star is just inside the NNW border and a mag 15 star is closer in.  Another mag 15 star is at or just beyond the southern edge.  

18" (10/25/08): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x0.8'.  Brighter along the major axis with a slightly brighter core.  The outline is roughly rectangular and the surface brightness is irregular.  The southwest end appears asymmetric.  A mag 11.5 star is at the north end, 0.9' from center.

8" (12/6/80): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 12.5 star is just NW of the NE flank.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1156 = H. II-619 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 637).  He described it as "pretty bright, considerably large, pretty much elongated in the meridian [N-S], resolvable, within a minute of a star."  His position was just off the southeast side of this dwarf Irregular.  Four observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 1157 = PGC 11218
02 58 06.6  -15 07 07; Eri
Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 170°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no other details visible.  Located 1.9' WNW of a mag 12.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1157 = LM 1-78, along with NGC 1158 = LM 1-79, on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position matches PGC 11218 and his estimated position angle of 0° is fairly close.
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NGC 1158 = MCG -03-08-050 = PGC 11157
02 57 11.4  -14 23 45; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 147°

17.5" (10/17/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably only viewed the core).  Surprisingly faint as nearby IC 270 located 24' NW is the brightest the group (including ICs 268, 269 and 272 as well as NGCs 1150, 1151, and 1157).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1158 = LM 1-79 (along with NGC 1157 = LM 1-78) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position (nearest tmin of RA) is 1 min of RA east of MCG -03-08-050, which is a typical error.  The MCG does not identify MCG -03-08-050 as N1158.
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NGC 1159 = UGC 2467 = CGCG 540-023 = PGC 11383
03 00 46.5  +43 09 46; Per
V = 13.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.5

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 6.8' ENE of mag 7.6 SAO 38497.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1159 = St. 13-21 on 30 Nov 1883.  His published position (list 13, #21) was reduced a few days later (2 Dec 1883).
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NGC 1160 = UGC 2475 = MCG +07-07-014 = CGCG 540-027 = PGC 11403
03 01 13.2  +44 57 18; Per
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 SW-NE, broad concentration, diffuse halo.  A trio of mag 12-13 stars lie 1.5'-2' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 1161 3.5' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1160 = H. III-199 = h277, along with NGC 1161, on 7 Oct 1784 (sweep 285, carried out in the east).  He recorded "Very faint, irregular figure, pretty small."   On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645), he found it again while sweeping along the meridian at a very high altitude of 84.5°.  His second description reads "pretty bright, irregularly round, much brighter middle, about 1' in diam."

John Herschel measured an accurate position for NGC 1161 and noted the wide double star off the west side, but has no entry for NGC 1160 and it was not found by d'Arrest.  So, the observers at Birr Castle assumed NGC 1160 was a new discovery and the two galaxies have three entries in the GC.  Dreyer staightened this out before the publication of the NGC, while an observing assistant at Birr Castle.  Surprisingly, NGC 1160 was sketched by Dreyer and clearly shows the southern spiral arm.
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NGC 1161 = UGC 2474 = MCG +07-07-015 = CGCG 540-026 = PGC 11404
03 01 14.2  +44 53 50; Per
V = 11.0;  Size 2.8'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 23°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Two bright stars are close west; a mag 10 star is 45" W and mag 9 SAO 38510 is 1.2' SW.  Also collinear with two mag 11 stars 1.5' E and 3' ENE.  Forms a pair with NGC 1160 3.5' N.  The pair lies in the Local Void, less than half the distance to the Perseus cluster (AGC 426).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1161 = H. II-239 = h277, along with NGC 1160, on 7 Oct 1784 (sweep 285, carried out in the east).  He recorded it as "pretty bright; pretty small; resolvable."  On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) he observed it again this time in the meridian with the telescope just 5.5° from the zenith:  "faint; elongated; about 1 1/2' long."  This pair was observed at Birr Castle on 4 nights.
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NGC 1162 = MCG -02-08-036 = PGC 11274
02 58 55.9  -12 23 55; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/28/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, evenly concentrated with a small bright core and an quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 3.7' S of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1162 = H. III-469 = h2502 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "vF, stellar, 240 power left some doubt."  John Herschel observed NGC 1162 from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 25"."  Édouard Stephan made observations on 29 Oct 1875 and 1 Nov 1877.
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NGC 1163 = MCG -03-08-056 = FGC 373 = PGC 11359
03 00 22.0  -17 09 10; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 2.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/18/95): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3' (full length of extensions not seen), low even surface brightness.  NGC 1163 is a member of the NGC 1209 Group (LGG 81), which includes NGCs 1145, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1199 and IC 276.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1163 = LM 1-80 on 31 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Leavenworth's rough RA (nearest min of RA) is about 1tmin west of MCG -03-08-056 = PGC 11359, and although this PA = 75d is wrong (should be 135d) he describes this galaxy as "very elongated" and "spindle shaped", so the identification is certain.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1164 = UGC 2490 = MCG +07-07-016 = CGCG 540-028 = Mrk 1067 = PGC 11441
03 01 59.8  +42 35 06; Per
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 145°

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is just 0.6' NNW of center and a mag 15 star is even closer at 0.4' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1164 = h278 on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182) and logged "eF; S; 5 arcseconds."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1165 = ESO 417-008 = MCG -05-08-009 = PGC 11270
02 58 47.7  -32 05 55; For
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 115°

17.5" (12/9/01): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0', irregular surface brightness.  The brighter core appeared double at moments (faint star superimposed?).  The outer halo is very diffuse.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1165 = h2503 on 19 Oct 1835 and noted "vF, pmE, very little brighter middle, 60" long, 30" broad." His position and description matches E417-008  = PGC 11270.
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NGC 1166 = UGC 2471 = MCG +02-08-046 = CGCG 440-041 = PGC 11372
03 00 35.0  +11 50 35; Ari
V = 14.0;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (1/9/99): very faint, fairly small, weak concentration.  The halo is ill-defined but appears irregularly round, ~0.8'x0.6.  A couple of mag 15.5 stars are within 1' of the west side.  Also confusing the observation is a superimposed  mag 15.5+ star at the north edge which pops in and out of view for moments.  A wide pair of mag 14 stars lie 3' NE. Forms a pair with fainter NGC 1168 5.2' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1166 = m 85 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, S".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1167 = UGC 2487 = MCG +06-07-033 = CGCG 524-045 = PGC 11425
03 01 42.4  +35 12 20; Per
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 70°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, high surface brightness core with very faint larger halo slightly elongated WSW-ENE.  A mag 10 star lies 4.0' S.  UGC 2465 lies 13' WSW.  Brightest in a group that includes UGC's 2435, 2465, 2466, 2491, 2494 and 2526 in the foreground of AGC 407.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1167 = H. III-178 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and reported "vF, pL, R, small pB place in the middle."  His position (reduced by Auwers) was ~11' too far WNW and the GC position was 4' too far northwest.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 6 Jan 1874, though didn't publish a position.  The NGC position, though, was accurate.
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NGC 1168 = UGC 2476 = MCG +02-08-047 = CGCG 440-042 = PGC 11378
03 00 47.2  +11 46 21; Ari
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 18°

17.5" (1/9/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Probably only viewed the core (the arms are very low surface brightness on the digitized sky survey).  Located midway between NGC 1166 5.2' NW and mag 9 SAO 93236 to the SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1168 = m 85 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1169 = UGC 2503 = MCG +08-06-025 = CGCG 554-020 = PGC 11521
03 03 34.7  +46 23 09; Per
V = 11.3;  Size 4.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 28°

24" (2/8/18): at 200x; bright, very large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, ~2.5'x2.0', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core/nucleus.  A bright star (mag ~13) is superimposed at the SSW edge of the nucleus!  Located in a Perseus star field rich in fainter stars.

LEDA 2280846 is just 3' NE of center.  At 375x it appeared very faint (mag 16.2B), small, oval 3:2 E-W, 15"x10", fairly low even surface brightness.  It forms the western vertex of a small triangle with two 13th mag stars 0.6' SE and 0.8' E.

17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, very small, bright core.  With averted vision a large extremely faint halo is visible elongated SW-NE.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the SW side of the core!  NGC 1169 is located just 10.6° from the galactic equator.  It's is a huge spiral, with a diameter of 170,000 light-years.

8" (1/1/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Only the core was visible as I missed the large halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1169 = H. II-620 = h279 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) and logged "Faint, small, irregularly round, brighter middle."  The telescope was within 6° of the zenith as the galaxy crossed the field.  Interestingly, John Herschel reported on 31 Dec 1831 (sweep 390), "vF; irreg figure.  Suspected to be only a few stars."

Birr Castle observed R.J. Mitchell observed the galaxy on 11 Dec 1854: "Bright star south preceding the Nucl and a very faint star? involved north preceding the Nucl.  The neby fades away gradually."  The RNGC places this galaxy 1.0 min of RA too far east.
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NGC 1170
03 02 24  +27 04; Ari

= Tail of a comet?, HC  =Not found, JS.

Charles Sanders Peirce (son of Benjamin Peirce) discovered NGC 1170 = HN 38 on 31 Dec 1869 at Harvard College Observatory using the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor (Annals of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #47).  An approximate position is given in the Harvard Observatory list based on comparison with Comet 1869 III.  A very close, unequal double star is near Peirce's position at 03 02 29.6 +27 03 20 (2000).  But the description "J.W. and C.S.P. independently think the sky generally bright f and a little n of the comet for 14' or more (several fields according to C.S.P.)" implies that the observation refers to an extremely large object and Corwin and Steinicke suggest the observation perhaps refers to the actual tail of the comet!  This is the only object in the NGC attributed to Peirce (mispelled as Pierce in the NGC).  Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.  See Corwin's comments.
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NGC 1171 = UGC 2510 = MCG +07-07-018 = CGCG 540-031 = PGC 11552
03 03 59.0  +43 23 54; Per
V = 12.3;  Size 2.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 147°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1171 = St. 10-15 = Sw. 2-26 on 26 Nov 1869 with a rough position 1' S of center.  He made a second observation on 1 Dec 1877 and published an accurate micrometric position on 4 Dec 1880 with description "very faint, pretty large, irregular." Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 1171 on 12 Sep 1885 and reported it as new in his second discovery paper (#26).  His position was only 0.2 minutes of time too large.  Dreyer credited both Stephan (1) and Swift (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 1172 = MCG -03-08-059 = PGC 11420
03 01 36.0  -14 50 12; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, broad concentration.  Located 2.1' SW of mag 9.6 SAO 148719.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1172 = H. II-502 = h280 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "F, eS, stellar, preceding a pB star. 240 verified it."  The "pB star" is 2' NE.  On 15 Oct 1830  (sweep 307), John Herschel called this object "pB; pL; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 40" diameter."
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NGC 1173
03 03 58  +42 23; Per

= Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1173 = Big. 12, along with NGCs 1176, 1178, 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory and reported "mag 13.4-13.5; 20" diameter, stellar ncl".  There is nothing at his position, though Harold Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset stars.  Once corrected, his positions for the other three objects match single stars near NGC 1175, but in the case of NGC 1173 there is nothing at his position.  So, NGC 1173 is lost at this time though probably refers to a faint star like the other objects. See Corwin's notes for story.
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NGC 1174 = NGC 1186 = UGC 2521 = MCG +07-07-021 = CGCG 540-034 = PGC 11617
03 05 30.7  +42 50 05; Per

See observing notes for NGC 1186.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1174 = Sw. 4-11 on 31 Aug 1883 and recorded "vF; pS; little extended; in contact on preceding side with a pB*; D* np point to it about 4.5"."  There is nothing at his position but 1 minute of RA further east is NGC 1186 and Swift's detailed description of the star in contact and the nearby double star clinches the equivalence.  So, NGC 1174 = NGC 1186, with discovery priority to Herschel (H. IV-43).

Rudolph Spitaler first mentioned the equivalence in AN, 127, 91.  He wrote "I could not find NGC 1174.  Close to Swift's place are crowded four or five faint stars; About 6 seconds before the alleged position, I temporarily thought I noticed something nebulous, but I can not vouch for it. According to Swift's description, I rather believe that the place is in error by 1 minute and this nebula is identical to NGC 1186. This is supported by the remark "D[ouble] * np points to it about 4.5"."  If the two nebulae were not identical, this would have to mean: "D * nf, etc.", where "D *" undoubtedly refers to the double star DM 42°694.  Incidentally, according to Swift's description in NGC, it must also be called "pB * close following" instead of "pB * close preceding".
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NGC 1175 = UGC 2515 = MCG +07-07-019 = CGCG 540-032 = PGC 11578
03 04 32.3  +42 20 22; Per
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 153°

48" (11/21/25): at 610x; very bright, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, ~1.6'x0.4'. Contains an extremely bright, elongated nucleus.  NGC 1177 is 1.7' NE and IC 284 is 18' ENE.

17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on 3:1 NW-SE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1177 2' NE.  Located 10' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 38540.  Located at the western edge of AGC 426.

13.1" (1/19/85): fairly faint, elongated NNW-SSE, fairly small, larger brighter core, diffuse outer arms, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Located SE of a mag 7 star.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1177 1.7' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1175 = H. II-607 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620) and recorded "F, cL, E."  His position is just off the east edge of UGC 2515 = PGC 11578.  Nearby NGC 1177 was discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 1176
03 04 34.9  +42 23 37; Per

= *, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1176 = Big. 13, along with NGC 1173, 1178 and 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at the NGC position, but Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star.  Once corrected, his position for NGC 1176 corresponds with a mag 14.5 star 3.3' N of NGC 1175.  The positions for NGC 1178 and 1183 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1177 = IC 281 = MCG +07-07-020 = CGCG 540-033 = PGC 11581
03 04 37.1  +42 21 46; Per
V = 14.1;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W.  A mag 13 star is just 33" N of center.  Located 1.7' NE of NGC 1175 at the western edge of AGC 426.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1177 on 29 Nov 1874 and reported a "vS, F, R neb (to which 637 [NGC 1175] perhaps extends) north-following.  A *11 in Pos 15.4°, Dist 34.6 arcsec."  The position and description matches CGCG 540-033.  Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 1 Nov 1888 and reported it as new in his 8th discovery list, #11 (later IC 281).  His position falls between NGC 1175 and NGC 1177, but the description mentions the star to the north, so IC 281 = NGC 1177.  Surprisingly, Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1178
03 04 38.8  +42 18 49; Per

= *, Corwin.   = Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1178 = Big. 14, along with NGC 1173, 1176 and 1183, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star.  Once corrected, his position for NGC 1176 corresponds with a mag 13.8 star 2.0' SE of NGC 1175.  The positions for NGC 1176 and 1183 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1179 = ESO 547-001 = MCG -03-08-060 = UGCA 48 = PGC 11480
03 02 38.3  -18 53 51; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 4.9'x3.8';  Surf Br = 15.0;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint, moderately large, 2.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, Appears as a diffuse, hazy region with a mag 13.5 star at the ESE edge 1.2' from center.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1179 = LM 1-81 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His (rough) position essentially matches ESO 547-001 and his note "*12 follows 1 arcmin" applies to this galaxy.
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NGC 1180 = PGC 11435
03 01 51.0  -15 01 48; Eri
V = 14.9;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 5°

17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration.  Forms a close (physical) pair with NGC 1181 2.4' SW.  Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star.  NGC 1191 and 1192, background members of HCG 22, share the same redshift.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1180 = LM 1-82 (along with NGC 1181 = I-83) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Leavenworth's generally poor positions are close enough here so the identification NGC 1180 = PGC 11435 and NGC 1181 = PGC 11427 is certain.  For some reason Howe could not find these galaxies near Leavenworth's position but did find NGC 1150 and 1151 about 5 min of RA west of Leavenworth's positions and assumed they were NGC 1180 and 1181. Dreyer even added the comment "are they perhaps = 1150 and 1151?".  But these are two different pairs, roughly where Leavenworth placed them.  Because of Howe's error, RNGC claims NGC 1150 is identical to NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 is identical to NGC 1181.
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NGC 1181 = PGC 11427
03 01 42.8  -15 03 09; Eri
V = 15.4;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 100°

17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.4'x0.2', requires averted.  I was only able to detect the brighter central region and missed the extensions.  NGC 1181 is the slightly fainter of a close (physical) pair with NGC 1180 2.4' NE.  Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1181 = LM 1-83 (along with NGC 1180 = I-82) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Leavenworth's generally poor positions are close enough here so the identification NGC 1180 = PGC 11435 and NGC 1181 = PGC 11427 is certain.  For some reason Howe could not find these galaxies near Leavenworth's position but did find NGC 1150 and 1151 about 5 min of RA west of Leavenworth's positions and assumed they were NGC 1180 and 1181. Dreyer even added the comment "are they perhaps = 1150 and 1151?"  But these are two different pairs, roughly where Leavenworth placed them.  Because of Howe's error, RNGC claims NGC 1150 is identical to NGC 1180 and NGC 1151 is identical to NGC 1181.
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NGC 1182 = NGC 1205 = PGC 11511
03 03 28.4  -09 40 13; Eri
V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 115°

17.5" (1/28/00): very faint, small, round, slightly elongated NW-SE, 25"x20" diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 12 star lies 2.5' SW and a mag 13 star is 1' E.  Located 29' NE of mag 5.8 SAO 148721.  NGC 1185 lies 33' NNW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1182 = LM 1-84 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.7'x0.3', E 120°, *10 P 240° [SW], dist 3.0'."  There is nothing at his rough position (RA to the nearest min of time), but 1 min of RA east is PGC 11511 and his position angle of 120° as well as the nearby star matches this galaxy.  This galaxy was also found again by Stone (I-87) the same year, but this time his position was 2 min of RA too far east!  In this case, he listed the identical dimensions and even mentioned the same star preceding but gave an incorrect PA of 25°.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 1182 in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and the following year noted the equivalence of these two numbers.
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NGC 1183
03 04 46.1  +42 22 08; Per

= *, Corwin.  Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1183 = Big. 15, along with NGC 1173, 1176 and 1178, on 17 Dec 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but Corwin states that Bigourdan made a 1 degree error in reducing the NPD from his offset star.  Once corrected, his position for NGC 1183 corresponds with a mag 14 star 1.7' ENE of NGC 1177.  The positions for NGC 1176 and 1178 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1184 = UGC 2583 = MCG +13-03-002 = CGCG 346-002 = PGC 12174
03 16 45.4  +80 47 36; Cep
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 168°

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus.  This is a pretty edge-on system with a bulging core and tapering extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1184 = H. II-704 on 16 Sep 1787 (sweep 757) . He recorded "faint, pretty large, much elongated from np to sf, little brighter middle."  This galaxy is the third closest galaxy to the north celestial pole discovered by Herschel in 2000 coordinates (after NGC 6251 and 6251), but only the 9th closest using 1800 coordinates.
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NGC 1185 = MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488
03 02 59.4  -09 07 55; Eri
V = 14.8;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 30°

17.5" (1/28/00): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is close SSE [56" from center].

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1185 = LM 2-353 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.7, 0.8' dia, pE 15°.".  His position is just 8 tsec west of MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488 and the description applies.
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NGC 1186 = NGC 1174 = UGC 2521 = MCG +07-07-021 = CGCG 540-034 = PGC 11617
03 05 30.7  +42 50 05; Per
V = 11.4;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 122°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE.  A mag 13 star, superimposed just southwest of the center, detracts from viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1186 = H. IV-43 = h281 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and reported "a pretty S star with a very F nebulosity to the nf side, of very little extent."  On 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621), he noted "a pretty B star with two faint branches." John Herschel also described it on 23 Dec 1831 (sweep 389) as "a star 14m with some kind of faint nebulous appendage."  Herschel placed this galaxy in his class IV, which refers to objects that appeared to be planetary nebulae or didn't fit the other classes.

R.J. Mitchell and Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's observing assistants, both failed to find this galaxy and d'Arrest tried to follow up in 1863 but was also unsuccessful. Stephan made an observation on 5 Dec 1877.  Bigourdan also observed and suggested it was a "variable nebula", because of the mixed results.  Rudolph Spitaler took a look on 12 Mar 1891 with the 27-inch Vienna refractor.  His description reads, "elongated NW-SE, but its boundaries are not so regularly shaped it could be described as elliptical. On its south preceding side is a mag 11 star. In the southeast side the nebula is limited by two faint stars, but at times the edge of the nebula seems to stretch beyond these. The brightest part is northeast of the former star. I estimate the length to be 2'."

Lewis Swift found this galaxy and superimposed star on 31 Aug 1883 and assumed it was new.  His RA for Sw. 4-11 (later NGC 1174) was 1 minute of RA too small.  Finally, it was checked for variability on photographs taken with the Mt Wilson 60-inch in 1914 and 1917, with no change found.
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NGC 1187 = ESO 480-023 = MCG -04-08-016 = UGCA 49 = PGC 11479
03 02 37.4  -22 52 03; Eri
V = 10.8;  Size 5.5'x4.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 130°

48" (10/27/19): at 375x; very bright, very large spiral with a bright elongated core oriented WNW-ESE.  The inner portion of the halo was clearly blotchy.  A brighter arc or patch was just SE of the core and another brighter arc as close E and NE of the core.  Finally, a subtle brighter patch was NW of the core.  These brighter spiral segments formed a pseudo-ring oriented WNW-ESE.  The outer halo was diffuse and extended ~4.5'x3.25', reaching a mag 15.9 star 1.9' N of center.  Another 16th mag star was in the outer halo on the NE side. Located 4.6' SE of mag 8.8 HD 18967.

ESO 480-20, located 4.5' NNW, appeared faint, low surface brightness, elongated N-S, ~30"x20".  Situated 0.9' NE of mag 8.8 HD 18967, which strongly detracted from the view.

17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, fairly large, 4'x3' NW-SE.  Elongated in the direction of mag 8.8 SAO 168248, which is 4.7' NW of center.  Broad concentration to an ill-defined core which contains a faint but distinct stellar nucleus.

8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, diffuse.  Located 4.7' SE of a mag 9 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1187 = H. III-245 = h2504 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "vF, cL, iE, resolvable, unequally bright."  John Herschel described the galaxy from the Cape as "bright; very large; pretty much elongated; very gradually brighter to the middle; 3.5' long, 2.5' broad; has in or near the middle a star 16 mag."  E.E. Barnard observed the nebula on 23 Aug 1883 and was surprised Herschel called it "vF", as it was not difficult in his 5-inch refractor.

NGC 1187 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "cF, small, 2-branch spiral, 2 stars south preceding."   The galaxy was later photographed by Harold Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11 with the 30" Reynolds reflector and described as a "spiral with curious faint extensions".  Photographs taken in 1919-20 with the new 30" mirror showed "spiral with many braches in which are a great many almost stellar condensations; pF stellar nucleus through which is a vF line in p.a. 115° [central bar], giving the central portion a Phi type appearance ([barred ring]."
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NGC 1188 = MCG -03-08-068 = PGC 11533
03 03 43.4  -15 29 07; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 170°

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, elongated 3:1 N-S.  NGC 1188 is only 8' N of NGC 1199, the brightest member of HCG 22.  It is also a member of the much larger NGC 1209 Group (LGG 81), which includes NGC 1145, 1163, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1199, 1209, 1231, and IC 276.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1188 = LM 1-89 on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  This is the first in a group of five galaxies (NGCs 1189, 1190, 1191 and 1192) discovered that night.  Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects, Herbert Howe measured accurate individual RA's in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).  In this case, Howe's corrected RA is a good match with  MCG -03-08-068 = PGC 11533.  It is interesting to note that this places NGC 1188 just 8' N of NGC 1199, which is the brightest member of HCG 22.  The RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 1188 with NGC 1199 and the MCG does not label MCG -03-08-068 as MCG.
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NGC 1189 = HCG 22C = MCG -03-08-061 = LGG 081-001 = PGC 11503
03 03 24.3  -15 37 23; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.8

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, fairly small, unusually low even surface brightness.  First in the HCG 22 quintet with brightest member NGC 1199 4' ENE.  NGC 1189 lies 2.3' SSE.  NGC 1189 is also a member of the larger NGC 1199/1209 Group at z ~.009.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1189 = LM 1-90 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1190, 1191 and 1192) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section.  This is the first of 5 NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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NGC 1190 = HCG 22B = MCG -03-08-062 = PGC 11508
03 03 26.2  -15 39 44; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 95°

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very low surface brightness, requires averted vision.  Member of the HCG 22 quintet with NGC 1199 4' NE, NGC 1189 2.3' NNW, NGC 1191 1.8' SE and NGC 1192 3' ESE.  The two latter galaxies lie in the background but the others are members of the larger NGC 1199/1209 group that also includes NGCs 1145, 1163, 1188 and IC 276.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1190 = LM 1-91 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1191 and 1192) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Herbert Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section.  This is the second of five NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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NGC 1191 = HCG 22D = MCG -03-08-064 = PGC 11514
03 03 30.9  -15 41 08; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 60°

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' S.  Member of the the HCG 22 quintet with NGC 1192 1.0' ENE, NGC 1190 1.8' NW and NGC 1199 4' NNE.  The redshifts of NGC 1191 and 1192 are 3.5 times higher than the other HCG 22 members, so they lie in the background at a similar redsift as NGC 1180 and 1181.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1191 = LM 1-91 on 2 Dec 1885 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1190 and 1192) with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Herbert Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's in 1899-00, which are repeated in the IC 2 Notes section.  This is the third of five NGC galaxies in HCG 22.
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NGC 1192 = HCG 22E = MCG -03-08-065 = PGC 11519
03 03 34.6  -15 40 45; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 102°

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint and small, round.  In a tight group (HCG 22) with NGC 1191 1' WSW, NGC 1190 2.3' NW and NGC 1199 4' N.

The redshifts of NGC 1191 and 1192 are 3.5 times higher than the other HCG 22 members, so they lie in the background at a similar redsift as NGC 1180 and 1181.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1192 = LM 1-91 (along with nearby NGC 1188, 1189, 1190 and 1191) on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Although Leavenworth only gave a rough RA for these objects (corrected by 3 min of RA in a note in the second discovery list), Howe measured relatively accurate individual RA's, except for NGC 1192.  But assuming this object is east of NGC 1191 and 1' N, the identification is certain.
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NGC 1193 = Cr 35 = OCL-390 = Lund 99
03 05 56  +44 23 00; Per
Size 2'

17.5" (10/24/87): this faint open cluster consists of an elongated glow with five faint stars mag 14-15 superimposed and a mag 11 star at the west edge.  Located 4' ESE of a wide pair of bright stars (7.7/9.5 at 1.1').  This is a fairly old open cluster with age ~ 4.2 billion years.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1193 = H. II-608 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621) and recorded "F, cL, easily resolvable, some of the stars visible."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1194 = UGC 2514 = MCG +00-08-078 = CGCG 389-068 = PGC 11537
03 03 49.1  -01 06 13; Cet
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration.  UGC 2517 is in the field 8' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1194 = St. 13-22 on 3 Nov 1877 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  His micrometric position (reduced on 23 Nov 1883 and published in his 13th discovery list) is accurate.
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NGC 1195 = MCG -02-08-042A = Holm 65b = PGC 11517
03 03 32.8  -12 02 03; Eri
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; nearly fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 45" SE.  In a quartet with NGC 1196 2.3' SSE, along with NGC 1299 amd IC 285 to the NE.

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 45" SE of center.  First of four in the NGC 1200 quartet (part of group USGC S110) with NGC 1196 3' S and NGC 1200 7' NE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1195 while making an observation of the NGC 1196 field on 8 Jan 1877 with the 72".  He logged an "eF, eS nebula (distinctly seen)" in position 305° (NW) of a mag 12 star directly north of NGC 1196.  The position angle is good and clearly establishes NGC 1195 = PGC 11517.

Pietro Baracchi independently discovered NGC 1195 on 7 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and sketched the field, along with NGC 1196, NGC 1200 and IC 285 (new discovery).
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NGC 1196 = MCG -02-08-042B = Holm 65a = PGC 11522
03 03 35.2  -12 04 34; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, small bright nucleus, ~30"x20".  A low surface brightness halo increases the size with averted to ~40" in diameter.  Occasionally it brightened along the spine of the major axis like a bar.  In a group (USGC S110) with several NGCs and ICs, including NGC 1195 2.3' NNW.

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, well-defined bright core.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' N and a mag 12 star is 3' SSE.  Second of four in the NGC 1200 compact group with NGC 1195 2.2' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1196 = h2505 on 8 Jan 1877 while observing the field of NGC 1200.  He logged it on two consecutive nights as "vF" and "the S.p. of two [with NGC 1200]", but missed nearby NGC 1195.
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NGC 1197
03 06 12  +44 04; Per

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1197 = Sw. 2-27 on 12 Sep 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "pF, cE, pS, several vF stars near".  His position falls on a blank piece of sky between two mag 13.1 and 14.2 stars. There are also a number of faint double stars in the vicinity on the DSS that he might have mistaken for a nebulous object.  In any case, this number is currently lost or nonexistent.
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NGC 1198 = IC 282 = UGC 2533 = MCG +07-07-024 = CGCG 540-038 = PGC 11648
03 06 13.3  +41 50 56; Per
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 120°

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, diffuse round halo, stellar nucleus about 14th magnitude.  Located 7' N of mag 8.8 SAO 38577.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1198 = St. 11-7 on 1 Dec 1875 and noted a rough position 1.5' to the NE.  His published position (list 11, #7) was made on 6 Dec 1880 with description "core of 11th magnitude, slightly nebulous."  His position was accurate although MCG missed identifying MCG +07-07-024 as NGC 1198.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 27 Dec 1888. He reported it as new in his 12th discovery list, #12  with description, "eF, S, R, bet 2 nr stars".  Swift's RA was 1 minute too small, so Dreyer cataloged again as IC 282.  So, NGC 1198 = IC 282.  Harold Corwin and Malcolm Thomson agree with this equivalence.
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NGC 1199 = HCG 22A = MCG -03-08-067 = LGG 081-002 = PGC 11527
03 03 38.4  -15 36 50; Eri
V = 11.4;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 48°

17.5" (10/13/90): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, broadly concentrated halo, small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 2.8' NE. An extremely faint mag 15 star or possibly an anonymous galaxy is 2' N.

NGC 1199 is the brightest in the HCG 22 quintet with extremely faint NGC 1190 4.1' SW, NGC 1191 4.6' SSW, NGC 1189 3.4' W and NGC 1192 4.0' S.   NGC 1191 and 1192 lie in the background, though, at 3.5x the redshift.  NGC 1199, along with NGC 1209, are the brightest members of a much larger group (LGG 81) that also includes NGCs 1145, 1163, 1188 and IC 276 at z ~.009. 

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, diffuse halo surrounded by a fairly bright stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1199 = H. II-503 = h282 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "pB, S, irregular figure, much brighter middle"  Both William and John Herschel's declination was ~ 1' too far north. Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.
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NGC 1200 = MCG -02-08-043 = PGC 11545
03 03 54.6  -11 59 30; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 85°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated but orientation difficult to pin down. The brighter central region is strongly concentrated with a very small brighter nucleus.  The outer 1' halo has a very low surface brightness and drops off imperceptibly into the background sky.  A mag 15.4 star is at the south edge of the halo.  Brightest in a quartet with IC 285 3' SE and brightest in the larger USGC S110 galaxy group (8 members).

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, halo slightly elongated N-S.  There is an extremely faint star or possible companion at the south edge.  Third of four and brightest in a compact quartet with NGC 1195 and 1196.

NGC 1200 forms a close pair with IC 285 3.2' ESE.  The IC companion was logged as "very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, very low even surface brightness."

William Herschel discovered NGC 1200 = H. II-475 = h2506 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and noted "pF, pL, irr F, bM."  On 22 Nov 1835 (sweep 648) John Herschel described it from the Cape of Good Hope as "pB, L, R, 80". The N.f. of two, distance about 7.5'; position 45 degrees." His mean position from 2 measures is accurate.

While observing NGC 1200 on 7 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope, Pietro Baracchi discovered nearby IC 285 and made an independent discovery of NGC 1195 (found earlier by Dreyer).
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NGC 1201 = ESO 480-028 = MCG -04-08-023 = LGG 086-005 = PGC 11559
03 04 08.0  -26 04 12; For
V = 10.7;  Size 3.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 7°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.6'x0.8', well concentrated.  Dominated by a bright, very small round core and an almost stellar nucleus.  Forms the southern vertex of an acute triangle with a mag 12 star off the NNW side 2.9' from center and a mag 10.5 star 3.8' NE of center.  In a group (LGG 086) with NGC 1255 and 1302.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 182x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 N-S, ~1.8'x0.8'. Sharply concentrated with a small intensely bright core that dominates the appearance and increases to a sharp stellar peak. In a small group (LGG 086) with NGC 1255 and 1302.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 4' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1201 = H. I-109 = h283 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 466) and logged "cB; mbM; iR; resolvable."  On a later sweep he wrote, "cB, pS, lE in the direction of the meridian, much brighter in the middle, resolvable, 1.5' long."  Finally on sweep (593) he recorded "pB, pS, bM, lE."  On 14 Oct 1830 (sweep 306), John Herwschel remarked "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" [diameter]." His position was just off the north end of the galaxy.
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NGC 1202 = PGC 11593
03 05 02.5  -06 29 30; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  A pair of mag 14/15 star (32" separation) lie 1' SE.  Located 4' SW of a 20" pair of mag 10.5/11.5 stars and 4.8' SSW of a mag 10.3 star.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1202 = LM 2-354 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.3' dia, wide double star, position 45° (NE) at 4' distance.  His position is ~30 tsec of RA east of PGC 11593, but his description of the double star is a perfect match.  Bigourdan's position for IC 286, which he claimed to have found while searching for this galaxy, is very close to NGC 1202 and Corwin notes that his offset stars don't match the field.  So, IC 286 is lost unless his offset stars can be recovered.
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NGC 1203 = MCG -03-08-070 = PGC 11599
03 05 14.1  -14 22 53; Eri
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (10/13/90): very faint, very small, round.  A very close contact pair NGC 1203B is attached at the NE end (13" between centers).  The fainter companion appeared extremely faint and small, round.  Located almost at midpoint of mag 8.2 SAO 148753 2.6' SE and mag 9.5 SAO 148757 3.1' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1203 = LM 1-85 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position is a good match with  MCG -03-08-070/071 = PGC 11603/11599.  This is a close double system with the brighter component (identified as NGC 1203A in NED and MCG) on the south side.  The magnitudes are reversed (brighter mag associated with the northern component) in several sources.  It's likely Leavenworth saw the combined glow of both objects as I could pick out the northern component.  Howe called this object "extremely faint and very small", with no indication of a companion.
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NGC 1204 = MCG -02-08-045 = PGC 11583
03 04 40.0  -12 20 29; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 69°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; very unusual appearance with a fairly bright mag 12.5 star attached on the south edge with the galaxy elongated 2:1 or 5:2 WSW-ENE and extending ~0.9'x0.4'.  A mag 14.5 star is 45" SW (outside the glow) and a mag 15.3 star is just 15" SE of the brighter star.  Member of the NGC 1200 group (USGC S110).

17.5" (11/17/01): interesting object as it appears as a diffuse glow, elongated ENE-WSW with three stars near including a mag 11 star attached at the south edge.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1204 = LM 1-86 on 26 Dec 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.5, E 45°, B* and sev F stars involved in nebula, resolvable."  His position is a good match with MCG -02-08-045 = PGC 11583 and the description is appropriate for this galaxy.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and mentions "I noticed simply a small triangle of stars of mags 11, 12, and 13.  The brightest star seemed to be enveloped in an extremely faint mantle of nebulous matter."

Recently (27 Mar 2015), I found that William Herschel observed NGC 1204 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478), though he only logged "a deception", and Caroline didn't assign it a general (internal) discovery number or H-designation.  His offset in position from #1193 = NGC 1200 (the previous object in the sweep), places the "deception" just 1.2' south of NGC 1204, based on Corwin's reduction (Steinicke also confirms this observation).  Based on my visual notes, I can see why WH found the appearance ambiguous.
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NGC 1205 = NGC 1182 = PGC 11511
03 03 28.4  -09 40 13; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1182.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1205 = LM 1-87 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 14.0, 0.7'x0.3', E 25°, *9.5 in PA 240° at 3.0' dist."  There is nothing at his position but 2 min of RA west is PGC 11511 and Stone's description applies (except his PA should read 125°).  This was Stone's second observation of this galaxy.  His position for I-84 = NGC 1182 was 1.0 min of west too far west, but the descriptions are virtually the same.  Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and report "having examined the locality very carefully on two fine nights I judge the objects to be identical."  Based on this this observation, Dreyer states in the IC 2 Notes that "1205 is equal to 1182".  Either number could be the primary designation as the earlier observation is not known.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1206 = PGC 11644
03 06 09.7  -08 50 00; Eri
V = 14.9;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (1/1/08): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Visible ~80% of the time using averted vision as a very low surface brightness knot with no structure.  Located 6.5' N of a mag 10.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1206 = LM 2-355 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.6, 0.2' dia, vlE 180°."  His position matches PGC 11644, though Bigourdan was unable to recover this galaxy.  The RNGC misidentifies a plate flaw as NGC 1206!
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NGC 1207 = UGC 2548 = MCG +06-07-043 = CGCG 524-055 = LGG 087-001 = PGC 11737
03 08 15.5  +38 22 56; Per
V = 12.6;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 123°

24" (2/7/16): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.4'.  A mag 14.5-15 star is superimposed on the northwest side.  CGCG 524-054 lies 5.7' W and was noted as fairly faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1' NNW.  NGC 1207 is situated in a rich star field with mag 8.6 SAO 56192 5.7' ESE.

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 15 star is attached at northwest end.  NGC 1213 lies 20' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1207 = H. III-578 = h284 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "vF, vS."  In Oct 1828 (sweep 188) John Herschel wrote, "F; vS; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" diameter."  The superimposed star was mentioned at Birr Castle: "I am not sure whether it is a star or a nucleus in the north-preceding end."

According to Gary Kronk, Lewis Swift discovered it again in October 1884, though didn't publish it in one of his twelve lists.
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NGC 1208 = MCG -02-08-047 = PGC 11647
03 06 11.9  -09 32 27; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 75°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, contains a very bright elongated core and fainter halo, ~1.1'x0.5'.  LEDA 989667, located 5.8' W, appeared faint (B ~15.8), small, elongated ~3:2, ~25"x18", fairly low surface brightness, slightly brighter core region, indefinite shape.

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 E-W, broadly concentrated halo, much fainter extensions.  First and brightest in a group with NGC 1214 = HCG 23A 11' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1208 = H. II-285 = h285 = h2507 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and logged "pF, S, little extended, south of a pB triangle, about 1/2' in length." On 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) he recorded "F, S, little brighter middle, E not far from the parallel; a little from sp to nf."  John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope and 7 observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 1209 = MCG -03-08-073 = LGG 081-003 = PGC 11638
03 06 03.0  -15 36 41; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 85°

17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, fairly small,, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.4'x0.7'.  Increases to a bright, rounder core and stellar nucleus.  NGC 1231 lies 6.8' NE.

NGC 1209 is the brightest in a group (LGG 81), along with NGC 1199, that includes NGCs 1145, 1163, 1188, 1189, 1190 and IC 276.  NGC 1209 is located 40' following HCG 22, whose brightest member is NGC 1199.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, very small bright core.  Appears slightly fainter than NGC 1199 40' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1209 = H. II-504 = h286 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "pB, S, little extended, much brighter in the middle.  The brightness also extended. " John Herscel reported on 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), "vB; E; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" l; 20" br."
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NGC 1210 = ESO 480-031 = MCG -04-08-024 = PGC 11666
03 06 45.3  -25 42 59; For
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 121°

17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak but even concentration to a brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.1' NNW of center.  Located 40' NE of NGC 1201.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1210 = LM 1-88 on 13 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.0, vS, irregularly round, E 340°?, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus".  There is nothing at his rough RA (nearest minute) and the Knox-Shaw reported it was "Not shown" on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory in 1921-22.  But 1 minute of time east is ESO 480-031 = PGC 11666 and this galaxy is identified as NGC 1210 in the RNGC and PGC. MCG lists the NGC designation as uncertain.
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NGC 1211 = UGC 2545 = MCG +00-08-093 = CGCG 389-081 = PGC 11670
03 06 52.4  -00 47 40; Cet
V = 12.5;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

17.5" (1/7/89): moderately bright, fairly small, very faint outer halo, sharp concentration, round.  Two mag 13 stars lie 2.1' ESE and 2.2' ENE oriented N-S with a separation of 1.1'.

Truman Safford  discovered NGC 1211 = Sf. 102 on 31 Oct 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 29 Nov 1875 (perhaps aware of Safford's discovery?).  He listed it as new in his 11th list (#8) with an accurate position from on 27 Nov 1880.  Stephan was credited with the discovery in the NGC, as Safford's discovery wasn't published until 1887, too late to be included in the NGC.
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NGC 1212 = IC 1883 = UGC 2560 = PGC 11815
03 09 42.2  +40 53 35; Per
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  PA = 22°

24" (12/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", faint stellar nucleus.  Located 18' ESE of Algol and 2.7' SW of a mag 8.7 star within AGC 426.  IC 290 lies 4.8' N.

18" (11/22/03): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness.  Forms the SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 8.7 SAO 38614 2.7' NE and a mag 11.7 star 2.2' E.  Located just 18' ESE of Algol at the western edge of AGC 426!

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1212 = Sw. 1-5 on 18 Oct 1884 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "S; R; vvF.  Right angled with 2 stars.  In field with Algol".  Swift's position is poor, 40 seconds of RA west of UGC 2560, but his description of the two stars applies to this galaxy.  E.E. Barnard independently found NGC 1212 on 26 Nov 1888 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick and comunicated the discovery directly to Dreyer.  Barnard and Dreyer assumed this was a new object, probably due to Swift's poor position, and it was recataloged as IC 1883.  So, NGC 1212 = IC 1883, with discovery priority to Swift.

RNGC and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify PGC 11761, an extremely faint galaxy just 8' SE of Algol, as NGC 1212.  This galaxy is not only too faint to have been seen by Swift, it is nearly lost in the glare of Algol.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1213 = IC 1881 = UGC 2557 = MCG +06-07-045 = CGCG 524-058 = PGC 11789
03 09 17.3  +38 38 59; Per
V = 14.5;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 15.4;  PA = 60°

24" (2/7/16): faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~SW-NE, 24"x18", low surface brightness, fades into background.  The image is confused as there are two very faint stars involved as well as two additional stars off the north side.  Located in a rich star field 50' ESE of mag 3.4 Rho Per.  NGC 1207 is 20' SW.

17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint, fairly small, slightly elongated.  This galaxy has an extremely low surface brightness with a very ill-defined outline!  Several faint stars are near or involved including a mag 14 star close off the SW edge and a pair of mag 15.5 stars at the north end.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1213 = Sw. 1-6 on 14 Oct 1884 with his 16" refractor and recorded "vvF; little extended; v diff; F* close north."  His position is 0.4 min of RA west of UGC 2557 and his description fits (there are faint stars close north and south).  Bigourdan (B. 253) found this galaxy again on 10 Jan 1891 (he misidentified a star as NGC 1213) and assumed it was new.  His position for B. 253 (later IC 1881) is accurate. So, NGC 1213 = IC 1881.
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NGC 1214 = HCG 23A = MCG -02-08-051 = Holm 66a = PGC 11675
03 06 55.9  -09 32 38; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly high surface brightness edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.1'x0.3', small bright core.  In a small group (HCG 23) with NGC 1215 is 4.5' SE and NGC 1216 7' SE.

48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.35', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Brightest in the HCG 23 quintet with NGC 1215 4' SE.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' due north.  The seeing and transparency was subpar during the observation of the group.

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' N.  FIrst of four in the field with NGC 1215 4' SE and NGC 1208 11' W.  Brightest in HCG 23.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1214 = LM 1-94 = Sw. 5-49, along with NGC 1215 and 1216, in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone reported, "mag 14.0, 0.7'x0.2', E 60°."  He added a note, "48 seconds f[ollowing] G.C. 647 [NGC 1208] same declination, stellar N[ucleus] in cen of vF neb; 1st of 3 [with NGC 1215 and 1216]; *10, P 15° Delta [separation] 3'."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct.

Lewis Swift also found this galaxy on 21 Oct 1886.  He described it as "F; pS; iR; 647 [= NGC 1208] nr; 1st of 2 [with NGC 1215]."  Frank Muller suggested the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously.  As the Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, the discovery credit goes to Stone.
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NGC 1215 = HCG 23B = MCG -02-08-055 = Holm 66b = PGC 11687
03 07 09.4  -09 35 32; Eri
V = 14.1;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 15°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~0.8'x0.6', small brighter core region that brightens towards the center.  low surface brightness halo.  Sandwiched between edge-ons NGC 1214 4.5' NW and NGC 1216 2.5' ESE.

48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; fairly bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core SSW-NNE that increases to a stellar nucleus. Surrounded by a fairly large, low surface brightness oval halo ~1.2'x0.9'.  Forms a close pair with MCG -02-08-054 = HCG 23E just under 1' NNE.  It appeared faint or fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~20"x8".

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, well defined small bright core, faint extensions.  Member of the NGC 1208 group and HCG 23 with NGC 1214 4' NW and NGC 1216 2' SE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1215 = LM 1-95 = Sw. 5-50, along with NGC 1214 and 1216, in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone reported, "mag 15.5, 0.4', dif."  He added the note, "2nd of 3 [with NGC 1214 and 1216]."  His declination is 2' too far south, incorrectly placing NGC 1215 1' south of NGC 1216, instead of 1' N.

Lewis Swift also found this galaxy on 21 Oct 1886.  He described it as "eF; vS; R; 647 [= NGC 1208] nr; 2nd of 2 [with NGC 1214]."  Frank Muller noted the prior discovery in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887), though he assumed Swift found NGC 1216.  The Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, so Stone made the earlier discovery.
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NGC 1216 = HCG 23C = MCG -02-08-056 = PGC 11693
03 07 18.4  -09 36 44; Eri
V = 14.8;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 65°

24" (12/6/18): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, 4:1 or 5:1 WSW-ENE, ~36"x8", surprisingly high surface brightness.  The listed V magnitude of 14.8 seems too faint based on its appearance.  Similar in surface brightness to NGC 1214.

48" (10/30/16): at 375x and 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, ~40"x8", well concentrated with a very bright, high surface brightness core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  The extensions are quite thin.  NGC 1215 lies 2.5' NW.

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, extremely small, stellar nucleus or faint star superimposed, extremely faint and very small extensions SW-NE.  Member of HCG 23 with NGC 1215 2' NW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1216 = LM 1-96 in 1886, along with NGC 1214 and 1215, with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  He recorded "mag 14.5, 0.2' dia, stellar ncl, 3rd of 3" and the rough position matches MCG -02-08-056 = PGC 11693.  This galaxy was missed by Lewis Swift, though he found nearby NGC 1214 and 1215.
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NGC 1217 = ESO 300-010 = MCG -07-07-003 = PGC 11641
03 06 06.0  -39 02 11; For
V = 12.4;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 50°

18" (1/17/09): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, sharply concentrated with a small brighter core and much fainter halo.  A 24" pair of mag 9/12 stars located 7' SE is lined up with the galaxy.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' N.  A faint companion galaxy 0.9' N (MCG -07-07-004) was not seen, probably because of the low elevation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1217 = h2508 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "not vF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20". Has a *11m 2' N.  His position (h2508) and description is accurate (the star is 1.6' N).
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NGC 1218 = UGC 2555 = MCG +01-09-001 = CGCG 416-002 = 3C 78 = PGC 11749
03 08 26.3  +04 06 38; Cet
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 155°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core.  Located 92' E of Alpha Ceti.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1218 = Sw. 4-12 on 6 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 1.4' too far west.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1896 at Strasbourg (published in 1907).
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NGC 1219 = UGC 2556 = MCG +00-09-006 = CGCG 390-006 = PGC 11752
03 08 28.0  +02 06 30; Cet
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, moderately large, almost round, weak concentration.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1219 = m 87 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48". He recorded an accurate position and description "F, pL, R."
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NGC 1220 = Cr 37 = OCL-380 = Lund 100
03 11 41  +53 20 54; Per
Size 2'

17.5" (12/28/94): very compact group of about a dozen faint stars mag 13.5-15 in a small 1.5' wedge-shaped clump.  There is a very tight string of three strings at the NE end and the brightest mag 13 star is at the south end.  Does not appear fully resolved due to density and background haze.  This is a young cluster(60 million years old) at a distance of ~5900 light years in the Perseus Arm.

8" (11/28/81) : faint open cluster, small, six faint stars are visible over unresolved haze.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1220 = h287 on 28 Nov 1831 (sweep 386), recording "a vS, close-packed group of 8 or 10 stars 14...15 mag in a space of 30" diam, so as easily to be taken for a pB nebula."  His position and description matches this cluster.
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NGC 1221 = MCG -01-09-002 = PGC 11739
03 08 15.5  -04 15 35; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' SE.  FIrst of three with NGC 1223 8' NNE and NGC 1225 15' NE.  Also IC 1886 lies 10' SSW.  All four galaxies are visible in a 35' field.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1221 = LM 2-356 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.2'x0.1', E 170°, * in PA 175° (south)."  His position is 20 sec of RA east of MCG -01-09-002 = PGC 11739 and his PA estimate matches.  Howe's corrected position in the IC 2 Notes is accurate.  Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #255, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1221 with an error of 20 sec in RA."  MCG gives the NGC designation as uncertain.
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NGC 1222 = MCG -01-09-005 = Mrk 603 = LGG 085-005 = PGC 11774
03 08 56.9  -02 57 18; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 170°

17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1222 = St. 13-23 on 30 Nov 1883.  His published position (list 13, #23) was reduced a few days later (5 Dec 1883).
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NGC 1223 = MCG -01-09-003 = PGC 11742
03 08 19.9  -04 08 18; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (1/7/89): second and brightest of a trio with NGC 1221 8' SSW and NGC 1225 7' E.  Faint, small, round, bright core.  The identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 are reversed in the RNGC and U2000.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1223 = LM 2-357 (along with NGC 1225 = II-358) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory in 1886, recording "mag 15.0, 0.3' dia, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus".  His position is 45 sec of RA following MCG -01-09-003 = PGC 11742 and the description applies.  Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #256, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1223 with an error of 40 sec in RA."  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 1223.  RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 and because of this mistake they were switched in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.
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NGC 1224 = UGC 2578 = MCG +07-07-034 = CGCG 540-055 = LGG 088-002 = PGC 11886
03 11 13.6  +41 21 49; Per
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (12/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter (central region of galaxy), gradually increases to a stellar peak.  A mag 13.5 pair [~12" separation?] is just 1.5' ENE. A mag 9.8 star lies 2.2' SSW and a mag 10.4 star is 3.0' NNW.  Located 42' NW of Algol in AGC 426.

IC 293, situated 14' SSW of NGC 1224, appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, broad and weak concentration.

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round, small brighter core.  Member of AGC 426.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1224 = Sw. 2-28 on 20 Aug 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position matches UGC 2578, located just 42' SE of Algol. Swift made specific searches around bright stars assuming others might have missed nebulae hiding in the glare of these stars.
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NGC 1225 = MCG -01-09-004 = PGC 11766
03 08 47.2  -04 06 05; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (1/7/89): third of three with NGC 1221 and NGC 1223.  Very faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Located 7' E of NGC 1223.  The identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 are reversed in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1225 = LM 2-358 (along with NGC 1223 = II-357) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, R".  His position is 30 sec of RA following MCG -01-09-004 = PGC 11766.  Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #257, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1225 with an error of 30 sec in RA."  MCG mislabels -01-09-004 as NGC 1223.  RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 and because of this mistake they were switched in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.
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NGC 1226 = UGC 2575 = MCG +06-08-001 = CGCG 524-061 = PGC 11879
03 11 05.4  +35 23 12; Per
V = 12.9;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 95°

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; moderately bright, round, 45" diameter, small bright core.  Brightest of a trio with NGC 1227 4' S and UGC 2579 6' NE.

UGC 2579 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 30" length, broad concentration with a slightly brighter core.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1227 4' SSE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1226 = St. 10-16, along with NGC 1227, on 29 Nov 1875.  His published position (list 10, #16) was made 4 years later on 6 Dec 1879. The original discovery was apparently made by Heinrich d'Arrest on 17 Sep 1865, but due to a transcription error his position was 1-hour of RA too small and falls on a blank piece of sky.  See NGC 832.  E.E. Barnard swept up NGC 1226 and 1227 on 1 Aug 1891 with the 12-inch at Lick Observatory. He noted a "very small, ill-definted [nebula], 13 1/2 mag, two mag 9.5 stars 6' south-preceding."
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NGC 1227 = UGC 2577 = CGCG 524-062 = CGCG 525-003 = PGC 11880
03 11 07.8  +35 19 29; Per
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.0

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very small brighter nucleus (possibly a stellar peak).  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10 stars 4.5' WSW and 4.5' SE.  Fainter of pair with NGC 1226 4' N.

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round.  Forms a pair with NGC 1226 4' NNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1227 = St. 10-17, along with NGC 1226, on 29 Nov 1875.  His single position on that date matched NGC 1226, though he noted there were two nebulae.  His published position (list 10, #17) was made on 10 Jan 1880.   E.E. Barnard swept up NGC 1226 and 1227 on 1 Aug 1891 with the 12-inch at Lick Observatory. He simply noted "perhaps another very faint nebula 6' ± south [of NGC 1226]."
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NGC 1228 = Arp 332 NED3 = VV 337a = ESO 480-032 = MCG -04-08-026 = UGCA 54 = PGC 11735
03 08 11.7  -22 55 23; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 78°

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6'.  A mag 13 star is 50" S.  In a group with NGC 1229 2.2' S.  NGC 1230 lies 3.8' SSE, and IC 1892 8.6' SSE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1228 = LM 2-359 (along with NGC 1229 = II-360) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.5, 0.1', R, gradually brighter in the middle, 1st of 2".  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of time west is ESO 480-032 = PGC 11735.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1229 = Arp 332 NED1 = VV 337b = UGCA 53 = ESO 480-033 = MCG -04-08-025 = PGC 11734
03 08 11.0  -22 57 37; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 81°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Located 2.2' S of brighter NGC 1228 in a group with NGC 1230 1.9' SE and IC 1892.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.4' N on a line to NGC 1228.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1229 = LM 2-359, along with NGC 1228 = II-359, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 16.0, 0.1', R, gradually brighter in the middle, 2nd of 2".  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west is ESO 480-033 = PGC 11734.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  He also mentioned that NGC 1229 precedes 1228 a little.
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NGC 1230 = Arp 332 NED2 = ESO 480-034 = MCG -04-08-027 = PGC 11743
03 08 16.4  -22 59 03; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 109°

17.5" (11/10/96): faintest in a group with NGC 1228, NGC 1229 and IC 1892.  Only glimpsed momentarily using Vicker's CCD Atlas.  Appears extremely faint and small, 10" diameter with possible extensions to 20".  Located 3.8' SSE of NGC 1228 and 1.9' SE of NGC 1230.  IC 1892 lies 5' further SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1230 = LM 2-361, along with NGC 1228 and NGC 1229, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Leavenworth made no estimate of size or brightness, only the comment "*??".  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west and 2' N is ESO 480-033 = PGC 11734.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1231 = MCG -03-08-074 = PGC 11658
03 06 29.3  -15 34 09; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  A mag 15 star is just off the SSW edge of the halo, 30" from the center.  Located 6.8' NE of NGC 1209.  Due to a poor position by Leavenworth, this galaxy is classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1231 = LM 1-97 on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 16.0, pL, E like a fan."  There is nothing at his rough position (given to an nearest min of RA and arcmin of Dec).  But exactly 4 min of RA west is MCG -03-08-074 = PGC 11658.  MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1231 and RNGC considered the number nonexistent.  Assuming NGC 1231 = PGC 11658, I'm a little surprised Leavenworth didn't mention NGC 1209, just 6' SW, but I don't think this is a duplicate observation of NGC 1209 as it is much too bright to be called mag 16.0.
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NGC 1232 = Arp 41W = ESO 547-0141 = MCG -04-08-032 = PGC 11819
03 09 45.1  -20 34 46; Eri
V = 9.9;  Size 7.4'x6.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 108°

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): NGC 1232 is a face-on multi-arm knotty Sc-type.  At 303x it appeared very bright, very large, roundish, at least 6' diameter.  It was sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that contained a brighter central bar-like nuclear region.  Spiral structure was evident in the large halo, but more subtle than I expected as several segments were disconnected.  The most prominent is a knotty arm on the north side.  It emerged near the northwest end of the core and shot linearly (2' length) towards the northeast in the direction of a mag 14 star 2.5' NE of center.

Another spiral arm extended east and west perhaps 1.5' length, just south of the central region.  The arm faded out at its west end but after a short break, a very faint elongated knot, ~14"x8", was visible 1.7' WSW of center.  NED includes multiple designations NGC 1232:[HK83] 442/445/450 and more from Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies".  The arm dimmed again but could just be traced shooting straight N-S in the northwest end of the halo.  Another short, linear segment of a arm (containing [HK83] 110) was just visible close east of the core, 1.1' ENE of center.

NGC 1232A (the subject of a long-standing redshift controversy) was visible 4.1' ESE of center, just beyond the east edge of the galaxy.  It appeared very faint, small, round, ~20" diameter

17.5" (10/8/88): bright, large, slightly elongated, bright core, very large faint halo.  Located 8' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 168347. 

13.1" (1/18/85): large, large bright core, substellar nucleus, very diffuse outer halo.  An arm is suspected attached at the west end and winding towards the east on the north side of the core.

8" (10/31/81): faint, diffuse, low surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1232 = H. II-258 = h2509 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303).  He recored "extremely faint, little brighter middle, 7 or 8' dia."  On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he logged "faint, considerably large, bright middle, irregular figure, 5 or 6' diam.  The nebulosity is unequal, seeming to be two or three clouds, or nebulosities joined together."

John Herschel made 3 observations from South Africa.  His most detailed observation from 13 Nov 1835 (sweep 642) reads: "B; vL; R; resolvable; 3' (dia), first very gradually then pretty suddenly brighter in the middle.  With the left eye I see it mottled. (N.B. This is no doubt a distant globular cluster)."

Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory in 1921-22, NGC 1232 was described as "pB, 7'x7', open spiral, B stellar nucleus, many branches with almost stellar condensations."  NGC 1232B = PGC 11834, near the end of one of the spiral arms, was assumed to be interacting with NGC 1232, but its redshift places it four times the distance.  Due to the apparent discordan redshift, NGC 1232/1232A was used by Arp to argue against redshift-based distances.
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NGC 1233 = UGC 2586 = MCG +06-08-003 = CGCG 525-006 = PGC 11955
03 12 33.1  +39 19 07; Per
V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 27°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NNW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4', broadly concentrated, faint extensions.  A mag 13.5 star is off the NE end.  Member of AGC 426 (south of main stream).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1233 = St. 3-20 on 10 Nov 1871.  His rough position was 7' too far ESE.  His published micrometric position (list 3, #20) was made a 1 month later on 10 Dec 1871.  He followed up with another observation on 30 Nov 1877.

Harold Corwin suggests that Swift's V-51 = NGC 1235 might be a duplicate observation with a 24' error in declination.
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NGC 1234 = MCG -01-09-011 = PGC 11813
03 09 39.2  -07 50 47; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 141°

17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, low even surface brightness.  Requires averted vision but once identified I could almost hold it continuously with concentration.  Based on the galaxy's size and elongation, I probably viewed the brighter core only.  Located 4' SW of mag 9.5 SAO 130313.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1234 = LM 2-362 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 16.2, 0.6' dia, irregularly round, 1 or eF stars inv, *9m precedes 30 sec."  There is nothing at his position but 40 sec of RA due west is MCG -01-09-011 = PGC 11813.  The star to the west is preceding by 22", though it's odd he didn't mention a brighter star to the NE.
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NGC 1235
03 12 48  +38 56; Per

= ***, JS. =NGC 1233?, HC

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1235 = Sw. 5-51 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  There are no galaxies near his position.  The RNGC identifies NGC 1235 as a triple star, situated about 1.5' N of Swift's position.  But these stars appear too bright and too easily resolved to be confused with a faint nebulous object by Swift.  Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1235 may be a duplicate of NGC 1233, which is located due north.  If this identification is correct, Swift made a 24' error in declination (too far south).  Except for NGC 58, the other dozen discoveries by Swift on that night have no significant errors, so this identification is very uncertain.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1236 = CGCG 441-003 = PGC 11898
03 11 28.0  +10 48 30; Ari
V = 14.7;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 30°

18" (12/10/07): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.2', low surface brightness, no concentration in fairly poor seeing.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1236 = m 88 on 5 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta, recording "eF, vS, R".  His position is just off the south side of CGCG 441-003 = PGC 11898.
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NGC 1237
03 10 08.9  -08 41 32; Eri
V = 14.5/14.5;  Size 13"

24" (12/28/13): this 13" pair of evenly matched mag 14-15 stars was easily resolved at 225x.  Located 21' NW of the NGC 1241/1242 pair (Arp 304).

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1237 = LM 2-363 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting "mag 13.0, 0.4' diameter, E 170°, double star?"  Dreyer included the description as a possible double star and Corwin confirms it *is* a double star 36 tsec west and 1' south of Muller's position.  The separation is 14" with a PA 152°.
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NGC 1238 = MCG -02-09-010 = Holm 67a = PGC 11868
03 10 52.7  -10 44 53; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 110°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, round, very small bright core.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus or possibly a faint star is superimposed.  Forms the west vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with a mag 13 star 2.4' SE and a mag 14 star 2.3' NNE of center.  IC 1897, just 3.3' SW, appeared faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1238 = Sw. 5-52 on 1 Nov 1886 with his 16" refractor, recording "vF; pS; R; sp of [NGC 1247].  His RA as 9 seconds too large east.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1906 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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NGC 1239 = MCG -01-09-012 = PGC 11869
03 10 53.7  -02 33 11; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 70°

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1239 = H. III-262 = h288 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and recorded "Suspected, stellar, 240x verified it with difficulty."  WH's position was poor but John Herschel was only able to correct the declination, as the nebula was "scarcely seen through thick haze" (sweep 96). So, the listed RA is roughly 30 sec too far east in the NGC.  Still there are no other nearby candidates and the identification NGC 1239 = PGC 11869 is not in question.
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NGC 1240
03 13 26.7  +30 30 26; Ari

= **, Corwin.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1240 = H. III-164 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268).  He described it as "suspected, 240 left a doubt; extremely faint and very small, most probably two close stars; between two stars."  There is nothing near his position and Bigourdan was unsuccessful (twice) in trying to recover this object.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, notes "*13.5 in Dreyer's place".  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1240 is a double star (11" separation) about 8' SE of Herschel's position.  This pair is also on a line between two other stars so matches Herschel's position.
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NGC 1241 = Arp 304 NED1 = VV 334a = MCG -02-09-011 = Holm 68a = PGC 11887
03 11 14.7  -08 55 20; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 145°

24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 NW-SE, 2'x1', contains a large bright core that increases towards the center.  There was a hint of arm structure in the outer halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 1242 1.7' NE with both galaxies just south of a mag 9.3 star.

13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, round, bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo.  Forms a close pair with fainter NGC 1242 1.6' NE.  Located 3.0' due south of mag 9.0 SAO 130329.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1241 = H. II-286 = h289 = h2510 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "faint, pretty large, round, little brighter middle, south of a small star."  He made a second observation on 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) and also discovered NGC 1242 (see that number).  Perhaps the extra light provided by the front view (no secondary) made the difference.

John Herschel observed NGC 1241 at Slough, England, calling it "extremely faint" and "pretty bright" on two sweeps.  He made a later observation at the Cape of Good Hope and logged "faint, pretty much extended, 50", the preceding of two [with NGC 243]."
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NGC 1242 = Arp 304 NED2 = VV 334b = Holm 68c = MCG -02-09-012 = PGC 11892
03 11 19.2  -08 54 07; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

24" (12/28/13): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~35"x21", weak concentration.  Forms a pair (Arp 304 = VV 334) with brighter NGC 1241 1.7' SE.  A bright mag 9.3 star lies 2' NW.

13.1" (12/7/85): very faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, can hold with averted vision.  Forms a close pair with much brighter NGC 1241 1.6' SW.  Located 2.1' SE of mag 9.0 SAO 130329.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1242 = H. III-591 on 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 1241], that of which the place is taken [NGC 1241] is F, pL, very gradually very much brighter in the middle, R.  The other [NGC 1242] is about 1' nf, eF, stellar.  A 3rd suspected sf the 1st, still fainter than the 2nd; the I did not see it well enough to verify it, and it may be a deception."

On 7 Dec 1850, Lord Rosse assistant Bindon Stoney assumed it was a new discovery (labeled as "Beta" in his sketch).  Dreyer later noticed the equivalence with III-591 when he examined the field on 6 Nov 1877 as the observing assistant at Birr Castle.
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NGC 1243 = Holm 68b
03 11 25.4  -08 56 43; Eri

= **, Corwin.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1243 = h291 = h2511 on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 315).  From Slough he recorded "eF, vS" and from the Cape "eF; R; the following of two; pos from the other [NGC 1241] = 120° (ESE)".  At his position a faint double star and the position angle matches. Interestingly, Herschel never observed NGC 1242, which is close NE of NGC 1241.  At Birr Castle, NGC 1241 was observed several times and assumed to be a "nova", but on 6 Nov 1877 Dreyer (the observing assistant at the time) claimed he saw all three objects in the field.  His micrometric offset for h291 = h2511, points exactly to this double star again!  See Corwin's notes for the complete story.
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NGC 1244 = ESO 082-008 = PGC 11659
03 06 31.2  -66 46 33; Hor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 2°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared as a moderately bright, fairly large edge-on N-S, ~2.0'x0.4'.  Exhibits only a broad, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Forms a 10' pair with NGC 1246 to the SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1244 = h2512 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcseconds."  His position (from 2 sweeps) is accurate.  He questioned if this object was the same as Dunlop's 205, but Dunlop's description ("a very faint small nebula, north following, a pretty bright small star; a very minute star is between the bright star and the nebula") does not seem to match.
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NGC 1245 = Cr 38 = Mel 18 = OCL-389
03 14 41  +47 14 18; Per
V = 8.4;  Size 10'

17.5" (12/7/90): about 100 stars at 220x in 10' diameter.  Rich in mag 13.5-14 stars and includes four mag 12 stars along the west side.  Roughly circular outline and uniform but no concentration to the center, many stars are arranged in lanes.  A mag 8.5 star is off the south edge and a mag 9 star is about 5' off the ENE edge.

13.1" (1/28/84): about 75 stars in a dense cluster.  Includes bright stars on the north side.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1245 = H. VI-25 = h290 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645).  He recorded "a beautiful very compressed and rich cluster of small stars, about 8' or 9' diameter, irr R."  He was observed just 5° from the zenith at the latitude of Slough.  On 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) he added "The large stars arranged in lines, like interwoven letters."

John Herschel observed the cluster on 31 Dec 1831 (sweep 390): "rich, L, cl not very comp; irreg R with stragglers; stars 12...15m; brightest part 5' diam".

On 23 Nov 1848, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) wrote, "Coarse, cl. strongly honey-combed.  Would probably look annular with eccentric eyehole if it were far enough to be a nebula."
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NGC 1246 = ESO 082-009 = PGC 11680
03 07 02.0  -66 56 19; Hor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 40°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.8'.  Contains a large bright core that increases to a faint, stellar nucleus with a much fainter outer halo.  Located 10' SSE of NGC 1244.  Three mag 10-11 stars lie midway between NGC 1246 and NGC 1244.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1246 = h2513 on 2 Nov 1834 and noted "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 15 arcseconds."  His position is accurate (2 observations).
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NGC 1247 = MCG -02-09-014 = UGCA 58 = FGC 396 = PGC 11931
03 12 14.3  -10 28 50; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 3.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 69°

17.5" (12/28/94): moderately bright edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 2.4'x0.5', weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 "star" 2.5' SE of center appears possibly quasi-stellar -- this is the compact galaxy Mrk 1071.  A mag 10 star is 6.2' NW.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.5', broad mild concentration, fairly striking appearance.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1247 = H. II-900 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1087). He recorded "faint, extended nearly in the parallel, a little from south preceding to north following, about 3' long, 1' broad."

On 12 Jan 1877, Birr Castle assistant J.L.E. Dreyer logged "vF, very much elongated 72.5°, gradually little brighter middle. *10m 6' np."
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NGC 1248 = MCG -01-09-016 = PGC 11970
03 12 48.5  -05 13 29; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 100°

17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  Located 5.5' S of mag 8.3 SAO 130357.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1248 = H. III-443 = h292 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), noting "vF, vS, confirmed by 240 power."  John Herschel made three observations and initially assumed he had made the discovery.
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NGC 1249 = ESO 155-006 = LGG 093-004 = PGC 11836
03 10 01.2  -53 20 09; Hor
V = 11.8;  Size 4.9'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 86°

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, large, very elongated nearly 3:1 E-W, ~4'x1.4', broad concentration with a bulging middle.  The galaxy was brighter along the major axis (bar).  The observation was cut short by clouds, so it's possible the observation was somewhat compromised.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1249 = h2514 on 5 Dec 1834, recording "B; L; vmE in pos. 80°; very gradually brighter middle to an axis; 2.5' l; 1' br."  His position and description matches ESO 155-006 = PGC 11836.

NGC 1249 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "spiral, 1 branch much brighter than other, E at 80°."
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NGC 1250 = UGC 2613 = MCG +07-07-040 = CGCG 540-066 = PGC 12098
03 15 21.1  +41 21 20; Per
V = 13.0;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 159°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, faint almost stellar nucleus.  Member of AGC 426.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1250 = Sw. 5-53 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate (on the west side of AGC 426).
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NGC 1251
03 14 09.1  +01 27 24; Cet

= **, Carlson and Corwin.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 1251 = HN 24 on 25 Jan 1860 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He simply noted "faint nebulosity", but within 25" of his position is a faint double star (14.3/15.0 at 7").  All 9 of his nebulous objects in the NGC turned out to be single or double stars.
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NGC 1252 = ESO 116-011
03 10 44  -57 45 30; Hor
Size 10'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): fairly large scattered group of ~20 stars in a 10' region.  Includes mag 6.6 HD 20037 on the southwest end and mag 8.7 HD 20059 on the north side.  Not impressive but detached in the field.  This group (likely an asterism) is situated 30' SSE of TW Hor (sometimes referred to as "Herschel's Red Star"), a bright orange-red carbon star (B-V = 2.3)

John Herschel discovered NGC 1252 = h2515 on 4 Dec 1834, recording a "Star 8m, the chief of a cluster of 18 or 20 stars."  His Cape catalogue position corresponds with mag 6.6 HD 20037 at 03 10 39.2 -57 48 35 (2000), the brightest in this 10' group.  Apparently JH made a copying error after he precessed his coordinates to 1860 for the General Catalogue (#663) as his position there is exactly 20' too far south.  Dreyer didn't catch this mistake so it carried over into the NGC.  As a result, ESO says "Not found" and RNGC classifies NGC 1252 as an "unverified southern object", both using the erroneous NGC position.

The group of stars at Herschel's position has been considered an asterism as most of the brighter stars have different proper motion using Hipparchos and ACT data. See Baumgardt "The nature of some doubtful open clusters as revealed by HIPPARCOS" (A&A, 340, 402, 1998).  But a more recent paper by de la Fuente Marcos, et al. (MNRAS 434, 194, 2013) found there is an old, metal-poor cluster remnant here.  At a distance of nearly 900 parsecs from the Galactic disk, it is one of the furthest (from the disk) cluster remnants known.
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NGC 1253 = Arp 279 NED1 = MCG -01-09-018 = UGCA 62 = PGC 12041
03 14 09.1  -02 49 22; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 5.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 82°

48" (10/23/11): very bright, very large, elongated ~5:2 WSW-ENE, ~4'x1.6'.  Contains a large, very bright elongated core that gradually increases to the center.  A mag 12.5 star is superimposed just SW of the central region.  A spiral arm emerges from the galaxy on the ENE end. It curls sharply clockwise towards the SW on the E end of the galaxy and quickly dims.  The arm appears patchy with a couple of small knots near the outer edge (~1.6' from center).

The arm on the W end is harder to make out as it emerges from the central region near the superimposed star and is not as well defined, appearing more as a hazy, mottled region with some brighter patches.

A mag 12 star lies 3' ENE.  Just beyond this star is NGC 1253A, a low surface brightness dwarf.  NGC 1253A appeared fairly faint, large, irregular, roughly oval 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', small brighter core, very patchy appearance (contains HII knots).  The nearby mag 12 star is just off the SW side.

24" (12/1/13):  NGC 1253A was picked up as a very faint to faint glow, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.4'x0.2' (central region seen), low surface brightness.  Situated 3.9' ENE of much brighter NGC 1253 and just 0.9' NE of a mag 12 star.  NGC 1253 showed a little structure but I didn't take notes.

17.5" (1/7/89): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, no central brightening but contains a slightly brighter knot at the NE end.  A mag 12 star is involved at the west end 52" from the center and a mag 11 star is 2.9' ENE of center.  Forms a double system with NGC 1253A 3.7' ENE (just following the mag 11 star) which was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1253 = H. IV-17 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280).  He described "a small star with a very faint nebulous brush following (with 240x). I am sure with eyepiece No. 1 [157x] I should have overlooked it.  The brush was faint and about 1.5' or 2' long.  A star on each side which I viewed were free from that brush, though I drew them in the same part of the field."  His position was 6' too far S.  At the beginning of this sweep, he noted "The rope being broken the polar distance is coarsely marked in revolutions of the axel".  d'Arrest measured an accurate position based on 4 separate measures. 
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NGC 1254 = MCG +00-09-033 = CGCG 390-032 = PGC 12052
03 14 23.8  +02 40 42; Cet
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Equidistant between mag 8.7 SAO 111066 5' SSW and mag 8.4 SAO 111068 5' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1254 = m 89 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta and logged "F, vS, stellar".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1255 = ESO 481-013 = MCG -04-08-050 = UGCA 60 = AM 0311-255 = LGG 086-001 = PGC 12007
03 13 32.2  -25 43 31; For
V = 10.9;  Size 4.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 117°

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, large, fairly diffuse, weak concentration, elongated NW-SE.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' SW of center.  In a small group with NGC 1201 and 1302.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1255 = LM 1-98 on 30 Aug 1883 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2, page 226 and Object "b" in AN 108, 370, 1884) and described a "faint nebula, not large, pretty even in light.  A faint star close p and slightly south probably involved.  Star is south and following the nebula by about 30'."  Ormond Stone made an independent discovery in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, recording  "4.1'x2.0', PA 315°."  The NGC position is 2.5' south of ESO 481-013 = PGC 12007, although Stone's declination is accurate.
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NGC 1256 = ESO 547-023 = MCG -04-08-052 = PGC 12032
03 13 58.2  -21 59 10; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 108°

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak even concentration to a small brighter core.  A mag 15 star lies 1.1' N.  Located 6.5' ESE of mag 9 SAO 168391.  In same field with NGC 1258 13' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1256 = h2516 on 13 Nov 1835, calling it "F, S, almost stellar, but E, has a * 8  preceding 7.5', 2' N."  His position and description (the star is mag 9.3 HD 20129) matches ESO 547-023 = PGC 12032.
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NGC 1257
03 16 59.5  +41 31 45; Per

= **, Corwin.  Misidentified in RNGC and RC3.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1257 = Big. 16 on 19 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but according to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan's position (once the position of his offset star is corrected) points directly to a close pair of 15th magnitude stars at 03 16 59.5 +41 31 45.  The RNGC, PGC and RC 3 misidentify UGC 3621 as NGC 1257.  This galaxy is 38 sec of RA preceding his published position and does not match the description. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1258 = ESO 547-024 = MCG -04-08-053 = PGC 12034
03 14 05.5  -21 46 28; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 17°

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness.  Appears ~1.5'x1.0' (slightly larger than listed dimensions).  In field with NGC 1256 13' SSW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1258 = LM 2-364 on 19 Nov 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.6, 1.2' dia, vlE 0°, GC 665 [NGC 1256] 12' south."  His position is just 0.2 min of RA east of ESO 547-024 = PGC 12034 and this galaxy is 13' N of NGC 1256.
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NGC 1259 = MCG +07-07-046 = PGC 12208
03 17 17.3  +41 23 07; Per
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.7'

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; faint, small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 15 star is at the west edge and a small trio of 13th mag star is close east.  In the central region of AGC 426 with NGC 1260 is 2.2' NE, UGC 2626 is 3.7' SW, MCG +07-07-048 is 2.3' ESE.

17.5" (12/19/87): extremely faint, very small.  An extremely faint mag 15.5 star is at the west edge.  Located 3.7' NE of UGC 2626 = (R)NGC 1259.  First of three with NGC 1260 and MCG +07-07-48 within AGC 426.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1259 = Big. 17 on 21 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory and noted, "round, 25" diameter, vslbM".  With respect to Big. 18 = NGC 1260, his position is 11 sec of RA west and 1' S.  This offset corresponds to MCG +07-07-046 = PGC 12208 (11 sec west and 1.2' S).  MCG misidentifies NGC 1260 as NGC 1259 and the RNGC misidentifies UGC 2626 (3.7' SW of NGC 1259) as NGC 1259!
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NGC 1260 = UGC 2634 = MCG +07-07-047 = CGCG 540-081 = PGC 12219
03 17 27.2  +41 24 19; Per
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 86°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 45" length, strong concentration with a bright round core.  NGC 1259 lies 2.2' SW and MCG +07-07-048 is 1.8' SSE.  The latter galaxy appeared faint, small, round, 15" diameter. A mag ~14.5 star is at the west edge.

PGC 12206, picked up 3.2' NW, was very faint, small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.  CGCG 540-085, 5' NE, was fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, 25"x20", very weak concentration with no distinct nucleus.  A distinctive triangle of mag 11 stars (sides 1' to 1.5') is a couple of arc minutes west.

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, weak concentration.  This member of AGC 426 is the brightest of three with NGC 1259 2.2' SW.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1260 = Big. 18 on 19 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, reporting "mag 13.3-13.4, 25" dia, no nucleus."  His position corresponds with UGC 2634 = PGC 12219.  MCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 1259 and then misidentifies MCG +07-07-048 = PGC 12221 as NGC 1260.
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NGC 1261 = ESO 155-011
03 12 15.3  -55 13 01; Hor
V = 8.3;  Size 6.9'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, symmetric globular, ~5' diameter, with a large very bright condensed core (concentration class II). At 171x, the halo was just resolved into a large number of faint stars. A mag 9 star lies 3.6' NE of the center, just outside the halo.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 212x, the resolution was a bit better in the halo than with the 18", but the blazing core was still unresolved.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1261 = D 337 = h2517 on 28 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW.  He described (based on two observations) "a very bright round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, pretty well defined and gradually bright to the centre. A small star north following."  No mention was made of resolution in either of his two observations, though it might have been possible at high power (brightest stars mag 13.5).

John Herschel observed the cluster twice, first describing it on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520) as a "globular, bright; large; irregularly round; 2.5' diameter; all resolved into equal stars 14 mag.  Has a star 9th mag 45° N.f. 3' distant."  On his second sweep he logged "pretty bright; round; very gradually brighter in the middle; 3' across; resolved into stars of 15th magnitude. A very faint nebula (??) precedes."  There is a close pair of extremely faint galaxies southwest of the globular, but I doubt Herschel could have picked these up.
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NGC 1262 = MCG -03-09-014 = PGC 12107
03 15 33.6  -15 52 46; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 135°

48" (11/4/21): moderately bright, fairly small, round, slightly brighter core and nucleus. The halo has a fairly low surface halo but a well defined periphery and an irregular surface brightness (NGC 1262 is a face-on spiral).

17.5" (12/30/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, no concentration.  Requires averted vision and could not hold steadily.  A mag 15 star lies 1.0' SW.

The redshift-based distance of this galaxy is reported at over 1 billion l.y., but Steve Odewahn used the HED to measure the RV at 16169 km/s, (z = .0506), giving a light-travel time of only 680 million l.y.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1262 = LM 1-99 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.0, pS, irregularly round, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, halo 15.5."  Within the accuracy of his measurement (nearest minute of RA), his position matches MCG -03-09-014 = PGC 12107. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1263 = MCG -03-09-015 = PGC 12114
03 15 39.6  -15 05 55; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/30/99): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter.  Requires averted to glimpse.  Once or twice the small halo disappeared and an extremely faint stellar nucleus was momentarily visible.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1263 = LM 1-100 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recoerding it as "mag 14.0, 0.7' dia, lE 0°, suddenly brighter middle."  His very rough RA (nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min west of MCG -03-09-015 = PGC 12114.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1264 = UGC 2643 = MCG +07-07-050 = PGC 12270
03 17 59.5  +41 31 14; Per
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 30°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.5'x0.4', very small slightly brighter nucleus.  The nearest member of AGC 426 is PGC 12263, 1.4' S, which was extremely faint and small, 10" diameter, required averted to pick up. 5' to the SE are PGC 12292 and 12294, a close pair of mag 15V galaxies adjacent to a mag 11.5 star.

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, small, round, low surface brightness.  An extremely faint companion is 1.5' SSW.  Member of AGC 426.

CGCG 540-085, which RNGC misidentifies as NGC 1264, is 4.4' SSW.  It appeared very faint, extremely small, round, even surface brightness.  Three stars forming a right triangle are 2'-3'  west.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1264 = Big. 19 on 19 Oct 1884 and noted "mag 13.3, 30" diameter, vslbM."  His position corresponds with UGC 2643 = PGC 12270.  The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 540-085 = PGC 12254 as NGC 1264.  UGC and MCG have the correct identification.  Discussed in RNGC Corrections #3 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1265 = UGC 2651 = MCG +07-07-052 = CGCG 540-088 = 3C 83.1 = PGC 12287
03 18 15.8  +41 51 28; Per
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 165°

24" (1/28/17): at 282x; large, very diffuse glow with a bright star superimposed just east of center!  This galaxy appeared as a low surface brightness haze perhaps 1.25' in diameter.  With careful viewing, there appeared to be a very small, slightly brighter core just west of the star.  A mag 10.4 star lies 2.7' S.  IC 312 lies 6' SSW.

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, small, round glow. This member of the AGC 426 cluster is located just east of a mag 11 star and has a striking location. Forms a pair with IC 312 6' SSW.
Note:  The bright star is directly superimposed, so there was some confusion in this observation.

Note: In 2017 it was determined that based on the historical record NGC 1265 is identical to IC 312 (description below) and the traditional identification NGC 1265 = UGC 2651 is incorrect.

24" (1/28/17): at 282x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4', small bright core.  PGC 12288, just 1.9' SE, appeared faint, small, elongated ~3:1 SSW-NNE, ~20"x7".  A mag 14-14.5 star is at the northeast end.  NGC 1265, a low surface brightness galaxy with a bright star superimposed, lies 6' NNE of IC 312.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1265 = Big. 20 on 14 Nov 1884 and reported "mag 13.3, 15" diameter, slbM." His position is 5 tsec of RA east and 1.4' south of UGC 2651 = PGC 12287.

In January 2017 I wrote Harold Corwin regarding my observation:  "[I] initially was stumped on NGC 1265. It took me a minute or two to notice NGC 1265 as a relatively large, diffuse glow surrounding a fairly bright star that is superimposed. The star is not evident on the DSS, but you can clearly see it on the SDSS, including its diffraction spikes. NGC 1265 supposedly has a V mag ~12, but I'm guessing that includes the star, and the glow of IC 312 at V = 13.4 was more obvious to me."

Corwin checked Bigourdan's records and found he misplaced his offset star by 8'.  Once corrected, his offset points to IC 312!  Although the 8 arcminute error is unexplained, Corwin concludes "it is clear that Bigiourdan discovered IC 312 and not UGC 2651."  Although he has updated his files to this identification, it will be difficult to change other databases and the literature on the Perseus galaxy cluster.

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NGC 1266 = MCG -01-09-023 = PGC 12131
03 16 00.8  -02 25 38; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 115°

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, oval 3:2 ~E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1266 = H. III-194 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF and eS. 240 verified it"  There is nothing at his position, but 11.7' north and 13 sec of RA east is MCG -01-09-023 = PGC 12131. At the beginning of this sweep, Herschel noted "The rope being broken the PD is coarsely marked in revolutions of the axel." so this identification is reasonable.  Heinrich d'Arrest noted the error and measured an accurate micrometric position on 4 different nights and noted the mag 13 star 6 seconds of RA west and 1' south.
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NGC 1267 = UGC 2657 = MCG +07-07-055 = CGCG 540-092 = LGG 088-005 = PGC 12331
03 18 44.9  +41 28 04; Per
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.8'

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, fairly high surface brightness, increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 1268 1.0' N in the center of AGC 426 with a number of galaxies nearby including CGCG 540-089 1.8' WNW and NGC 1270 2.5' W.  Two mag 13 and 14 star are 1' S.  CGCG 540-087, 5.4' SW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 NNW-SSE, ~0,6'x0.4', broad weak concentration.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1268 1.0' N with CGCG 540-089 1.8' NW and NGC 1270 2.6' E.  Located in the rich central section of AGC 426 with CGCG 540-087 5.5' SW, NGC 1272 7.0' ENE and NGC 1275 12.2' ENE.

CGCG 540-089 is extremely faint and small, round.  Two mag 14 stars are close south just 16" and 32" from the center.
CGCG 540-087 is faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' N of center.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, small, compact, arc of stars just south.  In a group of 4 in AGC 426.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1267 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  He noted a size of 8" and his position (measured on 2 nights) is accurate.  The same night he also discovered nearby NGC 1268, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278.
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NGC 1268 = UGC 2658 = MCG +07-07-056 = CGCG 540-093 = WBL 097-013 = PGC 12332
03 18 45.1  +41 29 19; Per
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  PA = 120°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, very slightly elongated,~0.6'x0.5', nearly even surface brightness.  A 15th magnitude star is superimposed on the south side.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1267 1.2' S.  NGC 1268 has a significantly lower surface brightness.

17.5" (10/24/87): extremely faint and small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1267 1.2' S.  Also very near are CGCG 540-089 1.8' SW and NGC 1270 is 2.7' ESE.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 with NGC 1272 6.8' E. 

13.1" (1/28/84): extremely faint, very small, diffuse.  Located 1' N of NGC 1267 in AGC 426.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1268 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  His position (measured on 2 nights) and description (1' north of NGC 1267) matches UGC 2658.  At the same time, he discovered and measured NGC 1267, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278.
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NGC 1269 = NGC 1291 = ESO 301-002 = MCG -07-07-008 = PGC 12209
03 17 18.2  -41 06 26; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1291.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1269 = h2518 on 1 Nov 1836, and logged "vB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"."  On the same sweep he found NGC 1291 = h2521 and strangely he recorded identical declinations and almost identical descriptions!  Could he have reobserved the same object unknowingly?  In MN, Vol 62, p469, Innes comments "not visible in the 7-inch [at the Cape of Good Hope].  This is perhaps the same as NGC 1291, observed by John Herschel on the same night.  JH gives for the latter exactly the same declination and description as for h2518."  Pietro Baracchi also searched for NGC 1269 unsuccessfully with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 16 Feb 1888.  The most reasonable conclusion is Herschel recorded this object twice and NGC 1269 = NGC 1291.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1270 = UGC 2660 = MCG +07-07-057 = CGCG 540-095 = LGG 088-006 = PGC 12350
03 18 58.1  +41 28 13; Per
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 15°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly small, round, ~0.9' diameter, fairly high surface brightness, increases to the center, thin fainter halo.  In the central core of AGC 426 with the trio of NGC 1267, 1268 and CGCG 540-089 immediately west and NGC 1272 4.5' ENE.  PGC 12358, just 1.2' E, was faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, ~18" diameter, very faint stellar nucleus.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright core.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 with NGC 1267 2.6' W, NGC 1268 2.7' WNW and NGC 1272 4.4' ENE.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, weak concentration.  Last of four in a small group in the core of AGC 426 with NGC 1267 2.5' W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1270 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory and placed it 14 seconds of time following NGC 1267.  At the same time, d'Arrest discovered nearby NGC 1267, 1268, 1272, 1273 and 1278.  Dreyer measured a micrometric offset from NGC 1272 in 12 Dec 1876.  Dreyer found this galaxy again on 11 Sep 1888 and reported it as new in his 8th list.  Dreyer correctly assumed Sw. 8-30 was a reobservation of one of the earlier discoveries in the cluster, so didn't assign it an IC designation.
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NGC 1271 = CGCG 540-096 = PGC 12367
03 19 11.3  +41 21 12; Per
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.35';  PA = 123°

17.5" (8/12/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Member of AGC 426.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1271 = Big. 21 on 14 Nov 1884, recording "mag 13.5, 20" diameter, no nucleus."  His position is just off the south edge of CGCG 540-096 = PGC 12367.
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NGC 1272 = UGC 2662 = MCG +07-07-058 = CGCG 540-098 = LGG 091-003 = PGC 12384
03 19 21.3  +41 29 27; Per
V = 11.8;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; bright, fairly large (largest in AGC 426!), round, ~2' diameter.  Strongly concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to the center but no central pip.  The surface brightness of the core is lower than NGC 1275, which is 5' ENE.

PGC 12387, located 3.7' S, appeared faint, small, elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 0.3'x0.1'.
PGC 12409, located 3.0' E, appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  Collinear with two stars 0.9' NNW (mag 11.6) and 1.5' NNW (mag 14.5).

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core.  This galaxy is the second brightest in AGC 426 and forms the SW vertex of a distinctive parallelogram of brighter galaxies with NGC 1275 5' ENE, NGC 1273 3.1' NNE and NGC 1278/1277 7.5' NE.  Also located midway between NGC 1275 and NGC 1270 4.4' WSW.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core.  

8" (1/1/84): extremely faint and small, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1272 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  He estimated a size of 45"-50" diameter and measured the position on 2 nights (27 seconds preceding NGC 1275).  The same night he found NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1273 and 1278.
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NGC 1273 = MCG +07-07-059 = CGCG 540-099 = LGG 088-029 = PGC 12396
03 19 26.7  +41 32 26; Per
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; relatively bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, very small bright nucleus.  One of a dozen galaxies logged within 8'!  Forms the NW vertex of a trapezoid with NGC 1272, 1274 and 1275 and at the midpoint of NGC 1272 3' SSW and CGCG 540-101 3' NNE.  CGCG 540-101 (misidentified as IC 1907 in RC3 and PGC) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter.  An equilateral triangle of mag 14 stars is close south.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms the NW vertex of a parallelogram of brighter galaxies in the core of AGC 426 with NGC 1272 3.1' SSW, NGC 1275 4.4' ESE, and NGC 1278 5.3' ENE.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small.  Located 4.4' WNW of NGC 1275 in the core of AGC 426.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1273 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  His position (measured on 2 nights) matches CGCG 540-099 = PGC 12396.  The same night he discovered NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1272 and 1278.
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NGC 1274 = MCG +07-07-062 = CGCG 540-102 = PGC 12413
03 19 40.5  +41 32 55; Per
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 43°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 25"x15", slightly brighter nucleus.  Located in the center of an oval ring of galaxies in the core of AGC 426.  The four nearest are NGC 1278 2.7' NE, NGC 1275 2.6' SE, NGC 1273 2.6' WSW and CGCG 540-101 2.2' NW!  The latter galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter.  An equilateral triangle of mag 14 stars is close south.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, weak concentration, slightly elongated.  Located in the dense central core of AGC 426 just 2.7' NW of NGC 1275 and 2.6' E of NGC 1273.

CGCG 540-101 = PGC 12405, which is misidentified as IC 1907 in MCG, PGC and RC3, lies 2.3' NW.  It appeared very faint, small, round.  A small triangle of stars is close south.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, very small. Located 2.7' NW of NGC 1275 within AGC 426.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1274 on 13 Dec 1874 and labeled it as "d" on his sketch.  The sketch and micrometric offset from a nearby star matches CGCG 540-102 = PGC 12413.  This galaxy is identified as IC 1907 (discovered by Bigourdan on 22 Oct 1884 and included in list IV-375).  But Harold Corwin equates IC 1907 with NGC 1278 (see that number). Thomson has a long discussion on the identify of IC 1907 in his IC survey.
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NGC 1275 = UGC 2669 = MCG +07-07-063 = CGCG 540-103 = Perseus A = 3C 84 = PGC 12429
03 19 48.1  +41 30 43; Per
V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 110°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; bright, fairly large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, ~1.6'x1.3'.  Divided into three distinct zones; sharply concentrated with a strong bright core, a prominent quasi-stellar nucleus and a halo that gradually fades out. Similar or slightly smaller in size to NGC 1272, but with a higher surface brightness core/nucleus.  A mag 13.8 star is just off the NW side.  A dozen members of AGC 426 were logged within 5' of NGC 1275!  The closest is PGC 12441, 1.5' NE of center.

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval ~E-W, small bright core.  NGC 1275 is a Seyfert galaxy and is the largest and brightest member of AGC 426.  Surrounded by a swarm of faint galaxies in the core including NGC 1272 5.2' WSW, NGC 1273 4.4' WNW, NGC 1274 2.6' NW, NGC 1277 3.7' NNE, NGC 1278 3.3' NNE, NGC 1279 2.8' SE, NGC 1281 7.8' NNE.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright, fairly small, small bright core.  

8" (1/1/84): faint but not difficult, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.

6" (10/24/87): extremely faint and small, round.  Used a 6" mask on the 17.5".

William Herschel discovered NGC 1275 = H. II-603 = h293 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614). His decription reads, "pretty bright, stellar [nebula], or a pretty considerable star with a small, very faint chevelure [halo]."  Earlier in the same sweep, he discovered NGC 910, one of the central and brightest members of galaxy cluster Abell 347.  Less than two minutes later he found the NGC 1293/94 pair.  These were the the only three galaxies he discovered in the Perseus Galaxy Cluster (Abell 426). He included a sketch in the 1811 PT publication (fig. 41) as representative of the class of stellar nebulae.

John Herschel made a single observation on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182) and measured an accurate position.  Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stone observed NGC 1275 on 16 Dec 1848 and noted "A multitude of nebs. knots in the neighborhood, principally preceding; counted 15; many more."

Heinrich d'Arrest observed the cluster on 14 Feb 1863 (discovering NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278) and described NGC 1275 as a "nebula duplex", the second component being NGC 1278 about 3' NE, so d'Arrest was the first to observe NGC 1278.  But he wasn't sure which of the two nebulae was NGC 1275 (H. II-603), so reported his observation of NGC 1275 as new and noted for NGC 1278: "II 603? [h]293?".  John Herschel credited d'Arrest with the discovery of GC 675 (later NGC 1278), but Dreyer thought Herschel discovered NGC 1278 and he mistakenly assigned d'Arrest's discovery to NGC 1275.  Steinicke agrees (personal e-mail) that Dreyer reversed the discovery credits and descriptions for NGC 1275 and NGC 1278 in the NGC and concludes:
NGC 1275 = II 603 = h 293 = GC 674, discovered by WH on 17 Oct 1786 and observed by d'Arrest on 14 Feb 1863.
NGC 1278 = GC 675, discovered by d'Arrest on 14 Feb 1863 and independently by Bigourdan on 22 Oct 1884 (IC 1907).

NGC 1275 contains a Sy2 nucleus and is one of the 6 original galaxies studied by Seyfert in his seminal 1943 paper "Nuclear Emission in Spiral Nebulae".  It is a powerful radio source (Perseus A)
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NGC 1276
03 19 51.2  +41 38 31; Per

= **, Corwin.  = PGC 12430, Malcolm Thomson and RNGC.  Below are my notes for PGC 12430 at 03 19 47.8 +41 35 47.

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  In the central core of the Perseus galaxy cluster 2.8' NNE of NGC 1273 and 3.9' WNW of NGC 1278.

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 on a line with NGC 1277 and NGC 1278 2' SE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1276 on 12 Dec 1876 while measured positions within the cluster.  From NGC 1278, his micrometric offset is 291" in PA 352.3° (or 3.5 seconds of RA west and 4.8' north).  There is no galaxy close to this offset, but at 4.7' separation in PA 353° is a 15" pair of stars that Corwin identifies as NGC 1276.  I'm surprised Dreyer didn't resolve this pair, though perhaps he thought one component was nebulous.

Malcolm Thomson suggested PGC 12430 as a possible match though the offsets are 6 seconds of RA west of NGC 1278 and only 2' N.  Karl Reinmuth stated in his 1926 monograph, "not found [on a Heidelberg plate] in Dreyer's place; perhaps 1.6' nnp of NGC 1277."  Reinmuth also refers to PGC 12430, but no simple error in Dreyer's offsets lands of this galaxy. RNGC also appears to identify PGC 12430 as NGC 1276.
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NGC 1277 = MCG +07-07-064 = CGCG 540-104 = LGG 088-007 = PGC 12434
03 19 51.5  +41 34 25; Per
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 92°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, fairly high surface brightness, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a "double" with NGC 1278" just 45" SE between centers.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, oval ~E-W, small bright core.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 3.7' N of NGC 1275 and forms a close pair with NGC 1278 0.8' SE.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, extremely small.  Located 0.8' NW of NGC 1278.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1277 = Sw. 8-32 on 4 Dec 1875.  Dreyer independently found the galaxy a year later on 12 Dec 1876 and both observations are included in Dreyer's GC Supplement (5304 = 5305).  Dreyer equated the GC entries in the NGC.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 14 Sep 1888 and reported it as new as the 32nd nebula in his 8th list, writing "eeeF; vS; R; close D[ouble] with 1276; M[iddle] of 3 in line; 1271, 73, 76, 78 in field".  His position is within 1' of NGC 1277 and the description applies, except it forms a close double with NGC 1278.  Dreyer didn't assign an IC designation to Sw. 8-32, apparently correctly deciding it was a duplicate.  Unfortunately, Sw. 8-31 didn't receive an IC designation either, although it applies to PGC 12430 (described as "one of 3 in a line").
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NGC 1278 = IC 1907 = UGC 2670 = MCG +07-07-065 = CGCG 540-105 = PGC 12438
03 19 54.1  +41 33 48; Per
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 85°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 40" diameter, bright core, gradually increases to center.  Slightly brighter than NGC 1277, which is off the northwest side [50" from center].  PGC 12436, off the SSW edge [52" from center], was glimpsed as an extremely faint, round spot, 10" diameter.

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval, small bright core.  Located in the central core of AGC 426.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1277 0.8' NW with V Zw 339 1.4' ESE.  NGC 1278 is situated at the NE corner of a parallelogram with NGC 1275 3.4' SSW, NGC 1272 7.5' SW and NGC 1273 5.3' WSW.  V Zw 339 appeared extremely faint and small, round.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small.  Located 3.4' N of NGC 1275 and forms a close pair with NGC 1277.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1278 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  William Herschel is credited with the discovery in the NGC, but H. II-603 and h293 should apply to NGC 1275 instead, as well as the description "pB, pS, R, bM".  Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 22 Oct 1884 and reported it in his 4th Comptes Rendus list as Big. 375 (later IC 1907).  Both d'Arrest and Bigourdan missed nearby NGC 1277. See notes on NGC 1275 for more on the confusion of NGC 1275 and 1278.
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NGC 1279 = PGC 12448 = PGC 12449
03 19 59.0  +41 28 47; Per
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 0°

17.5" (8/12/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Visible continuously with averted vision.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 just 2.8' SE of NGC 1275!  This galaxy is not listed in MCG, CGCG or RC3 and was incorrectly identified in the PGC.

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S.

13.1" (1/28/84): extremely faint, very small, near visual threshold.  Located 2.8' SE of NGC 1275.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1279 on 12 Dec 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle. He simply logged "vF, vS" and measured a micrometric offset from a star between NGC 1275 and NGC 1272 at 272.4" in PA 104.5°.  At this precise offset (270" in PA 105°) is PGC 12448 = PGC 12449 (duplicate entries in the PGC).  The PGC (and secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentifies PGC 12450 = V Zw 338 as NGC 1279.  The current versions of HyperLEDA and NED have the correct identification.
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NGC 1280 = UGC 2652 = MCG +00-09-050 = PGC 12262
03 17 57.1  -00 10 09; Cet
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1280 = St. 12-25 on 30 Nov 1877.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 19 Dec 1881 with his description reading, "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle, seems resolvable."
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NGC 1281 = MCG +07-07-067 = CGCG 540-108 = PGC 12458
03 20 06.1  +41 37 48; Per
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 68°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 30"x24", sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core that has a high surface brightness.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.0' WSW. Located 4.6' NNE of NGC 1278 in the core of AGC 426.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE.  Located in the central core of AGC 426 1.0' NE of a mag 10 star.  NGC 1275 lies 7.8' SSW.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1281 on 12 Dec 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle and noted "vF, S, *11m 1' p".  With respect to NGC 1278 (incorrectly identified by Dreyer as h674), this object was placed 10.8 seconds of RA east and 239" N.  This micrometric offset points exactly at CGCG 540-108 = PGC 12458 and the description matches.
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NGC 1282 = UGC 2675 = MCG +07-07-068 = CGCG 540-109 = PGC 12471
03 20 12.1  +41 22 01; Per
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 25°

17.5" (8/12/88): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1283 2' NNE in the core of AGC 426.  NGC 1275 lies 10' NW.

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, slightly brighter core.  Located 1' E of a mag 13.5 star.

13.1" (1/8/84): faint, fairly small, diffuse halo. Located 10' SE of NGC 1275.  Forms a pair with NGC 1283.

Édouard Stephan probably discovered NGC 1282 = Big. 22 on 29 Nov 1875.  His rough, unpublished position was 2' SE of center, similar to his other positional errors.  He didn't follow up with an accurate position and publish the discovery, so did not receive recognition in the NGC.  Guillaume Bigourdan rediscovered it on 23 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory.  His description reads, "mag 13.2-13.3, 20" diameter, faint stellar ncl."
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NGC 1283 = UGC 2676 = MCG +07-07-069 = CGCG 540-110 = PGC 12478
03 20 15.5  +41 23 55; Per
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 70°

17.5" (8/12/88): faint, small, round.  A pair of stars are close north.

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 13.5 star 1' N and a mag 14 star 1' NNW.  This member of AGC 426 forms a pair with NGC 1282 2' SSW.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1283 = Big. 23 on 23 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, reporting "mag 13.4, 20" diamewter, very little brighter middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1284 = MCG -02-09-022 = PGC 12247
03 17 45.5  -10 17 20; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A wide mag 13.5/14.5 double at 26" lies 2' SSE.  Located 9.8' NNW of mag 7.1 SAO 148889.  Appears fainter than listed V = 12.1.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1284 = H. III-956 = h2519 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1087) and noted "vF, vS, 2 or 3' north of 2 small stars.". His position matches MCG -02-09-022 = PGC 12247.
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NGC 1285 = MCG -01-09-026 = PGC 12259
03 17 53.4  -07 17 54; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 35°

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak broad concentration but no defined core.  Slightly mottled or irregular surface brightness.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1285 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  His single position is just off the east side of the galaxy.
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NGC 1286 = MCG -01-09-025 = PGC 12250
03 17 48.5  -07 37 01; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

18" (11/23/05): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very small bright core.  A mag 15 star is just of the west side, ~40" from the center.  Located 4.9' ENE of mag 9.7 SAO 130402 and 3.4' NNW of a mag 10.4 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1286 = Sw. 3-25 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 7 sec  of RA east of MCG -01-09-025 = PGC 12250.
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NGC 1287 = PGC 12310
03 18 33.4  -02 43 51; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Located 9' NW of mag 7.1 SAO 130415.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1287 = H. III-195 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF, eS, verified with 240 power."  His RA is 13 seconds too large. Heinrich d'Arrest noted the error and his mean position (3 nights) is close off the northeast edge of the galaxy.
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NGC 1288 = ESO 357-013 = MCG -05-08-025 = PGC 12204
03 17 13.2  -32 34 34; For
V = 12.1;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 178°

17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 2.0'x1.5', broad concentration with no distinct.  The surface brightness appears somewhat uneven (face-on Sb) although the outer halo fades smoothly into the background.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1288 = h2520 on 19 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 2.5' diam."  His position and description is accurate.  Lewis Swift saw the galaxy as "considerably elongated in the meridian [N-S].  It is not round as Sir J. Herschel says."

NGC 1288 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "Close 2-branch spiral, diameter 1', stellar nucleus."
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NGC 1289 = IC 314 = UGC 2666 = MCG +00-09-054 = CGCG 390-055 = PGC 12342
03 18 49.8  -01 58 24; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, better than average surface brightness, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 E-W, strong concentration with a prominent core that increases to a stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, broad concentration to a brighter core.  An 8' line of four mag 11-13 stars oriented SW-NE follows; the closest is a mag 11 star 3.6' ESE.  NGC 1298 lies 22' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1289 = Sw. 4-13 on 1 Sep 1886 and recorded "vF; S; R; 4 st following in a row.".  His position was 11 seconds of RA west of UGC 2666 but his description of the 4 stars applies so the identity is not in doubt.  Bigourdan found this galaxy again on 14 Dec 1887 and measured an accurate position for Big. 140 (later IC 134).  So, NGC 1289 = IC 314, with discovery priority to Swift.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, measured an accurate micrometric position for NGC 1289 and reported "the "4 st following" are of about mag 10, and are not close together, the farthest being perhaps 10' from the nebula."  As only one galaxy was found on plates taken with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan observatory in 1927-31, the 1935 bulletin reported NGC 1289 didn't exist.
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NGC 1290 = PGC 12395
03 19 25.2  -13 59 23; Eri
V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Located 1.3' SE of a mag 13.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 1295 9' due east.  The identifications of NGC 1290 and NGC 1295 are reversed in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1290 = LM 1-101 (along with NGC 1295 = LM 1-102) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) but 1.2 tmin of RA east is PGC 12395.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

RNGC and MCG misidentify MCG -02-09-030 as NGC 1290.  The correct identification is NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030.
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NGC 1291 = NGC 1269 = ESO 301-002 = MCG -07-07-008 = PGC 12209
03 17 18.2  -41 06 26; Eri
V = 8.5;  Size 9.8'x8.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 156°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; extremely bright, large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x2.7', very bright core with an intense nucleus.  A mag 12.2 star is superimposed at the N edge [1.7' from center] and a second very faint star is on the halo on the south side.  The huge outer ring was not noticed.

17.5" (8/31/86): very bright, fairly large, contains a very bright, large core.  A mag 12 star is just off the north end 1.7' from the center.  Mag 8 SAO 216239 lies 11' SSW.  Viewed at only 10° elevation.

13.1" (10/10/86): very bright, moderately large, round, very bright core, almost stellar nucleus, large faint halo.  A star is involved on the north side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1291 = D 487 = h2521 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and recorded "a pretty bright round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, very bright and condensed to the centre, and very faint at the margin; with a very small star about 1' north, but not involved.".  His single position was 4' too far ESE.  Probably due to a clerical error, John Herschel included two entries for this galaxy in his Cape Catalogue from his observation on 1 Nov 1836 - namely, h2521 (later NGC 1291) and h2518 (later NGC 1269).  The RA for h2518 was 2.6 minutes of time too small, though otherwise the two entries are essentially identical and neither he nor Dreyer caught the error.  In 1901 Robert Innes was unable to find NGC 1269 with the 7" refractor at Cape Town and he first suggested it was identical to NGC 1291. 

On sweep 754 (5 Dec 1836), John Herschel described NGC 1291 as "Globular; vB, R, 1st gradually, then suddenly very mbM; r, mottled, but not resolved."   In a 1908 paper in Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, Solon Bailey (director of the Boyden Observatory at Arequipa from 1893 to 1919) expressed his doubt on the object's nature: "This object is given as a globular cluster in the NGC.  This appears probable, although it is not resolved on the [24"] Bruce plates [at Arequipa]."  He later included it in a list of uncertain or not probable globular star clusters.  In 1915, Melotte noted that it "appears as a diffuse star, or bright nebula, with some surrounding faint nebula" (based on the Franklin-Adams plates). Photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt between 1914 and 1916 revealed only "structureless nebulosity."

Photographs taken around 1920 with the 30-inch reflector at the Cordoba observatory in Argentina revealed the large outer ring.  Based on the image, Charles Perrine described NGC 1291 as "probably a spiral nebula of exceptional interest" with "a large apparently disconnected ring"...about one and one-half turns of a helix, the doubled portion (showing two streams) being to the north of the nuclear portion of the nebula.  The diameter of the helix is about 7'. The diameter or perhaps major axis at right angles to the major axis of the center portion is 10'."
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NGC 1292 = ESO 418-001 = MCG -05-08-026 = PGC 12285
03 18 14.8  -27 36 37; For
V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 7°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, bright core.  A group of four stars lies to the north includes a mag 11 double star at 24" separation 3' NE, a third mag 11 star 4.4' NNE and a mag 12 star 3' due north.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1292 in Nov 1885 with the 6" Cooke refractor at Vanderbilt University.  His position and description in Sidereal Messenger 5, p25 ("rather faint, moderate size, elongated nearly north and south, just south and slightly preceding a small wide double-star") is accurate.
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NGC 1293 = MCG +07-07-075 = CGCG 540-116 = PGC 12597
03 21 36.4  +41 23 35; Per
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 1294 2' SSE.  Member of AGC 426.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1293 = H. III-574 = h294, along with NGC 1294, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614).  He described both as "Two. Both very faint, stellar, very little brighter middle, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest."  Less than two minutes earlier he had recorded NGC 1275.  This was his only sweep through the cluster and netted just these three galaxies.

John Herschel made an observation on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182): "extremely faint; round; bright middle; the north preceding of two [with NGC 1294]."  He made an error computing the declination, but his identifications are clear.
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NGC 1294 = UGC 2694 = MCG +07-07-076 = CGCG 540-117 = PGC 12600
03 21 40.0  +41 21 36; Per
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 167°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1293 2' NNW.  Member of AGC 426.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1294 = H. III-575 = h295, along with NGC 1293, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614).  He logged them together as "Two.  Both very faint, stellar, very little brighter middle, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest."  John Herschel mistaenly called this galaxy the "north-following of two" on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182).
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NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030 = PGC 12465
03 20 03.3  -13 59 54; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.3' NW.  Located 3' WSW of a mag 10.3 star and 8' N of mag 9 SAO 148906.  Forms a pair with NGC 1295 9' due east.  The identifications of NGC 1290 and NGC 1295 are reversed in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1295 = LM 1-102 (along with NGC 1290 = I-101) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His description reads "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, *10 3.0' in PA 75° (ENE)."  There is nothing at Stone's rough position (nearest minute of RA) but 1 min of RA east is MCG -02-09-030 = PGC 12465 and the star is just where he placed it.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 1290 in RNGC and MCG.
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NGC 1296 = MCG -02-09-025 = PGC 12341
03 18 49.7  -13 03 44; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 0°

17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration.  At 280x, there is a hint of structure or possibly a very faint star is attached.  The DSS image shows a barred spiral with spiral arms attached at the east and west ends of the bar.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1296 = LM 1-365 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting "0.2' diam, R".  His position is 34 tsec of RA east of MCG -02-09-025 = PGC 12341.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.
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NGC 1297 = ESO 547-030 = MCG -03-09-017 = LGG 090-001 = PGC 12373
03 19 14.2  -19 06 00; Eri
V = 11.8;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 3°

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright with a large faint halo nearly 2' diameter, broadly concentrated halo, small bright nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is at the north edge 1' NNE of center.  Companion of NGC 1300, which lies 20' SSE.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1297 around Jan 1885 with his 5-inch Byrne refractor while sweeping comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, p53 and The Observatory 8, p123).  He called it "small, round, and very much brighter, somewhat suddenly, in the centre.  Rather faint from its generally low altitude.  It is south following a 9th mag star by 1 1/4'. This nebula is 20'± north preceding a larger nebula.  I have taken this latter nebula to be [NGC 1300], with an error of one degree in declination."
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NGC 1298 = UGC 2683 = MCG +00-09-062 = CGCG 390-063 = PGC 12473
03 20 13.1  -02 06 51; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 70°

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  NGC 1289 lies 22' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1298 on 4 Jan 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  His position (observed on 2 nights) is very good and he accurately measured a mag 13-14 star that precedes by 8 seconds of time.  The MCG misidentifies MCG +00-09-063 as NGC 1298.
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NGC 1299 = MCG -01-09-028 = PGC 12466
03 20 09.6  -06 15 45; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, irregular surface brightness.  A bright knot or possibly a star is superimposed at the NE end.  The galaxy appears to extend out from the pointed NE corner towards the SW.  MCG +01-09-027 lies 14' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1299 = H. II-287 = h296 on 27 Jan 1785, logging it as "F, vS, little extended, easily resolvable, unequally bright."  On 15 Dec 1786 (sweep 650) he noted "vF, pS, E."

NGC 1299 was observed 9 times at Birr Castle, perhaps trying to resolve it.  The earliest was by assistant George Johnstone Stoney on 19 Dec 1848 and noted as "gradually brighter in the middle; E [southwest-northeast]."
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NGC 1300 = ESO 547-031 = MCG -03-09-018 = UGCA 66 = LGG 090-002 = PGC 12412
03 19 41.0  -19 24 40; Eri
V = 10.4;  Size 6.2'x4.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 106°

48" (10/25/14 and 10/29/16): the northern spiral arm is brightest and thickest in the 1' section, oriented SW-NE, where it attaches to the bar.  At 375x and 488x at least three knots (HII complexes) were clearly resolved along this region.  The brightest knot is on the SW end (close to the end of the bar) and appears as a very faint, small, elongated glow, ~12"x8".  This HII complex contains NGC 1300:[H69] 16/19 from Paul Hodge's 1969 "HII Regions in 20 Nearby Galaxies".  [H69] 15, the next brightest knot, is 0.3' NE and appeared very faint and small, ~8" diameter.  Finally, [H69] 14, the faintest knot, is near the NE end of this arm segment (~15" NE of [H69] 15) and is extremely faint and small, 6" diameter.  The northern arm appears to fade out as it extends east (north of the core) but reappears along the eastern end of the arm.

The root of the southern arm at the east end of the bar is brighter and thicker, but no HII regions were resolved.  The long southern arm could be traced the full length (nearly 4') sweeping west and arcing north on its western half. A small, weak knot is at the very tip, which is 2.5' W of center (on line with the bar).

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): beautiful classic barred spiral at 303x!  A prominent 3' bar runs WNW-ESE and contains a very bright, roundish 1' core that gradually brightens to the center.  An easily visible arm is attached at the east end of the bar.  It hooks sharply to the west on the south side, gradually curling towards the north.  The arm has a fairly even surface brightness except where is attaches to the bar in a brighter, thicker section.  It ends nearly due west of the core [2.2' from center].  An opposing arm is attached at the west end of the bar and is brightest initially along a clumpy section (containing at least 2 resolved knots) angling from southwest to northeast.  The central section of the northern arm (directly north of the core) has a very low surface brightness but it brightens in a thin section near the east end. The two main arms extend at least 4.5'x3' ~E-W

48" (10/25/11): this prototype barred spiral was mesmerizing at 375x.  Running roughly E-W through the center is a long bright bar, ~3' in length.  The center is sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 1' core that continues to increase to a stellar nucleus.  At the W end of the bar, a fairly bright arm emerges and hooks back dramatically to the east (counterclockwise) to the north of the bar and continues to the northeast end of the galaxy.  The arm is brightest in a thick arc, oriented SW-NE, where it attaches to the bar.  The central section of the arm to the north of the core is slightly fainter and then brightens slightly on its northeast end.  A mag 15.5-16 star is superimposed in the gap between this arm and the core, 45" NE of center.  The second arm emerges at the E end of the bar and is brightest initially in a fairly thick arc extending counterclockwise to the southwest.  This arm is slightly more separated from the core as it gracefully curves to the southwest side of the galaxy.  The two main arms increase the overall size of the galaxy to 5'x3' WNW-ESE.

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly bright, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A spiral arm is visible at the west end of the central bar curving to the north.  NGC 1297 lies 20' NNW.

8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, low surface brightness, diffuse.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1300 = h2522 on 11 Dec 1835, recording "B; vL; 1st very gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 3' l; 2' b; mE. (N.B. These dimensions can only refer to the brighter portions.)" His second descriptions reads: "pF, vL; 1st gradually then pretty suddenly brighter middle to a faint nucleus; much extended 8' or 10' l, 2' b.".  Herschel's position (2 observations) in his Cape Catalogue is accurate but in his General Catalogue he made a clerical error so the position for GC 689 = NGC 1300 is 1° too far south.  Barnard caught this error (Sidereal Messenger 4, p125) and Dreyer corrected the position while compiling the NGC.

NGC 1300 was missed by William Herschel - the closest galaxies he discovered were NGC 1331 and 1332, which are 2.5° SE.  It was also never observed at Birr Castle, allthough a few galaxies from -20° to -21° dec were logged (only 16° altitude on the meridian).
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NGC 1301 = ESO 547-032 = MCG -03-09-022 = PGC 12521
03 20 35.4  -18 42 58; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 2.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 140°

17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 15 star lies 1.7' NNW of center. Located 30' NW of NGC 1297 and 44' NNW of NGC 1300.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1301 = LM 1-103 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, logging "mag 13.0, iF, vmE 135°."  His rough position is 13' NW of  ESO 547-032 = PGC 1252, but there is no question about the identification as the position angle matches this galaxy.
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NGC 1302 = ESO 481-020 = MCG -04-08-058 = LGG 086-004 = PGC 12431
03 19 51.0  -26 03 37; For
V = 10.7;  Size 3.9'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 172°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, compact, oval ~N-S, small very bright core.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.9' NE of center.  NGC 1201 and 1302 are the brightest members of the LGG 086 group.

8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, bright core, fairly small, round.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1302 around Jan 1885 with his 5-inch Byrne refractor while sweeping for comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, p53 and The Observatory 8, p123).  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1303 = MCG -01-09-029 = PGC 12527
03 20 40.8  -07 23 40; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 30"x25".  The halo suddenly brightens to a sharp 5" nucleus.  A mag 15 star is just off the southeast side 20" from center.  Forms the northern vertex of an isosceles triangle with  mag 9.7 SAO 130433 6' SSE and mag 10.1 SAO 130427 6' WSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1303 on 28 Oct 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position matches MCG -01-09-029 = PGC 12527 and his comment that "two or three stars are involved" refers to a star right along the eastern edge and probably the nucleus.
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NGC 1304 = NGC 1307 = MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12575
03 21 12.8  -04 35 03; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1304 = H. III-444 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and logged  "eF, pS, E.".  His position (reduced by Auwers) is just 3 sec of RA east and 2' S of MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12575.  Corwin suggests that NGC 1307, discovered by Francis Leavenworth (II-366) in 1886 is probably a duplicate observation of PGC 12575.  Leavenworth's position is 1.0 tmin east (a common error), though his note of a "*9.5 f 8s, north 3'." does not match.  But there is a mag 11.5-12 star 6 sec of RA west and 3.2' W, which might be Leavenworth's star.
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NGC 1305 = UGC 2697 = MCG +00-09-069 = CGCG 390-072 = PGC 12582
03 21 23.0  -02 19 01; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S.  A faint mag 15.5 star is 30" off the NE edge and 0.9' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1305 on 4 Jan 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen, logging it as "pB, R, 20" diam, *15 near the northern end."  His position is 1' too far north.
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NGC 1306 = ESO 481-023 = PGC 12559
03 21 03.0  -25 30 45; For
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter.  Weak, even concentration to a slightly brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 17' WNW of mag 6.5 SAO 168493.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1306 = LM 1-103 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.8, vS, gradually brighter in the middle, no Nucl, *10.5 4' E."  His rough position matches ESO 481-023 = PGC 12559.  There is no star as bright as mag 10.5 to the east, but a mag 12.5 star 3.3' NE may be the intended star.  The RA was corrected in Robert Baker's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1307 = NGC 1304 = MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12637
03 21 12.8  -04 35 03; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

See observing notes for NGC 1304.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1307 = LM 2-366 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, reporting "mag 15.3, 0.2' diam, R, *9.5 follows 8 sec, north 3'."  Close to his discovery position is KUG 319-47 = PGC 12637, though this galaxy may be too faint to have picked up by Leavenworth.  Corwin suggests that NGC 1307 is identical to NGC 1304, discovered earlier by William Herschel.  This brighter galaxy is 1 tmin of RA west of Leavenworth's position (a common error).  Although there is no star matching Leavenworth's description, Corwin suggests a mag 11.5-12 star 6 tsec of RA west and 3.2' north might be Leavenworth's intended star.  If Leavenworth reversed his directions, then NGC 1307 = NGC 1304.  RNGC calls NGC 1307 nonexistent. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1308 = MCG -01-09-032 = PGC 12643
03 22 28.6  -02 45 27; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located within a small group of four stars including two mag 11 stars 1.5' E and 1.9' NNW, also a pair of mag 13.5 stars lie 2' WSW.  These four stars form an isosceles trapezoid.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1308 = H. II-568 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608), recording "eF, S, iF. In the midst of 3 or 4 stars; the following thereof is the brightest."  His position and description of the nearby stars is an exact match with MCG -01-09-032 = PGC 12643.
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NGC 1309 = MCG -03-09-028 = PGC 12626
03 22 06.3  -15 24 00; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly bright, moderately large, halo gradually increases to brighter middle, faint almost stellar nucleus, well-defined halo slightly elongated SW-NE.  Located 4' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 148921.

8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, small, round.  A mag 8 star is 4' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1309 = H. I-106 = h2523 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451), logging it as "cB, cL, irregularly round, bM, 3' diameter."  John Herschel described it as "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, pos from a * 7 mag = 31°, difference in RA 7.5 sec, * 4' S."
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NGC 1310 = ESO 357-019 = MCG -06-08-004 = LGG 094-001 = PGC 12569
03 21 03.5  -37 06 07; For
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 95°

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, moderately large, the halo is slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.8'x1.4'.  The halo is weakly concentrated to a slightly brighter, 1' round core.  Located 20' WNW of NGC 1316 (Fornax A) and 8' SW of mag 9.4 SAO 194250.  Member of the Fornax I Cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1310 = h2524 on 22 Oct 1835 and reported "vF, R, pL, very little brighter middle; 90 arcsec."  His position is 2' S of ESO 357-019 = PGC 12569.  On a later sweep he called it a globular cluster (three other members of the Fornax cluster were also described as globulars).  In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported it was a probably not a globular cluster, but a nebula, based on a visual observation with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory.
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NGC 1311 = ESO 200-007 = LGG 093-005 = PGC 12460
03 20 07.2  -52 11 11; Hor
V = 13.0;  Size 3.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 40°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 2.2'x0.6', broad concentration with a large, brighter core but no distinct nucleus.  Located 9.5' S of mag 8.4 HD 20916.  Member of the Dorado Group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1311 = h2525 on 24 Dec 1837, recording it as "F, mE in position 37.3 degrees; gradually brighter in the middle, 2' long, 15 arcseconds broad.".  His position and description is accurate.  NGC 1311 and NGC 1356 are included in a list of 46 nebulae recorded on two plates made with the Bruce telescope in October 1898 by DeLisle Stewart (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1899HarCi..38....1P).
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NGC 1312
03 23 41.7  +01 11 05; Tau

= **, Corwin.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 1312 = HN 23 on 16 Dec 1859 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He simply noted "a circular nebulosity", but at his exact position is a double star at 03 23 41.7 +01 11 05 (J2000).  Bigourdan was unable to find this object and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, mentions "perhaps *, ef * ssf vnr."  RNGC, CGCG, UGC, MCG and RC3 all misidentify UGC 2711 as NGC 1312.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1313 = ESO 082-011 = VV 436 = AM 0317-664 = PGC 12286
03 18 16.1  -66 29 53; Ret
V = 8.7;  Size 9.1'x6.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 39°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was the first object I took a look at using the 24" f/3.7 as it was the brightest galaxy I had yet to observe.  I was amazed to find a striking, two-armed barred spiral with obvious bright HII knots in the arms!  At 200x the main body of the galaxy appeared as a bright oval or wide bar ~4.5'x3.5' oriented SSW-NNE with a central bulge.  A relatively short spiral arm emerges from the SSW end and hooks towards the NW.  A brighter, elongated HII knot (cataloged as [PES80] 5/6), ~30"x20", is embedded within this extension.  A mag 15 star is west of the northwest end of this arm.

Just east of the NNE end of the main bar is another brighter HII knot ([PES80] 1), ~30"x15" and oriented E-W.  A faint star (or stellar knot) is less than 1' NW.  This bright HII region is embedded in a diffuse arm that curves gently ESE from the north end of the bar.  After the bright knot, this extension dims but ends at [PES80] 3, a third bright knot ~15" diameter, which is isolated at the end of the arm (nearly due east of the core).  The HII designations are from a 1980 study by Page, Edmunds and Smith in MNRAS, 193, 219.

NGC 1313A = ESO 83-1, located 16' SE, appeared as a fairly small, thin edge-on oriented 4:1 SSW-NNE, ~0.6'x0.15'.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1313 = D 206 = D 207 = D 205? = h2528 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described D 207 as "a faint ill defined nebula about 1 1/2' diameter, round figure, a very minute star south slightly involved in the margin - a bright star about 20' south of the nebula."  His reduced position was 13' too far east but the declination was incorrectly transcribed, so his published position was off by 30'.  D 206 was described as "a faint ill-defined nebula, rather extended in the direction of the meridian [N-S], with several exceedingly minute stars in it."  Finally D 205 was placed 1.4° too far west and 10' small, but the description fits: "a very faint small nebula, north following a pretty bright star [mag 8.7 HD 20533]; a very minute star is between the bright star and the nebula [mag 10 SAO 248769]."

John Herschel only observed this bright galaxy on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and logged "pB, irreg round or little extended, vL, very gradually brighter middle, resolvable, 3'."

Joseph Turner observed and sketched the galaxy on 13 Nov 1878 with the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope (p.194 of logbook).  He sketched the central bar oriented N-S, broader on the south end and tapering on the east end.  Just north of end of the "bar" he sketched a small knot, probably a HII region.  A small elongated patch was seen just east of the north end of the bar, oriented NW-SE (part of the eastern spiral arm).  A symmetric elongated patch was shown just west of the south end, also oriented NW-SE (this is the brightest section of the western arm).

Pietro Baracchi also observed the galaxy on 4 Dec 1885 and wrote, "pB, vL, irregular, pretty much brighter middle. This object is complicated.  It seems to have appendages not quite detached from the main body but alomost separated from it by two very faint portions which seem at first void of nebula, giving a first impression of three detached nebulae, the middle of which is large, elongated due N and S and gradually pretty much brighter middle and the other two, small very faint patches one north and one south of the middle one.  The north one pretty much brighter than the south one - but these three individualities are connected by extremely faint nebulous intervals.  Another extremely faint pretty large round flat object south-preceding [NGC 1313].  I believe this is a new nebula." His sketch includes this object as a diffuse patch labeled as "New?" on the southwest side. At his position is the HII complex [PES80] 8, which is situated between the central part of the galaxy and a mag 10 star 7.6' SW of center. [PES80] 1 is also shown on the sketch as a brighter patch on the NE end of the galaxy.

NGC 1313 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as possibly a "2-branch spiral."
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NGC 1314 = MCG -01-09-033 = PGC 12650
03 22 41.2  -04 11 12; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.8

17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Appears as a low surface brightness glow just north of a mag 12 star [52" from center].

17.5" (1/7/89): not seen.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1314 = LM 2-367 on 18 Jan 1887 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 2.0' diameter, E 170°, mag 10 star with an eF nebula south, *16 in middle?"  There is nothing at his position but 1.1 tmin of RA west is MCG -01-09-033 = PGC 12650, a low surface brightness, face-on spiral, about 1.5' diameter and the RNGC identifies NGC 1314 = PGC 12650.  A mag 12 star is 1' S, so Leavenworth must have reversed his directions (common error).  MCG does not label MCG -01-09-033 as NGC 1314.
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NGC 1315 = ESO 548-003 = MCG -04-09-002 = LGG 097-001 = PGC 12671
03 23 06.6  -21 22 31; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (12/28/00): moderately bright, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.5'x1.3', moderate concentration with a bright core.  Located 21' NW of NGC 1325 in the NGC 1332 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1315 = h2526 on 13 Nov 1835, logging "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcsec."  His position is accurate. The same night he also found NGC 1319, located 15' SE.
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NGC 1316 = Arp 154 = Fornax A = ESO 357-022 = MCG -06-08-005 = PGC 12651
03 22 41.7  -37 12 30; For
V = 8.5;  Size 12.0'x8.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 50°

17.5" (11/26/94): very bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, about 2.5'x1.5'.  Dominated by an intense 40"x30" core which brightens to a non-stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 1317 6.3' N.  Brightest member of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (9/25/81): bright, round, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1317 7' N.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1316 = D 548 = h2527, along with NGC 1317, on 2 Sep 1826.  He described "a rather bright, round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, gradually condensed to the centre."  On 24 Nov 1826, he noted "a group of pretty bright small stars following, which matches NGC 1316.  Dunlop discovered six members of the Fornax cluster, though most (15) were found by John Herschel.

John Herschel first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 (seep 636) and noted "vB; pL; little extended; very small & very much brighter middle to a nucleus 2" in diameter." On 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801) he logged "vB; vL; 4' diameter; 1st gradually, then very suddenly very much brighter towards the middle to a stellar ncl."

NGC 1316 is the brightest member of the Fornax cluster and is also known as Fornax A, one of the closest and most famous radio sources in the southern hemisphere.  Its radio lobes extend several degrees of sky.  Arp classified it as a disturbed galaxy with interior absorption -- like Centaurus A, NGC 1316 contains an extensive system of dust filaments as well as low surface brightness shells and tidal tails, indicating a likely merger.  Four supernovae have exploded since 1980.
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NGC 1317 = NGC 1318 = NGC 1392 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653
03 22 44.4  -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0;  Size 2.8'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 78°

17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, fairly small, 1.2' diameter, even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Forms a bright pair with NGC 1316 6.3' S.  Located at the southwest end of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (9/25/81): faint, small, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1316 7' S.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1317 = D 547 = h2529, along with NGC 1316, on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta.  He described "a small faint round nebula about 15 arcseconds in diameter." and his position is ~15' too far ENE.  John Herschel first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 and noted "pB, S, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." His second sweep he recorded it as "pB, pL, 1' diameter; a miniature of the last neb. of this sweep."  Julius Schmidt independently found the galaxy on 19 Jan 1865 and thought it was new, because JH made an typo of 20 degrees in NPD for h2529 in the CGH catalogue.  JH corrected the NPD in the addendum of the catalogue, but apparently Schmidt didn't check.
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NGC 1318 = NGC 1317 = NGC 1392 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653
03 22 44.4  -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0;  Size 2.8'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 78°

See observing notes for NGC 1317.

Julius Schmidt found NGC 1318 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory in his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "a" in his table).  His position is almost identical to NGC 1317 = h2529.  Schmidt assumed this nebula was "new" in his 1876 paper since he was working from John Herschel's Cape Catalogue.  In the original listing for h2529, Herschel made an typo of 20 degrees in NPD but he corrected this mistake in the addendum of the catalogue. Apparently Schmidt didn't check his correction list.  Dorothy Carlson and RNGC list this number as "Not Found".
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NGC 1319 = ESO 548-006 = MCG -04-09-003 = PGC 12708
03 23 56.5  -21 31 39; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 27°

17.5" (12/28/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.6'.  Increases to a small brighter core and occasional quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 6.8' due west of NGC 1325!  A mag 14 star lies 0.8' NW of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1319 = h2533 on 13 Nov 1835 and logged it as "F; S; R; bM; 15"; precedes IV-77 [NGC 1325]."  His position matches ESO 548-006 = PGC 12708
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NGC 1320 = MCG -01-09-036 = Mrk 607 = PGC 12756
03 24 48.7  -03 02 33; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 135°

24" (12/17/22): at 327x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1' length, small high surface brightness core. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 1321 1.6' N and furthest south of four in a N-S string with NGC 1322 and 1323.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE, moderate concentration, small bright core, faint halo.  First of four in the field and forms a close pair with NGC 1321 1.7' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1320 = H. III-197 = h298 = h2530, along with NGC 1321, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280).  He described the pair as "Two. Both excessively faint, verified with 240x but with 157x I had but a very distant suspicion of them."  John Herschel made observations from both Slough, England as well as the Cape of Good Hope.
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NGC 1321 = MCG -01-09-035 = Mrk 608 = PGC 12755
03 24 48.6  -03 00 56; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

24" (12/17/22): at 327x; fairly bright, elongated 5:2 E-W, 30"x12", high surface brightness.  Forms a bright pair with NGC 1320 1.7'.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, elongated ~E-W, bright core.  Appears slightly smaller but higher surface brightness than NGC 1320 1.7' S.  Second of four in the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1321 = H. III-196 = h297 = h2531, along with NGC 1320, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280).  He described the pair as "Two. Both eF, verified with 240x but just suspected with 157x."  John Herschel observed the pair from both Slough on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), as well as the Cape of Good Hope on 5 Oct 1831 (sweep 739) .
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NGC 1322 = MCG -01-09-037 = PGC 12761
03 24 54.7  -02 55 09; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

24" (12/17/22): at 327x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 30" diameter, small bright core increases to a very small bright nucleus.  NGC 1323 is 6' N and NGC 1320/1321 pair is ~7' SSW.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Third of four in the field and appears slightly fainter than the NGC 1320/NGC 1321 pair.  NGC 1321 lies 6' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1322 = h2553 on Oct 5 1836 and logged "F, R, bM, 15", the 3rd of three [with NGC 1320 and 1322]."  His position was accurate.
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NGC 1323 = PGC 12764
03 24 56.1  -02 49 19; Eri
V = 15.0;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 85°

24" (12/17/22): at 327x; faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 20"x15".  A mag 14.5 star (close double) is 30" SW of center. Northernmost of four in a 13' N-S string with NGC 1322 5.8' S.  NGC 1320/1321 at the S end lie in the foreground.

17.5" (11/25/87): very faint, extremely small, round.  Located 30" NE of a mag 14 star.  Fourth of four in a group, with two pairs at different separations.  NGC 1322 and 1323 have similar redshifts.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 1323 on 2 Nov 1850 (Saturday) while reobserving the field containing NGC 1320 and 1321.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone, as he visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. The description reads, "suspected neb (or perhaps only a star) with a F* close sp."  It's possible Stoney found this galaxy earlier on 19 Dec 1848. He mentioned a "star or nebula about 2 1/2' north of [NGC 1322].  But the separation is nearly 6' and there is an extremely faint star 2' NNE of NGC 1322, which is more likely the object seen on that date.  The Eridanus quartet was observed a total of 14 times at Birr Castle!
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NGC 1324 = MCG -01-09-038 = PGC 12772
03 25 01.7  -05 44 44; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1324 = H. III-445 = h299 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), logging "vF, pS, E."  On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel noted, "vF; pmE; 20" long, 12" broad."
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NGC 1325 = ESO 548-007 = MCG -04-09-004 = UGCA 70 = LGG 097-002 = PGC 12737
03 24 25.6  -21 32 36; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 4.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 56°

17.5" (12/28/00): bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 3.0'x1.3', broad concentration with a large, brighter core.  A mag 11.5 star is embedded in the northeast end.  The southwest end is better defined and clearly tapers down, giving a lens-like appearance.  The edge of the halo is more ill defined to the northeast of the star.

Second brightest in the NGC 1332 group with NGC 1319 7' W, NGC 1325A 13' NNE, NGC 1315 21' NW and NGC 1332 29' ENE.  NGC 1325A = Holmberg VI appeared faint, large, round, diffuse glow.  Appears ~2' in diameter and brightens slightly but there is no noticeable core.

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, pretty edge-on 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration.  A star is attached at the northeast end and a mag 13.5 star is 1.5' SE of center.  Located in a small group with NGC 1319 6.8' W and NGC 1325A.  NGC 1325A is faint, moderately large, round, but very diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1325 = H. IV-77 = h2534 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091). He described "a star about 9 or 10m with a nebulous ray to the south-preceding side. The ray is about 1.5' long. The star may not be connected with it."  John Herschel described and sketched this galaxy from South Africa on 11 Nov 1835: "A complete telescopic comet; a perfect miniature of Halley's, only the tail is rather broader in proportion; mE; 90" l; the star at the head = 10 mag.  See fig 17, Pl VI."

Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 15 Nov 1875 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 8 1/2).  He noted it appeared "much fainter than Herschel's sketch shows it - It seems to be much altered since he observed it."  Instead of the tip of the galaxy at the brighter star (called "a perfect miniature of Halley's" by Herschel), Turner sketched a thin section of the galaxy, skirting around the start and extending further northeast.
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NGC 1326 = ESO 357-026 = MCG -06-08-011 = LGG 096-008 = PGC 12709
03 23 56.4  -36 27 52; For
V = 10.5;  Size 3.9'x2.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 77°

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, fairly small, round, 1.3' diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core and bright stellar nucleus.  On a line with three mag 13 stars 2.7' and 4.2' WSW and 3.6' to the ENE.  A brighter mag 11 star lies 4.3' NNW.  Located on the SW side of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (9/25/81 and 10/31/81): faint, fairly small, round, bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1326 = h2535 on 29 Nov 1837, recording it as "60" diameter, very small & very much brighter middle to a nucleus, ? a disc."  His position is accurate (on the SE side of the halo).
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NGC 1327 = ESO 481-026 = MCG -04-09-008 = PGC 12795
03 25 23.2  -25 40 46; For
V = 14.7;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 176°

24" (12/1/13): at 260x appeared very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 18"x12".  Visible ~80% of the time with averted.  Situated 2.5' ENE of a mag 10.7 star.  MCG -04-09-010 lies 9.4' ESE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1327 = LM 1-105 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and placed roughly at 03h 25m -25d 41' (2000).  His description simply includes a magnitude of 16.3 for the nucleus, and the comment "neb?".  Southern Galaxy Catalogue, ESO-LV, RC3 and Uranometria 2000 (2nd edition) identify NGC 1327 = ESO 481-026 at 03 25 23.2 -25 40 46 (2000).  This galaxy is within 1 minute of RA and a reasonable match in position and description. 

NGC 1327 was described by Delisle Stewart (based on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901) as "3 very faint stars, close stars, no nebula." ESO/Uppsala also identified a pair of stars with a wider third star about 8' NW of this galaxy as possibly NGC 1327, although they stars are too bright to be Stone's object.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent and it is missing from the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.  See my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1328 = PGC 12805
03 25 39.1  -04 07 30; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 130°

17.5" (11/25/87): faint to fairly faint, very small, round, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4.6' SW of mag 8.7 SAO 130481.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, slightly brighter core.  Located ~5' SW of a mag 8 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1328 = LM 2-368 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 0.5 tmin of RA east of PGC 12805 (typical error made in RA at Leander McCormick).
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NGC 1329 = ESO 548-015 = MCG -03-09-042 = PGC 12826
03 26 02.6  -17 35 29; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Contains a small bright core, ~10" in size and a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 11.5 star lies 4.0' S.  Located 9' NE of mag 9 SAO 148955.  A faint edge-on galaxy (ESO 548-014) is attached to the mag 11.5 star but was not noticed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1329 = h2536 on 11 Dec 1835 and commented "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30 arcsec.". His position matches ESO 548-015 = PGC 12826.
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NGC 1330
03 29 04.1  +41 40 30; Per

24" (2/14/15): at 225x appears as small, fuzzy patch with 1 star often resolving [probably the mag 15 star at the northwest end.  At 375x, a second mag 15.5 star just 15" E was cleanly resolved.  At 450x, a third mag 16 star was resolved.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1330 = St. 12-26, along with NGC 1335, on 13 Oct 1869.  His published micrometric position, which was measured on 14 Dec 1881, is 6' north of NGC 1335 and falls precisely on a group of at least four mag 15.5-16 stars and a couple of fainter ones.  RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 541-014 = PGC 12967 as NGC 1330.  This galaxy is located ~17' S of Stephan's position.  See my RNGC Corrections #2.
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NGC 1331 = IC 324 = ESO 548-019 = MCG -04-09-012 = LGG 097-025 = PGC 12846
03 26 28.3  -21 21 19; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

13.1" (10/10/86): faint, fairly small, almost round.  Forms a physical pair with brighter NGC 1332, just 2' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1331 = H. III-959 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091).  He recorded "The second is close to it [NGC 1332], or about 1 1/2' south following the former; it is very faint, very small."  His single position on this sweep is 22 seconds of RA too small and happens to fall close to ESO 548-016 = PGC 12827, a galaxy too faint to have been seen by Herschel.

Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 26 Nov 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 9) as well as Pietro Baracchi on 7 Jan 1885.

Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 3 Dec 1888 and placed it accurately (B. 142, later IC 324).  Dreyer's wrote in "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", "This [NGC 1331] is IC 324, 11 seconds following, 1.2' S of NGC 1332.  NGC 1331 is to be struck out."  Knox-Shaw identified this galaxy as NGC 1331 (and noted the equivalence with IC 324) in his 1912 "Observations of nebulae", based  on photos with the Reynolds 30" reflector. The RNGC misidentifies ESO 548-016 as NGC 1331.
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NGC 1332 = ESO 548-018 = MCG -04-09-011 = UGCA 72 = LGG 097-003 = PGC 12838
03 26 17.1  -21 20 04; Eri
V = 10.3;  Size 4.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 120°

13.1" (10/10/86): bright, moderately large, very bright core, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.6'.  A faint mag 14-14.5 star is just southwest of the core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1331 = IC 324 2.8' SE (collinear with the major axis).

NGC 1332 is the brightest in a group (LGG 97) that incudes NGC 1315, NGC 1325, NGC 1331 and Holmberg VI (NGC 1325A). The NGC 1332 cluster, along with the NGC 1407 cluster, form the loose Eridanus supergroup or galaxy cluster.

8" (12/6/80): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, bright core, diffuse halo.  NGC 1331 not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1332 = H. I-60 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331).  He logged "very bright, small, little extended, much brighter middle."   He made a second observation using the front view (without a secondary) on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and discovered NGC 1331. He recorded both as "Two, the 1st [NGC 1332] very bright, small bright nucleus with faint branches from np to sf."  The RA order of NGC 1331 and 1332 is reversed in the GC and NGC, despite Herschel's noting that III. 959 (NGC 1331) was 1 1/2' SE of I. 60 (NGC 1332).  So the pair is out of RA order.

Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 26 Nov 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 9) as well as Pietro Baracchi on 7 Jan 1885.
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NGC 1333 = Ced 16 = LBN 741 = vdB 17
03 29 19.7  +31 24 57; Per
Size 9'x7'

18" (1/20/07): fairly large, striking reflection nebula with 10th mag BD+30 549 (B8-type) at the NE end.  The nebula curves to the SW ending in a 1' brighter knot with a very faint star involved near its edge.  A couple of mag 14 stars are superimposed between the mag 10 star and the knot.  The total size is roughly 7'x4'.  The surrounding region (particularly to the north) is nearly starless and clearly affected by dust.  This region has a number of Herbig-Haro objects and is an active star-forming region.

17.5" (2/9/02): bright, interesting reflection nebula at 140x.  Apparently illuminated by a mag 10 star oddly offset at the NE end of the glow.  The appearance is irregular; extending ~10'x6' SW-NE in the general direction of a mag 10 star 11' SW.  The SW extension contains a couple of faint mag 14 stars and ends at a small, brighter knot that appears to surround a very faint star or stars.  The field is oddly void of faint stars and there is a large starless region to the north (this is the dark nebula Barnard 2).

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly bright reflection nebula surrounds a mag 10 star that is offset to the northeast side of the nebula.  This is a large object, about 10'x6' and elongated SW-NE.  There is a bright knot in the southwest end.  Two or three 15th magnitude stars are superimposed. 

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly bright nebula, large, extends SSW of a mag 9.5 star, oval, slightly brighter at the south edge.

Eduard Schönfeld discovered NGC 1333 = Au 17 on 31 Dec 1855 with a 3-inch Fraunhofer refractor at Bonn Observatory while measuring stars for the BD catalogue (NGC 1333 received the number BD +30° 548).  He noted it as a nebulous star.  The discovery was not announced until 1862 in AN 1391 and Auwers included it the same year as #17 in his "Verzeichnis neuer Nebelflecke" (list of new nebulae).  In the meantime Horace Tuttle independently discovered the object on 5 Feb 1859 with a 3-inch comet-seeker and Bond (director of Harvard College) announced it as new in 1859MNRAS..19..224B: "it follows a star of the 9-10 mag by 6 seconds, and is 2' north of it.  It is barely visible in a telescope of 3 in aperture."

In September 1862 d'Arrest noted it was as faint as a Herschel nebula of third class with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen, but since Tuttle's (independent) discovery was made using a 3-inch scope, he thought it might be a variable nebula (a popular topic among visual observers).  Winnecke also took the view that it "must be a new one" as it was listed neither in the Slough catalogue nor Auwers' lists.  Based on all the observations, Schönfeld reached the conclusion this case was a "...striking example of how the visibility of very faint, large diffuse nebulae depends on the magnification, air transparency and adaptation to the dark of the eye, so that, compared with ordinary fixed stars, aperture takes a back seat."

E.E. Barnard swept it up on 2 Oct 1891 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  In logbook #52, he called it a "faint neb'y 2' preceding a small star, 1' diameter."  After checking his position, he identified it as NGC 1333.  In 1914 Barnard photographed the region at Yerkes Observatory and noted the nebula appeared "roundish and not symmetrical with respect to the star - its center seems to be several minutes to the south."  Summarized from Harold Corwin's identification notes and Steinicke's "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".
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NGC 1334 = UGC 2759 = MCG +07-08-018 = CGCG 541-017 = PGC 13001
03 30 01.8  +41 49 57; Per
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 115°

24" (2/14/15): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~0.6'x0.3', broad concentration to a brighter core, which increases to a fairly weak nucleus.  A mag 13.5-14 star is 1.0' NW of center.  A mag 15.5 star is at the eastern end [30" E of center] and a similar star is at the north edge of the core.  Located on the east side of AGC 426.

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the WNW tip.  An extremely faint stellar nucleus seen for moments. NGC 1335 lies 16' SSE.  This is a possible outlying member of AGC 426.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1334 = Sw. 8-37 on 14 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, pL, 35", No nucl. A mag 16 star precedes by 9.6 seconds due west."  His position and description matches UGC 2759 = PGC 13001.  Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 27 Oct 1888 and reported it as #37 in his 8th discovery list.  Dreyer apparently realized the equivalence with NGC 1334 as Sw. 8-37 wasn't assigned an IC designation.  See IC 323, which refers to a triple star found in the same observation.
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NGC 1335 = UGC 2762 = MCG +07-08-019 = CGCG 541-018 = PGC 13015
03 30 19.5  +41 34 22; Per
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 165°

24" (2/14/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 30"x18".  Contains a bright, elongated small core.  Located 3' N of mag 9.0 HD 21566.

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round, an extremely faint star is possibly involved, can just hold steadily with averted.  Located 4' N of mag 8.5 SAO 38888.  NGC 1336 lies 16' NNW.  Possible outlying member of AGC 426.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1335 = St. 12-27, along with NGC 1330, on 13 Oct 1869.  His rough, unpublished position is 13' to the NW of this galaxy, so the identification is not uncertain.  His published micrometric position in list 12 (#27) was reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and is accurate. UGC doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1335.
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NGC 1336 = ESO 358-002 = MCG -06-08-016 = LGG 096-009 = PGC 12848
03 26 32.2  -35 42 50; For
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 22°

18" (12/22/11): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.0'x0.7.  Broad concentration but no distinct core.  Observation may have been through thin clouds.  Located 12' WSW of mag 5.7 Chi 2 and 15' NNE of mag 6.4 Chi 1!

17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:2 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x1.4'.  Gradually increases to a large, brighter core.  Situated within a group of several mag 6 stars and located 13' W of mag 5.7 Chi 2 and 14' NNE of mag 6.4 Chi 1!  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1336 = h2537 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded on his last of 3 observations "vF, little extended, 40 arcsec."  His position matches ESO 358-002 = PGC 12848.
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NGC 1337 = MCG -02-09-042 = PGC 12916
03 28 05.8  -08 23 21; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 5.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 145°

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1337 = Sw. 3-26 on 10 Nov 1885 with his 16" refractor and recorded "vL; vE nearly in meridian; eF."  His position matches  MCG -02-09-042 = PGC 12916, though Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, reported the elongation to be 135°.
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NGC 1338 = MCG -02-09-044 = PGC 12956
03 28 54.5  -12 09 12; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

48" (10/22/11): at 488x this bright, fairly large, roundish galaxy has an interesting structure.  Off center within the glow is a bright "bar" that extends 1' from NW to SE.  The bar contains a small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  Surrounding the bar feature is 1.2' roundish halo, that is more extensive on the SW side but with a noticeably lower surface brightness.  The halo on the NE side of the bar is brighter but smaller.  Located 2.0' W of a mag 10 star and 6' SW of mag 8.8 HD 21634.

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, even surface brightness.  Located 2' W of a mag 10.5 star and 6' SW of mag 8.5 SAO 148982.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1338 = St. 13-24 on 18 Dec 1883.  His published micrometrical position was measured on 15 Dec 1884 and matches MCG -02-09-044 = PGC 12956.
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NGC 1339 = ESO 418-004 = MCG -05-09-004 = LGG 096-003 = PGC 12917
03 28 06.5  -32 17 11; For
V = 11.6;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 172°

18" (12/22/11): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 ~N-S, 0.9'x0.6'.  Has a high surface brightness and evenly increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 6' SE of double star HJ 3578 = 9.2/12.6 at 27".

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, very compact, round, bright core.  An uneven mag 10.5/13 double star at 30" separation lies 6' NW.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1339 = h2538 on 18 Nov 1835 and logged "pB, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 40 arcsec." On a later sweep he noted "B, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle; a double star precedes."  The double star (HJ 3578) is 5.8' NW.
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NGC 1340 = NGC 1344 = ESO 418-005 = MCG -05-09-005 = AM 0326-311 = LGG 096-004 = PGC 12923
03 28 19.1  -31 04 05; For
V = 10.4;  Size 6.0'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 165°

18" (12/22/11): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3'x1.5'.  Contains a very large, faint halo but sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to the center.  Mag 10 SAO 194317 lies 5.5' N and mag 9.6 HD 21668 lies 6' E.

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.0', well concentrated with a very bright 30" round core and a bright stellar nucleus.  Forms an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.7 SAO 194325 6' E and mag 10.4 SAO 194317 5.5' N of center.  Outlying member on the north side of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1340 = h715 on 19 Nov 1835 and logged "vB, little extended, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 45 arcsec".  There is nothing at his position but exactly 10' S is NGC 1344, which was discovered by William Herschel on 9 Oct 1790 and catalogued as H. I-257.  Herschel later observed it again at the Cape.  The equivalence was even suggested in the NGC Notes section.  Swift stated the number should be struck out as he was not able to find it at Herschel's position.  Corwin and ESO equate NGC 1340 = NGC 1344, with NGC 1344 the primary designation.
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NGC 1341 = ESO 358-008 = MCG -06-08-020 = PGC 12911
03 27 58.4  -37 08 58; For
V = 12.3;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 134°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is off the SE end 0.9' from center.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1341 = h2540 on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "F, S, R; has a star 12th mag following."  His position and description matches ESO 358-008 = PGC 12911.

NGC 1341 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "vE at 140°."
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NGC 1342 = Cr 40 = Mel 21 = OCL-401
03 31 36  +37 22; Per
V = 6.7;  Size 14'

17.5" (12/23/92): about 100 stars mag 9-14 in 15' diameter, scattered in chains and loops.  Two mag 8 stars off the NE side are probably field stars, a nice double star is at the west end.  There are several striking star lanes at low power including a long stream oriented E-W.  A line of six stars oriented NW-SE forms the SW side and terminates at an easy double star.  The NW end is near the striking double star (10.4/11.2 at 14".  The field has a large variation of magnitudes.

8": bright, large, scattered, consists of mag 8 stars and fainter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1342 = H. VIII-88 = h301 on 28 Dec 1799 (sweep 1092).  He described "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, about 15' diameter."  This was the last open cluster that he discovered, though it was observed again on 14 Jan 1801 (sweep 1094).
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NGC 1343 = UGC 2792 = MCG +12-04-001 = CGCG 327-005 = VII Zw 8 = PGC 13384
03 37 49.7  +72 34 17; Cas
V = 12.7;  Size 2.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 80°

48" (11/2/13): bright, large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, ~2.2'x1.1', unusually sharply concentrated with a blazing, round core ~0.4' diameter, which is punctuated by a faint stellar nucleus.  Two faint stars [14" separations] are superimposed within the eastern side of the halo and faint spiral arcs were visible in the outer halo.  An extremely faint companion, identified in NED as HFLLZOA G134.74+13.65, was seen as a very low surface brightness patch 1.2' NE of center.  A relatively wide pair of stars (HJ 2190 = 13/14 at 15" separation) is 1' NNW of center.  This is an unusual "nuclear ring" galaxy with intense starburst activity in the ring.

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, fairly small, large brighter core, extremely faint halo elongated 2:1 E-W.  A double star (HJ 2190 = mag 13/14 at 15" separation) is off the NNW edge 1.0' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1343 = H. III-694 = h300 on 11 Oct 1787 (sweep 764) and noted "vF, vS, irr R, bM. 360 confirmed it."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 29 Oct 1831 (sweep 378), "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15".  Close to the double star h 2190."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1344 = NGC 1340 = ESO 418-005 = MCG -05-09-005 = AM 0326-311 = LGG 096-004 = PGC 12923
03 28 19.6  -31 04 05; For
V = 10.4;  Size 6.0'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 165°

18" (12/22/11): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3'x1.5'.  Contains a very large, faint halo but sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to the center.  Mag 10 SAO 194317 lies 5.5' N and mag 9.6 HD 21668 lies 6' E.

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.0', well concentrated with a very bright 30" round core and a bright stellar nucleus.  Forms an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.7 SAO 194325 6' E and mag 10.4 SAO 194317 5.5' N of center.  Outlying member on the north side of the Fornax I cluster (4.9° NNW of NGC 1399).

8" (10/31/81): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1344 = H. I-257 = h2542 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972). He recorded "considerably bright, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle, about 1.5' diameter."  His position was accurate, though for some reason the RA in the NGC is 21 seconds too large.  Precessing the 2000 coordinates back to 1790 equinox, the declination was -31° 48', making NGC 1344 the third most southerly deep sky object (second most southern galaxy after NGC 1366) that Herschel discovered.  The altitude was only 6.6° as it crossed the meridian.

John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 19 Nov 1835 and assumed it was new, but his position was 10' too far north and it was catalogued again as GC 715 = NGC 1340.  So, NGC 1344 = NGC 1340, with NGC 1344 the primary designation.  The RA was corrected in Robert Baker's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1345 = ESO 548-026 = MCG -03-09-046 = UGCA 74 = VV 690 = PGC 12979
03 29 31.7  -17 46 42; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 33°

17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.5'.  Contains a brighter, elongated core.  A trio of mag 9.5-10.5 stars (with nearly equal sides of 4'-5') lies ~5' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1345 = h2541 and noted "vF, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 20 arcsec.". His position is an exact match with ESO 548-026.
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NGC 1346 = MCG -01-09-042 = KUG 0327-057 = PGC 13009
03 30 13.3  -05 32 36; Eri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

24" (11/23/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.45', very small brighter core.    A mag 13.4 star is just 0.6' W of center.  Member of a small group (USGC S125) that also incudes NGC 1355 and 1358.

NGC 1346 forms an interacting pair with MCG -01-09-041 only 1.6' NW.  The companion was extremely faint, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, ~50"x20", very low even surface brightness and visible with averted only.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is just 30" W.  Located 13' WSW of mag 8.1 SAO 130538 and 12' E of mag 9.5 SAO 130518.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1346 = St. 8b-12 on 1 Dec 1875.  He measured an accurate micrometrical position (list 8b, #12) on 15 Dec 1876 and noted it followed a mag 13 star by 2.2 seconds (of time).
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NGC 1347 = Arp 39 = VV 23a = ESO 548-027 = MCG -04-09-017 = LGG 097-005 = PGC 12989
03 29 41.8  -22 16 45; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6

24" (2/5/21): at 200x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.  At 260x, there was a weak central concentration.  The companion wasn't seen in very poor seeing.

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.2' diameter, weakly concentrated.  A very faint companion at the S edge was not seen.  Located 14' N of mag 6.8 HD 21760..

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1347 = LM 2-369 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.8', E 130°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His position is only 8 sec of RA east of ESO 548-027 = PGC 12989 (part of Arp 39).  A very faint companion (PGC 816443) is at the south edge.
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NGC 1348 = OCL-391 = Lund 112
03 34 09  +51 25 12; Per
Size 6'

18" (11/23/05): at 225x, this unimpressive cluster appears ~4'x3', elongated NW to SE with roughly 20 stars resolved.  Includes two mag 10.5-11.5 stars, a few mag 12 stars with the remainder mag 13-15.  The stars are fairly evenly distributed with a couple of tight clumps of stars on the south side.  Appears fairly well detached in a low power field, though not eye-catching.  Located two degrees NE of Alpha Persei (Mirfak).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1348 = H. VIII-84 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and noted "a cluster of small stars, not very rich."  This is a reddened cluster (see Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.387, p.479-486, 2002) at a distance of roughly 6000 light years.
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NGC 1349 = UGC 2774 = MCG +01-09-006 = CGCG 416-013 = PGC 13088
03 31 27.5  +04 22 51; Tau
V = 13.0;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (10/21/95): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, very weak even concentration to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located along the hypotenuse of a small right triangle formed by three mag 13.5 stars with the nearest star 1.6' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1349 = Sw. 6-13 on 20 Dec 1886 with his 16" refractor and reported "eeF; S; R; between 2 stars."  His position is 10 tsec E and 1' S of UGC 2774 and this galaxy is "between 2 stars".
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NGC 1350 = ESO 358-013 = MCG -06-08-023 = PGC 13059 = Cosmic Eye Galaxy
03 31 07.9  -33 37 42; For
V = 10.3;  Size 5.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

18" (12/22/11): bright, large, oval 2:1 N-S, 3.0'x1.4'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright oval core surrounded by a much fainter halo.  The core steadily increases to a very small, brighter, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 6' SW of mag 7.2 HD 21988 and  194353 and 8.7' SE of mag 8.9 HD 21898.

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S.  The halo appears about 3'x2' although difficult determine the exact dimensions as the halo fades gradually into the background.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" round core and stellar nucleus.  A very faint star is just west of the south extension and two mag 12 stars are 2.7' SE and 3.0' E of center.  Located 6' SW of mag 7.2 SAO 194353.  Fornax I cluster member.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1350 = D 591 = h2545 on 24 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW. He noted (single observation) "a very faint small ill-defined nebula, south-following a small star."   He may have been referring to a mag 7.2 star 6' NE.  His position was fairly poor, nearly 15' to the SE.

John Herschel observed the galaxy in his sweep of 19 Oct 1835, logging "bright, large, much elongated, but with a round nucleus much brighter than the environing faint atmosphere. PD roughly taken. Transit missed, the observation having been lost by relying on the RA given by Mr. Dunlop's Catalog (3h 25m) which is too great. That here set down is assumed at random as probably nearer the truth."  His approximate position was corrected by DeLisle Stewart based on a photograph taken between 1898 and 1901 at Harvard College Observatory's Arequipa Station and repeated in the IC 2 Notes.

Harold Knox-Shaw also photographed the galaxy at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11 with the 30" Reynolds reflector and described an "oval ring with central star and traces of structure external to this in the form of either another ring or spiral arms".
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NGC 1351 = ESO 358-012 = MCG -06-08-022 = LGG 096-012 = PGC 13028
03 30 34.9  -34 51 15; For
V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 140°

18" (12/22/11): fairly bright, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5', high surface brightness.  Brightens evenly to a very small bright core and a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 9' SE of mag 9.4 HD 21851.

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, bright core.  Fornax I cluster member.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1351 = h2544 on 19 Oct 1835 and reported "pB, R, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 30 arcsec.". His position matches ESO 358-012 = PGC 13028.
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NGC 1352 = ESO 548-030 = MCG -03-10-002 = PGC 13091
03 31 32.9  -19 16 42; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 134°

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  Located 4.4' NW of mag 8.4 SAO 149019.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1352 = h2543 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "eF; S; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; has a * 8 mag S.f. Very difficult and probably not to be seen without a recently polished mirror, such as was used in this observation."  His position and description matches ESO 548-030 = PGC 13091.
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NGC 1353 = ESO 548-031 = MCG -04-09-022 = UGCA 76 = LGG 097-007 = PGC 13108
03 32 03.0  -20 49 05; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 3.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 138°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.0', large bright core, stellar nucleus.  The halo appears more extensive NW of the core.  The major axis is parallel to a mag 11.5 star off the SE end 2.8' from the center.

8" (11/28/81): faint, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.  A mag 12 star is 2.8' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1353 = H. III-246 = h2546 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331).  He noted "very faint, elongated, equally bright."  On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he reported "considerably bright, considerably large, irregular figure, little elongated from np to sf." John Herschel logged it on 11 Nov 1835 as "bright, much extended, gradually much brighter middle, 90" l, 40" br.
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NGC 1354 = MCG -03-10-004 = PGC 13130
03 32 29.4  -15 13 16; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 148°

18" (11/23/05): this galaxy was a pleasant surprise as it appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3'.  Contains a fairly bright bulging core with fainter extensions that fade and taper at the tips (spindle shape).  A mag 14 star lies off the SE end, 1.2' S of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1354 = H. III-487 = h2547 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and recorded "vF, S, E."  John Herschel called it "vF, S, little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 25" diameter."  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 1355 = MCG -01-10-002 = PGC 13169
03 33 23.5  -04 59 55; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 80°

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WSW-ENE, bright core.  NGC 1358 lies 6.8' SSE. 

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, edge-on WSW-ENE, bright core.

Samuel Hunter, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1355 on 27 Dec 1861.  His sketch clearly shows NGC 1355 labeled as Alpha, along with NGC 1358 (close to a double star).  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 1355 on 8 Oct 1864 while observing nearby NGC 1358.  He was surprised this nebula was missed by William Herschel and Lord Rosse (unaware of Hunter's observation).  Stephan recorded NGC 1355 on 22 Nov 1875 during an observation of NGC 1358, as well as Dreyer on 6 Nov 1877.  Dreyer later realized that Alpha on Hunter's diagram was d'Arrest's "nova".  Nevertheless, he credited d'Arrest and not LdR with the discovery in the GC Supplement and NGC.
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NGC 1356 = ESO 200-031 = Rose 37 = PGC 13035
03 30 40.6  -50 18 35; Hor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 149°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.2'x1.0'.  Weak concentration, though with direct vision a faint, stellar nucleus is visible.  With careful viewing the galaxy appeared to be mottled or clumpy. I missed LEDA 95415, which is 40" SSW of the center of NGC 1356.

Forms a close pair with much fainter IC 1947 located 2.2' SW.  A mag 12.7 star lies 1.3' SW, directly between NGC 1356 and IC 1947.  IC 1947 appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~0.5'x0.25'.  It forms the west vertex of a small triangle with the mag 12.7 star 1' NE and a mag 11.7 star 1.3' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1356 = h2549 on 23 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40 arcsec."  The next sweep he logged "vF, pL, irregular, near stars."  His first position is at the northern tip of the galaxy.
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NGC 1357 = MCG -02-10-001 = PGC 13166
03 33 17.0  -13 39 49; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.8'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 85°

13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, moderately large, round, bright core.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with mag 8.1 SAO 149035 4' NNE and mag 9.2 SAO 149028 4' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1357 = H. II-290 = h2548 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364) and recorded "F, pL, R, bM, about 5 or 6' south preceding of a pretty large star."  John Herschel logged it twice from the Cape of Good Hope and noted on 8 Dec 1835 "pF, pL, R, 40", near three stars, two of which are 10th mag."  Sir Robert Ball, observing with the 72" at Birr Castle on 13 Nov 1866, remarked "cB, pL, bM, either double or with a star [correct] very closely preceding.  Observations interrupted by the superb display of shooting stars."  According to Wikipedia, the 1866 Leonids produced hundreds per minute and a few thousand per hour in Europe.
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NGC 1358 = MCG -01-10-003 = LGG 103-001 = PGC 13182
03 33 39.7  -05 05 22; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 15°

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, sharp concentration.  A pretty mag 13 double star at 15" separation is 1.7' ENE.  Located 8' W of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 1355 6.8' NW.  Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, almost round, small bright core.  A faint double star is close east and brighter star to west.

13" (12/18/82): very faint, small, elongated N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1358 = H. III-446 = h302 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and noted "vF, S, between some small stars."  His position was too far south, but John Herschel measured an accurate position (two observations) copied into the NGC.
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NGC 1359 = ESO 548-039 = MCG -03-10-007 = LGG 100-001 = PGC 13190
03 33 47.2  -19 29 23; Eri
V = 12.2;  Size 2.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 139°

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly large oval 4:3 NW-SE, 3.0'x2.5' WNW-ESE, fairly low surface brightness with no significant concentration.  This galaxy has a disturbed, knotty appearance that was not picked up visually.  Brightest in a small group with ESO 548-044 8.5' NE and part of the larger NGC 1407 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1359 = h2550 on 12 Oct 1836 and recorded "F, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2'."  His position matches ESO 548-039 = PGC 13190.
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NGC 1360 = PK 220-53.1 = ESO 482-7 = M 1-3 = PN G220.3-53.9 = Robin's Egg Nebula
03 33 14.6  -25 52 18; For
V = 9.6;  Size 460"x320"

18" (1/17/09): superb view at 115x and OIII filter.  Appears as a huge oval, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, extends ~6'x4', contains a bright mag 11 central star.  This showpiece planetary is clearly asymmetric and notably brighter on the NNE side in a sector extending from the center and fanning out to the north.  This brighter region is irregular in surface brightness and slightly dims before brightening along the NNE rim.  The south side is slightly fainter and contains a weaker arc or lane.

18" (1/1/08): at 115x; this unusual planetary is a huge oval or irregular egg-shape, ~6'x4', oriented SSW-NNE (PA ~30°) surrounding a very bright mag 11 central star.  Excellent contrast with an OIII filter as it really brings out its asymmetric structure.  The planetary is noticeably brighter in a fan-shaped wedge spreading out from the central star to the north.  At times the northeast rim appeared a bit clumpy.  The fainter south side has a slightly darker lane extending to the southeast.

17.5" (11/17/01): At 100x with OIII filter, this huge planetary appears a very large oval 3:2 or 4:3 SSW-NNE, ~6'x4.5' with a striking central star.  Appears clearly brighter on the north side of the central star in a section defined by a triangular wedge with apex at the central star.  The nebulosity dims a bit on the west side as well as the south.

17.5" (10/8/88): very bright, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 6'x4' diameter, very bright mag 11 central star, almost even surface brightness.  Very impressive planetary with or without OIII filter.

14.5" (12/17/20): bright, unusually large PN with a prominent 11th mag central star. Irregular oval or egg shape SSW-NNE, nearly 6'x4'. Noticeably brighter along the north side in a roughly triangle slice extending from the central star.  Much weaker on the SE flank. Good contrast gain at 76x and 87x using OIII and UHC filters.

13.1" (10/10/86): very large, oval 4:3, very bright mag 10-11 central star.  Impressive at 88x using an OIII filter.

13.1" (10/20/84): large, pale oval ~N-S, bright central star.  Appears moderately bright using a filter.

80mm finder (1/1/08): faintly visible at 25x as a dim oval glow surrounding a faint star.  Adding an OIII filter significantly increased the contrast and the outline appeared better defined.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1360 in 1859 with his 4.5-inch comet-seeker but he didn't announce the observation until 1885 (see below).  Wilhelm Tempel also discovered it on 9 Oct 1861, along with NGC 1398, using his personal 4-inch Steinheil refractor from Marseille, though he didn't publish his observation either.  Friedrich August Winnecke found it again in Jan 1868 with his 3.8-inch comet-seeker, estimating a diameter of 10', as well as Eugen Block on 18 Oct 1879 (AN 2293).Dreyer credited Winnecke with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5315).  Afterwards, Tempel published his find in 1882, claiming an earlier discovery.

In the March 1885 issue of "The Sidereal Messenger: A Monthly Review of Astronomy" Swift reported that "in 1859 while searching in Eridanus for comets I ran upon the most conspicuous nebulous star visible from this latitude - a 7th magnitude star nearly in the center of a bright nebulosity.  As both were so bright, I, of course, supposed they were well known.  Not until five years since was I aware that this wonderful object was not in the G.C."  Dreyer credited Swift (his earliest discovery) and Winnecke in the NGC.  So, NGC 1360 was independently "discovered" by four observers, the most (along with NGC 6364 and 7422) for any NGC number, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.  Robert Innes found it again on 8 Dec 1909 and reported it as "easily seen in the 2-inch finder as in the 9-inch" (Union Observatory, Johannesburg).  He noted it was oval nebula with the longer axis SW-NE, and apparently wasn't aware of the previous discoveries.

This is one the brightest objects missed by the Herschels as well as by John Dunlop.  In 1914, Hardcastle classified NGC 1360 as a spindle-shaped nebula. The following year, Knox-Shaw at the Helwan Observatory reported it wasn't a spindle but was "probably like the Owl", based on a photograph taken with the Reynolds reflector.  Minkowski first classified it as definitely a planetary in 1946. A star was incorrectly plotted at the position on the Uranometria 2000 Atlas (first edition) because the CoD and CPD catalogue (used as a source for the U2000) included the central star.
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NGC 1361 = MCG -01-10-005 = PGC 13218
03 34 17.7  -06 15 54; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 39°

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration to a very small, brighter core.  Situated nearly midway between two mag 12 stars 5' NW and 5' ESE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1361 = LM 2-370 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is just 0.2 tmin east and 1' north of MCG -01-10-005 = PGC 13218.  MCG (-01-10-005) mislabels this galaxy NGC 1369.  The Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide gives a V mag of 13.9 and a surf brightness of 14.6, but that may be too faint.
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NGC 1362 = ESO 548-041 = MCG -03-10-008 = LGG 095-001 = PGC 13196
03 33 53.0  -20 16 56; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/9/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Steadily increases to a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 5.4' NNW of mag 8.9 SAO 168637.  First in the nearby group LGG 95 with NGC 1370 20' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1362 = h2551 on 13 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R."  His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.  William Herschel is credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC, but H. III 960 applies to NGC 1370 (see that number).
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NGC 1363 = PGC 13245
03 34 49.3  -09 50 33; Eri
V = 13.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 45°

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7'x0.6', very weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1364 2.3' following.  Forms the NE vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 6.2 SAO 149047 3.3' WSW and mag 9.3 SAO 149051 3.7' S!

Sherburne Burnham discovered NGC 1363 = Sw. 5-54 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory on 31 Dec 1877 (Memoirs of the Royal Astr Soc, Vol 44, p169).  At Burnham's offset from a nearby mag 6 star is PGC 13245.  Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered this galaxy around 1880 as well as Lewis Swift on 21 Oct 1886, who noted "forms triangle with 2 stars, one vB".  NGC 1364, a fainter companion 2.3' E, was discovered by Frank Muller (LM II-371) in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Muller noted the equivalence with Burnham's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously (acknowledged by Swift in the errata to his 6th list).  Only Burnham was credited in the NGC.
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NGC 1364 = PGC 13253
03 34 58.8  -09 50 19; Eri
V = 14.7;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (11/17/01): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no other details visible.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1363 2.3' W.  Located 5.6' ENE of mag 6.2 SAO 149047.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1364 = LM 2-371 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory while observing NGC 1363 (previously discovered by Sherburne Burnham).  His position is a good match with PGC 13253.
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NGC 1365 = ESO 358-017 = MCG -06-08-026 = VV 825 = LGG 094-007 = PGC 13179
03 33 35.9  -36 08 24; For
V = 9.6;  Size 11.2'x6.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 32°

48" (10/22/11): Stunning view of this huge, barred spiral with the full extent of the long, graceful arms clearly visible and a great deal of structure. A very bright bar runs nearly 3' WSW-ENE and contains an extremely bright core that increases to a striking knotty nucleus that is sliced by a dust lane running SW to NE.  The dust lane creates a mini spiral in the center with a bright elongated section south of the lane that has an "arm" attached at its NE end that curls to the SW.  The section of the nucleus N of the lane appears as a small but brighter arm, gently curving from SW to NE.

The main northern spiral arm is attached at the W end of the bar and has a bright, mottled "knot" as it emerges from the bar and heads NNE.  This knot contains the HII regions [H69] 23-25.  This knot was the site of SN 2001du, a supernova discovered visually by the late Aussie supernova hunter Robert Evans.  This arm dims a bit and then brightens along a 1' strip (containing [H69] 19) just NW of a superimposed mag 13.5 star.  The arm dims significantly but can be easily traced a total length of 6.5', ending just SE of a mag 13.5-14 star.

The main southern arm emerges on the ENE end of the bar as a brighter patch or OB association that contains [H69] 2,3, matching the W end.  A group of stars is just beyond this patch to the E.  The arm extends ~6.5' SW and is bordered by several stars; a mag 14.5 star is on the S edge before the middle of the arm, a mag 16 star 1.3' due S of this star and two mag 15/16 stars are on the inside (northern edge) beyond the middle of the arm. A very small, very faint knot is near the SW tip of the arm.  The arm dims significantly at this point but bends and continues another 2' NW.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed SN2012fr, a type Ia supernova, as a mag 12 star situated just 2" west and 52" north of the center of NGC 1365.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the best visual barred spiral in the sky and although it was only at 33° elevation (well past the meridian), the view was stunning at 200x with its long sweeping arms making a slashing cosmic "Z" in the eyepiece.  I was also surprised by the structure in the fairly small, extremely bright core that is embedded in the 3' E-W bar.  On the north edge of the mottled core, a very short, hooking appendage extended towards the northeast with a fainter counterpart on the southwest end.  This gave the small core the appearance of a tiny barred spiral!  At the west end of the bar a bright arm emerges, dramatically sweeping back to the NNE (sharp 110° angle) beyond a mag 13 star that is situated near the 1/3 mark of its total length.  The counterpart on the east end of the bar shoots to the southwest, reaching a faint star at its end.  The total distance between the tips of the arms is roughly 10'.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 127x and 212x, NGC 1365 appeared as an amazing two-armed barred spiral, similar to the photographic appearance.  The core is a quite bright, bulging oval embedded in a larger bar oriented ~E-W.  Attached at opposite ends of the bar are two long, graceful arms that extend quite a distance and are nearly straight.  The arm attached on the west side of the bar wraps around a mag 12.5 star about 1' NW of the core and extends well beyond towards the NNE.  The opposite arm attached on the following end is slightly fainter and shoots towards the SSW.  The tips of the outer arms dramatically increase the total size of the galaxy.

18" (12/30/08): although a pale imitation of the view from Australia, with careful viewing at 175x the spiral arm attached at the west end of the central bar was faintly visible sweeping to the NNE for ~3' in length.  The counterpart on the SE side was not seen.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, elongated core, large, 3' diameter, very diffuse outer halo.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (1/1/84): fairly bright, fairly large, bright core, diffuse halo, broad concentration.

8" (9/25/81): moderately large, elongated, gradually brighter core.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1365 = D 562 = h2552 on 2 Sep 1826.  He described "a pretty large faint round nebula, about 3 1/2' diameter, gradual slight condensation to the centre, very faint at the margin."  He made two observations but his published RA was off by a full 10 minutes of time.  His handwritten notebook positions are only 9' E and 9' SE, so he clearly made a transcription error (of 3 minutes in time) in his catalogue.  As a result, Dunlop wasn't credited with the discovery in the GC or NGC.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1365 on 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801) and described "A very remarkable nebula. A decided link between the nebula M 51 and M 27. Centre very bright; somewhat extended; gradually very much brighter to the middle; a 13th magnitude star near the edge of the halo involved. The area of the halo very faint; general position of the longer axis 20.8 degrees. whole breadth = 3'. See Pl. IV. fig. 1."  The next night he made a second observation and logged "very bright, extended, resolvable nucleus; or has 2 or 3 stars involved; the preceding Arc is the brighter. I think the oval is in some degree filled up to the south."  His sketch clearly shows the spiral arms as bright parallel arcs (nearly straight), disconnected from the core (no bar).

Albert Le Sueur sketched a pair of dramatic spiral arms, central bar and core as a "Z" shaped figure using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope on 30 Jan 1870 (unpublished plate VII, figure 84).  Joseph's Turner sketch (unpublished lithograph plate II, figure 10) on 2 Dec 1875 shows a distinct bar but the outer halo forms a nearly complete oval, so the overall shape is a squashed "Theta".  NGC 1365 was probably first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "! open, 2-branch spiral, double nucleus."
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NGC 1366 = LGG 096-029 = PGC 13197
03 33 53.7  -31 11 39; For
V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 2°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, small, bright core, thin faint extensions 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5'.  Located 6.8' S of mag 6.2 SAO 194375.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1366 = H. III-857 = h2553 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972).  He recorded "very faint, small, irregularly figure, little brighter middle."  His position is at the south edge of the galaxy.  In 2000 coordinates, NGC 1366 is the 4th most southerly object that Herschel discovered, but precessing his positions back to their discovery dates, NGC 1366 is the most southerly deep sky object that Herschel discovered (-31° 54' for 1790).  It appeared at an elevation of 6.6° as it crossed the meridian and the observation was made standing or sitting on steps on the ground, not in the observing gallery.  In the same sweep he also discovered the far southern galaxies NGC 1344 and NGC 1097 in Fornax.
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NGC 1367 = NGC 1371 = ESO 482-010 = MCG -04-09-029 = AM 0332-250 = UGCA 79 = PGC 13255
03 35 00.7  -24 56 04; For
V = 10.7;  Size 5.6'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.5', halo fades into the background.  Very bright elongated core 30" diameter increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 8.3 star SAO 168653 (wide double at 53" with a mag 11.5 star) is 4.5' NE.  NGC 1360 lies one degree SSW.

8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo.

Ormond Stone found NGC 1367 = LM 1-106 in 1886 with the 26-inch Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 13.0 [bright], *9, nf 5.0'."  His rough position is a good match with NGC 1371 (discovered by William Herschel).  This was noted by Robert Baker in his 1933 Harvard catatalogue of 985 galaxies in the Fornax and Eridanus region: "[NGC 1367 is] near NGC 1371, but the descriptions are different."  But Stone's comment about the nearby bright star clinches the equivalence.  Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin both concluded NGC 1371 = NGC 1367, with NGC 1371 the primary designation.
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NGC 1368 = MCG -03-10-012 = PGC 13247
03 34 58.9  -15 39 23; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 108°

18" (11/26/03): very faint, small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration, very small bright core.  Forms an isosceles triangle with a mag 14 star 1.8' ESE and a mag 14.9 2.5' NE.  NGC 1372 lies 32' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1368 = LM 1-107 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position falls 3' S of MCG -03-10-012 = PGC 13247.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observator.  Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 29 Dec 1905 (unpublished J. 4-1503).  Finally, Robert Baker listed it as new in his 1937 Harvard catalogue of galaxies in Fornax and Eridanus.  MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1368.
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NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 = MCG -06-09-004 = LGG 096-019 = PGC 13330
03 36 45.2  -36 15 24; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 12°

18" (12/30/08): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~0.9'x0.8', very weak concentration.  Located 4.3' NW of mag 7.2 HD 22621 and 39' ESE of NGC 1365.  This is a relatively bright member of the Fornax I cluster that was missed by John Herschel.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC due to a poor position by Julius Schmidt.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1369 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2" Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory.  It was found during a survey on the Fornax Cluster (nebula "b" in his table). but there is nothing at his position, which is 9.4' SE of NGC 1365.  Interestingly, NGC 1365 is the previous entry in his table (AN 2097, p137) and that position is very accurate.  The entry that follows NGC 1369 is a bright star (assigned mag 5.6), which supposedly follows NGC 1369 by 7 sec in RA and 2.4' S, though its position must also be in error.  Harold Corwin found that if Schmidt made 3 minute error in RA for both objects (change 27 to 30), then NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 = PGC 13330 and the bright star (4.5' SE) is mag 7.2 HD 22621.

This galaxy was listed in a table of new nebulae found between 1909-11 at the Helwan Observatory, but Knox-Shaw remarked that it was "possibly identical with [NGC] 1369."  ESO-LV (surface photometry catalogue) and RC3 identify NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 but the ESO-Uppsala catalogue and MCG don't label this galaxy as NGC 1369. The RNGC calls this number nonexistent.
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NGC 1370 = ESO 548-048 = MCG -03-10-013 = LGG 095-002 = PGC 13265
03 35 14.5  -20 22 26; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

17.5" (12/9/01): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Situated exactly midway between two mag 13/14 stars just off the NW and SE flanks (both ~40" from center)!  NGC 1362 lies 20' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1370 = H. III-559 = H. III-960 = h2554 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597).  He logged III. 559 as "3 very small stars in a line, with vF nebulosity.  On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he recorded III. 960 as "very faint, very small, 300x confirmed it."  His position on both sweeps are pretty close to ESO 548-048 and clearly his first description (III-559) mentioning "3 very small stars in a line" applies to this galaxy (one of the "stars" is the nucleus).

In the CGH catalogue, John Herschel assigned the first H-designation to h2551 (NGC 1362) and the second to h2554 (NGC 1370).  Auwers has a note to III. 559, commenting on the large discrepancy in position with h2551 (87 seconds in RA and 4' in Dec).  In the GC, Herschel decided to reverse the assignment of his father's numbers and Dreyer copied this in the NGC.  But both observations refer to NGC 1370.  John Herschel made 3 observations, recording on 11 Dec 1835, "vF; R; situated exactly between 2 stars 14th mag."
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NGC 1371 = NGC 1367 = ESO 482-010 = MCG -04-09-029 = UGCA 79 = AM 0332-250 = LGG 097-012 = PGC 13255
03 35 01.3  -24 56 00; For
V = 10.7;  Size 5.6'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 135°

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately bright, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.5', halo fades into the background.  Very bright elongated core 30" diameter increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 8.3 star SAO 168653 (wide double at 53" with a mag 11.5 star) is 4.5' NE.  NGC 1360 lies one degree SSW.

8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1371 = H. II-262 = h2555 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "F, a little & irr E above 1' in dia."  His position is ~5' N of ESO 482-010 = PGC 13255.  John Herschel called the galaxy "B, L, R, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 2'."  He noted a 4' error in the polar distance in his working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps].

Ormond Stone independently found the galaxy in 1886 and recorded LM 1-106 (later NGC 1367) as "mag 13.0 [bright], *9, nf 5.0'."  His rough position is a good match for NGC 1371 and his comment about the nearby star clinches the equivalence.  Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin both conclude NGC 1371 = NGC 1367, with NGC 1371 the primary designation.
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NGC 1372 = PGC 13346
03 36 59.7  -15 52 53; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (11/23/05): very faint, extremely small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1' SW.  NGC 1388 lies 17' E and NGC 1368 32' WNW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1372 = LM 1-108 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.9 tmin west of PGC 13346.  The RA was corrected based on Harvard plates taken in South Africa in Robert Baker's 1937 "Catalogue of 1113 Galaxies in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1373 = ESO 358-021 = MCG -06-08-028 = I Zw 13 = LGG 096-039 = PGC 13252
03 34 59.2  -35 10 16; For
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 131°

18" (12/17/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 40"x30", broad concentration.  Smallest and faintest in a trio with NGC 1374 and 1375 about 6' SE.

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, extremely small.  First of three with NGC 1374 4.8' SE and NGC 1375 6.8' SE.  Member of the Fornax I cluster member.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1373 = h2556 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "eF, vS, the preceding of three [with NGC 1374 and 1375]."  His position is quite poor and lands at the southwest edge of NGC 1374, so clearly there was some problem with the observation.  When Julius Schmidt observed the field he measured an accurate position for NGC 1374, but was unsure of its identification and has no measurement for NGC 1373.  Still, there are only three galaxies here, and Herschel's description is appropriate for ESO 358-021 = PGC 13252.  Harold Knox-Shaw found this galaxy again on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory and reported it as new in the 1915 observatory bulletin.
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NGC 1374 = ESO 358-023 = MCG -06-08-029 = LGG 096-014 = PGC 13267
03 35 16.6  -35 13 35; For
V = 11.1;  Size 2.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (12/17/11): very bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  Contains a relatively large intense core that increases to the center.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 1375 2.3' S of center.  NGC 1373 lies 4.9' NW and 

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, round, bright core.  In a close trio with NGC 1375 2' S and NGC 1373 4.8' NW.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1374 = h2557 (along with NGC 1373 = h2556 and NGC 1375 = h2558) on 29 Nov 1837, recording "vB, pL, little extended, gradually much brighter middle, the 2nd of three." His position was 1.6' ENE of center (similar offset as NGC 1375).  In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory.
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NGC 1375 = ESO 358-024 = MCG -06-08-030 = LGG 098-002 = PGC 13266
03 35 16.8  -35 15 57; For
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 91°

18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.4'x0.6'.  Broad concentration with a fairly large brighter core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 1374 2.3' N.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, edge-on streak 3:1 E-W.  In a trio with NGC 1374 2.4' N and NGC 1373 6.8' NW.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1375 = h2558 in the Fornax Cluster and described "B, S, little extended, pretty much brighter middle; the 3d of 3 [with NGC 1373 and 137] of the same RA as the second."  His RA is 7 sec too large, but Julius Schmidt's position (measured on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory and listed as nebula "c") is accurate in RA.
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NGC 1376 = MCG -01-10-011 = LGG 103-002 = PGC 13352
03 37 05.9  -05 02 34; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 95°

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, diffuse, weak concentration.    Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103).

13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, round, moderately large, weak concentration, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1376 = H. II-288 = h303 on 28 Jan 1785 (sweep 359) and logged "F, pL, irr R, r."  John Herschel measured an accurate position on 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), calling it "L; the faintest thing imaginable."
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NGC 1377 = ESO 548-051 = MCG -04-09-033 = LGG 097-023 = PGC 13324
03 36 39.0  -20 54 05; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 92°

17.5" (12/9/01): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core, 1.2'x0.6'.  Located 11' W of mag 9.5 SAO 168686.  Located one degree NE of 19 (Tau 5) Eridani.  Member of large LGG 97 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1377 = H. II-961 = h2560 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope, recording it as "F, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec."
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NGC 1378 = ESO 358-030
03 35 58.2  -35 12 40; For

= **, Carlson & ESO.  Not found, de Vaucouleurs

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1378 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "d" in his table).  His position corresponds with an 11" double star (brighter component mag 13.2) and ESO, Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify NGC 1378 with these two stars.
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NGC 1379 = ESO 358-027 = MCG -06-09-001 = LGG 096-015 = PGC 13299
03 36 04.0  -35 26 29; For
V = 10.9;  Size 2.4'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (12/17/11): very bright, fairly large, round, 1.6' diameter. Well concentrated with a very bright 20" core that increases to a bright, stellar nucleus.  Slightly larger NGC 1387 lies 11.5' SE and elongated NGC 1381 is 10.5' NE.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, almost round, bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  Forms a right angle with NGC 1387 11.5' SE and NGC 1381 10' NE.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round, bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1379 = h2561 on 25 Dec 1835 and reported a "Globular cluster, pB, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 70 arcsec."  His position corresponds with ESO 358-027 = PGC 13299. He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars.

In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported it was not resolved visually and showed on continuous spectrum on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector. 
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NGC 1380 = ESO 358-028 = MCG -06-09-002 = AM 0334-350 = PGC 13318
03 36 27.5  -34 58 31; For
V = 9.9;  Size 4.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 7°

18" (12/17/11): extremely bright, large, elongated ~5:3 N-S, ~3.0'x1.8'.  Sharply concentrated with an intense, elongated core that brightens to the center, though there was no evident nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed ~0.9' SW of center.  This is one of the brightest Fornax cluster galaxies.

13.1" (12/22/84): very bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core, faint elongated halo.  A very faint mag 14 star is SW of the core 1.2' from the center.  Member of Fornax I cluster.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated, bright core.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1380 = D 574 = h2559 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta.  He recorded "a rather faint pretty well-defined elliptical nebula, about 1' long, and 50" broad, a little brighter to the centre." His single position was well off, 19.5' too far ESE, but this is brightest single galaxy he likely picked up.  John Herschel also made a single observation on sweep 635 (19 Oct 1835) and logged, "very bright; large; round; pretty suddenly brighter towards the middle; A fine nebula." He added: "The obs. of the place like that of Dunlop 591 above was lost by setting the instrument on the place given in Mr Dunlop's Catalogue, and relying on his RA (3h 31m) which is too great, instead of sweeping over them, when they could not have escaped being regularly taken."  In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory.
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NGC 1381 = ESO 358-029 = MCG -06-09-003 = PGC 13321
03 36 31.6  -35 17 43; For
V = 11.5;  Size 2.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 139°

18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.6'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core that increases to the center.  A mag 14 star lies 1.8' SE and a similar star is 3' NW.  Situated nearly at the midpoint of a line connecting NGC 1382 10' NE and NGC 1379 10' SW.  The NGC 1374/1375 pair is ~15' WNW.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, edge-on 3:1 NW-SE, bright core, faint elongated halo.  A mag 14 star is 1.8' SE of center.  Member of the Fornax I cluster with NGC 1379 10' SW and NGC 1387 14' SSE.

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, elongated.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1381 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory.  It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster on the same night (nebula "e" in his table published in 1876).  His position is an excellent match with ESO 358-029 = PGC 13321.  Of the 11 "new" objects listed by Schmidt in his table, two are clearly duplicates (object "a" = NGC 1318 = NGC 1317 and "c" = NGC 1375).  Of the remaining 9, only 4 have accurate positions that can be matched up with certainty.
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NGC 1382 = NGC 1380B = ESO 358-037 = MCG -06-09-009 = PGC 13354
03 37 09.0  -35 11 42; For
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 179°

18" (12/17/11): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter.  Fairly low surface brightness with only a broad, mild concentration and no core or zones.  NGC 1381 lies 9.6' SW.

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, round, fairly small, very diffuse.  On a line with NGC 1381 9.5' SW and NGC 1379 20' SW.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1382 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory.  It was found during a survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "f" in his table).  There is nothing at his position, but 37 seconds of RA east and 1.7' S is ESO 358-037.  This is the only reasonable candidate but his position for NGC 1381 (the previous object is his list) is accurate, so the identification NGC 1382 = ESO 358-037 is uncertain.

Harold Knox-Shaw found this galaxy again on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory and reported it as new in the 1915 observatory bulletin.  de Vaucouleurs called this galaxy NGC 1380B in his 1956 "Survey of Bright Galaxies South of -35° Declination", based on Mt Stromlo plates. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 1383 = ESO 548-053 = MCG -03-10-015 = PGC 13377
03 37 39.2  -18 20 22; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 91°

17.5" (12/11/99): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.0'x0.6', well concentrated.  Situated between two mag 13/14.5 stars 1.5' SW and NE.  First in a group of 7 NGC galaxies including NGC 1400 and NGC 1407.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1383 = h2562 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "pF, vS, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1384 = MCG +03-10-003 = CGCG 465-004 = PGC 13448
03 39 13.5  +15 49 08; Tau
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 145°

17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' WNW of center.  Located 3.5' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 93537.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1384 = m 90 on 20 Oct 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted a "neb * 13."  His position falls very close to a faint, unequal double star but Harold Corwin notes that 1.6' S is CGCG 465-004 = PGC 13448 and this galaxy has a mag 13.5 star superimposed (mentioned in my visual notes) that matches Marth's description.
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NGC 1385 = ESO 482-016 = MCG -04-09-036 = LGG 097-013 = PGC 13368
03 37 28.8  -24 30 07; For
V = 10.9;  Size 3.4'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 165°

48" (10/29/19): at 610x; very bright, large, excellent spiral with an unusual, chaotic appearance!  Overall, the galaxy is elongated ~5:3 N-S, ~3.0'x1.8', with a prominent thick bar running ~E-W through the center.  A small, bright knot is close north of the west end of the bar.

A brighter, elongated patch (probably a short section of a spiral arm) was easily seen extending north of the bar.  Only the initial part of the southern arm attached to the west end of the bar was visible.  The main, long spiral arm was rooted on the east end of the bar and stretched well north of the central region.  Its surface brightness seemed irregular or patchy.  The arm faded and was less defined as it curled clockwise and spread west on the north end of the halo.  The south portion of the halo was faint overall (due to dust) but displayed a semi-circular outline due to the very low surface brightness southern arm.

LEDA 788671 was picked up 3.5' S of NGC 1385.  This small galaxy was faint (B = 16.4) and ~12" in diameter.

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, moderately large.  Dimensions are 2.5'x2.0' slightly elongated N-S, but with an irregular appearance.  A bright bar appears to extend through the galaxy WNW-ESE surrounded by an irregular patchy halo more elongated N-S.  Spiral structure is strongly suggested with a spiral arm on the NE side.  The galaxy appears more extensive north of the bar.  Located within a 10' string of four mag 11-12 stars oriented SW-NE.

8" (10/31/81): faint, fairly small, brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1385 = H. II-263 = h2563 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and recorded "faint, but less bright than the last [NGC 1371], brighter middle, about 1.5' dia."  His position is 4' too far north-northwest.  John Herschel called this object "B, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 40 arcsec."
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NGC 1386 = ESO 358-035 = MCG -06-09-005 = LGG 098-003 = PGC 13333
03 36 46.2  -35 59 58; Eri
V = 11.2;  Size 3.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 25°

18" (12/17/11): bright or very bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 2.5'x1.0'.  Gradually brighter outer halo, then sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases towards the center.  NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE.

13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core.  NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE and NGC 1369 15' S (not observed).  Located 5.2' NNW of mag 9.5 SAO 194401.  Member of the Fornax I cluster. 

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, bright core, almost round.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1386 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "g" in his table). His position is at the east edge of ESO 358-035 = PGC 13333.
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NGC 1387 = ESO 358-036 = MCG -06-09-007 = LGG 096-016 = PGC 13344
03 36 56.8  -35 30 24; For
V = 10.7;  Size 2.8'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (12/17/11): at 285x appeared bright to very bright, fairly large, round, 2' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 25"-30" core that increases to a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.  Bracketed at low power by NGC 1379 11.5' WNW and NGC 1399 19' ENE.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Member of Fornax I cluster.  NGC 1381 lies 14' NNW and NGC 1379 11.5' WNW.

8" (10/31/81): faint, small, round, broad concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1387 = h2564 on 25 Dec 1835 and described a "globular cluster, vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, 90 arcseconds, A globular cluster in all probability identical with this, was also seen in Sweep 636, while searching beyond the meridian for Dunlop 562."  His position is accurate.  He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars (NGCs 1310, 1379, 1399 and 1436). In 1915 Knox-Shaw reported it was similar to 1380 and 1399 "and probably a nebula", based on a photograph as well as a visual observation with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory.
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NGC 1388 = PGC 13402
03 38 12.0  -15 53 58; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  Forms the eastern vertex of a triangle with a mag 11.5 star 4.5' W and a mag 13 star 3' SW.  NGC 1372 lies 17' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1388 = LM 1-109 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) happens to be fairly accurate in this case, falling 2.4' SE of PGC 13402.
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NGC 1389 = ESO 358-038 = MCG -06-09-010 = LGG 098-004 = PGC 13360
03 37 11.7  -35 44 46; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 30°

18" (12/17/11): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 60"x40".  Moderately concentrated with a brighter core and a thin fainter halo.  Forms the SW vertex of a trapezoid with a mag 10 star 3' N, and two mag 12 stars 3' E and 3.7' NE.

13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, small, almost round, weak concentration.  Member of Fornax I cluster.

8" (1/1/84): faint, small, round.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1389 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory.  It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "h" on his list).  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1390 = ESO 548-054 = MCG -03-10-017 = LGG 095-003 = PGC 13386
03 37 52.1  -19 00 30; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 19°

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4'.  Very weak concentration along the major axis.  Situated 6' N of a mag 9.8 star and ~40' SW of the NGC 1407 group.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1390 = LM 2-372 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 14.0, 1.0'x0.6', E 260°."  There is nothing at his position but 16 sec of RA west and 2' N is ESO 548-054 = PGC 13386, the only nearby candidate.  His PA is in error (should read 20°, instead of 260°).  The RA was corrected in Robert Baker's 1937 "Catalogue of 1113 Galaxies in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1391 = ESO 548-059 = MCG -03-10-020 = PGC 13436
03 38 52.9  -18 21 15; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 65°

17.5" (12/11/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, very weak concentration.  Located between NGC 1393 5.6' SW and NGC 1394 5.0' NE in the NGC 1407 group.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1391 = LM 2-373 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His description reads "mag 15.4, 0.4' dia, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, 1st of 3, one of which is GC 742 [NGC 1383].  There is nothing at his position, but 28 tsec of RA east is ESO 548-059 = PGC 13436 and Ormond Stone's micrometrically measured RA matches this galaxy.  Leavenworth described NGC 1391 as the "1st of 3, one of which is GC 742 [NGC 1383]", but it should read "2nd of 3" as NGC 1393 is further west.  Herbert Howe caught this error in his NGC visual survey.
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NGC 1392 = NGC 1317 = NGC 1318 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653
03 22 44.4  -37 06 13; For
V = 11.0;  Size 2.8'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 78°

See observing notes for NGC 1317.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1392 = Sw. 6-15 on 13 Feb 1887, along with Sw. 6-14, and recorded "vF; pS; R."  There is nothing at his position, though Sw. 6-15 was placed ~4.5' N of brighter VI-14.  Swift has a long note at the end of his 6th list about VI-14 and VI-15. He assumed VI-14 referred to the "Great Southern Comet" 1887-I, though he found it 3° south of the predicted place. At the end of his paper, H.C.F. Kreutz remarked that the most recent orbital calculations placed Swift's nebula 38 minutes of RA east and 4° south of the position of the comet, so they were likely not related.  More of the story which follows, is gleaned from Gary Kronk's book on Lewis Swift and Harold Corwin's IC identification notes.

In the following volume of Astronomische Nachrichten (AN 118, 203), Swift wrote (17 Dec) "I have made two unsuccessful attempts to refind the two objects one of which I thought was very probably Comet 1887-I.  The seeing on both occasions were fairly good but not equal that when seen which was exceptionally fine.  I am therefore not surprised that the faintest one was not seen as it was a very faint object and though so near the suspected comet was not noticed for some little time.  In fact I begin to fear I shall never see the faint one again in consequence of an increased number of electric street lights south of and not far from the observatory."

Barnard also searched for Swift's nebulae and reported on 19 November (AN 118, 173) he strongly suspected Swift's positions were erroneous as he searched for the comet unsuccessfully on 11 and 12 February and would have picked up a brighter object when he covered Swift's position.  After later receiving a letter from Swift, he specifically searched for the nebulae again on the 15th of November with a 6.4-inch refractor (at Vanderbilt) and found nothing at Swift's position.  But expanding his search area he found two nebulae with the same relative positions and appropriate descriptions that "seems to me that these are Swift's objects".  A note was added by A. Krueger, AN's editor, that based on Barnard's position, the two nebulae are GC 697 and 698 (= NGC 1316 and 1317).  This would imply Swift made a very large error of 15 minutes of time in RA (too far east), but otherwise these galaxies are a good match with Swift's description and relative positions!

Swift was apparently quite upset by Barnard's remarks and responded in the AN 118 note (5 Jan 1888) that the previous night he observed Barnard's nebulae and "they bear about as much resemblance to mine as the Orion nebula does to the Andromeda nebula. I am now more thoroughly convinced that the suspected object was a comet than I was at first and highly probably was comet 1887 I."  Despite Swift's comments, the most likely conclusion is NGC 1392 = NGC 1317 and Sw. 6-14 = NGC 1316.

ESO misidentifies ESO 358-040 (1° north of Swift's position) as NGC 1392.  RNGC misidentifies ESO 358-034 (53' SSE of Swift's position) as NGC 1392.
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NGC 1393 = ESO 548-058 = MCG -03-10-019 = PGC 13425
03 38 38.5  -18 25 41; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/11/99): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1' diameter, bright core.  Member of the NGC 1407 group. First of three on a line with NGC 1391 5.6' NE and NGC 1394 10' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1393 = H. III-451 = h2565 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "vF, S, R."  John Herschel logged "pF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30" diameter."  Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1391 and NGC 1394 to the NE.
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NGC 1394 = ESO 548-060 = MCG -03-10-021 = PGC 13444
03 39 06.9  -18 17 32; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (12/11/99): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', small bright core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.6' N.  Third of three on a line with NGC 1393 and NGC 1391.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1394 = LM 2-374 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, 0.4'x0.2', E 170°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, 3rd of 3."  There is nothing at his position, but 30 seconds of time further east is ESO 548-060 = PGC 13444 and his description matches this galaxy (PA should read 10°).  Ormond Stone's corrected position in the IC 1 notes is accurate.
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NGC 1395 = ESO 482-019 = MCG -04-09-039 = AM 0336-231 = LGG 097-009 = PGC 13419
03 38 29.8  -23 01 41; Eri
V = 9.6;  Size 5.9'x4.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 126°

13.1" (10/10/86): bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 ~E-W, very bright core, fainter halo.  Two faint mag 14 stars lie on the west and north edges 1.0' from center.  Brightest in a group of five with NGC 1401, NGC 1403, NGC 1415 and NGC 1416 and the leading member of the larger Eridanus Group.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1395 = H. I-58 = h2566 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "B, S, little extended, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel recorded "vB, pmE, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 60" long", and measured an accurate position (2 sweeps).
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NGC 1396 = LGG 098-006 = PGC 13398
03 38 06.5  -35 26 24; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 90°

18" (12/17/11): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, ~20" diameter, low surface brightness.  Requires averted vision and no details were visible.  Located just 4.7' W of NGC 1399 (second brightest galaxy in the Fornax cluster).

18" (12/30/08): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".  Required averted to glimpse though the observation may have been affected by clouds or contrails.  Located 4.7' W of NGC 1399 in the Fornax I cluster.

Note: this identification is very unlikely and the number should probably be classified as "lost".

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1396 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "i" in his table).  There is nothing at his position of 03 38 01 -35 40 17 (2000), and the RNGC classifies NGC 1396 as nonexistent.  The Southern Galaxy Catalogue and RC3, though, identify PGC 13398 as NGC 1396.  PGC 13398 is 14' due north of Schmidt's location and places NGC 1396 just 5' WNW of the bright elliptical NGC 1399.

But I'm not convinced that Schmidt could have picked up this galaxy with a 6-inch refractor as it was extremely faint in my 18-inch.  Harold Corwin took another look at the SGC galaxy in September 2017 and is now also skeptical this is the object seen by Schmidt.  See Harold Corwin's historical notes and my RNGC Corrections #6.  
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NGC 1397 = MCG -01-10-017 = PGC 13485
03 39 47.2  -04 40 12; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1397 = H. III-569 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "eF, little extended, easily resolvable."  His position (re-reduced by Auwers) is just 1.3' NE of MCG -01-10-017 = PGC 13485.  JH thought his observation of h305 applied to this galaxy, but actually he discovered IC 344.
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NGC 1398 = ESO 482-022 = MCG -04-09-040 = PGC 13434
03 38 52.0  -26 20 13; For
V = 9.7;  Size 7.1'x5.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 100°

17.5" (11/26/94): very bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1, 2.2'x1.1', well concentrated with a very bright 30" rounder core and a stellar nucleus.  NGC 1360 lies 1.3° NW.  This galaxy has a beautiful inner and outer ring structure on deep images.

14.5" (12/17/20): bright, large, slightly elongated central region at least 1.5' diameter.  Strongly and sharply concentrated with a very bright inner core that increases to an intense stellar nucleus.  The outer halo is very diffuse and difficult to judge diameter but perhaps 2.5' to 3'.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large, round, bright core.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1398, along with an independent discovery of NGC 1360, on 9 Oct 1861 using his personal 4-inch Steinheil refractor from Marseilles.  Tempel didn't announce the discovery until May 1882.  In the meantime it was independently found by Friedrich August Winnecke on 17 Dec 1868 with a 4.5-inch refractor by Reinfelder & Hertel at Karlsruhe.  It was also found by Eugen Block (announced in AN 2287) on 18 Oct 1879 with a 4-inch refractor at Odessa.  This is the brightest galaxy discovered by Tempel (V = 9.7) and the most southerly.

Based on plates taken at the Helwan observatory in 1927-31, NGC 1398 was described as an "oval ring 5' diameter, surrounding a faint, disc 1.5' diameter with a vB central almost stellar ncl, 1/2' with a pF axis E 10°."
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NGC 1399 = ESO 358-045 = MCG -06-09-012 = LGG 096-017 = PGC 13418
03 38 29.0  -35 27 04; For
V = 9.6;  Size 6.9'x6.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

18" (12/17/11): very bright, large, round, 3' diameter.  The outer halo has a fairly low surface brightness but the central portion is sharply concentrated with a very bright 35" core.  The core continues to brighten significantly to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A star is superimposed less than 20" NNE of center.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 1404 10' SSE.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, large faint halo is broadly concentrated, brighter core.  A star is superimposed 0.3' N of the center.  NGC 1399 is the second brightest and second largest in the core of the Fornax I cluster.  It is often taken as the central cluster galaxy. NGC 1404 is 10' SE.

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, round, bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1399 = h2569 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded a "globular cluster, vB, pL, pretty suddenly brighter middle, resolvable or resolved, 2'."  He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars (NGCs 1310, 1379, 1387 and 1436).  In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported it was not resolved visually awith the 30-inch Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory. The same year, Melotted called it a "nebula" based on the Franklin-Adams plates.
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NGC 1400 = ESO 548-062 = MCG -03-10-022 = PGC 13470
03 39 30.8  -18 41 17; Eri
V = 11.0;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 40°

17.5" (12/11/99): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, brighter core, stellar nucleus. Smaller and fainter than NGC 1407 11' NE.  Possible member of the NGC 1407 group.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, small faint halo.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1407 11.6' NE.  

8" (10/31/81): faint, very small, round.  Situated 11' SW of NGC 1407.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1400 = H. II-593 = h2567 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and recorded "pB, pS, R, resembling the following [NGC 1407], but much less."  John Herschel noted "B, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 30"."
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NGC 1401 = ESO 482-026 = MCG -04-09-042 = LGG 097-010 = PGC 13457
03 39 21.9  -22 43 29; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 2.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 130°

13.1" (10/10/86): faint, small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is just 0.4' N of center.  NGC 1403 lies 20' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1401 = H. III-247 = h2568 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "eF, vS."  His RA was 23 seconds too large, but John Herschel measured an accurate position.  I'm surprised neither noted the elongation.
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NGC 1402 = ESO 548-061 = MCG -03-10-023 = PGC 13467
03 39 30.5  -18 31 37; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 88°

17.5" (12/11/99): fairly faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small brighter core.  Located 10' S of NGC 1400 in a group.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1402 = LM 2-376 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position essentially matches ESO 548-061 = PGC 13467.
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NGC 1403 = ESO 482-025 = MCG -04-09-041 = PGC 13445
03 39 10.8  -22 23 18; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 175°

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, small, 40" diameter, small bright core surrounded by a very faint halo, almost stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the west edge 30" from the center.  A bright wide double star mag 8/10.5 at 30" is located 4' NNE.  NGC 1401 lies 20' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1403 = LM 2-375 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His RA was 0.2 minutes of time too large and it was corrected in Robert Baker's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus".
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NGC 1404 = ESO 358-046 = MCG -06-09-013 = LGG 094-012 = PGC 13433
03 38 52.1  -35 35 38; For
V = 10.0;  Size 3.3'x3.0';  Surf Br = 12.5

18" (12/17/11): very bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter.  The outer halo gradually increases then brightens fairly rapidly to a small, very bright core.  The core increases to the center but a stellar nucleus wasn't seen.  A mag 12-12.5 star is 45" SE, at the edge of the halo.  Mag 8.1 HD 22862 lies 2.8' SE.  NGC 1404 is smaller but has an overall higher surface brightness than NGC 1399, located 10' NNW.  NGC 1396 lies 4.6' W.

At 285x, supernova 2011iv, discovered on Dec 2, was easily visible just 7" W and 8" N of center.  The supernova was similar in brightness to the mag 12-12.5 star at or just off the southeast edge of the halo.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, fairly small, round, bright core.  Located just 2.8' NNW of mag 8.1 SAO 194428.  NGC 1399 lies 10' NW.  Member of Fornax I cluster. 

8" (10/31/81): fairly bright, small, round, bright core.  A mag 8 star is close SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1404 = h2571 on 28 Nov 1837 and recorded (the following night) "vB, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 40", has a star N.f."  His RA was 12 seconds too large and the star is south following but this identification is certain.  In 1865 Julius Schmidt measured a more accurate position with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory, though he initially reported it as a new nebula.  His later table in 1876 correctly identifies it as h2571.
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NGC 1405 = MCG -03-10-028 = PGC 13512
03 40 18.9  -15 31 48; Eri
V = 15.6;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 15.1;  PA = 153°

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.3'.  Requires averted to glimpse.  Located 5' NNE of brighter NGC 1413.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1405 = LM 1-110, along with NGC 1413, on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick.  He logged "mag 16.0, pL, vE 150°, gradually little brighter middle, sev vF st inv."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is accurate and the position angle matches, though no are stars involved (noted first by Herbert Howe in 1900).  Howe measured an accurate RA in 1899-00 at Denver.
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NGC 1406 = ESO 418-015 = MCG -05-09-020 = UGCA 83 = AM 0337-312 = LGG 096-030 = PGC 13458
03 39 23.1  -31 19 18; For
V = 11.8;  Size 3.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 15°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, moderately large, 3.0'x0.6, brighter core, dims at ends of extensions.  Located 16' ESE of mag 7.4 SAO 194416.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1406 = h2572 on 18 Nov 1835 and accurately recorded "F, vmE, very gradually little brighter middle, 2' l, 20" br; *7 mag precedes in parallel."
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NGC 1407 = ESO 548-067 = MCG -03-10-030 = LGG 100-004 = PGC 13505
03 40 11.8  -18 34 48; Eri
V = 9.7;  Size 4.6'x4.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 35°

24" (1/1/19): at 260x; very bright, very large, round, 2.5'-3' diameter.  The galaxy displayed three distinct brightness zones that were sharply delineated.  The large halo was fairly smooth, but the sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  The core has a sharp brightness spike with an extremely bright nucleus!

A number of galaxies are nearby including NGC 1400 11.5' SW, NGC 1402 10' WNW, IC 343 8' N, IC 345 21' NE, IC 346 29' NE and several more.

17.5" (12/11/99): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, bright core, nearly stellar nucleus.  Brightest in the NGC 1407 Group (LGG 100), which includes 8 NGC galaxies and IC 343.

13.1" (1/18/85): bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1400 11.6' SW.  

8" (10/31/81): bright, small, round, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1407 = H. I-107 = h2570 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459).  He recorded "B, R, much brighter middle or large nucleus, about 1.5' diameter." He included his sketch (fig. 28) in his 1811 PT publication as an example of "Nebulae that have a Nucleus".  John Herschel called it "vB, L, R, first very gradually then very small, very much brighter middle; 3' diameter."
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NGC 1408 = ESO 358-048
03 39 24  -35 31; For

= Not found, RNGC, Corwin and ESO.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1408 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "k" in his table).  There is nothing near his position, though a 20" pair of mag 14.5/15.5 stars is 1.6' NW and a slightly close pair of mag 13.5/15 star is 4' SE.  Either might apply, so this number is considered lost.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1409 = VV 729 = III Zw 55 = MCG +00-10-011 = CGCG 391-028 = PGC 13553
03 41 10.4  -01 18 08; Tau
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

24" (2/5/21): NGC 1409 is the brighter southwestern component of a double system with NGC 1410 [15" between centers].  At 260x; it was almost moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~0.4'x0.3', very small bright nucleus.  Located 50' WSW of 5.2-magnitude 24 Eridani.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, oval SSW-NNE.  This is a contact pair with NGC 1410 - just 14" between centers.  At high power appears faint, small, round, small bright core.  NGC 1410 is just 15" NE in a common halo.  Located on the Eridanus border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1409 = H. III-263 = h304 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "Suspected, eF, stellar or little extended, 240x power rather confirmed it, but left a doubt."  His position is 2' south of this double system (with NGC 1410).
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NGC 1410 = VV 729 = III Zw 55 = MCG +00-10-012 = CGCG 391-028 = PGC 13556
03 41 10.7  -01 17 55; Tau
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 120°

24" (2/5/21): NGC 1410 is the fainter northeastern component of an interacting double system with NGC 1409 [15" between centers].  At 260x; faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, stellar nucleus. Sometimes appears as a "bulge" extending out of the north side of NGC 1409, but resolved clearly at 375x.

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Forms a very close contact pair with NGC 1409 on the Eridanus border.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's observer, discovered NGC 1410 on 17 Jan 1855. He recorded a "Double neb [with NGC 1409], north and south, both vS, bM.  Cannot make out whether there is a connexion between them."
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NGC 1411 = IC 1943? = ESO 249-011 = MCG -07-08-004 = AM 0338-224 = LGG 097-011 = PGC 13429
03 38 44.9  -44 06 02; Hor
V = 11.3;  Size 2.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 6°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~2'x1.5'.  Very sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 20" core and fairly even surface brightness halo that gradually fades out.  IC 1970 lies 25' WNW.  One of the brighter members of the NGC 1433 subgroup of the Dorado Group complex.

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core.  One of farthest southern galaxies easily viewed from Northern California.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1411 = h2573 on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "B, R, very small & very much brighter middle, 20 arcsec."  His position is accurate.  Harold Corwin suggests Lewis Swift may have found this galaxy again on 3 Oct 1897 at Echo Mountain, but made an error in recording the RA of Sw. 11-55, with the RA 9 min too small (the dec matches).  If so, then NGC 1411 = IC 1943.  See Corwin's notes for IC 1943.
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NGC 1412 = IC 1981 = ESO 482-029 = MCG -05-09-021 = PGC 13520
03 40 29.3  -26 51 44; For
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 131°

17.5" (1/12/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated nearly 2:1 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.7', bright core.  Situated in a group of three mag 11/12 stars with a mag 12 star 1.6' SE.  Located 38' SE of NGC 1398 in northeast Fornax.

John Herschel found NGC 1412 = h2574 on 20 Nov 1835 and recorded "F, S, E, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 15"; has a * S.f. distance 2'."  There is nothing at his position and NGC 1412 was reported as not found on a 60 min exposure at the Helwan observatory (1935) or on Bruce 24-inch refractor plates from South Africa (Robert Baker, 1933).  As a result the RNGC classified the number as nonexistent.  But 40' due south of Herschel's position is ESO 482-029 = PGC 13520 and ESO-LV and RC3 identify this galaxy as NGC 1412.  ESO 482-029 is a good match in description; the galaxy is elongated NW-SE with a mag 12 star 1.6' SSE.  The poor declination probably resulted from a copying error.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 26 Dec 1897, placed it 37 sec of RA too far west (declination matches) in discovery list XI-58 (later IC 1981). So, NGC 1412 = IC 1981.  ESO and MCG use only the IC designation.  Included in my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1413 = PGC 13504
03 40 11.5  -15 36 39; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 14.5 star is located 1.7' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 1405 5' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1413 = LM 1-111 (along with NGC 1405 = I-110) on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, vS, R, little brighter in the middle."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 0.8 min of RA east of PGC 13504.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1414 = ESO 548-071 = MCG -04-09-045 = LGG 097-014 = PGC 13543
03 40 57.0  -21 42 48; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 1.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 172°

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.3'.  Collinear with two mag 13 stars 6' S.  Forms a pair with NGC 1422 8' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1414 = LM 2-377 on 19 Nov 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.8, 1.6'x0.1', E 0° (N-S), brighter middle to a nucleus.  His description and position is accurate (just off the south side).  Herbert Howe corrected position, measured in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, refers to NGC 1422.  In Harvard Observatory's 1933 "Catalogue of 985 Extragalactic Nebulae in a Region in Fornax and Eridanus", Robert Baker noted the "Original NGC position in agreement with present catalogue".

NGC 1414 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "Elongated at 165°."
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NGC 1415 = IC 1983 = ESO 482-033 = MCG -04-09-047 = LGG 097-011 = PGC 13544
03 40 56.8  -22 33 50; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 3.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 148°

17.5" (11/2/91): moderately bright, moderately large.  Contains a bright core with a bright almost stellar nucleus and a much fainter halo elongated 2:1 NW-SE.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' NNW of center.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1416 9' S.  Located 8.5' ESE of mag 8.6 SAO 168726. 

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, elongated NW-SE, fairly small, bright core, faint elongated halo.  

8" (11/28/81): faint, small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1415 = H. II-267 = h2575 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and logged "F, vS, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made 3 observations from the CGH, recording it first as "pF, E, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 40" long."

Lewis Swift probably independently found the galaxy on 8 Oct 1896 from Echo Mountain in Southern California and recorded it in list XI-55 (later IC 1983) as "vF; pS; R; not [NGC] 1426."  His position is 3.4' SE of NGC 1415 the most likely galaxy he picked up.  See Harold Corwin's discussion for IC 1983.
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NGC 1416 = ESO 482-034 = MCG -04-09-048 = PGC 13548
03 41 02.9  -22 43 08; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (11/2/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located almost on line with mag 9.2 SAO 168733 1.5' SSW and mag 9.3 SAO 168734 3.7' S.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 1415 9' N.  Slightly misplotted 5' too far south on U2000.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1416 = LM 2-378 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.5' dia, R, *8.7 nr; *8.6 north 2'."  His position 3' south of ESO 482-034 but the mag 8.6 star is 2' south-southeast (the other mag 8.7 star is 2.2' further south).  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  The RNGC and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas placed the galaxy 3' too far south.  See Corwin's notes for more on the story.
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NGC 1417 = MCG -01-10-021 = Holm 70a = LGG 103-004 = PGC 13584
03 41 57.4  -04 42 18; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 175°

24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 327x;  moderately bright and large, oval 2:1 N-S, 2'x1', relatively large brighter core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.3 star is about 1' SE.  Brightest in a group with NGC 1418 5.0' WSW, IC 344 7' WNW, NGC 1424 19' E and IC 347 25' NNE.

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.  A mag 11 star is 1.3' SE of center.  Brightest in a group (LGG 103) with NGC 1418 4.9' ESE and IC 344 7.3' WNW.  The group also includes NGC 1358 and NGC 1453.

13.1" (12/7/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright core.  A mag 10.5 star is close SSE.  Second of three in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1417 = H. II-455 = h306, along with NGC 1418, on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457).  He recorded both as "Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, little brighter in the middle. The following [NGC 1418] eF, vS, E, hardly to be seen but 240 verified it; about 6 or 7' south following the first."  His position is accurate.

On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), John Herschel remarked "R; north-preceding a star.  The second of 3 [with NGC 1418]."  His position is 19 seconds of RA too far west, but the description applies (the star is 1.3' SE).  He also accurately measured the position, but listed it under h307 (NGC 1418).  See notes for IC 344 = h305.
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NGC 1418 = MCG -01-10-022 = Holm 70b = LGG 103-005 = PGC 13606
03 42 16.2  -04 43 50; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 15°

24" (1/25/22): at 228x and 327x; fairly faint and small, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SSW-NNE, brighter elongated core is a bit offset towards the N side.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 1417 5' WNW.  NGC 1424 lies 14' E and mag 7.7 HD 23144 is 10' NE.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~N-S, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.4' S.  Forms a pair with NGC 1417 4.9' WNW.  Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)

13.1" (12/7/85): faint, small, oval ~N-S.  A mag 12 star is 1' S.  Third of three in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1418 = H. II-456 = h307, along with NGC 1417 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and recorded, "Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, little brighter in the middle. The following [NGC 1418] eF, vS, E, hardly to be seen but 240 verified it; about 6 or 7' south following the first."  His position was 2.6' too far NE, but the identification is certain.  John Herschel had problems with his observation, and his description for 30 Dec 1826 applies to NGC 1417!
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NGC 1419 = ESO 301-023 = MCG -06-09-017 = AM 0338-374 = LGG 096-027 = PGC 13534
03 40 42.1  -37 30 40; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.4

18" (1/21/04): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter.  Increases to a very small, brighter core.  An occasional stellar nucleus was glimpsed when the seeing steadied up at 215x.  Located 28' SW of mag 4.7 SAO 194475.  Outlying member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1419 = h2576 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, vS, pretty suddenly brighter middle, 15" (clouded)."  His position (from two sweeps) matches ESO 301-023 = PGC 13534.
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NGC 1420
03 42 39.8  -05 51 09; Eri

= ***, Corwin.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1420 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  At his single position is a close triple star and he noted a mag 13 star precedes by 10.5 seconds of time in approximately the same declination.  This clinches the identity with this close triple.
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NGC 1421 = MCG -02-10-008 = PGC 13620
03 42 29.4  -13 29 20; Eri
V = 11.4;  Size 3.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 179°

18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated N-S, ~3.2'x1.0', broad concentration with a brighter bulging core.  The surface brightness is noticeably irregular and mottled with the impression of several brighter patchy knots.  Most noticeable is a brighter northern end that appears to contains a small brighter spot.  This end also seems to contain a small knot or extension that bulges out and angles towards the northwest. [This feature was verified on the DSS].  A mag 13 star is close west of the north end.  

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 3.0'x0.7', broad weak concentration, fades towards tips.  The surface brightness has a patchy or mottled appearance.  The southern tip is slightly fainter than the northern edge.  A mag 13 star is 2.8' NE of center.  

8" (11/28/81): very faint, moderately large, elongated N-S.  A distinctive 6.5' collinear string consisting of four stars mag 10-12 oriented NW-SE begins 8' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1421 = H. II-291 = h2577 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364) and noted "pF, mE in the direction of the meridian, between 3 and 4' l and about 1' broad, resolvable."  John Herschel observed this galaxy on 8 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, vmE, very little brighter middle, 3' l, 20" br; pos. = 184.2 degrees."  Dreyer and Lord Rosse made a detailed observation with the 72" on 14 Oct 1876: "F, mE 178.7°, about 4' long; F* (17m +/- ) p near the on end, 38.7" distant, the brighter part of the neb seems abruptly terminated just foll the star, towards which it also appears curved; eF* or knot in neb foll the *17m."
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NGC 1422 = ESO 548-077 = MCG -04-09-051 = LGG 097-015 = PGC 13569
03 41 31.1  -21 40 53; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 2.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 65°

17.5" (1/12/02): extremely faint, very small, round, 20", low surface brightness.  Based on the DSS image, I only viewed the brighter core as this galaxy is very extended SW-NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 1414 8' WSW.  Located 30' NW of NGC 1426.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1422 = LM 2-379 on 19 Nov 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.8'x0.2', E 80 deg."  There is nothing at his position, but roughly 1 min of RA west is ESO 548-077 = PGC 13569 and his description is a good match with this galaxy.  Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00, though assumed this nebula was NGC 1414.

NGC 1422 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "elongated at 65°."  He also corrected to RA.
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NGC 1423 = MCG -01-10-025 = Mrk 1191 = PGC 13628
03 42 40.1  -06 22 54; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 20°

18" (1/21/04): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3'.  No details but not difficult.  A mag 14.5 star follows by 1.3'.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1423 = Sw. 5-55 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 29 sec of RA east of MCG -01-10-025 = PGC 13628 = PGC 13629.
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NGC 1424 = NGC 1429? = MCG -01-10-026 = PGC 13664
03 43 13.9  -04 43 48; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 10°

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness.  NGC 1418 lies 14' W and NGC 1417 19' W. 

13.1" (12/7/85): faint, fairly small, almost round, diffuse, slightly elongated N-S.  Located 14' E NGC 1418.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 1424 on 8 Dec 1850 (Sunday) while observing the field of NGC 1417.  Bindon may have been observing with his brother George Johnstone Stoney, who visited Birr Castle several weekends in Fall 1850. This galaxy was suspected during the earlier observation on Saturday night.  The observer noted a "faint nova" 16' following [NGC 1418].  The following month month Stoney called it "vF, E."  This group was observed 15 times at Birr Castle.  Francis Leavenworth mentioned the galaxy in his description of NGC 1429: "1st of 2, one of which is GC 763 [NGC 1424]; *10, p 15 sec."  There's only one galaxy here, though, so NGC 1429 is considered lost or perhaps he found another pair and made a large error in position.
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NGC 1425 = ESO 419-004 = MCG -05-09-023 = UGCA 84 = LGG 096-032 = PGC 13602 = IC 1988?
03 42 11.5  -29 53 36; For
V = 10.6;  Size 5.8'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 129°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core.  A pair of mag 12.5/14 stars at 30" separation are 2' NE of center and a mag 11 star lies 2.5' N.  Outlying member of the Fornax I cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1425 = H. II-852 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972).  He recorded "faint, pretty large, irregularly round, gradually brighter middle."  His position is accurate.

Harold Corwin comments that Lewis Swift's IC 1988 (Sw. 11-61) may be a duplicate observation.  On 3 Oct 1897 (date given as 14 Oct in his large 11th list in AN) he recorded "eF, pL, R; 2 stars near followeing, wide double star north preceding." There are two stars "near following" this galaxy, but the wide double star is west-southwest, not northwest per Swift.  The identification NGC 1425 = IC 1988 also requires that Swift made a 10° error in declination, though these types of errors are not uncommon in his later observations from southern California.
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NGC 1426 = ESO 549-001 = MCG -04-09-054 = AM 0340-221 = LGG 097-016 = PGC 13638
03 42 49.1  -22 06 30; Eri
V = 11.4;  Size 2.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 111°

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1426 = H. III-248 = h2578 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS, lE."  John Herschel made two observations from the CGH, first calling it "F" and then "B", probably due to varying sky conditions.
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NGC 1427 = ESO 358-052 = MCG -06-09-021 = LGG 096-020 = PGC 13609
03 42 19.4  -35 23 34; For
V = 10.9;  Size 3.6'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 76°

18" (12/17/11): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 2.0'x1.5'.  Well concentrated with a very bright, rounder 25" core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5-13 star is 1.7' W, a bit outside the halo.

18" (1/21/04): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x1.4'.  Contains a large, prominent core which is rounder than the halo.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1427 = h2579 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 20" dia."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1428 = ESO 358-053 = MCG -06-09-022 = LGG 096-021 = PGC 13611
03 42 22.8  -35 09 16; For
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 118°

18" (12/17/11): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Contains a faint outer halo, well-concentrated with a bright 20" core that increases somewhat to the center.  A mag 13 star is at the west edge (35" from center).

18" (1/21/04): fairly faint, small, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE.  A mag 13 star is just west of the NW edge and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star.  Located 14' N of NGC 1427.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1428 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at the Athens Observatory.  It was found during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "l" in his table).  His position matches ESO 358-053 = PGC 13611.
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NGC 1429
03 44 00  -04 43; Eri

= Not found, Corwin.  =*, Carlson.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1429 = LM 2-381 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He has two listings under this number.  The first reads mag 15.2, 0.2' diameter, R, bgM with the note "1st of 2, one of which is GC 763 [NGC 1424]; *10 p 15s".  The second object is listed at 0.5 min of RA east and described as mag 15.5, 0.3'x0.2', E 180° (N-S) with the note "second of 2".  There is only a single galaxy near his position, namely NGC 1424 (discovered earlier at Birr Castle), which better matches the second entry (elongated N-S).  So, NGC 1429 is nonexistent though Corwin comments his description may apply to a different pair of galaxies!
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NGC 1430 = NGC 1440
03 45 02.9  -18 15 59; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1440.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1430 = LM 2-380 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He reported, "mag 15.4, 0.6'x0.4', E 20°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  There is nothing at his position and no reasonable candidates showed up in a quick search of the surrounding fields.  Bigourdan was not able to recover this object and it was reported not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce astrograph in South Africa (Baker, 1937).

Harold Corwin identified this number with a mag 13.3 star near Leavenworth's position but a single star does not fit his description (0.6'x0.4' in PA 20°).  As a result, I had listed this object as lost.  But in Apr 2016 Yann Pothier suggested that NGC 1430 is a duplicate of NGC 1440.  The RA of NGC 1440 is 1.5 minutes further east (typical error in the Leander-McCormick observations) and the description is a fairly good match (except for the magnitude estimate).  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 1431 = UGC 2845 = MCG +00-10-017 = CGCG 391-033 = PGC 13732
03 44 40.8  +02 50 06; Tau
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, low surface brightness, requires averted vision.  Located 14' NW of mag 6.7 SAO 111393.  Four mag 9.5-11 stars are in the 220x field including a mag 11 star 4' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1431 = m 91 on 6 Sep 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, pL, iR."  His position is 2' N of UGC 2845 = PGC 13732.
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NGC 1432 = LBN 771 = vdB 21 = Ced 19f = Maia Nebula
03 45 49.5  +24 22 05; Tau
Size 15'x15'

8" (12/28/16): at 124x (unfiltered): although all the bright stars in the Pleiades had scattered light halos, it appeared mag 3.9 Maia had a slightly more extensive halo and irregular halo than mag 3.7 Electra.  So, I am fairly confident this was due to the outer reflection nebulosity surrounding Maia.  The scattered light itself seemed about the same intensity around both stars.

Paul and Prosper Henry (brothers) discovered NGC 1432 on the first plate they took of the Pleiades on 16 Nov 1885 at Paris Observatory using the 33-cm astrograph. The plate showed nebulosity around Maia which they described "appears very clearly and has spiral form...it was impossible to see it in our telescopes."  The discovery was announced in AN 113, p.239, though it didn't include their image of the nebula, which was published in 1888.  The Maia nebula is the only object in the NGC discovered photographically!

Edward Pickering wrote a short article on 21 Jan 1886 (published in Astronomische Nachricten 113, 399)  that he had already photographed the Pleiades on 3 Nov 1885 with an 8-inch lens and stated it only showed "certain irregularities...due merely to defects in the photographic process."  However, a comparison of the Henry photograph revealed these "irregularities" included a patch west of Maia, pointing to the north, and a diffuse remnant near Merope pointing south (well known visible nebula).  Pickering also mentioned "a faint narrow streak of light projecting from Electra on the following side", though Dreyer didn't include the Electra nebula (vdB 20) in the NGC.  As Pickering initially interpreted these as plate flaws, he stated the discovery priority for the Maia nebula remains with Paul and Prosper Henry.  

Otto Struve made the first visual observation on 5 Feb 1886 with the new 30-inch refractor at Pulkovo.  On 23 Feb 1886 he made another observation and sketch showing the nebula stretching from Maia to the east.  E.E. Barnard also observed it visually on 5 Dec 1890 with the 36-inch and made a sketch showing a nebulous strip extending N-S and ending between two stars labeled as 11th mag.
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NGC 1433 = ESO 249-014 = AM 0340-472 = PGC 13586
03 42 01.5  -47 13 20; Hor
V = 9.9;  Size 6.5'x5.9';  Surf Br = 13.7

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a large halo.  The overall dimensions are ~3.5'x2.2'.  I had a strong impression of extensions or the beginnings of two spiral arms (sketch made and verified); one arm begins at the west end and starts to curve towards the east on the south side while the other is symmetrically placed on the following end and hooks west on the north side.  On images these arms connect to form a perfect ring around the bar. A mag 12 star lies 2.8' SW of center, beyond the halo.

This barred spiral is the brightest member of the NGC 1433 group and part of the Dorado Cloud that includes NGC 1512, 1448, 1493 and 1411.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1433 = D 426 = h2580 on 28 Sep 1826.  His description (based on two observations) reads "a very faint nebula, about 1' diameter, rather elliptical in the parallel of the equator; with a brightish point or condensation of the nebulous matter, a little to the preceding side of the centre."

John Herschel first logged the galaxy on 14 Dec 1835 (sweep 654), "B, L, pmE, suddenly much brighter middle; 100" long, 60" broad".  On 3 Dec 1837 (sweep 805) he noted "vB, L, mE, very suddenly much brighter middle to nucleus = 10th mag star."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1433 with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 10 Nov 1877.  He showed the thin bar running E-W with a well defined, bright nucleus. (p. 149 of his logbook).  It was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! vB, vL, ellips. spiral"
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NGC 1434 = PGC 13804
03 46 12.8  -09 40 57; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Situated between mag 8.6 SAO 130713 6' SE and a mag 11 star 5.5' NW.  Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.  NGC 1445 lies 21' SW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1434 = LM 2-382 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.3, 0.4' dia, R, *8.5, follows 25 sec and 3' N. " There is nothing at his position, but 1.8 min of RA due east is PGC 13804. The bright star he mentions follows by 21 sec of RA and is 2.6' south, instead of north.  Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.
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NGC 1435 = Ced 19j = vdB 22 = Merope Nebula = Tempel's Nebula
03 46 10  +23 45 54; Tau
Size 30'x30'

24" (12/28/16): at 124x (unfiltered): the huge Merope Nebula was easily visible, roughly spanning 20' in a wedge or triangular shape with mag 4.2 Merope close to the northeast vertex.  The most well defined edge is clearly the eastern side as it extends N-S.  The edge passes close to a string of 7 stars oriented NNW-SSE, including two mag 10 stars and nearly reaches mag 8.1 HD 23512, which is 20' SSE of Merope.  Just before reaching this star the nebulosity clearly curves to the west and extends ~20' generally northwest, passing north of mag 9.0 HD 23326, though the border is slightly less defined.  At this point the edges of the nebulosity can be traced back east or ENE back to Merope, though the edge here is the least defined.  The surface brightness of the interior is irregular with some slightly brighter patches and weaker areas.

18" (1/26/11): at 73x (unfiltered), the Merope Nebula was immediately visible as a huge wedge-shape or comet-shaped glow with Merope near the focus on the northeast end and the nebula spreading out generally to the south and west.  The most striking feature of the nebula is the well-defined and approximately eastern edge oriented N-S that heads south from Merope, passing through a 1' pair of mag 10/11 stars as well as a 1' pair of mag 10/12.5 star.  The nebulosity can be traced a bit over 20' along this side.  On the west side of Merope the border is more ill-defined but roughly heads southwest for ~20'.  The southern border is also ill-defined but is roughly oriented NW to SE and nearly extends nearly as far as mag 9 HD 23326.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, the Merope Nebula is the brightest of the reflection nebulae that encase the Pleiades.  It appears as a moderately bright, very large, fan-shaped cone of light extended in a wedge SW to SE from  Merope.  The boundary of the nebulosity is straighter and better defined along the SE edge where it follows a string of mag 10-11 stars.  The SW border is not as well defined but extends beyond a trio of mag 13 stars.  The fan is broadest at its southern extremity which is roughly 15' from Merope.

16x80 (12/22/84): the Merope nebula was faint but definite in the 16x80 finder using a Deep Sky filter.  Also, nebulosity surrounding other stars were confirmed with confidence at full aperture in the 13.1" at 62x.

8" (10/4/80 and 11/4/80): very large, faint, very elongated tear-drop shaped nebulosity extending SW away from Merope.  Has a sharper edge along the eastern side.  Best view using the Rich Field Adapter at 37x-50x.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1435, the Merope Nebula, on 19 Oct 1859 from Venice with his personal 4-inch Steinheil refractor using 45x.  The following historical summary is from Wolfgang Steinicke's book "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".

The Merope Nebula was the first deep sky object Tempel discovered.  He initially thought it was a comet, but the next night (20th) he checked and found no movement.  The discovery was published on 23 Dec 1860 (AN 54, 285).  Christian August Peters, the editor of Astronomische Nachricten, confirmed the observation using a 7-inch refractor.  Auwers first observed it on 14 Jan 1861, but d'Arrest was unsuccessful using the 11-inch Merz refractor at Copenhagen in Aug 1862.  Based on his negative results on several attempts, he reported "I have hitherto been able positively to see nothing. ...I therefore, even yet, am of opinion that this nebula is variable, otherwise the original announcement of the discovery ... must be looked upon as been greatly exaggerated.  This report began a heated interchange involving many of the world's most prominent visual observers over the next 30 years (see NGC 1555 = Hind's Variable Nebula for a similar situation).

In September 1862, Julius Schmidt supported d'Arrest, claiming if it was not variable he would have noticed it while carefully observing the Pleiades since 1841.  He first reported a sighting on 5 Feb 1861, describing it as "very large, very pale and quite shapeless."  Auwers responded critically to d'Arrest, claiming neither Tempel's (Merope) nebula nor NGC 1333 were variable but that "large, blurred, faint objects are much more easily visible in small instruments than in large ones" and d'Arrest's failure was due to "a small field of view, completely filled by the 15' large nebula".  Charcornac at Paris Observatory also reported the nebula was difficult to see at high power.  Schönfeld wrote that the nebula "instantly stuck out in the local telescope (6.5-inch refractor in Mannheim, Germany) on Sept 20, 1862 when I pointed it freely towards Merope, without knowing the exact place, looking like a blurred nebula with the shape and size described by Auwers."  

d'Arrest responded to the attack on 12 Nov 1862 (AN 1393) stating "after a long effort I actually set eyes on Tempel's Nebula", though it was "the faintest object which I remember ever having seen in the refractor".  He was "still convinced that the nebula was variable; otherwise the discovery report ["large, bright nebula"] must be seen as highly exaggerated."  In March 1862, Winnecke viewed the nebula with a 4.1-inch refractor at low power and asked Otto Struve to take a look in the 15-inch Merz refractor, convinced that it would be difficult to see in the larger scope.  Winnecke noted "Indeed, we were not convinced about its existence until the telescope was moved quickly back and forth".  Winnecke concluded there was no reason to invoke variability to explain the observations.  In 1863, Tempel wrote a letter to the French magazine Le Monde asserting that nebulae, in general, are unchanging (otherwise their constituent stars would have to be vary simultaneously) and that atmospheric conditions were the source of different observational results.

Reverend Thomas Webb observed the nebula on 6 Oct 1863 with his 5.5-inch Clark refractor, stating "on turning the telescope upon the group at 29x and 64x, though I probably should not have it discovered unknown, I found it with ease, as a very ill-defined, but on the whole egg-shaped haze, encompassing a brilliant star with its smaller but rather brighter end." As far as the variability "he [Schönfeld] thinks this and other suspected nebulae, being very feeble, large and diffuse, are influenced in visibility by magnifying power, varying transparency of the air, and practice of the eye, so that aperture is less concerned in their case than in that of minute stars."  Although he never observed the nebula, John Herschel catalogued the Merope Nebula as GC 768 and his description stated "VAR" [variable].

The controversy about the variability and GC entry caused Lawrence Parsons (4th Earl of Rosse) to take a look with the 36-inch and 72-inch reflectors at Birr Castle, but he found no nebulosity in five observations from Feb 1871 to Sep 1873!  Dreyer, himself, was unsuccessful (on a "misty" night) on 24 Dec 1875.  The first (marginal) successful observation at Birr Castle was not made until 10 Dec 1877 and confirmed later that month.

The debate over variability wasn't settled. In 1875 Charles Wolf at Paris Observatory reported he was unable to see the Merope Nebula from Nov 1874 to Feb 1875 and Stephan at the Marseilles observatory confirmed this. Wolf concluded, "This nebula is truly variable and its period seems to be rather short".  But Tempel published another report in Jan 1877 (AN 2139) concluding, "the invisibility of the Merope Nebula in a large telescope is due to the eyepiece and its field of view. If d'Arrest had used an eyepiece of lower power than 95x, giving a field of 20 to 25'; he would have seen the nebula very easily."  Tempel also made disparaging remarks about the large reflectors at Birr Castle, claiming the 36-inch and 72-inch didn't show more stars than his 11-inch Amici refractor (Tempel and Dreyer had a bitter dispute in 1878 about the "spiral form of nebulae", which Tempel couldn't see in his 11-inch).

On 6 Mar 1877, Maxwell Hall drew the nebula with his 4-inch refractor at 100x and was amazed it was invisible to Lord Rosse and Robert Newall, who had a 25-inch Cooke refractor.  Hall was also critical of Schiaparelli's description of the orientation of the nebula.  Hall's article touched off another debate between Wolf, Common, Hough, Tempel, Swift, Barnard and Burnham.

Charles Wolf published his work on the Pleiades and included a sketch made in Nov 1875.  He saw nebulosity extending to Electra and Celaeno, by masking Merope with the micrometer bar.  A much earlier report by Hermann Goldschmidt to Leverrier in Paris on 21 Sep 1863, claimed he saw not only the Merope nebula but that the Pleiades were completely surrounded by diffuse nebulosity, extending over an area of 5°.

In 1880, Ainslie Common published a drawing of the Pleiades nebulosity using his 36-inch reflector.  It showed a large, elongated patch SE of Merope (the wrong direction!) and two additional patches; one north of Merope and another to the NW of Alcyone.  This caused some more controversy.

In 1880, Tempel published (MNRAS, 40, 622) an excellent drawing of the nebula using Amici I, with accurate form and brightness levels, along with a large number of nearby faint stars.  He mentioned the various astronomers who confirmed the object, including Schmidt, Winnecke Auwers and Schönfeld, and also opponents such as d'Arrest, Secchi and the Birr Castle observers.  He stated "But all ambiguity has been since cleared up, for on fitting the large telescopes with eyepieces of a low magnifying power the nebula becomes distinctly visible, and is shown by them with image equal in clearness to that given by the smaller instrucments.  He also criticized Goldschmidt's observation of the Pleiades surrounded by nebulous clouds and the drawing of Common, saying the sketch must have "evidently been executed with a telescope of insufficient power to show the Merope Nebula."  He concluded with satisfaction "It is now ascertained beyond question that the nebula exists...and anyone publishing statements about its non-existence merely uses vain words, and proclaims himself wanting in knowledge of the history and nebulae and the management of telescopes."

Common was offended and responded the "three-foot telescope" mentioned in his report was of three-foot aperture!  Hall wrote one more report on 13 Dec 1880, claiming the nebula had changed shape, now "extending as far as Electra, and the parabolic form of the Nebula, as seen 1877, was destroyed." He wondered why Tempel had overlooked the "extension of the nebula in the direction of Electra."

Amazingly, the controversy of the existence of the Merope Nebula wasn't over. At Dearborn Observatory in Chicago, Hough and Burnham had previously been critical of earlier reports, because of their discordant descriptions and their negative results in 1879 and 1880 using the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at 120x and higher.  After Tempel's paper, they made a concerted effort from 29 Nov 1880 to 22 Mar 1891 with various eyepieces, stopping down the refractor to 12-inch, even masking Merope.  But they came up empty and decided the previous positive observers were misled by the glare from Merope and the neighboring stars!  Dreyer immediately responded, criticizing the large exit pupil used and furthermore he didn't see anything unusual about or contradictory about previous published reports of a "large and diffused nebulosity".  Also, the theory about the glare from Merope causing an illusion was rejected.  Swift also responded on 2 Dec 1881, that he independently ran across the Merope Nebula in 1874 while searching for comets with his 4.5-inch refractor and "strongly suspected it was a new comet."  His analysis was that Hough and Burnham used too high of a power as he could see the nebula even stopped down to 2-inch aperture at 25x.

Barnard observed and drew the Merope Nebula and nearby stars with his 5-inch refractor in 1883.  He wrote "it is plainly visible in my 5-inch refractory, it has been seen with a 2.5-inch telescope, in the presence of a quarter-full moon."  He criticized Common's sketch but felt his sketch agreed with Tempel's (though it extended further west past Electra).  Barnard also mentioned that Trouvelot reported that it is variable and had become very faint (he described the nebula as changing to a dim purplish color) and "can now be seen only by those acquainted with its former appearance"!

Paul and Prosper Henry first photographed the Pleiades on 16 Nov 1885 and revealed additional nebulosity around Maia, later catalogued as NGC 1432 (the only photographic discovery in the NGC) as well as faint nebulosity near Electra.  In 1886 Charles Wolf published a comparison between the photographic image and the visual observations that showed significant changes in the Merope Nebula.  Morever, the separate nebula observed by Goldschmidt and Wolf had disappeared but he concluded that photographic and visual observations can never be reconciled as objects invisible on photographs can exist visually.  Surprisingly, the image most closely resembled the ridiculed drawing of Common.  Common wrote that his sketch showed the Maia Nebula, however the connection is poor - his placement is closer to Alcyone than Maia.

The image encouraged others to search for addition nebulae in the Pleiades. On 26 Feb 1886, Spitaler and Palisa in Vienna reported the Maia nebula appeared as a "small flaky nebulosity, completely separated from Maia" and on 3 Mar, the former was "only the brightest knot of an extended nebulosity, completely covering Maia." Spitaler wrote "one can hardly refrain from thinking that at least the whole Pleiades region west and north of Alcyone is covered by an extended nebulosity, of which all previously perceived, apparently isolated nebulae, are merely bright knots of light."

On 23 Oct 1886 Isaac Roberts took a 3 hour exposure which revealed "not only are the stars [Alcyone, Maia, Electra, Merope] surrounded by nebulae, but the nebulosity extends in streamers and fleecy masses, till it seems almost to fill the spaces between the stars, and to extend far beyond them."  Common again felt vindicated and repeated his treatment by Tempel, "who thought I had not used a sufficiently large telescope" (a misunderstanding by Tempel).

Another image was taken by the Henry brothers in 1888 showing extensive nebulosity. At an RAS meeting on 8 Jun 1888, Common says "I immediately compared my sketches with it and found that every star I had seen, except one, was there, and, of course, in their proper places."  Robert Newall, who also attended the meeting, stated he was certain that his observations differed from Common with Merope appearing as an oval comet with Merope at the focus and he had not seen the additional patches claimed by Common.

In an 1888 issue of Knowledge, English astronomer Arthur Ranyard wrote an article titled "Great Nebula in the Pleiades" and stated "The observations are worth examining, as they throw some light on the differences which are always likely to exist when observations are pushed into the border-land of vision, where by reason of the extreme faintness or minuteness of the objects examined, the eye begins to fail, and the imagination begins to play a larger and larger part in filling up the gaps where the senses of the eye-straining observer fail him."

Maxwell Hall made a late interesting set of observations in 1889 in Jamaica.  He compared the view of the Merope Nebula using a 9-inch reflector with a glass mirror and his 4-inch Cook refractor.  He reported "a glance through the refractor showed the well-known nebula projected against the dark background or field of view; but in the reflector there was so much light scattered around the field of view that the nebula was invisible."  He concluded this explained the positive sightings in smaller refractors and vice versa, the failure with larger reflectors (especially Lord Rosse's initial failures).  In 1891, Spitaler reviewed the major observations of the Pleiades nebulae in a 20-page paper and created a remarkable map of the region, showing extensive nebulosity surrounding the Pleiades.  He argues his map shows the main structures were correctly drawn and generally only the boundaries vary.

IC 349 is a knot of nebulosity just 0.6' SSE of Merope discovered and sketched by Barnard in 1890 using the 36-inch refractor at Lick.  The discovery was published in AN 3018.  See WSQJ July 1992.  In terms of distance, Steinicke notes this is the closest NGC object.
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NGC 1436 = NGC 1437 = ESO 358-058 = MCG -06-09-02 = AM 0341-360 = LGG 096-022 = PGC 13687
03 43 37.1  -35 51 12; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 3.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

18" (1/21/04): large, low surface brightness glow with just a weak concentration.  Appears slightly elongated NNW-SSE, perhaps 2.5'x2.0', but edges fade into the background so difficult to determine the outline of the halo.  A mag 9.7 star lies 11' NE.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1436 = D 562 = h2581 = h2582 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and described "a pretty large faint round nebula, about 3.5' diameter, gradual slight condensation to the centre, very faint at the margin."  His position was 22' too far SSE.

John Herschel logged it on 9 Jan 1836 (sweep 636) as "very bright, and evidently a globular cluster." He only gave the rough place from Dunlop.  He made another observation (h2582) on 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801) but assumed it was new and as a result NGC 1436 = NGC 1437.  Dorothy Carlson and RNGC list NGC 1436 as "Not Found".  See Corwin's notes for the full story.

While searching for NGC 1436 with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 14 Feb 1888, Pietro Baracchi discovered ESO 358-059.  He called it "vF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle.  This is called in diagram GC 770 [NGC 1437] but I hardly think it can be it."
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NGC 1437 = NGC 1436 = ESO 358-058 = MCG -06-09-025 = AM 0341-360 = LGG 986-022 = PGC 13687
03 43 37.1  -35 51 12; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 3.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

18" (1/21/04): large, low surface brightness glow with just a weak concentration.  Appears slightly elongated NNW-SSE, perhaps 2.5'x2.0', but edges fade into the background so difficult to determine the outline of the halo.  A mag 9.7 star lies 11' NE.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1437 = h2582 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "F, vL, gradually little brighter middle, R, 4" dia."  His position matches ESO 358-058 = PGC 13687.  h2581 = NGC 1436 is a duplicate observation, made while searching for Dunlop 562.  So NGC 1437 = NGC 1436.  Dunlop 562 may apply to this galaxy or perhaps NGC 1365, with a 10 tmin error in RA.
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NGC 1438 = ESO 482-041 = MCG -04-09-058 = LGG 097-018 = PGC 13760
03 45 17.2  -23 00 09; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 69°

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, halo gradually brightens but no nucleus.  A mag 11 star just 20" off the east edge detracts from viewing and a very faint mag 14.5 star lies 1.7' S.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1438 = LM 1-112 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, vmE 60°, *10 follows 1.0'."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) and description matches ESO 482-041 = PGC 13760.

NGC 1438 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and he corrected the position.
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NGC 1439 = ESO 549-009 = MCG -04-09-056 = LGG 097-017 = PGC 13738
03 44 49.9  -21 55 14; Eri
V = 11.4;  Size 2.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.3

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus, round, large faint halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1439 = H. III-249 = h2584 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS."  John Herschel made 3 observations from the CGH, first logging it as "pF, S, R, bM, 20" dia."
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NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1430: = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = LGG 100-007 = PGC 13752
03 45 02.9  -18 15 59; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 28°

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, small faint halo, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 7' ENE of mag 10 SAO 149139.  Member of the NGC 1407 group (LGG 100).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1440 = H. II-458 = h2583 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "pB, R, bM." John Herschel made two observations from South Africa, logging it on 11 Dec 1835 as "pB; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a nucleus = *13' 60" dia."  William also made an observation on 20 Sep 1786 with a 1° error in declination, with the designation II-594.  JH included this observation in the GC (773), although he noted that Auwers considered it identical to II-458.  Dreyer added it as NGC 1442, also noting it was probably identical to NGC 1440.

Joseph Turner observed this galaxy on 10 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and noted it "resembles a planetary nebula with a faint halo surrounding the nucleus, which is a little elongated n the north-following direction."

Finally, Francis Leavenworth found this galaxy again in 1886, recorded it in the second discovery list (#387) from the Leander McCormick observatory but made a 2 min error in RA (too far east).  Dreyer assumed it was new and was catalogued as NGC 1458.  So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.  Finally, NGC 1430, also from Leavenworth, may be another duplicate observation of NGC 1440.
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NGC 1441 = MCG -01-10-029 = LGG 103-010 = PGC 13782
03 45 43.0  -04 05 31; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 70°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x-375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', contains a bright core.  Brightest and largest in trio with NGC 1449 and NGC 1451.   Member of the NGC 1376/1453 group (LGG 103).

13.1" (12/18/82): faint, small, slightly elongated.  Largest and brightest of three with NGC 1449 5.7' SE and NGC 1451 6.2' ENE.  Brighter NGC 1453 lies 13' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1441 = H. II-597 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "faint, extended in a row with some stars."  The star "in a row" are 4.4' WSW, 1.6' E and 3' ENE.  He made a second observation on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "extremely faint, small, irregular figure.  I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough."  The two objects he suspected are almost certainly NGC 1449 (6' SE) and NGC 1451 (6' ENE).
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NGC 1442 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752
03 45 02.9  -18 15 59; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1440.

William Herschel found NGC 1442 = H. II-594 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and logged "pB, vS, R, bM."  There is nothing at his position and it was reported as not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce astrograph in South Africa (Baker, 1937).  But exactly one degree north is NGC 1440 = H. II-458, which he earlier discovered on 6 Oct 1785.  The equivalence was first noted by Auwers but John Herschel still included his father's observation in the GC (774) as well as Dreyer in the NGC with the comment H. II-594 is probably identical to H. II-458 = NGC 1440.  Leavenworth found this galaxy again in 1886 and reported it as new in his second list (#387, later NGC 1458), though his RA was 2 minutes of time too large.  So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.
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NGC 1443
03 45 53.1  -04 03 09; Eri

= *, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1443 in 1882, and described in paper V (AN 2439) "class III and forms with NGC 1441 and the two d'Arrest nebulae (NGC 1449 and NGC 1451) a trapezoid, so the second northernmost in this group".  There is nothing at his position, but Corwin identifies a single mag 14.5 that fits Tempel's description.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 1444 = Cr 43 = OCL-394 = Lund 119
03 49 26  +51 39 18; Per
V = 6.6;  Size 4'

17.5" (11/2/91): at 220x, about 20 mag 7-14 stars scattered in a 5' diameter, not rich or impressive.  The group mainly consists of a bright double star (STF 446 = 7/10 at 9") with a third fainter mag 13 star 12" NE of the bright mag 7 star.  Close northwest is a line of four mag 10-12 stars oriented SW-NE.

The bright star (B-type HD 23675) is a member of the Cam OB1 Association in a dusty portion of the Milky Way, but the "cluster" may be an unrelated group of field stars.

8" (1/1/84): consists of a mag 7.5 star with 7 faint stars just west.  The brightest star is STF 446 = 7.5/9.0 at 10".

William Herschel discovered NGC 1444 = H. VIII-80 = h308 on 18 Dec 1788 (sweep 894) and recorded "a cluster of small stars, containing one large one, 9-10 mag; 2 or 3' diam. not rich."  On 8 Nov 1831 (sweep 384), John Herschel logged a "cluster of about 20 st; place that of a superb double star (∑ 446); the rest 12m."
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NGC 1445 = PGC 13742
03 44 56.1  -09 51 20; Eri
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5": faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration.  Located 2.2' SE of a mag 12 star and 25' ESE of mag 3.5 Delta (35) Eridani.  NGC 1434 lies 21' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1445 = LM 2-383 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 14.5, 0.3' dia, R, *9, position 330° at 2'."  His position is 0.8 min of RA east of PGC 13742 and the description of the nearby star clinches the identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1446
03 45 57.5  -04 06 44; Eri

= *?, Corwin.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1446 on 8 Jan 1877 observing with the 72" at Birr Castle.  He commented "perhaps a vF neb f [NGC 1441]" with no micrometric offsets and the sketch only shows two stars following NGC 1441, so it's unclear what object Dreyer had in mind. (in 1882).  Wilhelm Tempel independently recorded a new object in 1882 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and placed it 16 seconds of RA east of NGC 1441 and +3/4' in declination.  There is nothing at this exact separation and Harold Corwin lists a possible star if the +3' to 4' should read -3' to 4'.  Dreyer assumed both observations referred to the same object, so he and Tempel are credited in the NGC.
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NGC 1447 = PGC 13786
03 45 47.1  -09 01 07; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 105°

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus.  Located 2.7' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 130711 which detracts from viewing.  NGC 1450 lies 13' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1447 = LM 2-384 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, 0.4' dia, R, neb?; *9.5 at 3.2' separation in PA 240° (WSW) ."  His position is 3' S of PGC 13786 and the star is ENE.
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NGC 1448 = NGC 1457 = ESO 249-016 = MCG -07-08-005 = LGG 102-003 = PGC 13727
03 44 32.0  -44 38 38; Hor
V = 10.7;  Size 7.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 41°

18" (12/30/08): moderately bright, large, edge-on ~6:1 SW-NE, ~4.5'x0.8'.  Contains a brighter, elongated core that increases to the center.  A brighter star is close southeast of the core (1.4' from center) and a fainter star is near the northeast end.  Situated at the midpoint of two mag 9.2/9.7 stars located 7.5' N and 7.5' S.  Viewed at only 8° elevation.  Brightest members of a subgroup (LGG 102) of the Dorado Group complex.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1448 = h2585 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "pB, vL, vmE, 3' l, 20" br, position = 221.6 degrees."  There is nothing at his position but 50 seconds of RA east is ESO 249-016 = PGC 13727, which matches his description.  He also recorded h2586 = NGC 1457 (observed on 3 different sweeps; the first on 24 Oct 1835), which all point exactly to this galaxy.  I'm surprised he didn't notice there was only a single bright galaxy here!  By priority, NGC 1457 should be the primary designation, instead of NGC 1448 which is commonly used.  ESO labels this galaxy as NGC 1448 = NGC 1457 and MCG calls it NGC 1448.

This galaxy was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901.  He noted NGC 1448 was not seen and was an error for NGC 1457.
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NGC 1449 = MCG -01-10-032 = LGG 103-013 = PGC 13798
03 46 03.0  -04 08 17; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 20°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x and 376x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3'.  Similar NGC 1451 is 4' SSW and brighter NGC 1441 is 6' WSW in the LGG 103 group.

13.1" (12/18/82): faint, very small, round.  Located 5.7' SE of NGC 1441 and forms a trio with NGC 1451 4.2' NNE in a group.  Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1449, along with NGC 1451, on 9 Oct 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 4 nights, matches MCG -01-10-032 = PGC 13798.

William Herschel probably made the first discovery of NGC 1449 and NGC 1451 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638).  He description of NGC 1441 mentions, "I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough."  Due to the uncertainty it wasn't assigned a general (internal) number or later catalogued.  Édouard Stephan also observed the pair on 22 Nov 1875.
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NGC 1450 = PGC 13775
03 45 36.5  -09 14 04; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.5' SSW-NNE.  Several faint galaxies are situated nearby.  LEDA 994022 is 2.4' N and I recorded a very faint star or galaxy at or near this position.  But even closer (1.7' W) is the brighter edge-on LEDA 993557, which I apparently missed, so I'm not confident of the observation.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1450 = Sw. 5-56 = LM 1-113 = LM 1-114 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 16 seconds of RA due east of PGC 13775.  Ormond Stone discovered this galaxy earlier in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described a double nebula with separation 0.5' (only one galaxy is listed in NED and LEDA).

Frank Muller (also from the LM Observatory) noted the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. As a result Dreyer assigned a single NGC designation, crediting both Swift and Stone. As the LM discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, Stone made the earlier discovery.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1451 = MCG -01-10-033 = LGG 103-014 = PGC 13801
03 46 07.1  -04 04 10; Eri
V = 13.3;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 45°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x-375x; fairly faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, very small bright nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 2' S and a mag 14.7 star is 2' SE.  In a group of galaxies with nearby NGC 1449 and NGC 1441.

13.1" (12/18/82): faint, very small, round.  In a trio with NGC 1441 6.2' WSW and  NGC 1449 4.2' SSW within a group.  Located 7.9' SW of NGC 1453.  Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103)

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1451, along with NGC 1449, on 9 Oct 1864.  His position (measured on 4 nights) matches MCG -01-10-033 = PGC 13801 and he measured a mag 12 star that precedes by 12 seconds of time.

William Herschel probably noticed NGC 1449 and 1451 in an observation of NGC 1441 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638).  He mentions "I suspected two more following; but quite uncertain, not having been out long enough."  Due to his uncertainty, Caroline didn't assign internal (general) discovery numbers.  Édouard Stephan observed the pair on 22 Nov 1875, apparently aware of d'Arrest's discovery.
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NGC 1452 = NGC 1455 = ESO 549-012 = MCG -03-10-044 = LGG 100-008 = PGC 13765
03 45 22.3  -18 38 01; Eri
V = 11.8;  Size 2.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 113°

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, broad weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus, small faint halo.  Appears similar to NGC 1440 25' NNW but slightly fainter.  Member of NGC 1407 group (LGG 100).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1452 = H. II-459 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "F, R, little brighter in the middle."  His position is 3.2' north of ESO 549-012 = PGC 13765.  Francis Leavenworth (II-386) independently found the galaxy in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory but his position was 40 seconds of RA east of NGC 1452.  So Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it again as NGC 1455.  But Leavenworth's position angle ("lE in 30 deg") matches the bar of NGC 1452, so NGC 1452 = NGC 1455, with NGC 1452 the primary designation.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1453 = MCG -01-10-034 = LGG 103-007 = PGC 13814
03 46 27.2  -03 58 09; Eri
V = 11.5;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (12/8/20): very bright, large, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar peak.  The outer halo (at least 1.5' diameter) has a much lower surface and fades gradually away without a definite edge.  One of the two brightest galaxies in the NGC 1376/1417 Group.

13.1" (12/18/82): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, very small bright core.  Brightest of four with a faint trio of galaxies NGC 1441, NGC 1449 and NGC 1451 roughly 10' SW.  Member of the NGC 1376/1417 Group (LGG 103).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1453 = H. I-155 = h309 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "cB, S, much brighter in the middle."  On 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) he noted "pB; gradually much brighter middle."
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NGC 1454 = ESO 549-013
03 45 59.3  -20 39 08; Eri

= *, Gottlieb.  Not found, ESO.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1454 = LM 2-385 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and reported a "*?; *9.5, P 240° [SW] distance 3'.2."  There is nothing at his position.  ESO 549-011 is 12' NW of Muller's position and has a mag 8 star 2.5' NE.  It's possible that Muller reversed the orientation with the mentioned star, although his magnitudes are usually too bright.  I feel a more likely match is the mag 15.3 star listed here.  With respect to this star there is a mag 12.3 star at a distance of 3.4' in PA 240 degrees, which is an excellent match with the description.  Corwin concurs that NGC 1454 is a star.  ESO and RNGC state "not found".
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NGC 1455 = NGC 1452 = ESO 549-012 = MCG -03-10-044 = PGC 13765
03 45 22.3  -18 38 01; Eri
V = 11.8;  Size 2.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 113°

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, broad weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus, small faint halo.  Appears similar to NGC 1440 25' NNW but slightly fainter.  Member of NGC 1407 group (LGG 100).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1455 = LM 2-386 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.7, 0.5', lE 30°, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  There is nothing at his position but 40 sec of RA west is NGC 1452 and his position angle matches its bar.  Heber Curtis was perhaps the first to note "R.A. as given in the NGC probably in error; no object in that place.  [NGC 1452] faint; Saturn-shaped; 1' long in p.a. 30°."

NGC 2000 and the Southern Galaxy Catalogue equate NGC 1455 with NGC 1452.  RNGC misidentifies PGC135094 at 03 46 09.4 -18 39 26 (2000) as NGC 1455 while PGC and ESO misidentify ESO 549-014 as NGC 1455.
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NGC 1456
03 48 08.3  +22 33 31; Tau

= **, Gottlieb.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1456 in 1886 with a 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England and noted a "double star mag 10-12, companion nebulous at 130°, 9'' [separation].  At his position is a wide pair of stars with the southwest component a "fused" double star (both components visible) on the DSS at 03 48 08.3 +22 33 31 (2000).  The single mag 10 star is 1.4' NE.  Lohse's description matches this pair although there is no involved nebulosity, as first noted by Sherburne Burnham when he examined the pair in 1909 at Yerkes.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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NGC 1457 = NGC 1448 = ESO 249-016 = MCG -07-08-005 = PGC 13727
03 44 32.0  -44 38 38; Hor
V = 10.7;  Size 7.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 41°

See observing notes for NGC 1448.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1457 = h2586 on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, vmE, gradually little brighter middle, a ray nebula, 4' l, 20" br, pos = 38 degrees.".  His position (observed on 3 sweeps) is accurate.  He also picked up this galaxy on a separate sweep in 14 Dec 1835, but placed this galaxy 50 sec of RA too far west.  He apparently missed the equivalent descriptions and it was also catalogued as NGC 1448.  The IC 2 notes notes this number is identical to NGC 1448 (DeLisle Stewart).  The primary designation should be NGC 1457 (earlier discovery), but this galaxy is generally referred to NGC 1448.
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NGC 1458 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752
03 45 02.9  -18 15 59; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1440.

Francis Leavenworth found NGC 1458 = LM 2-387 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He reported "mag 13.0, 0.3' diameter, round."  There is nothing at his position and it was reported not found on Harvard plates taken with the Bruce refractor in South Africa (Baker, 1937).  But NGC 1440, two minutes of time west, is likely Leavenworth's object.  NGC 1442 is probably another observation of this galaxy with a one degree error in declination (see these entries for more).  So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.
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NGC 1459 = ESO 482-043 = MCG -04-10-001 = PGC 13832
03 46 57.9  -25 31 18; For
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 167°

17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, low almost even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 2.9' S of center.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1459 = LM 1-115 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is a good match with ESO 482-043 = PGC 13832.
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NGC 1460 = ESO 358-062 = MCG -06-09-031 = AM 0344-365 = LGG 096-025 = PGC 13805
03 46 13.7  -36 41 48; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 60°

18" (1/21/04): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.0' diameter.  This Fornax I cluster member has a fairly low surface brightness.  A mag 12.8 star is very close off the SE side [38" from center].  Located 2.7' S of a mag 10.6 star.  Member of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1460 = h2587 on 28 Nov 1837 and described "F; S; R; 15"; attached to a star 14 mag."  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 1461 = MCG -03-10-047 = PGC 13881
03 48 27.1  -16 23 36; Eri
V = 11.8;  Size 3.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 155°

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.5'.  Strong concentration with a small bright core.  Located 3.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1461 = H. II-460 = h2588 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and noted "pB, S, little extended, much brighter middle or a nucleus."  His position is 2' south of MCG -03-10-047 = PGC 13881, and accurate in RA.  John Herschel logged "pB, very little extended, pretty much brighter middle, 25" diameter", but was off by 21 seconds in RA (too far east).  Schönfeld measured an accurate position (used in the NGC).
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NGC 1462 = MCG +01-10-010 = CGCG 417-007 = PGC 13945
03 50 23.5  +06 58 22; Tau
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/2/91): extremely faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE (orientation uncertain), very low surface brightness.  A faint double star lies 1' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1462 = m 92 on 13 Sep 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S, vlE".  Marth's position is accurate.
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NGC 1463 = ESO 117-009 = PGC 13807
03 46 15.5  -59 48 37; Ret
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 45°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large at 200x, round, even concentration to a small, brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Quite a number of brighter stars are nearby including a group of 7 bright mag 10-11 stars that lie just to the north and two additional mag 11 stars that flank the galaxy 1.8' SSW and 2.5' ENE.  In addition, the galaxy is 8.5' NNW of mag 9.7 HD 24060.  IC 2010 lies 43' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1463 = h2589 on 6 Oct 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, bM, 15", one of a constellation with 7 bright stars." His position (h2589) and description is accurate.
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NGC 1464 = NGC 1471 = PGC 13976
03 51 24.4  -15 24 08; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 44°

18" (11/22/03): faint, small, round, 40"x35", fairly low even surface brightness with just a weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' SSE.  Located 16' NE of mag 8.3 SAO 149206.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1464 = Sw. 5-57 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported "pF; S; R; forms equilateral triangle with 2 stars."  His position is 2' NW of PGC 13976 and the description applies, though the triangle is technically isosceles in shape.

Frances Leavenworth discovered this galaxy earlier in 1886 (the discovery list was submitted on 12 Oct) but his rough RA for LM 1-116 (later NGC 1471) was nearly 2 minutes too large (fairly typical).  Frank Muller (also from the LM Observatory) noted the equivalence with Leavenworth's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously.  Nevertheless, Dreyer assigned two NGC designations, resulting in NGC 1464 = NGC 1471.  Despite Leavenworth's earlier discovery, the primary designation used today is Swift's NGC 1464.
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NGC 1465 = UGC 2891 = MCG +05-10-003 = CGCG 508-004 = PGC 14039
03 53 32.0  +32 29 33; Per
V = 13.7;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 165°

13.1" (1/1/84): fainter extensions visible oriented ~N-S.

13.1" (11/5/83): faint, small, round, but not difficult.  Mag 6.6 SAO 56775 lies 12' SW.  Located 40' N of Zeta Persei (V = 2.9).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1465 = Sw. 5-58 on 25 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "pF; pS; R; pB* near p[receding]."  His position is 8 tsec east and 39" north of UGC 2891 = PGC 14039.  His "pB * nr p" probably refers to a mag 11 star 2' W.
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NGC 1466 = ESO 054-016 = S-L 1 = KMHK 1
03 44 32.7  -71 40 16; Hyi
V = 11.6;  Size 2.3'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, round, 2.5' diameter.  Appeared mottled with some extremely faint stars resolved in the halo.  The only brighter star is on the S side of the halo.  The view is somewhat hampered by mag 6.3 CT Hydri just 4' ENE and a mag 9 star 2.3' SSE.  NGC 1466 is one of the 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this outlying globular of the LMC (8.3° WSW of center) is known to be one the oldest LMC clusters.  At 128x, it appeared moderately bright and fairly prominent, round, 2' diameter.  The surface brightness is high, but I didn't see any definite resolution except for a single faint star at the S edge.  The cluster was very easy to locate as it is situated 4' WSW of mag 6.3 HD 241888 (CT Hydri) and 2.2' NNW of a mag 9 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1466 = h2590 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, irregularly round, gradually little brighter middle, 30", has a * 7th mag following, and others near." On a second sweep he notes "Viewed past meridian; found in place; pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30" dia."

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 1466 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 1467 = MCG -02-10-015 = PGC 13991
03 51 52.7  -08 50 17; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, slightly brighter core.  Slightly brighter of a pair with NGC 1470 10' SSE.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very small bright core surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo.  Located 4.3' NNE of a mag 10 star.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1467 = LM 2-388 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.3' dia, R, *9 at 4.2' in PA 185° [SSW]."  His position is just 0.2 min of RA west of MCG -02-10-015 = PGC 13991, along with the matching star.
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NGC 1468 = MCG -01-10-045 = PGC 14004
03 52 12.5  -06 20 56; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 135°

17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, weak even concentration to an occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' ENE of center.  Located ~3' N of a 1' pair of mag 11/12 stars.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1468 = St. 12-27 on 28 Dec 1877.  His published position in the 12th discovery list was reduced on 14 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1469 = UGC 2909 = MCG +11-05-004 = CGCG 305-003 = PGC 14261
04 00 28.0  +68 34 40; Cam
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 153°

17.5" (11/2/91): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.6', very bright core surrounded by fainter elongated halo.  A mag 10 star is just off the west edge 0.6' WSW from the center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1469 = Sw. 3-27 on 24 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; vS; R; B* nr."  His position is 6' NW of UGC 2909 = PGC 14261 and the "B * nr" refers to a mag 10.5 star at the SW edge.
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NGC 1470 = MCG -02-10-016 = PGC 14002
03 52 09.7  -08 59 57; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 169°

17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.3', slightly brighter core.  Forms a faint pair with NGC 1467 10' NNW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1470 = LM 2-389 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.8'x0.2', E 180° [N-S], *9.5 precedes 20s, 2' S."  There is nothing at his position but 1.0 min of RA west is MCG -02-10-016 = PGC 14002, along with the described star at his offset.
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NGC 1471 = NGC 1464 = PGC 13976
03 51 24.4  -15 24 08; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1464.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1471 = LM 1-116 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, vS, pE 45°."  His description is accurate, though his rough position is 1 minute 40 seconds of RA due east of PGC 13976 (typical error).  Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy again on 1 Nov 1886 and included it as the 57th object in his 5th discovery list (later NGC 1464). So, NGC 1471 = NGC 1464, with discovery priority to Leavenworth.  The primary designation used today is NGC 1464 due to its more precise coordinates. See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 1472 = PGC 14050
03 53 47.3  -08 34 06; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, round.  A mag 13 star is 1' SE.  FIrst and brightest of three with NGC 1477 4' E and NGC 1478.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1472 = LM 1-117 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described "mag 14.0, 0.1' dia, 1st of 3 [with NGC 1477 and 1478]."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) essentially matches PGC 14050 and the other two galaxies are appropriately placed in his list.
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NGC 1473 = ESO 054-019 = LGG 107-001 = PGC 13853
03 47 26.8  -68 13 13; Hyi
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 36°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core.  This galaxy has a slightly mottled or clumpy appearance (the SGC notes a "large knot 0.3' NE of center").  Elongated in the direction of a star 3' SW.  Situated within a string of 4 stars - one star to the NW and three to the SE.  NGC 1473 is a member of a small group that includes NGC 1511 and NGC 1511A.  

John Herschel discovered NGC 1473 = h2592 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25" dia."  His position (from two sweeps) corresponds with ESO 054-019 = PGC 13853.
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NGC 1474 = IC 2002 = UGC 2898 = MCG +02-10-003 = CGCG 442-005 = PGC 14065
03 54 30.3  +10 42 24; Tau
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 0°

17.5" (2/11/96): faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter 15" core.  A mag 13.5 star is just 1.0' N of center.  Located 12' WSW of mag 9 SAO 93675.

This galaxy is identified as IC 2002 in UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 due to a poor declination by Marth. RNGC reverses the sign of the declination.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1474 = m 93 on 5 Oct 1864 and logged "vF, S, R."  His position is 8' S of UGC 2898 = PGC 14065, but this is the only nearby galaxy he could have seen. Several objects discovered by Marth that evening have poor positions including NGC 1141 and NGC 1142 (dec error of 40').  Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 21 Dec 1903 and measured an accurate position for J. 3-983 (later IC 2002).  So, NGC 1474 = IC 2002.  UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 only use the IC designation as the position is unambiguous, though online catalogues (NED, HyperLEDA and SIMBAD) equate NGC 1474 = IC 2002.  In addition, PGC and RNGC reversed the sign of the declination of NGC 1474 (repeated in Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 and amateur software including Megastar).  See my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1475 = PGC 1007783
03 53 49.8  -08 08 15; Eri
Size 0.6'x0.6'

18" (10/16/09): not seen initially at 275x but referring to the exact position an extremely faint glow was quickly seen with averted.  Appears very small, round, 12" diameter.  Visible ~2/3 of the time with averted once it was acquired.

18" (1/1/08): extremely faint and small, round, 10"-15" diameter.  Requires averted vision to glimpse.  Located 9' SE of mag 8 HD 24485 and 4.5' S of a mag 11.5 star.  A couple of other similar stars are within 5' to the SW and NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1475 = LM 2-390 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.3, 0.1' dia, R, *14 4' north-preceding."  His position is close to PGC 1007783, though the mag 14 star is 5' southwest, instead of northwest.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1476 = ESO 249-024 = MCG -07-09-001 = AM 0350-444 = PGC 14001
03 52 08.9  -44 31 57; Hor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 86°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.2', broad concentration.  Located 15' SE of a mag 8 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1476 = h2591 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, S, pmE in the parallel; gradually brighter in the middle, 15" long." On a second sweep he described it "vF, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle, 25" long". His position is accurate.
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NGC 1477 = PGC 14060
03 54 02.9  -08 34 30; Eri
V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 15 star is 1' NE.  Located in a trio with NGC 1472 4' W and NGC 1478 2' NE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1477 = LM 1-118 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, 2nd of 3 [with NGC 1472 and 1478]."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is essentially accurate, along with the companions.
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NGC 1478 = PGC 14062
03 54 07.3  -08 33 20; Eri
V = 15.5;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold.  Faintest of a trio with NGC 1477 2' SW and NGC 1472 5' WSW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1478 = LM 1-119 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, 3rd of 3 [with NGC 1472 and 1477]."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is essentially accurate, along with the companions.
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NGC 1479
03 54 24  -10 12; Eri

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1479 = LM 2-391 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory recorded "mag 16.0, 0.6'x0.1', 1st of 2 [with NGC 1480 = LM 2-392]; nebulous **, in PA 170°."  There is nothing near his position which matches this description and no discovery sketch was found to aid in the identification.  Neither of these objects could be recovered by Harold Corwin.  See his identification notes.
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NGC 1480
03 54 30  -10 16; Eri

= Not found, RNGC.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1480 = LM 2-392 (along with NGC 1479 = LM 2-391) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, but there is nothing at his position. Muller mentions a "*10 following 30s" but no discovery sketch was found to aid in the identification and Harold Corwin's search came up empty. The RNGC has an obvious typo in the position as the RA is off by over 8 hours.
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NGC 1481 = ESO 549-032 = MCG -03-10-053 = KTS 22A = PGC 14079
03 54 28.9  -20 25 38; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 133°

24" (12/1/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 30"x20", broad concentration.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 1482 5.0' SE.  Between the two galaxies is mag 8.6 HD 24672 and a mag 12.5 star is less than 1' SE.  ESO 549-035 lies 8.6' ENE.

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Located 2.5' NW of mag 8.7 SAO 168936.  Continuing on this line is NGC 1482 5' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1481 = h2593 on 13 Nov 1835 and described "eF, S, R, precedes two bright stars and the nebula III.962 [NGC 1482].".  His single position is 2' S of ESO 549-032 = PGC 14079 and the description applies perfectly.
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NGC 1482 = ESO 549-033 = MCG -03-10-054 = KTS 22B = PGC 14084
03 54 38.9  -20 30 09; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 103°

24" (12/1/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~1.5'x0.9'.  Contains a large bright core that increases to a very small, bright nucleus.  Surrounding the core is a very low surface brightness halo.  Forms a right triangle with two bright stars; mag 8.6 HD 24694 2.3' ENE and mag 8.6 HD 24672 2.6' NNW.  Brightest in a triplet (KTS 22) with NGC 1481 5.0' NW and ESO 549-35 9' NE.  The dust lane in this IR-luminous starburst galaxy was not seen.

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, broad concentration.  Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 8.7 SAO 168936 2.5' NW and mag 8.6 SAO 168941 2' NE!  Forms a pair with NGC 1481 5' NNW..

William Herschel discovered NGC 1482 = H. III 962 = h2594 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091).  He recorded "very faint; very small; near 2 bright stars, south preceding of them."  John Herschel observed the galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope on 13 Nov 1835 and logged "F, S, R; makes an obtuse angled triangle with two bright stars, the one preceding, the other following it." A week later he called it "eF, S; makes an obtuse angled nearly isoceles triangle with two stars 10th mag north of it." His third observation on 11 Dec was recorded as "pB, little extended, gradually brighter middle (newly polished mirror); makes an obtuse angled triangle with two stars 10th mag to its north."

Fritz Zwicky discovered SN 1937E, during his systematic search for supernovae using the 18" Schmidt at Palomar (his 4th discovery).
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NGC 1483 = ESO 201-007 = LGG 106-003 = PGC 14022
03 52 47.7  -47 28 40; Hor
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 125°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration, slightly irregular or patchy surface brightness but no clear spiral structure.  Located 15' SE of mag 6.7 HD 24500.  Member of LGG 106 (subgroup of the Dorado Group).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1483 = h2595 on 14 Dec 1835 (and possibly earlier by Dunlop) and recorded "pretty faint; round; very little brighter in the middle; 20". (Newly polished mirror, but the sky dull and haze forming; so that this may very possibly be Dunlop 428.)".  His second observation reads "very faint; pretty large; round; very gradually a little brighter in the middle; 80" across. I feel convinced that this nebula is too faint to have been seen by Mr Dunlop. Put on the 9 inch aperture, could not discern the least trace of it.  Mirror polished yesterday and in high beauty. Sky superb."

James Dunlop found D 428 on 2 Sep 1826 and described "An extremely faint ill-defined small nebula.  A pretty large nebula (D 427) precedes this."  Despite Herschel's comments, Dunlop's position lands very close to NGC 1483 and his position for NGC 1493, only 1.5° NNE and discovered the same night (perhaps immediately afterwards), is also an excellent match!  So, perhaps Dunlop was first to discover NGC 1483.  Of course, this implies D 427 is a spurious observation, as there's only a single galaxy here.
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NGC 1484 = ESO 359-006 = MCG -06-09-036 = PGC 14071
03 54 17.9  -36 58 14; Eri
V = 13.1;  Size 2.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

18" (12/30/08): faint, thin edge-on ~6:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.25', low even surface brightness with no noticeable core.  Located at the SE edge of the Fornax I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1484 = h2596 on 28 Nov 1837 and recorded "vF, L, E, very gradually very little brighter middle, 2'."  His position is 1' S of ESO 359-006 = PGC 14071.
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NGC 1485 = UGC 2933 = MCG +12-04-010 = CGCG 327-014 = PGC 14432
04 05 03.6  +70 59 46; Cam
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 22°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is just following the SSW end.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1485 = Sw. 3-28 on 24 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged "eF; pS; R."  His position is 2.6' NW of UGC 2933 = PGC 14432 and the identification is certain, though the galaxy is quite elongated.
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NGC 1486 = ESO 549-037 = MCG -04-10-008 = PGC 14132
03 56 18.6  -21 49 17; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 2°

17.5" (2/22/03): very faint, fairly small,, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with a roundish, brighter core, requires averted vision.  The halo appears elongated SSW-NNE although difficult to pin down a consistent orientation.  Located 10' E of mag 9.7 SAO 168958 and 9' ENE of mag 9.4 SAO 168962.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1486 = LM 2-393 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is about 25 sec of RA east of ESO 549-037 = PGC 14132.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1487 = VV 78 = ESO 249-003 = MCG -07-09-0021 = AM 0354-423 = LGG 108-001 = PGC 14117
03 55 45.3  -42 22 05; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 3.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 55°

18" (1/17/09): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.8'x1.5', slightly elongated E-W, weak central brightening.  Appears to have an irregular surface brightness, though viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma.  Two mag 12.5-13 stars form an isosceles triangle with the galaxy 1.2' N and 1.2' W.

On the DSS this is a distorted interacting system with two brighter condensations and long, faint tidal plumes.  This object should be viewed from a more southerly latitude to see detail.  Member of the small NGC 1512 group (LGG 108).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1487 = D 480 = h2597 on 29 Oct 1826.  He described "a very faint ill-defined nebula, with two or three very small stars in it, and a small star following."  There is nothing at his published position, but 83 seconds of RA west is the interacting system VV 78 = PGC 14117 and the description fits.  Glen Cozens states this is probably the faintest galaxy that Dunlop discovered (V = 11.9).  

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps.  On 24 Oct 1835 (sweep 639) he recorded "pB, pL, R, 90"; makes a triangle with two stars 13th mag about 1 radius of nebula (by diagram) from its edge."

Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 26 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p. 151 of his logbook).  He noted it had a mottled appearance and was "rather irregular in shape, of rather an oval form...the sp side is brider than the rest of the nebula."  NGC 1487 is a distorted triple system.
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NGC 1488
04 00 04.3  +18 34 02; Tau

= **, Thomson.  Incorrect ID in RNGC, CGCG, RC3.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 1488 = Au 19 with a 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland.  While compiling the comprehensive Markree ecliptic Catalogue it as noted (probably by asistant Andrew Graham) as a nebulous mag 12 star.  At his position is a 9" pair of stars.  Bigourdan reported finding a 13th mag double star with no nebulosity.  Engelhardt also made a micrometric measurement of the components of this double star.

RNGC, CGCG and RC3 misidentify CGCG 466-003 = PGC 14181 as NGC 1488.  This galaxy is located 1m 55s of RA west of Cooper's position.  All of the other six objects discovered at Markree Observatory have been shown to be stars.  See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1489 = ESO 549-042 = MCG -03-11-003 = PGC 14165
03 57 38.2  -19 12 58; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 12°

17.5" (2/22/03): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.4', nearly uniform surface brightness.  Situated between a mag 10.8 star 2.7' W and a mag 11.4 star 4' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1489 = LM 2-394 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 1.0'x0.6', E 190° (SSW-NNE)."  His position is 40 sec of RA east of ESO 549-042 = PGC 14165 and the position angle is a perfect match.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 1489.
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NGC 1490 = ESO 083-011 = PGC 14040
03 53 34.4  -66 01 05; Ret
V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 142°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 280x appeared bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core that increases to the center, surrounded by a diffuse 1.2' halo.  A faint star is embedded at the east edge of the halo.  NGC 1503 lies 18' E and ESO 083-012 is 9.5' NE.  Located 1.5 degrees SE of mag 3.8 Beta Reticuli and 4' N of mag 9.3 HD 24957.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1490 = h2599 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, S, little extended, pretty much brighter middle, 18" diameter."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1491 = Sh 2-206 = Ced 25 = LBN 705
04 03 13.6  +51 18 58; Per
Size 3'x3'

18" (1/20/07): at 115x and 174x and OIII filter appears as a bright, large, elongated HII region on the west side of an 11th magnitude star.  Appears roughly 4'x2', extending SSW to NNE and brighter on the south end.  The west side has a fairly hard, well-defined edge while the east side is more irregular and fades into the background.  Four faint stars are involved on the northern end and a pair of fainter stars are at the south end.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, this is a moderately bright, roundish glow, ~3' diameter.  Extends mostly west of the mag 11 ionizing star (O4V-type), wrapping around the star, particularly on the north side.  Excellent contrast gain with an OIII filter as it appears bright with an irregular surface brightness.  There is a subtle bite cut out of the nebulosity on the east side that creates a darker hollow extending just west of the star.  At 220x (unfiltered), about a half dozen stars are involved or at the edges.  The nebulosity is quite irregular with a high surface brightness region preceding the star.  Faint, elongated haze extends from this patch to the NE past the star giving an elongated appearance.  A pair of mag 13-14 stars is at the northern end and another pair is just off the western edge.

17.5" (12/7/90): at 140x with OIII filter appears as a bright, moderately large, circular nebulosity involving a mag 11 star.  The brightest portion lies to the west of the star and is elongated 3:2 ~N-S.  There appears be a dark gap just west of the mag 11 star.  Two very faint stars are superimposed near the edges. 

13.1" (1/18/85): bright emission nebula just west of a mag 10.5 star, extends SW-NE, interesting shape. 

8" (11/14/80): bright, large, ~6' diameter.  A mag 10.5 star is at the east side.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1491 = H. I-258 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "vB, iF, resolvable, bM, 5' l, 3 or 4' br. A pL star in it towards the following side, but unconnected."  His position is fairly accurate, though Dreyer used a micrometric position of an involved star by Engelhardt.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1492 = ESO 359-012 = AM 0356-353 = PGC 14186
03 58 13.1  -35 26 48; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 10°

18" (1/21/04): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, fairly even surface brightness.  Located 1.5' N of a mag 13 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1492 = h2598 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "vF, vS, R, 10'."  His position is accurate, though, his size of 10' is probably a typo for 10".
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NGC 1493 = ESO 249-033 = AM 0355-462 = LGG 106-004 = PGC 14163
03 57 28  -46 12 36; Hor
V = 11.3;  Size 3.5'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 3.0' diameter, broad concentration.  Contains a brighter, elongated core or "bar" oriented ~E-W.  The halo contains a strong suggestion of irregular spiral structure.  A mag 15 star is at the east edge of the halo.  This face-on SBcd galaxy is a member of LGG 106 (subgroup of the Dorado Group).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1493 = D 438 = h2600 with his 9-inch reflector on 2 Sep 1826 and described "a very faint nebula, about 1' diameter, round figure".  John Herschel first logged it on 14 Dec 1835 and noted "F, vL, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 3'; sky dull, a haze forming."  On a second sweep he was critical of Dunlop's discovery and commented "faint; large; round; very gradually a little brighter in the middle; 2.5' across. With 9" aperture, and a mirror newly polished yesterday, and in high beauty, it is barely possible to discern with the utmost attention that this nebula exists; but to have discovered it with that aperture and power 180 would have been quite out of the question; possibly, however, 90 might show it better."  Despite Herschel's skepticism, Dunlop's position is unusually accurate.
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NGC 1494 = ESO 201-012 = LGG 106-002 = PGC 14169
03 57 42.5  -48 54 32; Hor
V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 179°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 N-S, 2.4'x1.5'.  Contains an elongated bar-like core with a suggestion of spiral structure and mottling (HII regions) in the halo.  A distinctive trio of mag 12-12.5 stars (separations 30"-45") lie 3.5' N.  Located 14' W of mag 7.9 HD 25315.  Member of LGG 106 (subgroup of the Dorado Group).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1494 = h2601 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, L, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 70" dia."  On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2.5'; has north of it a triangle of stars 12th mag."  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 1495 = ESO 249-034 = MCG -07-09-004 = AM 0356-443 = PGC 14190
03 58 21  -44 28 00; Hor
V = 12.6;  Size 3.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 104°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright or fairly bright, fairly large, very thin edge-on 8:1 WNW-ESE, 2.5'x0.3', broad concentration but no well-defined core, slightly mottled or uneven appearance, fades at tips with the ESE tip fainter.  A mag 11.8 star lies 1.9' SE of center and a mag 9.4 star is 5.9' ESE, nearly collinear with the major axis.  Possible member of the Dorado Group (NGC 1433 subgroup?).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1495 = h2602 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "F, E in the parallel, very gradually very little brighter middle, 60" l, 40" br."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

NGC 1495 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "Elongated at 105° instead of 90° [parallel] as given in the NGC."
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NGC 1496 = Cr 44 = OCL-396 = Lund 122
04 04 32  +52 39 42; Per
Size 6'

17.5" (12/28/94): 20 stars mag 12-15 in a 5' region elongated E-W.  The stars are mainly arranged in a semicircle open to the east with several nice close pairs!  The brightest mag 11 star is on the NE end of the semicircle and the SE end is a very close double.  An isolated mag 10 star is 4' SW and 0.8' NE of this star is an evenly matched mag 14 pair at 7" separation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1496 = h310 on 8 Nov 1831 (sweep 384) and recorded a "curious knot of stars forming a cluster in form the segment of an elliptic ring."  His position and and description accurates describes this cluster.
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NGC 1497 = UGC 2929 = MCG +04-10-008 = CGCG 487-009 = PGC 14331
04 02 06.8  +23 07 59; Tau
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 60°

48" (10/31/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 45"x30", contains a bright core.  A mag 12.7 star is 1.1' SW of center.  Brightest in a group with UGC 2927 6' WSW ("fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very small bright nucleus.  A mag 15 star is attached at the east side of the core") and UGC 2928 7.4' NW ("fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter").

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, forms a triangle with two stars to the south.  UGC 2927 lies 6' WSW.  Located 15' E of ∑479 = 7.0/7.9 at 7" and about 3.5° SE of the Pleiades.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, roundish, slightly brighter middle, a pair of stars are just south.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1497 = St. 8b-13 on 13 Jan 1872 and logged a rough position 9' to the SW.  His published micrometric position (list 8 second part, #13) was made on 11 Dec 1876.
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NGC 1498
04 00 19.4  -12 01 11; Eri
Size 0.7

17.5" (12/30/99): at 220x, this is an easily resolved trio of mag 13.5-14 stars forming a small isosceles triangle (separations of 30", 30", 45").  This triple star or asterism is the closest object to William Herschel's position but it's difficult to see how he confused it with a poor cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1498 = H. VII-3 on 8 Feb 1784 (sweep 136). He recorded "a small cluster of compressed stars, containing some pretty large."  In the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" Dreyer noted "there is no very pronounced cluster near the place."  Herschel's reference star was 3 Leporis with an offset of -72m 30s and -30' dec.  This places NGC 1498 at 03 59 54 -12 01 (J2000) and Auwer's reduction gives the same position.  A close trio of mag 13/14 stars lies at 04 00 19.4 -12 01 11 (mean of three stars with a maximum separation of ~45"), which is a plausible candidate although it doesn't qualify as a "small cluster of compressed stars."

Pietro Baracchi searched for this object unsuccessfully a couple of times with the Great Melbourne Telescope in 1887. See Corwin's notes for more of the story.
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NGC 1499 = LBN 756 = Ced 26 = Sh 2-220 = California Nebula
04 03 14  +36 22 06; Per
Size 145'x40'

17.5" (1/16/02): Despite its reputation as a challenging target, this was an easy, fascinating object at 64x with a H-beta filter. The California Nebula is HUGE and extended a full two eyepiece fields even using a 31 Nagler for a total length of over 2.5 degrees and with a varying width of 15'-30', extended WNW-ESE.  The E-W border is well-defined with a filter, particularly in the general vicinity of Xi Persei (middle of three naked-eye stars in the leg of Perseus collinear with the Pleiades) on the southern border and a long straight stretch on the northern edge.  Along the northern edge, there is some filamentary, wispy structure similar to the view of the Veil nebula in a small scope!

The nebulosity is weaker and more disorganized, though, close to the preceding and following ends. The nebula tapers towards the eastern end where there are some additional brighter streaks and dark intrusions near a group of stars.  Portions of the central region are clearly fainter with no evident structure.  At the west end the structure is also chaotic with an irregular mix of weak nebulosity and darker voids.  There is much to view here even at 64x, and I spent 30 minutes scanning the entire length for structure. 

17.5" (10/28/89): the California Nebula requires very low power and visibility is best using an H-beta filter.  At 82x appears very large, faint, very elongated, irregular low surface brightness with darker lanes and some wispy structure along the edges.  The most well-defined section of the border is near a mag 8.5 star bordering the southern edge.  Located roughly 30' N of mag 4.0 Xi Persei.

13.1" (1/18/85): definite contrast gain with H-beta filter as only the section NW of Xi was definite using a Daystar 300 filter (siimlar to UHC), but the H-beta shows the full extent easily.

13x80mm (1/13/07): excellent view in my 80mm finder using a 24mm Panoptic and an H-beta filter as a huge, elongated bar of fairly high contrast stretching across the field.  The glow is generally brightest in the broad middle section between Xi Persei and the 6th magnitude star off the central north side.  The nebula noticeably tapers towards the southeast end as the northern side of this end squeezes inward.  Similarly, the northwest end also tapers as the northern boundary narrows towards the southern side.

13x80mm (2/5/21): very nice view with the 24mm Panoptic and an H-beta filter, as the 5° field frames the 2.5° wide nebula.  Slightly brighter in the middle section, particularly on both the south and north border.

16x80mm (7/27/84): very large and faint, very elongated WNW-ESE, sharper and brighter on WNW edge, very low surface brightness.  Improved contrast with an H-beta filter.

15x50mm IS binoculars (8/27/11): very faintly visible as a large, elongated glow near Xi Persei using a pair of 2" H-beta filters over the objectives.

1x NV handheld monocular with 6nm H-alpha (11/30/21): the California Nebula appeared as a bright, high contrast, very elongated glow using a handheld 1x image-intensifier monocular.  The Pleiades, nearly 13° to the SSW, shared the same naked-eye field on the screen.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1499, the California Nebula, on 3 Nov 1885 while searching for comets with the 6-inch Cooke Equatorial refractor at Vanderbilt University Observatory.  In the Sidereal Messenger (Vol 5, p27), he reported "this requires the lowest power and cannot be seen by direct vision. It is only by directing the vision slightly to one side of its place that it is pssible to see it, then flashes out feebly."  The NGC position is near the following end.

Simon Archenhold produced the first photograph on 27 Oct 1891.  He quickly published an article with a sketch of the outline (nearly 2°) and apparently felt it was too large photographically to be identical to Barnard's intended object.  Barnard responded in an 1894 article that he discovered this object visually and published a photograph taken in 1895 with the Willard lens in Astrophysical Journal, 2, 350.
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NGC 1500 = ESO 201-013 = PGC 14187
03 58 13.9  -52 19 42; Dor
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 88°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.6'x0.5', weak concentration.  Nearly on a line between a mag 11.2 star 2.6' WNW and a mag 10.2 star 4.7' ESE.

NGC 1500 is the brightest member of AGC 2193 with several cluster members in the field including PGC 14176 2.6' SW, PGC 128672 3.1' SE and PGC 14188 6.3' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1500 = h2603 on 24 Dec 1837 and logged "F, vS, R, pretty much brighter middle, 12"; has a star 8th mag 15.5 tsec preceding in RA, to northward." Herschel noted this nebula might be equivalent to James Dunlop's D 369, which was described as "a faint nebula, elliptical in the parallel of the equator, about 30" long and 12" broad".  Dunlop's position is 2 min 30 sec of RA east of this galaxy and not nearly as elongated as Dunlop's description.  This equivalence is not given by Glen Cozens or Wolfgang Steinicke.
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NGC 1501 = PK 144+6.1 = PN G144.5+06.5 = Blue Oyster Nebula
04 06 59.4  +60 55 15; Cam
V = 11.9;  Size 56"x48";  PA = 98°

18" (11/7/07): superb view at 450x in good seeing.  The 1' diameter disc is slightly elongated ~E-W, ~60"x50" with a very narrow, brighter rim and darker center.  The mag 14.4 central star was steadily visible.  On closer inspection the thin rim was clearly irregular in surface brightness and slightly brighter along the SW and NE sides with a couple of tiny knots embedded in the rim.  The slightly darker interior was weakly mottled or patchy with subtle variations in surface brightness.

17.5" (1/8/00): at 100x, this moderately bright PN was irregularly round, 1' diameter, weakly annular with a faint glimpse of the central star.  There was a good contrast gain with the OIII filter and the image was crisp-edged, slightly elongated SW-NE and the small, darker center was more evident.  Excellent view at 220x with the faint central star (mag 14.4) clearly visible.  The surface brightness was irregular with an unevenly brighter outer rim.  The central star was visible steadily at 280x and the overall surface brightness was mottled or "clumpy" (brighter on west and NE rim), darkening in the center.

17.5" (9/14/85): bright, moderately large, almost round, 1' diameter, high surface brightness.  An easy mag 14.2 central star is visible.  Appears darker near the central star with a brighter rim. 

13.1" (1/28/84): slightly annular, very faint mag 14 central star visible.  

8": fairly faint, moderately large, bluish, slightly elongated, sharp-edged.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1501 = H. IV-53 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) with a power of 157x.  Using the front-view design (no secondary) he noted "a very curious planetary nebula of nearly 1' in diameter; it is round, pretty well defined of a uniform light and pretty bright."  Just 6 nights later, he reported "with 360x much magnitified, but still the borders pretty abruptly defined, irregularly elliptical."  John Herschel didn't report an observation.

On 15 Jan 1868 Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, reported "a bright ring and inside it a dark annulus, very decided.  A star in the centre seen very clearly and continuously with various powers; suspect variable [unequal?] brightness in the ring, perhaps a dark spot in it nearly on the p side.  The f side of the ring appears broadest and to approach the central star nearer than the preceding side does.  The n and s sides of the ring seem rather brighter than the p and f sides.  Suspect other bright points in it, but am not at all certain.  It is slightly elliptical, its major axis being nearly p and f."

George Searle of Harvard identified the emission spectrum in 1879.  Based on a Crossley photograph, Curtis (1918) described, "central star nearly mag 12, surrounded by a very irregular and patchy elliptical disk, about 56"x48" in pa 98°.  The periphery shows traces of a broken ring formation the brightest portions are the edges at the ends of the minor axis."  Based on a Mt. Wilson photograph with the 60", Pease (1917) reported "this is a fine planetary of regular elliptical shape, 60"x45", p.a. 120°, with protuberances at each end of the minor axis making a total breadth 53". The nebula is irregularly mottled, bearing a resemblance to the convolutions of the brain."
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NGC 1502 = Cr 45 = OCL-383 = Lund 124
04 07 49  +62 19 54; Cam
V = 5.7;  Size 8'

13.1" (1/28/84): bright, striking cluster, 40 stars visible in a trapezoidal outline.  The brightest is the striking double STF 485 = 7.0/7.1 at 18" and the cluster also includes STF 484 = 9.0/9.5 at 5".  NGC 1502 is located near the SE end of the chain of stars "Kemble's Cascade".  The cluster, part of the Camelopardalis OB1 association, contains 17 type-B0 to B3 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1502 = H. VII-47 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "a cluster of stars, pretty rich and considerably compressed, slightly extended, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure."  The cluster was found about 1/2 minute after discovering the planetary NGC 1501.
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NGC 1503 = ESO 083-013 = PGC 14137
03 56 33.5  -66 02 28; Ret
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 140°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 25" diameter.  Contains a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Located 18' E of brighter NGC 1490.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1503 = h2604 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "eF, S, R, (a doubtful object).  Has a * on p, 10th mag 3' dist."  His position is 1' N of ESO 083-013 = PGC 14137.
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NGC 1504 = MCG -02-11-008 = PGC 14336
04 02 29.7  -09 20 07; Eri
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Appears as a low surface brightness spot sandwiched between NGC 1505 1.8' NE and a mag 12 star 1.6' W.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1504 = LM 1-120 (along with NGC 1505 = LM 1-121) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough positions (nearest min of RA) correspond with MCG -02-11-008 = PGC 14336 and MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339.
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NGC 1505 = MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339
04 02 36.4  -09 19 21; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/30/99): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 40"x30".  Increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11.5-12.5 stars 3.5' WSW and SSW.  Brighter of a close pair with NGC 1504 1.8' SW (inside the triangle).

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1505 = LM 1-121 (along with NGC 1504 = LM 1-120) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) matches MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339.  MCG does not label this galaxy NGC 1505.
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NGC 1506 = ESO 156-027 = PGC 14256
04 00 21.6  -52 34 25; Dor
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 ~SW-NE, 35"x25", weak concentration, gradually increases to a faint stellar nucleus.  Situated between a mag 13 star 1.8' SW and a mag 13.5 star 1.1' NE.  Member of AGC 3193 with brighter member NGC 1500 24' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1506 = h2605 on 23 Dec 1837 and logged "eeeF, S, R.".  On the next sweep (when brighter NGC 1500 was also discovered) he added "between two stars 12th and 13th mag."  His position and description matches.
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NGC 1507 = UGC 2947 = MCG +00-11-009 = CGCG 392-002 = Mrk 1080 = PGC 14409
04 04 27.1  -02 11 21; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 3.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 11°

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 N-S, even surface brightness.  A mag 10.5 star is 3.4' SSE and a mag 13 star is 1.2' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1507 = H. II-279 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and recorded "mE, easily resolvable, about 4' long, some of the stars [in it] visible."  On 1 Feb 1786 (ssweep 518) he noted "vF, mE, very little brighter middle, about 3' l."
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NGC 1508 = MCG +04-10-021 = CGCG 487-021 = PGC 14454
04 05 47.6  +25 24 31; Tau
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 25°

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  UGC 2949 lies 15' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1508 = St. 8b-14 on 1 Dec 1875 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  He measured an accurate position (list 8b, #14) on 15 Dec 1876.
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NGC 1509 = IC 2026 = MCG -02-11-013 = Mrk 1079 = PGC 14393
04 03 55.2  -11 10 44; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/30/99): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  This is a very compact galaxy with a fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 1' E.

NGC 1509 = IC 2026 forms a close pair with MCG -02-11-012 = PGC 14389 just 1.2' W.  At first I thought it was a very faint mag 15-15.5 star, but with extended viewing, a 15" knot was seen.  This companion is often misidentified as IC 2026.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1509 = LM 1-122 = Sw. 5-59 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone reported (2 observations), "mag 14.0, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  His rough position (accurate to the nearest min of RA and less than 1' too far north) is close enough to be unambiguous.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1509 again on 22 Oct 1886 and reported it in his 5th discovery list as "vF; vS; little extended; F* nr p[receding]."  His RA was 9 too large and it's possible the "F* nr p" refers to PGC 14389 (as I almost thought).  Frank Muller noted the equivalence with Stone's object in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887) that listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously. Dreyer credited both Swift and Stone with the discovery in the NGC (in that order), but the Leander McCormick discovery list was submitted to the Astronomical Journal on 12 Oct 1886, so discovery priority goes to Stone.

Bigourdan reobserved the galaxy in 1897 but assumed it was a nova (misidentifying a nearby star as NGC 1509) and it received the number IC 2026.  So, NGC 1509 = IC 2026.  Howe also observed the field in 1899-1900 and measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver. See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 1510 = ESO 250-003 = MCG -07-09-006 = LGG 108-002 = PGC 14375
04 03 32.6  -43 24 01; Hor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 90°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round, only 20" diameter.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 13.5 stars ~1.8' S and 1.7' WSW.  Located 5' SW of NGC 1512.

13.1" (11/29/86): not seen although far south from northern California.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1512.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1510 = h2606 on 4 Dec 1836 and recorded "F; R; vgpmbM, 80" dia.  Not resolved.  A companion to Dunlop 466 [NGC 1512]."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1511 = ESO 055-004 = AM 0359-674 = KTS 23A = LGG 107-002 = PGC 14236
03 59 36.9  -67 38 03; Hyi
V = 11.3;  Size 3.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 125°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, ~2.5'x0.8'.  Contains a bright, elongated core with a small very bright nucleus.  Two stars mag 14-15 stars bracket the galaxy just 54" E and 1.3' W of center and just north of the center.  The northeast flank of the galaxy appears slightly brighter and more sharply defined and there is an impression of a dust lane on the south side.  At 260x the galaxy has a mottled appearance and is slightly warped or asymmetric at the tips.  A mag 10.8 star lies 3.5' SSE and a fainter edge-on NGC 1511A is in the field 11' SSE. 

NGC 1511A appeared fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.4', broadly concentrated with a slightly bulging core.  NGC 1511 is a member of a small group that includes NGC 1473, NGC 1511A and NGC 1511B.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1511 = h2608 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "pB; mE; very gradually brighter middle; 90" l; pos 125.5°."  His position and description matches ESO 055-004 = PGC 14236.

Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy in 1876 (unpublished plate II, figure 12) using the Great Melbourne Telescope and later by Pietro Baracchi.
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NGC 1512 = ESO 250-004 = MCG -07-09-007 = AM 0402-433 = LGG 108-003 = PGC 14391
04 03 54.2  -43 20 56; Hor
V = 10.3;  Size 8.9'x5.6';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 90°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 SW-NE.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, 30" core.  The tightly bound spiral "ring" was not seen, although there was some brightening at the southwest and northeast ends of the major axis, where the spiral arms emerge from the central bar.  Forms a pair with NGC 1510 5' SW. 

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated.  Forms a pair with NGC 1510 5' SW.  Very far south for viewing from Northern California.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1512 = D 466 = h2607 on 29 Oct 1826 and described "a small faint round nebula, about 25" diameter, a little brighter in the centre: a star of 10th or 12th magnitude preceding the nebula [HD 25651]."  Dunlop made a single observation and his position is 10' SE of the galaxy (typical error). 

John Herschel made 3 observations:  On 24 Oct 1835 he logged "bright, large, slightly elongated, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle, 3' diameter; it is just north of a great group of large stars 6, 7 and 8th mag, scattered over two or three fields."  On a second sweep he noted "Globular.  bright, pretty large, round, 3' diameter. Resolved into stars barely perceptible." Finally, on a third sweep he recorded "B, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle."  Based on the second description, Herschel identified this object as a globular cluster in the General Catalouge.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1512 on 5 Dec 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus and faint halo.  He commented "I cannot make out any distinct appearance of stars, although at times there is a suspicion of sparkling about the center - Indeed it has all the appearance of an ordinary nebula, round and much brighter in the centre.  His unpublished lithograph (plate II, figure 13) shows a ring surrounding the core and nucleus.  The east side of the halo or ring seems to be connected to the core by a bar. 

Dreyer identified NGC 1512 as a globular in the NGC, following the GC.  NGC 1512 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and "identified as extremely faint ring nebula. Long exposure needed."   Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt, the galaxy was described in 1921 as a Phi-type (barred-ring) spiral.
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NGC 1513 = Cr 46 = OCL-398 = Lund 125
04 09 55  +49 31 00; Per
V = 8.4;  Size 9'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 60 stars mag 11 and fainter over unresolved background glow.  Located 50' SE of Lambda Persei (V = 4.3).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1513 = H. VII-60 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "A L cl of considerable L stars, pretty compressed and very rich, irregularly round, about 7' dia."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1514 = PK 165-15.1 = PN G165.5-15.2 = Crystal Ball Nebula
04 09 17.0  +30 46 33; Tau
V = 10.9;  Size 136"x121"

48" (10/25/14): at 610x unfiltered; very bright and large; very irregular surface brightness, the rim varies greatly in thickness and brightness.  The relatively thick rim is very bright in the northwest quadrant, along roughly a 70° arc.  A second enhanced portion of the rim is along the southeast end (~35° arc) and a third slightly smaller, bright region (more circular) is on the east end.  The rim is weak on the south or south-southwest end as well as the north and northeast side.  A mag 17 star is at the edge of the rim on the southwest end. A few modest outer lobes were evident; the rim bulges out on the southeast side (near the two enhancements on this end) and to a lesser extent on the northwest and the south end.  The mag 9.5 star at the center and a very faint companion to its southeast are surrounded by a darker central hole.

18" (2/4/08): at 175x, appears as a large, roundish glow (~2.5'x2.2) surrounding a bright mag 9.4 central star.  Excellent response to UHC and OIII filters.  The surface brightness is clearly irregular with subtle brighter and darker regions.  The SW and NE ends were slightly dimmer, while the NW and SE portions of the rim were brighter.  The region around the central star was also slightly darker.

17.5" (12/30/99): at 100x, moderately bright, round, ~2' halo surrounding a prominent mag 9.5 star.  Displayed an excellent response to UHC and OIII blinking while the H-beta filter killed the PN (OIII/H-beta = 12).  Using the OIII filter, the surface brightness was noticeably uneven, with the NW quadrant of the rim clearly brighter.  The SE end was also weakly enhanced while the center and ends of the minor axis were slightly darker.  At 220x using a UHC filter, the halo appeared nearly 2.5' in diameter.  There was a small, darker "hole" surrounding the central star and the halo was clearly irregular with a brighter "knot" on the SE side, while the NW portion of the halo was brighter along the rim.

17.5" (9/14/85): very bright, large, round, 2' diameter.  Contains a very bright mag 9.5 central star surrounded by a fairly bright halo with an irregular surface brightness.  Located midway between mag 8.3 SAO 57017 8' NNW and mag 9 SAO 57021 8' S. 

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, fairly large, round, dominated by a mag 9.5 central star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1514 = H. IV-69 = h311 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980). He wrote, "A most singular phenomenon. A star of about 8th magnitude with a faint luminous atmosphere of a circular form, and about 3' in diameter. The star is perfectly in the center and the atmosphere is so diluted, faint and equal throughout that there can be no surmise of its consisting of stars; nor can there be a doubt of the evident connection between the atmosphere and the star. Another star, not much less in brightness and in the same field with the above, was perfectly free from any such appearance." The full description and sketch (fig. 8) were included in his 1814 PT paper.

The striking symmetry of NGC 1514 caused Herschel to rethink his idea of planetary nebulae.  He previously assumed all nebulae were unresolved stellar clusters of some kind, disguised by their great distance. After this observation he was convinced of the existence of pure nebulosity (1791 PT paper "On Nebulous Stars"), out of which individual stars or planets were born and he no longer expected every nebula to be resolved with enough aperture.  This essentially destroyed his interest in the 40-foot telescope (48-inch aperture), although the difficulty in using this unwieldy scope was also a major factor.

John Herschel made two observation and noted on 17 Jan 1827 (sweep 56): "A *9 m with a dilute, faint, equable nebulous atmosphere 60" or 90" diameter. Other stars 9 m have no atmosphere." A total of 20 observations of NGC 1514 were made with the 72" at Birr Castle with one of the earliest (13 Jan 1852) by Bindon Stoney.  He described NGC 1514 as a "new spiral of an annular form round the star, which is central; Brightest part is sf the star, spirality is very faint, but I have no doubt of its existence".  Assistants Stoney and later R.J. Mitchell sketched an irregular rim with brighter and dimmer sections.  Samuel Hunter made a sketch on 9 Jan 1858 with a brighter reversed "S" shape within an oval halo.  A version of this sketch was chosen (over Stoney and Mitchell's sketches) for Rosse's 1861 publication (plate XXV, figure 7).  Resolving spiral structure was a major theme at Birr Castle but irregularities in the rim was likely the cause of this illusion.

Edward Pickering verified it was gaseous nebula based on its spectrum in 1879.
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NGC 1515 = ESO 156-036 = AN 0402-541 = PGC 14397
04 04 03.0  -54 06 10; Dor
V = 11.2;  Size 5.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 18°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): showpiece galaxy with a close companion at 260x.  Very bright and large, very elongated at least 4:1 SSW-NNE, ~4.5'x1' with a bulging core -- similar to a smaller version of NGC 7331.  The overall surface brightness is high with a very high surface brightness elongated core.

NGC 1515A lies 2.0' SW of center.  The companion appeared faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter with a small brighter core and a very low surface brightness halo.  Despite the close separation, the companion is more than 10 times as distant as NGC 1515.  Member of the Dorado Group.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1515 = D348 = h2609 on 5 Nov 1826 using his 9-inch f/12 reflector from Parramatta.  He found "a very faint nebula, about 35 arcseconds diameter. This precedes a group of small stars."  His position is 1 min 15 sec of RA too far east (typical error) and a group of mag 12 stars follows, clinching the identification. John Herschel first observed this galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "B, L, very much extended, gradually brighter in the middle; 3' l, 40" br".

Joseph Turner observed this galaxy on 26 Nov 1877 and Pietro Baracchi on 6 Dec 1885 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope but neither noticed the companion close west.
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NGC 1516 = NGC 1524 = NGC 1525 = MCG -02-11-017 = MCG -02-11-018 = PGC 14515 = PGC 14516
04 08 07.4  -08 49 46; Eri
Size 1.2'x0.6';  PA = 147°

24" (2/5/21): NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 is the northwestern component of an interacting double system with NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 [23" between centers]].  At 260x; it appeared fairly faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, very small or stellar nucleus.  NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 was slightly larger (~25" diameter) with a stronger core.  It was nearly moderately bright, round, very small bright nucleus with a sharp peak at the center.  A mag 15 star is 1.2' S.

17.5" (2/11/96): at first view (fairly poor seeing) appeared as a single but irregular galaxy elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'.  In periods of better seeing, the system resolved into an extremely close contact pair [21" between centers] with the brighter component at the SSE end, round, 25" diameter.  The fainter component is attached at the NNW end, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 15 star lies 1' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1516 = H. III-499 = h2610 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and recorded "very faint, small, extended, easily resolvable." John Herschel observed this double system twice from the Cape of Good Hope, recording on his second sweep, "vF; first very gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 20" diameter".

Ormond Stone independently found this system again on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  He resolved the individual members (catalogued as I-113 and I-114) , noting a separation of 0.5' in PA 340° [NNW-SSE], but his rough position (nearest min of RA) is over two minutes of RA too large.  Dreyer assumed these were new nebulae and assigned the numbers NGC 1524 and NGC 1525.  So, NGC 1516 should apply to the entire double system found by Herschel, while NGC 1524 and NGC 1525 should apply to the individual members found by Stone.  But the components are generally labeled NGC 1516A and NGC 1516B.  The RNGC declination is 3' too far south.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1517 = UGC 2970 = CGCG 418-013 = PGC 14564
04 09 11.9  +08 38 56; Tau
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located just 1.0' NW of a mag 10 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1517 = St. 13-25 on 19 Oct 1883.  His published position was reduced on 23 Dec 1884 and matches UGC 2970.
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NGC 1518 = ESO 550-007 = MCG -04-10-013 = PGC 14475
04 06 49.1  -21 10 35; Eri
V = 11.8;  Size 3.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 35°

18" (1/21/04): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~2.8'x1.0', broad concentration with a large bulging core and tapered ends.  Irregular, mottled surface brightness and fades on the SW end.  Located 2.6' NE a mag 10 star.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.7'x0.9', weak concentration.  Located 2.5' NE of a mag 9.5 star.  Appears asymmetric with the SW end close to the bright star much fainter than the main body.

8" (1/1/84): faint, very elongated 3:1 streak SW-NE.  A mag 10 star 2.5' SW interferes with viewing.  NGC 1521 lies 22' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1518 = h2611 on 6 Jan 1785 and recorded "B; L; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; has a *8 mag south-preceding 3' or 4' dist."  There is nothing at his position but ESO 550-007 is 1.0 minute of RA east and his description applies.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and gave the position angle as 200°.  Sir Robert Ball, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 25 Jan 1867, wrote "I have little doubt that there are interesting details in the form of this object but the altitude is low (15°) and the night was bad.  The middle part is bright but apparently excentric if (as was suspected) there is a branch proceeding south and somewhat curved towards the preceding side."
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NGC 1519 = ESO 550-009 = MCG -03-11-013 = LGG 109-004 = PGC 14514
04 08 07.6  -17 11 34; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 107°

24" (1/1/19): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated nearly 4:1 WNW-ENE, low but irregular surface brightness, weak concentration, 0.9'x0.25'.  Located 4.6' NW of mag 8.5 HD 26223. Brightest in a group (LGG 109 = USGC S137) with UGCA 88 13' W.

UGCA 88 appeared very faint, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, low surface brightness patch, fades out at periphery so difficult to gauge the diameter.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, broad concentration.  Located 4.6' NNW of mag 8.8 SAO 149397.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1519 = T. 1-14 = T. 5-2 on 2 Jan 1878 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His ring micrometer position in list V is an exact match with ESO 550-009 = PGC 14514.
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NGC 1520 = ESO 032-005
03 57 51  -76 48 20; Men
Size 5'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly small and poor cluster or asterism of a dozen stars mag 9.6 and fainter in a 5' region.  The group was not impressive but it was detached in the field, so it was easy to identify. I viewed it, though, through thin clouds.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1520 = h2615 on 8 Nov 1836 and described "a poor cluster of about a dozen stars 9...12m within a space of about 5', the largest taken." His position corresponds with a mag 9 star surrounded by a small group of stars.

NGC 1520 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described in a list of NGC corrections as "No cluster seen, only scattered stars."  Andrew Lindsay reported in 1964IrAJ....6..286L: "Not found. Centered on CPD -77°154. Star distribution seems normal."  RNGC repeated Lindsay's comment "Not found", although ESO classifies the object as an open cluster.
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NGC 1521 = ESO 550-011 = MCG -04-10-015 = PGC 14520
04 08 18.9  -21 03 07; Eri
V = 11.4;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

18" (1/21/04): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.2'x1.0', fairly well concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Mag 8.4 SAO 169161 lies 4.6' SSE.

8" (1/1/84): faint, very small, round, weakly concentrated.  Located 5' NNW of mag 8.5 SAO 169161.  Forms a pair with NGC 1518 22' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1521 = h2612 on 21 Nov 1835 and logged "pB; R; bM; barely in time and too late for a good observation."  Nevertheless, his position matches ESO 550-011 = PGC 14520.
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NGC 1522 = ESO 156-038 = AM 0404-524 = PGC 14462
04 06 07.7  -52 40 12; Dor
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 42°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 30"x20", very small brighter core. A mag 15.8 star is just off the NW side, 30" from center.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.3' NE of center.  Located 14' SW of mag 8.6 HD 26354.  Member of the Dorado Group (NGC 1566 subgroup).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1522 = h2613 on 27 Dec 1834 and described "eeF, vS, R, 12". In a very dark field, no star 13th mag within 5'." On a second sweep he called it "vF, vS, R, very little brighter middle, 12" dia". His position matches ESO 156-038 = PGC 14462.
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NGC 1523 = ESO 156-039
04 06 11  -54 05 24; Dor
Size 25"

= Asterism consisting of 4 mag 15 stars with maximum separation 25".

John Herschel discovered NGC 1523 = h2614 on 6 Dec 1834 and logged "vF, R."  His position is roughly 2 min of RA east of NGC 1515 (recorded on the same sweep) and just north are four mag 14/15 stars.  DeLisle Stewart reported "Only 3 vF st, not a nebula" based on plates taken at Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901.  ESO also called this object "4 faint stars only". See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1524 = NGC 1516A = MCG -02-11-017 = PGC 14515
04 08 07.4  -08 49 47; Eri
Size 0.5'x0.4'

24" (2/5/21): NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 is the northwestern component of an interacting double system with NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 [24" between centers].  At 260x; it appeared fairly faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, very small or stellar nucleus.

17.5" (2/11/96): at first view (fairly poor seeing) NGC 1516 appeared as a single but irregular galaxy elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'.  In periods of better seeing, the system resolved into an extremely close contact pair [21" between centers] with the fainter NNW component appearing round, 20" diameter.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1524 = LM 1-123, along with NGC 1525, on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He described a double system at 0.5' separation in PA 340° (NNW-SSE).  There is nothing at the published position, but 2 minutes of RA (time) to the west is NGC 1516, discovered by William Herschel (H. III-499), and his sketch confirms the intended objects.  Neither William or John resolved the close pair of galaxies.  So, NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 and NGC 1516B = NGC 1525.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1525 = NGC 1516B = MCG -02-11-018 = PGC 14516
04 08 08.2  -08 50 08; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2

24" (2/5/21): NGC 1516B = NGC 1525 is the slightly larger southeastern component of a double system with NGC 1516A = NGC 1524 [24" between centers].  At 260x, NGC 1516B was nearly moderately bright, round, 25" diameter, very small bright nucleus with a sharp peak at the center.  A mag 15 star is 1.2' S.

17.5" (2/11/96): this is the brighter SSE component of an extremely close double system with NGC 1516A.  It appeared round, 25" diameter. A mag 15 star is 1' S.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1525 = LM 1-124 (along with NGC 1524 = LM 1-123) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He reported finding a double system at 0.5' separation in PA 340° (NNW-SSE).  NGC 1525 = NGC 1524B.  See notes for NGC 1524 for the story.
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NGC 1526 = ESO 084-003 = PGC 14437
04 05 12.3  -65 50 23; Ret
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 36°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~25"x20", even surface brightness.  Situated just south of a 10' x 1.5' group of 8 stars including a mag 9.8 star just 3.3' NNE.  Viewed in poor conditions.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1526 = h2617 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, among B stars; one = 9th mag, 3' north."  His position and description matches ESO 084-003 = PGC 14437.
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NGC 1527 = ESO 201-020 = PGC 14526
04 08 24.4  -47 53 50; Hor
V = 10.8;  Size 3.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 78°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:1 WSW-ENE, 3.2'x1.2'.  Very sharply concentrated with a blazing core that is elongated 2:1, increasing to a very small, intense nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1.2' N of center and a mag 15.3 star is a similar distance south of center.  Probable member of the Dorado Group.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1527 = D 409 = D 429 = h2612 on 28 Sep 1826 and described "a very small and very faint round nebula, about 20" diameter."  His position was 10' too far NE.   D 429 is probably a duplicate observation with a 55' error in declination (too far north).

John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 28 Dec 1834 while searching for D 409 and recorded "B, E, small pretty much brighter middle, growing more round internally; 60" long, 30" broad; pos 77°." On a second sweep he called it "pB, E, very small brighter middle to a roundish nucleus." His third observation logged it as "pB, pmE, very small & very much brighter middle; seen in sweeping in vain for Dunlop 409." Herschel tentatively suggested this object corresponded with Dunlop 409 in the Cape Catalogue though the equivalence was not mentioned in the NGC.
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NGC 1528 = Cr 47 = Mel 23 = OCL-397
04 15 19  +51 12 42; Per
V = 6.4;  Size 24'

13.1" (1/18/85): 80-100 stars in a 20' diameter.  There are three bright stars on the west side including mag 8.5 SAO 24496 and mag 9.0 SAO 24501, includes many faint stars.  Extremely faint naked-eye object!

William Herschel discovered NGC 1528 = H. VII-61 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and described "a beautiful cluster of large stars, very rich, and considerably compressed, about 15' diameter."  His position is near the center of this cluster.
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NGC 1529 = ESO 084-004 = PGC 14495
04 07 19.7  -62 53 57; Ret
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 164°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 45"x18", very small bright core gradually increasing to a stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1534 11' NE.  Located 55' WSW of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticuli.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1529 = h2619 on 9 Dec 1836 and commented "vF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15" dia.". His position matches ESO 084-004 = PGC 14495, though the galaxy was clearly elongated in the 24".
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NGC 1530 = UGC 3013 = MCG +13-04-004 = CGCG 327-017 = VII Zw 12 = PGC 15018
04 23 26.7  +75 17 44; Cam
V = 11.5;  Size 4.6'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 17°

48" (10/29/16): at 488x; bright showpiece barred spiral!  A relatively wide, very prominent bar extends WNW-ENE [PA 122°] and is steeply inclined to the orientation of the core.  The bright core, centered on the bar, is elongated N-S and contains a very bright round nucleus that increases to the center.  Two relatively bright and very distinctive thin spiral arms extend from the ends of the bar.  The western arm is brightest in a region near the root, where it attaches to the bar and contains a small knot.  The spiral arm is mostly visible extending  north ~1.5' and only slightly curving east.  A short, low contrast section of the arm extends south of the bar.  A second long thin arm nearly perpendicular to the bar extends south a similar 1.5'.  It is also brightest at its origin on the east end of the bar.  The arm only extends a short distance and blends into the low surface brightness glow of the halo on the north side.  From north to south tips of the arms is at least 3'.  Two mag 15 stars are at the NE edge and a collinear mag 15.5 star is off the NW arm.

24" (12/28/13): at 200x, appeared fairly bright, large, elongated nearly 3:2 N-S, ~3.5'x2.2'.  Contains a large, brighter circular core within a very large, elongated halo. A low contrast, thin spiral arm is attached on the west side of the core and sweeps north at the edge of the halo and a similar enhancement is visible on the east side extending due south.  Two mag 15 stars [22" separation] are superimposed on the NE side [1.1' from center] and a mag 12.8 star lies 2.5' N.

13.1" (1/19/85): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, almost round, gradual weak concentration, no nucleus.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1530 = T. 1-15 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included in the GC Supplement (GCS 5334).  His matches UGC 3013 = PGC 15018.
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NGC 1531 = ESO 359-026 = MCG -05-11-001 = VV 647 = LGG 111-002 = PGC 14635
04 11 59.3  -32 51 05; Eri
V = 12.2;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 122°

48" (10/22/11): very bright, moderately large, oval ~2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.7', well concentrated with a very bright core.  Forms a beautiful pair with the stunning edge-on NGC 1532 and situated just 1.7' NW of the core of the larger galaxy.  In addition, the major axis of NGC 1531 is angled directly perpendicular to the core of NGC 1532.  Several stars surround the galaxy.

14.5" (12/17/20): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 NW-SE, 1'x0.5', brighter core.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated.  Forms a close pair with larger and brighter NGC 1532 1.6' SE.  Member of the NGC 1532 group (LGG 111).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1531 = h2620 on 19 Oct 1835 and recorded "faint, round, brighter in the middle, 60". The preceding of two [with NGC 1532]."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1532 = ESO 359-027 = MCG -05-11-002 = AM 0410-330 = LGG 111-003 = PGC 14638
04 12 04.3  -32 52 29; Eri
V = 9.9;  Size 12.6'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 33°

48" (10/22/11): this showpiece edge-on stretches 7'x1.2', tilting SW-NE.  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a large, elongated, very bright core that is mottled and increases to the center. The surface is knotty, streaky and mottled.  A striking dust lane runs along the major axis, slicing the galaxy asymmetrically into two parts to the south of the core.  The dust lane expands to a larger, elongated (dark) patch on the NE side of the core.  The section S of the dust lane is much thinner and brightens to a prominent, very bright knotty 1.5' streak on the SW end [brightest part of a tidal tail extending towards NGC 1531].  A very faint star (B = 18.2) is close to the SW tip of the bright streak.  The fainter strip of galaxy south of the dust lane near the core appears patchy, probably due to dust and star-forming knots.  Just northwest of the core is NGC 1531, a bright elliptical that angles perpendicular to the core and forms a striking pair.

IC 2041 lies 7' NE of center, close following the NE tip of NGC 1532.  It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~35"x24", small bright core.  This galaxy, as well as IC 2040 and NGC 1537 are part of the NGC 1532 group (LGG 111).

24" (12/1/16): SN 2016 iae, a type Ic supernova discovered on 7 Nov 2016, was observed 15" E and 52" N of center of NGC 1532, along the western edge of the spiral arm extending NNE.  The major axis of the companion NGC 1531 off the west side, pointed exactly to an extremely faint "star".  In poor seeing, the supernova was only occasionally visible, perhaps mag 15.5.

14.5" (12/17/20): at 140x and 182x; bright, very large edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, ~6'x1.2', forms an impressive pair with NGC 1531. Contains a very bright core that increases towards the center.

13.1" (12/22/84): bright, large, pretty edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, very bright nucleus, thin extensions.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1531 1.6' NW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1532 = D 600 = h2621 on 29 Oct 1826.  He described "an extremely faint ill-defined nebula, rather elongated in the direction of the meridian [N-S], gradually a little brighter towards the centre."  His notes mention it was situated southwest of a pretty bright star, which is mag 7.0 HD 26799.  NGC 1531 is not mentioned.

John Herschel observed this showpiece galaxy on 3 differents sweeps, recording it first on 19 Oct 1835 (sweep 635) as "B, vL, very much extended, 5' long; A fine and curious object. The following and brighter of two [with NGC 1531]. In the ray is either a vF * or a knot in the nebula."

Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 30 Nov 1875 using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 14) as well as Albert Le Sueur on 31 Jan 1870 (unpublished plate VII, figure 82).  Turner's sketch shows a brighter thin streak along the south edge of the southwest end of the galaxy.
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NGC 1533 = ESO 157-003 = AM 0408-561 = PGC 14582
04 09 51.8  -56 07 06; Dor
V = 10.7;  Size 2.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 151°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, round, contains a small bright core.  Collinear with two 11.5 magnitude stars 1' and 2' NE of center.  Member of the Dorado group with NGC 1536 24' SSE, NGC 1546 40' E and the NGC 1549/1553 pair less than a degree NE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1533 = D 320 = h2622 on 5 Nov 1826.  He described "a small faint nebula, south of two very small stars.  Diameter about 12" diameter.", but his position was 1° too far north.  Since NGC 1533 has two mag 11.5 star close north, this identification is likely, assuming a digit error in recording the declination.  Glen Cozens first suggested this identification.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1533 again on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520) and recorded "vB, pL, R, suddenly much brighter middle to a stellar nucleus.  Has two stars 10th mag N.f."
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NGC 1534 = ESO 084-006 = AM 0408-625 = LGG 110-002 = PGC 14547
04 08 46.2  -62 47 49; Ret
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 76°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4'.  A mag 13.7 star is at the SE edge, 25" from center and mag 8.9 HD 26524 is 6.6' NW.  Forms a wide pair with fainter NGC 1529 11.6' SW.  Located 43' WSW of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticuli.  Images show a dust lane on the south side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1534 = h2623 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R. Has a vS star following. Distance 1.5x radius of nebula (by diagram)."  His position and description matches ESO 084-006 = PGC 14547.
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NGC 1535 = PK 206-40.1 = PN G206.4-40.5 = Cleopatra's Eye
04 14 15.8  -12 44 22; Eri
V = 9.4;  Size 48"x42"

48" (11/1/13): at 813x, this gorgeous planetary displayed an extremely bright, green double-shell structure.  The 20" diameter inner ring was quite striking with slight irregularities in thickness and brightness and a very slight elongation.  The darker interior of the inner ring was mottled with subtle darker and brighter patches around the mag 12.5 central star.  The outer shell doubled the diameter and was slightly elongated ~N-S, 40"x35", with a mag 14.5-15 star superimposed on the NW side [16" from the central star].  With extended viewing there appeared to be subtle variations in brightness, almost like radial striations in the outer and inner shell.  (Similar view on 10/23/14).

24" (11/24/14): I didn't take notes, but at 500x a mag 14.5-15 star was faintly visible near the NW edge of the outer shell [16" from center].

18" (1/1/08): In good seeing at 565x the complex double shell structure of this gorgeous planetary was remarkable.  The bright mag 12.5 central star was surrounded by a well-defined dark central hole with subtle mottling.  The bright inner ring (20" diameter) was relatively narrow, sharply defined and striking. The ring had a clumpy appearance, particularly on the north side and it dimmed slightly on the southeast side.  An outer shell of fainter nebulosity doubled the diameter.  Although the inner ring is round, the outer envelope was slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  At 807x the view was stunning with brighter knots within the inner ring appearing to sparkle at times.

17.5" (12/30/99): this planetary has beautiful, bluish double-shell structure which was very evident at 100x surrounding a bright central star.  The view at 380x and 500x was superb in good seeing. The double shell envelope was very prominent with a bright inner ring, ~20" diameter, with a fairly sharp edge embedded in a fainter roundish halo roughly doubling the diameter.  The inner shell was irregularly darker surrounding the central star.

17.5" (2/8/91): very bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, mag 12.5 central star visible, blue color.  This planetary has a double shell structure with inner shell slightly elongated and a faint rounder outer shell.  Small dark gaps are visible around the central star.

13.1" (12/22/84): at 360x the central star visible surrounded by two shells. The bright inner shell has a small dark annulus surrounding the central star and the outer envelope is fainter and more diffuse.

8": bright, greenish, fairly small, round.

13x80mm finder (1/15/07): fairly bright stellar object at 13x in my 80mm finder and very easy to identify with blinking.  Appears as a soft bluish star at 25x and definitely non-stellar at 32x and  54x.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1535 = H. IV-26 = h2618 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364). He recorded "a very curious planetary, very bright of a uniform brightness all but the edges which are ill defined; about half a minute in diameter.  With 240x proportionally magnified, perfectly round or perhaps a little elliptical."  He included his description in an addendum to his 1785 PT paper ("Construction of the  Heavens") that was completed a month before the discovery.  On 3 Oct (sweep 452) in good observing conditions he wrote, "it seems to have a small resolvable border, and is probably a very compressed cluster of stars at a great distance."

From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "B; S; R; first pretty suddenly, then very gradually brighter in the middle; 20" across. A mottled disc, but so hazy at the borders that I have no doubt of its being a very distant and highly compressed globular cluster. It is not a planetary nebula, though a near approach to one: does not bear magnifying. A power of 320 is of no use. A very remarkable and interesting object."  Possibly irregularities in the rim influenced JH to believe it was a GC.

William Lassell observed NGC 1535 on 7 Jan 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector from Malta and commented, "the most interesting and extraordinary object of the kind I have ever seen.  A bright well-defined star, perhaps 11th magnitude, right in the centre of a circular nebula, whose edge was the brightest part; and this nebula again placed upon a larger and fainter, concentric and equally symmetrical."  His sketch was published in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 4) on observations from Malta. He sketched it again in 1862 with his 48-inch and wrote, "An extraordinary and beautiful Planetary Nebula powers 760 and 1060.  The circumferential nebula fades away at its upper margin and the lowe and opposite part of the circumference is less strongly defined than the preceding and following sides.  Moreover, the nucleus does not seem stellar, but a small patch of bright light."

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found the supposed "globular cluster" displayed the spectrum of a  planetary nebula.  He was stationed in Bangalore, India for trigonometric surveying, but performed early spectroscopic investigations.

Ralph Copeland, made a detailed observation using Lord Rosse's 72" on 19 Dec 1873: "blue planetary nebula.  A small stellar nucleus with a bright atmosphere surrounded by a fainter one [double-shell structure].  There is a very small vacuity close to and sf the nucleus - power 414.  Outside diam np and sf = 45.1"; diameter of bright atmosphere = 18.4".  With power 625 the nucleus seems quite granular and surrounded by a narrow dark ring extending quite round.  Position of two of the most conspicuous central granules = 81.2°."

Sherburne Wesley Burnham, observing with the Lick 36-inch refractor, commented "besides the central star, there are other fainter stars within the nebula.  The most prominent of these is near the northern edge of the circular disc... The 14.5m star does not seem to have been seen by other observers [Lassell noted a faint star just inside its preceding edge]."  Burnham measured the position of this star at 16" in PA 324° (NW) of the central star.

Based on photographs taken in 1912 and 1913 with the 60-inch at Mt. Wilson, Francis Pease described NGC 1535 as "a planetary of almost uniform intensity 46"x40", p = 23°, on which lie a strong ring, a strong stellar nucleus, and a faint star. The ring is irregularly round, 18" in diameter, elongated in the same direction as the disk, quite sharp on the outer edge, but softer on the inner edge with branches running to the nucleus. The star is at p = 320° [NW], 17".  The spectrum shows bright lines."
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NGC 1536 = ESO 157-005 = PGC 14620
04 11 00.0  -56 28 55; Ret
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 155°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, 1.7'x1.1', broad concentration.  Appears to have a bar oriented N-S containing a small, bright nucleus and enhancements in the halo give an impression of two spiral arms.  Forms the western vertex of a triangle with a mag 10.6 star 2.8' WNW and a mag 12.7 star 3' SSE.  NGC 1533 lies 24' NNW and NGC 1546 is 39' NE.  Member of the NGC 1566 subgroup of the Dorado Group of galaxies.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1536 = h2625 on 4 Dec 1834 and described "vF, R, pL, very little brighter middle, 60" dia."  His position matches ESO 157-005 = PGC 14620.
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NGC 1537 = ESO 420-012 = MCG -05-11-005 = LGG 111-006 = PGC 14695
04 13 40.7  -31 38 43; Eri
V = 10.6;  Size 3.9'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 98°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, prominent elongated core, stellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 1532 group (LGG 111).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1537 = h2624 on 18 Nov 1835 and recorded "vB, little extended, pretty suddenly very much brighter in the middle, 50" l, 40" br." His position is 5' N of ESO 420-012 = PGC 14695, but the identification is secure.
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NGC 1538 = IC 2047 = LEDA 941480
04 14 56.1  -13 11 30; Eri
Size 0.8'x0.6';  PA = 108°

24" (12/22/14): faint, small, round, 12" diameter (core only), very faint stellar nucleus.  Holm 73 (double system) lies 3.3' SE and IC 2045 is 5.0' WNW.

Holm 73a = LEDA 3093623 appeared faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter (core).  Forms a close pair with Holm 73b = LEDA 940994 45" NE.  The companion was extremely to very faint, also just 6" diameter (core).

IC 2045 (identified as NGC 1538 in RNGC and PGC) appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, very small slightly brighter core. IC 2045 is the brightest in a small group including IC 2047 5' ESE and Holmberg 73 (pair) 8' ESE.  With my 17.5" on 12/30/99, IC 2045 was logged as faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Situated between a mag 10 star 3' NE and a mag 9 star 5.5' SW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1538 = LM 1-125 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 16.0, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is very close southeast of Holmberg 73a = LEDA 3093623, but could easily apply to other nearby galaxies given the inaccuracy of the Leander McCormick positions.

Harold Corwin remarks that Herbert Howe assumed Ho 73A was NGC 1538 when he observed the field on 20 Jan 1900 with the 20" refractor in Denver and also discovered nearby IC 2045 and IC 2047.  Stone's rough position is 8' southeast of IC 2045 = PGC 14722, described by Howe as "eF, eS, almost stellar; near [NGC] 1538." and 4' southeast of IC 2047 = LEDA 941480, noted as "eF, eS, difficult, near [NGC 1538]."

RNGC and PGC identify IC 2045 (the brightest of these galaxies) as NGC 1538.  But Corwin examined Stone's discovery sketch and NGC 1538 appears to be a better match with IC 2047.  So, we are left with three possible candidates for NGC 1538 and the identification is uncertain.
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NGC 1539 = CGCG 488-001 = V Zw 373 = PGC 14852
04 19 02.0  +26 49 38; Tau
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (12/10/07): faint, small, slightly elongated ~SW-NE, 0.4'x0.35', moderate concentration with a small brighter core.  Appears a little brighter than the catalogued magnitude.  Located ~ 4' W of a NNW-SSE string of three mag 12-13 stars with another mag 12 star 3' W enclosing the galaxy with this triangular asterism.  The identification of NGC 1539 is uncertain.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1539 = m 94 on 6 Sep 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, vS, gradually brighter in the middle."  There is nothing at his position, though CGCG 488-001 = PGC 14852 lies 1 min of RA east and 5' N (nearly 15' ENE).  Harold Corwin notes this would be a fairly large error for Marth, so the identification is uncertain, though there are no other candidates within at least 30' he might have picked up instead.  See Corwin's notes.

Stephane Javelle made a certain discovery on 28 Jan 1905 and included it in his unpublished 4th catalogue of 330 objects as J. 1508.  These were observed until 25 July 1911 (after publication of the IC 2).
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NGC 1540 = ESO 420-014 = AM 0413-283 = PGC 14733
04 15 10.6  -28 29 21; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 5°

18" (1/21/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, ~0.8'x0.5'.  Appears to have a star or quasi-stellar knot at the north tip -- this is actually an interacting galaxy [NGC 1540B]!  Located 8' SW mag 9.4 SAO 169272 (wide double).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1540 = h2626 on 6 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; E; resolvable.  Rather a doubtful object.  He confirmed the object, though, on sweep 643 and his position matches ESO 430-014 = PGC 14733.  This is an interacting pair (AM 0413-283) with separation 0.55'.  My visual observation recorded the southern galaxy as brighter and larger and Harold Corwin concurs that the southern object is probably the one viewed by Herschel.  He suggests, though, assigning NGC 1540 to the entire system.
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NGC 1541 = UGC 3001 = MCG +00-11-040 = CGCG 392-013 = PGC 14792
04 17 00.2  +00 50 06; Tau
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 77°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small bright core.  Located 7' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 111720.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1541 = m 95 on 14 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S".  His position is 1' S of UGC 3001 = PGC 14792.
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NGC 1542 = UGC 3003 = MCG +01-11-016 = CGCG 418-017 = PGC 14800
04 17 14.2  +04 46 55; Tau
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 128°

17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 40"x20", very weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.9' ENE of center.  Collinear with a 1' pair of mag 11 stars about 5' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1542 = m 96 on 18 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E."  His position matches UGC 3003 = PGC 14800.
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NGC 1543 = ESO 118-010 = AM 0411-575 = LGG 112-001 = PGC 14659
04 12 43.0  -57 44 17; Ret
V = 10.5;  Size 4.9'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 93°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, large, oval halo 2:1 E-W, at least 3'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a brilliant and bulging 1' round core that brightens slightly to a small, intense nucleus. The large halo is relatively fainter and fairly uniform.  9th magnitude HD 26942 lies 5' SW.

NGC 1543 is a member of the NGC 1566 subgroup of the Dorado Group of galaxies.  Deep images reveal a detached outer ring, which was not seen.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1543 = D 306 = h2627 on 5 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector and described as "a small round pretty well defined nebula, 10" or 12" diameter, slightly bright to the centre, a bright star in the field south following." Dunlop's position is 11' too far south.

John Herschel independently found this galaxy on 4 Dec 1834 (no reference to Dunlop) and recorded it as "B, pL, pmE, suddenly much brighter middle to a round nucleus = star 11th mag."  Herschel's position is accurate.
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NGC 1544 = UGC 3160 = MCG +14-03-006 = CGCG 361-011 = CGCG 370-001 = PGC 16608
05 02 36.0  +86 13 20; Cep
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 130°

18" (8/1/11): fairly faint, small, round, sharply concentrated with a very small, bright nucleus.  A 10" pair of mag 14.5 stars is at the north edge and a second wider pair at 18" separation (mag 13.6/14.4) is off the NW side.  Located 10' WNW of a very distinctive 2' string of equally spaced mag 9.5/10/11 stars (SAO 785/786).

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, round.  Several faint stars are near including an evenly matched mag 14.5 pair with 10" separation at the north edge 20" from center.  This is the second closest NGC galaxy to the north celestial pole.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1544 = T. 1-16 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  He reported it as a "very small nebula, surrounded by many faint stars but as bright as II. 704 [NGC 1184]." His position is close west of UGC 3160 = PGC 16608.  This galaxy is the 2nd closest galaxy to the pole (next to "Polarissima") in the NGC or IC.
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NGC 1545 = Cr 49 = OCL-399 = Lund 131
04 20 56  +50 15 18; Per
V = 6.2;  Size 18'

17.5" (12/28/94): about 50 stars scattered evenly over a 20' field with no dense areas or central concentration.  A wide but pretty pair of mag 7/8 stars is near the center with a copper orange primary (South 445 = 7.3/8.2 at 72") and a blue mag 9 star to the west (SAO 24549) forming an isosceles triangle.  A number of mag 11/12 stars are arranged in a curving stream oriented SW-NE which passes through the bright pair.  At the north side of the cluster is a pretty colored pair (STF 519 = 7.9/9.4 at 18").  Off the east side is a small circular group of five faint stars and one brighter star in a clump. STF 521, a mag 7.4/9.2 pair at 2", lies 15' SE of the cluster.

8": about two dozen stars in the cluster.  The three brightest stars are mag 7.5-8.5.  Includes chains of faint stars with double star STF 519 = 7.9/9.4 at 18" at the north edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1545 = H. VIII-85 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and recorded "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, pretty rich."  His position corresponds with the brightest star in the cluster.
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NGC 1546 = ESO 157-012 = AM 0413-561 = LGG 112-002 = PGC 14723
04 14 36.5  -56 03 39; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 3.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 147°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.1'x0.5', even surface brightness except for a small brighter core.  Located 8' NE of mag 7.5 HD 27142.  A trio of 11-12th magnitude stars trail to the SW (nearest is the easy double HJ 3635 = 8.8/10.9 at 12" just 1.7' W).  Located in the Dorado Group ~25' SW of the NGC 1553/1549 pair.  NGC 1533 lies 40' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1546 = h2628 on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "pB, little extended, gradually brighter in the middle to an extended nucleus. A double star precedes." His position (two consecutive nights) matches ESO 157-012 = PGC 14723 and the double is HJ 363.
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NGC 1547 = ESO 550-018 = MCG -03-11-020 = PGC 14799
04 17 12.4  -17 51 27; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 133°

17.5" (11/10/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6'.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus offset to the south side or a mag 15.5 star is superimposed [DSS image appears to show a superimposed star].  A mag 13 star lies 1.2' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1547 = LM 1-126 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded a "cl? or neb with sev vF st and one *(mag) 11.5 north of center inv."  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest minute of RA), but 43 sec of RA west is ESO 550-018 = PGC 14799, which matches his description.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), although he adds he "had no such suspicion" it was a cluster", probably due to the nearby stars.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and MCG does not label their entry as NGC 1547.
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NGC 1548 = OCL-415
04 20 59  +36 34 00; Per
Size 20'

18" (2/14/10): at 175x there was nothing that looked remotely cluster-like in the 35' field or that I felt might have caught Herschel's attention -- just a random scattered star field with no denser groupings.  At 73x (67' field), though, my attention was drawn to mag 7.7 HD 27403 on the south side of the eyepiece field.  Extending to the west and southwest of this brighter star was an elongated group highlighted by an oval ring, roughly 10' diameter with several mag 10 stars.  A collection of fainter stars that follows the oval ring extends the overall dimensions to 20' x 10'.

Still, the asterism I described was unimpressive and not rich enough to mimic a cluster, but seemed the best fit in the nearby area to Herschel's object.  If this group is Herschel's h312, then his position for the brightest star is exactly 20' N of HD 27403 and matches in RA, so a single digit error in dec would explain the discrepancy.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1548 = h312 on 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399) and described "The chief * of a very loose poor cluster 30' diam; little comp; stars 10...12m."  There is nothing near his position and Karl Reinmuth states in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel nach Aufnahmen der Königstuhl-Sternwarte" that "no CL found; many st in milky way".  Brian Skiff calls this object "just a sparse, unconcentrated group of stars slightly brighter than the background."  But 20' south of Herschel's position I noticed that mag 7.7 HD 27403 and the surrounding field is probably the best match for Herschel's object.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1549 = ESO 157-016 = AM 0414-554 = LGG 112-003 = PGC 14757
04 15 44.0  -55 35 30; Dor
V = 9.8;  Size 4.9'x4.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 135°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter.  Strongly concentrated with an intense 30" core and a bright stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Cradled by a distinctive group of 5 stars including mag 8.7 SAO 233458 to the SSE.  This member of the Dorado Group forms an interacting pair w/NGC 1553 12' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1549 = h2629 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "B, R, 40" diameter." (single sweep).  Wolfgang Steinicke originally credited James Dunlop (D 331) with the discovery, though Glen Cozens states Dunlop's number applies to NGC 1553 with a 1 hr error in RA.  Steinicke now credits JH with the discovery.  Innes (MN 59, 339, 1899) and DeLisle Stewart (based on plates taken at Arequipa between 1898 and 1901) corrected Herschel's poor RA.
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NGC 1550 = NGC 1551 = UGC 3012 = MCG +00-11-055 = CGCG 393-001 = LGG 113-006 = PGC 14880
04 19 37.9  +02 24 36; Tau
V = 12.0;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 30°

24" (12/28/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus, large low surface brightness halo roughly 1' fades out with a distinct edge.  A fairly faint 7" double star is 1.7' S.  IC 366, 3.1' SSE, was faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  NGC 1550 is the brightest in a group at z = .012 (see observation from 12/22/14).

UGC 3004, 35' W, appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~25"x20", very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 9.8 star is 2.6' SSW. Located 4.8' S of mag 7.2 HD 2714.
UGC 3006, 33' W, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~25"x12", broad concentration with a slightly brighter nucleus.
UGC 2998, 50' NW, appeared faint/fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Situated just 1.9' S of mag 8.3 HD 27039 that significantly detracts from viewing the glow of the galaxy.

24" (12/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core.  An uncatalogued double star lies 1.7' S (components 13.7/14.7 at 7").  Forms a pair with IC 366 3.1' SSE.  The companion appeared faint (B ≈ 15.7), small, round, 12" diameter.

UGC 3011, located 12' NNW, appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 21"x14", low surface brightness.  UGC 3008, located 17' NW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 24"x18", slightly brighter core.  Three stars are nearby: a mag 11 star is 1.5' SSW, a mag 13 star 1' SW and a mag 14 star 1.5' ESE.

13.1" (1/19/85): faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 1550 on 29 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His micrometric position (measured on two nights) corresponds with UGC 3012 = PGC 14880.  Édouard Stephan observed this galaxy (position 4' SE) on 8 Jan 1874.

William Herschel made the original discovery of this galaxy on 8 Oct 1785.  He made a 1° error in recording the declination (too far south) of H. II-464 (later NGC 1551).  d'Arrest searched unsuccessfully for NGC 1551 and suspected Herschel made an error in his declination.  So, NGC 1550 = NGC 1551. Nearby IC 366 was missed by d'Arrest and discovered by Sherburne Burnham with the 36-inch at Lick.
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NGC 1551 = NGC 1550 = UGC 3012 = MCG +00-11-055 = CGCG 393-001 = PGC 14880
04 19 37.9  +02 24 36; Tau

See observing notes for NGC 1550.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1551 = H. II-464 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and recorded "F, vS, r[esolvable]."  There is nothing at his position and Dreyer comments in the NGC Notes "Not found at Copenhagen [by d'Arrest], not at Birr Castle.  GC 835 [NGC 1550] is exactly 1° north; they are probably identical."  NGC 1550 was found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 29 Dec 1861 and accurately placed.  By historical precidence, WH's II-464 = NGC 1551 should be the primary designation but modern catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 1550 because of the unambiguous positional match.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1552 = UGC 3015 = MCG +00-12-007 = CGCG 393-005 = PGC 14907
04 20 17.6  -00 41 36; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 110°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, faint extensions 3:2 WNW-ESE, even concentration to a small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.8' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1552 = H. III-490 = h313 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and noted "vF, vS, little extended, 240 showed it better, but left a bare possibity of deception."  His position is 10 sec of RA west of UGC 3015 = PGC 14907. John Herschel's mean position from 2 sweeps is accurate.
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NGC 1553 = ESO 157-017 = AM 0415-555 = LGG 112-004 = PGC 14765
04 16 10.5  -55 46 48; Dor
V = 9.4;  Size 4.5'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 150°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very bright, oval, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2.25'x1.0', very bright core, fairly high surface brightness halo.  With averted vision the halo increases to nearly 3' in length.  A mag 12.5 star is at the north edge [1.0' from center], a mag 12.5 mag star is off the SSE edge [1.7' from center] and a mag 12 star is 1.8' WNW of center. NGC 1553  forms a bright pair with NGC 1549 12' NNW in the center of the Dorado Group.  IC 2058 lies 17' SE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1553 = D 331 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a rather bright nebula about 1' diameter, very faint at the margin, gradually bright to the centre: a small star north, and another south, both involved in the margin of the nebula. A group of very small stars north."  Dunlop made a transcription error of 1 hour in RA so his published position is 1 hour too large, but his two notebook entries are only 10' too far south.  I'm surprised Dunlop apparently missed NGC 1549.  He mentioned "a group of very small stars north", which are just off the south side of NGC 1549.

On 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520), John Herschel recorded "vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, 60", between three stars."
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NGC 1554 = Struve's Lost Nebula
04 21 43.5  +19 31 14; Tau

17.5" (11/10/96): at the position of Struve's Lost Nebula (reported by Otto Struve in 1868) is a mag 14 star noted in the observation of NGC 1555 (Hind's Variable Nebula).  This star is 4' WSW of T Tauri and is not involved with nebulosity.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 1554 = "Struve's Lost Nebula" on 14 Mar 1868 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  He placed it 4' WSW of the star T Tauri (which illuminates NGC 1555 = Hind's Variable Nebula).  It was confirmed and measured by Heinrich d'Arrest on 23-25 Mar 1868 after being notified by Struve.  d'Arrest described it, using an 11" refractor at Copenhagen, as "pretty small, nearly round, with an eccentric core like a star of 14th magnitude".  After that date, it was not observed again and may have just been a spurious observation of a close pair of mag 14 and 15.5 stars, considering the fascination at the time with nearby Hind's Variable Nebula.

Dreyer comments in the Notes section of NGC that he was unable to perceive any nebulosity near Struve's position at Birr Castle in 1877 (Lawrence Parsons was previously unsuccessful in 1872, 1876 and 1877) and it was not found by Tempel with the 11-inch Amici refractor at the Arcetri Observatory or Copeland at Dun Echt.  Engelhardt was unsuccessful on 30 Dec 1884 and 8 Jan 1885.  E.E. Barnard and Sherburne Burnham couldn't see it with the 36-inch Lick refractor on 15 Oct 1890.  Struve's nebula was not found by Barnard using the 36-inch in 1895 or by James Keeler on plates taken in 1899.

Several sources, including  Sky Catalogue 2000.0 and RNGC, group NGC 1554 and NGC 1555 together as a single object.  NGC 1554 doesn't exist now and Steinicke doubts it ever existed.  The RNGC position for NGC 1554/1555 is 1 min of RA too far east.  Steinicke mentions the nickname "Struve's Lost Nebula" was probably introduced by Cederblad in his 1946 catalogue.
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NGC 1555 = Ced 32b = vdB 28 = HH 155 = PP 17 = Hind's Variable Nebula
04 21 56.8  +19 32 04; Tau
Size 1'

48" (10/29/19): at 375x, this variable nebula was immediately seen as a diffuse, elongated patch just west of T Tauri.  But the scope was shaking from the wind and the seeing was poor, so details were lacking.

24" (1/12/13): at 200x unfiltered, Hind's Variable Nebula was immediately seen as a very faint, fairly small, elongated haze, roughly 40" in length and slightly curved or bowed out to the W.  The variable reflection nebula seemed unevenly lit, though it was too faint to see any specific details.  This famous nebula is illuminated by T Tauri (mag 10-10.5), just 35" to the E.  T Tauri is perfectly collinear with mag 8.4 HD 27560 5.6' SW and a mag 12 star 4.7' SW.  The nebula has likely brightened since the view in 1996 with my 17.5".

17.5" (11/10/96): this is Hind's Variable (reflection) Nebula, illuminated by T Tauri (9-13).  At 100x and 140x (unfiltered) an extremely faint haze was highly suspected on the west or west-southwest side of T Tauri (mag 9) in the direction of a mag 14 star to the west or slightly south (this star is at the position of NGC 1554 = "Struve's Lost Nebula").  No details in the nebula were visible at 100x (it did not appear as an arc) but a sketch made at 100x exactly matched the orientation of the nebulosity with respect to T Tauri.  Nebulosity was not visible at 220x and no nebulosity was noted following T Tauri.

Hind's Variable Nebula was discovered (along with T Tauri) by John Russell Hind on 11 Oct 1852 with a 7-inch refractor. Because of it's variability, disappearance in the early 1860's, and eventual recovery by Barnard in 1890, it was a subject of fascination and numerous journal reports by most of the major great visual observers of the time including d'Arrest, Tempel, Charconac, Auwers, Secchi, Lassell, Struve, Winnecke, Lawrence Parsons, Dreyer, Barnard and Burnham.

John Russell Hind discovered NGC 1555 = Au 20 = Hind's Variable Nebula, which surrounds the variable star T Tauri, on 11 Oct 1852 with the 7-inch Dollond refractor of George Bishop.  He reported in AN 839 a "very small nebulous-looking object...; it was south-preceding a star of 10th mag, which to my surprise, has escaped insertion on the map for 4h R.A. recently published - possibly it may be variable."  Hind had discovered the young variable T Tauri and the variable reflection nebula NGC 1555.  The following summarizes the visual history of this object as told by Wolfgang Steinicke in his "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".

Jean Charcornac confirmed the existence of the nebula in 1854 at Marseilles, likely using a 4-inch refractor.  It was probably independently found by James Breen with a 12-inch refractor at Cambridge in 1855.  Heinrich d'Arrest first observed the nebula on 3 Nov 1855 in Leibniz (with several additional observations in 1856) and described "a pretty bright nebula, 4' diameter, star 10 at its northern end". Arthur Auwers made 7 observations between 7 Jan and 3 Mar 1858 with a 4.3-inch refractor.  He noted the nebula "was visible quite easily and without difficulty, but much fainter than it must have been appearing [to d'Arrest] in 1855 and 1856.  He later concluded that it reached its maximum brightness in 1856.  He listed it as #20 in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and reported the observations in his notes section.

By 1858, though, there was some fading as Charcornac could not recover it at Paris with the 10-inch refractor.  It was not seen with confidence by Eduard Schönfeld in Feb 1861 using the 6.5-inch Steinheil refractor at Mannheim Observatory.  Auwers was unsuccessful in 1861 with a 6-inch Fraunhofer and so was d'Arrest with the 11-inch Merz refractor in 1861-62.  Leverrier and Charcornac failed to see nebulosity with the 12.4-inch refractor at Paris Observatory or the new 31.5-inch silver-on-glass reflector in Jan-Feb 1862.  Father Angelo Secchi also failed in Rome using the 9.4-inch Merz refractor in Jan 1862.  His report suggested a connection between the fading of the variable star and the nebula, shining by reflected light.  William Lassell made an unsuccessful attempt with his 48-inch from Malta in March and Apr 1862.  Hind made another attempt on 12 Dec 1863 in excellent conditions, but failed.

The only reported (barely) successful sighting of the nebula during 1861-62 was by Wilhlem Struve and Winnecke using the 15-inch Merz refractor in Pulkovo on 29 Dec 1861 and more easily on 22 Mar 1862, when a sketch was made.  When Struve visited Lassell on Malta, they took a look again on 10 Oct 1863 with the 48-inch and could discern "three or four individual masses separated from each other by black sky", so Struve felt Lassell may have previously looked in the wrong place.  "Hind's wonderful nebula in Taurus" was reported to the general public by Reverend Thomas Webb in 1864 in the popular magazine Intellectual Observer and the same year it was catalogued by John Herschel (who never saw it) as GC 839 and he reported on the history in the Notes section.  In 1865 and 1866, Vogel made several observations (both positive and negative) in Leibniz with 4.6-inch and 6.5-inch refractors and reported very different degrees of visibility.  But during the same time frame and into 1867 it was not seen by Schönfeld in Mannheim and was completely invisible to Struve on 14 Mar 1868 at Pulkovo, though he reported a new nebula (Stuve's "Lost Nebula", NGC 1554).  Winnecke made a marginal observation in 1875 and sketched it with certainty in 1877.  Tempel observed the field in 1877, made a map of the region including his and others observations, but apparently included nonexistent stars and nebulosity which he recorded.

Hind's Variable Nebula wasn't seen again until 1890 when it was barely recovered by E.E. Barnard and S.W. Burnham using the Lick 36-inch refractor.  Barnard confirmed a very small, but "conspicuous and definite" glow (only 4" diameter) surrounding T Tauri, which he assumed was NGC 1555, and an excessively faint, round, larger nebula close south that they took as new, but was actually the real NGC 1555.  The larger glow was observed again in 1891 by Burnham and by Barnard on 25 Feb 1895, when he finally realized that the faint object just south of T Tauri was actually Hind's Variable Nebula, barely visible again (called "16 1/2 mag, very feebly brighter in the middle, roundish").  But on three attempts in September 1895 ("under the finest conditions") he could find no trace of the nebula.  Three years later in September 1898, Barnard made additional observations with the 40-inch Yerkes refractor and reported a tiny nebula attached southeast of T Tauri.  The first photograph showing nebulosity was made by Keeler on 6 Dec 1899 and three patches were recorded (two corresponding with Barnard's sketches), but no sign of Struve's Lost Nebula.  Carl Wirtz was unsuccessful in 1906 seeing either NGC 1554 or 1555 in a visual attempt using the 19-inch Merz refractor at Strausberg as well as by S.W. Burnham in 1907 using the 40-inch Yerkes refractor.  Dreyer discussed many of the original visual observations in the NGC, IC 1 and IC 2 Notes section.  In 1936, it was mentioned in the Carnegie Institute Yearbook that NGC 1555 "have been under observation by Baade and Hubble...About 1920 the region of the knot D in Pease's diagram (Mt. Wilson Contributions, No. 127) began to brighten and can now readily be seen in the telescope".  I assume they mean visually in the 100-inch!

Modern sources often group NGC 1554 and 1555 (discovered by Struve) together, although there is no nebulosity visible on the Sky Survey at Struve's position for NGC 1555.  The RNGC RA for NGC 1554 and NGC 1555 is 1.0 min of RA too far east.
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NGC 1556 = ESO 202-004 = AM 0416-501 = PGC 14818
04 17 44.7  -50 09 50; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 167°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.1'x0.35'.  Fairly high surface brightness with a brighter core but no distinct zones.  Member of the Dorado Group.  Viewed with a 4.5 day moon up.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1556 = h2631 on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 20" dia."  His position matches ESO 202-004 = PGC 14818.  NGC 1556 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "Not round but elongated 165 deg."  The RNGC position is in error and falls on a blank piece of sky.
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NGC 1557 = ESO 055-015
04 12 52  -70 30.9; Hyi
Size 16'x11'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): very large, scattered group of 3 dozen stars mag 6.0 and fainter (the next three are mag 9-10).  Not rich but detached int the field. This asterism (possible cluster) is projected onto the outer parts of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1557 = h2633 on 24 Nov 1834 and described "A star 7m chief of a cluster 8th class- about 20 in number, loose and struggling."  His position corresponds with mag 7.0 SAO 256073 at 04 13 14.9 -70 25 14.  There is a scattered group of brighter stars mostly south of this star.

Eric Lindsay in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", (1964IrAJ....6..286L) commented, "Not found. Centered on CPD -70°287. This star is supposedly the chief of a cluster, about 20 in number, loose and straggling. Star distribution seems normal."  Hodge and Wright marks a smaller group of stars to the northwest of Herschel's cluster.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (repeating Lindsay) as well as Kontizas, et al in the 1990 "The Cluster System of the Large Magellanic Cloud".  But Bica et al (2001A&A...366..827B) called it a  possible open cluster remnant."
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NGC 1558 = ESO 250-017 = PGC 14906
04 20 16.2  -45 01 52; Cae
V = 12.5;  Size 2.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 72°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.7'x0.6'.  Contains a large, brighter elongated core that gradually brightens somewhat to the center.  A mag 13.2 star lies 1.3' SSE of center.  Located 10' E of mag 7.7 HD 27805.  ESO 250-018, with a similar redshift, lies 8' ESE.  Viewed with 4.5 day moon up.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1558 = h2632 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "pF, pmE, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 25" long, 15" broad".  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is ESO 250-017 = PGC 14906.
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NGC 1559 = ESO 084-010 = PGC 14814
04 17 35.8  -62 47 01; Ret
V = 10.6;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 64°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x1.5', broad weak concentration, slightly mottled.  A mag 13.5 star is off the SW end, 2' from center, and a brighter mag 12 star is 4.7' from center.  Located 30' SE of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticulum and 28' N of the mag 6.1/7.8 double star Theta Reticulum.

NGC 1559 is a member of the NGC 1672 Group in the Dorado Cloud complex that includes NGC 1672, NGC 1688, NGC 1796 and NGC 1703.  Images reveal a number of HII knots, though other than some mottling I didn't note these.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1559 = D 264 = h2634 on 6 Nov 1826.  He made two observations with summary description, "faint round nebula, about 40" diameter, slightly bright to the centre; this is north preceding Theta Rhomboidis".  His published position is 18' too far south (accurate in RA) as he overestimated the separation from Theta Ret.

John Herschel observed the galaxy twice but didn't mention an equivalence with D 264, so Dunlop wasn't credited with the discovery in the GC or NGC.  On 9 Dec 1836 (sweep 756), Herschel noted "B, L, much elongated, very gradually pretty much brighter middle; 90" l; 40" br; has a * 14m at the southern edge."

Pietro Baracchi sketched the galaxy on 7 Dec 1885 using the 48" Melbourne Telescope.  He showed the galaxy fading and narrowing at the NE end, with an apparent tiny knot on the S side.

NGC 1559 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! 3-branch spiral, 2 branches together, giving double appearance."
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NGC 1560 = UGC 3060 = MCG +12-05-005 = CGCG 328-006 = FGC 71A = PGC 15488
04 32 48.9  +71 52 59; Cam
V = 11.4;  Size 9.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 23°

17.5" (2/20/95): fairly faint, very large, 6'x1', low surface brightness edge-on SSW-NNE.  Broad weak concentration with no distinct core but there a central 2' brightening.  A mag 13 star is embedded on the preceding side of the NNE extension.  The galaxy appears to extend very faintly beyond this towards a mag 12 star further north.  Another mag 13 star is superimposed at the SSW end and a brighter mag 11.5 star is just following the tip of this extension.  Member of the IC 342/Maffei I group, a nearby but obscured group of galaxies.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, fairly large, edge-on SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness.  Appears as a ghostly streak.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1560 = T. 9-1 on 1 Aug 1883 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His position is 1 min of RA preceding UGC 3060 = PGC 15488, though at this high declination this amounts to 5'.  UGC 3060 is misidentified as IC 2062 in RC2, UGC and CGCG.  According to Harold Corwin, IC 2062 is a faint star found by Guillaume Bigourdan on the same night he observed NGC 1560.
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NGC 1561 = MCG -03-12-006 = Holm 75a = PGC 15005
04 23 01.1  -15 50 45; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/30/99): faint, small, irregularly round, 0.4' diameter, small brighter center.  Located 2' NE of mag 9 SAO 149593.  Brightest of six faint galaxies with NGC 1562 (18' WNW), NGC 1563 (7.0' NNW), NGC 1564 (6.4' N), NGC 1565 (8' NE) and IC 2063 (12' NNW).

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 2.1' NE of a mag 9 star.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, round, broad mild concentration.  Located 2' NE of a mag 8.8 SAO 149593.  Brightest in a very faint group including NGC 1563, NGC 1564, NGC 1565 and IC 2063.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1561 = LM 1-127 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 14.0, vS, lE 170°, gradually little brighter middle, *8, precedes 6 seconds."  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is a good match with MCG -03-12-006 = PGC 15005, and the bright star is 2' SW.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) for NGC 1561, 1562, 1563, 1564 and 1565.
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NGC 1562 = PGC 14956
04 21 47.6  -15 45 20; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very little concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is close W.  First of six in the NGC 1561 group (18' following).

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 15.5 star is 1' W.  Located 20' W of the center of the NGC 1561 group.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1562 = LM 1-128 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 1 min of RA east of PGC 14956.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and noted that "1562 precedes the rest of the group over a minute [of RA]."
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NGC 1563 = PGC 15000
04 22 53.9  -15 43 58; Eri
Size 0.45'x0.4'

17.5" (12/30/99): this member of the NGC 1561 group was a marginal object -- requiring averted vision and only glimpsed ~10% of the time as a 15" featureless knot just 1.7' WNW of NGC 1564 and 7' NNW of NGC 1561.

17.5" (2/8/91): Not found.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1563 = LM 1-129, along with NGC 1564, on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Leavenworth gives a single (rough) position for the pair (separated by 1.7'), which is 3'-4' too far north.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  RNGC and MCG misidentify IC 2063 = MCG -03-12-005 as NGC 1563.  PGC misidentifies MCG -03-12-005 as NGC 1563 but gives the correct position.
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NGC 1564 = PGC 15004
04 23 00.9  -15 44 20; Eri
Size 0.7'x0.5'

17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  Two mag 13.5/14 stars are close NE.  Located 6.4' due north of NGC 1561 in a group.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1563 1.7' W.

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, very small, round.  A trio of mag 13/14 stars lie 2'-3' NE.  Member of the NGC 1561 group.  Nearby NGC 1563 not seen.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1564 = LM 1-130 (along with NGC 1563 = I-129) on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The PGC magnitudes for NGC 1563 and 1564 appear to be reversed.
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NGC 1565 = MCG -03-12-007 = PGC 15015
04 23 23.4  -15 44 40; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (12/30/99): very faint, fairly small, round, 30".  This galaxy has a low surface brightness with no central brightening but may be the largest in the group.  A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE of center.  Located 8' NE of NGC 1561 in a group of faint galaxies (last of six).

17.5" (2/8/91): Not found.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1565 = LM 1-131 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 2' N of MCG -03-12-007 = PGC 15015.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1566 = ESO 157-020 = LGG 114-003 = PGC 14897 = Spanish Dancer
04 20 00.4  -54 56 16; Dor
V = 9.7;  Size 8.3'x6.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 60°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this gorgeous grand design spiral was a showpiece treat even with a 4.5-day moon well up in the west.  NGC 1566 appeared strongly concentrated with a very bright, elongated 1' core region that increased to an intense, round, 20" nucleus.  The two spiral arms were easily visible with direct vision. The "southern" arm is attached on the north side of the core, wrapping around the core counterclockwise on the east side (passing directly between the core and a mag 12 star 2' E of center) and spiraling around 180° to the south side of the halo.  On the south end, the arm passes just north of a mag 15 star and ends at a slightly brighter mag 14.5 star.  The "northern" arm is attached on the south side of the core and wraps around the west side, gradually unfurling towards the north side and ending over 2' NNE of center.

With careful viewing, the northern arm "resolved" into 4 distinct extended HII regions, identified as NGC 1566:[HP80] I, II, IV and VI in Hawley and Phillips 1980 paper "Spectrophotometry of H II regions and the nucleus of NGC 1566" in ApJ, 235, 783.  NGC 1566:[HP80] VI is a 12" knot in the arm, 45" due west of center and is clearly resolved from [HP80] IV, a slightly larger 15" knot which is 50" WNW of center.  [HP80] II is a distinct 10" knot 1' NNW of center and the faintest is [HP80] I, just to its north.  The arm passes just south of a mag 14 star 2' N of center.  With averted vision, the outer halo extends beyond the main arms, increasing the size to 5'x3' SSW-NNE.  Mag 8.7 HD 27713 lies 5.4' NW.  NGC 1566 is the largest and most luminous member of the Dorado Group, which contains three subgroups: NGC 1433 group, NGC 1672 group and NGC 1566 group.

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): this Seyfert galaxy is a member of the Dorado Group and appears bright, large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S.  With careful viewing the halo extends to ~3'x2'.  A spiral arm is attached on the west side and curves towards the north beyond the main body of the galaxy.  On the eastern side a low surface brightness arm is attached (on an E-W line with a mag 12 star close following the galaxy) and extends a little to the south on the eastern side of the main body.  I was surprised to see the spiral arms so clearly!  Mag 8.2 HD 27713 lies 5.4' NW of center and a mag 9.9 star lies in the field 9' W.  NGC 1581 lies 40' E.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1566 = D 338 = h2635 on 28 May 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and described "a pretty large round nebula, about 4' diameter, moderately and gradually condensed to the centre. A very small star near the following edge, not involved."  His handwritten notes also mention a "pretty bright star precedes it and about 3' to 4' north", matching Mag 8.2 HD 27713, which is 5.4' NW of center.

John Herschel observed the galaxy twice from the Cape of Good Hope, recording on 5 Dec 1834 (sweep 520), "B, vL, first very gradually then suddenly much brighter to the middle, to a stellar nucleus. Diameter in RA = 15". A star 11th mag involved, N.p. gives it a distorted appearance. A curious object."

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 7 Dec 1885 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope.  His sketch clearly shows both spiral arms and his description reads "the nebulosity is very faint and has a shape almost like the letter S."
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NGC 1567 = ESO 202-010 = AM 0419-482 NED02 = PGC 14934
04 21 08.7  -48 15 18; Cae
V = 12.2;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 40"-45" diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a small bright core.  A mag 10.5 star lies 5' SW.

NGC 1567 forms a pair (same redshift and likely interacting) with ESO 202-009 3' SSW.  The companion appeared very faint, fairly small, thin edge-on SSW-NNE, 40"x12", low surface brightness.  Viewed with a 4.5-day moon up.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1567 = h2636 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 20" (hazy)". A later observation adds "found in place and viewed past meridian; not vF, S, R."  His position matches ESO 202-010 = PGC 14934.
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NGC 1568 = NGC 1568B = UGC 3032 = MCG +00-12-027 = CGCG 393-016 = II Zw 10 = VV 809 = PGC 15034
04 24 25.4  -00 44 47; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  PA = 135°

24" (12/22/14): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, well concentrated with a small bright core that increases occasionally to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 1' NE.  Forms an interacting double system (II Zw 10) with NGC 1568A = UGC 3031 1.2' WNW.

NGC 1568A appeared extremely or very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, low surface brightness glow with averted vision.  A mag 14.5-15 star is less than 30" N.  On the SDSS, this galaxy has a striking set of tidal tails; it is connected to brighter to NGC 1568B with a delicate, curving bridge and a long tidal plume extends to the northwest.

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, dominated by small bright core, fainter extensions NW-SE, faint halo.  Two mag 12/13 stars are 1' NE and 1.5' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1568 = Sw. 5-60 on 2 Oct 1886 with his 16" refractor and reported "eF; vS; R; nearly betw 2 stars."  His RA was 21 seconds too large and his comment "nearly betw 2 stars" may apply to two stars 1' northeast and 4' southwest.  Most likely the companion (NGC 1568A) is too faint to be seen by Swift.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate position in 1906 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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NGC 1569 = Arp 210 = UGC 3056 = MCG +11-06-001 = CGCG 306-001 = VII Zw 16 = LGG 104-002 = PGC 15345
04 30 48.6  +64 50 56; Cam
V = 11.0;  Size 3.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 120°

48" (10/23/11): at 488x, three very compact knots (luminous super-star clusters) were closely lined up from NW to SE in the central region (total length ~15") with the brightest knot NGC 1569-A in the middle of the trio.  NGC 1569-A was flanked by 1569-C 7" NW and 1569-B 7" SE.  NGC 1569-C appeared very small but was also clearly non-stellar.  NGC 1569-B, very close to the geometric center, was very compact and symmetrical, like a slightly bloated star.  SIMBAD lists a V mag of 15.3 for 1569-A.

18" (1/17/09): at 380x this unusual starburst galaxy appeared as a high surface brightness streak, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE.  The brightest region is NW of center and contains two stellar or quasi-stellar knots (super-star clusters) within the glow.  One of these "stars" was fairly easy (NGC 1569-A) and the other was occasionally visible.  A very faint stellar object (SSC NGC 1569-B) is close to the geometric center.  The ESE side of the galaxy is fairly uniform though the position angle is slightly offset.  A mag 9.8 star is less than 1' N of center.

17.5" (3/1/03): at 380x this is a bright, very elongated galaxy with an unusual asymmetric appearance, situated less than 1' S of a mag 9.5 star!  Extended nearly 5:2 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.8'.  The bright core is offset to the NW side of the glow with a tail extending SE, possibly bending at a slight angle to the core.  Two stellar "nuclei" are visible in good seeing.  The brighter "star" is embedded within the core, possibly just slightly north of center.  A second fainter "star" is close SE, near the edge of the core and is visible intermittently.  These "stars" are actually SSC's (luminous super-star clusters).  NGC 1569 was recently determined to be a member of the IC 342 galaxy group.

17.5" (1/12/02): very bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 2.5'x1.1', high but irregular surface brightness with an asymmetric appearance.  The very bright core is mottled and irregular and is offset to the NW side of the galaxy!  At 380x, there are two stellar "nuclei" within this glow.  The brighter stellar nucleus is fairly easy and a fainter stellar point is close SE.  There is also a strong impression of a third stellar spot close west of the central nucleus.  These faint "stars" are actually luminous super-star clusters, the most massive known type of star clusters.  A mag 10 star is close off the north side, 1' from center and a mag 13 star is just off the SE end.  

13.1" (1/18/85): very bright, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, high surface brightness, elongated bright core, mottling suspected.  Located just 1' S of a mag 10 star. 

8" (11/28/81): fairly bright, small, elongated.  Located just south of a mag 9 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1569 = H. II-768 on 4 Nov 1788 (sweep 881).  He called it "pretty bright, small, little elongated, bright nucleus, just south of a pretty bright star."

Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland observed this galaxy on 17 Jan 1873: "Decidedly cometic in appearance, with the head north-preceding.  Position of elongation 111.2°.  Has an 11 mag reddish star in PA 359°, Dist 45".  This star is the south member of a double star.  There is also a 15m star following in the direction of the axis of the nebula.  This object, although of the second class, is 3 or 4x as bright as H. I-258 [NGC 1491]."
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NGC 1570 = NGC 1571 = ESO 250-019 = MCG -07-10-001 = PGC 14971
04 22 08.9  -43 37 47; Cae
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 172°

See observing notes for NGC 1571.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1570 = h2637 on 4 Dec 1836 and recorded "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20" dia."  His position is 10' N of ESO 250-019 = PGC 14971.  This galaxy was found again by JH on 1 Dec 1837, accurately placed, and it was catalogued again as h2638 = GC 848 = NGC 1571.  Although NGC 1570 is the earlier discovery, this galaxy is referred to as NGC 1571.  RNGC labels NGC 1570 as nonexistent.
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NGC 1571 = NGC 1570 = ESO 250-019 = MCG -07-10-001 = PGC 14971
04 22 08.9  -43 37 47; Cae
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 172°

18" (1/17/09): at 175x appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 N-S, ~25"x18", very small brighter core.  A mag 10.6/10.8 double star (HJ 3648) at 12" separation lies 3' ENE.  Located 47' NW of a mag 6.4 star and 49' NE of a mag 5.3 star.  Viewed at only 7 degrees elevation from Lake Sonoma.

John Herschel found NGC 1571 = h2638 on 1 Dec 1837 and recorded as "vF; S; R; 15"; gradually brighter in the middle; has a double star north-following."  His position and description (the double star is HJ 3648) applies to ESO 250-019 = PGC 14971. Herschel discovered the galaxy a year earlier but placed it 10' too far north and it was catalogued as h2637 = NGC 1570.  Apparently neither Herschel or Dreyer suspected the two observations referred to the same nebula.  Although NGC 1570 is the earlier discovery, this galaxy is generally designated NGC 1571.
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NGC 1572 = ESO 303-014 = MCG -07-10-003 = PGC 14993
04 22 42.8  -40 36 03; Cae
V = 12.4;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 0°

18" (12/30/08): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE (central bar), ~0.9'x0.3', slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 12 star is just off the east side, 0.9' NE of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1572 = h2639 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "pF; S; R; 15"; has a * 13m, 1' nf."  His position and description applies to ESO 303-014 = PGC 14993.
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NGC 1573 = UGC 3077 = MCG +12-05-008 = CGCG 328-009 = VII Zw 18 = PGC 15570
04 35 04.1  +73 15 45; Cam
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 35°

24" (2/22/14): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  The large halo extends to at least 1.6'x1.2' with averted as the outer portion has a very low surface brightness.  A mag 15-15.5 star is at the NNW edge [32" from center].  Several stars follow, including a mag 10.5 star 2.2' E.  Brightest in a trio with CGCG 328-007 4.7' NW ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low even surface brightness") and UGC 3069 4.3' SW ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 25"x20", gradually increases to the center, faint stellar nucleus").  

17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, gradually brighter halo, very small brighter core.  A mag 10.5 star is just 2.2' E of core.  CGCG 328-007 lies 4.5' NW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1573 = T. 9-2 on 1 Aug 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His position is 2' SW of UGC 3077 = PGC 15570.
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NGC 1574 = ESO 157-022 = AM 0420-570 = LGG 112-005 = PGC 14965
04 21 59  -56 58 24; Ret
V = 10.4;  Size 3.4'x3.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 35°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, fairly bright, fairly large, round, 2' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a well defined core.  A mag 9.7 star is near the SE edge of the halo (1.1' from center).  A much fainter star is at the edge of central core on the SE side, ~20" from center.  Two mag 11/12 stars are 4' and 4' 6, respectively.  Located 19' NW of RMK 4 = 6.8/7.2 at 5".  Member of the Dorado Group and subgroup LGG 112.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1574 = h2640 on 4 Dec 1834 and described "pB, S, R, pretty gradually brighter middle, has a star 10th mag 1' distant and one 14th mag distant one radius of the nebula from its edge, both S.f."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1575 = NGC 1577 = MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090
04 26 20.6  -10 05 54; Eri
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

See observing notes for NGC 1577.

Frank Muller found NGC 1575 = LM 2-395 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 13.5, 1.0' dia, R, *9.5 at 2' dist in PA 185° [SSW]."  His position is 0.4 min of RA west of MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090 (accurate in declination) and his description of the nearby star matches.  This galaxy was discovered earlier by Lewis Swift (III-29) on 10 Nov 1885 and catalogued as NGC 1577.  Swift's position is just south of the galaxy, though the equivalence was not noticed until Herbert Howe examned the field in 1900 (the equivalence is repeated in the IC 2 Notes).  So, NGC 1575 = NGC 1577, with discovery priority to Swift (NGC 1577).  Some sources, such as RNGC, use NGC 1575 as the primary designation.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1576 = MCG -01-12-007 = PGC 15089
04 26 18.8  -03 37 16; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 125°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, well-defined bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Almost at the midpoint of two mag 13 stars 1.2' SE and 1.5' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1576 = H. III-587 = h314 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and reported "vF, S, bM, between 2 stars."  His position (Auwer's reduction) was 1' too far NW.  There are two stars that bracket the galaxy as in the description.
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NGC 1577 = NGC 1575 = MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090
04 26 20.6  -10 05 54; Eri
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, irregularly round, gradually increases to small bright core, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Located 2' N of a mag 10.5 star and 13' SE of mag 6.9 SAO 149622.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1577 = Sw. 3-29 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pL, R, little brighter middle, * nr south".  His position and description (an 11th mag star is 2' S) applies to MCG -02-12-014.  Frank Muller independently found the galaxy the following year and included it in the second discovery list, #395 (later NGC 1575).  Although his RA was off by 0.4 minutes, the comment "*9.5, PA 185, 2' sep" clinches the identify NGC 1575 = NGC 1577, with priority to Swift.
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NGC 1578 = ESO 202-014 = AM 0422-514 = PGC 15025
04 23 46.7  -51 35 59; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 177°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~0.8'x0.65'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  Situated in a poor star field 1.2° ESE of mag 4.3 Gamma Doradus.  Viewed with a 4.5-day moon in the sky.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1578 = h2641 on 27 Dec 1834 (same night he discovered NGC 1522) and reported "vF, S, R, pretty gradually brighter middle, dilute at the borders."  His position (3 sweeps) matches ESO 202-014 = PGC 15025.
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NGC 1579 = Ced 35 = Sh 2-222 = LBN 767 = The Northern Trifid
04 30 14.3  +35 16 47; Per
Size 12'x8'

18" (2/16/07): fairly bright reflection nebula at 220x, viewed unfiltered.  The brightest portion is a fairly striking, roundish patch, ~1.5 diameter in the center of a triangular group of 6 stars.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2' N with a faint star close south.  A pair of mag 13 stars is symmetrically placed on the opposite side of the central region.  A wide pair of mag 12 stars are off the NE side.  Faint, irregular haze spreads out from the bright patch towards the SW, extending due W to due S and increasing the size to 6'-7', though the borders of the fainter nebosity are not well defined.  There was only a hint of the dust structure visible on images.

17.5" (3/2/02): this bright reflection nebula appears nearly 5' in diameter with a prominent, slightly elongated 1.5' central region.  The haze is irregular extending outward from this knot with the borders seemingly marked by a half-dozen stars situated around the periphery including a mag 11 star 2' N, a wide pair of mag 11.5-12 stars 1.6' and 2.3' NE and a pair of mag 13 stars ~2.5' S.  Nebulosity extends mostly west and southwest of the central mass with a very faint piece to the south.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, circular, fairly small, appears brightest at the following edge.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5-12 stars off the north and NE edges both 2' from center. 

8" (12/6/80): faint nebulosity, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1579 = H. I-217 = h315 on 27 Dec 1788 (sweep 899) and reported "pB, cL, much brighter in the middle. Cometic. Stands nearly in the centre of a trapezium, 2 nf small stars pointing to it."  John Herschel made three observations; in Nov 1827 (sweep 105) he wrote, "pB; vL; irr R; it is inclosed among 6 stars, two of which point across its centre to a third.  A * 7m precedes about 1 minute."

Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's assistant, made a detailed sketch on 13 Jan 1858 (fig. 8, plate XXV in the 1861 publication).  On 2 Nov 1850 Bindon Stoney logged "A faint patchy neby. follows the chief portion and also to the south.  The chief portion is irregular in figure and I had the impression of a dark space intervening between it and the faint nebulosity."
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NGC 1580 = MCG -01-12-011 = PGC 15189
04 28 18.4  -05 10 44; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/11/96): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 50" diameter.  Broad concentration with a brighter center but no well-defined core.  A mag 15 star is just off the following end 48" from center and a mag 14 star is 1.4' WNW.  There is an 30" pair of mag 12/13.5 stars ~3' SE.  Located 10' NNE of mag 9 SAO 131233, which is at the edge of the 220x field, and 1 degree west of the NGC 1600 group (same redshift).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1580 = St. 8b-15 on 18 Dec 1873 with a notebook position 7' too far ENE.  His published position, which matches MCG -01-12-011, was made 5 years later on 18 Jan 1877 with description "vF, vS, R, seems resolvable."
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NGC 1581 = ESO 157-026 = LGG 114-004 = PGC 15055
04 24 44.9  -54 56 31; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 80°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~0.6'x0.25', no noticeable concentration.  Two mag 10 stars at 1' separation lie 6' E.  This Dorado Group member is located 40' due east of the bright galaxy NGC 1566.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1581 = h2642 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, E, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1582 = Cr 51 = OCL-407 = Lund 133
04 31 39  +43 50; Per
Size 24'

18" (11/26/03): at 115x, appears a very large, scattered field with a number of brighter stars.  There are no denser regions of fainter stars to distinguish this as a cluster although the star density drops rapidly to the west (edge of Milky Way?).  Most distinctive is a stream of bright stars that extends 20' SW of the cluster's position and includes a number of mag 8-10 stars.  The string begins with mag 8.7 SAO 39581 and includes a 16" pair of mag 10 stars as well as mag 8.6 SAO 39578.  The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1582 = H. VIII-70 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 801) and logged "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, pretty rich, 20 or 25' diameter."
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NGC 1583 = ESO 551-008 = MCG -03-12-010 = PGC 15193
04 28 20.7  -17 35 44; Eri
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 98°

17.5" (11/10/96): slightly brighter of a similar pair with NGC 1584 located 5.0' NNW.  Faint, small, round, 40" diameter.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1583 = LM 1-132 (along with NGC 1584 = I-133) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 0.6 tmin east of ESO 551-008 = PGC 15193.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1584 = ESO 551-006 = PGC 15180
04 28 10.2  -17 31 24; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 122°

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 1584 5.0' SSE.  Collinear with a nice well–matched double star 6.5' NE and a mag 13 star 5.0' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1584 = LM 1-133 (along with NGC 1583 = I-132) on 17 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1585 = ESO 303-018 = MCG -07-10-006 = PGC 15150
04 27 33.0  -42 09 55; Cae
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

18" (12/30/08): at 175x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, ~35"x30", very small brighter core.  A mag 12.6 star is attached to the west edge and three mag 10 stars lies within 6'.  Located 14' SSW of mag 6.5 HD 28552.  IC 2068 is in the field 11' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1585 = h2643 on 6 Dec 1834 and logged "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, a * 12 mag prec. 2 seconds; pos from centre of neb. = 287.8 degrees."  His position is 1' N of center and the description is accurate.
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NGC 1586 = UGC 3062 = MCG +00-12-036 = CGCG 393-027 = LGG 117-001 = PGC 15331
04 30 38.2  -00 18 15; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 155°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE.  Bracketed by two very faint mag 14.5/15 stars close off the WNW end and 30" off the SSE end.  A wide evenly matched mag 11 pair at 1.3' separation lies 7.5' NW and is collinear with the galaxy.  Uncertain identification in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1586 on 30 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (rough Latin translation) "faint, irregular, in line with a double star and a mag 14 star.  Searched again on night 93 (for this object) in vain."  There is nothing near his single position and Copeland, using the 72" at Birr Castle, reported "Not found, sky very clear".

But 15' north-northeast is UGC 3062 and a wide double star is 14' northwest, along with a mag 14.5 star at the northwest end.  All major catalogues (except MCG) correctly identify NGC 1586 = UGC 3062.
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NGC 1587 = UGC 3063 = MCG +00-12-035 = CGCG 393-028 = Holm 76a = Mrk 616 = II Zw 12 = LGG 117-002 = PGC 15332
04 30 40.0  +00 39 43; Tau
V = 11.7;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 144°

17.5" (2/3/03): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', well-concentrated with a very bright core and stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 1588 1.0' E.  In a trio with NGC 1589 12' N.  NGC 1587 is the brightest member of the LGG 117 galaxy group (z = .012)

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, almost round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 1588 1' E.  NGC 1589 lies 12' N.  Located midway between 44 and 45 Tauri.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1587 = H. II-8 = h316, along with NGC 1588 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54).  He described both as "Two close together [with NGC 1588], 3/4° north of 45 Eri."  His summary description (from 4 sweeps) reads "Two [with NGC 1588]. The first  F, S, r."

On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel called this object "the south-preceding of a double nebula; R; pL; distance of centres 60"."
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NGC 1588 = UGC 3064 = MCG +00-12-037 = CGCG 393-028 = Mrk 616 = II Zw 12 = Holm 76b = LGG 117-006 = PGC 15340
04 30 43.7  +00 39 53; Tau
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 175°

17.5" (2/3/03): fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, 0.6'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright stellar nucleus.  Smaller and fainter of close pair with NGC 1587 just 0.9' W.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, very small.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1587 1' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1588 = H. II-9 = h317, along with NGC 1587 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54).  His published summary description (from 4 sweeps) reads "Two [with NGC 1587]. The second F, vS, r."

On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel called NGC 1588 as "the north-following of a double nebula; F; S; R.  Position by a drawing made at the time 30..40° nf."
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NGC 1589 = UGC 3065 = MCG +00-12-038 = CGCG 393-030 = LGG 117-003 = PGC 15342
04 30 45.5  +00 51 52; Tau
V = 11.8;  Size 3.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 160°

17.5" (2/3/03): very nice moderately large edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.3'x0.3'.  Contains a bright core with faint extensions.  In a trio with NGC 1587/1588 12' S.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, fairly small, small bright core.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1587 12' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1589 = H. II-7 = h318, along with NGC 1587 and 1588, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54).  His summary description (from 3 sweeps) reads "F, pL, irregularly round, very little brighter middle."

On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 100), John Herschel recorded "pB; bM; E from sf to np; has a * 50° nf, 1' dist; its situation is nearly at right angles to the longer axis of the nebula."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 29 Nov 1856, reported "the preceding edge of [NGC 1589] seems black and sharp as compared to its following edge."  This "black" edge is a dust lane along the western flank.
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NGC 1590 = UGC 3071 = MCG +01-12-008 = CGCG 419-014 = II Zw 13 = LGG 120-015 = PGC 15368
04 31 10.3  +07 37 51; Tau
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 90°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W.  There is a trio of similar stars to the north with two mag 12.5 stars 2' NNE and 4.7' NW and a mag 11.5 star 4.4' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1590 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position matches UGC 3071 and his comment "mag 12 star follows by 2.7 seconds of time and 1 3/4' north" clinches this idenfication.
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NGC 1591 = ESO 484-025 = MCG -04-11-015 = PGC 15276
04 29 30.6  -26 42 47; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 30°

17.5" (11/10/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, very weak concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 1.2' due west.  Brightest and largest of three with ESO 484-G26 4.4' SE and ESO 484-28 10' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1591 = h2644 on 6 Nov 1834.  He recorded "pF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15" dia."  His position matches ESO 484-025 = PGC 15276.  His RA in sweep 643 is 10 sec too small, though he noted the "time of transit somewhat confusedly stated in MS, which renders a mistake of 10s not improbable."  It's a bit surprising he missed ESO 484-26 and ESO 484-28 on all three sweeps.
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NGC 1592 = ESO 421-002 = MCG -05-11-011 = VV 647 = AM 0427-273 = PGC 15292
04 29 40.8  -27 24 32; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 96°

24" (12/8/20): faint, low surface brightness elongated glow consisting of two attached lumps.  It appeared that the brighter "knot", ~0.4' diameter, was on the east side with a very low surface brightness glow (similar size) attached on the west side.  Images shows a faint star is superposed on the E galaxy.

17.5" (2/3/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.4', fairly low even surface brightness. At moments, there appeared to be an extension or companion attached on the following side.  On the DSS, this is an unusual (multiple?) galaxy (PGC 15285 and 15292) with two off-center knots or condensations, one on the east end!  A perfect parallelogram of stars with sides 3'x1' lies 5' SE (brightest stars mag 10 on the south side).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1592 = h2645 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; vS."  He only observed this object on one sweep and the declination is given as uncertain.  There is nothing at his position and Herbert Howe reported in 1898 that "in the place given for this I found only small stars. 1591, near by, was observed".

RC3 identifies ESO 421-002 as NGC 1592, although this galaxy is 27' S (correct in RA) of Herschel's position.  Given the uncertainly in his declination, this seems a likely candidate.  Neither MCG nor ESO label ESO 421-002 as NGC 1592.  RNGC classifies this number nonexistent.
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NGC 1593 = NGC 1608 = IC 2077 = UGC 3082 = MCG +00-12-044 = CGCG 393-037 = PGC 15447
04 32 06.1  +00 34 02; Tau

See observing notes for NGC 1608.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1593 = m 97 on 7 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48".  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 minute of RA east is NGC 1608 and Harold Corwin "recovered" this identification while compiling the ESGC.  Édouard Stephan made another observation on 4 Jan 1878 and equated it with Marth's object.

NGC 1608 was found by Lawrence Parsons, using Lord Rosse's 72", on 1 Jan 1876, though his position was also poor.  Finally, Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 15 Jan 1898 with the 30" refractor at Nice.  He reported as new in J. 3-988 (later IC 2077) with an accurate micrometric position.  So, NGC 1593 = NGC 1608 = IC 2077.
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NGC 1594 = IC 2075 = MCG -01-12-014 = PGC 15348
04 30 51.6  -05 47 54; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 100°

17.5" (2/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'.  Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 13/13.5 stars 2.0' NW and 2.3' WSW.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the preceding edge 39" from center.  Fairly smooth surface brightness except for a nearly stellar nucleus.  Member of the NGC 1600 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1594 = Sw. 5-61 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His RA was 17 seconds too large.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 1594 in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  Bigourdan (260) independently found this galaxy on 17 Jan 1895 while searching for NGC 1594 at Swift's position, placed it accurately, and it was catalogued again as IC 2075.  So, NGC 1594 = IC 2075, with discovery priority to Swift. MCG identifies this galaxy as IC 2075.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1595 = ESO 202-025 = AM 0426-475 = KTS 25B = PGC 15195 = Carafe Group
04 28 21.7  -47 48 57; Cae
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 17°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, oval 5:3 SSW-NNE, 40"x25", well concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  With averted vision the dim outer halo increases to 50"x30".  Second of three in the Carafe Group with NGC 1598 2.8' NE and ESO 202-023 (Carafe Galaxy) 6.9' SW.  

The "Carafe Galaxy" is the largest in the trio.  At 260x this galaxy was slightly elongated N-S, with a 1.5'x1.2'  halo and an unusual structure.  A brighter bar extends through most of the galaxy in a N-S direction with a brightest and bulging portion of the bar on the south side (perhaps an offset core).  The northern half of the bar is narrower and extends nearly to the edge of the halo creating a lopsided barbell appearance.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1595 = h2646 (along with NGC 1598 = h2647) on 3 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, R, bM, 15 arcseconds."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1596 = ESO 157-031 = LGG 114-005 = PGC 15153
04 27 38.1  -55 01 40; Dor
V = 11.2;  Size 3.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 20°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 1.8'x0.5', contains a slightly bulging core and tapering extensions.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  Paired with NGC 1602 2.9' SE in the Dorado Group of galaxies.  NGC 1617 lies 43' NE.  Located 55' due west of mag 3.3 Alpha Doradus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1596 = h2648 (along with NGC 1602 = h2649) on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, mE, pL, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 60" long. The preceding of two [with NGC 1602]."  His position (2 consecutive sweeps) is very accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched the pair on 17 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p. 130 of his logbook).  NGC 1596 is shown as a thin edge-on, sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  A lithograph was prepared (plate II, figure 15) but never published.
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NGC 1597 = MCG -02-12-032 = PGC 15374
04 31 13.5  -11 17 26; Eri
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/3/03): faint, very small, elongated 5:4 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.4', slightly brighter core.  A close double star lies 2' NW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1597 = LM 1-134 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) matches MCG -02-12-032 = PGC 15374.
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NGC 1598 = ESO 202-026 = AM 0427-475 = KTS 25C = PGC 15204 = Carafe Group
04 28 33.6  -47 46 57; Cae
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 123°

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 1.1'x0.8', broad concentration with a brighter core that gradually increases towards the center.  NGC 1598 is the third in the "Carafe" trio with NGC 1595 2.8' SW and ESO 202-023 10' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1598 = h2646 (along with NGC 1598 = h2647) on 3 Dec 1837 and logged "F, R, bM, 20 arcseconds."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1599 = NGC 1610? = MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15403
04 31 38.7  -04 35 18; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 174°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, very small, round, slight central brightening.  Located just 1.1' W of mag 9.1 SAO 131769.  Member of the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1607 10' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1599 = St. 12-29, along with NGC 1607, on 5 Dec 1877.  His published position was reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and matches PGC 15403.  NGC 1610 may be a duplicate observation (see notes) and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 labels the galaxy NGC 1599 = NGC 1610.
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NGC 1600 = MCG -01-12-017 = PGC 15406
04 31 39.9  -05 05 10; Eri
V = 10.9;  Size 2.5'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 15°

24" (2/24/20): at 260x and 375x; very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.6'x1.2', very bright core, stellar nucleus, brighter along a N-S central axis.  Two adjacent NGC companions (1601 and 1603) lie 1.6' N and 2.5' E.

17.5" (2/1/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, broadly concentrated halo, almost stellar nucleus.  By far the most dominant member of a large group with NGC 1601 1.6' N, NGC 1603 2.6' ESE and NGC 1606 7' NE.  Other members include NGC 1599, NGC 1604, NGC 1607, NGC 1609, NGC 1611, NGC 1612, NGC 1613 and IC 373.  Located 12' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 131262 12' NW and 15' ESE of mag 9 SAO 131258.  

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1600 = H. I-158 = h319 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "pB, pL, irr R, very gradually much brighter middle." Just two nights later (sweep 640) he noted "cB, pS, much brighter in the middle." John Herschel made 4 observations and the assistants on Lord Rosse's telescope totaled 5 observations of the field, discovering NGC 1601, 1603 and 1606.
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NGC 1601 = MCG -01-12-018 = PGC 15413
04 31 41.7  -05 03 37; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, extremely small, round, very small bright core.  Faintest of a close trio with NGC 1600 1.6' S and NGC 1603 2.9' SE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1601 = GC 867, along with NGC 1603 and 1606, on 14 Jan 1849. A diagram of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made, as well as in 1850.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the nebula on 16 Jan 1865 and it was catalogued again in the GC Supplement (GC 5343), though the comment was added "probably = GC 867".  The two GC entries were combined in the NGC.  Finally, E.E. Barnard swept up the field on 18 Jan 1892 with the 12" at Lick Observatory and noted there was "a vvS nebula 1' north and 1/2' following [of NGC 1600]."

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NGC 1602 = ESO 157-032 = LGG 114-006 = PGC 15168
04 27 54.4  -55 03 24; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 83°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40" diameter, low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with the prominent galaxy NGC 1596 just 2.9' NW.  Member of the Dorado Group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1602 = h2649 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "eF, L, roundish undefined. The following of two [with h2648 = NGC 1596]."  His position is accurate (two sweeps).

A lithograph was prepared (with NGC 1596) based on Joseph Turner's sketch on 17 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate II, figure 15) but it was never published.
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NGC 1603 = MCG -01-12-019 = PGC 15424
04 31 49.9  -05 05 40; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, very small, round.  Last of a close trio with NGC 1600 2.5' WNW and NGC 1601 2.9' NW.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1603, along with NGC 1601 and 1606, on 14 Jan 1849. A sketch of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made in 1850.  In Jan 1874, Ralph Copeland measured an accurate micrometric positions for NGC 1600, 1601 and 1603.
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NGC 1604 = MCG -01-12-020 = PGC 15433
04 31 58.6  -05 22 12; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  The halo brightens to a small bright core.  Situated between two mag 11 stars 2.3' ESE and 2.8' WNW.  Located at the south edge of the NGC 1600 group.  NGC 1600 lies 17' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1604 = Sw. 6-16 on 20 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 8 tsec west of MCG -01-12-020 = PGC 15433, but his comment "between 2 stars one a wide double" secures the identification.
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NGC 1605 = Cr 52 = OCL-406 = Lund 134
04 34 52  +45 16 18; Per
V = 10.7;  Size 5'

17.5" (1/23/93): at 220x this is a very faint cluster of 15 stars mag 13.5-14.5 in 4'-5' diameter.  The resolved stars appear around the periphery forming an irregular oval outline.  The central region is lacking in resolved stars but consists of unresolved haze.  Mag 7.7 SAO 39630 is 10' ESE at the edge of the 220x field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1605 = H. VI-26 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645).  He recorded "A vF compressed cluster of extremely small stars, near 4' diameter".  His position is just off the southeast end of the cluster.
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NGC 1606 = MCG -01-12-022 = PGC 15443
04 32 03.3  -05 01 57; Eri
V = 15.1;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (12/26/00): extremely faint, very small, round, ~15" diameter.  Required averted and much harder to view than IC 373 which was just observed.  Located 7' NE of NGC 1600 and 4.5' W of mag 7.6 SAO 131278 within the large NGC 1600 group.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1606 = GC 869, along with NGC 1601 and 1603, on 14 Jan 1849. A sketch of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made in 1850.  An accurate position was never measured but the sketch matches MCG -01-12-022 = PGC 15443.
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NGC 1607 = MCG -01-12-023 = PGC 15442
04 32 03.1  -04 27 37; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 66°

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  Located 4.5' S of mag 7.9 SAO 131272.  Member of the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1599 10' SW and NGC 1609 10' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1607 = St. 12-30, along with NGC 1599, on 5 Dec 1877.  His published position reduced on 14 Dec 1881 and matches PGC 15442.
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NGC 1608 = NGC 1593 = IC 2077 = UGC 3082 = MCG +00-12-044 = CGCG 393-037 = PGC 15447
04 32 06.1  +00 34 02; Tau
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

17.5" (2/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6'.  Contains a 30" brighter core with fainter extensions.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.8' N of center.  Located 22' ESE of NGC 1587/88 pair.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1608 on 1 Jan 1876 and reported "about 1m 44s +/- following and 3.5' south [of NGC 1587/1588] is a pF, cS stellar neb, with a *12 mag 117" south.  His position is 10' NE of UGC 3082 = PGC 15447 and the "*12 mag 117" south" is 1.7' north.  Albert Marth (m 97) earlier discovered this galaxy on 7 Nov 1863 and Dreyer catalogued this galaxy as GC(S) 5342 and NGC 1593, but Marth's position was exactly 1.0 min of RA too far west, so the observations seemed to apply to different objects.  FInally, Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 15 Jan 1898 and he (as well as Kobold at Strasbourg) measured an accurate position for J. 3-988 (later IC 2077). So, NGC 1608 = NGC 1593 = IC 2077.  UGC, MCG and CGCG label the galaxy IC 2077, though NGC 1593 refers to the earliest visual observation.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, notes NGC 1608 = IC 2077.  Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections.
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NGC 1609 = MCG -01-12-025 = PGC 15480
04 32 45.1  -04 22 21; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 97°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, dominated by small bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus, small faint extensions NNW-SSE.  A mag 14 star is 40" NW.  Member of the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1607 10' SW and NGC 1611 7' NE.

William Herschel probably discovered NGC 1609 = H. III-585, along with NGC 1611, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638).  He noted it was "suspected, but the haziness [weather] is increasing."  Despite the uncertainty, Herschel's position is less than 1' to the NW.
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NGC 1610 = NGC 1599?? = MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15543
04 31 38.7  -04 35 18; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1599.  The NGC identification is very uncertain.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1610 = LM 2-396 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at Leavenworth's position and it was reported as "not revealed with 60 min exposure" at the Helwan Observatory (1935). 

The RNGC identifies PGC 15543 at 04 34 13.9 -04 41 59 (2000) as NGC 1610.  Leavenworth's position is 81 seconds of RA west and 7' north of PGC 15543 (not an unusual error in RA, but the declination in the L-M lists are generally fairly accurate).  Corwin suggests NGC 1610 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 1599.  This galaxy is ~1 minute of RA west of Leavenworth's position, a common error.  But Corwin notes this galaxy has a bright star 1.1' ENE which would probably have been mentioned by Leavenworth.
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NGC 1611 = MCG -01-12-029 = PGC 15501
04 33 05.9  -04 17 49; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 103°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, large brighter middle.  Member of a quadruple subgroup (NGC 1613 5' ENE, NGC 1609 7' SW, NGC 1612 7.5' NNE) within the NGC 1600 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1611 = H. III-586, along with NGC 1609, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638).  He recorded "extremely faint, extended, small, but hazy weather."  Just 90 seconds later the log reads "very hazy, or rather cloudy."  Two nights later (sweep 640), he had a better look: "extremely faint, extended nearly in the parallel, small.  I suspect one about 3' south follow, stellar."   Dreyer mentioned in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that the other object was probably NGC 1613, but the orientation should read 3' NE instead of 3' SE.
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NGC 1612 = MCG -01-12-030 = PGC 15507
04 33 13.1  -04 10 20; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 137°

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, very faint stellar nucleus.  Faintest of three with NGC 1613 6.5' SSE and NGC 1611 7.5' SSW.  Member of the NGC 1600 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1612 = St. 12-31, along with NGC 1613, on 30 Nov 1877.  They were noticed during an observation of NGC 1611.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1613 = MCG -01-12-031 = PGC 15518
04 33 25.3  -04 15 55; Eri
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a trio with NGC 1611 5' WSW and NGC 1612 6.5' NNW in the large NGC 1600 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1613 = St. 12-32, along with NGC 1612, on 30 Nov 1877.  They were noticed during an observation of NGC 1611.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881 and matches PGC 15518.

William Herschel possibly made the first discovery in his observation of NGC 1611 = H. III-586 on 28 Nov. 1786 (sweep 640).  His comment "another suspected 3' S.f., stellar" would apply to NGC 1613 if south-following was replaced with north-following. In any case, Caroline didn't assign an internal (general) discovery number due to the uncertainty, so Herschel didn't catalog NGC 1613.
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NGC 1614 = Arp 186 = II Zw 15 = MCG -01-12-032 = Mrk 617 = PGC 15538
04 34 00.0  -08 34 44; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 85°

48" (11/20/25): at 488x; bright, moderately large, very irregular. The central region contains a very bright core that increases to an evident stellar nucleus. I also saw a second stellar point just W of the nucleus (perhaps a bright stellar complex in the galaxy). The halo extended further to the north, where there is a spiral arm. On the south side, I could see just the glimpse a very low surface brightness arm beginning curling to the east. 

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.6', broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.0' S of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1614 = Sw. 3-30 on 29 Dec 1885 with his 16" refractor.  His RA was 21 seconds too large.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1615 = UGC 3096 = MCG +03-12-005 = CGCG 467-003 = PGC 15608
04 36 01.9  +19 57 03; Tau
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 115°

17.5" (1/23/93): faint, very small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms the east vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 7.1 SAO 94022 6' SW and mag 8.0 SAO 94021 5' NW!

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1615 = St. 9-3 on 1 Dec 1875 and recorded a rough position off the NW edge.  His accurate published position (list 9, #3) was made on 5 Jan 1878.  MCG missed labeling MCG +03-12-005 as NGC 1615.
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NGC 1616 = ESO 251-010 = MCG -07-10-013 = AM 0431-434 = PGC 15479
04 32 41.7  -43 42 56; Cae
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 36°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint or moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, brighter core, stellar nucleus, ~48"x32".  A mag 11 star is 4.4' WNW.

This galaxy is an asymmetric spiral with two arms of different shapes and brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1616 = h2650 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "pF, S, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position from 3 observations is accurate.
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NGC 1617 = ESO 157-041 = AM 0430-544 = PGC 15405
04 31 39.5  -54 36 08; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 4.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 107°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 2.8'x1.4'.  Well-concentrated with a bright 30" core which increases to a bright stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus!  This member of the Dorado group is easily located 33' NW of mag 3.2 Alpha Doradus.  The galaxy is cradled by three mag 12 stars 4' WNW, 5' SSW and 6' SE.  IC 2085 is 11' N and the NGC 1596/1602 pair lies 43' SW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1617 = D 339 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula, bright in the centre, NW of Alpha Doradus".  His position was off by 11.5' (typical error) to the SE.  John Herschel observed the galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged (for h2651), "B, L, mE, first very gradually then very suddenly much brighter to the middle to a nucleus 5" in diameter; 3' long, 1' broad."  The next night he reobserved it and noted "pB, L, mE, suddenly brighter in the middle, 3' long, 2' broad, pos. 105.8 degrees."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 1618 = MCG -01-12-034 = PGC 15611
04 36 06.5  -03 08 56; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 2.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

48" (11/2/13 & 11/20/25): very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x0.7', well concentrated with very bright, elongated core or bar that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A group of four stars follows.  There was an impression of spiral structure along the NW flank, which was slightly brgither. NGC 1618 is the first of three prominent spirals with NGC 1622 and NGC 1625 at similar redshifts.  Located 13' NNW of mag 3.9 Nu Eridani

17.5" (10/12/85): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  First of three very elongated systems with NGC 1622 8' ESE and NGC 1625 18' SE.  Located 13' NNW of Nu Eridani (V = 3.2).  HCG 30 (3 confirmed members) lies 19' NNE.  Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1618 = H. II-524 = h320 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "faint, small, irregular figure, little brighter in the middle, preceding 2 small stars."  He missed nearby NGC 1622 and NGC 1625, although they are similar in magnitude, due to the path of the sweep.  He recorded nearby Nu Eridani on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640), but none of the galaxies were noticed.
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NGC 1619
04 36 12  -04 50; Eri

= Not found, Corwin and Howe.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1619 = Sw. 6-17 on 22 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 15 sec of RA west and 8.7' N of NGC 1621, which he discovered on the same night (V-18), but there is nothing at this relative offset.  Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlain Observatory in 1898, reported "in the place given for this I saw only stars of mags 13-14.  Its neighbour, 1627, was readily seen."  Corwin suggests two possible candidates in his notes, though both are speculative.  So, I've left NGC 1619 as not found.
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NGC 1620 = UGC 3103 = MCG +00-12-052 = CGCG 393-046 = LGG 117-007 = PGC 15638
04 36 37.3  -00 08 35; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 2.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x0.8', only a weak concentration but has an irregular surface brightness and mottled appearance.  A mag 14 star is at the NNE tip.  Located 4.6' WSW of mag 8.9 SAO 131350.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1620 = H. II-514 = h321 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506).  He described it as "faint or very faint, pretty large, extended from sp-nf, about 2' long, 1' broad."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 8) as an illustration of "extended nebulae."  The sketch appears show a very thin dark lane along the length, but this feature isn't mentioned in his description.

On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), John Herschel logged, "vF; L; mE; 3' L; 90" br; very little brighter middle."  E.E. Barnard swept up the galay on 3 Nov 1891 with the 12" refractor at Lick. He noted it as an "irregular, diffused nebula, somewhat extended about 45".  A 13th mag star north of the nebula."
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NGC 1621 = NGC 1626 = MCG -01-12-035 = PGC 15626
04 36 25.0  -04 59 14; Eri
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  PA = 95°

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W, increases to small bright core.  Located 3.5' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  NGC 1627 lies 20' ENE.Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1621 = Sw. 6-18 = LM 2-297 on 22 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is just 30" N of MCG -1-12-35 = PGC 15626.  Francis Leavenworth made an independent discovery the same year (or early in 1887) that was included in the second Leander McCormick discovery paper.  His position is 48 seconds of RA east of MCG -1-12-35.  Leavenworth mentions a "*8 np 12 sec", which clinches the identification NGC 1626 = NGC 1621.  The discovery priority is unknown.  See notes for NGC 1619.
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NGC 1622 = MCG -01-12-036 = Holm 77a = PGC 15635
04 36 36.6  -03 11 20; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 3.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 45°

48" (11/2/13 & 11/20/25): very bright, large, elongated 9:2 SW-NE, 2.8'x0.6', well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  NGC 1622 is the thinnest of three striking edge-ons, just 11' NE of mag 3.9 Nu Eridani.  NGC 1618, 8' WNW, is roughly parallel in orientation and NGC 1625, 10' SE, is perpendicular!  MCG -01-12-037 lies 9' NNE.

17.5" (10/12/85): faint, elongated SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus, faint elongated halo.  This is the second the of three edge-on systems with similar NGC 1618 8' WNW (also similar position angle) and NGC 1625 10' SE.  Located 11' NNE of Nu Eridani.  HCG 30 lies 22' N.  Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1622 = GC 881 on 16 Jan 1850 using LdR's 72".  His sketch shows NGC 1618, 1622 and 1625 in their correct orientation.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 1 Jan 1862 near NGC 1618.  John Herschel included both observations in the GC assuming they were different nebulae (881 for Stoney and 878 for d'Arrest) but accidentally placed GC 881 three degrees too far north.  Dreyer caught this error and added a note that GC 881 = GC 878 in his observation on 1 Dec 1874 at Birr Castle, so the two GC entries were combined into NGC 1622.
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NGC 1623 = PGC 15591
04 35 32.4  -13 33 23; Eri
V = 14.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 15°

18" (1/21/04): very faint, extremely small, 15" diameter.  A very faint superimposed star or stellar nucleus was intermittently visible.  Member of AGC 496.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1623 = LM 1-135 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (to the nearest minute of RA) is essentially correct (30 sec too large).  Stone's sketch also positively identifies NGC 1623 = PGC 1559.  RNGC appears to misidentify PGC 75238 as NGC 1623.
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NGC 1624 = OCL 403 = Cr 53 = Ced 37 = Sh 2-212 = LBN 722
04 40 37.2  +50 27 41; Per
V = 10.4;  Size 5'x5'

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, round, compact glow surrounding a small group of at least five stars mag 11.8 and fainter using a UHC filter.  The brightest cluster member (NGC 1624-2) and the principal source of ionization is the most magnetic massive star known with 35 solar masses and 20,000x the sun's magnetic field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1624 = H. V-49 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 989) and reported "6 or 7 small stars, with faint nebulosity between them, of considerable extent, and of an irregular form."  G.P. Bond independently discovered NGC 1624 at Harvard College Observatory on 18 Feb 1851 with a 4" comet-seeker and reported it as a discovery.
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NGC 1625 = MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654
04 37 06.2  -03 18 12; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 130°

48" (11/2/13 & 11/20/25): brightest of three prominent edge-ons near mag 3.9 Nu Eridani.  At 287x appeared extremely bright, large, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.45', well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.2 star is at the NW edge.  There appears to be an elongated galaxy superimposed at the SE edge, but I didn't look for or notice this object.  Located 12' ENE of Nu.

17.5" (10/12/85): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3'.  A mag 14 star is at the NW tip 0.7' from center.  Third of three edge-on systems with NGC 1622 10' NW and NGC 1618 18' NW.  Located 10' ENE of Nu Eridani. 

13.1" (12/18/82): very faint, very elongated NW-SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1625 = h322 on 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 109) and recorded "vF; E; 45° np sf; suddenly brighter middle; follows nu Eridani 41sec." His position and description matches MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654.  This is the third of three edge-ons near Nu Eridani with NGC 1618 (discovered by William Herschel) and NGC 1622 (discovered by George Stoney at Birr Castle).
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NGC 1626 = NGC 1621 = MCG -1-12-35 = PGC 15626
04 36 25.0  -04 59 14; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1621.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1626 = LM 2-397 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, R, *8, np 12 sec."  His position is 48 sec of RA east of NGC 1621 (found by Lewis Swift on 22 Dec 1886 and reported in list VI-18) and Leavenworth's note of a "*8 np 12 sec" clinches the identification NGC 1626 = NGC 1621.  Discovery priority is unknown.  RNGC classified this number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes for more of the story.
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NGC 1627 = MCG -01-12-040 = PGC 15675
04 37 38.0  -04 53 15; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.5'

17.5" (1/23/93): faint, fairly small, 1.5'-2' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' SSW.  NGC 1628 lies 10' N and NGC 1621 20' WSW.  The photographic descriptions of NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in the RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1627 = Sw. 6-19 (along with NGC 1628) on 22 Dec 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is just 1' too far N.  RNGC reverses the photographic descriptions for NGC 1627 and NGC 1628.  See my RNGC Corrections #1 and WSQJ 4/80.
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NGC 1628 = MCG -01-12-039 = PGC 15674
04 37 36.1  -04 42 53; Eri
V = 14.2;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  PA = 171°

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2' WNW.  NGC 1627 lies 10' S.  The photographic descriptions of NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in the RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1628 = Sw. 6-20 (along with NGC 1627) on 22 Dec 1886 with a 16" refractor and recorded "vF; pS; vE in meridian; n of 2 [with NGC 1627]."  His position and visual description matches MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654.  The photographic descriptions for NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in RNGC.  See comments for NGC 1627.
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NGC 1629 = ESO 055-024 = S-L 3
04 29 36  -71 50 18; Hyi
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.8'-1.0' diameter.  A couple of mag 16-16.5 stars are resolved around the edges.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1629 = h2653 on 23 Dec 1834. He reported "vF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 1'." (single observation)
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NGC 1630 = ESO 551-019 = PGC 15659
04 37 15.5  -18 54 06; Eri
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1630 = LM 2-398 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 42 tsec east of ESO 551-019 = PGC 15659 (typical error).
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NGC 1631 = ESO 551-021 = MCG -03-12-017 = PGC 15705
04 38 24.2  -20 38 59; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 44°

17.5" (1/23/93): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.8' diameter.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.9' W of center.  Located 6' ENE of mag 7.1 SAO 169624.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1631 = h2652 on 11 Dec 1835.  His position is accurate although no visual notes were taken.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory, added "very faint and small".
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NGC 1632 = IC 386? = PGC 15769
04 39 58.5  -09 27 23; Eri
V = 14.4;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  PA = 40°

17.5" (1/23/93): very faint, small, round, weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Located 3.1' SSW of a mag 10.5 star.  IC 382 lies 30' WSW.  Misidentified in the RNGC as IC 382.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1632 = LM 2-399 in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, R."  There is nothing at his position, but 0.8 min of RA east is PGC 15769.  As the L-M positions are generally only off in RA, this identification is likely.  Javelle found this galaxy again on 6 Feb 1893, measured an accurate position for J. 2-601 (later IC 386), so probably NGC 1632 = IC 386.  RNGC and NGC 2000.0 identify IC 382 as NGC 1632. Although IC 382 is brighter than IC 386, it is 4' off in declination and so less likely to be Muller's object.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1633 = UGC 3125 = MCG +01-12-014 = CGCG 419-023 = LGG 120-012 = Holm 79a = PP 22: = PGC 15774
04 40 09.1  +07 20 58; Tau
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, round, fairly small, faint knot involved.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 1634 [39" SSE of center].  Situated among a group of brighter stars including mag 8.7 SAO 111965 5.4' SSW, a mag 10 star 3' SW and a mag 11.5 star 2.4' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1633 = H. III-952 = h323, along with NGC 1634, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085).  He recorded them together as "Two nebulae within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both extremely faint, very small.  300x showed the same."

On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118), John Herschel logged "excessively faint; pretty large; elongated towards the sf side, and has either a star or a second nucleus south following [this is NGC 1634]."
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NGC 1634 = MCG +01-12-015 = CGCG 419-022 = Holm 79b = PGC 15775
04 40 09.8  +07 20 19; Tau
V = 14.1;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 109°

13.1" (1/18/85): forms a double system with NGC 1633 [39" NNW of center].  Very faint, extremely small.  Appears like a nebulous knot almost in contact close south of NGC 1633.  Situated within a group of brighter stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1634 = H. III-953 = h324, along with NGC 1633, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085).  He recorded the together as "Two nebulae within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both very faint, very small."
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NGC 1635 = UGC 3126 = MCG +00-12-063 = CGCG 393-060 = PGC 15773
04 40 07.8  -00 32 51; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 5°

17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, increases to very small prominent core.  An easy mag 13 double star at 24" separation is just 1.0' NW.  Located 3.5' WSW of a mag 10 star and 7' S of mag 9 SAO 131395.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1635 = H. II-515 = h325 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "F or pB, S, bM."  On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel logged, "vF; R; has a *9m about 12.5 sec following to the north."  At Birr Castle (13 Jan 1863) the observer on the 72-inch described it as "very like a distant globular cluster, just plainly visible."  E.E. Barnard swept up this galaxy with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory on 28 Sep 1891.  He logged it as "1/2' diameter, round, gradually brighter middle, 12 1/2 mag, 8th mag star 10' N."
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NGC 1636 = MCG -01-12-042 = PGC 15800
04 40 40.1  -08 36 29; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  PA = 0°

17.5" (1/23/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.6', slightly brighter along major axis.  A mag 13.5 star is off the NE edge 1.0' from center.  Located 6.0' NW of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1636 = H. II-522 = h326 = h2654 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 516) and logged "F, pS, irr E, resolvable, about a minute sp a small star."  John Herschel observed this nebula both from Slough and from the Cape of Good Hope where he reported "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40", near some small stars."
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NGC 1637 = MCG +00-12-068 = CGCG 393-066 = UGCA 93 = PGC 15821
04 41 28.0  -02 51 29; Eri
V = 10.8;  Size 4.0'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

48" (11/2/13): bright, large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 3'x2.5'.  Contains a large bright core with an elongated bright nucleus that appears to be a bar oriented E-W.  The appearance is quite irregular due a thick, fairly prominent spiral arm that curves north-south along the eastern side of the halo and bending west as it curves counterclockwise on the north side.  A darker gap was evident between the slightly brighter inner edge of this thick arm and the core.  A small section of another spiral arm is attached at the SW side of the core.  The SW side of the halo is fainter and not as extensive as the NE side, so the galaxy has a lopsided appearance.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, large, diffuse, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.1' NE of center.  Located midway between Mu Eridani (V = 4.0) 1° ESE and 51 Eridani (V = 5.2) 1° WNW.

8" (10/4/80): faint, oval, fairly small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1637 = H. I-122 = h327 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "cB, vL, irregularly round, bM, easily resolvable, 5' or 6' diameter." John Herschel made two observations from Slough, England – once describing it as "bright" and another time as "pretty faint".  Fifteen observations were made at Birr Castle. George Johnstone Stoney noted it as a spiral on 19 Dec 1848 (included in Lord Rosse's 1850 list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae).  R.J. Mitchell, observing on 26 Dec 1856, added "Suspect very strongly that it is a right handed spiral, but the outlying neby is vF."  He made a sketch two nights later (1861 publication, Plate XXV, figure 9).

Albert Le Sueur sketched NGC 1637 using the 48" Melbourne Telescope with an elongated core (WSW-ENE) offset to the south side (halo more extensive to the north) and subtle structure in the halo (unpublished plate VII, figure 83).  It was later observed by both Joseph Turner and Pietro Baracchi (11 Mar 1885).
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NGC 1638 = UGC 3133 = MCG +00-12-069 = CGCG 393-068 = PGC 15824
04 41 36.3  -01 48 33; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 70°

18" (11/22/03): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.9'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright 30" core which increases to the center.  UGC 3127 lies 22' SW.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE.  Evenly lit halo with a very small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1638 = H. II-525 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and described as "F, pL, lE."  His position is 2' NW of the center of UGC 3133 = PGC 15824.  The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate.  RNGC has an obvious typo in the RA (0h 01.3m)
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NGC 1639
04 40 52  -16 59 30; Eri
Size 9"/15"

24" (12/22/14): this close triple star was viewed at 260x and 375x. It is easy to see how this triple could be mistaken for a nebula at lower power or in soft seeing.  At times, the closer 9" pair nearly blended together or the fainter component appeared as a faint glow off the east side of the brighter component.  The 14.5-15th magnitude southern component (at 12"-15") was always cleanly split.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1639 = h2655 on 10 Dec 1835 and remarked "eF; vS; R; between 2 stars."  At his position is a triple star as reported in 1898 by Herbert Howe using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory, "I find no nebula, but simply an equilateral triangle of 12.5 mag stars."  The closer pair is ~9" separation, with a 3rd star at 15".
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NGC 1640 = ESO 551-027 = MCG -03-12-018 = PGC 15850
04 42 14.5  -20 26 04; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 2.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5 stars 2.0' SSE and 2.0' WSW of center.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1640 = LM 1-136 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 14.0, 0.4' dia, E 40°."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.5 tmin west of ESO 551-027 (typical error), but his noted "E 40°" secures the identificiation.  Stone later measured an accurate micrometric position with the 26".  Steinicke states this galaxy is the brightest galaxy discovered at Leander McCormick Observatory.
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NGC 1641 = ESO 084-024
04 35 35  -65 46 48; Dor
Size 11'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): large, scattered group of a dozen mag 10.5 to 13.5 stars and another dozen stars down to mag 15, in roughly a 10' region.  There is no central concentration or rich subgroups, though it's detached in the field so stands out reasonably well.  Still, this is a very poor "cluster" (probably an asterism) considering its size.  Some catalogues have misidentified NGC 1641 with a close pair of galaxies on the east side of the group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1641 = h2656 on 2 Dec 1834 and remarked " pL; p rich; irreg R; p m comp; 5'; stars 11...16".  His position is on the southeast side of a scattered group of stars, roughly 10' across.

Pietro Baracchi searched unsuccessfully for this object a couple of times in Dec 1885 using the 48" Melbourne telescope.  Shapley and Lindsay (S-L 6) give a diameter of only 20" and notes "NGC 1641? irregularly resolved", but this refers to the double system ESO 84-25, which happens to be close to Herschel's position.  Clearly, Herschel's description applies to the larger star group and not these galaxies, so the listing in S-L is erroneous.  The Hodge-Wright Atlas of the LMC also labels the ESO galaxies as NGC 1641.  RNGC classifies this number as an open cluster, but references S-L, and NGC 2000.0 references the RNGC.  Jenni Kay sorted out the identifications in an email dated Dec 13, 1998.
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NGC 1642 = UGC 3140 = MCG +00-12-072 = CGCG 393-073 = LGG 120-013 = PGC 15867
04 42 55.0  +00 37 08; Tau
V = 12.6;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 175°

24" (12/22/14): moderately bright and large, round, ~1.2' diameter, fairly sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core.  Surrounded by a number of 14th and 15th magnitude stars!  A mag 10.4 star lies 3.7' W.

UGC 3141 (double system) lies 8.4' NNE and appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no core or zones.

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, fairly diffuse, slightly brighter small core.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1642 on 29 Dec 1861 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate.  He mentioned the nebula formed a right triangle with two mag 18 stars following, though the two stars are probably mag 14-15.
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NGC 1643 = MCG -01-13-001 = PGC 15891
04 43 43.9  -05 19 08; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 30°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration.  Located 7' NNE of a mag 9.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 1645 10' SE. Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1643 = H. III-588 = h328 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and noted "vF, S."  On 10 Feb 18 1830 (sweep 232), John Herschel wrote, "eF; irr R; bM; 10"."

Isaac Roberts photographed the region in 1903 and reported (MN, 63, 301) that NGC 1643 was "bright and pretty large."  Dreyer mentions in the IC2 notes that "Is not eF.  Roberts in 1903 found it B, pL; d'Arrest has F or pF.  I found it F in 1877."
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NGC 1644 = ESO 084-030 = S-L 9
04 37 40  -66 11 48; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, round, 40" diameter, small bright core, smooth halo, no resolution (the brightest stars are mag 17).  Located 5' S of mag 9.3 HD 29878.  NGC 1641, a scattered group of stars, lies 28' NNW.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1644 = D 226 = h2657 on 6 Nov 1826.  He noted "an extremely small round nebula, 8" or 10" diameter, pretty well defined.  A small star in the same parallel preceding [due west]."  His position was considerably off - 20' to the SE - though a mag 8.7 star (HD 29547) is 20' due W as in his description.  Glen Cozens proposed this identification in his reexamination of Dunlop's discoveries.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1644 = h2657 on 2 Nov 183 (sweep 508) 4 and recorded "pB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"."  His position matches this LMC cluster (possible globular).
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NGC 1645 = MCG -01-13-002 = PGC 15903
04 44 06.4  -05 27 56; Eri
V = 12.2;  Size 2.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 95°

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 1643 10' NW.  Located 7.8' ESE of a mag 9.5 star.  Appears fainter than V = 12.2. Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1645 on 31 Oct 1864 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen while observing NGC 1643 (10' northwest).  He noted it was double the size of NGC 1643 and his position is accurate.
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NGC 1646 = MCG -01-13-003 = II Zw 22 = PGC 15914
04 44 23.5  -08 31 54; Eri
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  PA = 155°

24" (12/21/16): at 432x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~NNW-SSE, 0.4'x0.3', high surface brightness, contains a very small bright nucleus.  With averted vision, a very low surface brightness halo increases the size to roughly 40"x25" NNW-SSE.  Occasionally an extremely faint stellar or quasi-stellar object briefly popped on the SSE edge of the halo.  This is the nucleus of a merged companion NGC 1646 NED2, just 15" between centers!

The  stellar companion was seen more often with confidence (though not continuously) through a friends's 28" at 439x.  NGC 1646 is located 4.8' ESE of 5.9-magnitude 56 Eridani, which needs to be kept outside the field!  A mag 10.5 star is 2' E and a mag 14.7 star is 0.9' S.

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, prominent small bright core, overall fairly high surface brightness.  Forms the south vertex of isosceles triangle with NGC 1648 4.4' NE and 56 Eridani (V = 5.9) 4.8' WNW.  The bright star detracts from viewing!  A mag 11 star lies 2.1' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1646 = H. II-523 = h329 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and remarked "F, vS, irr R, bM, almost stellar."  On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel measured an accurate position and noted "pF; R; has a *7m, 3 or 4' dist np."

Robert Ball, assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse,  observed NGC 1646 on 10 Jan 1867.  His description mentions "there is one object sf and another np, one or both of which may be nebulae, but my examination was interrupted before it could be completed."  The southeast object possibly refers to LEDA 3084954, an extremely faint companion 0.7' SE or perhaps Ball resolved the two merged components of NGC 1646 (15" SSE of center)?
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NGC 1647 = Cr 54 = Mel 26 = OCL-457
04 46 00  +19 04; Tau
V = 6.4;  Size 45'

13.1" (1/11/86): about 80 stars in a scattered cluster including several bright stars.  Very large, bright.  Includes a mag 8.5/8.9 double star at 33" separation in the center.  Also includes many faint double stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1647 = H. VIII-8 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 143) and called it "a cluster of scattered stars consisting chiefly of large ones, it takes up above 20' of space; but there is not a great number of them."  At the beginning of the night he used "a new large object speculum.  It is very bright but not quite so distinct as my first. I shall however use it all the night."  NGC 1647 was the first discovery with the new mirror.  He wasn't satisfied with the mirror, though, so repolished it and put it back into action 4 nights later.
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NGC 1648 = MCG -01-13-004 = PGC 15920
04 44 34.7  -08 28 44; Eri
V = 14.5;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (1/23/93): extremely faint, very small, round, requires averted vision.  A mag 11 star 3.3' SSW forms the vertex of a right triangle with NGC 1646 4.2' SW and 56 Eridani (V = 5.9) 7.4' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1648 = Sw. 3-31 on 29 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and described "eeeF; pS; ee diff; nf of [NGC 1646]."  His position is 19 tsec due east of PGC 15920 and the identification is certain though it's odd he didn't mention the nearby bright star!
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NGC 1649 = ESO 055-031 = KMHK 22
04 38 06.9  -68 46 41; Dor
V = 11.2;  Size 0.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  Sandwiched between 8.1 HD 29994 2.1' SSE and a mag 12 star 1.4' NNW.  Located 6.5' SSW of NGC 1652.  The identification of NGC 1649 is disputed.  It may refer to the small cluster described above or more likely NGC 1649 is a duplicate observation of NGC 1652.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1649 = h2660 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position is 9' S of h2661 = NGC 1652, which he observed on 3 sweeps, but not on the single sweep that NGC 1649 was recorded.

Harold Corwin concludes NGC 1649 is likely a duplicate of NGC 1652 based on the similar descriptions and a possible 10' digit error in declination.  The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas states "possibly NGC 1652" (no object is indicated) and ESO equates NGC 1649 = NGC 1652.  NGC 1649 is classified as nonexistent in Mati Morel's "A Visual Atlas of the LMC".  Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], states "Not found. Centered on CPD -69°284. Possibly the faint cluster S/L 8, 13' south."

Robert Innes, at the Union Observatory in 1927, proposed that NGC 1649 was a duplicate of NGC 1676 with a 6 minute error in RA.  Finally, Jenni Kay suggests NGC 1649 is a small cluster (ESO 55-031 = KMHK 22) just 2.3' NNW of Herschel's position for NGC 1649.  The visual appearance in a 30-inch is given in my notes, but it is probably too faint to have caught Herschel's attention.
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NGC 1650 = MCG -03-13-001 = PGC 15931
04 45 11.5  -15 52 12; Eri
V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 170°

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Located 11' E of a mag 10 star at the edge of the 220x field.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1650 = LM 1-137 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 13.0, pS, E 0° [N-S], gradually little then suddenly much brighter middle to a nucleus, envelope mag 14.0."  His position is 3.6' SW of MCG -03-13-001 = PGC 15931and the description pins down the identification.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1651 = ESO 055-030 = S-L 7
04 37 31.7  -70 35 07; Men
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared moderately bright, fairly large, round, 1.7' diameter, slightly brighter core.  Two mag 13.7 and 15.2 stars at ~20" separation are off the SE edge.  A couple of mag 16-16.5 clusters members are occasionally resolved.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC globular appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.7' diameter with a weak concentration.  There was no resolution except for a mag 13.5 star off the SE edge, 1' from the center.  Located 34' NW of mag 5.5 Mu Mensae.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1651 = h2662 on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "vF, L, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 2.5' dia."  His position (3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1652 = ESO 055-032 = S-L 10
04 38 22.6  -68 40 21; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, moderately large, round, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration but azonal, symmetrical, no resolution.  Located 8.4' NNE of mag 8.1 HD 29994.  NGC 1649 lies 6.5' SSW and NGC 1676 lies 31' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1652 = h2661 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12" across."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate. NGC 1649 is probably a duplicate observation with a 10' error in declination.
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NGC 1653 = UGC 3153 = MCG +00-13-003 = CGCG 393-002 = PGC 15942
04 45 47.3  -02 23 34; Eri
V = 12.0;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

13.1" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, broadly concentrated halo.  The NGC 1654/NGC 1657 pair lies 19' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1653 = H. II-526 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and remarked "F, cS, R, little brighter in the middle."  His position is just off the ESE side of this galaxy.
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NGC 1654 = UGC 3154 = CGCG 394-003 = PGC 15943
04 45 48.4  -02 05 02; Eri
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 1657 4.6' E.  Located 10' WSW of mag 9.0 SAO 131483.

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W.  NGC 1657 4.6' E not seen.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1654 = St. 12-33, along with NGC 1657 and NGC 1661, on 30 Nov 1877.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1655
04 46 12  +20 56; Tau

= Not found, Dreyer.  =**?, Gottlieb

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1655 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory Scarborough, England and communicated directly to Dreyer.  There is nothing at his position except an easily resolved double star.  A mag 9.2 star to the south matches the NGC description "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *10 south."
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NGC 1656 = MCG -01-13-005 = PGC 15949
04 45 53.3  -05 08 12; Eri
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 14.5 star is at the north edge 0.4' from center.  Located 3.1' S of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1656 = h330 on 10 Feb 1830 (sweep 233) and remarked "eF; irreg figure, if not a double or triple star, seen indistinctly."  His position is accurate and he must have seen the star at the north edge.
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NGC 1657 = UGC 3156 = MCG +00-13-004 = CGCG 394-005 = PGC 15958
04 46 07.2  -02 04 38; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 150°

17.5" (1/23/93): very faint, fairly small, round, low almost even surface brightness.  Located midway between NGC 1654 4.6' W and mag 9.0 SAO 131483 5.1' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1657 = St. 12-34, along with NGC 1654 and NGC 1661, on 30 Nov 1877.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1658 = ESO 304-016 = MCG -07-10-020 = PGC 15899
04 44 01.2  -41 27 48; Cae
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 124°

18" (1/17/09): picked up at 175x as a very faint glow, ~40"x25", extended NW-SE with careful viewing, low even surface brightness.  Forms a 3' pair with fainter NGC 1660 to the SE.  Located 5' NE of mag 10 HD 30203 and 45' NE of mag 4.5 Alpha Caeli.  Viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1658 = h2658, along with NGC 1660, on 1 Dec 1837. He logged "F, pmE, gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  His position is 1.6' too far south (similar offset with nearby NGC 1660).
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NGC 1659 = NGC 1677 = MCG -01-13-006 = PGC 15977
04 46 29.8  -04 47 22; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE. Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1659 = H. II-589 = h331 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and recorded "vF, cL, iE nearly in the parallel, bM."  Harold Corwin found Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 22 Oct 1886 and recorded Sw. 5-64 (later NGC 1677) as "pF; pL; lE."  His declination was accurate but his RA was 5 minutes too large (same error with NGC 1689).  Once corrected, NGC 1677 = NGC 1659.
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NGC 1660 = ESO 304-018 = MCG -07-10-021 = PGC 15908
04 44 11.3  -41 29 52; Cae
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 32°

18" (1/17/09): not picked up initially at 175x, but just visible at 225x as an extremely faint, round, glow ~20" in diameter (the elongation was not evident).  After viewing at the higher magnification, I was able to go back and glimpse the galaxy at 175x.  Forms a 3' pair with brighter NGC 1658 to the NW.  Located 6' ENE of mag 9.9 HD 30203 and 2' SW of a mag 14 star.  Viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma although the seeing was very good fairly close to the horizon.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1660 = h2659, along with NGC 1658, on 1 Dec 1837.  He logged "vF, little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 20"."  His position is 1.5' too far south (similar offset with nearby NGC 1658).
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NGC 1661 = UGC 3166 = MCG +00-13-008 = CGCG 394-009 = PGC 16000
04 47 07.6  -02 03 16; Ori
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

13.1" (12/23/89): faint, small, almost round, bright core.  A line of four mag 12-13.5 stars is 1.5' S oriented E-W with length 1.7'.  In a group with NGC 1654 and NGC 1657.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1661 = St. 12-35, along with NGC 1654 and NGC 1657, on 30 Nov 1877.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Dec 1881.
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NGC 1662 = Cr 55 = OCL-470 = Lund 141
04 48 29  +10 55 48; Ori
V = 6.4;  Size 20'

17.5" (12/9/01): striking group of ~40 stars within 15' including a number of mag 9 stars.  Many of the brighter stars are arranged in a "boat" shape with the bottom of the boat consisting of a string oriented NW-SE.  In the middle is a mast, perpendicular to the longer stream of stars.  The "mast" includes the multiple star HJ 684, a  bright quadruple of mag 8-10 stars with a 5th fainter star (AB = 8.5/10.3 at 24" and CD = 9.6/12.5 at 10").

William Herschel discovered NGC 1662 = H. VII-1 = h332 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 80) and found "a cluster of large scattered stars, they are visible in the finder."  His Philosphical Transactions description also using a later sweep, added "10' or 12' in extent, with a vacancy in the middle."  His position was 30 seconds of time too far east, but John Herschel measured an accurate position on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121) and described, "A cluster of stars 11 and 12m, three L and five small stars.  Query if the right object."  It is.
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NGC 1663 = OCL-461 = Lund 142
04 49 24  +13 09 06; Ori
Size 8'

17.5" (2/3/03): at 140x, ~20 stars are resolved in a scattered 6'-7' group.  Includes a shallow arc of three brighter mag 10 stars on the SW side which may not be cluster members. Most of the mag 12-13 stars are concentrated in a 3' subgroup on the north side. Stands out reasonably well in the field.

This group has been listed as a "possible open cluster remnant" and DR2 data does not show a coherent group.  The Lynga position, DSFG, NGC 2000, SC 2000 and RNGC all place the group too far west by ~45 seconds of RA.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1663 = H. VIII-7 on 10 Feb 1783 (sweep 137) and described "A scattered cluster of stars.  Large, intermixt with small (stars), not very rich."  There is no grouping at his offset of 4m 0s preceding, and 1d 7' south of 4 Orionis.  But Brent Archinal found a concentration of stars (~30 stars in 9') that is 1 minute of RA following H's position.  The Lynga position, DSFG, NGC 2000, SC 2000 and RNGC all place the cluster too far west at 04 48.6 +13 09 and the cluster is plotted incorrectly on the first edition of U2000.
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NGC 1664 = Cr 56 = Mel 27 = OCL-411
04 51 05  +43 40 36; Aur
V = 7.6;  Size 18'

13.1" (1/18/85): 40-45 stars, striking, rich, many faint double stars and chains.  A long string of stars to the south leads to mag 7.5 SAO 39807 on the SE edge.  Appears rich in the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1664 = H. VIII-59 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 622) and called it "a cluster of coarsely scattered pretty large stars, not very rich."  His position was pretty accurate.
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NGC 1665 = MCG -01-13-009 = PGC 16044
04 48 17.1  -05 25 39; Eri
V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 50°

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1665 = H. II-457 = h333 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and recorded "F, cL, little brighter in the middle."  On 10 Feb 1830 (sweep 233), John Herschel measured an accurate position and called it "vF, pL, R."  NGC 1665 wasn't found on one attempt at Birr Castle and d'Arrest followed up in Oct 1864 with two observations with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  It was later observed at Birr Castle in 1877.
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NGC 1666 = MCG -01-13-010 = PGC 16057
04 48 32.8  -06 34 12; Eri
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1667 15' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1666 = Sw. 5-62 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate and the comment "s of [N1667] of Stephan's Catalogue in AN 2661" applies.
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NGC 1667 = NGC 1689: = MCG -01-13-013 = LGG 118-005 = PGC 16062
04 48 36.9  -06 19 13; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 20°

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak concentration.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 1666 15' N. Outlying member of the NGC 1600 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1667 = St. 13-26 on 22 Oct 1883.  His published position (list 13) was reduced on 13 Dec 1884.  Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 22 Oct 1886, but Harold Corwin found his RA was 5.0 minutes too large (same error with NGC 1677) and it was catalogued as NGC 1689.  So, NGC 1667 = NGC 1689 with priority to Stephan.
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NGC 1668 = ESO 251-030 = MCG -07-10-023 = PGC 15957
04 46 05.9  -44 44 00; Cae
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 107°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): faint to fairly faint, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, low surface brightness, weak concentration to the center, which contains a faint stellar ncleus.  A mag 13.8 star lies 25" NNE of center and several mag 11-12 populate the field.  NGC 1668 is the brightest member of Abell Galaxy Cluster S497.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1668 = h2663 on 1 Dec 1837 and logged "eF; R; attached to a star 14m".  His position is 3' SE of ESO 251-030 = PGC 15957, and the description of the nearby star applies.
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NGC 1669 = ESO 084-038 = PGC 15871
04 43 00.0  -65 48 52; Dor
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 97°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): extremely to very faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Two mag 14 and 13 stars lie 1.4' NW and 3.5' NW, respectively.  An asterism of 5 stars, including two mag 10 stars collinear with the galaxy, lies ~7' WNW.  I couldn't hold the galaxy steadily with averted although it was viewed in poor conditions (very hazy skies and positioned well west of the meridian).  Located in the NW halo of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1669 = h2664 on 20 Dec 1835 and logged "eF, S, R."  His position is 6 sec of RA west of ESO 084-038 = PGC 15871.
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NGC 1670 = MCG +00-13-016 = CGCG 394-017 = Holm 81a = PGC 16107
04 49 42.5  -02 45 37; Ori
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 112°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 14 star is close off the ESE edge 0.9' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1670 = H. III-501 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "vF, vS."  His position is 1.5' SSE of CGCG 394-017 = PGC 16107.
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NGC 1671 = IC 395? = UGC 3178 = MCG +00-13-015 = Holm 80a = PGC 16095
04 49 34.1  +00 15 10; Ori
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

See observing notes for IC 395.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1671 = Sw. 5-63 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded, "pF; pS; R; pB * nr sp."  His position falls on the empty section of sky.  Corwin suggests NGC 1671 is possibly equivalent to IC 395 = UGC 3178 (found later by Swift on 30 Oct 1889 and recorded in list IX-15).  But this requires that Swift made large errors in both RA (45 tsec) and in declination (1 degree).  His description, "pB * nr sp", applies to this galaxy.  RNGC classifies NGC 1671 as nonexistent.
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NGC 1672 = ESO 118-043 = AM 0444-592 = LGG 119-002 = PGC 15941
04 45 42.5  -59 14 50; Dor
V = 9.7;  Size 6.6'x5.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 170°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this gorgeous barred spiral appeared very bright and large with the main body elongated E-W, extending ~3.5'x2.0'.  An obvious spiral arm is attached at the east end of the E-W central bar.  This arm hooks to the north, wrapping around a superimposed star to the northeast of the bar (1.6' from the center).  Three fainter stars with separations ~30" are sandwiched to the west of this star, between the arm and the bar. The arm fades out before reaching a mag 10 star 2.2' NE of center.  A second arm begins to emerge on the west side of the bar, barely sweeping towards the south before abruptly terminating.  So the second "arm" is just a small hooking appendage off the west end.  The central bar itself is sharply concentrated with a dramatic, brilliant nucleus, ~25" diameter, that increases gradually to the center.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this striking spiral galaxy appeared fairly bright and large, ~4' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  A spiral arm clearly emerged from the east side of the oval core or bar.  It curled north and wrapped around two stars to the NE of the core.  The extension on the west side was just a very faint, diffuse haze to the SW without a well defined arm structure.  A mag 9 star is 6.5' ENE and a mag 6.5 star (HD 30790) is 13' NE.

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, ~3'x2'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core, ~20" diameter, and a large oval halo.  Spiral structure was evident as an ill-defined extension or haze off the NE side, though I could not resolve this spiral arm clearly.  Situated directly between two mag 9 stars 10' SW and 6.5' ENE.  Located 30' NNE of mag 5.3 Kappa Doradus.  This galaxy is a member of the Dorado group, which includes NGC 1515, NGC 1533, NGC 1536, NGC 1543, NGC 1546, NGC 1553, NGC 1566, NGC 1574, NGC 1596, NGC 1617 and IC 2056. Possible additional members include NGC 1559, NGC 1602, NGC 1672, NGC 1688, NGC 1703 and NGC 1705.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1672 = D 296 = h2665 on 5 Nov 1826.  He described "a faint ill-defined nebula about 50" diameter, irregularly round with a small bright point near the preceding side, which I suspect to be a star; a pretty bright star about 20' south-preceding [mag 5.3 Kappa Dor] and also another following [mag 6.8 HD 30790]."

John Herschel made two observations, the first on 4 Dec 1834 (sweep 519) when he described it as "B, L, pretty much extended, suddenly very much brighter middle to a nucleus; 2.5' long, 1.5' broad; a star 12th mag involved."  His position was accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1672 on 5 Dec 1876 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope but there is no clear indication of spiral structure (unpublished lithograph plate II, figure 16).  NGC 1672 was first photographed by Delisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! 2-branch spiral, irregular figure."
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NGC 1673 = ESO 055-034 = S-L 17
04 42 40  -69 49 18; Men
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, small, irregular shape, 35" diameter, contains a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is at the NE end and a very faint star is resolved at the west edge of the halo.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.9' ENE.  A string of stars heads NE from the cluster.  Forms a pair with S-L 19 2' E, which is a relatively faint, small, roundish 25" glow.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1673 = h2667 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded (from one sweep only) "vF, S, attached to a star 10m.  A doubtful object."  His position, though, matches this cluster in RA and is off by less than 1' in declination.
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NGC 1674
04 52 24  +23 54; Tau

= Not found, RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1674 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  The discovery note states "two F neb [along with NGC 1675] in same field" but there are candidates near his position so this number is lost.
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NGC 1675
04 52 24  +23 54; Tau

= Not found, RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 1675 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  The discovery note states "two F neb [along with NGC 1674] in same field" but there are candidates near his position so this number is lost.
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NGC 1676 = ESO 055-036 = S-L 25
04 43 54  -68 49 42; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 0.8'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, moderately large, 1' diameter.  I resolved 8 to 10 faint stars over the irregularly shaped glow.  KMHK 59, a faint cluster, was picked up 5' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1676 = h2669 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF; irreg R; 90"; resolvable."  In 1926, Robert Innes observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described "a small cloud of 14 and 15 mag stars, 2' diameter."
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NGC 1677 = NGC 1659 = MCG -01-13-006 = PGC 15977
04 46 29.8  -04 47 22; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 40°

See observing notes for NGC 1659.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1677 = Sw. 5-64 on 22 Oct 1886.  There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1677 = NGC 1659, assuming Swift's RA was 5 minutes too large.  The same error was made with Swift's V-65 (later NGC 1689), which was found on the same evening.

Swift's (uncorrected) position is 0.4 tmin east and 6' north of IC 2099 = PGC 16146, and this galaxy is identified as NGC 1677 in the RNGC, PGC, NED.  Isaac Roberts (MNRAS, Vol LXIII, p302) recorded MCG -01-13-019 on a photographic plate in 1903, placed it accurately, and it was catalogued as IC 2099. So, IC 2099 = PGC 16146 but not NGC 1677.
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NGC 1678 = MCG +00-13-019 = CGCG 394-020 = PGC 16179
04 51 35.3  -02 37 24; Ori
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 70°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  A mag 12 star is close off western edge 1.0' from core.  NGC 1670 lies 28' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1678 = H. III-502 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and called "vF, S."  His position is less than 1' S of CGCG 394-020 = PGC 16179.
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NGC 1679 = ESO 422-001 = AM 0448-320 = MCG -05-12-004 = UGCA 96 = PGC 16120
04 49 54.6  -31 57 53; Cae
V = 11.5;  Size 2.7'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright and large, 2' diameter, irregularly round, brighter core.  Unusual appearance as four stars are closeby; a mag 12 star is at the NW edge, two mag 13/14.5 stars are near the SW edge and a mag 13.5 star at the E edge.  This is a fairly bright galaxy for low elevation viewing.  Images reveal an irregular extension on the south side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1679 = h2666 on 18 Nov 1835 and described "pB, L, irreg round; involves four stars, and is very gradually brighter about the chief of them."  Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 24 Nov 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  He drew it boomerange shaped with one side between the mag 12 star at the north edge and the 13th mag star on the east side (central part of galaxy) and a second side beginning at the mag 13 star extending southwest (this section is an irregular spiral arm).  He also sketched nebulosity south of the 12th mag star. (p. 150 in logbook).  E.E. Barnard found this galaxy while sweeping for comets on 7 Dec 1890 and again on 26 Feb 1895 with the 12-inch at Lick. He recorded it as "small, 12th mag, mixed up with two or three small faint stars" and noted it was "1' south-following a small star."
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NGC 1680 = ESO 203-004 = PGC 16058
04 48 33.8  -47 48 58; Pic
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 102°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 30"x18", even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is 25" S of center, just off the edge.  A mag 10.5 star lies 8' WNW and a few mag 10/11 stars are in the field to the southwest.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1680 = h2668 on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "eeF, R, resolvable, or else stars seen on it. Well defined (hazy)."  His position (3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1681 = MCG -01-13-026 = PGC 16195
04 51 50.3  -05 48 13; Eri
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 40°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 12 star is at the west edge 0.8' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.2' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1681 = St. 9-4 on 29 Dec 1877.  He reduced the micrometric position a week later (6 Jan 1878) and published it in his 9th discovery list (#4).
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NGC 1682 = MCG -01-13-028 = PGC 16211
04 52 19.7  -03 06 20; Ori
V = 11.8;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 11.7

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, sharp concentration with a very small very bright nucleus.  Member of the NGC 1684 group, which lies 3' E.

MCG -01-13-022, located 13' W, appeared fairly faint, edge-on at least 4:1 E-W, ~1.0'x0.25'.  Situated just 1.5' NNW of mag 8.3 HD 30899.

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 4.0' N of mag 8.0 SAO 131557.  In a group with NGC 1684 3.0' E and NGC 1683 5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1682 = H. II-527, along with NGC 1684 = II-528, on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518).  He recorded them together as "Two, the 1st [NGC 1682] very faint, very small."  His RA was 40 seconds too large, the same offset applying to NGC 1684.  John Herschel missed this galaxy, only recording NGC 1684 = h334.  The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate.
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NGC 1683 = PGC 16209
04 52 17.6  -03 01 29; Ori
V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 165°

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 25"x12", can just hold continuously with averted vision.  Two mag 13-14 stars close E are aligned with the galaxy.  A 2' string of faint star to the north is also oriented E-W. Located 6' NNW of NGC 1684 in a group that includes NGC 1685 and 1682.

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, very small, low even surface brightness.  Among an elongated group of mag 14 stars including a wide pair 1.5' E and a wide pair 2' NW.  Located 5' N of NGC 1682 and faintest in a group of four including NGC 1684 and NGC 1685.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1683 in Jan 1850.  It was found while examining the NGC 1684 field and labeled as "Gamma" on his sketch.  The NGC position is just 1.7' too far east.  Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 1 Feb 1905 and assumed it was new.  It was listed in his unpublished 4th catalog as J. 1516.
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NGC 1684 = MCG -01-13-031 = PGC 16219
04 52 31.0  -03 06 20; Ori
V = 11.7;  Size 2.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; fairly bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 E-W, ~1.3'x0.8', very strong concentration with a relatively large bright core that increases to the center.  Mag 7.6 HD 31021 is 4.5' SSW.

Brightest in a group with NGC 1682 is 3' W,  NGC 1683 6' NNW and NGC 1685 9.5' N.  MCG -01-13-033, located 13' NE, appeared very faint, low even surface brightness, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4'.

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, broadly concentrated halo.  Brightest of four with NGC 1682 3' W, NGC 1683 6' NW and NGC 1685 9' N.  Mag 8.0 SAO 131557 lies 3' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1684 = H. II-528 = h334, along with NGC 1682, on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518). He recorded them together and noted "The 2nd, faint, small, little brighter in the middle."  His RA as 40 seconds too large (same error as NGC 1682).  John Herschel made two observations at Slough, recording on 24 Nov 1827 (sweep 109), "pB; R; bM; has a *7m 45° sp; very well observed."  His position was accurate, though I'm surprised he missed nearby NGC 1682.  The field was observed 9 times at Birr Castle.  Because of the confusion with William's positions as well as the identifications at Birr Castle, John assigned 3 GC designations -- GC 920, 921 and 924.  Dreyer sorted this out and combined the entries in the NGC.
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NGC 1685 = MCG -01-13-032 = PGC 16222
04 52 34.3  -02 56 58; Ori
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 135°

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; faint, fairly small,oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~40"x25", weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' SE of center.  Member of the NGC 1684 group, which lies nearly 10' S.

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the SE edge 1.0' from center.  NGC 1684 lies 9.5' S.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 1685 in January 1850.  It was found while examining the NGC 1684 field and labeled as "Delta" on his sketch.  The NGC position is 2.7' too far north, though the sketch makes the identification certain.
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NGC 1686 = MCG -03-13-019 = PGC 16239
04 52 54.5  -15 20 49; Eri
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 27°

17.5" (2/2/02): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Elongation not seen, so I only viewed the brighter core region as this galaxy is nearly edge-on SSW-NNE.  A mag 13 star follows by 2'.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1686 = LM 1-138 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described as "mag 15.5, vS, vE 30°."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 tmin west of MCG -03-13-019 = PGC 16239 and his position angle matches this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1687 = ESO 361-013 = MCG -06-11-005 = PGC 16166
04 51 21.3  -33 56 21; Cae
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

17.5": very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Very small brighter core at moments but the overall surface brightness is low and the object required concentration for a steady view.  Based on the apparent size, I probably viewed the brighter central region and missed the outer spiral extensions.  Located 7' NE of mag 8.9 SAO 195348 and 19' NW of mag 6.7 HD 31142.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1687 = h2670 on 8 Jan 1836 and noted "vF;  R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  On the next sweep his position was a perfect match with ESO 361-013.
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NGC 1688 = ESO 119-006 = AM 0447-595 = LGG 119-003 = PGC 16050
04 48 23.5  -59 47 57; Dor
V = 12.0;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 177°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.0', broad weak concentration but no other details were evident.  This barred spiral is located 38' SE of NGC 1672 38' NW with NGC 1703 34' E.  Located 30' ESE of mag 5.3 Kappa Doradus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1688 = h2671 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50"."  On later sweeps he called this nebula "B" and "pB".  His position is accurate.

Joseph Turner made a sketch on 5 Dec 1876 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope with the object shown as a narrow streak NW-SE, so he noticed the full length of the central bar (page 121 of logbook).  There was some mistake in preparing the lithograph (unpublished plate II, figure 17) which shows two elongated streaks along with additional stars.
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NGC 1689 = NGC 1667 = MCG -01-13-013 = PGC 16062
04 48 36.9  -06 19 13; Eri

See observing notes for NGC 1667.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1689 = Sw. 5-65 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  There is nothing at his position and Herbert Howe reported "I searched for it on two nights [with the 20" refractor at Denver] without success.  Probably there was an error of just 5 min in its RA, and it is identical with 1667 [found earlier by Stephan in 1884], which has the same declination.  Swift made the same 5 minute error in RA on the same sweep with NGC 1677 = Sw. 5-64, which is identical to NGC 1659.  RNGC classifies this number as "not found" (from Dorothy Carlson's paper).
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NGC 1690 = UGC 3198 = MCG +00-13-027 = CGCG 394-029 = WBL 109-002 = PGC 16290
04 54 19.2  +01 38 25; Ori
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9

24" (12/22/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  Brightest in a trio (WBL 109) with UGC 3199 1.7' NNW and CGCG 394-028 6.8' WNW.  Several stars are nearby including a mag 13.8 star 0.6' NW.  Located 7' NE of mag 6.6 HD 31209.  The observation was made with the bright star outside the field.

UGC 3199 appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness and CGCG 394-028 is very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 10 star lies 3.2' SSW.

13.1" (11/29/86): very faint, very small, round.  Several faint stars are nearby including a two mag 13.5 star at the west edge 0.6' from center and 1.2' NNE.  Located 7.2' NE of mag 6.6 SAO 112191.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1690 = h335 on 5 Feb 1831 (sweep 322) and logged, "eF; among vS stars; has one vL * sp."  His position matches UGC 3198 = PGC 16289, although he erroneously equated this object with his father's H. III-453, which had an error of 10 min in RA due to a reduction error by Caroline Herschel.  JH corrected this mistake in the GC.

MCG, PGC and RC3 (and software such as Megastar) misidentify nearby UGC 3199 as NGC 1690.  UGC, RNGC and CGCG have the correct identification.  UGC mentions the MCG error in the notes section.
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NGC 1691 = UGC 3201 = MCG +01-13-009 = Mrk 1088 = LGG 120-003 = PGC 16300
04 54 38.3  +03 16 04; Ori
V = 12.0;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 85°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright stellar nucleus or star superimposed.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1691 = St. 8b-16 on 18 Dec 1873 and logged a rough position 6' too far east.  His pubished position (list 8b, #16) was made 3 years later on 15 Dec 1876 with description "faint, small, mag 11 nucleus." 
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NGC 1692 = ESO 552-021 = MCG -03-13-029 = A0453-20 = PGC 16336
04 55 23.7  -20 34 16; Lep
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/14/99): faint, moderately large, round, broad concentration to a 30" core.  With averted vision the halo extends to at least 1' diameter with ill-defined edges.  Located 13' SE of mag 8.9 SAO 169878.  Misidentified in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1692 = LM 1-139 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin examined Stone's discovery sketch and identified NGC 1692 = ESO 552-021.  This implies Stone's position is roughly 2 tmin of RA too small, a typical error found in his list.  RNGC misidentifies PGC 840096 as NGC 1692.  See my RNGC Corrections #5 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1693 = ESO 056-002 = S-L 39
04 47 39  -69 20 36; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 0.7'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright but small, round.  Contains a very bright core and a small 30" halo.  No resolution except for a faint star at the NW edge.  Forms a trio with brighter NGC 1695 2' SSE and fainter H-S 30 = KMHK 109 4.5' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1693 = h2672 (along with NGC 1695 = h2673) on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "Faint, small, round."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1694 = MCG -01-13-035a = PGC 16335
04 55 16.8  -04 39 10; Eri
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 30°

17.5" (2/14/99): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 40"x30", very small brighter core. Situated within a group of brighter stars including a mag 10.5 star 3.4' ESE.  Located 28' WNW of NGC 1700.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1694 = St. 10-18 on 4 Jan 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  He reduced the micrometric position 2 years later (9 Jan 1880) and published it in his 10th discovery list (#18). The MCG RA is 0.5 tmin too far east.
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NGC 1695 = ESO 056-003 = S-L 40
04 47 45  -69 22 24; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.5'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, fairly small, irregularly round.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core surrounded by a 45" irregular halo.  One brighter star is resolved at the SW edge and a faint star is resolved at the SE edge.  A mag 11.5 star lies 1.7' NE.  NGC 1695 is the brightest of three LMC clusters with NGC 1693 2' NNW and KMHK 109 3.8' E.  KMHK 109 appeared as a faint, small glow with an irregular shape, gradually increased to the center but azonal with no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1695 = h2673 (along with NGC 1693 = h2672) on 3 Nov 1834 and logged "F, S, R."
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NGC 1696 = ESO 056-004 = S-L 43
04 48 30  -68 14 36; Dor
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Bracketed by two stars; a mag 15 star 25" NW of center and a mag 15 star 38" SE of center.  Located 19' SW of mag 6.8 HD 31532.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1696 = h2674 on 2 Nov 1834 and wrote "vF; E; very little brighter middle." ." This was his only observation and the position is off by 1.5' in dec.
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NGC 1697 = ESO 056-005 = S-L 44
04 48 36  -68 33 30; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 2.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, fairly large, round, large bright core, very mottled but not resolved except for a few sparklers that are visible for moments.  A mag 10.6 star lies 2.5' SE.  Located 11' E of mag 7.2 HD 30969.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1697 = h2675 on 2 Nov 1834, along with NGC 1696, 1714/15/18/35/47 and a couple of dozen additional objects.  On his first observation (out of 5) he recorded "pB, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  On the 4th sweep he wrote "globular cluster, pB, R, gradually little brighter middle, 1.5'; resolved. With the left eye I see the stars."  The Shapley-Lindsay position (S-L 44) is exactly 10' too far south.
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NGC 1698 = ESO 056-006 = S-L 45 = KMHK 115
04 49 04  -69 06 54; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 1.5'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, irregular glow, 1' diameter.  Roughly 10 stars are resolved in the outer halo giving a triangular shape.  NGC 1698 forms a close pair with KMHK 118, a much smaller and fainter cluster 1.6' SE.  It appeared as a faint, small glow, 20" diameter with no resolution.  Mag 10.3 HD 268647 lies 5' SSE and IC 2105, a bright compact HII knot, is just 0.6' SSE of this star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1698 = h2677 on 23 Dec 1834. He noted "pB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 60"; resolvable."  Although only observed on a single sweep his position is good.
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NGC 1699 = MCG -01-13-039 = PGC 16390
04 56 59.6  -04 45 25; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 160°

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even surface brightness.  Located just 4' ENE of mag 7.8 SAO 131619 and bracketed by two mag 13 stars 1.8' SW and 1.1' NE of center.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1700 6.6' S.

Samuel Hunter discovered NGC 1699 = Sw. 6-21 on 13 Feb 1860 with LdR's 72” (too late for inclusion in LdR’s 1861 publication) while observing the field of NGC 1700.  He noted "a smaller one north-following, scarcely perceptible in finder and vF, above a F *."  NGC 1699 is Hunter’s only deep sky discovery while an observing assistant at Birr Castle.  Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 22 Dec 1886 and reported it as new in list VI-21. Dreyer credited both observers in the NGC.
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NGC 1700 = MCG -01-13-038 = LGG 123-002 = PGC 16386
04 56 56.2  -04 51 56; Eri
V = 11.2;  Size 3.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 90°

24" (12/8/20): at 260x; bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 ~E-W, ~1.5'x1.1'  Contains an intense core the increases to a stellar peak at the center.  Situated 6' SSE of mag 8.0 HD 31569.  NGC 1699 is 6.6' N and LEDA 146783 is 13' SE.  The latter galaxy appeared faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15", faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 1.5' E.

17.5" (12/23/89): bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W, very bright core.  Located 6' SSE of mag 7.8 SAO 131619.  Forms a pair with NGC 1699 6.7' N.  Brightest in a group (LGG 123) that includes IC 2102, NGC 1729, NGC 1741 and IC 399.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core.  Located 20' NNE of 62 Eridani (V = 5.5).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1700 = H. IV-32 = h336 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and noted "cB, S, much brighter in the middle."  On 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he reported "cB, vS, brighter middle.  Like a star affected with irregular burs."  NGC 1700 was observed 10 times with Lord Rosse's 72".  On 13 Jan 1858 R.J. Mitchell logged, "B centre which I strongly suspect resolvable, faint nebulosity stretches out a long way, involving a minute star preceding."  Herschel's observation probably influenced the Birr Castle observers to look for (nonexistent) structure.
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NGC 1701 = ESO 422-011 = MCG -05-12-010 = PGC 16352
04 55 51.2  -29 53 01; Cae
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 137°

17.5": faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 45" diameter.  Weakly concentrated with no well-defined core.  A mag 11 star is close off the SE side (1.3' from center) and detracts slightly.  A very faint pair of mag 15 stars at 18" separation is less than 2' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1701 = h2676 on 6 Nov 1834 and remarked "F, S, R, 20". A star 10th mag S.f. and a small double star S.p."  His positiions and description apply to ESO 422-011 = PGC 16352.
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NGC 1702 = ESO 056-008 = S-L 46
04 49 28  -69 51 06; Men
V = 12.5;  Size 1.0'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): nicely resolved cluster, a dozen stars counted in a 50" region.  KMHK119, a faint cluster, was picked up 1.8' SW as a small faint, patch, 20" diameter, no resolution.  NGC 1702 is situated 6.7' WSW of mag 7.2 HD 31518.  NGC 1704, a bright cluster, lies 6' NNE and NGC 1711, a showpiece object, lies 10' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1702 = h2680 on 12 Nov 1836 and reported a "vF, S, cluster."  His position matches this LMC cluster.  Herschel mentions that James Dunlop's D 73 is possibly an earlier discovery but of the three objects (NGC 1702, 1711 and 1751) that are likely D 73, NGC 1711 is the brightest.
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NGC 1703 = ESO 119-019 = AM 0452-594= LGG 119-005 = PGC 16234
04 52 52.6  -59 44 36; Dor
V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.4

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~N-S, 1.5'x1.0'.  The appearance is unusual with a mag 10 star (a close double) superimposed SE of the core and the galaxy extends to the northwest of this bright star.  The outer halo is diffuse and fades into the background (face-on spiral).  Located 34' E of NGC 1688.  Member of the NGC 1672 group (LGG 119)

John Herschel discovered NGC 1703 = h2678 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded F, L, R, very little brighter middle, 90"; very dilute at borders. A star 9th mag S.f. almost involved." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1704 = ESO 056-009 = S-L 50
04 49 56  -69 45 24; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 1.7'x1.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.1'x0.9'.  Contains three bright collinear stars oriented E-W as well as a number of faint stars resolved in the halo.  NGC 1702, a bright resolved cluster, lies 6' SSW and a mag 7.2 star (foreground HD 31518) lies 6' SE.  NGC 1704 forms the north vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 1702 and the bright star.

James Dunlop probably NGC 1704 = D 110 = h2683 = on 3 Aug 1826.  He reported "a small faint nebula".  He recorded it again on 24 Sep 1826 (first object in his first of two drifts).  His drift log shows it at 15' N of NGC 1711 and 22 seconds of time preceding, a good match.

John Herschel rediscovered the cluster (h2683) on 24 or 25 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and called it "B; R; bM; 90".".  But his description on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751) was quite different: "eF; S; E; 40" l; resolvable."
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NGC 1705 = ESO 158-013 = AM 0453-532 = PGC 16282
04 54 14.1  -53 21 38; Pic
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration.  This galaxy contains a super-star cluster (SSC 1750-A) that appeared as a 14th magnitude "star" offset just west of the center. In good seeing at 350x using the 13mm Ethos and a 2x barlow, the SSC was easily visible and generally appeared stellar, though at moments there was an impression it spanned a couple of arcseconds.  A short string of four faint stars is collinear to the NW.  Located 30' ENE of the bright double star Iota Pictoris (5.6/6.4 at 12").  NGC 1705 is a nearby blue dwarf starburst galaxy at a distance of 17 million light years.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1705 = h2679 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B; S; R; pretty much brighter middle; 20" diameter."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1706 = ESO 085-007 = AM 0452-630 = LGG 125-001 = PGC 16220
04 52 31.0  -62 59 08; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 124°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 40"x35", weak concentration, slightly brighter core.  Mag 11 stars lie 5' SSW and 7' S.  A mag 11.8 star is 3.6' NE. A companion attached to the northern spiral arm was not seen. NGC 1706 shines through the northern halo of the LMC.

ESO 085-014, situated 19' NE, appeared fairly faint, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 45"x15", low surface brightness.  Situated just 2.7' W of mag 8.0 HD 31875.  A mag 12/13 pair at 7" is 1.6' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1706 = h2682 on 25 Dec 1837 and called it "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 40"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1707 = IC 2107
04 58 21.1  +08 14 19; Ori
Size 30"

17.5" (2/14/99): this is a compact group of four mag 13.5-14.5 stars within 30".  Easily picked up at 220x and three close stars visible.  At 280x, this multiple star is cleanly resolved in moments of good seeing.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1707 = h338 on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118) and described a "resolved nebula or a small round group of very small stars, 30" diameter."  There is nothing at his position but 30 seconds of RA west is a group of four to five stars and R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant in 1854, called it "only a group of 4 or 5 stars."  Bigourdan apparently couldn't find NGC 1707 at Herschel's position and claimed it as new --  B. 381 (later IC 2107).  He noted, "cl, vF, vS, R".  So, this multiple star has both a NGC and IC designation!  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 1708
05 03 26  +52 52 30; Cam
Size 20'x12'

18" (11/26/03): at 115x, this is a huge, triangular group of ~80 stars, roughly 20'x12', extended N-S with the base of this triangle on the south side and the vertex at the north end.  Surprisingly, this scattered group is fairly well detached in the field and appears visually to be a cluster.  Includes a number of mag 10.5-11.5 stars.  The group is unconcentrated and most of the stars are situated along the perimeter with two large starless interior regions (larger one on the south side).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1708 = h337 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and described a "v Loose, pretty rich, fills field, the largest *10m, mixed magnitudes."  The mag 10 star in h's description appears to be 30 tsec further east at 05 03 26.3 +52 52 31 (J2000).  RNGC classifies this number as a nonexistent cluster.  Walter Scott Houston mentioned this object in his columns of Jan '76 and Sep '89.
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NGC 1709 = MCG +00-13-054 = CGCG 394-058 = PGC 16462
04 58 44.0  -00 28 42; Ori
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 46°

24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, ~0.4'x0.3', very small or stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.3 star is 50" NW of center. In a group (WBL 110) with NGC 1713 (brightest member) 2.7' ESE.

13.1" (11/29/86): very faint, very small.  A mag 13 star is close to the WNW edge just 0.8' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1713 2.7' ESE.

R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1709 on 8 Dec 1854 while observing NGC 1713.  He described "two nebulous knots, the following one [NGC 1713] brighter than the other, both R, little brighter middle, * preceding."
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NGC 1710 = IC 2108 = MCG -03-13-037 = PGC 16396
04 57 17.0  -15 17 20; Lep
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 15°

18" (2/5/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, well concentrated with a very small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 1.2' SE of center.  Located 13' NE of mag 7.6 HD 31585 and 45' SW of R Leporus.

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is off the SE edge 1.2' from center.  Hind's Variable Star lies 45' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1710 = LM 1-140 on 14 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is less than 1 min of RA following MCG -03-13-037 = PGC 16396, so this identification is secure.  Ormond Stone later measured an accurate position.  Bigourdan was misled by Leavenworth's poor position and identified a faint star as NGC 1710.  He assumed Big. 296 (later IC 2108), found on 9 Dec 1896, was new.  But his position matches  MCG -03-13-037, so IC 2108 = NGC 1710.  Corwin notes that Bigourdan realied the equivalence in his own large table of micrometric measurements.  MCG labels the galaxy as IC 2108 and ignores the NGC designation.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1711 = ESO 056-010 = S-L 55
04 50 36  -69 59 06; Men
V = 10.1;  Size 3.5'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large impressive cluster, appearing like a globular!  Contains an intensely bright, very mottled core, surrounded by a well resolved halo.  There appeared to be two superimposed layers in the halo with a number of brighter stars overlaid on several dozen fainter stars.  The halo extends out to at least 4' diameter, though without a sharp border as it thins out.  Located 9' S of mag 7.2 HD 31518.  Nearby objects include S-L 56 5.5' S, NGC 1702 10' NW and NGC 1704 14' NNW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1711 = D 73 = D 76 = h2684 = on 3 Aug 1826.  He observed it again on 24 Sep, 3 Oct and possibly 27 Sep.  On 24 Sep, he wrote, "a small nebula, slight condensation, pretty well defined." and mentioned a mag 7 star 10' N, which is nearly a perfect match with 7.2-magnitude HD 31518.   D 76 was described as a "pretty bright small round nebula".  Clearly, with several observations on different nights, Dunlop was uncertain which ones referred to the same object and which ones were different. 

John Herschel first observed NGC 1711 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) and described a "globular; B; S; R; resolvable."  The next night (sweep 751) he logged "globular; B; irregularly round; gradually brighter in the middle.  Resolved into stars 14m, with outliers as far as 4' diam."  Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 76.
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NGC 1712 = ESO 056-011 = S-L 60 = LMC-N79 = LH 1
04 50 59  -69 24 30; Dor
V = 9.9;  Size 4'x3'

25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 187x; elongated group of mostly faint stars ~ 4' in diameter with a wide mag 10.7/12.4 pair at the south edge.  The brighter star is a yellow LMC supergiant. The background was an uneven hazy glow, but when I added a NPB filter the object dimmed.  Increasing to 318x, the glow mostly disappeared and at least 30 stars were resolved, showing it’s a large, rich cluster (part of OB association LH 1).  Close west of NGC 1712 is a 5' chain of stars trending N-S with mag 13 to 14.5 stars.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): first of three clusters with nebulosity including NGC 1722 + IC 2111 4' NE and NGC 1727 8' NE.  At 128x it appeared as an irregularly shaped 4' nebulous haze, situated just north of an attractive mag 10.7/12.4 double star (17").  A half dozen faint stars are embedded in the haze (part of N79) besides the two brighter stars at the south edge. This is a young LMC cluster and forms the western portion of association LH 1.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of three nebulous LMC clusters with NGC 1722 3.9' NE and NGC 1727  7.7' NE.  NGC 1712 appears as a fairly large knotty region of stars and possible weak nebulosity (within N79), ~4' diameter.  A mag 10.7/11.5 double (separation 17") is at the south edge.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1712 = D 111 (or D 112) = h2685 on 24 Sep 1826.   He noted D 111 as a "small faint nebula" and his reduced position was ~10' too far ESE.  But in the drift (second on this date) he placed it 27' due north of 7th mag HD 31518 (he also began at this star on the first drift).  NGC 1712 lies exactly at this offset.  The next two objects in the drift, D 112 and D 113, apply to NGC 1722 and NGC 1727.

John Herschel made a single observation on 24 or 25 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and reported "a pB, S, cluster."  Herschel didn't reference Dunlop's possible earlier observations due to the poor match in position.
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NGC 1713 = UGC 3222 = MCG +00-13-056 = CGCG 394-059 = LGG 120-025 = WBL 110-004 = PGC 16471
04 58 54.5  -00 29 20; Ori
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

24" (12/21/16): at 282x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', gradually increases to the center.  Brightest galaxy in a group (WBL 110 = HDCE 330) with NGC 1709 2.7' WNW.

CGCG 394-055, 7.7' SW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~20"x15", slightly brighter core. Forms a close pair with CGCG 394-056 1.3' NNE.
CGCG 394-056, 6.6' S, appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  A mag 13.5 star is attached at the southeast end.  Mag 8.9 HD 31724 is 5' W.
UGC 3221, 24' S, appeared fairly faint, thin edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, ~30"x5", even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed at the south end.  A mag 9.2 star is 4.7' S as well as a nearby mag 9.9 star.
UGC 3214, 26' NW, appeared moderately bright, fairly large edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, at least 1.6'x0.4'.  Contains a bright, elongated bulging core and much fainter extensions.
CGCG 394-053, 21' NNW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 30"x15".

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, faint halo gradually brightens.  Forms a pair with NGC 1709 2.7' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1713 = H. II-516 = h339 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and reported "F, S, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  There is nothing at his position, but 6.3' due south is UGC 3222 = PGC 16471.  Because of his father's poor position, John thought he discovered this nebula on 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107) and wrote, "F; R; bM; the preceding of two [with NGC 1719].  JH equated the two observations in the GC, so there is only a single NGC designation.
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NGC 1714 = LMC-N4A = ESO 085-8 = S-L 64
04 52 06.5  -66 55 25; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.1'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, I found a surprisingly bright, high surface brightness knot, ~30" diameter, with a brighter off-center core.  A mag 11 star (M2-class supergiant) is 1' NW.  Forms a close pair with fainter NGC 1715 just 1' NNE.  NGC 1731 lies 8' E and NGC 1718 is 8' SSE.  Situated in the NW corner of the LMC. This object also has an emission component but I didn't record if there was a filter response.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1714 = h2686 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "vB, S, E, bM, 15"; Has another very faint neb nearly north [h2687 = NGC 1715]."  On later observations he described "vB, E or bi-nuclear, much brighter in the middle, 40" long; the S.p. of two" and  "vB, S, little extended, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle. Double or extended wedge-shaped."

Williamina Fleming classified NGC 1714 (N4A-1) as a gaseous - similar to a PN nebula - in 1898 (Harvard Circular 32) based on its photographic spectra (HD 31606).  Probably as a result, NGC 1714 was plotted as an planetary nebula on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the first edition of the Sky Atlas 2000.0.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1714 and 1715 on 11 Nov 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  NGC 1714 has a broad fan shape with the illuminated star on the east side (unpublished plate II, figure 18).
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NGC 1715 = LMC-N4B = ESO 085-9
04 52 10.2  -66 54 27; Dor
Size 1.1'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): faint, small, low surface brightness glow, ~45" diameter, surrounds a faint star (mag 14.5-14.8).  Located just 1' NNE of brighter NGC 1714 and 1.3' NE of a mag 11 star in the NW portion of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1715 = h2687 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "vF, the N.f. of two [with NGC 1714 = h2686]."  On his last of three observations, he recorded "eF, R, pL, the 2nd of two [with NGC 1714], making a lozenge with the other, and two stars."
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NGC 1716 = ESO 552-034 = MCG -03-13-038 = PGC 16434
04 58 13.3  -20 21 49; Lep
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2.5' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1716 = h2681 on 11 Dec 1835.  He described it as "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"."  His position is about 1' E of ESO 552-034 = PGC 16434.
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NGC 1717
04 59 12  -00 15; Ori

= * or possibly = NGC 1709, Corwin.  = NGC 1719, Sulentic.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1717 on 15 Jan 1849 while observing the presumed field of h340 [= NGC 1719].  In the 1861 LdR publication, the description for h340 simply notes a "nova" near (2 observations claimed) and John Herschel added a single LdR nova to the GC.  In the 1880 monograph, the description states "3 vF nebulae" and a very small diagram shows 3 nebulae (no arrow for west), two separated by 3.5' and a third separated by 10' from the larger of the pair.  But only a single nebula was found again in 3 subsequent observations of NGC 1719 at Birr Castle.

While preparing the 1880 monograph, Dreyer added the note (in brackets) "The two upper ones are probably h339 & 340 [NGC 1709 & 1713]" and noted the third "nebula" could possibly be a mag 13-14 star recorded by d'Arrest 4.7 sec preceding and 80" north of NGC 1719.  A mag 13 star is at d'Arrest's exact offset from NGC 1719 and the UGC notes section equates NGC 1717 with this star.  RNGC equates NGC 1717 with NGC 1719 and MCG labels NGC 1719 as NGC 1717.

Yann Pothier suggests the 3 nebulae in the sketch are NGC 1709, NGC 1713 (the closer pair) and the third nebula is CGCG 394-056.  Assuming west is to the left on the diagram, these three galaxies are a pretty good match, though CGCG 394-055 is just 1.4' from -056, so is another possibility.  A visual observation might help decide.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 1718 = ESO 085-10 = S-L 65
04 52 25.8  -67 03 07; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appeared at 128x as a fairly faint, round, 1' diameter, well-defined knot with no resolution.  A mag 14 star is 1' SSE of center.  Located 8' SSE of NGC 1714 and 6' N of a mag 9 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1718 = h2688 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, R, bM." On his 3rd of 3 sweeps he logged "pF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 60"."  His positions are excellent.
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NGC 1719 = UGC 3226 = MCG +00-13-060 = CGCG 394-063 = Holm 83a = LGG 120-026 = PGC 16501
04 59 34.4  -00 15 38; Ori
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 102°

24" (1/28/17): at 225x; moderately bright, fairly small, contains a very small bright core with very low surface brightness extensions, ~40"x15".  A mag 15 star is superimposed on the southwest side ~15" from center.  Located 11' SW of mag 8.1 HD 32024.

CGCG 394-064 lies 6.8' NNE of NGC 1719 within a group of stars.  It appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 25"x12", low surface brightness.  CGCG 394-064 forms a close pair with LEDA 1150545 1.7' W.  This galaxy was extremely faint (V = 16.0) and small, round, 10" diameter.  It required averted to glimpse and only occasionally popped.  Located 1.3' SE of a mag 10.7 star.

17.5" (2/22/03): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.2', faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is superimposed on the southwest edge.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' NW.

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W.  A mag 14.5 star is at the west end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1719 = h340 on 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107) and reported "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a B * N.f.; the fol of 2 [with NGC 1713]."  Although his position is given as uncertain, it is just 1.7' WNW of UGC 3226 = PGC 16501.  Heinrich d'Arrest's position (used in the NGC) is only 40" N.  MCG identifies this galaxy as NGC 1717 = NGC 1719, but NGC 1717 is either a star or it is NGC 1709 according to Corwin.
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NGC 1720 = MCG -01-13-041 = PGC 16485
04 59 20.5  -07 51 32; Eri
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 95°

24" (1/25/22): at 327x; fairly bright and large, oval 4:3 E-W, over 1' diameter, brighter bar along the major axis (E-W).  Forms a pair with NGC 1726 7' NE. A mag 8 star (HD 31921) is 5' N. IC 398 is 17' WNW.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated E-W.  Forms a pair with NGC 1726 7' NE.  Located 4.8' S of mag 8.1 SAO 131659.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1720 on 30 Dec 1861 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 3 nights) and descriptions matches MCG -01-13-041 = PGC 16485.  The RNGC RA is 26 seconds too small.

Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector, NGC 1720 was described in the 1935 bulletin as a "spiral in the form of an "S", the central being spindle-lie, 3/4' x 1/4' E 90°, with a pF almost stellar nucleus; there is a slight condensation in the preceding arm and distinct [dust] absorption in the following arm."
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NGC 1721 = MCG -02-13-027 = VV 699 NED1 = KTS 28A = PGC 16484
04 59 17.4  -11 07 08; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 2.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 120°

24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~45"x30".  Contains a small, bright irregular core.  A mag 14 star is 0.8' NE of center.  First in a close trio (KTS 28) with NGC 1725 and 1728.

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 14 star is off the NE side 1' from the center.  In a close trio with NGC 1725 1.6' SE and NGC 1728 2.5' ESE.  In addtion, NGC 1723 lies 8.5' NNE.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1721 = Sw. 3-32, along with NGC 1725 and 1728, on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory.  In Sidereal Messenger, volume 5, he described "three small novae close together; difficult; rather faint, all three probably elongated north and south.  A good many stars in field.  It requires considerable power to make these nebulae out distinctly, a power of 120 on the 6-inch is about the lowest with which they can be seen.

Lewis Swift observed the trio a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them as new in his third discovery list, which was published in 1886!  Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery and document their correspondence.  Swift acknowledged Barnard's prior discovery in the errata to his 5th list.  Dreyer credited both Barnard and Swift in the NGC, despite Swift's mistae.
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NGC 1722 = LMC-N79 = ESO 056-012 = LH 1
04 51 43  -69 23 54; Dor

25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 187x; unfiltered this is an unimpressive 2' patch with a few resolved stars and dominated by IC 2111 (N79A), a bright 15" knot with a stellar point (N79B) attached at its NE end.  A mag 12 star lies ~0.5' SW of IC 2111, a mag 10.7 star (blue supergiant HD 268718) is 2' SSE and mag 8.5 HD 31722 is 3' ESE.

There was an strong response to a NPB filter: high surface brightness IC 2111 brightened significantly and the attached stellar knot N79B had an excellent filter response.  In addition, a 30" diffuse patch of nebulosity (MCELS L-24) was evident 1' S of IC 2111 and immediately SE of the mag 10.7 star.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1722 is part a small group of LMC clusters with nebulosity (N79) including NGC 1712 and NGC 1727.  At 128x it appeared as a fairly faint, irregular hazy region with a few resolved stars and highlighted by IC 2111, a small, bright knot.  The nebulosity has a good response to the UHC filter.  Located 4' SW of NGC 1727.  This is a very young open cluster with an unevolved main sequence and forms the eastern component of stellar association LH 2.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the second of a trio of LMC clusters and nebulosity at 128x and UHC filter.  At the core is a small, bright 15" knot = IC 2111 and surrounding this is a larger 2'-3' group of faint haze and some stars.  NGC 1727 lies 4.5' NE and NGC 1712 3.9' SW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1722 = D 112 (or D 111) = h2689 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described D 112 as a "double nebula, 15 seconds distant, 15" diameter."  The next object in the drift was placed 15 seconds following and 5' north, which is a very good match with NGC 1727.

John Herschel made three observations (first on 3 Nov 1834, sweep 509).  On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he called it "The second of a series of clustering patches."  Herschel didn't reference Dunlop's possible earlier observation due to his poor reduced position.

Joseph Turner observed and sketched NGC 1722 on 13 Nov 1876 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope, though he misidentified the field (NGC 1722 was assumed to be NGC 1743).  His sketch, published as Plate III, figure 22 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne", shows a very elongated, curvy nebulosity oriented N-S with two or three stars in a line near the center and two more at each end.

NGC 1722 is plotted as an planetary nebula on the Planetary on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the first edition of the Sky Atlas 2000.0, because Fleming identified IC 2111's spectrum  as class P = planetary.
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NGC 1723 = MCG -02-13-029 = PGC 16493
04 59 25.8  -10 58 51; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, moderately large, well concentrated with a bright elongated core or bar oriented E-W that increases to a small, rounder nucleus.  The halo is much fainter and elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~1.8'x0.9'.  The galaxy is bracketed by mag 10 stars 2' N and 2.9' E, with a mag 11 star 1.4' S.  The triplet NGC 1721, 1725 and 1728 lies 9' S.

17.5" (12/3/88): brightest in a group with a trio NGC 1721, NGC 1725 and NGC 1728 about 8' S.  Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Sandwiched between a mag 10 star 2.0' NNW and a mag 11 star 1.3' S.  An additional mag 10 star lies 2.9' due east.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1723 = T. 5-3 on 12 Jan 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported "Class III. Situated between two stars 9-10m, which form a triangle with a third."  Tempel's micrometric position is very accurate.

E.E. Barnard independently found NGC 1723 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University, along with the trio NGC 1723, 1725 and 1728 to the south.  His position in Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5 (page 25) was 30 seconds of RA too far east. Swift notified Barnard that this "nebula" was discovered earlier by Tempel.
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NGC 1724 = OCL-405 = Lund 1121
05 03 33  +49 29 30; Aur
Size 1'

18" (3/19/04): this asterism consists of only a trio of mag 11-12 stars at separations of 21" and 29".  Located 5' WSW of mag 8.4 HD 32212.  A few other mag 8-9 stars are in the same field.  Also a chain of 5 mag 12-13 stars is located ~7' E and is certainly more distinctive than this trio of stars.

George Rümker discovered NGC 1724 (his only NGC "discovery") on 30 Apr 1864 while observing stars for the Hamburg catalogue with a 10-cm meridian-circle refractor by Fraunhofer.  Rümker marked a "nebula" on the Hamburg star catalogue and his position corresponds with a small trio of mag 11/12 stars at a central position of 05 03 33 +49 29.5 (2000).  Auwers couldn't find Rumker's nebula and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, described NGC 1724 as "3 pF st; BD +49d1292 nff."  Lynga considered it a doubtful OC (OCL-405) and RNGC classified this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 1725 = MCG -02-13-028 = VV 699 NED2 = KTS 28B = PGC 16488
04 59 22.9  -11 07 56; Eri
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, well concentrated with a very small bright core.  Initially logged as 25" diameter, but the low surface brightness halo increases in size to 35"-40".  Squeezed between NGC 1721 1.6' NW and NGC 1728 1.3' NE.

17.5" (12/3/88): second of three in a close trio.  Faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located midway between NGC 1721 1.6' NW and NGC 1728 1.3' NE.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1725 = Sw. 3-33, along with NGC 1721 and 1728, on 10 Nov 1885 at Nashville with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (see description under NGC 1721).

Lewis Swift observed the trio a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them as new again in his third discovery list, published in 1886!  Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery and Swift noted this trio was previously discovered by Barnard in the errata to his 5th list. Sherburne Burnham's corrected RA (Publications of Lick Observatory, II) is accurate.
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NGC 1726 = MCG -01-13-042 = PGC 16508
04 59 41.9  -07 45 19; Eri
V = 11.7;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 0°

24" (1/25/22): at 327x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0'x0.8', strong concentration with a relatively small, very bright nucleus. A mag 12 star is off the S edge.  Forms a nice pair with NGC 1720 8' SW. Two mag 8-8.5 stars 5' SE and 6' WSW form a trapezoidal outline with the two galaxies.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, small, compact, small bright core, slightly elongated.  A mag 12 star is just off the south edge 0.8' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1720 7' SW.  Located 4.8' ENE of mag 8.1 SAO 131659.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1726 = h341 on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), noting "F; R; about 30" north of a *13 m."
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NGC 1727 = LMC-N79E = ESO 056-014 = S-L 67 = LH 2
04 52 11.5  -69 20 13; Dor
V = 11.1;  Size 2.8'x2.0'

25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): fairly large (up to 4' diameter with NPB filter) and bright nebulous cluster (N79E) with a couple of brighter patches.  Roughly a dozen stars were resolved (LH 2) unfiltered in the main group at 318x, along with one of the SE side and one at the W side. There was a strong response to a NPB filter at 187x.  The main glow appeared elongated E-W and roughly oval.

On the west side is a brighter patch (N79C) about 45" diameter with a mag 14.4 central star unfiltered. This gives NGC 1727 a sharper edge along the southeast side.

Unfiltered, indistinct faint haze surrounding a single 14th mag star is barely off the SE end.  Adding a NPB filter, it appeared as a fairly well defined, bright circular glow (N79D) about 1' diameter.  N79E, N79C and N79D were encompassed within a very irregular contiguous glow.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, irregular patch, ~2.5'x1.5', with at least a half-dozen mag 13 stars resolved.  This LMC cluster with nebulosity (N79E) responded well to a UHC filter at 128x.  The western section is catalogued as N79C.  A small extension was visible to the southeast consisting of cluster KMHK 187 (no stars were resolved with filter) and emission nebula N79D, increasing the size to ~3.5'x1.5'.  NGC 1727 is in a group with NGC 1722 4' SW and NGC 1712 7.5' SW. Located 4' N of mag 8.5 HD 31722.  This is a very young cluster or association (LH 2) with an unevolved main sequence similar to nearby NGC 1722.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x and UHC filter this is a fairly large elongated patch of nebulosity, ~3.5' diameter with a group of mag 12-13 stars superimposed.  A smaller detached piece of nebulous haze (N79D), ~1' diameter, is close southeast.  This is the 3rd (and 4th) in a chain of objects with NGC 1722 4.5' SW and NGC 1712 8' SW.  A mag 8.5 star (HD 31722) is 4' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1727 = D 113 = h2690 on  24 Sep 1826.   He described D 113 as a "small faint nebula, oval, 12" or 15" diameter" and placed it 15 seconds of time following and 5' N (in his handwritten drift log) of D 112 = NGC 1712/1722.  This is a good match with NGC 1727, although his reduced position is off by nearly 20'.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1727 = h2690 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509).  He noted "a rather poor irreg R cluster. (Sky Hazy)".  In Dec 1834 (sweep 523) he recorded "A cluster, pB, pmE, 3' l, 90" br; stars 12m"

Joseph Turner observed and sketched NGC 1727 on 13 Nov 1876 with the 48" GMT, though he misidentified the field (NGC 1727 was assumed to be NGC 1745).  His sketch, published as Plate III, figure 22 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne", shows an irregular, elongated E-W nebula with roughly 10 stars involved.  The sketch also shows a small, round nebula to the SE of NGC 1727, which is LMC-N79D.
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NGC 1728 = MCG -02-13-030 = VV 699 NED3 = KTS 28C = PGC 16495
04 59 27.7  -11 07 22; Eri
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 177°

24" (12/28/13): moderately to fairly bright, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.2', sharp concentration with a small bright core and bright stellar nucleus.  Third in a close trio (KTS 28) with NGC 1721 and 1725.  MCG -02-13-031, a very thin edge-on, lies 9.5' SSE and NGC 1725, a barred spiral, lies 8.5' N.

17.5" (12/3/88): last of a trio with NGC 1725 1.3' SW and NGC 1725 2.5' W.  Fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, small bright core.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1728 = Sw. 3-34, along with NGC 1721 and 1725, on 10 Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory.  See historical notes for NGC 1721.
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NGC 1729 = MCG -01-13-043 = LGG 123-003 = PGC 16529
05 00 15.5  -03 21 06; Ori
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 30°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE.  A mag 11 star is close off the east end 1.0' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.1' N of center. Member of the NGC 1700 group (LGG 123).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1729 = H. III-503 = Sw. 6-22 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "vF, pL, sp 2 pB stars, equilateral triangle.  Its nebulosity reaches the two stars."  His position and description is accurate.

Édouard Stephan observed it on 18 Dec 1873 and 1 Dec 1875 and Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 20 Nov 1886.  Swift reported it as new in his 6th discovery list, #22 and wrote, "eeeF; pS; R; pF * nr foll; [NGC 1740] in field."
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NGC 1730 = IC 2113 = MCG -03-13-043 = PGC 16499
04 59 31.8  -15 49 25; Lep
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 94°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W.  There is possibly an extremely faint star at the east end [verified on DSS].  Forms an obtuse angle with mag 8.7 SAO 150054 5' NW and mag 9.0 SAO 150066 7' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1730 = LM 1-141 = LM 1-142 = Sw. 5-66 on 12 Nov 1885.  Leavenworth called it a double nebula with separation 10" in PA 110°, but there is only a single galaxy with a faint star superimposed.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is accurate in declination and a good match in RA.  Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 9 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in his 5th list with a very accurate position (used in the NGC).  Frank Muller noted the equivalence of Swift's and Leavenworth's nebula in a Sidereal Messenger article (Feb 1887).  Muller listed nebulae from Swift's 5th catalogue which had been discovered previously.  As a result, Dreyer only assigned a single NGC designation.  But apparently Barnard found the galaxy again and notified Dreyer directly and it was catalogued again as IC 2113. Barnard's position is nearly identical to Swift's so Dreyer simply missed the earlier discovery.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1731 = ESO 085-012 = S-L 82 = LMC-N4D = LH 4
04 53 29.5  -66 55 30; Dor
V = 9.9;  Size 8'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this is a large region of nebulosity (N4, a confirmed supernova remnant) and scattered stars (association LH 4), 6'-7' diameter.  The double star HJ 3710 = 10.7/12.7 at 12" is involved on the east side, along with a number of fainter stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1731 = h2691 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "a double star, the chief of a pretty rich, pretty large cluster of loosely scattered stars, little compressed to the middle; 8'; stars 11..15th mag." On a second sweep he called it "a poor loose cluster 8' diameter, stars 10..15th mag, chief double star taken." and on his third and last sweep, "a double star, the chief of a poor loose cluster 3 or 4' diameter."
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NGC 1732 = ESO 056-017 = S-L 77
04 53 11  -68 39 00; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 0.9'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, very small, 20"-24" diameter.  At first glance looks like a double star oriented NW-SE embedded in some surrounding haze. But with a careful examination one of the "stars" is clearly bloated (perhaps has very close companions) and appears as a very small high surface brightness glow.  NGC 1734 lies 7.3' SSE.

LMC Supernova remnant N86 lies 14' E.   This observation is from the 2017 OzSky star party:
25" (10/17/17): at 244x; this LMC supernova remnant appeared unfiltered as a large, low surface brightness hazy region, just south of a mag 11.8 star.  A couple of 14th mag stars appear involved with the haze.  This mag 11.8 star forms the eastern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 11.5 star 5.6' NW and a mag 10.0 star 6' SW.  There was a weak contrast gain adding a NPB filter, with the most evident section ~1' diameter [centered 1.2' S of the mag 11.8 star] and slightly brighter on the east side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1732 = h2694 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "a small double star first class [HJ 3712] in centre of a S, R, nebula."  Joseph Turner made a sketch with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate II, figure 19) showing a double star within a small patch of nebulosity.  Robert Innes also observed NGC 1732 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. Innes called it a "5 arc second double star in the foci of an elliptical nebula."
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NGC 1733 = ESO 085-013 = S-L 85
04 54 04.9  -66 40 57; Dor
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appeared as a round knot, ~25" diameter with a fairly even surface brightness.  Easy to locate as it is situated just 3.4' E of mag 6.5 HD 31754 on the NW side of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1733 = h2693 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "eF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40". A very starry field follows this, and hereabouts may be said to commence the denser part of the Nubecula Major."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1734 = ESO 056-018 = S-L 83
04 53 34  -68 46 06; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly large, 1' diameter, very irregular shape, mottled.  At 200x, a couple of extremely faint mag 16 stars were resolved at the edges.  NGC 1732 lies 7.3' NNW.

In addition, I logged three clusters not plotted on the Morel Atlas: KMHK 193 4.7' WSW, KMHK 189 6.9' SW and S-L 75 9.7' SSW.  The S-L cluster was brighter and larger than many NGC objects in the LMC.  At 200x it appeared moderately bright and large, round, 45"-50" diameter, broad concentration, no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1734 = h2695 on 23 Dec 1834 and described as "pB, L, R, gradually much brighter middle".  His position matches this LMC cluster.
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NGC 1735 = ESO 085-15 - S-L 86
04 54 20.2  -67 06 04; Dor
V = 10.8;  Size 1.8'x1.5'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this LMC cluster appeared as a very elongated, very knotty string, ~1.2' in length and consisting of several mag 12-14 stars in a tight chain.  The non-stellar "core" is a multiple star (HDE 268671) at the southeast end. NGC 1747 is 6.5' SE and NGC 1731 12' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1735 = h2696 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, vS, R; has two or three stars appended."  On a later sweep he called it "pB,S, R; has two stars appended forming an arc with the nebula."

Joseph Turner sketched the cluster on 13 Nov 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 20 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").  Turner called the nebula faint and at times sparkling, possbily caused by the presence of three stars.
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NGC 1736 = LMC-N8 = ESO 056-16
04 53 03  -68 03 10; Dor
Size 1.8'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this is a bright, relatively large, crescent-shaped nebulosity involving 4 stars, ~1.2'x0.8', stretching NNW to SSE.  On the east side, four stars were resolved in an 0.8' curving arc that followed the shape of the nebula!  The two brighter mag 13.5 stars are on the south end of the string and two mag 14.5 and 15 stars are just north (the star at the S end is an O6.5V-type blue supergiant).  In addition, a couple of very faint stars are off the southwest side.  I didn't compare the view using a filter, though this object is predominantly an emission nebula.  Located ~9' E of a 2' pair of bright stars: mag 6.8 HD 31532 and mag 8.4 HD 31576.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1736 = h2697 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "B; R; resolvable" on his single observation.  There is nothing at his position, but Robert Innes suggested h2697 was probably identical to a "nebulous patch north-preceding a 12 mag star", located 1 min of RA west of Herschel's position.

Karl Henize (Catalogues of Hydrogen Alpha Emission Stars and Nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds, ApJS 2, 1956, p315), also noted N8 is "Probably NGC 1736. The NGC description suits the object but the position is 1 minute in error." He reported, "1.4' east-west and 1.9' north-south. It has a slightly irregular outline, is not elongated and has appreciable structure. Two 12.8 mag exciting stars are involved."  Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), repeated the "NGC position in error and should be 1m [West] where there is a bright round patch of nebulosity not listed in the NGC. This is Henize N8 and noted by Henize to be probably NGC 1736 with 1m error."  Herschel caught several typos of this type and corrected them in an errata list, but missed this one.

Joseph Turner observed and sketch this object on 11 Nov 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 21 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae..." . In 1885 Baracchi noted, "Small, round, bright, about 20"; edge rather ill-defined, not sharp; sparkling at times; may be a little cluster, but could not make certain with any power."
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NGC 1737 = ESO 056-20 = LMC-N83C = DEM 22a
04 53 57.8  -69 10 28; Dor
V = 13.2;  Size 0.8'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; fairly faint, moderately large, round glow (emission nebula N83C), ~0.9' diameter.  A mag 14.4 star is at the center of the circular patch.  NGC 1737 is on the northwest side of an impressive complex of nebulae with NGC 1743 1.8' SE and NGC 1748 2.4' E.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appears as fairly faint nebulous patch centered ~1.8' NNW of the core of NGC 1743 and appears nearly connected.  The outline is irregular and roughly 45" diameter with a couple of mag 14 stars involved on the south side.  Within an impressive complex of nebulosity (N83 and association LH 5) with NGC 1745 and NGC 1748 as well as cluster NGC 1756.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1737 = h2698 0n 11 Nov 1836 and recorded "very faint, small; the first of a trapezium of four nebulae.  Place estimated from those of the second and fourth." The four objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and NGC 1748.

Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22).  Turner commented "This is a most difficult group to identify, as it bears no resemblance to Herschel's description, and but for its position, which has been several times verified, I should very much doubt whether these were the objects at all. There are no other nebulous patches near, and H. says these four form a sort of trapezium, so that these must be the objects sought; but they must have altered greatly since H.'s time..."

The object taken as NGC 1737 is BSDL 104 (at the east edge of NGC 1712).  Pietro Baracchi correctly identified and sketched the field on 13 Nov 1884.
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NGC 1738 = ESO 552-049 = MCG -03-13-054 = PGC 16585
05 01 46.7  -18 09 28; Lep
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 38°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, even surface brightness.  Contact pair with NGC 1739 at the S end [separation 36" between centers].

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1738 = LM 1-143 (along with NGC 1739 = LM 1-144) on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 minute of RA west of ESO 552-049.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1739 = ESO 552-050 = MCG -03-13-055 = PGC 16586
05 01 47.4  -18 10 02; Lep
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 105°

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, round.  Attached at the south end of NGC 1738 [separation 36" between centers].

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1739 = LM 1-144 (along with NGC 1738 = LM 1-143) on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 minute of RA west of ESO 552-049.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1740 = MCG -01-13-046 = Holm 84a = PGC 16589
05 01 54.8  -03 17 47; Ori
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 125°

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, oval SW-NE, small bright core.  A mag 12 star is at the SW edge 0.5' from center.  NGC 1753 lies 10' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1740 = h342 on 11 Feb 1830 (sweep 233) and wrote, "eF; S; 4"; has a * 12m N.f."  His position is just off the east side of MCG -01-13-046 = PGC 16589, although the star is southwest.

While searching for NGC 1788 on 28 Dec 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope, Baracchi found this galaxy instead (based on his sketch) and questioned if it was GC 1005 (NGC 1788).  He called it "vF; vS; R; gradually very little brighter middle; ill defined."
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NGC 1741 = NGC 1741A = HCG 31A = Arp 259 NED4 = VV 524 NED4 = VV 565 NED4 = MCG -01-13-045 = LGG 123-005 = PGC 16574
05 01 38.7  -04 15 34; Eri
V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 70°

48" (11/2/13): NGC 1741 = HCG 31A/C is a merging system with intense star formation.  HCG 31C, the western component, appeared fairly bright, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~18"x9".  HCG 31A, which is attached or merged near the southeast side of HCG 31C, appeared moderately bright, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 20"x10".  A mag 12 star is less than 1' SE.  The seeing was too soft to detect the low surface brightness plume to the NE of HCG 31A.  HCG 31B, just 45" SW, appeared fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~24"x8", with no central brightening.  HCG 31D, situated 40" W, is by the far the faintest member (V = 17.8 at a distance of over 1 billion l.y.). It appeared as an extremely faint and small knot, round, 6" diameter.  Finally, IC 399 = Mrk 1090 lies 2.3' SE and is interacting with the group.

17.5" (2/8/97): brightest in HCG 31 (merged system with HCG 31C).  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W after extended viewing, bright core.  Located 0.9' NW of a mag 12 star.  NGC 1741 has an irregular appearance and is intermittently partially resolved with a faint "knot" = HCG 31C visible with concentration at the west end.  IC 399, located 2.3' SE, is not considered as part of HCG 31 though it is a group member (similar reshift as HCG 31A, 31B and 31C).  HCG 31 is part of the large NGC 1700 group (LGG 123).

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round.  A mag 12 star is 0.9' SE of center.  This is a double system and brightest in HCG 31. IC 399 lies 2.3' SE (not seen).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1741 = St. 9-5 on 29 Dec 1877.  He reduced the position a week later (6 Jan 1878) and published it in his 9th discovery list (#5).  Stephan's micrometric position matches Hickson 31A (irregular double system).
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NGC 1742 = Holm 84b
05 02 00.4  -03 17 14; Ori

= * 1' NE of NGC 1740, Corwin.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 1742 on 29 Dec 1866 during an observation of GC 965 = NGC 1740.  He described this object as "vF, vS" and placed it 3.6 sec east and 25" north of NGC 1740.  Ball's position corresponds to a star at 5 02 00.4 -03 17 15 (2000).  The RNGC misidentifies NGC 1742 by calling it equal to NGC 1740.
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NGC 1743 = LMC-N83A = ESO 056-21 = S-L 87
04 54 03.2  -69 11 57; Dor
V = 11.3;  Size 2.2'x1.2'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; extremely bright, fairly large, irregular, extends ~1.5' NW-SE.  The most prominent section has a very high surface brightness and contains a mag 12.3 ionizing star (06-type SK -69°25).  This knot is surrounded by a fainter halo to the SE and E, along with an extension towards the NW that ends just south of NGC 1737, which is nearly connected.  HD 268757, an LMC mag 10.2 yellow G8-type supergiant, is off the SE end. NGC 1743 is brightest part of the nebulous complex N83 with NGC 1748 ~2' NE, NGC 1745 3' NE, NGC 1737 2' NW and NGC 1756 5' SE.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): brightest section of an excellent HII/cluster complex including NGC 1737, 1745, 1748 and 1756.  At 200x, NGC 1743 appeared very bright, moderately large, ~50" diameter.  Contains a very high surface brightness "core" with a fairly bright star involved.  A larger "halo" extends mostly north and roughly doubles the size to ~1.7'.  NGC 1737, a faint extension with a couple of stars involved, is 1.8' NNW.  NGC 1743 and NGC 1748 (a bright high surface brightness knot 2' NE) are embedded within a very large, irregular, low surface brightness haze extending ~3' (stellar association LH 5 and emission nebula N83), oriented roughly from NGC 1743 on the SW side to NGC 1745 on the NE end.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1743 = D 114 = h2699 on 3 Aug 1826.  Based on two observations, he described "a small round nebula, about 20" diameter, bright at the centre."  His notebook description from 3 Aug adds the following information: "A star of the 7th or 8th mag following and 5' south - both the nebula and star are in a pretty large faint nebula of considerable extended - extended following with several minute stars in it."  This description applies very well to NGC 1727, which has a mag 8.5 star (HD 31722) 4' SE and is situated 14' SSW of Dunlop's position.  Perhaps this is the intended object instead?

John Herschel recorded this object on 3 Nov 1834 (509) as "round, gradually brighter in the middle; 2' (thick haze)."  On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he called it "bright, round, resolvable; No. 2 in a group of four forming a sort of lozenge." The four objects he referred to are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748.

Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22).  The object taken as NGC 1743, and drawn as a very elongated, curvy nebulosity oriented N-S, is actually NGC 1722.

Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884.  His sketch shows NGC 1743 in two sections; the northern part elongated NW-SE and ending near NGC 1737 and the southern part with a comet-like appearance surrounding the 06-type star SK -69°25.  In a short report by Ellery in The Observatory, 9, 204, he mentions that NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748 appeared to show distinct differences, not only since John Herschel's time, but between Turner's and Baracchi's observations, though this is due to the confusion in the field. 

Williamina Fleming classified the HII region (HD 31947) as similar to a planetary nebula based on spectrum plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station in 1897.  NGC 1743 was misclassified as an planetary nebula on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the first edition of the Sky Atlas 2000.0.
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NGC 1744 = ESO 486-005 = MCG -04-12-029 = PGC 16517
04 59 57.6  -26 01 19; Lep
V = 11.1;  Size 8.1'x4.4';  Surf Br = 14.9;  PA = 168°

13.1" (1/18/85): weak central brightening.  A faint double star at 20" separation is at the north edge.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 5'x2', fairly even surface brightness.  Two mag 14 stars are at the north edge 2.5' from the center with a total of three or four faint stars superimposed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1744 = h2692 and called "vF, vL, vmE, very gradually very little brighter middle, 4' long, 2.5' broad."  His position is ~35 sec of RA too far east, but the identification is certain based on the description.

Joseph Turner sketched this galaxy on 11 Dec 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 23 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...".  He found the nebula much elongated ~N-S, length about 2' 20" and much fainter than expected.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1745 = LMC-N83D
04 54 27  -69 09 34; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x1.0'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): fairly faint but easily visible as an irregular nebulous haze (N83D), fairly large, surrounding a half-dozen stars mag 14 and fainter.  Good contrast gain with a NPB filter at 244x.  In a group of nebulae including compact NGC 1748 1.5' S and NGC 1743 3.5' SW.  SIMBAD lists the brightest star at mag 12.4 at the east edge.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly large nebulosity with a half dozen mag 13.5-14.5 stars involved, ~1' diameter.  Located on the NE side of the NGC 1743 complex (OB association LH 5 and emission nebula N83), ~1.5' N of NGC 1748 and 3' NE of NGC 1743, the two main sections of the complex.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1745 = h2702 on 11 Nov 1836 and logged "faint, small, No 3 in a group of 4. Place estimated from No. 2." The four objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and NGC 1748.

Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22).  The object taken as NGC 1745, and drawn as an irregular, elongated E-W nebula with roughly 10 stars involved, is actually NGC 1722.  Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884.  His sketch seems to show an elongated nebula oriented WSW-ENE.

A small group of stars off the southeast edge of NGC 1743 is misidentified at NGC 1743 on the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.
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NGC 1746 = Cr 57 = Mel 28 = OCL-452
05 03 50  +23 46 12; Tau
Size 42'

17.5" (2/22/87): very bright, very large, large range of magnitudes, spread out overall but locally rich in a few spots.  NGC 1746 comprises two main subgroups - NGC 1750 and NGC 1758 - which are probably separate clusters, along with several mag 7.5-8.5 stars.  NGC 1750 consists of two dozen stars on the south side.  It appears as a fairly large oval oriented NW-SE with a void in the center and includes a nice mag 9.1/9.1 pair at 20".  NGC 1758 is a richer, roundish group of stars close northeast (though probably unrelated physically to NGC 1950) including about two dozen stars.  NGC 1758 is bracketed by two mag 8 stars oriented N-S and a mag 7 star is off the east end.  Includes five mag 13 stars at the east side.

NGC 1746, although often applied to the 40' field that includes NGC 1750 and 1758, may historically be a duplicate of NGC 1750 or just a group of faint field stars noted by d'Arrest while searching for NGC 1750.

13.1" (12/22/84): about 100 stars in 20' field.  The brightest mag 7 star (HD 32461) at the south edge and there are many nearby bright stars.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1746 on 9 Nov 1863 with an 11" refractor while searching for NGC 1750. He described it as a poor cluster.   His position was roughly 10' N of William Herschel's position for VIII-43 (later NGC 1750), though d'Arrest refers to his "cluster" as H. VIII-43.  NGC 1746 is often applied to the entire 40' field including NGC 1750 and 1758.  But Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1746 may just be a duplicate of NGC 1750 or perhaps just a group of stars on the north edge of NGC 1750.  In any case, it is not a separate cluster from NGC 1750 and 1759, although I've retained the position and size often found in observing books and atlases.
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NGC 1747 = LMC-N9 = ESO 085-016 = S-L 98
04 55 11  -67 10 06; Dor
V = 9.4

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x and UHC filter, this LMC nebulous cluster appeared as a fairly large, low surface brightness glow, ~4' diameter encasing HD 32034, a mag 9.7 blue supergiant (brightest in spectral class).  Without the filter the cluster consists of a number of mag 12 and fainter stars that huddle around the bright star.  On the DSS, the emission component (N9) is a nearly complete large bubble of 5'-6' in diameter (open on the NE end) with the bright star in the interior to the southwest of center.  The stellar component is part of association LH 6.  NGC 1735 lies 6.5' NW and NGC 1774 is 17' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1747 = h2701 on 2 Nov 1834 and described as "A star 9th mag in the centre of a poor cluster of very small stars, 4' diameter."
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NGC 1748 = IC 2114 = LMC-N83B = ESO 056-024
04 54 24.7  -69 11 02; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 0.7'x0.6'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; fairly bright round patch (N83B) with a high surface brightness and a diameter of only ~30".  At 397x, a 13th mag "star" (N83B-1) was resolved at the ESE edge.  This star is classified as a high excitation H II blob [HEB] of size 2.8".  According to Iranian-born astronomer Mohammed Heydari-Malayeri, these unusual objects represent "early stages of massive stars emerging from their embryonic molecular clouds".  Unfiltered a second star (mag ~13.5) is involved closer to the center, forming a 7" double with the HEB.  NGC 1748 is in a group of interesting nebulae with NGC 1743 2' SW, NGC 1745 1.5' N and NGC 1737 2.5' WNW.  Also NGC 1756 (a blue populous cluster) is 4' SE.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this HII region (N83B) appeared as a bright, small, high surface bright knot in a striking group of nebulae, 20" diameter.  A couple of stars are involved in the bright glow.  A mag 10.3 star is 1.9' SW.  NGC 1743 lies 2' SW

John Herschel discovered NGC 1748 = h2704 on 11 Nov 1836 and reported "pB, vS, R, No. 4 in a group of 4."  The other three objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745.  According to Harold Corwin, IC 2114 = Fleming 86 = HD 32014, discovered in 1901 by Williamina Fleming on a Harvard objective prism plate taken at the Arequipa station, is probaby the bright knot at the east edge that is classified as a HEB -- or "High Excitation Blob".

Joseph Turner misidentified the field containing NGC 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  His sketch made on 13 Nov 1876 was published in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope from 1869 to 1885. Part I. Melbourne" (Plate III, figure 22).  The object taken as NGC 1748 is LMC-N79D (off the SE edge of NGC 1727) and he mentioned a small star in the center.  Pietro Baracchi correctly identified the field on 13 Nov 1884.  His sketch seems to show a bright center or star and a fainter star on the east edge.
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NGC 1749 = ESO 056-026 = S-L 93
04 54 56.5  -68 11 19; Dor
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): extremely faint, very small glow, ~20" diameter.  Located 2' NW of NGC 1755.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1749 = h2703 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "vF; R; the preceding of two [with NGC 1755] in the field."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1750
05 04 00  +23 38 42; Tau
Size 20'

17.5" (1/19/91): prominent subgroup of two dozen stars within NGC 1746 on the SW side.  Fairly large, oval outline oriented NW-SE, void in the center.  Includes a nice double star 9.1/9.1 at 20".  NGC 1758 is close NE (though probably physically unrelated ).  Modern catalogues apply NGC 1746 to the entire cluster (see description), although NGC 1750 (from William Herschel) and NGC 1746 (from d'Arrest) are either identical or just parts of the same cluster.

13.1": group of fainter stars, just SE of open cluster NGC 1746.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1750 = H. VIII-43, along with NGC 1758, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493).  He described them together as "A cluster of very coarsely scattered large stars, joining to the following [VII 21 = NGC 1758] I believe."  His position indicates NGC 1750 is the large, elongated group of stars centered at 05 03 55 +23 39.5, just SW of NGC 1758.  Although NGC 1750 is generally taken as a subgroup (on the SE side) of much larger NGC 1746, Corwin suggests that Heinrich d'Arrest's NGC 1746, which was found while searching for NGC 1750, is actually a duplicate of NGC 1750.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states that NGC 1750 is the central group in a very large cluster also containing NGC 1746 and NGC 1758.
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NGC 1751 = ESO 056-023 = S-L 89
04 54 12.0  -69 48 27; Men
V = 11.7;  Size 1.7'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1.3' diameter.  Contains a slightly brighter core that is offset from the geometric center and an irregular halo.  Two mag 15-15.5 stars were resolved at the edges and a couple of extremely faint mag 16-16.5 stars were occasionally resolved within the main glow.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1751 = D 78 = h2705 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described "a small faint nebula, about 15" diameter, irregular round figure, with a minute star slightly involved in the south side."  His reduced published position was 12' too far ESE, but his handwritten drift data is fairly consistent with NGC 1795, the next object in the drift.  It was apparently recorded again 3 nights later, along with NGC 1795, and called "faint, ill defined, 30" diameter, with a small star (last part unreadable)."

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1751 = h2705 on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751) and logged "extremely faint, irregularly round; 2' diameter".   His single position is accurate.
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NGC 1752 = MCG -01-13-047 = PGC 16600
05 02 09.4  -08 14 27; Eri
V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 70°

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, even surface brightness.  A pair of mag 11.5 stars are 2' NE (50" separation WNW-ESE) and a fainter mag 12.5 star is 3.8' NE.  Located 10' WSW of mag 7.8 SAO 131718 at the south end of the huge Witch Head Nebula IC 2118.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1752 on 30 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His mean position (measured on 2 nights) and description is accurate
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NGC 1753 = MCG -01-13-048 = PGC 16610
05 02 32.1  -03 20 35; Ori
V = 14.4;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 15°

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, fairly small, low even surface brightness.  A close double star mag 13/15 is 3' SE.  NGC 1740 lies 10' WNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1753 = Sw. 5-67 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position and comment "south of [NGC 1740]" applies to MCG -01-13-048 = PGC 16610, though the direction is ESE.

Pietro Baracchi possibly made an earlier discovery on 28 Dec 1885 and reported "very faint, very small, very little brighter in the middle, indistinct.  He assumed he observed NGC 1740 but his position is 40 seconds of RA due east of this galaxy.
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NGC 1754 = ESO 056-025 = S-L 91
04 54 18  -70 26 30; Men
V = 11.6;  Size 1.6'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness with a relatively thin outer halo, 45" diameter.  Mottled, but unresolved except for a couple of mag 15.5 stars at the edges.  A mag 11 star is just off the southeast side [33" from center].  A mag 10 star (HD 268805) is 3.8' NNW.  NGC 1775 lies 13' E and NGC 1776 is 15' NE.  NGC 1754 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1754 = h2708 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "F, S, R, 20". Has a 13th mag star close to edge (about 45 degrees south-following by diagram)."  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 1755 = ESO 256-028 = S-L 99
04 55 14.7  -68 12 20; Dor
V = 9.7;  Size 2'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, compact cluster, round, 1.5' diameter, brighter core, no resolution.  Forms a pair with much fainter NGC 1749 2' NW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1755 = D 167 = h2706 on 3 Oct 1826, along with D 168 (= NGC 1770).  He described a "pretty bright round well-defined nebula, 15" diameter."  His position was 7' too far west.  He made a second observation on 6 Nov 1826 with his position 6' to the SSE.

John Herschel made a single observation on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "very bright, round, gradually brighter in the middle; 60". The following of two [with NGC 1749] in the field."

Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 1755 and NGC 1749 on 10 Dec 1884 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  His sketch shows NGC 1755 as very mottled with a distinct star at the south edge and another at the northwest edge.  At the same time he discovered S-L 92, an extremely faint cluster 5' SW.  He wrote in his notebook, "Nebula not in Catalogues.  Very faint, a little elongated, no condensation."  The discovery was not published.
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NGC 1756 = ESO 056-27 = S-L 94
04 54 49.7  -69 14 13; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.1'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): fairly bright, relatively large, round, 1' diameter, irregular surface brightness, slightly brighter center but no resolution.  In a striking field with NGC 1748 4' NW and NGC 1743 centered 4.7' WNW.

N90, a compact HII region 3.7' SE, appeared as a small but moderately high surface brightness hazy knot, ~20" diameter.  This object is categorized as a Low Excitation Blob (LEB) with a [O III]/H-beta ratio = 0.65.

S-L 114, located 7' ESE, was resolved at 397x into 4 stars in a knot including a 12th mag star, surrounding by unresolved haze.  A mag 11.5 star is 0.9' SSE.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright cluster, relatively large, round, 1.0' diameter, broad concentration with no nucleus or resolution.  Located ~5' SE of the NGC 1743 HII complex (N83) and stellar association LH 5, which includes NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1756 = h2707 on 11 Nov 1836  and noted "vF, S, R."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1757
05 02 36  -04 43; Eri

= Not found, Corwin and Dreyer.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1757 = h343 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 235) and described a "very large space affected with nebulous streams in zigzags up and down.  (N.B.  Such observations require several verifications.  The opportunity has not occurred in this case.)".  This object was searched for unsuccessfully at Birr Castle on 7 attempts between 1848-1858.  Tempel failed twice, as did Spitaler, and Karl Reinmuth was unsuccessful identifying it on Heidelberg plates.  Harold Corwin concludes it is nonexistent (see his notes for more).
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NGC 1758 = OCL-453 = Lund 150
05 04 33  +23 48 54; Tau
Size 10'

17.5" (1/19/91): about two dozen stars visible at 100x.  Moderately large, roundish group comprising one of the subgroups of NGC 1746 on the east side.  Located between two mag 8 stars (oriented N-S) and a mag 7 star (HD 32575) is close east.  Includes five mag 13 stars at the east side.  The larger NGC 1750 group is close SW also within NGC 1746.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1758 = H. VII-21, along with NGC 1750, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493). He described "a cluster of pretty compressed stars with many extremely small stars mixed with them."  Auwers' re-reduced position places H. VII-21 at 05 04 24 +23 48, matching this 10' group of stars.

A 1992 article "Probable open clusters NGC 1750 and NGC 1758 behind the Taurus dark clouds" (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1992BaltA...1..125S0) concludes that NGC 1758 and NGC 1750 may be true open clusters are different distances and a 1999 article (http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1002118814371?LI=true) arrives at the same conclusion.  Another 1998 article "The Overlapping Clusters NGC 1750 and NGC 1758" in A&AS, 333, 471 concluded there was at least 1 cluster in the area (but could not determine if it was a double cluster), though NGC 1746 was not a cluster.  Finally, in a Feb 2005 S&T article, James Kaler states that "N1750 and N1758 are probably two different clusters separated along our line of sight by 500 light years, but they appear to fall almost directly atop each other"
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NGC 1759 = ESO 305-001 = MCG -06-12-001 = PGC 16547
05 00 49.0  -38 40 27; Cae
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7

18" (1/17/09): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Not seen initially (confused a close double star as nebulous) until I carefully checked the position.  This galaxy is the brightest member of AGC 3301 and the only one viewed at a very low elevation (9 degrees).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1759 = h2700 on 28 Nov 1837 and called "vF; pL very gradually little brighter middle; 90"."  His position is 2' S of ESO 305-001 = PGC 16547.
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NGC 1760 = LMC-N11F = ESO 085-19 = LH 9
04 56 36  -66 31 36; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 2'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): appears as a 1.7' E-W string of a half-dozen stars over fairly bright nebulosity.  The emission haze is brightest just south of the string and extending to the west of the string a couple of arc minutes.  Irregular nebulosity also branches out to the south of the string for another 2' and involves a mag 12 star.  Another 2' string of N-S stars is on the west side of the haze.

NGC 1760 is at the SW end of a stunning complex (N11) of clusters and nebulosity including NGC 1763 = Bean Nebula, a showpiece nebula and cluster centered 7' NE; NGC 1761, a larger cluster and nebulosity just 3' N; NGC 1769, a bright emission nebula 8' NE; along with NGC 1773, NGC 1776 and IC 2115.  Lucke and Hodge assigned NGC 1760 and 1761 to the stellar association LH 9.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 1' strip of nebulosity just 3' S of NGC 1761. One or two involved stars were barely resolved.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1760 = h2709 on 20 Dec 1835 and described "a very faint, small nebula, with three very small stars involved.  Place deduced not from a sweep but from a drawing carefully made of its configuration with the neighbouring nebula, especially of the cluster [NGC 1761]."  Steinicke attributes James Dunlop with the discovery (D 231), but I don't believe this group of stars is obvious enough to have been picked up with his 9" speculum reflector.

Joseph Turner sketched the entire complex with the 48" GMT between 17 and 21 Apr 1879 (plate III, figure 24 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope".  Turner's sketch shows the E-W string of stars but a round nebula to the SW, matching the position of LMC-N11I, is identified as NGC 1760.  In November 1884, Baracchi wrote, "Very faint, small, roundish, three stars in it, 16th or 17th magnitude. Agrees exactly with H[erschel]. and T[urner]. No stars in the field. Three stars involved are not shown distinctly in the lithograph. They really appear as three distinct stars involved in very faint roundish nebula, whereas lithograph shows bright nebula with stars too diffused and uncertain."  His sketch identifies GC 979 as the elongated strip just south of NGC 1771 with 3 embedded stars. 
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NGC 1761 = ESO 085-18 = S-L 122 = LH 9
04 56 38  -66 28 42; Dor
V = 9.9;  Size 4.2'x3.0'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large cluster sandwiched between the showpiece Bean Nebula (NGC 1763) to the north and NGC 1760 to the south.  The cluster contains roughly 80 stars mag 11 to 16 in a 3.5' irregularly shaped group over some background haze.  The stars are fairly even distributed except for a detached 1.3' group of 10-12 stars off the NW side.  Including this detached section, the overall size of this star cloud (association LH 9) is 5'x3.5' and it is the central cluster in the N11 Superbubble. The visually brightest stars in LH 9 are late-O-type supergiants.

On the northwest side of the main cluster is HD 32228 = Brey 9, a compact knot containing at least 16 early-type stars including a Wolf-Rayet star (type WC5 with dominant carbon emission) and an O9-type star.  Visually I noted Brey 9 as a close bright double star (HJ 3716 = 11.7/12.4 at 5").

25" (4/4/19): at 244x; Brey 9 was a fairly bright compact knot on the northwest side of NGC 1761. It had a high surface brightness and ~5" diameter.  A faint star was attached at the edge forming a "double".

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this rich group of very faint stars is located just south of the HII region/cluster NGC 1763.  On the west side is a quasi-stellar mag 10 object and the cluster is elongated E-W, 2'x1'.  On the west side of the brighter star is another small group of faint stars and haze that may be a continuation of the cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1761 = D 231 = h2710, along with NGC 1763 and NGC 1769, on 3 Aug 1826.  He called it "a faint round nebula, 1' diameter" in a trio with D 230 = NGC 1763 and D 232 = NGC 1769.  His positions for the trio are ~15' too far south (correct in RA).   D 227, 228 and 229, recorded on 6 Nov and also described as a triangle of nebulae, may be another observation of NGC 1761, 1763 and 1769. Their positions was ~30' to the NW.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1761 on 11 Dec 1835 (sweep 653) and recorded the "chief star 9th mag in a large loose cluster." He made 3 observations and included it on a sketch (Plate III, fig 3), along with NGC 1760, 1763 and 1769.  Joseph Turner sketched the entire complex as well in Apr 1879 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  NGC 1761 is shown as an irregular nebulous patch elongated E-W with a number of stars superimposed, particularly around the edges.

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NGC 1762 = UGC 3238 = MCG +00-13-067 = CGCG 394-073 = LGG 120-024 = PGC 16654
05 03 37.0  +01 34 25; Ori
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval ~N-S.  A mag 13 star is superimposed on the east side.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1762 = H. III-453 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged "vF, vS, 240 confirmed it."  Caroline Herschel made an error in reducing his offset in RA and his published position was 10 tmin of RA too far west.  Coincidentally, that placed it close to UGC 3198.  When John Herschel observed this galaxy, he equated his h335 with H. III-453.  JH sorted out the mistake when compiling the GC. The NGC dec was 3' too far north.
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NGC 1763 = LMC-N11B = ESO 085-20 = S-L 125 = LH 10 = Bean Nebula
04 56 45  -66 24 36; Dor
Size 5'x3'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): The Bean Nebula complex (N11) is the second largest stellar nursery in the LMC after the Tarantula Nebula.  The showpiece object is NGC 1763, which sits near the center of a stunning field of emission nebulae and clusters including NGC 1760 7' S, NGC 1761 3' S, NGC 1769 6.5' SE, NGC 1773 8' ENE and NGC 1776 11' E.  NGC 1763 is a very bright, very large irregular nebula, shaped like a kidney bean or a fetus. The main body extends 5'x3', elongated SW-NE with a bulbous portion on the NE side and an indentation (weaker nebulosity) on the S side.  Overall the surface brightness is very high, though uneven, and much fainter haze and filaments flow out from the Bean in most directions.  Within the main body, the nebula is brightest in a loop on the SW side and secondly in a section on the NE side.

LH 10, a large cluster or OB-association (youngest in the N11 complex) with roughly two dozen resolved stars is involved with the nebula.  LH 10 includes a number of 12-13 mag stars (several of which are massive O3-type stars), many in an elongated 1' group on the southwestern side.  The group includes PGMW 3120, an O5.5V-type mag 12.4 "star" the HST resolved into a cluster containing 3 massive stars.  LH 10's brightest "star", mag 11.7  PGMW 3070, is also an extremely compact cluster, resolved by the HST into 18 stars.  A wide pair [17" separation] of mag 11.9 and 12.9 stars (O3-type HD 268721 and O8-type PGMW 3223) is ~1.5' ENE of the main stellar group; one of these may be IC 2115. At the NE edge of the cluster is mag 11.3 HD 268726 (a blue supergiant surrounded by an 8" low excitation nebula) and 45" further E is IC 2116, a high surface brightness HII knot of ~15" diameter.  Very faint haze at the NE side of NGC 1763 bulges towards IC 2116.  The surrounding field is rich in stars between the individual objects with some locally brighter patches of nebulosity.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this emission nebula and cluster is set in fascinating field of several clusters and HII regions including NGC 1761, 1769, and 1773.  The nebula is fairly bright, large, very elongated WSW-ENE, 4'x2'.  A few stars are superimposed on the nebulosity.  The roughly oval outline is irregular and the HII region appears brighter on the WSW side near a rich group of stars at the WSW tip.  A couple of mag 11 stars are close off the NE end.  IC 2115 and IC 2116 comprise the western and eastern portion of this object.  After viewing this group of objects, the LMC, which was well past the meridian, disappeared behind some low clouds.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1763 = D 230, along with NGC 1761 and NGC 1769, on 3 Aug 1826 with a second observation on 6 Nov 1826.  He described a "very faint rather elliptical nebula, about 2' diameter.  This is the preceding and largest of three nebulae forming a triangle".  His position is ~12' too far south, but close in RA.

John Herschel made 5 observations, the first on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508).  On 13 Dec 1835 (sweep 653), he described it as "a vB, vL neb with stars (the chief of which in the anterior part of the neb taken) of a crooked rounded oblong shape.  A fine object.  See fig. 3. Plate III."  His excellent sketch includes NGC 1760, 1761, 1763 and 1769.  Joseph Turner also sketched the complex between 17 Apr and 21 Apr 1879 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.

Williamina Fleming discovered the emission line spectrum of NGC 1763 on photographic spectrum plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station in 1897 (Harvard Circular 19).  See IC 2115.
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NGC 1764 = ESO 056-030 = S-L 115
04 56 28  -67 41 36; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): relatively bright, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter.  At 200x, a few very tightly packed stars are resolved within the glow.  A mag 14.2 star is 0.6' S and a mag 12 star is 2.2' SW.  NGC 1786 lies 15' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1764 = h2713 on 2 Jan 1837 and described as "very faint, small, round, 15". The zone here is full of grouping and clustering stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1765 = ESO 119-024 = PGC 16444
04 58 24.3  -62 01 41; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 150°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, small bright core, moderate surface brightness.  A mag 11.5 star is 3.9' SSE and a mag 12 star is 7.8' NE.  Located in the northern halo of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1765 = h2712 on 26 Dec 1834.  His description reads "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"."  His position, measured on two sweeps, is accurate. In 1926, Willem van den Bos called it a "Nebula with bright centre, elongated Nf and Sp.  11 mag." (26" refractor, Union Observatory).
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NGC 1766 = ESO 056-029 = S-L 113
04 55 58  -70 13 30; Men
V = 12.2;  Size 0.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright LMC cluster, ~35" diameter.  Two mag 14 stars are resolved, as well as 3-5 mag 15+ stars over haze.  Located 2.7' ENE of mag 10 HD 268824 and 4.7' NNE of mag 9.5 HD 32229.  NGC 1754 lies 15' SW and NGC 1775 is 13' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1766 = h2717 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25 arcsec."  On a second sweep he called it "vF, R, 30 arcsec. Taken at leaving the field, which, in so faint an object, is a source of uncertainty in R.A."  His position, though, is fairly accurate.
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NGC 1767 = LMC-N94A? = ESO 056-31 = S-L 120
04 56 27.3  -69 24 08; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 1'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 218x, this compact LMC cluster appeared bright, small, round, ~25" diameter, very small bright core, overall high surface brightness.  The cluster forms the western vertex of a triangle with NGC 1782 7.4' E and NGC 1772 9.5' SSE.  Just 2' N, I noticed a very faint and small, round cluster, ~15" diameter (verified as Shapley-Lindsay 123).  These clusters are part of LH 8, a large OB-association of stars identified by Lucke & Hodge as a star cloud.  Emission nebula N94A is off the west side and N94B is close south, though no nebulosity was noticed unfiltered.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1767 on 24 Sep 1826 and noted a "faint nebula, ill defined".  In the drift (second of the night) it was recorded 26 seconds prior to NGC 1772 and 9' to its north.  Those offsets land exactly on NGC 1767 so the identification is certain, although he accidentally skipped including it in his published catalog so it doesn't have a Dunlop designation.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1767 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded as#123 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  Dreyer added the cluster to the GC Supplement as GC 5062.
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NGC 1768 = ESO 056-032 = S-L 127
04 57 02.7  -68 14 54; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 0.7'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this LMC cluster appeared fairly faint, small, 0.7' diameter.  It seemed to consist of a chain of faint knots of stars.  Located 10' ESE of NGC 1755.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1768 = h2718 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His position is just off the southwest side of this cluster.
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NGC 1769 = LMC-N11C = ESO 085-23 = LH 13
04 57 44  -66 27 48; Dor
Size 4'x2.2'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large oval nebula oriented SW-NE, roughly 3'x2'.  At the center is a mag 11.5 "star" (Sk -66 41), with three mag 14-14.5 companions - the closest is 15" SE (Wo 599, an O3-class star).  A small, bright knot (~10" diameter) is embedded on the S side of the nebula, just 0.9' S of the central star.  NGC 1769 is roughly centered within the stunning NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula) complex with showpiece NGC 1763 just 6.5' NW, NGC 1761 6' WSW, NGC 1776 6' NE, NGC 1760 8' SW and NGC 1773 7' NNE.

Sk -66°41 was once thought to be one of the most single massive and luminous stars in the LMC but it was resolved into a very compact cluster with ~15 components.  The star 15" SE (Wo 599 = O3-class) may be the ionizing source of the nebula.  The 10" knot on the S side (identified as HNT 1 in SIMBAD) has also been resolved into a compact cluster of ~70 stars mag 17 and fainter.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright HII region in a fascinating group with several clusters and nebulae.  Appears fairly large, round, 2' diameter with a single mag 11 at the center.  Situated 6' SE of the cluster/HII region NGC 1763 and a similar distance NNE of NGC 1760.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1769 = D 232 = h2716, along with NGC 1763 and NGC 1761, on 3 Aug 1826.  He reported "a faint round nebula, about 1 1/2' in diameter."  He also noted it was the smallest of the 3 nebulae.  His position is 11' too far SSW, roughly matching the offsets with the other two objects.

John Herschel first observed NGC 1769 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and recorded, "B, irregularly R; 2'; has a 10th mag star in centre." On 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) he called it "vB; very suddenly much brighter middle to a 10th mag star which is double or triple. Other clusters and nebulae in field." He made a total of 5 observations.
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NGC 1770 = LMC-N91 = ESO 056-35 = S-L 130 = IC 2117 = LH 12 = DEM L39
04 57 17.0  -68 24 39; Dor
Size 3'x2'

25" (4/4/19 - OzSky): at 244x; very impressive, bright nebulous cluster/association (LH 12) 5' in diameter.  Unfiltered, over two dozen stars are resolved from mag 11-14 including a few pairs.  Most of the stars are on the north and west side. It contains an 11th mag star (B2-type HD 268804) near the center and a mag 11.5 star (B2 supergiant HD 268798) on the west side.  The western component of a 9" pair of mag 12.6/13.2 stars on the north side is a Wolf-Rayet (Brey 10 = HD 32402).  Two very bright emission knots with a total size of 2' are on the south side; the southernmost knot is IC 2117 and the northern knot is N91B.

The entire field (located along the northern rim of the super-giant shell LMC 6) displayed a very strong response to a NPB filter with the nebulosity irregular and patchy and the two main nebulous patches on south side intensely bright.  With careful viewing Brey 10 was surrounded by a very thin, dim arc (Wolf-Rayet bubble) of perhaps 150°, extending NW to SE of Brey 10 (opening to the NE) with a diameter of 1.5'. The SW edge of the arc was just north of HD 268804.  The arc was subtle and visible only intermittently.  

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC object is an interesting mix of a star cluster (OB-association LH 12) and an associated emission nebula (N91A = IC 2117), with the nebulosity mostly on the south side.  A mag 10 star is near the center, along with a number of mag 11-12 and fainter stars.  The stars are mostly on the north side of the nebulosity with several in small clumps.

S-L 105, located 13' SW of NGC 1770, was observed using a 25" on Oct. 17, 2017.  It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Contains a relatively large bright core but there was no resolution.  An additional 6' SSW is N86, a verified LMC supernova remnant.  It was picked up unfiltered as a large, low surface brightness hazy region, just south of a mag 11.8 star.  A couple of 14th mag stars appear involved with the haze.  There was a weak contrast gain adding a NPB filter, with the most evident section ~1' diameter [centered 1.2' S of the mag 11.8 star] and slightly brighter on the east side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1770 = D 169 = D 168 = h2715 on 3 Aug 1826.  His description of D 169 reads, "pretty bright pretty large nebula, of an irregular round figure, 5' diameter; a little brighter in the middle."  His mean position (2 observations) is just off the SW side.  Dunlop's D 168, from 3 Oct 1826 appears to be a duplicate observation.  It was found along with D 167 = NGC 1755, but his positions were offset by 7'. 

John Herschel described this nebulous cluster on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) as a "cluster of 6th class; pretty rich, large, irregular figure, brighter in the middle; stars of 11..18th mag; fine object."  On 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759), he wrote "A star of 9th mag, the chief of a cluster of 6th class, 4' diameter; nebulous. The most condensed part is 1' south of the stars."
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NGC 1771 = ESO 085-027 = PGC 16472
04 58 55.7  -63 17 54; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 136°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.3', low surface brightness, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Two mag 12 stars are 1.7' SW and 3' SW.  Located 6' SE of mag 8.2 HD 32363 and 4' SE of a mag 10.7 star (the two stars are nearly collinear with the major axis of the galaxy).  Located in the northern halo of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1771 = h2720 on 25 Dec 1837. He recorded "vF, mE, gradually little brighter middle, 25" long, in field with many B and 1 vB * 7' m np the neb."  His CGH position is accurate, but he made an error precessing the coordinates to 1860 for the GC, where the position is 10' too far south.  This was copied by Dreyer into the NGC.

Viewing through the 26" refractor at the Union Observatory, Robert Innes described it in 1926 as "Exactly like the last (ESO 85-14), slightly brighter; elongated 130°-310°; about 2'; stars seem to be involved."  Eric Lindsay noted in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), "A galaxy at the same RA but 9' south, which seems to be this object."
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NGC 1772 = ESO 056-33 = S-L 128
04 56 54.1  -69 33 24; Dor
V = 11.0;  Size 1.5'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x35".  Sharply concentrated with a bright, 15" core. Three faint stars are resolved on the south side of the cluster and one on the north side.  Forms the southern vertex of a triangle with LMC clusters NGC 1767 9.5' NNW and NGC 1782 11' NNE, which are part of star cloud LH 8.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1772 = D 79? = h2722 on 24 Sep 1826.  He noted a "small faint nebula, 10" diameter", similar to his description of nearby NGC 1782.  His reduced position was 18' too far SSE, much closer to NGC 1795.  But checking his drift timings, it was logged immediately preceding NGC 1782 and recorded 10' to its south, exactly matching the offset in declination.  The previous object in the drift is NGC 1767, which was accurately placed 9' to the north of NGC 1772.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1772 = h2722 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "pB, S, R, 40", resolvable, preceded by a hook of stars 12th mag."  On 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) he called it "an irregularly round, compact cluster, bM, 40" diameter."  In 1926, Robert Innes observing the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johnnesburg. He described a "cluster of stars, 12 to 15 mag, irregular shape, 90" across."
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NGC 1773 = LMC-N11E = ESO 085-25 = LH 14
04 58 11  -66 21 36; Dor
Size 2.7'x2.1'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): NGC 1773 is located at the NE end of the Bean Nebula complex with NGC 1763 centered 9' SW, NGC 1769 7' SSW and NGC 1776 5' SSE.  At 264x it appeared as a fairly large, bright glow, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~2.2'x1.5'.  Two brighter mag 12/13 stars (17" separation oriented SW-NE) are involved, slightly southwest of the geometric center.  On close inspection the northeastern component (mag 13 0-type supergiant SK -66°43) resolved into a very close double. In additional a couple of fainter mag 15/15.5 stars are superimposed on the north side of the glow. The nebulosity (N11E) is slightly irregular in surface brightness and brighter along the rim, particularly on the southwest side.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this HII region is the furthest NE in a group of HII regions and clusters.  Appears fairly faint, fairly small, 1'-1.5' diameter with a couple of stars or a knot near the center.  Located 9' ENE of NGC 1763 and a similar distance NNE of NGC 1769.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1773 = h2721 on 3 Jan 1837 and described as "pF, pL, irregularly R with two or three bright stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1774 = ESO 085-026 = S-L 141
04 58 07  -67 14 36; Dor
V = 10.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): very bright, moderately large, roundish, ~45" diameter.  Appears as a clumpy string of stars ~E-W, surrounding by unresolved haze.  A couple of faint stars are resolved on either end of the string and a few very compact knots and stars "pop" in the main glow.  The cluster appears on the verge of more extensive resolution though it would require very high power due to its compactness.  Situated within a fairly poor star field with a mag 10.2 star 4.1' NW.  NGC 1747 is 17' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1774  = h2723 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "B, R or oblong, pretty evidently a double star with a nebula about it."  On a second sweep he called it, "pF, R, pretty gradually brighter middle" and on his last sweep, "vB, S, R, suddenly much brighter middle, 20" (evidently better seen.)".
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NGC 1775 = ESO 056-034 = S-L 129 = BRHT 2a
04 56 53  -70 25 48; Men
V = 12.6;  Size 0.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, elongated ~E-W, 35" diameter, mottled.  A couple of mag 16-16.5 stars were occasionally resolved around the edges.  A mag 14 star is 0.9' NW.  The unresolved background glow of the LMC is remarkable just to the east.  NGC 1754 lies 13' W and NGC 1766 is 13' NNW.

This is a double cluster with BRHT 2b attached to the NE end 

John Herschel discovered NGC 1775 = h2725 on 12 Nov 1836 and logged "vvF, irreg R; 2'."  His position is just off the east side of this 1' cluster.
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NGC 1776 = ESO 085-028 = S-L 145
04 58 40  -66 25 48; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): located on the E side of the NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula) complex, this cluster is moderately bright, fairly small, well concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a 50" halo.  A couple of extremely faint stars are just visible in the halo.  Located 5' SE of emission nebula NGC 1773, 6' ENE of emission nebula NGC 1769 and 2.7' NE of a mag 10.8 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1776 = h2724 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1777 = ESO 033-001 = S-L 121
04 55 48  -74 17 06; Men
V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly small, irregular shape, 45" diameter.  Two mag 11.2/11.5 stars = HJ 3722 at 31" separation are superimposed on the east side of the glow!  Only a couple of mag 16 stars pop around the edges of the mottled glow.  Mag 12.5 and 13 stars lie 2.2' SE and 1.7' NW and a brighter mag 10.6 star is 3.6' N.  Located 38' N of mag 5.5 Eta Mensae.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1777 = h2728 on 11 Nov 1836 and reported "eF, E, attached to and following a double star [of 9th magnitude]."  His CGH position is exactly 1 min of RA west of this cluster, but the identification is certain.  The wide double star, though, is east and southeast of the core and this error was corrected by JH in the GC.
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NGC 1778 = Cr 58 = OCL-429 = Lund 152
05 08 06  +37 01 24; Aur
V = 7.7;  Size 7'

17.5" (2/1/92): about 50 stars mag 10-15 in a 15' field.  Most stars are arranged in two rows oriented NW-SE with a dark lane between.  Fairly scattered overall, includes several double stars.  There is a nice double star 10/10 at 15" with two mag 13 stars near and 4' SE is a close striking double star HJ 3266 = 9.9/11.1 at 8".  A fairly rich clump is at the SE end of cluster.

8": 20 stars mag 10 and fainter in a 6' field, small, elongated NW-SE, nice double star 10/10.  Includes a string of mag 10-11 star to the north.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1778 = H. VIII-61 = h344 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693) and noted "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, irr F, not rich, like a forming one."  His position is off the SW side of the cluster.  On 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399), John Herschel described "a double star in a pretty close cluster of 20 or 30 stars."  His position was 20' too far north, but he corrected the NPD in a short errata list at the end of his Slough catalogue and the GC has the correct position.
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NGC 1779 = MCG -02-13-041 = PGC 16713
05 05 18.0  -09 08 50; Eri
V = 12.1;  Size 2.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

24" (12/20/17): moderately bright, slightly elongated, ~40"x30" NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases right down to a stellar nucleus.   A very low surface brightness halo increasing the diameter to ~1.25' was difficult.  IC 402 lies 14' ENE.

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small.  Contains a small, well-defined, fairly bright oval core that's elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very faint oval halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1779 = H. III-500 = h345 = h2714 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and called it "cF, S, irr F, bM.". John Herschel observed this galaxy both from Slough and in the Cape of Good Hope.  His CGH observation reads "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, it is visible in strong moonlight and is much brighter than II.522 [NGC 1636] or III.399 [NGC 4163]."

Joseph Turner made sketches on 19 Dec. 1876 and 6 Dec 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 25 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...")  In 1882 he noted, "The nebula becomes gradually brighter towards the middle, not suddenly as shown in the lithograph."
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NGC 1780 = ESO 553-001 = MCG -03-13-070 = PGC 16743
05 06 20.7  -19 28 00; Lep
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 84°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' NNE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1780 = LM 1-145 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.6 min of RA west and 1' north of ESO 553-001.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 27 Jan 1906 (date measured) and listed it as J. 1523 in his unpublished 4th catalogue.  His description reads "faint, very small, round, 15" to 20", core of mag 14 to 15."
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NGC 1781 = NGC 1794 = ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002 = PGC 16788
05 07 55.0  -18 11 24; Lep

See observing notes for NGC 1794.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1781 = H. III-268 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar, 240 verified it beyond doubt."  There was a confusion in the reference star on the sweep and Auwers' position (used by JH in the GC and Dreyer in the NGC) is 3.0 min of RA too far west.  Caroline Herschel's reduced position matches ESO 553-007 = PGC 16788.  

Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy 100 years later on 11 Dec 1885, recording it in LM 1-146, but his rough position (nearest min of RA) was 1 min too far west.  His sketch (examined by Corwin) clearly establishes the equivalence.  Dreyer assumed it was new and it received the designation NGC 1794.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, was unable to find NGC 1781 on two nights, though measured NGC 1794.  He noted the similar descriptions and difference in RA, and concluded NGC 1781 = NGC 1794.  Dreyer repeats this in the IC 2 Notes.  In this case, NGC 1781 should takes historical precedence.  RNGC misidentifies MCG -03-13-071 = PGC 16748 as NGC 1781.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1782 = ESO 056-36 = S-L 140
04 57 51.5  -69 23 38; Dor
V = 10.5;  Size 1.2'x0.9'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed at 228x, this bright LMC cluster was fairly small, round, 40" diameter, strongly concentrated with a bright 15" core.  Several faint stars huddle very near or are resolved around the edges.  NGC 1782 forms the NE vertex of a triangle with two other LMC clusters - NGC 1767 7.4' W and NGC 1772 11' SSE.  Located on the east side of the Star Cloud LH 8, which contains these clusters.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1782 = D 115 = h2727 on 24 Sep 1826.  He noted a "small faint nebula, 10" or 12" [diameter]." His reduced position was 15' too far SSE, closer to other clusters.  But checking his drift timings, it was logged 7 minutes preceding NGC 1835 and 2' to its north.  That offset falls within 2' of NGC 1782.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1782 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) and described "B, R, pretty much brighter middle, 35", resolvable." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1783 = ESO 085-029 = S-L 148
04 59 08.9  -65 59 14; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 3'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x; Intensely bright LMC cluster!  Very large, roundish, 2.5'-3' diameter, highly concentrated with a large, brilliant core that gradually increases towards the center.  At 429x; it appeared very granular or mottled, and a number of extremely faint stars and/or clumps of stars (too many to count) popped in and out of visibility. This is a massive, intermediate-age cluster populous 1.6-1.8 billion years old.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly large, round, 2.0' diameter, fairly smooth surface brightness.  Appears to be a globular cluster as it is well-detached in the field with a fairly crisply defined edge, increasing to a brighter 1' core.  NGC 1805 lies 20' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1783 = h2726 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "pB, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 2'." On a second sweep he called it "B, L, R, very gradually pretty much brighter in the middle, resolvable 3'."

James Dunlop probably made an earlier unpublished discovery on 6 Nov 1826.  After his entry for D 233 = NGC 1805, he states "a small nebula precedes this about 2 minutes in RA and 8' north".  The actual offset is 3 minutes in RA west and 7.5' north.

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1783 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though it's age is now known as 1.5-1.7 billion years.
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NGC 1784 = MCG -02-13-042 = PGC 16716
05 05 27.0  -11 52 18; Lep
V = 11.7;  Size 4.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 105°

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~E-W, bright core.  Situated in a group of brighter stars including a mag 11.5 star 3.0' E and a mag 12.5 star 1.3' N of center.  Located 14' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 150123.

8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, diffuse.  A mag 7 star is in the field to the NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1784 = h2719 on 11 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB, pL, irregularly round or very little extended, very gradually brighter middle, 80", among pB stars." His position is accurate.  Joseph Turner, observing with the 48" GMT on 6 Dec 1877, sketched it as very elongated E-W (p. 156 in logbook) and Ralph Copeland, observing with 72" on 19 Dec 1873 called it "pB, L, irregularly extended.  The brighter part is much elongated 90°."  The elongated part is the central bar.
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NGC 1785 = ESO 056-038
04 58 45.4  -68 49 24; Dor
Size 3.5'

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): asterism of 8 stars superimposed on the LMC.  It includes two mag 11/11.7 stars at the northeast end and a roughly 9" pair of mag 12/12.5 stars at the southwest end.  BSDL 375, a very faint nebulous patch, was noticed 2' following the two stars at the northeast end of NGC 1785.  One or two mag 15 stars were resolved on the south side of the glow.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1785 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and included it as #147 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  No description was given but his position is 04 58 33 -68 51.3 (J2000).  ESO lists two possible candidates:  ESO 56-**38 at 04 58 45 -68 49.4 (2000) with comments "Chain of 5 to 10 sts; not in LMC" and S-L 150 = ESO 56-SC40 at 04 58 57 -69 13 04, which is LMC cluster.

In "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L] Eric Lindsay states, "Not found. A few bright widely scattered stars NE but no cluster or nebula. There is a bright cluster, S/L 116, 2m W 3' N and a conspicuous one, S/L 117, 2m W and 7' S, neither in the NGC. The object is in the Nub. Cat. only classified as a nebula."  RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies this number as nonexistent.

Based on Herschel's position and his LMC sketch, Harold Corwin identified NGC 1785 with an asterism of about 5 stars superposed on the LMC (ESO 56-**38).  This is the first of the ESO candidates.
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NGC 1786 = ESO 056-039 = S-L 149
04 59 08.0  -67 44 43; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 1.2'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): exceptionally bright, relatively large, round, 45" diameter, extremely high surface bright core.  A mag 11-12 star is superimposed just northwest of the core!  KMHK 412 was picked up as a very faint glow 6.5' SE and just north of two mag 13 stars.  NGC 1786 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1786 = h2729 on 26 Nov 1834 and logged "vB, E, S. Stellar, like a star 9th mag blurred."  On the second of 3 sweeps it was called "vB, R, very suddenly much brighter middle, 30"."
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NGC 1787 = ESO 085-031 = LH 15
05 00 07  -65 45 48; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 23'

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x; this large star cloud is 15'-20' in size and includes 40 to 50 mag 11-13 stars over an extensive haze of unresolved stars. HD 270920, a 10th-magnitude luminous yellow supergiant (G5-type), is near the N end. NGC 1783 is located 15' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1787 = h2731 on 25 Dec 1837.  His single observation placed this cluster at 05 00 17.3 -65 50 33 (2000) and his description "pretty rich cluster of small stars which fills field" appears to describe the entire 20'-25' stellar association, which includes S-L 178.

The RNGC and NGC 2000.0 position of 04 59.1 -65 44 (2000) is from Lucke and Hodge's "A Catalogue of Stellar Associations in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (AJ, 75, 171-175) and corresponds with the northwest portion of the association.  The Hodge-Wright Atlas identifies NGC 1787 = S-L 178 at 05 01 44 -65 49.4, on the east side of the association, and ESO and Morel's Visual Atlas of the LMC follows this misidentification.  Shapley & Lindsay did not equate S-L 178 with NGC 1787.
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NGC 1788 = Ced 40 = vdB 33 = LBN 916 = Bernes 98
05 06 53.2  -03 20 27; Ori
Size 8'x5'

18" (1/1/08): very interesting, bright reflection nebula at 175x.  Two brighter stars are involved in the brightest portion of the nebula with mag 10 HD 293815 (very unequal double) at the NW end.  An oval glow extends ~4'x2.5' to the SE and contains a bright "knot" that surrounds a mag 11.5 star on the SE side.  Two fainter stars are embedded within the glow and form a rhombus with the brighter stars at opposite ends.  The SW edge of the main body has a sharper edge (due to dust).  Surrounding this region are faint extensions that significantly increase the total size to ~8x6'.  Towards the SE, dim haze can be seen as far as a 2' pair of mag 12.5 stars.  Broad, wispy extensions appears to feather off to the NE for ~6' with additional faint haze to the south. The entire complex is bounded by several mag 8-9 stars forming a striking star field.

17.5" (2/9/02): at 144x this is a bright reflection nebula involving two mag 10 and 11.5 stars.  The nebulosity is irregularly bright in a 4'x3' region elongated NW-SE and locally very bright in a knot surrounding the mag 11.5 star near the SE end.  Enhanced by a Deep Sky filter at low power.  The brighter mag 10 star ~2' NW has a faint companion and is also encased in the glow as well as a couple of other fainter stars.  A faint extension fans out to the NE from the mag 11 star and some haze is suspected to the south, increasing the size to  ~7' and involving a few additional stars.  NGC 1788 is located within a bright trapezoid consisting of three mag 8.5-9 stars and a mag 10 star (sides of 9'-13')

17.5" (12/23/89): bright, fairly large, locally very bright surrounding a mag 12 star on the south end.  This star appears slightly nonstellar as difficult to separate from bright haze.  Extends NW to include a mag 10 star and three other faint stars are involved in the brightest portion.  Very faint nebulosity also extends to north and further east. 

8" (12/6/80): moderately bright reflection nebula, large, brightest in center, two stars involved, extends to east.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1788 = H. V-32 = h347 = Sw. 2-30 = Sw. 7-9 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518).  His description reads, "considerably bright, very large,  milky, diffused and vanishing, very near and sf a bright star, the milkiness diffused and vanishing."  On 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he recorded "very large, milky; seems to have some untied stars towards the southern part of it; some other stars are in it, but plainly unconnected. 3 or 4' dia.  vF except about the united stars."

On 11 Feb 1830 (sweep 233) John Herschel described NGC 1788 as "A *10m with a neb south-following; pos 138 from *; the centre of the neb is like a misty *12 or 13m, or perhaps 2 or 3 st 15m; a small * to the south of neb makes an isosceles triangle.  Place that of the *10m."  This reflection nebula was observed 21 times at Birr Castle beginning in 1849 (the 1880 publication lists 10 of these).

Lewis Swift found this reflection nebula on 24 Nov 1884 and apparently felt that nebulosity surrounding the 10th mag star on the west side was distinct from Herschel's nebulosity, reporting it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#30) and his 7th list (#9).
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NGC 1789 = ESO 056-037 = S-L 144
04 57 51  -71 54 06; Men
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~45" diameter.  A couple of mag 15.5 stars are resolved, one near the west end and another on the northeast side.  Situated on the southwest end of the LMC, with no other significant LMC clusters in the immediate vicinity, though S-L 111 lies 30' NNW.  The description below of S-L 111 was made on 10/17/17 using a 25" f/5.

At 244x; easily identified as a partially resolved large cluster, elongated E-W and at least 2' diameter.  A mag 11.2 star is off the south side.  At 397x; a total of ~15 stars were resolved, mostly in the mag 15+ range.  The cluster is situated 6.8' S of mag 9.4 HD 268873.  Another 11' NW of S-L 111 is S-L 95, which appeared fairly faint, round, 30" diameter, bright core, no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1789 = h2733 on 15 Dec 1835 and called it "vF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  His position is about 40" too far north.
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NGC 1790
05 11 13.3  +52 03 54; Aur

18" (2/19/09): scattered, unimpressive group of 15 stars mag 11.5 and brighter in an elongated 15'x8' region.  The main body of stars is extended ~E-W.  A small group of stars is detached off the NW side, including a mag 10 star and an easy 14" pair.  At the east end is a small clump of 4 stars (one very faint) just following mag 9.3 HD 33247, the brightest member.  There are no rich regions and the group does not appear to be a cluster visually.  Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1790 = h346 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and described "A group of 8 or 9 stars 10m, nearly in parallelogram.  A pretty object."  His position corresponds with mag 9 SAO 25060 at 05 11 13.3 +52 03 54 (2000).  This appears to be an asterism on the DSS and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent.
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NGC 1791 = LMC-N186 = ESO 056-041 = S-L 155
04 59 07  -70 10 06; Men
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright cluster, irregular, ~1' diameter, several mag 14-15 stars are resolved in the core and one on the NW end.  The cluster is situated in the center of an equilateral triangle consisting of mag 8.7 HD 32571 5' WNW, mag 10 HD 268923 5' NE and S-L 158 5.4' S.  HD 32763, a mag 11.5 red supergiant (binary), is 2' SE.

S-L 158 appeared as a bright, compact knot (cluster), round, 20" diameter, with a surprisingly high surface brightness.  N186, an incomplete, faint annulus of nebulosity (Superbubble) passes through NGC 1791, but I didn't examine the region with a filter to look for nebulous haze.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1791 = h2734 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "eF, R; 25"."  His single position is very accurate.
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NGC 1792 = ESO 305-006 = MCG -06-12-004 = LGG 127-001 = PGC 16709
05 05 14.0  -37 58 47; Col
V = 10.2;  Size 5.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 137°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x appears as a bright, large oval ~2:1 NW-SE, 3.2'x1.6'.  Broad concentration to a large bright core and then sharply concentrated with a bright, 15" nucleus.  The surface brightness is irregular with a mottled texture.  A faint star is just preceding the northwest tip.  At 166x the galaxy appears brighter along the major axis with some areas of lower surface brightness giving a hint of spiral structure!  A mag 14 star is at the preceding edge [1.2' from center].  Brightest in a group (LGG 127) along with NGC 1808 40' NE.

17.5" (1/31/87): bright, large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 3'x1.5', pretty diffuse.  Two faint mag 14.5 stars are superimposed.  Appears brighter along the western side. 

8" (1/1/84): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated.

8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, round, moderately large, diffuse.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1792 = D 531 = h2730 on 4 Oct 1826 and described "a long or rather elliptical nebula, about 2' long and 50" broad, a little brighter in the middle, and well defined. There is a group of small stars on the north side."

John Herschel recorded 3 observations in the Cape Catalogue: on his first sweep on 24 Dec 1835 (sweep 659) he logged "vB, vL, vmE, gradually brighter in the middle, 4' long. Taken as Dunlop 531 but too late for transit, the observation having been missed by relying on Mr Dunlop's place."  Then 2 nights later (sweep 661) he revisited this galaxy and noted  "vB, vL, mE, gradually little brighter middle, 5' long, 2' broad, pos 314°, stars seen in it. Visible with moonlight and lamp illumination".
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NGC 1793 = ESO 056-043 = S-L 163
04 59 38.7  -69 33 28; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this LMC open cluster appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 35" diameter with an even surface brightness and no sign of resolution.  A triangle of mag 11 stars precede in the field.  Forms a pair with NGC 1801 6' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1793 = h2736 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, 1'."  On a second sweep he logged "vF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 30", insulated."  His mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster, along with NGC 1801, on 2 Jan 1886 with the Melbourne telescope.  His diagram shows the cluster elongated NW to SE, which matches the DSS image.
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NGC 1794 = NGC 1781 = ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002 = PGC 16788
05 07 55.0  -18 11 24; Lep
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' SSE of center.  Located 10' SW of mag 8.0 SAO 150172.  Identified as NGC 1781 on the U2000.

Ormond Stone found NGC 1794 = LM 1-146 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  Stone's rough position is 1 min of RA west of ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002.  At the end of the second discovery list there is a note that LM 1-146 = GC 998 = NGC 1781.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy 100 years earlier (cataloged as H. III-268) but Herschel's RA was 3.0 minutes too small (corrected by Caroline Herschel).  ESO 553-007 is labeled NGC 1781 in the Uranometria 2000 Atlas but as NGC 1794 in MCG and RC3.  By historical precedence, the primary designation should be NGC 1781.
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NGC 1795 = ESO 056-044 = S-L 165
04 59 47.3  -69 48 06; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright cluster, relatively large, 0.9' diameter, fairly smooth glow with no resolution.  Located 2.9' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.  This star forms the northern vertex of a distinctive isosceles triangle (legs 3.5' and base 1.4') with two mag 10.2 and 11 stars to its south.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1795 = D 82 = h2738 on 24 Sep 1826.  He recorded D 82 as "a very small faint nebula preceding 3 small stars in the form of a triangle."  A distinctive triangle of mag 10-11 star is nearby, including the mag 10.6 star and two mag 10.2 and 11.1 stars about 4' S, though the cluster is slightly east.  He may have observed it the drift through the area three nights later, but his positions are more ambiguous.

John Herschel made a single observation on 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 749) and recorded "F, pL, little extended, 2'."
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NGC 1796 = ESO 119-030 = PGC 16617
05 02 43.0  -61 08 22; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 102°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.45', broad concentration, brighter core.  A mag 10/11.5 pair at 9" lies 10' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1796 = h2735 on 26 Dec 1834 and called it "F, pmE, gradually brighter in the middle, 7" long, 25" broad."  His position (2 observations) and description matches.
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NGC 1797 = MCG -01-14-002 = Mrk 1093 = PGC 16781
05 07 44.9  -08 01 07; Eri
V = 14.7;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 90°

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round, very faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is just 48" NW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1799 3' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1797 = Sw. 6-23, along with NGC 1799, on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1798 = Berkeley 16 = OCL-410
05 11 40  +47 40 37; Aur
Size 5'

18" (11/18/06): at 115x I was surprised to find a fairly rich group of perhaps 20 stars peppered over a 5' region of extensive haze.  The low power Milky Way field is rich in bright and faint stars with glowing regions of unresolved stars.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1798 in Nov 1885 with the 6-inch Cooke Refractor at Vanderbilt University. In Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5 (page 25) he described a "small hazy spot, with high power (120) seems to be some faint stars mixed up with nebulosity, a small star involved f[ollowing].  It is followed some little distance by a 9th magnitude star."  His position corresponds with a 5' group of stars, also catalogued as Berkeley 16.  The RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent.

This cluster is located in the direction of the anti-galactic center at a distance of 4.2 kpc and an estimated age of 1.4 billion years.
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NGC 1799 = MCG -01-14-001 = PGC 16783
05 07 44.5  -07 58 08; Eri
V = 14.3;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 65°

17.5" (12/7/90): faint, small, round, bright core.  This galaxy is the brighter of two with NGC 1797 3' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1799 = Sw. 6-24, along with NGC 1797, on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His RA was 8 seconds too large.
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NGC 1800 = ESO 422-030 = MCG -05-13-005 = PGC 16745
05 06 25.5  -31 57 16; Col
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 113°

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is off the NE edge 1.3' from center.  Brightest in a small group (LGG 108), along with UGCA 103 and UGC 106.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1800 = h2732 on 19 Nov 1835 and described it as "pB, pmE, gradually pretty much brighter middle, has a star 13th mag following."  His position and description is accurate.

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 2 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  His sketch indicates a 13th magnitude "star" at the NW tip.  At this position is a relatively large bright HII knot.
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NGC 1801 = ESO 056-045 = S-L 170
05 00 35.3  -69 36 50; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, round, 1' diameter with a fairly even surface brightness and no core.  Located 8' SW mag 8 HD 33031.  Forms a pair with NGC 1793 6' NW.  NGC 1809, a galaxy that shines through the LMC, lies 8' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1801 = h2739 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and reported "B, L, R, very gradually brighter middle, 2.5'."  On 3 subsequent sweeps he variously described the size as 90", 45" and 40".  In 1926, Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg and called it a "globular cluster, 13 mag and fainter stars, 90" diameter, bM."

James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster on 27 Sep 1826.  He described "a faint round nebula, 20-25" diameter."  In the drift it was picked up ~16 minutes prior to logging D 88 = NGC 1898 and at nearly the same position north of center in the eyepiece field.  NGC 1801 matches this offset in time, as well as NGC 1795.
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NGC 1802
05 10 13  +24 08 24; Tau
Size 25'

18" (11/18/06): at 115x this Milky Way field appears as a bright, large, scattered group including a couple of dozen mag 10-11 stars.  Most distinctive is a fairly rich 5' string of mag 10 to 13 stars oriented N-S.  The rest of the group is scattered and extends east and southeast ~10' in size.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1802 = H. VIII-41 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 485) and recorded "a coarse cluster of star or projecting point of the milky way."  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "many st, v sc, no distinct cl."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent but WEBDA has a listing for NGC 1802.
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NGC 1803 = ESO 203-018 = PGC 16715
05 05 26.5  -49 34 04; Pic
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 62°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 30"x24", fairly high surface brightness.  NGC 1803 is situated 4.7' ENE of mag 5.0 Eta-2 Pictoris and the bright glare of the star hampered the observation.

Forms a close pair with ESO 203-019 2.2' SE.  The companion appeared as a slightly soft mag 13 "star", as only the nucleus of the galaxy was seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1803 = h2737 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, very gradually little brighter middle; query whether a star 11..12th mag near it S.f. be not also nebulous."  Herschel's object south-following is likely ESO 203-019, located 2.2' southeast, which did not receive a NGC designation (Steinicke concurs).
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NGC 1804 = ESO 056-046 = S-L 172
05 01 03  -69 05 00; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 0.9'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very small bright knot, ~25"-30" diameter, with four or more mag 12-14.5 stars resolved including three on a NW to SE line.  Tightly packed into a very high surface brightness glow. S-L 180 lies 4' NE and appeared as a fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.5' diameter, soft glow with no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1804 = h2742 on 3 Nov 1834 and described "F (?), R, bM (Thick haze in sky)."  On a second sweep his description reads "F, S, R, 30".  Shapley and Lindsay (1963) give a diameter of 25'' and remark "few stars, partly condensed."
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NGC 1805 = ESO 085-32 = S-L 186
05 02 21.7  -66 06 42; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 2'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, fairly small, brilliant core, 30" diameter.  A mag 13 star is situated just off the NW side, 25" from center.  The core is oddly displaced off-center in the direction of this star.  A few faint stars are resolved in the halo and a mag 13.5 star is at the south edge.  NGC 1783 lies 20' WNW and NGC 1822 is 18' ESE (all three collinear).

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, small, 25" diameter, sharply concentrated with a quasi-stellar bright nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the NW edge (24" from center).  This is a well-studied young (40 million years old) LMC star cluster.  Located 20' ESE of NGC 1783.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1805 = D 233 = h2741 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round well-defined nebula, 10" or 12" diameter".  His position is 6' SSW of the cluster, within his usual errors.

John Herschel made 5 observations, the first on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) in which he recorded "a vS compact cluster of stars 11th mag with (?) nebulosity, 20"."  On 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761) he described it as "B, S, R, suddenly brighter in the middle, 25", has two stars very near, one NW and one SE."  The two closest stars are oriented WSW of NGC 1805 and ENE
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NGC 1806 = ESO 056-047 = S-L 184
05 02 11  -67 59 00; Dor
V = 11.0;  Size 2.2'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright LMC globular, large, round, at least 1.5' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a brighter, grainy 25" core and a slightly mottled halo.  Located 4.5' NE of mag 8.3 HD 32972 = AO Doradus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1806 = h2745 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as"pB, L, gradually brighter in the middle, 3'."  His position and description is accurate, though his estimate is a little too large.

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1806 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though it's age is now known as 1.5-1.7 billion years.
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NGC 1807 = Cr 59 = Mel 29 = OCL-462
05 10 45  +16 30 48; Tau
V = 7.0;  Size 17'

18" (1/26/09): this asterism contains a very faint galaxy, CGCG 469-003, located just following a 26" pair of mag 11.5/12 stars just south of center.  The galaxy appeared very faint and small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.

17.5" (2/1/92): bright, moderately large, striking group of 30 stars mag 9-14 in 12' including 10 stars mag 11 or brighter.  Five bright stars are in an 11' string oriented N-S.  The central star in this string is a pleasing, close double star HJ 3268; consisting of mag 9.5/10.5 stars at 10" separation.  This double is collinear with two mag 11 stars 1.3' E and 2.9' E oriented perpendicular to the string.  Several other members trail to SW, and form a cross asterism.

8": ~25 stars in cluster including 10-12 brighter stars, several almost collinear.  A double star (HJ 3268) mag 10/11 at 10" separation is near the center.  Forms a pair of open clusters with NGC 1817 25' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1807 = h348 on 25 Jan 1832 (sweep 395) and logged, "a cluster of 10 or 12 large and a good many small stars.  The place that of a double star."  It is perhaps an outlier of VII.4 (NGC 1817)."  His position is accurate.

A 2004 study ("uvby-H-beta CCD photometry of NGC 1817 and NGC 1807") concludes NGC 1807 is not a distinct cluster. Only NGC 1817, a very extended open cluster, covers the area.
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NGC 1808 = ESO 305-008 = AM 0505-373 = MCG -06-12-005 = LGG 127-002 = PGC 16779
05 07 42.3  -37 30 47; Col
V = 9.9;  Size 6.5'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 133°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this 105x this striking starburst galaxy appeared bright, large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 5'x1.3'.  The glow is sharply concentrated with a well-defined 20" core that brightens to a stellar nucleus.  There appears to be an irregular extension at the northwest end that brightens and is offset to the major axis [on photos this corresponds with the start of a spiral arm that is attached at the north edge of the NW end of the galaxy].  At 166x, the halo is irregular and mottled.  Brightest in a group (LGG 127) along with NGC 1792 40' SW and the galaxies may have experienced a tidal interaction in the past.

17.5" (1/31/87): bright, fairly large, small elongated core, long thin arms 4:1 NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is off the NW end.  This is a very pleasing galaxy.  

8" (1/1/84): fairly bright, elongated NW-SE, moderately large, bright core.  Similar in size to NGC 1792 but slightly fainter.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1808 = D 549 = D 532 = h2740 on 10 May 1826.  Based on two observations he described "a faint nebula, about 2.5' long, and fully 1' broad, extended S.p. and N.f.; a very minute star near each extremity, not involved."   D 532 is another observation and he noted it was very similar to D 531 = NGC 1792 (observed together), but he made a large error (nearly 40') in declination.

John Herschel made two observations from the Cape.  On 24 Dec 1835 (sweep 659) he logged "B, L, little extended, first gradually then pretty suddenly much brighter middle.  Transit missed, PD very rough"  Two nights later (sweep 661) he reobserved it and noted "B, E, 3' long, 1.5' broad; in a field strongly illuminated by the moon in her first quarter."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 1808 on 19 Dec 1876 through the 48" GMT with a very bright, elongated core on 19 Dec. 1876 (plate III, figure 26 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...").  On 10 Dec 1884, Baracchi described NGC 1808 as ""Bright, very much elongated, suddenly much brighter middle, to a bright, sharp elongated nucleus, like a long dash. Nebula soft-edged. Fades away very gradually into pointed ends. Nucleus not quite in the axis of nebula."
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NGC 1809 = ESO 056-048 = PGC 16599
05 02 05.0  -69 34 06; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 3.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 143°

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this faint, reddened galaxy shines through the LMC just 9' NE of the cluster NGC 1801 (same field) and 16'-18' SW of a trio of LMC clusters, namely NGC 1828, NGC 1830 and NGC 1835!  At 128x it appeared as a large, very faint, low surface brightness glow with very weak, if any, concentration and no visible core or nucleus.  With careful viewing the galaxy is elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NW-SE, perhaps 1.6'x0.6'.  Located 5' SE of mag 8 HD 33031.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1809 = h2747 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded (on one sweep only) "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40", the second of two in field [with NGC 1801 = h2739]."  His position is 4' south of ESO 056-048 = PGC 16599, a pretty low surface brightness galaxy that was not found by Robert Innes in 1926 at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg with the 26.5-inch refractor!

Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], commented "At the same RA but 4' N an object which may be a galaxy, 210'' x 50''.  In "Exploring the Southern Sky" (1987), the authors (Laustsen, Madsen and West) noted "It has been known for more than a century, and for a long time was believed to belong to the LMC.  However, less than a decade ago, it became possible to measure the radial velocity...Somewhat unexpectedly, the velocity was found to be 1000 km/s, or several times larger than the velocities of stars and other LMC nebulae..."
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NGC 1810 = ESO 085-035 = S-L 194
05 03 23.1  -66 22 56; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 1.2'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright cluster, fairly small, 45" diameter, partially resolved with 4 or 5 stars visible on the east side of the halo including a couple of mag 13.5-14 stars.  Located 2.6' ESE of mag 10.3 HD 268879.  A mag 12.5 star lies 45" N.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1818 6' SE.  S-L 205 lies 8.4' ENE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1810 = D 235 = h2746 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula."  He made a single observation and his position is 11' south-southeast of the cluster.  It's also possible that this observation refers to brighter NGC 1818 -- along with D 234 and D236, though the latter two are placed south of D 235, agreeing with orientation of NGC 1810 and 1818.

John Herschel made a total of 5 observations beginning on 6 Nov 1834.  In order of his observations, he logged "eF, S, R, 15", precedes a globular cluster.", "vF, R, little brighter middle, 40 arcsec", "F, S, R", "pF, R, little brighter middle, 25 arcsec" and "Nebula; no description but that it has a globular cluster following it."  The cluster he refers to is NGC 1818 and Herschel attributed Dunlop's 235 with the discovery.
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NGC 1811 = ESO 422-037 = MCG -05-13-008 = PGC 16811
05 08 42.6  -29 16 35; Col
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 60°

17.5" (1/19/91): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' ENE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1812 2.7' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1811 = h2743 (along with NGC 1812 = h2744) on 6 Nov 1834 and logged as "vF, E."  On a later sweep he recorded "pF; S; little extended; the preceding of two [with NGC 1812]."
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NGC 1812 = ESO 422-039 = MCG -05-13-009 = PGC 16819
05 08 52.9  -29 15 04; Col
V = 12.7;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 8°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 N-S, moderate concentration, very small bright core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.4' SW.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1811 2.7' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1812 = h2744 (along with NGC 1811 = h2743] on 6 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"; the following of 2."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1813 = ESO 056-050 = S-L 190 = LH 18
05 02 40  -70 19 06; Men
V = 12.8;  Size 0.8'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): first in a string of three clusters with NGC 1823 4' ESE and S-L 200 7' SE (within stellar association LH 18).  Appears as an irregular 45" glow with a single brighter mag 14 star on the S end and three fainter stars aligned E-W resolved on the N side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1813 = h2752 on 16 Dec 1835.  His single observation reads, "vF; S; R; resolvable." His position is just 0.1 minute of RA preceding the cluster's center.
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NGC 1814 = LMC-N17B = ESO 085-36 = S-L 199 = LH 19
05 03 46.4  -67 18 04; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, small, elongated N-S "knot" of stars on the west side of the LMC association NGC 1820 = LH 19.  Three stars are resolved within the 24" glow.  Faint, irregular nebulosity encompasses the knot.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1816 2.5' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1814 = h2748 on 2 Nov 1834 and described as "The southern of two nebulae [with NGC 1816] in the same cluster of stars [NGC 1820]."  On a second sweep his description reads "vF, R, a nebulous knot in the south preceding part of a cluster".
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NGC 1815 = ESO 056-049 = S-L 189
05 02 27  -70 37 18; Men
V = 12.4;  Size 1.2'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, small, round. The very bright core partially resolves into a couple of knots, 25" diameter.  A single faint star is resolved at the north edge.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1' SSE and several mag 11-12 stars are in the field.  Located 9' due E of mag 7.6 HD 32956.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1815 = h2753 on 24 Nov 1834 with description, "pF, vS, R, very little brighter middle, among many stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1816 = ESO 085-037 = S-L 199
05 03 51  -67 15 36; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): small, brighter "knot" on the west side of the LMC association NGC 1820 = LH 19.  At 200x, a couple of stars are resolved within the 18" glow.  Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 1814 2.5' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1816 = h2748 on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF, R, another nebulous knot [along with NGC 1814] in the cluster [NGC 1820]".  Shapley and Lindsay (1963) group NGC 1814, 1816 and NGC 1820 together and note "bright scattered stars in nebulosity", with a size of 6.8' x 4.5'.
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NGC 1817 = Cr 60 = OCL-463 = Lund 156
05 12 26  +16 41 06; Tau
V = 7.7;  Size 16'

17.5" (2/11/96): large, roundish group of ~100 stars in a 15' diameter.  The three brightest mag 8/9 stars lie on the west side.  This trio is part of a 7' arc of 15 stars elongated N-S sharply defining the preceding side of the group.  The cluster is fairly well detached except at the east side which merges into the general field density.  About 5' NW of the trio described above is an unequal double h3269 = 8.6/10.6 at 20", though it appears detached from the main group.  25' SW is the bright, striking group NGC 1807 which has a cruciform outline.

8": about 65 stars in 15'-20' diameter, large, fairly rich, many faint stars.  Includes three brighter stars on the west side including a mag 8.5 star.  Forms a poor version of the "Double cluster" with NGC 1807 25' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1817 = H. VII-4 = h349 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 147).  He recorded "a cluster of stars, ccattered and of very different magnitudes.  They take up a space of about 20' and the cluster is coarsely circular.  The weather is very indifferent so that the small stars are not very well to be seen; but I suppose there cannot be less than 150 that I might count at present."  On 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 292), he reported "a cl of stars about 20 or 25' diameter, pretty rich, the stars not very small, nor very compressed."  This cluster was also the only non-stellar object observed in sweep 1093 on 21 Jan 1800 -- the only sweep made during this year!

John Herschel observed the cluster on 25 Jan 1832 (sweep 395): "Large, rich cluster; stars 12...15 m; fills the field.  Place that of a double star.  The most compressed part is 42.5 sec following the double star and 3' south of it."  The double star is HJ 3269 = 8.6/10.6 at 20".
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NGC 1818 = ESO 085-040 = S-L 201
05 04 14  -66 26 06; Dor
V = 9.7;  Size 2.9'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, fairly large, 2.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with an intense core that is partially resolved into several very faint stars.  The halo was fairly well resolved with two dozen faint stars plus some brighter mag 12-13 stars in the outer halo.  Just off the southwest edge is KMHK 490, a very small non-stellar object that appeared like a close double star.

NGC 1818 is the brightest of a trio with NGC 1810 6' NW and S-L 205 5' NE.  S-L 205 is just a faint, diffuse glow, roughly 35" diameter.  NGC 1822 and NGC 1826, a fainter pair of clusters, lie 14' NNE.  NGC 1818 is a "young" blue or populous cluster (YPC), formed only 30-40 million years ago.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1818 = D 236 = D 234 = D235 = h2749 on 3 Aug 1826.  Dunlop apparently made observations on different nights at different positions and recorded them separately as discoveries.  He described D 236 on 3 Aug 1826 as "a star with a burr or bright small nebula about 20" diameter, very bright at the centre."  He observed it twice and the published position is 3.4' ENE of center.  D 234, found on 6 Nov. 1826, was described as "a round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter."  His notebook position is 8' due S.  Finally, D 235, found on 24 Sep 1826, was described as a "small round pretty well-defined nebula" and his position is 5.5' NNW of center!

John Herschel made 6 observations of the cluster with the first description from 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508): "vB, S, R cluster of distinct stars, much brighter in the middle, 2' diameter."
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NGC 1819 = UGC 3265 = MCG +01-14-002 = Mrk 1194 = LGG 130-005 = PGC 16899
05 11 46.1  +05 12 03; Ori
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 120°

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright core, elongated NW-SE.  Located 12.5' S of mag 8 SAO 112508.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1819 = Sw. 3-35 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His position is 10 tsec west of UGC 3265 = PGC 16899.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 6 Dec 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 1820 = ESO 085-039 = S-L 199 = LH 19
05 04 02  -67 16 00; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 8'x5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this star cloud or association (LH 19) in the LMC appears as a very large, irregular group of approximately two dozen stars mag 10-15, roughly 9'x5' and extended N-S.  Includes five stars mag 12 or brighter, along with two brighter "knots" (NGC 1814 and 1816) on the west side, as well as some irregular nebulosity (N17). The 11th mag member RMC 74 = HD 268939 is a candidate Luminous Blue Variable. A mag 10.2 star at the S end is a foreground galactic star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1820 = h2754 on 2 Jan 1837 and described a "pL, rich, 6th class cluster, irregular figure, in radiating streaks. Place that of a star 10th mag (one of 3 such).  It is within this cluster that the two nebulae [NGC 1814 & NGC 1816] occur."
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NGC 1821 = MCG -03-14-007 = PGC 16898
05 11 46.0  -15 08 04; Lep
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  MCG -02-14-004 lies 20' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1821 = LM 1-147 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 45 tsec west and 1' N of MCG -03-14-007 = PGC 16898 and his PA = 140 deg is very close. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1822 = ESO 085-042 = S-L 210
05 05 09  -66 12 36; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 0.8'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter.  A single mag 14.5 star is resolved at the west edge.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1826 2.8' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1822 = h2756 on 20 Dec 1835 and described as "vF, 20", the preceding of two [with NGC 1826 = h2751]."  Wolfgang Steinicke credits James Dunlop with the discovery (D 235) on 24 Sep 1826, though Dunlop's position is much closer to NGC 1818, which may have multiple entries.  I believe this cluster is too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop.
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NGC 1823 = ESO 056-051 = S-L 198 = LH 18
05 03 25  -70 20 06; Men
V = 12.1;  Size 0.9'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright irregular cluster with 8 or 9 resolved stars within 45".  Five of the resolved stars are collinear on the W side and oriented ~N-S.  NGC 1823 is the second of three clusters with NGC 1813 4' WNW and S-L 200 4' SSE. The surrounding field is filled with a scattering of mag 12-13 stars and a large number of fainter stars (this is the stellar association LH 18).  S-L 200 is the largest of the three clusters, 1.2'x0.6' extended N-S, with several stars resolved over a hazy background or emission glow and a detached group of 4 stars off the S end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1823 = h2758 on 12 Nov 1836 and described "The most compressed part of a pF; L; branching cluster of stars 12...15m."  His position is on the southeast side of the cluster.  Hodge and Lucke (1970) note this open cluster lies within the LMC O-association No. 18; the brightest star in the cluster is 13.9 mag.
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NGC 1824 = ESO 119-036 = AM 0506-594 = PGC 16761
05 06 56  -59 43 30; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 3.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 160°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): fairly faint to moderately bright, nice edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.3'x0.5'.  Weak, broad concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Located 9' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 33475.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1824 = h2755 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, vmE, 2' long, 20" broad, pos = 162 degrees."
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NGC 1825 = ESO 056-053 = S-L 202
05 04 19  -68 55 36; Dor
V = 12.0;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, very small, round, 20" diameter, increases to a very bright quasi-stellar nucleus but no resolution.  Located 3.5' WSW of mag 8.0 HD 33477.  NGC 1847 lies 15' ESE and NGC 1804 is 20' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1825 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #199 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  There was no description given but his position is 1.5' NW of this LMC cluster.
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NGC 1826 = ESO 085-043 = S-L 221
05 05 34  -66 13 54; Dor
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): slightly brighter of a pair of small clusters with NGC 1822 2.8' NW.  Appeared moderately bright, round, 45" diameter, broad weak concentration but no resolution.  A mag 10.8 star lies 2.9' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1826 = h2757 on 20 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF, 20", the following of two [with NGC 1822]."  Steinicke lists Dunlop as the discoverer (D 235) of this object as well as NGC 1822, though Dunlop's position is much closer to NGC 1818, which may have multiple entries.  I believe this pair of clusters is too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop.
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NGC 1827 = ESO 362-006 = MCG -06-12-008 = LGG 127-004 = PGC 16849
05 10 03.7  -36 57 32; Col
V = 12.5;  Size 3.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 120°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, even surface brightness.  Unusual appearance as a mag 11 star is superimposed on the east side of the center.  Member of the NGC 1792/1808 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1827 = h2751 on 28 Nov 1837 and described as "vF, vmE, a long ray through a star 11th mag."  His position is 1' too far south.
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NGC 1828 = ESO 056-054 = S-L 207
05 04 21.5  -69 23 18; Dor
V = 12.5

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): first in a trio with NGC 1830 and NGC 1835.  At 228x this LMC cluster appears fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  NGC 1830 lies 3.2' NNE and much brighter NGC 1835 is 4' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1828 = h2761 on 23 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, 20"; the first of 3 [with NGC 1828, 1830 and 1835]."  His position is accurate
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NGC 1829 = LMC-N23A = ESO 056-57 = S-L 208
05 04 57  -68 03 18; Dor
V = 12.1

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster and HII region (N23A) appeared bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 1.5' diameter.  Four stars are within the nebulous glow including a mag 13.5, two mag 14 stars and a mag 15 star.  Located 1.8' NW of mag 7.9 HD 33486.  The surrounding region includes several mag 12-13 stars, but these are detached from the glow.  HS 114 lies 6.3' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1829 = h2760 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, R, 60", r[esolvable]."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 1830 = ESO 056-056 = S-L 207 = BRHT 3a
05 04 39  -69 20 26; Dor
V = 12.6

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): second of three in a distinctive triangle with NGC 1828 3' SSW and NGC 1835 4.6' SE.  At 228x, this LMC cluster appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter and quite similar to NGC 1828.  An extremely faint, very small glow (cluster BRHT 3b) is 1' SW, on a line towards NGC 1828 (verified on DSS).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1830 = h2762 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, 25"." He next recorded it as "the second of 3 [with NGC 1828 and 1835]." His position (observed on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1831 = ESO 085-044 = S-L 227
05 06 16.3  -64 55 06; Dor
V = 10.7;  Size 3.9'

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly large, 1.5'-2' diameter, weak even concentration to the center.  This is a rich intermediate-age LMC globular cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1831 = D 246 = h2759 on 3 Aug 1826, with a second observation on 5 Nov.  He described it as a "pretty well-defined round faint nebula, 25" diameter; a little brighter at the centre." and his first position was 5' due west of center.

John Herschel observed the cluster on 3 Dec 1834 (sweep 518) and called it "B; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 90"."  In 1926, Robert Innes observed NGC 1831 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg and described it as a "Mag[nificent] globular cluster, 2' diameter, bM of thousands of very faint stars." 

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1831 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though current age estimates are under 1 billion years.
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NGC 1832 = MCG -03-14-010 = LGG 129-005 = PGC 16906
05 12 03.2  -15 41 19; Lep
V = 11.3;  Size 2.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 10°

24" (1/28/17): at 375x; bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 N-S, 1.6'x1.2', well concentrated with a small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 1.1' E of center.

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly bright, bright core, slightly elongated ~N-S.  A mag 11 star is 1.0' E of center.  Situated 33' NNW of mag 3.3 Mu Leporis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1832 = H. II-292 on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 365) and reported "pB, irr R, much brighter in the middle, south-preceding a pretty considerable star and within a minute of it."  His position is 2.3' SE of MCG -03-14-010 = PGC 16906.
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NGC 1833 = LMC-N190 = ESO 056-55 = S-L 206 = LH 24
05 04 22  -70 43 54; Men
V = 11.7;  Size 2'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; fairly large nebulous patch 1.5' diameter with a mag 13.4 star near the center and a half-dozen additional stars resolved (part of stellar association LH 24).  The nebulosity showed a fair response using the NPB filter with a brighter piece on the NE side and a 2' irregular shape.  NGC 1833 is located at the S end of the huge NGC 1845 stellar association/Star Cloud (LH 26), and many brighter stars over a rich, glowing background extend a full 20' NNE!  Mag 9.5 HD 269028 lies 3.2' NNW.  NGC 1837 lies 3' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1833 = h2765 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; pL; runs into and forms the first mass of a series of clustering groups."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1834 = ESO 056-060
05 05 12.2  -69 12 27; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 20"

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): bright, small, round, thin halo, just 20" diameter, mottled but no resolution.  Located 2.8' SE of mag 9.3 HD 33487.  NGC 1834 (and nearby clusters NGC 1828 and 1830) is 12' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1834 = h2764 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded (single sweep) "B, vvS, little extended, uniform in light, 10" across."  His position is 30" S of this compact cluster.  The NGC description added the query "Planetary?"  On the DSS, this object appears to be an extremely compact cluster, though perhaps a brighter star is superimposed.

Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", mentions that "A fairly bright star blended with two faint ones. Questioned as a planetary nebula in the NGC. Prism plates show a fairly strong continuum only, and it is probably an early-type star."  RNGC follows Lindsay and misidentifies NGC 1834 as a triple star. Hodge and Wright note that it "may only be a bright star in a rich field".  The ESO records it as a globular cluster (ESO 056-SC060), but gives no other details.  NGC 2000.0 misidentifies this object as an asterism.
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NGC 1835 = ESO 056-058 = S-L 215
05 05 06.7  -69 24 15; Dor
V = 10.2;  Size 1.6'x1.2'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): brightest of three clusters with NGC 1828 4' W and NGC 1830 4.6' NW.  At 228x, this LMC globular cluster appears bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, strongly concentrated with a small bright core.  This object has a very symmetrical appearance with a high surface brightness like a compact globular cluster.  NGC 1834 lies 12' N.

NGC 1835 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.  It has the highest known number (84) of RR Lyr variables in the LMC and is the brightest and most elliptical of the classic globulars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1835 = D 116 = h2763 on 24 Sep 1826 (second drift).  He described "a small round well-defined nebula, rather bright towards the centre (considerably condensed), 15" diameter." His reduced position was 15' too far SSE, but his drift offset from NGC 1872 (7 min 15 sec preceding and 7' south) is a fairly close match.

John Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) and recorded "vB, S, R, pretty much brighter middle; 40"; the last of three [with NGC 1828 and 1830]."  Herschel didn't associate D 116 with this cluster, probably due to Dunlop's poor position.  The cluster is missing from the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas although it includes nearby NGC 1828 and 1830.

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1835 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" and it is still considered one of the 15 bona-fide ancient GCs in the LMC.
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NGC 1836 = ESO 056-061 = S-L 223
05 05 35.7  -68 37 42; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright LMC cluster, relatively large, high surface brightness, very elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x0.4'.  The dominant portion of the cluster is on the NW end and appears bright, roundish, 25"-30" diameter with a few stars resolved just outside the glow.

A 14th magnitude star is off the SE side and connects to a small knot (open cluster BRHT 4b) containing a very tight string of 15th magnitude stars.  NGC 1836 forms a striking pair with NGC 1839 2.5' E.  HS 109 is 5.4' S and several other small clusters are in the field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1836 = h2766 on 23 Nov 1834 (along with NGC 1839 = h2768), though no description or position was given.  On his second sweep (30 Dec 1836) he noted "the first nucleus of a clustering group of mixed stars and nebulosity."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1837 = ESO 056-059 = S-L 217 = LH 24
05 04 56  -70 42 54; Men
V = 10.6;  Size 1.3'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; this cluster is mainly a very elongated N-S string of stars with some unresolved haze. There was no filter response.  A few brighter mag 12.5-13 stars are involved with a total of a dozen in the 1.2' string.  NGC 1837 forms a 3' pair with NGC 1833 to the WSW (part of association LH 24).  Another star cloud extends to the N with several mag 12 stars, along with many faint stars in the wider field.  This magnificent star cloud (LH 26) is rich in bright and faint stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1837 = h2769 on 3 Nov 1834.  He observed this cluster on two sweeps and recorded it as "The last of three clustering groups (hazy)" and "the most condensed part of a large rich cluster of scattered stars which more than fills field."  Archinal notes the brightest star is at 05 04 56.8 -70 42 57, close to Herschel's second position.  It is not clear what other two objects Herschel was referring to in his first sweep as only NGC 1833 is in the same field, though the star cloud (stellar association LH 24) containing these clusters extends to the NE.
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NGC 1838 = ESO 056-064 = S-L 225
05 06 47  -68 25 42; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 10'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): excellent scattered cluster/association in the LMC.  Includes many brighter mag 11.5-13 stars along with dozens of fainter stars.  Perhaps 75 stars down to mag 15 are resolved in a 7' region.  Located just east of mag 8.2 HD 33617 with mag 10.2 HD 269035 at the southeast edge.

There are three Shapley-Lindsay clusters (not specifically mentioned by Herschel) at the edges. S-L 225, at the southwest edge, appeared fairly bright, round, 50" diameter.  Several mag 14-16 stars are resolved, particularly along the north side.  Located 2' SSE of mag 8.2 HD 33617.  A mag 11.7 star is 1.3' WSW.  S-L 230, at the northern edge, appeared very bright, fairly small LMC cluster, 30"x20" ~N-S, clumpy.  At 394x, a brighter star is resolved along with a few very faint stars and a quasi-stellar knot.  It was too densely packed for additional resolution.  Just 1' SW of S-L 230 is S-L 229, a pretty faint small glow, ~20" diameter, with no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1838 = h2767 on 30 Dec 1836 and logged as "a star 7 mag, the chief of a large very loose clustering mass."  The star was earlier listed in the Brisbane Catalogue of Stars (published in 1835) as B895, and JH references the Brisbane number in the Cape Catalogue.

Shapley-Lindsay, ESO and the Hodge-Wright Atlas identity the small knot S-L 225 as NGC 1838.  Jenni Kay states that Herschel's description clearly refers to the larger star group, which contains a few small, faint open clusters within it, including S-L 225 and S-L 230.  The large, loose grouping including a mag 8 star is roughly 10' in diameter, compared to S-L 225, which is just 35".  Harold Corwin notes that S-L 225 may be outside of Herschel's intended object.
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NGC 1839 = ESO 056-063 = S-L 226
05 06 02.6  -68 37 40; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 1.6'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright cluster forming a striking pair with NGC 1836 just 2.5' W.  At 200x appears as a very high surface brightness irregular glow, ~30" diameter, mottled but not resolved.  A group of six mag 13-14 stars is off the west side in two short N-S strings.  Several fainter clusters are in the field including HS 117 5' SSE, HS 109 6' SSW and S-L 234 6' SE.

Bhatia et al. (1991) listed NGC 1836 and BRHT 4b (40" to its SE) as a binary cluster, but NGC 1839 and BRHT have similar ages (~140 Mly) and perhaps a common origin.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1839 = D 170 = h2678, along with NGC 1836, on 25 Sep 1826.  He described "a pretty large faint nebula, irregular figure [with several bright points in it]." The part in brackets was found in his handwritten notebook, but not his published catalog.  Dunlop's position was 10' E of NGC 1839 and the next entry in his handwritten notes mentions "the preceding of the three nebulae [follows by 2 min 55 sec and 6' S]."  Close to this offset is NGC 1850, the first of three with NGC 1854 and NGC 1858, which seems to clinch the identification.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1839, along with NGC 1836, on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and described as "pB, irregular figure; the following of 2 [with NGC 1836] in field together." On 20 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) he called it "the second nucleus of a binuclear clustering group of mixed nebula and stars." 
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NGC 1840 = ESO 056-062
05 05 19  -71 45 46; Men
Size 0.6'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): NGC 1840 may the asterism of four mag 13.7-14.7 stars within 1.4' at this position.  In  addition a couple of mag 15-16 stars were resolved at 394x.  Situated in a sparsely populated field.

More likely, though, NGC 1840 is a duplicate of NGC 1833.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1840 = h2771 on 3 Nov 1834 and described "F, R, bM, resolvable.  Hardly visible through a thick haze.  The observations makes the RA 6m 13.5s, but this is impossible from the context [of the sweep].  It *may* be 8m."  In the Cape observations, Herschel gives a position of 5h 7m 13.5s (1830), which is ~3' too far west, and that position is also used in the GC.  In any case, the only nearby object is an asterism of 4 stars.  In August 2016 Harold Corwin went over the sweep carefully and concluded "Checking this arc, we find two candidate objects:  NGC 1833 and SL 249 (at 05 07 35, -70 44.9).  The NGC object (= h 2765) is the larger and brighter of the two, and its position is off JH's by even digits:  1 minute of time, and 1 degree of declination.  This makes it likely [that NGC 1833 is also] NGC 1840."  See his detailed analysis.

Eric Lindsay, in  the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", comments "There is some confusion about the RA. Dreyer chose the position 5h 6m 13.5' (1830) instead of 5h 7m 13.5s adopted by Herschel. There is nothing at either position. The object was hardly visible though a thick haze, the observation made the RA 6m which was considered impossible and may even by 8m. At the latter is the small cluster S/L 235."
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NGC 1841 = ESO 004-015
04 45 22.7  -83 59 55; Men
V = 11.4;  Size 2.4'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this LMC cluster appeared as a fairly large, round glow, ~3' diameter with a low surface brightness and just a very weak concentration.  At 228x the cluster just starts to resolve into extremely faint 16th magnitude stars.

NGC 1841 resides 14.4° S of the LMC's center in the halo (farthest away on the sky), but it is one of its 15 bona-fide ancient GC's.  It is also the southernmost globular in the sky.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1841 = h2788 on 19 Jan 1836 and described "pF, L, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle, resolvable, 3' diameter. (RA open to much error for want of zero stars to be depended on)."  Although his RA is off by 1 minute of time, his position still matches the globular very well at this declination.

Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos announced NGC 1841 as a globular cluster in 1940 (discovery credited to Mrs. Seyfert) based on a long-exposure 24-inch Bruce plate at Bloemfontein, South Africa.  The announcement was in "Southern Clusters and Galaxies" (Harvard Obs. Bull., No.914, 6).  The listed V magnitude of 14.1 is almost certainly too faint and it was noted as possibly extragalactic, similar to NGC 2419.
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NGC 1842 = ESO 085-046 = S-L 241
05 07 18  -67 16 24; Dor
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, irregular shape, 25" diameter, no resolution.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1844 3.4' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1842 = h2772 on 20 Dec 1835 and described as "eF, the preceding of two [with NGC 1844 = h2773]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 1843 = MCG -02-14-008 = UGCA 107 = PGC 16949
05 14 05.9  -10 37 38; Ori
V = 12.6;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 110°

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, halo gradually fades into the background.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1843 = St. 8b-17 on 15 Jan 1877 with description "faint, small, round, little brighter middle."
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NGC 1844 = ESO 085-048 = S-L 242
05 07 30.4  -67 19 28; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 1.3'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, irregular (brightest portion is triangular shaped), 45"-60" diameter.  A couple of faint stars are resolved at the edges with two interior stars occasionally resolving.  It appeared mottled and on the verge of higher resolution.  A mag 12.4 star lies 2' SSW.  NGC 1842 lies 3.4' NNW with NGC 1846 8' S.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~40" diameter, fairly smooth with only a weak concentration to the center.  Two mag 12-13 stars lie to the south and a mag 10 star (HD 33631) is 8' SW.  Nearby is the larger (globular?) cluster NGC 1846 8' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1844 = h2773 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 60"."  On a second sweep he recorded "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25", has two stars 12th mag to the north." On a third observation is only logged "F, R".  The final observation reads: "F, R, bM, the following of two [with NGC 1842 = h2772]."
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NGC 1845 = ESO 056-065 = S-L 232 = LH 26
05 06 22  -70 35 24; Men
V = 10.2;  Size 20'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; this very large star cloud (LH 26) completely fills the 19' field.  The small open cluster S-L 232, which is often taken as NGC 1845, is at the NE end.  It appeared as a moderately bright, nebulous patch, roundish, 30" diameter, unresolved.  A mag 11.2 star is 0.9' SW.  The star cloud generally trends NE to SW from S-L 232, stretching ~20'x10', and includes the open cluster NGC 1833 and 1837 at the SW end. It contains a stunning mix of bright stars (a few mag 9.5 stars are Milky Way stars), numerous mag 12-13 stars and faint stars over the glowing LMC background haze of myriad unresolved stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1845 = h2770 on 24 Nov 1834 and simply noted the position was "the general middle of the same cluster [field containing NGC 1837 = h2769]."  On a second sweep he gave the more detailed description: "a star 9m the second in magnitude and near the centre of clustering groups which run together and form a cluster which fills the whole field. vl compressed middle; st 11...16m."  His two positions refer to different objects: probably the small cluster S-L 232 to the NE of HD 269070 and the much larger star cloud itself (LH 26 association).  Uranometria 2000 atlas misclassifies this object as a bright nebula.  The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas identifies S-L 232 as NGC 1845.
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NGC 1846 = ESO 056-067 = S-L 243
05 07 34.1  -67 27 41; Dor
V = 10.7;  Size 2.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this young LMC globular appeared fairly bright, relatively large, round, 2.5' diameter, broad concentration, mottled with some weak resolution.  A mag 10 star lies 9' SW.  NGC 1846 is the second in a collinear string of 4 LMC clusters with NGC 1844 9' NNW, NGC 1842 11.5' NNW and NGC 1852 21' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1846 = h2774 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "B; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 3'."  He recorded this cluster on 4 different sweeps and his position is accurate.

James Dunlop's D 209 may be an earlier discovery on 6 Nov. 1826.  He described a "very faint round nebula, 45" diameter, preceding a bright star in the same parallel."  His position is 9' SW of center, within the range of his usual errors, but there isn't a bright star "in the same parallel".  A mag 11.5 star is 7' due W, though I doubt he would call it a "bright star".

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1846 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though it's age is now known as 1.5-1.7 billion years.
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NGC 1847 = ESO 056-066 = S-L 240
05 07 08  -68 58 18; Dor
V = 11.1;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright LMC blue globular, moderately large, irregular elongated shape, high surface brightness glow with a small fainter halo, ~0.6'x0.4'.  At 200x, several mag 14.5-15.5 stars are resolved (a couple are fairly easy) within and at the edges of the central glow.  NGC 1825 lies 15' WNW, NGC 1856 is 16' SE and NGC 1855/1858 are ~15' NE.  John Herschel described a "double star in the centre" and I'm sure this refers to the two brightest central stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1847 = h2775 on 15 Dec 1835 and logged as "B, E, 30", has a double star in the centre." On a second sweep he called it "B, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"."  His position is accurate.

Joseph Turner described and sketched NGC 1847 on 18 Dec 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 27 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae..."): "It has a mottled appearance, the bright parts being very bright, as if consisting of very small stars. Sometimes these bright parts sparkle, but I cannot make out any distinct stars, although I feel convinced that these exist. The small star immediately south of nebula and close to it is involved in very faint nebula. Herschel's drawing of this object is very unlike its present appearance. He describes it as having a double star in centre and his drawing also shows it so. The nebula presents altogether a more mottled appearance than indicated by Herschel's sketch, and the two brighter parts might easily, upon an unfavourable night, be mistaken for the double star with Herschel shows in his drawing; I can however make nothing more of it than already stated. Night exquisite."

On 19th November 1884, Baracchi noted: "Pretty large, elongated, bright patches within it, not stars. Sparkling looks as if resolvable, but not so. Agrees exactly with Turner's drawing. Position of neighbouring stars agrees exactly with Turner.  Nebula is most likely unchanged. Herschel puts a double star in it. This double star is perhaps represented now by the bright patches. It may be that Herschel's stars have changed into diffused patches." Both Turner and B. consider the lithograph as fairly representing the object."
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NGC 1848 = S-L 247 = LH 28 = ESO 056-068
05 07 17  -71 11 18; Men
V = 9.7;  Size 3.3'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): large, scattered group of stars, winding in a loop or U-shape that is open on the east and northeast side.  On the west end is an unequal 6" pair. The primary is a mag 10.5 galactic foreground star (HD 269104).  In total between 30-36 stars mag 12.5 and fainter (several are OB supergiants) are resolved in a 5' region (stellar association LH 28).  At the east end of the loop is S-L 256, a faint but clumpy glow of 20" diameter.  NGC 1848 is centered 6' NE of mag 7.3 HD 33923.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1848 = h2776 on "the first and brightest star, 9th mag, of a cluster of loosely scattered stars" and recorded as "The first and brightest star, 9m, of a cluster of loosely scattered stars."  His position is exactly 1 min of RA west of the star at the west edge of the group.
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NGC 1849 = ESO 085-049 = S-L 267
05 09 35  -66 19 00; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, irregularly round, 1' diameter, small bright core, no resolution.  An equilateral triangle of mag 11/12 stars with sides of 2.4' is centered 4' SW.  While scanning the field, I noticed open cluster S-L 283 7.7' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1849 = h2778 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; little extended; gradually little brighter middle; 25".  His position from a single sweep is ~30" NNW of center.
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NGC 1850 = LMC-N103A = ESO 056-70 = S-L 261
05 08 45.2  -68 45 42; Dor
V = 9.5;  Size 3'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x in the 24" I was stunned by the view of this huge, extremely bright, young massive cluster!  The outer halo, which extends 5' in diameter, was resolved into dozens of faint stars arranged in irregular star chains that appear to stream out of the core.  A single brighter mag 13 star is superimposed on the west side [30" W of center is the core of companion cluster NGC 1850A].  The center is highly concentrated with an extremely bright 1' core that appears elongated, irregular and clumpy with a curved outline.  A small, 20" diffuse glow is embedded at the north edge of the halo (open cluster S-L 260).

NGC 1850 resides in a glorious LMC region that is packed with an unbelievable number of clusters and HII regions including NGC 1854 6' SE and NGC 1858, a huge cluster and nebulosity, ~10' SE.  A faint loop of nebulosity (N103A) is involved with the cluster, extending ~N-S on the east end, but I didn't try a filter to see if it was visible.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): After the Tarantula region (30 Doradus complex), NGC 1850 is the brightest star cluster in the LMC and at an estimated age of only 40-50 million years, this rich, globular-like cluster has no counterpart in the Milky Way!  At 128x, the cluster appeared very bright (9th magnitude), large, round, ~3.5' diameter, well concentrated with an intensely bright 1' core.  A brighter mag 13 star is superimposed on the western side of the halo. Several very faint stars are resolved in the very lively halo.

NGC 1850 lies in a very impressive region of the LMC (near the outskirts of the central bar) with 13 additional NGC clusters/nebulosity within 30' including NGC 1854 7' SE, NGC 1858 10' SE, NGC 1856 22' SSE and several others including NGC 1836, 1839, 1847, 1860, 1863, 1865.  Unfortunately dawn was starting to break so I only was able to view the first group of objects mentioned above and I need to return to this field!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1850 = D 172 = h2780, along with NGC 1854 and 1858, on 3 Aug 1826.  His summary description (based on two observations) reads, "pretty bright round nebula, 40" diameter.  This is the preceding and brightest of three nebulae in a line [with NGC 1854 and NGC 1858]."  His published position was 10' E (same offset as NGC 1839), but a 3rd observation on 6 Nov 1826, in which he stated the line is oblique to the equator, is only 5' SW.

John Herschel observed this cluster on 6 sweeps beginning on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) when he logged "pretty bright, small, round, a cluster of stars 12th mag; diam 1'." Three weeks later (sweep 512) he noted, "globular, very bright, very much compressed, 3' diameter."  Herschel gave possible identities with D 172 as well as D 170, though the latter applies to NGC 1839.
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NGC 1851 = ESO 305-016 = Mel 30
05 14 06.3  -40 02 50; Col
V = 7.2;  Size 11.0';  Surf Br = 0.1

18" (1/17/09): at 275x this very bright globular spanned ~6' and contained a blazing 1.5' core.  Nearly two dozen stars were resolved including a distinctive SSW-NNE string that runs past the west side of the core.  The observation was hampered by the low elevation of this globular from northern California (~10° elevation).

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 200x, this compact globular was very bright, strongly concentrated with an intense 1.5' core and a 4-5' fainter halo.  The core was very lively and there were ~30 stars resolved [brightest cluster members are mag 13.2], mostly in the loose halo. A neat loop of stars emerges from the core and runs NNE-SSW along the west edge of the core.

17.5" (1/31/87): small bright core, large very mottled halo.  About 20 stars are resolved, mostly west of the core.  

13.1" (1/1/84): mottled bright core, unresolved except for two or three faint stars at the west edge.  

8" (10/31/81): small, very small bright core, faint halo.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1851 = D 508 = h2777 on 10 May 1826. His summary decription (based on 5 observations) reads, "exceedingly bright, round, well-defined nebula, about 1.5' diameter, exceedingly condensed, almost to the very margin.  This is the brightest small nebula that I have seen. I tried several magnifying powers on this beautiful globe; a considerable portion round the margin is resolvable, but the compression to the centre is so great that I cannot reasonably expect to separate the stars. I compared this with the 68 Conn. des Tems, and this nebula greatly exceeds the 68 in condensation and brightness."

John Herschel recorded it on 23 Oct 1835 (sweep 638) as a "superb globular cluster; all resolved into stars of 14th mag.; very suddenly much brighter in the middle to a blaze or nucleus of light; diam. in RA = 15 seconds of time. Difference of left and right eyes in resolving this cluster very remarkable. Returning from the left to the right eye, the object (in comparison) appears as if glazed over with a kind of dull film." On a later sweep he wrote, "very bright; round; very suddenly very much brighter in the middle; 3'; all clearly resolved into stars from 14 to 16 mag except at the centre, where they are massed together into a blaze of light." His final observation reads "Superb globular cluster, very bright; round; first very gradually then suddenly very much brighter in the middle; 4'; resolved, the stars barely visible in strong twilight."
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NGC 1852 = ESO 056-71 = S-L 264
05 09 24.0  -67 46 45; Dor
V = 12.0

25" (4/6/19 - OzSky): at 244x and 353x; bright, fairly large, round, 1.2' diameter, brighter core.  A couple of 15th mag stars were resolved on the north side and a couple additional extremely faint 16+ mag stars on the edge of the southern halo.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this rich LMC cluster (possible globular) appeared moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter.  Fairly low surface brightness with a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  Forms the northern vertex of a triangle with two mag 10 stars (HD 34038 and HD 34143) 7.4' SSW and 6' SSE, respectively.  NGC 1846 lies 21' NW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1852 = D 171 = h2781 on 6 Nov 1826 and described a "very faint round nebula, about 25" diameter."  His position is 5' SSE of the cluster and there are no other nearby candidates.  John Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate and he made no mention of Dunlop's possible earlier observation.
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NGC 1853 = ESO 158-022 = PGC 16911
05 12 16.4  -57 23 57; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 43°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): moderately bright and large, elongated ~5:2 SW-NE, 1.25'x0.5', slightly brighter core, brighter along the major axis.  A mag 12 star is 1.6' NE of center, collinear with the major axis.  Located 4.5' SSW of mag 9.6 HD 34231 and 8.7' SW of mag 9.7 HD 34314.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1853 = h2779 on 4 Dec 1834 and logged "F; S; mE; pos 45° n f to s p.  Has a *11 mag north."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) and description matches ESO 158-022 = PGC 16911.  RNGC labels this object as an "unverified southern object".
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NGC 1854 = NGC 1855 (core) = ESO 056-072 = S-L 265
05 09 20.0  -68 50 52; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 0.8'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I revisited this remarkable field after viewing NGC 1850 (located 6' NW) the previous night.  At 200x this cluster appeared very bright, large, round, with a brilliant core.  At 350x, it resolved into numerous faint stars around the edges of its intense core.  Up to a couple of dozen very faint stars popped in and out of visibility. The core is noticeably elongated N-S and is surrounded by a large, much fainter halo.  There is a small clump of stars at the NW edge.  NGC 1858, a large star cluster and nebulosity, lies 4' SE.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', moderate concentration. There is a small knot attached to the north edge.  Located 6' SE of NGC 1850 with NGC 1858 4.5' further SE in a region of the LMC packed with clusters.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1854 = D 119 = h2782, along with NGC 1850 and 1858, on 3 Aug 1826.  He noted a "small round pretty well-defined nebula" and mentioned the three nebulae were on a line oblique to the equator. Although his position is 12' too far ESE, the identification is certain.

John Herschel recorded NGC 1854 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and logged "a cluster nebula, S, R, pB, 40"."    He observed the cluster on 5 sweeps including 16 Dec 1834 (sweep 657) when he noted "B, E, gradually brighter in the middle, 2', resolvable. The second of three objects [with NGC 1850 and 1858."   His description for NGC 1855 = h2783 reads "a vB, L, round cluster of stars 12m, 5' diameter [this obs must refer to the general cluster in which the former (NGC 1854) is situated as a nebulous-looking knot - a combination of the most ordinary occurrence in the Nubecula Major, though very rare in other parts of the heavens.)"

NGC 1854 and 1855 are equated in S-L (1963) and ESO as well as online sources such as SIMBAD.  Brent Archinal has separate listings for NGC 1854 ("central portion") and NGC 1855 in his book "Star Clusters".
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NGC 1855 = ESO 056-072
05 09 20  -68 51 00; Dor
Size 2.3'x2.3'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x, the cluster was resolved into numerous faint stars around the edges of the intense core.  Up to a couple of dozen very faint stars popped in and out of visibility. The core (NGC 1854) is noticeably elongated N-S and is surrounded by a large, much fainter halo (NGC 1855).

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):  see description for NGC 1854.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1855 = h2783 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "a vB, L, round cluster of stars 12m, 5' diameter [N.B. this obs must refer to the general cluster in which the former (h2782 = NGC 1854) is situated as a nebulous-looking knot - a combination of the most ordinary occurence in the Nubecula Major, though very rare in other parts of the heavens]."  He has 5 observations of h2782 (the central core of the cluster), but only this single observation noting a much larger field.  Most sources, such as ESO and SIMBAD, simply equate the two numbers or refer to the cluster as NGC 1855, though Brent Archinal has separate listings for both objects in his book "Star Clusters".

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1854 = D 119 (the core of the cluster) on 2 Aug 1826 and described a "small round pretty well-defined nebula". His position is 12' ESE of NGC 1855, a typical error shared by D 120 = NGC 1858.  Dunlop is not credited in JH's catalogues or the NGC.
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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.

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 25 Sep.  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 included NGC 1783 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though it's age is now known to be only 250-450 million years.
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NGC 1857 = Cr 61 = Mel 32 = OCL-428
05 20 06  +39 20 36; Aur
V = 7.0;  Size 6'

13.1" (1/18/85): 50-60 stars resolved surrounding mag 7.5 SAO 57903 near the center.  This is a very pleasing cluster and is rich in faint mag 13/14 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1857 = H. VII-33 = h350 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 619).  He described "a cluster of pretty compressed pS stars, considerably rich, contains one large star, the rest are all of a size."  His position is accurate.  On 3 Feb 1832 (sweep 399), John Herschel recorded, "a *7m, very ruddy, almost orange-coloured, in a p rich cl of very small stars."  Wolfgang Steinicke reports that William discovered it earlier on 30 Sep 1780 (before his sweeps started), while surveying the brighter stars with his 6.2-inch reflector.
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NGC 1858 = LMC-N105 = ESO 056-74 = S-L 274 = LH 31
05 10 00  -68 54 15; Dor
V = 9.9;  Size 4.4'x2.6'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1858 would be a fascinating nebula and cluster (association LH 31) even if it was isolated, but it's more striking situated at the southeast end of a wonderful chain with the bright cluster NGC 1854 and NGC 1850, one of the top showpieces in the LMC.  At 346x about two dozen stars were superimposed over an elongated glow and many other stars were just outside the glow.

At 200x with a UHC filter, the associated emission nebula (N105) was very bright overall with a very high surface brightness patch (N105A = HD 269111), roughly 30" in size, at the north end. This patch contains the mag 13.9 Wolf-Rayet star Brey 16a = HD 269113.  The nebula is brightest along the west and east border and weaker in the center.  The elongation is towards a mag 12 star on the south side (blue supergiant HD 269116).  A 13th mag yellow supergiant (F2-type) is 0.8' NNE. HD 34169, a mag 13.7 star off the west side, is a rare eclipsing binary, consisting of a Wolf-Rayet WN4 star (Brey 16) and an O5-class blue supergiant.  The nebulosity forms part of a Superbubble.  NGC 1854 lies 4.5' NW.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): third of three bright objects in a NW to SE string with NGC 1850 and NGC 1854/55.  This is a large and very unusual cluster with nebulosity.  There is a bright knot attached near the NW edge, ~15"-20" in diameter.  This knot responds very well to a UHC filter at 76x (27 Panoptic).  An obvious elongated patch of nebulous haze curves to the SE with several mag 13 stars involved with the glow and extended N-S.  Overall, the size of the cluster/nebulosity extends to 3.5'x2'.  Located 4.5' SE of NGC 1854.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1858 = D 120 = h2784, along with NGC 1850 and 1854, on 3 Aug 1826.  He called it a "small round nebula, about 30" diameter" with the three "nebulae" described as on a line oblique to the equator, matching the sky.  He made a second observation on 25 Sep 1826, matching in offset position from NGC 1856, the previous object in the drift. He described it as "the following of the three faint nebulae [with NGC 1850 and 1855] - irregular figure, ill defined, about 1' long, 25" or 30" broad."

John Herschel first recorded NGC 1858 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and noted "A bright cl of irregular figure."  Herschel observed the cluster no less than 7 sweeps.  For example, the next night (sweep 509) he called it "a large, irregularly elongated cluster and nebula. Has two bright nebulae N.p. [NGC 1850 and 1854]. "  He added this note his observations: "This object, by diagrams, made in several of the observations, appears to consist of a resolvable and irresolvable portion, the general form being that of a somewhat crooked oblong extended from N.p. to S.f. at an angle of 60 or 70 degrees with the parallel, the northern end being nebulous, the southern starry. This anomalous form and constitution will serve to explain the apparent disagreement of these descriptions and places."
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NGC 1859 = ESO 085-50 = S-L 297
05 11 32.5  -65 14 55; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly small, round.  A brighter "bar" oriented NW-SE runs through the center, 0.6' diameter.  Appears very mottled with a few very faint stars resolved.  Collinear with mag 7 HD 34349  5.5' NE and a mag 11.4 star 4.5' SW.  NGC 1866 lies 18' SE.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this cluster appeared as a faint, fairly small, round, unresolved spot, roughly 0.5' diameter.  Located 5.5' SSW of mag 7.0 SAO 249218 and 18' NW NGC 1866.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1859 = h2786 on 3 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; 20"; has a *7m nf, dist 6'."  His position and description is accurate.
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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.

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.
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NGC 1861 = ESO 056-076 = S-L 286
05 10 22  -70 46 36; Men
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, round, fairly small, 35" diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core, no resolution.  A mag 12 star lies 4' W and there are no stars brighter than mag 11 in the field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1861 = h2790 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "eF, R, gradually very little brighter middle, 90 arcseconds."  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 1862 = ESO 085-051 = S-L 306
05 12 34.4  -66 09 18; Dor
V = 13.3;  Size 0.3'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular round, 25" diameter.  Two mag 15-15.5 stars are resolved [6" separation] on the north side [this is cluster BRHT 6b] and a knot on the south side just resolves into a 4" pair.  A wide 30" pair of mag 11/12.5 stars is 2.5' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1862 = h2789 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vF, R, 30"."  His position from this single sweep is 1.3' too far west.
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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 located 5' SE.  The remarkable field containing NGC 1850 (brightest cluster in the LMC), NGC 1855 and 1858 lies 15' SW.

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 the drift.

John Herschel 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.
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NGC 1864 = ESO 056-079 = S-L 309
05 12 41.0  -67 37 25; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 0.9'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, fairly small, roundish glow, 35" diameter.  Four stars are resolved are 303x.  Two mag 14.3 and 15.5 stars lie on the west end and a couple of mag 14.5-15 stars are on the southeast side.  HD 34650 = HJ 3747 = 9.4/11.0 at 7" is 6.2' ENE.  NGC 1871/1869/1873 lies 12' and more to the northeast.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1864 = h2792 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; bM; 60."  On a second sweep he logged "F; irreg R; r; query, if not a knot of vS stars."  His position is accurate.
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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.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1865 = h2794 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "vF, pL, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 45"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1866 = ESO 085-52 = S-L 319
05 13 38.6  -65 27 52; Dor
V = 9.5;  Size 4.5'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): beautiful, highly resolved "blue globular" in the LMC.  Appeared very bright, very large, with an intense 1' core surrounded by a 5' halo containing a few dozen very faint stars.  The core itself was partially resolved into a number of densely packed stars over bright, mottled haze.  NGC 1859 lies 18' NW.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this LMC globular appeared moderately bright and fairly large large, round, 2.5' diameter.  The appearance was symmetrical with a faint 2.5' halo increasing to a 1' bright core that was concentrated to the center.  There was no obvious resolution although the surface was grainy or mottled.  Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 11-12 star 3' WNW and a mag 12-13 star 3' NNW.  This is a young populous "blue globular" with an age of roughly 200 million years. NGC 1866 lies north of the main body of the LMC, 4.4° from the center.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1866 = h2793 = D 247 = D 248 on 3 Aug 1826.  He described D 248 as "a pretty bright round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter, gradually and moderately condensed to the centre."  His first position on 3 Aug was 9' to the east and a second position from 5 Nov was 7.5' to the west, so the identification is fairly certain.  D 247, found on 3 Oct 1826, is apparently another observation. It was placed 9' too far NW and described (in his notebook) as "a pretty bright round nebula, 35" diameter, gradually condensed to the center and well defined."

John Herschel observed NGC 1866 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and recorded "vB; L; R; very gradually much brighter middle; 2'; resolvable."   In 1926, Robert Innes observed NGC 1866 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described a "fine cluster of stars, very dense, with outliers, 2' diam, a miniature of Omega Centauri, 8th mag."

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1783 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters" though it's age is now known to be only a couple of hundred million years.
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NGC 1867 = ESO 058-053 = S-L 321
05 13 41.6  -66 17 36; Dor
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appears as a fairly faint soft glow with no resolution, moderately large, irregularly round, 35" diameter, slightly brighter core.  Forms the obtuse angle of a flat triangle with a mag 10.5 star 2.6' S and a mag 12.5 star 1.9' NW.  NGC 1882 lies 15' NE and NGC 1887 is a similar distance ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1867 = h2795 on 3 Jan 1837 and described as "eF, pL, R, 2' (sky dull)."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1868 = ESO 085-56 = S-L 330
05 14 35.9  -63 57 15; Dor
V = 11.4;  Size 3'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, moderately large, round, fairly thin halo, 1.0' diameter, mottled and high surface brightness but not resolved.  A mag 12 star lies 2.5' NE.  Resides in an fairly sparse field 57' SE of mag 5.2 WZ Doradus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1868 = h2796 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "pF; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 80"."  On a second sweep he recorded "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  In 1926, Robert Innes observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He reported it as "Resolvable. 1' diameter, bM, = 9th mag."
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NGC 1869 = LMC-N30A = ESO 085-55 = S-L 326 = LH 37
05 13 52.7  -67 22 41; Dor
V = 10.5;  Size 14'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): S-L 326 = LH 37 (middle of three OB associations within a large star cloud) consists of a mag 11.5 star, along with 5 other fairly bright stars and a number of faint stars (12-15 total resolved).  The cluster is encased in an irregular HII glow with a brighter patch (N30A) to the southeast of the mag 11.5 star.  The glow is moderately enhanced with the NPB filter, which reveals nebulosity extending off the cluster to the west.  HD 34632 = Brey 17, is a mag 13.1 Wolf-Rayet star (binary) on the west side of the cluster.

NGC 1873 lies 3' N and NGC 1871 is 4.5' S.  All three clusters appear as local enhancements anchored by bright stars and lie within a striking star cloud (large association of blue supergiants including LH 32/34/36/37/38).  A rich background glow of unresolved stars extends west and north.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, hazy glow (= S-L 326) around a mag 10.5 star (HD 269183) with a couple of mag 12 stars close west.  NGC 1873 lies 2.7' N with 1871 4.4' S.  Located 11.5' S of mag 4.9 Theta Doradus.  Shapley used NGC 1869 as the center of "Constellation" IV, a 33'x33' association of blue and red supergiants.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1869 = D 210 = D 182 on 24 Sep 1826.  His description of D 210 reads "a small round nebula, rather faint.  This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude at the north extremity."  Dunlop's sketch (figure 7) appears to support D 210 = NGC 1871 (or part of the "line"), with a small nebula at the opposite end of a curved chain extending to a star (Theta Doradus) at the opposite end.  His published position is 3.4' ESE of S-L 326 in the center of the association (the "point taken" by Herschel).   Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all."  This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) so his positions are systematically offset.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1869 = h2798 on 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 658) and described a "cluster of 7th class; a fine L cluster of scattered stars which fills field.  The point taken is the middle of 3 groups [including NGC 1871 and 1873] in the most condensed part."

NGC 2000, ESO and Morel's Visual Atlas of the LMC all identify NGC 1869 with S-L 326, a small cluster flanked by NGC 1871 to the south and NGC 1873 to the north of Herschel's position.  This is the object described by Herschel on his second sweep.  But Jenni Kay notes that "I am confident the small cluster centrally positioned between NGC 1871 and NGC 1873, being 2.5' in size is not Herschel's cluster.  The whole star group is attractive enough to warrant it's own designation. ...the small OC was used to measure a position only for the whole group which is the true NGC 1869 cluster."  Based on his two sweeps, NGC 1869 refers BOTH to the small cluster and to the star cloud (Lucke-Hodge associations 36/37/38 as well as 34/32).
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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.

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.
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NGC 1871 = LMC-N30B = ESO 056-085 = S-L 325 = LH 38
05 13 52.0  -67 27 08; Dor
V = 10.1

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): this nebulous cluster contains 5 or 6 bright stars (mag 11.5-13) and 10 stars total (OB association LH 38), 2' diameter, elongated E-W.  A very small nonstellar knot (N30B) is near the center; a mag 11.8 blue supergiant (Henize S22 = HD 34664, LBV candidate) is just 25" N and a mag 11.4 star (HD 269195) is at the E end.  Nebulosity encases the stars and is moderately enhanced with a NPB filter.  NGC 1871 is located at the SE end of a 15' star cloud (includes LH 32/34/36/37/38) with NGC 1869 = S-L 326 4.6' N and NGC 1873 7' N.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, this is a small group of stars in the LMC, 4 stars are resolved in nebulosity.  NGC 1873 lies 7' N and NGC 1864 is 12' SW.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1871 = D 210 = D 182 = h2800 on 24 Sep 1826.  He recorded D 210 as "a small round nebula, rather faint.  This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude [probably mag 4.8 Theta Doradus] at the north extremity."  Although NGC 1871 is not "preceding in a line", it lies at the south end of a line with NGC 1869 and 1873, extending towards Theta Doradus.  Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all."  This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) and his published position is 2° to the SE.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1871 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and described "a poor cluster; the southern of three (with NGC 1869 and 1873) of four."  On 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) he called it "the second of a series of clusters which extend northwards as far as [Theta Doradus]."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 1872 = ESO 056-083 = S-L 318
05 13 11.6  -69 18 45; Dor
V = 11.0;  Size 1.0'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bright cluster was the first LMC object I observed in the 24" and the view and surrounding field was very striking.  At 200x, the cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, round, 1.25' diameter, with a very bright core and a mottled halo.  A couple of mag 14-14.5 stars are near the edge of the halo.

Just to the east is a fairly rich scattering of stars including a 6' N-S curving chain that includes several mag 11-12 stars with a nice mag 12 pair at the north end (NGC 1881).  The southern end of the chain is near an impressive complex (stellar association LH 35) containing five HII regions (NGC 1874, 1876, 1877 and 1880) which are located ~4' S and 5' SSE of NGC 1872.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1872 = D 121= h2802 on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded "a small round nebula."  Although his reduced position was 15' too far south, he observed it in the drift (second on 24 Sep) just 12 seconds prior to the NGC 1876 complex and 2' N, a nearly perfect match.

John Herschel first observed NGC 1872 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and reported "B, R, gradually brighter in the middle; the preceding nebula."  In Dec. 1834 (sweep 523) he recorded, "pB, S, R, insulated in the recess of an arc-formed nebulous cluster (See plate III fig 6 for this and several following objects)."  His position (recorded on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1873 = ESO 085-054 = S-L 324 = LH 36
05 13 55.8  -67 20 00; Dor
V = 10.4

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, large resolved cluster, 2.5' diameter.  Includes a bright mag 11.6 star and 20 or more mag 13 and fainter stars over unresolved haze and nebulosity.  Moderate contrast gain with NPB filter. Connected to S-L 326 (see NGC 1869) just 2.8' S and NGC 1871 7.5' SSW.  The three star groups are embedded in a 15' star cloud (including associations LH 32/34/36/37/38).  Faint stars and unresolved haze extends to the west and north as well as a several brighter mag 11.5-12.5 stars 4' to 6' W.  This excellent region is situated 9' S of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, 4 stars resolved over haze, 1.0' diameter.  Located 9' S of mag 4.9 Theta Doradus in a series of small clusters including NGC 1871 7' S and a small group just 3' S surrounding a mag 10 star that John Herschel gave as the center for NGC 1869.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1873 = D 210 = D 182 on 24 Sep 1826.  His description of D 210 reads "a small round nebula, rather faint.  This is the preceding in a line of nebulae and small stars, with a star of the 7th magnitude at the north extremity."  Dunlop's sketch shows a curved chain of stars and nebulae extending south of a bright star (Theta Doradus).  Dunlop's D 182, found on 27 Sep, also refers to these clusters: "a bright star [Theta Dor] is at the north extremity of a branched cluster of very small stars of mixed small mag or - with several small faint nebulae in strong nebulosity common to all."  This number is from a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) so his positions are systematically offset.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1873 = h2801 on 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) and described it as "the third [with NGC 1871 and 1869] of a series of clusters extending to B 922."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1874 = LMC-N113D = ESO 056-84 = LH 35
05 13 09.0  -69 22 34; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a complex of HII regions located ~4' due south of the bright cluster NGC 1872.  At 200x and UHC filter, NGC 1874 appeared bright, round, ~1' diameter, even surface brightness.  The nebulous glow is just slightly fainter than NGC 1876 which is just 1.3' NE.  Without a filter a couple of mag 14 stars are involved within the glow, including an O7:V-type (BI 104).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1874 = part of D 122 = h2804 on 24 Sep 1826.  His handwritten notes reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side].  The stars are very small."  His reduced position was 14' too far south, but the description fits this complex and in the drift he accurately placed NGC 1872 a few arc minutes NNW at the same time, confirming the identification.  As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these.

John Herschel recorded NGC 1874 = h2803 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657): "the south preceding of two [with NGC 1876 = h2804], forming a binuclear nebula at the southern extremeity of an arc-formed cluster of stars."  He sketched the complex, which is shown on Plate III, figure 6 in his Cape catalogue.
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NGC 1875 = HCG 34A = Arp 327 NED1 = VV 169a = MCG +01-14-032 = CGCG 421-039 = PGC 17171
05 21 45.8  +06 41 20; Ori
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

48" (10/24/11): bright, round, 30" diameter, brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1' W.  The other three fainter members (interacting chain Arp 327) are in a string to the southeast with HCG 34D 0.5' SE, HCG 34C 0.9' SE and HCG 34B 1.2' SE.  HCG 34D is extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter, HCG 34C is faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 12"x8" and HCG 34B appears faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 20"x10".  I also picked up 2MASX J05215739+0643182, a fairly faint (mag 16.7B) galaxy 3.5' NE.  Viewed in poor seeng.

24" (2/9/13): NGC 1875 is the dominant E or S0 galaxy in HCG 34.  At 375x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, well concentrated with a small brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1' W and a mag 16 star is just 0.4' W of center.  Two additional members were barely seen to the southeast; HCG 34C 0.9' SE and 34B 1.2' SE.

17.5" (2/8/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.0' E of a mag 13.5 star.  No other members of HCG 34 seen.

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1' W.  This galaxy is the brightest member of HCG 34 including an extremely faint interacting triplet just SE which was not seen.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1875 = m 98 on 18 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "eF, S, R."  His position matches MCG +01-14-032 = PGC 17171, the brightest member of HCG 34.  VV 169 = Arp 327 is a triplet of distorted galaxies just southeast.
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NGC 1876 = LMC-N113C = ESO 056-84 = in LH 35 = in S-L 320
05 13 18.1  -69 21 50; Dor
V = 11.7;  Size 1.2'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the largest and brightest in an impressive complex of HII regions just 3' S of the young massive cluster NGC 1872.  At 200x and a UHC filter, it appeared very bright with a slightly irregular outline, ~1.2' diameter, brightest along the north rim where there is a brighter knot.   NGC 1874, another bright section, lies only 1' SW and NGC 1877 is a similar distance SSE.  A long curving chain of stars sweeps to the NE of the complex (stellar association LH 35).  NGC 1881 lies the north end of this stellar chain.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1876 = part of D 122 = h2804 on 24 Sep 1826.  His handwritten notes reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side].  The stars are very small."  Although his reduced position was 14' too far south, the description fits this complex and he accurately placed NGC 1872 a few arc minutes NNW, confirming the identification.  As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these.

John Herschel observed NGC 1876 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and described it as "B, irreg R (the following of two very close) connected by an arc-formed cluster with another."  The following month (sweep 523) he called it "pB, r[esolvable], the most compressed part of an irregular binuclear nebula which terminates, to the south, an arc-formed cluster."  His mean position from 4 sweeps is accurate and a sketch showing the entire complex is on plate III, figure 6.
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NGC 1877 = LMC-N113A + N113B + N113E = ESO 056-084
05 13 21.7  -69 22 37; Dor

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the third in an interesting complex of HII regions and is situated just 1' SE of much brighter NGC 1876.  At 200x with a UHC filter, it appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, with several stars embedded.  The Henize H-alpha catalog lists 113A, 113B, and 113E (all stellar) separately. These massive infrared protostars (30-40 solar masses) are embedded.  NGC 1877 forms the SE vertex of a small equilateral triangle with NGC 1874 and 1876.  NGC 1880 lies another 1.5' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1877 = h2805 on 17 Jan 1838 and described as "a third and very faint nucleus of the nebular group at the southern extremity of the arc-formed cluster. From a figure of Jan 17, 1838 [plate III, figure 6 in the CGH Observations]."  See Corwin's notes.

James Dunlop discovered the entire complex of nebulae on 24 Sep 1826.  His handwritten description of D 122 reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side].  The stars are very small."  As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these, but NGC 1877 is quite faint in comparison.
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NGC 1878 = ESO 056-080 = S-L 316
05 12 51  -70 28 18; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; moderately bright, small, round, compact, 20" diameter, fairly high surface brightness glow, no resolution. Occasionally a mag 16-16.5 star pops at the north edge.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' NE and a mag 12.5 star is 1.8' NE.  N193A, a compact HII region, is 4.3' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1878 = h2807 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "vF, little extended, gradually very little brighter middle, r. (N.B. The Nubecula Major is here very poor, and hardly anything of it seen.)"  His position, from a single sweep, is ~30" too far east.
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NGC 1879 = ESO 423-006 = MCG -05-13-016 = UGCA 110 = PGC 17113
05 19 48.2  -32 08 29; Col
V = 12.8;  Size 2.5'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 60°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, moderately large, almost round, low even surface brightness.  Located 3.3' SE of mag 9.8 SAO 195756.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1879 = h2797 on 18 Nov 1835 and reported as "vF, L, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 2', has a star 12 seconds preceding and 3' north."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1880 = LMC-N113F = ESO 056-82
05 13 38.6  -69 23 03; Dor
Size 0.7'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the 4th in a striking group of HII regions with the main complex consisting of NGC 1874, 1876 and 1877 just to the west by 2'-3'.  At 200x with a UHC filter, NGC 1880 appeared as a moderately bright, small, round haze surrounding a star.  A brighter mag 12.3 star ~40" SW is free of nebulosity.  Very faint haze is visible extending to the east (BSDL 945) and northeast.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1880 = h2808 in Dec 1834 and described as "A fourth nucleus at the southern end of the arc-formed nebula and cluster, as laid down in the figure of Jan 17, 1838 [plate III, figure 6 in the CGH Observations]." This grouping consists of NGC 1872, 1874, 1877 and NGC 1880.  See Corwin's notes for NGC 1874.

James Dunlop discovered the entire complex of stars and nebulae on 24 Sep 1826 (second sweep).  His handwritten description of D 122 reads, "a cluster of nebulae, one about 20" diameter, 3 smaller with several small stars in a curved line [on the north side].  The stars are very small."  As NGC 1876 and NGC 1874 are the brightest objects in this complex, it's safe to assume that D 122 applies to at least these numbers, and perhaps NGC 1880.
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NGC 1881 = ESO 056-086 = S-L 323 = LH 35
05 13 37.3  -69 18 03; Dor
Size 1.0'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): a long, curving chain of stars (part of stellar association LH 35) extends to the northeast of the NGC 1874/76/77 HII complex and ends at an easy pair of mag 12 stars (12" separation) located about 2.5' NE of the globular NGC 1872.  At 260x, faint haze or unresolved stars, ~1' in diameter, encompasses this pair of stars.

Although there is dim nebulosity generally north and west of the double, John Herschel's description and sketch refers to an asterism of 5-6 faint stars 2.5' following the pair of stars.  Modern sources are incorrect in identifying NGC 1881 with the pair of mag 12 stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1881 = h2810 on 17 Jan 1838 and recorded "vF; follows a double star.  An outlier of the arc-formed nebula and cluster [N1874/76/77].  Laid down in drawing Jan. 17, 1838, whence also its place.  See Plate III. fig. 6."  There are only a handful of faint stars near his position.  See Corwin's notes and my visual description.
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NGC 1882 = NGC 1884? = ESO 085-057 = S-L 340
05 15 33  -66 07 48; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 1.2'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, roundish, 1.2' diameter, small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is resolved at the west edge of the core.  A mag 10 star lies 5.5' E.  NGC 1887 lies 12' SSE and NGC 1867 is 15' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1882 = h2809 (along with NGC 1867, 1919, 1946, 2034, 2062, 2153, and 2176) on 3 Jan 1837.  He recorded "pF, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, 3' diameter, mottled (resolvable)."  His position is less than 30" NW of center.
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NGC 1883 = Cr 64 = OCL-417 = Lund 175
05 25 54  +46 29 24; Aur
Size 3'

13.1" (12/22/84): about a dozen very faint stars mag 13.5 and fainter over unresolved haze.  Located 1.5° NE of Capella.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1883 = H. VII-34 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645).  He recorded "a cluster of very faint and very small stars, pretty compressed but not very rich, irr figure, about 3' diameter."  His position is just off the north side of this cluster.  This cluster was only 5° from the zenith as it crossed the meridian, 1.7° ENE of Capella.

The declination in Lynga, RNGC and Sky Catalogue 2000.0 is 4' too far N.
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NGC 1884
05 15 58  -66 09 48; Dor

= Not found or 3 *'s, Corwin.  =Not Found, Lindsay.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1884 = h2812 on 3 Jan 1837 and noted,"eF, 2' diameter."  There is nothing obvious on the DSS at his position (29 tsec east and 2' south of NGC 1882).  Eric Lindsay reports "not found" in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud".  ESO equates NGC 1884 with NGC 1882.  Since NGC 1882 and 1884 were recorded on the same sweep, this seems unlikely.  If Herschel made a 10' error in dec, then NGC 1884 could be a duplicate of NGC 1887 instead, though his size estimate would be significantly too large.  Finally, Harold Corwin notes this number may refer to 3 stars close to Herschel's position.
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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 one brighter star).

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.
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NGC 1886 = ESO 487-002 = MCG -04-13-013 = AM 0519-235 = FGC 484 = PGC 17174
05 21 48.6  -23 48 34; Lep
V = 12.8;  Size 3.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 60°

48" (10/29/16): at 488x; bright, striking edge-on 7:1 SW-NE, at least 2.0'x0.3', contains a brighter bulging core.  This large, thin edge-on is nearly bisected by a thin, pretty subtle dust lane slightly north of the central axis.  The portion of the core south of the lane was slightly larger and more prominent with a smaller section of the core north of the lane.  A mag 10.0 star (HD 35127) is 2.7' SW, nearly collinear with the major axis.  In additional a mag 9.3 star is 3.6' SSW (HD 35157) and a mag 10 star (HD 35105) is 6' WNW.  These three bright stars, along with a 4th mag 10 star, form a prominent 11' chain angling NW-SE.   On images, NGC 1886 is a miniature version of NGC 891 with a box/peanust-shaped bulge.  Located 54' NW of M79.

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, fairly small, edge-on WSW-ENE, even surface brightness.  Located just east of a line of four bright stars oriented NW-SE, including mag 9.5 SAO 170343 10' NW, mag 9.5 SAO 170346 6' WNW and mag 9 SAO 170350 3.4' SSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1886 = LM 2-400 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick and recorded "mag 14.0, 3.0'x1.8', E 240°, *8 at 0.6' in PA 245°."  His position is just 11 tsec west of ESO 487-002.  Herbert Howe mentioned the "*8 sp 40" should read "*9 precedes 11 sec, 0.9' south, and a *8.5 about 6' S."
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NGC 1887 = ESO 085-059 = S-L 343
05 16 06  -66 19 06; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 40" diameter.  Concentrated with a very small brighter core that is offset towards the west side.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the NW edge of the main glow and a mag 15.2 star is off the NE edge.  NGC 1882 lies 12' NNW and NGC 1867 is 14' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1887 = h2813 on 23 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; vS; R; has a * preceding 25" distance."  His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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NGC 1888 = Arp 123 NED1 = MCG -02-14-013 = PGC 17195
05 22 34.7  -11 29 58; Lep
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 145°

48" (2/18/12): very bright, large, elongated 5:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.5'.  Contains a very bright, elongated core that appears mottled.  The northwest extension is partially cut off in a north-south direction due to a dust lane near the midpoint and the northwest end has a much lower surface brightness.

48" (10/22/11): very bright, large, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 2.6'x0.5', large bright core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 1889, which is attached on the east side of the core.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE streak.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 1889 just NE of the center.

8" (10/31/81): very faint, small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1888 = H. II-289 = h352 = h2806 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 362) and recorded "F, pL, irregular triangular figure, resolvable."  I'm surprised he missed NGC 1889, which was discovered by Lord Rosse's assistant Bindon Stoney on 29 Oct 1851.  Joseph Turner sketched the pair of galaxies (Arp 123) on 4 Jan. 1877 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 28 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...").
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NGC 1889 = Arp 123 NED2 = MCG -02-14-014 = PGC 17196
05 22 35.3  -11 29 49; Lep
V = 13.3;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 165°

48" (2/18/12): very bright, small, round, very high surface brightness core, stellar nucleus, 0.4' diameter.  Forms a contact pair at the east edge of the core of NGC 1888

48" (10/22/11): very bright, small, round, 25" diameter, very high surface brightness.  Attached on the east side of the core of NGC 1888.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, extremely small, round.  Forms a contact pair with much brighter NGC 1888.  Located just east of the north end of NGC 1888.

Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 1889 on 29 Oct 1851.  He described NGC 1888 as a "close double nebula, the preceding nebula [NGC 1888] is elongated NW-SE.".  The rough position in the NGC is very close.
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NGC 1890 = ESO 056-087 = S-L 331
05 13 46  -72 04 42; Men
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, 40" diameter.  This cluster consists of two "knots".  The brighter knot on the northwest side appears to have a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 13-13.5 is just off the west-northwest edge, 0.7' NE and another mag 13.5 star is 1' SSE.  Mag 9.5 HD 271126 is 2.8' NNE and mag 9.1 HD 35141 is 9.5' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1890 = h2816 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 1891 = ESO 362-020
05 21 16.3  -35 42 5; Col

18" (1/21/04): ~15 mag 10-13 stars, scattered in a 15' field.  There are no rich subgroups and appears to be an unimpressive, random group of stars.  Still, it stands out as reasonably detached at 115x.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC and not catalogued by Lynga as a cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1891 = h2811 on 26 Dec 1835 and called it "A large scattered cluster, which more than fills the field.  Stars 10...12m.  Place that of a double star [HJ 3753], the chief star."  His position corresponds with mag 9.3 SAO 195771 at 05 21 16.3 -35 42 56.  ESO notes "No Cluster" and RNGC also classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 1892 = ESO 085-061 = PGC 17042
05 17 09.0  -64 57 35; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 2.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 74°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this galaxy shines through the northern portion of the LMC!  At 166x, it appeared very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.3' with just a weak concentration.  A very faint star is just south of the following end.  Located 37' NE of the bright LMC young globular NGC 1866.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1892 = h2815 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "vF; pL; lE in parallel; very gradually little brighter middle; 2' l; 9" br."  On a second sweep he recorded "pF, pL, elongated in parallel; 90", 50"; has a star or two in it."  In 1926, Robert Innes described it visually as a "very elongated nebula, 45° to 225°, 12th mag; 30" broad, 2' long." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory). The Hodge-Wright Atlas claims the RA is off by 1 tmin, but it is correctly marked on the Atlas and the NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 1893 = Cr 63 = Mel 33 = OCL-439
05 22 45  +33 25 12; Aur
V = 7.5;  Size 11'

24" (1/4/14): at 200x, this bright, young cluster contains 80-100 stars, with the richest portion forming a large boomerang-shaped region extending 12'x5' N-S.  The outline is slightly concave to the west and convex to the east with a narrow denser region in the center with several pairs and trios.  NGC 1893 is the core of the Aur OB2 association and contains a number of massive O-type stars including 9th mag O4-type HD 242908 at the NW tip of the "boomerang" and 9.4-mag HD 24296 (O6-type star) forming the SW tip of the outline.  In the rich central region is a 10th mag O7-type star (HD 242935), and the brightest component of the multiple star BU 887, with two fainter companions at ~10" separation.  Just 1.4' NNW of this triple is a 14" of mag 10.4/11.4 stars, with brighter component BD+33 1025, an O8-type star.  Also 2.4' SE is a 10" pair of mag 11.4/12.4 stars. In addition, many other stars appear to be arranged in pairs and strings, so the cluster has a striking appearance.  These and other hot O and B-type stars in the cluster ionize the large emission nebula IC 410, which is quite impressive using a UHC filter (see separate description).

The cometary "Tadpoles" nebulae Simeis 130 and 129, which contain recently minted stars, lie on the east end of the cluster.  The "head" of Simeis 130 was immediately picked up at 200x as a very small, fairly high surface brightness knot with at least one star involved.  At 260x and 375, two very close "stars" oriented WSW-ENE were embedded in the glow, with the ENE object quasi-stellar (would not focus to a sharp point) and perhaps a very tight pair. Although impressive on images, there was no sign of the wavy tail extending from the "head" towards the NE.  Mag 9.1 BD+33 1028, 3' E of Simeis 130, along with a 6' group of a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars, were visually detached to the NE of the main cluster.

48" (10/27/19): just west of the cluster was a noticeable dark nebula, ~3' in diameter and it provided a striking contrast with the rich cluster immediately to its east and northeast.

13.1" (2/25/84): about 40 mostly faint stars, elongated N-S in poor transparency.  Located within a triangle of three mag 8 stars.  The emission nebula IC 410 is involved.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1893 = h351 on 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51) and described a "rich coarse cluster of scattered stars 9...15m; more than fills field."  There is nothing at his position but exactly 3 tmin of RA west is a cluster embedded in the HII region IC 410.  JH didn't mention any nebulosity in his description, so the number should just apply to the cluster only, with IC 410 referring to the nebula. The error in position was copied by JH into the GC and by Dreyer into the NGC.  In the 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", Karl Reinmuth gave an corrected RA (noting it with an asterisk).
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NGC 1894 = ESO 056-089 = S-L 344 = BRHT 8a
05 15 51  -69 28 06; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright to very bright, moderately large, round, 0.8' diameter, high surface brightness.  A couple of mag 15+ stars are at the edge on the N side as well as a mag 13.5 star at the NW edge.  Situated in a rich region of the LMC with a glowing background. NGC 1903 and NGC 1916, both showpiece globulars, lie 11' NE and 15' ENE, respectively.  NGC 1876 and neighbors, an impressive HII complex, lies 15' NW and NGC 1898 is 12' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1894 = D 124 = h2818 on 24 Sep 1826. He recorded (second drift on this date) "a small very faint round nebula, 12" diameter."  His reduced position was 14' too far south, but his drift record shows it was logged 3 minutes after NGC 1876 (the entire complex) and 6' south, matching the offsets to NGC 1894.  Glen Cozens suggests that D 125 (the next number in the drift) may be NGC 1894, but that number likely applies to NGC 1903.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1894 = h2818 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 80"; resolvable.  On a ground of small stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1895 = LMC-N33 = ESO 085-62
05 16 52  -67 19 50; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 0.8'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): very bright, irregular HII region, ~45" diameter, enhanced with NPB filter at 152x.  Three mag 14.5-15 stars are involved with the glow, one centrally. A mag 12 star is 1.7' NNW.  NGC 1897 lies 8' SSE and the NGC 1873 complex (along with NGC 1869 and 1871) is 16' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1895 = h2817 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 40"."  On later sweeps he estimated the size as 70" and 80".
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NGC 1896
05 25 35  +29 15 36; Tau

18" (11/22/03): at 115x, this is a scattered group of two dozen or more stars (depending on assumed dimensions) situated northeast of mag 8.6 SAO 77158.  The group is elongated NW-SE, ~10'x4' in size, although the borders of the group are arbitrary.  Includes 10 brighter mag 10-12 stars.  The declination given in the RNGC is 9 degrees too far south (listed as nonexistent).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1896 = H. VIII-4 = h353 on 17 Jan 1784 (sweep 76) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars with small ones intermixed; it is about 3/4 nf Beta Tauri."  His summary description (from 3 observations) reads "a cluster of coarse and irregularly scattered pretty large stars."  His position matches this scattered group of stars (not a cluster).  A sketch (fig. 14) was included in his 1814 paper as representative of the class of irregular clusters.

On 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115), John Herschel logged, "the most condensed part of a poor cl divded into two.  It consists of 20 or 30 stars 9...12m." His position is only given roughly, but is just off the southeast side.  JH made a typo copying the NPD into the GC, where it is 9° too far south and Dreyer passed along this error into the NGC.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and uses the erroneous NGC position.  Lynga does not list a cluster at Herschel's position, so this group is probably an asterism and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, also adds "no distinct Cl."
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NGC 1897 = ESO 056-092 = S-L 355
05 17 32  -67 26 54; Dor
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): moderately bright cluster, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, fairly smooth, no resolution except for a mag 16.5 star at the south edge.  No response to filter.  Mag 9.9 HD 35292 is 5' ENE.  NGC 1895 is 8' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1897 = h2820 on 31 Jan 1835 and described as "eF; S; R."  His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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NGC 1898 = ESO 056-90 = S-L 350
05 16 41.9  -69 39 25; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 1.6'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, irregular outline, nearly 1.0' diameter, bright central region, very mottled, contains a very small bright nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the SW edge, 30" from center and two mag 12 stars are 2' S and 1.7' SE . Set within a rich background glow from the LMC, 12' W of NGC 1918, a large nebulous cluster.  Open cluster S-L 363 is 6' E and NGC 1894 is 12' NNW.  NGC 1898 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1898 = D 126 = D 88 = h2822 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described D 126 (second sweep) as " a very small round faint nebula, 6" to 8"."  His reduced position was 9' too far south (similar to other nearby objects in the drift), but it was placed 18' due south of the previous object NGC 1903, matching the sky.  D 88, recorded on 27 Sep 1826, was described as "a round faint nebula about 25" diameter.  North of three small stars forming a triangle."   His poorly reduced position was 21' too far SE, but his drift data shows the offset from NGC 1939 (the next object) lands within 2' of NGC 1898 and the description of the nearby stars clinches this identification.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1898 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513).  He described it as "F; R; 40"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 1899 = ESO 056-094 = LMC-N36
05 17 49  -67 54 06; Dor

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; no cluster or nebulous object was in the field at the nominal position, which included three mag 11 stars and the rest mag 13 and fainter.  I see nothing that would have caught John Herschel's attention in the field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1899 = h2821 on 30 Dec 1836 and reported as "F; R; very gradually brighter middle; 40"; 3 stars 10' [approximate] mag precede."

Eric Lindsay reports "Not found" in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud".  Nevertheless, there appears to be a small very faint star and nebulosity (N36) on the red DSS2 2' SE of Herschel's position. The Hodge-Wright Atlas states "possibly Henize 36".  Two mag 11 stars and a mag 12.7 star precede LHA 120-N 36, roughly agreeing with "3 stars 10' m precede."  See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this number.
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NGC 1900 = ESO 085-068 = S-L 376
05 19 09  -63 01 24; Dor
V = 13.6;  Size 1.7'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, ~45" diameter, mottled with brighter spots but no definite resolution.  A mag 14.5 star is 1' WSW and a few mag 15-15.5 stars are within 1' E. Located 3.7' SE of mag 7.2 HD 35199.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1900 = h2819 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "eF; pL; little extended; very gradually very little brighter middle".  In a second sweep, it appeared "pB; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25".  Among many stars, one = 7m, np."  His position and description (the mag 7 star is 3.7' NW) is accurate.
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NGC 1901
05 18 16  -68 26 24; Dor
Size 15'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): very scattered cluster of stars in a 15' region.  The central grouping, extending 7'x2.5', is the most compressed with ~15 stars (7 of these are fairly bright).  I estimated a total of 40 resolved stars total within 15', including 10 brighter stars.  The brightest are mag 8.4 HD 35294 in the central group and mag 7.6 HD 35230 on the southwest end.  This sparse Milky Way cluster (neither of the two brightest stars are members) is superimposed on the LMC.  The LMC cluster S-L 359, just 1.3' WSW of the mag 8.4 star, was not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1901 = h2824 on 30 Dec 1836 and described "a star 7th mag. The most southern and largest of a large, brilliant but poor cluster which fills the field. Stars 8, 9 ... 12th mag."  His position is close west of mag 7.6 HD 35230.

In "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (1964IrAJ....6..286L) Eric Lindsay comments, "Centered on CPD -68°347. A dozen fairly bright stars, of which CPD 68°347 is the brightest and most southern, scattered within 11' diameter. Could hardly be considered a cluster and resembles mroe nearly a field irregularity."  The brighter field stars are not associated with the LMC.  But in the paper "A stellar group in line of sight with the Large Magellanic Cloud." (1968AJ.....73..566S), the authors conclude, "BV photometry of a stellar group first noticed by Bok in line of sight with the Large Magellanic Cloud indicates that the group is real.  An H-R diagram shows an apparent main sequence with a turnoff near A0."
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NGC 1902 = ESO 085-066 = S-L 367
05 18 18.3  -66 37 35; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 1.2'x1.0'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly small, 40" diameter, weak concentration.  Located 43' NE of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus.  NGC 1920 lies 16' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1902 = h2823 on 23 Nov 1834 and described as "pB; S; R; bM; 15"."  On the fifth and final sweep he commented "globular; pB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 2' diameter.  Resolved."
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NGC 1903 = ESO 056-093 = S-L 356 = BRHT 9a
05 17 22.5  -69 20 17; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 1.5'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this showpiece cluster is located just 10' SW of the NGC 1910 complex, which contains S Doradus.  At 350x, it appeared very bright, ~1' diameter, with a blazing 20" core (cataloged as HD 35231).  Perhaps 20 stars were resolved in the halo at this power with a single brighter star at the edge of the core on the south side.  NGC 1916, another bright globular, lies 8' SE.

NGC 1903 is situated in a wonderful section of the LMC; panning south and to the west yields field upon field filled with both bright and fainter clusters of all sizes, along with nebulous HII glows.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1903 = D 125 = h2825 on 24 Sep 1826.  He recorded (handwritten notes) "small nebula, rather well defined." His reduced position was 10' too far south, but his handwritten drift notes placed it 18' due north of the next object, matching NGC 1898.  Glen Cozens assigns D 127 to NGC 1903, but that number (two objects later in the drift) appears to describe NGC 1910.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1903 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and described it as "vB; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position on 5 sweeps (all similar descriptions) is accurate.
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NGC 1904 = M79 = ESO 487-7
05 24 10.6  -24 31 27; Lep
V = 7.8;  Size 6';  Surf Br = 0.0

48" (11/21/25): at 375x; fantastic view of this relatively small, dense globular cluster.  It contains a brilliant 30" nucleus that is noticeably elongated and highly mottled. Numerous densely packed stars within the nucleus would temporarily appear and disappear with the seeing. The irregular halo was highly resolved, many in long chains and arcs. A very distinctive arc of ~7 brighter stars is in the outer halo from the S to E quadrant and extending further to the NE.  A nice linear chain of stars is on the NW side, extending in a NE-SW alignment. In total, I would estimate that 125 to 150 stars were resolved.

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): excellent view at 200x. Contains an intense, 1' core that was mottled and partially resolved, particularly around the edges. The halo was easily resolved with several dozen brighter members peppered within the halo and around the periphery (~40 stars counted) although there were no dense knots.  Surrounding the inner core (nucleus) is a dense ring of high surface brightness which was very mottled.  In good moments of seeing this ring broke up into a swarm of stars.  Located 40' ENE of HJ 3752, a striking mag 5.5/6.7 pair at 3".

17.5" (1/9/99): at 280x, M79 was well resolved into several dozen stars. Contains a sharply concentrated intense core, ~2' in diameter which is clumpy, mottled and partially resolved at its periphery.  The inner part of the halo was peppered with faint stars.  The background haze drops off significantly towards the outer portion of the halo but a number of brighter stars are resolved including a nice arc of stars along the following edge of the halo.  A evenly matched close pair is on the northeast side and a mag 12 star (a post-AGB star that belongs to the cluster) is at the north edge.  Located 35' NE of a naked-eye 5th magnitude star (HJ 3752 (5.5/6.7 at 3").

17.5" (12/7/90): 40-50 stars resolved mostly in the halo or at the edge of the very mottled core.  A string of six stars is just east of center and a long string passes through the core.  The brightest mag 12.5 star is north of the core.

17.5" (12/3/88): three dozen stars resolved, mostly at the edges of the core and in the halo.

17.5" (12/19/87): at 220x, three dozen stars were resolved.

13.1" (1/19/85): at 360x, about 40 stars resolved in good seeing including a few over the core. 

8" (9/25/81): small bright core, a few stars are resolved at the edge of the mottled core.  The outer halo is well resolved in excellent conditions.

Pierre Méchain discovered M79 = NGC 1904 on 26 Oct 1780.  He reported it to Messier, who confirmed its position on December 17th and included it in his 1781 catalogue (third and final).

Wolfgang Steinicke reports that William Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 4 Mar 1783 with his 6.2-inch reflector before he had a copy of the final Messier catalogue.  The same night he discovered NGC 2362 surrounding Tau CMa as well as Trumpler 7.  He verified it on Sept. 28th, though this time he knew it was M79.  He viewed the globular with his 20-ft (18.7") on sweep 322 (17 Nov 1784): "a fine cluster of stars, near 3' dia.  Extremely compressed but completely resolved."   On 13 Jan 1806, he observed it with his "Large 10 feet" (24" f/5) and logged "The 79th of the Connoiss. is a cluster of stars of a globular construction, and certainly extremely rich. Towards the centre the stars are extremely compressed, and even a good way from it. With 171x the diameter is a little less than 1/3 of the field, and with 220x a little more; the field of one being 9' 0", and of the other 8' 0", a mean of both gives the diameter of the cluster 2' 50", but I suppose that the lowness of the situation prevents my seeing the tiny scattered stars, so that this cluster is probably larger than it appears."
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NGC 1905 = ESO 085-067 = S-L 369
05 18 24  -67 16 42; Dor
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright LMC cluster, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Contains an irregular, small knotty nucleus that was unresolved.  NGC 1895 (HII region) lies 9' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1905 = h4016 on 2 Jan 1837 and described as "F, S, R, r[esolved].  It was catalogued in a "supplementary nebulae" list of objects at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) and identified as "h o n" (John Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.
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NGC 1906 = MCG -03-14-015 = PGC 17243
05 24 47.2  -15 56 34; Lep
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the SE edge 1.6' from center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1906 = LM 1-148 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct (0.2 tmin too far east).  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 21 Feb 1889 as well as Howe in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 1907 = Cr 66 = Mel 35 = OCL-434
05 28 05  +35 19 30; Aur
V = 8.2;  Size 7'

17.5" (10/12/85): 50 stars in a 7' diameter.  Includes a few bright stars but very rich in fainter stars in the central region.  A wide pair of mag 9.5-10 stars is at the south end (9.6/9.9 at 52") and a closer pair is off the NE side (h699 = 10.4/11.6 at 10").  Located 33' SSW of M38.

13.1" (11/5/83): dense, about three dozen stars.  

8" (11/5/83): rich, glowing cluster, compact, includes two bright stars to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1907 = H. VII-39 = h354 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693) and noted "a pretty compressed cluster of small stars, near 4' diameter."  It was observed again on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030) as "a pretty compressed cluster of small stars, considerably rich."  John Herschel made three observations and reported on 5 Jan 1827 (42), "pretty rich; irreg round; stars 9...12m, 50 or 60 counted; bM."
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NGC 1908
05 26 00  -02 32; Ori

= Not found, Corwin and Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1908 = H. V-33 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518).  He recorded "I suspect diffused eF milky nebulosity.  The means of verifying this phenomenon are difficult."  There is nothing at his position, just 23' ESE of Eta Orionis, the previous object logged in the sweep.

On 15 Jan 1868, Lord Rosse was "unable to say whether any diffused neby exists here.  At the set there was a spot about 10' diam or so, where there was almost total absence of stars when compared with the surrounding parts, and either from this cause or some other, it was rather *darker*."

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey Die Herschel-Nebel, reported "not found" and Harold Corwin, using the POSS, also reports no obvious nebulosity.  So, NGC 1908 is either lost or nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes for more information.
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NGC 1909
05 25.9  -08 07; Ori

= Not found, Corwin.  Nominal position given.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1909 = H. V-38 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 656) and recorded "strongly suspected nebulosity of very great extent.  Not less than 2 degrees 11' of PD and 26s of RA."  So, this "suspected nebulosity" stretched across several fields!  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, was unable to find Herschel's nebulosity.  Originally Corwin suggested this giant north-south nebuosity may refer to IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula.  Herschel's rough position of H. V-36 is ~23 minutes of RA too far east but if his offset direction from Rigel was reversed (roughly 11 min of RA west instead of 11 min of RA east), then his corrected position would be a reasonable match with IC 2118.  But it turns out that Herschel observed H. V-38 11 minutes after Rigel left the field, so obviously it can't refer to IC 2118, which is well west of Rigel.  So, this is apparently a case where Herschel was misled by subtle irregularities in the background sky or perhaps a reflection from a brighter star. SIMBAD misidentifies IC 2118 as NGC 1909.
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NGC 1910 = ESO 056-099 = S-L 371 = LH 41 = LMC-N119
05 18 42.5  -69 14 12; Dor
V = 9.7;  Size 10'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this large, bright cluster or star cloud (stellar association LH 41) contains the luminous blue variable (LBV)) S Doradus (8.6-11.5), the brightest star in the LMC and one of the brightest known stars (absolute magnitude -9).  At 200x, roughly 100 mag 10.5-15 stars were resolved in a 7' region with some extensions increasing the diameter another couple of arc minutes. Besides S Dor, there are several 11th and 12th mag A- and B-type supergiants and two Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars. RMC 85, a mag 10.3-10.8 LBV and 2nd brightest in LH 41, lies 2' to its SW in a trio of brighter stars.  Brey 21, a mag 11.3 WR binary (WN+B types) lies 3.4' N of S Dor. Several other 12th and 13th mag O and B-type stars in the association have masses from 40-60 M_Sun.

S-L 360 is 2' N of S Dor on the NW side of LH 41. It appeared as a small bright knot that was clearly non-stellar. It was surrounded by a thin, fainter halo (a ring of faint stars on DSS).  This knot contains three tightly packed blue supergiants and a rare WR star of type WO4 discovered in 2012.

The cluster is embedded in N119, a very large, bright emission nebula.  The most prominent section of the nebula is a very bright 3' patch (involving several brighter stars) to the east of S-L 360 and a wing to the south of S-L 360 that responds well to a UHC filter at 200x.  Nebulosity is also visible on the west side of S Doradus.  This section curves N-S to S-L 360 and also south of S Doradus.  To the south of NGC 1910, a stream of dozens of LMC clusters extends a couple of degrees to the SE. In addition, the impressive globular cluster NGC 1903 is 9' SW and NGC 1916 is 11' S.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1910 = D 129 = D 127 = h2827 on 3 Aug 1826.  He described "A pretty large and very ill-defined nebula, irregular round figure, with several stars of some considerable magnitude in it."  His position is unusually accurate.  He recorded it again on his second drift of 24 Sep 1826 as D 127: "faint ill defined nebula following a cluster of very small stars - irregular figure branched into small nebulae."  His reduced position was 12' too far SSW, but it well placed in the drift between NGC 1898 and NGC 1916.

John Herschel first recorded NGC 1910 in Dec 1834 (sweep 523) as a "fine cluster. Irregular figure, the chief nucleus (which seems to be a close double star, 9th mag) taken."  On 15 Dec 1835 (sweep 656) he called it "The most condensed knot ( = 12 arcseconds) in a pretty rich, L, scattered cluster." The next night (sweep 657), he logged it as "p rich L cluster 10' diameter. It has in it a close triple star, easily taken for a nebulous knot. (N.B. This is doubtless the knot taken in the three foregoing observations...)."

In a 1953 paper, Harlow Shapley and Virginia Nail defined NGC 1910 as the center of "Constellation V", a 24' region containing numerous blue supergiants.
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NGC 1911 = NGC 1920
05 20 33.0  -66 46 44; Dor
Size 1.2'

See observing notes for NGC 1920.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1911 = h2826 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30", among may stars."  He only logged this object on one sweep and there is nothing at his position.  Jenni Kay and Harold Corwin suggest NGC 1911 is probably be a duplicate observation of NGC 1920, which was recorded on 7 sweeps but not on the one in which he recorded NGC 1911.  Herschel's position is 80 sec of RA west of this cluster and his description is a reasonable match.

Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" writes "Not found. This should be WNW of NGC 1920. This is No 2826 in Herschel's general Catalogue to which there is reference under NGC 1915."  RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies this number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1912 = M38 = Cr 67
05 28 43  +35 51 18; Aur
V = 6.4;  Size 21'

18" (1/17/09): at 175x this gorgeous cluster extends 25'-30' in diameter and contains roughly 200 stars in many irregular groupings.  A very pretty string of stars extends N-S out the north side.  Includes a very large number of mag 10-12 stars (fairly uniform) with many of the stars group very irregularly in long chains and loops.  Some of these chains outline the periphery of nearly starless voids including the unconcentrated center which contains starless patches.  NGC 1907 is located 33' SSW, though the two clusters were likely born in different parts of the galaxy.

8": large, bright, rich cluster with many 10th magnitude stars, square or cruciform shape, includes a number of double stars.  A number of stars are arranged in strings.

Naked-eye (10/24/11): just glimpsed in very dark skies.

Giovanni Hodierna discovered M38 = NGC 1912 before 1654.  He wrote "In this constellation [Auriga] three nebulous patches can be observed", though only two objects are clearly shown on his map (better matching the orientation of M36 and M38). It was independently discovered by Le Gentil in 1749 and probably by Messier on 25 Sep 1764 (Le Gentil is not mentioned in his description).

William Herschel first observed the cluster with the 18.7" on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 693).  He logged it as "a very large cluster of scattered large stars, extremely rich and beautiful."  It was seen again on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030), along with M36.  After his sweeps had ended, he observed it on 23 Nov 1805 with the large 10-foot reflector: "A cluster of scattered, pretty large [bright] stars of various magnitudes, of an irregular figure. It is in the Milky Way."
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NGC 1913 = ESO 056-097 = S-L 373
05 18 18.7  -69 32 15; Dor
V = 11.1;  Size 1.3'x1.1'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an interesting LMC cluster with possible nebulosity at 200x. A small triangle of mag 13-14 stars (12"-15" on each side) is at the south edge and another three stars within the cluster are resolved.  The cluster seems involved with an elongated bright glow NNW to SSE. At 350x, additional haze [perhaps this is partly from the glow of BRHT 10b close west] surrounds the main glow for a total size of 1.5'x1.0'.  A mag 11.7 star lies 1.7' E and a mag 10 star 2.2' SW.

Continuing southwest for 2' beyond the mag 10 star I also picked up S-L 362, which appeared as a small, high surface brightness knot.  At 350x, 5 or 6 very faint stars were tightly packed into the bright 20" diameter glow, the brightest at the south edge.  These clusters are within the glow of the central bar, so the background is relatively bright.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1913 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as#356 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  No description was given in the GC or NGC but his position is just 1' SE of this small cluster.
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NGC 1914 = LMC-N195 = ESO 056-95 = S-L 365 = LH 40
05 17 40  -71 15 24; Men
V = 12.0;  Size 2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright cluster and HII region, elongated NNW-SSE, at least a half-dozen stars resolved over an irregular glow extending 1.5'.  Good contrast gain with a NPB filter at 152x.  The size increases to ~2' and a small, very bright patch (N195A) is prominent on the northwest end.  A mag 12 star is 4' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1914 = h2830 on 3 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; L; irreg R; 3'."  On a second sweep he logged "F; pL; irreg fig; resolvable; 2' l, 90" br."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 1915 = BSDL 1237
05 19 38.5  -66 47 59; Dor
Size 0.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly small knot of four mag 14-14.5 stars with perhaps some unresolved haze, ~40" diameter.  Appears to be an asterism only and unimpressive. Three mag 11-12 stars lie 2'-3' E and emission nebula NGC 1920 is 6' ENE.

This identification of NGC 1915 is very uncertain and this number may refer instead to open cluster ESO 085-SC71 located 4' N.  It also may be a duplicate observation of either NGC 1919 or 1920.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1915 = h2828 on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded "extremely faint, pretty large. (Possibly the same with No. 2826 [NGC 1911], but the nebulae are so crowded that they may with equal probability be different ones)."  Herschel's position is 4' S of ESO 085-SC71 and ESO identifies this cluster as NGC 1915.

Jenni Kay says a faint cluster exists at the original position and the ESO cluster is too small and faint.  On the DSS, there are only three mag 14 stars and a few very faint stars near Herschel's position, which to me was not eye-catching enough in the 24" to fit Herschel's description (mentioned to Corwin in a Feb 2014 email).  In the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Eric Lindsay reported "Not found. This should be WSW of NGC 1920...".  RNGC follows Lindsay and notes "Not Found".  So, the identification of this number is uncertain.  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 1916 = ESO 056-098 = S-L 361
05 18 37.6  -69 24 25; Dor
V = 10.0;  Size 2.1'x2.1'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC globular appeared very bright, moderately large, round, symmetric, 45" diameter.  The center was sharply concentrated with a small blazing core!  NGC 1903, a showpiece globular, lies 8' NW.

NGC 1916 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.  It resides within the LMC's central bar, ~10' S of the large NGC 1910 complex, which contains S Doradus.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1916 on 24 Sep 1826.  He logged a "small much condensed nebula, well defined, 12" diameter."  His position in the drift follows NGC 1910 by 36 seconds of time and 12' S.  These offsets point directly to NGC 1916.  Dunlop didn't assign the observation a separate catalog number.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1916 = h2829 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) with description, "vB; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.  Shapley and Lindsay ("A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, Vol. 6, 1963) give a diameter of 60'' and comment "NGC 1916, very condensed centre, unresolved."  The RA has a misprint of 1 minute too small and this error was copied into the RNGC.
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NGC 1917 = ESO 056-100 = S-L 379
05 19 02.0  -69 00 05; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.7'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster (possible a globular) appeared fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1' diameter, with a broad concentration.  A 1' string of 3 faint stars to the east is collinear with the cluster.  S-L 397 lies 8' NE, and appeared as a compact, but relatively bright, elongated glow with an irregular or mottled surface, ~30" diameter.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1917 = D 130 = h2831 on 25 Sep 1826.  He logged "a very faint small round nebula."  His position is about 10' to the east, similar to his other errors in time (RA) in the drift.  If this identification is correct, it suggests that D 132, which was found the same night, applies to S-L 397.  The offset is this case is 8' to the east.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1917 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) and recorded "vF, L, R, gradually very little brighter middle, 1'."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1918 = LMC-N120C = LH 42
05 19 04.5  -69 38 56; Dor
V = 9.8;  Size 7'x4'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a combination LMC cluster and nebula (contains the embedded SNR B0519-69.6) in the rich LMC central bar.  At 200x a striking double star (TDS 3145 = 11.6/11.8 at 9") sits within the glow with a third star in a line.  The brighter SW component is HD 35517 = Brey 22, a Wolf-Rayet binary. An additional 20 stars are resolved in the cluster (stellar association LH 42).

These stars are immersed in a diffuse nebulous glow that responds well to a UHC filter.  The brightest section is a patch just east of the double star (N120C), but nebulosity extends throughout the cluster as an elongated glow of ~5' length.  On images the nebulosity appears more like an arc or rim with some filamentary structure.

N127A, located 12' E, was observed in the 30" on 10/18/17.  At 264x this emission nebula was bright, compact, roundish, 40" diameter.  A star was visible at the center.  Very good response to the NPB (narrow-band) filter and displayed a slightly brighter central region and thin fainter outer halo.  Forms a "pair" with open cluster S-L 418 2' NE.

John Herschel discovered  NGC 1918 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as #369 in his catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  Corwin notes that Herschel's position falls between two bright knots near the supernova remnant.

Williamina Fleming classified the Wolf-Rayet star Brey 22 as an O-type star.
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NGC 1919 = LMC-N37 = ESO 085-73 = S-L 392
05 20 15  -66 53 00; Dor
Size 2.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): large group of ~10 stars mag 13.5-15 in an irregular 2.5' group.  The stars are involved in a fairly bright patch of nebulosity (N37), which probably including some unresolved stars.  A 6' elongated string of mag 11-12 stars is centered roughly 3' N and NGC 1920 is 6' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1919 = h2832 on 3 Jan 1837 and described a "cluster, 6th class, extremely faint, large, irregularly round, 4' diameter. Resolved into small stars with nebulous light."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.  NGC 1915 may be a duplicate observation (see that number).
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NGC 1920 = LMC-N38 = ESO 085-74
05 20 33.0  -66 46 44; Dor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.1'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, high surface brightness HII region, relatively large, round, ~50" diameter.  One or two stars are resolved within the glow.  NGC 1919 lies 6' SSW.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this HII region (N38) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, smooth glow.  Located ~3' NE of a line of three mag 11-11.5 stars.  NGC 1902 lies 16' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1920 = h2833 on 2 Nov 1834 and observed on at least seven different sweeps!  On the initial observation he logged "pB, S, R, very gradually brighter middle, 20"."  The remaining observations were fairly similar, though his size estimates ranged up to 60" and 2' across.  NGC 1911 (seen on only 1 sweep) is possibly a duplicate (essentially an 8th observation) -- though the RA is off by 1 min 20 sec.
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NGC 1921 = LMC-N121 = ESO 056-102 = S-L 381 = BRHT 49a
05 19 23  -69 47 18; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright but small nebulous glow, with a mag 13.5 "star" [extremely compact emission nebula (N121) or star cluster BRHT 49b] just off the W edge [20" separation].  A very faint star was visible at its SW edge.  There was only a weak response to an NPB filter at 152x.  Located at the S end of a very rich region of the LMC (south side of the central bar) just 8' S of the NGC 1918 complex.  Numerous other clusters lie ~15' N.  A faint cluster (H-S 227) was noticed 2' SW. It was a very faint, roundish, low surface brightness glow, ~20" diameter.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1921 = D 89 = h2834 on 24 Sep 1826.  He recorded "a pretty well-defined round nebula, about 20" diameter."  Although his reduced published position was 15' too far ESE, reference to his handwritten sweep record shows a plausible match.  With respect to D 90 = NGC 1939 (the next object in the drift) he logged D 89 just 40 seconds prior and 10' N.  Although the declination offset matches, the time (RA) is off by over a minute.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1921 = h2834 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "very faint; oval; round; 40"."  His position from a single sweep is accurate.

Bhatia et al. (1991) cataloged NGC 1921 as a double cluster, though the western object may be an emission star.
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NGC 1922 = ESO 056-103 = S-L 391
05 19 49.7  -69 30 04; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 1.4'x1.2'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC cluster appears as a very small but high surface brightness knot, ~15" diameter with a tiny 8" core.  A 3' chain of four mag 11-12 stars extends to the north and another chain extends to the east.  A very close pair of faint clusters, S-L 385 and 387, lie 3' SW.  The clusters are close twins - both soft round glows of ~30" diameter and separated by just 45" in an E-W orientation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1922 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and included it as object #374 his table of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  Dreyer added the cluster to the GC Supplement as #5063.  Herschel's position is 1.5' too far north.  It's possible that James Dunlop's D 131 refers to NGC 1922, but there are several nearby candidates, so assigning it to NGC 1922 seems very speculative.
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NGC 1923 = LMC-N40 = ESO 085-75 = S-L 404 = LH 43
05 21 33.0  -65 29 16; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, irregular glow, ~1'x0.5', brighter center.  This is a cluster (part of stellar association LH 43) and HII region (N40) although I didn't test to see if there was a filter response.  Locate 49' E of NGC 1866.

LH 43 was noted as a group of faint stars elongated NNW-SSE, just preceding NGC 1923.  Sk -65 47, a mag 12.2 blue supergiant (type O4If), is on the NW end. Brey 23, a mag 14.6 Wolf-Rayet star (type WN4b+OB), is at the W end.



John Herschel discovered NGC 1923 = h2835 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; R; 30"." A faint and poor cluster precedes."  His position is accurate.  The poor cluster that precedes is part of stellar association LH 43.
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NGC 1924 = MCG -01-14-011 = PGC 17319
05 28 01.9  -05 18 39; Ori
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 130°

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated.  Located 6.7' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 1321324 and 9' NW of mag 8 SAO 132149.  M42 lies just two degrees east!

William Herschel discovered NGC 1924 = H. III-447 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458), though his position was 3.6' too far south.  He classified this galaxy as a cluster with description "vF, pL, R, within 2 or 3' of the corner of a hook of vS stars."  George Bond found NGC 1924 again on 7 Feb 1863 at Harvard College Observatory with the 15-inch Merz refractor and measured an accurate position (#12 in the HC discovery list in AN #1453).  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 16 Jan 1877.  Finally, Stephane Javelle rediscovered it on 3 Feb 1905 at the Nice Observatory and assumed it was new.  He included it as J. 1524 in his unpublished 4th catalog of nebulae.
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NGC 1925 = ESO 085-076 = LH 45
05 21 44  -65 47 36; Dor
V = 9.5;  Size 11'

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, appears as a 10' Star Cloud (LH 45) of brighter mag 10-11 stars over a background carpet of faint stars and either haze or unresolved stars.  The brightest mag 9.6 star (F8-type yellow supergiant HD 271182) is on the west side, a couple of mag 10.5 stars are on the south side and another is on the north end. At 105x and UHC filter, the nebulosity seems to increase a bit in contrast although on the DSS, nebulosity (N43) is only visible in the northern portion (which includes a supernova remnant).  NGC 1923 is located 18' N. This association is situated in the northern part of Supergiant Shell LMC 5.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1925 = h2837 on 30 Nov 1834 and described a "Cluster 8th class; poor; scattered stars; a *10 mag the chief, in southern part taken."  His position is close to the brightest star on the south end.
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NGC 1926 = ESO 056-105 = S-L 403
05 20 35.4  -69 31 33; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 1.1'x0.8'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bright LMC cluster appeared moderately large, ~55" diameter, irregularly round with a high surface brightness.  Located between two mag 11.5 stars 1' S and 1.5' N.  Located along the central bar with NGC 1922 4.2' WNW and NGC 1928 3.4' NE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1926 on 3 Aug 1826.  He described D 131 as "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." and his position is just 2' to the NE.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1926 = h2838 on 3 Nov 1834  (sweep 509) and recorded "pB; R; 60".  Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major."  On 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) he wrote "pB; pL; irregularly R; resolvable.  Field full of light, consisting partly of stars, and partly of resolvable nebula."  His positions match this cluster.
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NGC 1927
05 28 42  -08 23; Ori

= Not found, Carlson and Corwin.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1927 = h356 on 8 Jan 1831 and reported "all about this place there exists diffused nebulosity."  His position corresponds with mag 6.8 HD 36059, but there is no nebulosity in the vicinity of this star.  He equated his object with his father's H. V-38 (later NGC 1909), but that is either nonexistent or perhaps refers (according to Harold Corwin) to the Witchhead Nebula (IC 2118).  The observers at Birr Castle were unsuccessful on 4 attempts in finding h356, though twice suspected a slight milkiness.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "not found" and this was repeated by Dorothy Carlson and the RNGC.  Harold Corwin also concludes this object is nonexistent.
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NGC 1928 = ESO 056-106 = S-L 405
05 20 57.5  -69 28 41; Dor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.3'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter with a symmetrical appearance.  Forms the last of three clusters with NGC 1926 3.4' SW and NGC 1922 6' WSW, along the richly populated central bar.  A very distinctive trapezoid of four mag 10-11 stars (sides 1'-1.5') is just a couple of arc minutes to the NE.  NGC 1928 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1928 = h2839 on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) and recorded "pB; R; 60".  Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major."  On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748), he wrote "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  Field full of the nebulous light of the great Nubecula."

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1928 earlier on 3 Aug 1826.  He described D 131 as "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." and his position is just 1.7' S of NGC 1928, but also just 2' NE of NGC 1926.  I'd be surprised if Dunlop picked up one of these clusters and not the other, so perhaps neither identification is correct.  Another possibility is D 131 refers to NGC 1922, which is 5.6' W of his position!  With several nearby clusters, I don't see how D 131 can be assigned to a specific cluster with any confidence (Steinicke gives both NGC 1926 and 1928).
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NGC 1929 = LMC-N44F = DEM L 140 = ESO 056-107 = LH 47
05 21 38.3  -67 54 50; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 0.8'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this HII knot is the first (NW end) in an impressive star cluster/emission complex (OB association LH 47) that extends over 7' in size and includes NGC 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1937. At 260x it appeared as a bright, moderately large, round glow of ~50" diameter surrounding a 13th magnitude star (O8-type supergiant).

On the DSS this object appears to be a symmetrical bubble with its ionizing O8 star just W of center.  This HII complex and cluster includes the Superbubble complex N44.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1929 = h2840 on 23 Nov 1834 and simply noted  "F.  The preceding nucleus of the compound nebula figured in fig. 2, Plate III.  Place by Delta RA and PD, from the chief nucleus measured on diagram."  The sketch clearly established this number refers to the northernmost knot in the complex along the west side.

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, which contains NGC 1929, on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826.  He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes.  The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all."  Dunlop's position is roughly 5' SSW of the complex and NGC 1929 might be one of the "seats of attraction."

The SIMBAD position is 1.4' too far NE and does not correspond with a bright knot.
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NGC 1930 = ESO 253-004 = PGC 17276
05 25 56.5  -46 43 43; Pic
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 32°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): moderately bright, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, brighter core, 0.8'x0.6'. A distinctive collinear trio of mag 11-11.5 stars (2.6' length) is a few arc minutes west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1930 = h2836 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded, "vF; S; R gradually little brighter middle; 15"; has 4 B stars preceding."  His position matches ESO 253-004 = PGC 17276.  On a second observation he called NGC 1930 "B[bright]" instead of "vF".
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NGC 1931 = Ced 49 = Sh 2-237 = LBN 810 = Cr 68 = Stock 9 = The Fly Nebula
05 31 26  +34 14 42; Aur
V = 11.3;  Size 3'x3'

18" (1/20/07): bright, high surface brightness nebula, ~2'x1.5', surrounds six stars including two mag 11/12 stars (B-type), a mag 13 star and three fainter stars.  The central four stars = ADS 4112 (one difficult in fairly poor seeing) form a small trapezium asterism.  The best view was unfiltered.  IC 417 lies 45' WNW.

17.5" (2/8/86): five stars including HJ 367 (mag 11.1/12.1/12.8 at 8" and 11") are located within a bright, small nebulosity of high surface brightness.  A sixth very faint star is just outside the nebula.  Dims with OIII filter.

13.1" (11/5/83 and 2/16/85): five or six stars involved including three close fairly bright stars. A fourth very faint star to the west, fifth very faint star NE and sixth extremely faint star west.  This is a bright, high surface brightness nebulosity.

8" (11/8/80): compact, striking nebulosity involving several stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1931 = H. I-261 = h355 on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030).  His description reads, "very bright, irregularly round, about 4 or 5' diameter, seems to have one or two stars in the middle or an irregular nucleus. The chevelure (halo) dimishes very gradually."  On 5 Jan 1827 (sweep 42), John Herschel reported "a triple star in a nebula.  A most curious object.  The nebula surrounds the stars like an atmosphere."  The observation was sandwiched between observing M38 and M36.

The observers using Lord Rosse's 72" reported 5 to 6 stars were involved on various nights.  The first observation was made by George Johnstone Stoney on 29 Nov 1848 and he noted "saw a multitude of stars and some unresolved nebulositiy."
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NGC 1932
05 22 17.3  -66 09 16; Dor

= *, Corwin

John Herschel discovered NGC 1932 + 1933 = h2841 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; eS; bM; 10"."  On a later sweep he called it a "double nebula; pos 260°, 80".  The first pB; S; R; 30".  The second eF; R; almost stellar."  The second nebula was only recorded on one sweep (#538) out of 5 total.  Based on this description, though, JH assigned two GC numbers (1138 and 1139), which became NGC 1932 and 1933.  But there is only a single cluster at his position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1932 with a mag 13 star just west of the cluster.  

Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L] writes "[NGC 1932 and NGC 1933] seem to be the same, a small compact fairly conspicuous open cluster, S/L 420. The supposedly fainter was observed in only one of five sweeps by Herschel. Dreyer therefore questioned it as a variable nebula."  ESO also identifies the cluster as NGC 1932 = NGC 1933 but only the latter number should apply to the cluster.
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NGC 1933 = ESO 085-077 = S-L 420
05 22 27.3  -66 09 08; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 1.2'

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, compact with a fairly high surface brightness.  Two mag 11 stars aligned WNW-ESE lie 2' NNE and 3' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1933 + 1932 = h2841 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; eS; bM; 10"."  On the third of five sweeps, he described this object as "a double neb; pos 260 deg; dist 80", hence the two GC and NGC entries.  But there is only a single cluster at his position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1932 with a mag 13 star just west of the cluster and NGC 1933 with the cluster.  ESO and the S-L catalogue calls the cluster NGC 1932 = NGC 1933, though only a single number (NGC 1933) should apply to the cluster.
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NGC 1934 = BSDL 1363 = ESO 056-109 = LH 47
05 21 46.9  -67 56 14; Dor
Size 1.1'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1934 is within the  bright HII complex N44 (stellar association LH 47), but is not as well defined as NGC 1929, 1935, and 1936. A mag 12 star is off the SW end and it involves a number of fainter stars, but is weaker in nebulosity. Situated immediately NW of NGC 1935 and E of NGC 1929.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1934 = h2842 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "The second nucleus of the compound nebula figured in fig 2, Plate III, from diagram."  The resolution on the pdf of Herschel's sketch in the LMC is not sharp enough to identify which "knot" JH is referring to within the complex (NGC 1929, 1935, 1936, 1937).  At the position indicated here (from Corwin), there is nothing that stands out on the DSS or in my observation, other than a few stars.  The "LMC extended catalog" (Bica+, 1999) places the center of NGC 1934 2' further north and there is another "knot" near this position on JH's sketch.  Mati Morel identifies NGC 1934 as the entire association LH 47 = S-L 417.

James Dunlop first observed the entire LH 47 association = D 175 on 27 Sep 1826, though NGC 1934 is probably not one of the "seats of attraction" in his description.
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NGC 1935 = IC 2126 = LMC-N44B = ESO 056-110 = LH 47 = S-L 417
05 21 58  -67 57 20; Dor
V = 11.2;  Size 1.2'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1935 and 1936 form a pair of emission glows in a very striking field of clusters (part of the OB association LH 47) and HII patches. At 200x and UHC filter, NGC 1935 was a very bright, round glow of uniform high surface brightness.  The size is slightly smaller than NGC 1936, perhaps 45"-50" in diameter.  Good response to the UHC filter.  Nebulosity (BSDL 1363) also extends off to the NW of NGC 1935 and a fainter patch (NGC 1934) involves a couple of brighter stars around the edges.

A rich concentration of stars (LH 47) is superimposed on this entire complex of HII knots (and just E of NGC 1935), including a large number of O and early B-type supergiants. NGC 1929, 1934, 1935 and 1936 lie along the western edge of the N44 H-alpha superbubble (size 4.5'x3.0') surrounding many of these stars.

As John Herschel described NGC 1935 on one sweep as "one of the chief nuclei or knots of a large irregular cluster nebula", this number along with NGC 1936 could also apply to the cluster.  Nail and Shapley designated the OB association centered on NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937 as "Constellation I" in a 1953 paper on the Magellanic Clouds

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, containing NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826.  He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes.  The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all."  Dunlop's position is roughly 5' SSW of the complex, a fairly good match.  It seems safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936 (John Herschel only credited Dunlop with the latter).

John Herschel found NGC 1935 = h2843 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "B; S; R. One of the chief nuclei or knots of a large irregular cluster nebula."  He next logged it as "F, S, R. The third of a group of four nebulae connected by stars." His third observation saw it as "the second nebula of a group of three." His final sweep was states, "the first bright nebulous head of a large beautiful irregular cluster of resolved stars."  A detailed sketch is shown on Plate III, figure 2.

Williamina Fleming discovered the gaseous spectra of NGC 1935 on Harvard objective plates taken in 1901 at the Arequipa station in Peru and Dreyer catalogued Fleming 90 as IC 2126, although the IC position is just 5 seconds of RA west of NGC 1935.  The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas labels this nebula as IC 2126 instead of NGC 1935 (same with NGC 1936 = IC 2127).

Virginia Nail and Harlow Shapley designated the OB association centered on NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937 as "Constellation I" (26'x26') in a 1953 paper on the Magellanic Clouds.
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NGC 1936 = IC 2127 = LMC-N44C = ESO 056-111 = LH 47
05 22 14.3  -67 58 35; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.1'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1936 is situated at the S end of a large OB association (LH 47) and HII complex (N44).  Using 200x with a UHC filter, it appeared as a very bright, round glow, ~1' diameter with a very high, uniform surface brightness.  Additional fainter nebulosity sweeps to the S and W and is connected with an anonymous patch just 1' W of NGC 1936.  This extension increases the total size to 2' to 2.5'.  Mag 8.5 HD 35665 lies 7' W.

NGC 1935 lies 2' NW.  The well resolved stellar association LH 47 spreads out to the N and NW.  A 12th mag blue supergiant (B1-type) is 1.6' N of NGC 1936 and a 15th mag Wolf-Rayet (Brey 25) is 1' SW.  

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, consisting of NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 1826, with a 2nd observation on 6 Nov 1826.  He described "a pretty large rather faint nebula, about 5' diameter, irregular figure, partly resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes.  The nebulous matter has several seats of attraction, or rather it is a cluster of small nebulae with strong nebulosity common to all."  Dunlop's position (2 observations) is roughly 5' SSW of the complex.  It seems safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936, the brightest knots in the complex.

John Herschel observed NGC 1936 = h2844 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; S; R.  Another chief nucleus or knot of the cluster nebula."  He next logged it as "pB, S, R, The fourth of a group of four, connected by stars, etc."  On the third sweep, he wrote "the third nebula in a group of 3." The 4th sweep saw it as "the last of three nebulae in a zig-zag formed cluster." On his 5th sweep, he noted "the southern and brightest nebular nucleus of a great branching cluster."  His detailed sketch of the entire complex is on Plate III, figure 2.

Williamina Fleming discovered the gaseous spectra of NGC 1936 on Harvard objective plates taken in 1901 at Arequipa and Dreyer catalogued Fleming 91 as IC 2127, although the IC position is just 4 sec of RA west of NGC 1936. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas labels this nebula as IC 2127 instead of NGC 1936 (same with NGC 1935 = IC 2126).
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NGC 1937 = LMC-N44I = ESO 056-112 = S-L 422 = LH 48
05 22 27  -67 53 42; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 2.8'x2.0'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this object is the furthest NE in a gorgeous field of stars and HII regions.  NGC 1937 is a large nebulous patch, ~3.7'x2.7' in size, with ~20 stars resolved (OB association LH 48) over the bright glow.  Excellent contrast gain using a UHC filter at 200x. A string of stars mag 11.6 and fainter oriented WSW to ENE passes through the center. The brightest star is a yellow supergiant (FI-type) and a mag 12.9 O8.5-type (Sk -67 85) is on the W end. 

NGC 1936, a very bright nebulous glow, lies 5' S, and other sections of the N44 complex lie to the SW including NGC 1929, 1934 and NGC 1935.  Superimposed on this complex of HII glows is a fairly rich concentration of stars (LH 47).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1937 = h2845 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL. An outlier of the group figured in Plate III No. 2. Place from diagram."  His detailed sketch (Plate III, figure 2) clearly established that h2845 refers to this nebulous cluster.  James Dunlop discovered the entire LH 47 association = D 175 on 27 Sep 1826 and referred to "several seats of attraction". I doubt that NGC 1937 was one of these, though Wolfgang Steinicke credits Dunlop with the discovery.
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NGC 1938 = ESO 056-108 = S-L 413
05 21 24.7  -69 56 22; Men
V = 13.0;  Size 0.6'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, nearly even surface brightness.  The bright LMC globular cluster NGC 1939 is only 40" SSE.  At 429x, I noticed a dim cluster, KMK88 50, only 1.8' N of NGC 1938.

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fainter of a close pair of clusters with brighter NGC 1939 to the south-southeast by just 40".  At 303x, NGC 1938 appeared fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1938 + NGC 1939 = h2848 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded a "B; R; a double nebula (clouding over)."  On a second observation he recorded, "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; a double nebula.  It has a vF neb (NGC 1939) attached north preceding."  On a third sweep (of 4) he logged "A double neb.  Pos 339.1; 50" dist; each F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 35" and 30"."  Herschel catalogued both objects individually in the GC (1144 and 1145).  See Corwin's notes for more on the clusters.
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NGC 1939 = ESO 056-108 = S-L 414
05 21 26.5  -69 56 59; Men
V = 11.8;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, high surface brightness with an intensely bright nucleus.  NGC 1939 is the brighter of a close pair with NGC 1938 only 0.8' N.  NGC 1939 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC.  A mag 10.7 star is 3' SE.

While looking for this cluster I picked up an unplotted cluster, Hodge-Sexton 253, situated 6.6' SE of NGC 1939 and 3.7' SE of the mag 10.7 star.  It appeared moderately bright, round, ~35" diameter, no significant concentration.  S-L 412, situated 7' N of NGC 1939, was a roundish, fairly faint glow, ~24" diameter.  In addition, N127A lies 16' N of NGC 1939.  At 264x this emission nebula was bright, compact, roundish, 40" diameter, with a star visible at the center.  Very good response to the NPB (narrow-band) filter with a slightly brighter central region and thin fainter halo..  It forms a "pair" with open cluster S-L 418 2' NE.

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, high surface brightness, mottled, contains a very bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 1938 just 0.8' NNW.  A mag 10.7 star lies 2.9' SE.  NGC 1943 lies 14' SSE and NGC 1950 is 16' ENE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1939 = D 90 = h2848 on 24 Sep 1826.  He recorded "a small round faint nebula 12" or 15" diameter.  North preceding a small star."  His poorly reduced position was 13' too far SE, his offsets to NGC 1943, the next object in the drift, is a perfect match.   On 27 Sep, he recorded "a faint elliptical nebula north of a very small star, 15" or 20" diameter.  Again, his offsets from the next two objects in the drift (NGC 1943 and NGC 1950) are a close match.  Since Dunlop only recorded a single a single object, NGC 1938 and 1939 were unresolved or he only saw NGC 1939.  See Corwin's notes for more on NGC 1938 and 1939.

John Herschel observed NGC 1938/1939 (single designation h2848) on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and described a "B; R; a double nebula (clouding over)."  The following month (sweep 523) he recorded "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; a double nebula.  It has a vF neb attached np."  On 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657), he wrote "A double neb.  Pos 339.1; 50" dist; each F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 35" and 30".
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NGC 1940 = ESO 085-078 = S-L 427
05 22 44.8  -67 11 10; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 0.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright but relatively small knot, triangular shape, 30" diameter, clumpy with a few stars just resolved.  Forms the western vertex of a small equilateral triangle with a mag 10 star 1' E and a mag 11.5 star 1' S.  The mag 10 star has an 11th magnitude companion following at 27".

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  No resolution.  Cradled by three mag 10-11 stars 1.2' S, 1.1' E and 1.5' E.  Located 52' E of mag 4.8 Theta Doradus in the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1940 = h1146 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) and described the cluster as "pB; S; R; bM.  Has 2 st 9 and 10 mag following."  His position and description is a perfect match.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster on his drift of 27 Sep 1826 in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor), and all positions were reduced incorrectly (2.4° to the SE in this case).  He described D 184 as "a very small round nebula, 8" diameter."  But his offset from NGC 1871/1869, the previous object in the drift, is both west and south of NGC 1940.  Another possibility is D 212, recorded on 6 Nov 1826 as a "small faint ill-defined nebula."  But again his position is a poor match -- 26' E of the cluster -- and the description too generic to assign it with any confidence to NGC 1940.  So, neither observation likely refers to NGC 1940. 
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NGC 1941 = LMC-N46 = ESO 085-79
05 23 07.4  -66 22 41; Dor
V = 12.0;  Size 0.9'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  One or two very faint stars are resolved.  Located 2.7' N of a mag 10 star and 12' NW of NGC 1945.  NGC 1941 is situated within N46, although nebulosity wasn't evident.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1941 = h2846 on 20 Dec 1835 and described "a nebulous group or knot."  His single position is ~30" too far southeast.
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NGC 1942 = ESO 085-081 = S-L 445
05 24 45  -63 56 30; Dor
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): this LMC cluster appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25"-30" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.7 star is at the north edge.  A mag 10.8 star is 4.5' SE and a mag 10.2 star is 8' ESE.  The galaxy NGC 1947 is 17' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1942 = h2849 on 30 Nov 1834 and described "a star 14th mag, with an eF nebula about it." His second observation was recorded as "very faint. (Cloudy) (N.B. The PD has been probably spoiled by the clouds)".  But Herschel's second observation through the clouds has the correct polar distance and his first was off by ~3'.

Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos observed the cluster in 1926 with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory.  They reported it as "A star, 13 mag, with the nebulosity touching it due south about 40" diameter.  Probably star is accidental."
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NGC 1943 = LMC-N130 = ESO 056-114 = S-L 430
05 22 29.4  -70 09 18; Men
V = 11.9

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large, round, thin halo, 0.8' diameter, quite mottled but not resolved in poor seeing. A mag 14 star is just off the NNE edge, 0.6' from center.  I didn't use the NPB (narrowband) filter, but the red DSS shows some nebulosity (N130) is involved.  NGC 1938 and 1939, a very close pair of clusters, lie 14' NNW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1943 = D 91 = h2850 on 24 Sep 1826.  He noted it as "a small faint round nebula, 12" to 15" diameter.  His poorly reduced position was 13' to the SE, but his offset from NGC 1939, the previous object in the drift, is an exact match.  He logged it again on the 27th and his handwritten drift timings match in offset to both NGC 1939 and NGC 1950, the clusters logged immediately before and afterwards.

John Herschel rediscovered the cluster in Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded "pB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 50"."  On 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657) he wrote "vF; 40"; has a *15m at 60" dist, position = 19.6°."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1944 = ESO 033-017 = S-L 426
05 21 57.7  -72 29 40; Men
V = 11.8;  Size 3.2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, fairly large, round, thin halo, 1.2' diameter, mottled, only a few stars resolved around the edges of the halo.  A mag 13.5-14 star is off the SW edge and a mag 15.5 star is at the NW edge.  Situated within a nice group of stars including four nearby mag 12.5 stars; 1.4' SE, 2' SSE, 2' N and 3.4' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1944 = h2852 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "pB; R; bM; 90"."  His position is just off the NW side of this globular cluster.
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NGC 1945 = LMC-N48E = ESO 085-083
05 24 55  -66 27 24; Dor
Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x unfiltered, this LMC emission nebula (N48E) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, ~30" diameter.  The shape is irregular and brighter along the south edge.  NGC 1946 lies 4.4' NE.

Several mag 11-13 stars are in the field to the NW and these seem to stream 10' in the NE direction, heading towards NGC 1948, a magnificent star cloud and HII complex.  NGC 1951, a bright cluster, lies 11' SE and NGC 1941 is 12' NW.  These objects are located on the W side of the huge LMC-4 Superbubble.  A large radio-confirmed SNR is coincident with NGC 1945.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1945 = h2851 on 3 Jan 1837 and reported "eeF, vvL.  Great blotches of diffused nebulosity."  I logged a small, brighter patch of nebulosity on the south side of a large annular ring or loop of nebulosity.  Herschel's description implies a much larger object, though his position is an excellent match with this patch.  I'd be surprised if he picked up the entire loop so perhaps the richness of the star field mimicked "diffused nebulosity".  See Harold Corwin's notes on this number.

In the 1956 "Catalogues of Hydrogen Alpha Emission Stars and Nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds" (ApJS 2, p315), Karl Henize notes N48 "includes NGC 1945." N48 measures 12.3' east-west and 15.2' north-south. It has a slightly irregular outline, is very elongated and shows appreciable structure. N48E (33" x 36", somewhat irregular outline, considerably elongated) lies at the centre of NGC 1945.
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NGC 1946 = ESO 085-84 = S-L 454
05 25 16  -66 23 42; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright LMC cluster, fairly small, irregularly round, high surface bright glow, 30" diameter.  Although I didn't resolve the knot, it's situated in a glorious rich star field surrounded by numerous stars.  A stream of stars, oriented SW to NE, seems to pass through NGC 1946, extending SW to NGC 1945 (4.4' SSW) and NE to NGC 1948, a magnificent star cloud and HII complex ~8' NNE.  A brighter, parallel stream, consisting of stars of mixed magnitudes and unresolved glow (stars or nebulosity) is roughly 3' W, extending at least 10' SW to NE.

S-L 470 lies 7' E.  Observed with a 25" on 4/3/19 it appeared bright, fairly small, round, compact, 35" diameter, contains a very small bright nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1946 = h2854 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "pF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable."  Herschel credits Dunlop with the discovery (D 237), though in the GC and NGC a question mark was added.  Dunlop's position matches this cluster very well though his description, "a rather large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, of an irregular round figure, no central attraction" implies a much larger object  -- probably NGC 1948, whose center is just 6' NNE of his position.
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NGC 1947 = ESO 085-087 = AM 0526-634 = PGC 17296
05 26 47.5  -63 45 37; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 3.0'x2.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 119°

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly bright and large, slightly elongated, ~2.5'x2.0', well concentrated with a bright core that gradually increased to the center.  A mag 9.7 star (HD 36355) lies 4.2' NNW. The LMC cluster NGC 1942 lies 17' SW and S-L 509 is 21' NE.

S-L 509 appeared fairly faint, fairly large, irregular glow, ~1.2' diameter, mottled. A mag 14.5 star is resolved at the SW edge of the glow and a mag 15.5 star is at the north edge.

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, large, round, contains a large, very bright core surrounded by a fainter halo with a total diameter of ~3'.  Within the brighter 2' core is a sharply concentrated brighter nucleus.  This is an impressive S0 or E-galaxy at 200x due to the high surface brightness core and several brightness levels.  Situated in the northern outskirts of the LMC with S-L 509, a faint LMC cluster, 21' NE.  On images, a dust lane bisects the minor axis of this elliptical, though this feature wasn't noticed.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1947 = h2855 on 5 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector, although due to an oversight he failed to include it in his 1828 catalogue (NGC 6300 and Tr 9 are two more cases).  His handwritten notes read, "a faint round nebula 25" or 30" diameter, pretty well defined, south following a small star."  His position is 7' too far SW and 4' NNW is mag 9.7 HD 36355, consistent with his description.

John Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 30 Nov 1834 (sweep 515) and described it as "pB, L, R, gradually little brighter middle; 2.5' diameter, a star 9th mag N.p.".  There is nothing at his position but exactly 1° north is ESO 85-87, an unusual elliptical with a minor-axis dust lane, with the mag 9.7 star mentioned above matching his description.

Due to Herschel's erroneous position, Joseph Turner was unable to find it when he searched for it on 12 Dec 1878 with the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope.  Interestingly, Pietro Baracchi was unsuccessful in finding NGC 1947 on two attempts with the Melbourne telescope, but reported finding a new nebula nearby (perhaps S-L 556) on 3 Jan 1886 that was confirmed the next night (no sketch to confirm).  Robert Innes and Willem van den Bos observed it visually in 1926 with the 26-inch refractor at the Union Observatory and assumed the galaxy was a globular cluster and compared it to 47 Tucanae!  Innes wrote, "very condensed globular, bM, 2' diam, a miniature of [47 Tuc]."

Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (1964IrAJ....6..286L), notes "The Decl. [recorded by Herschel] seems to be in error and the object is the well-known galaxy 1° N."  In a paper on LMC clusters, Kontizas et al misidentifies KMH90-878 as NGC 1947 because of the error in declination, though there doesn't appear to be a cluster on the DSS at the Kontizas position.
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NGC 1948 = ESO 085-85 = S-L 458 = LMC-N48 = LH 52
05 25 46  -66 15 51; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 8'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a large, well-resolved star cloud (stellar association LH 52) and emission nebula.  The richest section is ~8' diameter, with a roughly diamond shape.  Approximately 60 stars were resolved at 260x over haze.  A fairly large, nebulous knot (N48B) was visible on the SW side, ~1.2' diameter, and it responded well to a UHC filter.  A couple of other very small knots or clumps of stars were visible at the center (N48A and N48C).

Two parallel streams of stars and unresolved haze (roughly 3' apart) extend SSW from NGC 1948 through NGC 1946 to NGC 1945.  The western string was brighter, consisting of a number of mag 12-14 stars along on a background of unresolved glow (stars and/or nebulosity) extending at least 10'.  These objects are located on the W side of the huge LMC-4 Superbubble.

N49, located 11' NNE, is the brightest LMC supernova remnant and it harbors a powerful pulsar.  At 260x unfiltered, it appeared as a bright "U" shape just under 1' in diameter with the center of the "U" at the east end (base oriented SW-NE) and open on the west side.  The interior is much dimmer than the rim.  The brightest spot is right at the east end, though the rim is much brighter and better defined along the entire base.  The northern bar of the "U" side is fainter and oriented NW-SE with some haze spreading into the interior.  The southern bar is brighter and narrower.  A UHC filter increased the contrast and there were hints of more complex filamentary structure.  Located 3.7' ENE of mag 9.0 HD 36257.  Open cluster S-L 463, which appears as a very small knot attached to a star, is located 2.4' NE.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this is a fairly large star group in the LMC.  Over a dozen mag 12-13 stars were resolved in a triangular group, ~6' diameter, over unresolved background haze and nebulosity.  NGC 1978, a bright "blue globular", lies 18' E.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1948 = D 237 = h2856 on 6 Nov 1826. He recorded "a large faint nebula, irregular round figure; no central attraction, 3' or 4' diameter, not very well defined."  His position is about 6' too far SW, and his size estimate (3' or 4') is appropriate.  Glen Cozens suggests D 237 is possibly the emission nebula NGC 1945.  It is located a similar distance SSW of Dunlop's position but it appears too faint for Dunlop's 9" speculum reflector.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1948 on 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761) and described "a rich, discrete cluster, class VII. Not much compressed to the middle; 10' diameter, stars of 13th mag."
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NGC 1949 = LMC-N138A = ESO 056-117
05 25 05.6  -68 28 18; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, ~35" diameter.  No resolution, though this is primarily an emission nebula.  A string of 3 mag 13.7/12.8/13 stars extend to the southwest by 0.8', 2.2' and 3.4'.  I was very surprised when I added an NPB filter at 152x.  A fairly prominent, large (~1.3' diameter), round emission nebula was nearly attached on the southwest side!  This nebula (considered part of N138A) surrounds the mag 13.7 star at its center and has a slightly brighter rim. Together with NGC 1949 the pair nearly forms a "diamond ring"!

Using the NPB filter, N138C was also seen 2.4' WSW of NGC 1949 as a very faint, fairly small, 25" glow.  It surrounds a mag 15.2 star that was not seen with the filter.  Much brighter is N138B, located 5.2' SW of NGC 1949.  With the filter it appeared fairly bright, small, round, 20" diameter, crisp-edged.  A mag 15 star is attached at the southwest edge.  This interesting field is located 14' NW of mag 6.1 HD 36584 (equal mag 1.3" pair).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1949 = h2857 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"."  His position (single sweep) is accurate and appears to described the small, high surface brightness nebula only.
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NGC 1950 = ESO 056-116 = S-L 450
05 24 33.0  -69 54 04; Men
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a group of clusters including NGC 1958, 1959, 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1986, towards the SE end.  These clusters reside in a dense part of the LMC bar with a bright background glow.  NGC 1950 forms the southwest vertex of a triangle with NGC 1959 5.5' ESE and NGC 1958 6.3' NE.  At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly large, ~2' diameter, with a relatively low surface brightness.  At 346x, several extremely faint stars peppered the face of the cluster.  A mag 11 star lies 3' E, within the triangle described above.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1950 = D 92 = D 94 = h2859 on 24 Sep 1826.  He noted "two very faint nebula, 25" diameter, ill defined".  His poorly reduced position was 20' too far southeast, but in the drift he recorded it 2.0 minutes after NGC 1943 and 17' N, a perfect match.  He also recorded it 3 nights later after NGC 1943 in the drift and called it "an extremely faint, ill defined small nebula". 

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1950 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523).  He recorded "The first of several nebulae running together [along with 1958, 1959, 1969, 1971 and NGC 1972] and forming a very remarkable group, which fills the field with a faint diffused nebulosity. See plate IV, figure 7."  On 12 Nov 1836 (sweep 751), he noted "A large ill-defined patch at the lower edge of the Nubecula Major, which is pretty definite here, and very bright."
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NGC 1951 = ESO 085-086 = S-L 464
05 26 06.6  -66 35 48; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 1.4'

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; this LMC cluster is extremely bright, moderately large, 1' diameter. It consists of an extremely dense knot of stars surrounded by a halo with a half-dozen or more stars resolved around the periphery.

S-L 465, situated just 1.8' NNE of center, appeared moderately faint, round, compact, contains a very small bright core.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, small, round, 25" diameter, well concentrated with a 10" bright core (John Herschel described the core as a close double star).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1951 = h2858 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, R or little extended; binuclear or suddenly brighter in the middle to a double star 10th and 11th mag." His second observation was recorded as "A close first class D star, 10th and 11th mag, with a thick nebulous mist like dust about it."  His first position is accurate.  Shapley and Lindsay ("A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, Vol. 6, 1963) give a diameter of 80'' and comment, "elongated, inner condensed, outer resolved."
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NGC 1952 = M1 = LBN 833 = Sh 2-244 = Ced 53 = Tau A = SNR 184.6-5.8 = Crab Nebula
05 34 32.0  +22 00 52; Tau
V = 8.5;  Size 6'x4'

48" (10/23/14): remarkable intricate filamentary structure at 488x using a DGM Optics OIII filter.  I didn't try to take detailed notes, but the entire surface of  M1, which filled over half the field, was resolved into an intertwined maze of thin, twisting filaments.  This complex structure was more evident than the view I had a year ago at 287x.

48" (11/2/13): using 488x I immediately focused in on a close unequal mag double star (mag ~16/16.5 at 5" separation ) that was visible a bit offset SE from the geometric center.  The fainter southwest component (CM Tau) is the famous pulsar (rotating neutron star) at the heart of the Crab Nebula, which was discovered in 1968 and pulses 30 times/sec!

Although this observation was exciting (first definite view of the pulsar), the real jaw-dropping sight was at 287x using a DGM Optics OIII filter, which lit up the interior filaments!  The two bright filaments that meander E-W through the nebula (dipping just south of the pulsar) were very prominent with slightly fainter side filaments extending south and north.  Scanning with averted vision, numerous additional very faint, thin radial filaments extending outward were evident throughout the nebula.  In addition, the periphery had a ragged or curdled appearance, particularly along the northern edge. The eypiece view approached the iconic HST image of the Crab Nebula !

18" (11/14/09): at 175x and OIII filter an obvious brighter filament is visible that begins just south of center and extends WNW towards the west end.  This filament is brightest (or has a brighter knot) at its eastern end near the center.  A fainter filament begins near the same point south of center and extends towards the NE.  The two filaments, if joined as one, extend nearly from the west end of the Crab Nebula to the east.

18" (2/23/06): at 225x the shape was quite elongated and irregular and the interior had a turbulent appearance due to a very irregular surface brightness.  The periphery has a tattered or ragged edge and changes shape somewhat with averted vision.  With a UHC filter, there is a brighter knot (sometimes appears as an extended, elongated feature) near the SW edge.

17.5" (2/8/86 and 10/8/86): very bright, unusual potato shape with an irregular surface brightness, 6'x4', broad concentration towards center.  Very irregular elongated shape with extensions or "arms" towards the NW and SE, ragged edges at periphery.  A large dark indentation or "bay" intrudes on the NE side of the SE extension, so this end is thinner and less prominent.  A few faint stars are superimposed.  Using an OIII filter, the overall structure is muted but a bright inner streak is visible in the SW quadrant (oriented ~E-W) and this streak is not noticeable without the filter. 

13.1" (1/18/85): large, bright, irregular potato shape, large indentation on following end.  Easy in 16x80 finder.

8" (10/4/80): moderately bright, irregular shape, fairly large, indentation on the NW and SE ends.

15x50mm IS binoculars (2/23/06): easily visible as a faint, oval patch.

British astronomer John Bevis discovered M1 = NGC 1952 = h357 around 1731 using a 3-inch (+/-) refractor of 24 ft focal length. He labeled it as a nebula in his Uranographia Britannica star atlas, which was completed in 1750, though not published in 1786.  Charles Messier independently discovered M1 on 28 Aug 1758 while searching for comet Halley on its first predicted return. Instead he found another comet, which turned out to have been discovered earlier.  But while tracking this comet he found M1, which Messier noted "contains no star; it is a whitish light, elongated like the flame of a taper."  Bevis informed Messier of his earlier discovery in 1771.  Messier’s rediscovery of M1 was the inspiration to begin the compilation of his catalog.

William Herschel made numerous observations with various telescopes, first through his 6.2-inch on 24 Mar 1783.  With his workhorse 18.7-inch he attempted to resolve the nebula into stars: "Very bright, of an irregular figure; full 5 minutes in longest direction. I suspect it to consist of stars." In 1805 with the large 10-feet (24" f/5) he noted "with 220 the diameter is 4', with this power and light it is what must be called resolvable."

Much of the following is gleaned from Wolfgang Steinicke's book on "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters". William Parsons (third Earl of Rosse) and friends Romney Robinson and James South observed M1 with his first (compound) 36-inch in early November 1840. A few weeks later Robinson wrote Rosse to examine other nebulae as "I am anxious to know whether they all have tails and claws".  Parsons sketched M1 in 1844 (using his solid 36") with filaments or streamers extending out of the body and a long tail (see http://messier.seds.org/more/m001_rosse.html). His description reads: ".. a cluster; we perceive in this [36-inch telescope], however, a considerable change of appearance; it is no longer an oval resolvable [mottled] Nebula; we see resolvable filaments singularly disposed, springing principally from its southern extremity, and not, as is usual in clusters, irregularly in all directions. Probably greater power would bring out other filaments, and it would then assume the ordinary form of a cluster. It is stubbed with stars, mixed however with a nebulosity probably consisting of stars too minute to be recognized. It is an easy object, and I have shown it to many, and all have been at once struck with its remarkable aspect. Everything in the sketch can be seen under moderately favourable circumstances."

Romney Robinson, director of Armagh Observatory and a regular observer at Birr Castle, remarked "it is ragged, bifurcated at the top, and has streamers running out like claws in every direction."  This description, along with the 1844 sketch, probably is the source of the popular nickname "Crab Nebula". 

William Lassell was certainly influenced by the sketch.  He observed M1 in December 1852 with his 24" reflector and commented, "long filaments run out on all sides".  Three weeks later, he noted "the outlying claws are only just circumscribed by the edge of the field of 6' in diameter."  Father Angelo Secchi was also influenced; his sketch made around 1856 using a 9.5" refractor strikingly mimics the 1844 sketch with a long tail and external feelers!  Secchi claimed the agreement in features demonstrated the strength of his telescope.

Interestingly, R.J. Mitchell resketched the Crab in 1855 with a much more traditional shape.  Dreyer commented in The Observatory, Vol. 37, p. 399-402 (1914), "The only published drawing which is a complete failure, is that of M1, the "Crab Nebula", which has unfortunately been reproduced in many popular books.  It was made with the 3-foot, and long "feelers" were never again seen with the 3-foot nor with the 6-foot."  Still the nickname stuck.  See More http://www.southastrodel.com/NGC1952.htm for more historical observations.

Isaac Roberts first captured M1 photographically in 1892 with his 20-inch reflector.

In 1921 Carl Lampland suspected internal motion and based on plates with the the 40-inch reflector at Lowell, showed the nebula had changed shape.  He also discovered the close double star at the center (5" separation).

Also in 1921 Lundmark mentioned (PASP, 33, 234) that the nova of 1054 was near NGC 1952.  The 1054 "nova" was visible during the daytime fr 4 weeks and during the nighttime for up to 3 years. In 1928 Edwin Hubble (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1928ASPL....1...55H) stated the nebula "is expanding rapidly and at such a rate that it must have required about 900 years to reach its present dimensions.  For, in the ancient accounts of celestial phenomena only one nova has been recorded in the region of the Crab Nebula.  This account is found in the Chinese annals, the position fits as closely as it can read, and the year was 1054!"  The Chinese text noted "Thereafter, a "guest star" appeared on 4 July. In 1937 Nicholas Mayall made a spectral analysis (PASP, 49, 101) and in 1939 (ASPL, Vol 3, 145) announced the Crab Nebula was a supernova remnant.

In 1951 Australian astronomer John Bolton showed that M1 was a strong radio source (brightest in Taurus) and was named Taurus A.  In 1968 a pulsar (rapidly rotating neutron star) was discovered in M31 with a period of 33 milliseconds (southwestern of the two central mag 16.5 stars).

M1 is plotted as a planetary nebula on Becvar's "Atlas of the Heavens" and the first edition of Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0.
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NGC 1953 = ESO 056-118 = S-L 459
05 25 27.6  -68 50 17; Dor
V = 11.7;  Size 1.2'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC cluster appeared bright, moderately large, round,~50" diameter, with a brighter core.  At 350x, it was grainy with a couple of stars easily resolved at the edges of the halo.  The nucleus appeared offset from center towards the east. 

The interesting NGC 1962-65-66-70 HII complex and cluster follows with NGC 1962 4.5' due east.  Stretching quite a distance to the E and SE lie a huge number of clusters, star clouds and HII regions.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1953 = D 177 = h2862 on 25 Sep 1826.  He recorded it as "a small round faint nebula, 8" or 10" diameter.  His position is 7' too far E, consistent with the offset in RA (time) with the two previous objects in his drift.  His small size estimate probably applies to the core.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1953 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and described as "pF, S, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  On 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) he recorded "pB, S, R, insulated, but has a group of four nebulae [NGC 1962, 1954, 1966, 1970] following in the parallel."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1954 = MCG -02-15-003 = PGC 17422
05 32 48.3  -14 03 45; Lep
V = 11.8;  Size 4.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 155°

24" (12/28/16): at 225x; moderately bright and large, sharply concentrated with small, very bright core ~20"x15" N-S.  The core is surrounded by a low surface brightness halo without a well defined edge but roughly 1.25' diameter.  A mag 13 star is superimposed 45" N of center and a mag 13.8 star is 1.3' NW (outside the halo).

NGC 1954 is the brightest in a trio (HDCE 361) at a distance of ~150 million years with NGC 1957 4.5' SSE and IC 2132 9.5' NNW.  The three galaxies are nearly collinear.

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is off the northwest edge 1.3' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 1957 5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1954 = H. III-590 = h2853 on 14 Dec 1786 (sweep 647) and recorded "suspected, eF, stellar, not very doubtful."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel observed it from the Cape and noted "vF, R, 25"."  Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1957.
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NGC 1955 = LMC-N51D = ESO 056-121 = S-L 467 = LH 54
05 26 10  -67 29 54; Dor
V = 9.8;  Size 1.8'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): this cluster and emission nebula is near the western end of a beautiful curved chain of bright clusters involved with prominent nebulosity (referred to as the "Sextant Arc"). This arc of nebulous clusters extends 17' from WSW to ENE, and includes NGC 1966 and NGC 1974 to the NE and S-L 456, a group of stars and nebulosity 4' W of NGC 1955.

The NGC 1955 cluster (part of the stellar association LH 54) includes as many as 40 stars in a 4' region including a half-dozen mag 11.5-12.5 stars in a 3' gently curving E-W arc that is concave towards the S.  Near its W end is mag 11.6 HD 36402 = Brey 31, a Wolf-Rayet binary (WC-type). On the E end is mag 13.1 supermassive spectroscopic binary (LH 54-425) with spectral type O3V+O5V.

The cluster is immersed in a large, irregular haze that was brightest at its E side in a 30" circular glow.  This patch is just a locally brighter region within a large, filamentary loop or arc (N51D Superbubble) that extends N-S for 6'-7' and opens towards the W. A mag 9.5 star is at the S end of this impressive arc, 3.5' S of the cluster. NGC 1968 lies ~8' ENE and NGC 1974 11' NE.

A fainter group of stars and extended nebulous haze lies 4' to the W (S-L 456 within association LH 51) and the DSS reveals both E and W arcs are the brightest portions of an 8' superbubble (N51D).

LH 55 = S-L 471 is a light sprinkling of stars 8' to the south. It includes mag 12.5 Sk -67 108 (spectral type 04-5), and a fairly faint 25" "knot" (KMHK 894) is on the west end.  S-L 471 is immersed in faint nebulosity (N51E).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1955 = D 211 on 3 Aug 1826 and described "a small faint elliptical nebula, about 20" diameter. This is the preceding in a curved line of six or seven small nebulae, of unequal magnitudes."  Dunlop made 4 observations and his position is just 1.6' too far SE.  John Herschel called NGC 1955 = h2863 "The second of a great line of rich clusters [NGC 1968, 1974 and 1991] which are connected by abundant scattered stars. (The first not taken)."  The first is probably S-L 456.  JH credited Dunlop with the discovery.
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NGC 1956 = ESO 016-002 = PGC 17102
05 19 36.1  -77 43 45; Men
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 68°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent, fairly large edge-on at 200x, ~2.0'x0.6'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, round bright core and much fainter extensions WSW-ENE.  A faint star is just beyond the SW tip.  This galaxy has an absorption lane (dust) along the north side, although this feature was not noted.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1956 = h2874 on 22 Jan 1836 and recorded "eF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"."  On a second sweep he noted "eF, little elongated, 40 arcseconds, has a coarse double star north-following., 6' distant."  His mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

NGC 1559 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "vF, hazy star involved in nebula"
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NGC 1957 = PGC 17427
05 32 55.1  -14 07 58; Lep
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6

24" (12/28/16): at 225x; fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, gradually increases to the center.  With direct vision a stellar nucleus pops out.  Situated 4.5' SSE of NGC 1954 in a trio (HDCE 361) with IC 2132. 

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 5' SSE of NGC 1954.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1957 = LM 1-149 on 11 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is a good match with PGC 17427.  RNGC classifies it as an unverified southern object.
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NGC 1958 = ESO 056-119 = S-L 462
05 25 30.7  -69 50 10; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; this LMC cluster was very bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter.  A few extremely faint stars were resolved at the edge with a non-stellar knot or small clump of stars at the west end.  A mag 12 star is 1' NW.  Seven clusters lies within 7' of NGC 1958 including NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972, a close trio ~6' E and faint NGC 1950 and 1959, situated 6.5' SW and 5.5' S, respectively.

S-L 460, located 3.5' N, appeared fairly faint, round, 30" diameter, even surface brightness.
S-L 469, located 5.5' NNE, appeared fairly faint, irregular, 30" diameter.  Slightly brighter of a pair with S-L 460 3' SW.

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this LMC cluster appeared bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter.  Increasing the magnification to 346x, the cluster resolved into a couple of dozen very faint, densely packed stars.  The 1' halo appeared irregular and mottled as if more stars were just below resolution.

This cluster is situated in a rich section of the central bar and a number of clusters are nearby. NGC 1958 forms the northern vertex of an isosceles triangle with NGC 1959 5.5' S and NGC 1950 6.3' SW.  A single brighter mag 11 star sits within this triangle at the vertex of another isosceles triangle with NGC 1959 and NGC 1950.  A trio of clusters, NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972, lies 5' to 6' E.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1958 = D 93 = h2864 on 24 Sep 1826.  It was logged as "a ill defined nebula, irregular figure, 30" diameter."  His position is 10' SE and closer to NGC 1986, but reference to his handwritten drift record shows it was seen between D 92 = NGC 1950 and NGC 1971 and his offsets in time and declination match both objects.  It's possible it was also seen in a similar drift 3 nights later.

 John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1958 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and commented "The second of the group (fig 7, Pl IV); L; F; very gradually brighter middle."  On 11 Nov. 1836 (sweep 748), he noted "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle, 40".

Albert Le Sueur sketched the field on 26 Feb 1870 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  The sketch clearly shows S-L 460 and 469.  Joseph Turner's sketch from 21 Dec 1875 was published on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...", though he misidentified S-L 460 and 469 as previous discoveries by Herschel (NGC 1950 and 1959).
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NGC 1959 = ESO 056-120 = S-L 466
05 25 35.7  -69 55 36; Men
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this globular is at the southeast corner of a triangle of clusters with NGC 1958 5.5' NNW and NGC 1950 6' WNW.  It appears similar to NGC 1950 -- a moderately bright, fairly large glow of ~2' but with a relatively low surface brightness.  Appears slightly smaller than NGC 1958.  At 346x, a few faint stars are resolved around the edges. Located along the southeast side of the LMC bar, so the background is bright.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1959 = h2865 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; vL; very gradually brighter middle; the third of several whose borders join, forming the group in figure 7, pl IV."  His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 1960 = M36 = Cr 71
05 36 18  +34 08 30; Aur
V = 6.0;  Size 12'

18" (1/17/09): at 175x roughly 175 stars are resolved in the central 10' but irregular extensions increase the halo to closer to 20' and includes roughly 250 stars.  Many of the stars are arranged in long curving strings as well as one very distinctive curving loop on the SE side of the core with a pretty double (STF 737 = 8.5/9.0 at 11") with a fainter third companion at the NW end of the loop.  The cluster itself is pretty symmetrical with a dense 10' core and the brighter stars are sprinkled about fairly uniformly.

8": very bright, large, loose, includes two curving star lanes.  The double star STF 737 = 8.5/9.0 at 11" is near the center.

Naked-eye (10/24/11): just glimpsed in very dark skies.

Giovanni Hodierna discovered M36 = NGC 1960 = h358 in 1654.  He described "In this constellation [Auriga] three nebulous patches can be observed", though only two objects were clearly shown on his map (better matching the orientation of M36 and M38).  Guillaume Le Gentil rediscovered the cluster (along with M38) in 1749 and Le Gentil was credited with the discovery in the NGC.

William Herschel, using his 6.2-inch reflector at 120x on 28 Oct 1794, called it "a pretty rich cluster of small [faint] stars, seems to have many more than are visible, very small [faint]."  It wasn't observed with his 18.7-inch during his sweeps until 3 Feb 1793 (sweep 1029)
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NGC 1961 = Arp 184 = IC 2133 = UGC 3334 = MCG +12-06-007 = CGCG 329-008 = LGG 132-002 = PGC 17625
05 42 04.4  +69 22 46; Cam
V = 11.0;  Size 4.6'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 85°

48" (10/23/11): at 375x, this distorted spiral appeared very bright, very large oval nearly 2:1 E-W, ~3.6'x2.0', highly asymmetric appearance.  Contains a very bright, large oval core that is clearly offset to the north side of the galaxy!  A large arm sweeps E-W along the south side of the halo.  A broad dust lane runs parallel to the arm on the inside.  Surrounding the core are shorter inner spiral arms including an arm just north of the core that sweeps west and bends south.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed just inside the dust lane, 30" SSE of center.

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; fairly bright, very large, elongated 5:3 ~E-W, contains a bright elongated nucleus that is oddly offset towards the north side.  The halo has a low, but uneven surface brightness (due to spiral arms and dust) and extended nearly 3.5'x2.0', though it faded imperceptibly into the sky.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed 30" SSE of center.  CGCG 329-011, located 8' NE, appeared very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 15.3 star is 20" S.

17.5" (12/7/90): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, weak concentration, small bright core.  A mag 13 star is 30" SSE of center and a mag 12 star is just off the west edge, 2.4' from center.  There appears to be a dark patch between this star and the core.  Forms a pair with CGCG 329-011 7.6' NE (not seen).

8" (10/31/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse, elongated, star involved.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1961 = H. III-747 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889).  He recorded "considerably faint, pretty large, irregular figure, much brighter middle, easily resolvable, 5 or 6 of the stars belonging to it visible in the middle."  This was the 2000th object in Caroline's "General Catalogue" of discoveries (after duplicates were eliminated).  The NGC position is 7' too far NNE and Auwers' reduction (not used in the NGC) was an additional 7' further north. 

E.E. Barnard swept it up on 23 Oct 1891 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He noted it was "3/4' diameter, round, vgbM, 12 1/2 mag."   Bigourdan found the galaxy again two months later (22 Dec 1891), measured an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued Big. 385 as IC 2133.  In Dreyer's 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" he comments, "Caroline Herschel has used the place of the comparison star in Wollaston's Catalogue of 1790, which is very erroneous.  Auwers assumed it to be B.A.C. 1985, hence his very erroneous polar distance.  But it is = G. 1199 agreeing with two other stars, 42 and 43 Cam.  The place of the neb found from this coincides with that of I.C. 2133 = Bigourdan 385."  So, NGC 1961 = IC 2133.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 1962 = ESO 056-122 = LMC-N144
05 26 18  -68 50 18; Dor
V = 11.5

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1962 forms the bright western patch of the NGC 1962-65-66-70 cluster and emission nebula (stellar association LH 58).  At 200x it appeared as a large, fairly bright glow on the W side of the complex, ~2' in diameter.  A few faint stars are peppered across the glow.  At the E end is mag 12.3 HD 36521 = Brey 32, a WC4+O6 Wolf-Rayet binary.

Adding a UHC filter provided an excellent contrast gain to the bright nebulosity.  The entire complex is part of a Superbubble. NGC 1953, an LMC open cluster, lies 4.5' W and a large number of additional clusters that I didn't have time to explore lie to the S and SE.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1962 = D 136? = h2866 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later.  He described D 136 as "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them.  There is a pretty bright star in the south side."  His unpublished position in his handwritten notes (reduced from a drift) is 10' too far E, consistent with his other offsets.  He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it."  But without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.

John Herschel observed the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components.  He described NGC 1962 as "vF, pL; R; the first of a group of four nebulae [with NGC 1965, 1966 and 1970] with stars. The place interpolated from those of the 1st and 3rd by aid of a diagram made at the time.  Note: The mirror newly polished. Plate VI, figure 20."

Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").  The sketch shows NGC 1962 as two connected pieces with a few stars involved.  Pietro Baracchi also sketched a patch directly between NGC 1962 and 1965 on 18 Nov 1884.
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NGC 1963 = ESO 363-005
05 32 10.8  -36 22 51; Col

17.5" (2/22/03): at 100x, appears as a distinctive looping group of two dozen mag 10-13 stars, though these are likely an unrelated asterism.  The diameter is roughly 10' with a string of stars on the south side trailing to the east (forming the bottom loop of the figure "3").  Includes several mag 10-11 stars with two mag 8 stars (oriented N-S) on the north side of the low power field.  IC 2135, an edge-on galaxy, lies 15' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1963 = h2861 on 24 Dec 1835 and described "the cusp of a cluster of stars, 8...11m; arranged pretty exactly in a figure of 3 with appendages.  *8 in cusp taken."  This group of stars stands out fairly well on the DSS although the brightest star is closer to mag 10.  This is a random grouping with no correlation in proper motion.  The RC3 and PGC misidentify the galaxy IC 2135 (~15' further east) as NGC 1963.  RNGC classifies NGC 1963 as nonexistent.
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NGC 1964 = ESO 554-010 = MCG -04-14-003 = PGC 17436
05 33 22.6  -21 56 49; Lep
V = 10.8;  Size 5.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 32°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, unusually bright stellar nucleus [images reveal there is a foreground star superposed on the nucleus].  A mag 13.5 star is at the west edge 0.7' from center and a mag 14 star is at the SSW edge of the major axis 1.2' from center.  Situated just SE of a thin triangle of mag 9.5-10.5 stars, the closest being mag 9.3 SAO 170546 1.7' NW of center.  Brightest in a group that includes NGC 1979, IC 2130 and IC 2137

13.1" (12/18/82): faint, elongated, small bright nucleus, fairly small, faint halo surrounding the core.  Located 1.7° SE of mag 2.8 Beta Leporis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1964 = H. IV-21 = h2860 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and recorded "vS, stellar, the nucleus very bright; the chevelure vF and not perfectly central; there seems to be a vS star preceding it."  His RA is 13 sec too large, but the identification is certain.

John Herschel observed this galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded on 21 Nov 1835 (sweep 647): "F, irregularly round, very suddenly brighter in the middle, to a star 12th mag, 2 or 3 stars involved, and several bright ones near."  His position was accurate.
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NGC 1965 = ESO 056-123 = LMC-N144B = LH 58
05 26 29.5  -68 48 23; Dor
V = 11.7

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a bright, small knot on the NW side of a large HII complex and cluster (association LH 58) that includes NGC 1966 (1.5' ESE), NGC 1962 (2.2' SW) and NGC 1970.  NGC 1965 surrounds two stars and ~20" in diameter with a fainter nebulous halo.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1965 = D 136 = h2867 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later.  He described the complex as "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them - a pretty bright star in the south side."  His unpublished reduced position (in his handwritten notebook) is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in the drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged.  He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with small stars in it."

John Herschel observed the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components.  NGC 1965 = h2867 was described as "F, S; the second of a group of four nebulae [with NGC 1962, 1966 and 1970] with stars. The place interpolated from those of the 1st and 3rd by aid of a diagram made at the time.  Plate VI, figure 20."  Herschel noted that D 136 probably includes this object.

Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").
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NGC 1966 = LMC-N144A = ESO 056-125 = LH 58
05 26 45.6  -68 48 43; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 0.7'x0.3'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this number refers to one of the multiple components of a large star cloud and HII complex (LH 58), ~5' in diameter.  At 346x this is a small, bright glow on the NE side that surrounds three stars, elongated WNW-ESE, ~40"x15".  Fainter nebulosity is attached that extends to the west for 1.5' and connects to the emission knot NGC 1965.  A mag 9.9 star lies 1.2' S (HD 269546 = Brey 34, a Wolf-Rayet binary (WN5+B3)).  This HII complex is located roughly 12' S of a mag 6.1 star (6.7/7.0 pair at a close 1.4").

At 200x using a UHC filter, this is a fascinating emission complex as the entire 5' region is awash in bright nebulosity and there are faint, irregular extensions beyond the main portion, particularly to the north (the outer portions form a faint bubble on images).  A 10th mag star is involved (HD 269546), though the cluster itself (S-L 476) does not stand out significantly.

NGC 1966 is sometimes applied to the entire complex. Shapley listed the complex as the center of the OB-association "Constellation" II (of V).

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1966 = D 136 = h2868 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later.  He described "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them.  There is a pretty bright star in the south side."  His unpublished notebook position is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in his drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged.   He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it."  Still, without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.

John Herschel observed the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components.  He described NGC 1966 as "the third of a group of four nebulae with stars; pB, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle.  Plate VI, figure 20."

Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").

NGC 1962-65-66-70 contains a conspicuous group of young blue supergiants at the edge of the supergiant shell LMC3 and Shapley Constellation II.
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NGC 1967 = ESO 056-126 = S-L 478
05 26 43  -69 06 06; Dor
V = 10.8;  Size 0.9'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly small cluster, ~30" diameter. 8 to 10 stars are resolved, many in a string along the west side.  A mag 13 star is at the E edge.

NGC 1967 is the first of 3 or 4 clusters with NGC 1984 5.4' ESE, NGC 1994 9' ESE, and BSDL 1781 just 2.5' NE.  BSDL 1781 is a group of ~10 stars mag 12.5-14 that are elongated ~N-S and extend 1.5'x0.5'. NGC 1967 is situated 9' SW of the NGC 1983 star cloud/association (LH 61).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1967 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as object #456 in his table of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  His position is 1.8' too far northwest.
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NGC 1968 = LMC-N51C = ESO 056-130 = S-L 483 = LH 60
05 27 39.7  -67 27 48; Dor
Size 1.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): NGC 1968 is the third in a great chain of clusters involved in extensive nebulosity oriented southwest to northeast. The cluster is bright and very elongated 3'x1' E-W with ~20 stars, including many OB-types from mag 12-13.  Outliers spread in the direction of NGC 1955 including a mag 11.5 emission line star midway between and a mag 12.4 blue supergiant (O6-type) less than 1' to its south.

The cluster (part of stellar association LH 60) is surrounded by nebulosity (N51C) that brightens on the east end in a large, round knot and extends SW of the cluster for several arc minutes in the general direction of NGC 1955.  NGC 1968 is connected to NGC 1974, another nebulous cluster 3' NE, with NGC 1955 just 8' WSW.  The entire complex is nicknamed the LMC "Sextant Arc".

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1968 = D 188 = h2870 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described "a curved line of 5 or 6 faint nebulae with a number of small stars mixed.  This line is rich in stars and nebulae."   This object (or group of nebulae) was found during a drift on 27 Sep in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus) and all positions were reduced incorrectly (2.4° to the SE).  Once corrected and checked for consistency with NGC 2004, which was logged 3 minutes later in the drift, his offsets land 5' S of NGC 1968.  His description probably includes NGC 1974.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1968 = h2870 on 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) and described "The third of a great line of rich clusters [with NGC 1955, 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1974] all connected by abundance of irregularly scattered stars."
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NGC 1969 = ESO 056-124 = S-L 479
05 26 33  -69 50 27; Dor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): faintest in a compact trio of clusters with NGC 1971 and 1972.  At 397x; appears moderately bright, small, roundish, fairly low surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the NW end and a couple of fainter stars are involved.

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a compact right triangle of clusters with NGC 1971 1.2' SE and NGC 1972 1.4' E (within the Star Cloud LH 59).  At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round.  This cluster has a lower surface brightness than NGC 1971 and 1972.  A mag 13 star is at the NW edge.  NGC 1958 lies 5' W.  Located along the southeast side of the LMC bar, with a relatively bright background glow

John Herschel discovered NGC 1969 = h2872 in Dec 1834 and recorded on NGC 1969 "the 4th of several running together (fig 7, Pl IV). F; S; attached to a larger (the 5th)."  The 5th refers to NGC 1971 = h2875.  His position is accurate.  James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster earlier on 24 Sep 1826 and noted (D 93) "a very faint nebula, about 30" diameter."  His position is ~5' SE of the NGC 1969/1971/1972 trio, but visually NGC 1971 is the most prominent of the group.  So, my guess is that D 93 refers to NGC 1971.

Albert Le Sueur sketched the field on 25 Feb 1870 (also S-L 460 and S-L 469), as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...".
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NGC 1970 = ESO 056-127 = LMC-N144 = LH 58
05 26 53  -68 50 12; Dor
V = 10.3

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x; NGC 1970 is at the SE corner of the NGC 1962-65-66-70 complex (stellar association LH 58).  It consists of three close collinear stars oriented NNW-SSE with the brightest mag 10.8 star HD 269551 on the N end (1.5" pair of 11/11.8 supergiants).  HD 269546 = Brey 34, a mag 9.9 Wolf-Rayet binary (WN5+B3) and the brightest star in the complex, is just 0.7' WNW of the 3 stars.   

Adding a UHC filter, the stars were surrounded by only very weak nebulosity (forming a ragged superbubble on images) that was no more prominent than the general hazy glow in the field.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1970 = D 136 = h2869 on 25 Sep 1826 with a second observation two nights later.  He described "a pretty large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, irregular figure with 4 bright parts or seats of attraction in it - or 4 small nebulae involved in strong nebulosity common to all them.  There is a pretty bright star in the south side."  His unpublished notebook position (reduced from a drift) is 10' too far E, consistent with other offsets in the drift including NGC 1953, the previous object logged.   He recorded it again on a drift two nights later with description, "a faint confused nebula, irregular figure with with small stars in it."  Without a more detailed description it's uncertain which components he actually viewed.

John Herschel observed the group on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and distinguished the various components.  He described NGC 1970 as "The last nebula in the group of four [with NGC 1962, 1965 and 1966] with stars. Place concluded (with no precision) from the 1st and 3rd by the aid of a diagram." [Plate VI, fig 20].  Despite his uncertainty with the position, it is pretty accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched the entire group in Dec. 1875 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 30 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae...").  His sketch shows the three stars oriented NNW-SSE with no nebulosity, but there is a patch of nebulosity surrounded by a ring of stars that is sketched close north. Pietro Baracchi also took this group of four or five stars as GC 1175 = NGC 1970.
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NGC 1971 = ESO 056-128 = S-L 481 = BRHT 12a
05 26 45.6  -69 51 03; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 1.1'x0.95'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; very bright, fairly small, round, 30"-35" diameter, high surface brightness.  NGC 1971 is the brightest in a small trio with NGC 1972 50" NNE and NGC 1969 1.3' NW.  These clusters are situated in a glowing region (star cloud LH 59) on the southeast side of the central bar of the LMC with NGC 1958 6.5' WNW and S-L 469 7' NW.   The latter (brighter of a 3' pair with S-L 460) appeared fairly faint, irregular, 30" diameter.

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this cluster is the furthest south in a small right triangle of clusters with NGC 1969 1.2' NW and NGC 1972 0.9' NNE.  At 260x, it appeared bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter (largest of trio), gradually increases to the center.  At 350x, it contains a sharp stellar core or a mag 14 star is superimposed and a star is also on the SE edge.  Located 15' SW of a mag 6.1 star (close double) within the southeast side of the LMC's central bar.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1971 = D 95 = h2875 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described D 95 as "a faint nebula, round, 35" or 40" diameter." In the drift it was logged between NGC 1958 and NGC 1986 and his offset in time and declination from NGC 1986 lands with 2' of NGC 1971. It was apparently also recorded in his drift through the same area three nights later and called "very faint, ill defined, 20" diameter."

John Herschel rediscovered this cluster on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 523) and recorded, "the 5th of several running together (fig 7, Pl IV); attached to a smaller, No. 4".  His position is accurate.

Albert Le Sueur sketched the field (with NGC 1958, 1969, 1972, S-L 460 and S-L 469) on 25 Feb 1870, as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae...".
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NGC 1972 = ESO 056-129 = S-L 480 = BRHT 12b
05 26 48.8  -69 50 17; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x; bright, small, round, high surface brightness glow (cluster), ~25" diameter.  Contains a very bright quasi-stellar nucleus (knot of stars).  NGC 1972 is the second brightest in a compact trio of clusters with NGC 1971 50" SSW and NGC 1969 1.4' W.

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): forms the northeast vertex of a small triangle of clusters with NGC 1971 0.9' SSW and NGC 1969 1.4' E (within the star cloud LH 59).  At 260x this small cluster is bright, round, ~35" diameter (smaller than NGC 1971).  There is either a very small knot of stars at the east edge (DSS reveals an apparent close double star).  These clusters are buried with the SE side of the LMC's bar, so the field has a bright background.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1972 (or NGC 1971) = D 93 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a very faint nebula, about 30" diameter."  His position is ~5' SE of the trio NGC 1969/1971/1972.  Based on my visual observation, I suggest that NGC 1971 = D 93, although Steinicke assigns D 93 to NGC 1972.  John Herschel independently discovered this cluster (h2876) on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded it as "the 6th of several [including NGC 1950, 1958, 1959, 1969 and 1971] running together (fig 7, Pl IV). This also is a double nebula, having a very small one attached N.p (No 7)."  His position is ~40" too far south.

Albert Le Sueur sketched the field (with NGC 1958, 1969, 1972, S-L 460 and S-L 469) on 25 Feb 1870, as well as by Joseph Turner on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Turner's sketch is on plate III, figure 29 in "Observations of Southern Neb...".
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NGC 1973 = Ced 55b = Sh 2-279 = Running Man Nebula
05 35 04.8  -04 43 55; Ori
Size 5'x5'

24" (1/22/15): locally bright (reflection?) nebula surrounding mag 6.9 HD 36958, embedded within the much larger NGC 1977 complex.  Extends ~4' diameter in a circular glow, though the perphery is not well defined.  A fainter star 34" NNE is involved in the nebula and at moments seemed to be encased in its own small halo.  NGC 1975 is 4.4' NE.

13.1": bright reflection nebulosity surrounding 7th magnitude SAO 132302.  See NGC 1977.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1973 on 16 Dec 1862 within NGC 1977.  He calls it a nebulous mag 8-9 star and his single position corresponds with HD 36958 = SAO 132302 = KX Ori with NGC 1977.
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NGC 1974 = NGC 1991 = LMC-N51A = ESO 085-89 = S-L 494 = LH 63
05 28 00  -67 25 24; Dor
Size 1.7'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): NGC 1974 is the fourth in a great looping chain of clusters and nebulosity (collectively called the "Sextant Arc") including NGC 1955 and NGC 1968 to the SW.  NGC 1974 is virtually attached to NGC 1968, only distinguished by less nebulosity and stars.  Roughly three dozen stars were resolved in a 3' circular group (stellar association LH 63) including a number of mag 12-13 stars.  The cluster is involved in fairly bright nebulous haze (N51A).

A filament of nebulosity visible on the NE side is the brightest section of an incomplete supernova remnant shell (DEM L205). Discovered in 2012, it's one of the largest remnants known in the LMC.

Nail and Shapley designated the OB super-association that includes the "Sextant Arc" as "Constellation III" in a 1953 paper on the Magellanic Clouds.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1974 = D 213 on 6 Nov 1826 and described "a faint elliptical nebula, about 30" diameter. This is the following in a curved line of nebulae." He observed it on three occasions and his (mean) position is 2.8' too far northeast.

John Herschel recorded h2877 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 5112) as "The following part of a large irregular cluster which extends obliquely across the field." The objects in this grouping include NGC 1955, 1968, 1974 and NGC 1991 and his position is accurate (~30" south of center).  Herschel found this nebulous cluster again on 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760) and recorded it as h2884 (= NGC 1991), although his RA was 1.0 min too large.  So, NGC 1974 = NGC 1991.  Lucke and Hodge misidentify this object (typo) as NGC 1947.
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NGC 1975 = Ced 55c = Sh 2-279 = Running Man Nebula
05 35 18  -04 41 06; Ori
Size 10'x5'

24" (1/22/15):  bright 2' reflection nebulosity surrounding HD 294263 (triple star) within the NGC 1977 complex.  The two brighter components form STF 746 = 10.4/10.7 at 14", with a third fainter star 12" SW.  Also a 4th star is ~35" NW of the pair and within the glow.  The nebula seems more centered on the northeast component of STF 746.  Brighter NGC 1973 lies 4.5' SW and the entire field is awash in nebulosity.

13.1": see description for NGC 1973.  This is the faintest portion of the NGC 1977 complex and appears large and elongated, including a mag 11/11 double star.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1975 on 3 Oct 1864 and called it a "bright double star involved in nebulosity within V. 30 [NGC 1977]."  His single position corresponds with the double star ∑746 = 10.4/10.7 at 14" in the northern part of the nebula.
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NGC 1976 = M42 = LBN 974 = Ced 55d = Sh 2-281 = Orion Nebula
05 35 17.1  -05 23 27; Ori
V = 4.0;  Size 66'x60'

48" (4/1/11): the Trapezium was the first object viewed while the sky was still darkening.  The "H" star (discovered by Barnard in 1888 with the Lick 36" was easily visible without reference to a chart, though I apparently missed the G star inside the Trapezium and a fainter companion to H at 1.3" separation.  The "E" component was seen for the first time with a vivid orange color!  In addition, due north of the A-E pair is a faint double star near the edge of the darker central pocket containing the Trapezium.  On the opposite side (SE) of the Trapezium (at the edge of the inner pocket) are a wide pair of stars (~20") oriented E-W with possibly a third extremely difficult star between and a bit further east.  Although I didn't take notes or try to sketch the main features of M42, there were several faint pink or red stars peppered over the glow of the nebula!

17.5" (10/12/85): best emission nebula in northern sky, fantastic view under all conditions, bright colored wings sweep to the east and south.  The remarkable structure is difficult to describe but includes bays, filaments, knots, nebulous stars and a huge outer loop.  Definite colors are visible including pale greens and pinks.  Highlighted by the Trapezium which contains six stars and appears to reside in a darker hollow.  The bright portion surrounding Theta probably has the highest surface brightness of any HII region in the sky with an "electric" appearance.  Dark streaks and a dark wedge = "fish's mouth" intrudes on the NE side.  Using an H-Beta filter, the nebulosity significantly dims in general but there is one outer wing or loop on the west side (oriented N-S) which obviously increases in contrast with the filter!

8" (numerous dates from 1979 to 1984): exquisite detail difficult to describe. Overall the nebula has a grey-green color but one wing is slightly reddish.  Faint, very large outer loop is nearly complete

The following observational history of M42 = NGC 1976 = h360 is largely from Wolfgang Steinicke and http://seds.org/messier/more/m042_dis.html

The Orion Nebula was probably discovered in November 1610 by Nicholas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580-1637), a French lawyer, who turned his telescope (given to him by Galileo) to Orion and reported a "small illuminated cloud" near the middle star of Orion's Sword. This sighting, however, was not published; it was only written in Peiresc's personal documents and mentioned by Bigourdan in 1916. Jesuit astronomer Johann Baptist Cysat (1588-1657) of Lucerne independently found it the following year. In 1619, he compared it to a comet he had observed in 1618. Cysat's work wasn't widely circulated either but was found and reported by Rudolf Wolf in 1854. So, Dreyer included Cysat under the "Other Observers" column in the NGC. Sicilian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna made the first known (very rough) sketch of the Orion nebula before 1654 and included three stars, probably Theta1, Theta2A, and Theta2B. As he was little known, his work was lost and rediscovered in the 1980s.

None of the early discoveries were known when Christian Huygens rediscovered the nebula in 1656 with a 50mm "air" refractor (23-ft focal length) and published the first printed sketch in his "Systema Saturnium" in 1659, gaining credit for a long time as the discoverer, as reported by Halley and Messier. Huygens's sketch included three stars in the Trapezium and the general shape of the bright central part of the nebula.  In 1673, French astronomer Jean Picard added the fourth star ("B"), as well as Huygens in 1696 with an "air" refractor of 44.5-ft focal length. Messier's more detailed sketch [made in 1769] showing the wings and the "fish's mouth" near the Trapezium was published in 1771 (Mémoires de l'Académie Royale), though soon after William Herschel trained his telescopes towards M42 (earliest observation in March 1774 with a 4.5" reflector) and resolved much more structure. He called it "altogether the most wonderful object in the heavens." (16 Oct 1784). He included a sketch of M42 (fig. 37) in his 1811 publication.

M42 was one of the objects Lord Rosse attempted to "resolve" in 1845 and 1846 using his new 72-inch. After several bouts of poor weather, in February of 1846, he wrote, "We are still in doubt as to the resolvability of the Nebula in Orion. The great instrument has shown us an immense number of stars in it, dense groups in the immediate vicinity of the Trapezium, but further evidence is I think wanting." A month later, he was more convinced, writing in a letter, "...there can be little if any doubt as to the resolvability of the nebulae...we could plainly see that all about the trapezium is a mass of stars; the rest of the nebula also abounding with stars, and exhibiting the characteristics of resolvability strongly marked." Most astronomers accepted these claims, though a few, such as Wilhelm Struve, challenged the alleged resolution. The Orion Nebula was a poor choice to decide resolvability as many stars are associated with it. Still, the Irish observers also claimed resolvability for the Crab Nebula and the Ring Nebula (especially by Romney Robinson). George Bond, son of William Cranch Bond and Director of the Harvard College Observatory, claimed to have confirmed Rosse's resolution using HCO's new 15" refractor. In his first examination on 21-22 Sep 1847, he scribbled in his notebook, "Resolved. Mottled. Abundance of Stars." He told Harvard's president, "You will rejoice with me that the great Nebula in Orion has yielded to the powers of our incomparable telescope!"

Ronald Stoyan, in "Sketching the Orion Nebula" (Astronomy, Feb 2013), stated that Bond determined the positions of all stars he could perceive through the 15-inch (HCO refractor) in a 20' radius around the Trapezium.  Working through seven winter seasons from 1857 to 1864 and finally reaching a field of 3.36° square, he catalogued 1,101 stars as faint as 15th magnitude, observed numerous various stars, and described M42 in metriculous detail like no one before.  But above all, he sketched what he saw at the eyepiece - the first complete and accurate "image" of this region.  His eye for detail was so that that the engraver [for the 1867 "Observations upon the Great Nebula in Orion" in http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1867AnHar...5D...3B] had to look through the telescope to adequately reproduce Bond's impressions.  The result was the most accurate and elaborate astronomical drawing ever done.  Bond's cousin, American astronomer Edward S. Holden, said in 1882 that it was the "most satisfactory representation of any celestial object."  [A biography of George Bond, as well as his sketch of the Orion Nebula is at http://ejamison.net/bond.html]

The Orion Nebula was reported early on by various observers as possibly variable, with changes in both shape and brightness.  Edward Holden gives a comprehensive history of observations of the Orion Nebula by 44 individuals, from Cysat in 1619 to Draper in 1880.  See http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7237514M/.  Henry Draper took the first photograph of the Orion Nebula on 30 Sep 1880 with an 11-inch Clark refractor, though the resolution and details were very poor.  In 1882-83, Ainslee Common obtained a number of impressive long-exposure photographs using his 36-inch silver-on-glass reflector (first to show details not visible naked-eye) and in 1889 Isaac Roberts produced some excellent wide-field photographs of M42 using a 20-inch Grubb reflector.  Huggins took the first spectrum in 1865.
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NGC 1977 = Ced 55e = Sh 2-279 = Running Man Nebula
05 35 15.8  -04 50 40; Ori
Size 20'x10'

24" (1/22/15): NGC 1977 is a prominent 20' field of nebulosity involving 42 Ori (V = 4.6 and a challenging 1.2" pair), 45 Ori (V = 5.2) and mag 7.3 HD 37058 on the south side and NGC 1973 (KX Ori) and NGC 1975 (STF 746) in the northern half.  The entire complex is irregularly luminous but locally brightest around these stars and dimmer in the central region.  The southern portion is brighter and elongated E-W with an irregular outline.  On the SE side is an extension and the NE section ends near a 30" unequal pair of stars.  See NGC 1973 and NGC 1975 for separate descriptions.

13.1": extensive bright field of nebulosity including NGC 1973 and NGC 1975, very large, elongated ~E-W.  Involves several bright stars including 42 Orionis (V = 4.7) and 45 Orionis (V = 5.3).  Irregular and detailed with detached segments.  Extends north and south beyond 42 Orionis.  Located north of M42 and south of the bright cluster NGC 1981.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1977 = H. V-30 on 18 Jan 1786 (sweep 510). He recorded "I returned to the c's Orionis [1 and 2 c Orionis], and the stars about them; and found them as suspected involved in very visible, and unequally bright milky nebulosity.  I am pretty sure this joins to the great nebula [M42]."  NGC 1977 is generally taken as the brightest portion around 42 and 45 Orionis, though Herschel's description really applies to the entire nebula and scattered group of stars.  Heinrich d'Arrest took the first spectrum in 1872.
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NGC 1978 = ESO 085-090 = S-L 501
05 28 44.8  -66 14 10; Dor
V = 10.2;  Size 3.7'x2.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): this impressive LMC (intermediate age) globular is extremely bright and large, noticeably elongated NNW-SSE, 2.3'x1.5'. It contains a large, very bright core (unresolved), and a grainy halo. A few mag 15-16 stars were resolved around the edges at 303x.  NGC 1978 is situated within the huge LMC-4 Superbubble that includes the NGC 1848 complex 18' WSW, NGC 2003 19' SE and the "Eighth-Note Nebula" (N55) 25' SE.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): bright, large, elongated NNW-SSE, 2.4'x1.5' (unusually elongated for a globular), weak even concentration to center, no resolution.  This is a blue intermediate-age cluster or "blue globular", roughly 2 billion years old with 200,000 solar masses.  NGC 1948, a combination star cloud/emission complex, lies 18' W.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1978 = D 238 = h2878 on 6 Nov 1826 and described, "a faint round nebula, about 50" diameter, rather ill defined.  His position is ~10' SW of the globular, whch is a reasonable match and in agreement with his offset from D 237, assuming it applies to NGC 1948.

John Herschel first observed this bright globular on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and logged, "vB, vL, E, gradually brighter in the middle, 3'." On 3 Jan 1837 (sweep 761), he recorded "vB, vL; oval; very gradually pretty much brighter in the middle; a beautiful nebula; it has very much resemblance to the Nubecula Major itself as seen with the naked eye, but is far brighter and more impressive in its general aspect as if the Nubecula were at least doubled in intensity. (Note - July 29, 1837. I well remember this observation, it was the result of repeated comparisons between the object seen in the telescope and the actual Nubecula as seen high in the sky on the meridian, and no vague estimate carelessly set down. And who can say whether in this object, magnified and analysed by telescopes infinitely superior to what we now possess, there may not exist all the complexity of detail that the Nubecula itself presents to our examination!)"

Harlow Shapley included NGC 1978 as one of the 8 globular clusters in the LMC in his 1930 book "Star Clusters", though it's age is now known to be only ~2 billion years.
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NGC 1979 = ESO 487-024 = AM 0531-232 = PGC 17452
05 34 01.1  -23 18 37; Lep
V = 11.8;  Size 2.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 7°

24" (1/1/19): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 50"x40", very strong concentration (fairly sharp) with a small bright core that increases to the center.  A mag 12 star is 1.8' E. ARA 1991, a 14" pair of mag 11.7/13.4 stars is 7' W.  IC 2138 is 14' SSE and IC 2130 is 32' WNW.  M79 lies 2.5° SW.  Member of the NGC 1964 group.

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  IC 2138 lies 14' SE and NGC 1964 is 80' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1979 = H. III-240 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and noted "vF, vS, stellar."  His position is 13 sec of RA east of ESO 487-024 = PGC 17452.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 11 Feb 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 1980 = OCL-529 = LBN 977 = Ced 55f = Lund 189 = Cr 72
05 35 26.0  -05 54 36; Ori
Size 14'x14'

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, large nebulosity of low surface brightness surrounding Iota Orionis (V = 2.8).  Very difficult to distinguish from glare of Iota.  M42 lies 30' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1980 = H. V-31 = h361 on 31 Jan 1786 (sweep 517) and noted "Iota Orionis seems with its neighbouring stars to be involved in milky nebulosity; but it is so faint and the number of stars makes the field so bright, that I cannot assure myself; though I compared this spot with the preceding and following ones."  He observed it again on sweep 529 and recorded "Iota certainly affected, but no more that what the tinge of the bottom in this neighbourhood will account for."  Wolfgang Steinicke found in his research that Herschel made an earlier observation on 20 Sep 1783 (just before beginning his sweeps) with his small 20-ft (12" aperture): "The star under the Nebula in Orion [M42] is nebulous; or very faintly surrounded with a circular glory of whitish nebulosity. 20ft 200x."

John Herschel also noted on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 218), "Iota Orionis involved in a feeble neb 3' diam."

On 28 Jan 1849, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) recorded, "Dark space in the nebula containing nearest companion; light nearly equable; sketch made (by Stoney); 3-feet telescope employed.  All the stars in the neighbourhood are nebulous, of these two a little south-preceding, last seem to have dark spaces as in [figure 16, 1850 PT paper]."

William Lassell made an observation on 7 Jan 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector and reported, "Surveyed this star for some time without any impression of a nebula about it.  At length I began to conceive that the glare around it, which I had attributed to the splendour of the star, might be really nebulous; and on further looking attentively at the stars, I could fancy they were on a black ground in the midst of the nebulae; but, without the suggestion of Lord Rosse's drawing, I think the appearance would have escaped me."  Observing with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 3 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi commented, "Uncertain - Is it nebulosity or stray diffused light from the stars?"

It is very possible that William Herschel observed just scattered light around Iota, since the very southern end of M42 has a very low surface brightness and would be difficult to distinguish among the several bright stars in the field.  Wolfgang Steinicke favors interpreting NGC 1980 as an illusion (personal email on 21 Mar 2015), though Harold Corwin is not convinced (personal email of 23 Mar 2015).
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NGC 1981 = Cr 73 = OCL-525 = Lund 187
05 35 10  -04 25 30; Ori
V = 4.6;  Size 25'

24" (1/22/15): at 200x; HD 37040 = STF 750 = 6.4/8.4 at 4" on the northeast side of the cluster was easily resolved and STF 743 = 7.7/8.3 at 1.8", a tight pair in the western side was just resolved.  The cluster filled most of the 30' field.

18" (1/17/09): this very bright, scattered 25' cluster is situated just north of the cluster/emission nebula NGC 1973/75/77 and both appear to be part of the same complex at 73x.  Contains 7 stars mag 6-7.5 and a dozen stars mag 9 or brighter.  Most of the remaining stars are much fainter and more concentrated on the west side and streaming off the northwest end.

8": bright cluster with about two dozen stars mag 6 and fainter.  Very large, scattered.  Includes STF 750 = 6/8 at 4".  To the south is another group of bright stars surrounded by the emission nebula NGC 1973-1977.

Naked-eye (10/23/11): visible as a hazy glow just north of the three "stars" in the sword.  None of the individual mag 6.5 stars are resolved naked-eye as they are two tightly grouped, but the cluster is easily resolved in binoculars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1981 = h362 while inspecting Flamsteed stars with his 6.2" reflector during his second star review before starting his systematic sweeps.  On 23 Oct 1780 he recorded the multiple star H. II. 26 (usually identified as STF 750) and described it as "Double. It is the most north of three telescopic stars in a line at the end of a cluster near c." His description is a perfect match with NGC 1981, with STF 750 at the northeast side of the cluster, although it wasn't found again during his sweeps.  This early discovery was uncovered by Wolfgang Steinicke.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1981 on 4 Jan 1827 (sweep 41) and described h362 as "a coarse and por but very splendid cluster of large stars; a beautiful object."  His position corresponds with his father's STF 750 = mag 6/8 at 4" separation.  Melotte called it "a few stars north of Great Nebula in Orion. Not considered a cluster."  This was based on the Franklin-Adams plates.
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NGC 1982 = M43 = Ced 55g = Sh 2-281 = Orion Nebula
05 35 31.3  -05 16 02; Ori
V = 9.0;  Size 20'x15'

13.1": large detached piece of M42, mottled outer region, very bright center.  Has a large rotated "comma" shape with a dark indentation on the east side.  A mag 8 star is embedded. 

8": fairly large, irregular, protrudes to the NE, includes a bright star.

French scientist Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered M43 = NGC 1982 = H. III-1 around 1731.  He was observing with a small, long-focal length refractor (18 or 22 ft).  M43 is sometimes referred to as "De Mairan's Nebula". This prominent patch in the Orion Nebula complex was not mentioned by Piersec or sketched by Huygens.

William Herschel found it on 3 Nov 1783 (his third night of sweeps, #15), noting "vF, S, mE.  In the Large nebula."  He catalogued it (or part of it) as H. III-1, assuming it was new.  Wolfgang Steinicke lists III-1 as part of M42, but not M43.

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found M43 displayed an emission spectrum in an early spectroscopic investigation while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.
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NGC 1983 = ESO 056-133 = LH 61 = S-L 492
05 27 45.1  -68 59 08; Dor
V = 8.8;  Size 5'x3'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; NGC 1983 is a large star cloud (LH 61) that includes the embedded cluster S-L 492 = HD 269578.  It appeared as a very bright, small knot of stars, 30" diameter, with a half-dozen resolved.  The star cloud is elongated N-S and rich in bright and faint stars (too many to count).  A very striking N-S string (6' length) of 10 bright mag 10.5-12 stars passes just east of the cluster, including mag 10.7 yellow supergiant CD-69 310 near the south end and mag 11.1 HD 269582 (Wolf-Rayet or LBV) 0.8' E of S-L 492.  Just outside the field to the south (9' from S-L 492) is NGC 1984, along with NGCs 1994 and 1967.

Two additional clusters were picked up nearby to the east (nearly collinear with S-L 492).  H-S 314, 3.7' E of S-L 492, appeared as a bright, high surface brightness, compact glow, 20" diameter, no resolution, a mag 11.5 yellow supergiant (also classified as a LBV) is 1' SSE.  H-S 319, just 2' E of H-S 314, was noted as fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, no resolution.  A mag 11.5 yellow supergiant (HD 269612) is off the southeast side [35" from center], a mag 12.3 star is 0.7' E, and a mag 12.2 red supergiant is 1' N. The association LH 61 lies in the interior of the Supergiant Shell LMC 3.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1983 = h2881 on 11 Nov 1836 and described "a pretty rich irregular cluster which fills the field; a knot in it taken."  S-L 492 is the "knot" he measured, but the object that "fills the field" is the OB association LH 61.
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NGC 1984 = ESO 056-132 = S-L 488
05 27 40.8  -69 08 05; Dor
V = 10.0;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; extremely bright, small, high surface brightness knot of stars, mottled.  Several stars are resolved around the edges of the 30" clumpy glow. A nice 4' string of stars begins at the W edge of the cluster and extends to the SSE, ending at a 12th mag LMC red supergiant (M0.5-type).  There was no response to a NPB filter, although emission nebula N145 is on the SW edge.

NGC 1984 is situated in a very rich region of the LMC with NGC 1994 3.8' ESE and NGC 1967 5.4' NW.  NGC 1983, an excellent cluster and star cloud, lies 9' N.


James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1984 = D 135 = h2882 on 24 Sep 1826.  During his second drift of the night he noted a "small faint round nebula".  His reduced position is 20' to the SW, but reference to his handwritten drift notes shows it was logged 8 minute 18 sec after recording NGC 1916 and 14' to its north.   This offset places it just 2' south of NGC 1984 and 3' SW of NGC 1994. He recorded a second object only 17 seconds of RA separation but a difference of 4' in declination (the two clusters are very close in declination).

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1984 = h2882 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "a cluster; a double star in it taken."  His position is accurate and the double star is HJ 3771 = 11.4/13 at 5".
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NGC 1985 = Ced 57
05 37 47.8  +31 59 20; Aur

13.1" (1/18/85): faint reflection nebulosity surrounding a mag 13.5 star.  This small, circular nebula is visible without a filter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1985 = H. III-865 = h359 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980). He recorded "very faint, very small, round, bright middle. 300x showed it very plainly."

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell observed it on 28 Dec 1856: "Looks like a star enveloped in a vF nebulous atmosphere which is little extended nearly preceding-following."

This reflection nebula was misclassified as a PN (PK 176+00.1) in Kohoutek's Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae and the RNGC repeats this error.
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NGC 1986 = ESO 056-134 = S-L 489
05 27 37.8  -69 58 14; Men
V = 11.1;  Size 1.4'x1.2''

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 397x, very bright, large, roundish, ~2' diameter, contains a relatively large bright core.  The cluster is very lively and several extremely faint stars are resolved over the glow.  Nine clusters lies within 16' in a 90° arc from the west to the north, the closest is H-S 307 4.8' N (logged as "faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, low surface brightness, no resolution.")  Further east of NGC 1986 are numerous additional clusters.

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this LMC globular appeared very bright, fairly large, round, at least 2' diameter, with a bright core and several faint stars resolved.  At 346x, at least a couple of dozen stars were resolved in the fainter halo and over the disc.  There is a brighter elongated bar in the central portion (reminiscent of M4).  Located 7.5' NE of a mag 8 star (HD 36598) near the southeast end of the LMC's central bar.

H-S 307, a very faint cluster, lies 4.8' NNE (logged as "small, round and grainy, ~25" diameter") and a very small trio of clusters, NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972 is ~9' NW.  NGC 1959 is a bit further away at 11' WNW with NGC 1950 continuing on the same line 16.5' WNW.  All of these clusters are visible in the same 30' field of the 13mm Ethos at 200x.  In addition, a number of clusters, including H-S 327, S-L 519, S-L 535 and NGC 2016 are nearly on a line extending to the east!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1986 = D 96 = D 97 = h2883 on 24 Sep 1826.  D 96, found on 24 Sep 1826, was reported in his logbook as "a pretty large faint nebula, fully 1' diameter, slightly bright towards centre, irregular figure."  His offsets from NGC 2005, the next object in the drift, land within 1' of NGC 1986, although his reduced position is poor.  D 97 was logged 3 nights later.  His reduced position is 23' too far SE (close to NGC 2019), but again using his offsets from NGC 2005 (the next object in the drift), his position lands within 4' of NGC 1986.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 1986 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and recorded "pF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 2'."  His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1987 = ESO 056-131 = S-L 486
05 27 17.0  -70 44 14; Men
V = 11.7;  Size 1.7'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright and large, roundish with a slightly irregular halo, lively but only a couple of mag 16-16.5 stars are resolved around the edges.  Three bright stars in the field to the west: a mag 10.7 star 2.1' SW, a mag 9.5 star 3' W and a mag 10.5 star 5' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1987 = h2885 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; L; irregularly round; 3 bright stars precede."  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 1988 = Chacornac's Variable Nebula
05 37 26.5  +21 13 06; Tau

= *, Carlson.  =**, Gottlieb.

The following historical summary is based on Wolfgang Steinicke's "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters" as well as Harold Corwin's NGC/IC identification notes.  Jean Chacornac discovered NGC 1988 on 19 Oct 1855 with the 25-cm Lerebours refractor of the Paris Observatory, though the note "have found a new nebula very near to Zeta Tauri." was not announced until 1863. When he reobserved the field on 20 Nov 1862, he was surprised to find the "nebula" missing and Heinrich d'Arrest was unsuccessful in seeing it in 1863 and 1865.  Tempel reported it was probably a reflection in the eyepiece (and not a variable nebula) based on his negative sighting in 1861.  Hind later summarized the discovery and subsequent negative results of this object in a paper titled "Chacornac's Variable Nebula near Zeta Tauri" in 1876.  John Herschel, unaware of Tempel's negative result, catalogued it as GC 1911 and Dreyer followed in the NGC with the description "!!!, variable (?)", though he has a long description on this star in the notes section in which he mentions that Tempel found only a false image of a star.  Still others tried to find it including Father Hagen who described this object as a ghost image of mag 3 Zeta Tauri.  Burnham also unsuccessfully searched for it in 1891 with the 36-inch Lick refractor (Publ of Lick Observatory, II).  Burnham agreed with Tempel's assessment and added "Too much time has been wasted in looking for this object.."  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, concluded "*12.5 in Dreyer's place, BD +21 907 f 0.6'."  Harold Corwin also suggests this was a "reflection or flare from zeta Tauri which is only 5 arcmin to the southeast."  This is the only NGC entry credited to Chacornac, so he didn't discover any non-stellar objects.
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NGC 1989 = ESO 423-021 = MCG -05-14-004 = PGC 17464
05 34 23.4  -30 48 04; Col
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 106°

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated, broad concentration.  Situated at the vertex of two converging rows stars including mag 9.6 SAO 19574 3' NNE and mag 9.4 SAO 195974 5.5' NNE.  Forms a pair with NGC 1992 6' SSE and brightest in cluster ACO S536 (distance ~500 million l.y.).

John Herschel discovered NGC 1989 = h2871 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "eeF; S; R; south of several bright stars."  On a second sweep he noted "vF; S; R at the apex of a converging parcel of distant stars."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 1990 = Epsilon Ori = LBN 940 = Ced 55h
05 36 12.7  -01 12 07; Ori
V = 1.7

= * (Epsilon Orionis = middle belt star).  Nebulosity not visible on the POSS-II.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1990 = H. V-34 = h363 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518).  He recorded "Epison Orionis passed, and I am pretty sure it is involved in nebulosity, unequally diffused."  Very likely, he noticed scattered light around the bright star.  Interestingly, about 10 minutes earlier he also suspected nebulosity (NGC 1908) to the SE of Eta Orionis, where there is none.  

John Herschel made two observations at Slough and remarked (sweep 107, 23 Nov 1827) "Epsilon Orionis.  Place by Catalogue a very brilliant star involved in an immense nebulous atmosphere, whose north and south limits are 91° 7' 29" and 91° 31' 29".  Viewed also and shown to Mr. [James] Dunlop in Sweep 110 [who was visiting Slough on 16 Dec 1827]."  Guillaume Bigourdan reported "I could not see any trace of nebulosity around this bright star which is epsilon Orion. Nor did d'Arrest or Engelhardt see any nebulosity around this star."  The Birr Castle observers reported no nebulosity on several attempts.  But on 3 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi observed Epsilon Ori with the 48" Melbourne telescope and comments "There is no doubt it is a whitish atmosphere surrounding Epsilon Orionis fading gradually away that the boundaries cannot be ascertained..."

In 1893 Lewis Swift wrote, "Sir William Herschel supposed he had discovered a very large, very faint nebula surrounding Epsilon Orionis.  For this I have sought many times with both telescopes, but always in vain, having never been able to detect anything more than the faint glow which surrounds every bright star."

Based on Crossley plates at Lick, Curtis reported in 1913, "It seems that Herschel must have been misled here by the radiance about the very bright star... I find no trace of nebulosity in an exposure of two hours."  Dorothy Carlson classified this number as nonexistent in her 1940 paper on NGC/IC corrections based on Curtis' results.  Brian Skiff, also found no large nebulosity surrounding Epsilon Orionis and Harold Corwin concludes this object is nonexistent.  He notes, though, that images are too burned in, to tell if there is a small, faint nebulosity very close to Epsilon (like IC 349 adjacent to Merope).
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NGC 1991 = NGC 1974 = ESO 085-089
05 28 00  -67 25 24; Dor
Size 1.7'

See observing notes for NGC 1974 with the 30" from Coonabarabran.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1991 = h2884 on 2 Jan 1837 and noted "the 4th of a great line of rich clusters connected by abundant irregularly scattered stars."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west (same declination) is NGC 1974 and the Hodge-Wright Atlas (1967) notes "probably NGC 1974.  RA off by 1m."  ESO repeats the identification NGC 1974 = NGC 1991.

Eric Lindsay, in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" [1964IrAJ....6..286L], notes "Not found. This should be 1m due east of NGC 1974 which follows NGC 1955, 1968."  RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies NGC 1991 nonexistent instead of equating with NGC 1974.
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NGC 1992 = ESO 423-023 = MCG -05-14-007 = PGC 17466
05 34 31.9  -30 53 49; Col
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/3/88): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 1989 6' NNW in ACO S536.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1992 = h2873 on 19 Nov 1835 and recorded "eeF; vS; certainly not to be seen except in a superbly clear night, as this is."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 1993 = ESO 554-014 = MCG -03-15-003 = PGC 17487
05 35 25.5  -17 48 55; Lep
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 80°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  Located 40' E of Alpha Leporis (V = 2.6).

William Herschel discovered NGC 1993 = H. III-269 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar, 240 power it beyond doubt."  Auwers reduced position is 1 hr too large in R, but this error was caught by JH when compiling the GC.
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NGC 1994 = ESO 056-136 = S-L 499
05 28 22  -69 08 30; Dor
V = 9.8;  Size 1.6'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, fairly small, high surface brightness knot, 25" diameter, clumpy, irregular.  The main patch is too dense to cleanly resolve (a few stars within the multiple HJ 3775 sparkle over the background glow) but a large number of mag 13-15 stars are nearby, forming a larger cluster.  Two mag 11.5 stars are less than 1' NE (B6I-type) and 1.5' ESE (OB-type).  NGC 1994 forms a striking pair with NGC 1984 3.8' W with NGC 1967 9' WNW.  It lies in a gorgeous, rich region of the LMC with scattered brighter stars extending 10' N to NGC 1983.

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright, small, very high surface brightness knot, 25" diameter, slightly elongated E-W.  A few stars are resolved in the cluster and many are scattered very nearby.  NGC 1994 is the third in a trio of clusters with NGC 1984 and 1967. Situated in a very rich region of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1994 = h2887 on 16 Dec 1835 and described "a little knot, a triple, perhaps a quadruple star, forming a point of reference in a cluster of the 7th class. The knot looks like a nebula till analysed."  On a second sweep he logged "the second knot in a rich cluster of irregular figure of stars 11..16th mag. The knot seems to be a close double or triple star."  His position is accurate.  The cluster is listed in the Washington Double Star catalog as the multiple star HJ 3775 with the brightest two components (mag 11.5/11.8) at 9.5" separation (2002 measure).  In addition, three additional components (C/D/E) are listed.
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NGC 1995
05 33 03.3  -48 40 34; Pic
V = 15/15.5;  Size 13"

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): NGC 1995 is a 13" pair of mag 15/15.5 stars just 2.3' NW of NGC 1995.  Through thin clouds, low elevation and only fair seeing, it appeared as a very faint unresolved glow.  Under these conditions, I would also have mistaken it for a tiny nebula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1995 = h2879, along with NGC 1998 = h2880, on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "eeF; R; bM; exceedingly difficult and delicate. (Sky perfectly clear.) The preceding of two [with NGC 1998].  Both objects were recorded on sweep 526, while NGC 1998 was also recorded on sweep 762. NGC 1995 appears to apply to a faint pair of stars at ~13" separation and Corwin also concludes NGC 1995 is a double star.  The photographic description in the RNGC under NGC 1995 applies to NGC 1998 (descriptions are reversed).

Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 1995 with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 15 Feb 1888 and noted "vF; vvS; stellar - easily mistaken for a very minute star."  Actually he was mistaken!
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NGC 1996
05 38 10.2  +25 49 02; Tau
Size 20'x10'

18" (11/6/04): at 73x (31 Nagler), this is a moderately rich group of ~60 stars mag 11-14 in a large, elongated group, perhaps 17'x8', extended N-S.  The majority of the stars are ~12th magnitude.  A string of 10th magnitude stars heads southeast for 15'.  Situated in a rich star field ~20' W of mag 5.2 HD 37438 (125 Tauri).  This cloud stands out reasonably well at low power but would not be distinguishable at higher power.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1996 = H. VIII-42 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 485) and described a "cluster of coarsely scattered stars above 15' dia.  The stars nearly of a size and equally scatterered."  On 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 627) he noted "a coarsely scattered clu of pL stars, not rich; may be a projecting point of the milky way." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes this group as 17'x12' in PA 10, "Cl, L, E, pP, sc, st 11..."  The DSS appearance agrees with this description and the group (status as a cluster is uncertain) is between two mag 5-6 stars at 40' separation E-W.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 1997 = ESO 086-001 = S-L 520
05 30 34  -63 12 18; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly faint elongated glow, oriented SW-NE, ~45"x30".  A mag 14 star is attached at the northeast end and a couple of additional mag 16 stars are on the NW and SW sides.  Located 47' SSW of mag 3.8 Beta Dor, well to the north of the main body of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1997 = h2886 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "eF; R; 30"."  His position from this single sweep is ~30" SE of the center of the cluster.  In 1926, Robert Innes observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg.  He reported it as a "Nebula, 12 mag, touching an 11 mag star on Sp, 20" diameter, looks lie the tail of a comet, star being the head."  The direction of the star is at the NE edge of the cluster.
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NGC 1998 = ESO 204-015 = PGC 17434
05 33 15.7  -48 41 46; Pic
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 20°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): faint, slightly elongated ~N-S, 25"x20", smooth surface brightness.  Located within a striking group of mag 9-11 stars; a mag 10 star is 3.5' NE, five mag 9.0-10.8 stars in a N-S string (6' length) is close south, including HD 274952 and 37047.  NGC 1995, a close pair of very faint stars, is 2.3' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1998 = h2880 on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "eeF, R, bM, the following of two [with NGC 1995 = h2879]; in field to the south is a brilliant group of stars."  His position matches ESO 204-015 = PGC 17434, though NGC 1995 applies to a double star.  RNGC misclassifies NGC 1998 as nonexistent (Type 7), though the photographic description for NGC 1998 is given under the listing for NGC 1995.  Megastar mislabels this galaxy as NGC 1995.
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NGC 1999 = LBN 979 = Ced 55i = PP 34
05 36 25.3  -06 42 57; Ori
Size 2'x2'

48" (10/25/11, 4/6/13, 11/20/25): stunning view of NGC 1999 at 375x and 488x.  The high surface brightness reflection nebulosity surrounds the intensely bright mag 10.5-11.0 star V380 Ori (Herbig Be-type).  The irregular dark patch blots out a portion of the bright nebula just W of center. The patch is sharply etched into the nebulosity and forms a "keyhole" or "anvil" outline with a thin extension to the E and a thicker N-S flat section on the W side.  The contrast of the dark "hole" was extremely high, and the appearance was virtually identical to images.

18" (2/24/06): spectacular view at 565x.  The bright mag 10.5 central star appeared slightly offset E of center, though this may be an optical affect due to the very dark patch on the W side.  The bright, 2' reflection nebula is slightly brighter just following the central star.  The irregular dark vacuity was large and detailed at this power and appeared anvil-shaped.  The base of the anvil is along the W side and oriented N-S.  A narrow extension to the S tapers to a wedge.  Along the N side, the dark patch extends to the E and partially wraps around the central star.  This was the first time I've seen the dark vacuity with an appearance similar to the well-known HST image. 

17.5" (2/22/03): remarkable, bright 2' reflection nebula surrounding mag 10.5 V380 Orionis (emission-line YSO).  At 220x, a prominent, curving dark patch wraps around the star along the W side.  Two of the brightest Herbig-Haro objects are close south, with HH 2 4.3' due S and fainter HH 1 2.5' SSW.

17.5" (2/8/90 and 12/7/90): bright, high surface brightness emission nebula surrounding a mag 10 star, round, about 2' diameter.  A striking curved irregular dark patch or globule is along the W side of the central star, and the appearance is remarkable at high power.  The nebulosity is weakest on the SE side of star.  Easily takes 220x-280x.

17.5" (2/22/87): bright, round nebula around a 10th magnitude illuminating star.  A eye-catching, curved, irregular dark patch is NW of the central star within the nebulosity.

13.1" (2/25/84): a curving dark lane is visible W of the central star with faint nebulosity west of the gap. 

8" (11/28/81): small circular nebulosity surrounds a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 1999 = H. IV-33 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458).  He described it as "a star with a very strong burr all around."  He observed it again less than a month later on 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468) and noted, "very bright or rather a nucleus with a milky nebulosity chiefly on the preceding side, of no very great extent." The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."  He included NGC 1999 in his 1814 PT paper under the section "Of Stars connected with extensive windings of nebulosity" and noted "a star situated upon a ground of extremely faint milky nebulosity diffused over this part of the heavens, has a milky chevelure surrounding it, which is brighter than the nebulosity of the ground; but which loses itself imperceptibly in the extreme faintness of the general diffusion of the nebulous matter."  He used this object in his argument that the star was formed by the law of gravitation from the nebular material.  His rough sketch (fig. 9) shows the off-central star superimposed, though no dark patch.

Birr Castle observer Ralph Copeland, described it on 15 Nov 1873 as a "*9m with nebulosity in which there is a vacuity preceding the star.  It looks like a comet coiled round into a ring nebula." [See Pl I.]  So, clearly the dark patch was quite evident.

Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt between 1914-16 with the 30" Reynolds reflector, NGC 1999 was described as "!! vB, pL, a dense globe with an absolutely dark triangular hole cutting into it."  Although the dark patch is generally assumed to be a dark globule, a 2010 paper ("er ist wahrhaftig ein Loch im Himmel. The NGC 1999 dark globule is not a globule"), suggests that "the dark patch is in fact a hole or cavity in the material producing the NGC 1999 reflection nebula, excavated by protostellar jets from the V 380 Ori multiple system."  See http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMFEAKPO8G_index_0.html for more.
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NGC 2000 = ESO 056-135 = S-L 493
05 27 29  -71 52 48; Men
V = 12.1;  Size 1.5'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large LMC cluster, slightly elongated, 50" diameter, very mottled, contains a brighter and denser core.  The halo is resolved into many mag 14.5-16 stars, particularly on the south and west side.  Located on the south end of the LMC, 25' SW of NGC 2025.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2000 = h2889 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "F; R; very little brighter middle; 60"."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 2001 = ESO 056-137 = S-L 507 = LH 64
05 29 02  -68 46 12; Dor
V = 9.5;  Size 7.3'x3.6'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): a gorgeous, elongated star cloud/association (LH 64), extending 7'x2.5' NNE-SSW.  Roughly 65 stars were resolved, including a number of mag 12-13 stars, over a glowing background.  A mag 10.7 star is at the SW end and a non-stellar mag 12 knot (KMHK 955) is N of center.  A curving chain of a dozen stars pokes out of the W side and heads S towards S-L 495 (3.4' W of the mag 10.7 star).

S-L 495 is a very bright, very small knot, 20" diameter.  It was difficult to resolve this clump, but a few stars popped.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the west edge.  LH 58, a stunning large star cloud and HII complex including NGCs 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1970, lies roughly 13' WSW.  These associations and HII regions are associated with the Supergiant Shell LMC 3.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2001 = D 178 = h2888 on 25 Sep 1826.  He recorded (copied from handwritten notes) "a small faint nebula with a faint ray proceeding from it, about 6' or 7' long; following a small star south preceding."  Dunlop's position is 11' ENE of the cluster, consistent with other previous objects in this drift, including D 136 = NGC 1962-1970 complex.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2001 on 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) and recorded "the middle of the most condensed part of a cluster of stars 13th mag which runs off to the south-preceding and joins No. 39 of this sweep."  In a separate entry on the same sweep he also mentioned "Here commences a very starry or resolved region of the greater Nubecula."  
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NGC 2002 = ESO 086-003 = S-L 517
05 30 20.7  -66 53 01; Dor
V = 10.1;  Size 1.4'x1.2'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster is extremely bright but small.  It is sharply concentrated with a small, brilliant core surrounded by a much fainter 30" halo.  At 346x, the core diameter is ~15" diameter and three interior stars are resolved, the brightest on the southeast side.  Sharing the same field 8' SE is the double cluster NGC 2006 and S-L 538.

NGC 2002 is at the west end of a huge, arcing string of associations (bowed to the south) referred to as LH 77 or the "Quadrant", which extends nearly 40' to the east beyond NGC 2041.  The Quadrant, itself, defines the southern rim of the huge LMC-4 Superbubble, a ring of HII regions and clusters spanning 6000 l.y.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2002 = h2890 = D 214 on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded a "a round small nebula, 12" or 15" diameter."  He made two observations and his position is 4.7' SW of the cluster.  John Herschel credited Dunlop with the discovery.

Herschel made two observations:  On 20 Dec 1835 he logged "place of a double star, the chief of a great cluster of small stars loose and filling the field. It is the forerunner of the great cluster-region [OB association LH 77] of the nubecula." On a second sweep he called it "vB, S, R. Here comes on the richest and brightest part of the starry and clustering portion of the nubecula. (Note - From this object being described at one time as a double star, and at another as a nebula, it is probable that it is one of those singular close-knotted groups which especially characterize the nubeculae)."  So, it appears he is describing two objects -- one the cluster (containing the double star) and second, the association that contains the cluster.
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NGC 2003 = ESO 086-006 = S-L 526
05 30 54.3  -66 27 59; Dor
V = 11.3;  Size 2.1'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; extremely bright, extremely high surface brightness core, fairly small, 30" diameter.  Surrounded by a thin fainter halo. A mag 13-13.5 star or quasi-stellar knot [BSDL 2043] is at the west end and a couple of mag 15 stars are off the east side.  Two mag 9 and 10 stars lie 4.7' SSW and 7' SSW and mag 8.0 HD 36849 is 9' WNW.

S-L 553 and the remarkable Eighth-Note Nebula (N55) are ~8' E.  Even without a filter the Eighth Note Nebula was a gorgeous object with ~75 stars (S-L 553) in a 7'x3' region elongated NW-SE.  A very large, detailed nebula encompasses these stars.  There are four main sections with the largest and brightest on the SE end (N55A) extending ~2.5' diameter in an uneven, knotty circular glow.  N55A contains a 3' cluster with two dozen stars including O6-type mag 12.3 HD 269730 and two mag 13 stars at the NW and NE end.

A second small, detached 35" glow lies ~2' NW.  Unfiltered, 4 or 5 mag 15-15.5 stars are involved.  A larger roundish glow, extending 1', is 2' further NNW.  A few mag 15 stars are involved and mag 11.5-12 HD 269722 (brightest in the cluster, type OBe) is 1.4' ENE.  Finally the 4th and faintest piece is a 50" detached glow that is close north of the bright star.  Three mag 14-14.5 stars are involved. Using an NPB filter at 152x enhances the nebulosity, presenting a showpiece object similar in detail to the Red DSS2 image!  The three southern nebulous glows all have an irregular surface brightness and are connected by very faint nebulosity but the northernmost section seems detached.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this compact cluster in the LMC appeared fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Appears to have a star involved or increases to a sharp stellar nucleus.  S-L 553, a 3' star cloud (association LH 72) lies 9' E.  S-L 553 appeared as a 3' elongated glow, consisting of a half-dozen resolved stars over an unresolved background glow of stars and nebulosity.  The outline is irregular but elongated N-S.  S-L 553 cluster is embedded within the HII complex N55 ("Eighth-Note Nebula"), though I didn't use a UHC filter to examine its extent.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2003 = D 239 = h2891 on 6 Nov 1826.  He logged "a pretty large faint nebula with a number of very small stars on the north side.  The nebula is about 2' diameter, ill-defined."  His position was 10' too far ESE, just SE of the large association S-L 553. But as Herschel missed this object I doubt that Dunlop noticed it.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2003 = h2891 on 23 Nov 1834 and described it as a "bright, small stellar neb, or very close cluster 15"."  His position is accurate.  GC and NGC misidentify (typo) this cluster with h2981, instead of h2891.
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NGC 2004 = ESO 086-004 = S-L 523
05 30 40  -67 17 12; Dor
V = 9.6;  Size 2.7'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, superb cluster, ~3' diameter.  Contains a small, brilliant core and a highly resolved halo that is packed with 50 stars.  The surrounding field is quite rich in both faint and brighter mag 11-12 stars (association LH 70 extends to the SE).  The NGC 1955/1968/1974 complex lies ~20' SW and the NGC 2014/2020 complex lies 27' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2004 = D 215 = D 216 = D 191 = h2893 on 3 Aug 1826.  He described D 216 as "a small faint nebula 20" or 25" diameter" and his position was 5' NNE.  D 215, found on 24 Sep 1826, was described as "a round well-defined nebula, about 20" diameter, pretty much condensed at the centre." His position was 5.5' WSW of center.  D 191, found on 27 Sep, was described as "a pretty bright round nebula about 30" diameter, faint at the margins."  The last observation was during an LMC drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus).  As a result, all positions in the drift (off the meridian) were reduced incorrectly and his published position was 2° to the SE.  Once corrected his position is a good match with NGC 2004. 

John Herschel observed this bright cluster during 6 sweeps: on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) he recorded "B; pretty rich; compressed cluster of stars 12m."  On 23 Nov (sweep 512) he recorded, "globular, B; irreg; R; 2'.  The stars are easily distinguishable."  Then a month later (sweep 522) made another observation: "globular, B; S; R; comp M to a blaze of stars.  Many stragglers."
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NGC 2005 = ESO 056-138 = S-L 518
05 30 10.1  -69 45 11; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.8'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, fairly large, round, 45" diameter, very bright core, mottled halo, high surface brightness.  No resolution except for a couple of extremely faint stars around the periphery.  Located 2' NE of mag 9.1 HD 37121 along the SE side of the LMC's central bar.  NGC 2005 is one of the 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. 

I noticed two nearby faint clusters.  H-S 332 is just 2.3' S and 50" SE of the mag 9 star. It was a faint 20" glow with no resolution.  S-L 514 was also picked 3.3' SW.  It appeared  fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, 40"x25", grainy but no resolution.  A mag 13 star (cataloged as cluster BSDL1945) is off the southwest edge.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2005 = D 138 = D 100 on 24 Sep 1826.  On his first drift on this date, D 138 was logged as a "small round faint nebula north of a small star, 10" diameter."  His offsets from NGC 1986, the previous cluster in the drift, are a perfect match although his reduced catalogue position is 12.7' too far ESE.  He also recorded it on his second sweep, just prior to the NGC 2033/2037 association.  Finally, D 100, logged on 27 Sep 1826, was called "a small faint nebula 2' north of a small star."  His offset with respect to NGC 2019, the next object in the drift, lands within 2' of NGC 2005 and a 9th mag star is 2' S, clinching the identification.

John Herschel rediscovered this cluster with a 5-inch refractor between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 and listed it as #509 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."
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NGC 2006 = ESO 086-008 = S-L 537 = BRHT 13a
05 31 20.0  -66 58 23; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 1.6'x1.4'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 2006 forms the southern member of a close pair of small clusters (a genuine binary pair!) with S-L 538 less than 1' N.  At 346x it appeared fairly bright, fairly small, ~30" diameter, brighter core, with no evident resolution.  Forms a small triangle with two stars on the east side.  Located 8' SE of NGC 2002.   NGC 2006 is near the northwestern side of the huge OB association LH 77, an arcing group of clusters and stars stretching 40' E-W and including NGC 2002, 2027 and 2041 and collectively dubbed the "Quadrant Arc".

Just 0.9' N is S-L 538, a small, moderately bright glow that is sandwiched between a brighter star at the east edge and a fainter star off the west side.  At 346x the shape appeared irregular and ~25" diameter.  Interestingly, John Herschel's two positions for NGC 2006 on different sweeps correspond closely with each cluster, so he apparently viewed both (they are quite similar in the eyepiece) and NGC 2006 should apply to the pair.  Herschel didn't note this object as double, though he commented this object was the central part of the "extremely rich assemblage of stars and clustering groups which fill the field."

John Herschel discovered NGC 2006 = h2895 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "a very small nucleus knot in an extremely rich assemblage of stars and clustering groups which fill the field."  On his second sweep he recorded "a small highly condensed knot in an immensely large and very rich cluster, which fills much more than the field, and is like the Milky Way."  His positions differ by ~2' in declination and apply to two different close clusters!  NGC 2006 is generally assigned to the southern object, with the northern cluster catalogued as S-L 538.  The "immensely large and very rich cluster, which fills much more than the field, and is like the Milky Way" is known as the "Quadrant Arc".
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NGC 2007 = ESO 204-019 = PGC 17478
05 34 59.3  -50 55 18; Pic
V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 83°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 45"x15", low even surface brightness.  A mag 11.6 star is 4' ENE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2008 2.7' S.  Viewed in poor transparency.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2007 = h2892 (along with NGC 2008 = h2894) on 27 Dec 1834 and logged "eeF; pL; R; 40"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2008 = ESO 204-020 = PGC 17480
05 35 03.7  -50 58 00; Pic
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 93°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, ~40"x16", weak concentration, low surface brightness.  A mag 11.2 star is 3' E.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2007 2.7' N.  Coincidentally, both galaxies have mag 11-11.5 stars from 3' to 4' following.  The observation was made in poor transparency.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2008 = h289 (along with NGC 2007 = h2892) on 27 Dec 1834 and logged "eF; pL; R; very little brighter middle; 30"."  His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 2009 = ESO 056-140 = S-L 534
05 30 59  -69 10 54; Dor
V = 11.0;  Size 0.9'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright knot, moderately large, round, 45" diameter, mottled.  A dozen mag 13-15.5 stars are resolved.  Sits in a beautifully rich star field (association) with numerous mag 12 and fainter stars including an arc of 4 mag 12-13 stars off the SW side (the closest is a B3-type emission star). The NGC 2015 star cloud and cluster S-L 557 lies to the SE and NGC 1994 and 1984 lie 14' and 18' WNW. NGC 2009 was found ~40' WSW of the Tarantula Nebula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2009 = h2897 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, 40"; in a field rich with clustering stars."  On a second sweep of four he logged "pB, R, gradually little brighter middle, 80", in the north-preceding part of a cluster."  His mean position is accurate.
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NGC 2010 = ESO 056-139 = S-L 531
05 30 34.1  -70 49 09; Men
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.7'

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, large, elongated N-S, 1.5' diameter, brighter elongated core N-S, mottled and clumpy with a few 16th mag stars popping in/out of visibility.  Located 1.5' NE of mag 8.9 HD 37181.

S-L 566, located 11' ENE, appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, small bright core, no resolution.
S-L 539, located 8' NNE, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, irregular.  Unusual appearance as several stars are involved including a bright mag 12 star with a close companion is on the east side, another faint double star is resolved with a third double at the W edge.  A mag 14 star and fainter companion is off the south side.
LMC-SMP 73 is just 2.3' NE of S-L 539.  This is the first PN (stellar) in the LMC I've observed!  It was visible unfiltered as a mag 14.7 "star" forming the south vertex of a small isosceles triangle with a mag 14.4 star 0.6' NW and a mag 14.1 star 0.9' N.  Easy to verify as there was a very good contrast gain when I added a NPB filter.  Only the brighter star to the north as still faint visible with the filter but the PN appeared much brighter.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is located just 1.5' NE of 9th magnitude HD 37181.  This star is part of a large, scattered group of mag 8.5-10.5 stars including a prominent 24' loop with a double star (HJ 3783 = 8.2/10.7 at 15") at the E end of the loop.  This double star lies 6' S of NGC 2010.  NGC 2031 is 18' SE, and the bright HII complex/cluster NGC 2018 is 15' S.

S-L 539, situated, 7.7' NNE, appeared as a small, elongated glow, 20"x10", with a mag 12.5 star involved on the east end and three additional very faint stars resolved.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2010 = h2898 on 12 Nov 1836 and logged "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 3'."  His position is 1' S of center of the cluster.
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NGC 2011 = ESO 056-144 = S-L 559 = LH 75
05 32 19.8  -67 31 17; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 1.0'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, tight intense knot of four stars (a couple are quite bright) enveloped in a 1.5' triangular glow with a few additional stars resolved within the boundaries of the emission nebula.  A 3' line of brighter stars (part of the stellar association LH 75) oriented E-W passes through the south end of the glow and includes the compact cluster BRHT 14b, just off the S edge.

The surrounding fields include a number of fascinating objects with a cluster and star cloud ~6' E (S-L 567), a bright, compact cluster/nebula 8' NE (NGC 2021), a large bright cluster/nebula 10' S (NGC 2014), a large ring-shaped emission nebula (NGC 2020) 12' SSE and the Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030/2032/2035) 17' E.  NGC 2011 is embedded in the OB association LH 75.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2011 = D 192 = h2899 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described "a minute cluster of very small stars in a strong nebula, irregular figure."  This object was found during a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° to the SE).  Once corrected and checked for consistency with other objects in the drift, his offset in sidereal time matches NGC 2011.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2011 on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and logged "vB; S; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 25"."  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 2012 = ESO 016-005 = PGC 17194
05 22 35.4  -79 51 07; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 117°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, contains a very small brighter core.  A very faint star lies close following and a close double star lies 4' E.  An unequal brighter pair lies 5' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2012 = h2907 on 22 Jan 1836 and reported "vF; S; little extended; brighter middle; 2 stars 9 mag follow toward the north."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2013
05 44 14  +55 46 30; Aur
Size 4'

18" (11/6/04): This unimpressive asterism consists of two small groups of stars to the NW of mag 8.9 HD 37880.  A group ~3' NW of the brighter star is a quartet containing two mag 10.5 stars, while 6' NW is a evenly distributed quintet of mag 11-12 stars.  Also, a couple of arcminutes further NW are 3 stars including a double.  The three small groupings are extended NW to SE and span 7', although John Herschel's description may just apply to the first two groups which are 4' diameter.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2013 = h364 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and described "a poor cl of 8 or 10 stars 11 mag."  The NGC RA is 30 tsec larger than JH's discovery position and corresponds better with the center of this group of stars.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "10-12 st 11...14; BD+21d907 f 0.6'."  RNGC gives the description "No cluster."
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NGC 2014 = LMC-N57A = ESO 056-146 = S-L 560 = LH 76
05 32 20  -67 41 24; Dor
V = 9.0;  Size 5'x3.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large cluster or star cloud (stellar association LH 76) with nebulosity. About 50 stars are resolved in a 5' region (no distinct boundary on the north side), including many in a 2' string, elongated N-S.  The brightest cluster member is mag 9.9 HD 269723, one of the brightest yellow supergiants in the LMC, at the south end of this string.  A portion of the cluster is immersed in nebulosity (N57A), most prominently on the SE side.  An irregular wing of haze (roughly elongated SW-NE) extends out of the cluster for a couple of arc minutes on the E side, spreading S and N (part of a Superbubble).  NGC 2014 forms an interesting contrast with emission nebula NGC 2020 5' ESE.  The remarkable Seagull Nebula (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies ~20' NE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2014 = D 217 = D 218 = h2900 on 3 Aug 1826.  D 218 was described as "a pretty bright round nebula about 30" diameter with a minute star slightly involved in the nebula." His position was ~9' too far ENE.   He recorded D 217 as "a rather well-defined nebula, 40" or 50" diameter."  His published position was ~5' too far SSW, though 2 of his 3 observations were 13' S and 5' SE.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2014 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 512) and described the "chief *9 of a very irreg cluster, 4' long, 3' broad."  On 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) he logged, "a pretty L irreg cluster 7th class; chief *9m taken (at leaving the field); the rest are 10...15m." Herschel didn't credit Dunlop with the discovery.

Annie Jump Cannon included N57A as #22 in a table of Gaseous Nebulae in the Magellanic Clouds (Harvard Circular 891).
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NGC 2015 = ESO 056-147 = S-L 557 = LH 74
05 31 47  -69 14 54; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 5.6'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): this bright star cloud extends up to 8' diameter, spreading out on the west side and reaching NGC 2009 in the NW corner.  Near the east end is open cluster S-L 557, which is often taken for NGC 2015.

S-L 557 appeared fairly bright, fairly small, very irregular outline, 35" diameter. I resolved a brighter mag 13.5 star and at least a half-dozen mag 14.5-16 stars over haze.  Open cluster BRHT 15b is a small knot 1' SE and mag 9.7 HD 269720 lies 2.3' NE.  Extending west and spreading north and south is a large star cloud (association LH 74) containing a number of mag 12 stars and at least 70 in total.  The background glow of unresolved stars is bright in this entire region.  NGC 2009 is 7' NW of S-L 557.

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; large star cloud with a few dozen mag 11-15 stars.  Not well detached in this rich region of the LMC as the clouds extends to the west and north.  On the east end is S-L 557, which includes a single brighter mag 13.5 star and ~6 stars in total over unresolved glow.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2015 = h2901 on 24 Nov 1834 and reported "the general middle of a cluster of loose stars 11...16m.  It is rich and fills the whole field."  The "whole field" contains the smaller cluster S-L 557 on its east side, which Shapley-Lindsay and the Hodge-Wright Atlas took as NGC 2015.  But based on Herschel's description, Brent Archinal states in his book "Star Clusters" that "This is not NGC 2015."  Instead he identifies NGC 2015 as the entire association LH 74 at 05 31 48, -69 14.9 with a size of 5.6'.
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NGC 2016 = ESO 056-142 = S-L 547
05 31 39  -69 56 48; Men
Size 1.8'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright LMC cluster, large mottled glow, elongated E-W, ~1.5'x0.8', with two or three mag 14.5-15 stars on the west end.  Increasing to 394x, about a half-dozen additional mag 15.5-16 stars were resolved.  NGC 2016 is situated in a gloriously rich region of the LMC with numerous clusters nearby including NGC 2028 11' E, S-L 674 9' E, BSDL 2212 2.4' SSE, S-L 535 3.6' WSW, S-L 519 8.3' W, H-S 327 12' WNW.

S-L 535: fairly bright, fairly small, roundish haze, 30" diameter, mottled.  Two faint stars were resolved on the west side.  Located 1.5' NNE of mag 10.2 HD 269663.

S-L 519: fairly bright, fairly small, elongated E-W, 30"x20", a single star was resolved.  Picked up less than 2' N of mag 8.2 HD 37122.

H-S 327: this is a very close pair of LMC clusters. At 394x the brighter western cluster (H-S 327W) appeared as a fairly faint, hazy 20" knot.  H-S 327E = OGLE-CL LMC 520 is a fainter 20" knot just 40" SE.  A couple of mag 15-15.5 stars near these two clumps may be members.

BSDL 2212: moderately bright, small, round, hazy glow, ~20" diameter, just preceding a mag 13 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2016 = h2902 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; vL; and diffused; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is ~40" too far south.
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NGC 2017 = HJ 3780 = ESO 554-022
05 39 16  -17 51 00; Lep
V = 6.4/7.9/8.5/9.2/8.4/8.1

14.5" (2/19/23): group of 6 stars mag 6.5-11 were easily visible at 158x, even in a very bright sky. A striking orange mag 7.9 star is 1.3' to the N of mag 6.5 HD 37643.  On the SW end is a 1.5" pair of mag 8.9/9.5 stars (CD components). They appeared tangent at 264x with the fainter star on the north side. Increasing to 395x, the pair split cleanly in moments of better seeing, so 7 stars in total.

18" (3/13/04): multiple group of six stars mag 7-10 within 3.5'.  The stars are generally separated by at least 1' with the widest separation at 2'.  The brightest star is mag 6.4 HD 37643.  The brightest "star" to the SE is the C+D component, a close 8.5/9.2 pair separated by 1.4", making 7 stars in total.  Located 1.6° east of mag 2.6 Alpha Leporis.

8": this is the multiple star HJ 3780.  Six stars are visible including mag 7, 8, 8.5, 9 and 10 stars.  This group does not appear to be a true cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2017 = h2896 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded a "fine clustering group of large stars."  His position matches his multiple star HJ 3780.  Bica et al, in 2001A&A...366..827B, call this object a "possible Open Cluster remnant".
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NGC 2018 = LMC-N206A = ESO 056-141 = S-L 533 = LH 69
05 31 23  -71 04 12; Men
V = 10.2;  Size 25'x18'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a fascinating, showpiece HII complex (N206) with a cluster (S-L 533) and a large, detailed nebula (N206) appearing like a fainter version of M8 -- of course, in another galaxy!  At 200x the cluster is ~8' in diameter and includes a couple of dozen mag 11-15 stars (part of the stellar association LH 69).  The stars are involved in the glow of a bright HII complex (N206) that has an excellent response to a UHC filter.

The brightest region of nebulosity (N206A) is a very prominent 1' circular patch on the east end of the cluster.  Fainter wings extend north and south, increasing the size to 3'x1' N-S.  A wide pair of stars including mag 11.5 HDE 269676 [a massive, compact cluster containing several O-type stars] is at the west edge of this patch.  Three additional elongated patches (each 1' to 1.5' in diameter) along the SW side of the complex are strung out in a 6' line oriented NW to SE; BSDL 2005 (7' W of NGC 2018), BSDL 2048 (5' WSW) and N206B = BSDL 2120 (5' SW).  Another glowing patch of nebulosity (BSDL 2108), ~45" diameter, is ~3' W of N206A and surrounds a couple of brighter stars.  Finally, an isolated, elongated patch is on the NW end of the complex (BSDL 1985, associated with mag 13.0 HD 37248, a WC4+O9 Wolf-Rayet binary) that seems detached.  Weaker sections of the nebulosity give the impression of dark lanes.  The entire complex forms a Superbubble extending ~12' E-W and ~9' N-S.  Surprisingly, Herschel's description applies only to the brightest region at the east end of this entire complex.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2018 = h2904 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; R; pretty gradually little brighter in the middle; 2'; a star 10m involved, preceding."  His position (single sweep) is on the SE side of the brightest portion of the nebula.  The ESO position is centered on the entire complex described in my notes and not the bright piece described by Herschel.
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NGC 2019 = ESO 056-145 = S-L 554
05 31 57  -70 09 36; Men
V = 10.9;  Size 1.5'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; extremely bright, large, 50" diameter, sharply concentrated with a large intense core and smooth halo, no resolution.  NGC 2019 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC. 

S-L 542 (brightest of 3 nearby clusters) is 4.6' SW, BSDL 2196 is 2.7' SW and S-L 544 is 5' NNW.  S-L 542 is fairly bright, moderately large, round, 40" diameter, mottled but with no definite resolution.  A mag 12.8 star is 0.9' NW.  BSDL 2196 (noticed between NGC 2019 and S-L 542) is a very faint, small, round, low surface brightness patch, 20" diameter, no resolution.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2019 = D 98 = D 99 = h2905 on 24 Sep 1826.  He logged D 99 as a "faint nebula, 10" diameter, round, slightly brighter towards the center."  His offset from NGC 2005 (26' in dec), the previous object in the drift, is a perfect match.  D 98, recorded on 27 Sep 1826, was described as "a round, pretty well defined nebula, 15" or 20" diameter".   With respect to NGC 2058 (the next object in the drift), his offsets land 4' E.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2019 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) and recorded the cluster as "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60".  He observed it on two sweeps and his position is just off the east side.  On the first observation, though, his polar distance was 1° further north, but he rejected that (correctly) in favor of the polar distance in the second sweep.
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NGC 2020 = LMC-N57C = ESO 056-148 = DEM L 231
05 33 10  -67 42 54; Dor
Size 2.5'

25" (4/5/19 - OzSky): at 244x and NPB filter; bright, large, roundish, annular nebula with an easy out-of-round dark hole.  The 13th magnitude WR star HD 269748 = Brey 48 (spectral type WN3 + O6.5 III) was easily seen inside the ring, though slightly offset N of center.  The rim appeared brighter and a bit flattened along the NW side. In general, the rim was somewhat irregular in surface brightness.  Unfiltered, a second fainter star (mag 15.8) was visible at the inner edge of the ring on the SE side.

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, roundish, annular W-R bubble, slightly elongated SW-NE, 3'x2.5'.  The inner edge of the annulus was slightly brighter and sharply defined with a relatively large dark center, ~45" x 30".  The 13th magnitude Wolf-Rayet star HD 269748 = Brey 48 sits north of center inside the ring, though roughly centered within the outer rim of the nebula.  A 12th magnitude star lies 1.3' S of the central star, at the southern edge.  Two fainter stars are just north and south of the mag 12 star and this trio is collinear with the central star.  NGC 2020 forms a striking due with NGC 2014 (cluster and emission nebula) 5' WNW.  The remarkable Seagull Nebula (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies 15' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2020 = h2903 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB; vL; very gradually little brighter middle; little extended; 4'.  A fine cluster [NGC 2014] precedes it."  On the very next sweep he wrote "vF; vL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 4' diameter."  His position is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2020 = D 218? earlier in 1826 and described "a pretty bright round nebula, 30" diameter, with a minute star slightly involved in the margin."  Dunlop claims two observations and his position is 5' too far NE, well within his usual errors.  But this nebula is probably too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop with his 9" reflector and his description could apply to NGC 2014, which is 9' west of his position.  Wolfgang Steinicke attributes Herschel with the discovery and I agree.
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NGC 2021 = LH 79 = ESO 056-150 = S-L 570
05 33 30.3  -67 27 11; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 0.9'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, compact knot surrounding two resolved stars, slightly elongated, ~20"x15".  This knot is embedded in the stellar association LH 79 at the northern end of a very large star cloud.  Extending mostly south of NGC 2021 is a very elongated stream of stars, 5'x1', including a mix of brighter and fainter stars (stellar association LH 78).  The densest concentration is a 2' group (S-L 567) on the south end with a number of mag 12-14 stars.  A total of roughly 50-60 stars were resolved.  These lie near the south rim of Supergiant shell SGS LMC 4. The Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies 12' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2021 = h2906 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vS; F; R; 12".  In the northern part of a cluster of stars 14m, 8' long, 3' broad."  His position points to the small cluster S-L 567 within the stellar association LH 79.
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NGC 2022 = PK 196-10.1 = PN G196.6-10.9
05 42 06.2  +09 05 10; Ori
V = 11.7;  Size 29"x28"

48" (2/21/12): at 488x, this bright, double-shell planetary contains a bright oval ring oriented SSW-NNE, ~23"x18".  The annulus is fairly thin with a relatively large, darker central hole, though the contrast is fairly low.  At the exact center is a faint central star (close to 16th mag?).  The ring has an irregular surface brightness; slightly brighter at the ends of the major axis, particularly the SW end (knot or thicker?), and slightly fainter along the minor axis.  Surrounding the ring is a fainter and rounder outer shell, ~30" diameter.  The outer shell was surprisingly prominent and exhibited a pinkish hue.

24" (1/25/14): at 500x appeared as a fairly bright knotty annulus, slightly elongated SW-NE with fascinating structure.  The rim was clearly brighter along an ~200° arc running from the southwest counterclockwise to the northeast.  Very small brighter knots were definite at the SW and NE ends and perhaps a slight brightening at the NW edge.  In general, though, the rim appeared mottled and sparkling though clearly dimmer along the southeast side, giving a "C" appearance.  At 750x, the darker center was also irregular in surface brightness and occasionally, an extremely faint central star sparkled.

18" (2/24/06): at 220x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~25" diameter, very slightly elongated, irregularly lit and brighter along the western half of the rim giving a "C" appearance.  A faint sparkle is occasionally visible on the WSW edge of the rim and images show this may be a faint superimposed star or knot in the planetary.  320x provides an excellent view with the planetary weakly annular and the rim a bit dimmer on the SE side.  At 435x, the shape is slightly elongated SW to NE, ~27"x22" with a mottled interior and a brighter rim, particularly along the western half.  The appearance is quite patchy at 565x and the sparkle on the SW end is still evident.  The central star was not seen at any power.  Ced 59 (surrounding FU Orionis) lies 48' due east.

17.5" (2/2/02): immediately picked up at 100x as a very small, bluish-gray "egg" of fairly high surface brightness.  Good contrast gain with OIII filter.  At 380x (unfiltered), it appeared as fairly bright, clearly elongated SSW-NNE, ~27"x20".  The surface brightness was irregular or mottled with a slightly brighter rim and darker center giving a weakly annular appearance.  The rim seems to have a couple of slightly brighter spots and the ends of the minor axis are slightly dimmer.  No sign of a central star.

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly bright, slightly elongated 4:3 ~SSW-NNE, about 30" diameter.  Appears slightly annular at 412x with a brighter rim.  No central star seen at this power.

13.1": moderately bright, high surface brightness.  No internal structure was visible.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2022 = H. IV-34 = h365 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496).  He described it as "considerably bright, very small, like a star with a large diameter.  With 240x it appeared almost like a planetary nebula, but very ill defined, and little extended.  Nearly of equal brightness throughout, except at the edges."  A second observation (similar description) was made on 26 Dec 1786 (sweep 666).  John Herschel wrote on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 121), "Planetary neb, a little indistinct at the edges; rather oval and perhaps of a mottled light."

NGC 2022 was observed 5 times with Lord Rosse's 72", often in an attempt to resolve it, and the following notes were recorded:
11 Dec 1850: "It is I am nearly sure resolvable, probably it is a glob Cl.  At times I fancied the centre a little darker and a star in the p part."
23 Oct 1851: "I strongly suspect annular, r[esolvable], one star especially seen in the p part.
28 Dec 1853:  "...a B patch or a star?, it is near the edge of the neb.  Some dark spot or spots certainly seen and at times I had the suspicion of a concentric ring or rings."
5 Jan 1877: "Seems a glob Cl, stars seen sparkling in it, oval sp nf.  Edges v diffuse, especially sf, np edge more sharp.  Proportion of diameters about 7:10."

William Lassell observed NGC 2022 in Jan. 1853 from Malta with his 24-inch equatorial reflector and commented, "a singular curdled-looking object, slightly and irregularly elliptical, with a sort of cordon [outer shell] running round parallel, but a little outside of its margin."  A sketch was included in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 2).  Father Secchi sketched a slightly darker center in his 1856 "Osservazioni di Nebulose".  In 1862 and 1863, Lassell aos observed the planetary through his 48-inch on Malta and noted "with 1060x some brighter patches or nodules seem to exist in it, but nothing more can be made out.”  His sketch showed the central star and a thin outer ring separated by a thin dark gap.

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found NGC 2022 displayed a planetary nebula spectrum in an early spectroscopic investigation while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

Based on a Crossley photograph, Curtis (1918) reported, "Sharp stellar nucleus about mag 13, surrounded by an elliptical ring 22"x17" in outside dimensions in pa 29°.  Outside this is an oval disk of fainter matter 28"x27".  The brightest parts are the two masses at the ends of the major axis of the inner ring."  Deep modern images show a very low surface brightness outer AGB halo with a diameter of 80".
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NGC 2023 = LBN 954 = Ced 55o
05 41 38.3  -02 15 33; Ori
Size 10'x10'

24" (1/1/19): at 200x; very bright, very large, irregular glow surrounding mag 7.8 HD 37903, ~7' diameter, ragged periphery, high surface brightness!  The reflection nebula has a fairly well defined border on the west side.  A superimposed mag 12.5 star is 2.4' ESE and there is a bite or divot into the nebulosity around this star.  Very low surface brightness glow, though, is evident extending further SE and E of this star.

13.1": fairly prominent nebulosity surrounds mag 7.8 SAO 132464.  The Horsehead nebula lies 15' SW. 

8": moderately bright, surrounds a mag 8 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2023 = H. IV-24 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 352).  He described it as a "A bright star with a very considerably milky chevelure; a little extended, 4 or 5' in length, and near 4' broad; it loses itself insensibly. I suspected some extensive milky windings in the neighborhood but could not verify them; other stars of equal magnitude are perfectly free from this chevelure."   The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."  He later commented "The connection between the star and the chevelure cannot be doubted, from the insensible gradation of its luminous appearance, decreasing as it receded from the centre."
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NGC 2024 = Ced 55p = YM 30 = Sh 2-277 = Flame Nebula = Tank Tracks Nebula
05 41 43  -01 51 30; Ori
Size 30'x30'

17.5" (2/8/86): bright, very large.  Consists of two main parallel sections elongated SSW-NNE separated by prominent detailed dark lanes.  Excellent structure with ragged edges, gaps, streaks, rifts and various brightness levels.  The eastern strip has one or two indentations or a scalloped inner edge.  The inner edge of the western strip has a sharply defined edge and the gap at the base of the two sections section is obvious.  I preferred the unfiltered view of the field, though Alnitak (Zeta Ori) is close off the SW end (15' SW of center) and detracts.

8": fairly easy in very dark skies, the strip along the east side is longer with a possible gap at the base of "U" in the southwest corner.  The center is definitely darker than the background sky.

8" (10/4/80 and 11/8/80): fairly bright, large.  Consists of two parallel strips separated by a dark lane. Appears possibly broken (gap) at the base of "U".  Best view with a Daystar 300 filter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2024 = H. V-28 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "a wonderful milky nebulosity, divided into 3 or 4 large patches including a dark space, the whole cannot take up less than half a degree; but I suppose it to be much more extensive."  On 1 Feb (sweep 518) he called it a "Wonderful black space included in nebulosities."  This quote is sometimes used as evidence that William Herschel may have discovered the Horsehead Nebula, but his position lands directly within NGC 2024.

The following information is from Wolfgang Steinicke's book "Observing Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters.  NGC 2024 was independently found by Brorsen in 1850 with a small refractor at Senftenberg Observatory and announced in AN that "I have found a very faint, very extended, pretty irregular nebula, located about 15 minutes east of Zeta Orionis, which is listed neither in the catalogue of the younger Herschel nor in Messier's."  In 1856 Marth noted that Brorsen's object was William Herschel's H. V-28.  This was another case where the observer only checked the Slough catalogue and didn't refer to WH's catalogues, which only had relative offsets and not absolute positions.

Heinrich d'Arrest sketched the nebula in 4 sections. The brightest section (labeled A) is just west of the main dust lane.  This object was observed 13 times at Birr Castle from 1873-1878 by Lawrence Parsons (with the 36-inch), Ralph Copeland and Dreyer, and stars "in an about the neb" were sketched and accurately measured.

Garrett Serviss (Pleasures of the Telescope, 1901) wrote "Just to the left of Zeta, and in the same field of view with a very low power, is a remarkable nebula bearing the catalogue number GC 1227. We must use our five-inch on this with a low power, but with Zeta out of the field in order to avoid its glare. The nebula is exceedingly faint, and we can be satisfied if we see it simply as a hazy spot, although with much larger telescopes it has appeared at least half a degree broad. Tempel saw several centers of condensation in it, and traced three or four broad nebulous streams, one of which decidedly suggested spiral motion."
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NGC 2025 = ESO 056-149 = S-L 571
05 32 33.1  -71 42 59; Men
V = 10.9;  Size 1.1'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster appeared bright, slightly elongated, moderately large, ~45"x40", weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core. Three faint stars are resolved around the edges.  Two 8th magnitude stars lie 11' ESE and 13' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2025 = h2909 on 8 Feb 1836 and recorded "vB; S; little extended; gradually much brighter middle; resolvable.  Almost a globular."  His position is less than 1' too far north.
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NGC 2026
05 43 06  +20 08; Tau

17.5" (2/14/99): At 220x, ~30 stars in a 6' region including three mag 9-9.5 stars (mag 8.7 SAO 77440 and mag 9.3 SAO 77448).  Most of the stars are mag 11-13.  The group lacks any concentration and appears to be an asterism with the three brighter stars drawing attention to the group.  However, there is a small arc of a half a dozen mag 13 stars that includes SAO 77448 at the SE corner and a nice clump of mag 13 stars is just south of the mag 9.5 star at the north end of the group. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2026 = H. VIII-28 on 5 Dec 1784 (sweep 329) and reported "a cluster of pretty large scattered stars. Not rich."  No observations were made by JH or at Birr Castle.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, found "no distinct Cl" and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent (Type 7" with the comment "No cluster".
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NGC 2027 = ESO 086-13 = S-L 592 = LH 84
05 35 00  -66 54 55; Dor
V = 11.0;  Size 1.0'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): NGC 2027 is at the west end of an interesting, elongated association (LH 84) extending ~4'x2' E-W in a crescent shape with NGC 2034 at the east end.  At 105x, this condensed portion of the cloud contains a couple of dozen mag 12-13 stars and a wide pair of mag 10 stars on the NW side.  Although NGC 2027 is often applied to the small cluster S-L 592, Herschel described the entire association LH 84.

NGC 2027 is situated ~10' NW of the compact cluster NGC 2041 and near the east end of a huge, elongated star cloud known as the "Quadrant" (consisting of OB associations LH 65, LH 77 and LH 84) looping SW and the bending NW, extending 35' to NGC 2006 and 2002.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2027 = D 193? = h2908 on 27 Sep 1826.  He logged "a small nebula preceding a small star."  This observation was made on a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus) and all positions were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° to the SE).  His offsets (2.0 minutes in RA and 35' N) from the previous object in the drift (D 192 = NGC 2011) falls 7' NW of NGC 2027 -- a pretty poor match -- though there is a mag 12.5 star 1' E, consistent with his description.  There is no entry in his catalog at these offsets from D 192.  Glen Cozens assigns D 193 to NGC 2027, but that number also applies to NGC 2159 (perhaps Dunlop assumed the two observations were of the same object).  Dunlop discovered the entire star cloud on 6 Nov 1826 and described D 241 as "a large cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes in strong nebula; irregular extended figure."

John Herschel made three observations of the field.  On 2 Nov 1832 (sweep 508) he described "a very large, very rich cluster of separate stars 9..11th mag, which fills the whole field."  On 13 Dec 1835 (sweep 653) he recorded "an ill-defined nebuloid group of stars 15th mag (N.B. Clouds very troublesome.) The field full of grouping stars."  Finally, on 20 Dec 1835 (sweep 658) he called it "cluster 7th class. The second of two stars 9th mag, which may be considered the leading stars of the very large and fine cluster of the Nubecula Major, which fills many fields, is of all degrees of condensation, and much broken up into groups and patches."

Herschel is clearly describing the large OB association LH 77, which stretches west to NGC 2002.  His position from the second sweep ("second of two stars 9th magnitude") and third sweeps is close to the 1' diameter cluster S-L 592 and the position given here.  This cluster is also at the west end of a looping association of stars (probably NGC 2027) on the east end of LH 77.
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NGC 2028 = ESO 056-152 = S-L 575 = LH 80
05 33 49  -69 57 06; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large, roundish, high surface brightness, mottled, a couple of stars resolved at the edges.  A small partially resolved clump is just off the northeast side.  NGC 2028 is in a small trio with similar S-L 574 2.4' W and fainter H-S 353 2.2' NNW.  The cluster lies within the association LH 80, a stunningly rich region of the LMC with NGC 2016 11' W, S-L 591 6' NE, H-S 362 is 8' NE, NGC 2036 8' SE and more.  A group of four mag 14 stars is 2' E.

S-L 574 appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 30" diameter, brighter along the major axis, clumpy.  A mag 14 star is at the west tip and a mag 11.9 star is 0.9' SSW.  H-S 353 is a fairly faint, soft round glow, 30" diameter.  S-L 591 appeared fairly bright, fairly small, roundish, 35", mottled.  Only a couple of mag 16 stars resolved around the edges.  A mag 11.8 star is 1.7' NE.  H-S 362, just 2' ENE of S-L 591 is fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, 25" diameter.  It forms the eastern vertex of a equilateral triangle with S-L 591 and the mag 11.8 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2028 = h2912 on 12 Nov 1836 and simply noted "very faint."  His position is an excellent match (he corrected his RA by 10 sec) with cluster S-L 575, so the identification is certain although I'm surprised he apparently missed nearby S-L 574, which is equally as prominent.  He questioned if his object might be D 100.  Dunlop's description reads "a small round nebula, about 2' north of a small star."  His position is just 2' NW of S-L 575 and 3.4' NE of a mag 11 star (his small star?).  But D 100 is also 10' ENE of NGC 2016, and given Dunlop's range of positional errors, D 100 could also apply to NGC 2016.  Neither Steinicke nor Glen Cozens equates D 100 with NGC 2028.
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NGC 2029 = ESO 086-15 = LMC-N63 = DEM L 243 = S-L 595 = LH 83
05 35 40.8  -66 02 06; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 4'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x, 264x and 429x; large, fairly bright cluster (S-L 595) with ~30 stars resolved (numerous supergiant OB stars) in a 3.5' region.  These include at least 4 brighter mag 12.3-13.5 stars and a mag 12.7 star at the SW edge.  Moderately faint nebulous haze (N63) encompasses the cluster.  Adding a NPB filter at 264x increased the contrast with the large nebulous glow, which extended 2.5' - 3' diameter.  Note: NGC 2029 is identified as NGC 2030 in most sources!

N63A, embedded slightly east of center of N63, is a well-known bright, compact supernova remnant and one of the first 3 extragalactic SNRs to be discovered in 1966.  It appeared as a small round knot, only ~12"-15" in diameter, and it was faintly visible even at 202x.  It was easy to distinguish at 264x and stood out fairly prominently at 429x.  Surprisingly, I didn't notice any contrast gain adding a NPB filter (similar visibility).

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): fairly bright, large, over a dozen mag 13 and fainter stars are resolved in a 3.5' region.  A fairly faint, oval emission glow (N63) is involved with the cluster (S-L 595).  Adding an NPB filter, the nebulosity is bright, large, irregular (roughly round), ~2.5' diameter, with several of the brighter stars still visible.

Emission nebula N62A is 14' SSW.  Using an NPB filter, it appeared very bright, very elongated ~E-W, relatively large, ~1.5'x0.4'.  The shape is a bit irregular, but it has a sharply defined northern edge, with the southern edge weaker and more ill-defined.  Visible unfiltered but excellent response to the NPB.  A couple of very faint stars are visible with averted.  BSDL 2348, an LMC cluster perhaps associated with the nebula, is ~2' W and contains a  half-dozen mag 14-15 stars in a 1.5' knot, along with a mag 12.5 star on the west end.

Emission nebula N64B is 20' SSE.  Using an NPB filter, it was a bright, large, irregular nebulous patch, about 3'x2' E-W.  The brightest portion (N64A) is on the west side.  Unfiltered, three mag 13 stars in a 1.8' string are involved in the central portion (stellar association LH 95), along with a few mag 14-15 stars. A mag 11 star is ~2' N of the east end of N64B. Another 2' NNW of this star is a detached 40" piece of nebulosity (N64C = DEM L 253) that was fairly easy with the filter.  Unfiltered, a few mag 13-14.5 stars are involved with N64C.  Mag 8.8 HD 37853 is 6' NW.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, 3'x1.5', elongated N-S.  This LMC object appears to be a large cluster with nebulosity (stellar association LH 83).  A half-dozen mag 12-13 stars are resolved over an irregular background haze (unresolved stars?).  Located 32' N of mag 6.2 HD 37935.  NGC 2003 lies 38' SW.  The compact SNR N63A is embedded (not noted).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2029 = D 240 = h2911 on 27 Sep 1826 and noted a "faint round nebula, 25" or 30" diameter."  His position is just 4' SW of center of the nebula.  On 30 Nov 1834 (sweep 515), John Herschel called it "a rich, round, pretty large cluster of stars 12m; little compressed; 5' long; one * 11m."  On sweep 539 he wrote "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"; resolved into stars 13...15m."

Jenni Kay notes the GC and NGC positions for NGC 2029 and NGC 2030 are reversed from Herschel's original Cape of Good Hope positions of h2911 and h2910, respectively.  The error must have occurred when he transferred the positions into the GC.  So, NGC 2030 = h2030 is part of the Seagull Nebula and NGC 2029 = h2911 is an isolated nebula. All modern sources such as SIMBAD, ESO and the KMHK catalogue reverse the original identifications and call NGC 2029 part of the Seagull Nebula.  The identifications given here follow the historical records.
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NGC 2030 = LMC-N59A = LH 82 = Seagull Nebula = Dragon's Head Nebula
05 35 00.5  -67 33 18; Dor
Size 2.4'x2.0'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x + NPB filter; this is the first section in the remarkable Seagull or "Dragon's Head" Nebula, though it's the faintest of the three connected patches extending 5.5' from NW to SE with NGC 2032 and 2036.  The brightest portion is an elongated "bar" extending ~2.0'x40", oriented WSW-ENE, just west of a mag 12.2 O3III-type ionizing star (HD 269810 = R122).  Fainter nebulosity spreads to the north in roughly an oval outline and includes a mag 14.5 star, so the total extent of NGC 2030 in the N-S direction is over 2.5'.  Very faint nebulosity appears to connect NGC 2030 with brighter NGC 2032 directly SE.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the NW component of the Seagull Nebula; a bright, highly structured 7'x5' emission nebula.  The brightest portion of NGC 2030 is a bright streak elongated E-W that extends west from mag 12.3 HD 269810 (O3-type supergiant).  A large mass of nebulosity spreads to the north from this streak in a more circular 2' patch.  This patch is incorrectly identified as NGC 2029 in modern catalogues and atlases. The Seagull Nebula is situated on the SE edge of the supergiant shell SGS LMC 4.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2030 = h2910 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B; L; gradually brighter in the middle.  The first of 3 neb, which run together."  On a second sweep, he logged "vF; pL; irreg R.  The first of 3, which run together.  See Plate III. fig 5."  The modern identities for NGC 2029 and 2030 are reversal.  See historical notes for NGC 2029.
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NGC 2031 = ESO 056-153 = S-L 577
05 33 41.1  -70 59 15; Men
V = 10.8;  Size 2.6'x1.8'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster was very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, well concentrated with a 1' core and much fainter halo about 2' diameter.  The cluster had a mottled texture and was quite lively around the edges, but was not clearly resolved.  On images the core is noticeably extended.  NGC 2031 is located 12' NW of mag 7.6 HD 37899 and 5.5' SW of a mag 9.1 star.  NGC 2018, a remarkable nebulous cluster, lies 12' WSW and NGC 2051 is a similar distance to the ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2031 = h2915 on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "F (?); R; gradually brighter in the middle; 3' (Hazy Sky)".  On a later sweep he had a better view and logged "globular, B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'.  Resolved into stars."  His position is just off the south side of this large cluster.
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NGC 2032 = LMC-N59A = LH 82 = Seagull Nebula = Dragon's Head Nebula
05 35 20.6  -67 34 06; Dor
Size 2'x1'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x + NPB filter; NGC 2032 and 2035, separated by a dark lane, form a stunning pair of adjacent emission nebulae of comparable surface brightness, though NGC 2032 is larger.  Using a narrow-band filter, NGC 2032 was extremely bright, elongated SW-NE, ~2'x1', with a scalloped but sharply defined border at the brighter edge along the dust lane. A fairly prominent thin filament extends NE for ~1.5', curling a bit towards the tip.  A thin strip on the SE end (just beyond the lane) connects to NGC 2035.  The candidate ionizing star (O5V-type) was visible unfiltered at the edge of an indentation along the eastern border, though it appeared fainter than the listed mag of 13.5.  A second mag 14 star (B0-type) was also involved at 25" to its east.  A mag 11.4 star is off the SW side and a mag 12.2 star (HD 269810) is at the NE edge.  The latter star (also known as RMC 122) may be the ionizing source for the surrounding nebulosity. NGC 2040 (part of same complex) is ~5' E.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is possibly the brightest section of the "Seagull Nebula" or "Dragon's Head Nebula" in the LMC (similar to NGC 2035 1.6' SE).  It consists of a very bright, elongated ~SSW-NNE patch, 2'x1', with an unusual kidney-bean shape that is indented or concave on the east side.  NGC 2032 is just separated to 2035 by an elongated dark lane (oriented SSW-NNE) on the east side.  A faint, thin streamer of nebulosity shoots to the north from 2032.  Mag 11.4 HD 269808 is off the SW side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2032 = D 219 = D 194 = h2913, along with NGC 2035, on 27 Sep 1826. I assume his description of D219 applies to both numbers: "pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, bright towards the centre."  He made two observations and his position is within the Seagull Nebula complex.  D 194 was described as "a pretty large faint ill defined nebula, irregular figure.  It was found on 27 Sep 1834 during an LMC drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus).  As a result, all positions in the drift (off the meridian) were reduced incorrectly.  Once corrected his position (and description) is a good match with NGC 2032/2035.

John Herschel first observed the nebula on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and recorded "vB; vL.  A singular figure like 3 nebulae lumped together."   On 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) he logged "B; L; gradually brighter in the middle.  The second of 3 which run together."  A detailed sketch of the complex was published in plate III, figure 5 in the CGH observations.  Herschel gave an uncertain equivalence with D 219 in his Cape catalogue.  Williamina Fleming found a gaseous spectrum in 1897 on objective prism plates taken in Peru.

The Seagull Nebula contains four separate NGC designations: NGC 2030 (misidentified as NGC 2029 in GC and NGC), NGC 2032, NGC 2035 and NGC 2040 with NGC 2035 being the brightest and largest of the group.  Collectively the area is known as N59A and is located at the boundary of the supershell LMC4 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. NGC 2032 and 2035, which form the bright core of the H II region N59A (B053530- 6736), belong to a single H II region that appears divided due to the presence of a heavy dust lane.
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NGC 2033 = LMC-N154B = ESO 056-157 = S-L 589 = LH 81
05 34 30  -69 46 48; Dor
Size 10'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): large bright star cloud (stellar association LH 81), ~10' diameter with ~50 stars (depending on size taken) mag 11-14.

Adding an NPB filter brings out the associated nebulosity (N54), which is fairly bright and very large.  A curving swath of nebulosity, elongated E-W for ~8' is on the SW side of the association.  The cluster itself is also encased in diffuse nebulosity with the filter.  NGC 2037 is generally taken as a small knot (BCDSP 8) within this star cloud.  NGC 2048, a bright emission nebula, is at the NE end of the association and together with NGC 2033 form part of a Superbubble.

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2033/2037 = D 141 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described "a faint nebula about 4' long, very faint at the extremities, brightest and broadest in the middle.  This (position) is in the north following side of an extended cluster of very minute stars, rich in number."  Although his reduced position was ~11' too far SE, his handwritten drift notes recorded it 5 minutes of time after NGC 2005 and 5' N, landing within the NE side (as described) of the LH 81 association.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2033 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as #579 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  Herschel's position falls in the large stellar association LH 81.  But as there is no listing or description in his CGH catalogue, it's possible Herschel was recording a small knot or a very large field of stars + nebulosity.  So, the size and center is unknown.  See NGC 2037 for more.  The large nebulosity on the south side of the association might be NGC 2052.  See that number.
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NGC 2034 = ESO 086-14 = S-L 592 = LH 84
05 35 38  -66 54 06; Dor
V = 9.3;  Size 8'x4'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this is an interesting, elongated curving cluster or association (LH 84), situated northwest of the compact cluster NGC 2041.  This condensed portion of LH 84 contains a couple of dozen mag 12-13 stars and a wide pair of mag 10 stars (including HD 269855) on the north side.  The resolved stars are embedded in an unresolved glow of fainter stars, ~4'x2', extended E-W in a crescent shape, arching north on both ends.  NGC 2034 is located at the east end of an impressive star cloud (collectively known as the "Quadrant" = LH 77), looping 30' W (bending south in the middle) to NGC 2002.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2034 = h2914 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "a more condensed part of the great cluster (sweep 761, 39), of a crescent-like form, occupying one field. Rich and fine."  His position corresponds with association LH 84 at the northeast end of the "Quadrant" feature of the LMC.  NGC 2034 = h2914 and NGC 2027 = h2908 both described the same field, though NGC 2027 is on the west end of the association.  Harold Corwin considers NGC 2027 to refer to the entire region.

James Dunlop probably discovered the large association on 6 Nov 1826 and described D 241 as "a large cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes in strong nebula; irregular extended figure."  His position falls at the east end association LH 77 or the west end of LH 84, known as the LMC "Quadrant" (of a circle).  Glen Cozens assigned D 241 to NGC 2041, which is only 7' SE.  But Dunlop's description doesn't fit this compact cluster.
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NGC 2035 = LMC-N59A = LH 82 = Seagull Nebula = Dragon's Head Nebula
05 35 33  -67 35 11; Dor
Size 1.6'x1.2'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x + NPB filter; NGC 2032 and 2035, separated by a dark lane, form a stunning pair of adjacent emission nebulae of comparable surface brightness, though NGC 2032 is larger.  The two impressive regions are attached or merge at the south end by a thin strip of nebulosity.  NGC 2035 was extremely bright, roughly rectangular but irregular with slightly concave eastern side and lots of complex, internal structure with brighter and darker areas. A fairly thin streamer is attached on the northeast end and extends 2' NNE, similar (though slightly fainter) to a filament attached to NGC 2032!  N59C is a detached patch ~2' SE.  It appeared moderately large, roundish, at least 1' diameter.  A mag 10.4 star is 2' ESE.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the southeast section of the bright Seagull Nebula in the LMC.  At 200x using a UHC filter it appeared very bright, moderately large, with a very irregular shape similar to an anvil.  The very knotty, complex structure was elongated N-S, 1.6'x1.0', with the widest part of the anvil on the south end.  NGC 2032, another very bright section, is very close preceding (roughly 1.6' between centers) and the two sections are separated by a dark lane oriented SSW-NNE.  A very faint streamer attached on the NE side flows to the north (NGC 2032 has a similar but brighter streamer).  A fairly small detached patch, ~1.2' in diameter, is close SE (identified later as N59C).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2035 = D 219 = D 194 = h2916, along with NGC 2032, on 27 Sep 1826.  He described D 219 (both) as a "pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, bright towards the centre".  His position falls within the Seagull Nebula complex.  D 194 was described as "a pretty large faint ill defined nebula, irregular figure.  It was found on 27 Sep 1834 during an LMC drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus).  As a result, all positions in the drift (off the meridian) were reduced incorrectly and his published position is 2.4° to the SE.  Once corrected his position (and description) is a good match with NGC 2032/2035.

John Herschel first observed NGC 2035 on 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522) and logged "B, L, bM. The 3rd of three which run together.  (Plate III, fig 5)".  Herschel gave an uncertain equivalence with D 220 in the CGH.
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NGC 2036 = NGC 2043? = ESO 056-155 = S-L 587
05 34 32  -70 03 54; Men
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly large, irregular, mottled, brighter core, 50" diameter.  A bright, tiny knot of mag 15.5 stars is at the SE end.  A couple of additional mag 16 stars are resolved near the edges.  A mag 10.7 star lies 4' NNE.  NGC 2028 lies 8' NW.

BSDL 2464 = OGLE-CL LMC 611 was noticed 2.6' NE as a very faint, small glow, 20" diameter.  A couple of very faint stars were resolved at the east end.  The mag 10.7 star noted above lies 2.7' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2036 = h2917 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"."  There is nothing at his position, but 1° south is the cluster S-L 587.  Herschel noted to his description that there was likely an error of 1° in the polar distance and clearly this was the case. In the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), Eric Lindsay commented, "The Decl. seems to be in error. The object is probably the small cluster S/L 587 at 1° south. Herschel found strong ground to suspect an error of a degree in P.D. which should most likely be 160° and not 159°."  As this cluster is exactly 1° S of Herschel's position, the identification is virtually certain.

See historical notes for NGC 2043, which may be a duplicate observation with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.
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NGC 2037 = OGLE-CL LMC 605 = BCDSP 8
05 34 40.4  -69 44 50; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 0.4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): very small high surface brightness glow, ~12" diameter.  Situated within the large stellar association LH 81, this cluster is collinear with a 2' string of mag 12, 11 and 13 stars extending south-southwest.  HD 37680, a mag 13.2 Wolf-Rayet star, is 1.8' W; HD 269786, a mag 12 Wolf-Rayet binary (SK -69 194), is 0.8' SW; and a mag 11.2 blue supergiant is 2' E.

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2033/2037 = D 141 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described "a faint nebula about 4' long, very faint at the extremities, brightest and broadest in the middle.  This (position) is in the north following side of an extended cluster of very minute stars, rich in number."  Although his reduced position was ~11' too far SE, his handwritten drift notes recorded it 5 minutes of time after NGC 2005 and 5' N, landing within the NE side (as described).  His description applies to the entire LH 81 association.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2037 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #593 in his preliminary catalogue of"Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  The only information he gave (besides a position) is type "Cl" and Mag 8.  There is no listing or description in the main CGH catalogue, so along with nearby NGC 2033, it's unknown if Herschel was describing a small knot or a very large field of stars + nebulosity in association LH 81, though the magnitude implies a bright object.  NGC 2037 is taken as the small cluster BCDSP 8 = OGLE-CL LMC 605 at 05 34 40 -69 44.8 (2000) by Archinal and Hynes, Mati Morel and Jenni Kay.  But Harold Corwin remarks this cluster is too faint to have been picked up by Herschel with his 5-inch refractor and certainly wouldn't be described as 8th magnitude.  So, the standard identification (given here) is almost certainly wrong.
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NGC 2038 = ESO 056-158 = S-L 590
05 34 42  -70 33 42; Men
V = 11.9;  Size 0.9'x0.8'

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; very bright, moderately large, round, 50" diameter, small intense core and mottled halo but no definite resolution.  Mag 9.5 HD 37732 lies 4' NNW.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40" diameter, clumpy but no individual stars resolved.  First of three nearly on a line with NGC 2056 11' SE and NGC 2075 20' SE.  Located 4' SSE of mag 9.5 HD 37732.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2038 = h2920 on 24 Nov 1834 and logged "B, R, gradually little brighter middle, 25", has a *9 mag 5' north-preceding."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2039
05 44 33  +08 39 42; Ori
Size 30'

18" (1/26/09): large, scattered field with a number of mag 8 to 10 stars, though too dispersed to resemble a cluster.  the most distinctive part is a nice 8' string of 6 collinear stars oriented E-W with mag 8 HD 38096 at the west end and mag 8.5 HD 38163 at the east end.  A larger elongated group of stars extends to the SE out to the edge of the 35' field.  This group probably contains unrelated field stars and there is no listing in SIMBAD.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2039 = h366 on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118) and described "A large tract of stars filling many fields.  It extends much further in RA."  He initially equated his object with H. VIII-2 (later NGC 2063), which he was probably looking for.  But H. VIII-2 is either nonexistent or a small group of stars ~40' to the east (see NGC 2063 for more).  On a second sweep, he logged "A large ill-defined tract of loose stars, neither rich nor condensed".  He used two numbers in the GC for his h366 and his father's H. VIII-2, so both received a NGC designation.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "many st, Cl not well defined."  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 2040 = ESO 056-164 = LMC-N59B = LH 88
05 36 05  -67 34 01; Dor
V = 11.5;  Size 2'

30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 202x and 264x + NPB filter; bright, very large, irregular nebula just east of NGC 2030/2032/2035 (Dragon's Head or Seagull Nebula).  The main portion is roughly triangular with one "vertex" on the south side and another on the northeast end.  It has a sharp, contrasty edge on the east side to the south tip and some internal, irregular brightness in the interior.  Unfiltered a dozen stars mag 14-15 are involved (association LH 88), with several more spreading to the south.

NGC 2040 is merged with a supernova remnant shell (SNR B0536-67.6) on the south side.  On images the shell is ~2' in diameter and weak in OIII emission, with a complex interlaced web of delicate filaments.  Visually, I could see a very faint, thin curving loop, ~45" in length, which forms the SW end of the shell (brightest part on images). A mag 13.5 star (O5III-type and high-mass X-ray binary) is in the interior of the shell, with the observed strip centered 40" to its WSW. This star was possibly bound to the precursor star of the SNR remnant.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a bright, irregularly round glow, ~2' diameter, located ~4' ENE of the Seagull or Dragon's Head Nebula and part of the same emission complex.  The nebulosity surrounds a cluster of roughly 15 stars (LH 88).  A UHC filter provided an excellent contrast gain at 200x and revealed a very irregular outline.  The POSS image shows delicate filaments to the south forming a large loop (SNR shell SNR 0536-67.6) although I don't believe this extension was recorded.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2040 = D 220 = h2918 on 27 Sep 1826, along with NGC 2032/2035.  He noted "a round faint nebula, about 40" diameter." and his position is 4' NNW of the center.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2040 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; irreg R; gradually little brighter middle; r; 2'. (Pl III, fig 5)."  On a later sweep he reported "vF; R; follows 3 vB L nebulae [NGC 2030, NGC 2032 and NGC 2035] which run together."  His position (from 5 sweeps) is accurate and an excellent sketch of the complex is on plate III, figure 3. 
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NGC 2041 = ESO 086-16 = S-L 605
05 36 28.0  -66 59 30; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 0.7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, this LMC cluster appears bright, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, symmetrical appearance with a high surface brightness. Increases to a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  This young, massive cluster is located ~7' SE of the elongated cluster NGC 2034 at the east end of the very large, extended collection of associations (the "Quadrant") that includes NGC 2026 and 2002 on the western side.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2041 = D 196 = h2919 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described "a small, round pretty well defined slightly condensed nebula about 25" diameter with a small star north following.  This object was found in a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° towards the SE).  Using NGC 2035, the previous object in the drift as a reference, his position is 4' NW of NGC 2041.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2041 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and described it as "B, S, very gradually brighter middle, 20"."  On 13 Dec 1835 (sweep 653) he noted "a rich clustering part precedes."  His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2042 = ESO 056-163 = S-L 601 = LH 89n
05 36 09.6  -68 55 24; Dor
V = 9.6;  Size 6'x3'

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): very large group of stars with unresolved haze (association LH 89), extending nearly 10' from north to south and containing a couple of knots of stars, a few dozen resolved mag 12-14 stars, a mag 10.3 supergiant at the NE tip, and numerous mag 15+ stars.

BRHT 16a, situated near the center, is a very bright knot, ~10" diameter.  A very faint star was resolved at the west edge.   BRHT 16b, just 1' S, includes HD 269840, a mag 10.3 yellow supergiant.

KMHK 1122, situated 4' NW of BRHT 16a, resolved into a 10" pair of stars at the center, encased in a very small glow.  Several stars (mostly faint) were resolved nearby including a pair of mag 12.5 (red supergiant) and 12.8 stars close east of the central pair and some mag 15 stars around the edges.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly large patch of stars and haze (association LH 89), ~5' in size.  At least two dozen stars are resolved in an elongated group oriented SW-NE, including a few mag 10 stars over unresolved stars or outer nebulous haze from the Tarantula complex.  Two additional knots are to the northwest and form an obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 2042.  The first knot is KMHK 1122 situated 5' NW and S-L 585 is 10' NW.  NGC 2042 is located just 17' NW of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2042 = h2922 on 25 Sep 1826.   He described (in his handwritten notes) "a pretty large, very faint ill-defined nebula, irregular figure of 5' or 6' diameter with a bright small star near the south side of it."   Assuming the next object in the drift is the Tarantula Nebula, his offset in time and declination is a perfect match.  There doesn't appear to be a catalog entry, though, matching this description. He apparently ran across it again on his 2nd drift two nights later (before noting the Tarantula Nebula) and logged one or two small knots (possibly D 137 or D 139?).

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2042 on 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) and recorded "the chief star (9th mag) of a large, irregular figured, looped or hooked cluster of stars 12..15th mag, rich and various, and filling the field."  His description and position applies to the assocation LH 89.

SIMBAD misidentifies NGC 2042 as the small knot BRHT 16a near the center, which forms a binary cluster with BRHT 16b.
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NGC 2043
05 35 33.7  -70 07 27; Men

= N-S string of stars (asterism), Corwin and Gottlieb.

Pietro Baracchi discovered NGC 2043 on 18 Dec 1884 with the 48-inch f/41 Great Melbourne Telescope while examining the field of NGC 2058 and other clusters.  Earlier observers Le Sueur and Joseph Turner had previously sketched this field on 7 Feb 1870 and 26 Apr 1876, respectively. Baracchi's new object was confirmed 4 nights later and described as a "small elongated group of minute stars in very thin nebula."  Robert Ellery, the observatory director, noted the discovery in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885" and stated an offset  "preceding H. 1259 [NGC 2058] by 79.5 sec and 4' 30" north."  Eric Lindsay reported "Not found. Star-rich region but no evidence of clustering.  Not listed by Herschel. In the Melbourne Catalogue." ("Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", IAJ, 6, 286-289, 1964).

Harold Corwin suggested NGC 2043 is a N-S string of stars (about 1.7' length) situated 2.5' S of Baracchi's position, which is a good match with his description.  I located Baracchi's sketch in his notebook in 2018 (found online at the National Archives of Australia), which confirms Corwin's identification as a N-S string of stars.

ESO and SIMBAD misidentify ESO 056-168, an extremely faint cluster close to Baracchi's position, as NGC 2043.
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NGC 2044 = 30 Dor C = ESO 056-165 = S-L 602 = LH 90
05 36 06.2  -69 11 55; Dor
V = 10.6;  Size 4.5'

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; NGC 2044 is a striking group of stars (stellar (association LH 90), tiny clusters and weak nebulosity.  The 3 main "knots" are clusters BRHT 17a and 17b (1' separation E-W) and KMK88 87, which is 2' N of 17b.  A few dozen stars are resolved in total, mostly in a E-W stream containing the BRHT pair and fainter stars in a vertical stream at the west end of the group (one "star" is quasi-stellar cluster KMK88 79). At the north end of the vertical stream is a mag 13.9 Wolf-Rayet star (HD 269818 = Brey 62), and just north of BRHT 17b is Brey 57, an easy mag 13.5 Wolf-Rayet.

BRHT 17a: very bright 20" knot, very clumpy, a few individual stars were barely resolved.
BRHT 17b: very bright 15" knot containing a few stars that nearly resolved, but were too closely packed to separate cleanly in the seeing conditions.  One is the Wolf-Rayet Brey 65 on the N end. KMK88 79 is a tiny knot 1.5' W.
KMK88 87: fairly bright, elongated SSW-NNE glow, bright center, 25" diameter.  With a more critical gaze, it resolved into a quasi-stellar center (probably 2 or more stars) with resolved stars at the SSW and NNE ends.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): group of about a dozen stars in a 3' diameter at 171x dominated by three brighter stars in a E-W string.  Two of the "stars" in this line are actually compact clusters (BRHT 17a and 17b). The western "star" (HD 269828 = BRHT 17b) has been resolved into 15+ components including W-R star Brey 65 and the eastern "star" (BRHT 17a) into 9+ components.  A mag 13.5 star on the NW side is the W-R Brey 57.  Another mag 12 "star" just 2' NNW of HD 269828 is also a compact cluster (KMK88 87).  

NGC 2044 is situated in the outer portion of the 30 Doradus complex, 16' SW from the central core, and is the central cluster in the 6' superbubble 30 Doradus C.  A young SNR is on the SE side of the superbubble.  The site of SNR 1987A (05 35 28, -69 16.2) lies only 5.5' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2044 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #608 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  His position is ~1' south of the center of LH 90.
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NGC 2045 = Ced 58 = SAO 94827
05 45 01.3  +12 53 18; Tau
V = 6.6

= *6.6 SAO 94827, Gottlieb.  =No nebulosity, Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2045 = h367 on 23 Jan 1832 (sweep 393) and recorded "a star 8-9 mag with faint nebulosity."  His position coincides precisely with mag 6.6 HD 38263.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes NGC 2045 as "BD+12 884, nebulous?"  Although classified as nonexistent in RNGC, the RA is 5.0 minutes too small.
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NGC 2046 = ESO 056-162 = S-L 597
05 35 37.6  -70 14 27; Men
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a rich field of 8 NGC clusters (with the brightest NGC 2058).  At 200x, it appeared bright, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE in the direction of a mag 13 star just 0.8' SW.  The core seems offset from the center to the NE end or a compact knot of stars is attached at the following end.  NGC 2047 lies 3.2' NNE.  Located 6' SE of mag 8.2 HD 37762.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2046 = h2923 on 11 Nov 1836 and wrote, "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; the first of a group of six nebulae."  His position and sketch (Pl IV, fig 9) is accurate.

Using the 48" GMT, Albert Le Sueur sketched the group on 7 Feb 1870 as well as Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884.  Le Sueur's sketch was reproduced on plate IV, figure 32 and Turner's sketch on plate IV, figure 33 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885."
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NGC 2047 = ESO 056-167 = S-L 600
05 35 54.4  -70 11 29; Men
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is located on the west side of a rich field of 8 NGC clusters in the 13mm Ethos (200x).  It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter.  A faint star is at the south edge.  Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 2046 3.2' SSW. Located 5.8' ESE of mag 8.2 HD 37762 and 5.4' WSW of NGC 2058.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2047 = h2925 on 11 Nov 1836 and described as "the second of a group.  Pl IV, fig 9."  His position and sketch is accurate.

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was sketched by Albert Le Sueur on 7 Feb 1870, as well as Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884, all using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Le Sueur's sketch is plate IV, figure 32 and Turner's is figure 33 in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885".  Turner sketched the cluster as very elongated N-S and Baracchi sketched it as round.
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NGC 2048 = ESO 056-166 = LMC-N154A = LH 87
05 35 56  -69 38 54; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x + NPB filter): NGC 2048 is a bright elongated glow, ~1'x0.7' E-W, surrounded by fainter nebulous haze extending 3'-4' in diameter.  The emission component (N154A) is cradled around the S and E side by a large, semicircular chain with mostly mag 12 stars and a total length of ~15' (association LH 87).  At the W end of this chain is HD 37836, a mag 10.6 emission-line B0 supergiant (LBV candidate).

NGC 2048 is situated in a glorious region of the LMC; extending to the SW is NGC 2033 = LH 81, a large stellar association (the stars on the S side of the semicircular chain are likely members) and further N is NGC 2055 = LH 96, a huge rich cloud just S of the Tarantula Nebula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2048 = h2926 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835). He described "a very faint large oval ill-defined nebula; not taken in sweeping, but laid down from a careful drawing.  See Notes on Catalogue of Nubecula Major".  His position is 3' NE of the center of this nebula.  Hodge and Wright describe it as "possibly only 2-3 stars in nebulosity" in their LMC Atlas.
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NGC 2049 = ESO 424-011 = MCG -05-14-011 = PGC 17657
05 43 15.2  -30 04 42; Col
V = 12.8;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 168°

18" (12/22/11): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3', low surface brightness, very weak concentration (possibly viewed through thin clouds).  IC 2147 lies 25' S.

17.5" (12/7/90): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2049 = h2921 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 25" diameter."  His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2050 = ESO 056-170 = S-L 609 = LH 93
05 36 41.8  -69 22 49; Dor
V = 9.3;  Size 3.0'x2.4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): NGC 2050 was taken as a 2'-3' patch of stars on the north side of the large Star Cloud LH 96, a 15'x10' patch containing roughly 120 stars.  At 145x, ~20 stars were resolved including HD 37974, mag 10.9 blue supergiant (LBV candidate) at the west edge and a mag 10.7 yellow supergiant (11" double) at the SW edge.  The central part contains several mag 12 stars.  A long stream of mag 10-12 stars begins about 12' SW of the cluster and extends ENE for over 20', passing just south of the Tarantula Nebula, and heads towards NGC 2100.  Several of the nearby stars in this stream may also be part of NGC 2050.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 173x, appears as just a locally brighter spot containing perhaps a dozen stars over a hazy background glow (stellar association LH 93), ~2' in diameter.  Embedded in the edge of an amazing 15'-20' linear stream of stars (association LH 93/94) which runs through the field from ENE to WSW.  This long chain passes just off the south side of the tendrils of the Tarantula Nebula and heads towards NGC 2050!   NGC 2050 is situated 30' SW of the center of the Tarantula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2050 = h2928 in 1834-1835 (exact date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835).  He described this object "Cl VI; vF st and nebulosity of irregular branching figure, or rather 3 clusters connected.  See Notes on Catalogue of Nubecula Major."  His position falls in the north-central portion of NGC 2055, a very large association and probably included part of the stream of stars mentioned in my description..  See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this object.
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NGC 2051 = ESO 056-169 = S-L 608
05 36 08.0  -71 00 43; Men
V = 11.7;  Size 1.3'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster appeared bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter.  Located 12' ESE of brighter NGC 2031.  Two additional S-L clusters (617 and 624) share the field 8.5' SSE.  The cluster is also equidistant from a mag 9 star 8' NW and mag 7.6 HD 37899 a similar distance SW.

S-L 617 is the southwestern member of a pair of S-L clusters.  At 200x it appeared faint, moderately large, round, 30" diameter.  Overall it was larger but with a lower surface brightness than S-L 624 located 3.5' NE.  Located ~5' ESE of a mag 7.6 star.

S-L 624 appeared as a fairly faint, compact knot, ~20" diameter, with a fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 11.7 star is 1.9' SW and S-L 617 lies 3.5' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2051 = h2930 on 23 Dec 1834 and reported "pB; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; insulated."  His position from a single sweep is accurate.
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NGC 2052 = ESO 056-176 = LMC-N155
05 37 11  -69 46 30; Dor
Size 1.2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): without a filter this emission nebula (N155) is a very faint, small patch perhaps 35" diameter, with only a couple of faint stars involved.  Situated midway between a mag 12 star 2' W and a mag 12.5 star 2' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2052 = h2929 in 1834-1835 (sweep number and date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and described as "vvF, vvL, very gradually little brighter middle."  Herschel changed the description in the GC to read "eF, vvS, very gradually little brighter middle" (probably an error) and this was copied by Dreyer into the NGC.  His position is 2.5' SW of the faint HII region N155, which the Hodge-Wright Atlas and the ESO identify as NGC 2052.  There are no other nearby candidates.  Harold Corwin suggests "NGC 2052 may be the large diffuse nebula 2 minutes of time preceding Herschel's position.  But it may not be."

Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), notes "Should be 2.3m E of NGC 2033. It may be a small group slightly NE in which is N155.  Dreyer and Herschel differ as to size [actually Herschel changed the size]. Position measured by Herschel from a drawing and not during a sweep."
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NGC 2053 = ESO 086-017 = S-L 623
05 37 40  -67 24 48; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): fairly bright, relatively large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0' diameter, smooth glow at 145x, slightly mottled at 178x.  A mag 12 star is 1.2' W.  Located 23' W of mag 7.0 HD 38616 and ~15' NE of the showpiece Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035, 2040).

S-L 628 lies 7' NE.  It was immediately seen as an moderately bright, fairly small glow, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness, no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2053 = h2927 on 2 Jan 1837 and noted "F; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'."  His position from a single sweep is off by 1' SSE.
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NGC 2054
05 45 15.4  -10 04 59; Ori

= 4*, HC and Dreyer.

George Bond discovered NGC 2054 = HN 3 on 6 Oct 1850 with a 4-inch comet-seeker at the Harvard College Observatory.  He mentioned that it required confirmation and John Herschel didn't include this object in his General Catalogue (GC).  Dreyer observed the cluster using the 72" at Birr Castle on 13 Jan 1877 and reported "vF, pS, irregularly round, at times I thought it was a very small cluster, but it is doubtful".  Nevertheless, he included it in the GC Supplement (GC 5354).  Herbert Howe observed it around 1899 using a 20" refractor and noted "it appears to be simply a small triangle composed of 2 stars of mag 12, and one of mag 13."  Bigourdan's position from 26 Dec 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) also corresponds with three mag 14.5, 14.7 and 14.9 stars within 30", along with a couple of fainter stars.
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NGC 2055 = ESO 056-171 = LH 96
05 36 45  -69 29 54; Dor
V = 8.4;  Size 15'x10'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): roughly 120 stars are resolved in a gorgeous 15'x10' SW-NE star cloud (LH 96) situated to the south of the Tarantula Nebula.  The cloud is rich in faint stars but also includes a mag 9.6 star (HD 269820) at the southwest edge, along with a few other mag 10.5 stars.  The background shows unresolved haze and perhaps nebulosity.  Adding an NPB filter, there is definite nebulosity in the northeastern quadrant of the cloud.  It spreads northwest and northeast, merging with the outer tendrils of the Tarantula Nebula!

Within this cloud is S-L 610 (often misidentified as NGC 2055), a small knot of four stars in a 1' region.  It includes two bright "stars" (R127, V ≈  10.5 and R128, V ≈ 10.7 ) at 20" separation, along with two 12th mag stars to the northwest.  Both R127 and R128 are very compact clusters with R127 containing the brightest Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) in the LMC!  NGC 2050 is probably a group of stars on the north side of the cloud.  Roughly ~20 stars were resolved including a mag 10.6 star at the west edge and a mag 10.7 star (11" double) at the southwest edge.  The central part contains several mag 12 stars and HD 38030, a mag 13 Wolf-Rayet (Brey 68).

A long stream of mag 10-12 stars begins about 12' W of the cluster and extends east-northeast for over 20', including NGC 2050 and association LH 97 at the NE corner of the large star cloud, and passing just south of the Tarantula Nebula.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2055 = D 145 = h2931 on 24 Sep 1826.  On his second drift he recorded (handwritten notes) "this is the center of a very large cluster of very small stars, exceedingly rich with many very small faint nebulae."  His reduced position was ~20' too far SE, close to the NGC 2078-84 nebulae complex, but reference to his drift data shows an excellent match in offset from NGC 2074, the next object logged.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2055 = h2931 on 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) and noted "a vL v rich cluster of sc st 10...15 which more than fills the field."  His position is near the center of this large association or star cloud (LH 96), which includes NGC 2050 and S-L 610.
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NGC 2056 = ESO 056-172 = S-L 611
05 36 34.0  -70 40 16; Men
V = 11.8;  Size 1.2'x0.9'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, 1.2' diameter, very high surface brightness core, mottled and clumpy halo with a couple of mag 15.5-16 stars resolved around the edges.  Second of three with NGC 2038 11' NW and NGC 2075 9' ESE.  Mag 9.3 HD 38174 is near the midpoint of NGC 2056 and 2075.  Mag 10.5 HD 269825 lies 3.6' SSW and a mag 11 star is 2.5' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2056 = h2932 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, the preceding of 2 [with NGC 2075] on the same parallel; a star 9 mag between."  His position is ~30" SE of center of this cluster.
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NGC 2057 = ESO 056-174 = S-L 616
05 36 56.2  -70 16 10; Men
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is on the south side of a field filled with 8 NGC clusters.  At 260x it appeared bright, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, fairly well concentrated with a small bright core.  Situated on a line between NGC 2065 4' NE and a mag 10.4 HD 269839 3' SW.  NGC 2046 lies 6.8' WNW, 2047 7.0' NW and 2058 6.4' N.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2057 = D 104 = h2935 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described "a very small faint nebula, 8" or 10" diameter." and noted it was part of a triangle (with NGC 2058 and NGC 2065).  Although his reduced position was 11' too far SE reference to his handwritten sweep timings confirms the identification.  He missed NGC 2057 on a sweep 3 nights later, picking up nly NGC 2058 and 2065.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 2057 on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) and recorded "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; the 5th (4th properly) of a group of 6, RA only estimated from a rough diagram incorrect (as it would seem) in the order of the objects."

Albert Le Sueur, Joseph Turner and Pietro Baracchi sketched the entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) in 1870, 1876 and 1884, respectively, using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Le Sueur's sketch was reproduced as plate IV, figure 32 and Turner's sketch in plate IV, figure 33 in in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885".  Turner's sketch shows a star or clump bulging out the southeast side, though Baracchi's sketch shows a narrow extension to the north towards a faint star.
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NGC 2058 = ESO 056-173 = S-L 614
05 36 54.5  -70 09 44; Men
V = 10.5;  Size 1.8'x1.5'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest cluster in a 15' field of 8 NGC clusters including NGC 2046, 47, 57, 59, 65, 66 and 72.  All 8 clusters easily fit in the field of 13mm Ethos at 200x within a 20' circle.  Using 260x, NGC 2058 appeared very bright, large, well concentrated.  The outer halo extends up to 2' diameter using averted vision.  At 350x, a few very faint stars are resolved in the halo and around the edges of the core.  Two mag 12.5-13 stars lie 1' WSW and 1.5' WNW.  Other nearby clusters include NGC 2059 2' N, NGC 2066 4.1' E, NGC 2047 5.4' WSW and NGC 2065 5.8' SE.  I also picked up a couple of "anonymous" clusters or HII knots.  OGLE-CL LMC 632 is north of NGC 2059 and emission nebula N171B is following NGC 2072.  This group of clusters is located just over 1° S of the Tarantula Nebula.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2058 = D 103  = h2933 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described (summary of two observations) "a round well-defined nebula, 30" diameter, bright at the centre.  The preceding of three nebulae forming a triangle [with NGC 2057 and NGC 2065]."  He made a second observation three nights later.  His reduced position was 10' too far SE, but reference to his drift data and nearby objects confirms the identification.

On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748), John Herschel called this cluster, "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"; the 3rd of a group of 6."  Three sweeps later he observed the cluster again as "vB; R; the 3rd of a group of 7.  Pl IV, fig 9."  His position and sketch is accurate.  John Herschel equated Dunlop 102 with h2933.

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was sketched by Le Sueur on 7 Feb 1870, Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Le Sueur's and Turner's sketches were published in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885" in plate IV, figure 32 and figure 33.
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NGC 2059 = ESO 056-175 = S-L 613
05 37 01.5  -70 07 37; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is on the north side of a field of 8 NGC clusters.  At 200x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter.  At 350x it appeared grainy but was still unresolved except for a faint star at the north edge.  Located 2.1' NNE of NGC 2058 and just 40" following a mag 12 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2059 = h2936 on 11 Nov 1836 and reported "vF; the 5th (4th in MS) of a group of 6.  Pl IV, fig 9."  His position and sketch is accurate.

The cluster was sketched using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope by Albert Le Sueur on 7 Feb 1870, Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884 .  Le Sueur's and Turner's sketches were published in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885" on plate IV, figure 32 and figure 33.  Both observers drew the cluster elongated N-S.

The Hodge-Wright Atlas misidentifies OGLE-CL LMC 632 (too far north) as NGC 2059.  Interestingly, Pietro Baracchi's sketch of the field on 18 Dec 1884 with the GMT, shows OGLE-CL LMC 632 as a nebulous object close northwest of NGC 2059, directly south of a star labeled as 15th magnitude
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NGC 2060 = 30 Dor B = LMC-N157B = ESO 057-1 = LH 99 = SNR 0538-69.1
05 37 46.9  -69 10 18; Dor
V = 9.6;  Size 2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly small knot of nebulosity is situated just SW of the Tarantula nebula, approximately 7' from the center, with outer loops of the nebula to the NW and SE.  About a half-dozen mag 12-14 stars are involved (association LH 99) in the glow with a total diameter of 2'.  A mag 12 "star" at the north edge (Brey 73 = TLD1) has been resolved by HST into a very compact cluster with over a dozen components, including a Wolf-Rayet star.

NGC 2060 harbors a compact x-ray source and a rapidly rotating pulsar, indicating an obscured Crab-like supernova remnant.  The cluster also contains VFTS 102 (mag 15.8), the most rapidly rotating massive O-type star known, which is possibly related to the pulsar. VFTS 016, a mag 13.5 supermassive runaway star (O2III-type) from the central R136 cluster is 4.5' NW.

25" (4/3/19 - OzSky): at 244x; Brey 73 appeared as a very high surface brightness knot (V = 12.1), ~12" diameter, with a mag 13.7 star at the SE edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2060 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #642 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." (but not included in his main CGH catalogue).  His position corresponds with this SNR on the southwest side of the Tarantula nebula.
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NGC 2061 = ESO 363-016
05 42 53.2  -33 57 29; Col
Size 16'

18" (1/15/07): at 115x I was initially attacted by a large, bright trapezoid-shaped asterism of 5 stars with a pair of 9.5-magnitude stars at 35" separation at the NW vertex.  The brightest star in the asterism is a mag 7.2 orange star at the NE vertex with an 11th magnitude companion (h3794).  But John Herschel was likely referring to an 8' scattering of a couple of dozen mag 13 and fainter stars that lie to the north of the bright star.  This group appears to be a random collection at the eyepiece.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2061 = h2924 on 9 Jan 1836 and logged "Cluster, 8th class, course, loose and filling the field; stars 10...13m.  Place that of a double star in a vacant part."  There is no double star at Herschel's position though exactly 1.0 minute of RA west is the double star HJ 3794 (7.7/11.6 at 20" separation) with a mean position of 05 42 53.2 -33 57 29 (J2000).  There is a scattering of stars extending 8' north and five brighter stars to the south.  The ESO position is 05 42 42 -34 00.6 (2000), and classified as a group of stars.

The field was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and was "Not seen, scattered stars, but no cluster."  Helwan Observatory (1921 list of observations) reported "No cluster here.  Exposure 100 minutes."  This was repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her NGC correction paper as well as the RNGC.
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NGC 2062 = ESO 086-020 = S-L 640
05 40 03.8  -66 52 36; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 0.9'

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 30" diameter, mottled. Some extremely faint stars are on the verge of resolution including one at the north or northeast edge.  Two mag 9.8 stars lie 1.6' S and 2.9' SSW.  A small, low surface patch, ~20"x15" NW-SE, was noticed 4.7' W.  On the DSS, it appears to be a possible uncatalogued LMC cluster.  S-L 643 lies 10' SSE.  It appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, smooth surface brightness.  Located 4.7' E of mag 8.4 HD 38305. A mag 12 star is 2' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2062 = h2937 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; E; gradually little brighter middle; 40"; north of 2 stars 10m."  His position is 1 tmin too far west, but his declination matches this cluster and two bright stars lie to the south, so the identification is certain.  Eric Lindsay first noted this error in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), "Position should probably be 1.3m E corresponding to S/L 640."
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NGC 2063
05 46 48  +08 39 12; Ori

18" (1/26/09): although nothing stands out in the field, near William Herschel's position is a group of 30 stars elongated N-S in a string.  Includes mag 10.1 HD 247555 near the north end, though the richest concentration is at the south end (7' S from the bright star).

Other observers have picked brighter groupings in the area as NGC 2063 and WH's description of "a small cluster of very small scattered stars" is not very helpful.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and in any case this number likely applies to an asterism and not a true cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2063 = H. VIII-2 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) and logged "A few pretty closely scattered very small stars."  There is no cluster near his position (preceding Betelgeuse by 8 min 28 sec and 1° 16' N), only a few groups of stars.  Harold Corwin lists the group I logged as the most likely candidate.  Curiously, Herschel associated his object with discovery #21, which was found on 26 Dec 1783 in early sweep 67, when his positions were still quite rough.  But his position in 1783 was approximately 32 minutes following Mu Orionis and roughly 52' north.  That translates into a position nearly 12° to the west, so it cannot apply to the same object he found in sweep 496.

I found that on 26 Dec 1786 (sweep 666) he recorded "some very small closely scattered stars; not enough of them to be a cluster."  Caroline's reduced position falls very close to the position given here! 

John Herschel initially equated his h366 (later NGC 2039) with his father's H. VIII-2, but John's "cluster" is about 1/2° to the west.

The position given in Archinal and Hynes ("Star Clusters") to the west of NGC 2039 is incorrect.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 2064 = LBN 939 = Ced 55s
05 46 18.4  +00 00 21; Ori
Size 12'x2'

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint reflection nebula in the M78 complex but clearly visible. No involved stars.  Appears elongated 2:1 SW-NE, at most 2'x1'.  Located 7' SW of M78 and 4' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  The large listed dimensions refer to a very elongated strip extending NNE on the west side of M78.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint reflection nebula, small.  Located 7' WSW of M78 and 4' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  This difficult object is near the visual threshold.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2064 near M78 on 11 Jan 1864.  He noted a mag 9-10 star was 4' north-preceding and measured an accurate position (2 nights).  The visual extent is much smaller than the catalogued dimensions.
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NGC 2065 = ESO 057-002 = S-L 626
05 37 35.9  -70 14 05; Men
V = 10.7;  Size 2.4'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this LMC cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, round, 1.2' diameter, weak concentration.  With averted vision, the surface is mottled and the outer halo increases to at least 1.5'.  The cluster appeared very lively at 350x with a few stars just on the verge of resolution.  At this power the halo appeared up to 1.8' in diameter.  A mag 12 star is at the NE edge and two mag 13/13.5 stars lie ~1.5' WNW.  Eight NGC clusters reside in this one field with four other clusters within 6': NGC 2057 4' SW, NGC 2066 4.2' N, NGC 2072 4' E and NGC 2058 5.8' NW!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2065 = D 105 = h2938 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a round well-defined nebula, 25" diameter."  He made a second observation 3 nights later, along with NGC 2058.  Although his reduced position is 9' too far SE, reference to his sweep timings confirms the identification on both nights.

On 11 Oct 1836, John Herschel found the cluster and reported h2938 as "pB; R; last of group of 6.  Pl IV, fig 9."  Three sweeps later he noted "B; the 6th of a group of 7."  His position and sketch is accurate.  He questioned if this object was D 103, though D 105 seems a better match.

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was sketched by Albert Le Sueur on 7 Feb 1870, Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Le Sueur's and Turner's sketches were published in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885" on plate IV, figure 32 and figure 33.
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NGC 2066 = ESO 057-003 = S-L 627
05 37 41.2  -70 09 58; Men
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, very weakly concentrated.  Located on the eastern end of a rich field of 9 NGC clusters and forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with NGC 2065 4.2' due south and NGC 2058 4.1' due west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2066 = h2939 on 12 Nov 1836 and noted "vF and S; the last of a group of 7; this nebula escaped notice sweep 748.  Plate IV, fig 9."  The sketch on Plate IV accurately places the 7 clusters (flipped right-left and upside down).

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 and Pietro Baracchi on 18 Dec 1884 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.  Turner's sketch was published in "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885" on plate IV, figure 33.  Albert Le Sueur apparently missed this cluster in an earlier observation made on 7 Feb 1870.
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NGC 2067 = Ced 55t
05 46 29  +00 06 24; Ori
Size 8'x3'

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, suspected patch of reflection nebulosity 5' WNW of M78.  Sighting uncertain as only seen fleetingly. It's not clear from my description whether I observed the very low surface brightness circular patch NW of M78 or the brightest portion of the streamer pointing towards NGC 2064.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2067 = T. 1-17 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His position and rough tranlation of his description (in German) points to the very faint nebulosity to the northwest of M78.  Harold Corwin lists two possible regions as the intended object - "a large patch of pretty low surface brightness nebulosity about 5 arcmin northwest of M78" and "a knot about 3 arcmin southwest, the brightest part of a long faint streamer pointed toward NGC 2064".  It's possible that Tempel's nebula applies to both sections.
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NGC 2068 = M78 = Ced 55u = vdB 59
05 46 45  +00 04 42; Ori
V = 8.0;  Size 8'x6'

17.5" (12/20/95): very bright RN surrounding two stars (mag 10.4 HD 290862 and mag 10.8 HD 38563) with a third mag 13 star at the south end.  Large, irregular shape, 6'x4'.  Brightest along the north side which has a sharply defined slightly bowed-out edge (boundary with curved dark nebula LDN 1627) with HD 38563 near the midpoint.  A brighter knot is just following this star.  The nebula fans out irregularly towards the south and fades with no distinct borders but tapers somewhat at the south edge.

17.5" (2/1/92):very bright, surprisingly large, 6'x4'.  Surrounds two mag 10 stars although the nebulosity extends further to the east of these stars.  Also a mag 13 star is embedded in the SE end.  Brighter and sharper edge gently curves on the north side from west to east.  Appears to fan out to the SE where the nebula gradually fades into background.  Brightest in a group of reflection nebulae including NGC 2064 7' SW and NGC 2067 6' WNW.

8" (12/6/80): bright reflection nebula, large, NW edge brighter and sharper, elongated, roughly rectangular, wide pair of mag 10 stars involved, striking.  Brightest in a group of reflection nebulae.

Pierre Méchain discovered M78 = NGC 2068 = h368 in March 1780.  M78 is the first reflection nebula that was discovered.

William Herschel first observed M78 on 19 Dec 1783 with the small 20 foot (12-inch aperture). He described "Two large [bright] stars, well defined, within a nebulous glare of light resembling that in Orion's sword. There are also three very small [faint] stars just visible in the nebulous part which seem to be component particles thereof. I think there is a faint ray near 1/2 deg long towards the east and another towards the south east less extended, but I am not quite so well assured of the reality of these latter phenomena as I could wish, and would rather ascribe them to some deception. At least I shall suspend my judgement till I have seen it again in very fine weather, tho' the night is far from bad."  He observed it again on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506): "very large milky nebulosity terminating suddenly on the north side; contains two pretty large stars; they are on the north side."

On 10 Oct 1850, Lord Rosse's assistant Bindon Blood Stoney noted, "Between the 2 bright stars is a darker space not drawn by John Herschel."  In 1851 and 1852, he thought it had a spiral shape.  On 9 Jan 1856, R.J. Mitchell wrote, "in finder eyepiece a B oval neb with n and nf edges brightest and best defined, and sp edge fading away gradually; with higher power there is seen a decided darkness at and between the stars.  I can confirm previous observation as to the curve formed by the brightest part of the neb."

Joseph Turner sketched the nebula in Dec 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (plate III, figure 31 in Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...), as well as Pietro Baracchi on 8 Dec 1884.
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NGC 2069 = ESO 057-007
05 38 37.7  -69 00 49; Dor
V = 10.1

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the northern outer loop of the Tarantula Nebula.  Several mag 12-13 stars are involved, including mag 13.1 HDE 269926 (Brey 88), a massive Wolf-Rayet binary (WN4+OB).  In addition, mag 11.1 HD 38282, an extremely massive Wolf-Rayet binary (Brey 89) is close east of the south end and HD 38344, another mag 13 WR star is 1.6' further E.  See observing notes for NGC 2070.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2069 = h2940 on 24 Nov 1834.  He noted it was "the middle of a large extended faint nebulous mass which forms the northern branch of the great looped nebula, and is almost, or entirely, detached from it.  See the next object [Tarantula Nebula]."
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NGC 2070 = LMC-N157A = ESO 057-6 = S-L 633 = LH 100 = Tarantula Nebula = 30 Doradus
05 38 42  -69 06 03; Dor
V = 5;  Size 40'

25" (3/29/25 - OzSky): the Tarantula nebula was stunning as always using 187x with an OIII filter -- with three-dimensional thick billowing tentacles and narrower filaments extending out from the center.

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x unfiltered, I examined the 30 Doradus cluster = R136 cluster at the heart of the Tarantula Nebula.  The cluster is dominated by R136a, a 10th magnitude bloated "star" at the center that would not focus sharply.  Surrounding this star was a compact but very rich carpet of dozens of mag 14-15.5 stars packed into a 1' region. The stars were too densely packed and much too numerous to count!

Brey 84 = Melnick 34, just 6" E of center of R136, is a mag 13.1 binary Wolf–Rayet star. Both components are amongst the most massive and most luminous stars known, and the system is the most massive known binary.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia):  The Tarantula nebula was simply unreal at 200x in the 13mm Ethos with a UHC filter -- better than any photo I've seen and convincingly 3-dimensional, even though I viewed it late so the elevation was only 20°.  Although this magnification brought out an unbelievable amount of detail in the loops and ribbons, the main complex fit snugly in the eyepiece field (30').

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the Tarantula is the largest known emission region (800-1000 light years) and is easily visible to the naked-eye from Australia.  The view of the Tarantula early in the morning through a 20" f/5 at 127x (20 Nagler) and OIII filter was jaw-dropping!  Near the center are several bright loops and arcs.  Extending out are a number of convoluted loops including one heart-shaped arch that is quite large.  Running out from the central region of the nebula are streaming lanes of nebulosity.  One in particular extends quite a long distance and the outer loops and streamers seem to merge into some of the nearby HII regions forming a mind-boggling complex.  There are perhaps 10 different loops and ribbons in the main body giving a 3-dimensional effect.

Near the center lies an extremely compact cluster of super-luminous stars (R136) but only a few were visible including what appears to be a single bright star.  A large number of extremely luminous, massive stars are scattered about the main body. Mag 11.9 Wolf-Rayet HD 269928 = Brey 90 (WN6-class) is 1.3' E of R136.  Additional WR stars are mag 11.6 Wolf-Rayet RMC 140 = Brey 87 0.9' N and mag 13.5 Brey 80 1.5' NW of the central cluster. Mag 12.0 R143, 2.2' SSE of R136, is a luminous blue variable (only LBV in the central region).

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 2060 lies 6.5' SW of the central cluster (R136) of the Tarantula.  It appeared as a fairly small knot of nebulosity, ~2' diameter, with about a half-dozen mag 12-14 stars involved (association LH 99) in the glow.  A mag 12 bloated "star" at the N edge (Brey 73 = TLD1) has been resolved by HST into a very compact cluster with over a dozen components, including a Wolf-Rayet star.  Studies have shown NGC 2060 contains a compact x-ray source and a rapidly rotating pulsar, indicating the nebula is a Crab-like supernova remnant.

Hodge 301 is the oldest cluster in the Tarantula (age 20-30 million years) and is situated just 3' NW of the central cluster (R136). It appeared as a coompact 30" knot with a half-dozen mag 13-14 stars resolved over haze. The brightest cluster members are all early B-type supergiants except for one luminous red supergiant.

S-L 639 (age 10-15 Myr) is located just off the SE side of the Tarantula.  It appeared as a small high surface brightness knot, 20" diameter, with three stars (early B-type supergiants) resolved (one a close double).  A mag 11 star lies 1.2' WNW.

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): first view of the Tarantula in Les Dalrymple's 12" was early in the evening, very low in the southern sky (20° elevation) and without a filter.  Even under these conditions it was a fascinating sight – fairly bright, detailed, 15' convoluted, mottled nebulosity with several striking loops or ribbons which radiate out from the central region.  Sweeping in the nearby fields I ran across numerous small knots of nebulosity and small clusters.

10x30mm (1/21/12): I viewed the Tarantula Nebula in a 19" dobsonian (pointed horizontally) and in my IS binoculars. At a declination of -69.1°, the Tarantula just skimmed the horizon from the 9300' Mauna Kea Visitor Center, culminating 1.1° above the horizon!  Still with atmospheric refraction, it was obvious in the binoculars. There was too much extinction and seeing effects for much structure in the 19".

Naked-eye: at 5th magnitude or so, the Tarantula is obvious from a fairly dark site as a small, fuzzy patch on the eastern side of the LMC, north of the central bar.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2070 = Lac I-2 = D 142 = h2941 in 1751-1752 using a half-inch refractor at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He included it in his 1755 catalogue as Class I No. 2 and remarked "like the former [referring to NGC 104: "like the nucleus of a fairly bright comet] but faint."  James Dunlop made 8 observations and reported 30 Doradus as "a pretty large ill-defined nebula, of an irregular branched figure, with a pretty bright small star in the south side of the centre, which gives it the appearance of a nucleus. This is resolvable into very minute stars.  Figure 4. is a very good representation of the nebula resolved. (N.B. The 30 Doradus is surrounded by a number of nebulae of considerable magnitudes, nine or ten in number, with the 30 Doradus in the centre.)"

On his first observation from the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel noted "the great nebula; an assemblage of loops." He later discussed in detail, "This is one of the most singular and extraordinary objects which the heavens present, and derives no small addition to its intrinsic interest from its situation, which is among the thickest of the nebulae and clustering groups of the greater Nubecula, of whose total area it occupies one-five hundredth part. For these reasons, as well as because its real nature has been completely misunderstood, and its magnified appearance so strangely misrepresented in the only figure which I am aware to have been made of it as to convey an entirely erroneous impression both of its form and structure; I have taken great pains to give as nearly as possible a perfect representation of it as it appeared in the twenty-feet reflector on a great many occasions, but more especially on the 29th November, 1834, when a 'very careful drawing' was made of it by the eye alone, unaided by any micrometrical measures; and on the 21st and 22nd December, 1835, when the nebula was worked in from the telescope on a 'skeleton' previously prepared by an approximate reduction of the micrometrical measures of its principle stars, forming a chart, with a system of triangles, for its reception and for that of minute stars not susceptible of micrometric measurement, or not considered as of sufficient importance to be so measured. This is the only mode in which correct monographs can be executed of nebulae of this kind which consist of complicated windings and ill-defined members obliterated by the smallest illumination of the field of view; and in which the small stars, when very numerous, can be mapped down with tolerable precision. The following catalogue contains all the stars which I have been able distinctly to perceive within the area occupied by the nebula and nearly adjacent to it... [The catalogue contains 105 stars.] The stars thus scattered over the area occupied by this nebula may or may not be systematically connected with it, either as an individual object, or as part of the vast and complex system which constitutes the Nubecula. In respect of their arrangement there is nothing to distinguish them from those which occupy the rest of the area covered by the Nubecula, in which every variety of condensation and mode of distribution is to be met with. The nebula itself  (as seen in the 20-feet reflector) is of the milky or irresolvable kind - quite as free from any mottling or incipient stellar appearance as any other nebula which I can remember to have examined with that instrument. Its situation in the Nubecula is immediately adjacent to two large and rich clusters [NGC 2042 and NGC 2055]. Mr Dunlop remarks that 'The 30 Doradus is surrounded by a number of nebulae of considerable magnitudes, nine or ten in number, with the 30 Doradus in the centre.', of which nebulae he gives a figured representation. For what objects these can be intended I am quite at a loss to conjecture, unless they be the brighter portions of the nebulous convolutions seen without their connecting enbranchments. But with this supposition their relative situations, intensities, and magnitudes in the figure alluded to, so far as I am able to judge, appear irreconcilable."

30 Doradus was included in the 1912 Harvard Observatory table of emission nebulae based on bright emission lines first identified by Albert Le Sueur in 1869 using the Great Melbourne Telescope. In 1937, Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos published an early study " The Nuclear Star Cluster in 30 Doradus" that included a photograph with the 60" Common reflector taken by Paraskevopoulos at the Boyden Station in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
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NGC 2071 = LBN 938 = Ced 55v = vdB 60
05 47 07.2  +00 17 39; Ori
Size 4'x3'

17.5" (12/20/95): fairly bright RN surrounding HD 290861, a 10th magnitude YSO with a faint companion close south.  The shape appears irregular (although no distinct borders) but extends ~3.5' in diameter and more on the south side of the star.  A second 10th mag star, HD 290860, lies 3.5' NW and doesn't seem involved.  The field is strangely lacking in stars due to dust obscuration.

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly bright reflection nebula surrounds a mag 10 star although extends farther south.  A second mag 13 star is embedded just south of the bright star.  The round outline gradually fades into the background.  A mag 10 star is 3.5' NW but the field is strangely devoid of stars due to obscuring dust.  Located 15' NNE of M78.

8": faint reflection nebula.  Located 15' NNE of M78.  Surround the southeast member of a mag 10 double star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2071 = H. IV-36 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506). He recorded "a star surrounded with milky chevelure; the star is not central."   The previous object in the sweep was M78 (his first observation).   On a second observation of NGC 2071 on 22 Feb 1786 (sweep 526) he noted again "a star with a milky chevelure. vF and extensive."  In his 1791 PT paper he stated "As by the word chevelure I always denoted something relating to a center, the connection cannot be doubted."  His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 2072 = ESO 057-004 = S-L 630
05 38 23.8  -70 14 01; Men
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter, weak concentration.  Located 4' E of NGC 2065 at the east end of a group of 8 NGC clusters (and a couple of fainter ones)

Pietro Baracchi discovered NGC 2072 on 20 Dec 1884 with the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope while observing a number of clusters near NGC 2065 in the LMC.  He labeled it as "g" on his sketch of the field and called it "vvF, S, indistinct, flat." With respect to NGC 2065, he measured an offset of 47 seconds following and 40" N.  This falls only 0.6' NE of center of this small cluster.  Dreyer credited "Melbourne Obs" in the NGC (R. L. Ellery's "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885").  See NGC 2043, also discovered the same night.
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NGC 2073 = ESO 554-031 = MCG -04-14-024 = PGC 17772
05 45 53.9  -21 59 58; Lep
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 35' NE of the wide bright double star Alpha Leporis 3.6/6.3 at 90".

William Herschel discovered NGC 2073 = H. III-241 = h2934 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and recorded "eF, vS, lE nearly in the parallel."
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NGC 2074 = LMC-N158C = ESO 057-8 = S-L 637 = LH 101
05 39 03  -69 29 54; Dor
V = 9.3;  Size 3.5'x2.5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this prominent HII region (N158C) and cluster (OB-association LH 101) appeared as a very bright, very large "C" shaped nebula surrounding a semi-circular chain or crown of stars open to the SW.  Two bright mag 10.4 and 11 stars oriented SW-NE (50" separation) lie on the NW end of this crown. The northeastern luminary consists of a 1.8" pair of OB-stars (TDS 3273 = 11.4/11.8) and a mag 12.5 Wolf-Rayet star just 3" W. The mag 10.4 B1.5-type supergiant to its SW (HD 269923) is the brightest single star in the cluster.  In addition, a mag 12.5 star (O3-class supergiant) is situated on SE end of the chain.  A bright knot of diameter ~35" is superimposed on the general glow within the NE side of the "C".  At 216x at least 20 fainter stars were resolved in the chain besides the brighter stars at the ends.

NGC 2074 is part of a huge Superbubble complex (N158) stretching 11' SW-NE with NGC 2081, a bright HII region that lies just 8' NE.  N158 is located roughly 20' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2074 = D 146 = D 149 = h2842 on 3 Aug 1826 and 24 Sep 1826.  He simply described D 146 as "a small faint nebula" and his position is less than 4' E.  He recorded it again near the end of his second drift on 27 Sep 1826 and logged D 149 as a "faint nebula following 2 small stars, 1' diameter."  The two stars are mag 10.4 and 11 on the W side of the nebula.  The next object recorded in the drift was NGC 2080, which was accurately offset 9' S.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2074 in 1834-1835.  The exact sweep or date is unknown as the object was placed on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835.  He recorded it as "pL, pB, much extended, of irregular rounded and somewhat serpentine figure, much brighter in its following part; elongated generally in parallel. Involves 5 stars, 2 of which are 10th mag.  See Notes in 'First Approximation Towards a Catalogue of Objects in the Magellanic Clouds...'."
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NGC 2075 = LMC-N213 = ESO 057-5 = S-L 631
05 38 21  -70 41 04; Men
V = 11.5;  Size 2.2'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, irregular, triangular-shaped, ~50" diameter.  Near the center is a very bright knot consisting of a few extremely close stars.  A couple of additional stars are resolved within the glow and a number of stars are near the edges.  The cluster is surrounded by faint nebulosity (N213) that doubles the size of the object.  NGC 2075 forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.4 HD 38174 4.5' W and a mag 10 star 4.5' S.  Third of three clusters with NGC 2056 9' WNW and NGC 2038 20' NW.  NGC 2107 lies 24' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2075 = h2943 on 23 Dec 1834 and logged "B, R, bM, resolved; the following of two on the same parallel [with NGC 2056], a star 9 mag intervening."  His position is at the east edge of this nebulous cluster.
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NGC 2076 = MCG -03-15-012 = PGC 17804
05 46 47.1  -16 46 54; Lep
V = 13.0;  Size 2.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly large, oval SW-NE, fairly high surface brightness but no distinctive core.  Several bright stars are nearby including mag 7.8 SAO 150803 8' NNE and mag 9.2 SAO 150795 5' WNW.  This is an early-type galaxy with a broad equatorial dust lane.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2076 = H. III-267 on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 365) and recorded "vF, pS, irr E, bM, requires attention to be seen."
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NGC 2077 = LMC-N160D = ESO 057-9 = LH 103
05 39 35.3  -69 39 21; Dor
V = 11.7;  Size 1.0'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 2077 is the SW component of a very bright, impressive 2' emission patch with NGC 2080.  At 200x and UHC filter, NGC 2077 appeared bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~1.2'x0.6'.  Without a filter, three fainter stars are involved in the glow (one is Brey 93a, a massive Wolf-Rayet).  NGC 2077 forms a close pair with NGC 2080 (Ghost Head Nebula) 1.1' NE.

NGC 2085 and 2086, a smaller pair of bright HII glows, lie 3' and 4' ESE, and the entire collection forms N160. In addition, a bright complex of HII knots including NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084 (N159 and O-association LW 105) lies 5' S.  Together these groups form a stunning field about 35' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2077 = h2947 in Dec 1834 (exact sweep date unknown). He wrote, "The preceding two forming a double nebula.  The place deduced from that of the following and brighter [NGC 2080 = h2950], by Delta RA = 7.1sec, Delta NPD = 20", as they result from the drawing of Dec 4, 1837.  Pl III, figure 4."

James Dunlop discovered the entire complex (D 145) on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded (in his notebook), "This is the centre of a very large cluster of very small stars, exceedingly rich - with minute stars, with many very small nebulae in it..."  His position is just 4' SE of NGC 2080.  As NGC 2077 has a high surface brightness, it was likely one of the "very small nebulae in it."
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NGC 2078 = LMC-N159F = ESO 057-10
05 39 39.7  -69 44 37; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 0.8'

25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): NGC 2078 is the northwest portion of the multi-sectioned NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex (N159).  At 244x + NPB filter, it appeared as a bright, elongated N-S patch, ~1.3' in length, with a prominent mag 12.1 star (blue supergiant R148) involved on the south side and two mag 14/14.5 stars on the north end.  It appears brightest on the southern end and dims on the northern end.  NGC 2079, the brightest section, lies 1.7' S.

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the northwest component of an impressive 4' emission nebula filled with bright knots (N159), several of which form a curving "S" shape.  At 200x and UHC filter it appeared as a fairly bright, moderately large glow surrounding a mag 12 star (B5 supergiant R148) and two fainter stars.  This knot is elongated ~E-W, ~1.2'x0.8' and is encased in a fainter outer halo that extends perhaps 1.5', mostly to the north.  NGC 2079, an extremely bright isolated patch, lies 1.7' S, NGC 2083 is a similar distance to the east and NGC 2084 is 2.5' SE.

R148 forms a 6" pair - not logged in either of the two observations above - with the optical counterpart (V ≈ 14.8) of LMC X-1, a 10 solar-mass black hole and variable X-ray source.  Nearby is the impressive N160 complex with NGC's 2077 and 2080, another very bright patch of nebulosity 6' N, and NGC's 2085 and 2086, a smaller bright pair, a similar distance to the NE.  This complex, along with N159, is within the O-association LH 105 = S-L 644.

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826.  His summary description reads "a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5' or 6' diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae - see Figure 5."  Dunlop's sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars.  He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826, after logging D 105 = NGC 2065.  Although his published position was 15' too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex.  But he didn't provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel sketched the complex on 23 Dec. 1834.  He described NGC 2078 = h2948 as "the north preceding of the four principal nuclei of the nebula of Plate III, figure 4."  Herschel's sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.
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NGC 2079 = LMC-N159A = ESO 057-11
05 39 40  -69 46 20; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 1.0'

25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): NGC 2079 = N159A is at the SW end of the impressive NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex (N159), and it has the highest surface brightness.  At 244x + NPB filter it appeared extremely bright, moderately large, with an unusual triangular outline, ~1' diameter, extremely high surface brightness.  A thin fainter strip is on the south end, otherwise, the outline is very sharply defined.  Contains a slightly darker interior region or perhaps a weak dust lane.  Unfiltered a faint star or two is at the center, including the O5-type ionizing source DD 13.  NGC 2079 is just detached from NGC 2084 to the NE.

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest section of an impressive 4' collection of perhaps 8 different emission knots (collectively N159) that are encased in a diffuse glow and carry four separate NGC designations. NGC 2079 (N159A) is situated on the southwest end of the complex and appeared extremely bright, ~1' diameter,with a uniform very high surface brightness.  The outline has an unusual triangular shape (one vertex at the north end) with a well-defined border and appears detached from the main section.  Without a filter, a faint star and ionizing source (DD 13, an unresolved pair of O-stars) is located at the center of the glow.

NGC 2079 is collinear with two mag 12 stars 1.7' N (at the center of 2078) and another mag 12 star 3.5' N. The main section of the complex to the northeast forms a large "S" shaped group of multiple knots with NGC 2078 1.7' N, 2084 to the east and 2083 to the NE.

20" (3/29/25 - Coonabarabran): at 150x; using an OIII filter, the NGC 2083 complex (N159), which is only 40' SSW from the center of the Tarantula Nebula, contains NGC 2078/79/83/84 and 2 or 3 more identifiable HII patches.  The breathtaking 33' field includes the high surface brightness knots of NGC 2077/2080 ~6' NNW and NGC 2085/2086 ~5' NNE.

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826.  His summary description reads "a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5' or 6' diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae - see Figure 5."  Dunlop's sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars.  He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826.  Although his published position was 15' too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex.  But he didn't provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2079 = h2949 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "The most southern of a group of 4 or 5 nebulae, 5' diameter, mixed with stars.  This is the south preceding of the four chief nuclei [NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084] of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4". Herschel's sketch shows a complex object with 7 condensations or nuclei involved in nebulosity with the NGC 2079 at the upper right corner in the detailed sketch.

Williamina Fleming established the emission spectrum of NGC 2079 in 1897 during her spectroscopic survey for the first Henry Draper catalogue. It was independently found by Delisle Stewart around the same time.
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NGC 2080 = LMC-N160A = ESO 057-12 = S-L 641 = Ghost Head Nebula
05 39 44.6  -69 38 45; Dor
V = 10.4;  Size 1.5'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x and UHC filter, this emission nebula is very impressive, appearing as an extremely bright nebulous glow with an irregular shape, ~1.5' diameter, slightly elongated.  The brightest section is encased in a larger, fainter nebulous glow that extends mostly to the south.  NGC 2077, a bright HII glow, is attached on the SW side with their centers just 1' apart.  NGC 2080 is located just 30' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula!

Along with NGC 2085 and 2086 (a pair of knots ~3' SE), the entire complex is part of the Superbubble N160.  Roughly 6' S is N159, another stunning group of nebulous glows consisting of NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084.  NGC 2080 is the brightest region in the N159/160 complex and is nicknamed the "Ghost-Head Nebula" from a 2000 HST image.

At 350x the view was fascinating with 3 or 4 embedded "stars" (the brightest one or two appeared to be quasi-stellar knots) and NGC 2080 showed a curdled texture.  A couple of brighter mag 13/14 stars are off the NW side and a number of stars trail off to the E and NE (part of the O-association LH 103).

The two "eyes" of the Ghost Head (noted as quasi-stellar above) are rare, compact "high excitation blobs" (HEBs) of diameter ~3".  They were discovered in 1986 and identified as A1 and A2, separated by ~20" SW-NE.

20" (3/29/25 - Coonabarabran): at 150x using an OIII filter; I didn't take notes but just enjoyed the breathtaking view of the N159/N160 complex, which is only 30'-35' SSW of the center of the Tarantula Nebula. On the N side of N160 is the 1' pair of NGC 2080 = Ghost Head Nebula (the brightest emission object in the field) and NGC 2077. On the S side of N160 is the 1.3' pair of NGC 2085/2086. A mixture of brighter and fainter stars (LH 103) are involved in the complex and stars flow outwards to the NE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2080 = D 150 = h2947 on 24 Aug 1826.  His handwritten notes read "a well defined round nebula, rather bright, 20" diameter with a small star following and also a group of 5 or 6 small faint nebulae in a square form following about 37 seconds in RA [time] and 5' south."  Although his reduced position was 14' too far SE, the drift timings place it perfectly between the previous object (NGC 2074) and the "5 or 6" nebulae (NGC 2078-2084 complex). 

John Herschel observed NGC 2080 = h2947 in Dec 1834 and logged "B; R; double; the other sp [NGC 2077] is F; R; followed by clustering stars."  An excellent sketch of the entire complex is on plate III, figure 4.
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NGC 2081 = LMC-N158A = ESO 057-13 = LH 104
05 40 00  -69 24 24; Dor
V = 9.9;  Size 6'x3.5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 214x, this is a gorgeous star cloud consisting of two dozen stars in a 5' region (stellar association LH 104, which is dominated by B-class supergiants), including many mag 13-14 stars as well as mag 12.2 HD 38489 (an extremely luminous blue variable!) on the NE side. HD 38472, a mag 13.2 Wolf-Rayet (Brey 95), is on the E side of the central grouping, and HD 38448, a mag 13.0 Wolf-Rayet (Brey 94), is on the W side.

Adding a UHC filter enhances a fairly bright HII glow that nearly surrounds the entire cluster in a triangular wreath (weak in the center)!  The brightest portion is a ribbon with a brighter region (identified in SIMBAD as BSDL 2722) at one end just S of the cluster and extending due E.  With closer inspection BSDL 2722 actually consists of a couple of knots and fainter streaks intersecting!  Just beyond the E end of this ribbon is NGC 2091, a slightly elongated cluster that is collinear with the streamer.  HDE 269936, a mag 11 "star" (an unresolved extremely compact cluster), is just off the SW side. NGC 2074, a bright HII region and cluster (part of the same complex N158), lies 8' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2081 = h2951 in 1834-1835.  The exact sweep or date is unknown as this number is based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835). He simply noted a "Cluster VI of vF stars and nebula.  See Catalogue of Nubecula Major."  His coordinates and placement on his chart of the LMC matches this association.
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NGC 2082 = ESO 086-021 = PGC 17609
05 41 51.0  -64 18 04; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.3' diameter, irregular surface brightness, slightly mottled like a face on spiral.  A mag 12 star is 2.5' ESE and two mag 11.5 stars are 8' WNW.  Shines through the north edge of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2082 = h2945 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF, L, R, very little brighter middle, 2'."  On a later sweep he added "B, L, R, gradually little brighter middle, 90", has a *10m 2' dist 25° south-following."  His position and description  matches ESO 086-021 = PGC 17609.
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NGC 2083 = LMC-N159D = ESO 057-14
05 39 58.8  -69 44 10; Dor
V = 10.8;  Size 1.5'

25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): NGC 2083 is the main northern section and the largest piece of the NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (emission nebula N159 and OB-association LH 105).  At 244x and NPB filter it appeared bright, large, nearly 2' in diameter, roughly circular.  The surface brightness appeared fairly uniform, though lower at the northeast periphery where it merges with NGC 2078.  Unfiltered, a half-dozen dozen stars mag 13.5 and fainter are involved in the nebula, along with RMC 149, a mag 12.5 O8.5-type supergiant near the center.  At 397x (unfiltered), a mag 14.5 companion is 7" N of RMC 149 and the star seemed slightly "soft".

On the SE side of NGC 2083 [44" SE of the mag 12.5 star] is N159-5, a 15th magnitude "star" known as the LMC "Papillon Nebula".  This very compact object is classified as a Young Stellar Object (YSO) and High Excitation Blob (HEB), a rare class of ionized nebulae associated with massive star formation.  At 397x it appeared faint (15th mag) and quasi-stellar (though difficult to confirm).

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 214x and UHC filter, NGC 2083 appeared as a bright, large, slightly elongated glow ~1.8' diameter, surrounding a mag 12.5 star (O-class supergiant).  A brighter knot is embedded within the glow on the west side (N159I) on a line with NGC 2078.  Removing the filter, the bright central star has a companion at ~7" and several other mag 14 stars are embedded in the periphery of the glow.

NGC 2083 is situated in the northeast section of the curving "S" shaped NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (N159 and OB-association LH 105).  This complex shares the same field with two additional bright emission regions - NGC 2085/86 4' N and NGC 2077/80 ~5.5' NNW (N160), and the combined complex forms a superb field of bright HII regions ~35' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.  Although Herschel assigned 4 NGC numbers within N159, I logged at least 7 different brighter knots (see NGC 2084 for more).

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826.  His summary description reads "a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5' or 6' diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae - see Figure 5."  Dunlop's sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars.  He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826.  Although his published position was 15' too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex.  But he didn't provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel sketched the complex of nebulae on 23 Dec. 1834.  He described NGC 2083 = h2952 as "the north following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4, from drawing."  Herschel's sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.
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NGC 2084 = LMC-N159C = ESO 057-15
05 40 06.9  -69 45 34; Dor
V = 11.3;  Size 1.2'

25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): NGC 2084 is the second brightest section of the striking N159 complex (NGC 2078/70/83/84) on its SE side and the brightest part of N159C.  At 244x + NPB filter, it appeared very bright, fairly large, irregular shape, over 1' diameter (elongated N-S). Unfiltered two stars are involved included a 14th-mag O7-type star.  Fainter nebulosity extends west for 1' (also part of N159C) with mag 14 (O7-type) and 14.5 (O8-type) stars involved unfiltered. The nebulosity curls north on its west side and brightens in a 40" circular patch (N159C-west) that includes two 15th mag stars (unfiltered), one a young stellar object (YSO).  Overall, N159C displays a highly irregular curving shape with a patchy surface brightness and includes a half-dozen stars.

N159E, a detached piece ~1.5' S, is a fairly faint to moderately bright patch, irregularly round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness.  Unfiltered, a star was seen involved with the nebulosity (ionizing source?).   N159G, a slightly brighter detached piece 1.1' ENE of NGC 2084, appeared moderately bright and large, roughly oval, ~45" diameter.  Unfiltered, a faint star is centered in N159G.

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This emission knot was noted while making a careful observation of NGC 2084, which is located within the southeast region of a very bright nebular complex NGC 2078-79-83-8 (N159), located ~40' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula.  At the northeast end of the NGC 2084 region I noted a moderately bright, round knot, ~45" diameter.  Without a filter a star is involved with this glow.  Although John Herschel didn't catalogued this knot, it's shown on his sketch (Plate III, figure 4).  NGC 2084, a brighter knot, is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079.  NGC 2084 appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2'x1.0'.  Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star).

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I returned to this detailed nebula the following night to make a complete observation at 200x using a UHC filter.  NGC 2084 forms the SE region of the complex and it's composed of several nearby components.  At the NE end of this extended region is a moderately bright, round knot, ~45" diameter (N159G).  Without a filter a star is involved with N159G (sketched by John Herschel but not catalogued).  A second, brighter embedded "glow" is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079.  This knot corresponds with John Herschel's position for NGC 2084 and is catalogued as N159C-east.  It appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2'x1.0'.  Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star).  Finally, N159C-west (also sketched by Herschel but not cataloged) lies 1.5' W of N159C-east in the center of the entire complex and is connected to N159C-west by a faint bridge of nebulosity.  N159C-west appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 45" diameter.

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the SE component of a fascinating 4' HII complex filled with up to 8 distinguishable knots (4 have NGC numbers) with several of the brighter knots forming an "S" shape (this knot is at SE end of the "S").  At 200x and UHC filter it appeared very bright, round, fairly large glow, 1' diameter and encased within fainter nebulous haze that extends to the west.  NGC 2083 lies 1.5' NNW within the background glow that envelopes the entire complex.

James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826 (first drift).  His summary description reads "a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5' or 6' diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae - see Figure 5."  Dunlop's sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars.  He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826.  Although his published position was 15' too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex.  But he didn't provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.  Glen Cozens assigns D 149 to the complex, but reference to his 2nd drift on 24 Sep shows D 149 was placed 9' N of NGC 2080, the following object in the drift and this offset corresponds with NGC 2074, which has two brighter stars on its west side, so is "following two small stars".

John Herschel sketched the complex of nebulae on 23 Dec. 1834.  He described NGC 2084 = h2953 as "The south following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III fig 4, from drawing."  Herschel's sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.
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NGC 2085 = LMC-N160B = ESO 057-16 = BRHT 19a
05 40 09.3  -69 40 23; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 0.7'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this HII knot is part of an amazing field of nebulous glows located ~35' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula.  At 200x using a UHC filter, NGC 2085 appears bright, fairly small, ~25" diameter. A mag 9.9 star (yellow supergiant HD 269953 - one of brightest in the LMC) is just off the NE end (23" from the center).

NGC 2085 forms a close pair with NGC 2086 = IC 2145, a similar knot just 1.2' E.  Both of these knots are immersed in small, much fainter nebulous halos but the bright star itself does not appear to be involved.  Viewing with the filter, the field is divided up into three main groups with NGC 2085 and 2086 forming a close E-W pair separated by a mag 10 star.  NGC 2080 (brightest section in the N159/160 complex) and NGC 2077 lies ~2.5' NW and an impressive cluster of nebulous knots (NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 84) is roughly 6' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2085 = h2954 on 23 Dec 1834 and reported "a very faint, nearly round nebula close to a star 10th mag, not observed in sweeping, but laid down Dec 4, 1873 in the drawing fig 4, Plate III whence its place is derived."  The identification is certain based on his sketch.
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NGC 2086 = IC 2145 = LMC-N160C = ESO 057-18 = BRHT 19b
05 40 24  -69 40 14; Dor
V = 12.0;  Size 0.7'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the eastern component of a close pair of nebulous glows with NGC 2085 just 1.2' W.  This pair is part of a fascinating group of numerous emission nebulae (N160 and N159) just 35' S of the Tarantula nebula.  At 200x with a UHC filter, this knot appears very bright (slightly brighter than NGC 2085), fairly small, round, ~30" diameter.  Without a filter, a faint star is near the center.  The mag 10 yellow supergiant HD 269953 (misidentified as NGC 2086 in the ESO catalogue), which is nearly attached to the NE side of NGC 2085, lies 1' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2086 = h2956 in Dec 1834 and recorded "B, pS, R, little brighter middle, follows a star 10m with other S stars about it.  Not observed in sweeping, but laid down in the drawing of Dec 4, 1837, whence its place is derived from the drawing fig 4, Pl III.  Herschel's position and sketch clearly shows that NGC 2086 follows the mag 10 star and corresponds with a nebulous patch 12 seconds of RA following the bright star.

Williamina Fleming discovered the emission spectrum of this nebula again on an objective prism plate taken in 1901 at Arequipa. As she didn't associate it with the NGC number, Dreyer catalogued Fleming 92 (the Harvard discovery number) as IC 2145.  The ESO catalogue, as well as Harold Corwin and Mati Morel, misidentified NGC 2086 with the mag 10 star.  After I notified Corwin, he corrected his identification of NGC 2086.
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NGC 2087 = ESO 159-026 = PGC 17684
05 44 16.2  -55 31 57; Pic
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 136°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, slightly elongated, 30"x25", weak concentration.  Mag 7.5 HD 38873 is 11' ESE, mag 7.5 HD 38683 is 10' S, and unequal double HJ 3802 (8.4/10.7 at 8") is 14' SE, the trio forming a striking right triangle of stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2087 = h2946 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "eF, R, very little brighter middle, 40"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2088 = ESO 057-020 = S-L 652
05 41 00  -68 27 55; Dor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, irregular, ~35" diameter.  Includes a bright quasi-stellar knot of stars near the center along with an individual star close east and a couple of mag 15-16 stars around the edges.  A neat 6' curving stream of stars begins at a mag 11 star 4.5' north and arcs southeast.  NGC 2088 is the first in a group of cluster with NGC 2096 7' E, NGC 2094 8.6' NE, NGC 2098 14' NE and NGC 2109 19' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2088 = h2955 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "eF; S; R; insulated."  His mean position (2 sweeps) of 05 40 56.4 -68 27 54 (2000) was used by Dreyer in the NGC.  The declination given in RNGC, NGC 2000 and UGC 2000 (first edition) is exactly 1 degree too far south.  This error originated in Shapley and Lindsay's "A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, v. 6, pp. 74-91, 1963.  The declination should have been -68° 29' instead of -69° 29'.  Hodge and Wright noted the error in their LMC Atlas.  The ESO and Kontizas position is correct.
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NGC 2089 = ESO 554-036 = MCG -03-15-016 = PGC 17860
05 47 51.4  -17 36 08; Lep
V = 11.9;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 39°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Collinear with a mag 11 star 1.6' SSE and a mag 12 star 2.8' SSE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2089 = H. III-270 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "a very faint extremely small stellar nebula; 240 verified it with difficulty, and considerable attention, the night being uncommonly clear."  Arthur Auwers' reduced RA was 1 hr too large.  John Herschel didn't make an observation but the NGC position matches ESO 554-036 = PGC 17860.  
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NGC 2090 = ESO 363-023 = MCG -06-13-009 = PGC 17819
05 47 01.8  -34 15 02; Col
V = 11.2;  Size 4.9'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 13°

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 2.5'x0.8'.  A mag 13.5 star is at the north tip 1.5' from center, a mag 14 star is at the west edge, 40" from center and another 14th mag star is 1.2' SE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2090 = D 594 = h2944 on 29 Oct 1826.  He described "a small faint nebula, with a ray shooting out on the north side."  Dunlop observed this galaxy only once and his position was only 3' SSW.  The "ray" he mentions perhaps consists of 3 mag 13-14 stars.  John Herschel recorded the galaxy twice, on 8 Jan 1836 (sweep 662) recording a "globular cluster, B; R; with an appendage to northward; 2.5' diameter." The following night he described it as "B, irreg R, gradually brighter in the middle; 3' long; 2' broad with stars appended. This RA to be preferred".  Herschel called this galaxy a globular in the GC and Dreyer followed in the NGC.

NGC 2090 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "not a cluster, considerably elongated at 10°, stellar nucleus."
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NGC 2091 = ESO 057-021 = S-L 653
05 40 57.7  -69 26 11; Dor
V = 12.0;  Size 1.0'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I accidentally picked up this cluster while examining the beautiful star cloud/nebula NGC 2081 to the NW.  A bright E-W ribbon is on the south side of NGC 2081 with its vertex (brighter and larger end of the streamer) closest to NGC 2074 (to the SW) and extending towards the east.  Just beyond the east end of this ribbon I picked up this elongated glow. It appeared collinear with the streamer.  At 214x without a filter, the 35"x25" knot partially resolved into a number of fainter stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2091 = h2957 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835). He described it as "vF; S; mE; gradually little brighter middle; 1' length; perhaps a vF double neb." His position is ~1' too far SSW.
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NGC 2092 = ESO 057-022
05 41 22.0  -69 13 27; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very faint round knot, ~40" diameter with a brighter core.  Located 4' W of NGC 2100 and 17' SE of the center of the Tarantula.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2092 = h2962 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown) and recorded a "cluster class 6. vF, R, 60", partially resolved."  The Cape catalogue position (based on the sketch) is 1.3' too far east and just west of NGC 2100.

In the 1964 paper, "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Eric Lindsay notes "This may be the star-rich region just W of NGC 2100. Position deduced by Herschel from a drawing and not made in a sweep. Listed as N[ebula] in Nubec. Cat and Cluster in General Cat.  Description does not agree with anything here."
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NGC 2093 = ESO 057-023 = S-L 657 = LH 109
05 41 50  -68 55 18; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.5'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x):  this stellar association (LH 109) is located just 20' NE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula and less than 1' SSE of a mag 7.2 star (HD 38617).  It appeared as a fairly bright, fairly large mottled glow, roughly 1.7' in diameter. HD 270007, a mag 11.7 yellow supergiant is at the W edge.  Several faint stars are resolved around the edges, including ones at the N, NE and S side.  A mag 9.4 star (HD 38654) is 3' NW and a mag 9.4 star (HD 269975) is 6' WSW.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2093 = D 144 = h2963 on 27 Sep 1826.  After noting the Tarantula Nebula on his 2nd drift (called the "Bright Nebula"), he recorded "an exceedingly small round faint nebula with a brightish point in the center."  His rough offset of 2 minutes 20 seconds and 8' N (from the large nebula) is within 5' of NGC 2093.  He may also have recorded it three nights earlier.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2093 on 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) and recorded "vF, S, R. This nebula forms an appendage to the skirts of the great looped nebula 30 Doradus, which hang down in visible fringes from the upper (southern) part of the field."  Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 184, which James Dunlop discovered on 27 Sep 1826, but this number is from the drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor) and all positions in the drift are systematically in error.
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NGC 2094 = KMHK 1251
05 42 07.4  -68 21 47; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 0.4'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small, high surface brightness, 20" diameter.  Two close stars are resolved at the north edge.  Mag 9.6 HD 270036 is 4.6' SE. Several clusters are nearby including NGC 2098 5.8' NNE, NGC 2096 5.8' S and NGC 2088 8.7' SW

John Herschel discovered NGC 2094 = h2959 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; S; R; 12"."  Herschel made a single observation and his position is an excellent match with KMHK 1251.  The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas misidentified ESO 57-SC26 as NGC 2094.  This cluster is situated 33' further south (and just following NGC 2093).  ESO, NED and SIMBAD followed this misidentification.  Archinal and Hynes correctly identify NGC 2094 = KMHK 1251.
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NGC 2095 = ESO 086-024 = S-L 669 = LH 112
05 42 51  -67 19 18; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 3.0'x1.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): Although Herschel described NGC 2095 as a large "oblong cluster", the brightest subgroup is at the east end (S-L 669 = BRHT 16a).  It appeared as a bright, moderately large patch, irregular, 1' diameter, with several mag 13.5-14 stars resolved around the edges.  A separate patch lies 1.3' W (= BRHT 20b) with a mag 11 star 2.2' W in a line.  A group of stars (KMHK 1253) is 1' NW of the mag 11 star.  The entire collection forms the stellar association LH 112, a 3'x1.5' group of resolved stars highlighted by S-L 669.  Located 8' NE of mag 7.0 HD 38616.

James Dunlop probably discovered  NGC 2095 = D 198? = h2961 on 27 Sep 1826.  It was logged during a drift in which he misidentified the reference star (Theta Dor), so all positions were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° to the SE).  He described "a pretty strong ray of nebula following a small star; but the small star is not involved.  The ray is about 2' long and 50" broad, with a bright point or nucleus near the preceding extremity".  Using his offset from NGC 2117 (logged two objects later in the drift) lands directly on NGC 2095.  There is a mag 10.7 star close west, consistent with his description.  My only doubt is whether this cluster is bright enough to be seen by Dunlop.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2095 on 20 Dec 1835 (sweep 658) and described "a star 9m, chief of a F irreg oblong cluster 3' in extent."  His position, measured on 3 sweeps, is fairly accurate.
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NGC 2096 = ESO 057-027 = S-L 664
05 42 18  -68 27 30; Dor
V = 11.4;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, compact LMC cluster, ~25".  A close double star is resolved at the center, along with two other bright mag 13 stars and a couple of additional mag 15+ stars.  A mag 11.8 yellow supergiant (HD 270025) is off the west side [40" from center].  Mag 9.6 HD 270036 lies 3.5' NE.  Nearby is NGC 2088 7' W, NGC 2094 6' N and NGC 2098 11' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2096 = h(725) between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #725 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  His position is 1.7' too far south.
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NGC 2097 = ESO 086-028 = S-L 682
05 44 16  -62 47 06; Dor
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; fairly faint , moderately large, 45" glow with a mag 14 star involved on the south side.  The slightly brighter core of the cluster is very close northeast of the star, but the cluster was unresolved.  The field includes a mag 13 star 2' SSE, two mag 11/12.5 stars 3.5' ENE and a group of mag 13-15 stars ~3' NW.  Located 17.5' NE of mag 6.9 HD 38511.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2097 = h2960 on 26 Dec 1834 and described as "F, irregularly round, pretty suddenly brighter middle, south following a small group." On a second sweep he called it "eF, S, R; has a star 16th mag in centre." His last observation was recorded as "pF, R, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 50" diameter."
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NGC 2098 = ESO 057-028 = S-L 667
05 42 30  -68 16 30; Dor
V = 10.7;  Size 1.6'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky):  extremely bright LMC cluster, ~1' diameter.  Contains a very bright, nebulous core (cataloged as HD 270034).  The halo is largely resolved and includes two or three bright stars; a mag 13 star is at the east edge, a mag 13-13.5 star is at the north edge and a mag 13.5 star is at the south edge.  In addition another 10 stars are resolved in the cluster.  Several clusters are to the south: NGC 2094 5.8' SSW, NGC 2096 11' S, NGC 2088 14' SW as well as S-L 666 6' NNW.  The S-L cluster surrounds a mag 13 star and a half-dozen mag 15/16 stars are resolved in a 40" halo.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2098 = h2965 on 31 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and recorded "B; S clustering group or globular cluster; 30", stars visible."  On 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) he called it as "a small close knot or cluster, 40"."  JH gave a very uncertain (??) equivalence with D 185.  Dunlop's description reads "a small faint round nebula, preceding a minute double star of the 12th magnitude.  Another similar nebula follows, about 20" in RA, and 2' south in a line with the double star."  His position is nearly 13' due E of this cluster, though there is no "similar nebula" that follows, so this identification is very suspect.
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NGC 2099 = M37 = Cr 75
05 52 19  +32 33 12; Aur
V = 5.6;  Size 24'

8": very large, very rich cluster, over 150 stars, rich in mag 10-13 stars.  A reddish star, HD 39183, is near the center.  Best of the three bright Messier open clusters in Auriga and one of the top open clusters in the sky.

Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered M37 = NGC 2099 = h369 in 1654.  He wrote "In this constellation [Auriga] three nebulous patches can be observed", though only two can be clearly distinguished on his map.   Charles Messier independently discovered the cluster on 2 Sept 1764 and reported a "cluster of small stars, not far from the preceding [M36], on the parallel of Chi Aurigae; the stars are very small, very crowded and containing nebulosity; it is difficult to see the stars with an ordinary telescope of 3 feet and a half."

On 4 Nov 1782, William Herschel recorded "an astonishing number of small stars with 227; they are almost all of the 2nd or 3rd class. I see no kind of nebulosity in the spot. With 460 the whole is resolvable into stars without nebulosity."
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NGC 2100 = ESO 057-025 = S-L 662 = LH 111
05 42 08.5  -69 12 41; Dor
V = 9.6;  Size 2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appears as a small, bright (V = 9.6) clump of stars and unresolved haze with a diameter of ~2'.  Fairly compact and isolated with at least 10 mag 12 and fainter stars resolved.  Located 20' ESE of the core of the Tarantula nebula within the LMC OB-association LH 111.  On the DSS, this appears to be a very rich open cluster or globular within a larger association.  NGC 2092 lies 4' WSW and NGC 2108 is 10' ENE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2100 = h2966 = D 151 = D154 = D 147 on 3 Aug 1826.   On this date he reported D 151 as "a faint ill-defined small nebula" and his position is 2.5' too far NW.  D 154, found on 25 Sep 1826, was recorded as "a pretty bright round or rather elliptical nebula, 25" diameter."  Although his position is 5.6' too far ESE, his offset from the center of the Tarantula Nebula (the previous object in the drift) is a perfect match.   D 147, recorded at the end of his 2nd sweep of 27 Sep was also called "a pretty bright round or rather oval nebula, 30" diameter."  Dunlop catalogued each observation individually as his reduced positions varied.

John Herschel made several observations, starting on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509).  On 9 Feb 1836 (sweep 673), he noted "globular, B, R, 3', all resolved into stars 13..16th mag."  Again on 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748), he called it "B, S, much compressed, not much brighter in the middle; irregular oval, 3', stars distinct 13th mag." Herschel suggested equivalences with "Dunlop 154, 151? or 154??"
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NGC 2101 = ESO 205-001 = PGC 17793
05 46 22.6  -52 05 24; Pic
V = 13.7;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 85°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this disturbed, chaotic galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. The galaxy is collinear with a string of three mag 10-11 stars to the southwest (closest star is 3.6' SW) and mag 14 stars are close south and ESE.  Located 22' SSW of NGC 2104.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2101 = h2958 on 9 Jan 1837 and recorded "eF, R, 40", a line of three stars, 10th mag to south, points nearly to it."  His position and description is accurate, though the stars are southwest.
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NGC 2102 = ESO 057-029 = S-L 665
05 42 21  -69 29 12; Dor
V = 11.4;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small, mottled glow, 24" diameter. A half dozen tightly packed stars are resolved including an easy mag 12.9 star at the S edge.  Located 17' E of the excellent NGC 2074 nebulous cluster and 15' SE of showpiece NGC 2081, both of which lie ~20' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2102 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as #730 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."  His position is 0.9' SSW of this cluster.
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NGC 2103 = LMC-N214C = ESO 57-24 = S-L 660 = LH 110
05 41 40  -71 19 56; Men
V = 10.8;  Size 3.5'x2.5'

25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x unfiltered; fairly bright, very large, roundish glow surrounding a central star (12.7-magnitude O2-type Sk -71°51) with a bright quasi-stellar knot at the north edge (0.9' N of the central star).  Increasing the magnification to 397x, ~8 total stars are involved.  The nebula was clearly elongated NNW-SSE (tapering on the SSE end) and brighter along a central spine.  The addition of a NPB filter at 244x produced an excellent contrast gain; the nebula appeared very bright with an irregular surface brightness and the small knot at the north edge (a high excitation HII blob or HEB) was a prominent feature.

Note: The central "star" was resolved by the ESO New Technology Telescope into a compact cluster with at least 6 components in a 4" region!  The HEB is a small dense region ("only" 4 to 9 light-years wide), representing an "early stage of massive stars (O-type) emerging from their embryonic molecular clouds."

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster and emission nebula appeared as a bright, very large oval glow, ~3'x2'.  Excellent response to a UHC filter at 200x and with this combination the nebulosity has a very high surface brightness.  Five stars down to 15th magnitude are involved unfiltered with mag 12.7-magnitude Sk -71°51, an unusually hot and intrinsically bright star (O2-class), at the center.  The cluster is the OB-association LH 110.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2103 = h2968 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB; L; pmE; gradually little brighter middle; has a *13m in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2104 = ESO 205-002 = PGC 17822
05 47 04.7  -51 33 11; Pic
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x appears very faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness, 1.3'x0.8'.  A mag 12 star lies 5' SW.  Easy to locate 29' S of mag 3.9 Beta Pictoris.  NGC 2101 lies 22' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2104 = h2964 on 27 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, R, very little brighter middle, 30"."  His position matches ESO 205-002 = PGC 17822.
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NGC 2105 = ESO 086-029 = S-L 687
05 44 19.8  -66 55 02; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, irregular, mottled, partially resolved, 50"x30" E-W.  Slightly brighter stars are at the east and west end, and several additional mag 16 stars are resolved.  A mag 11.5 star is 2' SE and cluster H-S 408 was picked up 5.5' SE.  It appeared as a moderately to fairly bright glow, elongated NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2', mottled but unresolved.  The mag 11.5 star is roughly midway between H-S 408 and NGC 2105.  The HII complex N74 lies 15' SSE (western part) and 20' SE (eastern part).

N74 (west): at 152x + NPB filter; excellent HII region!  Bright, very large, elongated E-W, very irregular shape, ~7'x4', the main section tapers on the eastern end and spreads out on the western end.  Numerous mag 14 stars are involved as well as mag 10.2 HD 270111 on the south side.  N74 (East) lies ~9' ESE, with the two regions spanning nearly 15' E-W.

N74 (east): at 152x + NPB filter; bright, very large nebulous region.  The main piece is oval 3:2 E-W, ~2'x1.4' and brighter along the rim.  A filament is attached on the south side extending to the southeast!  Unfiltered a number of stars are involved with the nebulosity.  A mag 11.2 star is roughly 3' S.  Although this is very likely part of the same complex, the two sections did not appear connected.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2105 = h2969 on 2 Jan 1837 and logged "vF; R; 30".  The obs in RA is marked as uncertain."  On the very next night he observed the cluster again and reported "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 80".  His (mean) position matches ESO 86-SC29.  The RNGC and NGC 2000.0 declination is 30' too far north.  This positional error originated from a misprint in the Shapley-Lindsay catalogues for S-L 687 = NGC 2105.

James Dunlop possibly made the original discovery in 1826.  He has a logbook entry (perhaps D 221) a "large faint nebula, extended and branched(?)", with position 14' SE of the cluster.
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NGC 2106 = ESO 555-003 = MCG -04-14-040 = PGC 17975
05 50 46.6  -21 34 01; Lep
V = 12.1;  Size 2.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 100°

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, oval, bright core.  A mag 13 star is 1.6' N and a mag 13.5 star lies 2.5' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2106 = h2967 on 21 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R or little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."  His position matches ESO 555-003 = PGC 17975.
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NGC 2107 = ESO 057-032 = S-L 679
05 43 12.4  -70 38 26; Men
V = 11.2;  Size 1.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, round, 1' diameter.  Contains a very large bright core with only a thin fainter halo, slightly mottled appearance but no clear resolution.  Two mag 12 and 13 stars are 3' and 4' WSW and two mag 12.5 and 13 star lie 3.5' and 4' WNW.

NGC 2107 is surrounded by several small clusters (these were all picked up just examining the field): S-L 691 and S-L 692, a close pair of open clusters, is 5' ESE, S-L 676 is 4' N, S-L 684 is 5' NNE and H-S 398 is 9' NNW.
S-L 676: moderately bright and large, round, 35" diameter, smooth glow with no resolution.  S-L 684 is 2.4' ENE.
S-L 684: fairly faint to moderately bright, smooth glow, 25" diameter, roundish, no resolution.
S-L 691: faint or fairly faint, small, round, glow, 25" diameter.  S-L 691 is the northern of close pair of LMC clusters with S-L 692 just 48" S.
S-L 692: fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated glow, 35" diameter, no resolution.
H-S 398: moderately bright, fairly small, round, soft glow, no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2107 = h2971 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "F; R; gradually very little brighter middle; 60"."  On a second sweep he recorded "B; R; gradually much brighter middle; 40"."  His position is accurate.

Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 11 Dec 1884 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  At the same time he discovered two other clusters in the field; S-L 676 and S-L 684.  He sketched these clusters with respect to NGC 2107 and measured offsets, though these discoveries were never published.  On 10 Feb 1885 he reobserved the field and also discovered S-L 692.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2107 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2108 = ESO 057-033 = S-L 686
05 43 56.6  -69 10 52; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): picked up while viewing NGC 2100 located 10' WSW.  At 171x NGC 2108 appeared as a fairly faint knot, ~1 diameter with no resolution.  HD 270046, a 10th magnitude massive yellow supergiant, is 5' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2108 = h2970 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "eF; pL; 1E."  His position is accurate.

Herschel gave an uncertain (??) equivalence with D 153, which James Dunlop described on 25 Sep 1826 as "a faint small round nebula, 15" diameter."  His position is 7.4' NW of the cluster, so within his typical errors, but I highly doubt Dunlop could have picked up this cluster with his 9" speculum reflector.
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NGC 2109 = ESO 057-034 = S-L 688
05 44 23  -68 32 54; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, high surface brightness glow with a thin halo, mottled but too dense to resolve the main 40" glow.  A couple of mag 16 stars are visible around the edges of the 1' halo.  A mag 9 star is 7' SW.  NGC 2096 lies 13' WNW and NGC 2116 is 16' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2109 = h2972 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 80"."  On a second sweep he recorded "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  Finally, on his last observation he noted "pF; pL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 35"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2110 = MCG -01-15-004 = PGC 18030
05 52 11.4  -07 27 21; Ori
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, evenly increases to bright middle and small bright core with a stellar nucleus.  Located in a rich star field 6' SSW of mag 8.9 SAO 132606.  Mag 5.4 55 Orionis lies 12' WSW.  Appears brighter than 14p.  Incorrect declination in the RNGC 10' too far north.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2110 = H. III-448 = H. III-510 = h370 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458). He described III-450 as "extremely faint, very small, 240 confirmed it."  The sweep, which included M42, ended just a few minutes later in "strong twilight" and he noted it was "one of the clearest nights I have ever had".  Herschel rediscovered the galaxy on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529) and logged it as II-510: "extremely faint, extended, easily resolvable.  Is probably a patch."  Because of the differing descriptions, Herschel assumed they were different nebulae.

On 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), John Herschel logged, "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  Albert Marth noted the equivalence III-448 and III-510 in AN 995  and John Herschel combined the two H-designations in the GC.  The declination given in the RNGC is 10' too far north.
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NGC 2111 = ESO 057-035 = S-L 699
05 44 33  -70 59 36; Men
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately bright, fairly large cluster, irregular outline, 45" diameter.  The brighter core is elongated E-W and mottled with a couple of stars occasionally resolved.  A few mag 15+ stars are also visible around the edges.  Mag 9.2 HD 39133 is 5' SW.  Located near the southeast end of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2111 = h2973 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  On a second sweep he estimated the size as 40".  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2112 = Cr 76 = OCL-509 = Lund 1122
05 53 46  +00 24 36; Ori
V = 8.4;  Size 11'

17.5" (2/8/91): three dozen stars over unresolved haze, roughly 10' diameter.  The brightest star (mag 10) is at NW edge.  Includes a string of five mag 12-13 stars on the north side but most stars are very faint.  This cluster is fairly rich but not dense.  Barnard's Loop passes just west of the cluster heading south and NE where it is brightest!

8" (1/1/84): 12 faint stars mag 12/13 in cluster.  Also includes one bright mag 10 star at NW edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2112 = H. VII-24 = h371 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "a cluster of pretty compressed pS scattered stars."  The summary description (including a 2nd observation) in his PT catalogue and "with many eS suspected between them. 7' or 8' diameter."  On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel recorded "the 2nd and brightest star of a poor straggling cl 10 or 12' long."
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NGC 2113 = LMC-N168 = ESO 057-36
05 45 25  -69 46 30; Dor
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly large elongated glow, knotty, 1' diameter.  This nebulous cluster has an unusual structure; a small bright elongated knot is on the east end (N168A) and a second small, fairly bright, elongated knot is adjacent on the west side (N168B).  There was a strong response to an NPB filter and a much larger nebulous hazy glow extends to the west, increasing the size to 1.5'.  The high surface brightness elongated pieces lie on the east end.  Located 30' E of the NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex.

Emission nebula N163 lies 12' W and appeared as a bright, large, irregular glow, ~3' diameter.  Several stars are involved with the nebulosity, including a mag 13 star on the north side and a couple of additional mag 13.5 stars (H-S 400).  Excellent response to the NPB filter at 152x and 303x.  The glow is clearly brighter in an arc (opening towards the northwest) on the southeast end.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2113 = D 156 = h2975 on 24 Sep 1826.  He described "a very faint ill-defined nebula, 15" or 20" diameter."  His reduced published position was 11' too far SE, but his offsets from NGC 2065, encountered previously in the same drift, is a perfect match.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2113 = h2975 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded (first of 5 observations) "F (?) L, R; thick haze." The next observation was recorded as "a pB cluster nebula 90"." On a third occasion he noted "F cluster, irregular figure; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'; resolved." The fourth observation was recorded as "F, irregular figure; resolvable; one star seen; 90"." The final observation was recorded as "irregular oval cluster; vF; 2' diameter; vl compressed to the middle; almost nebulous. Stars = 16th mag."  John Herschel noted the equivalence with Dunlop 155.
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NGC 2114 = ESO 057-037 = S-L 706
05 46 12  -68 02 54; Dor
V = 12.5;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; this fairly faint to moderately bright LMC cluster is elongated SW to NE, ~1' diameter.  A mag 14 star is at the southwest edge and another is near the north edge, 30" from center.  In addition, a couple of individual stars are within the main body of the cluster.  A mag 11.3 is 1.4' ESE of the cluster, mag 10 HD 270109 is 4.5' NW and mag 7.5 HD 38942 is 15' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2114 = h2974 on 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) and described as "extremely faint; pretty large; irregularly round."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 2115 = ESO 205-006 = PGC 18001
05 51 19.8  -50 34 58; Pic
V = 13.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 50°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located just north of a bright asterism of a half-dozen stars; mag 9.0 HD 39625 is 5' SW, mag 9 HD 39606 8.6' SSW, mag 10 star 3.5' SE, mag 11/12/11 triple at 5"/24" is 3' S.  Located 49' NE of mag 3.8 Beta Pictoris.  A faint companion (NGC 2115A) off the south side was not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2115 = h2976 on 4 Jan 1837. His position and description ("eeF; vS; nf a triangle of stars 10m which form part of a bright group") matches ESO 205-006 (double system).  Classified as an "Unverified southern object" in the RNGC.
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NGC 2116 = ESO 057-038 = S-L 715
05 47 15  -68 30 30; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, roundish glow, 0.6' diameter, very mottled and lively with a number of extremely faint mag 16+ stars popping in and out of view.  Located 2.2' ESE of a mag 11 star.  NGC 2109 lies 16' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2116 = h2977 on 30 Dec 1836 (sweep 759) and reported "F; S; R.  A star 11m precedes."  His position from this single sweep is accurate.
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NGC 2117 = ESO 086-033 = S-L 718
05 47 46  -67 27 00; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.3'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): bright, moderately large, irregular shape, 1' diameter.  A mag 13.3 star is at the west edge, a mag 14 star is on the northeast side and a mag 14.8 star is at the southeast end.  The central region is very mottled and lively with 8 additional mag 15+ stars resolving.  Mag 9 HD 39371 lies 6' WNW.  N74, a huge HII complex with two sections lies 20'-25' NNW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2117 = D 200 = h2978 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described "a faint nebula following a pretty bright small star."  This object was found in a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° to the SE).  Once corrected and checked for consistency with other objects in the drift, his offset matches NGC 2117 and a mag 9 star is 6' WNW, matching his description.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2117 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and recorded (first of 5 sweeps) "pB, S, resolved."  On 23 Dec 1834 (sweep 522), he logged it as "pB, E; resolved. I see the stars in it; 2' long."
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NGC 2118 = ESO 057-039 = S-L 717
05 47 40  -69 07 54; Dor
V = 11.9;  Size 1.2'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright, moderately large, round, 40" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, unresolved.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2118 = D 158 = h2979 on 25 Sep 1826.  He recorded "a very faint small nebula about 10" diameter, rather well defined".  His published (reduced) position was 10' too far ENE but using his offsets from NGC 2100 = D 154 (recorded 5 minutes earlier in the drift), the resulting position is just 3' NE of NGC 2118.   Glen Cozens and Wolfgang Steinicke assign D 153 (the previous object in the drift) to NGC 2118, but using the same offsets, its position is 7' too far north.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2118 on 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657).  He described a "globular; very suddenly much brighter middle; 15"."  On 22 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he logged "a vS, B knot, probably 6 or 8 vS stars wedged into a close group."  His position matches this cluster.
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NGC 2119 = UGC 3380 = PGC 18136
05 57 26.9  +11 56 56; Ori
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 145°

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, very small, bright core, elongated 3:2 NW-SE in a rich star field.  A mag 11 star is 2' NE.  Located just 6° below the galactic equator.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2119 = St. 10-19 on 17 Dec 1870 and logged a rough position 6.5' too far NW (similar offset as two other galaxies he observed that night).  His published micrometric position was made 10 years later on 9 Jan 1880.  UGC 3380 is not identified as NGC 2119.
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NGC 2120 = ESO 086-034 = S-L 742
05 50 35  -63 40 30; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; moderately bright and large, round, contained a large slightly brighter core, fairly smooth, ~50" diameter. A mag 15 star is off the southwest side, 0.9' from center, and a few extremely faint stars sparkled around the edges.  Located 5.7' S of mag 8.8 HD 39842.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2120 = h2980 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 80"."  In 1926, Willem van den Bos observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described a "Nebula with many stars in it, or a cluster; 11 mag; 1/2' diameter."

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2120 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein, though modern estimates put the age at ~ 2 billion years.
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NGC 2121 = ESO 057-040 = S-L 725
05 48 13.2  -71 28 50; Men
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.5'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; bright, very large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 2.0'x1.6', only a broad weak concentration.  Fairly smooth appearance with only a slight granularity.  A couple of mag 15.5-16 are resolved around the edges.  Mag 9.9 HD 39626 is 6' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2121 = h2982 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; very gradually little brighter middle; 3'."  His position from one sweep is accurate.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2121 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein. The previous year Shapley included it in a Harvard College list of LMC galactic (open) clusters.
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NGC 2122 = LMC-N180B = ESO 057-41 = S-L 731 = LH 117
05 48 53  -70 03 52; Men
V = 10.4;  Size 6.0'x4.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): Superb HII region and cluster!  Unfiltered, at least 3 dozen stars (numerous O-types) were resolved in a 4' region including several fairly bright 12th mag stars. At the center is HD 270145, the brightest star (mag 12.2), an O7-class binary (19 and 9 solar masses). A mag 13.5 star (05-type) forms a wide pair 0.4' SE.

The NPB filter provided an excellent contrast gain at 152x!  With the filter, the nebulosity (N180B) was very bright and large, round, ~4.5' diameter, brighter on the SW end and overall displayed an irregular surface brightness with some darker areas.

A bright, small detached knot (N180A), just south of three stars, is just off the SW side [~2.5' from center].  NGC 2122 is part of association LH 117 and contains several early O-type stars.

Emission nebula N180C is situated 4' NW of the center (about 2' off the edge of NGC 2122).  It was visible unfiltered as a low surface brightness diffuse glow surrounding a mag 13.8 O7-type star.  A mag 14.5/15.5 double star is at the east edge.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.4' NE.  There was a mild enhancement with the NPB filter and the nebulosity appeared moderately bright, round, ~1.3' diameter, clearly detached from NGC 2122.

Open cluster S-L 740 is 10' SSE and S-L 769 is 23' due east.  At 394x; S-L 769 appeared large, round, smooth moderate surface brightness, nearly 1' diameter.  A mag 13 star is attached at the east end.  S-L 740 appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, round, 1' diameter, diffuse but uneven or patchy halo.  Finally, PGC 3704086, a faint galaxy shining through the LMC, is 3.5' SE of center.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2122 = D 106 = D 107 = h1319 on 3 Aug 1826.  He recorded D 106 as "A faint elliptical nebula, about 2' diameter; slightly condensed to the centre."  D 107, recorded on 24 Sep 1826, was described in his notebook as "a pretty large brightish nebula, irregular figure with a very small star in the center or preceding the brightest part of it - a small nebula detached at the north extremity of this with a small star preceding extemity."  His offsets from the previous objects in this drift are a perfect match.

John Herschel observed this cluster/nebula on 5 sweeps.  On 24 Nov 1834 (sweep 513) he logged "B, L nebula, 6' l, 5' br; resolved, in part; chief star 11th mag taken."  On 9 Feb 1836 (sweep 673) he noted "cluster, irregular figure, consists of 3 or 4 disjoined clusters, the middle one the largest and brightest; of 3 or 4 large stars and nebulosity; chief star taken."
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NGC 2123 = ESO 086-036 = S-L 755
05 51 43.5  -65 19 18; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  This LMC cluster is located 50' NE of mag 4.3 Delta Doradus.  In the 105x field it is 8' SE of mag 8.0 SAO 249373 and is collinear with two mag 10.5-11.5 stars 5' and 10' NE, respectively.  DSFG notes this is a "relatively bright and compact group".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2123 = h2983 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "pB; vS; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 12"."  In 1926, Robert Innes observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described it as a "small globular cluster. = 9mag, with outliers; very condensed."
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NGC 2124 = ESO 555-016 = MCG -03-16-003 = PGC 18147
05 57 52.2  -20 05 05; Lep
V = 12.6;  Size 2.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 2°

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 15 star is at the south edge.  Located in a rich star field. S 504, an attractive pair of mag 8.7/8.9 stars at 3.6" separation, is 10' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2124 = H. III-225 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 304) and noted "eF, E, resolvable, near 1' long.  Verified 240 power."  Auwer's reduction places his position is 2.4' NW of ESO 555-016 = PGC 18147.  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlain Observatory, commented "F,S; not eeF as in WH's description".
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NGC 2125 = ESO 057-044 = S-L 750
05 50 54  -69 28 48; Dor
Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly faint to moderately bright glow, elongated NW-SE, 35" diameter.  A mag 14.7 star (~5" double with a mag 16 star) is at the northeast end, a mag 15.7 star is at the southwest tip and a mag 16 star is at the northwest edge.  NGC 2127 lies 7.5' NNE and the double cluster NGC 2136/2137 is 11' E.

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter, lacks concentration.  A couple of very faint stars are resolved as well as a mag 14.5-15 star on the northeast edge.  Faintest of 3 clusters with NGC 2127 7.5' NE and NGC 2136/2137 11' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2125 = h2985 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; R; 50"; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position (single sweep) is 1' too far south.
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NGC 2126 = Cr 78 = Mel 39 = OCL-418
06 02 31  +49 52 00; Aur
Size 6'

13.1" (2/25/84): 25-30 stars mag 12-14.5, fairly dense, small, pretty cluster.  The cluster is dominated by mag 6.1 SAO 40801 which lies on the NE side of the cluster. 

8" (1/1/84): 20 stars mag 12-13.5.  Located close SW of a mag 6 star, appears rich with averted vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2126 = H. VIII-68 on 12 Nov 1787 (sweep 781) and recorded "a small cluster of scattered stars, not rich, one 7th mag towards the northern side, but it does not seem to be connected with the cluster."  His position is very close to mag 6 HD 40626, although this is at the northeast side of the cluster and is probably not related.
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NGC 2127 = ESO 057-045 = S-L 751
05 51 22  -69 21 39; Dor
V = 11.6;  Size 1.2'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): very bright, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30" diameter, high surface brightness, stellar nucleus. No resolution except for a mag 14.5 star at the south tip and a mag 15.5 star at the west edge.  NGC 2125 is 7.5' SSW and NGC 2136 is 12' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2127 = h2986 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, S, R, 15"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2128 = UGC 3392 = MCG +10-09-010 = CGCG 284-006 = PGC 18374
06 04 34.2  +57 37 40; Cam
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 60°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 15 year-old son, discovered NGC 2128 = Sw. 6-25 on 27 Dec 1886.  There is nothing near the published position but exactly 30' south is UGC 3392.  The description "vF; vS; vlE" is appropriate (though not adding anything) and it seems very possible that Lewis made a 30' error in reading the dec circle.  Due to the difference in dec, Bigourdan was unable to find NGC 2128.  Harold Corwin agrees with my conclusion.
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NGC 2129 = Cr 77 = OCL-467 = Lund 293
06 01 07  +23 19 24; Gem
V = 6.7;  Size 7'

17.5" (12/20/95): bright, fairly rich group surrounding two mag 7.5 and 8 stars (SAO 77842 and 77839) oriented N-S.  There are about three dozen stars mag 10-14 in an 5' well-detached circular group with several double stars including a faint pair preceding the northern mag 8 star.  The southern mag 8 star has a couple of very faint companions.

This group is apparently an asterism based on a 1994 study.

By analyzing William Herschel's early "reviews" of bright stars Wolfgang Steinicke found that Herschel first discovered NGC 2129 = H. VIII-26 = h3729 on 6 Feb 1782.  Using his 6.2" reflector during his third star review he catalogued it as the multiple star H. IV. 48 with description "Quintuple. In the form of a cross. About 2/3 degree n. preceding H Geminorum, in a line parallel to the 65th Orionis and zeta Tauri; the middle of three. The two nearest or preceding of the five extremely unequal. [Rho = 20", PA = 263°] The last of the three, in the short bar of the cross, has an extremely obscure star near it of the third class. Five more in view, differently dispersed about the quintuple."

Herschel rediscovered NGC 2129 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 317) and described "A Cl of st of various magnitudes, not very rich, 6 or 7' diam."  John Herschel observed the cluster on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and wrote, "about 40 or 50 st.  The brightest 8m taken.  The rest are 10...15m."
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NGC 2130 = ESO 086-037 = S-L 758
05 52 24  -67 20 06; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; bright, small, round, high surface brightness, 35" diameter.  Four or five mag 14.5-15 stars are resolved in the halo on the NW, SW and E sides.  NGC 2135 lies 9' SE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2130 = D 201? = h3003 on 27 Sep 1826.   He described "a round well defined small nebula, a little brighter in the center, about 15" diameter."  This object was found in a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions were reduced incorrectly.  Using his offset from NGC 2135 (the next object encountered in the drift), his position lands 5' to the NNW of NGC 2130.  As he estimated the N-S offset (±) in the eyepiece field, the declination is less reliable and this identification seems reasonable.  His published position, though, is off by over 2°!  Coincidentally, the cluster NGC 2214 lies close to Dunlop's erroneous position but as he observed it on two occasions, NGC 2214 also carries the designation D 201.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2130 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and the cluster was observed on 7 sweeps!  His descriptions range from "faint" to "pretty bright" with sizes ranging from 18" to 45".  As an example of his consistency, his RA measures vary by a total of 5.4 seconds with a total declination range of 0.8'.
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NGC 2131 = ESO 488-050 = PGC 18172
05 58 47.4  -26 39 10; Lep
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 118°

17.5" (12/7/90): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is in contact on the north end.  A possible companion is about 4' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2131 = h2984 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; has a *13 m in centre."  His position matches ESO 488-050 = PGC 18172.
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NGC 2132 = ESO 120-022
05 55 58  -59 55 42; Pic
Size 17'x11'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): 20 stars (half-dozen bright ones) in a 10'x3' region, roughly arranged in two east-west strings.  This group (probably an asterism) includes mag 7.9 HD 40484 at the northwest end and four additional mag 10 stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2132 = h2988 on 11 Jan 1836 and described the "chief * of a cluster 8th class of about a dozen bright and some smaller stars." His position corresponds with mag 8 SAO 234207 at 05 55 09.0 -59 54 37 (J2000) and his description probably applies to the scattered group following.

The field of NGC 2132 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "only half dozen scattered stars."  Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289) notes "Not found. Centered on CPD 59°542. This is supposedly the chief star of a cluster of about a dozen stars. Dreyer has a marginal note "1/2 doz. only". Not in the Nubec. Major Catalogue. No sign here of a cluster."  RNGC followed Lindsay and classified NGC 2132 as nonexistent and the number is missing from the ESO catalogue, although it stands out on the DSS.
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NGC 2133 = ESO 057-046 = S-L 751
05 51 29  -71 10 30; Men
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, relatively large brighter core, unresolved.  This cluster is a smaller and paler version of NGC 2134, which lies 5.2' NNE.  S-L 747 is 6.5' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2133 = h2989 (along with NGC 2134 = h2991) on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"."  His position is accurate.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2133 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein. The previous year Shapley included it in a Harvard College list of LMC galactic (open) clusters.
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NGC 2134 = ESO 057-047 = S-L 760
05 51 57.2  -71 05 52; Men
V = 10.7;  Size 2.2'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly large, round, 1.1' diameter, sharply concentrated with a relatively large bright core.  No resolution in the halo except for a mag 14.5 star just off the northeast edge and a mag 15.5 star at the south-southwest edge.  NGC 2133 lies 5' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2134 = h2991 (along with NGC 2133 = h2989) on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded it in four sweeps.  His first observation reads "B; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"."  His mean position is 05 51 57.2 -71 06 27 (2000) which is close to the ESO position of 05 51 56.7 -71 05 50 (2000) but RNGC has an incorrect RA of 05 50.1, which is repeated in NGC 2000.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2134 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2135 = ESO 086-039 = S-L 765
05 53 35  -67 25 36; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; bright, small, roundish, mottled, high surface brightness, 30" diameter.  Unresolved (too compact) except for a mag 14.5 star at the west edge.  A mag 11 star is 1.9' WSW.  NGC 2130 lies 9' NW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2135 = D 202 = h2990 on 27 Sep 1826.   He described "a small faint nebula about 15" diameter, following a very small star."  This was the second to last object in a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions in the drift (off the meridian) were reduced incorrectly (~2.4° too far SE).  Once corrected, his position matches NGC 2135 and a mag 11 star is 2' W, matching the description.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2135 on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512) and recorded it on 5 sweeps.  His first observation reads "vF, R, gradually little brighter middle, 1'. Among stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2136 = ESO 057-048 = S-L 762 = BRHT 22a
05 52 59  -69 29 36; Dor
V = 10.5;  Size 1.9'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; extremely bright LMC cluster, large, very mottled and lively, relatively large bright core.  A mag 13-13.5 star is at the NW edge, a mag 14 star is at the S edge and a 14th mag Cepheid (UX Dor) is 40" SE of center.  Roughly a dozen stars are resolved in total.  A mag 10.8 star is 1.5' NNW and a mag 12 star is 1' SSW (LMC Yellow Supergiant candidate).

NGC 2136 forms a striking double cluster with NGC 2137 1.4' NE (the two clusters form a gravitationally bound binary system).  NGC 2125 lies 11' W and NGC 2150 (a galaxy) is 15' ESE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2136 = D 160 = h2992 in Sep 1826.  One notebook description reads, "a small round nebula, pretty well defined.  South of a small star - rather following."  His position is 8.6' too far SW, but his last comment of the nearby star seems to clinch the identification as a mag 10.8 star is 1.5' NNW.  A second (unpublished) position (mentioning the same nearby star) was only off by 2' NNE.

John Herschel recorded the cluster on 4 sweeps.  His first observation on 3 Nov 1834 (sweep 509) reads "pB, R, bM, 1'; has a star 10.11th mag N.p. (thick haze)."  On 11 Nov 1836 (sweep 748) he wrote, "Globular cluster, pB, R, gradually much brighter middle, resolved, stars 14..16 mag; has a vvF nebula north-following [NGC 2137]."
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NGC 2137 = ESO 057-049 = S-L 764 = BRHT 22b
05 53 12.0  -69 28 54; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 0.8'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, small, round, 20" diameter, lively, several extremely faint mag 16+ stars resolved.  A mag 13 star is 50" NE.  NGC 2137 is the fainter and smaller of a striking double cluster with much brighter NGC 2136 just 1.4' SW!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2137 = h2994 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; R; 30"; the following of 2 [with NGC 2136]."  His position (2 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2138 = ESO 086-040 = S-L 777
05 54 49  -65 50 06; Dor
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): relatively faint, small, round, 25"-30" diameter, slightly brighter core, low surface brightness, no resolution.  Four bright field stars lie directly south including mag 7.9  HD 40624 2.9' SSE and  mag 8.5 HD 40625 7.5' S, along with a mag 10 companion at ~45".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2138 = h2993 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; has 3 bright stars pretty distinct towards the south."  In 1926, Willem van den Bos observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described it as "nebula; bright middle, 12 mag, 2 or 3 stars involved."
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NGC 2139 = IC 2154 = ESO 488-054 = MCG -04-15-005 = PGC 18258
06 01 07.9  -23 40 25; Lep
V = 11.6;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 140°

17.5" (12/7/90): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broad concentration, core appears offset to the northwest of center.  A mag 14 star is at the north edge 1.3' from center and a mag 11 star lies 3.5' SSE.

8" (1/1/84): faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration.  A mag 11 star is 4' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2139 = H. II-264 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 322) and called it "F, S."  He added "The RA cannot be above 10 or 15 sec out; the roller went off the apparantus which occasions the uncertainty."  This was the only nebula found in the sweep.

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy from Southern California on 1 Dec 1897 and reported it in discovery list XI-90 (later IC 2154). Swift's position was off by 14 sec in RA and Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (used in the IC).  In the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues Dreyer comments that once a correction is made to WH's position (based on another star in the sweep), NGC 2139 matches IC 2154. MCG labels this galaxy as IC 2154 and ignores the NGC designation.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 2140 = ESO 057-051 = S-L 773
05 54 16.5  -68 36 05; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright LMC cluster, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 40"x25".  A star is located at the WNW tip.  Situated between a mag 10.2 star 3.2' NW and a mag 10.1 star (HD 40750) 5.3' SE.  NGC 2159 lies 20' E, in a group of 4 NGC clusters with NGC 2155, 2164 and 2172.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2140 = h2995 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pF; irreg R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His next observation reads "pF; R; bM; 30"."  On his last sweep he wrote "F; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 2141 = Cr 79 = OCL-487 = Lund 203
06 02 56  +10 26 48; Ori
V = 9.4;  Size 10'

17.5" (12/7/90): 20-25 faint stars mag 13-15 at 220x over extensive haze.  Located within an incomplete circle of several brighter mag 11-12 stars about 8' diameter.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2141 in Jan 1883 with his 5-inch refractor.  His announcement note in Sidereal Messenger, Vol 3, p9 titled "A New and Faint Nebulosity" gives an accurate position and describes a "very faint nebulosity. It lies a little over 3/4° north of Mu Orionis, and requires a low power to be seen at all. With my 5-inch refractor and a power of 30, it is quite distinct; but high powers diffuse it greatly. There is a faint star in its center, and several others on its border, about 2' diameter. I have repeatedly seen this nebula since January 1883."
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NGC 2142 = 3 Mon = SAO 151037
06 01 50.4  -10 35 53; Mon
V = 5.0

18" (3/9/08): this number refers to 5th magnitude 3 Monoceros.  The star itself is an excellent large mag contrast pair (Delta = 3.0) at only 1.9" separation.  Nice split at 300x. 

John Herschel discovered NGC 2142 = h373 on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 315) and wrote, "3 Monocerotis.  I am sure this star has a F neb atm 2'-3' diam."  This is a mag 5 star free from nebulosity.  There are other similar cases where Herschel made the same error: NGC 771 = 50 Cas, NGC 4530 = Beta CVn and NGC 2542 = h3115 (see comments on NGC 4530).  On 30 Nov 1850, Lord Rosse noted, "Same appearance as epsilon Orionis [N1990], but v[ery] m[uch] fainter".  In 1868, his son Lawrence recorded, "appears nebulous..."  Corwin notes, however, that on the red POSS1 there is a very faint extended nebulosity surrounding 3 Mon, so perhaps Herschel did pick something up.
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NGC 2143
06 03 07.4  +05 43 42; Ori
Size 15'

18" (11/6/04): at 73x this asterism is a large, scattered rectangular group, roughly 10'x6', and elongated N-S. On the west side is a N-S string of stars while the east side is dominated by three brighter mag 9.5-10.5 stars including mag 9.6 HD 41080.  Off the two northern vertices of the main rectangle, strings of stars head NW and NE extending the diameter to at least 15'.  This scattered group just stands out with 31 Nagler in a fairly rich field and appears to be an asterism.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2143 = h374 on 2 Feb 1831 (sweep 320) and recorded "L, p rich, very scattered; place of *10m in M."  His position corresponds with mag 9 SAO 113401 at 06 03 07.5 +05 43 42 (J2000).  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, gives the dimensions as 20'x20' and described "Cl, L, irregularly round, P, sc, st 9.5...".  But this group does not appear to be a cluster on the DSS and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent.
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NGC 2144 = ESO 016-010 = PGC 17592
05 40 57.2  -82 07 10; Men
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 93°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.4'x1.1'.  Contains a bright core that increases to the center.  Located between a mag 10 star 6' E and a mag 11 star 6' WNW.  This is the third closest NGC galaxy to the south celestial pole.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2144 = h3009 on 17 Jan 1836 and reported "F; irreg R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 40 arcsec."  His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2145 = ESO 057-052 = S-L 780
05 54 23  -70 54 06; Men
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly small, roundish, 40" diameter, well-defined slightly brighter core.  A mag 14 star is at the southeast edge and two mag 15.5-16 stars are just off the north and east side.  A bright mag 11.7 star is 50" SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2145 = h2998 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "F; little extended; resolvable."  His position from a single sweep is off by 1.7' in dec (too far south).
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NGC 2146 = UGC 3429 = MCG +13-05-022 = CGCG 348-017 = PGC 18797 = Dusty Hand Galaxy
06 18 39.0  +78 21 28; Cam
V = 10.6;  Size 6.0'x3.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 123°

48" (10/29/16): at 488x, the "Dusty Hand" galaxy has an unusual, highly disrupted appearance.   The very bright core is large and elongated NW-SE with a small, intense nucleus.  A prominent, fairly wide dust lane slices through the center with the brightest part of the core roughly parallel on the north side. A small portion of the core is on the south side of the lane.  These features give rise to the "Dusty Hand" nickname.   On the southeast side a fairly prominent "arm" or plume (part of a merged companion?) extends generally east beyond a mag 14.5 star 2' ESE of center.  The halo is very diffuse to the north of this arm.  At the northwest end of the a galaxy a very faint "arm" curls sharply clockwise and with careful viewing a very low surface brightness plume (detached from the central portion) extends south on the west side.  On deep images these arms and plumes seem to be a single tidal structure or stream that wraps around the galaxy.
  
24" (12/28/13): this highly distorted galaxy was observed at 260x.  The galaxy appeared very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~5'x2', with a very asymmetric structure.  It contains a very bright, elongated core, ~1.2'x0.5' NW-SE, but with no distinct nucleus.  A low contrast dust lane cuts through the core unevenly, with the main section on the north side, so the lane initially appears to run parallel to the core on the SW side.  But a fainter, elongated section of the core extending NW-SE is just beyond the dust lane on the SW side.  To the SE of the core, the outer halo is diffuse, with a low surface brightness and is not aligned with the major axis of the core, extending more towards the east.  On the NW side of the core, the halo has a higher and irregular surface brightness with a slightly brighter curving arc (arm) along its eastern side.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 11 double at 30" separation is just off the SE end.  A few brighter mag 10-11 stars are 6' E.  NGC 2146A lies 19' ENE.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 2146 = T. 1-18 in 1876 using a 6.5-inch comet seeker by Reinfelder & Hertel at the Strasbourg Observatory. It was independently discovered by Wilhelm Tempel the same year and by Johann Palisa (AN 2732).  This is one of 3 galaxies discovered by Winnecke, along with NGC 2276 and NGC 4760.  In 1920, based on a photograph taken with the Mt. Wilson 60", Francis Pease described "the nucleus lies a little S of the center of this mass; the nebulosity is brightest around the nucleus.  Superimposed on this bright mass is a dark marking in the form of a hand, with four talon-like figers stretching south-preceding and with three stars standing out upon it."  This must be the source of the nickname "Dusty Hand Galaxy".

As there is no candidate for a previous interaction (creating the disrupted appearance and nuclear starburst), it has been proposed that NGC 2146 is a far-evolved merger.
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NGC 2147 = LMC-N75B = ESO 057-54 = S-L 784
05 55 46  -68 12 06; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, small, roundish cluster, 25" diameter.  Contains a very small, extremely bright core.  Three or four stars are resolved in the small halo on the west side and south side.  Located 3.6' NNW of mag 9.9 HD 270358 and 9.5' S of mag 7.6 HD 40810.  A shallow arc of 3 mag 13/13.9/14.2 stars lies 2' SE.  Just north of these is a small group of resolved mag 15-15.5 stars.  The collection is catalogued as S-L 785 and is part of association LH 122.  The red DSS shows a thick wreath of faint nebulosity nearly enclosing S-L 785, but I didn't notice it, at least without a filter.  NGC 2160 lird 15' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2147 = h2997 on 30 Jan 1835 and logged "vF; R; bM; 30"."  On a second sweep he also noted "connected with stars, etc."  The "stars" probably refers to S-L 785.
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NGC 2148 = ESO 120-024 = PGC 18171
05 58 45.8  -59 07 34; Pic
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 150°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, required averted vision.  A mag 12.5 star is 33" E of center and two mag 13 star are within 2' to the south.  Observation made in quite hazy conditions through thin clouds or smoke.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2148 = h2996 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; 20"; has a *12m, sf very near."  This star is 33" east of center.
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NGC 2149 = PP 51
06 03 30.8  -09 43 50; Mon
Size 3'x2'

17.5" (1/19/91): this moderately bright reflection nebula is fairly small and has a 12th magnitude (illuminating) star on the west side.  Appears prominent with an OIII filter(?) at 140x.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2149 = St. 8b-18 on 13 Jan 1877 and described very light nebulosity surrounding a 12th mag star.  NGC 2149 was misclassified as a galaxy in the 1932 Shapley-Ames Catalog.  It was found to be a star + galactic nebulosity by Mayall and communicated privately to Shapley in 1952.  It was deleted as a galaxy in the 1964 Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies (de Vaucouleurs). Still  it was erroneously plotted as a galaxy on the Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens.
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NGC 2150 = ESO 057-055 = PGC 18097
05 55 46.4  -69 33 40; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 143°

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 5:4 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.5', smooth halo then suddenly increases to a bright, very small core.  A mag 16.5 star is at the southeast edge.  Located 9' SW of mag 8.0 HD 41158 and 15' ESE of the LMC cluster NGC 2136.  So, this galaxy easily shines through the thin outer halo of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2150 = h3000 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "F; vS; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle; stellar."  His position is ~35" south of ESO 057-055 = PGC 18097.
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NGC 2151 = ESO 057-057 = S-L 786
05 56 21  -69 01 06; Dor
Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, small, roundish, 35" diameter.  A mag 15.2 star is resolved on the southwest edge and a mag 14 star is at the northeast end.  The bright nucleus is nearly stellar, so on first glance it looked like three collinear stars.  A 13" pair of similar mag 12.6/12.8 stars lies 4.5' ENE and a mag 10.6 star is 3.7' SSW. Located 12.6' NW of NGC 2157.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2151 = h3001 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "F; R; bM; 45"."  His position is accurate.  The Hodge-Wright Atlas completely misplaces NGC 2151 onto chart 66, near 05 57 50 -63 53 38 (2000), about 20' SW of NGC 2162.  NGC 2151 is labeled SL 786.
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NGC 2152 = ESO 205-015 = PGC 18249
06 00 55.2  -50 44 27; Pic
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 69°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low surface brightness, no noticeable concentration.  A mag 14 star is just off the northeast edge.  A mag 10 star is 4.4' E.  Located 29' N of mag 5.7 HD 41214.  Observation through thin clouds or smoke.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2152 = h2999 on 28 Dec 1834 and noted, "eeF; R; attached to a vS star."  His position is fairly accurate and the star is off the northeast edge.
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NGC 2153 = ESO 086-043 = S-L 792
05 57 52  -66 24 06; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter, smooth glow.   A mag 14 star is easily resolved at the southwest edge.  Located 8' SE of mag 8.2 HD 40924.  A mag 10 star is 4' NNE.  NGC 2153 happens to be situated just 16' NW of the south ecliptic pole, so its RA and Dec stay nearly constant.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2153 = h3002 on 3 Jan 1837 and recoded "eeF; R or little extended; attached to a * 16m."  His position, from a single sweep, is accurate and the faint star appears to be at the south end.
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NGC 2154 = ESO 086-042 = S-L 793
05 57 38.2  -67 15 42; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 2.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this LMC globular is located 50' SE of mag 5.1 Epsilon Doradus.  It appeared bright, large, round, 1.5' diameter, broad concentration, mottled with a couple of mag 15-16 stars resolving.  A mag 14 star is close off the north side.  S-L 800 lies 10' NNE and NGC 2135 is 25' SW.

S-L 800 was fairly faint, round, 0.6' diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is at the west end and a mag 14.5 star is just off the east side.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2154 = D 203 = h3003 on 27 Sep 1826.   He described "a small round nebula 20" diameter, sligthly brighter toward the center."  This was the last object in a drift in which he misidentified the offset star (Theta Doradus), so all positions were reduced incorrectly and his position falls 2.4° too far SE.  Using his offset from NGC 2135 (the previous object encountered in the drift), his position lands 7' to the NNW of NGC 2154.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2154 on 2 Nov 1834 (sweep 508) and logged "F; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 100".  He made a total of 4 observations.
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NGC 2155 = ESO 086-045 = S-L 803
05 58 32.3  -65 28 40; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, fairly small, round, 1.1' diameter, weak concentration.  Near a scattered group of bright (mag 9-10) Milky Way stars and nearly collinear with two mag 9/9.5 stars 7' NW and 13' NW.  This is a well-studied older intermediate-age LMC cluster with an age of 2.5 - 3.5 billion years.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2155 = h3004 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; very little brighter middle; 80"; in a rich field."  In 1926, Willem van den Bos observed it with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg.  He reported it as a "Nebula, 11 mag, 1' diam; brightest part is Np; some stars involved."
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NGC 2156 = ESO 057-059 = S-L 796
05 57 50.0  -68 27 40; Dor
V = 11.4;  Size 1.5'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of four bright clusters in a 16' field!  At 200x it appeared bright, fairly large, elongated N-S, ~1.2'x0.8', sharply concentrated.  At 350x a couple of stars were resolved in the halo and the central core was just broken up into several clumps or knots with a few very faint stars resolved.  A mag 10.7/12 pair is 2.6' WSW. NGC 2156 is situated 6.9' NW of the impressive cluster globular NGC 2164.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2156 = h3005 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; S; irregularly round; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25".  He observed this cluster on 5 sweeps and other than brightness, the descriptions are similar.

James Dunlop possibly made the first observation (D 197) on 27 Sep 1826 and noted a "small faint round nebula".  His position, though, while correct in declination is nearly 19' too far east and might also apply to NGC 2172, which is 12' SW of his position.  Another possibility, given by Herschel, is that D 196 = h 3005 = NGC 2156.  Dunlop's position is 8' ESE of this object.

Pietro Baracchi sketched the immediate field on 3 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and described this cluster as "B; S little extended; bM; Resolvable or at the least several stars in it and generally mottled appearance.  He drew the cluster lumpy and elongated N-S, with a couple of stars resolved around the edges.  In 1926, Robert Innes observed NGC 2156 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He reported a "fine cluster of stars; 12 to 15 mag."
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NGC 2157 = ESO 057-058 = S-L 794
05 57 35.2  -69 11 48; Dor
V = 10.2;  Size 2.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, very large, 1.3' diameter, strong concentration with a very bright, large core, very mottled appearance, showpiece cluster.  At 394x, several obvious mag 14.8-15.5 stars were resolved in the halo and around the edges.  With careful viewing the core broke up into a few dozen extremely packed stars (too tight and faint to count).  A mag 11.4 star is 1.4' WNW of center. NGC 2151 lies 13' NNW.  These clusters are on the east end of the LMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2157 = D 161 = h3006 on 6 Nov 1826 with his 9" speculum reflector and described "a small faint nebula, 15" diameter; a small star near the north preceding edge."  Dunlop's position was 7' too far SSW, a very similar offset as NGC 2136, the previous object in logbook)  Despite the small size estimate, there is a mag 11 star off the NW edge and this identification is very reasonable.

John Herschel recorded the cluster on 4 nights.  In Dec 1834 (sweep 523), he recorded "vB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30"."  On 16 Dec 1835 (sweep 657), he logged "globular cluster, vB, R, very gradually very much brighter in the middle, resolvable." He suggested a possible identification with D 161.

Pietro Baracchi logged this object on 3 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope as "Cl; vB; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; Diam 55"." His sketch shows two resolved stars (marked as 17th mag) just off the SE side.
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NGC 2158 = Mel 40 = Cr 81
06 07 26  +24 05 48; Gem
V = 8.6;  Size 5'

18" (2/24/06): at 323x, this rich, irregularly shaped cluster is beautifully resolved into 45-50 stars that are peppered over a 5' background glow.  Appears like a resolved globular of low concentration class. Includes a couple of dozen mag 13.5-14.5 stars along with a rich carpet of fainter mag 15 stars.  There are several close pairs (1"-2" and possibly closer) and the number of stars keep increasing in moments of rock steady seeing as they seem to emerge from the background.  A single brighter star is at the east edge.

17.5" (2/8/86): 30-35 stars resolved, unusually rich, compact, about 5' diameter.  The appearance is similar to a resolved globular cluster.  Located 30' SW of M35.

13.1" (2/16/85): at least 20-25 stars resolved at 415x. 

13.1" (11/5/83): ~15-20 stars, mottled clump near SE edge. 

8" (11/5/83): few stars resolved over haze.

13x80mm (1/20/07): visible in the finder as a very faint, small glow about a half-degree SW of M35.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2158 = H. VI-17 = h375 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 317).  He called it "a very compressed cluster of very small stars, very rich."  He found it immediately after discovering NGC 2129, though M35 was apparently missed on this sweep.  A second observation was made on 28 Feb 1785 (sweep 374), immediately followed by M35 this time.

On 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59), John Herschel described the cluster as "rich; much compressed almost to nebulosity; stars very small; irregular triangular figure."

NGC 2158 was classified as a globular by Rosino in 1954 (Contr. Padova in Asagio No. 52), Helen Sawyer Hogg, 1959 (Star Clusters) and more recently in the RNGC due to its richness.  Nevertheless, it is considered an intermediate age open cluster (~ 1 billion years old).  NGC 2158 is also five or six times as distant as M35, as far as 16,000 light years away (5071 parsecs).
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NGC 2159 = ESO 057-060 = S-L 799
05 58 03  -68 37 30; Dor
V = 11.4;  Size 0.9'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.9'x0.7'.  A brighter star is at the north edge.  At 350x, at least three additional faint stars were resolved on the north side and the appearance is asymmetric as the cluster is brighter on the north side.  Located 8' SW of NGC 2164 and 10' S of NGC 2156.  NGC 2172 lies 11' ESE, NGC 2140 is 20' WNW and S-L 791 is 6' W.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2159 = D 193 = h3007 on 6 Nov 1826 and recorded "pB; R; well-defined, 12"."  He made a single observation and his position is just 3' too far south.  Considering his poor positions, though, it's possible this is another observation of NGC 2164, which is 11' NNE of his position and the brightest of 4 clusters in a group.

John Herschel observed the cluster on 4 sweeps, first reporting on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512), "pF; S; irreg R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25"."  On 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) he logged "pB; S; R; has a *15m close to the edge, nf".  Herschel attributed Dunlop with the discovery.

Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 3 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote, "pB; S; R; mottled.  I believe that there are at the least several stars in it."  He indicated two stars on his diagram on the NNW (mag 15) and WNW (mag 16) edge of the object.
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NGC 2160 = ESO 057-061 = S-L 801
05 58 13  -68 17 24; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small cluster, 25"-30" diameter.  Three stars are resolved in the small central clump including a mag 13.5 star on the northwest edge.  Two fainter stars are on the east side and just south of center.  NGC 2156 lies 10' SSW, NGC 2164 is 14' SSE, NGC 2147/S-L 785 is 15' WNW and S-L 822 is 22' ESE.  The last cluster appeared as a moderately bright, small round glow.  A mag 13.5 star is involved at the north edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2160 = h3008 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded as "pF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position from a single observation is accurate.

James Dunlop's D 195, placed 10' to the NE, might be an earlier discovery on 3 Aug 1826.  But the cluster is too faint to be described as "a small pretty bright round nebula, 10" or 12" diameter, following a small star." and there is no star he might have seen to its west.

Pietro Baracchi observed this cluster on 3 Jan 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote "curious object; a small nebula a little elongated with a star 15m involved or attached to its n.p. (NW) end."  He also indicated a 16th mag star barely off the east edge.
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NGC 2161 = ESO 033-031 = S-L 789
05 55 43  -74 21 12; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 2.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this outlying LMC globular appeared moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, nearly 1' diameter, weak concentration, no resolution. It seemed the cluster was slightly brighter along a central spine oriented WSW-ENE (probably due to slightly brighter unresolved stars).

S-L 804 was picked up 13' NE as a faint, relatively large glow, round, ~50" diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 10.6 star is 6' SW.
S-L 828, located 28' ENE, is fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~35" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution.  Two mag 13-14 stars lie 2' SW.
S-L 783, located 16' SSW, is very faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, smooth glow, fairly low surface brightness, no resolution.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2161 = h3013 on 8 Feb 1836 and described it as "F; pL; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 2'."  His position from a single sweep is about 30" NW of center.  Located outside the boundaries of the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2161 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2162 = ESO 086-047 = S-L 814
06 00 30  -63 43 18; Dor
V = 12.4;  Size 2.1'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, very large, round, contains a relatively large brighter core, mottled.  A couple of very faint stars were fairly easily resolved and several more popped in and out with averted vision.  Located 4' W of mag 8.5 HD 41515.  Three additional mag 11.5-12 stars, forming a distinctive group, extend south-southwest from the bright star.  This LMC globular is located in the northeast outer halo of the LMC, well outside the main outline.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2162 = h3010 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 80"."  On a second sweep he noted "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 40"; a *9 mag follows in parallel, and 3 more 11 mag near."

Robert Innes observed the cluster in 1926 with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He reported it as "preceding a bright star, nebula, 1' diam, 11 mag, with several stars involved, the brightest of which is in the centre."  In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2162 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein, though modern estimates give the age as only 900 million - 1.6 billion years.
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NGC 2163 = Ced 62 = Parsamian 6 = PP 54 = DG 87 = GN 06.04.9
06 07 49.5  +18 39 27; Ori
Size 3'x2'

17.5" (1/9/99): moderately bright reflection nebula surrounding a young mag 11.3 Herbig Ae/Be star (HBC 193).  The brightest portion of the nebula is noticeably elongated N-S from the central star and 2'-3' in length, tapering towards the star.  The northern extension has a slightly higher surface brightness. A 9th mag star (HD 41787) is 3' E.  Observed at 220x without filtration.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~2.5'x1.0', fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is at the S tip of the bright portion of the reflection nebula. A small very faint extension appears S of this star.  NGC 2163 is situated 3' W of mag 9 HD 41787 and as a reflection nebula, it doesn't respond to a UHC or OIII filter.

Two mag 13 stars are 1' NE and 1' N and a mag 10 star is 5' S. An evenly matched mag 10.5/10.5 double at 12" separation lies 8' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2163 = St. 9-6 on 31 Jan 1873.  He made a second observation on 29 Dec 1877 and reduced the position again a week later (6 Jan 1878).  His description reads, "extremely faint, elongated, diffuse, *11 attached south."

In compiling the NGC, Dreyer accidentally copied the declination of NGC 1741 (Stephan's previous entry in list 9, #5).  Dreyer later caught and corrected his error in the IC 2 Notes/Corrections section (Dreyer added the comment "my mistake").  The correction was missed by most later cataloguers though Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions gives the accurate position.

In 1922 Edwin Hubble reported it as a new "bright, uncatalogued nebula similar to NGC 2245" (#15 in a list of "Diffuse Nebulae with continuous spectra").  Based on Hubble's listing, Sven Cederblad catalogued it as an "anonymous" nebula (#62) in his 1946 catalog of "Bright Diffuse Galactic Nebulae", with credit to Hubble.  I also uncovered that E.E. Barnard independently discovered NGC 2163 on 2 Sep 1888. On his first observation he mistook it for Faye's Comet, which he was searching for.  Barnard never published his rediscovery.

Modern sources generally identify NGC 2163 as Cederblad 62.  The RNGC labels NGC 2163 as nonexistent and furthermore reverses the sign of the declination.  In addition, a poor RA was given for Ced 62 in Sky Catalogue 2000 and it was misplotted on the Uranometria 2000 (first edition) too far east, though the position was corrected in the second edition.  The Millenium Star Atlas labels this object Ced 62, also at the wrong position.
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NGC 2164 = ESO 057-062 = S-L 808
05 58 55.9  -68 30 57; Dor
V = 10.1;  Size 2.1'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest of four clusters in a 10' field.  At 260x it appeared very bright, large, round, sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core (visually appears to be a globular), the large outer halo extended to 2' diameter.  Roughly 15 stars were resolved in the halo - some of these were easily visible 14th mag stars, while others were quite faint.  At 350x, two dozen stars were resolved and the core was very grainy. Overall, this is a very impressive cluster.  NGC 2156 lies 6.8' NW, NGC 2159 is 8' SW and NGC 2172 is 9.7' SE..

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2164 = D 196 = h3011 on 6 Nov 1826.  He described "a small round pretty well defined, slightly condensed nebula about 25" diameter with a small star north following."  His position is only 3' too far NE and the "small star" is mag 10.2 HD 270442 (6' NE).  Also D 193, described as "pretty bright", was placed 11' SSW of NGC 2164 but much closer to NGC 2159.  Still it could also apply to NGC 2164 as the observation was made in November.

John Herschel observed this cluster on five sweeps.  His first observation was made on 23 Nov 1834 (sweep 512): "vB, R, gradually much brighter middle;  90", resolvable."  Herschel attributed Dunlop with the discovery.

In 1926, Robert Innes observed the cluster with the 26.5-inch refractor of the Union Observatory in Johannesburg. He described "a very condensed cluster of stars with outliers, 11 to 15 mags."
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NGC 2165
06 11 05  +51 40 36; Aur

17.5" (3/1/03): Roughly a dozen stars in a 6'x4' group at 100x.  Extended E-W except for a few stars which tail off towards the north on the following end.  Nine of the stars in the group are fairly evenly distributed and similar in magnitude (10.5-11).  No concentration or dense spots and appears to be an asterism.  Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2165 = h376 on 12 Feb 1831 (sweep 325) and noted "a ppor cl 7' length, 3' broad; about a dozen stars 11m."  There is a very scattered group of brighter stars on the DSS at Herschel's position with the fields to the west lacking in stars.  Karl Reinmuth, using a Heidelberg plate, described a "Cl, P, 20-25 st 11...".  RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2166 = ESO 057-064 = S-L 811
05 59 34  -67 56 30; Dor
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, high surface brightness.  Contains a relatively large bright core and smooth halo.  A mag 12.5 star is off the northeast side [42" from center].  Located 6' S of mag 9.3 HD 41443.  NGC 2177 lies 16' NE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2166 = D 223 = D 222? = h3012 on 27 Sep 1826.  He described D223 as "a pretty bright and well defined nebula, round, 20" or 25" diameter." and his position is just 1.6' too far north.  D 222 may be another observation with description "small round nebula preceding a small star" and position 9' to the west.

John Herschel observed NGC 2166 on 2 Jan 1837 (sweep 760). He recorded "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 15"." and credited "D 223?" as a possible earlier discovery.
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NGC 2167 = SAO 132848
06 06 58.5  -06 12 08; Mon
V = 6.6

= *6.6 SAO 132848, Gottlieb and Corwin.  = No nebulosity, Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2167 = h378 on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318). He described "a star 7m with a pretty strong neb atmosphere."  His position matches mag 6.6 HD 41794 at 06 06 58.7 -06 12 25, although the star is not surrounded by nebulosity.  Several unsuccessful attempts were made to see h378 at Birr Castle.

The GC and NGC followed JH's position and description for h378, although John incorrectly equated it with his father's H. IV. 44.   Dreyer later realized this error and commented in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues: "[IV. 44] Occurs only in Sw. 640, 2m 0s p, 4' n of [NGC 2182]. 'Situated between two stars with a third star at rectangles to the former.'  This cannot be h378 (as hitherto assumed), nor does the description quite fit [NGC 2170], which does not occur in this sweep, though this star has a star 11m ssp and a vF star north and third farther off npp.  But 70s f h378 on the same parallel there is a star 11m between two others sp and nf with a third star p, forming a striking rectangular triangle [vdB 68].  If this is H's object, his RA is 33 seconds too small."  

Wolfgang Steinicke also identifies H. IV-44 as vdB 68 but Corwin feels H. IV-44 is more likely a duplicate observation of NGC 2170, which is brighter and 6' due north of WH's position.
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NGC 2168 = M35 = Cr 82
06 08 54  +24 20; Gem
V = 5.1;  Size 28'

18" (11/14/09): gorgeous view at 75x, which beautifully frames the cluster as well as nearby NGC 2158.  The densest portion is the central 25' where roughly 250-300 stars are resolved.  The cluster is noticeably lopsided due to a loop of stars that juts out on the SE side of the cluster. This loop includes mag 7.5 HD 42086 near its SE end.  The brightest cluster star is a double on the north side (STT 134 = 7.5/9.1 at 31") with a bright orange-colored primary.  A prominent loop of stars heads south and curves to the west beginning at STT 134.  This same chain nearly merges with another prominent chain of fainter stars that begins on the west side of the cluster and forms a string that heads east through the cluster.  Other loops and chains caught my eye as star chains seem to outline regions where there are star voids.  The cluster itself resides in a rich star field though is fairly well-detached by a region of lower star density surrounding the cluster, particularly around the south side.

8": very bright string cluster, very large, excellent field but not rich in faint stars.  Many of the stars are arrange in rows and loops.

Naked-eye: Visible as a fairly small naked-eye glow in a dark sky.

Swiss astronomer Phillippe Loys De Chéseaux discovered M35 = NGC 2168 = h377 by 1745-46.  John Bevis made an independent discovery before 1750 (possibly earlier than De Chéseaux).  Messier confirmed it on 30 Aug 1764 and called it a "Cluster of very small stars"

William Herschel made several observations and noted "it is visible to the naked eye as a very small cloudiness."  His earliest observation was on 2 Apr 1782 with his 6.2" (7-ft f.l.).  He estimated it contained 400 stars through his 12" (20-ft f.l.) on 3 Apr 1783 (from Steinicke).  It was observed again on 28 Feb 1785 during sweep 374.

John Herschel recorded the cluster on 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58) and described "a L, coarse, p rich cl of st 9...16m, which fills 2 or 3 fields, but cheifly one in which are about 100 stars."
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NGC 2169 = Cr 83 = OCL-481 = Lund 206 = 37 Cluster
06 08 25  +13 57 54; Ori
V = 5.9;  Size 7'

17.5" (1/19/91): 20 stars mag 7.5-13 in bright, distinctive group.  Fairly small, about 6' diameter, not rich.  The stars are divided into two main subgroups - along the west side is a string of six stars aligned N-S in a very shallow "V" asterism.  The northern two stars in this string form the wide double STF 844 = 8.8/9.9 at 24" and less than 2' S is mag 8.7 SAO 95271.  The eastern subgroup consists of 9 stars forming a distinctive triangle outline and includes the close double star STF 848 = 7.5/8.0 at 2.5".  The brighter stars form a fairly distinctive "37" pattern (upside down in the eypiee)!  Located 0.9° WSW of Xi Orionis.

14.5" (1/26/23): the brightest member of NGC 2169 is a multiple star with numerous components in WDS.  The AB pair is mag 7.3/8.2 at a fairly close 2.6". It was cleanly split at 158x. Three other much wider components are nearly collinear - C is 18" WNW at mag 11.7, D is 28" ESE at mag 8.3, H is 1.4' ESE at mag 10.0, E is 43" S at mag 9.0. 

William Herschel first discovered NGC 2169 = H. VIII-24 = h379 on 12 Oct 1782 during his third star review with a 6.2-inch reflector.  He recorded it as the multiple star H. I. 57 with published description: "Multiple. In a spot which appears nebulous in the finder, and is about 50' from the 67th, and 45' from the 70th Orionis. More than 12 stars in view with 460; among them is a double star."

Herschel rediscovered the cluster with his 18.7" on sweep 293 (15 Oct 1784).  He recorded "a small cluster of pretty large white stars, prettily arranged, not many of them."  On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) he noted "a cl of brilliant stars, not many in number, but pretty much compressed; with a vacancy in the middle."
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NGC 2170 = LBN 994 = vdB 67 = Ced 63 = RAFGL 877
06 07 31.8  -06 23 57; Mon
Size 2'x2'

18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, moderately large reflection nebula surrounding a mag 9.5 star, ~2.5' diameter.  There are two stars bracketing the nebula at the north and south ends with the brighter southern star of 10th magnitude.

Reflection nebula vdB 69 lies 8.5' ENE and surrounds a mag 9.5-10 star.  It appeared moderately bright, ~4'x2', extends mostly SE of the star.  vdB 68 lies 13' NE and surrounds mag 9.6 HD 42004.  It appeared moderately bright, large, encompassing two mag 11 stars 1.5' NE and 3' NE.  The shape appears irregular and ~5' in size.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright nebulosity surrounds mag 9.5 SAO 132861.  Also a star 8' ENE is slightly nebulous (vdB 69).  This is the brightest and westermost in a group of reflection nebulae.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2170 = H. IV-19, along with reflection nebula NGC 2185, on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296).  He found "a pretty large star, about the 9th magnitude, surrounded by milky nebulosity, not circular; but an irregular ellipsis."  He logged it again on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) as "a considerable star with milky nebulosity E in meridian or a little from np to sf.  It involves a smaller star which is about 1.5' north of it.  Other stars of equal magnitude are perfectly clear from it."  The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."  Herschel possibly observed it again on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640), and assumed it was new.  He described IV-44 as a "star involved in milky chevelure, situated between two stars, with a 3rd star at rectangles to the former two."  His position was 8' too far north, though, and Wolfgang Steinicke identifies IV-44 as reflection nebula vdB 68, instead.
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NGC 2171 = S-L 691 and S-L 692
05 58 59  -70 43 09; Men

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): there are no good candidates matching Herschel's description for this number, but Mati Morel suggested NGC 2171 was possibly S-L 691 and 692 with a large error in RA (15 min of RA).  Although Corwin has since rejected this possibility as it is out of RA order in the sweep, here are the descriptions of these clusters.

S-L 691: faint or fairly faint, small, round, glow, 25" diameter.  S-L 691 is the northern of close pair of LMC clusters with S-L 692 just 48" S.  Located 5' ESE of NGC 2107.
S-L 692: fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated glow, 35" diameter, no resolution.  Visually, there is no noticeable star cloud surrounding these two clusters.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2171 = h3016 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "eeF; vL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 4'."  There is nothing at this position though ~5' NW is S-L 809 = KMHK 1571.  Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), notes "This may be the small object S/L 809, 0.5 min W, 2' N which may be an unresolved cluster or possibly a galaxy. The size does not agree."  SIMBAD also identifies S-L 809 as NGC 2171.  But this tiny cluster is roughly 30", so it's not a reasonable match with a 4' object.  The Hodge-Wright Atlas misidentifies a faint star as NGC 2171.

Mati Morel has proposed that h3016 is a star cloud at 05 44 14 -70 40 09, which includes S-L 691 and S-L 692.  This requires a very large error in RA (over 15 min of RA).  Harold Corwin notes that the sweep order argues against such an error (see his identification notes) and this object appears to be lost.
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NGC 2172 = ESO 057-065 = S-L 812
06 00 05.6  -68 38 14; Dor
V = 11.8;  Size 1.7'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 200x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, ~0.8' diameter, irregular, a couple of stars are resolved within the glow.  At 350x, the glow is clumpy with four stars resolved with the brightest star at the SE edge.  Located 10' SE of NGC 2164 and 11' ESE of NGC 2159.  Fourth of four (including NGC 2156)  in a 16' circle.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2172 = h3015 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'."  On a second sweep he recorded "pF; R; little brighter middle; 50"."  His mean position (two sweeps) is at the south edge of the cluster.

James Dunlop's D 197, found on 27 Sep 1826, is possibly an earlier discovery though the cluster may be too faint for him to pick up.  He described a "small faint round nebula" and his position was off by 12' to the NE.

Pietro Baracchi picked up this cluster on 3 Jan 1886 while observing the nearby clusters with the 48" Melbourne telescope and called it "a nebulous patch, small, a little elongated and faint, with two stars involved in it."  His diagram shows a third star (called 17th mag) just off the SE edge.  He labeled this cluster "(A)" and assumed it was a new discovery.
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NGC 2173 = ESO 033-034 = S-L 807
05 57 58.5  -72 58 44; Men
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this outlying LMC cluster (classified as a GC in SIMBAD with an age of ~2 billion years) appears as a fairly bright, round glow, ~2' in diameter, weak concentration, no resolution.  A wide pair of 12th magnitude stars lies 2.4' ENE and 3.5' ESE.  NGC 2199 (a galaxy) lies 38' SE, and NGC 2209, another LMC cluster, lies 68' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2173 = h3018 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "pF; R; gradually much brighter middle; 90"."  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 2174 = Ced 67a = Sh 2-252 = LBN 854 = Monkey Head Nebula
06 09 23.6  +20 39 34; Ori
Size 40'x30'

17.5" (1/16/02): at 64x and OIII filter, this is a beautiful, detailed nebula surrounding a mag 8 star (SAO 78049), extending at least 20' diameter.  The OIII filter gives a dramatic contrast gain.  With averted vision and careful viewing, the outer borders extend to ~25'.  Structure includes interior streaky dark lanes visible to the west of the star.  The rim is slightly brighter or has a higher contrast on the western edge but slightly more nebulosity is visible on the eastern side of the star.

Without a filter at 64x, I was surprised to immediately notice a moderately bright 3' round glow, situated ~11' NNW of SAO 78049 near the NW edge of the main glow.  Interestingly, this patch of nebulosity is more prominent than the main body without a filter.  NGC 2174 probably refers to this patch of the HII complex!  It seemed quite strange that this patch had such a different filter response and dimmed significantly with the OIII (mainly reflection component?).  A curving arc of stars is situated along the north side of the glow.  The entire nebula is situated among a scattered group of stars, which is often mistaken for NGC 2175.  Located 1.4° ENE of Chi2 Orionis.

17.5" (2/28/87): very large, irregular nebulosity surrounding mag 8.0 SAO 78049.  Dark lanes are evident west of the star, appears very streaky.  A bright small unresolved HII knot (Sh 2-252E) is 3.2' ENE of the bright star using an OIII filter. 

13.1" (1/18/85): very bright with filter, very large, surrounds a mag 8 star, sky very dark off west side.  West of the star the nebula is mottled and streaky with a bright region near the north edge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2174 = St. 9-7 on 3 Feb 1877.  His description doesn't refer to the entire nebula but rather a small patch of nebulosity (without the accents): "excessive., excess. faible (a peine observable); a l'interieur d'un triangle forme par trois petites etoiles."

He gave a 1878 position of 06 02 07.47 +20 40 54.4 which precesses to 06 09 24.0 +20 39 53 (2000), and falls on the northwest side of the nebula.  This probably needs a small correction in declination based on his reference star, but is still accurate enough to clearly identify a small brighter patch of nebulosity.  His three stars are mag 13-14 and the knot of nebulosity is quite prominent on the DSS just following the middle of these three stars.  This star has a position of 06 09 21.9 +20 39 30 (2000) and Stephan's knot appears only 30-40" in diameter.
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NGC 2175 = Ced 67a = Sh 2-252 = LBN 854 = Cr 84 = Monkey Head Nebula
06 09 39.5  +20 29 15; Ori
Size 40'x30'

17.5": See description for NGC 2174.  Although the scattered group of stars (Cr 84) involved with the HII region is identified as NGC 2175, the NGC description (from Auwers and Bruhns) does not refer to a cluster but rather a "*8m in neb (Auw No 21)".  The position given is 10' S of NGC 2174 and 16 seconds of RA east.  But in the IC 2 notes and correction, Dreyer states a correction in RA.  This places NGC 2175 at 06 09 52 +20 29.1 (2000), just 1' S of the brightest section of the nebula (3' ENE of mag 8 SAO 78049).

Carl Christian Bruhns discovered NGC 2175 = Au 21 in 1857 using a comet-seeker at the Berlin Observatory.  His position corresponds with mag 7.6 HD 42088.  Arthur Auwers described this nebula on 24 Feb 1861 with the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg Observatory as "a considerable area of milky, faint light, extended about 8' north-south and 25' east-west.  In the brightest part is the 8m star."  Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 observations using the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen in Jan 1865 and wrote "the extraordinarily large, faint nebula is one of the objects which are difficult to see with higher magnification.  It took a long time to find it." (translations from Wolfgang Steincke).  E.E. Barnard also commented "In the finder (3 1/4-inch) [of the 12-inch Lick refractor], the 8m star is seem to be surrounded by a group of small stars - the whole being a loose cluster.  The cluster is enveloped in feeble nebulosity."  See my notes on NGC 2174.
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NGC 2176 = ESO 086-050 = S-L 815
06 01 19  -66 51 12; Dor
Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, roundish, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no resolution although a mag 14 star is just off the east side.  The compact cluster S-L 824 is 8' SE and large S-L 800 is 23' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2176 = h3017 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded as "eeF; R; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'."  His position from a single sweep matches this cluster.
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NGC 2177 = ESO 057-066 = S-L 816
06 01 17  -67 44 00; Dor
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, fairly even surface brightness, no resolution.  Located 8' NNW of mag 9.3 HD 41802 and 11' NE of mag 9.4 HD 41443.  Three additional mag 10 stars are in the field to the north and east.  NGC 2166 lies 16' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2177 = h3020 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "F; R; little brighter middle; 15"."  On a second sweep he noted "pF; irregularly round; resolvable."  His mean position matches this cluster.
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NGC 2178 = ESO 086-053 = PGC 18322
06 02 47.6  -63 45 50; Pic
V = 12.6;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 50"x40", contains a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 15.3 star is close west-northwest [33" from center].  Located 2.7' WSW of mag 8.5 HD 41904.  The LMC open cluster NGC 2162 lies 15' WNW.

ESO 086-056, located 8.8' NE, appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration, the brighter core bulges slightly at the center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2178 = h3019 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "eF, vS, r, 10"."  His position is 35" south of ESO 086-053 = PGC 18322.  In 1926, Robert Innes described it as a "mbM, 12th mag, 15" diameter, preceding a bright star." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory).
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NGC 2179 = ESO 555-038 = MCG -04-15-011 = PGC 18453
06 08 02.2  -21 44 48; Lep
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, broad concentration.  Located 15' ENE of mag 6.0 SAO 171251.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2179 = h3014 on 21 Nov 1835 and noted "F, pmE, gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  His position matches ESO 555-038 = PGC 18453.
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NGC 2180
06 09 37.6  +04 43 03; Ori
Size 15'

18" (3/5/05): large, scattered group (likely an asterism) was viewed at 115x with the 31mm Nagler.  Most distinctive is a "candy-cane" loop of a dozen mag 10-11 stars that closely wraps around to the east of mag 7.9 HD 29212 and then extends in a string to the NW ending in two mag 10 stars.  A scattering of brighter stars in the vicinity increase the apparent diameter to perhaps 20'x15', though besides the half-dozen or so brighter stars this appears to be an asterism.  A half-dozen mag 8.5-10 stars 10' to 12' E and north from the mag 7.1 star roughly define an eastern border to the group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2180 = H. VIII-6 = h380 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 114) and reported "A Cl of scattered stars, about 30 large and many small ones."  A later sweep provided an accurate position.  On 2 Feb 1831 (sweep 320), John Herschel called it a "a fine cluster, coarse, p rich, place of a *9m."  His position corresponds with mag 8.4 SAO 113523 at 06 09 37.6 +04 43 03 (2000).

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey, lists dimensions of 20'x20' with the description "Cl, L, pR, P, sc, st 8.7..., B* BD+4d1141 nr M."  RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7), though a recent journal article suggests this is an evolved, disrupted cluster (A&A 427, 485-494 (2004).
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NGC 2181 = ESO 086-054 = S-L 825
06 02 43.2  -65 15 52; Dor
V = 13.6;  Size 1.6'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): extremely faint, fairly small, irregular, ~1' diameter, very low surface brightness.  This LMC cluster is located 2.8' WSW of a mag 10 star.  NGC 2193 lies 21' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2181 = h3021 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R."  His position from this single sweep is 1' too far east.
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NGC 2182 = LBN 998 = vdB 72 = Ced 68
06 09 30.9  -06 19 35; Mon
Size 3'x3'

18" (1/13/07): bright reflection nebula, round, ~2' diameter, surrounding 9.3 HD 42261.  In a group of reflection nebula with NGC 2170 28' WSW and NGC 2183 20' ENE (part of Mon R2 molecular cloud).

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, nebulosity surrounding mag 9.0 SAO 132895 using averted vision.  Located 28' ENE of NGC 2170.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2182 = H. IV-38 = h381 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529).  He described "a considerable star very faintly affected with milky chevelure, the milkiness not far from the parallel."  A second observation (also with an accurate position), was made on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640), although Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) incorrectly stated the RA should be 1 minute larger.

Both Joseph Turner (Jan 1879) and Pietro Baracchi (2 Jan 1886) were unsuccessful finding this bright reflection nebula using the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope, despite the coordinates being accurate in the GC.
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NGC 2183 = LBN 996 = Ced 69
06 10 46.9  -06 12 43; Mon
Size 1'x1'

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint reflection nebula in a group (Mon R2 molecular cloud).  Appears ~1' diameter and notably was *not* surrounding a bright star as are the other nebulae in the group.  There appears to be a faint star, though, at the south edge which may be the illuminating star.  A much larger complex of of nebulosity including NGC 2185 is less than 5' E and SE.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint reflection nebula near four faint stars just SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2185 4.8' E.  Located 25' ENE of NGC 2182.

Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 2183 on 11 Dec 1850.  This reflection nebula was noted as "about 65' following h378 [NGC 2167} is a small nebula with nucleus or stellar point."  On the sketch of 24 Jan 1851, NGC 2183 was labeled Epsilon and NGC 2185 labeled Alpha.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this reflection nebula on 11 Jan 1864 and measured an accurate position (as well as NGC 2185).  He noted a mag 11-12 star 2.5' south and 1.4 sec of time preceding.  Stoney's observation was not included in the GC (because of his rough location) and Dreyer only credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC Supplement and NGC.
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NGC 2184
06 11 04  -03 31 12; Ori
Size 20'

17.5" (12/23/92): scattered group of 75 stars mag 7.8 to 13 in a 30' diameter.  Bright, very large, includes a mag 7.8 star (HD 42761) on the SE, 10 mag 9 stars and two mag 8 stars off the SE end (one is a nice double STF 874 = 8.5/11.0 at 16").  There is no concentration towards the center and there are no dense regions.  Fills most of the 100x field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2184 = h382 on 19 Feb 1830 (sweep 234) and recorded "A large loose straggling cl of 8th class.  The place is that of a double star [HJ 2299]."  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", reported the size as 30'x30' and described a "Cl, vL, P, v sc, irregularly round, st 9..."

RNGC classifies this number as a nonexistent cluster (Type 7) and it is not included in the Lynga catalogue.
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NGC 2185 = LBN 997 = vdB 73 = Ced 70 = GN 06.08.7
06 11 06.1  -06 12 38; Mon
Size 3'x3'

18" (1/13/07): faint, fairly small, 1' reflection nebula surrounding a mag 12-12.5 star.  A few arc minutes southwest is a group of 4 mag 12 stars which are also encased in a larger 3' haze of weak nebulosity.  Both of these pieces are part of NGC 2185. NGC 2183 lies 5' W.

13.1" (1/28/84): this faint reflection nebula surrounds a mag 12 star.  A group of four mag 11.5-12.5 stars is 2' to 3' SW.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2183 in the NGC 2182 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2185 = H. IV-20 = h383, along with reflection nebula NGC 2170, on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296).  He recorded as "a small star of the 11 or 12 mag, affected in the same manner [as NGC 2170], but very faint.  240 also showed it, other stars of the same magnitude are perfectly free from these appearances."  He observed NGC 2185 again on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and logged "5 or 6 pretty small stars within a space of 3 or 4'; all affected with vF milky nebulosity.  It is remarkable that the general milkiness which involves them, seems to be a little stronger about each star; but this last circumstance may be a deception arising from the light of the star."   The descriptions were included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."

John Herschel recorded it on 20 Feb 1830 (sweep 235): "A *10m with a vF atmosphere.  Two others sp are free from such atmosphere.  A very F neb suspected south preceding this object."  The last object may refer to NGC 2183, which is due west.
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NGC 2186 = Cr 85 = OCL-498 = Lund 209
06 12 11  +05 27 30; Ori
V = 8.7;  Size 4'

17.5" (1/19/91): at 140x about 30 stars in a 4' diameter including three mag 10 stars.  A prominent group is on the north side, highlighted by mag 10 HD 253336 and 50" to its SE is a double star HJ 2301 = 11/12 at 10".  A clump of mag 13/14 stars is just west of this subgroup and a triangular group of stars is at the southwest end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2186 = H. VII-25 = h384 on NGC 2186 (sweep 512) and logged "a cluster of pretty compressed stars of several sizes, 4' or 5' diameter wth extensively straggling ones."  John Herschel described on 2 Feb 1831 (sweep 320), "a pretty rich, comp cl, one st = 9, 3 or 4 = 11, and many 12...15.  Place that of double star h2288."
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NGC 2187 = ESO 057-068A = AM 0604-693 = PGC 18354
06 03 48.3  -69 34 59; Dor
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  PA = 79°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): although described as a "double nebula" by John Herschel, this close pair of galaxies received a single NGC entry.  At 260x the fused pair was oriented SW-NE with their outer halos overlapping.  The brighter NE component was fairly bright, round, 35" diameter, strong concentration.  The SW member was between fairly faint and moderately bright, slightly elongated E-W, 40"x35", weak concentration, with the lower surface brightness of the pair.  This duo shines through the eastern portion of the LMC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2187 = h3025 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded a "Double nebula, position 12.5 degrees; larger pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40"; smaller vF, R, gradually little brighter middle." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) corresponds with the double system ESO 57-68A. On the other two sweeps he only recorded seeing a single object.  He called it double in the General Catalogue, although only a single designation was assigned.

Joseph Turner sketched the pair with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 13 Dec 1878, as well as Pietro Baracchi on 3 Jan 1886.  The brighter NE galaxy was shown with a small bright nucleus and the SW galaxy with a smoother surface brightness.  Baracchi assumed the companion was a new discovery, although John Herschel probably deserves credit.
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NGC 2188 = ESO 364-037 = MCG -06-14-008 = AM 0608-340 = PGC 18536
06 10 09.5  -34 06 22; Col
V = 11.7;  Size 4.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

24" (1/25/14): at 200x and 260x; fairly bright, large, very elongated 5:1 N-S, 4.0'x0.8', broad concentration with a large, slightly brighter elongated core.  Mag 8.5 HD 42519 lies 8' SW.  ESO 364-039 lies 16' NE and ESO 364-035/036, in the core of AGC 3391, are 28' N.

NGC 2188 is an edge-on Magellanic dwarf irregular with several giant HII regions on the south side and appears to be disrupted, although there are no nearby interacting companions.

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, moderately large, edge-on streak 6:1 NNW-SSE.  A mag 13.5 star is at the NNW end.  Located 7.8' NE of mag 8.6 SAO 196541.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2188 = h3022 on 9 Jan 1836 and described as "pF, vmE, gradually very little brighter middle, 2' long."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2189
06 12 18  +01 08; Ori

= Not found, Carlson.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2189 = HN 25/26 on Mar 19 1863 using the 15-inch Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory.  In AN #1453, George Bond (then director of the observatory) noted "two clusters, seen 1863 Mar 19, near two stars of the 10th, 11th magnitude by J.H. Safford, with the Great Refractor."  The positions for the two stars are roughly 15' apart E-W although Dreyer used a mean position and only a single entry in the NGC. In any case, there are no obvious clusters on the DSS at his positions, just scattered stars.  The same night he also found NGC 2198, which appears to be nonexistent or a weak scattering of stars.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey using Heidelberg places, was unable to identify NGC 2189.  Corwin very tentatively identifies a group of stars at 06 14 29 +01 02.2.
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NGC 2190 = ESO 033-036 = S-L 819
06 01 04  -74 43 30; Men
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, relatively large, ~1' diameter, fairly low smooth surface brightness. No resolution, though viewed through thin clouds.  NGC 2161 lies 30' NW.  Located 36' W of mag 5.1 Alpha Men.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2190 = h3027 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'."  His position from single sweep is accurate (45" NW of center).  NGC 2190 is located outside the boundaries of the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2190 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2191 = ESO 160-014 = PGC 18464
06 08 23.8  -52 30 44; Car
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 118°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this Carina galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small brighter core.  Surrounded by several brighter stars including mag 9 HD 42537 1.9' SW and mag 9 HD 42545 5' ESE.  Located 2.4 degrees west of Canopus on the Pictor border.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2191 = h3023 on 9 Jan 1837 and reported "pB, vS, E, very suddenly brighter in the middle; a ruddy star 9th mag precedes about 5 seconds in R.A."  His position is accurate.  The ruddy star is mag 9 HD 42537.
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NGC 2192 = Cr 86 = Mel 42 = OCL-437
06 15 18  +39 51 18; Aur
Size 6'

13.1" (12/22/84): two dozen very faint stars in a 4' diameter over unresolved haze.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2192 = H. VII-57 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901) and recorded "a compressed cluster of vS stars, irregular figure, 6' diameter, considerably rich."  His position (Auwer's reduction) is accurate.  This older cluster has an age of roughly 2 billion years
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NGC 2193 = ESO 086-057 = S-L 839
06 06 17.5  -65 05 54; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.9'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, round, ~1' diameter, low surface brightness.  NGC 2181 lies 24' SW.  This LMC intermediate-age cluster is the most elliptical of any known with an eccentricity = 0.33.  NGC 2193 is located 8' SE of HJ 3838, a mag 10.5/10.5 pair at 10".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2193 = h3026 on 3 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; irregular figure; gradually little brighter middle; has 2 or 3 stars in it."  His position from this single sweep is just 30" NNW of center.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2193 as a probable globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2194 = Cr 87 = Mel 43 = OCL-485
06 13 46  +12 48 24; Ori
V = 8.5;  Size 10'

13.1" (1/18/85): at least 50 stars in a 5' region including many mag 14/15 stars, very rich with averted.  Includes a few brighter stars on the east edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2194 = H. VI-5 on 11 Feb 1784 (sweep 138) and described a "a cluster of very close stars.  Rich and of large extent, i.e. about 7 or 8' or more."   On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) he recorded "a beautiful cluster of very compressed small stars of several sizes, gradually most compressed in the middle, irr R, 12 or 15' in diameter."  In his 1814 PT paper he considered this as an example of a cluster in an advanced state of insulation, "not much differing from a globular figure."  His sketch (fig. 16) shows an oval group of stars, more densely packed towards the cneter.

Adolph Petersen independently found the cluster in 1849 but with a poor position.  The position was accuratelly measured by d'Arrest on 18 Sep 1862 and by Vogel on 7 Dec 1869.  Dreyer missed the equivalence with H. VI 5 and entered d'Arrest's observation as GC 5380 in his General Catalogue Supplement.
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NGC 2195
06 14 33.8  +17 38 22; Ori
V = 13/14

17.5" (12/22/97): this close pair of mag 13/14 stars was picked up at 100x just south of a mag 10 star.  At 220x and 280x this double star was cleanly resolved [10" separation] although the region between the pair and the bright star (just 30" from the southern star) appeared slightly hazy, probably due to two additional very close faint stars just below resolvability. At 410x, at least one very faint sparkle was occasionally glimpsed close to the mag 10 star.  It is not difficult to see why Lohse may have suspected this object to be nebulous.  Coincidentally, a very faint reflection nebula (GN 06.11.5) is located 6.7' NNW and it is misidentified as NGC 2195 in RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2195 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in England.  His position is 17 tsec west of a double star (with two additional very faint stars in a chain).  His description of a mag 10 star 30" north pins down this identification.  Interestingly, on my first observation of this object, I also thought it was nebulous - either due to glare from the mag 10 star or the closeness of the chain of the stars.  Coincidentally, there is a very faint reflection nebula (GM 1-45 = P-P 58) 6.7' NNE in the same field which was also visible in my 17.5" and this object has the same RA as Lohse's original position.  The RNGC has misidentified this reflection nebula as NGC 2195.  See Corwin's notes.

Wolfgang Steinicke commented "The discoverer was Gerhard Lohse, a German working at Scarborough using a 15.5 inch refractor. The object is one of 18 nebulae (from a total of 20) Dreyer put into the NGC. Lohse is among the observers with the poorest statistics:  Only 3 objects are real nebulae (the galaxies NGC 2518, 2565, 6792)! 12 are stars (or asterisms), 3 are "not found".  From the existing, NGC 2518 is the faintest, but an easy object with V around 13 mag a and compact core.  Due to this, it is questionable, if he really saw GM 1-45. The description of a 10 mag star 31" N matches the small group. In general Lohse's positions are not bad, there are "objects" at the places, but in most cases no nebulae."
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NGC 2196 = ESO 556-004 = MCG -04-15-014 = UGCA 121 = PGC 18602
06 12 09.5  -21 48 27; Lep
V = 11.0;  Size 2.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 45°

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright, fairly small, almost round, increases to a small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2196 = H. II-265 = h3024 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and logged "pF, pS, irregular figure, bM of an irregular shape, somewhat elongated."  His position is 30 sec of RA too large and 3' too far south. John Herschel observed this galaxy from the Cape on 4 sweeps, first recording it as "B, pretty large, round, pretty small pretty much brighter in the middle. Many stars near it."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2197 = ESO 086-58 = S-L 838
06 06 09  -67 05 54; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness, a mag 15 star is resolved at the north edge and one or two others occasionally pop.  The galaxy ESO 86-59 is 3.8' SE (= HS 452 in Hodge-Wright Atlas), but was not noticed.  NGC 2197 is situated 12' NNW of mag 6.7 HD 42701

John Herschel discovered NGC 2197 = h3028 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; R; 40"."  His mean position from two sweeps matches this LMC cluster.
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NGC 2198
06 13 54  +01 00; Ori

24" (1/22/15): at the position given here is a 10' to 12' field with perhaps a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars and a number of fainter stars.  The group, though, is totally unimpressive and does not stand out in the general field.  On the southwest side is a 20" pair (one of Safford's 10th magnitude reference stars).   About 25' south is a scattered group of mag 9-10.5 stars (along with some fainter stars) that is much more distinctive, though doesn't match Safford's position.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2198 = HN 27 on 19 March 1863, along with the nonexistent cluster NGC 2189, using the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory.  In AN #1453, George Bond (director of the observatory) reported "A cluster, seen 1863 March 19, by J.H. [sic] Safford, between two stars in the following position.  With the Great Refractor."  The positions for the two stars are fine (separated by ~8' east-west) but there is no obvious clustering nearby.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", reported "no CL, many pB st sf Dreyer's place."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).  Harold Corwin suggests Safford's object might be "a scattered group of 20-30 stars, probably no more than a random field, centered at 06 11 56, +01 03.2 (B1950.0) that covers an area about 12 x 11 arcmin in size.  The stars range between 9th magnitude (the eastern-most of Safford's two stars) to about 13.
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NGC 2199 = ESO 034-003 = PGC 18379
06 04 45.0  -73 24 00; Men
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 37°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6', small bright core, occasional sharp stellar nucleus.  NGC 2173 and NGC 2209, both likely LMC clusters, lie 38' NW and 30' SE, respectively.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2199 = h3031 on 8 Feb 1836 and recorded "F, vS, R, bM."  His position matches ESO 034-003 = PGC 18379, a galaxy shining through the southeast side of the LMC.
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NGC 2200 = ESO 254-039 = MCG -07-13-006 = AM 0611-433 NED2 = PGC 18652
06 13 17.4  -43 39 48; Pup
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 170°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 15.5 star is at the southwest edge.  Located 5' SE of mag 9.2 HD 432421 and 7' ESE of mag 8.3 HD 43180.  Larger of a pair (similar redshift) with NGC 2201 3.5' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2200 = h3029, along with NGC 2201, on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; R; very little brighter middle; 40"."  He observed the pair again in Dec 1837, but his NPD was 1° further south.  His first position was accurate and matches ESO 254-039 = PGC 18652.
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NGC 2201 = ESO 254-040 = MCG -07-13-007 = PGC 18658
06 13 31.4  -43 42 18; Pup
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 113°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 25"x15".  Slightly brighter of a pair with NGC 2200 3.5' NW.  The two galaxies are nearly collinear with a mag 9.2 star 5' further northwest.

24" (2/22/14): at 260x; very faint, small, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Viewed at 9° elevation.  Forms a pair with NGC 2200 3.5' NW, but the companion was not seen at this low elevation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2201 = h3030 (along with NGC 2200 = h3029) on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; vS; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; rather a doubtful object."  He observed the pair again in Dec 1837, but his NPD was 1° further south.  His first position was accurate and matches ESO 254-040 = PGC 18658.
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NGC 2202
06 16 51  +05 59 48; Ori

17.5" (2/2/02): fairly distinctive asterism at 100x (20 Nagler), consisting of a bulbous mushroom-shaped ring of about a dozen fairly bright stars with a few others nearby.  Within this irregular ring is a nice, mag 9.1/10.8 double (STF 885) at 10" separation.  Adding to the effect is a straight trail of stars from the double forming a 10' "stem" heading to the NNE and containing a mag 8.7 star (SAO 113677).  Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 2202 = STF 885 = h385 in 1825 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory. It was listed as #885 in his main catalogue of double stars, published in 1827.  John Herschel observed this cluster (or asterism) on 2 Feb 1831 (sweep 320) and recorded"The chief of a tolerably neat cluster of large stars."  The double star is a 9.1/10.8 pair at 10" separation located at 06 16 51.5 +05 59 47. Karl Reinmuth described the photographic appearance as "Cl, S, R, vP, st 8.5..." with dimensions 6.5'x6.5'.  RNGC classifies NGC 2202 as a nonexistent cluster.
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NGC 2203 = ESO 034-4 = S-L 836
06 04 42.6  -75 26 17; Men
V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this LMC cluster (outside the Hodge-Wright Atlas) appeared fairly bright and large, round, ~1.4' diameter, unresolved but slightly patchy or mottled with a weak concentration.  A mag 12.4 star is off the NW side [1.6' from center] and a mag 14.5 star is off the south side [1.6' from center].  Located 46' SSW of mag 5.1 Alpha Mensae.

The galaxy IC 2164 lies 9' NE and was seen as "faint, small, round, 30" diameter, fairly low surface brightness, no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1' SE."

John Herschel discovered NGC 2203 = h3035 on 23 Jan 1836 and recorded "pB; irreg R; very gradually pretty much brighter in the middle; 2'; resolvable.  His position from this single sweep is accurate.

Joseph Turner observed this cluster on 5 Jan 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and reported "glimpses of a granular or stippled appearance occasionally obtained, showing it to be resolvable." (p. 158 of logbook).  Pietro Baracchi called it "pB; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle.  Soft undefined outline about 70" diameter." (9 Jan 1886, Melbourne).

NGC 2203 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as a "faint cluster, not a nebula."
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NGC 2204 = Cr 88 = Mel 44 = ESO 556-007
06 15 33  -18 40 00; CMa
V = 8.6;  Size 13'

13.1" (1/28/84): two dozen stars mag 12-14 in a 10' diameter.  Two mag 9 stars are on the SW and NW edge and many stars are aligned in strings.  Mag 6.0 SAO 151274 in field to NNW about 11'.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2204 = H. VII-13 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars, not very rich, above 15' diameter, south following a star 6-7 mag."  Due to a numbering change by Caroline while preparing her brother's first catalogue for the printer, she was credited with the discovery of VII. 13 in the notes section, instead of H. VII-12 (later NGC 2360).  As a result, Jane Houston Jones (Sky & Tel article) and others have mistakenly credited Caroline Herschel with the discovery of NGC 2204.
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NGC 2205 = ESO 086-063 = PGC 18551
06 10 33.0  -62 32 19; Pic
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20".  A mag 11.7 star is 3.3' NNE and a similar star is 5' SSE.  A group of stars (mag 10.6 and fainter) is ~10' W.  Located 33' SE of a mag 5.0 HD 42540 in the NE halo of the LMC (the LMC cluster S-L 842 is 30' SW).  Observation made in hazy conditions (thin clouds and/or smoke).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2205 = h3034 on 9 Dec 1836 and noted "pF, R, bM, 20"."  There is nothing at Herschel's position, but Eric Lindsay comments in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), this is "Probably the galaxy 3/4 minute West."  In 1926, Robert Innes described it as a "nebula, BM, 20", 12 mag, between 2 faint stars, which may account for the note "spindle"." (26-inch refractor, Union Observatory).
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NGC 2206 = ESO 489-026 = MCG -04-15-019 = UGCA 123 = PGC 18736
06 15 59.9  -26 45 57; CMa
V = 12.2;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 138°

17.5" (2/8/86): moderately bright, small, almost round, small bright core.  A star is superimposed very close east of the core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2206 = h3033 on 20 Jan 1835 and remarked "vF; R; very little brighter middle; 50"."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches ESO 489-026 = UGCA 123.  Herbert Howe noted that the superimposed star is actually a 10" double.
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NGC 2207 = ESO 556-008 = MCG -04-15-020 = UGCA 124 = Holm 85a/b = PGC 18749
06 16 22.0  -21 22 21; CMa
V = 10.8;  Size 4.3'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 112°

48" (2/20/12 and 2/28/19): this beautiful spiral galaxy forms a stunning pair with IC 2163 attached to its east side.  The center is sharply concentrated with a brilliant nucleus embedded in a very bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed on the WSW edge of the core.  A couple of beautiful, winding spiral arms are visible in the halo.  An outer arm on the south end of the galaxy stretched to the west and curved counterclockwise north towards a mag 12.5-13 star situated 1.7' NW of center.  A second more inner arm vaguely emerged on the west side of the core and wrapped counterclockwise to the north, where it was parallel to the outer arm described above.  This arm then curved back east along the north side of the halo, stretching to the NE side of the halo, but not reaching IC 2163.  The region between the core and these arms were noticeably darker due to dust.

IC 2163 is attached at the east side of NGC 2207.  The central region was very bright, round, ~1' diameter, small bright core.  A surprisingly prominent spiral arm is attached on the SW side.  It sweeps gracefully to the east and bends gently clockwise.  This arm was ~1.5' long and significantly increased the overall size to roughly 2'x1'.  Just NE of the tip of the arm is 2MASX J06163579-2122032, which appeared as a faint, very small knot.  The 2MASX galaxy is probably a dwarf elliptical at the same distance as the pair.

18" (2/5/11): fairly bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a bright, elongated core (WSW-ENE) ~1' diameter and a large, much lower surface brightness halo ~2.5'x2.0'.  A faint star is close WSW of the nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is at the NW edge of the halo.

Forms an interacting pair with IC 2163, which is embedded on the east side of the halo.  The fainter companion appears fairly faint, moderately large, oval E-W, 1.0'x0.7', weakly concentrated

13.1" (1/28/84): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, double nuclei.  A faint extension is visible to the east.  This is an unusual interacting pair and the extension to the east is IC 2163.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2207 = h3032 on 24 Jan 1835 and recorded "pB, pL, mE in pos = +/- 87°, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 2.5' long, 40" broad, to a tolerably well defined round nucleus."  His position and Engelhardt's micrometric measurement are accurate, though I'm surprised that Herschel wasn't able to resolve the IC component of the system.

Joseph Turner observed this interacting pair on 18 Dec 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope.  He wrote, "It appears to consist of two nebulae" and his sketch clearly shows IC 2163 elongated E-W as a separate object to the east.  He noted "the preceding one [NGC 2207] seems to have [three?] distinct nuclei or perhaps [three?] small stars."  Herbert Howe also resolved the pair on on 11 Feb 1898 with the 20" refractor at Denver and was credited with the visual discovery of IC 2163.  Holmberg 85b refers to the inner spiral arm (ring) to the west of the core.
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NGC 2208 = UGC 3452 = MCG +09-11-010 = CGCG 260-007 = PGC 18911
06 22 34.7  +51 54 34; Aur
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 110°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.1' W of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2208 = Sw. 6-26 on 24 Nov 1886 and noted "pF, pS, lE."  His position is 6 seconds of time too small and 1.6' too far north. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1893 (published in his 1907 catalog).
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NGC 2209 = ESO 034-6 = S-L 849
06 08 36.1  -73 50 13; Men
V = 13.2;  Size 2.8'

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly bright outlying LMC cluster (probable globular cluster) appears as a 2.5'-3' glow with only a weak concentration and no resolution.  Surrounded by a number of stars including a mag 11.5 star 3.4' W.  NGC 2199 (a galaxy) lies 30' NW and continuing in this direction another 38' is NGC 2173, a slightly smaller LMC cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2209 = h3037 on 8 Feb 1836 and remarked "vF; L; R; gradually very little brighter middle; 3'."  His position from this single sweep is accurate.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2209 as a probable globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2210 = ESO 057-71 = S-L 858
06 11 31.7  -69 07 19; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): bright, relatively large, round, at least 1' diameter, contains a very bright grainy core and a relatively thin halo, no definite resolution.  A mag 14 star is off the souSEtheast side [1.3' from center].  Located 9.3' NW of a mag 8.2 star and 22' SE of mag 5.1 Nu Doradus.

NGC 2210 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's in the LMC and it resides in the eastern halo

John Herschel discovered NGC 2210 = h3036 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vB; S; R; pretty gradually then very much brighter in the middle; 35" diameter; not resolvable."  He noted the observation probably had a one-degree error in the polar distance as the next two sweeps agreed in position.
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NGC 2211 = ESO 556-013 = MCG -03-16-021 = PGC 18794
06 18 30.3  -18 32 14; CMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 22°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2212 1.5' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2211 = LM 1-150, along with NGC 2212, on 11 Dec 1885.  His rough position is accurate to the nearest min of RA, though Bigourdan (on 9 Mar 1890), Herbert Howe and Ormond Stone measured an accurate RA (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 2212 = ESO 556-014 = MCG -03-16-022 = PGC 18796
06 18 35.7  -18 31 10; CMa
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 136°

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness.  A line of three equally spaced mag 14 stars begins 1.5' E and ends 1.3' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 2211 1.5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2212 = LM 1-151, along with NGC 2211, on 11 Dec 1885.  His rough position is accurate to the nearest min of RA, though Bigourdan, Herbert Howe and Ormond Stone measured an accurate RA for nearby NGC 2211 (given in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 2213 = ESO 057-70 = S-L 857
06 10 42.1  -71 31 45; Men
V = 12.4;  Size 2.1'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, slightly brighter core, no resolution.  A distinctive 1' trio, consisting of a mag 11 star and two mag 12 stars in a slight curve, lies 3' W..

John Herschel discovered NGC 2213 = h3038 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 30".  A triple star precedes."  His position from this single sweep is 30" SW of center.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2213 as a probable globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein.
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NGC 2214 = ESO 057-074 = S-L 860
06 12 57  -68 15 36; Dor
V = 10.9;  Size 2.6'

18" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): this young massive LMC cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, noticeably elongated E-W, ~1.6'x1.1'.  About a half-dozen stars were resolved around the edges and within the main glow.  Well concentrated with a bright central region and a slightly mottled halo.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2214 = h3039 = D 201 in 1826.  He described "a round well-defined small nebula, 20" diameter, bright at the centre."  Dunlop made two observations and his published position is 2' SW of center (unusually accurate).

John Herschel made two observations, first on 30 Jan 1835 (sweep 538) when he recorded "B; S; R; or little extended; resolved into stars 14...16m; 50"."  On 13 Dec 1835 (sweep 653) he logged it as "B; irreg R; or little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 80"; resolvable."

Pietro Baracchi sketched the cluster on 4 Jan 1886 and described it as "B; S; little extended; Elliptical, even in density, mottled, resolvable.  It seems a double nebula or at the least there is some dark division about the middle of the object."  On his diagram the object is elongated SSW-NNE and consists of two tangent clumps with a mag 15 star attached at the northeast end and another mag 15 star close south of the east end.
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NGC 2215 = Cr 90 = Mel 45 = OCL-550
06 20 50  -07 17 00; Mon
V = 8.4;  Size 11'

17.5" (12/28/94): about 50 stars mag 11-14 in a 12' region, pretty evenly distributed and stands out well in the field at 100x.  At the west edge is a faint detached group of 8 stars.  Near the center are several wide pairs and one close evenly matched fainter pair (HJ 2315 = 11.5/11.5 at 6"). The cluster is not well defined on the east side and merges into the general field.

17.5" (2/1/92): 30 stars mag 11-14 in 10' diameter, fairly bright, elongated ~E-W, pretty evenly distributed, fairly rich although there no dense areas.  Includes about 10 mag 11 stars but there is no single dominant star.  The remainder are mag 12-14.  Set over background haze.  Stands out well in low power field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2215 = H. VII-20 = h386 on 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468) and recorded "a cl of coarsely but pretty evenly scattered pS stars, of nearly the same magnitude, coarsely round and about 15' diam."  His summary description (based on 3 sweeps) reads "a beautiful cluster of pretty compressed and equally scattered stars, 10' or 12' diameter."
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NGC 2216 = ESO 556-017 = MCG -04-15-027 = PGC 18877
06 21 30.7  -22 05 14; CMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is off the SE end 1.7' from center and a mag 14.5 star is superimposed at the SE end.  A group of 20 stars are in the field to the west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2216 = h3040 on 23 Jan 1835 and noted it as "vF, pL, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 40"." His position (single sweep) matches ESO 556-017 = PGC 18877.
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NGC 2217 = ESO 489-042 = MCG -05-15-010 = AM 0619-271 = LGG 136-002 = PGC 18883
06 21 39.8  -27 14 04; CMa
V = 10.7;  Size 4.5'x4.2';  Surf Br = 13.8

24" (2/5/13): very bright, very large, contains a brighter 1.3' core that is sharply concentrated with an intense nucleus!  The round halo extends 3' and has a fairly smooth surface brightness.  The outer halo passes through a wide pair of mag 12/13 stars on the west side.  UGCA 126, a thin edge-on, lies 60' WSW.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, small, elongated ~E-W, well concentrated with a bright core surrounded by small faint halo, stellar nucleus at moments.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2217 = h3041 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "vB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 30", resolvable."  His position (measured on two sweeps) is fairly accurate.
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NGC 2218
06 24 41.5  +19 20 29; Gem

= 4*, Reinmuth  =no cluster, RNGC.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 2218 on 13 Jan 1853 with the large 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland while compiling the Markree Ecliptic Catalogue.  Arthur Auwers couldn't find it using the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg, though included it as #22 in his 1862 list of new nebulae.  Karl Reinmuth, using Heidelberg plates, reported "only 4 st 14...15".  There is only a small group of 3-5 stars on the DSS at Cooper's position.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2219
06 23 45  -04 40 36; Mon

17.5" (2/2/02): at 100x, 15-20 fairly faint mag 13-14 stars and a few brighter stars are visible just following mag 6.7 SAO 133199.  The group is elongated ~WNW-ESE and the stars are fairly evenly distributed.  The SE corner is marked by a mag 7.5 star.  Visually, this group appears to be a cluster as the star density is reasonably rich and the group is isolated in the field.  Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC and not in the Lynga catalogue.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2219 = h387 on 19 Feb 1830 and noted, "The first *6 of a course poor cl; *11...12."  His position corresponds with mag 6.7 SAO 133199 at 06 23 22.8 -04 41 15 (J2000).  Karl Reinmuthm, based on his 1926 photographic survey, gives a size of 10' and describes "Cl, pL, P, st 10...; B* BD -4 1484 p."  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2220 = ESO 255-004
06 21 11.0  -44 45 32; Pup
Size 22'

24" (2/22/14): at 125x, this asterism is a scattered 20' field containing several bright stars.  There are two groupings with the more prominent southeast group containing 8 brighter stars including mag 7.7 HD 44737, mag 8.4 HD 44665, mag 8.8 HD 44764, along with 4 mag 10-11 stars.  These are scattered within an 8' region.  A separate group is to the northwest, separated by a 7'-8' gap, which contains 4 mag 9.5-10 stars.  Visually this appears to be a random grouping, though the number of bright stars is striking.  ESO 255-005 off the east side of the asterism was not seen.  Viewed at an elevation of only 8°.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2220 = h3042 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded a "A poor, very coarsely scattered, but brilliant cluster of 8th class.  Place of a star 8m = B 1222, the chief of cl."  His position corresponds with mag 7.7 HD 44737 at 06 21 11.3 -44 45 31 (2000).  The asterism also includes HD 44665 = HJ 3852 (8.4/10.7 at 7") and mag 8.8 HD 44764.  WEBDA has no listing, and this grouping is probably an asterism.  RNGC calls NGC 2220 nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2221 = ESO 121-024 = KTS 33A = PGC 18833
06 20 15.7  -57 34 42; Pic
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 0°

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest member of a trio of elongated galaxies (KTS 33).  At 260x it appeared fairly bright, large, edge-on 4:1 N-S, ~1.5'x0.35', broad concentration, dims at the tips.  Just at the north tip is an extremely faint star or a knot (appears to be an HII knot on the Vickers CCD image).  Forms a striking pair with NGC 2222 2.7' N.  The third member, ESO 161-001 is much fainter and lies 5.3' NNE.  A 26" pair of mag 11.5/12 stars 4.5' NW is collinear with this galaxy and a mag 10.9 star lies to the NW of the trio.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2221 = h3044 (along with NGC 2222 = h3045) on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; little extended; very gradually brighter middle; the preceding of 2."  His position is 1' too far north.
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NGC 2222 = ESO 121-025 = KTS 33B = PGC 18835
06 20 17.0  -57 32 04; Pic
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 150°

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this edge-on galaxy appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', gradually increases to a small bright core.  This is the second brightest in a trio of elongated systems with NGC 2221 2.6' S and ESO 161-001 2.9' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2222 = h3045 (along with NGC 2221 = h3044) on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; little extended; very gradually very little brighter middle; the following of 2."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2223 = ESO 489-049 = MCG -04-16-002 = UGCA 129 = AM 0622-224 = PGC 18978
06 24 36.0  -22 50 18; CMa
V = 11.6;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 175°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is on the north end 24" from center.  Apparently I missed the outer 3' low surface brightness outer halo as the superimposed star is just outside the core.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2223 = h3043 on 23 Jan 1835 and logged "F; R gradually little brighter middle; has 1 or 2 stars on it and a small close double star (dist 3", 12 and 12 mag) north."  His mean position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches ESO 489-049 = UGCA 129.
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NGC 2224
06 27 28  +12 35 36; Gem

= no cluster, RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2224 = H. VII-35 on 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) and described "A cluster of small pretty much compressed stars with suspected nebulosity, but the latter may be a deception."  His position is close to a mag 9.6 star in a rich field containing some extremely faint nebulosity.  Robert Ball, observing with the 72" on 9 Dec 1866, noted "some stars scattered about, but no nebulosity seen.  Sky not good."

Karl Reinmuth reported "no pretty compressed cluster seen", based on Heidelberg plates. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent and it is not listed in any open cluster catalogue.  Harold Corwin notes there is an elongated group of very faint stars close to Herschel's position and these are embedded in very faint nebulosity, though I haven't checked the field.
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NGC 2225
06 26 37  -09 38 30; Mon

17.5" (1/23/93): NGC 2226 is the core of NGC 2225 and consists of a 2' faint group of six mag 14 stars, over unresolved haze.  A mag 10 star is 1' S and a mag 12 star is 4' N.  NGC 2225 probably also consists of several nearby mag 13.5-14 stars forming a 5' group elongated N-S.  Herschel described the cluster as "hook" shaped.

Listed as nonexistent in RNGC though shows up well on the DSS.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2225 = H. VII-26 = h388 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and described "a cluster of extremely small and pretty much compressed stars, with a few larger ones, but not very rich; in the shape of a hook."  His position was off the southeast side of the cluster (or asterism) and the "large ones in the shape of a hook" probably refer to a group of stars off the northeast side of the core of the group. This cluster is not listed in the Lynga catalogue and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent with the comment "NOCL".  NGC 2226 is the small core of NGC 2225.
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NGC 2226
06 26 37.6  -09 38 34; Mon
Size 2'

17.5" (1/23/93): faint group of six mag 14 stars over unresolved haze giving a fairly rich appearance.  Forms an irregular arc 2' length N-S bending west on the south end.  Located 1' N of a mag 10 star and a mag 12 star is 4' N.  Several more mag 13.5-14 stars are nearby, which together as a 5' group elongated N-S may form NGC 2225.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2226 (discovery date unknown). Harold Corwin notes Barnard was probably using a 5- or 6-inch refractor at Nashville and the discovery was directly communicated to Dreyer.  His rough position is nearly identical to this cluster, but the NGC description "small,very difficult,*10 close S" suggests he only noted the core of the larger group (NGC 2225) discovered by WH.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2227 = ESO 556-023 = MCG -04-16-004 = PGC 19030
06 25 57.9  -22 00 18; CMa
V = 12.5;  Size 2.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 19°

17.5" (2/8/86): faint, fairly large, fairly diffuse, elongated ~N-S, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 8' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2227 = h3046 on 27 Jan 1835 and remarked "eF; R; has coarse double star preceding on same parallel 90" dist."  His description and position (NPD corrected by two degrees in his addendum) matches ESO 556-023 = PGC 19030.
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NGC 2228 = ESO 087-007 = PGC 18862
06 21 15.6  -64 27 33; Dor
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30"-36" diameter, very small bright core.  At 397x the core seemed elongated ~E-W, but this was due to a mag 15.6 star that occasionally resolved at its east edge.  Located 11.6' NW of mag 8.2 HD 45462 (a wide 1.5' pair with a mag 9.9 star) in the NE outer halo of the LMC.  NGC 2257, one of the 15 bona-fide ancient GCs in the LMC is 1° ENE.

NGC 2228 is a member of ACO S585 = AGC 3389, which includes NGC 2229, 2230 and 2235, but is situated ~30' N of the core of the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2228 = h3047 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"."  His position (single sweep) matches ESO 087-007 = PGC 18862.
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NGC 2229 = ESO 087-008 = PGC 18867
06 21 23.7  -64 57 24; Dor
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 133°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.75'x0.25', a mag 14 star is 45" S of center.  In the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585 with NGC 2230 2' S, NGC 2235 6.4' ENE, NGC 2233 5' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2229 = h3048 (along with NGC 2230, 2233 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged as "eF; vS; R; the preceding of 3."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2230 = ESO 087-009 = PGC 18873
06 21 27.5  -64 59 35; Dor
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 81°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, round, 0.9' diameter, moderately concentrated with a bright 20" core.  Situated in the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585 with NGC 2229 2.2' N, NGC 2233 2.9' SE, NGC 2235 6.8' NE, 2MASX J06215975-6459181 3.4' E.  A total of 7 galaxies were picked up within an 11' circle.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2230 = h3049 (along with NGC 2229, 2233 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "eF, S, little extended, the middle of 3."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2231 = ESO 087-6 = S-L 884
06 20 43  -67 31 06; Dor
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): this LMC globular appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~45" diameter, fairly low but irregular surface brightness, increases in size with averted, no resolution.  A number of brighter stars in the field including HJ 3862, a mag 9.5/11.5 pair at 8", which lies 5' SE.  In addition, a mag 10 star is 6' NNE and two other mag 11 stars are within 4' N.  Several more mag 12 stars (some closer) are in the field. S-L 885 lies 3.7' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2231 = h3050 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, pL, R, gradually very little brighter middle, precedes a double star [h3862]." On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, 50", among 10 or 12 stars 10th and 11th mag."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is good.
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NGC 2232 = Cr 93 = OCL-545 = Lund 220
06 28 02  -04 50 48; Mon
V = 3.9;  Size 30'

17.5" (12/28/94): at 100x appears as a scattered group of bright stars surrounding 10 Monocerotis (V = 5.1) with the remaining stars forming a wedge tapering to the SW.  Includes 7 brighter mag 8-10 stars and another two dozen fainter stars.  Richest surrounding 10 Mon and five brighter stars form a distinctive box around the bright star.  Too large and scattered for higher power.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2232 = H. VIII-25 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296) and recorded "The 10 Monocerotis surrounded by many bright stars."  His position matches the bright star.  The position in the Lynga catalogue, RNGC, NGC 2000.0 and Sky Catalogue 2000 is about 20' too far west!  Brian Skiff suggests a centroid position of 06 28 02 -04 50.8 based on the star GSC 4793-2505.  See my RNGC Corrections #7.

By analyzing Herschel's earlier "reviews" of bright stars (before his systematic sweeps), Wolfgang Steinicke found that Herschel discovered the cluster on 5 Dec 1779 during his second star review using his 6.2" reflector.  He recorded it as the multiple star H. V. 14: "4 or 5 small stars within one Minute."  This is apparently his earliest non-stellar discovery!
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NGC 2233 = ESO 087-011 = PGC 18882
06 21 40.1  -65 02 00; Dor
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 45°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 36"x9", fairly low surface brightness with little or no concentration.  Located 2.8' SE of NGC 2230 in the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2233 = h3051 (along with NGC 2229, 2230 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "eF; S; the last of 3."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2234
06 29 22  +16 43 24; Gem
Size 25'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x only a scattered group of ~75 stars in a non-descript 10' region.  Includes a number of mag 12 stars forming the outline of two rough loops or a butterfly shape.  This poor grouping is immediately SE of the listed position.  The Milky Way is patchy here and the stars are set over unresolved haze.  This grouping appears a very weak field enhancement at best and not a cluster.

William Herschel described a larger grouping (nearly 30'), though the entire field is not really distinguishable from the surrounding area.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2234 = H. VIII-9 = h389 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 148).  He found "A cluster of stars very much scattered; takes up near 1/2 degree.  It is not very rich; the stars are of various magnitudes."  John Herschel described this star group on 25 Jan 1832 (sweep 395): "a pretty rich very loose cl, fills 2 or 3 fields, not bM, st 10...13m."

Karl Reinmuth stated there was "no distinct Cl" on Heidelberg plates and the RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).  A fairly even scattering of mag 10-13 stars is in the vicinity on the POSS.
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NGC 2235 = ESO 087-013 = PGC 18906
06 22 22.0  -64 56 03; Dor
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 68°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration with a slightly elongated 25" core.  A mag 10.8 star is right at the northeast edge of the halo.  This is the brightest of 7 galaxies, including NGCs 2229, 2230 and 2233, viewed in the core of ACO S585 = AGC 3389 and the furthest northeast.

PGC 75662: at 260x; very faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.2'.  Picked up 1.1' NW of a mag 10.5 star and 3.8' SW of NGC 2230.
PGC 75671: very faint edge-on streak 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.15'.  A mag 15-16 star is very close following.  Picked up just 2.3' N of NGC 2229 on a line with NGC 2230 4.5' S.
PGC 75689: very faint, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2'.  Picked up 3.4' E of NGC 2229 and 4' SW of NGC 2235.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2235 = h3052 (along with NGC 2229, 2230 and 2233) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "vF; S; R; 30"."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 2236 = Cr 94 = OCL-501 = Lund 221
06 29 40  +06 49 48; Mon
V = 8.5;  Size 7'

13.1" (1/18/85): two dozen faint stars in a 5' region over background haze.  The brighter stars are in a rich 1' triangular outline with the brightest mag 11 star in the cluster.  A long curving arc of fainter stars emanates from the group.  Fairly striking cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2236 = H. VII-5 = h390 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 156). He described "a cluster of compressed stars of various magnitudes, pretty rich in small stars; the preceding part contains chiefly large onces, not round."  On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118) John Herschel wrote "Irreg fig cl like a hollow triangle in a crowded part of the Milky Way; stars vS; 12...15m; one star 10m.  The surrounding loose stars are all large."
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NGC 2237 = Ced 76a = Sh 2-275 = LBN 948 = Rosette Nebula
06 30 18  +05 03; Mon
Size 80'x60'

17.5" (2/8/86): amazingly detailed view at 73x.  The SE section has an interesting structure with an outer extension or brighter part of an outer shell.  The SW side has an unusual darker bay with a gap in outer edge of the "wreath".  The outer edge of the NE side has a sharp "corner" bending due south on the west side.

13.1" (many dates from 1/23/82 to 11/5/83): the complete annulus of the Rosette Nebula was clearly visible surrounding the naked-eye cluster NGC 2244.  Appears brightest and broadest in the NW region with a bright knot in the NE quadrant (NGC 2246).  The SE portion is split into two shells.  The western section has sharp corner on the inner edge.  NGC 2237 refers to a brighter section in the western section of the Rosette.  The brighter embedded cluster, NGC 2244, is offset within the 20', darker central region, and the SE end of the cluster (including the brightest member 12 Mon) spills over into the nebula.

8" (many dates from 12/6/80 to 1/1/84): complete annulus easy visible in field at 42x or in 8x50 finder with filter as a large, soft ring surrounding the cluster.

Naked-eye (1/8/00): using an OIII filter, the apparent diameter of the cluster (NGC 2244) noticeably increases in size due to the surrounding nebulosity becoming visible.  The overall brightness, though, is slightly decreased with the filter as the cluster is significantly dimmed.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2237 = Sw. 2-31 between 1865 and 1874 while comet hunting using his 4.5-inch refractor. The discovery wasn't published, though, until 1884 (Sidereal Messenger, 3, 57-58).  Swift reported "Some ten years ago [implying a discovery date around 1874], while searching for comets, I ran across an exceedingly large and fairly bright nebula near 12 Mon which I of course supposed was familiar to every astronomer."  In the notes to his second list, Swift wrote "until 1881 I supposed it was a well known nebula.  Like the Merope nebula it requires a low power and a large field to see it well, and, like it, it also much obscured by a cluster of bright stars.  It slighty precedes and is a little north of the cluster [only one portion of the annulus seen], and at first would naturally be mistaken for a glow from it.

"Through ordinary telescopes it appears to have no visible boundaries, but through my 16-inch refractor it once under excellent conditions presented outlines sharp and distinc of an exact ellipse, with a pretty large easily seen nebula at each foci."

In an 1887 article he states the nebula was found "some fifteen years ago" or roughly 1872, and in an 1890 article (Sidereal Messenger, Volume 9, "A Wonderful Nebulous Ring"), he mentions the nebula was found "in about the year 1865".

E.E. Barnard independently discovered the Rosette on 29 Jan 1883 with his 5-inch refractor while searching for comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, 313). He commented in his logbook "Found a large nebulous object, [near] a scattering cluster of bright stars; it is elongated southwest and northeast.  Larger than the field of view."  Barnard's announcement prompted Swift to claim an earlier discovery.  Swift mentioned (notes to second list) that at his request Barnard reobserved it on 31 Oct 1885 [probably with the Lick 12-inch] and "estimates it to be one degree in length by a half degree in breadth", implying he saw the entire annulus.  Barnard showed the nebula to Swift when he visited Lick in January 1889.

Barnard referred to the nebula as "Swift's Nebula", though it was often called "Barnard's Ring" before the "Rosette Nebula" nickname was introduced. The oldest confirmed usage was in JRASC from 1949 (vol 43, 122): "Often referred to as the Rosette Nebula, it is known to astronomers as NGC 2237."

In the IC 2 notes, Dreyer commented, "[NGC 2237/2238, the latter number from Marth's observation] are parts of an eL nebulous ring surrounding the cluster [NGC 2244]."
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NGC 2238 = Ced 76a = Sh 2-275 = LBN 948  = Rosette Nebula
06 30 40.4  +05 00 47; Mon

13.1": small knot on the west side of the Rosette Nebula.  See NGC 2237 for description.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2238 = m 99 on 28 Feb 1864 with Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta.  He noted "Small star in nebulosity" and his position corresponds with a slightly brighter region in the western half of the Rosette Nebula (15' W of the 8th mag star in the NW corner of NGC 2244).  Since he made no mention of the larger nebula, discovery credit should go to Lewis Swift (who didn't publish his observation until 1884) and E.E. Barnard (who found in 1883).
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NGC 2239 = NGC 2244 = Cr 99 = Mel 47 = OCL-515 = Ced 76b
06 31 55  +04 56 36; Mon
V = 4.8;  Size 24'

See observing notes for NGC 2244.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2239 = h392 on 4 March 1830 and noted "the place of a *8m in most compressed part of a large, poor, but brilliant cluster."  His position was 1 minute of RA west of mag 6.8 HD 46150, at the northwest corner of the cluster (NGC 2244) in the center of the Rosette Nebula.  Although he noted the equivalence with H. VII-2 = NGC 2244, he listed h392 separately in the GC (1420) probably because of the 1 minute difference in RA.  Dreyer assigned the number NGC 2239.  Karl Reinmuth put both numbers together and described (based on Heidelberg plates) "NGC 2239 and 2244 B Cl, pL, P, sc, B st in eeL dif neb."
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NGC 2240
06 33 11  +35 15 00; Aur

18" (1/26/09): at 175x this is a fairly course, scattered group of three dozen mag 10-13 stars in a 10' region.  Located just following mag 6.8 HD 46050.  Many of the stars are in pairs and in conjunction with the nearby bright star probably caught William Herschel's attention.  Also in the field is mag 7.0 HD 46072 about 12' SSW of the center of the star group.

Described by WH (VIII 49) as "A cluster of coursely scattered large stars, not rich" and by JH (h391) as "a v coarse straggling cl 10' diam; 30 or 40 stars 10...15m.  A *10m taken, but one of 7m precedes to the north."  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2240 = H. VIII-49 = h391 on 3 Jan 1786 (sweep 509) and reported "A cluster of coursely scattered large stars, not rich."  On 17 Feb 1828 (sweep 124), John Herschel described "a v coarse straggling cl 10' diam; 30 or 40 stars 10...15m.  A *10m taken, but one of 7m precedes to the N."  Karl Reinmuth gives a diameter of 10' and description "Cl, pL, irregularly round, pP, sc, st 10...; bet BD +35 1436 and BD +35 1444.", based on its photographic appearance.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent as this object may be an asterism.
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NGC 2241 = ESO 057-79 = S-L 888
06 22 53  -68 55 30; Dor
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint or moderately bright LMC cluster, round, 30"-40" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution.  A mag 11.9 star is 2.4' SW and a mag 11 star is 2' S. The cluster forms the northern vertex of a rough right triangle with the two bright field stars.  NGC 2249, a brighter cluster, lies 16' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2241 = h3054 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; pL; R; 30"."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches this LMC cluster.
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NGC 2242 = PK 170+15.1 = CGCG 204-005 = PN G170.3+15.8
06 34 07.4  +44 46 38; Aur
V = 15.2;  Size 20"

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, almost round.  Unusually weak filtration response as appears similar brightness or slightly fainter using filters!  Estimate V = 14.5.  This object was recently discovered to be a planetary in 1985 (Shaw and Bidelman) and is listed in the CGCG.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2242 = Sw. 6-27 on 24 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  This is the last planetary nebula, by discovery date, to be included in the NGC.  RNGC and CGCG (204-005) misclassify NGC 2242 as a galaxy although the RNGC new description reads "R, HISB, STEL, PLN??", so it questioned if it was perhaps a PN instead.

In 1985, spectroscopic investigations by Richard Shaw and William Bidelman revealed that NGC 2242 is a previously uncatalogued planetary nebula (independently shown to be a planetary by Machara in A&A 178, 221).  It was included as a new planetary nebula in Kohoutek's 4th update list (AN 315, 1994).  See my RNGC Corrections #2.
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NGC 2243 = Cr 98 = Mel 46 = ESO 426-016
06 29 35  -31 16 54; CMa
V = 9.4;  Size 5'

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly small faint cluster located just 8' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 196879.  Consists of unresolved haze except for four stars on the west edge and a few stars on the east edge.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2243 = D 616 = h3053 on 24 May 1826.  His handwritten notes read "a very faint, ill defined nebula south preceding a star of the 7th mag by 20 seconds in RA and ~10' south of the star.  I can perceive a bright point or nucleus.  There are many small stars scattered in and about the nebula but I do not consider them connected with it..."  Although his description clinches the identification, his position was 33' too far ESE.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 2243 = h3053 on 19 Oct 1835 (sweep 645) and recorded "pB, R, very gradually little brighter middle, all evidently resolved into stars, not very rich. Something between a cluster and a globular cluster. [This observation makes the RA 24m 8.9s, but it is pretty clear that this is a misreading of the chronometer.]" On 16 Feb 1836 (sweep 678) he logged "pB, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 4' diameter, mottled or resolved, amongst bright stars."  E.E. Barnard swept up the cluster on 2 Oct 1891 (logbook #52) and simply noted it as "faint stars?"
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NGC 2244 = NGC 2239 = Cr 99 = Mel 47 = OCL-515 = Ced 76b
06 31 55  +04 56 36; Mon
V = 4.8;  Size 24'

17.5" (2/11/96): unusually bright, large cluster of ~15'x5' elongated NW-SE in a rectangular outline and situated in the heart of the Rosette Nebula!  The brightest 8 mag 6/7 stars lie along the sides and vertices of the rectangle with yellowish 12 Mon (V = 5.9), residing at the SE vertex [a foreground K0 giant at 1/10 the distance].  There are ~40 stars within the cluster although the only concentration consists of 15 mag 11/12 stars surrounding mag 6.8 HD 46150 (O5V-type) and trailing to its E, passing S of a wide bright pair of 8th stars (one is STF 927 = 9.2/10.3 at 5"). HD 46223, a mag 7.3 O4V-type, is at the S end of the cluster. HD 46149, a mag 7.6 binary consisting of two O-type stars, is at the N end.

8": bright, large cluster in the center of the Rosette Nebula.  The six brightest stars form a rectangular outline with the brightest star 12 Monocerotis (V = 5.9) at the SE corner.  At the north and NW corners of the rectangle are two bright wide pairs with mag 7/8 stars.  Many faint stars are near the center surrounding the wide pairs.  Faint naked-eye cluster in dark sky.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel first discovered NGC 2244 = H. VII-2 on 22 Oct 1781, during his third star review with his 6.2" reflector.  He noted "a very rich spot.  One star [12 Mon] with at least twelve around it Multiple."  He encountered it again on 13 Jan 1783 and wrote "12 Mon is the cluster of six telescopic stars in pairs but none of them is larger than the 9th or 10 magnitude."   He rediscovered the cluster on sweep 114 with his 18.7" reflector (24 Jan 1784) and described H. VII-2 as "the 12th Monocerotis is a beautiful scattered cluster of stars.  They are chiefly of two sorts; the first very brilliant, and the 2nd sort arranged in beautiful winding lines; of these there are about 30 or more.  There are besides many very small stars."  He recorded a naked-eye sighting, along with several other groups of stars, on 29 Oct 1783 (Steinicke).

John Flamsteed recorded the 6th magnitude star 12 Monocerotis on his Atlas Coelestis (17 Feb 1690), but Stephen O'Meara argues that Flamsteed didn't mention any of the fainter cluster stars (or general fuzziness), so doesn't deserve credit for the discovery.
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NGC 2245 = Ced 80 = Parsamian 13 = LBN 904 = PP 62
06 32 41.2  +10 09 24; Mon
Size 5'x3'

17.5" (1/19/91): bright, fairly large, about 3' diameter, elongated SW-NE.  Fans out to the southwest from a fairly bright mag 11 star at the northeast end.  Fades smoothly into background. Located 2' WSW of mag 8.0 SAO 95816.

NGC 2245 is in the core of the Mon R1 association, along with reflection nebula NGC 2247 12' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2245 = H. IV-3 = h393 on 16 Jan 1784 (sweep 81) and reported "A nebula.  It is fan shaped, and appears like a star with a faint, electric brush at one side of it."  On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), John Herschel called it "a *11 with a milky neb surrounding it, but chiefly on the sp side.  The star is not sharp - not stellar, and the neb fades gradually away from the star; 70" or 80" diam; has a * 7m 30° nf."

The account by Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney on 28 Feb 1850 is remarkable: "...this neb is part of an enormous neby, which I traced following and north to a great distance, some degrees.  It narrows at times to a band across the finding eyepiece of about 6' or 8'.  I fancied the number of bright stars was greater in it than in the neighborhood; I am certain the number of small stars is much less..."  His sketch was included in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication (plate XXVII, fig 11).
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NGC 2246 = Ced 76a = Sh 2-275 = LBN 948 = Rosette Nebula
06 32 33.8  +05 07 42; Mon

13.1" (1/23/82): this is a brighter patch on the inner northeast side of the Rosette Nebula.  A slightly darker gap in the annulus is located at the west end of this portion.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2246 = Sw. 3-36 on 27 Feb 1886 and described as "eeF; L; iR; e diff.  Probably an offshoot of [NGC 2237]  Two or three others suspected."  The position is on a brighter patch of the Rosette Nebula in the inner portion of the annulus on the northeast side.  Wolfgang Steinicke notes this is the last discovered emission nebula included in the NGC (published in 1888).
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NGC 2247 = LBN 901 = Ced 81
06 33 05.1  +10 19 17; Mon
Size 4'x3'

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval shape.  Surrounds a bright mag 8.5 star (Herbig Be star V700 Mon) although extends further to the east side of the star.  Reflection nebula NGC 2245 lies 12' SSW.  

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint nebulosity surrounds mag 8 star, round, fans out to south in direction of three faint stars.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2247 = Sw. 1-7 on 24 Nov 1883 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted a "nebulous star; v diff; bright star exactly in center of L, eF nebulosity; follows 1425 [NGC 2245] 28 sec and is 10' N."  His position is 2' SE of this reflection nebula.

Dreyer credited Lord Rosse with the co-discovery of NGC 2247.  Possibly Dreyer was referring to Johnstone Stoney's comment on 28 Feb 1850, "...This nebula [NGC 2245] is part of an enormous neby, which I traced [east] and [north] to a great dist. some degrees."
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NGC 2248
06 34 35.7  +26 18 16; Gem
Size 45"

18" (2/14/10): at 175x a small clump of 4 stars was resolved.  The brightest two are a 16" pair of mag 12/13 stars, while the fainter two are probably mag 14.5/15.5.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 2248 on 23 Dec 1853 with the large 13.3-inch refractor at the Markree Observatory in Ireland.  Auwers included it as #23 in his 1862 table of new nebulae and mentioned in the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg it appeared "extremely faint, just resolvable spot of 2-3' dia. The brightest star 12m."  At Cooper's position is a small clump of stars (45" diameter), including a mag 12/13 pair at 16" separation with several fainter stars in a chain to the east.  Harold Corwin calls this an "asterism of nine stars".  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2249 = ESO 057-082 = S-L 893
06 25 50.0  -68 55 13; Dor
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly bright, intermediate age LMC cluster, relatively large, 1.0' diameter, round, gradually increases to the center, no resolution.  An unequal mag 11/13 pair at ~10" separation lies 3.7' WNW and mag 8.9 HD 45987 is 9' NW.  NGC 2241, a fainter and smaller cluster, lies 16' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2249 = h3055 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle."  On a later sweep he logged "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50"; has a double star preceding."  His position is accurate.

On 3 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi described the cluster with the 48" Melbourne telescope as "B; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; mottled as if resolvable; soft edged.  A star 10 mag precedes nebula by 40s and is 30" north.  Diameter of nebula 50" approximately."  This object is classified as a globular cluster in SIMBAD.
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NGC 2250 = OCL-540 = Lund 230 = Cr 100
06 33 49  -05 05 12; Mon
Size 7'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x about two dozen stars mag 12-14 stars are resolved in an 8'x4' irregular group, elongated E-W.  The brightest star is mag 8.7 HD 46576 on the NE end.  Includes several pairs, although none are impressive.  Set over a glowing Milky Way background.  Appears to be just a weak field enhancement not a true cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2250 = h394 on 20 Feb 1830 (sweep 235) and wrote, "place of a *8-9 m in following part of a large pretty rich loose cluster; irreg oblong fig; stars 12...14m."  His position matches mag 8.7 HD 46576.  The Lynga and RNGC position is 1 tmin too far west.
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NGC 2251 = Cr 101 = OCL-499 = Lund 232
06 34 39  +08 22 00; Mon
V = 7.3;  Size 10'

18" (3/4/08): at 175x, this is a fairly striking cluster that includes a fairly rich 6' string oriented N-S.  The string contains ~20 stars including a mag 10.5/11.5 double at 5" (Barton 2120).  The  brightest star in near the geometric center and is part of second group of ~20 stars with several in a 2' loop.  The bright star is a mag 9.5/11.5 pair at 9".  Finally, on the north side is a small string of a half-dozen stars oriented E-W.

17.5" (3/12/94): about 40 stars mag 10.5-14 in an 11'x4' fairly rich string NW-SE.  Includes about 10 brighter mag 11 stars.  The brightest mag 9.5 star is part of a small, roundish subgroup on the west side and is a pleasing double with components mag 9.5/12 at 10".  This subgroup has three brighter stars and 15 faint stars mostly west of the double.  The main string is fairly uniform except for an empty 3' gap SE of the mag 9.5 star.  Located 5' NW of the cluster is an isolated mag 10 star which appears to be a field star.

17.5" (2/1/92): 35 stars mag 10-14 in 12'x6' string NNW-SSE, bright, moderately large, fairly rich but not dense.  Consists of 3 main subgroups.  The western group is 2' diameter and includes a close double star 10/12 at 10".  The NW group is 3' diameter and includes two mag 11 stars with three mag 13 stars between.  The SE group is largest and includes 15 stars in a 6' string very elongated N-S with a close double star.

William Herschel probably discovered NGC 2251 = H. VIII-3 = h395 on 26 Dec 1783 (very early sweep 67) and noted "a small cluster of scattered stars."  His summary description (based on 2 observations) reads "an extended cluster of large scattered stars."  His position (Caroline's reduction) falls just west of center of this cluster.  The 1783 observation was recorded by Caroline as general discovery #21, which was mistakenly associated with H. VIII-2 = NGC 2063, discovered on 28 Dec 1785 and situated 12° to the west.

On 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118), John Herschel logged, "a large tract full of stars; v rich; place from working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps]."
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NGC 2252 = Cr 102 = OCL-514 = Lund 233
06 34 19.8  +05 19 22; Mon
V = 7.7;  Size 18'

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, this fairly rich field is located just 50' NE of the center of the Rosette Nebula!  The most distinctive feature is a very elongated group of ~ 50 stars in a 12'-15' string oriented ~N-S and just 2' wide.  The star stream has a obvious hook on the north end curving sharply towards the SW.  A near perfect triangle of mag 9 stars at 30", 34" and 40" separation lies 23' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2252 = H. VIII-50 = h396 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 512) and reported "a cluster of stars arranged in a broad row, 25' long and 6 or 8' broad, not very compressed but pretty rich."  His position is on the east side of the cluster.

John Herschel logged the cluster in Mar 1830 (sweep 237), "L, pretty rich; stars small; place by working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps]."
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NGC 2253
06 42 31  +66 24; Cam

24" (3/22/14): this number might apply to a fairly rich string of stars about 30' north of William Herschel's position.  The surrounding field was examined at 125x (49' field of view) and the only object that caught my attention was a 4' string containing a dozen mag 13-14 stars oriented SW-NE.  In addition, a larger group of mag 14 stars is just south (though detached), with the total size of both groups roughly 10'.  This asterism is penned in by some brighter stars: mag 9.6 star (SAO 13933) is just north of the group, mag 7.7 HD 47522 is southeast and mag 7.2 HD 47215 is roughly 10' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2253 = H. VII-54 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879).  He recorded "A very faint patch of extremely small stars."  There is nothing at Harold Corwin's re-reduced position of 06 41 52 +65 50.3 (J2000) -- similar to Auwers -- and Bigourdan failed to recover this object.  Corwin suggests NGC 2253 might be "a small group of about 10-15 stars" at 06 42 32 +66 24.3 (2000).  This clump is roughly 30' north of WH's position (possibly a digit error) and described above.

RNGC, CGCG and SIMBAD misidentify CGCG 308-037 as NGC 2253.  This galaxy is located at 06 43 14.7 +65 40 39 (2000).  NED and HyperLeda equate UGC 3511 with NGC 2253 (originally proposed by Sue French?), though NED notes the identification is very uncertain.  UGC 3511 is located ~40' SSE of WH's position so is a very poor positional match.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 2254 = Cr 103 = OCL-500 = Lund 234
06 35 50  +07 40 24; Mon
V = 9.7;  Size 4'

18" (3/4/08): small, dense group of ~25 stars in 3' at 225x and 300x.  About a dozen of the stars are arranged in a semi-circular chain or "C" that is open on the east side.  Several mag 14+ stars are near this loop, segregated into small clumps.

17.5" (2/8/91): at 220x, about two dozen stars over haze in a 3'-4' diameter.  About 6 stars of mag 13 form a "C" shaped asterism open on the east side.  The brightest mag 13 star is on the NW side of this arc.  The rest of cluster members are 14-15th magnitude.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2254 = H. VII-22 = h397 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496). He noted "a small cluster of pretty compressed very small stars."  His position is just west of center.  He made an earlier uncatalogued observation on 26 Dec 1783 (sweep 67) and noted "a small cluster of very close stars, not very remarkable".

John Herschel observed the cluster on 8 Jan 1828 (sweep 118): "a pretty rich, small cluster; irreg figure; stars 11...15m."
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NGC 2255 = ESO 365-031 = MCG -06-15-010 = PGC 19260
06 33 58.6  -34 48 45; Col
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 152°

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', weakly concentrated.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2255 = h3056 on 2 Feb 1835 and described as "eF; R; very little brighter middle; 25-30"."  His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 365-031 = PGC 19260. With a redshift of z = .023 (roughly 340 million light years), this galaxy may be an outlying member of Abell S591.
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NGC 2256 = UGC 3519 = MCG +12-07-015 = CGCG 330-114 = PGC 19602
06 47 13.9  +74 14 11; Cam
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 4:3 E-W, broad but only weak concentration.  Located 3.5' NNW of a mag 10 star.  NGC 2258 lies 15' NNE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2256 = T. 9-3 (along with NGC 2258) on 1 Aug 1883 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His position and description matches UGC 3519 = PGC 19602.
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NGC 2257 = ESO 087-024 = S-L 895
06 30 12.5  -64 19 37; Dor
V = 12.6;  Size 4'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.5'-2' diameter, broad weak concentration, no resolution.  An elongated group of a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars oriented NW-SE passes just north of the cluster.

NGC 2257 is one of 15 bona-fide ancient GC's (10 billion years old) in the LMC. It is situated at the NE periphery of the galaxy, 8.4° from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2257 = h3057 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded as "F; vL; R; gradually very little brighter middle; 3'."  On his third sweep he logged "pB; L; R; very gradually brighter middle;  resolvable; diam in RA = 17s of time."  His position is accurate.

In 1932, Shapley and Mohr reported NGC 2257 was a likely globular cluster based on its photographic appearance on Bruce plates taken at Bloemfontein. Gascoigne and Lynga described NGC 2257 as the "easternmost object to which membership of the Clouds may certainly be assigned".
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NGC 2258 = UGC 3523 = MCG +12-07-016 = CGCG 330-115 = PGC 19622
06 47 46.1  +74 28 54; Cam
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 150°

24" (2/18/20): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE,~1.0'x0.8', fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 11.1 star is close off the NE edge, 0.8' from center and a mag 12 star is 1.2' SSE.  A mag 15 star is right at the south edge.  IC 450 and IC 451 lie 18' ESE and 20' E, respectively. 

CGCG 330-013, located 4' NW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE,~25"x 18", bright core, faint halo. A mag 11 star is 3' WSW.

17.5" (1/19/91): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just 0.8' NE of center and a mag 12 star is 1.2' SSE.  NGC 2256 lies 15' SSW and IC 451 is 20' E.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2258 = T. 9-4, along with NGC 2256, with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  Tempel just gives a rough RA, but his position is about 6' south of UGC 3523 = PGC 19622 and his description "together with two nearby stars mag 10-11 forms a triangle" clinches the identification.  Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 22 Dec 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).  MCG lists the NGC designation as uncertain.
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NGC 2259 = Cr 108 = Mel 48
06 38 33.3  +10 52 57; Mon
Size 5'

18" (3/4/08): at 175x, appears as a 4' rich group of faint stars over haze.  At 300x, about two dozen stars in total are resolved, mostly in a 2' circular clump.  About 1' N of this dense patch of stars is the brightest mag 11.5 star which has a 13th magnitude companion.  This cluster is located 5' E of mag 8.8 HD 47271.

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, 3'-4' diameter, rich, irregularly round.  Consists of about 15 faint stars mag 13.5-14.5 sparkling over a layer of background haze.  A double star mag 12/13 at 7" separation is at the north edge.  Mag 8.7 SAO 95930 is 5' W and is surrounded by a less compressed group of 15-20 stars mag 12/13 in a 6' triangular shape.  This mag 8.7 star has two faint companions on the south side and another close faint double star is 3' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2259 = H. VI-28 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 682) and called "a cluster of extremely compressed and exceedintly S stars, considerably rich, irr F, the following and most compressed part of it round."  His position (Auwer's reduction) is on the south side of the cluster.
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NGC 2260
06 38 03  -01 28 24; Mon

17.5" (2/1/03): roughly 50 stars are visible at 100x spread out over 15'.  The stars are in two main subgroups, oriented SW and NE.  The SW group includes mag 8.0 SAO 133489 with a rich arc of stars trailing to the north.  The NE group is highlighted by mag 7.1 SAO 133505 with a nice 20" mag 11/12 double 1.5' SSE.  Also an isolated mag 8.3 star is at the southern vertex of an obtuse triangle with these two groups.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2260 = H. VIII-48 = h398 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and noted "A Cl of very scattered stars of various sizes, of more than 1/2 degree of extent." On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107) John Herschel reported, "very course, v poor, v straggling, the chief *8 taken."  His position corresponds with mag 8.2 SAO 133505 at 06 38 05.8 -01 26 40. Karl Reinmuth gave an approximate size of 15' with description "Cl, pL, P, st 8..." based on its photographic appearance on Heidelberg plates.  The group is not included in the Lynga cluster catalogue and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2261 = LBN 920 = Ced 83 = PP 64 = R Mon = Hubble's Variable Nebula
06 39 10  +08 44 42; Mon
Size 2'x1'

48" (5/1/19): at 375x; the view through this scope showed a great deal of structure and brightness variations.  I was struck by the length of the eastern edge, which dimmed after the bright thin section extending north, but could be traced just beyond two mag 17-17.5 stars, for a total length of 3'. 

18" (3/4/08): Hubble's variable nebula is a striking fan-shaped object, with R Mon, a mag 12 Herbig Ae/Be "star" at its south tip and the nebula extending to the north.  The fan displays a great deal of variation in brightness and structure at 300x.  The brightest portion is on the NW side of the fan, though it dims a little near the tip on the W side.  The eastern rim is bright and sharply defined N-S like a thin finger. The nebulosity dims along the northern end of the fan and a small, wedge-shaped darker area extends into the fan from the N.

13.1" (1/28/84): Hubble's Variable Nebula is bright, small, fan-shaped 2:1 N-S and widest at the north boundary.  The nebulosity tapers down towards 12th mag R Monocerotis at the S tip which appears to have a very small high surface brightness halo.  The western edge (oriented NW-SE) is slightly weaker and more curved than the eastern edge which is sharper and straighter N-S.  This is an impressive nebula with high surface brightness and interesting structure.

8" (1/28/84): comet-like nebula extends from R Mon.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2261 = H. IV-2 = h399 on 26 Dec 1783 (very early sweep 67) and noted "a curious nebula of a fan shape." (from Caroline's Zone Catalogue).  His full description reads "a very curious nebula; it is of the shape of a fan, with a bright point.  The outside of it from the head is very neatly determined.  There seems to be two or three stars near the head of it."  A sketch was made and his summary description (based on 4 observations) reads "cB, fan-shaped, about 2' long from the centre."  His placed it in class IV, which includes planetary nebulae.  John Herschel observed it on sweep 118 (8 Jan 1828), "*12m with bright cometic branch 60" l whose axis is 60° np.  The star is a little ill-defined.  The apex of the neb comex exactly up to star, but does not pass it."

Lord Rosse and/or assistant George Johnstone Stoney observed NGC 2261 on 22 Dec 1848 and again on 11 Feb 1849.  Stoney likely sketched the nebula on 16 Jan 1850 (figure 10, 1850 publication) and noted "two comparatively dark spaces, one near the vertex and other near the base of the cone."  William Lassell observed and sketched NGC 2261 in March 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector from Malta. He noted, "the nucleus not stellar, but like the nucleus of the nebula in Andromeda [M31]." Father Angelo Secchi published a detailed sketch and description in 1856 using the 9.6" refractor in Rome. Julius Schmidt discovered the variability of R Mon in 1861 with a 6" refractor.

John Mellish reported discovery of a comet on 6 Sep 1915 (Comet Mellish 1915d) as an observer at Yerkes.  The discovery was announced at Harvard but quickly retracted when it turned out to be NGC 2261.  Mellish contented that the nebula had altered its appearance.  The following year, while a graduate student at Yerkes Observatory, Hubble discovered the nebula was variable, hence the popular nickname. A series of photographs chronically the changes were taken with the 30" Reynolds reflector between 1916-1920 at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt.

Hubble's Variable Nebula is an unusual bipolar nebula with the second southern jet hidden from view.  It was the first object photographed through the 200-inch Hale telescope at Palomar Observatory. Hubble sat in the prime focus cage of that instrument and recorded an image on 26 Jan 1949.
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NGC 2262 = Cr 109 = OCL-531 = Lund 242
06 39 38.7  +01 08 30; Mon
Size 4'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 10 very faint stars in cluster over unresolved background glow.  Incorrect position given in modern catalogues.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2262 = H. VII-37 = h400 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668) and described "A Cl of v. com eS st, considerably rich, 3 or 4' dia., most condensed around the middle."  His position matches this small cluster.  On 5 Feb 1831 (sweep 322), John Herschel recorded "A great many sc st; and a strong suspicion of a more comp part (thick haze)."

The wrong position (06 38.4 +01 11 (2000)) is given in modern sources such as Sky Catalogue 2000, Lynga, NGC 2000.0, RNGC and SIMBAD (now corrected).  Brent Archinal notes (e-mail from 3/11/98) the error originated with Per Collinder's list of clusters (1931) and copied into the modern catalogues.
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NGC 2263 = ESO 490-019 = MCG -04-16-014 = PGC 19355
06 38 28.9  -24 50 55; CMa
V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 143°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Situated between two mag 13.5 stars 1' N and 1' S with a similar star 1.7' ENE.  Located 4.2' N of mag 8.5 SAO 172076 and 7.2' NNW of mag 9.0 SAO 172078" (nearly collinear with the galaxy).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2263 = h3058 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "Not vF, round or little extended, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, E between two vS stars, and has two stars about 8th mag south preceding. pointing to it." His description and coordinates matches ESO 490-019 = PGC 19355, though the two bright stars are south following.
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NGC 2264 = Cr 112 = Ced 84b = Sh 2-273 = LBN 911 = Christmas Tree Cluster = Fox Fur Nebula = Cone Nebula
06 40 58  +09 53 42; Mon
V = 3.9;  Size 60'x30'

17.5" (12/28/00): besides the bright nebulosity extending southwest of mag 4.7 S Monocerotis (15), most of the central region of the cluster was set against a weakly glowing background (part of Sh 2-273).  At the southern end of the cluster (tip of the "Christmas Tree"), this low surface brightness glow was more evident and clearly extended beyond the 7th magnitude star at the tip towards the SE.  The west edge of this weakly glowing extension forms the eastern border of the dark Cone Nebula (LDN 1613).  There is a lack of faint stars within the region of the Cone Nebula but the inclusion itself was not darker than the general background.

17.5" (12/30/99): nebulosity was quite prominent to the SW of S Mon as well as a weaker glow in the vicinity around STF 954 at the south end of the cluster.  At 100x (unfiltered) there appeared to be a slightly darker vacuity to the south of this star in the position of the Cone nebula but there is no sharp "edge" with the nearby nebulosity.

13.1" (11/5/83): very bright, very large scattered group, elongated N-S, striking Christmas tree shape.  A bright multiple star 15 Monocerotis = S Mon (4.7-7.5 at 2.8" and companions) is at the base of the tree at the north end of the cluster and is surrounded by several stars.  Easy nebulosity is visible which extends 10' SW of south Mon and includes a group of three brighter stars.  At the south end of the cluster is the double star STF 954 = 7.1/9.6 at 13".  The Cone nebula, which extends south of STF 954 and "points" towards the pair, was looked for and not seen.

8" (11/5/83): bright, very large, scattered, Christmas tree outline, fairly rich, includes multiple star S Mon.

Naked-eye (1/8/00): vislble as a 4th magnitude nebulous glow including the mag 5 star (S Mon), but appears much smaller naked-eye than the listed dimensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2264 = H. V-27 = H. VIII-5 = h401 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 81) and recorded VIII-5 as "The 15th Mon is attended by above 30 considerable stars, and is itself a double star of the 3rd class.  The star extremely unequal and probably not visible in smaller instruments. There is also another double star of the 3rd class not far from it consisting of equal stars."  On 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 494) he logged V-27 as "I observed about 7' or 8' sp 15 Mon, some of the pB stars to be contained within vF milky nebulosity which loses itself imperceptibly; but there remains a doubt of the reality."  On the 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) he mentioned "I examined the stars south preceding 15 Mon and believe they contain Milky nebulosity.  It is very difficult to ascertain it on account of the glare of the 15th, but I have hardly any doubt.  He catalogued the nebulosity as H. V-27.  Again on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 682) he noted "I suspect the sp 2 stars (of which one is Double [15 Mon] to be affected with vF milky nebulosity but may be a deception."  Herschel's descriptions and position apply to the cluster and to the brightest part of the nebulosity southwest of mag 4.7 S Monocerotis.  John Herschel also reported on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), "a *5.6 enveloped in a nebulous haze", although he may have just seen scattered light around the bright star.

Herschel's first observation of NGC 2264, though, was on 15 Feb 1781 during his second star review with a 6.2-inch reflector.  He noted "Ear, a whole constellation of scattered stars." The 4.7-mag star 15 Mon (multiple star) lies in the 'Ear' of Hevelius' mythical creature.  He recorded the multiple star again on 22 Oct 1781 ("Ear tip surrounded by 5 or 6 stars"), the starting date of his third review, and catalogued it as the multiple star H. III. 46

The region around 15 Mon was examined a number of times at Birr Castle, searching for nebulosity.  There were 9 negative results before 1861 and Lord Rosse wrote "No neby. Found, and only a few stars arranged in pairs; no cl.  Has there been a change here?  Heinrich d'Arrest also missed seeing nebulosity in 1862 at Copenhagen with the 9" refractor.  But successful observations were made at Birr Castle in 1863 and 1878 (the later by Dreyer).  E.E. Barnard and Roberts reported extensive nebulosity in the region based on photographs.

On 10 May 1895 Isaac Roberts showed a three-hour exposure of the NGC 2264 complex taken with his 20-inch reflector on 13 Feb to a meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society. It clearly showed the nebulosity southwest of S Mon (first photographed by Barnard in 1894) but also revealed a “conical dark space bounded by a rim of nebulosity” — this is the famous ‘Cone Nebula’.  The moniker "Christmas Tree Cluster" was dubbed by Leland Copeland in March 1957 (Sky & Telescope).
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NGC 2265
06 41 42  +11 54 18; Gem

17.5" (2/1/03): this is a Milky Way cloud of ~50 faint stars mag 12-14.  There is central "hole" lacking any stars, and there are no rich subgroups.  Does not look to be a reasonable cluster and candidate and in fact, doesn't stand out in the field at 100x. There does seem to be some unresolved background or Milky Way glow.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2265 = h402 on 23 Jan 1832 (sweep 393) and described "A poor cluster 30 or 40 small stars 12-13m."  Karl Reinmuth called this "a rich region, >1 degree, no distinct Cl.", based on its photographic appearance. There is a scattering of mag 10-13 stars near Herschel's position on the POSS, but nothing that looks like a cluster. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2266 = Cr 113 = Mel 50 = OCL-471
06 43 20  +26 58 12; Gem
Size 7'

13.1" (12/22/84): three dozen stars mag 9-15 in a 4' diameter.  Most members are very faint and the cluster appears quite rich with averted over unresolved background haze.  The brightest star, mag 8.6 SAO 78670, is at the southwest edge of cluster and a string of five brighter stars mag 10-12 trail to the ENE.  An isolated mag 10 star is off the northwest corner.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2266 = H. VI-21 = h403 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 486) and recorded "a very rich and very compressed cluster of stars of about 4 1/2 or 5' diameter, 5 or 6 of the largest stars are in a row."  His position is on the southeast side of the cluster.  John Herschel noted his position from 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) was "the most condensed part of a p rich, p comp cl of stars 11...15m; irreg figure; diam of most compressed part = 3...4'' triangular."
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NGC 2267 = ESO 426-029 = MCG -05-16-015 = PGC 19417
06 40 51.8  -32 28 57; CMa
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 36°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, bright core.  Two nearby stars confuse the observation: a mag 13 star just 36" W of center (at the NW edge) and a mag 14 star 0.9' SW of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2267 = h3059 on 16 Feb 1836 and described as "pB, S, R, 20"; has 2 or 3 small stars close to it."  DeLisle Stewart, using photographic plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa Station in Peru between 1898 and 1901, described this galaxy as "two nebulae close together."
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NGC 2268 = UGC 3653 = MCG +14-04-022 = CGCG 362-036 = CGCG 363-020 = LGG 145-001 = PGC 20458
07 14 17.6  +84 22 57; Cam
V = 11.5;  Size 3.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 63°

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is at the SW edge 1.1' from center.

17.5" (2/22/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, faint halo gradually increases to a large brighter core, small bright nucleus, faint stellar nucleus.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2268 = T. 1-19 around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseilles Observatory. He noted "pretty faint, extended, elliptic, no bright point" and his micrometric position (MNRAS, 32, 248) matches UGC 3653. Wilhem Tempel independently discovered the galaxy in 1877.  The RNGC RA is 8.0 minutes of right ascension too far east.
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NGC 2269 = Cr 114 = OCL-524 = Lund 252
06 43 16.8  +04 37 04; Mon
V = 10.0;  Size 4'

17.5" (1/1/92): two dozen stars mag 11.5-15 in a 4' diameter.  The main portion is a rich, thin 3' string oriented NW-SE with about 15 stars including a mag 11.5 and 12 star over unresolved haze.  The scattered outliers to 4' radius increase the total to two dozen stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2269 = H. VI-3 = h404 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 114) and described "a cluster of very compressed; they are eF and I suppose cannot be visible with my 7 ft reflector.  It contains a few L ones.  It is of an extended figure, and as it were, divided."  His position is poor - 37 sec of RA too far east and 4' too far south, but not unusual for his early sweeps.  In Mar 1830 (sweep 237), John Herschel described a "close cl of v small st; poor; twilight; preceded by a coarse cl of large ones."  Both Herschels' positions are too far east and so the NGC position is ~9' ESE of center.
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NGC 2270
06 43 58  +03 27 12; Mon

17.5" (2/1/03): this is a large, scattered field, ~10' diameter surrounding a kite-shaped asterism of mag 8.5-10 stars.  There is no concentration but there are a couple of denser clumps of faint stars on the east side.  A curving string of stars heads NE and ends at a group of stars surrounding mag 7.6 SAO 114355.  Located 30' S of a mag 5.9 star.  Does not appear to be a cluster but just a Milky Way field.  Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2270 = H. VII-36 = h405 on 26 Dec 1786 (sweep 667) and noted "A Cl of very scattered stars, considerably rich, and of great extent."  On 2 Feb 1831 (sweep 320) John Herschel logged a "coarse scattered cluster; not very rich; place of *9m."  His position is just 5 tsec east of mag 8.8 SAO 114331 at 06 43 51.7 +03 27 12. Based on its photographic appeared, Reinmuth calls this a "rich region, no distinct Cl."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2271 = ESO 490-034 = MCG -04-16-017 = PGC 19476
06 42 52.9  -23 28 33; CMa
V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 71°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, oval E-W, weak concentration.  There is a string of five stars mag 9-11 on line to north including mag 9.4 SAO 172213 5' NNE and mag 8.7 SAO 12200 9' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2271 = h3060 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded as "pB, S, R, little brighter middle, 20"."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2272 = ESO 490-033 = MCG -05-16-017 = AM 0640-272 = PGC 19466
06 42 41.3  -27 27 34; CMa
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 123°

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, round, small faint core.  NGC 2280 lies 30' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2272 = h3061 on 20 Jan 1835 and called "F, E, bM, 20"."  His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2273 = UGC 3546 = MCG +10-10-015 = CGCG 285-006 = Mrk 620 = PGC 19688
06 50 08.6  +60 50 45; Lyn
V = 11.7;  Size 3.2'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 50°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly bright, moderately large, oval SW-NE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5.2' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 13976 and 6.7' WSW of mag 8.3 SAO 13979.  NGC 2273B lies 40' SW.

Swedish astronomer Nils Dunér discovered NGC 2273 on 15 Sep 1867 using the 9.6-inch Merz refractor of the Lund Observatory.  In AN 78, 251 (1871) he described it as "fairly bright and at least 2' in diameter, with a strong concentration in the middle." He measured an accurate position using mag 8.6 HD 49039.  This was Dunér's only NGC discovery.  NGC 2273 was also observed by Herman Schultz on 3 and 8 Sep 1872 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and listed as "Dunér's Nova" in his 1874 publication.  E.E. Barnard ran across it on 4 Jun 1891 (and again on 7 Sep) while sweeping with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He described it as "1/2' diameter, round, 12th mag.  Two 8th mag stars in field."
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NGC 2274 = UGC 3541 = MCG +06-15-008 = CGCG 175-015 = WBL 121-003 = LGG 139-001 = PGC 19603
06 47 17.3  +33 34 02; Gem
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 169°

24" (1/4/14): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, sharply concentrated with a round high surface brightness core of 0.4' diameter that gradually increases to the center.  Halo increases with averted to 0.9'x0.7'.  Brighter of a close pair with NGC 2275 1.9' N.  The pair resides in a rich star field with UGC 3537 7.4' NW.  This low even surface brightness galaxy appeared very faint, fairly small, round, 24", no concentratin. 

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, 0.9'x0.8', contains a sharply concentrated, bright 25" core and a much fainter halo.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2275 1.9' N.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8'-1' diameter, bright core.  This galaxy is slightly brighter than its companion, NGC 2275, located 2' N.  The NGC 2288-2294 group lies 45' E.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.  Forms the brighter of a pair with NGC 2275 2' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2274 = H. II-614 = h406, along with NGC 2275, on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 628).  His description reads, "Two, both F, S, R, bM.  The southern one [NGC 2274] is the largest."  The pair was observed a total of 14 times at Birr Castle!  The identifications of NGC 2274 and NGC 2275 are reversed in the MCG.
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NGC 2275 = UGC 3542 = MCG +06-15-007 = CGCG 175-016 = WBL 121-002 = LGG 139-002 = PGC 19605
06 47 17.9  +33 35 57; Gem
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 20°

24" (1/4/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 5:3 N-S, 50"x30".  Sharply concentrated with a small, much brighter core that gradually increases to the center. UGC 3537 lies 6.8' WNW.

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, 0.9'x0.6', contains a small bright core ~15" in diameter and a much fainter halo.  Slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 2274 1.9' S.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', brighter core.  Located 2' N of slightly brighter NGC 2274.

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  Forms the fainter of a pair with NGC 2274 2' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2275 = H. II-615 = h407, along with NGC 2274, on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626).  He described both as "Two, both F, S, R, bM.  The southern one [NGC 2274] is the largest."  The identifications of NGC 2274 and NGC 2275 are reversed in the MCG.
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NGC 2276 = Arp 25 = Arp 114 = UGC 3740 = MCG +14-04-028 = CGCG 362-042 = CGCG 363-027 = VII Zw 134 = WBL 134-006 = LGG 145-008 = PGC 21039
07 27 14.4  +85 45 16; Cep
V = 11.4;  Size 2.8'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 20°

48" (4/4/13): at 488x, NGC 2276 appeared fairly bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 2' diameter.  Contains a very small, very bright nucleus, surrounded by a patchy halo with weak spiral structure.  The most prominent arm winds along the western edge of the galaxy, curving from west to northwest and creating a very asymmetric appearance.  Along this arm segment is a prominent knotty section with two or three clumps, including [HK83] 69, a bright 6" knot.  On the southwest side of the halo is [HK83] 63, a faint 6" knot on a line between the nucleus and the 8th-magnitude star (HD 51141) 2.3' SW. In the brighter central region surrounding the nucleus are several brighter, small patches that define the inner arms.  A slightly brighter region close southwest of the nucleus includes the multiple designations [HK83] 17/42/46/51.  Finally, [H83] 24/27 are weak enhancements on the southeast side of the nucleus.  HII region #24 was the site of SN 2005dl.

24" (9/15/12): moderately bright, fairly large, round, 2' diameter.  Although spiral arms were not visible, the galaxy has an odd appearance with brighter knots and regions resolved.  A non-stellar knot, identified in NED as NGC 2276:[HK83] 69 is visible at the NW edge.  The central region contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus, along with one or two other stellar knots including NGC 2276:[HK83] 24, close east of the nucleus. Another knot (nonstellar) is southwest of the nucleus (perhaps NGC 2276:[HK83] 63).  The halo appears weaker on the east side and brighter on the west side.  Located 2.3' ENE of a mag 8 star and it helps to move the star just outside the field.

18" (8/2/11): moderately bright, large, round, ~2.0' diameter, weak concentration, slightly brighter core.  The halo has an irregular surface brightness giving a strong impression of spiral structure with slightly brighter knots on the west side.  Located 2.3' ENE of mag 8.1 HD 51141, which hinders viewing and a mag 11.7 star is squeezed between the bright star and the galaxy.  Brighter NGC 2300 lies 6' SE.  These are the 3rd and 4th closest NGC galaxies to the North Celestial Pole.

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, large, slightly elongated,~2.0'x1.6', low surface brightness.  The halo fades gradually into the background, particularly on the eastern side, so it was difficult to determine a definite edge.  Located 2.2' E of mag 8.4 SAO 1148 which detracts from viewing.  Forms a trio with NGC 2300 6' SE and IC 455.

13.1" (1/18/85): diffuse, slightly elongated.  Located 2.2' ENE of mag 8.4 SAO 1148 which interferes with viewing.  Three mag 11 stars also in line with the 8.4 star to the south including a mag 11.5 star just 1.4' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2300 6.4' ESE. 

8" (1/1/84): faint, moderately large, low surface brightness, slightly elongated.  A mag 9 star is near.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 2276 = T. 1-20 on 26 Jun 1876 with the 6.5-inch Reinfelder & Hertel refractor at the Strausberg Observatory.  His description reads, "faint, about 60", very little condensed towards the center, diffuse."  Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered the galaxy the same year with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included it in his first list (#20).  Winnecke also thought he discovered NGC 2300 but Borrelly found that galaxy earlier (either 1871 or 1872) at Marseilles.  NGC 2276 is the 3rd closest to the pole in the NGC or IC.
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NGC 2277
06 47 47  +33 27 18; Gem

24" (1/4/14): a 7" pair of mag 13.4/14.1 stars were fairly easy to resolve at 375x even in soft seeing.  Located 9' SE of NGC 2274 (2' pair with NGC 2275).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2277 on 20 Apr 1865, while reobserving the nearby galaxies in the NGC 2290 group, along with NGC 2274/2275.  At his position is a 30" pair of stars with the northern component a 7" pair of mag 13.4/14.1 stars.  Corwin includes 5 stars in this asterism. Nearby NGC 2278 from d'Arrest is also a double star.
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NGC 2278
06 48 16.4  +33 23 39; Gem

24" (1/4/14): this 10" pair of fairly evenly matched mag 14.0/14.4 stars (oriented N-S) was easily split at 375x.  This pair was easier to resolve than nearby NGC 2277 7' NW and NGC 2279 2' NE.  Located 16' SE of NGC 2274 (2' pair with NGC 2275).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2278 on 1 Jan 1865.  At his exact position is a 10" double star (mag 14/14.5).  Nearby NGC 2277 from d'Arrest also refers to some faint stars.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 2278 = NGC 2275.
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NGC 2279
06 48 24.8  +33 24 55; Gem

24" (1/4/14): this is an unequal pair of mag 14.1/15.7 stars at 14" separation.  The faint companion was just visible in soft seeing at 375x.  Situated just 2' NE of NGC 2278, an easier 10" pair of mag 14.0/14.4 stars.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2279 = Big. 24 on 8 Jan 1885 and noted 10" diameter with a "stellar aspect".  Bigourdan's position is less than 1' S of a triple star (two were resolved in my scope) at 06 48 24.8 +33 24 55.  It was found while he was measuring previously discovered nebulae (and asterisms) in the area.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 2279 = NGC 2275.
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NGC 2280 = UGCA 131 = ESO 427-002 = MCG -05-16-020 = LGG 138-001 = PGC 19531
06 44 48.9  -27 38 20; CMa
V = 10.3;  Size 6.3'x3.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 163°

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core.  Located 3.9' SE of a mag 10 star.  Almost collinear with a second mag 10 star 5.4' NW.  NGC 2272 lies 30' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2280 = h3062 on 1 Feb 1837 and noted "pF; L; irreg R; or little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 2'."  His position (single sweep) matches ESO 427-002 = PGC 19531.
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NGC 2281 = Cr 116 = Mel 51 = OCL-446
06 48 18  +41 04 42; Aur
V = 5.4;  Size 15'

18" (3/13/04): ~75 stars in a 30' region to the south of mag 7.3 HD 49009.  A number of stars are arranged in a looping chain.  There is a neat kite-shaped group of 6 stars (including two pairs at 10" and 15") in the middle of the chain with a faint star in the center.  Scattered stars extend to the south, beyond the kite.  The group is fairly bright and distinctive and includes a number of mag 9-10 stars, although there are no dense subgroups.

13.1": ~40 stars mag 7-13 in cluster, bright, loose.  Five double stars are visible including a mag 9.5-11.0 pair at 11" and a mag 11.0-11.5 pair at 15".

William Herschel first discovered NGC 2281 = H. VIII-71 on 6 Nov 1782 during his third star review with a 6.2-inch reflector.  He recorded it as the multiple star H. II. 71 with published description: "Multiple. About 3/4 degree south of the 58th Aurigae, in a line parallel to beta and theta. A cluster of stars containing a double star of the second [II. 71], and one of the third class. That of the second very unequal. Both r. The two double stars are in the following side of a small telescopic trapezium."  Wolfgang Steinicke notes that Herschel recorded the cluster three more times in 1783 before starting his sweeps.

During his sweeps, Herschel rediscovered NGC 2281 on 4 Mar 1788 (sweep 813) and recorded "a cluster of coarsely scattered pretty large stars, pretty rich, the place is that of a double star of the third class."  His RA was 1.0 minute of time too large.  The position carried forward to the GC and NGC and modern catalogues including the Lynga Open Clusters Catalog (5th edition) and the RNGC.

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NGC 2282 = IC 2172 = vdB 85 = OCL 535.1 = C0644+013 = Ced 87
06 46 51  +01 18 54; Mon
Size 3'x3'

13.1" (1/18/85): very faint reflection nebula with a mag 10 star involved, fairly small, round.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2282 on 3 Mar 1886 with the 6-inch Cooke refractor at Vanderbilt University (announced in AN 2756 and Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5, p154).  He reported finding "a star of 9.5 or 10 magnitiude, with a faint nebulosity surrounding it. I strongly suspect that is not a stellar point but an extremely small nebula with faint nebulosity surrounding.  At best with the 6-inch it did not appear like any of the neighboring stars.  A short distance (4' or 5') preceding this and very slightly north is a faint double star that I suspect is enveloped in nebulosity."  His position matches the central star HD 289120 of this reflection nebula.

Barnard later found this reflection nebula again on 30 Oct 1888 using the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.  He noted a "9 1/2 mag star with faint nebulosity about it.  1' in diameter, a little heavier nf.  Examined several other stars near, and no nebulosity seen."  Apparently Barnard didn't connect this with his earlier observation and notified Dreyer who catalogued it again as IC 2172, at nearly the identical position.  So, NGC 2282 = IC 2172.

This RN is involved with a sparse open cluster OCL 535.1 = C0644+013, listed in Lynga 5 as vdB 85, although Barnard made no reference to an associated cluster.  Brian Skiff noticed the equivalence.
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NGC 2283 = ESO 557-013 = MCG -03-18-002 = Ced 86 = PGC 19562
06 45 52.7  -18 12 37; CMa
V = 12.2;  Size 3.6'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 2°

24" (2/15/23): at 375x; pretty faint diffuse glow, nearly 1' diameter, bordered by four stars (2 fairly bright); a mag 12.2 star 0.7' W of center, a 12.6 star 1.1' NE, a 13.8 star 0.4' S, and a 14.3 star 0.7' N. In addition, a mag 14.5-15 star is along the SW side. There was a small, weak central condensation, off-center to the south within the quadrilateral.  A 7th mag star (HD 48923) is 11' SW.  Located 1.5° S of Sirius and 2.5° N of M41.

Type II supernova SN 2023axu, discovered on Jan. 28th, was easily visible (currently mag 14.3) 1.4' SSE of center, outside the quadrilateral.

13.1" (11/5/83): very faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Three faint stars are involved including two mag 13 stars at the NE edge and the N edge.  Located in a rich star field 90' S of Sirius and just 9° from the galactic equator!

William Herschel discovered NGC 2283 = H. III-271 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367).  He reported "3 or 4 small stars with vF nebulosity between them forming an irregular triangle.  240 power showed the same very plainly."  Auwers made an error reducing WH's position, but John Herschel corrected the error in the General Catalogue (GC).

Herbert Howe, observing in 1898-1899 with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, described "a small quadrilateral of stars of mag 11, 12, 11, and 13, the interior of which in nearly filled by an eF nebulosity."  Harold Corwin comments that E.E. Barnard's IC 2171 may be a duplicate observation (see his identification notes on that number).

Dave Riddle notes Sven Cederblad catalogued this galaxy as a reflection nebula (Cederblad 86) and it was later included in the Dorschner and Gurtler reflection nebula catalogue as DG 111.
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NGC 2284
06 49 16.2  +33 09 59; Gem

24" (1/22/15): this number applies to one of two possible triples.  At 200x, I found a mag 13.8 star with a mag 14.5 star 19" SW and a mag 15-15.5 star 19" N.  The stars were widely split with no hint of appearing nebulous.  A fourth mag 16-16.5 star listed in Corwin's table was not seen viewing through thin clouds.

Just 2' SE of these stars is a very nice equilateral triple!  The three stars range from mag 12.3-13.5 with sides of 10", 12" and 13".  These were also easily resolved.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2284, along with NGC 2285, on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  Near his position is is a pair of mag 13.8/14.5 stars stars at 19" separation with a mag 15-15.5 star a similar distance from the brighter star.  Alister Ling found "a triple star (using 255x) amidst a chain of singles and doublets."  This trio is 2.4' SSE of d'Arrest's position, but more eye-catching visually.  Harold Corwin lists both candidates.  The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2285
06 49 35.9  +33 21 53; Gem

24" (1/22/15): at 200x; a 12" pair of mag 14.6 and 15.8 stars was resolved.  The fainter star was difficult in hazy conditions.  Just 1.6' southeast is a relatively bright double, consisting of mag 10.8/12 stars at 11" separation.  d'Arrest didn't mention this pair, which should have been easily resolved, though it is certainly much more eye-catching.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2285, along with NGC 2284, on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory.  About 1' northeast of his single position is a mag 14.6/15.8 pair of stars at 12" separation and he was uncertain if it was nebulous or stellar.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2286 = Cr 117 = OCL-548 = Lund 257
06 47 40  -03 08 54; Mon
V = 7.5;  Size 15'

17.5" (12/20/95): at 100x, ~40 stars within an arbitrary 10' region, elongated N-S.  This is a fairly rich group of mostly mag 12 and 13 stars bordered by brighter stars grouped in pairs and trios.  There is some concentration with a richer 4' core.  A wide pair of mag 9 stars is off the SE side.

17.5" (2/1/92): ~60 stars mag 11-14 in the central 10' diameter.  Bright, large, fairly rich though not dense.  Richest in a lane running NNW-SSE over haze although the brightest mag 10 stars are outliers to the W, north and SE.  There is also a bright lane 15' length oriented N-S located to the east of the main group which includes several wide double stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2286 = H. VIII-31 = h408 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 352). He noted "A larger cluster of scattered stars, not very rich."  John Herschel made two observations and described it on 4 Jan 1827 (sweep 41) as a "Loose L irreg scattered cl of about 100 st 9...15m."
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NGC 2287 = M41 = ESO 557-14 = Cr 118
06 46 00  -20 45 18; CMa
V = 4.5;  Size 38'

18" (2/14/10): this naked-eye cluster was perfectly framed at 73x with the 31mm Nagler (67' field).  M41 extends roughly 35' in diameter though many of the brighter mag 7 and 8 stars are in a smaller central region.  The cluster includes roughly a dozen brighter stars, many forming a large central oval ~15'-20' diameter and elongated E-W or SW-NE.  Near the center is a richer grouping with a number of fainter stars and two bright stars, including orange (K3-class) mag 6.9 HD 49091 (brightest member).

A number of loops and chains appear to spin out from the central grouping.  One long chain extends NNW to the edge of the cluster and a shorter nearby chain heads WNW and includes a pretty equal mag pair before bending abruptly SW.  Two other chains extend from the center to the SW and ENE.  About 20' SE of the center of the cluster is mag 6.1 HD 49333, the brightest star in the field though not a member.

8" (10/4/80): ~60 stars mag 7-11.5, very bright, very large, very rich, includes 10 bright stars mag 7 and 8.  Many of the stars are arranged in curving rows and groups, includes several double stars.  Located about 20' NW of mag 6.0 12 Canis Majoris.  Naked-eye object in dark sky.

15x50mm binoculars (2/20/25): nicely resolved into 15-20 stars.

Naked-eye (numerous dates): fairly easy naked-eye glow in a dark sky.

Giovanni Hodierna discovered M41 = NGC 2287 = h411 in 1654, using a small refractor at 20x.  He simply noted "another near Sirius", but he plotted the position accurately on a diagram.  It was independently discovered by John Flamsteed on 16 Feb 1702: "Near this star (12 CMa), there is a cluster."  Le Gentil also found it in 1749.

Aristotle may have made a naked-eye observation about 325.  He mentioned a star below [south of] Sirius was seen to have a faint tail, and that "if you looked hard at it the light used to become dim, but to less intent glance it was brighter."  See http://seds.org/messier/more/m041_ari.html for this possibility.

William Herschel ran actoss M41 on 28 Dec 1782, probably during his Third Star Review with his 6.2".  In 1784 he called it "A large cluster of very coarsely scattered large [bright] stars." In March 1830 John Herschel described M41 as "Coarse; fills field.  The chief, 8m, is red; a poor cluster."

The position in the NGC, RNGC and NGC 2000 is 1 tmin of RA too far east.
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NGC 2288 = MCG +06-15-011 = CGCG 175-017 = WBL 126-001 = PGC 19714
06 50 52.0  +33 27 45; Gem
V = 14.4;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 10.3

18" (3/4/08): very faint, extremely small, round, no more than 10" diameter.  Located just 1' SSW of NGC 2289 and faintest of 5 in the group.

18" (10/21/06): faint, extremely small, elongated 5:3 E-W, 20"x12".  In a close trio with NGC 2289 1' NNE and NGC 2288 2' SE.

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, extremely small, elongated WNW-ESE.  First of five in a group and forms a close trio with NGC 2289 1.1' NNE and NGC 2290 1.8' SSE.

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2288 and 2294 on 22 Feb 1849.  He noted there were "5 nebula in one field [including NGC 2288/89/90/90/94]. NGC 2288 was labeled Beta on an accurate sketch of the quintet.  The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and ~9 seconds too far west, though the relative positions are correct.  Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions in 1898 at Strasbourg. The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2288 and 2289.
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NGC 2289 = UGC 3560 = MCG +06-15-010 = CGCG 175-018 = WBL 126-002 = PGC 19716
06 50 53.6  +33 28 43; Gem
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 92°

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, ~25"x20".  A mag 13.5 star is close off the north side.  One of the brightest two galaxies in a compact galaxy group (all within 6') of 5 NGCs including NGC 2290 2.5' SSE and NGC 2288 1' S. 

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, very small, round, 25" diameter.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the north side [38" from the center].  In a compact quintet with NGC 2288 1' S and NGC 2290 2.5' S.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is just 0.7' N.  Second of five in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group with NGC 2288 1.1' SSW and NGC 2290 2.6' SSE.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2290 2.6' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2289 = H. III-897 = h409, along with NGC 2290, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031).  His description reads, "Two, extremely faint and very small.  The place is taken between them.  They are about 4' asunder and northern one which is the largest precedes the other about 2 sec.  300x shows the same."  Assuming Herschel observed the brightest two galaxies with the orientation NNW-SE, then III.897 = NGC 2289 and III.898 = NGC 2290 (Dreyer was confused on the identifications in the GC and NGC).  His RA was 15 sec too large, but the NPD is in between the pair. John Herschel also observed the two galaxies and measured the same orientation and 3 or 4' apart. In the NGC, Dreyer incorrectly assigned H. III-898 to NGC 2289. 

The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2288 and NGC 2289.  MCG also misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2288.  See my RNGC Corrections #1 and Malcolm Thomson's article in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal in 1/84.
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NGC 2290 = UGC 3562 = MCG +06-15-012 = CGCG 175-019 = LGG 139-003 = WBL 126-003 = PGC 19718
06 50 56.9  +33 26 15; Gem
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 50°

18" (3/4/08): brightest and furthest south in a compact group of 5 NGC's, along with NGC 2289.  Appears moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~45"x22", the halo is weakly concentrated with a sharply concentrated 10" core.  NGC 2289 and NGC 2288 lie 2' N.  The cluster is 0.6° SW of mag 3.6 Theta Gem.  The NGC 2290 quintet is 45' E and may be physically related.

18" (10/21/06): furthest south in a curving chain of 5 galaxies including NGC 2288, NGC 2289, NGC 2291 and NGC 2294.  Appears fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x30", increases to a very small bright core.  The cluster is located 35' SW of 3.6-magnitude Theta Geminorum.

17.5" (12/19/87): third of five and brightest in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group.  Fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core.  NGC 2289 lies 2.6' NNW and NGC 2288 1.8' NNW. 

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, similar to NGC 2289 2.6' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2290 = H. III-898 = h410, along with NGC 2289, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031). His description reads, "Two, eF and vS.  The place is taken between them.  They are about 4' asunder and northern one which is the largest precedes the other about 2 sec.  300x shows the same."  His RA is 15 sec too large, but the NPD is in between the pair.  John Herschel observed the pair on 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51) and measured reasonably accurate positions.

George Stoney independently found the entire quintet (NGC 2288, 2289, 2290, 2291, 2294) on 19 Apr 1849 and the group was accurately sketched.  Dreyer credited LdR and d'Arrest (his single position is 10 seconds of time too large) with the discovery in the GC supplement (GCS 5369) as he was probably unsure of the identities of H. III-897 and H. III-898.  All positions in the GC and NGC are offset roughly 4' too far south and 8 seconds to time too far west.  In the NGC, Dreyer incorrectly assigned H. III-897 to NGC 2290 or NGC 2291.  Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions in 1898 at Strasbourg.
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NGC 2291 = MCG +06-15-013 = CGCG 175-020 = WBL 126-004 = PGC 19719
06 50 58.6  +33 31 30; Gem
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (3/4/08): faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a very small slightly brighter core.  Collinear with a mag 10 star 2.7' NNW and a mag 12 star 0.9' NNW.

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness.  Located 2.8' SSE of a mag 10 star.  In a chain of 5 galaxies with NGC 2294 2.6' E and NGC 2289 3' SSW.

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  Fourth of five in a group.  On a line with NGC 2288 4.0' SSW and NGC 2289 3.0' SSW.  NGC 2294 lies 2.6' ENE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2291 on 22 Feb 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72", noting "5 neb. in one field [with NGC 2288, 2289, 2290 and 2294]. It was labeled Delta on the field sketch.  Dreyer assumed this nebula was JH's h409 (described as "eF; the northern of two, 3 or 4' apart") and possibly WH's III-897, but the Herschel designations more likely apply to NGC 2289. The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and 8-9 seconds of time too far west.  Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions in 1898 at Strasbourg.
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NGC 2292 = VV 178b = ESO 490-048 = MCG -04-16-022 = LGG 138-005 = PGC 19617
06 47 40  -26 44 48; CMa
V = 10.8;  Size 4.1'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 1°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2293 1' SE and a trio including NGC 2295 just 4' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2292 = h3063 on 2 Feb 1835 and described "a double nebula [with NGC 2293], the preceding eF; the following (whose place is here set down) pB; both R gradually brighter in the middle; in a field full of stars, among which is also a third nebula."  His description clearly refers to the double system VV 178 = ESO 490-048/049, although he reversed the orientation and position with NGC 2295!  Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and corrected the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 2293 = VV 178a = ESO 490-049 = MCG -04-16-023 = LGG 138-002 = PGC 19619
06 47 43  -26 45 12; CMa
V = 11.2;  Size 4.2'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 125°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  In a tight group with NGC 2292 1' WNW (double system in a common halo) and NGC 2295 4' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2293 = h3063 on 2 Feb 1835 and described "a double nebula [with NGC 2292], the preceding eF; the following (whose place is here set down) pB; both R gradually brighter in the middle; in a field full of stars, among which is also a third nebula."  His description clearly refers to the double system VV 178 = ESO 490-048/049, although he reversed the orientation and position with NGC 2295!  Herschel listed a single entry for both galaxies, although Dreyer gave separate designations for NGC2292 and 2293.  Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and corrected the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

Both Joseph Turner (date?) and Pietro Baracchi (9 Mar 1885) sketched the pair.  Turner's sketch was included in the observatory's unpublished plate V, figure 35 lithograph.
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NGC 2294 = MCG +06-15-014 = CGCG 175-021 = WBL 126-005 = PGC 19729
06 51 11.3  +33 31 38; Gem
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 6°

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.35', weak concentration.  Furthest NE in a group of 5 NGCs.  A wide double of mag 10.5-11 stars lies 2' SE.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very weak concentration.  NGC 2291 lies  2.6' W and NGC 2288, NGC 2289 and NGC 2290 are all nearby to the SW.  A 40" pair of mag 10.5-11.5 stars lies 2' SE.

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, oval ~N-S.  Follows four stars on a line.  Last of five in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group with NGC 2291 2.6' W. 

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, extremely small, almost round, no details.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2294 and NGC 2288 on 22 Feb 1849.  He noted "5 neb. in one field [with NGC 2288, 2289, 2290 and 2291]. It was labeled Epsilon on the field sketch.  The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and 9 seconds of time too far west. Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions in 1898 at Strasbourg.
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NGC 2295 = ESO 490-047 = MCG -04-16-021 = PGC 19607
06 47 23.5  -26 44 09; CMa
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 46°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness.  Located between two mag 13 stars 30" SSW of center and 20" NNE of center.  A similar star is also 1.5' N.  First of three with the NGC 2292/2293 duo 4' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2295 = h3064 on 2 Feb 1835 and described as "eF; S; R; between stars.  A double nebula precedes."  His description clearly refers to ESO 490-047 = PGC 19607, although the "double nebula" (NGC 2292/2293) follows and his positions are reversed!  Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and correct the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 2296 = IC 452 = MCG -03-18-003 = PGC 19643
06 48 39.1  -16 54 06; CMa
Size 1.9'x1.4';  PA = 145°

17.5" (1/19/91): moderately bright but very small, round, very small bright core.  Sirius is 50' WNW and creates a reflection in the field!  This object is probably a galactic diffuse nebula located within an absorption patch.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2296 = Sw. 6-28 on 11 Mar 1887 and recorded "vF; vS; R; in finder field with Dog star."  His RA was 38 seconds too large.  Bigourdan found this reflection nebula again on 9 Mar 1890 while searching for NGC 2296, measured an accurate position and Dreyer recatalogued Big. 147 as IC 452.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA for NGC 2296 in 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory.  So, NGC 2296 = IC 452.  On 14 Nov 1890 E.E. Barnard wrote, "A new nebulous star which was found by E.E.B. [me] a couple of years ago beyond Sirius was also examined [in the 36"]. The nebulosity is irregular but decidedly conspicuous." I don't know the date of his earlier observation.

MCG -03-18-003 misclassified this object as a galaxy, though V-V commented "this is almost a diffused nebulosity, but it is not in any catalogue", and it was later catalogued as PGC 19643. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this was the last reflection nebula, by discovery date, to be included in the NGC.
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NGC 2297 = ESO 087-040 = PGC 19524
06 44 24.6  -63 43 03; Pic
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 45"x30", contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 9.7 star (SAO 249635) is 4.7' S.  NGC 2305 and 2307 pair lies 43' SE (over the border into Volans).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2297 = h3066 on 31 Jan 1835 and called "vF, R, very gradually little brighter middle, 30"."  His position (single sweep) is accurate.
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NGC 2298 = ESO 366-22 = Mel 53
06 48 59.2  -36 00 19; Pup
V = 9.2;  Size 5';  Surf Br = 0.4

25" (4/6/19 - OzSky): at 244x; extremely bright, large, highly resolved globular with an intensely bright 1.5' core and a scraggly 4' halo.  Due to a fairly loose structure and brighter members, the cluster was well resolved into more than 50 stars.  A number of fairly bright stars are plastered across the core and the halo contains a few dozen brighter stragglers.  A noticeable chain of stars begins in the core and extends southwest.  A brighter star (double) is near the edge of the halo on the NE side.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 200x, this is a compact, fairly bright globular that is well-concentrated with a bright 1.5' core and a fainter halo of ~3' diameter.  Roughly two dozen stars are resolved (brightest cluster members are mag 13.4) including several across the core and a number of stragglers, which are easier to resolve in the outer halo.

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately large globular with no sharp core.  A dozen stars are resolved over the mottled disc. 

8" (1/1/84): no resolution, fairly small, smooth.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2298  = D 578 = h3065 on 8 May 1826 and described (based on 6 observations) "a pretty bright round nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, moderately condensed to the centre. This is resolvable into stars."  His handwritten notes also mentions the "nebula is preceding a star of the 6th magnitude 1 minute 40 seconds (of RA) and 15' north of the star", perfectly matching HD 50445.

John Herschel observed the globular on four sweeps from the Cape of Good Hope, first recording it on 2 Feb 1835 (sweep 541) as "B, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 3', all resolved into stars 14th mag. In the centre is a star 13th mag."
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NGC 2299 = NGC 2302 = OCL-554 = Lund 264
06 51 54  -07 05 00; Mon

See observing notes for NGC 2302

John Herschel discovered NGC 2299 = h412 on 19 Jan 1828 and described "A coarse cl, not v rich, 30 or 40 st, probably only an outlying portion of VIII 39 [NGC 2302]".  There is nothing at his position (about 7' W of mag 6.6 HD 50138), though it is marked as uncertain. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Neblel", comments "many st, but nothing like a cluster."

Harold Corwin notes that Herschel's positional offset from NGC 2302 (discovered earlier by WH) is "nearly the same as NGC 2338 (which see), found in the same sweep on 19 January 1828."  So, he concludes NGC 2299 = NGC 2302, despite that Herschel apparently thought he was observing a different cluster.
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NGC 2300 = Arp 114 = UGC 3798 = MCG +14-04-031 = CGCG 362-043 = CGCG 363-029 = LGG 145-003 = PGC 21231
07 32 20.0  +85 42 32; Cep
V = 11.1;  Size 2.8'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

18" (8/2/11): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~1.5'x1.3' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases steadily to the center.  The halo fades out and increases with averted vision.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 2276 just 6' NW.  NGC 2300 and 2276 are the brightest in a group of galaxies near +85° declination which includes IC 455, IC 469, IC 512, UGC 3654, UGC 3670, UGC 4078, UGC 4348 and more.

18" (3/13/04): fairly bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.2' diameter.  Well concentrated with a bright 25" core and a much fainter irregular halo. Forms a trio with NGC 2276 6' W and IC 455 11' SSE.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, bright core, small fainter halo.  Forms a pair with NGC 2276 7' W.  IC 455 is 11' SSE.

8" (1/1/84): moderately bright, small, bright core, slightly elongated.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2300 = T. 1-21 in 1871 or 1872 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseilles Observatory.  He noted "Nebula pretty bright, moderately extended, round; nucleus of 12-13 magnitude."  His micrometric position (MNRAS, 32, 248) was accurate.  Friedrich August Winnecke independently found the galaxy on 26 Jun 1876 with a 6.5-inch comet-seeker by Reinfelder & Hertel (described as "First class, bright, 40" long, 25" wide, compact core").   Wilhelm Tempel also found it in 1877 and included it in his 1st discovery paper.  NGC 2300 is the 4th closest to the pole in the NGC or IC.
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NGC 2301 = Cr 119 = Mel 54 = OCL-540
06 51 45  +00 27 36; Mon
V = 6.0;  Size 12'

17.5" (2/28/87): ~60-70 stars in cluster.  A bright blue/yellow double star (h740 = 8.6/9.3 at 21") is near the center.  Many of the stars are arranged in two strings oriented SW-NE which pass through the center.

13.1" (1/1/84): striking, ~60 stars in cluster, dozens more nearby.  A very elongated string passes through the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2301 = H. VI-27 = h413 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668). He described "a very beautiful cluster of much compressed small and large stars of many sizes, above 20' diameter."  On 27 Jan 1832 (sweep 397) John Herschel noted, "double star in the chief group of a prety rich coarse cl, not very compressed.  Broken into 3 groups.  The sp group is the richest."
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NGC 2302 = NGC 2299?? = OCL-554 = Lund 264
06 51 54  -07 05 00; Mon
V = 8.9;  Size 3'

17.5" (2/1/03): at 140x, this a fairly small group (~4' diameter) of roughly two dozen stars embedded in a large, scattered field of stars.  On the west side is a nice quadruple including three mag 10 stars.  On the east side is a double and a triple star forming a "V" asterism.  Located 7' SE of mag 6.6 SAO 133781.  This bright star has perhaps a dozen fainter stars within 3' but this subgroup does not look to be a plausible candidate for NGC 2299 which is more likely a duplicate of NGC 2302.

17.5": 20 stars resolved at 140X, in fairly small group.  Not rich but includes some close doubles.  The three brightest mag 10 stars form a shallow arc on the west side with fourth fainter star nearby.  On the east side is a V-shaped group of six stars with the vertex at the east side.  The central portion includes a few scattered stars with a line of three stars on the south side.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2302 = H. VIII-39 = h414 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377). He recorded "a cluster of scattered large stars, of various sizes, not very rich; but taking up above 20 minutes."  Caroline's position was ~20 seconds of RA too large, though without having the position of a known reference star in the sweep, M50 was used (observed nearly 11 minutes later).  NGC 2299 is a duplicate observation (see notes).
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NGC 2303 = UGC 3603 = MCG +08-13-031 = CGCG 234-030 = PGC 19891
06 56 17.5  +45 29 34; Aur
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2303 = Sw. 6-29 on 24 Nov 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 11 seconds of time west and 23" north of UGC 3603 = PGC 19891.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 9 Jan 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  UGC didn't identify their galaxy as NGC 2302, while MCG gives an uncertain NGC identification.
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NGC 2304 = Cr 120 = Mel 55 = OCL-484
06 55 12  +17 59 18; Gem
Size 5'

13.1" (12/22/84): ~20 faint stars, unresolved haze, rich, elongated WSW-ENE in a thin wedge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2304 = H. VI-2 = h415 on 30 Dec 1783 (early sweep 68) and recorded "a cluster of extremely small stars, very much compressed.  It takes up 1/3 of the diameter of the field (I suppose it to be near 15'). The stars of the cluster are of unequal sizes but chiefly of two sorts, vS and eS.  I viewed them with a power of 500 and found them very numerous and compressed.  The cluster is of an irregular oval or almost round form."  This was the first object viewed after a "Polar Distance Index" was installed.  This was a scale on the rope used to raise and lower the scope.  Using the sidereal time and the offset in the PD index from the known positions of Flamsteed stars that passed through the field, the RA and PD of new nebulae could be much more accurately determined.

On 18 Dec 1830 (sweep 313), John Herschel called it a "pretty rich cl; acutangular, the acute angle precedes; the p side is bounded by a remarkably definite line..."
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NGC 2305 = ESO 087-044 = PGC 19641
06 48 37.8  -64 16 24; Vol
V = 11.7;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 140°

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 50"x40", sharply concentrated with a very bright small core.  Bracketed by two close stars; a mag 12.5 star is 35" S of center and a mag 11.6 star is less than 30" E of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2307 4' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2305 = h3067, along with NGC 2307 = h3068, on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded, "F; vS; R; makes a small triangle with 2 stars."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2306
06 54 30  -07 12 18; Mon
Size 20'x10'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x, ~75 stars are resolved in an 18'x10' Milky Way group or cloud that streams WSW to ENE.  The richest portion is on the west side just south of mag 8.6 HD 50734 (not part of the group).  This subgroup includes a fairly close double star and a very small clump that resolves into at least 4 tightly packed stars.  Appears to be an unimpressive Milky Way field, though the cloud is somewhat detached so is distinguishable.

WH (VIII 51) noted this object as "a cluster of very scattered stars"  and JH, who observed it three times (h416) described as an outlying portion of VIII 39 = NGC 2302 and "has no title to be called a cluster."

William Herschel discovered NGC 2306 = H. VIII-51 = h416 on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and noted "a very much scattered cluster." John Herschel made 3 observations and described an outlying portion of NGC 2302 = H. VIII-39 that "has no title to be called a cluster." Karl Reimuth also comments "many st, but nothing like a cluster.", based on its photographic appearance.  RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7).  See Corwin'sidentification notes.
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NGC 2307 = ESO 087-045 = PGC 19648
06 48 50.8  -64 20 07; Vol
V = 12.0;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 142°

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): slightly larger and fainter of a pair with NGC 2305 4' NNW.  Appeared moderately bright and large, roundish, contains a bright elongated core or "bar" oriented NW-SE [~40" in length] with a diffuse halo ~1.3' diameter.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2307 = h3068 (along with NGC 2305 = h3067) on 30 Nov 1834 and noted "vF; pL; little extended; in the parallel."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2308 = UGC 3618 = MCG +08-13-037 = CGCG 234-037 = PGC 19949
06 58 37.6  +45 12 38; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 170°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S.  Overpowered by 16 Lyncis (V = 4.9) located 9' SW in the field.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2308 = St. 6-5 on 12 Jan 1872 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His uncorrected position is 10' NW.  His published position in list 6 (#5) was reduced the next day with description, "eF, vS, vF star involved [probably the nucleus]."
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NGC 2309 = Cr 122 = Mel 56 = OCL-557
06 56 04  -07 10 30; Mon
Size 3'

17.5" (1/1/92): three dozen stars mag 11-15, fairly rich, compact, 4' diameter.  Most stars are located within two streams.  The brighter stars in the southern stream are oriented E-W.  A fainter star lane to north is oriented NW-SE.  At the NW end it hooks NE to mag 9 SAO 133914 about 4' N of the cluster's center.  Includes several close pairs with two pairs near the center and a double star 11/14 at 7" separation at the west end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2309 = H. VI-18 = h417 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) and logged "a cluster of considerably compressed small stars, pretty rich, 8 or 9' diameter, irregular figure.  With a smaller aperture it would probably appear nebulous."   John Herschel observed the cluster on 13 Mar 1828 (sweep 135) and described "a cluster, not v rich; 4' diam' irreg fig' st 12...13m."
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NGC 2310 = ESO 309-007 = MCG -07-15-001 = AM 0652-405 = PGC 19811
06 53 54.0  -40 51 45; Pup
V = 11.8;  Size 4.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 47°

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x appears as a fairly faint, very thin edge-on splinter oriented SW-NE, 1.0'x0.15'.  Contains a stellar nuclues.  Situated in a fairly rich Puppis starfield.

This edge-on galaxy has a "box-peanut" central bulge (similar to NGC 128), which is probably a thick bar viewed edge-on.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2310 = h3069 on 2 Jan 1835 and described "pB; vmE; pos 46.6°; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 90" l; 10" br; in a field very full of small stars.  His position and description is accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 2310 on 12 Dec 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as a thin streak with a small brighter nucleus (unpublished plate V, figure 37).  Pietro Baracchi reobserved and sketched the galaxy on 9 Mar 1885.
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NGC 2311 = Cr 123 = OCL-553 = Lund 276
06 57 48  -04 36 42; Mon
Size 7'

18" (3/4/08): at 225x, ~40 stars are resolved in a fairly rich 5'x3' group, elongated NW-SE.  The cluster includes a few pairs with a nice equal mag pair on the south side.  A weak stream of stars trails off to the east from the SE end of the cluster towards a mag 9.8/10.4/13 triple at 3" and 9" (ADS 5636).

17.5" (1/1/92): three dozen stars mag 11-15 in 5'x2' region elongated ~N-S.  Fairly rich though no dense spots.  Most stars form a thin isosceles triangle with the vertex star mag 13 at the north end, although the brightest star is a wide double 2' ESE of the vertex.  From the base of the triangle a stream heads SE and then east from the cluster mixing with some brighter field stars.  The cluster includes a few close faint double stars.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 2311 = H. VIII-60 = h418 on 4 Mar 1783, probably with a small refractor.  She logged, "in the neighborhood of the 17 Monoceros, a Nebula, very obscure.  Messier has it not."  She entered this object as #4 in her discovery log.  NGC 2311 is situated 1.5° SW of the star, so this identification seems likely and William verified it with 6.2".

William Herschel independently discovered NGC 2311 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 639) and described "a cluster of pL scattered stars, not very rich.  The place taken is the most compressed part, but not the middle.  May be a projecting point of the milky way."  His position was just northeast of center of this cluster.  William was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 2312
06 58 48  +10 17 42; Mon

17.5" (2/1/03): stands out reasonably well in the field at 140x with ~16 stars, highlighted by a mag 10 star at the south end.  The group is ~4'x1.5' in size, elongated N-S and includes a close, faint double on the NE end, which was noticed at 220x.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2312 = h419 on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120) and recorded a "A poor cluster.  The largest *10 taken."  His position corresponds with a mag 10 star at 06 58 50.0 +10 15 38 (J2000) with a scattering of mag 12 stars to the north. Karl Reimuth called this group a "loose clustering of pF st.", based on Heidelberg plates. The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2313 = Parsamian 17 = PP 67 = V565 Mon
06 58 02.8  -07 56 42; Mon
Size 1.6'

18" (2/3/05): at 225x this reflection nebula appears as a very faint, very small, low surface brightness glow surrounding a mag 14 illuminating star (V 565 Mon), ~15"-20" diameter.  Situated within a rich Milky Way field which has a mottled appearance at low power.  Located 20' NE of mag 6.3 HD 51424.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2313 on 4 Jan 1862 and described it as "small, faint, circular, barely 2nd class."  His position (measured on three nights) matches this small reflection nebula.  He noted a mag 15 star follows by 6 seconds of time and a mag 11 star by 14 seconds of time.  Two nights later he noted it was much fainter than NGC 2316.  On 15 Feb 1877, Lawrence Parsons' assistant J.L.E. Dreyer recorded, "pF, pS, irregularly round, fades away north following, 2 faint stars following about 1'."

Elma Parsamian included this reflection nebula as #17 in her 1965 "List of Cometary Nebulae Found on Palomar Charts."  She described it as "A bright cometary nebula like NGC 2261, with sharply defined borders." The RNGC misclassifies this object as nonexistent. and it is not plotted on the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.
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NGC 2314 = UGC 3677 = MCG +13-06-003 = CGCG 348-032 = PGC 20305
07 10 32.6  +75 19 37; Cam
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 25°

17.5" (8/27/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.  IC 2174 ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration") lies 5.8' WNW

17.5" (2/27/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  25' to the west is a nice double ∑973 = 7.1/8.1 at 12".  Forms a pair with IC 2174 6' WNW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2314 = T. 9-5 on 1 Aug 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  His description says "follows close on the same parallel against the mag 7 star DM +75 ° 281, the latter is a double star".  Although his rough RA is good (nearest min), the galaxy lies 6' N of the double star.
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NGC 2315 = UGC 3633 = MCG +08-13-045 = CGCG 234-041 = PGC 20045
07 02 33.0  +50 35 27; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 116°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core.  Located 4' S of mag 8.4 SAO 26113.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2315 = h420 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and simply noted "eF; doubtful."  His RA was roughly 10 seconds of time too large.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC2 Notes).
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NGC 2316 = Parsamian 18 = PP 68
06 59 41.0  -07 46 38; Mon
Size 4'x3'

13.1" (2/25/84): moderately bright nebulosity, small, possibly surrounds two stars oriented SW [NGC 2316] and NE [NGC 2317] with a separation of ~11".  An obtuse triangle of mag 12 stars is just 1' S.  Enhanced with a Deep Sky filter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2316 = H. II-304 = h421 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377). His description reads, "3 or 4 stars, containing vF nebulosity.  240x would not resolve it; but showed the same nebulosity."  Caroline computed the position using M50 as the reference, which was observed three minutes later in the sweep.

The Birr Castle observer Bindon Stoney observed the nebula on 20 Feb 1851 and called it a "small close double neb, below 3 stars, 2 stellar points (or nuclei)."  The 3 stars in the description are just south.  The second nuclei received the designations GC 1478 = NGC 2317. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (#76 in AN 1500) and Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions for both stars in 1895 (published in his 1907 catalogue).

Albert Le Sueur made a sketch in 1870 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate VII, figure 81), as well as Pietro Baracchi on 16 Mar 1885.  Le Sueur was surprised the configuration of the nebula and the nearby stars differed significantly between Stoney's sketch and his (mentioned in an 1870 letter to Professor Stokes).
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NGC 2317
06 59 41.5  -07 46 29; Mon

13.1" (2/25/84): moderately bright nebulosity, small, surrounding the northeast of two stars (separation ~11").   An obtuse triangle of mag 12 stars is just 1' S.  Enhanced with a Deep Sky filter.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2317 on 20 Feb 1851.  NGC 2316 was described as a "S close D neb, below 3 st, 2 stellar points (or nuclei)."  A sketch made on 23 Nov 1851 was included in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication (Plate 27, Fig. 12).  Pietro Baracchi also sketched it as a double star in nebulosity on 16 Mar 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions for both "nuclei" in 1895 (published in his 1907 catalogue).

The RA was only roughly given in the GC and the NGC (nearest min of RA). The RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent although NGC 2317 is part of NGC 2316.
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NGC 2318
06 59 27  -13 41 54; CMa

17.5" (2/1/03): this is just a weak enhancement of mag 11-13 stars in a Milky Way field, perhaps only noticed by Herschel because of the mag 8.2 SAO 152208 on the NW side (which he used as a position).  Seems roughly 10' in size and circular, although there are no real borders.  Does not stand out in the field, even at 64x with a 31 Nagler, although the background Milky Way glow does seem a bit enhanced over the surrounding field.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2318 = H. VII-14 = h422 = h3070 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 370) and logged "a cluster of stars above 20' in dia, the stars much scattered."  John Herschel observed this object at both Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope.  At the Cape he described "A large region full of scattered stars forming a cluster of which the chief (=8 m) taken.  It seems, however to be only a clustering part of the milky way which here comes on rather suddenly."  His position corresponds with mag 8.6 SAO 152208 at 06 59 28.4 -13 41 49 (J2000).  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2319
07 00 32  +03 02 48; Mon

17.5" (2/1/03): very nice 15' string of a couple dozen stars heading west of a mag 8.9 SAO 114784 on the east end, which is a close unequal double.  The tail of stars is slightly concave to the N and is marked by a mag 10.5 star at the W end.  Although the star chain is quite noticeable, it could well be an asterism as there are other similar strings of stars in the same or adjacent fields.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2319 = h423 in March 1830 (sweep 237).  He recorded a "Linear cluster of stars 11..13m forming a bent line nearly 15' long, terminating on the following side by a *8 whose place is that here taken."  His position corresponds with mag 8.8 SAO 114784 at 07 01 06.5 +03 03 11.  The "bent line" of stars is oriented WNW-ESE and fairly striking visually.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (probably an asterism) and this classification is repeated in SIMBAD, although the asterism is certainly real.

William Herschel probably discovered the same group of stars on 18 Dec 1783.  In the early sweep #48, he noted "a cluster of vS stars not very rich." that was placed 11 minutes of time (RA) following 4.5-mag 18 Mon (HD 49293).  Since he didn't have a method yet to determine the polar distance precisely he gave a range of 1.25°.  It was assigned general discovery #12 but Herschel didn't include this object in his published catalogues.  Caroline added it, though, in her "Zone Catalogue", which John used to aid in his sweeps.  John equated h423 with his father's cluster (#12), and called it H. VIII. 1B in the General Catalogue.  Dreyer reported the details of this sweep in his 1912 revision of William's catalogues.  Wolgang Steinicke concludes it is likely that William's VIII-1B is the same as John's h423.
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NGC 2320 = UGC 3659 = MCG +08-13-051 = CGCG 234-047 = PGC 20136
07 05 42.0  +50 34 51; Lyn
V = 11.9;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, spindle NW-SE, weak concentration.  Located 1.7' WSW of mag 9.0 SAO 26147.  Brightest of three with NGC 2322 5' SE and NGC 2321 11' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2320 = H. II-861 = h424, along with NGC 2322, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990). He noted "pretty bright, pretty large, irregular figure, gradually brighter middle."  His position is 3 - 4' too far NW (same offset as NGC 2322).  On 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), John Herschel logged it as "pretty bright; roung; pretty gradually brighter middle; 15"; np a * 8m whose place is that here taken."  The star is 1.6' NE of the galaxy.
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NGC 2321 = UGC 3663 = MCG +08-13-053 = CGCG 234-051 = PGC 20141
07 05 59.0  +50 45 22; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 135°

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.  NGC 2320 lies 11' SSW.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2321 on 18 Dec 1849. He labeled it Beta in the field sketch (includes NGC 2320, 2322 and 2326).  Although this was an early discovery, it was not included in the 1861 publication so did not receive a GC designation. Dreyer added it in the GC Supplement (GCS 6248).  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 2322 = UGC 3662 = MCG +08-13-054 = CGCG 234-050 = PGC 20142
07 06 00.3  +50 30 37; Lyn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 136°

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 2320 5' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2322 = H. III-874, along with NGC 2320 = H. II-861, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990). He noted "very faint, very small, little extended."  His reduced position was 2.5' too far NW, the same offset as NGC 2320.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC2 Notes).
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NGC 2323 = M50 = Cr 124 = Heart-Shaped Cluster
07 02 48  -08 22 36; Mon
V = 5.9;  Size 16'

18" (3/15/10): very bright, fairly scattered cluster, though contains a richer subgroup.  About 125-150 stars were resolved at 175x in the central 10'-12'.  The cluster has roughly a triangular or wedge-shaped outline, highlighted by an 8' string of stars oriented ~E-W on the north side (including mag 9.0 HD 52965) and a longer 10' string oriented NW-SE on the SW side that includes the brightest cluster star - distinctly orange mag 7.8 HD 52938 near the SE end of the string.  Along this string are also four easy pairs of stars.  There is a rich circular group of stars, ~5' diameter, a little north of center.  On the east side of the cluster is an unequal double, h748 = 8.5/11 at 15".  A faint, unequal pair of stars, BRT 392 = 11.5/11.6 at 4", is due west of the unequal pair by 3.5' at the edge of the rich group of stars.  A number of stragglers extend out the cluster increasing the size significantly and a scattered group with some brighter stars including mag 9.0 HD 52720 appears detached to the NW.

13.1" (3/24/84): ~75 stars including some brighter stars at the south and northeast borders.  There are a few dense spots and many stragglers.  An orange/red mag 8 star is at the south edge and a nice 16" pair of mag 9/11 stars (HJ 748) is 1' NW.  There is an elongated 4'x3' region that is devoid of stars just north of the colored mag 8 star.  Located 42' E of mag 6.0 HD 52312.

Giovanni Domenico Cassini possibly discovered M50 = NGC 2323 = h425 before 1711.  His son, Jacques Cassini, published a short list of nebulae known to him, and he claimed his father discovered a nebula between Canis Major and Canis Minor and "which is one of the finest to be seen in the telescope."  Charles Messier independently discovered the cluster on 5 Apr 1772.

William Herschel described the cluster (unpublished) on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) as "a very brilliant cluster of large stars, considerably compressed and rich, above 20' in diameter, the stars of various sizes, visible in the finder."  He observed the cluster again on 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468), but left off a description.
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NGC 2324 = Cr 125 = Mel 59 = OCL-542
07 04 08  +01 02 42; Mon
V = 8.4;  Size 8'

17.5" (3/20/93: 65 stars mag 10-14 in very irregular 8' diameter.  Includes two mag 10 stars at the NE corner and NW side.  Includes several mag 12 stars but rich in mag 13-14 stars.  Somewhat uneven distribution of very faint stars due to a couple of 2' diameter dark voids; one near the center.  The cluster includes several very close, faint double stars.

8": rich in faint stars 12-13, includes two mag 9 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2324 = H. VII-38 = h427 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668) and noted "a beautiful cluster of small stars of several sizes, considerably compressed and rich in the middle, 10 or 12' diameter."  John Herschel made 3 observations and logged it on 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113) as a "rich L cl; fills field; st 14...16m; not comp towards a centre."
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NGC 2325 = ESO 427-028 = MCG -05-17-005 = AM 0700-283 = PGC 20047
07 02 40.3  -28 41 50; CMa
V = 11.4;  Size 3.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 6°

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated N-S.  A mag 12 star is off the SE edge 1.6' from center.  Located in a rich star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2325 = h3071 on 1 Feb 1837 and recorded "pB; pL; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; r; 2' long."  His position (single sweep) matches ESO 427-028 = PGC 20047.

Joseph Turner's sketch, made on 5 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate V, figure 38), depicts it very elongated N-S.  Baracchi's sketch on 11 March 1885 added a star at the south tip (called 16th mag)
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NGC 2326 = UGC 3681 = MCG +08-13-062 = CGCG 234-060 = PGC 20218
07 08 11.0  +50 40 55; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.3

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, bright core.  Four mag 12-12.5 stars in a group lie 3' W.

Forms a pair with NGC 2326A = UGC 3687 5' SE.  This companion appeared  extremely faint, small, low surface brightness.  On a line with two mag 12 and 13.5 star to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2326 = H. II-734 = h426 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and recorded "F, pL, iF, much brighter in the middle, S.f. a triangle of small stars."  His position is 2' north of UGC 3681 = PGC 20218 and the description applies.  On 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327), John Herschel logged, "eF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; has a small group of stars immediately preceding like the letter Y."

The RNGC has a poor position 0.3 tmin of RA too far east and 3' north.  NGC 2326A, located just 4.8' SE, is correctly placed in RNGC. Listed in RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 2327 = Ced 89b = PP 72
07 04 07.2  -11 18 51; CMa

18" (2/23/06): moderately bright, 1' reflection nebula surrounding a mag 9.5 star with a mag 12 companion at 7".  Viewed unfiltered at 225x.

17.5" (3/8/02): this small but high surface brightness reflection nebula surrounds an unequal pair of mag 9.5/12.5 stars at 7" separation.  At 280x, the nebulosity is round and approximately 50" in size although it fades smoothly into the background and may be a bit larger.  This small knot of nebulosity is at the western end of a striking arc of 6 stars which trail off to the NE.  The next star in the arc, 1.5' E, also seems to be encased in a very small halo.  A similar mag 9.5 comparison star (with no halo) lies 4' ESE and several other mag 9.5-10.5 stars are scattered across the field.  The background sky in this vicinity is weakly luminous, as NGC 2327 is situated midway along the western side of IC 2177, a huge IC strip of nebulosity straddling Canis Major and Monoceros.  This object did not respond to OIII, UHC or H-beta filters so appears to be primarily a reflection nebula.

This bright nebula was discovered by William Herschel (IV 25) in 1785 and reobserved by his son, John.  Although their positions and descriptions match this object,there is a great deal of confusion in the literature as to its identification and position and some sources misidentify NGC 2327 with the much larger Sh 2-292 = Gum 1 located 50' to the north (also associated with IC 2177).

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint reflection nebula, fairly small, surrounds a mag 8 star (close unequal double).  Located along the faint, extremely large, curving strip of nebulosity = IC 2177.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2327 = H. IV-25 = h428 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363).  He described "A pretty considerable star with very faint and very small milky chevelure of an irregular chevelure, other stars of the same size are perfectly free from that appearance."   The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."  Another observation was made on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1088): "a star with very faint nebulosity of very little extent.  The star has a smaller one very close to it south following."

John Herschel reported on 11 Mar 1828 (sweep 130), "a double star whose large star is in the center of a very faint nebula which involves the small star also."  His position of 07 04 07.6 -11 19.0 pins down the identification as a compact HII/Reflection nebula on the west side of the Seagull Nebula. In 1886, Engelhardt also published an accurate micrometric position of  07 04 07.77 -11 18 56.6 (J2000).  Herbert Howe noted the central star is double with separation 7". Despite John Herschel's accurate position and description, there's been a great deal of confusion in the literature as to the identification and position.

Joseph Turner (date uncertain) and Pietro Baracchi (11 Mar 1885) observed this nebula with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  Turner's sketch was included in the unpublished plate V, figure 39).
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NGC 2328 = ESO 309-016 = MCG -07-15-002 = PGC 20046
07 02 36.1  -42 04 06; Pup
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 115°

18" (2/19/09): at 175x appeared very faint, small, round, 20" diameter (probably viewed brighter core region only).  Steadily visible with direct vision though viewed at a very low elevation, so the surface brightness of the core is moderately high.  Starhopped from mag 5.2 HD 53704 located 23' SE.  Steadily visible with direct vision though viewed at a very low elevation, so the surface brightness of the core is moderately high.  Located in a fairly rich star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2328 = h3072 on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; vS; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15"; like a blotted star; in field with many small stars."  His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2329 = UGC 3695 = MCG +08-13-073 = CGCG 234-070 = PGC 20254
07 09 08.0  +48 36 55; Lyn
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 175°

18" (1/13/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', small bright core.  Brightest in the core of AGC 569 including UGC 3696, MCG +08-13-072 and +08-13-082.

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 N-S, 1.2'x0.9', contains a large, brighter core.  This galaxy and UGC 3696, located 2.8' NE, are the brightest member of AGC 569.  I observed 7 members of the cluster at 280x.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core.  A mag 15 star is 0.7' W of center.  Three mag 14 stars lie 1.7' W, 1.3' NE and 2.0' NE.  Forms a pair with UGC 3696 3' ENE.  Brightest member of AGC 569.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2329 = H. II-735 = III-875 = h429 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815). He noted II-735 as "faint, stellar [nebula]."  Herschel made a second observation on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990) but this time picked up two galaxies -- NGC 2329 and UGC 3696, the second galaxy placed 2.8' NE of NGC 2329.  Caroline mistakenly assumed the southwest galaxy (II.735) was new (internal #2294) and it was catalogued again as III.875.  She thought the NE one (UGC 3696) was previously found II.735 from sweep 815 and it wasn't catalogued.  John Herschel only saw a single galaxy and equated H. II-735 = H. III-875 in the General Catalogue, which Dreyer assigned to NGC 2329.  Since William clearly observed both galaxies on 28 Dec 1790, Wolfgang Steinicke argues that H. III-875 should refer to UGC 3696, a discovered galaxy without a NGC designation. 

Although usually classified as a Lenticular Galaxy, recent studies have concluded NGC 2329 is a 'cluster dominant' Elliptical Galaxy (cD). It is an x-ray source with a radio jet streaming from its core, like many other cD's. In addition that is also a 'radio tail' extending from this galaxy.
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NGC 2330 = IC 457? = MCG +08-13-078 = CGCG 234-074 = WBL 133-001 = PGC 20272
07 09 28.4  +50 09 08; Lyn
V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2

24" (2/15/18): at 375x fairly faint, small, nearly round, 20" diameter, even surface brightness.  Located 2' SSW of NGC 2332.  A mag 15.1 star is between this galaxy and NGC 2332.  Note: This galaxy is identified as IC 457 in the CGCG and UGC.

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 15 star is 1' NE.  Located 2' SW of NGC 2332.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2330 on 2 Jan 1851.  He noted a small nebula, which was labeled "b" on the published diagram, and placed SSW of NGC 2332 (the direction of drift is reversed on the sketch).  At this position is CGCG 234-074 = PGC 20272.  This galaxy was also labeled Delta on the final constructed sketch.

Although 9 nebulae were found at Birr Castle over 3 nights, the 1861 publication only included the comment "several knots around" NGC 2332.  John Herschel added just one new entry in the GC (1492), which Dreyer assigned to either NGC 2330 and NGC 2334 (with question marks).

Since absolute positions were not computed at Birr Castle, Dreyer relied on Bigourdan's erroneous position (he measured a faint star) for NGC 2330.  As a result NGC 2330 was misplaced 2.4' north of NGC 2332 instead of south-southwest (as on the 1851 sketch).  In 1893, Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position and Dreyer catalogued it as IC 457.  Assuming this is the nebula Dreyer had in mind as NGC 2330 (Malcolm Thomson disagrees), then NGC 2330 = IC 457 = CGCG 234-074.  Ironically, Bigourdan measured accurate positions for the other Rosse nebulae in 1885, but these were not published until 1919, so Kobold (and LdR) were given credit for these in the IC.

The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2330 and NGC 2332, making NGC 2330 the brighter northern member of the pair and incorrectly describes NGC 2332 as "almstel" (same error in MCG).  UGC and CGCG label NGC 2330 as IC 457.  See RNGC Corrections #5 and Corwin's notes for much more on this complicated story!
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NGC 2331 = Cr 126 = OCL-475 = Lund 295
07 07 00  +27 15 42; Gem
Size 18'

17.5" (1/20/90): at 82x, very large scattered group of about 40 stars mag 10-14, 15' diameter.  There is a small circle of 6 stars at the east end. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2331 = H. VIII-40 = h432 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and recorded "some clustering, large scattered stars; many of an equal size."  John Herschel noted in on 17 Feb 1827 (sweep 57) as "a small cluster of 10 or a doze st 11...13m in an ellipse."
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NGC 2332 = (R)NGC 2330 = UGC 3699 = MCG +08-13-079 = CGCG 234-075 = WBL 133-002 = PGC 20276
07 09 34.2  +50 10 56; Lyn
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 60°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large oval 4:3 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.9', sharply concentrated with a bright core and very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 15.1 star is 1' S of center and a mag 15.7 star is barely off the NE end [0.8' NW of center].

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2330 = IC 457 2' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2332 = h430 on 8 Mar 1831 (sweep 330) and recorded "F; S; R pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12"."  His position matches UGC 3699 = PGC 20276.  Herschel and Dreyer equated this number with H. II-862, found on 28 Dec 1790.  In the 1912 republication of William Herschel's catalogues, Dreyer added the note "Identification difficult, as it is one of a group. In Sweep 990, 57 Aurigae is the only comparison star and the neb. is 2 seconds preceding, 2' north of II.736.  Auwers gives for 1860 7h 0m 8s, 39° 37' (NPD).  It is probably one of Kobold's nebulae in the I.C."  Auwers' reduced position is 3' SW of NGC 2340 and Harold Corwin suggests that both H. II-862 and H. II-736 apply to NGC 2340.  Nearby NGC 2332 was discovered at Birr Castle in 1851.

The identications of NGC 2330 and NGC 2332 are reversed in the RNGC and MCG.
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NGC 2333 = UGC 3689 = MCG +06-16-020 = CGCG 176-018 = PGC 20223
07 08 21.3  +35 10 12; Gem
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 35°

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, very small, sharp stellar nucleus surrounded by faint oval halo 3:2 ~N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2333 = H. III-899 = h431 on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) and noted "vF, S, nearly R, bM."
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NGC 2334 = IC 465 = MCG +08-13-098 = CGCG 234-095 = WBL 133-012 = PGC 20357
07 11 33.6  +50 14 53; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 70°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; moderately bright, moderately large, round, strong concentration with a high surface brightness core that increases to a very small brighter nucleus.  Located 5.8' NE of NGC 2340 in a fairly rich group.

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', gradually increases to a very small, brighter core.  Furthest NE in a group of 7 galaxies in the field and 5.8' NE of the brightest member, NGC 2340.

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, round, bright core.  Last of four galaxies in a 20' field and located 5.8' NE of NGC 2340.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2334 on 2 Jan 1851.  He noted a small nebula (unlabeled on a sketch of h433 = NGC 2340) 6' south-following NGC 2340.  Unfortunately the direction of drift was confused as CGCG 234-095 = PGC 20357 is 6' north-following NGC 2340.  This galaxy was also labeled Theta on the final constructed sketch.

Although 9 nebulae were found at Birr Castle on 3 nights, the 1861 publication only included the comment "several knots around" NGC 2332.  John Herschel added just one new entry in the GC (GC 1492), which Dreyer assigned to either NGC 2330 and NGC 2334 (with question marks) and the additional Rosse nebulae were not included in the NGC.

Since absolute positions weren't computed at Birr Castle, Dreyer relied on Bigourdan's erroneous position for NGC 2334 (he measured a faint star 3' ENE of NGC 2332).  In 1893, Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for Stoney's nebula and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 465.  So, NGC 2334 = IC 465.  Ironically, Bigourdan measured accurate positions for the other Rosse nebulae in 1885, but these were not published until 1919, so Kobold (and LdR) were given credit in the IC.  Karl Reinmuth couldn't find NGC 2334 (at Bigourdan's position) and noted "in Dreyer's place not found, = IC 464?"

The question remains if IC 465 is the galaxy Dreyer meant as NGC 2334.  Dreyer credits both Rosse and Kobold in the IC, so this seems probable, although Malcolm Thomson disagrees.  MCG, CGCG, PGC, SIMBAD all label this galaxy as IC 465 and not NGC 2334.  NED and HyperLeda give the equivalence. See Corwin's identification notes for more on this complicated situation.
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NGC 2335 = Cr 127 = Mel 60 = OCL-562
07 06 49  -10 01 42; Mon
V = 7.2;  Size 12'

18" (2/23/06): at 225x, ~75 stars are resolved in a 10'x5' region elongated N-S.  The cluster is broken up by a circular void on the south side that extends to the west in a dark (dust) lane.  Also an elongated rectangular-shaped void of stars is on the north side of the cluster.  The brightest cluster star is on the northeast side and is part of a "keystone" asterism that mimics the shape of the main body of Hercules.  A mag 7 star lies 10' ENE outside the borders of the cluster.  The Milky Way background is very patchy in this vicinity and appears significantly affected by dust in the region and possible nebulosity. This affect is best seen at 115x (20 Nagler).  Located just north of IC 2177 = Seagull Nebul, an extremely long N-S string of nebulosity.

17.5" (3/20/93): 50-60 stars mag 10.5-14 in a 10' diameter.  Mag 6.9 SAO 134220 is 10' NE of the core.  In the center is a 1' parallelogram formed by four mag 10.5-12 stars with parallel sides oriented E-W and NW-SE.  There are no dense areas (overall has a fairly scattered appearance) although the cluster includes several subgroups.  A wide mag 12 double is on the north side.  Located at the north tip of the huge emission nebula IC 2177.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2335 = H. VIII-32 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and reported "a cluster of coarsely scattered stars of many sizes, pretty rich, more than 15' diameter."  His position is on the west side of this open cluster.
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NGC 2336 = UGC 3809 = MCG +13-06-006 = CGCG 348-034 = CGCG 349-004 = PGC 21033
07 27 03.8  +80 10 43; Cam
V = 10.4;  Size 7.1'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 178°

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly bright, fairly large, bright core, faint halo elongated N-S.  A mag 15 star is superimposed just east of the core.  Located 3.6' SSE of a mag 10 star.  IC 467 lies 20' SSE.  A mag 14.7 supernova discovered in 1987 by Dana Patchick was observed (1987L).

17.5" (2/22/87): fairly bright, small bright core surrounded by a large, diffuse halo elongated 2:1 N-S.  Located 26' S of a mag 7.3 star.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2336 = T. 1-22 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and described a "beautiful II class nebula, R, little brighter middle, 2' diameter, forms a triangle with two mag 10-11 stars."  Tempel's very rough position (only the hour of RA is given!) is off by 2.5 tmin of RA (west) and 3' dec (north) and the two stars in the description are just north.
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NGC 2337 = UGC 3711 = MCG +07-15-010 = CGCG 205-023 = PGC 20298
07 10 13.6  +44 27 26; Lyn
V = 12.5;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 120°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ENE, even surface brightness.  Bracketed by a mag 14 star 1.1' SW and a mag 13.5 star 1.3' ENE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2337 = St. 8b-19 on 16 Jan 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  His position matches UGC 3711 = PGC 20298.
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NGC 2338
07 07 47  -05 43 12; Mon

17.5" (2/3/03): roughly 3 dozen stars in an elongated N-S group, ~8'x3'.  Includes a few mag 11 stars, with the rest of stars mag 12-14.  Just stands out at 100x as a weak field enhancement and detached enough in the field that a definite border can be traced out.  Still this is probably just an unrelated group of stars and NGC 2338 is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2338 = h435 on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 122) and noted a "Very loose and straggling cluster."  There is nothing noticeable at JH's (uncertain) position.  In 1926, Karl Reinmuth noted (based on Heidelberg plates) "many st, but nothing like a cluster." and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).  Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 2338 is a group of stars ~50 tsec of RA east and 5' south of his position.  If a similar offset is applied to NGC 2299 (found by JH on the same sweep), it matches NGC 2302, so this error is quite plausible.
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NGC 2339 = UGC 3693 = MCG +03-19-002 = CGCG 085-040 = CGCG 086-005 = PGC 20222
07 08 20.5  +18 46 49; Gem
V = 11.8;  Size 2.7'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 175°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, nearly round, very weak concentration, low surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the east edge 30" from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2339 = H. II-769 = h434 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 906) and recorded it as "pB, pL, irregularly round, easily resolvable, bM.".  His RA was 16 seconds too large.  On 14 Mar 1831(sweep 333), John Herschel wrote, "pB, pL, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40".  In a rich part of the heavens."
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NGC 2340 = UGC 3720 = MCG +08-13-096 = CGCG 234-091 = WBL 133-010 = PGC 20338
07 11 10.8  +50 10 28; Lyn
V = 11.7;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 80°

24" (2/13/18): at 200x and 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, contains a large bright core that is weakly concentrated to the center.  A couple of 12th magnitude stars are off the northwest side.  Brightest in a group of mostly IC galaxies with IC 464 2.4' SSW and IC 463  3.7' SSW.  Also in this string are IC 461 7' SSW and IC 465 5.7' NE!

18" (12/18/06): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x1.0', large bright core increases gradually to the center.  A mag 12 star lies 1.7' NW.  Brightest in a group of 12 galaxies (WBL 133) incuding IC 464 2.5' SSW.  Beyond IC 464 a string of stars continues to the SSW.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated E-W, bright core.  Brightest of four in the field with IC 458, IC 464 and IC 465 = NGC 2334?  Two mag 12 stars lie 1.7' NW and 2.4' WNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2340 = H. II-736 = h433 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and called "pF, vS, little brighter middle, resolvable."  Harold Corwin concludes that H. II-862 (found on sweep 990, 28 Dec 1890), although equated with NGC 2332 = h430, is actually a duplicate observation of this galaxy.  John Herschel described it on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329) as "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"; two small stars preceding." and measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 2341 = UGC 3708 = MCG +03-19-003 = CGCG 086-006 = Holm 86b = PGC 20259
07 09 12.1  +20 36 10; Gem
V = 13.2;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.7' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 2342 2.5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2341 = m 100, along with NGC 2342, on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48".  Édouard Stephan made observations on 27 and 29 Jan 1878 and another on 2 Feb!
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NGC 2342 = UGC 3709 = MCG +03-19-004 = CGCG 086-007 = Holm 86a = PGC 20265
07 09 18.1  +20 38 11; Gem
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 126°

17.5" (1/20/90): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, slightly elongated SW-NE, slightly brighter along major axis but no core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2341 2.5' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2342 = m 101, along with NGC 2341, on 10 Nov 1864 using Lassell's 48".
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NGC 2343 = Cr 128 = OCL-565
07 08 07  -10 37 00; Mon
V = 6.7;  Size 7'

18" (2/23/06): at 225x, three dozen stars are resolved in a fairly scattered, but well-detached 5' group.  The brightest star at the SE end is a wide double (STF 1028) with a mag 8.8 yellow primary and a mag 11 bluish secondary at 11".  The stars are arranged in long winding strings with a couple of offshoots.  There are no dense areas and the strings appear to wrap around regions devoid of stars.  Located off the northeast end of IC 2177.  Two ill-defined groups, Cr 465 and Cr 466, lie ~20' to the west (see notes).

17.5" (3/20/93): two dozen stars mag 8-13 in compact 5' diameter.  The cluster has a distinctive boxy shape but is not rich.  Includes an unequal double star STF 1028 = 8.8/11.1 at 11" at the east side.  Stars are arranged in small subgroups with no central concentration, well detached in field.  Located off the NE end of the huge, strip of nebulosity IC 2177.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2343 = H. VIII-33 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and called it "a cluster of scattered large stars, not so extensive as the last [NGC 2335], nor so rich."  His position is just off the southeast side of the cluster.
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NGC 2344 = UGC 3734 = MCG +08-13-103 = CGCG 234-100 = PGC 20395
07 12 28.7  +47 10 00; Lyn
V = 12.0;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration, faint stellar nucleus, edges fade smoothly into background.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2344 = Sw. 6-30 on 24 Nov 1886.  His position is 16 sec of RA west and 81" north of UGC 3734 = PGC 20395 and his description "pB, pS, R" applies.  E.E. Barnard swept it up while comet seeking with the 12-inch at Lick Observatory on 23 Nov 1891.  He described it as "3/4' diameter, round, much brighter middle, 12.2 mag."  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position at the Strasbourg Observatory in 1893.
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NGC 2345 = Cr 129 = Mel 61 = OCL-575
07 08 19  -13 11 36; CMa
V = 7.7;  Size 12'

17.5" (3/20/93): 50 stars mag 9-14 in 10'x8' region elongated SW-NE.  Fairly rich in faint stars.  Includes the pretty double HJ 3930 = 9.7/10.6 at 15" on the north side.  Near the center is a small clump of about 8 stars including an unequal triple star.  Located midway between mag 8 SAO 152444 6' NNE and a mag 9.5 star 6' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2345 = h3073 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "a pretty rich cluster; irregular fig; 7' diam; gradually brighter in the middle; stars 10..14 m; place that of a double star, the chief *."  His position corresponds with HJ 3930 = 9.7/10.6 at 15".
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NGC 2346 = PK 215+3.1 = PN G215.6+03.6
07 09 22.5  -00 48 23; Mon
V = 11.9;  Size 60"x50"

17.5" (2/2/02): easily picked up at 100x as a fairly small, round halo surrounding a bright mag 11.5 star.  Nice view at 280x and 380x.  The halo is irregularly round, ~50"x45" with a slightly uneven surface brightness and it appears a bit thinner or pinched on the NW side.  Modest contrast gain with a UHC filter at 100x-280x, although this object does not require a filter.

13.1" (1/11/86): bright mag 11.5 central star surrounded by fairly small, round disc.  Located between two mag 13 stars 0.8' E and 1.2' W.  View enhanced with Daystar 300 filter.  Central star is the variable V651 Mon (mag 11.3-13.5).

William Herschel discovered NGC 2346 = H. IV-65 on 5 Mar 1790 (sweep 935).  He recorded "a pretty considerable star, 9 or 10m, visibly affected with very faint nebulosity, of very little extent all around. A power of 300x showed the same, but gave a little more extent to the nebulosity. The 22d Monocerotis was quite free from nebulosity."  Caroline's reduced position is 1° too far south, but a note was added on the sweep there may be an error of 1°, due to a confusion on the polar distance.  The description was included in his 1791 PT paper "On Nebulous Stars".

John Herschel didn't report an observation in either his Slough or Cape catalogues. Dreyer observed the PN on 14 Feb 1877 with the 72" at Birr Castle and reported "*9 mag seems nebulous, especially on the n or np side.  At last we agreed that it was nebulous all round.  About 4' sp is a reddish *10 with a white-bluish *11 1' south.  The nebulous star has a bluish tint."
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NGC 2347 = IC 2179? = UGC 3759 = MCG +11-09-039 = CGCG 309-026 = PGC 20539
07 16 04.0  +64 42 41; Cam
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, slightly elongated N-S, diffuse.  Located 4' S of mag 7.3 SAO 14129.  A mag 10 star lies 5.2' NE.  Forms a wide pair with IC 2179 = UGC 3750 13' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2347 = H. III-746 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879).  He recorded, "very faint, small, round, little brighter middle."  His position, based on Auwers' reduction, is 3.3' N of UGC 3759.  The GC/NGC position (from John Herschel) is 5.7' too far NNE.  Finally, Harold Corwin reduced the offsets given in Dreyer's 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues and that position is 18' NNE of UGC 3759 -- and 9' NE of UGC 3750, the galaxy generally identified as IC 2179.

Bigourdan later observed this field in 1894 and 1900. His position for B. 267 = IC 2179 in Comptes Rendus is 07 15 33 +64 57 (2000), which is an excellent match for UGC 3750.  CGCG, UGC, MOL, DSFG, RC3, PGC and Uranometria 2000 all label this galaxy as IC 2179.  But, Bigourdan's listing in his complete Observations, etc. for B. 267 corresponds with UGC 3759, the galaxy identified as NGC 2347 in modern catalogues and his listing for NGC 2347 matches UGC 3750 (Corwin notes an error in his identification of the reference star). So, Bigourdan reversed the modern identifications.

The question still remains - which of these two galaxies is Herschel's III.746?  See Corwin's identification notes for more on this story (also analyzed by Malcolm Thomson).
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NGC 2348 = ESO 088-1
07 03 03  -67 23 36; Vol
Size 11'

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, distinctive group of stars (likely an asterism) appears fully resolved, ~10' diameter, ~35 stars mag 10-14.  A bright mag 9.9 star (HD 54266) near the center is surrounded by starless areas to the west and southeast.  The cluster includes some wide pairs with a ~36" pair of 12th mag stars on the east side, but there are no dense regions. The group (or cluster) is fairly well defined and detached in the wider field and the outline is roughly circular.  A 4' string of stars ~E-W appears detached off the southeast side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2348 = h3074 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded as a "Coarse loose cluster of about 30 stars, many 11m, one 10m taken."  His position corresponds with a mag 10 star in the center of an 8' circular cluster or group.

RNGC calls this "an unverified southern cluster" and  neither Lynga, ESO or WEBDA has a listing for this object.  Bica et al includes NGC 2348 in a 2001 paper on "Dissolving star cluster candidates"
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NGC 2349
07 10 48  -08 36; Mon

17.5" (2/3/03): group of ~30 stars, elongated SW-NE, ~8'x3'.  Stands out reasonably well in the field an over background haze but is probably just an asterism.  Most stars are 12-14th magnitude.  This group is ~11' following John Herschel's position, but the star density is richer on this group. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 2349 = H. VII-27 = h436 on 4 Mar 1783.  Three years later on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529), William Herschel recorded "An irregular cluster of extremely small stars, considerably compressed, 9 or 10' l, 4 or 5' b with an extending branch towards sp."  Close to his position (Auwers' reduction) is the group of stars described in my observation.  John Herschel logged on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318), "a poor straggling cl, place of a D*", but his position is 1 min of RA too far west and corresponds with a mag 10/11.5 at 30" separation that is not involved in any clustering.  Unfortunately JH used his own position in the GC and it was repeated by Dreyer in the NGC.

Based on Heidelberg plates, Karl Reinmuth noted "many st in a dense region, very little clustering."  RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7).  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2350 = UGC 3747 = MCG +02-19-001 = CGCG 057-005 = PGC 20416
07 13 12.2  +12 15 58; CMi
V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 110°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core.  Several mag 14 stars are near including one 1' SE of core.  A nice double star (mag 10/10 at 20" separation) lies 10' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2350 = St. 6-6 on 10 Jan 1872.  His published micrometric position (list VI, #6) was made 2 years later on 18 Jan 1874 with description "eF, eS, irr R."  It was included in his short 6th discovery list (10 objects), published in 1874.  He made a later observation on 4 Feb 1878.
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NGC 2351
07 13 29  -11 29 12; CMa

= Not found, Gottlieb.  Possibly a scattered group around two stars, wrong dec in NGC, Corwin.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2351 = h437 on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129) and noted "A loose straggling cluster, place of double star." There is nothing at his position and even the double star doesn't seem to be there. Exactly 1 degree north is a mag 9.4/12 double star at 12" separation with two mag 9/10.9 stars 1' NW and 1' SW.  But there is no obvious clustering here on the POSS.  Alister Ling questions if this object is a duplicate of NGC 2353 (20' further NE) which was not recorded separately by JH.  But this cluster includes a prominent mag 6.0 star that would probably be chosen as the position.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2352 = ESO 492-005
07 13 05  -24 02 48; CMa

17.5" (3/8/97): at 82x there is no obvious cluster at this position, although there are about a dozen mag 12/13 stars in a 7' string ~N-S, roughly centered on a mag 11.5 star at 07 13.1 -24 03.  At 220x, several fainter stars are visible increasing the total to ~20 stars and it stands out a little better.  The stars in the N-S string are arranged in "seagull wings" concave (opening) to the west.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2352 = H. VII-15 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and called "A small cluster of pretty compressed stars, not very rich."  There is nothing at his position, but 40 sec of RA west is string of stars oriented N-S.  Howe also "saw nothing noteworthy in the place given for this cluster, except that the whole background contains myriads of minute stars, on the limit of vision."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2353 = Cr 130 = Mel 62 = OCL-567
07 14 30  -10 16 00; Mon
V = 7.1;  Size 20'

17.5" (3/20/93): over 100 stars mag 6-13 in a 20' diameter, requires 100x (20mm Nagler) for best view.  Richest around mag 6.0 SAO 152598 on the south side where 50 stars are in a 8' rectangular outline.  A bright double star, STF 1052 = 9.1/9.3 at 20", is located just 2' NE of the mag 6 star and two mag 9 stars are at the NW and NE corners of this subgroup.  Surrounding this group is a dark ring devoid of stars and then beyond is a fairly rich outer annulus including several mag 9-10 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2353 = H. VIII-34 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356). He noted "an extensive scattered cluster contains a very bright star [mag 6.0 HD 55879]."
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NGC 2354 = Cr 131 = ESO 492-006
07 14 15  -25 41 36; CMa
V = 6.5;  Size 20'

17.5" (3/12/94): ~100 stars in a 20' diameter, circular outline, fairly uniform in magnitudes.  There are no prominent subgroups or individual stars but the cluster is fairly detached in the field at 100x.  Unconcentrated with a 9'x3' void or dark lane in the center elongated N-S.  A double star with components 11.5/12.5 at 14" separation is just following the dark lane towards the south end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2354 = H. VII-16 = h438 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and called it "a large cluster of scattered stars, considerably rich, about 20' in diameter or more."  His position matches this cluster.  John Herschel recorded on 7 Jan 1831 (sweep 317), "loose straggling cl; the preceding part is rather separated from the following, and more comp.  Place that of 3 stars in the following part."
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NGC 2355 = NGC 2356? = Cr 133 = Mel 63 = OCL-496
07 16 59  +13 45 00; Gem
Size 9'

18" (3/15/10): fairly rich group with ~70 stars in an 8'-9' diameter group, with the richest portion in the central 4'.  On the north side of the central region is a 13" pair of mag 11/12 stars with a mag 13 star 16" S forming an easy triple.  The stars are pretty evenly distributed and many are similar magnitudes, though a number appear to be arranged in strings that extend out radially from the center.  The brightest member is a mag 10 star on the SE side.  The cluster shares the field with mag 8.3 HD 56329 located 7' NNE.

18" (2/23/06): rich cluster at 257x with ~75 stars in an 8' irregular group.  Very rich in a 2.5' central "core" with the brightest mag 10 star just SE of this core.  The outline is marked by rows of stars giving a triangular outline.  Mag 8 HD 56329 lies 7' NE of the cluster.

13.1" (1/18/85): about 50 stars down to mag 14 in a 8'x5' group elongated N-S including a mag 10 star at the SE edge.  Rich, fairly compact, a number of stars are arranged in lanes.  Located about 7' SW of mag 8.0 SAO 95722.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2355 = H. VI-6 = h439 on 8 Mar 1784 (sweep 161). He recorded "a cluster of stars of various magnitudes, pretty much compressed in the middle, and the cluster is pretty rich.  Of an irregularly round form; most of the stars are small and I suppose if it is at all visible in my 7 ft reflector it must assume a nebulous appearance.  To the north of it is a pretty considerable star which my field will take in with the cl."  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min 40 sec of east of his position is this cluster and it fits his description.  A week later (sweep 176) he likely recorded it again as H. VII-6, assuming it was new.  So the cluster also has the designation NGC 2356.

Karl Harding independently found the cluster around 1823 and reported it as a new discovery (7 of the 8 objects in his list were previously discovered).  John Herschel recorded on 23 Jan 1832 (sweep 393), "a p rich cl of very small stars; irreg; R; 5' diameter; not bM; st 11...16m."  He questioned whether this was his father's H. VI-6.
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NGC 2356 = NGC 2355? = Cr 133 = Mel 63 = OCL-496
07 16 59  +13 45 00; Gem

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.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2356 = H. VII-6 on 16 Mar 1784 (sweep 176) and described "A pretty rich and compressed cluster of stars."  There is nothing at his place but ~15' S is NGC 2355 and Harold Corwin concludes this number is probably a duplicate observation of NGC 2355.  His position for NGC 2355 is not good either - 100 seconds of RA too small!

Based on photographic plates taken at the Heidelberg Obseratory, Reinmuth adds "no Cl north of NGC 2355, in 7h 8m.0 +14d 13' (1860) a loose clustering of st 11... in triangle." At Reinmuth's position (about 1 tmin preceding the NGC position) is a triangular group which stands out pretty well.  But NGC 2355 is the best fit for NGC 2356.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2357 = UGC 3782 = MCG +04-17-014 = CGCG 116-046 = FGC 619 = PGC 20592
07 17 40.9  +23 21 23; Gem
V = 13.3;  Size 3.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 122°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, large, edge-on 6:1 NW-SE.  Appears as a very low surface brightness ghostly streak with no central condensation!  A mag 13 star is off the NW end 1.3' from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2357 = St. 13-27 on 5 Feb 1878.  His uncorrected position was just off the SE edge of the galaxy.  His published position in his last discovery list was reduced on 6 Feb 1885 and matches UGC 3782.
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NGC 2358
07 16 56  -17 07; CMa
Size 20'x15'

18" (3/13/10): gorgeous low power Milky Way field at 72x (63'), though nothing stands out distinctly as cluster-like.  At the given position (07 16.9 -17 07 (2000), is a weak enhancement, roughly 20' diameter, with a nice quardruple group of mag 10-11 stars on the south side.  This field enhancement is only noticeable as the Milky Way is weaker or dusty to the north and south of the group and the background glow brightens near the position of NGC 2358.

Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and William Herschel's description ""A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich." is not specific enough to pin down his intended "cluster".

William Herschel discovered NGC 2358 = H. VIII-45 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich., not compressed"  JH did not record an observation of this "cluster" and it was not observed at Birr Castle.  There is a large (~20') Milky Way field (described in my observation) including a number of mag 10 stars close to WH's position.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2359 = LBN 1041 = Sh 2-298 = Ced 94b = Gum 4 = RCW 5 = Thor's Helmet = Duck Nebula
07 18 31  -13 13 30; CMa
Size 8'x6'

48" (4/13/10): the 5' central region of Thor's Helmet was mesmerizing at 267x and 330x (unfiltered).  A large, bright knot is at the south end of the rim where the inner portion of the bright wing that heads southwest connects with the central bubble.  Along the northern edge of the rim are three collinear mag 11 stars (2.2' length) oriented E-W. The rim of the bubble is noticeably brighter in a thin arc beginning due north of center (between the two western stars) and extending about 90° clockwise to the west (this portion of Thor's Helmet was catalogued separately as NGC 2361).  The rim is also brighter along a 45° thicker arc on the southeast side.  The rim has a lower surface brightness on the east and NE side and varies in thickness and brightness around the entire bubble.

Three brighter stars (nearly collinear) and several fainter stars are superimposed within the main bubble.  A second, smaller, incomplete bubble just north of center outlines an inner dark "hole", which includes one of the brighter stars.  The 11.4-magnitude ionizing Wolf-Rayet star HD 56925 is at the southwest edge of this inner bubble.  Additional thin wisps of nebulosity criss-cross the central region.

17.5" (12/28/00): "Thor's Helmet" is a remarkably bright, detailed nebulosity at 100x using an OIII filter.  The central region is a 5' bubble (illuminated by a Wolf-Rayet star) with a brighter rim along the west side giving a "C" appearance with irregular knots, filamentary wisps of nebulosity and areas of thinner nebulosity in the interior.  A number of fainter stars are superimposed in the central region along with some brighter mag 11 stars on the north portion of the rim.

The southern "horn" of the helmet is attached at the south end of the bubble and a mag 10.5 star is attached to its SE side.  The brightest portion is a thick 4' extension angling towards the WSW.  As it extends more directly west it thins out into a long 10' streamer.  The northern "horn" of Thor's Helmet" is attached at the northwest end of the central bubble and extends towards the northwest.  This section is fairly long and thick but brighter along a thin spine. A fainter strip of nebulosity also begins on the northeast end of the central mass and extends 10' due east.  Finally, weak nebulosity was also visible to the southeast of the central "helmet".  Illuminated by the Wolf-Rayet star HD 56925 = WR 7.

13.1" (1/28/84): unusual emission nebula, fairly bright, fairly large, about 7'x5'.  A thinner strip extends west of a mag 10.8 star on the south end.  A few fainter stars are superimposed on the north side.  A very faint section is also attached at the NW end extending towards the NW.

13x80mm (1/13/07): the circular central region of Thor's Helmet was easily visible at 13x in my 80mm finder using an OIII filter (24mm Panoptic), though the "horns" of the helmet were not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2359 = H. V-21 = h3075 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363). He recorded "A broad elongated nebulosity, in the form of a parallelogram with a short ray southwards from the south preceding corner.  The nebulosity between the milky and resolvable, almost of an equal brightness; but very faint.  The parallelogram about 8' long and 5 or 6' broad, but ill-defined. I was doubtful at first; but on giveing a side-motion [trackiing horizontally] to the telescope so as to compare it with the other parts of the heavens, it appeared very plainly."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 3) as an illustration "of detached Nebulosity" with three sections drawn.

John Herschel observed this nebula from the Cape and recorded "a very singular nebula, much like the profile of a bust, (head, neck and shoulders,) or a silhouette portrait, very large, pretty well defined, light nearly uniform, about 12' diameter. In a crowded field of milky way stars, many of which are projected on it."  His RA was exactly 1 minute too small (but accurate in NPD) and this position was copied into the GC and later the NGC.  Howe noted this error when he observed the nebula.  Herschel's sketch (Plate IV, figure 4) shows the silhouette shape well with the shoulders/bust region the brighter "wing". See notes for NGC 2361.  From Malta, William Lassell sketched it similar to a balloon, with a long "neck" twisted in the southwest direction.

Joseph Turner made a more accurate sketch on 24 Jan 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  The main 5' bubble is depected as annular with some interior nebulosity particularly south of the central star.  The main tail was sketched accurately, though it ends before the thin streamer section. The prepared lithograph of the nebula was not published.

I'm surprised NGC 2359 is mentioned in Garrett Serviss' 1901 "Pleasures of the Telescope" written for at most 5-inch telescopes: "In [GC] 1511 we have a faint nebula remarkable for the rows of minute stars in and near it."  And in the 1909 book "In Starland with a 3-inch Telescope", William Olcott repeats "Note the nebula [GC] 1511 and the curving row of faint stars near it."

Based on plate taken with the 60-inch at Mt Wilson in 1917, Pease reported: "Sir John Herschel pictured it as resembling a bust, while Lassell drew it like balloon, with a long neck twisted in the Sp direction.  The balloon or head is approximately 5' in diameter; the neck is to the south, with nebulosity about 1' wide extending 8' west, concave on the north and gradually narrowing and fading out.  From the top (N) of the head a symmetrical streamer concave to the south extends in the western direction...A second streamer about 1' wide extends east from the top of the head to a distance of 9'."
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NGC 2360 = Cr 134 = Mel 64 = OCL-589
07 17 43  -15 38 30; CMa
V = 7.2;  Size 13'

13.1" (1/28/84): includes about 40 fainter stars in an elongated, arrowhead shape with mag 9 SAO 152691 at the east edge (probably a foreground star).  Appears rich with fairly uniform magnitudes.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 2360 = H. VII-12 = h440 = h3076 on 26 Feb 1783 with a small refractor.  This cluster was her first deep sky discovery, though entered as #2 in her discovery log (M93 was #1) and William immediately verified it with his 6.2" reflector.  The discovery occurred about 8 months prior to William starting to sweep for nebulae with his 18.7". Afterwards, Caroline was almost exclusively assisted his observations.  This discovery, along with M93, which she discovered independently earlier that night, may have inspired her brother to search for nebulae starting the next month.  Caroline was credited with the discovery in William's first published catalogue (VII. 12), but the appendix (notes) gave the number as VII. 13 (later NGC 2204), due to a reordering inconsistency. So, she is sometimes miscredited with the discovery with NGC 2204.

On 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) William recorded VII-12 as "a large cluster of pretty compressed scattered stars, near 1/2° in diam, considerably rich, most of the stars of the same size."  On 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) he wrote, "A beautiful cluster of pretty compressed stars, very large."  John Herschel recorded it from the Cape of Good Hope on 12 Feb 1836 as the "Middle of a fine large, rich cluster, not compressed to the middle. Stars 9..12th mag; fills field."
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NGC 2361 = Part of NGC 2359 = LBN 1041 = Sh 2-298 = Thor's Helmet = Duck Nebula
07 18 23.4  -13 12 40; CMa

48" (4/15/10): Along the northern edge of the rim of Thor's Helmet are three collinear mag 11 stars (2.2' length) oriented E-W. The rim of the bubble is noticeably brighter in a thin arc beginning due north of center (between the two western stars) and extending about 90° clockwise to the west.  Bigourdan's NGC 2361 refers to this brighter portion of the Wolf-Rayet nebula.  See observing notes for NGC 2359  for a complete description of the nebula.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2361 = Big. 27 on 25 Feb 1887.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2361 with a bright knot along the west side of the main bubble of NGC 2359.  Wolfgang Steinicke lists Wilhelm Tempel as a co-discoverer (in 1887), though he is not credited in the NGC.
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NGC 2362 = ESO 492-009 = Cr 136 = Mexican Jumping Bean Cluster
07 18 42  -24 57 18; CMa
V = 4.1;  Size 8'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): gorgeous low power field surrounding Tau CMa using the 20 Nagler (75x).  Tau was easily resolved into a triple with two mag 10 and 11.2 companions at 8.5" and 14" to the east.  At 170x, 75-80 stars were visible and the cluster appears fully resolved.  A string of stars passes to the north of Tau oriented NW to SE.  Several faint stars and a detached clump lie to the north of Tau beyond the string.  A mag 8.5 star marks the south border of the cluster.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): stunning open cluster at 105x surrounding Tau Canis Majoris which is a very close triple star.  Perhaps 75 stars are resolved in a well-detached 6' region.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, this is a gorgeous, uniformly rich cluster surrounding Tau CMa, which is offset north of center. A WNW-ESE string of stars north of Tau gives a flattened border and the rich southern portion tapers to the south giving a triangular appearance.  At 220x, ~60 stars are visible in a 6' diameter, many of 10.5-11.  Just following the central star to the ESE are two mag 11 companions.  Several other fainter stars are in the central core including one fairly close preceding.

17.5" (2/28/87): about 75 stars in 6' diameter surrounding Tau Canis Majoris (V = 4.4) in an unusually rich, impressive cluster!  Tau is resolved into several components.

13.1": 50 stars in a triangular-shape surrounding Tau Canis Majoris, very rich, impressive.

Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered NGC 2362 = H. VII-17 = h441 = h3077 around 1654.  It was apparently marked on his map ENE of Delta CMa.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 4 Mar 1783 with his 6.2" reflector before starting his sweeps.  He simply noted "30 Canis Majoris (Tau CMa), a cluster of stars."  He found it again on sweep 381 with his 18.7" on 6 Mar 1785.  He wrote, "a most beautiful cluster of pretty large stars with one of the 7th magnitude in the center, which however I suppose does not belong to it."  Herschel was credited with the discovery in the NGC.

John Herschel observed the cluster from both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope.  In the southern hemisphere he recorded "a fine cluster of discrete stars, 60 or 70 in number. R, gradually brighter in the middle, 8' diameter." It's surprising this bright cluster wasn't also found by one of Messier's contemporaries.
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NGC 2363 = UGC 3847 = MCG +12-07-039 = PGC 21078 = PGC 93088 = NGC 2366:[HK83] 108
07 28 29.6  +69 11 34; Cam
Size 1.7'x1.1';  PA = 20°

48" (4/15/10): NGC 2363 is either a small satellite galaxy of NGC 2366 or possibly a detached star cloud or galaxy west of the southwest end of NGC 2366.  At 330x, NGC 2363 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 SW-NE, with a low but irregular surface brightness.  Located ~2.2' SW of the center of NGC 2366 and 1.2' W of the bright knot.  The bright HII knot/starburst region in NGC 2366 is often misidentified as NGC 2363.

A 2010 study suggests NGC 2363 was very close to the southern tip of NGC 2366 less than 10 Myr ago, and could have triggered the interaction which has led to the strong episodes of star formation in the southern half of NGC 2366 as well as this galaxy.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2363 on 9 Mar 1874 with the 72" while observing NGC 2366.  He noted a "diffused nebulosity preceding, pos. 265.9°, dist 71.4"."  Copeland's offsets were measured with respect to the unusually bright HII knot at the southwest end of the galaxy, which has always been assumed to be NGC 2363.  But Copeland's "diffused nebulosity preceding" refers to UGC 3847, a separate galaxy ( or isolated star cloud) just west of the southwest end of NGC 2366.

CGCG misidentifies NGC 2363 as the "bright emission patch at the SW end of NGC 2366" and RNGC misclassifies NGC 2363 as nonexistent with the comment "Patch in NGC 2366, Zwicky".  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for the complete story.
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NGC 2364
07 20 47  -07 33 00; Mon

18" (3/13/04): pretty neat group of 50-60 stars at 115x arranged in two rows of stars converging towards the north.  The eastern group of stars hooks on the SE end, bending back towards the north.  Both groups have strings of faint stars extending to the north beyond a mag 9.5 star located ~5' N of the main groups.  Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC, although the group is fairly distinctive.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2364 = h442 on 8 Jan 1831 (sweep 318) and noted "Two small pretty close groups of pL stars in the milky way, rather a remarkable cl."  There are two strings of stars at Herschel's position, matching his description.  RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7).

William Herchel apparently made the original discovery on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529) and noted "Clustering stars, in three short parallel lines, the two last whereof are joined to the sp; the placed taken is that of the middle lane."  Caroline didn't assign it a general discovery number, so it wasn't included in his catalogues.
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NGC 2365 = UGC 3821 = MCG +04-18-008 = CGCG 117-020 = PGC 20838
07 22 22.5  +22 05 00; Gem
V = 12.4;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 170°

24" (2/14/15): at 260x; moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~1.2'x0.6', well concentrated with a bright oval core.  A mag 14 star is at the southwest edge [48" from center].  Located 32' ENE of mag 3.5 Delta Geminorum.

Forms a close pair with CGCG 117-019 2.6' SSW.  The companion is faint, small, round, 18" diameter.  Occasionally contains a faint stellar nucleus.  A wide 15" double star is 1' SSE.   UGC 3827 lies 13' NE and appears faint, small, oval 4:3, 20"x15" [core only seen].  A mag 13.3 star is at the south east edge of the galaxy.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.  A mag 14 star is just off the SW side 0.7' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.3' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2365 = m 102 = St. 6-7 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, pS, R, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 10 Jan 1872 (probably aware of Marth's discovery).  He measured an accurate position on 13 Jan 1874 and reported it as new in his 6th discovery list (#7).
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NGC 2366 = UGC 3851 = MCG +12-07-040 = CGCG 330-038 = Mrk 71 = PGC 21102
07 28 55.0  +69 12 57; Cam
V = 11.1;  Size 8.1'x3.3';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 25°

48" (4/15/10): The most striking feature of NGC 2366 is a prominent double knot (giant HII/starburst complex) at the SW end (also known as Mrk 71 and NGC 2366-I).  At 330x, the knot appeared very bright, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~18"x12", with two overlapping components (super star clusters A and B).  A fainter and smaller knot (NGC 2366-II) was easily visible 15" E, for a total of 3 HII knots.

NGC 2363, a low surface brightness companion or detached OB association/HII region, lies 1.2' W of the bright double knot.  At 330x it appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 SW-NE, with a low but irregular surface brightness.

18" (3/19/04): at the SW end of the galaxy is a very bright knot (HII region), roughly mag 12.5 and perhaps 15" in size which responds to a UHC filter at 160x!  At 323x this knot is irregular in shape (~20"x15", SW-NE) and brightness and at moments resolves into two or three components.  The galaxy itself is fairly faint, large, and very elongated SSW-NNE, 3.5'x1.0', with a low surface brightness.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, very large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, low almost even surface brightness.  An unusually bright HII region is at the SW end of the galaxy (2' from the center) and appears as a "fuzzy" 12th magnitude star.  Although very small, it appeared elongated SW-NE and similar to a poorly resolved double star.  Definite contrast gain with OIII filter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2366 = H. III-748 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889).  He called it "very faint, very small, stellar.  300x confirmed it and showed a vF branch to the north following."  His description and position matches the prominent HII region at the southwest end of the galaxy.  The "very faint branch [northeast]" refers to the actual galaxy.  So, NGC 2366 applies to the HII region (also known as Mrk 71) as well as the galaxy.  Modern sources misidentify the large HII knot as NGC 2363.  See historical comments for NGC 2363.

Ralph Copeland described it on 9 Mar 1874 with the 72" as a "diffused neby preceding, pos 265.9°, dist 71.4"  Neb * or neb knot post 318°, dist 77.6".  The object has a curved tail, pos 30.9°, convex on the following side, traced 9' or 10'.  The neb knot preceding is connected with the principal enbulosity.  Line of stars spp, curved towards preceding side, nebulous?  At least the enbula appears to extend so far on spp side.  [See Pl I.]."
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NGC 2367 = Cr 137 = ESO 559-005
07 20 05  -21 53 06; CMa
V = 7.9;  Size 4'

17.5": 25 stars in a distinctive, fairly rich 6' group which is elongated N-S.  The brightest star HD 57370 is a close double (HLD 87 = 9.4/9.7 at 5").  A nice elongated group at the south end includes the bright double, three other mag 11/12 stars and several fainter stars.  A compact group of four stars is in the field to the north.  Located in a rich low power field at 100x.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2367 = H. VIII-27 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "a small cluster of scattered stars, not rich, nor very compressed."  His position is ~3' south of the center of this compact cluster.
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NGC 2368 = Cr 138 = OCL-571 = Lund 320
07 20 59  -10 22 48; Mon
Size 5'

17.5" (3/20/93): two dozen stars mag 12-14 in 4' diameter, unimpressive although unusual form, no dense spots.  Divided into two distinct groupings; a dozen stars in the SW triangular group with a double star 12/13 at 18" separation at the west end; also a dozen stars in the NE group consists of two strings of stars oriented ~N-S forming a thin triangle.  The two groups are separated by a dark lane oriented NW-SE. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2368 = h443 on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129) and described "the preceding star (which is red) of a pretty rich small cluster; fig irreg triangular; stars 15m - in Milky Way."  His position is on the southwest side of the group.
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NGC 2369 = ESO 122-018 = AM 0716-621 = LGG 144-001 = PGC 20556
07 16 37.7  -62 20 37; Car
V = 12.3;  Size 3.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 177°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared bright, large, very elongated 5:2 N-S, 2.4'x0.9', broad concentration with a slightly bulging middle.  A 16th magnitude star is at the north end and a mag 15 star is just following the core.  Nearly collinear with two mag 12/13 stars 2.5' and 3' NE.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2381 48' SE, NGC 2369A 38' SE (on a line with NGC 2381), NGC 2369B 32' NE, NGC 2417 1.6° east and IC 2200/2200A 1.3° east.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x this Carina galaxy is fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.7'x0.6', broad weak concentration but overall has a fairly low surface brightness (viewed at 16° elevation).  In a group with NGC 2381 and NGC 2417.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2369 = h3078 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, E or irregular figure, gradually little brighter middle."  His position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched this object on 15 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as a thin streak oriented exactly N-S (unpublished plate V, figure 40) as well as Pietro Baracchi on 16 Mar 1885.
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NGC 2370 = UGC 3835 = MCG +04-18-015 = CGCG 117-036 = PGC 20955
07 25 01.7  +23 47 01; Gem
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 43°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.4', even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is attached at the NE end 0.4' from center.  The galaxy appears to extend from the star like a comet tail!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2370 = m 103 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, vS, E."  His position is 1' south of UGC 3835 = PGC 20955.  RNGC refers to the mag 14 star attached at north end as a "* or knot".
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NGC 2371 = PK 189+19.1 = PN G189.1+19.8 = Peanut Nebula = Double Bubble Nebula
07 25 33.8  +29 29 18; Gem
V = 11.2;  Size 74"x54"

48" (4/1/11, 3/1/19, and 4/23/25): I was stunned by the view of this bipolar nebula at 610x. There was so much intricate detail in NGC 2371/72 that it barely resemblanced the previous views through my 17.5" and 18" scopes.  The most prominent feature are the pair of irregularly round, very bright nodules on the SW and NE side of the boxy, elongated central region.  Each nodule was distinctive and varied in surface brightness and shape with the SW lobe brighter.  Filamentary streamers or a "hairy tail" extended from the NE node towards the NW and similar wisps extended mainly SE from the SW node, creating a sense of rotation around the fairly bright mag 14.9 central star. The interior and sides were filled with much fainter nebulosity.  A very faint filament connected the main lobes on the NW edge.

Two amazing outer wings (similar in visibility) were detached from the main 1' structure and symmetrically placed 1' NW and 1' SE from the central star.  These wings or "polar caps" were easily visible without a filter at 488x (though increased in contrast with a NPB filter) and both extended ~40"x10" in a SW-NE orientation, increasing the total diameter to 2'.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' NW (beyond the NW wing) and a mag 16 star is 50" NE of center.

24" (4/13/18): at 220x and NPB filter; the detached NW outer wing (1' from center) was faint but not difficult as an extended strip of nebulosity ~30"x10", oriented SSW-NNE.  A mag 13.8 star is outside the wing to the west [1.5' from center]. The slightly fainter trailing wing required averted vision to glimpse, but appeared symmetrically placed 1' SE of center and well detached from the central bi-polar body.

17.5" (2/14/99): very unusual appearance at 380x with two bright knots oriented SW-NE about 30" between centers and 0.9' in total length.  The SW knot is 15"-20" in size, slightly elongated and the brighter of the two.  The NE condensation has a slightly lower surface brightness and appears ~20" in diameter.  The faint mag 14.9 central star is symmetrically placed between the knots.  Weaker nebulosity connects the two knots giving a "dogbone" appearance with a very faint rounder halo encasing the structure!

17.5" (2/13/88): unusual planetary, bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE.  Two bright knots are at both ends (with two NGC designations) although the SW end is brighter and more concentrated. 

13.1" (2/25/84): two condensations in halo.  The WSW side is brighter and sharper.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2371 = H. II-316 = h444, along with NGC 2372, on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385). He reported "Two, faint, of an equal size.  Both small within a minute of each other; each has a seeming nucleus, and their apparent atmospheres run into each other.  240x showed the same position from sp to nf."  He published a sketch in his 1811 PT paper (Fig. 6) as an illustration of "double Nebulae with joined Nebulosity."

On 17 Feb 1827 (sweep 57), John Herschel called NGC 2371 "the south-preceding of a curious bright double neb or an elongated bicentral neb; nuclei approaching to stars 45° nf or sp - distance of centre 60".  See fig 72."

On 19 Dec 1848, Lord Rosse and/or assistant George Johnstone Stoney logged a "bright star between, tails and curved filaments, perhaps an annulus round the two nebulae."  A sketch made three nights later was included in Rosse's 1850 publication (fig. 6).  William Lassell made an observation in March 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector from Malta.  He noted the "preceding one [nebula] is the brightest" and made a sketch (figure IX in his 1854 MRAS paper).  Using his 48-inch on 24 Mar 1862 from Malta, he sketched the two ansae as outer symmetrical arcs.

Based on Crossley photographs, Curtis (1918) reported the "Brightest portion consists of two lobes which together form an irregular and patchy oval.  The brightest part of these lobes are 35" apart in pa 65°; the toal diameter in this direction is 54".  Two very faint, curved outliers are each 60" distant in the prolongation of the major axis in pa 126-306°.  A narrow vacant lane runs between the lobes, nearly in the major axis, and widens to include the central star."  The emission spectrum (PN) was first found by Campbell and Moore).
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NGC 2372 = PK 189+19.1 = PN G189.1+19.8 = Peanut Nebula = Double Bubble Nebula
07 25 35.8  +29 29 30; Gem
V = 11.2;  Size 74"x54"

48" (4/1/11): see description for NGC 2371.

17.5": see description for NGC 2371.

13.1": this is the fainter NE component of NGC 2371/NGC 2372.  Slightly fainter and more diffuse than NGC 2371.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2372 = H. II-317 = h445, along with NGC 2371, on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385).  See NGC 2371 for his description.
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NGC 2373 = UGC 3848 = MCG +06-17-004 = CGCG 177-014 = PGC 21016
07 26 36.9  +33 49 25; Gem
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 0°

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 20".  A mag 12.7 star is just off the NE side 24" from the center.  Located 6.8' W of NGC 2375 in the NGC 2389 cluster.

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, elongated, small.  A mag 13 star is at the NE edge.  Forms a trio with NGC 2375 6.7' E and NGC 2379 10' E.  First of seven in the NGC 2389 group.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2373 = St. 9-8, along with NGC 2375, on 20 Feb 1849. He recorded "6 nebulae of which epsilon [NGC 2375] is perhaps a double star."  NGC 2373 was labeled Zeta on the sketch in the 1861 publication and accurately measured from NGC 2375, although John Herschel didn't assign an GC designation.  Dreyer first catalogued NGC 2373 as GCS 5380.  Édouard Stephan independently discovered the galaxy on 4 Feb 1878 and reduced an accurate position 4 days later.
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NGC 2374 = Cr 139 = OCL-585 = Lund 328
07 23 56  -13 15 48; CMa
V = 8.0;  Size 19'

17.5" (3/12/94): ~50-60 stars in 7'x4' region elongated SW-NE.  Located in a rich star field so the cluster does not have a distinct border.  A detached group with four brighter mag 10-11 stars is off the NE end.  The richest portion is 3'-4' diameter at the SW end and consists of three dozen stars over some unresolved haze.  At the SW edge is a nice curving U-shaped group of 9 stars mag 13 that is open to the SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2374 = H. VIII-35 = h3080 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363). It was found immediately after discovery NGC 2359 ("Thor's Helmet").  Based on 3 observation he described "a cluster of pretty large scattered stars, pretty rich, about 20' long, crooked figure."  John Herschel observed it from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "the most compressed part of a scattered cluster or rather region, more crowded with stars than the rest of the milky way, though hardly entitled to rank as a cluster. The stars run in singular lines and curves on a dark ground."
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NGC 2375 = UGC 3854 = MCG +06-17-005 = CGCG 177-017 = PGC 21035
07 27 09.5  +33 49 54; Gem
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 170°

18" (1/13/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.4', broad concentration.  Larger but lower surface brightness than NGC 2379 3.6' ESE.

13.1" (2/23/85): second of three in the NGC 2389 group.  Faint, low surface brightness, appears larger than nearby NGC 2379 3.7' E.  NGC 2375 lies 6.7' W.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2375 = St. IX-9, along with NGC 2373, on 20 Feb 1849.  He recorded "6 nebulae of which epsilon [NGC 2375] is perhaps a double star."  Although the sketch was included in the Lord Rosse's 1861 publication, John Herschel didn't assign it a GC designation.  Dreyer first catalogued NGC 2375 as GCS 5383.  Édouard Stephan independently discovered the galaxy on 4 Feb 1878 and reduced an accurate position 4 days later, published in list 9, #9.  Both Rosse (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 2376 = MCG +04-18-017 = CGCG 117-039 = PGC 21015
07 26 35.9  +23 04 23; Gem
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 15.5 star is attached at the west end.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2376 = m 104 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, vS."  His position matches CGCG 117-039 = PGC 21015.
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NGC 2377 = UGCA 132 = PGC 20948
07 24 56.8  -09 39 37; Mon
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 170°

18" (3/4/08): unusual location for a galaxy in a rich Milky Way star field.  At 220x appears fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is embedded on the south end and a mag 14.7 stars is on the NE side.  Finally, an extremely faint mag 15.5 star is occasionally visible close south of the fainter star.

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness, no core.  A mag 12 star is attached at the south end and an extremely faint mag 15 star is involved at the north end.  Appears diffuse with ill-defined edges and seems similar to a faint nebulosity in a rich Milky Way field!  Unusually low galactic latitude for a galaxy.  Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in RNGC but plotted on U2000.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2377 = St. 6-8 on 12 Jan 1874 with description "eF, irregular, diffuse, very faint star [ncl?] involved, *11 south edge".  His accurate micrometric position (Esmiol's reduction) matches UGCA 132, although RNGC misclassified this galaxy as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2378
07 27 24.1  +33 49 52; Gem

= **, Corwin.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2378 = St. 9-10 on 8 Feb 1878. At Stephan's position is a close pair of stars (mag 14.7/15.2 at 8" separation). The double is cleanly resolved on the DSS. The RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 2378 = NGC 2379.
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NGC 2379 = UGC 3857 = MCG +06-17-006 = CGCG 177-018 = PGC 21036
07 27 26.3  +33 48 40; Gem
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 25" diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  This compact galaxy has a fairly high surface brightenss.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1' NW and a mag 11 star 3.6' NE.  NGC 2375 lies 3.6' WNW.

13.1" (2/23/85): third of seven in the NGC 2389 group.  Faint, extremely small, round.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.0' WNW of center.  NGC 2375 lies 3.7' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2379 = h446 = St. 9-11 on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128) and simply noted "first of four [with NGC 2385, 2388 and 2389]." He marked both the RA and NPD as approximate and his RA was 1 minute of time too large (repeated in the GC). Lord Rosse (or assistant George Johnstone Stoney) labeled it Delta on the sketch made 20 Feb 1849.  Stephan rediscovered NGC 2379 on 4 Feb 1878 at the Marseilles Observatory and reported it as new in his 9th discovery list (#11). Besides Herschel, Lord Rosse (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 2380 = NGC 2382 = ESO 492-012 = MCG -05-18-005 = PGC 20916
07 23 54.6  -27 31 43; CMa
V = 11.2;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 99°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, compact but fairly high surface brightness, appears out of place in very rich Milky Way field.  Located only 5.7° below the galactic equator!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2380 = h3079 on 5 Feb 1837 and called "pF, R, very gradually much brighter middle, 40", in a rich field."  His position matches ESO 492-012 = PGC 20916.  See NGC 2382.
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NGC 2381 = ESO 088-010 = LGG 144-003 = PGC 20694
07 19 57.4  -63 04 01; Car
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright 25" core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  The core is surrounded by a much fainter, fairly small halo, ~0.8' diameter.  A mag 13 star lies 2' NE.  ESO 088-008 = NGC 2369A lies 11' NW.  This ring galaxy is the furthest south in a group including NGC 2369, NGC 2369A, NGC 2369B, IC 2200/2200A, NGC 2417.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2381 = h3084 on 26 Dec 1834 and noted as "vF, vS, R. In a field full of stars."  His position is just off the southwest side of ESO 088-010 = PGC 20694.
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NGC 2382 = NGC 2380 = ESO 492-012 = MCG -05-18-005 = PGC 20916
07 23 54.6  -27 31 43; CMa

See observing notes for NGC 2380.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2382 = h3082 on 1 Feb and recorded "pF; R; bM; 30"; nearly on meridian of Eta Canis, or perhaps somewhat preceding."  He gave approximate coordinates and his position is 9' north and 18 seconds of time west of NGC 2380 (discovered 4 days later).  Herbert Howe couldn't find NGC 2382 at Herschel's position, but gives a corrected position, which corresponds with NGC 2380.  ESO equates NGC 2380 = NGC 2382 and Harold Corwin concurs.
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NGC 2383 = Cr 141 = ESO 559-008
07 24 43  -20 56 54; CMa
V = 8.4;  Size 6'

17.5" (3/7/92): about 30 stars mag 10-14 in 5' diameter and rich in mag 13-14 stars near the center.  Includes three mag 10 stars; one at the west end, another just east of center and the last at the east end.  Just SW of the mag 10 star near the center is a rich glowing knot which is very pretty with averted.  The cluster is set over unresolved background haze.  NGC 2384 is in the field 8' SE.  

8" (3/28/81): small, rich cluster of mag 11-13 stars, three mag 10 stars are near, NGC 2384 lies 8' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2383 = h3081 on 15 Feb 1836 (along with NGC 2384 = h3083) and recorded "cluster, irregularly round, pretty much compressed, 6'. Stars of mixed magnitudes."  His first position (of two) is accurate.
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NGC 2384 = Cr 143 = ESO 559-009
07 25 12  -21 01 24; CMa
V = 7.4;  Size 3'

17.5" (3/7/92): about 20 stars mag 9-14 in an elongated E-W group about 5' length.  Includes the close bright double star HJ 3964 = 9.0/9.7 at 5" near the center.  A mag 9 star is at the west end and close east are two mag 11/12 stars and a group of six fainter stars.  The rest of the cluster mainly consists of a string of six brighter stars oriented SW-NE with h3964 at the SW end of this string and a mag 10 star 30" SSE.  In the same field with richer NGC 2383 8' NW.

8": small group, including 9.0/9.6 at 5".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2384 = h3083 on 15 Feb 1836 and described as "a cluster composed to two groups of bright stars separated in RA by a dark interval. Chief star of preceding group taken."  His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.
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NGC 2385 = MCG +06-17-008 = CGCG 177-020 = WBL 142-001 = PGC 21080
07 28 28.2  +33 50 16; Gem
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 50°

18" (1/13/07): faintest of trio with NGC 2389 7.7' ENE and NGC 2388 5.4' ESE.  At 280x appears faint, small, oval, 0.4'x0.3', low even surface brightness.

13.1" (2/23/85): extremely faint, very small, possibly elongated.  Located 5' W of NGC 2388.  Fourth of seven in the NGC 2389 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2385 = H. III-900 = h447, along with NGC 2388, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031).  His description reads, "I suspected another a little south preceding [of NGC 2389] and 300x confirmed it; and a third almost directly preceding [NGC 2385], and 300x confirms that also.  I saw all the three very plainly."
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NGC 2386
07 28 38.1  +33 46 29; Gem

18" (1/13/07): this is an 18" pair of mag 13/14 stars that was misidentified by Rosse as a nebulous object in the field of NGC 2389.  There is a fainter mag 15 star a bit further west forming a triangle.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2386 on 1 Jan 1876 while observing the NGC 2374-2391 group.  His micrometric offsets from GC 1530 = NGC 2388 (342" in PA 103°) points to a close double (mag ~14.5/15.5 at 3") with a third mag 14.5 star at 18".  Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 lists of NGC/IC corrections, identifies NGC 2386 as a triple star, and Harold Corwin concurs with this conclusion.
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NGC 2387
07 29 26.1  +36 46 07; Aur
Size 8"

24" (2/22/14): at 125x, this 7" double star generally appeared as an unresolved quasi-stellar glow and it was easy to see how it could be mistaken as a possible nebula.  At 200x, it was often cleanly resolved, but still the fainter companion is dim enough to often appear not as a sharp star, but a very faint "appendage" to the brighter component, mimicking a tiny nebula. Also, there are 3 mag 15-16 stars closeby [within 25"] that perhaps contribute to noticing this pair.  At 260x and above, the pair was nearly always resolved cleanly.

CGCG 177-023, the galaxy identified as NGC 2387 in the CGCG, RNGC and PGC, appeared very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 15" diameter.  An extremely faint companion 25" SE was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2387 = H. II-820 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) and recorded "pB, S, stellar.  The wind too high to verify it."  There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin suggests Herschel most likely picked up a faint double only 1.5' north of his position (based on Auwers' reduction).  This pair looked like a tiny nebula in my scope at 200x.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey at Heidelberg, describes NGC 2387 as a single mag 13.5 star with "a small group of 5 small stars nnp 3'."  Corwin's double is part of these "5 small stars".

Dreyer took CGCG 177-023 as H. II-820 on his 23 Feb 1876 observation with the 72": "Irr R, probably lE pf, looks like a hazy star.  Forms a rectangular triangle with a *16 sf and a *17 nff about 2' distant.  3 st 14-15m preceding in a curved line, the nearest one in Pos 279.5°, 161.2"."  This galaxy is ~25 sec of RA west and 8' N of WH's position and his description and class (II) does not fit this galaxy.  RNGC, CGCG and PGC also misidentify CGCG 177-023 as NGC 2387. So, assuming WH's observation refers to the double star, CGCG 177-023 is left without a NGC designation.  Also, see Harold Corwin's comments.
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NGC 2388 = UGC 3870 = MCG +06-17-010 = CGCG 177-022 = WBL 142-002 = PGC 21099
07 28 53.5  +33 49 08; Gem
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 65°

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.4', small brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1' NE of center.  Located 3.4' SW of NGC 2389 with NGC 2385 5.4' WNW.

13.1" (2/23/85): fifth of seven in the NGC 2389 group.  Faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE.  NGC 2389 lies 3.4' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2388 = H. III-901 = h448, along with NGC 2385, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031).  See description under NGC 2385.  John Herschel (in the GC) and Dreyer (in the NGC) assigned H. III-900 to NGC 2388.
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NGC 2389 = UGC 3872 = MCG +06-17-011 = CGCG 177-024 = WBL 142-003 = PGC 21109
07 29 04.7  +33 51 38; Gem
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 83°

18" (1/13/07): brightest galaxy in a group.  At 280x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 5:3 ~E-W, ~1.1'x0.7' though the outer halo fades into the background gradually so difficult to trace with averted vision.  Broad, weak concentration with no well-defined core althought there is a small brighter nucleus with direct vision.  Trio with NGC 2388 3.4' SW and NGC 2385 7.7' WSW.  Also, an unusual edge-on UGC 3879 13' SE (similar redshift) appeared extremely faint, small (viewed only the core of this thin edge-on), 15"-20" diameter.  A couple of mag 14-14.5 stars lies 1' to 1.5' NE.

13.1" (2/23/85): this galaxy is the brightest in the NGC 2389 group.  Fairly faint, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core.  Third of three in a tight subgroup with NGC 2385 and NGC 2388.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2389 = H. III-703 = h449 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807).  His description reads, "very faint; very small; perhaps a patch of star."  On 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) he confirmed it was a nebula and logged "very faint, bright middle, round."  Herschel also discovered NGC 2385 and 2388 on this sweep.  Dreyer misassigned H. III-901 to NGC 2389.
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NGC 2390
07 29 04.2  +33 50 10; Gem

18" (1/13/07): this is a 14th magnitude star located 1.4' S of NGC 2389.  Misidentified as a nebulous object by Robert Ball, a Birr Castle assistant.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 2390 and 2391 on 10 Dec 1866.  His description mentions "Eta is faint and perhaps little elongated."  He placed this object 82.1" in PA 181° (south) with respect to NGC 2389 and at this position is a mag 14.7 star.  Bigourdan was unable to find Ball's object and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", states "eeS, *15.5?".  NGC 2391 also refers to a faint star.
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NGC 2391
07 29 07.5  +33 49 33; Gem

= *, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 2391 on 10 Dec 1866 (along with NGC 2390) and noted "Theta is eF and S and only seen by glimpses."  He placed this object 147" in PA 163.5° with respect to NGC 2389 and at this position is a mag 15.6 star.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", describes a "*14.7, nebulous?, 2.2' ssf of N2389."  Nearby NGC 2390 is also a faint star.
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NGC 2392 = PK 197+17.1 = PN G197.8+17.3 = Eskimo Nebula = Clown Face Nebula
07 29 10.8  +20 54 42; Gem
V = 9.2;  Size 47"x43"

48" (4/1/11 and 4/28/22): at 488x and 976x; the view of the double green shells was stunning.  The inner, brilliant annulus is irregularly shaped, with an elongated bulge on the north side.  The inner ring essentially splits into two sections at the north end with a darker interior forming a small "pouch" within the ring.  This feature creates a "chin" (brighter along its northern edge) at the bottom of the Eskimo's "face" in the eyepiece view.  The outer shell was irregularly lit and brighter along the southern rim.  

18" (2/24/06): viewed at 807x in good seeing. This remarkable double-shelled planetary has a darker ring around the bright, 9th magnitude central star. The darker ring is surrounded by fairly narrow bright annulus, perhaps 20" in diameter.  The rim of the inner annulus appears slightly brighter along the western half and brightest along the northwest section.  Moving outwards, a narrow darker ring separates the inner shell from a large, lower surface brightness outer halo that extends to nearly 1' in diameter (listed diameter is only 47").

17.5" (12/19/87): using 410x exhibits a prominent double shell structure with a very bright inner shell about 20" diameter with a darker central hole surrounding a very bright mag 9 central star.  The Eskimo has a very high surface brightness with a bluish color and easily takes this magnification.  The inner shell is surrounded by a thin dark ring about 2/3 of the way out from center and a faint, barely detached outer halo.  Located 1.6' S of mag 8.3 SAO 79428.

13.1" (1/28/84): bright mag 9 central star surrounded by a double shell with a bright inner disk and a dark ring separates the two shells.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2392 = H. IV-45 = h450 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 694).  He described "a star with a pretty strong milky nebulosity equally dispersed all around.  The star about 9m.  Having but just began I suspected the glass to be covered with damp, or my eye not yet to be in order; however a star 10 or 11m just north of it was free from the same appearance.  A very curious phenomenon; like my northern Planetary [NGC 7662] in its growing state."  The next night it was swept again and he added "One of the most remarkable phenomena I ever have seen."  The two descriptions were included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars.  In the 1814 PT paper he used this object as an example of an evident connection between a chevelure or atmosphere and the involved star, which was perfectly central.

Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney discovered the annular shape on 20 Feb 1849.  Stoney called the object "most astonishing" and his sketch (figure 15 in the 1850 PT paper) also shows a dark spot just to the right (west?) of the central star.  William Lassell reported a similar appearance with his 24-inch in January 1853: "The nebulous star has its envelope evidently fainter on the preceding side.  Its circular outline is almost wanting there. About half-way between the centre and circumference there is a narrow, concentric, dark ring, within which the nebula is brighter than the exterior portion." His sketch was published in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 6) on observations from Malta.

Using an 18.2-inch silvered-glass reflector Henry Cooper Key reported, "the present appearance of this object, as seen in my instrument, is that of a bright, but somewhat nebulous star closely surrounded by a dark ring; this again by a luminous ring; then an interval much less luminous, and, finally, at some distance, an exterior luminous ring" (1867MNRAS..28....2A). Father Secchi also sketched the double ring structure with the 9.5" refractor in Rome around 1856 as well as Barnard with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory on 10 Apr 1890.  He reported "a condensed point or 2 in the preceding part [of the inner disc], then there seems to be a dark vacuity about this disc and then a fainter nebulous ring.  It is a remarkable object."

Heinrich d'Arrest made the first spectroscopic confirmation as a PN in 1872.

The CGCG misidentifies CGCG 086-035 = PGC 21128 as NGC 2392.  The nickname "Eskimo Nebula" dates back to at least 1962 in a paper by William Liller titled "Expansions of Planetary Nebulae".
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NGC 2393 = UGC 3884 = MCG +06-17-014 = CGCG 177-027 = PGC 21154
07 30 04.7  +34 01 39; Gem
V = 14.0;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 103°

18" (1/13/07): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.6'x0.5', low even surface brightness.  Located 16' NE of NGC 2389 in a cluster. 

13.1" (2/23/85): extremely faint, similar in size to NGC 2388 but a lower surface brightness.  Located 16' NE of NGC 2389.  Last of 7 in the cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2393 = St. 13-28 on 5 Feb 1878.  His published position was reduced on 7 Feb 1885 and published the same year in his last discovery list.
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NGC 2394
07 28 37  +07 05 12; CMi

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, appears as a 15'x5' scattered group of roughly two dozen stars, extended E-W.  Includes a about a dozen mag 10-11 stars.  The stars appear to be arranged in a zig-zag chain which is fairly distinctive.  Additional stars are scattered to the north and south of this string, though NGC 2394 is probably just a non-related asterism.  Located just 10' NE of Eta CMi (V = 5.3) in the same field!

William Herschel discovered NGC 2394 = H. VIII-44 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) and noted "A cluster of very coarse scattered large stars, they form a cross and extend over a large space; not rich."  His sketch was included in the 1814 PT publication (fig. 13) as an example of an "aggregation of stars."

There were no observations made by John Herschel or at Birr Castle.  Based on Heidelberg plates, Karl Reinmuth described NGC 2394 as "a very loose clustering of pB st, bet BD+7d1729 and BD+7d1739."  There are about 15 fairly bright mag 10-11 stars in the vicinity.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2395 = Cr 144 = OCL-502 = Lund 338
07 27 13  +13 36 30; Gem
V = 8.0;  Size 12'

13.1" (12/22/84): scattered cluster of roughly 50 stars mag 10 and fainter in 15' field, not rich.  Visible faintly in the 16x80mm finder.  The planetary "Medusa Nebula" (Abell 21) lies 34' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2395 = H. VIII-11 on 16 Mar 1784 (sweep 176) and noted "a cluster of scattered stars."  There is nothing at the Caroline's reduced position (or the GC/NGC position), but 30' southwest is this scattered group of stars.  Auwers' reduced position is 1° too far south, so he made a reduction error.  Still, this is an unusually large error, though the cluster was found only 3 months after Herschel began his sweeps and his positions are sometimes off quite a bit in his early sweeps.  Caroline Herschel also noted a confusion in the sweep record about the offset star -- whether it was 50 or 51 Geminorum, so perhaps there is still an error to be uncovered.
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NGC 2396 = Cr 148 = OCL-579 = Lund 344
07 28 06  -11 44; Pup
Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): at 94x, roughly three dozen stars are resolved, mostly mag 11-13.5 with a pale orange mag 8.5 star on the west side.  At 175x, roughly 50 stars are resolved in a 10' region.  A chain of stars extends a few arcminutes NE from the mag 8.5 star and then abruptly loops due south for the same distance.  This chain then curves around making a large oval loop forming the east side of the cluster.  Located 10' S of a triple star (STF 1097) consisting of a mag 6.2 primary with mag 8.5 and 10 companions at 20" and 23".  The brighter two stars have an orange/blue color contrast.  Located in a rich star field so the borders of the cluster are ill-defined.

25x80mm finder (3/2/08): roundish, glowing region just following a mag 8 star.

17.5" (2/8/91): about three dozen stars mostly mag 11-13 are resolved at 82x.  Evenly distributed, not rich and does not stand out well in a rich field.  The brightest star is mag 8.7 SAO 152910 situated at the west side.  Located 10' S of ∑1097 = 6.1/8.5 at 20"!

William Herschel discovered NGC 2396 = H. VIII-36 = h451 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363).  He called it "a coarsely scattered forming cluster about 20 or 30' diam."  The position is within this scattered group.  John Herschel called it a "straggling portion of the Milky Way."
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NGC 2397 = ESO 058-030 = AM 0721-685 = LGG 147-001 = PGC 20766
07 21 19.7  -69 00 05; Vol
V = 11.8;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 123°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~2'x0.8', small bright core, very small bright nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is off the SE end, 1' from center.  Brightest in a trio with NGC 2397A 7' S and NGC 2397B 10' NNE.

NGC 2397A: faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~45" diameter, diffuse glow with a low surface brightness.  The redshift is 3x higher than NGC 2397A, so a background galaxy.
NGC 2397B: fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, low surface brightness, no core.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with a mag 9.9 star 2.5' S and a mag 12 star 2.5' SW. 

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears very bright, large, elongated nearly 5:2 NW-SE, ~2.4'x1.0', broadly concentrated to a brighter core and then rising quickly to a tiny brighter nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the east end 1' from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2397A 7' S.  The companion was very faint, moderately large, very diffuse, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~1.2'x0.9'.   NGC 2397 is part of the NGC 2442 group and situated 1.4° NW of NGC 2442.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2397 = h3085 on 21 Feb 1835 and recorded "B, L, mE, gradually brighter in the middle, 2' long, 1' broad."  On a second sweep he called it "F, pL, pmE, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 90", pos of extension = 117°."  His position and description matches ESO 58-30 = PGC 20766.

Joseph Turner sketched it on 15 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as a thin streak oriented NW-SE and slightly brighter in the center (unpublished plate V, figure 41).
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NGC 2398 = MCG +04-18-023 = CGCG 117-048 = PGC 21165
07 30 16.3  +24 29 16; Gem
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.65';  PA = 126°

24" (2/14/15): faint to fairly faint, small, very slightly elongated, 20"x16", nearly even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is off the northwest edge [23" from center].

Forms a very close pair with CGCG 117-046 off the west-northwest side [40" between centers].  At 375x, the companion appeared extremely faint and small, round, 8" diameter (core only), visible ~1/3 of time with concentration.  IC 2191 lies 10' S and is fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 20"x15", contains a very small brighter nucleus.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration, stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2398 = St. 13-29 on 5 Feb 1878 with the 31-inch reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  His published position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 10 Feb 1885.

Stephane Javelle resolved it into a double nebula on 7 Feb 1896 and made a footnote in his listing for IC 2191 = J. 3-1000 that "NGC 2398 appears double". Dreyer didn't assign CGCG 117-046 an IC designation, perhaps since Javelle didn't mention an offset or position, though he commented in the IC 2 Notes section "seems to be a double neb (Javelle III.)
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NGC 2399
07 29 50.3  -00 12 45; CMi

= **, Gottlieb.  =***, Corwin.

George Bond discovered NGC 2399 = HN 9, along with NGC 2400, on 26 Feb 1853 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone Survey of stars near the celestial equator.  He noted "between stars #230 and #231 there are two faint nebulae.  Dec +00 05 11 [1853]." Near Bond's position in AN #1453 is a 10" +/- pair of mag 14/15 stars with a third component at 20".  Heinrich d'Arrest measured both NGC 2399 and 2340 on 30 Jan 1865, but his positions are 1 minute of RA too large and he didn't resolve these multiple stars.  Harold Corwin also concludes that NGC 2399 and 2400 are two different triple stars separated by just 1'.
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NGC 2400
07 29 54.9  -00 12 52; CMi

= ***, Corwin.

George Bond discovered NGC 2400 = HN 10, along with NGC 2399, on 26 Feb 1853 at Harvard College observatory.  Near Bond's position is a triple star with separations of ~10" and 14".  Heinrich d'Arrest's positions for both NGC 2399 and 2340, measured on 30 Jan 1865, is exactly 1 minute of RA too large, though he apparently did not resolve the triple.  See NGC 2399.
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NGC 2401 = Cr 149 = OCL-588 = Lund 346
07 29 24  -13 58 00; Pup
Size 2'

18" (3/2/08): at 225x appears as a rich, glowing 1.5' knot with roughly a dozen very faint mag 14-15.5 stars peppered over the glow.  Appears rich with averted but only partially resolved.  A mag 7 star (HD 59543) is the field, 7' ESE.  Situated in a rich Milky Way star field at 175x with a patchy background.

13.1" (1/11/86): About 7 very faint mag 13.5-15 stars resolved over haze, unimpressive.  Located in a very rich field 7' W of mag 7.2 SAO 152963.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2401 = H. VII-65 = h454 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) and recorded "a small cluster of vS stars, considerably rich and compressed."  His position is just off the southeast side of the cluster, but close enough to be unambiguous.
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NGC 2402 = UGC 3891 = MCG +02-19-004 = CGCG 057-015 = PGC 21176
07 30 47.8  +09 38 59; CMi
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7

24" (2/16/15 and 2/14/15): at 322x; faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, ~25"x20", weak concentration with a very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 13.5-14 star is at the east-northeast edge [21" from center].  This star is the last of four in a northwest to southeast string with two mag 13 stars and a mag 11 star at the northwest end.  Also, a fainter mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the north edge - just 10" from center!

Forms a double system with PGC 200236 at the northeast edge [30" from center].  At 450x, it was seen as a very faint round knot (not 100%, but often visible with concentration), roughly 6" diameter.

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is at the east edge 22" from center.  A chain of four stars begin with a mag 14 star 40" N and forms a line to the NW.  Located 3' N of mag 8.8 SAO 115540.  This is a double system in contact, though the fainter companion (PGC 200236) at the NE edge was not noticed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2402 = H. III-19 = h453 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 163) and recorded "2 vS and close stars suspected to be mixed with some nebulosity, but not having a higher power at hand I could not put them to the trial.  However I rather think it may be a fallacy."  His position is 5' NE of  UGC 3891 = PGC 21176.  John Herschel observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, logging on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), "eF; among several stars 13...14m; one = 14m is in the nebula."  My position is on the brighter southwest galaxy.  See Harold Corwin's comments.
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NGC 2403 = UGC 3918 = MCG +11-10-007 = CGCG 309-040 = CGCG 310-003 = LGG 176-006 = PGC 21396
07 36 50.6  +65 36 09; Cam
V = 8.5;  Size 21.9'x12.3';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 127°

48" (4/15/10): this amazing multi-arm spiral stretched across the entire 15' field at 330x, with the major axis running NW to SE.  A striking prominent spiral arm is attached near the NW end and sweeps counter-clockwise 180° along the northern side of the galaxy, tapering as it extends to a point roughly 5' SE of the core.  The arm is widest near the NW end, where it begins sweeping east.  A second inner arm attaches near the SE end of the main body and tightly hugs the southern side of the galaxy as sweeps to the NW side.  A more ill-defined branch heads west from the SE end past a mag 11 star situated 2' WSW of the core.  The field was too small to trace out the outer arms.  Numerous HII splotches stained the surface and I only had time to quickly sketch the most obvious knots.

The supergiant HII complex NGC 2404 located 1.7' ENE of the core and 1.5' NNW of a superimposed mag 10.5 star, appeared as a very bright, irregular, 20" knot.  Hodge lists NGC 2404 as A67 in his 1985 paper "Stellar Associations in the Galaxy NGC 2403".  On the NW side of the galaxy is a collinear string of 3 stars oriented NE to SW with an obvious collinear knot an additional 50" SW (SPC-44 in Sivan, Petit and Comte's 1990 "Optical HII Regions in NGC 2403"; VS 3 in Véron and Sauvayre; and A14 in Hodge).  Just north of the core are two HII knots, separated by 45" and both 12" in size.  The western knot is catalogued as SPC-174 = VS 24 = A36 and the eastern knot as SPC-224 = VS 38 = A45 .

On the SE side of the galaxy is a pair of HII knots separated by 40".  The eastern knot is SP-346 = VS 51 = A80 and is situated 1.6' SE of the mag 10.5 star and the western knot includes SPC-318/321/322.  At the SE end of the spiral arm that contains NGC 2404 is another 10" knot, which includes SPC-348/351/352 = VS 52 = A81.  It can be pinpointed 1.0' NE of the mag 10.5 star.  On the SE end of the galaxy a fairly faint, irregular knot (SPC-331/336/343 = VS 48/49 = A73) was noticed 1' W of a mag 14 star.

18" (3/19/04): at 160x, this chaotic spiral displayed a tremendous wealth of detail with two broad, diffuse spiral arms, dark lanes, mottling and a few obvious giant HII regions.  A number of stars are superimposed including two mag 11 stars.  I focused on observing the HII regions that were best viewed at 323x.

The brightest is the HII complex NGC 2404 (VS 44 = SP 298)  on the east side of the core 1.5' from center and 1.5' N of a mag 11 star to the SW of the core.  This knot is fairly bright at 323x, perhaps 15" diameter and irregularly round.

On the NW side of the halo is a collinear string of two stars along with a fuzzy knot (VS 3 = SP 44 = A14), oriented from SW to NE.  This HII knot forms the SW end of the string and is clearly nonstellar at 323x, ~15" diameter.  It can also be pinpointed 2.4' NW of the mag 11 star west of the core (middle of three in a E-W string).

At the NNW edge of the core is a mag 13.5 "star" that does not focus sharply and appears to be another HII knot (VS 24 = SPC-174 = A36).  Close following is a fainter, but definite nonstellar knot ~10" diameter (VS 38 = SPC-224 = A45).

Finally, returning to star on the SW edge of the core, a fainter mag 14 star is close south with a weak nebulous glow attached (SPC-221/222/225).  This region is also catalogued as A41 in Hodge's 1985 "Stellar Associations in the Galaxy NGC 2403" from PASP, 97, 1065 .

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, very large, bright core, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 15'x6'.  Impressive galaxy with spiral structure clearly visible.  Two spiral arms are attached at opposite ends of the central region and both wind almost 180°.  The tip of the northern arm ends at the emission nebula NGC 2404.  Several stars are superimposed including two mag 11 stars.

17.5" (2/22/87): two spiral arms are visible on attached at the opposite sides of the galaxy and winding a half of revolution.  The northern arm ends at the HII knot NGC 2404.  The galaxy has a mottled appearance. 

13.1" (1/11/86): spiral arm definite on the west side of the galaxy with a dark gap between this arm and the main body (core).  This feature is very faint but definite with averted.

13.1" (12/22/84): spiral arm highly suspected attached at the west side winding along the north side to a faint knot = NGC 2404.

13.1" (1/28/84): very bright, large bright core.  NGC 2404 is clearly visible as a faint, very small nebulous knot along the east side of the galaxy.  Spiral structure (arms) is just suspected.  On 3/24/84 the knot was difficult to view at 144x, but on 1/11/86 was fairly easy.

8" (1/1/84): bright, large, bright core, faint star superimposed, mottled?

William Herschel discovered NGC 2403 = H. V-44 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879).  He recorded "considerably bright; round; very gradually brighter middle; bright nucleus; 6 or 7' dia; resembling a star with a misty atmosphere."  He observed it again on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889): "very gradually much brighter middle with very faint branches extending a great way.  To the north preceding I could trace the branch about half a degree; and to the north or north following, the nebulosity was diffused over a considerable space, I am pretty sure notless than a whole degree."  Obviously, his size description was much too large, but the "faint branch extending a great way to the np side" applies to the spiral side on the west side. The comment "to the n or nf the nebulosity is diffused over a space" probably applies to the northern arm that extends to the east (and contains NGC 2404).

In the book "William Herschel, Discoverer of the Deep Sky", Wolfgang Steinicke states that Caroline Herschel found the galaxy again while sweeping on 31 Jul 1793.  She misidentified some nearby stars as in Lynx, but her sketch clearly applies to NGC 2403.  I'm surprised that John Herschel recorded no observations of this bright galaxy.

Based on photographs taken with the 60-inch reflector at Mt Wilson, Francis Pease (1917) remarked "This fine right-handed spiral nebula resembles M33...Faint knots and arms extend as far as 10' from the center.  It does not contains the wealth of detail of M33, but has the same sharp stellar images, the nebulous stars [HII regions], the bunching of these knots and the dark streaks.."
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NGC 2404 = [VS65] 44 = [SPC90] 298 = [H85] A67
07 37 07.1  +65 36 39; Cam
Size 20"

24" (2/24/20): NGC 2404 is the brightest HII complex in NGC 2403.  At 375x, it appeared fairly bright, slightly elongated or irregular, ~15" diameter.

48" (4/15/10): The supergiant HII complex NGC 2404 (perhaps 2000 light-years across) is located 1.7' ENE of the core and 1.5' NNW of a superimposed mag 10.5 star.  It appeared as a very bright, irregular, 20" knot. At the relatively low power of 330x, I quickly logged 8 HII knots in the galaxy (see description of NGC 2403).

18" (3/19/04): brightest of 3 or 4 HII regions visible in NGC 2403.  Fairly bright at 160x, small, round.  Located just east of the core, 1.5' from center, and 1.5' N of a prominent mag 11 star to the SW of the core.

17.5" (2/22/87): this is a prominent knot (superassociation) located at the end of the northern spiral arm of NGC 2403.  Appears fairly faint, small, round, clearly nonstellar.

13.1": extremely small emission "knot" at the east end of NGC 2403.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2404 = Big. 28, a superassociation/HII region in NGC 2403, on 2 Feb 1886 with the 12.4-inch refractor of Paris Observatory.  The NGC position, based on Bigoudan's original published position in list I, is in error but Bigourdan later measured and published an accurate position in his five volume (3000 pages) compilation (Annales de l'Observatoire de Paris). RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7), although Type 35 (diffuse nebula in galaxy) would be more appropriate.
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NGC 2405 = MCG +04-18-026 = CGCG 117-051 = VV 643 = PGC 21224
07 32 14.0  +25 54 23; Gem
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very low even surface brightness.  A mag 15.5 star is just off the north edge.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2405 = m 105 on 7 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, iR."  His position is 1' S of CGCG 117-51 = PGC 21224.
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NGC 2406 = MCG +03-19-021 = CGCG 086-041 = CGCG 087-002 = WBL 144-001 = PGC 21218
07 31 47.8  +18 17 17; Gem
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 13.3 star is 1' NE.  Slightly brighter NGC 2407 is 3.4' NE.

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, small brighter core.  Slightly fainter than NGC 2407 3.4' NE.  CGCG 086-039, located 9' WSW, appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 25"x20", relatively high surface brightness.

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, round, faint core, slightly smaller and fainter than NGC 2407 3.4' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2406 = St. 13-30, along with NGC 2407, on  5 Feb 1878.   An accurate micrometric position was reduced on 7 Feb 1885 before the publication of his 13th discovery list.
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NGC 2407 = UGC 3896 = MCG +03-20-001 = CGCG 086-042 = CGCG 087-003 = WBL 144-002 = PGC 21220
07 31 56.7  +18 19 59; Gem
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 75°

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, round, 0.5' diameter, small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group.  A mag 7.9 star (HD 59800) is 7' ENE.

CGCG 086-044, just 2.4' ESE, was extremely faint, very small, round, ~12" diameter, very low surface brightness. 

24" (2/5/21): at 260x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, round, 0.6' diameter, broad concentration.  In a group (WBL 144) with NGC 2406 3.5' SW and CGCG 086-044 2.4' E.  Located 7.5' WSW of mag 7.9 HD 59800.

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2406 3.4' SSW.  Located 7' W of mag 7.8 SAO 96995.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2407 = St. 13-31, along with NGC 2406, on 5 Feb 1878.  His published micrometric position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 7 Feb 1885.
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NGC 2408
07 40 32  +71 40 30; Cam
Size 20'

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, ~50 stars mag 9.5 and fainter are scattered in a 20' triangular group.  The group is unconcentrated and there are only a few stars within the interior of the outline.  Strings of stars extend off the triangle so there no clear boundaries to the group and it appears to be a chance asterism or an open cluster remnant.  A mag 9 star is on the west side of the group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2408 = h452 in Jan 1830 (sweep 230) and noted "A very loose scattered cluster of large stars, or a starry place."  His position corresponds with a mag 9 star. Harold Corwin identifies a scattered group of mag 10-12 stars (asterism) with a diameter of ~20'.  Bica et al, classify this object as a "possible open cluster remnant" (2001A&A...366..827B).
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NGC 2409 = Bochum 4 = Lund 1128
07 31 37  -17 11 24; Pup
V = 7.3;  Size 2'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, this is a 2' group of 8 stars with no faint members, so it appears to be an asterism.  The two brightest mag 8.5/9 stars are part of a boxy quadrilateral with the other 4 stars grouped into two wide pairs.  The three brightest stars are resolved in the 80mm finder at 25x.  Sh 2-302, a very faint large HII region is centered ~13' N.

17.5" (2/9/02): small, bright, distinctive group of 8 stars mag 9-11.5 in a 2' knot.  Includes two mag 9 stars in a small quadrilateral and two other pairs.  Stands out well in the field, though seems too sparse to be a real cluster (Bochum 4).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2409 = h3086 on 12 Feb 1836 and noted "a small but brillliant group of 6 or 8 large stars, 8, 9, 10m, within a very small compass."  His position matches this small, bright group of stars.  While observing with the 72", Dreyer called this group "only 4 stars 9...11 mag and some fainter ones.  I suppose there are millions of such clusters."  Herbert Howe noted it  "Consists of 10 scattered stars."  This knot of stars is plotted on Norton's Star Atlas but RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2410 = UGC 3917 = MCG +05-18-023 = CGCG 177-035 = CGCG 147-043 = PGC 21336
07 35 02.4  +32 49 18; Gem
V = 13.0;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 31°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, bright core.  A pair of mag 14 stars are 1.0' SE and 1.5' SSE of center.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2410 = Sf. 74 on 5 Feb 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  His description reads, "pS, pB, very much brighter middle to a nucleus = 12-13m."  Safford's discovery, though, wasn't published until 1887, too late to be credited in the NGC.

Stephan found the galaxy on 26 Jan 1870 (was he notified of Safford's discovery?) and recorded an approximate position 2' to the E.  His published micrometric position was made on 2 Feb 1877 and included in list 8b (#20).  He made a later observation on 3 Feb 1878.  Only Stephan was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5388) and the NGC.  NGC 2410 was found again by Stephane Javelle on 11 Feb 1898 at the Nice Observatory and included in his 3rd discovery list (#1005) as "F, E 250 deg, 1' long, gradually brighter in the middle, r."
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NGC 2411 = UGC 3914 = MCG +03-20-005 = CGCG 177-035 = PGC 21315
07 34 36.3  +18 16 53; Gem
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

24" (2/14/15): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 24"x18", well concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  A mag 14 star is just west of the southwest end.

Forms a close pair with PGC 1555546 just 1.0' NE.  The companion was extremely faint, 12" diameter, occasionally popped in the same position, but could not hold for any duration.

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, small, almost round, sharp concentration.  PGC 1555546, a faint companion off the NE side, was not seen.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2411 = St. 13-32 on 7 Feb 1885 (date the position was reduced).  His position matches UGC 3914 = PGC 21315.
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NGC 2412
07 34 21.5  +08 32 44; CMi

= **, Gottlieb. Not found, RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2412 in 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  At his position is a pair of mag 12.2/13.8 stars at 14" separation that match Lohse's description of a nearby bright star.  The mean position of these two stars is used.  Only 3 of his 16 objects in the NGC are galaxies (two others were earlier discoveries), the rest being stars or missing.
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NGC 2413
07 33 18.5  -13 07 09; Pup
Size 10'

18" (3/13/04): appears as two groups of stars symmetrically placed to the north and south of mag 8.7 HD 60307.  The southern group is richer and contains nearly three dozen stars within 5'.  The northern group contains more mag 10-11 stars but is not as rich with two dozen stars in 7'.  This group is probably not a true cluster.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2413 = H. VIII-52 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and called it "a cluster of vL coarsely scattered stars, not rich, nearly R."  His position is 1.5' north of mag 8.8 HD 60307, on the south side of the group.

John Herschel did not reobserve this object but it was described at Birr Castle on 3 Jan 1873 as a "very loose Cl, scarcely more compressed than the neighborhood."  Brian Skiff notes two clumps in a 10' diameter.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2414 = Cr 150 = OCL-598 = Lund 352
07 33 13  -15 27 12; Pup
V = 7.9;  Size 4'

18" (3/2/08): very pretty cluster with ~40 stars mag 12-14 resolved in a 4'x3' group using the 13mm Ethos (175x).  A mag 8.2 star (HD 60308) is superimposed at the center and sprays of stars to the NW, north and east appear to radiate outward from the bright star.  A half a dozen brighter mag 10-10.5 stars form an 8' incomplete ring that partially encompasses the cluster (open to the east).

13.1" (1/11/86): about 20 faint stars surrounding mag 8.2 SAO 153056 with some unresolved background haze.  The cluster members are arranged in two curving lanes with a mag 8.2 star at the center, elongated ~E-W.  Pretty view at high power.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2414 = H. VIII-37 = h455 on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) and recorded "A small cluster of scattered stars of various sizes, not very rich."  John Herschel noted on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111) "a cl with 1 st 9m; not rich." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 2415 = UGC 3930 = MCG +06-17-021 = Ark 136 = Haro 1 = CGCG 177-038 = PGC 21399
07 36 56.6  +35 14 32; Lyn
V = 12.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.0

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core.  Located 2.0' SW of mag 9.1 SAO 60227.  The galaxy is bracketed by two mag 14 stars just 0.6' NW and 0.9' ESE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2415 = H. II-821 = h456 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) and called "pB, cS, resolvable, preceding a considerable star."  John Herschel wrote on 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51), "a curious, almost planetary neb 10" diam R; light nearly equable; between 2 small stars."
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NGC 2416 = UGC 3925 = MCG +02-20-002 = CGCG 058-008 = PGC 21358
07 35 41.5  +11 36 43; CMi
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 110°

17.5" (11/25/87): very faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2416 = m 106 on 26 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "eF, S."  His position is 9 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 3925.  There are no other nearby candidates, so this identification is certain
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NGC 2417 = ESO 123-015 = AM 0729-620 = LGG 144-006 = PGC 21155
07 30 12.1  -62 15 10; Car
V = 12.0;  Size 2.8'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 81°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears bright, large, oval 4:3 or 3:2 WSW-ENE, ~3'x2', broadly concentrated with a large, brighter core.  A very faint star is at the south edge of the halo.  The galaxy pair IC 2200A and IC 2200B lies 15' SW.  This galaxy is at the east end of a group of galaxies including NGC 2381, NGC 2369, NGC 2369A, NGC 2369B and IC 2200/2200A.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2417 = h3087 on 8 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable. Is no doubt a very distant cluster of 6th class." His position matches ESO 123-15 = PGC 21155.
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NGC 2418 = Arp 165 = UGC 3931 = MCG +03-20-008 = CGCG 087-017 = PGC 21382
07 36 37.5  +17 53 02; Gem
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, broadly concentrated halo, bright stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2418 = St. 8b-21 on 10 Jan 1872 with a second observation 5 years later on 3 Feb 1877.  He included the discovery in list 8b in 1877 with description "vF, eS, bM."
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NGC 2419 = Intergalactic Wanderer
07 38 08.5  +38 52 55; Lyn
V = 10.3;  Size 4.6';  Surf Br = 0.3

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, round, 2' diameter, gradually brighter core but no well-defined nucleus, mottled appearance although no resolution into stars.  Framed by a quadrilateral of four mag 13-14 stars and a few other faint stars.  Collinear with mag 7.0 SAO 60232 4' W and mag 7.9 SAO 60229 8' W.  The "Intergalactic Tramp" is one of most distant globulars from earth and may be the core of an accreted dwarf galaxy.

8": very faint, small, round, no resolution.  Collinear with two mag 8 stars to the west and a mag 9 star in the field W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2419 = H. I-218 = h457 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901).  His description reads "considerably bright, round, very gradually much brighter middle, about 3' diameter."  John Herschel described the globular on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335) as "not vB; L; pmE in parallel; 2' l and 75" br."  This is an interesting observation as the globular is generally described as round.  NGC 2419 was first logged by Lord Rosse on 9 Mar 1850.  His description reads, "I think clearly resolved, several points, at least 3 seen plainly in edge which I suspect to be filamentous; no nucl., more round than [John Herschel] describes it."  The 13 Feb 1852 observation notes "Lord Rosse thought it like a cluster at a great distance."

NGC 2419 was found to be globular cluster in 1922 on a plate taken by Carl Lampland with the 40" reflector at Lowell Observatory.  Harlow Shapley estimated the distance as 165,000 l.y. and along with Helen Sawyer, assigned it to concentration class II.  In 1935, William Baade studied the cluster's variable stars and found a distance of ~182,000 l.y. He noted it "it has been suggested that NGC 2419 might be an independent intergalactic object."  Shapley may have been the first to use the nickname "Intergalactic Tramp" in 1944 (footnote in "Revision of the Distances of 30 high-latitude Globular Clusters.")  The current estimate is  ~275,000 l.y., nearly twice the distance of the LMC.
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NGC 2420 = Cr 154 = Mel 69 = OCL-488
07 38 24  +21 34 30; Gem
V = 8.3;  Size 10'

18" (3/15/10): this is a rich, pretty group at low power with roughly 80-100 stars in a 10' region at 175x.  Higher power brings out the fainter members.  The brightest mag 9.4 star is at the west end of the cluster and forms a large mag contrast pair with a 13th companion 12" south.  On the north end of the cluster is an equally spaced, collinear trio with separations of 14".  The brighter stars in the cluster are pretty evenly distributed.  Many of the fainter stars are in a 2'-3' patch that follows the mag 9.4 star and which includes some unresolved haze.  A couple of brighter mag 8-9 stars are in the field to the south of the cluster and also to the north.

17.5" (1/23/93): excellent cluster of at least 50 stars mag 11-15 within a 6' diameter.  Good spread of magnitudes, includes 15 stars mag 11-13 over a rich background of numerous mag 14-15 stars and unresolved haze.  The brightest mag 10 star is on the west side and has a mag 13 companion 12" S.  Located between mag 9.1 SAO 79575 6' NNE and mag 8.9 SAO 79563 6' SSW.  A faint galaxy pair, CGCG 117-059 and CGCG 117-060 (separation is just 40"), is in the field 10' WNW!  Both of these are extremely faint and small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2420 = H. VI-1 = h458 on 19 Nov 1783 (early horizontal sweep #27).  According to Steinicke, after viewing Uranus he recorded a "cluster of stars, very beautiful and of considerable extent, perhaps 6 or 8' [diameter]."  He viewed this cluster a number of times in later sweeps, including 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 694) and 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697), when he called it "A brilliant rich cluster of stars."

On 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59), John Herschel called it "a p rich cl; irreg fig; 50...100 stars; 11...18m; 5..7' diam."
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NGC 2421 = Cr 151 = Mel 67 = OCL-626
07 36 12  -20 36 42; Pup
V = 8.3;  Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): ~80 stars mag 10-15 stars are resolved at 175x within a 10' region.  Includes a large number of mag 11-12 stars.  The group is well-detached in the field, particularly on the west, north and southeast sides.  One concentration of stars is on the soiuthwest side.  Just to the northeast, a number of the cluster's stars form the outline of a large, equilateral triangle.  A rich clump of stars is the center of this triangle including a mag 11/11.5 pair at 18".  At 225x, ~100 stars are visible, although the cluster spreads out too much to be pleasing at this power.

25x80mm (3/2/08): appears as a fairly large, richly glowing region with a few brighter stars resolved.

17.5" (3/7/92): about 60 mag 10-14 stars in a 10' field.  Many stars are similar magnitudes and the cluster is pretty evenly distributed.  Brighter stars at the borders give a triangular outline including mag 10.5 stars at the SW, SE and NE edges.  A wide brighter double star (ARA 962 = 10.9/11.5 at 18") oriented N-S lies NE of center and two faint companions are also near. 

8" (1/1/84): almost three dozen faint stars, triangular-shape, rich field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2421 = H. VII-67 = h3089 on 30 Jan 1799 (sweep 1089). He described "a cluster of compressed stars, considerably rich."  Wolfgang Steinicke uncovered that Herschel first observed the cluster on his early sweep 35 (3 Dec 1783), but didn't catalogue the observation, probably due to an insufficient position.

John Herschel recorded it from the Cape of Good Hope on 15 Feb 1836 (sweep 677) as "a large fine rich cluster, not much compressed, but nearly filling the field. Stars 11..13th mag, no conspicuous star, place that of a coarse double stars 11th mag."
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NGC 2422 = M47 = NGC 2478 = Cr 152
07 36 35  -14 29 00; Pup
V = 4.4;  Size 30'

18" (3/2/08): this naked-eye cluster was stunning at 73x (31 Nagler), though at 30' diameter it was too spread out for higher powers.  The stars are arranged in beautiful chains and groups.  The brightest half-dozen stars are in a 10' subgroup in the center including a striking white double star (STF 1121 = 7.0/7.3 at 7") that is is surrounded by many stars in chains and loops.  The brightest star on the west side is a wide, unequal double (5.7/9.7 at 20").  Perhaps 200 stars are scattered around at low power.

13.1" (11/5/83): very bright, very large, fairly rich, impressive.  Includes double stars STF 1121 = 7.9/7.9 at 7" in the center and STF 1120 = 5.7/9.6 at 20" on the west side.  Easy naked-eye object in a dark sky. 

8" (11/5/83): very bright, large but scattered, includes STF 1121 = 8/8 at 7" near core and STF 1120 on west side, many colored stars.

15x50 IS binocs (2/25/25): fairly well resolved with up to two dozen stars counted.

12x36 IS binocs (2/25/25): very bright, large, 10-12 stars resolved.

Giovanni Hodierna probably made the first discovery before 1654 and simply recorded "a Nebulosa between the two dogs".  Charles Messier rediscovered it 117 years later on 19 Feb 1771, though he clearly made an error as there is nothing at his position.  Messier's missing object was assigned GC 1594 and NGC 2478.  In 1959, Canadian amateur T.F. Morris identified M47 as identical to the Herschel's cluster.  See notes for NGC 2478.

William Herschel independently discovered M47 = NGC 2422 = H. VIII-38 = h459 = h3088 on 15 Feb 1781, before starting his systematic sweeps.  He primarily mentioned it, though, as containing the double star H. II. 63 (his main focus at the time).  He found the cluster again on 23 Oct 1782 and Caroline Herschel made an independent discovery on 26 Feb 1783 with a small refractor.  During his sweeps with his 18.7", William Herschel encountered the cluster on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) and recorded VIII-38 as a new "very coarsely scattered cluster of several vL and other different sized stars."  He observed it again on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and called it "a pretty compressed cluster of very large and different sized stars, round, above 15' diameter.  It has a pretty appearance."

From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel wrote, "a very large, pretty rich splendid cluster, which more than fills the field. Place of the chief star a find double star."
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NGC 2423 = Cr 153 = Mel 70 = OCL-592
07 37 07  -13 52 18; Pup
V = 6.7;  Size 19'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~100 stars are resolved in a 18' region with an excellent double at the center (h3983 = 9.1/9.7 at 8"). The stars are pretty evenly distributed with no rich subgroups though with several doubles and small groupings.

13.1" (1/28/84): about 50 stars in 15' field.  Fairly rich in faint stars.  A mag 9 double star is near the center. The primary, itself, is a very close pair (RST 3532 = 9.6/10.2 at 0.5").  Located 37' N of M47.

25x80mm finder (3/2/08): A chain of stars extends north from M47 to this obvious glow with a few resolved stars superimposed.

15x50 IS binoculars (1/15/07): visible about 40' N of M47 in binoculars as a faint glow with the brighter mag 9-10 stars resolved.

12x36 IS binos (2/25/25): fairly small, easy glow ~40' N of M47.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2423 = H. VII-28 = h3090 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and noted "a cluster of pS stars, pretty rich, 15' diameter."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel observed the cluster from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "a very large, rich fine cluster of small stars which nearly fills the field. Place that of a double star, class II."
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NGC 2424 = UGC 3959 = MCG +07-16-009 = CGCG 206-015 = FGC 649 = PGC 21558
07 40 39.3  +39 13 58; Lyn
V = 12.6;  Size 3.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 81°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, very thin extensions from core.  Located 7' WNW of mag 7.8 SAO 60267.  The distant globular cluster NGC 2419 lies 37' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2424 = St. 13-33 on 5 Feb 1878.  His published position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 6 Feb 1885 with description "vF; pS; little brighter middle; mE WSW-ENE; length ~1'."
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NGC 2425 = OCL-599 = Lund 363
07 38 18  -14 52 42; Pup
Size 3'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~18 stars are resolved over haze in a small 4'x2' group elongated WSW-ENE.  At 225x, perhaps two dozen stars are visible.  On the east end is a distinctive line of 5 stars oriented SW-NE, though the richest clump of stars is at the west end of the cluster.

13.1" (1/11/86): 15 stars mag 13.5-15.0 over haze in a 4'x2' region elongated ~E-W.  Four collinear mag 13 stars are on the east end.  Lies SE of M47.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2425 = H. VIII-87 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034). He noted "a small cluster of small stars, not very rich."  Wolfgang Steinicke found his original discovery was made on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540).  After logging M47, he recorded "a patch of small stars, about 5' long and 2' broad".  The offset from M47 (about 2 minutes of time and 23' S) is an excellent match with NGC 2425, but the cluster wasn't catalogued as a new discovery at the time.
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NGC 2426 = UGC 3977 = MCG +09-13-038 = CGCG 262-022 = PGC 21648
07 43 18.5  +52 19 06; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 2.7' NNW of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 2429 5' NE.  Misplotted on the U2000 due to a typo in declination (30' too far N) in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2426 = H. II-822 = h460 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and wrote, "pF, R, resolvable, very gradually brighter middle."  His position (based on Auwers reduction) is less than 1' SW of UGC 3977 = PGC 21648.  The RNGC declination is 30' too far north and because of this error, the galaxy was misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 atlas.
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NGC 2427 = ESO 208-027 = PGC 21375
07 36 27.8  -47 38 08; Pup
V = 11.5;  Size 5.2'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 122°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this large, unusual galaxy is set in a very rich Milky Way field and appears as a diffuse, very large, elongated glow with a low surface brightness and a size of ~4.5'x2.0'.  A star is superimposed and mimics an offset stellar nucleus, but otherwise there is little concentration.  Situated nearly at the midpoint of two mag 10 stars 5.5' SW and 5.5' NE.  The cometary globular CG 4 and ESO 257-019 lies 45' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2427 = h3091 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, L, pmE, very little brighter middle, involves two stars."  His position is 1.5' NE of the center of ESO 208-027 = PGC 21375.
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NGC 2428
07 39 18  -16 32; Pup
Size 10'

18" (2/4/08): at 175x, roughly 40 stars in 10' barely stand out as a group within a rich Milky Way field.  Most eye-catching is a small trapezoidal group with a double star at the NW vertex and a wide pair at the SE vertex.  A string of 3 stars oriented SW-NE is within the trapezoid.  Off the SE vertex an oval chain of stars extends south and west before looping back towards the trapezoid.  There are no dense regions and this appears to be an asterism.  An even weaker concentration of stars about 10' NNE may be NGC 2430.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2428 = H. VIII-47, along with NGC 2430, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503), and noted "A very much scattered and vL cl or stars; or rather the milky way very much crowded with stars not differing much in size and colour."  His position is 10' south of H. VIII-46 = NGC 2430 and corresponds with a fairly rich star field on the DSS.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2429 = VV 284 = UGC 3983 = MCG +09-13-039 = CGCG 262-023 = PGC 21664
07 43 47.6  +52 21 27; Lyn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is involved at the SE end 0.3' from center and a mag 11 star is 0.8' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2426 5.0' SW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2429 on 10 Mar 1874 with the 72".  and recorded "pF, pS, vmE 146.4°, att to a *12 at sf end."  Copeland's description and micrometric offset from a mag 10 star matches the double system UGC 3983.  MCG lists the two components separately: MCG +09-13-039 = NGC 2429A and MCG +09-13-040 = NGC 2429B.
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NGC 2430
07 39 30  -16 20 24; Pup
Size 8'

18" (2/4/08): scattered, undistinguished group with three brighter stars (separations of 3'-4') including mag 8.5 HD 61553 and two mag 10-10.5 stars.  A small group of fainter stars is the south of the mag 9 star and a larger group of faint stars is just north of the triangle of brighter stars.  Even so, there is really nothing here to catch my eye and it clearly appears to be a random Milky Way star field.  Just 10' SSW is NGC 2428, another unimpressive Milky Way concentration.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2430 = H. VIII-46, along with NGC 2428, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and reported "a very large but coarsely scattered cluster of stars."  There is nothing that stands out significantly visually at his position as noted in my observation, so this identification is very uncertain.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 2431 = NGC 2436? = UGC 3999 = MCG +09-13-042 = CGCG 262-024 = PGC 21711
07 45 13.4  +53 04 30; Lyn
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.7' SE and a fainter mag 13 star is 2.2' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2431 = H. III-829 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and noted "eF, vS, R, bM."  Auwers' reduced position is 2.8' north of UGC 3999 = PGC 21711.  NGC 2436 is possibly a duplicate observation.
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NGC 2432 = Cr 157 = Mel 73 = Lund 369
07 40 54  -19 05 12; Pup
Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, appears a very distinctive 5' N-S string with a total of ~60 stars resolved in a 5'x3' area.  The richest part is along the string with numerous mag 13-14.5 stars packed tightly.  The north side of the string bifurcates into two prongs.

13.1" (1/11/86): three dozen faint stars mag 12-15 in a very elongated string oriented N-S with dimensions 5'x1.5'.  This is a rich, pretty group with several pairs.

13.1" (1/18/85): ~35 faint stars in an elongated string along one side of bright trapezoid of stars.

8" (3/28/81): rich in faint stars or haze, small, elongated.

80mm (3/2/08): faintly visible in the finder at 25x as a thin, elongated glow N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2432 = H. VI-36 = h3092 on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934) and described a "very compressed cluster of small, and some large stars; extended nearly in the meridian; the most compressed part is about 8' long and 2' broad, with many stars scattered around it to a considerable distance." He observed the cluster again on 14 Mar 1801 (sweep 1095) and also noted it was extended in the meridian.  A sketch (fig. 15) was included in his 1814 paper and he speculated "the construction of this cluster may have arisen from the situation of many stars in the same plane, drawn towards a centre by the clustering power, for any plane seen obliquely will have the appearance of an extended form."

In "William Herschel, Discoverer of the Deep Sky", Wolfgang Steinicke states that Herschel first discovered the cluster on 3 Dec 1783 (early horizontal sweep 35), though he simply noted "another cluster of stars [besides NGC 2509, which was recorded] preceding, in the same parallel under [2 Pup]."  His description is a perfect match with NGC 2432.

From the Cape of Good Hope on 15 Feb 1836 (sweep 677), John Herschel called this "a rather irregular cluster of 8th class, pretty much compressed. The most compressed part forms a ridge or body of stars elongated in the meridian. Stars 12..15th mag with larger outliers."
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NGC 2433
07 42 43.5  +09 15 33; CMi
Size 6"

24" (1/28/17): at 375x; two of the components of this faint, close triple star were resolved.  The brightest (mag ~14.8) is at the north end, with a mag 15 component just 5" SE.  At 450x, the third component (mag 15.6) was occasionally resolved 5" south of the northern star.  So, the three stars formed a tiny equilateral triangle of sides 5"!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2433 = h462 on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 123) and logged "eF, has a *15 90" dist 30 deg [north-preceding]."  At Herschel's position (07 42 43.5 +09 15 33) is a close triple star (separations ~5"-6") that Corwin identifies as NGC 2433.  The star Herschel mentions north-preceding is at 50" separation.  RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 058-029 = PGC 21634 as NGC 2433.  HyperLeda has a "placeholder" LEDA 3325911 for NGC 2433 at the position of the triple and calls the object type unknown.
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NGC 2434 = ESO 059-005 = LGG 147-002 = PGC 21325
07 34 51.3  -69 17 03; Vol
V = 11.3;  Size 2.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located 16' NW of the remarkable barred spiral, NGC 2442.  At 260x it appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 5:4, ~1.0'x0.8' in diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core.  Four mag 12 stars are nearby; three to the north and one to the southeast. Mag 6.9 Delta Vol lies 15' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2434 = h3096 on 23 Dec 1834 and measured it on 5 sweeps.  His original description reads "pB, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 35"." and his position matches ESO 059-005 = PGC 21325.
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NGC 2435 = UGC 3996 = MCG +05-19-002 = CGCG 147-062 = CGCG 148-004 = PGC 21676
07 44 13.5  +31 39 03; Gem
V = 12.9;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 36°

17.5" (2/1/92 and 12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE.  The halo is evenly concentrated down to a small bright core containing a stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2435 = H. II-616 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 628) and noted "F, S, little brighter in the middle."  His position is 2' northwest of UGC 3996 = PGC 21676.
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NGC 2436
07 45 48.3  +52 02 17; Lyn

= **, Gottlieb. = NGC 2431:, Corwin.  =*, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2436 = h461 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and recorded "vF, S, R, bM, diam 8"."  About 3' west of his position is a faint pair of mag 14.4/15.4 stars with a separation of 8" that could be his object.  The mean position of these two stars given here.  But Harold Corwin notes that Herschel's position is exactly 1.0 min of RA east and 1 degree south of NGC 2431 and the description matches the bright core.  As the errors are just single digits, he feels NGC 2436 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 2431, though I feel the faint pair of stars is also a possibility.
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NGC 2437 = M46 = Cr 159
07 41 47  -14 48 36; Pup
V = 6.1;  Size 27'

17.5" (3/16/96): at 100x, M46 fills a large portion of the 35' field with a few hundred stars fairly evenly distributed.  The cluster appears slightly elongated E-W although there are no clear borders. There is no increase in concentration towards the center and except for two brighter stars on the W side, the cluster is unusually uniform in brightness (mag 11-13) and distribution in the main body.  A noticeable 2' void, though, is very close to the center.  Around the periphery the distribution becomes quite scraggly and the cluster mixes with the general field density.  The beautiful annular planetary NGC 2438 is situated in the north side of the cluster.

8": bright, very rich, large, includes a couple of mag 9 stars but most stars are mag 10-13 and fairly uniform in magnitude and distribution except for a gap near the center.  Contains the striking pn NGC 2438 at the NE edge.  Faint naked-eye object in a dark sky.

12x36 IS binos (2/25/25): fairly bright, large, roundish, a few stars are resolved.

Charles Messier discovered M46 = NGC 2437 = h463 on 19 Feb 1771.  Caroline Herschel rediscovered it on 4 Mar 1783 and assumed it was new (entering it as #3 in her discovery log), though realized her mistake on November 19th.  William Herschel described the cluster on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) as "a beautiful, very rich, compressed cluster of stars of various magnitudes."  He was aware this was M46 and didn't assign it a Herschel designation.

On 17 Dec 1827 (sweep 111), John Herschel logged, "the brightest part of a v fine rich cl; stars = 10m; which fills the field.  Within the cluster at its north edge is a fine planetary nebula [NGC 2438]."
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NGC 2438 = PK 231+4.2 = PN G231.8+04.1
07 41 50.6  -14 44 07; Pup
V = 11.5;  Size 73"x68"

48" (2/20/12): at 488x, much of the same detail described in the 4/15/10 observation was seen, although the ring itself was less structured.  Besides the slightly off-center bright star (the ionizing star is a mag 17.5-18 companion) and a mag 14.5 star ~15" SW, a 16th mag star is at the edge of the rim on the SW side.  A mag 16 star on the SE side appears just inside the bright ring.  Finally another 16th mag star is near the north edge of the annulus, but clearly within the planetary, for a total of 5 interior stars.  The outer rim brightens at this point in a 90° arc to the east and is slightly flattened.  The challenging Calabash Nebula (protoplanetary) lies 6.5' ENE.

48" (4/15/10): at 700x, NGC 2438 was a beautiful "cheerio" ring with a sharply defined rim of 1.2' diameter and a fairly large, dark central hole of 25-30".  The mag 12.8 star in the center was prominent with a second mag 14.5 star ~15" SW of center.  A third mag 16 star was just inside the annulus on the SE side, ~20" from center.  The rim had a very uneven surface brightness with an impression of some radial streaks and one or two additional faint, embedded stars.  The rim was noticeably brighter along the NE quadrant and to a slightly lesser extent along the opposite SW portion of the rim, creating a bipolar appearance.  A bright mag 11 star is just off the SE side and the planetary floats in the beautifully rich star field of M46.

18" (2/24/06): beautiful view of this 70" planetary within M46 at 323x.  The annulus is quite prominent and relatively thick with a weakly glowing interior.  The rim is irregularly lit and a bit weaker on the NW side and brighter along the eastern edge.  A mag 12.8 star is just NW of the center of the annulus (this is not the central star, though) and a fainter interior star (mag 14?) on the SW side (half-way to the rim) was also visible.  A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge.  At 807x, the rim is noticeably brighter and thicker on the eastern half compared to a weaker section along the NW side and an extremely faint star intermittently pops out on the NNE side on inner edge of the annulus (confirmed on 3/4/08 at Lake Sonoma).

17.5" (3/2/02): at 280x this is a beautiful, 1' diameter PN with a darker central hole at 280x situated on the NE side of the rich oc M46.  A mag 13 star (not the central star) is within the central hole slightly offset NW of center.  The rim is fairly uniform but slightly brighter along the NE side.  The 20" central hole is clearly darker although there is not a dramatic contrast.  A brighter mag 11 star is just off the SE edge (about 15"-20" SW of the mag 11 star, a faint mag 14-15 star was also intermittently visible) and a string of faint stars oriented WNW-ESE is just over 1' S.  M 1-18 is located 22' NNE of NGC 2438.

13.1" (1/18/85): star near center very easy and second interior star definite.

13.1" (1/28/84 and 3/3/84): annular planetary on the NE side of M46!  Fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter.  A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge and a mag 13 star is just NW of the geometric center (this is not the central star).  A third extremely faint star lies on the SW side.

13.1" (1/23/82 and 11/5/83): clearly annular at 166x.

8" (1/1/84): slightly darker center, fairly small, round.

80mm (1/15/07): visible continuously in the finder using an OIII filter and a 13mm Nagler (25x) as a very faint, very small disc on the NE side of M46.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2438 = H. IV-39 = h464 = h3093 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540). He recorded "pretty bright, round, resolvable, within the 46th of [Messier], almost of an equal light throughout, about 2' diameter, no connection with the cluster, which is everywhere free from nebulosity."  On 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) he noted "A round, pretty well defined nebula; almost of a planetary nebula aspect."  From South Africa, John Herschel wrote, "a very fine planetary nebula, oval, uniform in light, and of a very flat appearance; rather faint; diam in RA = 4 seconds; has a star 15th mag on it, and one 13th mag close to its border. This object is excentrically situated in a superb cluster of stars 12..16th mag. (46 Messier)"

Lord Rosse or assistant George Johnstone Stoney sketched NGC 2438 as annular on 22 Dec 1848 (fig. 12 in the 1850 PT paper).  It was observed a total of 21 times at Birr Castle including with a visual spectroscope on 15 Feb 1876.  William Lassell also noted the annularity using his 24" equatorial reflector on 11 Jan 1853: "The star is not in the centre, and the nebula seems to retreat from the star, leaving it on a much darker ground than the external parts of the nebula.  With slight attention another star is seen; and two or three points or bright spots in the nebula occasionally catch the eye."  His sketch was published in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 5) on observations from Malta.  Perhaps following Lassell's lead, Secchi sketched in 1856 the "central star" slightly eccentric, along with a second interior star using the 9.5" refractor in Rome.

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, found NGC 2438 displayed a planetary nebula spectrum in an early spectroscopic investigation while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

Based on Crossley photographs, Curtis (1918) reported "the nebula is a very irregular, broad, patchy ring 68" in diameter.  The star at SW lies in a gap in the ring."

Based on differing radial velocities and GAIA measurements, NGC 2438 lies in the foreground of M46.
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NGC 2439 = Cr 158 = Mel 74
07 40 45  -31 41 36; Pup
V = 6.9;  Size 10'

17.5" (1/19/91): at 220x, 70 stars visible in a 10' diameter.  Bright, fairly large, elongated N-S.  This is a rich, pleasing cluster and includes mag 6.7 R Puppis on the northeast edge.  About 1' SW and 2' SSE of R Puppis are two easy but prominent double stars equally spaced with similar magnitudes but with perpendicular orientations (N-S and E-W).  The pair 1.7' SSE is PRO 41 (9.2/10.3 at 12"). These wide double stars form a striking group and are part of an elliptical outline of stars with a void in center.  Very unusual appearance!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2439 = h3094 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "a cluster of about 150 stars, B, pL, p rich, not much more compressed to the middle, 8' diameter, has one star 8th mag (place taken), one red one 9th mag, the rest 12..14th mag."
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NGC 2440 = PK 234+2.1 = ESO 560-9 = PN G234.8+02.4
07 41 55.4  -18 12 31; Pup
V = 9.3;  Size 74"x42"

48" (2/20/12): the view of this explosive appearing planetary was remarkably detailed at 488x and 814x.  The very high surface brightness central region was irregularly shaped with a very ragged periphery, giving the impression that the central region was erupting or bursting.  Within the east side of the central portion are two intense condensations or knots, oriented ~N-S, with the southern knot brighter.  A third, smaller elongated knot is just west and sits close to the center.  The main body is elongated nearly 2:1 SW-NE, roughly 1.1'x0.6', but with an irregular outline.  The southwest end of the planetary dims and protrudes out, creating a cup-shaped hollow with a very small brighter knot at its southwest tip.  A prominent partial loop or outer wing is attached on the northwest edge of the central section, like a spiral arm, and swings clockwise to the west and slightly south. The eastern portion of the planetary consists of a large complete, irregular loop (darker in the interior), giving the strong appearance of being blown out from the central region. 

17.5" (2/14/99): this bi-polar planetary reveals fascinating detail at 380x!  The compact high surface brightness inner region is elongated NNW-SSE.  Two bright knots comprise both ends and the surface brightness is irregular.  The nebulosity is much weaker SW of the main body with a cup-shaped dark "notch" protruding into this central bar.  The outer halo is oriented SW-NE with a brighter wing similar to a spiral arm attached at the west edge which swings back towards the south.  The outer nebulosity is weaker and less well-defined on the north and NE sides.

13.1" (2/23/85): very bright and small with a very high surface brightness.  This planetary has a double shell structure with an elongated box-shape oriented NW-SE and a fainter shell oriented SW-NE.  One or two condensations are visible in the central part.  Located 3.0' W of mag 8.4 orange HD 62167.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2440 = H. IV-64 = h3095 on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934).  He described a "beautiful planetary nebula of a considerable degree of brightness, but not very well defined.  About 12 or 15" in diameter."

William Lassell observed NGC 2440 in Jan 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector on Malta.  He commented, "no description can do justice to this singular object.  With 150 it just attracts the eye in sweeping, as a a bluish-white spot, a few seconds in diameter.  A most extraordinary object [at 650x], not beautiful, for it has no symmetry – but wonderful."  His sketch, showing 4 or 5 knots, was included in his 1854 MRAS paper (figure 7).  Father Angelo Secchi published a detailed sketch and description in 1856 using the 9.6" refractor in Rome.  He noted, "It seems to consist of two twin nebulae joined to a third transverse elliptical nebula…but it is very difficult to recognize the true structure."

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, reported NGC 2440 displayed an emission line in an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

Ralph Copeland made a careful observation at Birr Castle on 20 Jan 1874: "vB, pL, very blue.  An eB nucleus which is E or bi-central in pos 151.4° in vF outer nebulosity, vmE 33.1° and 2' or 3' long.  35 stars in field (diam 11'), the nearest of which is *16m pos 200.8°, dist 54.8"..."  A sketch was prepared by Joseph Turner (unpublished plate V, figure 43) with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and Pietro Baracchi made a careful observation on 17 Mar 1885.

Based on Crossley photographs, Heber Curtis (1918) reported NGC 2440 has "no central star; the strong central masses are nebulous in the shortest exposures.  A very irregular and patchy oval; main portion 54"x20" in pa 37°, with a faint extension at east, north of the middle."
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NGC 2441 = UGC 4036 = MCG +12-08-015 = CGCG 331-017 = PGC 22031
07 51 54.8  +73 00 55; Cam
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (2/22/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse.  Only a very weak concentration.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2441 = T. 6-1 on 8 Aug 1882 with the 9.4-inch "Amici II" refractor (this was his only discovery with the smaller refractor).  He reported a "Weak Neb III class but 1' dia. Found on the terrace with Amici II and seen again on 9 Aug with Amici I [11-inch]; bright III class."  His position is off by a few arc minutes too far southeast, but this is the only nearby candidate.
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NGC 2442 = NGC 2443 = ESO 059-008 = AM 0736-692 = LGG 147-003 = PGC 21373 = Meat-hook Galaxy
07 36 23.9  -69 31 48; Vol
V = 10.4;  Size 5.5'x4.9';  Surf Br = 13.9

25" (4/1/19 and 4/2/19 - OzSky): at 244x; the prominent northern spiral arm appeared slightly brighter at a crook where it bends dramatically to the west.  This knot is catalogued in NED as [SD93] 38 and 39, from a 1993 paper by Sérsic and Donzelli, "The southern barred spiral NGC 2442".  A faint star is situated right at the eastern edge of this glow. The SW end of the galaxy appeared patchy with a couple of subtly brighter knots, probably [SD93] 16 and 18.  Overall, NGC 2442 is quite an impressive and unusual galaxy!

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, I was amazed how prominent the sweeping spiral arms appeared, giving a stunning "S" appearance.  The main bar of the galaxy is fairly bright and extended ~2:1 SW to NE with a length of ~3'.  The bar has just a weak, broad concentration with no real core but rises sharply at the center to a very small, brighter nucleus.  The main arm is attached at the NE end of the bar and extends a short distance in that direction before dramatically bending sharply to the west (turning nearly 150°) and continuing ~3.5' in length towards a mag 12.9 star.  At the NW end this well-defined arm fades and broadens a little, terminating just SE of the 13th magnitude star.  At the SW end of the bar, a thick arm emerges towards the SW where it more gently curves around towards the E while fanning out.  This arm is not as sharply defined as the inside (east) portion of the curve blends with a diffuse glow extending from the bar.  The total distance between the tips of the arms spans nearly 5'.  In the same field 10' ENE lies ESO 059-011 and NGC 2434 is 16' NNW.  The field also includes a number of mag 9 to 11 stars that frame the galaxy.

At 260x ESO 059-011 appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 NNW-SSE.  Contains a sharp stellar nucleus or possibly a star is superimposed.  A mag 13.5 star is at the SW edge of the halo [there are two stars 0.4' and 0.7' SW of center]. 

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 127x (20mm Nagler), the main body of this unusual galaxy appeared as a fairly faint, large, thick "bar" with just a weak concentration except for an extremely small bright core. On the NE end of the bar, a faint "arm" emerged at a sharp angle towards the NW.  The contrast was improved at 212x and the brighter arm was easier to view, extending at nearly a right angle to the main body and curving towards the west on the north side.  On the SW end a broad but short low surface brightness extension was visible bending towards the SE.  The main bar was elongated 2:1 SW-NE, roughly 3'x1.5', but the thick outer arm significantly increased the size to ~4.5'x2'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2442 = h3097 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "A double nebula; very large; very faint; position of centres = 40°; diameter 4' and 3' running together, and having a star 13th magnitude at their junction." In his 2nd (of 4 sweeps) he called it "faint, very large, much elongated, very suddenly a little brighter to the middle, to a star 13th mag, like a very faint atmosphere, about a nucleus 3.5' long, 1.5' broad; pos of its extension = 39.8. I think it has some sort of hooked appendage."  The "hooked appendage" (NGC 2443) is the prominent arm on the north side (attached at the northeast end of the bar)!

NGC 2442 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "Double, very faint, very large, 2 star involved in very large spiral neb.  2443, included."
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NGC 2443 = NGC 2442 = ESO 059-008 = PGC 21373 = Meat-hook Galaxy
07 36 23.9  -69 31 48; Vol

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This number refers to the prominent arm attached at the NE end of the bar.  This arm extends a short distance in that direction before dramatically bending sharply to the west (turning nearly 150°) and extending ~3.5' in length towards a mag 12.9 star.  At the NW end this well-defined arm fades and broadens a little, terminating just SE of the mag 13 star. See NGC 2442 for full description of the galaxy.

20" f/5 (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This is the NE portion or NE spiral arm of NGC 2442.  At 127x (20 Nagler), on the NE end of the bar, a faint "arm" emerged at a sharp angle towards the NW.  The contrast was improved at 212x and the brighter arm was easier to view, extending at nearly a right angle to the main body and curving towards the east on the north side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2443 = h3097 on 23 Dec 1834.  In sweep 523, he described a "double nebula, vL, vF, position of centres = 40 deg, diameters 4' and 3' running together and having a star 13m at their junction."  Herschel assigned two designations in the General Catalogue for the double nebula (GC 1568 and 1569) so the galaxy has two NGC designations, NGC 2442 and NGC 2443, although the latter number refers to the massive spiral arm on the northeast side of NGC 2442.
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NGC 2444 = Arp 143 NED1 = Arp 143:C1 = VV 117a = UGC 4016 = MCG +07-16-016 = CGCG 206-024 = PGC 21774
07 46 53.0  +39 01 55; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

48" (4/5/13): NGC 2444 is the northwest component of a remarkable interacting system with the multi-component ring galaxy NGC 2445.  At 488x it appeared bright, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very high surface brightness nucleus ~12"-15" diameter.  NGC 2445, directly southeast has 6 components, the nearest being VV 117b, just 0.6' SSE.

13.1" (1/18/85): forms an interacting double ring system with NGC 2445.  Both appear as two nearly stellar knots oriented NNW (NGC 2444) and SSE (NGC 2445) with a separation of 1.0', surrounded by faint halo which may merge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2444 = St. 8b-22, along with NGC 2445, on 12 Jan 1872.  His published micrometric position (list 8b, #22) was made 5 years later on 18 Jan 1877.
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NGC 2445 = Arp 143 NED2 = VV 117e = UGC 4017 = MCG +07-16-017 = CGCG 206-024 = PGC 21776
07 46 55.1  +39 00 54; Lyn
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 15°

48" (4/5/13): this remarkable ring galaxy forms an interacting pair with NGC 2444, just 1' N.  At 488x, it was resolved into six components -- the bright ring nucleus and five very small starburst/HII regions which are roughly equally spaced around the nucleus (separations between 25" and 42").  The four closest (VV 117b, 117d, 117f, 117g) form a very small square with the nucleus at the center!  The nucleus (117e) appears moderately to fairly bright, small, round, high surface brightness, 15" diameter.  The five starburst/HII regions are within an irregular, triangular glow, ~1.5' diameter.

VV 117b is at the northern end of NGC 2445, just 27" N of the nucleus and 36" SSE of NGC 2444.  It appeared very faint, very small, round, 8" diameter.  VV 117f is situated 25" W of the nucleus and appeared very faint to faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  VV 117h is at the SW corner (42" SW of the nucleus) and was the faintest of the 5 knots surrounding the nucleus.  It appeared extremely faint and small, round, just 5" diameter.  VV 117d is at the E end (35" E of the nucleus) and appeared very faint to faint, irregularly round, ~12" diameter.

Finally, VV 117g is at the SE corner, 30" S of the nucleus, and appeared fairly faint, very small, round, high surface brightness, 12" diameter. This object was the brightest of 5 "knots" surrounding the nucleus, although on the SDSS it appears to be an HII region attached to a foreground star, which certainly contributed to its brightness.  In the 2009 Madore "Atlas and Catalogue of Collisional Ring Galaxies" VV 117g is identified as the second collider (C2).

13.1" (1/18/85): this is the SE member of a double galaxy with NGC 2444.  Both appear as two nearly stellar knots oriented NNW (NGC 2444) and SSE (NGC 2445) with a separation of 1.0', surrounded by faint halo which may merge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2445 = St. 8b-23, along with NGC 2444, on 12 Jan 1872.  His published micrometric position (list 8b, #23) was made 5 years later on 18 Jan 1877.
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NGC 2446 = UGC 4027 = MCG +09-13-058 = CGCG 262-030 = PGC 21860
07 48 39.2  +54 36 42; Lyn
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Unusual appearance as cradled by several stars including a mag 12 star at the west end, two mag 13 stars at the east end and close NW and a mag 15 star is superimposed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2446 = h465 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and recorded "four small stars in a semicircle, within whose concavity there is a F nebulosity, which I am pretty sure is real."  His position and description matches UGC 4027.  R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 11 Jan 1856 logged "pF, lE?, bM."  His sketch show the 3 nearby brighter stars.
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NGC 2447 = M93 = ESO 493-7 = Cr 160
07 44 29  -23 51 12; Pup
V = 6.2;  Size 22'

18" (3/2/08): very easy with any optical aid (at the threshold of naked-eye visibility) with a few of the brighter stars resolved in 15x50 IS binoculars.  The cluster is fairly well resolved at 25x in the 80mm finder.  The central region is superb in the 18" at 175x (13mm Ethos) with ~100 stars resolved in the 10' region and richest in the core.  Appears fully resolved into mag 10-14 stars.  A small, near parallelogram of 4 stars (sides ~40"x20") stands out near the center with numerous fainter stars nearby.  The brightest star on the SW side of the cluster is a nice, unequal double (ARA 2066 = 8.3/11.3 at 10").  

13.1" (3/24/84): about 60 stars, bright, large, pretty rich.  Contains a tight quadrilateral near the center with three faint companions.  

8" (3/24/84): bright, very rich, triangular-shape, pretty compact, excellent field.

12x36 IS binocs (2/25/25): bright, roundish glow with a bright, unresolved "knot" near the center, and a star on the SW side.

Charles Messier discovered M93 = NGC 2447 = h3098 on 20 Mar 1781 and called it "Cluster of small stars, without nebulosity, between the Greater Dog [Canis Major] and the prow of the ship [Puppis of Argo Navis]. (diam 8')"

Caroline Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 26 Feb 1783 and recorded "Nebula, about 1 1/4 deg north preceding the bright star in the Ship [or more exactly] preceding the 1st Navis [Puppis] towards 23 Canis Majoris. My Brother examined it with [magnification] 460 and found not less than 20 stars, with 227 above 40. with a compound eyepiece perhaps 100 and 150 very beautiful, nothing nebulous among them. Messier has it not."  She entered as #1 in her discovery log.  At the time the Herschels only had a copy of the second catalogue (published in 1780), which ended at M70, so M93 was an independent discovery.  Owen Gingerich determined that the reference to 1 (Rho) Navis, should read 7 (Zeta) Navis.

William observed it during his sweeps on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and called it "a cluster of scattered stars, pretty close and nearly of a size. The densest part of it about 15' diameter, but the rest very extensive."  Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel described "A fine cluster, scarcely scattered, pretty rich, not much more comp[ressed]. M [toward the middle]. Nearly fills field. Stars 8....13 m."
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NGC 2448 = ESO 493-008
07 44 57  -24 40 30; Pup

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, this is a fairly distinctive 15' elongated group with mag 5.6 HD 62747 near the geometric center.  The stars are arranged in a concave star chain extended E-W opening towards the north with the mag 5.6 star just a couple of arc minutes north of the center of the arc.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2448 = h466 on 7 Jan 1831 (sweep 317) and reported "a *8m followed by a poor cl of 18-20 st, 11...13m."  His position is less than 1' S of mag 5.6 HD 62747.  This bright star is surrounded by a several brighter stars, mostly on the following side (at the position given by Harold Corwin).  RNGC classifies this asterism (not a true cluster) as nonexistent.
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NGC 2449 = UGC 4026 = MCG +05-19-007 = CGCG 148-020 = WBL 152-003 = PGC 21802
07 47 20.4  +26 55 49; Gem
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 137°

24" (2/16/15): at 300x and 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE.  Contains low surface brightness extensions (arms) extending ~40"x20" and a sharply defined oval core 25"x12".  A mag 14.7 star is just off the west side [34" from center] and a mag 15.5 is off the southwest side [35" from center].

NGC 2449 is the brightest member of a small group (WBL 152) with NGC 2450 6' NNE, IC 476 1.5' NW and IC 2205 7' SW.  IC 476 appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated, ~15"x12" diameter.  It required averted vision but could hold steadily.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2450 6.0' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2449 = St. 6-9 on 12 Jan 1874 with description "eF, eS, R, bright core, seems resolvable".  He included the discovery in his short (10 objects) 6th discovery list, though he reduced a later observation made on 2 Feb 1878.
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NGC 2450 = MCG +05-19-008 = CGCG 148-022 = WBL 152-004 = PGC 21807
07 47 32.3  +27 01 09; Gem
V = 14.6;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 156°

24" (2/14/15): at 300x and 375x; faint to fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.2'.  Brighter along a thin strip of the major axis.  A mag 14.6 star is close off the northwest edge.  Last of a 12' quartet (WBL 152) with IC 2205, NGC 2449 and IC 476.

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, very elongated NNW-SSE.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the NW edge 0.5' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2449 6.0' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2450 = St. 9-12 on 26 Feb 1878 (date position reduced).  His position matches CGCG 148-022 = PGC 21807.
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NGC 2451 = Cr 161 = ESO 311-008
07 45 15  -37 58 06; Pup
V = 2.8;  Size 45'

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright scattered group of stars including yellow mag 3.6 c Puppis and about 10 bright stars.  This naked-eye cluster appears very large but lacking in faint stars. A 2009 study shows there are two young clusters - NGC 2451A and B - at different distances projected along the same line of sight. 

8" (3/28/81): very bright, very large, very scattered, includes mag 4 c Puppis.  Resolved in 8x50 finder.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2451 = h3099 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "The chief star (4th mag) of an orange colour, of a very large and very diffused cluster of large stars, too loose to be a fit object for the ordinary magnifying power."  His position matches mag 3.6 HD 63032.  Giovanni Hodierna possibly made the original discovery around 1654, based on the plotted position on his map (but not in his catalog).

NGC 2451 consists of NGC 2451A and B, two young open clusters (50-80 million years) projected on each other along the same line of sight at distances of ~600 and 1200 light years, respectively.
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NGC 2452 = PK 243-1.1 = ESO 493-11 = PN G243.3-01.0
07 47 26.2  -27 20 08; Pup
V = 11.9;  Size 31"x24"

18" (3/2/08): very interesting bipolar appearance at 450x.  Appears elongated N-S, ~30"x22", with brighter lobes and rims on the north and south ends.  The center appears slightly darker and pinched in.  The small open cluster NGC 2453 lies 7' N.  This may be a very rare planetary physically related to an open cluster.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 380x this is a moderately bright, fairly small but interesting planetary.  Appears elongated N-S, ~30"x20" with an irregular surface brightness and a slightly darker center or a darker spot.  The halo appears brighter at the north and south ends giving a slightly bipolar appearance with the impression of two lobes diminishing in brightness in the center.  A faint mag 14.5 star is just off the north edge. Located 8' S of open cluster NGC 2453.

13.1" (3/24/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, no interior star visible.  Located 6' S of open cluster NGC 2453.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2452 = h3100 on 1 Feb 1837 and described as "An object whose nature I cannot make out. It is certainly not a star, nor a close double star; but it is not round, and I should call it an oblong planetary nebula, by reason of its decidedly marked though somewhat dim outline, were there not some suspicion of its being double, as if a very close and highly condensed double nebula. It is very small and rather faint, 8" long, 5" broad, and equals a star of 10th mag. In a field with at least 60 or 80 stars [NGC 2453], all sharp and well defined but this.  Four nights later he recorded "Planetary nebula. In a field with, and south of a cluster, and on a rich ground is the undefined object of Sweep 769. It is no doubt a very faint, small, round planetary nebula..."

A lithograph was prepared based on a sketch by Joseph Turner using the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate V, figure 44) but his drawing was never published.

Based on a Crossley photograph at Lick Observatory, Curtis (1918) reported "there is probably a faint central star, not brighter than mag 19.  Extreme length about 22" in pa 85° the centers of the bright lateral lobes are 11" apart.  In this exposure time the object has much the appearance of a reversed letter Z."  Based on radial velocity, NGC 2452 is in the foreground of open cluster NGC 2453.
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NGC 2453 = Cr 162 = ESO 493-012
07 47 34  -27 11 42; Pup
V = 8.3;  Size 5'

18" (3/2/08): at 220x appears as a fairly rich group of two dozen stars in a 3' clump, just SE of a mag 9.5 star (HD 63360).  The densest section is a 1' knot on the SE side with a mag 11 star on its south edge.  Shares the same field with planetary NGC 2452, located 7' SSW.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 220x, this is a small but dense open cluster with about two dozen stars resolved in a 3' region with a mag 9.5 star (HD 63360) at the NW edge.  A very rich 1' clump of mag 12-13 stars is on the SE side with a mag 11.5 star at the south tip of this clump.  Two mag 10 stars are 3' S and 3' SE of the central group.  Planetary nebula NGC 2452 is in the field 8' SSW making for an interesting pair.

13.1" (3/24/84): about a dozen stars resolved in a compact 2.5' cluster including three mag 9.5-10 stars.  The brightest mag 9.5 star is at the NW edge.  There is one dense, partially resolved clump.  Planetary nebula NGC 2452 lies 6' SSW.  Clouds may have interfered with the observation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2453 = h3101 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "a small but condensed cluster, Class VII. Pretty rich. Dia 3'. [This is the cluster referred to, as in the field with the Planetary Nebula (NGC 2452).]"
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NGC 2454 = UGC 4053 = MCG +03-20-015 = CGCG 087-044 = PGC 21963
07 50 35.0  +16 22 07; Gem
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 101°

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, small bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is 40" S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2454 = St. 6-10 on 10 Jan 1872 with a second observation 5 years later on 3 Feb 1877.  The discovery was published in list 6 (#10) with description "vF, eS, R, bM."
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NGC 2455 = Cr 163 = Mel 77
07 48 59  -21 18 00; Pup
Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, this is a fairly rich group of ~45 stars, mostly mag 12.5-13.5, situated ~7' W of mag 8 HD 63719.  Most distinctive is a 6' string of stars oriented NW-SE on the west side of the cluster.  Shorter strings with a similar orientation are in the center and east side.  Appears fully resolved.  Further west is a larger, brighter but more scattered grouping in a triangular arrangement (no catalogue designation) and my observation from 19 Jan 1991 appears to describe this group.

17.5" (1/19/91): about two dozen stars in a fairly large scattered group.  Consists mostly of brighter mag 10-12 which are aligned in two perpendicular rows oriented E-W and N-S.  Although the stars are fairly bright the cluster does not stand out as located in very rich field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2455 = h3102 on 15 Feb 1836 and recorded "Irregular cluster, p Rich, not much compressed middle, 10', stars 12m nearly equal.  General middle taken."  His position corresponds with the group at my position.
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NGC 2456 = UGC 4073 = MCG +09-13-082 = CGCG 262-044 = PGC 22129
07 54 10.6  +55 29 43; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, small, slightly elongated, broad mild concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' SSE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2457 5' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2456 = h467 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and recorded "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; and losing itself imperceptibly."  His position is at the south edge of UGC 4073 = PGC 22129.
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NGC 2457 = MCG +09-13-086 = CGCG 262-046 = PGC 22161
07 54 45.7  +55 32 48; Lyn
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 131°

17.5" (1/19/91): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 2456 5' WSW.  Two extremely faint companions 1.2' E and 3' NNE were not seen.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2457 on 10 Mar 1874 with the 72" at Birr Castle during an observation of NGC 2456.  He described (with respect to NGC 2456) "F, pL, R, Pos 54.8°, dist 339" [or 32.9s f, 195.4" n].  About 3' n of the nova there seemed to be another vF neb.  Telescope now at the limit of its range."  Copeland's micrometric offset matches CGCG 262-046 = PGC 22161 and 3' north there is a nebula -- MCG +09-13-089 = PGC 22172, which should have received an NGC designation.

MCG and PGC (as well as Megastar, etc) misidentify MCG +09-13-087 = PGC 22171 as NGC 2457.  This galaxy is just 1.2' following the NGC 2457, though it was not seen by Copeland.  See Corwin's identification comments.
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NGC 2458 = MCG +10-12-016 = PGC 22220
07 55 51.4  +56 42 38; Lyn
V = 14.5;  Size 0.15'x0.15';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 158°

24" (1/25/14): faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star lies 35" SW.  Located 4.8' ENE of a mag 10.5 star and second in a string of 6 faint galaxies (several of which have identification problems).  This galaxy is identified as NGC 2461 in many sources.  PGC 22191 lies 2.8' NW.

17.5" (1/19/91): not found.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2458 = Big. 29 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced.  John Herschel added 8 additional entries in the GC, as h469 (later NGC 2463) and h470 (later NGC 2469) were previously discovered, but was unable to provide specific coordinates for these 8 objects.  Harold Corwin notes that Stoney likely observed only the 6 brightest galaxies in this region, so 4 of his objects are probably single stars or asterisms.

Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning positions and descriptions ("vF,*12 close").  Bigourdan's position is 23 sec of RA west of MCG +10-12-016 = PGC 22220 and this galaxy has a mag 12-13 star just 35" SW, matching his description.  RNGC, PGC and LEDA (as well as Megastar, etc) misidentify this galaxy as NGC 2461.  NED does not assign a NGC designation to PGC 22220.  As this is one of the brighter galaxies, it's reasonable to equate NGC 2458 with PGC 22220.
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NGC 2459
07 52 02.8  +09 33 27; CMi

17.5" (2/22/03): this very small group of 5 faint mag 14-15 stars within 30" was just resolved at 220x .  At low power it appeared like a nebulous spot.  Although this may be a multiple star, it's likely just a compact asterism.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2459 = H. III-479 = h468 on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 494) and noted "suspected. eF, vS, little extended, but may be a deception."  John Herschel observed it on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120) as "a large group of small stars which has a nebulous look, and perhaps there may be neb among them.  No other near."  On a later sweep he wrote "a small group of stars; with attention counted 5 with power 320; form a neb group 20" diameter.

This asterism was observed 6 times at Birr Castle and last noted by Dreyer as a "vs Cl of 5 st, no neby seen."  Dreyer also added a note in the IC 1 that "No nebulosity, only a couple of faint stars seen by Spitaler."  Karl Reinmuth described the photographic appearance in "Die Herschel-Nebel" as "a small group of 5 stars 13.7...15.5" and Harold Corwin agrees with this description.
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NGC 2460 = UGC 4097 = MCG +10-12-021 = CGCG 287-010 = PGC 22270
07 56 52.4  +60 20 58; Cam
V = 11.8;  Size 2.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

13.1" (1/11/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core, diffuse halo, slightly elongated SW-NE.  Forms a pair (probably interacting) with IC 2209 5' SW.  Using averted vision, IC 2209 appeared very faint, diffuse, small, weak concentration.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2460 = T. 6-3 on 11 Aug 1882 and recorded a "small nebula II-III class, round, with star in the middle; repeatedly seen."  His position was 7 seconds of RA too large and 1.5' too far N.
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NGC 2461 = Holm 88a
07 56 26.4  +56 40 24; Lyn

= *, Corwin.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2461 = Big. 30 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced.  John Herschel added an entry to the GC (1582) but without specific coordinates.  So, Stoney's specific object is unknown.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's later observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*13 slightly nebulous").  His relative position from NGC 2462 = Big. 31 points to a single mag 15 star (given here) 1.2' SW of NGC 2462.
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NGC 2462 = MCG +10-12-024 = CGCG 287-009 = Holm 88a = PGC 22259
07 56 32.1  +56 41 14; Lyn
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 155°

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", weak concentration to the center.  NGC 2463 lies 5.5' ESE.  Located 11' N of mag 6.7 HD 64347.  Third in a 25' E-W string of 6 galaxies (nearly equally spaced).

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, very weak concentration.  Located 10' N of mag 6.5 SAO 64347.  First of four on a line with NGC 2463 5.6' E.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2462 = Big. 31 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced.  John Herschel added an entry to the GC (1583) to represent this "knot" but without specific coordinates.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("vF, vS, very little brighter middle").  Bigourdan's position is  21 sec of RA east and 1' S of MCG +10-12-024 = PGC 22259.  His position actually falls closer to NGC 2463 = h469, but since that galaxy was also seen by Bigourdan, PGC 22259 is the only viable candidate.  CGCG (287-009) misidentifies PGC 22259 as NGC 2461.  See NGC 2461.
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NGC 2463 = MCG +10-12-031 = CGCG 287-013 = PGC 22291
07 57 12.5  +56 40 36; Lyn
V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.1

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, small, round, small bright core increases to a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 7' W of NGC 2469 in a group of faint galaxies (4th of 6 in a 25' E-W string).  A mag 10.3 star lies 3.2' S.

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, broad concentration.  In a group with NGC 2462 5.6' W and NGC 2469 8' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2463 = h469 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and recorded "eF; R; the preceding of two [with NGC 2469]."  His position is an exact match with CGCG 287-013 = PGC 22291.  Several of the galaxies in this group have uncertain identifications (see notes for NGC 2458).
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NGC 2464
07 57 32  +56 41 24; Lyn

= ***, Corwin.  = Not found, RNGC.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2464 = Big. 32 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced.  John Herschel added 8 additional entries in the GC (besides h469 (later NGC 2463) and H. III-836 (later NGC 2469)), but was unable to provide any specific coordinates. 

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("pS Cl, st eF, nebulous").  There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a string of three mag 15 stars (within 50" separation) about 2.5' northeast of his position.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2465
07 57 26.1  +56 49 18; Lyn

= *, Corwin.  = Not found, RNGC.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2465 = Big. 33 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. Harold Corwin notes that Stoney likely only observed the 6 brightest galaxies in this region, so 4 of his objects are probably single stars or asterisms.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*, nebulous?").  There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a mag 15 star situated ~5' NNW of the NGC position (perhaps based on a later observation?).  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2466 = ESO 059-018 = PGC 21714
07 45 16.2  -71 24 38; Vol
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.9'x0.8'.  Broad, weak concentration to a very small, brighter core.  The outer halo appeared to change orientation or extent using averted vision (this is a face-on spiral).  Located 1.2° NNE of mag 3.9 Zeta Volantis.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2466 = h3104 on 20 Feb 1835 and reported "vF; R; little brighter middle; 25"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2467 = ESO 493-25 = Ced 103 = M 2-64 = Gum 9 = Sh 2-311 = RCW 16 = LBN 1065 = LBN 1066 = LBN 1067
07 52 29  -26 25 48; Pup
Size 8'x7'

24" (3/6/21): large, fascinating emission complex involving several sections of nebulosity and three clusters (NGC 2467, Haffner 18, Haffner 19).  The main region of NGC 2467 extends 6' to 7' and contains the 8th magnitude ionizing (multiple) star HD 64315 (O6V-type) near the center.  Several brighter stars are involved, particularly bordering the north side.  At 200-260x with NPB filter, the nebula has a rounded triangular shape or mushroom shape with a finger of nebulosity extending west.  The SW facing side is brightest (ionizing front) in a roughly linear bar.  An apparent dust lane extends ~E-W along the north side. The lane broadens to the northeast and cuts off the cluster Haffner 18, which is ~5' NE of center.  Fainter, irregular nebulosity spreads out to the N of the main region, and diffuse nebulosity also extends towards the SE.  A separate large region (5'-10') of diffuse nebulosity is ~15' ENE. The brightest portion is elongated SW-NE (in the direction of Haffner 18) and involves several stars including a mag 10 on the E end.

Haffner 18: bright, irregular group of stars to the NE of the main region of NGC 2467/Sh 2-311.  Roughly 25 stars are involved in a bright triangular patch of nebulosity.  Contains a distinctive 3' line of stars oriented NW-SE, that forms the western facing side of the triangle. A mag 10 star (CD-26 5119) is at the NW vertex and a mag 11.5 star is at the E vertex.  The nebulosity has a fairly high surface brightness with a NPB filter.

Haffner 19: small group of stars, ~3' diameter involved in faint nebulosity.  Situated 7' N of Haffner 18.  Contains 4 brighter stars including V = 11.1 (CD-25 5202). A mag 12.3 companion is 11" NW.  A number of faint to very faint stars brings the total to nearly 20, several of which pop in and out over the nebulous hazy background.  

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): bright, large nebulosity at 75x using an OIII filter, ~4-5' diameter, surrounding a mag 8 star (O6-O7V star HD 64315, the ionization source).  The main section is roughly mushroom shaped, extending generally south of the bright star.  The southern border is locally brighter along a strip oriented NW to SE.  There is a sharp light cut-off (apparently due to dust) passing to the north of the central star and oriented E-W.  Faint haze extends ~15' to the east.  To the north, fainter nebulosity extends 12' E-W, and brightens towards the east end at an elongated group of brighter stars (Haffner 18), oriented NW-SE.  Removing the filter, NGC 2467 resides in a gorgeous low power Milky Way field with numerous faint stars peppering the region.

17.5" (3/2/02): Using a 31 Nagler at 64x and an OIII filter, this is a prominent 7' nebulosity surrounding a mag 8 star.  A dark lane appears to cut through the nebula from west to east starting NW of the central star.  Fainter nebulosity extends beyond the dark lane but then fades out to the north.  The south and southeast border of the main mass has a bright, distinct edge and the southern border has a small extension on the west edge which hooks towards the NW.

A finger of nebulosity extends north from the main body and involves a scattered group of brighter stars. This strip dims but nearly merges with a much larger, elongated mass of fairly faint nebulosity extending NW to SE at a roughly right angle.  This section is ~15' in size with an irregular border that is bounded on the NE side by a string of brighter stars (Haffner 18).  This is a fascinating HII complex to explore in a rich star field!

17.5" (1/23/88): at 82x with OIII filter appears as a large, bright, circular nebulosity about 10' diameter.  A mag 7.8 star is involved north of center and several fainter stars are involved.  The nebulosity is brightest along the south side in a strip oriented NW-SE.  A group of brighter stars is NE (Haffner 18).  A separate larger (~15') but fainter section is 10'-15' NE and appears elongated.  

8" (3/24/84): fairly bright, moderately large, roughly circular.  A mag 8 star is north of center.  This is a prominent nebulosity even with this aperture.

12x36mm IS binocs (2/25/25): very small glow easily seen surrounding an 8th mag star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2467 = H. IV-22 = h472 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 333).  His description reads "large, almost round, 6 or 7' diameter, entirely milky, a pretty large star not far from the center, a very curious appearance."  He made a second observation on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and wrote: "pretty bright, large, bright middle, easily resolvable, a faint red colour visible. A star 8 or 9m not far from the center of it, which at first sight makes it appear like a hazy atmosphere to that star but they evidently have no connection together. At least 9 or 10' in diameter."

John Herschel observed the nebula on 7 Jan 1831 (sweep 317): "a * 9th mag with a W of stars and nebulosity, or ? is not a vF neb about the stars - no red colour seen."  Joseph Turner sketched NGC 2467 on 13 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p. 129 on his logbook, unpublished Plate V, figure 45) as an oval shaped nebula to the south of the bright star and brightest along the western side.

See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 2468 = UGC 4110 = MCG +09-13-095 = CGCG 287-016 = Holm 88b = PGC 22325
07 58 02.4  +56 21 35; Lyn
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 45°

24" (2/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~50"x25", very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.4 star is 1.2' WNW.  NGC 2468 forms a close pair with LEDA 200240, just 30" SSW of center.  The companion appeared very faint and small, 12"-15" diameter and could just be held continuously with averted vision.

UGC 4133 and UGC 4134 is another close pair situated 18' due east.  UGC 4134 appeared fairly faint, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~30"x15", nearly even surface brightness.  UGC 4133 = FGC 693 is just 1'NW and was a very faint, superthin streak, ~40"x5" oriented NNW-SSE.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, oval 2:1 SW-NE.  A mag 12 star is off the NW edge 1.2' from center.  Located 15' SE of mag 6.5 SAO 26579.  The NGC 2461-2472 group lies 20' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2468 on 1 Jan 1865 and recorded "F, R, little brighter in the middle. Without doubt one of the LdR nebulae."  See NGC 2458 for some background on the Lord Rosse observations on 20 Feb 1851.  His single position matches UGC 4110 = PGC 22325.
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NGC 2469 = UGC 4111 = MCG +10-12-035 = CGCG 287-017 = WBL 161-003 = PGC 22327
07 58 03.4  +56 40 50; Lyn
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 160°

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared moderately bright to fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 36"x28", slightly brighter core, appears mottled.  Located 2.3' SSW of a mag 9.5 star.  5th of 6 galaxies in a 25' E-W string.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE.  A mag 14.5 star is off the NW end 0.8' from center.  Third of three on a line with NGC 2472 6' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2469 = H. III-836 = h470 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and recorded "vF, vS, may be a patch of stars."  His position is 12 seconds of time west of UGC 4111 = PGC 22327.  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel wrote, "pF; R; 15"; np a *9m which is 2 diameters of neb dist from its centre."  The description is good except the star is northeast.  MCG does label PGC 22327 as NGC 2469.  See Corwin's notes for identification problems on other members of this group.
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NGC 2470 = UGC 4091 = MCG +01-20-009 = CGCG 030-029 = PGC 22137
07 54 20.7  +04 27 35; CMi
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 128°

17.5" (12/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, pretty edge-on NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 13 star is 0.8' N of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2470 = Sw. 5-68 on 24 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; S; eE; betw 2 stars; 2 other stars preceding form trapezoid."  His position is 6 tsec of RA west of UGC 4091 and his comment "between two stars, 2 other stars preceding form trapezoid" fits perfectly.
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NGC 2471
07 58 33.0  +56 46 34; Lyn

= **, Corwin.  =*, Carlson.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2471 = Big. 34 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*13 slightly nebulous?").  There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a faint double star (~16" separation) about 2.5' NW of the NGC position.  Perhaps this is based on a later observation by Bigourdan.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2472 = NGC 2473? = MCG +10-12-039 = CGCG 287-019 = PGC 22364
07 58 41.9  +56 42 04; Lyn
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (1/31/14): at 375x appeared faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter, visible continuously but low surface brightness and no concentration.  This is the last of 6 galaxies in a 25' E-W string with NGC 2469 5.5' WSW.  The identification of this galaxy with NGC 2472 is just an educated guess.

17.5" (1/19/91): extremely faint, very small, very low even surface brightness.  Fourth of four on a line with NGC 2469 6' W.

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2472 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced but there are 6 galaxies here in shallow arc oriented east-west.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's positions and descriptions for six of these 8 entries, but Bigourdan didn't record an observation for NGC 2472 or 2473, so their coordinates are approximate in the NGC. As a result any assignment is somewhat arbitrary and this number could be considered lost.

The CGCG and RNGC identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472 = NGC 2473.  NED and LEDA identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472.  MCG does not label this galaxy with a NGC number.  Although it is uncertain if CGCG287-019 is one of Stoney's "knots", it is comparable to a couple of other very faint ones in the string.  See Harold Corwin's notes for NGC 2469.
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NGC 2473 = (R)NGC 2458 = PGC 22191
07 55 34.8  +56 44 10; Lyn
V = 15.1;  Size 0.3'x0.2';  PA = 80°

24" (1/25/14): extremely faint to very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", low even surface brightness.  Located at the west end of a 25' string of 6 galaxies (4 found at Birr Castle), several of which have identification problems).

Bindon Blood Stoney or his brother George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistants, discovered NGC 2473 on 20 Feb 1851.  The number was assigned to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f."  This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced, but there are 6 galaxies here in shallow arc oriented east-west.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's positions and descriptions for six of these 8 entries, but he did not record NGC 2472 or 2473 so the NGC coordinates are approximate.  As a result any assignment is somewhat arbitrary and this number could be considered lost.

RNGC, CGCG, PGC (and software such as Megastar) identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472 = NGC 2473.  Assuming Stoney saw all 6 of the brightest galaxies in this string, Harold Corwin suggests assigning PGC 22191 (which does not have a NGC number) to NGC 2473.  This seems reasonable although the westernmost galaxy in the string then receives the highest NGC number (out of RA order).  PGC 22191 is identified as NGC 2458 in RNGC, PGC and NED and as NGC 2458: = NGC 2473 in LEDA.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for NGC 2469.
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NGC 2474 = UGC 4114 = MCG +09-13-096 = CGCG 262-052 = PGC 22321
07 57 58.9  +52 51 26; Lyn
V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  Forms a double galaxy with NGC 2475 just 21" NE of center.  Located 2.6' SW of a mag 8.8 SAO 26594.

13.1" (12/7/85): this is the SW member of a double galaxy with NGC 2475.  Almost stellar, round, faint, NGC 2475 very close NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2474 = H. III-830 = h471 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and called it "considerably faint, pretty small, bright middle."  Since he only logged a single object, either they appeared unresolved, or he only noticed the brighter northeast component or both were seen but unresolved.

On 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327), John Herschel logged "pF; E; or has a vS star sp and a large [bright] star nf.  Also query if not vS star in centre."  The comment "vS star sp" refers to the fainter southwest component."  John Herschel's position (used in the NGC) is accurate, but the numbers have been confused with the nearby planetary JE 1 (Jones-Emberson 1).  This mix-up was resolved in Sky & Telescope, April 1981.
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NGC 2475 = UGC 4114ne = MCG +09-13-097 = CGCG 262-052ne = PGC 22322
07 58 00.4  +52 51 42; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (1/19/91): brighter of a double system with NGC 2474 just 21" SW between centers.  Moderately bright, small, round, very small bright core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 2474.  Located 2.3' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 26594.

13.1" (12/7/85): brightest of double galaxy, moderately bright, small, round.  A mag 9 star is 3' NE.

R.J. Mitchell resolved the double system NGC 2474/2475 on 9 Jan 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72".  He recorded "may be a double neb.  I see no star between (as suspected by [JH], but the two almost touch."  John Herschel appears to have resolved the fainter southwest component, but thought it was a star: "vS star sp."  Dreyer assigned the discovery of NGC 2475 to LdR, but NGC 2474 is clearly the fainter component seen by Mitchell.
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NGC 2476 = UGC 4106 = MCG +07-17-003 = CGCG 207-008 = PGC 22260
07 56 45.2  +39 55 40; Lyn
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (2/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated halo.  The NGC 2493/NGC 2495 pair lies 40' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2476 = St. 9-13 on 29 Jan 1878, with a second observation a few nights later.  He reduced the position the following month (23 Feb 1878) and published the discovery in his 9th list (#13).
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NGC 2477 = Cr 165 = Mel 78
07 52 10  -38 32 00; Pup
V = 5.8;  Size 27'

25" (4/6/19 - OzSky): at 244x; this amazing cluster filled the 25' field from edge to edge!  The central 7' was extremely dense and still very rich all the way out.  There are a couple of dozen 11th mag stars and over 500 stars from mag 12-15.5.  It really looked superb - like an extremely large, loose concentration class, highly resolved globular cluster.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): remarkably rich carpet of mag 11-13 stars at 105x with perhaps 250-300 stars resolved in a 25' field.  The appearance is very similar to a highly resolved globular without a sharply concentrated core.  There are no distinct boundaries as stars loop outside the main group and many stars are arranged in long streamers.  Located roughly 20' N of a mag 4.5 star (HD 64503 = b Puppis).  Visible in the 9x50 finder and my 10x30 IS binoculars.

13.1" (12/22/84): superb cluster, over 200 stars resolved in a 25' diameter, very rich in mag 11-14 stars.  Appears similar to NGC 7789 or a rich resolved globular cluster.  Located just north of b Puppis (V = 4.5).  This is one of the top open clusters in the sky despite the very low elevation! 

8" (3/28/81): beautiful, large cluster, very rich in faint stars mag 11-13 over unresolved haze.  A mag 4 star is at the south edge.

15x50 IS binocs (2/20/25): fairly large, easy roundish glow (mottled) just N of 4.5-mag b Puppis.

12x36 IS binocs (2/25/25): faint (but not difficult) and pretty large, roundish. Easy to locate just N of mag 4.5 star.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2477 = Lac I-3 = D 535 = h3103  in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He recorded a "large nebula 15' to 20' diameter." James Dunlop made 5 observations (first on 7 May 1826) and described the cluster as "a pretty large faint nebula, easily resolvable into small stars, or rather a cluster of very small stars, with a small faint nebula near the north preceding side, which is rather difficult to resolve into exceedingly small stars. This is probably two clusters or nebula in the same line; the small nebula is probably three times the distance of the large nebula."  His position was ~12' too far NW.

John Herschel lists 3 observations in his Cape catalogue: on 1 Feb 1835 he recorded "Cluster 6th class, bright, large, rich, not very highly condensed in the middle. Stars very remarkably equal. All 12 or 13th mag. Very few 14th mag; none 11th mag. A fine object."  On a second sweep he described it as "a very beautiful large cluster, very rich; stars nearly equal, and 12th mag, gradually brighter in the middle, not much compressed in the middle; more than fills the field. (N.B. It is visible in the finder of the equatorial, and in the telescope of that instrument appears as a fine cluster."  Finally on his last sweep he described it as a "Superb cluster, gradually brighter in the middle, 20' diameter, much more than fills the whole field. Stars 10 and 11th mag all nearly equal."
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NGC 2478 = M47 = NGC 2422
07 36 35  -14 29 00; Pup

See observing notes for M47 = NGC 2422.

Charles Messier discovered M47 = NGC 2478 on 19 Feb 1771 and recorded a "Cluster of stars a short distance from the preceding [M46]; the stars are brighter; the middle of the cluster was compared with the same star, 2 Navis.  The cluster contains no nebulosity."  There is nothing at his position, but it was assigned GC 1594 and NGC 2478 as placeholders for the missing cluster.  Giovanni Hodierna probably made the first observation of M47 before 1654, though he gave the simple description"a Nebulosa between the two dogs".  His map position, though, is a good match.

In the October 1960 issue of Sky & Tel, Owen Gingrich claims in "The Missing Messier Objects" that Messier apparently switched the signs of his offsets from his comparison star, 2 Navis (now 2 Puppis), and cites articles or notes by Oswald Thomas in 1934 and T. F. Morris in 1959.  Harold Corwin doesn't fully accept this explanation (see his identification notes) as reversing the offset sign doesn't yield a very good match positional match.  In any case, the cluster now taken as M47 was independently discovered by both William Herschel and Caroline Herschel.  Herschel catalogued it as H. VIII-38 (later NGC 2422), so it is assumed M47 = NGC 2478 = NGC 2422.  See Corwin's notes for the full story.
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NGC 2479 = Cr 167 = Tr 8 = ESO 561-001
07 55 07  -17 42 48; Pup
Size 7'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, over 80 stars mag 12-14 are resolved in a 9' region with the cluster extended WSW-ENE.  A semi-circular loop of stars is near the center and is open on the east side.  The cluster is ~10' NE of a fairly well matched, bright wide pair (h4015 = 9.1/9.5 at 20").

25x80mm (3/2/08): in the finder this cluster appears as a hazy 8' cloud with no resolution

13.1" (12/7/85): about 50 faint stars spread out in a 10' diameter over some haze.  Several stars near the center are arranged in a semi-circle open on the east side.  A string of stars trail off to the SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2479 = H. VII-58 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 49).  He noted "a cluster of stars, pretty rich" found "south following 6 [Pup] towards the 16 [Pup]."  NGC 2479 fits that description.  Since a specific position wasn't determined (his method of finding polar distance not in place), he assigned it discovery #7 but didn't include it in his first published catalogue.  Herschel rediscovered the cluster on sweep 934 (4 Mar 1790) and assumed it was new. He described VII. 58 as "a pretty compressed and rich cluster of small stars, irregularly round, about 7 or 8' diameter."  His position is on the southwest side off the cluster.
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NGC 2480 = UGC 4116 = MCG +04-19-009 = CGCG 118-026 = Holm 89b = LGG 150-002 = PGC 22289
07 57 10.5  +23 46 46; Gem
V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 160°

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, very elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 2481 1' SE.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2480 on 1 Feb 1856.  He described a "F ray with pB nucleus. There is np this a companion neb vvF, elongated as in diagram. star at Alpha, suspected another at Beta."  The sketch clearly identifies NGC 2480 = UGC 4116, although no coordinates or offsets were given by Mitchell.  UGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2481.
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NGC 2481 = UGC 4118 = MCG +04-19-010 = CGCG 118-027 = Holm 89a = PGC 22292
07 57 13.7  +23 46 04; Gem
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 18°

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2480 1' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2481 = H. II-302 = h473 on 28 Feb 1785 (sweep 374) and called it "pF, vS, bM, easily resolvable."  On 20 Feb 1787 (sweep 697) he noted "F, pL, irr elongated."  UGC has a typo and calls this galaxy NGC 2482.
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NGC 2482 = Cr 166 = ESO 494-003
07 55 09  -24 15 00; Pup
V = 7.3;  Size 12'

18" (3/2/08): distinctive group of 80-100 stars at 175x in a 10'-12' field.  A long, rich string of stars oriented NW-SE passes through the middle of the cluster with arms or sprays of stars extending outwards from this string.  The stars are fairly evenly distributed and similar in magnitude with several close doubles.  A mag 8 star (HD 64820) is off the west side of the cluster.

13.1" (12/7/85): about 50 stars mag 10-14 in cluster.  The bright stars from a "Y" asterism.  Located 1.5° ENE of Xi Puppis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2482 = H. VII-10 = h474 = h3106 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars, the stars nearly of a size, more than 15' diam, but not compressed."  On 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) he noted "a L cluster of scattered stars, considerably rich and compressed; my field is too small to determine the extent of it." Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel reported "a very rich milky way cluster, or mass of stars, 10, 11 and 12th mag, diameter 20'. The neighbourhood is rich, but much less so than this cluster."  His position is a couple of arcmin south of center.
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NGC 2483 = ESO 430-002 = OCL-677
07 55 39  -27 53 12; Pup
V = 7.6;  Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~60 stars are resolved, many in a long WNW to ESE chain extending to the NW of the central core of the cluster.  Near the SE end of the string is a trio of stars and a wide, equal mag pair.  Extending from this pair are two additional strings to the SW and towards the east.

17.5" (3/7/92): scattered group of 30 stars mag 9-14 in 10' diameter.  Contains mag 8.9 SAO 174829 and a mag 10 star at the east end with 2.5' separation NW-SE.  Most of the member stars are arranged in two well-defined intersecting lanes oriented SW-NE and NW-SE.  There are no dense areas or prominent double stars.

25x80mm (3/2/08): easily visible as a hazy cloud with several faint stars superimposed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2483 = h3105 on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "Cluster 8th class. Large; loose and straggling.  A milky way cluster."  His position is about 1 min of RA west of this cluster.
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NGC 2484 = UGC 4125 = MCG +06-18-004 = CGCG 178-011 = PGC 22350
07 58 28.1  +37 47 11; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 145°

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is just 40" off the SW edge and 0.8' from the center.  The distance of this galaxy is ~600 million l.y.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2484 = St. 13-34 on 2 Feb 1878.  His reduced position was computed on 21 Jan 1885 and entered into his large 13th discovery list (#34).  His position matches UGC 4125.
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NGC 2485 = UGC 4112 = MCG +01-21-001 = CGCG 031-003 = PGC 22266
07 56 48.7  +07 28 40; CMi
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse halo.  A mag 13 star is 0.6' S of center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2485 = m 107 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "neb *12."  His position matches UGC 4112 = PGC 22266.
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NGC 2486 = UGC 4123 = MCG +04-19-011 = CGCG 118-029 = Holm 90b = LGG 152-002 = PGC 22317
07 57 56.5  +25 09 39; Gem
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, fairly small, oval E-W, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 2487 5' ESE and member of a small group (LGG 152) with NGC 2498.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2486 = m 108, along with NGC 2487, on 25 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, S, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position was 2' too far N (same offset as NGC 2487).
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NGC 2487 = UGC 4126 = MCG +04-19-012 = CGCG 118-030 = Holm 90a = LGG 152-003 = PGC 22343
07 58 20.4  +25 08 57; Gem
V = 12.5;  Size 2.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, moderately large, 2' diameter oval, broad concentration.  A mag 10.5 is 20" off the south edge and 1.3' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2486 5' WNW and member of a small group (LGG 152) with NGC 2498.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2487 = m 109, along with NGC 2486, on 25 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, S, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position was 2' too far N (same offset as NGC 2487).
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NGC 2488 = UGC 4161 = MCG +09-13-109 = CGCG 287-029 = PGC 22520
08 01 45.8  +56 33 13; Lyn
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 100°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, bright core.  UGC 4164, situated 6' NNE, appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, gradually increases to a bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2488 = H. III-837 = h475 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called "eF, vS."  His position was 1' SSW of UGC 4161 = PGC 22520.  Auwers' reduction, though, gave a difference of 10' in dec; the same as NGC 2469 = H. III-836, NGC 2497 = III-838, NGC 2505 = III-839 and NGC 2534 = III-840 on this sweep.  On 9 Feb 1831, John Herschel wrote "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15 arcseconds." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 2489 = Cr 169 = Mel 79 = Lund 408
07 56 16  -30 03 54; Pup
V = 7.9;  Size 8'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 50 stars in a 8' diameter.  Rich in mag 11-14 stars.  A richer group of stars is at the center surrounded by a larger incomplete ring of stars.  Located 13' N of mag 6.3 PX Pup (6.3-6.7).

12x36mm binos (2/25/25): very faint, small glow, situated close N of PX Pup, a mag 6.4 M6-class red variable. This star is the middle of three, with a mag 7 star to the WSW (by 12') and a mag 4.8 star 17' ESE.  The cluster is easily visible in 15x50mm IS binos, but with no resolution.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2489 = H. VII-23 = D 626 = h479 = h3107 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 501).  Herschel reported "a compressed cluster of pretty large stars, considerably rich."

James Dunlop observed it next on 28 May 1826.  He logged D 626 as (handwritten notes) "a pretty large faint nebula with a multitude of smal stars in it - or a cluster of smalll stars - with faint nebule of an irregular round figure.  Easily resolved.  This precedes a bright star 6th mag about 1 minute [time] AR and 20' North of the star." His position was off by 30' to the WNW but his description is perfect match.  The star is mag 4.8 HD 65456.

John Herschel observed the cluster from England and the Cape of Good Hope.  On 22 Jan 1835 (sweep 531) he recorded "A round, pretty compressed cluster of stars 11..13th mag; 6th or 7th class; gradually brighter in the middle, pretty rich, 7' diameter."
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NGC 2490 = MCG +05-19-027 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22382
07 59 17.9  +27 04 40; Gem
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is just 0.7' E.  Located 4.0' NW of brighter NGC 2492.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 14 Feb 1857, discovered NGC 2490 and recorded "I suspect Alpha to be h477 [NGC 2492], F, S, R, little brighter in the middle.  Beta is a vS, F patch, a star following closely."  The sketch and description clearly establishes Beta as NGC 2490 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22382.  On 14 Feb 1877, Dreyer recorded "vF, vS, R, *13m 1' foll.  Pos 320.6°, Dist 243.7" [from NGC 2492].
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NGC 2491 = CGCG 031-007 = PGC 22353
07 58 27.4  +07 59 02; CMi
V = 15.1;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.7;  PA = 78°

24" (1/31/14): at 375x appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 3.7' SW NGC 2496.  A mag 11 star is 2.8' NW and a similar star is 2.4' NE.

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared very faint to faint, small, elongated 4:3, 20"x15", low even surface brightness.  Located 3.7' SW of much brighter NGC 2491.  PGC 1335584, an extremely faint galaxy (V = 16.5), was just glimpsed 1.4' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2491 = Sw. 3-37 on 15 Nov 1885 (along with NGC 2496) with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeeF; pS; iR; B* nr W; sp of 2 [with NGC 2496]; e diff.".  His position is ~1.5' NW of CGCG 031-007, which the CGCG, RNGC and PGC have adopted as NGC 2491.  There is a mag 11 star 2.8' NW, which could be the "B[right] * nr W", though a similar star is also 2.4' NE.  The IC 2 has a note from Herbert Howe that "only a few stars 14 mag. The "B *" is 10 mag."

Harold Corwin notes there are two brighter galaxies 10' N (CGCG 031-005 and CGCG 031-008) which would have been in Swift's field though neither of these have bright stars preceding (nor are they south-preceding NGC 2496).  But CGCG 031-007 is quite faint to have been noticed by Swift, so this identification is uncertain.
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NGC 2492 = UGC 4138 = MCG +05-19-028 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22397
07 59 29.7  +27 01 35; Gem
V = 12.7;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2490 4.0' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2492 = h477 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and logged "vF; S; R; bM."  His position matches UGC 4138.  Dorothy Carlson misidentified NGC 2492 as a star in her 1940 list of NGC Corrections (1940ApJ....91..350C).
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NGC 2493 = UGC 4150 = MCG +07-17-007 = CGCG 207-014 = Holm 91a = PGC 22447
08 00 23.7  +39 49 49; Lyn
V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo gradually increases to a small bright core.  Located 9' SW of mag 7.6 SAO 42123.  Forms a close pair with a dim galaxy NGC 2495 1.8' ENE.  This galaxy forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 9.5 star 5' WNW and a mag 10 star 4.5' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2493 = H. III-750 = h476 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901) and noted "vF, S, R, little brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 4150 = PGC 22447.  John Herschel recorded on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335), "pB even though there is moon enough to see the wires well.  R; gb and then suddenly brighter middle; 20"."
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NGC 2494 = IC 487 = UGC 4141 = MCG +00-21-001 = CGCG 003-002 = PGC 22377
07 59 07.0  -00 38 17; Mon
V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 95°

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, fairly small, bright core.  A nice triple star lies 4' ESE; the closer components are mag 11/12 with separation 19".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2494 = m 110 on 6 Feb 1864 and noted "F, S, lE."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min of RA east is UGC 4141.  Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 3 Feb 1888, assumed it was new and reported it in his 7th discovery list as VII-10 (later IC 487).  So, NGC 2494 = IC 487 with priority to Marth.  UGC, MCG and CGCG label this galaxy IC 487 because of the positional match.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2495 = MCG +07-17-008 = CGCG 207-016 = Holm 91b = Mrk 383 = PGC 22457
08 00 33.2  +39 50 23; Lyn
V = 15.5;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (2/24/90): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 14.5 is off the east edge 24" from center.  Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 2493 1.8' WSW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2495 on 14 Feb 1855 as the assistant on Lord Rosse's 72".  While observing NGC 2493, he noted "a faint star precedes, a nebulous knot follows 2' or 3' dist."  Just 2.0' ENE of the center of NGC 2493 is CGCG 207-016 = PGC 22457, the galaxy assumed to be NGC 2495.  On 5 Mar 1867, though, the description reads "eF, R, bM [referring to NGC 2493, presumably], neb north-following is eF, difficult, Pos 54°, Dist 12".  Either this observation refers to a different object, or there was an error in recording the distance (likely).  The sketch is a good match with the pair of galaxies except there is no star to the west and Harold Corwin mentions problems with the descriptions (including the position angle). He questions if the Lord Rosse assistants were observing a different field (on at least 1 or 2 of the 4 observations).
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NGC 2496 = UGC 4127 = MCG +01-21-002 = CGCG 031-009 = PGC 22359
07 58 37.4  +08 01 45; CMi
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 2°

24" (1/31/14): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, fairly high surface brightness, gradually increases to the center but no distinct nucleus or zones.  A mag 14 star is 35" W of center. NGC 2491 lies 3.7' SW.

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~25"x18", weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 33" W of center and a mag 11 star is 2' S.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 30" W.  Forms a pair with NGC 2491 4' SW (not seen).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2496 = Sw. 3-38 on 15 Nov 1885 (along NGC 2491) using the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pS, R, little brighter middle, * close foll, nf of 2".  His position matches UGC 4127 = PGC 22359, although the "* close foll" probably refers is a mag 14 star 35" preceding the center.

The nucleus is double on the SDSS with the centers separated by only 6" N-S.
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NGC 2497 = UGC 4168 = MCG +10-12-061 = CGCG 287-032 = WBL 167-003 = PGC 22547
08 02 11.0  +56 56 32; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, extremely small, round, stellar nucleus stands out with direct vision.  Located 6' E of mag 8.6 SAO 26621.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2497 = H. III-838 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called "eF, vS."  According to Caroline's offset, his position is just 12 sec of RA too small.  MCG does not label this galaxy (MCG +10-12-061) as NGC 2497 and MCG +10-12-064 is misidentified as possibly NGC 2497.
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NGC 2498 = UGC 4142 = MCG +04-19-015 = CGCG 118-034 = LGG 152-004 = PGC 22403
07 59 38.8  +24 58 56; Gem
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 113°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, small bright core, elongated NW-SE, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 2486 lies 20' NW.  Member of a small group (LGG 152).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2498 = St. 13-35 on 1 Feb 1878.  His reduced position was recorded on 19 Jan 1885 and matches UGC 4142.
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NGC 2499 = MCG +01-21-003 = CGCG 031-011 = PGC 22366
07 58 51.7  +07 29 36; CMi
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 175°

17.5" (3/7/92): very faint, very small, round.  Located 2' N of mag 8.9 SAO 26621.  Two mag 10/11 stars are 1.8' S and 2.8' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2499 = m 111 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, pS, iR." His position matches CGCG 031-011 = PGC 22366.
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NGC 2500 = UGC 4165 = MCG +09-13-110 = CGCG 262-062 = PGC 22525
08 01 53.1  +50 44 15; Lyn
V = 11.6;  Size 2.9'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.7

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, fairly large, almost round, mottled, weak concentration.  Situated midway between a mag 12 star 1.9' NE and a mag 10.5 star 1.7' SW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2500 = H. III-709 = h478 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815).  He recorded "vF, R, very gradually brighter middle; about 2 1/2 minutes in diameter."  A later observation says "I can perceive some of the stars." This is a mottled face-on spiral, so this created the impression of resolving some stars.

On 1 Feb 1851, Lord Rosse "saw stars in it and suspected at one time a curvilinear arrangement.  On later observations spiral structure was suspected and sketches (by R.J. Mitchell and Samuel Hunter) reasonably capture the spiral structure, although they were not certain.  In addition a couple of HII knots on the preceding side were apparently noticed.
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NGC 2501 = MCG -02-21-002 = PGC 22354
07 58 30.0  -14 21 16; Pup
V = 13.7;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 120°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core, stands out well in rich Milky Way field.  Situated only 8° from the galactic equator.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2501 = h3108 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 30", in a field full of stars." On a later sweep he called it "pF, little extended, in parallel; gradually little brighter middle, 25"." His position is accurate.
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NGC 2502 = ESO 209-008 = PGC 22210
07 55 51.5  -52 18 25; Car
V = 12.0;  Size 2.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 126°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  Well concentrated with a very bright 30" core that dominates the galaxy.  The outer halo or arms are much fainter and could be easily missed but extend to 1.2'x0.8'.  Forms the NW vertex of a triangle with two mag 11 star 4.3' E and a mag 11.5 star 3' SSE.  Located 41' NNW mag 3.5 Chi Carinae.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2502 = h3109 on 5 Jan 1837 and reported "pF; R; vgpmbM; 25"."  His single position matches ESO 209-008.  Pietro Baracchi wrote "pB; S; R; gradually little brighter middle.  A star 12m follow nebula by 28s and in the same declination exactly." (9 Jan 1886, 48" Melbourne)
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NGC 2503 = UGC 4158 = MCG +04-19-019 = CGCG 118-041 = PGC 22453
08 00 36.7  +22 24 00; Cnc
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the NW edge and a mag 11 star lies 2.0' SE of center.  Located on the Cancer/Gemini border.

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, round, diffuse, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is just off the NW edge and a mag 11 star is 2.0' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2503 = m 112 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, S, gradually little brighter middle."  His position is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 4158.
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NGC 2504 = UGC 4152 = MCG +01-21-004 = CGCG 031-015 = PGC 22414
07 59 52.3  +05 36 29; CMi
V = 14.1;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W, fairly low even surface brightness.  Located 17' E of STF 1168, an unequal mag 6.8/10.6 pair at 6" separation.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2504 = m 113 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, S, R."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2505 = UGC 4193 = MCG +09-13-115 = CGCG 262-066 = PGC 22644
08 04 06.8  +53 32 57; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 0°

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, very small brighter nucleus.  Located 10' SW of mag 7.1 SAO 26650 at the edge of the 220x field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2505 = H. III-839 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called it "eF, vS."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is just 1.8' south-southwest of UGC 4193 (typical error).  Auwers' reduction, though, shows a difference of 10' in dec for several objects in the sweep.
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NGC 2506 = Cr 170 = Mel 80 = OCL-593
08 00 02  -10 46 12; Mon
V = 7.6;  Size 7'

18" (3/15/10): at 175x, this is a beautifully rich 8' group of stars, roughly circular, with 80-100 stars mag 11-14 over unresolved background haze.  The brightest two stars are at the west side and form a wide, 27" double.  The richest portion roughly forms a "U" outline, open to the south, as if a chunk of the cluster was missing.  The north side of the "U" consists of a string of stars oriented WNW-ESE (north of the two brightest stars) with a pair at the WNW end.  At the ESE end of this string a few brighter stars form a right angle heading SSW and forming another side of the "U".  A faint string of stars extends out of the cluster to the SE and another string extends out the WNW.

17.5" (3/12/94): 75 stars in 10' diameter at 220x.  The brightest members are a wide pair of mag 11/12 stars at the west end with a separation of 27" oriented SW-NE and a mag 11.5 star at the east end.  Rich in mag 13-14 stars with a roughly circular outline except for a "bite" on the south side.  The richest subgroup is following the two brighter stars at the west end and is 3' diameter forming a "C" shaped asterism opening to the south over haze and is quite striking.

13.1" (2/23/85): at 220x, ~35 stars visible, many in a winding row.  A number of brighter mag 11 stars surround the group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2506 = H. VI-37 = h480 on 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995) and recorded "a very compressed and very rich cluster of stars. The stars are of 2 sizes, some considerably large and the rest next to invisible. The compressed part 5' or 6' in diameter."  His position (Auwers' reduction) is 7' NNE of center of this cluster.  It was independently found by Karl Ludwig Harding around 1823 and reported it as a new discovery.

John Herschel's described the cluster on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129) as "the first *11m in the p part of a rich resolved p comp cl irreg fig; *s 11...20m, so as to be nebulous.  The most comp part = 4' or 5' diam.  His Slough position is accurate, but he subtracted 10' in North Polar Disatance in the GC (General Catalog) assuming he made an error, as his position didn't match his father's or Harding's.  See GC and NGC notes.

Lord Rosse, or his observing assistant George Stoney, commented on 27 Jan 1849 "More approach towards spiral appearance than I have seen in any other cluster [obvious spiral shapes were a primary focus].  Very curious black spaces with power 700x."
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NGC 2507 = UGC 4172 = MCG +03-21-010 = CGCG 088-020 = Holm 92a = LGG 153-003 = PGC 22510
08 01 37.2  +15 42 35; Cnc
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.7

24" (2/14/15): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 0.6'x0.5'.  Moderately concentrated to a small brighter nucleus.  A very low surface brightness halo increases the size to 0.8'x0.7'.  A mag 12 star is off the SW side [1.3' from center].  A mag 15.5 star is at the SW edge at 300-375x and a slightly fainter star is embedded on the N edge [just 18" from center!].  An HII region (or galaxy?) at the NE edge was not resolved.

NGC 2514 lies 18' NE (see notes) and CGCG 088-016 lies 15' W.  At 322x, the CGCG appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 27"x18", weak even concentration to a faint stellar nucleus, no distinct zones.  A mag 10 star lies 1.8' NW.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, gradually brighter halo, stellar nucleus within slightly brighter core.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.3' SW.  NGC 2514 lies 18' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2507 = H. II-554 = h481 on 18 Mar 1786 (sweep 538) and logged "pB, pL, easily resolvable, gradually brighter in the middle."  John Herschel described NGC 2507 on 25 Jan 1832 (sweep 395) as "F; R; 15".  Pos of a *12m = 225.5°, dist = 60"."

A couple of faint stars, as well as a faint galaxy, are superimposed on NGC 2507.  On 22 Feb 1867, Birr Castle observer Robert Ball reported three "knots" were "well seen", though these are probably stars and the nucleus.  "The middle knot [nucleus], alpha, is much the largest.  Alpha to knot sp, Pos = 223.0° [this is a star], alpha to knot np 338.0° [this is also a star]."
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NGC 2508 = UGC 4174 = MCG +02-21-004 = CGCG 059-018 = PGC 22528
08 01 57.2  +08 33 07; CMi
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  Collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 0.8' WSW and 1.3' WSW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2508 = H. III-7 = h484 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 100) and recorded "a nebulous star, but doubtful of the nebulosity.  Yet with 240 the same doubtful appearance continues."  There is nothing near his position, but 1 min 42 sec of RA west and 3' south is UGC 4174.  This was found an early sweep in which his positions were unreliable, particularly the RA.  On 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) he mentioned "I looked for the supposed nebulous star of the 100th sweep, but the evening being remarkably clear and my telescope in fine order I only saw near the place several very close double stars, one of which probably has been the suspected one.  Otherwise a small telescopic comet may have been thereabout."  He included a small sketch (fig. 42) in his 1811 publication as representative of the category "of doubtful nebulae."

John Herschel observed this galaxy on two sweeps although on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120) he didn't measure a position and a few nights later the position was marked very uncertain.  The accurate NGC position is from Heinrich d'Arrest.
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NGC 2509 = ESO 561-7 = Cr 171 = Mel 81 = Lund 417
08 00 48  -19 03 00; Pup
Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): beautiful cluster of 80-100 stars at 175x, highlighted by a dense 2-2.5' clump of fainter stars resolved over some remaining haze.  Double or multiple stars are at the NE and NW corners of this central knot.  At 220x the SE corner of the clump is very rich in faint stars with averted!  The brightest star is at the SW side with a string of mag 10-11 stars extending outside of the cluster to the SE from of this star.  The cluster is situated ~6' NW of mag 8.8 HD 66034.

17.5" (3/12/94): 50 stars resolved in a 6'x5' region outlined by a perfect parallelogram.  The majority of the stars, though, lie in a prominent dense clump along the NW side of the parallelogram and includes a nice double star.  The NE vertex of the parallelogram is a double star with components mag 13/13.5 at 12".  The parallelogram has no concentration and the interior southern portion has only a couple of faint stars.  Mag 8.6 SAO 153720 lies roughly 6' SE and a bright wide double star consisting of a mag 10.5/12 pair at 26" is 4' NNE of the parallelogram.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2509 = H. VIII-1 on 3 Dec 1783 (very early horizontal sweep 35, internal discovery #7).  He recorded again on 15 Feb 1786 (sweep 524) as a "cluster of coarsely scattered stars.  The place is that of the most compressed part, which is not the middle."  Again on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934): "a considerably compressed and very rich cl of small star, irr F." and on 15 Mar 1801 (sweep 1095) he noted "a beautiful cl of stars, arranced in a circular order."  NGC 2509 was the first object placed in his 8th class of "Coarsely scattered clusters".
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NGC 2510 = UGC 4178 = MCG +02-21-007 = CGCG 059-023 = WBL-169-005 = PGC 22541
08 02 10.6  +09 29 09; CMi
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 115°

24" (3/22/14): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~40"x25", fairly low even surface brightness.  First of 5 with NGC 2511 5.6' SSE, NGC 2513 5.6' SE, CGCG 59-27 6.7' ENE and LEDA 1364011 7.5' S.

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, even surface brightness.  Similar size to NGC 2513 5.6' SE but lower surface brightness.  In a group of five with NGC 2511 5.6' SSE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2510 and 2511 on 31 Jan 1851.  The group was sketched on 26 Feb 1851 with NGC 2510 is labeled Gamma and precise offsets were measured from NGC 2513.
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NGC 2511 = MCG +02-21-008 = CGCG 059-024 = Mrk 1207 = WBL 169-006 = PGC 22549
08 02 15.0  +09 23 40; CMi
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 125°

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 40"x20", weak concentation.  Located 2.7' SW of NGC 2513.

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness.  In a group with NGC 2513 3' NE and NGC 2510 5.6' SSW.  Located on the Canis Minor-Cancer border.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2511 and 2510 on 31 Jan 1851.  The group was sketched on 26 Feb 1851 with NGC 2511 labelled Beta and precise offsets measured from NGC 2513.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the galaxy in 1862 (#77 in AN 1500) and called it a "Doppelnebel" with h483 [NGC 2513].  John Herschel mistakenly credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC but Dreyer included both observers in the NGC.
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NGC 2512 = UGC 4191 = MCG +04-19-021 = CGCG 118-052 = Mrk 384 = PGC 22596
08 03 07.8  +23 23 30; Cnc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 113°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Not identified as NGC 2512 in the UGC or CGCG.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2512 = H. III-605 = h482 on 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697) and noted "F, S, iF."  His position (Auwers' reduction) was 1.4' too far north.  CGCG and UGC fail to label their catalogue entries as NGC 2512.
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NGC 2513 = UGC 4184 = MCG +02-21-009 = CGCG 059-025 = WBL 169-007 = PGC 22555
08 02 24.7  +09 24 49; Cnc
V = 11.6;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

24" (3/22/14): bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core.  The halo extends ~1.25'x0.9' N-S and has a fairly low surface brightness.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2511 2.7' SW, NGC 2510 5.6' NW, LEDA 1364011 4.7' SW, CGCG 59-27 6' NE.

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, well concentrated to a very bright core, small faint halo.  Brightest in a group including NGC 2510 5.6' NW, NGC 2511 3' SW, CGCG 59-19 and CGCG 59-26.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2513 = H. III-512 = h483 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 534). He recorded "very faint, small, round, much brighter middle, 240x showed it very well."  John Herschel called the nebula "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120).  The two fainter companions (NGC 2510 and 2511) were discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2514 = UGC 4189 = MCG +03-21-011 = CGCG 088-022 = PGC 22581
08 02 49.7  +15 48 30; Cnc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.9' diameter, no core but irregular surface brightness (strong impression of a face-on spiral).

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, fairly small, round, low almost even surface brightness.  NGC 2507 lies 18' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2514 = St. 13-36 on 1 Feb 1878.  His reduced position was recorded on 19 Jan 1885 with description "milky patch; excessively faint; irregularly round; diameter = about 1'; traces of central condensation; mottling suspected."
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NGC 2515
08 03 21.3  +20 11 17; Cnc
Size 9"

= **, Reinmuth.

George Bond discovered NGC 2515 = HN 5 on 11 Sep 1852 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory.  At his position is a 9" pair of mag 13 stars oreinted ~E-W.  Most of Bond's discoveries in the early 1850's at HCO turned out to be close pairs or even single stars.  NGC 2515 is correctly classified as a double star in the RNGC (from Carlson's list), but the position is wildly off at 09 47.3 +13 02 (2000).
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NGC 2516 = ESO 124-6 = Cr 172 = Mel 82 = Lund 411 = Southern Beehive Cluster
07 58 00  -60 45; Car
V = 3.8;  Size 30'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): very bright naked-eye cluster located 3° SW of Epsilon Car (southern star in the False Cross).  Appears partially resolved in the 9x50 finder and my 15x50 IS binoculars provided an excellent view.  In the 13.1", the cluster filled over half of the 20mm Nagler field, ~30'-35' diameter with over 100 stars resolved.  The outline is quite irregular though well-detached at low power.  A mag 5.2 M-type giant orange star (V460 = HD 66342) lies at the NE edge of the cluster.  The central region is more concentrated and uniform and includes a number of tinted yellow or orange stars.  A nice triple star (HJ 4027 = 7.1/7.8/9.3 at 9" and 20") is on the W edge of the cluster and an excellent double (HJ 4031 = 7.2/8.0 at 5") lies on the E side of the cluster.  A long curving string starts in the center and heads NE to the mag 5.2 orange star.  This string includes a 9" evenly matched pair of mag 9 stars (Innes 1104) that was resolved at low power.  Mag 5.7 K-type orange subgiant HD 65662 is off the NW side of the cluster.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this bright naked-eye cluster is located SW of the "False Cross" (3 degrees SW of 2nd-magnitude Epsilon Carinae) and is the only open cluster in western Carina.  It was well resolved in the 9x50 finder.  At 105x, the main group is 25'-30' with outliers increasing the size and roughly 100 stars are resolved including a number of mag 6-8 stars.  Many of the stars are arranged in loops and strings and overall the cluster is quite irregular in magnitudes and star distributions.  There is a close, fairly bright double on the SE side (7.2/8.0 at 5.5") and a neat 13' chain of stars near the west side running N-S.

10x30 Canon IS (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a prominent naked-eye cluster below the "False Cross" (formed by Epsilon and Iota Car as well as Delta and Kappa Vel), on a line with the longer axis (Epsilon Car and Kappa Vel) of the cross.  In binoculars, it appeared well-resolved, ~50' diameter including outliers with 5 bright stars (mag 6.5-7.5) with a couple of dozen stars resolved overall.  Appears fairly rich towards the center with a number of mag 8-10 stars.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): very bright naked-eye cluster, gorgeous even at 10x with a couple of dozen stars resolved, 40'-50' diameter, many brighter stars around the periphery, but richer towards the center.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2516 = Lac II-3 = h3111 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He noted a "Group of 10 to 12 stars, very compressed."  NGC 2516 was not included in Dunlop's main catalogue but his handwritten notes call it a "Very fine cluster about 35' diameter, many of the stars of the 6th and 7th magnitude, mixed magnitudes.  Figure irregular - branched."

John Herschel observed the cluster a number of times with his 18-inch f/13 speculum telescope at the Cape of Good Hope. His first record reads: "An orange-coloured star 8th magnitude, in middle of a large and magnificent cluster of perhaps 200 to 250 stars 8..16th mag. Many of the larger magnitudes, and really a superb object. Very visible to the naked eye, etc."
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NGC 2517 = MCG -02-21-003 = PGC 22578
08 02 47.0  -12 19 04; Pup
V = 11.8;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 70°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, strong concentration with small bright core.  Located in a rich star field between a mag 13 double star 1.1' S at 20" oriented E-W and a mag 11.5 star 1.0' NW.  Mag 8.5 SAO 153747 lies 4.2' SW.  Located 10° from the galactic equator.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2517 = h3110 on 16 Mar 1836 and noted "F; vS; R; between 3 stars 13 and 14 m."  His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -02-21-003 = PGC 22578 and the description of nearby stars matches.  This galaxy is located only 10 degrees from the galactic equator.
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NGC 2518 = UGC 4221 = MCG +09-14-006 = CGCG 263-009 = PGC 22800
08 07 20.1  +51 07 53; Lyn
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2518, along with NGC 2519, in 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  The approximate NGC position matches UGC 4221.  This is one of only 3 galaxies discovered by Lohse, out of 16 new entries in the NGC.
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NGC 2519
08 07 58.9  +51 07 42; Lyn

= *?, Corwin.  Not found, Sulentic

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2519, along with NGC 2518, in 1886 at the private Wiggleworth Observatory in Scarborough, England and described "Two nebulae, F, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, delta RA = 42 seconds".  There is only a single galaxy at his position (UGC 4221) identified as NGC 2518.  Corwin notes that 39 tsec following this galaxy is a 14th magnitude star (with three much fainter stars within an arcmin northwest) which might be the NGC 2519.  There is an obvious error in the position given in RNGC (both RA and Dec) although NGC 2518 is correctly described as "Not found".
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NGC 2520 = NGC 2527 = ESO 430-15
08 04 58  -28 08 48; Pup
V = 6.5;  Size 22'

See observing notes for NGC 2527.  Incorrect position in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2520 = h3112 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded a "Cluster 7th class, distinguished among milky way clusters, pretty rich, bright. The star taken is the chief of a condensed hook in the following part."  In the Cape Observations, Herschel identified h3112 = H. VIII-30 = h488 but his position for h3112 is 3.0 min of RA too far west.  Although his description matches H. VIII-30 = h488, JH still listed separate entries in the GC for h3112  and h488, which later received the designations NGC 2520 and NGC 2527.  So, NGC 2520 = NGC 2527, with NGC 2527 the earlier observation.
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NGC 2521 = UGC 4235 = MCG +10-12-077 = CGCG 287-042 = VV 632 = VII Zw 212 = PGC 22866
08 08 49.3  +57 46 10; Lyn
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 3.6' SSE of a mag 9 star (Z Lyncis).  This is the brightest of four in a group including UGC 4241 4.5' E.  The three brighter galaxies and Z Lyncis form a perfect parallelogram.  UGC 4241 appeared fairly large, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2521 = h485 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323).  His position and description ("pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; sf a *9 dist 3'.") matches UGC 4235, the brightest in a group.
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NGC 2522 = UGC 4218 = MCG +03-21-014 = CGCG 088-031 = PGC 22749
08 06 13.4  +17 42 24; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 32°

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, well concentrated with a small high surface brightness core which dominates view, very thin fainter extensions.  NGC 2530 lies 25' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2522 = m 114 on 26 Jan 1865 and recorded "vF, vS, E, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 4218.  Brightest in a group.
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NGC 2523 = Arp 9 = UGC 4271 = MCG +12-08-031 = CGCG 331-032 = PGC 23128
08 15 00.2  +73 34 44; Cam
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 57°

24" (3/6/21): at 260x; fairly bright, moderately large, roundish central region ~1' diameter with a diffuse outer halo 2'x1' SW-NE. A prominent bar runs through the center in a WNW-ESE orientation.  At the center is a small brighter nucleus. A mag 11.7 star is off the SSW end [1.7' from center].

48" (4/21/17 and 5/1/19): at 488x; bright, very large, showpiece barred spiral!  Superb view with a strong bar running ~5:1 WNW-ESE, highlighted by an intensely brighter nucleus.  Inner spiral arms are attached at the ends of the bar and form a gorgeous 360° inner circular ring!  The region inside the ring is darker on both sides (southwest and northeast) of the bar.  With averted vision a fainter outer halo extended mostly SW and NE, though I couldn't trace arm structure in the halo.  A mag 11.7 star is 1.7' SW of center.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2523B 9' W, UGC 4279 7' NE and NGC 2523C 19' SE.

NGC 2523B: moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 40"x15", very faint outer extensions.  A mag 14 star is at the southwest edge of the core.  A mag 12.4 star is 1.2' SW.
 
UGC 4279: extremely to very faint, thin ghostly streak 0.4'x0.1'.  This is the brighter central bar and the extremely low surface brightness arms or halo was not seen.  Situated 7' NE of NGC 2523 and 2.5' S of mag 8.2 SAO 6469.  I needed to keep the bright star out of the field to glimpse this galaxy.

NGC 2523C: fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~60"x20", well concentrated with an elongated bright core and small brighter nucleus.  Located 20' SE of NGC 2523 and 10' WSW of mag 8.4 HD 68744.  LEDA 213458 lies 2.8' NW.  The companion (missing from Megastar) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, brighter core, 18" diameter.

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, fairly small.  A center contains a bright central bar with a small bright core.  A mag 11.5 is off the SW edge 1.5' from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2523B = UGC 4271 9' W and NGC 2523C = UGC 4290 lies 20' SE.

Edward Swift discovered NGC 2523 = Sw. 2-32 on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  Lewis Swift's son was 14 years old at the time. The Swifts' position and description ("pB, pL, little extended, little brighter middle, * nr") is a good match with UGC 4271 = Arp 9.  This is the brightest galaxy (of 23) that Edward discovered.
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NGC 2524 = UGC 4234 = MCG +07-17-016 = CGCG 207-034 = PGC 22838
08 08 09.6  +39 09 26; Lyn
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 125°

17.5" (2/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, almost stellar nucleus, oval NW-SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2528 = UGC 4227 10' WNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2524 = St. 8b-24, along with NGC 2528, on 7 Mar 1874 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory.  He published an accurate micrometric position matching UGC 4234 on 22 Jan 1877.  But through a mix-up he placed the second galaxy (NGC 2528) to the southeast of NGC 2524, instead of northwest.  This error was caught and corrected by Esmiol in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions.  See notes for NGC 2528.
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NGC 2525 = MCG -02-21-004 = UGCA 135 = PGC 22721
08 05 38.0  -11 25 41; Pup
V = 11.6;  Size 2.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 75°

24" (2/8/18 and 2/13/18): at 200x and 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 ~E-W, broad concentration, no distinct core at 200x but the halo appeared patchy or uneven (brighter and darker regions), strongly hinting at spiral structure.  At 375x, a short low contrast central bar (elongated roughly 3:1 E-W) was visible with a slightly brighter nucleus.

13th magnitude SN 2018gv, discovered on Jan 15th, was easily visible at the SW edge of the galaxy [50" W and 39" S of center].  A mag 14.5 star was easily seen close SW of the supernova and a very faint and close pair is an additional 20" SW. 

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, large, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse, weak concentration.  Located 3.8' NNE of mag 8.9 SAO 153813 and 6.2' S of mag 8.7 SAO 153816 on the Monoceros border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2525 = H. III-877 = h486 on 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995) and recorded "vF, irregularly round, resolvable, about 2' in diameter, almost of equal light throughout."  On 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129), John Herschel described it as "F; L; R; very gradually brighter middle; 90"; among stars of the Milky Way."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 30 Jan 1856, sketched NGC 2525 as a spiral.  He wrote, "vF, L, oval.  Several F stars on edge, suspect others in the neb., also dark spaces.  Nucl or * in centre?  Spiral as in diagram.  A year later he saw additional details: "light very unequal, suspect nucleus and a star close foll nucleus, also star in p[receding] edge?  Again I though I saw a darkness across north-preceding centre [gap in spiral arms] and knots in north-preceding edge, but it is very uncertain."
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NGC 2526 = UGC 4231 = MCG +01-21-012 = CGCG 031-047 = PGC 22778
08 06 58.6  +08 00 14; Cnc
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 140°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, broad concentration.  There is a pretty pair of double stars in the field including a mag 11/12 pair at 10" located 3.5' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2526 = m 115 on 25 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, S, mE." His position matches UGC 4231.
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NGC 2527 = NGC 2520 = ESO 430-15 = Cr 174
08 04 58  -28 08 48; Pup
V = 6.5;  Size 22'

17.5" (3/7/92): 75-100 stars mag 10-14 in very large 30' loose group.  This cluster is fairly bright with two fairly rich subgroups.  The central 10' core includes about two dozen stars with a mag 10 star at the NW corner which has three fainter companions within 35".  A rich string of faint stars oriented SSW-NNE of length 4' has two mag 10-11 stars at the endpoints.  Outliers extend east and west and include a rich elongated group at the NE edge of the cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2527 = H. VIII-30 = h488 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 333) and noted "a very large cluster of many coarsely scattered large stars."

On 7 Jan 1831 (sweep 317), John Herschel wrote "pretty rich; very coarsely scattered; fills field; st 10...15m.  RA by working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps].  He also observed the cluster while in South Africa but his RA was 3 minutes too far west.  As a result it inherited two NGC numbers, so NGC 2527 = NGC 2520.
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NGC 2528 = UGC 4227 = MCG +07-17-015 = CGCG 207-032 = PGC 22805
08 07 24.9  +39 11 39; Lyn
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (2/24/90): faint, fairly small, round, almost even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 2524 10' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2528 = St. 8b-25, along with NGC 2524, on 7 Mar 1874.  Through a mix-up in measuring the offset on 22 Jan 1877, Stephan placed NGC 2528 11' SE of NGC 2524, instead of 9' NW.  Emmanuel Esmiol corrected the position in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions.  His new position (identified as an "Anon"[ymous] nebula), establishes NGC 2528 = UGC 4227.  Corwin also sorted out the situation (see his notes for NGC 2528).

In several galaxy catalogs (CGCG, UGC, MCG), the designation NGC 2528 isn't applied, but RNGC, PGC and RC3 identify this galaxy as NGC 2528.
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NGC 2529
08 07 48  +17 49; Cnc

= Not found, Corwin.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Bigourdan discovered NGC 2529 = Big. 35, along with NGC 2531, on 29 Jan 1887.  These were noted while examining the NGC 2530 field and placed 1' SW and 1' SE.  There is nothing at either of these offsets.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 2530 as NGC 2529 and UGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 2530 as NGC 2529 = NGC 2531.  See RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 2530 = (R)NGC 2529 = UGC 4237 = MCG +03-21-020 = CGCG 088-038 = PGC 22827
08 07 55.6  +17 49 06; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 170°

17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S.  Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is attached at the north end 0.8' from center and the galaxy appears to fan out to the south.  The edges are difficult to define.  NGC 2522 lies 25' WSW.  Incorrectly identified as NGC 2529 in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2530 = H. III-752 = h487 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 906) and noted "eF, little extended, south of a vS star."  His position and description matches UGC 4237.  R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 25 Jan 1857, recorded "light mottled, bright star to north, another faint star close to nf edge, suspect other stars involved."

RNGC misclassifies NGC 2530 as nonexistent (Type 7), though the correct data for NGC 2530 is listed under the entry for NGC 2529.  NGC 2530 is misidentified as NGC 2529 = NGC 2531 in UGC and NGC 2529 in the MCG (+03-21-020). See my RNGC Corrections #5 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2531
08 08 01  +17 49; Cnc

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.  Incorrect position in the RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2531 = Big. 36 on 29 Jan 1887, along with NGC 2529.  These two supposedly nebulous objects were noted while examining NGC 2530.  NGC 2531 was placed 1' SE, but there is nothing at this offset.  See my comments on NGC 2529 and 2530 as well as Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2532 = UGC 4256 = MCG +06-18-013 = CGCG 178-032 = PGC 22922
08 10 15.4  +33 57 26; Lyn
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 10°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, moderately large, 1.5', slightly elongated NW-SE, gradually brightens towards the center, faint stellar nucleus, slightly mottled appearance.  A mag 12 star 1.6' NNE is within a collinear string of six mag 11/12 stars oriented WNW-ESE running through the 20' field and a mag 11.5 star is 2.6' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2532 = H. II-726 = h489 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807).  His description reads, "pF, pL, irregularly round, little brighter middle, resolvable, south of 2 stars that are nearly in the parallel."  This galaxy was observed 13 times at Birr Castle and an arm was suspected several times on the south side.  Also a companion close north was sketched (not mentioned in the GC or NGC), but this is probably a very faint star.
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NGC 2533 = ESO 430-019 = Cr 175
08 07 04  -29 53 06; Pup
V = 7.6;  Size 4'

17.5" (2/8/91): about 20 stars surrounding mag 8.8 SAO 175203.  Also includes a mag 10.5 star but the remainder are 13th and 14th magnitude.  Fairly small, 4' diameter, does not stand out well in rich field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2533 = h3113 on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "place (RA doubtful) of a *9 m; cheif of cl p rich; irreg R; gradually little brighter middle; 5'; stars 13m.  Belong to milky way, but is a much more compressed part of it."
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NGC 2534 = UGC 4268 = MCG +09-14-014 = CGCG 263-014 = Mrk 85 = PGC 23024
08 12 54.1  +55 40 19; Lyn
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, round, broadly concentrated halo, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1' N.  Located 2' N of mag 8.0 SAO 26726.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2534 = H. III-840 = h490 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "cF, cS."  His position, based on Caroline's reduction was just 1.6' too far northwest (typical error), though Auwers' reduced position is 9' S of UGC 4268 (an offset shared by several objects discovered on this sweep including NGC 2469, 2488, 2497 and 2505).  On 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) John Herschel wrote, "pB; L; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; diam 60" and very gradually fading away; has a *8m pos = 164.3°.

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 7 Mar 1885 with Lord Rosse's 72" described "Has r[esolved] look, * plain at north end.  Alpha [from sketch] is a knot or star.  Neb is bM and probably spiral.  Certainly a dark space from south-preceding to north."  Spiral structure is not evident on the DSS.
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NGC 2535 = Arp 82 NED1 = VV 9a = Holm 94a = UGC 4264 = MCG +04-20-004 = CGCG 119-008 = PGC 22957
08 11 13.5  +25 12 23; Cnc
V = 12.8;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 0°

48" (4/2/11): this is the prominent member of a striking interacting pair (Arp 82) with NGC 2536 1.8' SSE.  At 375x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, ~1.6'x0.9' (including arms).  Contains a relatively large, bright core spanning ~40"x30" and punctuated by a very bright, stellar nucleus.  Attached at the west side of the core is a graceful spiral arm that curves clockwise towards the south-southeast in the direction of NGC 2536.  The arm faded towards the south-southeast end though increased in length with averted vision.  Still, it didn't reach the smaller companion.  A second arm is attached on the east side and shoots north, though it's only 2/3 the length of the southern arm.  A string (1.4' length) of three mag 12-13 stars is off the west side of the galaxy.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2536 1.8' SSE (Arp 82).  Located just following a line of three mag 12 stars 1.6' WSW, 1.2' W and 0.9' NW of center. 

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Located 22' SSE of a mag 6 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2535 = St. 8b-26 on 7 Mar 1874.  His notebook entry on that night doesn't specify two objects (NGC 2536).  His published micrometric position (list 8b, #26) was made on 22 Jan 1877.  E.E. Barnard swept it up on 7 Feb 1891, which searching for comets with the 12" refractor at Lick.  He described it in his notebook as "1' diameter, round, vgbM, hazy. Follows 2 or 3 faint stars."

Karl Reinmuth discovered SN 1901A in NGC 2535 (one of the first found) in 1923 on a Heidelberg plate taken on 10 Jan 1901.  The announcement was made in 1924AN....221...47R.
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NGC 2536 = Arp 82 NED2 = VV 9b = Holm 94b = MCG +04-20-005 = CGCG 119-009 = PGC 22958
08 11 16.0  +25 10 46; Cnc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 112°

48" (4/2/11): fainter and smaller member of an interacting pair (Arp 82) with NGC 2535.  At 375x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~30"x20", high surface brightness, moderate concentration with a very small, very bright core.  Located 1.8' SSE of NGC 2535.  A spiral arm hooks from the west side of NGC 2535, appearing to be tidally stretched SE in the direction of NGC 2536, though not reaching the companion.

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, very small, oval ~SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 2535 1.8' NW.

13.1" (1/18/85): very faint, very small, diffuse.  Located 2' SE of NGC 2535.

Édouard Stephan probably discovered NGC 2536 = St. 8b-27, along with brighter NGC 2535, on 7 Mar 1874, although he didn't specify 2 objects in his notebook. His published micrometric position (list 8b, #27) was made on 22 Jan 1877 and matches the fainter southeastern galaxy.
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NGC 2537 = Arp 6 = VV 138 = UGC 4274 = MCG +08-15-050 = CGCG 236-035 = Mrk 86 = PGC 23040 = Bear Paw Galaxy
08 13 14.5  +45 59 31; Lyn
V = 11.7;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.6

48" (4/15/10): At 624x, the view of the highly irregular "Bear-paw" galaxy (Arp 6) was fascinating.  The galaxy is fairly large, roundish, 1.5' diameter and is broken up into bright knots and arcs that border a large curving dust lane that winds through the glow and traces out a dark "U" inside the galaxy.

The main bright regions form the three "toes" of the Bear-paw.  On the NW side, the first "toe" consists of the brightest knot Mrk 86b, ~0.3' diameter, with a second smaller and fainter knot close S.  The combined glow extends ~30" N-S.  In the center is a brighter core, ~0.3' diameter, which is nearly isolated by obscuring dust, but the glow extends to the S end of the galaxy where it brightens slightly at the rim, forming the middle "toe".  The third toe is on the E side of the galaxy (~0.3' diameter) and is less prominent, though slightly brighter due E of center.  The curving "U"-shaped dust channel enters the galaxy on the S end both W and E of the middle toe in two parallel N-S lanes. It curves around the core, forming a noticeable arc around the N side.

NGC 2537A, situated 4.5' E, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak central brightening.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.2' S and a mag 15.4 star is 57" WSW.

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, fairly small, round.  The "Bear-paw" galaxy has an unusual appearance with a dark lane or vacuity in the center.  A small slightly brighter knot, Mrk 86b, is visible along the NW edge.  A mag 11 star is 2' SE.  Located 6.5' E of mag 8.4 SAO 42225.  IC 2233, a faint edge-on, lies 18' SE.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly faint, small, round, no structure.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2537 = H. IV-55 = h491 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 809). He recorded "pretty bright; round; pretty large; preceding a star about 1'."  A month later on 10 Mar (sweep 817) he logged "pretty bright; round; almost of an even light througout, approaching to a planetary [he placed it in the category of planetary nebulae] but very ill defined, and a little fainter on the edges, about 3/4 or 1' dia."  A small sketch was included in his 1811 PT publication (fig. 34). John Herschel observed the galaxy on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and remarked, "It is a globular cluster.  Being a remarkable fine night, I see the stars."

NGC 2537 was observed 20 times at Birr Castle.  George Johnstone Stoney noted "dark spaces" on 22 Feb 1849. and thought it was "probably spiral" in Jan 1852, although photographs show no significant spirality.  Other observations refer to its resolvability and the GC and NGC description call it a globular cluster!  When it was photographed at Lick Observatory with the Crossley reflector, Curtis noted (1918), "This is not a cluster, as described in the NGC, but a bright, irregular spiral."  Based on photographs taken with the 60-inch at Mt. Wilson from 1917 to 1919, Francis Pease called it "horseshoe" shaped and noted "The nebulosity is of the mixed type, there being a number of well-defined knots in it."  He also mentioned a "faint spot" nearby to the east, which is the companion galaxy NGC 2537A.

Wolfgang Steinicke reports the nickname is from Ron Buta, based on an observation through a 36" telescope at McDonald (Webb Society Galaxy Handbook, 1981): "Small and of relatively high surface brightness; shaped like a bear-paw, the structure consisting of a single spiral arm winding from W to E around the N side; this ring-tail includes 3 knots, one of about 15 mag; a bar-like feature shows in the interior region of the arm and extends to the S edge of the galaxy; there is a faint glow between the arm and the bar feature".
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NGC 2538 = UGC 4266 = MCG +01-21-019 = CGCG 031-067 = PGC 22962
08 11 23.0  +03 37 59; CMi
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 25°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Located between a mag 14 star 0.9' NW and a mag 12 star 1.7' SE.  A faint double star mag 14/15 is just 1.2' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2538 = St. 8b-28 on 7 Mar 1874.  His pubished position (list 8b, #28) was made 3 years later on 2 Feb 1877 with description "very faint, very small, round, much brighter core."
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NGC 2539 = Cr 176 = Mel 83 = OCL-611
08 10 37  -12 49 12; Pup
V = 6.5;  Size 22'

18" (3/2/08): this cluster is situated 10' NW of 4.7-magnitude 19 Pup.  Roughly 125 stars are spread out over a 20' region.  At the NW end is a roughly equal mag pair, an 11" pair is on the east side and a brighter mag 10/11 pair at 20" is on the NE side.

13.1" (2/25/84): about 85 stars in a 20' diameter.  Fairly rich with uniform magnitudes.  A brighter mag 10/11 pair at 21" is on the north side.  Located about 10' NW of 19 Puppis (V = 4.7).

William Herschel discovered NGC 2539 = H. VII-11 = h3114 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363). He called it "a cluster of stars, coarsely scattered, but considerably rich, above 20' diam."  Just prior in the sweep he recorded the 4.7-magnitude star 19 Puppis.

John Herschel, observing from the Cape of Good Hope on 14 Feb 1836 (sweep 676), recorded "a large, extended, rich cluster. Fills field; stars 12th mag approx. A bright star (6th mag) S.f."
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NGC 2540 = UGC 4275 = MCG +05-20-004 = CGCG 149-004 = PGC 23017
08 12 46.5  +26 21 41; Cnc
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 125°

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, fairly low surface brightness halo, weak concentration.  Situated within a triangle of mag 14 stars the closest being 1.3' W.  Located 8' NNE of mag 8.5 SAO 80013.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2540 = St. 13-37 on 7 Feb 1878.   His rough position was just off the SW side.  He reduced an accurate position on 10 Feb 1885 and included it in his last discovery list 13 (#37) with an estimated diameter of 1.5'.
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NGC 2541 = UGC 4284 = MCG +08-15-054 = CGCG 236-037 = PGC 23110
08 14 40.2  +49 03 43; Lyn
V = 11.8;  Size 6.3'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.9;  PA = 165°

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, fairly large, very diffuse halo, elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration to an elongated core.  A mag 10 star lies 4.5' NNE.  In a group with NGC 2500 and NGC 2522.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2541 = H. III-710 = h492 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and called it "vF, iF, 2.5' long, 1.75' broad."  His position is 20 sec of RA west of center.  John Herschel recorded it on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329) as "not vF; L; little extended; very gradually brighter middle; 90"."  His position is just north of the core of UGC 4284.  An interesting sketch made with the 72" appears to show an elongated HII region or a portion of a spiral arm on the southwest side, separated from the main body.
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NGC 2542 = 19 Puppis = SAO 153942 = ADS 6647
08 11 16.3  -12 55 37; Pup
V = 4.7

= * 4.7 = 19 Pup.  No nebulosity, Corwin and Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2542 = h3115 on 11 Dec 1836 and noted "a fine nebulous star 6 mag [19 Pup], in the following part of the cluster VII II [NGC 2539] and almost connected to it.  The nebula is faint, but I feel confident that it is not the nebulous haze. [Notandum -Nothing more difficult than to prove a nebulous star of the 6th mag and above."  In this case, the star is free of nebulosity.  This is the 3rd brightest star with an entry in the NGC (after NGC 771 and 4530).

There are several similar cases of bright stars which Herschel assumed had a nebulous halo (see notes on NGC 4530).  Harold Corwin mentions that he may have been misled by the faint companion of 19 Puppis, though I think it's more likely he was misled by scattered light/dew.  Interestingly, three observations were made with the 72" and all described the star as being nebulous!  Pietro Baracchi, observing with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 9 Jan 1886, wrote in his logbook that it was necessary to hide the star to see the nebulosity and if he had not known of the description he would not had noticed anything.  In addition, Howe reported "I examined it one night, and saw a faint halo about 2' in diameter encircling it.  It looked like a telescopic flare."
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NGC 2543 = IC 2232 = UGC 4273 = MCG +06-18-014 = CGCG 178-035 = PGC 23028
08 12 57.9  +36 15 13; Lyn
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.5', very small brighter core.  Two mag 11.5 stars are 2.4' NW and 3.9' NW on a line with NGC 2543.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2543 = H. II-719 = h493 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 803) and recorded "F, pL, irregularly round, bM."  His RA was 10 seconds too small and dec 5' too far S. A second observation from 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) reads "In a line with a N.p. star, pB, cL, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle."  The second observation was even further off in dec.

John Herschel noted on 7 Feb 1834 (sweep 401), "vF; R; a course double * precedes points to it.  Deta RA = 1 m 2 sec."  There is nothing at his position but two minutes of RA west is UGC 4273 and two stars at 1.6' separation are northwest.  Édouard Stephan made another observation on 29 Jan 1878.  The RA given in the GC and NGC is ~1.0 minute too large but Rudolph Spitaler's micrometric position, measured on 24 Dec 1891 and included in the IC 1 notes section, is accurate.  Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 12 Feb 1896, assumed it was new and included it in list 3-1028 (later IC 2232) with an accurate position.  Dreyer missed the equivalence NGC 2543 = IC 2232.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2544 = UGC 4327 = MCG +12-08-034 = CGCG 331-036 = Mrk 87 = PGC 23453
08 21 40.3  +73 59 16; Cam
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 70°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, brighter core.  Located 5.5' SW of a mag 9.5 star.  Forms a close pair with CGCG 331-037 1.3' ENE.  NGC 2550 lies 12' ENE.

CGCG 331-037 appeared extremely faint and small, round, just visible with averted.  A mag 15 star is close NE confuses the observation.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2544 = Sw. 2-33 on 7 Sep 1885 (along with NGC 2550) with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His description reads "eeF; pS; R; sev B stars nearly surround it."  His position is 16 sec of RA west and 1.4' south of UGC 4327 and there are several mag 11-12 stars nearby (mostly west).
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NGC 2545 = UGC 4287 = MCG +04-20-007 = CGCG 119-016 = PGC 23086
08 14 14.2  +21 21 20; Cnc
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 170°

13.1" (1/11/86): moderately bright, fairly small, almost round, gradually increases to a small brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star at the NNW edge 1.0' from center is similar to the substellar nucleus.  Located 3.9' ESE of a mag 9.5 star at the west edge of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2545 = H. II-627 = h494 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) and noted "eF, pS, E."  The same sweep he observed Uranus and discovered the moons Titania and Oberon.  He planned the sweep for the purpose of viewing Uranus. On 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) he recorded "F, S, irr F, lE sp to nf."  There is nothing at his position but 30 seconds of RA preceding and 4' north is UGC 4287.  In the 1912 publication of Herschel's catalogues, Dreyer added the note "RA by Sweep 683 29 seconds too great, PD 3.5' too great. But in the interval between the star and the neb, H. had discovered two satellites of Uranus, whereby the telescope may have been slightly disturbed."
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NGC 2546 = ESO 369-007 = Cr 178
08 12 16  -37 35 42; Pup
V = 6.3;  Size 41'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): this very large, bright scattered cluster was just visible to the naked eye close south of a brighter, hazy naked-eye patch of unresolved stars.  The field is beautifully rich, at least 45' diameter though there was no distinct border.  The star field looks impressive beyond the edges of the 66' field of the 20 Nagler.  On the northwest side is a rich, elongated strip of ~20 stars that is quite eye-catching.  Includes a few pairs and a neat triple with a fairly close unequal mag pair at the SSW end of the elongated strip.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this cluster is a very bright, scattered field of stars that completely fills the nearly 40' field at 105x.  At the NW edge is a rich elongated strip of two dozen stars including a couple of close, unequal pairs and tight fainter triple.  John Herschel's description applies to this denser group of stars. A mag 6.4 star (HJ 4051 = HD 68450) with two mag 13.5 companions is off the NW side of the larger group but does not appear to be part of the cluster and a similar star lies to the SE (HD 68862).

13.1" (1/18/85): ~75 stars, bright, very large, scattered, overfills 30' field.  

8" (3/28/81): ~25 stars, rich, elongated.  At the edge of a large, scattered field of stars.

50mm finder (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): partially resolved at 9x.

12x36mm IS binocs (2/25/25): large, mottled glow with one brighter and several fainter stars overlaid.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2546 = Lac II-4 = D 563 = h3116 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch refractor at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He recorded II-4 as follows: "One sees with the naked eye two neighboring confused groups of stars; but with the telescope they are faint, distinct stars, very numerous & very close together."

James Dunlop observed the cluster on 8 May and 28 May 1826 and recorded, "a large cluster of stars of mixt magnitude, rather extended figure, not rich in very small stars."  His position was 17' too far north (typical error).  John Herschel made 3 observations from the Cape of Good Hope, reporting on 1 Feb 1835 "a cluster 8th class of about 20 bright stars in an oblong, 8' long, 3' broad."  Melotte didn't consider it a cluster (1915) based on the appearance in the Franklin-Adams Plates.
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NGC 2547 = ESO 209-018 = Cr 177 = Mel 84 = Lund 432
08 10 11  -49 13 30; Vel
V = 4.7;  Size 20'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): this easy naked-eye cluster to the south of Gamma Velorum (bright binocular double) is roughly 30'x20' in size.  There is a very distinctive, gently curving arc of stars bowed out to the east that defines the eastern side of the central region and the brightest mag 6.5 star (HD 68478) is along this arc.  Three nice pairs are to the west and NW of the mag 6.5 star (one of these pairs has a third fainter companion forming a triple).  The main portion of the cluster is enclosed in two outer strings of stars that form a large "V" with the vertex to the east of the mag 6.5 star and the pair of strings increase the diameter to 30'.  While scanning for NGC 2547 I ran across a bright, distinctive red star to the west (probably M3-class HD 67821).

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this is a very bright naked-eye cluster that includes a number of mag 7-8 stars.  It appears at least 20'-25' in diameter, though the outer boundaries are pretty arbitrary.  The arrangement is very unusual with a number of the brighter stars form a curving arc which is bowed out towards the east and which defines the eastern border of the cluster!  The brightest mag 6.5 star is within this arc on the south side of the cluster.  The cluster is encased in faint reflection nebulosity, though this was not visible.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2547 = Lac III-2 = D 410 = h3117 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He described "five faint stars like the letter T in nebulosity."

Dunlop observed the cluster twice (first 28 May 1826) with summary description, "A curiously arranged group of pretty bright small stars of mixt magnitudes. This answers to the place of 310 Argus (Bode) and is described by Lacaille as nebula with five small stars forming the letter T in it. There is no nebulosity in this place. The diameter of the cluster may be about 12'. Figure 16 [in his publication] is a very good representation of the group."

John Herschel first logged the cluster on 28 Dec 1834 (sweep 526) and recorded "chief star 7th mag about, of a vL, loose, brilliant cluster of very scattered stars, 1 of 7th mag, 2 of 8th mag, rest 9...16th mag.  Fills more than field; 100...150 stars."  JH inadvertently equated this cluster with D 411 instead of D 410 and this error was copied into the NGC.
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NGC 2548 = M48 = Cr 179
08 13 43  -05 45 00; Hya
V = 5.8;  Size 54'

18" (3/15/10): large, sprawling cluster that nearly fills the 67' field of the 31mm Nagler.  The most distinctive portion, though, is a 20'x15' group near the center which contains roughly 75 stars, many arranged in strings.  Most prominent is a fairly dense SW-NE string of brighter stars that cuts through the cluster with a nice double star in the center (HJ 2435 = 10.4/10.9 at 7"). A short chain of a few stars branches off to the south of HJ 2435. Another stream of stars branches off this string  to the SSW.  A third elongated group of stars extends SW-NE on the south side, roughly parallel to main string, and is separated by a mostly starless lane.  The cluster includes a number of mag 8-9 stars, with the brightest mag 8.2.  At 73x, the main cluster is wedged between two very long streams of stars, roughly oriented NW to SE off both the north and south sides of the main group.  These two strings of stars extend the total diameter to over 50'.  On the NW side of the central group, a number of stars are scattered between these two streams including a few very wide pairs, but the SE end the two streams are well separated with a very few stars in between.

13.1" (2/16/85): about 125 stars in a large 40' field with no distinct borders.  A rich chain of stars oriented SSW-NNE passes through the center.  Includes a number of brighter mag 10 stars and many double stars.  Partially resolved in 16x80 finder.

Charles Messier discovered M48 = NGC 2548 = H. VI-22 = h496 on 19 Feb 1771.  He described a "Cluster of very faint stars, without nebulosity; this cluster is a short distance from the three stars that form the beginning of the Unicorn's tail."  Johann Bode independently found the cluster again before 1782.  But M48 was considered lost due to an error in Messier's listed position.  In the 1934 book "Astronomie: Tatsachen und Probleme", Oswald Thomas first identified M48 with NGC 2548 and in 1959, T.F. Morris noted that NGC 2548 has the same RA as Messier's position for M48 though differs by 5° in declination. Owen Gingerich publicized Morris' identification in the 1960 article "The Missing Messier Objects" in Sky & Telescope.

Yann Pothier recently uncovered (DeepSky Observer, Fall 2020) that James Bradley made an earlier discovery of M48 on 16 Feb 1727, probably with a non-achromatic refractor of 15-foot focal length and 2" to 3" aperture.  Mixed in with Bradley's comments on Jupiter's satellites (in the 1832 publication "Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley"), he mentions seeing M41 and another cluster halfway between Procyon and Alpha Hydrae.  He described it specifically at the center of a large isosceles triangle of stars (longest sides ~5.5°) with the brightest northern star having two nearby collinear stars.  This pattern matches Zeta Mon, HD 68312 and 30 Mon (HD 71155).  The latter star is bracketed by two mag 5.6 stars (in a line) as Bradley described and M48 is situated near the center of this triangle. 

Caroline Herschel rediscovered NGC 2548 on 8 Mar 1783 with a small refractor and entered it as #5 in her discovery list.  William verified it the same night, probably with his 6.2" reflector.  He found it again with his 18.7" on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 519) and assumed it was new, not associating it with his observation three years earlier.  He described VI-22 as "a beautiful cluster of stars, considerably rich, and pretty much compressed, 10 or 12' dia.  The stars are nearly of a size, white and pretty large."  He or Caroline later made the connection as his second catalogue notes "C.H. [Caroline Herschel] discovered it in 1783."  Caroline was also credited with the discovery in the NGC, which should be given to Messier or possibly Bradley.
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NGC 2549 = UGC 4313 = MCG +10-12-124 = CGCG 287-069 = PGC 23313
08 18 58.2  +57 48 11; Lyn
V = 11.2;  Size 3.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 177°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.5', very bright core, stellar or almost stellar nucleus.  Located 10' WNW of mag 5.9 30 Lyncis.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2549 = h495 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) and recorded "pB; S; mE; pos in merid; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 15" l, 6" br.  A *7m follows."  His position and description matches UGC 4313.
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NGC 2550 = UGC 4359 = MCG +12-08-037 = CGCG 331-039 = PGC 23604
08 24 34.4  +74 00 44; Cam
V = 12.8;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 103°

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the west tip 0.8' from center.  A nice unequal double star SAO 6528 = 8.6/13 lies 2.5' E.  Nearby is NGC 2544 12' W and NGC 2550A = UGC 4397 23' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2550 = Sw. 2-34 on 7 Sep 1885 (along with NGC 2544) and recorded "eeF; pS; cE; bet an eF *, and an unequal double star."  His position and description matches UGC 4359.
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NGC 2551 = UGC 4362 = MCG +12-08-038 = CGCG 331-040 = LGG 160-005 = PGC 23608
08 24 50.2  +73 24 44; Cam
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 55°

17.5" (2/9/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.3'x0.7'.  A mag 12 star (with a mag 14.5-15 companion 30" N) lies 2' NE.  The halo suddenly rises to a very small, bright core and stellar nucleus.

13.1" (1/11/86): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated, brighter star off NE side.  Observation made through thin clouds.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2551 = T. 6-2 = Sw. 2-35 on 9 Aug 1882 (while searching for Comet Pons (1812)) with the 11" refractor at Arcetri Observatory in Venice.  He measured an approximate position and noted "Class III nebula, stellar center; on 11 August observed them again.  Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 2551 on 7 Sep 1885 and recorded it as new in his second discovery paper.  Swift's RA was 17 seconds too small.  MCG misidentifies MCG +12-08-039 (one degree north) as NGC 2551.
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NGC 2552 = UGC 4325 = MCG +08-15-062 = CGCG 236-042 = PGC 23340
08 19 20.2  +50 00 26; Lyn
V = 12.1;  Size 3.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 45°

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, moderately large, elongated.  A mag 11 star is off the NE side 3.1' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2552 = H. III-711 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and logged "eF, E from sp to nf, about 3.5' long, 2.5' broad."  His position (Auwers' reduction) is 2.4' NW of UGC 4325 = PGC 23340.
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NGC 2553 = MCG +04-20-014 = CGCG 119-031 = PGC 23240
08 17 35.0  +20 54 11; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, gradually increases to small bright core, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 2' ENE.  NGC 2556 lies 21' E.  Member of Cancer 1 galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2553 = m 116 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, gradually little brighter middle."  His position is 2' north of CGCG 119-031 = PGC 23240 (same offset as NGC 2556).
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NGC 2554 = UGC 4312 = MCG +04-20-015 = CGCG 119-033 = PGC 23256
08 17 53.6  +23 28 20; Cnc
V = 12.0;  Size 3.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 142°

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.9'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a very small, intense nucleus.  A mag 13.5-14 star is barely off the southeast end, 1.2' from center and a comparable star is off the north side, 1.4' from center.

CGCG 119-032 forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle framing the galaxy with the two nearby stars, and lies just off the west edge [1.4' from center].  At 450x it appeared extremely faint (V = 15.5), round, just 6" diameter.  Once identified at high power it was also seen at 322x. 

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, strongly concentrated with an abrupt well-defined very bright core, sharp stellar nucleus, faint halo with ill-defined edge.  Two mag 14 stars are 1.2' SSE and 1.4' NNE of center.  Located at the north edge of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.  CGCG 119-032 is just 1.5' W but was not noticed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2554 = H. II-303 = h497 on 28 Feb 1785 (sweep 374) and recorded "F, S, much brighter in the middle, r."  On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) he noted "eF, vS, near some vF stars; may be a patch of a few extr small stars."  On 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697), he logged "pF, S, much brighter in the middle, irr R."  On 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59), John Herschel logged "pB, R, bM" but his position was 1.0 minute of time too far east. His error was repeated in the GC and finally the NGC. Édouard Stephan recorded an unpublished position only 0.9' off on 14 Feb 1868 with another measure on 4 Feb 1878.  Dreyer corrected the RA in the IC 2 notes.

Five observations of the galaxy were made by Lord Rosse's assistants.  Bindon Stoney recorded on 9 Mar 1852: "R, bright middle to a nucleus, 2 st 14m nf and sf, a vS * preceding about the same dist."  Interestingly, the "vS * preceding" is CGCG 119-032, a faint compact galaxy. At V = 15.6, this is one of the fainter galaxies discovered with the 72" (though of course it was seen as virtually stellar) and took some effort in my 24", knowing the exact position.
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NGC 2555 = UGC 4319 = MCG +00-21-012 = CGCG 003-028 = Holm 95a = PGC 23259
08 17 56.3  +00 44 45; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE.  Several stars are near including a mag 12 star at the SE edge 1.1' from the center, a mag 13 star 1.7' NNE and a mag 14.5 star is at the NW edge 0.9' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2555 = H. III-256 = h498 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 346) and remarked "vF, vS, diffused about the middlemost of 3 small stars in a row; but seems not connected to them; they being too large and like the rest of the scattered stars.  Verified with 240 power."  John Herschel described the galaxy on 27 Jan 1832 (sweep 397) as "vF; between a *12m sf and one 16m, north.  The former dist about 1 diam, the latter about 1/2 diam from edge.  His position is accurate.  In 1857, R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, noted two stars were at the NW edge.
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NGC 2556 = CGCG 119-045 = LGG 158-006 = WBL 178-002 = PGC 23325
08 19 00.9  +20 56 13; Cnc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 138°

18" (2/26/11): very faint, very small, round, very small brighter core, sharp stellar nucleus.  A wide pair of mag 13.14 stars are within 2' SSW and a mag 10.5 star is 3.5' SE.  Located 24' WSW of NGC 2563, the brightest galaxy in the core of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round.  A pair of mag 13/14 stars are 1.3' S and 1.7' S.  NGC 2560 lies 12' WNW and NGC 2553 21' W.  Located near the center of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2556 = m 117 on 17 Feb 1865 and noted "vF, vS." His position is 2' north of CGCG 119-045, the same offset error he made with NGC 2553.
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NGC 2557 = UGC 4330 = MCG +04-20-021 = CGCG 119-048 = LGG 158-004 = WBL 178-010 = PGC 23329
08 19 10.8  +21 26 09; Cnc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 55°

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, gradually increases to a small brighter core.  Forms the eastern vertex of a small isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5 stars 2.5' NW and 2.7' SW.  Also forms a larger isosceles triangle with mag 7.8 HD 69698 situated 5' NW and a  mag 11 star 5' SSW.  IC 2293 lies 5.6' SE.  This fainter galaxy appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, gradually brighter core.  Located 5' SE of mag 8.2 SAO 80087 in the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2557 = St. 8b-29 on 14 Feb 1868 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory and recorded a rough unpublished position (3' too far SW) in his logbook.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 2 Feb 1877.  Esmiol's re-reduced position is an exact match with UGC 4330.
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NGC 2558 = UGC 4331 = MCG +04-20-022 = CGCG 119-050 = LGG 158-002 = PGC 23337
08 19 12.8  +20 30 38; Cnc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 160°

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 NNW-SSE, 32"x24", sharply concentrated with a 15" bright core.  Located south of the central region of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2558 = H. III-606 = h499 on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and recorded "vF, S."  John Herschel logged it on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334) as "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; and then a feeble atmosphere 25"."
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NGC 2559 = ESO 494-041 = MCG -04-20-003 = UGCA 136 = VV 475 = AM 0815-271 = PGC 23222
08 17 06.3  -27 27 33; Pup
V = 10.9;  Size 3.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 6°

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 N-S.  Unusual appearance as nestled between four stars in a rich Milky Way field!  Slight concentration but no distinct core.  The brightest of four nearby stars is mag 9.5 SAO 175514 at the east side, 40" from the center.  Located just 4.5° above the galactic equator!

John Herschel discovered NGC 2559 = h3118 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "pL, F, gradually little brighter middle, in a field of about 60 stars; one of which = 9th mag, and some others also of less magnitudes are involved."  His position is just off the east side of ESO 494-041 = PGC 23222.

Pietro Baracchi, observing with the 48" Melbourne telescope in Jan 1886, called it "vF; S; R; very gradually very very little brighter middle; irregular.  Amidst a multitude of stars."
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NGC 2560 = UGC 4337 = MCG +04-20-027 = CGCG 119-058 = LGG 158-009 = WBL 178-006 = PGC 23367
08 19 51.9  +20 59 06; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 93°

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small bright core and fainter extensions.  Located 1.5' E of a mag 10.4 star and 11' SW of NGC 2563, the brightest galaxy in the core of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, small bright core.  Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.9 SAO 116633.  A mag 10.5 star is 1.5' W.  Located near the core of the Cancer I galaxy cluster with NGC 2556 12' WSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2560 on 17 Mar 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory (recorded as #78 in AN 1500).  His position (based on 4 measurements) matches UGC 4337 and he accurately placed the nearby mag 10.5 star as 7 seconds of time preceding.
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NGC 2561 = UGC 4336 = MCG +01-22-001 = CGCG 031-081 = CGCG 032-001 = PGC 23351
08 19 36.9  +04 39 26; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 138°

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 7' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 116633.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2561 = Sw. 6-31 on 23 Mar 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His description reads, "vF, S, R, right angles with 2 stars."  His position was 8 seconds of time too small and the two stars lie southwest and southeast.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1896 at the Strasbourg Observatory (published in 1907).
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NGC 2562 = UGC 4345 = MCG +04-20-031 = CGCG 119-063 = Ark 159 = LGG 158-003 = 178-010 = PGC 23395
08 20 23.7  +21 07 53; Cnc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 3°

18" (2/26/11): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 30"x24", contains a small bright core that gradually increases to the center.  Forms a nice pair with brighter NGC 2563 4.7' SE.  NGC 2560 lies 11' SW and UGC 4332 is a similar distance west.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 N-S, halo brightens to a small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2563 4.7' SE.  Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2562 = H. III-607 = h500, along with NGC 2563, on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and noted "F, S, bM."  His position was less than 2' WNW of NGC 2562 (similar offset as nearby NGC 2558 = H. III-606).
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NGC 2563 = UGC 4347 = MCG +04-20-033 = CGCG 119-065 = LGG 158-005 = WBL 178-011 = PGC 23404
08 20 35.7  +21 04 04; Cnc
V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 80°

18" (2/26/11): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, pretty sharply concentrated with a bright, 20" core.  With direct vision, the core increases to a brighter stellar nucleus.  Slightly brighter and larger than NGC 2562 4.7' NW.  Located 20' NNE of mag 5.8 HD 69994.  This is the brightest galaxy in the core region of the loose Cancer I cluster (called the Cancer II group in NED).

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, halo brightens evenly to a small bright core.  Appears similar to NGC 2562 4.7' NW but slightly larger.  Member of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2563 = H. II-634 = h501, along with NGC 2562, on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and noted "vF, vS."  His RA was 6 seconds of time too large.
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NGC 2564 = ESO 562-001 = PGC 23290
08 18 30.0  -21 48 58; Pup
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 60°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A very faint larger halo is visible at moments.  A wide pair of mag 12/13 stars at 35" separation lies 2' NNW and two mag 14/15 stars are 1' NNW.  Located in a rich star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2564 = h3119 on 28 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; at least 60 stars in field."  His position is 7 sec of RA west of ESO 562-001.  This galaxy is situated 8 degrees from the galactic equator.
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NGC 2565 = UGC 4334 = MCG +04-20-0264 = CGCG 119-057 = Mrk 386 = LGG 156-003 = PGC 23362
08 19 48.4  +22 01 51; Cnc
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 167°

24" (4/28/14): at low power appears as close "double" consisting of a mag ~14 star and the fuzzy nucleus (similar or slightly brighter) of the galaxy!  At 260x the bright core is elongated 2:1 N-S, 20"x10" and surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo, extending ~1.0'x0.6' NNW-SSE.  The superimposed star is at the SSE edge of the core.  At 375x, the galaxy is seen to be very sharply concentrated with a very bright core and low surface brightness halo.  Forms a physical pair with CGCG 119-056 1.8' NW.  The companion appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, very small, small bright core, very faint halo elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE.  Unusual appearance as the core of the galaxy forms a very close double with a similar star at the SE end.  The outer halo appears to touch or encompass the star.  Located 6.5' NW of mag 8.9 SAO 80108.  This galaxy is an outlying member of the Cancer I cluster and is located ~1° north of center of the cluster.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2565 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England.  His position is 0.9 min of RA east and 1.5' N of UGC 4334 but his description "biN" applies to nucleus and a superimposed star.
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NGC 2566 = ESO 495-003 = MCG -04-20-008 = UGCA 138 = AM 0816-252 = PGC 23303
08 18 45.5  -25 29 59; Pup
V = 11.0;  Size 3.4'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 50°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 ~ENE-WSW, 2.5'x1.8', diffuse, edges fade into background.  The only central brightening is a nearly stellar bright core.  The appearance is unusual (similar to a Milky Way nebula) as the galaxy is located in a dense field among a rich group of faint stars including a mag 13 star just following the nucleus.  A 10' semicircle of stars heads to the N and W.  Forms a pair with IC 2311 7.6' N.  The IC galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter.  Even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  NGC 2566 is the brightest member of the Klemola 10 quartet.

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~2.0'x1.5', very low even surface brightness.  There was no noticeable core and the outer halo was not well defined.  Several stars are superimposed including a mag 13.5 star 22" ESE of center.  Situated in a rich Milky Way field.  Brightest in a group including IC 2311 7.6' N.  Located just 6° above the galactic equator!

William Herschel discovered NGC 2566 = H. III-288 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381). He recorded it as "very faint, considerably large, easily resolvable or rather some of the stars visible besides those of the milky way scattered over it."  His position is off the north side of the galaxy, which lies less than 6° north of the galactic centerline!

Herbert Howe described the galaxy as a "vS neb or neb *11 w/*12 close".  On 9 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi described this galaxy with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope as "vF; pL; 2 stars 14m involved.  A multititude of stars in the field."  Visually, nearby IC 2311 has a higher surface brightness and is more identifiable as a galaxy!
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NGC 2567 = ESO 431-3 = Cr 180 = Mel 86 = Lund 445
08 18 29  -30 38 24; Pup
V = 7.4;  Size 10'

13.1" (3/24/84): about two dozen stars mostly mag 11-13 in 10' diameter elongated N-S.  Includes a long string oriented N-S on the east side.  On the SW wide is a "U" shaped group of brighter stars open to the north.  Mag 9.0 SAO 199057 lies 6' SW.  First in a group of four open clusters with NGC 2571 54' N, NGC 2580 44' NE and NGC 2587 93' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2567 = H. VII-64 = h503 = h3120 on 4 Mar 1793 (sweep 1033) and recorded "a large cluster of stars of a middling size, irregularly extended and considerably rich.  The stars are chiefly in rows."  In his 1814 publication, Herschel speculated that each row of stars may have a different preponderating attraction, but every row will attract all the other rows..."  John Herschel logged it on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 316) as "a fine, p rich cl; stars 11m pretty uniform 5..6' diam.  The chief stars make a zigzag line, the outliers extending 20'."
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NGC 2568 = ESO 370-5 = OCL-727 = Pismis 1 = Lund 443
08 18 18  -37 06 18; Pup
V = 10.7;  Size 5'

13.1" (1/18/85): small, faint group of about 6 stars over haze, unimpressive.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2568 in 1881 with his 5-inch refractor in Nashville while sweeping for comets.  In Sidereal Messenger, Vol 3, p60, he described a "very faint nebulosity of moderate extension; pretty even in light. A small star involved."  In The Observatory, 8, p123 (1885), he wrote "Faint, close to, and south preceding a small star; the star is partly involved in the nebula."  The latter observation was probably made with the 6-inch Cook refractor.  So, with the 5- and 6-inch scope he didn't resolve the cluster.  His discovery list in AN 2588 (1884) mentions Oliver Wendell, using the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory, described it as "rather diffuse and faint, but gradually a little brighter in the middle."  I'm surprised the large refractor didn't provide some resolution.  Paris Pismis reported the cluster as new (= Pismis 1) in her 1959 list of clusters found on Schmidt plates at the Tonantzintla Observatory.

Cederblad catalogued the cluster Ced 105, although there does not appear to be nebulosity involved.  The Lynga open cluster catalogue and Sky Catalogue 2000.0 identify the cluster as Pismis 1 despite Barnard's accurate position, which makes the NGC identification certain.  ESO does label the cluster NGC 2568.
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NGC 2569 = MCG +04-20-035 = CGCG 119-067 = LGG 158-013 = PGC 23442
08 21 21.1  +20 52 03; Cnc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 119°

18" (2/26/11): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, very small bright core in a fainter halo.  A thin, distinctive triangle of mag 13 stars (separations roughly 12", 30", 30") is 1.5' following.  Forms a pair with NGC 2570 2.6' N.  Located 16' NE of mag 5.8 HD 69994.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round, small bright core in low surface brightness halo.  A group of three mag 13 stars lie between 1.5'-2.0' E.  Forms a pair with NGC 2570 2.6' N.  Member of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2569 on 19 Feb 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory (recorded as #79 in AN 1500).  His position and description ("a miniature 'Triangulum' is not much more than 1' distant") matches CGCG 119-067 = PGC 23442.  Nearby NGC 2570 was discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2570 = UGC 4354 = MCG +04-20-036 = CGCG 119-068 = PGC 23443
08 21 22.6  +20 54 37; Cnc
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 70°

18" (2/26/11): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.4'x0.3', very low even surface brightness, no noticeable core or zones.  Appears larger than NGC 2569, located 2.6' S, but more difficult due to a lower surface brightness.  Located 14.5' SE of NGC 2563 (brightest galaxy in the region) and 17' NE of mag 5.8 HD 69994.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very low surface brightness.  Slightly larger than NGC 2569 2.6' S but has a lower surface brightness.  Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2570 on 20 Feb 1873 in his observation of GC 1650 = NGC 2569 (discovered by d'Arrest) with the 72".  He recorded, with respect to NGC 2569, "eeF, L, R, pos 3.9°, dist 174.1".  His micrometric offsets matches UGC 4354.  This member of Cancer I has a redshift of z = .022.
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NGC 2571 = ESO 431-005 = Cr 181
08 18 56  -29 45 00; Pup
V = 7.0;  Size 13'

24" (3/21/20): at 200x; very interesting cluster with ~30 stars in the core of the cluster, including two 9th mag stars, HD 70058 and 70078, oriented NW-SE and a large number of stars 10th-11th magnitude. The "core" stars are pretty isolated by a wide, mostly empty ring with only much fainter stars. At a radius of 4' from the center is a prominent string of stars to the NW (oriented SW-NE) and an extensive group of stars to the south that may also be part of the cluster. Including the large group out to 13' diameter increases the total to 100-120 stars (though a large number are unrelated stars), but it appears too loose to be distinctive at this size.  This region of the Milky Way is rich in bright and faint stars: a 7th mag star (HD 69817) is 17' WNW and mag 6-7th mag stars are 20' SW and 20' NE.

13.1"  (3/24/84): 18 stars mag 8.8-12 in 10' diameter.  Includes a wide bright pair (mag 8.8 SAO 175580 and 8.9 SAO 175577) at 1' separation oriented NW-SE near the center.  This cluster is larger and contains brighter stars than NGC 2587 one degree ENE.  Also NGC 2580 lies 47' SE and NGC 2567 54' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2571 = H. VI-39 = h502 on 3 Mar 1793 (sweep 1032) and noted "a cluster of large stars, considerably rich, irregularly round, above 15' diameter."  John Herschel logged it on 6 Jan 1831 (sweep 316) as "a v loose straggling but p rich cl which fills the field, st 9m and under; vl comp middle.  Some large stars precede it."
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NGC 2572 = UGC 4355 = MCG +03-22-004 = CGCG 089-007 = PGC 23441
08 21 24.6  +19 08 52; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 133°

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just off the SSW end 0.5' from the center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2572 = St 8b-30 on 14 Feb 1868 and recorded a rough position (4' too far W) in his logbook.  He observed it again on 12 Jan 1872 and published an accurate micrometric position (list 8b, #30) made on 2 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2573 = ESO 001-001 = PGC 6249 = Polarissima Australis
01 41 37.3  -89 20 04; Oct
V = 13.5;  Size 2.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 70°

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x "Polarissima Australis" appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated at least 3:1, ~1.5'x0.5'.  Contains a small bright core and a sharp stellar nucleus (possibly a star?).  Mag 10.3 HD 23641 is 7.4' WNW.

NGC 2573 is the brightest of three galaxies close to the south celestial pole with NGC 2573A and 2573B 32' WNW.  NGC 2573A is the fainter of a colliding pair at 1.3' separation.  At 303x it appeared very faint to faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 ~N-S, ~0.7'x0.2', low surface brightness.  NGC 2573B is fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 [PA 125°], 0.6'x0.2', fairly low surface brightness.  The major axis is extended in the direction of NGC 2573A.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' N.  Images reveal an apparent bridge between the galaxies and  plumes, tidal tails and knots (particularly with NGC 2573A).  The outer tidal plumes were not seen based on my size estimate.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 2573 is known as "Polarissima Australis" and is located only 40' from the south celestial pole.  At 260x it appeared fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2, ~1.6'x0.45'.  Contains a very small, bright nucleus with much fainter extensions. A mag 10.6/11.2 pair at 7" separation was picked up 13' NNE.  This galaxy was brighter than I expected based on descriptions I've read.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2573 = h3176 on 29 Mar 1837 and recorded "Nebula Polarissima Australis. Faint, round, gradually a little brighter in the middle, 25" across. Situated nearly halfway between a star of 10th magnitude south of it, and a small triangle of stars 11th, 13th and 13th mag. north." This is the closest galaxy to the south celestial pole.

In 1919, Robert Innes reported he made several unsucessful searches for NGC 2573 using the 9-inch Grubb refractor at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, even under the best conditions.  He noted, "if it exists it is too faint to be seen in the 9-inch telescope with normal vision."

The RNGC positions are in error for NGC 2573, 2573A and 2573B.
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NGC 2574 = MCG -01-22-003 = PGC 23418
08 20 48.1  -08 55 08; Hya
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 150°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness, no core.  A trio of stars are at the south edge; a mag 11 star 1.4' SSE, a mag 13.5 star 1.3' S and a mag 13 star 1.2' SSW.  Located 5' SW of mag 7.7 SAO 135801.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2574 = LM 2-401 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 7 sec of RA west and 2.8' south of MCG -01-22-003 and his description "mag 15.8, 1.0' dia, rr; *7.5 at 5' in PA 50°" matches this galaxy.
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NGC 2575 = UGC 4368 = MCG +04-20-040 = CGCG 119-075 = PGC 23501
08 22 44.9  +24 17 49; Cnc
V = 12.7;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 145°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, round, no core though uneven surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is at the west end and an extremely faint mag 16 star is involved at the east end.  This is an outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2575 = St. 9-14 on 29 Jan 1878, with a second observation on 7 Feb 1878.  He reduced the position on 23 Feb 1878 and included it in his 9th discovery list with description "eeF, irregularly round, 1' dia, envelops sev vF stars."  A late observation was made on 23 Feb 1886.
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NGC 2576 = UGC 4371 = MCG +04-20-041 = CGCG 119-076 = PGC 23512
08 22 57.7  +25 44 20; Cnc
V = 14.2;  Size 1.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 41°

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration with thin extensions.  Located 3.2' E of mag 8.2 SAO 80137 3.2' W.  A mag 10.5 star is just 1.7' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2576 on 29 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, eS, stellar."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2577 = UGC 4367 = MCG +04-20-042 = CGCG 119-074 = PGC 23498
08 22 43.4  +22 33 11; Cnc
V = 12.4;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 105°

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, ~0.8'x0.4', dominated by a prominent core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with UGC 4375 9' NE.  I recorded UGC 4375 as "fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, brighter core, faint halo.  The appearance is unusual as a mag 12 star is embedded in the east side.  Also three mag 14-15 stars are nearby with one at the south edge."

William Herschel discovered NGC 2577 = H. II-259 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and logged "F, S, iF, resolvable."  His position (Auwers' reduction) is 3.7' NW of UGC 4367 (similar offset as NGC 2599, the next nebula discovered in the sweep).  Sir Robert Ball, the assistant on the 72" on 29 Dec 1866 recorded "a very remarkable object.  I suspect details would be seen on a better night.  At first I thought is was a nebulous star, but on closer examination considered it a B, vS neb with a nucl (perhaps stellar); branches were suspected p and f."
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NGC 2578 = MCG -02-22-002 = PGC 23440
08 21 24.3  -13 19 04; Pup
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; moderately bright and large, oval E-W, 1.0'x0.7', fairly strong concentration with a well-defined bright core and much fainter halo.  A mag 15 star is superimposed on the northeast side [24" from center].  Situated in a rich star field with a mag 10.5 star 2.5' SE.

Forms a pair with MCG -02-22-003 = PGC 23449, which lies just 50" E of the mag 10.5 star and 3.0' SE of NGC 2578.  It was seen initially at 322x and at 450x appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~20"x15".

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments, in a fairly rich star field.  Located 2.5' NNW of a mag 11 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2578 = H. III-902 = h3121 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) and logged "vF, little extended, bM, resolvable."  JH, observing from the Cape of Good Hope, recorded "vF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, in a field full of Milky Way stars."  Both Herschels' positions are accurate.  JH missed the companion described in my observation.
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NGC 2579 = ESO 370-008 = ESO 370-9 = Gum 11 = RCW 20 = PP 78 = NS 238
08 20 54.8  -36 13 00; Pup
Size 2'

17.5" (2/1/92): small, bright compact nebula involving a mag 10.5 star.  Visible without filter as a small bright knot forming a close double with the mag 10.5 star just west.  Using an OIII filter at 140x the size increases to 2' diameter and encompasses the mag 10.5 star.  With this combination the nebula is quite prominent as the surface brightness is quite high!  Located within a large scattered group of about 20 stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2579 = h3122 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "A double star (h4083) involved in pB nebulosity, which seems to belong to both stars; but of the two the smaller is more nebulous; diameter 50"; in a pretty rich patch of the milky way."  The next night he logged "a double star, or a star and a nebula, very close and involving the star ... the field contains about 70 stars, of which 8 are about 9th mag. I cannot be quite positive that the neb extends beyond the large star, or that the small one is not a mere condensation of it. However, I remain pretty well satisfied of its investing both."  His mean position (4 sweeps) corresponds with this compact HII region.

Joseph Turner described NGC 2579 as two pairs of double stars on 14 Feb 1882 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  Both pairs are oriented ~N-S on his sketch with the brightest star at the west end.

The Lynga catalogue includes NGC 2579 as an open cluster at 08 20.3 -36 15 (1950), placing the object 20' too far SE!  At the Lynga position is a scattered group of stars.  This error is repeated in amateur sky-plotting software such as MegaStar.  The nebulosity was also misclassified as a possible planetary nebula PK 254+00.1, as well as a faint, detached piece off the southeast side with a separate ionizing star (ESO 370-PN?009).
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NGC 2580 = ESO 431-006 = Cr 183
08 21 29  -30 17 48; Pup
Size 8'

13.1" (3/24/84): 15-20 stars mag 10-13 within a rectangle of stars.  A brighter double star is close north.  Located 44' NE of NGC 2567 and 47' SE of NGC 2571 in a group of 4 open clusters along with NGC 2587 53' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2580 = h3123 on 5 Feb 1837 and described a "cluster 7th class; R; p rich; insulated; 10' diam; stars 12m, nearly uniform."  His position is ~1.0' SE of center of this cluster.
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NGC 2581 = UGC 4388 = MCG +03-22-010 = CGCG 089-019 = PGC 23599
08 24 30.9  +18 35 49; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 10°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, fairly low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2.0' N and a mag 14 star is 1.5' NE of center.  Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.  Incorrectly identified in the UGC, CGCG and MCG as IC 2351.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2581 = St. 13-38 on 7 Feb 1878.  His published position in his 13th discovery list was reduced on 7 Mar 1885 and he mentioned a faint star was at the SW edge.  Max Wolf's IC 2351, found on Heidelberg plates, refers to this 16th magnitude star at the southwest edge (30" SSW of center). UGC, CGCG and MCG mislabel the galaxy as IC 2351 instead of NGC 2581.
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NGC 2582 = IC 2359 = UGC 4391 = MCG +04-20-050 = CGCG 089-022 = CGCG 119-091 = LGG 159-002 = PGC 23630
08 25 12.0  +20 20 05; Cnc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, very symmetrical appearance.  A bright double star O∑191 = 7.2/9.2 at 38" lies at the edge of the 220x field 11' SW.  Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2582 = H. III-753 = h504 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 907) and logged it as "vF, S, R, very little brighter middle."  There is nothing at his position (Auwers' reduction), but UGC 4391, located 10' to the southeast, is likely the object seen.  Uranus was observed next on the sweep, just 50' to the southeast at the time, along with Oberon and Titania to its south.  John Herschel observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, recording on 14 Mar 1831, "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; is 90" following a *11 m, and many small st near."  His position on this sweep is at the south edge of the galaxy.

Max Wolf catalogued this galaxy from a Heidelberg plate and noted the entry was identical to NGC 2582, but Dreyer mistakenly recatalogued it as IC 2359.  So, NGC 2582 = IC 2359.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 2583 = MCG -01-22-008 = PGC 23516
08 23 07.9  -05 00 09; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, well concentration with a very small bright nucleus.  Forms east vertex of a thin, isosceles triangle with two mag 14 stars 1.5' W [20" separation].  MCG -01-22-007 and -006 lie ~4' NNW.

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, bright core, crisp-edge to halo.  A 20" pair of mag 14.5/15 star is just 1.5' W.  First of three on a SW-NE line with NGC 2584 2.7' NE and NGC 2585 6.9' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): very faint, very small, round, strong concentration with very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A faint mag 14/14 double star with separation 20" oriented N-S lies 1.5' W.  First of three on a line with NGC 2584 2.5' NE and NGC 2585 7' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2583 = LM 2-402 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 13.5, 0.4' dia, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, 1st of 4 [with NGC 2584, 2585, 2586]."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west is MCG -01-22-008 = PGC 23516.  Kobold measured an accurate position at Strasbourg in 1895.  MCG doesn't label this galaxy NGC 2583.
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NGC 2584 = MCG -01-22-009 = PGC 23523
08 23 15.4  -04 58 13; Hya
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 0°

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very weak concentration.  Second in a string with NGC 2583 2.7' SW and NGC 2585 4.3' NE.  Also MCG -01-22-007 and -006 are nearly in a line 2.9' and 4.1' NW.

17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness.  Second of three with NGC 2583 2.7' SW and NGC 2585 4.3' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, very low surface brightness.  Collinear with NGC 2583 2.5' SW and NGC 2585 5' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2584 = LM 2-403 in 1886 and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.5' dia, R, 2nd of 4 [with NGC 2583, 2585, 2586]."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west is MCG -01-22-009 = PGC 23523.  Kobold measured an accurate position at Strasbourg in 1895.  MCG doesn't label this galaxy NGC 2584.
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NGC 2585 = MCG -01-22-010 = PGC 23537
08 23 26.2  -04 54 56; Hya
V = 13.8;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 85°

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7'x0.6', weak broad concentration with no distinct zones but surface appears mottled.  In a group with NGC 2585 4.3' SW and NGC 2583 7.0' SW (on a line) as well as MCG -01-22-012 (identified as NGC 2586 in RNGC and PGC) 16' ENE.

In addition, a close pair, MCG -01-22-006 and -007, are 5.3' and 6.4' WSW.  MCG -01-006 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NE, 20"x10".  MCG -01-01-007 was extremely to very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 12"x9", low even surface brightness.  The MCG's have a similar redshift as NGC 2584 and 2585. 

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration, 0.9' diameter.  Third of three on a SW-NE line with NGC 2584 and NGC 2583 to the SW.  This is a challenging trio and I missed two nearby MCG galaxies.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, round, very weak concentration.  Third of three on a line with NGC 2584 5' SW and NGC 2583 7' SW.  Viewed core only (the arms are very low surface brightness on the DSS).

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2585 = LM 2-404 in 1886 and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.5' dia, R, 3rd of 4 [with NGC 2583, 2584, 2586]."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 minute of RA west (same offset as NGC 2583 and 2584) is MCG -01-22-010 = PGC 23537.  Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position at Strasbourg in 1895 as well as Porter at the Cincinnati Observatory in 1906.  MCG misidentifies MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2585.
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NGC 2586 = PGC 3325912
08 23 31.4  -04 57 07; Hya
Size 18"/16"/11"

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; this faint triple star (components all roughly mag V = 16) appeared as a very faint, very small glow, 0.3' diameter with a mag 16 star often resolving.  It was easy to see how this object could be assumed to be a nebula (galaxy).  At 450x, 2 or all 3 stars sparkled, but I couldn't hold them simultaneously.

The RNGC and PGC identifies MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2585.  At 322x, this galaxy appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 21"x15", low surface even surface brightness.  Note: my description applies to the central region and I missed the very low surface brightness spiral arms.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2586 = LM 2-405, along with NGCs 2583, 2584 and 2585, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He noted "mag 16.2, 0.8' dia, R, 4th of 4; neb?".

Near his published position is MCG -01-22-012, but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2586 with a triple star at 08 23 31.4 -04 57 07 (2000).  This triple is 1.0 minute of time west of Muller's position, agreeing with his offsets for NGC 2583, 2584 and 2585.  RNGC and PGC are probably incorrect in identifying MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2586, though this still seems a plausible identification as it is certainly bright enough to be picked up Muller.
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NGC 2587 = Cr 184 = ESO 431-007
08 23 24  -29 30 30; Pup
Size 9'

13.1" (3/24/84): 15 faint stars over haze in a 5' diameter extended N-S with mag 9 SAO 17537 at the SE edge.  A mag 11.5 star is at the north edge but most members are mag 12-13.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2587 = h3124 on 22 Jan 1835 and described "a milky way cluster 7th class; irreg fig; pretty much compressed in middle.  Stars 10...13m; one 9 m."
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NGC 2588 = ESO 370-010 = Cr 186 = OCL-715
08 23 10  -32 58 30; Pup
Size 2'

17.5" (3/25/95): small faint cluster consisting of 15 stars in a 2' diameter with a few additional out to 3' diameter.  The stars are pretty uniform (mag 13/14) and most are arranged in a perfect "U" asterism open towards the south.  Only a few stars are inside this "U".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2588 = h3125 on 16 Feb 1836 and recorded "a small F cluster of st 15m; 3' diam; R; gradually brighter in the middle; not very rich.  His position and description matches this faint cluster.
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NGC 2589
08 24 30  -08 46; Hya

= Not found, Corwin and Dreyer.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2589 = Sw. 6-32 on 13 Feb 1887 and logged "pF, pS, lE in meridian."  There is nothing near his position except faint stars and Howe was not able to visually recover this object on 3 nights with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory around 1900.  Harold Corwin was also unsuccessful searching for viable candidates - noting NGC 2574 as a possibility - so this number is lost.
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NGC 2590 = IC 507? = UGC 4392 = MCG +00-22-010 = CGCG 004-020 = PGC 23616
08 25 01.9  -00 35 31; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 77°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A bright wide double star lies 15' NE (7.3/10 at 43").  Located 4.3' N of mag 9.6 SAO 135887.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2590 = St. 9-15 on 29 Jan 1878.  He made a second observation on 4 Feb 1878 and reduced an accurate position 3 weeks later.  The galaxy was included in his 9th discovery list, published the same year.  Lewis Swift may have rediscovered this galaxy on 3 Feb 1888 and listed it as new in his list 8, #47 (later IC 507).  But Swift's original position is a poor match.  See IC 507 for more and Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2591 = UGC 4472 = MCG +13-07-001 = CGCG 349-029 = CGCG 350-001 = PGC 24231
08 37 25.9  +78 01 34; Cam
V = 12.3;  Size 3.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 32°

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, narrow edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 2.4'x0.4', brighter middle, very thin faint extensions.  A mag 14 star is just off the SW tip 1.4' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2591 on 12 Aug 1866 and noted "F, S, E, 45"-55" dia, little brighter in the middle."  His position from 2 observations (#80 in his discovery list in AN 1500) is an exact match with UGC 4472.
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NGC 2592 = UGC 4411 = MCG +04-20-055 = CGCG 119-102 = PGC 23701
08 27 08.1  +25 58 13; Cnc
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 45°

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, small, round, sharp concentration with an unusually bright core for a small galaxy, stellar nucleus, small fainter halo.  A mag 15 star is 1.0' W.  Forms a pair with NGC 2594 5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2592 = H. II-315 = h505 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and recorded "F, S, R, bM, cometic or having a seeming nucleus."  John Herschel logged it on 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58) as "pB; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a star; 20" diameter."  This galaxy was observed 14 times at Birr Castle and LdR (or assistants) thought it was a tight, unresolved cluster on several occasions!
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NGC 2593 = UGC 4408 = MCG +03-22-012 = CGCG 089-029 = PGC 23692
08 26 47.8  +17 22 29; Cnc
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 172°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration.  Located in the same field with NGC 2596 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2593 on 26 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, vS."  His position matches UGC 4408.
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NGC 2594 = MCG +04-20-056 = CGCG 119-106 = PGC 23704
08 27 17.3  +25 52 43; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.7'

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, very small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just 0.6' S of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2592 5' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2594 on 29 Mar 1865 and simply noted "eF".  His position matches CGCG 119-106.
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NGC 2595 = UGC 4422 = MCG +04-20-062 = CGCG 119-109 = III Zw 59 = PGC 23725
08 27 42.0  +21 28 44; Cnc
V = 12.3;  Size 3.2'x2.4';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 45°

24" (2/24/20): at 260x; fairly bright, large, well concentrated with a small bright core that hints of detail, A low surface brightness halo fades into the background but extends ~2'x1.5'.  A mag 14 star is superimposed [40" NNE of center].  A mag 9.0 star (HD 71324) is 2.2' SW.

UGC 4414, a ring galaxy 13' NW, appeared as a bright stellar nucleus that dominated faint "wings" (bar) oriented SSW-NNE.  Occasionally this is surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo, but was not resolved as a distinct ring.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round.  Unusual appearance with a very compact bright core displaced towards the NE end.  Also a mag 14 star is superimposed close northeast of the core.  The halo appears more extensive to the southwest.  Located 2.2' NE of double star HJ 448 = 8.9/10.7 at 31".  Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2595 = H. III-599 = h506 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) and noted "eF, pL, resolvable."  He made this observation after he viewed Uranus and discovered the moons Titania and Oberon!  He planned the sweep for the purpose of viewing Uranus.

John Herschel logged it on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) as "vF; irreg fig; has a coarse double star 30° s p, 2' dist [HJ 448]."  Five observations were made at Birr Castle as well as a sketch and the note from 14 Feb 1857 "Query: some vF neby reaches to np side" probably refers to the northern spiral arm.
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NGC 2596 = UGC 4419 = MCG +03-22-013 = CGCG 089-030 = PGC 23714
08 27 26.5  +17 17 02; Cnc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 65°

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A small group of five stars lies about 2' E including a close unequal double star (11.5/13.5 at 9" in PA 90°).  NGC 2593 lies 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2596 = m 121 on 26 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, S, lE."  His position was 9 seconds of RA too large.
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NGC 2597 = NGC 2598:
08 29 57.4  +21 30 07; Cnc

= 1 or 2 *'s?, Gottlieb.  =2*, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.  =NGC 2598, UGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2597 = m 122 on 1 Jan 1864, along with NGC 2598 = m 123.  He listed very similar coordinates for the two objects (NGC 2597 is 5 sec of RA west = 1.2 arcmin).  But there is only a single galaxy here, which UGC labels NGC 2598 = NGC 2597.  It's possible that Marth thought this galaxy was double but it is elongated north-south, not east-west as his position would indicate.  More likely NGC 2597 refers to one or two very faint stars about 1' northwest of UGC 4443.  Also see Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2598 = UGC 4443 = MCG +04-20-065 = CGCG 119-116 = PGC 23855
08 30 02.6  +21 29 18; Cnc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 3°

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, broad concentration.  Located just west of the vertex of a "V" asterism consisting of five mag 11-12 stars; the asterism appears to point towards this galaxy with the vertex being a mag 12 star 1.7' E.  Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2598 = m 123 on 1 Jan 1864, along with NGC 2597 = m 122.  His position matches UGC 4443.  NGC 2597, placed only 5 sec of RA preceding, may refer to 1 or 2 very faint stars.
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NGC 2599 = UGC 4458 = MCG +04-20-067 = CGCG 119-122 = Mrk 389 = PGC 23941
08 32 11.3  +22 33 37; Cnc
V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, round, small high surface brightness core, stellar nucleus embedded, only a small halo visible.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2599 = H. III-234 = h507 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and noted "vF, stellar."  His position was 8 seconds of RA too small and 3.5' too far N, a similar offset as NGC 2577, the previous discovery in the sweep.
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NGC 2600 = UGC 4475 = MCG +09-14-068 = CGCG 263-055 = PGC 24082
08 34 45.1  +52 42 57; UMa
V = 14.2;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 78°

18" (3/13/10): first in a group of 5 NGC galaxies.  At 280x appeared very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 30"x15", low even surface brightness.  Located 2' ENE of a 50" pair of mag 12 stars.  First in a group with NGC 2602, NGC 2603, NGC 2605, NGC 2606 and second brightest (next to NGC 2606, which is located 8.6' NE).

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x15".  Brightens slightly to a near stellar nucleus.  Forms the vertex of a thin isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 2' SW.  Also forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 14 stars closer to the north.  Located 8.6' WSW of NGC 2606.  In a trio with NGC 2602 7.5' NE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2600 = Big. 37 on 7 Mar 1886. His position is 6 sec of RA west of UGC 4475 in a faint galaxy group.  It's possible that this galaxy was discovered earlier by Lord Rosse's assistant George Stoney on 9 Feb 1850 as he noted three galaxies in the field, with one "bright".  See NGC 2602 for identification problems in this group.
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NGC 2601 = ESO 060-005 = PGC 23637
08 25 30.6  -68 07 03; Vol
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 120°

25" (10/16/17 - OzSky): at 244x; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 ~WNW-ESE, ~1.2'x0.8', small brighter core.  A mag 13 star is at the east edge, 44" from center.  Situated in a very starry region including mag 11-11.5 stars 4' SE, 3' E and 2' NE, along with a mag 12 star 1.4' NW and other fainter stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2601 = h3126 on 4 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2602 = MCG +09-14-069 = CGCG 263-056 = PGC 24099
08 35 04.2  +52 49 54; UMa
V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 26°

18" (3/13/10): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 20"x14", low even surface brightness.  Located 2.5' WSW of a mag 10.7 star and 5.2' NW of NGC 2606 in a group of faint NGC galaxies.

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint and small, 15" diameter, possibly elongated.  Located 2.6' WSW of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 2606 5.2' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2602 = h508 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327).  His mean position from two observations is 08 35 01.4 +52 50 10 (2000), an excellent match with CGCG 263-056.  His description from the next night reads "eF; S; R; north-preceding a star (about 5° n p).  The preceding neb of 2 [with NGC 2606].  A mag 10.8 star 2.5' ENE is probably the intended star, so the description should read "south-preceding a star".  MCG and PGC correctly identify NGC 2602.

The field was observed three times at Birr Castle.  On the first observation (9 Feb 1850), the three brightest galaxies -- NGC 2600, 2602 and 2606 -- were likely observed.  On a second observation by R.J. Mitchell on 11 Mar 1858, 4 nebulae were described and sketched.  Harold Corwin suggests the following identifications: "4 neb. found, alpha [NGC 2603] is F, S, bM; beta [NGC 2605] is vvF, gamma [NGC 2602] F, S, little brighter middle; delta [NGC 2606] is E and has a Nucl, a F * sf. alpha and gamma are about 5 arcmin dist. from one another, and beta and delta about the same dist. apart."

In compiling the General Catalogue, it appears that JH assumed alpha was h508 = NGC 2602, the preceding nebula in the sketch.  So, he misplaced the two LdR novae -- NGC 2603 and NGC 2605 -- following, instead of preceding NGC 2602.  In addition, on the third observation (5 Mar 1867), Sir Robert Ball noted "2 neb seen nearly p f, p one eeF, f one [NGC 2606]  eF.  Measures extremely difficult.  Pos 92°, Dist 118°."  The preceding nebula is PGC 2423840, but it didn't receive a NGC designation.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes under NGC 2600.
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NGC 2603 = 2MASX J08343121+5250247 = PGC 3133653
08 34 31.2  +52 50 25; UMa
V = 16.2;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

24" (3/13/10): at 320x appeared extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter.  Required averted vision to momentarily view, but reaquired several times to confirm.  Located 5.0' W of NGC 2602 and 10' WNW of NGC 2606.  Faintest of 5 galaxies in a group with brightest member NGC 2606.  At B = 16.9, this is one of the faintest, if not the faintest NGC galaxy.

18" (3/13/10): not found at 275x.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2603 and 2605 on 11 Mar 1858.  Although he made a sketch of 4 galaxies (out of 6 total in the group), the identifications have been confused (seen notes for NGC 2602).  NGC 2602 (discovered by John Herschel) is labeled Gamma and NGC 2606 is labeled Delta.  Of the two remaining galaxies, the logical assignment is NGC 2603 = Alpha = LEDA 3133653 and NGC 2605 = Beta = LEDA 2424112. Alpha was noted as "F, S, bM."  JH assumed Alpha = NGC 2602 when compiling the GC, so he placed NGC 2603, as well as NGC 2605, following NGC 2602 instead of preceding.

RNGC misidentifies LEDA 2423840, the faintest galaxy in the group, as NGC 2603.  LEDA 2423840 was noted on Sir Robert Ball's observation on 5 March 1867 (preceding NGC 2606 by 118" in PA 90°), but it didn't receive a NGC designation as Dreyer was not sure which two nebulae were described in this observation.  The MCG entry for NGC 2603 (MCG +09-14-072) probably applies to much brighter NGC 2606 as there are no other nearby MCG entries.  At ~785 million light years (z = 0.057), this is certainly one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC.
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NGC 2604 = UGC 4469 = MCG +05-20-022 = CGCG 149-048 = Holm 96a = PGC 23998
08 33 22.9  +29 32 17; Cnc
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.8

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.6' diameter, broad weak concentration but there was no core or zones.  The halo gradually fades out.  A pair of faint mag 15.5 stars at ~20" separation lies 1.3' NW (outside the halo).  A bright 30" pair of mag 10.3/10.8 stars lies 5' SSE.  Forms a pair (probably interacting) with CGCG 149-049 = NGC 2604B 3.6' SE.  The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 20"x10" and required averted vision at 260x.

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, low even surface brightness, slightly elongated but irregular or ill-defined outline.  A mag 14 star is 1' off the south edge and 1.8' from center.  A very faint close mag 15/15.5 double is at or just off the WNW edge.  Almost collinear with a double star 5' SSE with components mag 10/10.5 at 32".

William Herschel discovered NGC 2604 = H. III-292 = h509 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385).  His description reads, "vF, pL, R, little brighter middle, resolvable. 2 or 3 pB stars about it."  His RA was ~10 seconds too large and declination 2' S.  John Herschel observed this galaxy on 27 Jan 1827 (sweep 56) and wrote, "eF; doubtful obs, as at first the neb was hardly seen.  Verified, but too late for a good RA.  In field with a double star which points rather s of it."  The 10 Dec 1866 observation by Robert Ball (assistant to Lord Rosse) reads "eF, vL, center not uniformly bright, but the luminous portion lE and curved, convex preceding (this was little more than a suspicion); vF double star close north."
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NGC 2605 = LEDA 2424112
08 34 53.4  +52 48 15; UMa
V = 15.8;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  PA = 25°

24" (3/13/10): at 320x appeared very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  Located 2.4' SW of NGC 2602 and 4th brightest of 5 galaxies.  NGC 2606, the brightest member, lies 6.3' E.

18" (3/13/10): not found at 275x.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2605 on 11 Mar 1858 (along with NGC 2603) using Lord Rosse's 72".  It is labeled on the sketch as Beta (PGC 2424112) and simply noted as vvF.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and the galaxy is not catalogued in either CGCG or MCG.  See identification notes for NGC 2602 and 2603.
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NGC 2606 = MCG +09-14-072 = CGCG 263-059 = PGC 24117
08 35 34.7  +52 47 20; UMa
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 39°

18" (3/13/10): faint or fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE , 35"x25".  Located 4' SE of a mag 10.8 star.  NGC 2602, a much fainter galaxy, lies 5.3' NW and NGC 2600 lies 9' SW.  A very faint galaxy (2MASX J08352151+5247337) which lies 2' W was not seen.

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very small brighter core with a low surface brightness halo.  Located 3.9' SE of a mag 10.5 star.  A small group of stars forming a square with a fifth star near the center lies about 6' NNE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2602 5.2' NW.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 2603 in the MCG and DSFG to the Uranometria.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2606 = h510 on 16 Feb 1831 (sweep 327) and recorded "vF; S; R; 12."  The following and brighter of 2."  His mean position (two sweeps) matches CGCG 263-059.  This galaxy was labeled Delta on the field sketch made by R.J. Mitchell with the 72" on 11 Mar 1858.  MCG mislabels MCG +09-14-072 as NGC 2603, instead of NGC 2606 and PGC labels this galaxy as NGC 2603 = NGC 2606.  PGC 2423840, located 2' west, was observed by Sir Robert Ball at Birr Castle on 5 Mar 1867, but did not receive a NGC designation.
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NGC 2607 = UGC 4473 = MCG +05-20-025 = CGCG 149-051 = PGC 24038
08 33 56.6  +26 58 21; Cnc
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, very small, round, very small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is close off the west edge 1.1' from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2607 = h511 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and wrote "eF; a doubt remained; windy."  His position matches UGC 4473, despite the uncertainty in the observation and the measured North Polar Distance.
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NGC 2608 = Arp 12 = UGC 4484 = MCG +05-20-027 = CGCG 149-055 = PGC 24111
08 35 17.2  +28 28 23; Cnc
V = 12.3;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 60°

17.5" (5/19/01): Supernova 2001 bg (discovered May 8, 2001) was visible as a mag 14 star at the southeast edge of the galaxy [22" E and 19" S of center].

13.1" (1/19/85): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small bright core. Two mag 11 and 12.5 stars are 5' S with separation 1.3'.  NGC 2619 lies 33' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2608 = H. II-318 = h512 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and noted "F, pL, little extended, much brighter in the middle, r."  The galaxy was observed 8 times Lord Rosse's assistants and spiral structure was highly suspected.  On 14 Feb 1857, the observer noted "..twist [spiral arms] in the nebulosity p and f the nucleus, most apparent preceding." and the 1 Feb 1856 observation reads "E nearly p f, the p half is much the brighter and I think has curve in it [in a sketch there appears a dark space p the Nucl]."  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 23 Feb 1886 and called it elongated SW-NE.

Two supernovae have been discovered: SN 1920A (considered anomalous) discovered by Max Wolf and Type Ia SN 2001bg.
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NGC 2609 = ESO 124-17
08 29 30  -61 06 36; Car

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x): fairly faint and sparcely populated cluster of 12-15 stars in a 6' circle.  Most of the stars are arranged in a 5'x2' region elongated N-S.  Contains a nice double HJ 4108 = 9.6/10.6 at 20" with a wider and fainter pair (10.9/11.6 at 26") about 2' SE.  A mag 9.0 star (HD 72287) lies ~6' W and additional mag 10 stars lie with 10' to the NNW and SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2609 = h3130 on 8 Mar 1836 and observed on 2 sweeps.  His discovery description reads "A double star, chief of a cluster 8th class of scattered stars, 6' diam; not very rich or compression.  His position matches a bright double star (HD 72425) at the center of the group.  RNGC classifies the group as nonexistent (Type 7) although it shows up well on DSS (several mag 12 stars).  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2610 = PK 239+13.1 = PN G239.6+13.9
08 33 23.4  -16 08 57; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 50"x47"

48" (2/28/19, 3/1/19 and 5/7/24): at 488x and 813x; bright, fairly large, roundish, 50" diameter.  Contains a thick brighter rim (about half the diameter) with a darker central hole.  The rim is slightly brighter in a 90° arc centered on the NW side and appears slightly irregular or ragged around the periphery. The rim was slightly weaker just south of a prominent 12th magnitude star on the NE edge.  The faint central star was easily visible.  With a NPB filter there was a thin outer halo.  An extremely faint star was glimpsed at the W edge of the rim. Located 3.5' SW of a mag 6.6 HD 72665.

17.5" (3/25/00): at 280x using a UHC filter appears moderately bright, ~45"x40", elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 12-13 star is embedded on the NE edge of the rim.  The planetary appears to taper near the star although this may be a contrast effect.  The rim is sharp-edged and the surface brightness pretty smooth. Located 3.5' SW of a mag 6.5 star.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright PN, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, about 40" diameter.  No annularity or central star seen.  A mag 13 star is at the NE edge.  Located 3.5' SW of mag 6.6 SAO 154395.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2610 = H. IV-35 = h513 = h3127 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503).  His description reads "a small star with an electrical brush south preceding; faint; small.  About 1 1/2' after follows a star of the 8th magnitude.  It resembles fig 7, Phil. Trans. Vol LXXIV.Tab.17. [Plate VII]".   Oddly, he compared this planetary nebula with NGC 2261, Hubble's Variable Nebula.  He also wrote in his 1814 PT paper (fig. 7)  that "a small star has a small, faint, fan-shaped nebulosity joining to it on the north preceding side."  He thought the appearance demonstrated the union or mutual attraction between the objects.

John Herschel made an observation on 16 Nov 1827 (sweep 111) from Slough: "A star 14m with a fan-shaped brush 15" length to the south preceding side; the brush however judged by both Mr. [James?] Dunlop (who saw it) and myself not to be in contact."  On 1 Feb 1851, the Birr Castle observer Bindon Stoney wrote, "Dark space foll star, bet neb and star stronlgly suspected like the "snow-drop nebula" [NGC 2261].  Lord Rosse suspected a star in it also."

In 1915, Harold Knox-Shaw reported this object was annular and the spectrum probably gaseous based on a photograph with the Reynolds reflector at the Helwan Observatory. The spectrum was confirmed by Campbell and Paddock at Lick.  Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "the ring is slightly irregular, hazy and without structural detail; is 38"x31" in pa 75°.  Relatively vacant around the central.  The matter in the ring is rather faint."
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NGC 2611 = CGCG 119-127 = PGC 24121
08 35 29.2  +25 01 39; Cnc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.75'x0.25';  PA = 50°

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 0.9' NW of a mag 14 star.  A nice wide pair of mag 10 stars (35" separation) lies 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2611 = m 124 on 29 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, pmE, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position matches CGCG 119-127.
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NGC 2612 = MCG -02-22-020 = PGC 24028
08 33 50.1  -13 10 29; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 2.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, small bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 30" N of center and a mag 12 star is 1.2' S.  Appears to have a sharper light cutoff on the north side.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2612 = h3128 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "B, S, pretty suddenly brighter middle, E, between two stars." His position and description matches MCG -02-22-020 = PGC 24028.  Engelhardt measured a precise micrometric position.  Joseph Turner sketched this galaxy in Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (p129 of his logbook).  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, noted "not bright but faint".
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NGC 2613 = ESO 495-018 = MCG -04-21-003 = UGCA 141 = AM 0831-224 = PGC 23997
08 33 22.6  -22 58 21; Pyx
V = 10.3;  Size 7.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 113°

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, fairly large, very pretty edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.0', broadly concentrated.  Several stars are nearby as the galaxy is located in a rich star field including a mag 12 star 1.5' N, a mag 13 star 2.0' S of center and another mag 12 star at the west edge of the halo.  NGC 2613 is the brightest galaxy in Pyxis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2613 = H. II-266 = h3129 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and logged "Faint, elongated, bright middle, pretty small, about 1.5' diameter."  Another observation was made 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 663): "considerably bright, considerably large, irregular figure, elongate nearly in the parallel [E-W]."

John Herschel made 3 observations from the Cape of Good Hope.  On 23 Jan 1835 (sweep 532): "B, L, vmE in position 110.3°, pretty suddenly little brighter middle, 3' long, 20" broad."  Joseph Turner made a sketch on 18 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  The galaxy was drawn as a thin edge-on with a small bright nucleus.
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NGC 2614 = UGC 4523 = MCG +12-09-005 = CGCG 331-058 = CGCG 332-005 = PGC 24473
08 42 48.2  +72 58 35; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 150°

17.5" (2/1/92 and 12/23/92): very faint, fairly large, 2.5' diameter, round, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration but no core.  Better view at 140x than 220x due to low surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the west edge.  First in a group of four including NGC 2629 20' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2614 on 1 Dec 1863 while recording NGC 2629.  His single position matches UGC 4523.
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NGC 2615 = UGC 4481 = MCG +00-22-019 = CGCG 004-059 = PGC 24071
08 34 33.2  -02 32 48; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 40°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, small bright core, faint halo.  A mag 12.5 lies 1.8' SSW of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2615 = St. 13-39 on 3 Feb 1878.  He reduced the position on 6 Feb 1885 and included it in his final 13th discovery list (#39) with description, "F; oval; 1' diam; little brighter middle; seems resolvable; faint star involved."
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NGC 2616 = UGC 4489 = MCG +00-22-021 = CGCG 004-069 = WBL 188-004 = PGC 24129
08 35 34.0  -01 51 00; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

24" (2/5/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness.  A larger halo of extremely low surface brightness was not noticed. A mag 15 star is superimposed just north of center and a mag 13.5 star is off the NE side, 50" from center.

Brightest of 8 in a group (WBL 188) with IC 515 3.1' SSW, IC 516 4.4' ESE and CGCG 004-072 6.5' SE.  The four galaxies, with NGC 2616 at the NE vertex, form a near parallelogram.  In addition, CGCG 004-071 lies 6' NNE, IC 514 12' SSW, CGCG 004-065 14.5' SSW and IC 517 17' SE.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' NE of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2616 = Sw. 3-39 on 9 Mar 1886 and noted "vF; S; R; * nr north-following; a more distant * in line with both."  His position is 6 sec of RA east of UGC 4489 and the description applies.
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NGC 2617 = MCG -01-22-026 = PGC 24141
08 35 38.7  -04 05 16; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/6/91): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is involved on the north edge 22" from center and a second mag 14 star is 30" S of center.

Forms a pair with MCG -01-22-027 2.4' E. The 15th magnitude compaion was very faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE.  A mag 14 star is at the SE end just 14" from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2617 = St. 13-40 on 5 Feb 1878.  The position was reduced on 12 Feb 1885 and he cataloged it in his final 13th discovery list.  E.E. Barnard found it on 27 Apr 1891 while sweeping for comets with the 12" at Lick Observatory.  He noted it in his logbook #47 as "a hazy nebulosity about or against a star with a 13m star 1/2' south."

MCG and RC3 misidentify the fainter companion close east (MCG -01-22-027) as NGC 2617.  The RNGC entry is confused: the position and magnitude refers to MCG -01-22-027 but the comment "companion 1' following" refers to MCG -01-22-026.  Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 has the wrong magnitude and size (based on the RNGC position and mag) and the first edition of the Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide also misidentifies MCG -01-22-027 as NGC 2617 (corrected in the second edition). See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 2618 = UGC 4492 = MCG +00-22-023 = CGCG 004-074 = PGC 24156
08 35 53.5  +00 42 26; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 140°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration.  Located along the south side of a trapezoid of mag 13-14 stars; closest is a mag 13 star 1' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2618 = H. III-257 = h515 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 346) and noted "eF, pL, iF, requires long attention; the night remarkably fine."  Caroline Herschel's reduced position is 16 seconds of RA too far west.  John Herschel made a single observation on sweep 397 and wrote "Extremely doubtful, as I could not recover the object."  His reported position (marked as very uncertain) is 7.5 seconds of RA too far east.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position.
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NGC 2619 = UGC 4503 = MCG +05-21-002 = CGCG 150-008 = PGC 24235
08 37 32.7  +28 42 18; Cnc
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 35°

24" (2/16/15): moderately bright and large, oval ~3:2 SW-NE.  Sharply concentrated with a bright, elongated oval core 0.5'x0.3', embedded in a low surface brightness halo ~1.2'x0.7'.

PGC 24340, the brightest cD galaxy in AGC 690, lies 24' NE.  At 225x it appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Once identified, I could just hold it continuously with averted and concentration.  With a redshift of z = .079, this galaxy has a light-travel time of 1.05 billion years!

13.1" (1/19/85): faint version of NGC 2608, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration, fairly even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2619 = H. II-319 = h514 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and noted "F, S, bM, r." John Herschel logged on 26 Mar 1827 (sweep 57} as "pB; S; R; bM."

Lord Rosse's assistants made a total of 26 observations.  On 19 Dec 1849, George Johnstone Stoney wrote "Suspicion of a black spot to the left of [southwest] brightest part."  This appears to be a dusty region between spiral arms.  The galaxy was included in a list of nebulae with dark spaces in the 1850 publication.
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NGC 2620 = UGC 4501 = MCG +04-21-001 = CGCG 120-006 = PGC 24233
08 37 28.3  +24 56 48; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 2.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 93°

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is 30" N of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2621 4.0' NE.  NGC 2622 lies 10' ESE.

William Lassell discovered NGC 2620 = m 124 on 5 May 1863 with his 48" on Malta (about a month before Marth started his systematic search).  It was included in the 1867 Malta catalogue.  Lassell's position matches UGC 4501.
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NGC 2621 = MCG +04-21-003 = CGCG 120-007 = PGC 24241
08 37 36.9  +24 59 59; Cnc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.8'

17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' E and a faint mag 15 star is 1.7' WNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2620 4.0' SW.  Verified on the POSS.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2621 = m 126 on 29 Mar 1865 (along with nearby NGC 2622) with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, S, R."  His position is 1' south of CGCG 120-007.
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NGC 2622 = MCG +04-21-008 = CGCG 120-013 = Mrk 1218 = PGC 24269
08 38 11.0  +24 53 43; Cnc
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 45°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SW-NE, 30"x18", contains a very small brighter nucleus.  Brightest in a small triplet and interacting with CGCG 120-011 ("faint, small, slightly elongated, 14"x12", low even surface brightness") just 1.1' SW.  PGC 1719307, only 1.4' WSW (V = 15.9) appeared "very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter."

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, small bright core, very faint halo slightly elongated SW-NE.  Third of three with NGC 2620 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2622 = m 127 on 29 Mar 1865 (along with nearby NGC 2621) with Lassell's 48" and noted "F, S, R."  His position matches CGCG 120-013.
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NGC 2623 = Arp 243 = VV 79 = UGC 4509 = MCG +04-21-009 = CGCG 120-015 = PGC 24288
08 38 24.1  +25 45 15; Cnc
V = 13.4;  Size 2.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 60°

48" (2/28/19): this system is a late-stage galactic merger and contains two relatively prominent tidal tails.  At 488x and 610x it appeared bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with a very bright bar-like core ~E-W.  The core was slightly brighter at the west end.  Both tidal tails were visible without much difficulty.  The eastern tail was slightly brighter and curved north and then east (bending counter-clockwise) from the central region.  This arm was visible with direct vision and perhaps 0.9' in length. The southern tidal tail was pretty straight and more diffuse, extending southwest, ~0.7'.  Both tails were fairly even in surface brightness and faded only towards the tips.  A mag 17.5 star (not difficult) is 0.9' NW of center.

13.1" (1/11/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2623 = St. 13-41 on 1 Feb 1878.  His reduced position wasn't measured until 19 Jan 1885 with description "faint, very small, round, central condensation, several small points; appearance of a tiny cluster."  There are no superimposed stars, though.
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NGC 2624 = UGC 4506 = MCG +03-22-019 = CGCG 089-055 = PGC 24264
08 38 09.6  +19 43 32; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 15.5 star is close southwest.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 2625 just 3.2' ESE.  Located on the northwest side of the Beehive cluster.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, very small, round, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2625 3.3' ESE.  Located 7.6' E of mag 8.3 SAO 97973 on the NW edge of M44 = Beehive cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2624 = m 128 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with nearby NGC 2625) with Lassell's 48" and noted "eF."  His position matches UGC 4506.
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NGC 2625 = CGCG 089-057 = Mrk 625 = PGC 24285
08 38 23.1  +19 42 59; Cnc
V = 15.0;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Smaller and fainter of a pair with NGC 2624 3.2' WNW, though the difference in brightness appears less than the 1.4 magnitudes listed in catalogues.  At the west edge of the Beehive cluster.  CGCG 89-56 lies 7.3' S.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, extremely small, round.  Appears similar to NGC 2624 3.3' WNW but slightly smaller and fainter.  Located at the west edge of M44 = Beehive cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2625 = m 129 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with nearby NGC 2624) with Lassell's 48" and noted "eF, vS."  His position matches  CGCG 089-057.
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NGC 2626 = ESO 313-4 = Ced 106h
08 35 31  -40 40 18; Vel
Size 5'

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, diffuse circular reflection nebula surrounding a mag 10 central star.  The surrounding, low surface brightness emission nebulosity (Gum 14) was not seen, observing at a very low elevation.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2626 = h3131 on 2 Jan 1835 and recorded "A star 9th mag involved in nebulosity, 3' diameter. In the milky way with multitudes of equal stars all round the neighbourhood, none of which are so affected. Sky quite pure, not the slightest nebulous haze. No doubt. The nebula loses itself imperceptibly, the star being (though excentric) yet in the most condensed part."  His sketch was published on Plate VI, figure 12.

Joseph Turner observed and sketched this object on 26 Jan 1876 (unpublished plate V, figure 48) and earlier by Albert Le Sueur (figure 49).  The nebulosity is shown as mostly fanning out to the north of the illuminating star but weak directly north, so it made a thick "U" shape around the star.  A lithograph of the sketches was completed but not published.
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NGC 2627 = ESO 431-20 = Cr 188 = Mel 87
08 37 15  -29 57 00; Pyx
Size 11'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 45 stars mag 11-14 in a 10' region elongated E-W.  This is a rich and pretty cluster set over an unresolved background haze.  Located 40' SW of a mag 5 star.  Visible in a 16x80 finder.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2627 = H. VII-63 = h516 = h3132 on 3 Mar 1793 (sweep 1032). He recored "a large cluster of scattered small stars, irregular figure, considerably rich."

John Herschel observed the cluster from both England and the Cape of Good Hope.  On 22 Jan 1831 (sweep 531 in South Africa) he recorded "a fine, large, rich, pretty much compressed cluster; irregularly elongated, 10' l, 7' br; stars 12 and 13th mag nearly equal."
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NGC 2628 = UGC 4519 = MCG +04-21-012 = CGCG 120-020 = PGC 24381
08 40 22.7  +23 32 22; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 30" off the north edge and 1.2' N of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2628 = H. III-235 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded "eF, S, verified with 240 power." His position is ~15 sec of RA west and 1' north  of UGC 4519, but the identification is certain as there are no other nearby candidates.  There were no further observations by JH or d'Arrest and it was not found with the 72" at Birr Castle on 28 Jan 1867 for some reason.
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NGC 2629 = UGC 4569 = MCG +12-09-010 = CGCG 331-062 = CGCG 332-009 = PGC 24682
08 47 15.8  +72 59 08; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 105°

17.5" (2/1/92 and 12/23/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 40" SSE.  Brightest of three with NGC 2641 6.3' SSE and (R)NGC 2630 = UGC 4547 7' WNW.  NGC 2614 lies 20' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2629 = H. III-982, along with NGC 2641, on 30 Sep 1802 (his final sweep 1112).  He recorded "Two, the place is that of the last [NGC 2641].  That of which the place is taken [NGC 2641] is very faint, small.  The other [NGC 2629] precedes it RA = 42 seconds and is 6' more north. The preceding one stellar. It is within 1' of a small star which follows it, and which is free from the burs which affect the stellar." Caroline Herschel's reduced position (for 1800) is 5' due south of UGC 4569, though the NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.

This nebula was not included in Herschel's third catalogue as it was found after his 500th discovery threshold was reached on 26 Sept 1802.  It was added by John Herschel as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("William Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations with the designation III. 982. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 2630-31 in MCG (+12-09-010).  See identification notes for NGC 2630 and NGC 2631.
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NGC 2630
08 47 06  +73 00; UMa

= Not found, Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2630 and 2631 in July 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence.  In his 9th discovery paper, Tempel refers to "two new fine nebula very close to NGC 2629" (after the main table) and mentions that "my two new nebulae are much brighter than those found by D’Arrest [NGC 2614] and William Herschel [NGC 2629/2641]."  Dreyer was only able to provide an approximate position near NGC 2629 when compiling the NGC, but no pair of bright nebulae exists near NGC 2629 that might be Tempel's objects.  Nevertheless, a confusing array of identifications have been made by various galaxy catalogues.

RNGC selects UGC 4547 as NGC 2630 and classifies NGC 2631 as nonexistent (Type 7).  UGC 4547 is a thin edge-on situated 7' WNW of NGC 2629 (see observation).  I feel this identification is unlikely due to its extreme faintness and Malcolm Thomson concurs.  UGC 4547 is not identified as NGC 2630 in the UGC or CGCG (331-061) and is misidentified as NGC 2629 in the MCG and as NGC 2630 = NGC 2631 in the PGC errata paper.  In addition, MCG misidentifies NGC 2629 = MCG +12-09-010 as NGC 2630 = NGC 2631.

I discussed the identifications in several letters with Harold Corwin. He suggests that Tempel may have confused NGC 2633 for NGC 2629 and that NGC 2630 and 2631 might be identical to NGC 2634 and NGC 2634A, about 9' SSE of NGC 2633.  But NGC 2634A is a very faint edge-on and I doubt Tempel would refer to this galaxy as a "fine nebula".  So, this pair of numbers is currently lost.  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 2631
08 47 06  +73 00; UMa

= Not found, Gottlieb.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2630 and 2631 in Jul 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence.  See the story of their identifications under NGC 2630.
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NGC 2632 = M44 = Beehive Cluster = Praesepe
08 40 22  +19 40 12; Cnc
V = 3.1;  Size 95'

16x80mm: extremely large, 1.5° diameter, very bright, brightest stars are mag 6-6.5, includes many double stars, well resolved.  The cluster is really too large and spread out for a decent view in either my 13" or larger scopes.

Naked-eye: fairly bright fuzzy glow in dark skies.  Granular with a few resolved stars in excellent conditions.

Aratos of Soli made the first written mention of M44 = Beehive cluster about 260 BC in his work Phainomeina (called a "little mist") and it was probably noted 100 years earlier by Eudoxis. It was later recorded by Hipparchus around 130 BC as a "little cloud" and by Ptolemy as "The Nebulous Mass in the Breast (of Cancer)".  Galileo made the first known telescopic observation that clearly resolved M44 into a star cluster, although a few stars may be glimpsed naked eye under excellent conditions.  His observation of 1610 in Siderius Nuncius ("Starry Messenger") reads "The nebula called Praesepe, which is not one star only, but a mass of more than 40 small stars, I have noticed 36 stars besides the Aselli [Gamma and Delta Cancri]."  Hodierna (by 1650) also reported 38 stars in the cluster. 

As far as the nickname "Bee-hive cluster", In his 1833 "Outlines of Astronomy" John Herschel wrote "In the constellation Cancer, there is a ..luminous spot, called Praesepe, or the bee-hive, which a very moderate telescope - an ordinary night-glass for instance - resolves entirely into stars.  Admiral Smyth's Bedford Catalogue of 1844 notes "The Praesepe, metaphorically rendered Bee-hive, is an aggregation of small stars which has long borne the name of a nebula, its components not being separately distinguishable by the naked eye…" 
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NGC 2633 = Arp 80 = VV 519 = UGC 4574 = MCG +12-09-013 = CGCG 331-063 = CGCG 332-010 = CGCG 350-005 = PGC 24723
08 48 04.6  +74 05 55; Cam
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 175°

48" (3/1/19): Excellent, fairly large, two-armed barred spiral!  The central part of the galaxy consists of a very prominent bar oriented ~3:1 NNW-SSE, with a very bright core.  A striking spiral arm is attached at the south end of the bar.  It bends sharply clockwise and extends north, on the east side of bar, arcing gently with a length of ~1.5'.  This arm has a well defined inner and outer edge and is separated from the bar by a dark gap.  As the arm extends north it fades but at the northern end bends sharply west [1.0' N of center] and noticeably brightens in an elongated piece [consisting of multiple HII regions on images].  At the north end of the bar a second arm emerges towards the west and starts to curl south, but fades and dims, reaching no further south than the center of the bar.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small bright core with faint extensions slightly elongated N-S.  Forms a pair with NGC 2634 8.2' S.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2633 = T. 6-5 = T. 9-6 on 11 Aug 1882, along with NGC 2634.  His position (corrected in his 9th discovery paper) is accurate.
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NGC 2634 = UGC 4581 = MCG +12-09-015 = CGCG 331-066 = CGCG 332-013 = LGG 160-003 = PGC 24749
08 48 24.9  +73 58 01; Cam
V = 12.0;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; very bright, fairly large, round, very sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core that increases to an intensely bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 15.9 star is near the edge of the halo, 0.7' W of center.  A mag 17.4 star is in the halo on the SW side, 0.5' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2634A 1.9' SSE.  In a group (LGG 160) with NGC 2633 8' N.

NGC 2634A, 2' SSE, appeared moderately bright, fairly large, thin edge-on 7:2 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.5', only a very weak central brightening.  A mag 15.6 star is in line with the galaxy just off the ENE end [44" from center].

17.5" (3/20/93): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, prominent small bright core, bright stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2634A 2' SSE.  The companion is faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE.  NGC 2633 is in the field 8.2' N.  NGC 2636 lies 18' S.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core, slightly fainter and smaller than NGC 2633 8' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2634 = T. 6-4 = T. 9-7, along with NGC 2633, on 11 Aug 1882.  His position (corrected in his 9th discovery paper) is accurate.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2630 (listed as "not found") might be a duplicate observation.
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NGC 2635 = ESO 371-1 = Cr 190 = Mel 89
08 38 26  -34 46 18; Pyx
V = 11.2;  Size 3'

13.1" (2/25/84): small, very mottled cluster at 166x but only a few stars are resolved on the west side.  Located 38' NW of Beta Pyxis (V = 4.0).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2635 = h3133 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "a pretty compressed cluster of st; irregular triangular fig; much more compressed than milky way around it; stars 13 mag."  His position is north of the most richest section of the cluster.
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NGC 2636 = UGC 4583 = CGCG 331-067 = CGCG 332-014 = PGC 24747
08 48 24.5  +73 40 16; Cam
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, well-defined halo.  Located 5' W of a pair of mag 10/11 with a separation 1.2'.  Also located 12' SW of mag 7.7 SAO 6661.  The NGC 2634/NGC 2634A pair lies 17' N, NGC 2646 15' SE and IC 2389 8' SSW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2636 = T. 9-8 on 27 Jul 1883, along with NGC 2646, with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence.  His description reads "small, followed by two stars 11-12m close to the same parallel."  Tempel's position is 1 degree north of UGC 4583 = PGC 24747 and the two stars are ~5' following.  This misprint was corrected by Dreyer in the NGC notes section.
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NGC 2637 = CGCG 089-065 = PGC 24409
08 41 13.5  +19 41 28; Cnc
V = 15.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  PA = 51°

18" (1/13/07): extremely faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very low surface brightness and only visible with averted vision.  Located 7' E of mag 6.8 42 Cancri within the Beehive cluster.  Also mag 6.8 HD 73819 is in the field to the south.

17.5" (2/8/97): extremely faint and small, round.  Appears as 10" nebulous star which required averted vision to glimpse at moments.  Appears fainter than 15.4z.  Located 7' ESE of mag 6.7 SAO 98030 within M44. The identification of NGC 2637 with CGCG 089-065 is not certain due to a poor position by Marth.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2637 = m 130, along with NGC 2643, on 30 Oct 1864. He simply noted "eeF, vS."  There is nothing at his position except brighter stars, but 8' N and 6 sec of RA west is CGCG 089-065 = PGC 24409, which is identified as NGC 2637 in RNGC, but not CGCG.  Although Marth's declination is poor, this is a similar declination offset as nearby NGC 2643, probably discovered at the same time, so this identification is reasonably secure.  See Corwin's notes.

This galaxy was also reported as #154 in a catalog of new nebulae and clusters found on photographs taken by Keeler between 1898-1900 and published in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 2638 = UGC 4534 = MCG +06-19-016 = CGCG 179-018 = PGC 24453
08 42 25.8  +37 13 15; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 72°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, small bright core, faint extensions.  The major axis is almost collinear with a mag 12 star 1.6' ENE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2638 = St. 13-42 on 2 Feb 1878.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 21 Jan 1885 and included in his final 13th discovery list published in 1885.  He made a later observation on 4 Mar 1886.
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NGC 2639 = UGC 4544 = MCG +08-16-024 = CGCG 237-014 = PGC 24506
08 43 38.0  +50 12 20; UMa
V = 11.6;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 140°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.6'x0.9', halo gradually increases to a small brighter core.  A mag 13 star is 2.5' SE.  There are several fairly bright stars in the field including two mag 10.5 stars 4.6' E and 5.2' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2639 = H. I-204 = h518 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and remarked "cB, vS, little extended, milky."  His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is 2' NW of UGC 4544.  John Herschel observed the galaxy on 4 sweeps and it was logged 13 times at Birr Castle.  On 12 Mar 1850, a "F appendage" was suspected and in 1863 a "F twist starting from sf end and turning p and np".
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NGC 2640 = ESO 165-002 = PGC 24229
08 37 24.6  -55 07 26; Car
V = 11.1;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 104°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright 40" core.  A group of 5 faint stars is snuggled up against the west side of the galaxy in two N-S parallel rows!  Another very faint star is just off the SE side.  Located 4.8' NW mag 9.3 HD 73851 and 2.2' SW of a mag 10.5 star

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this Carina galaxy has an unusual appearance.  At 166x, it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.9'.  A trio of mag 14 stars is superimposed on the west side of the halo (4 total).  The galaxy appears to have a brighter knot or star on the following end.  Situated between a mag 10 star 2.2' NW of center and mag 9.3 HD 73851 4.8' SE.  Starhopped over from mag 1.9 Delta Velorum located 67' ENE.  Also, the galaxy is 2.2° SSW of the naked-eye cluster IC 2391 (surrounding Omicron Velorum).

John Herschel, observing with Thomas Maclear (the Astronomer Royal at the Cape Observatory), discovered NGC 2640 = h3134 on 26 Feb 1835.  He recorded, "pF; S; R; has 3 or 4 vS stars near it, preceding.  Observation taken by Mr. Maclear." Herschel mentioned in his diary that he invited Maclear that night to repeat his "Great Sweep" (#551), which he made on three weeks earlier.  He called that experience "the subline of Astronome - a sort of 'ne plus ultra'."  Fortunately, the night of the 25th "turned out glorious! Clear as crystal and pure as aether. A finer night for definition was never seen."

Pietro Baracchi recorded "pB; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  5 small stars from 15 to 16 mag precede closely to the nebula." (10 Jan 1886, Melbourne).

RNGC classified this galaxy as an "unverified southern object", so despite being relatively bright it was not included in the first edition of Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide nor the Uranometria 2000 Atlas.
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NGC 2641 = UGC 4577 = MCG +12-09-012 = CGCG 331-065 = CGCG 332-012 = PGC 24722
08 47 57.5  +72 53 45; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/1/92 and 12/23/92): faint, small, round, broad mild concentration, almost stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 2629 6.3' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2641 = H. III-983, along with NGC 2629, on 30 Sep 1802 (his final sweep 1112).  He recorded "Two, the place is that of the last [NGC 2641].  That of which the place is taken [NGC 2641] is very faint, small.  The other [NGC 2629] precedes it RA = 42 seconds and is 6' more north. The preceding one stellar. It is within 1' of a small star which follows it, and which is free from the burs which affect the stellar."  Caroline Herschel's reduced position (for 1800) is 6' due south of UGC 4577, a similar offset as NGC 264, so the identifications are certain.

This nebula was not included in Herschel's third catalogue as it was found after his 500th discovery limit was reached on 26 Sept 1802.  It was added by John Herschel as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("William Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations as III. 983.  The NGC position (adopted by Dreyer from d'Arrest) is 1.0 minute of RA too far east.  Dreyer notes in his 1912 correction list that Herschel was correct.
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NGC 2642 = MCG -01-22-033 = PGC 24395
08 40 44.4  -04 07 18; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.9

24" (2/16/15): fairly bright, fairly large, dominated by an elongated bar oriented NW-SE with a mag 14 star superimposed at the southeast end of the bar.  Two additional stars are superimposed nearly in a string to the north [mag 15 star 24" N and a mag 14 star 42" N].  Surrounding the bar is a low surface brightness glow encompassing these stars, perhaps 1.25' diameter.  The spiral arms were not evident. Located just north of a bright, equilateral triangle of stars (mag 8.3/9.2/9.5) with sides ~4'.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Unusual appearance as a two mag 13/14 stars are superimposed at the north and SE ends of the halo.  Three bright stars form an equilateral triangle just south; mag 8.9 SAO 136172 4.2' SE, mag 8.5 SAO 136168 6.0' S and mag 9.1 SAO 136160 2.8' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2642 = h519 on 19 Feb 1830 (sweep 234).  His description reads, "A vF cl or r neb; gradually brighter in the middle; 80", one * 17m distinct; stars and nebulosity; has 2 pB stars south and one following."  John Louis Dreyer, Lord Rosse's assistant on 7 Mar 1877, recorded "Neby very distinct, though vF.  I strongly suspect an eF branch following the 4 [involved] stars, involving some vF stars."  The "eF branch" probably refers to the southern spiral arm.
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NGC 2643 = IC 2390: = CGCG 089-067 = PGC 24434
08 41 51.7  +19 42 08; Cnc
V = 14.9;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  PA = 21°

18" (1/13/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Forms the western vertex of a small triangle with a mag 11.5 star 1' SE and a mag 14.5 star 1' NE.  Located 10' S of a mag 7 star on the east side of the Beehive cluster with several bright stars in the field including a wide pair of mag 8.5/9.5 stars 4' SW.

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 1.2' NW of a mag 11.5 star on the eastern side of M44.  Several brighter stars in the 22' field at 220x.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2643 = m 131, along with NGC 2637, on 30 Oct 1864 and simply noted "eF neb*".  There is nothing at his position, but 11' N and 18 sec of RA west is IC 2359. Although Marth's declination is quite poor, nearby NGC 2637 which was discovered on the same night appears to have a similar declination error, so this identification seems reasonable.

This galaxy was independently discovered by E.E. Barnard (discovery communicated directly to Dreyer) and placed accurately.  So, NGC 2643 is likely a duplicate of IC 2390.  Karl Reinmuth suggested the equivalence between NGC 2643 and IC 2390 and it is mentioned in the RNGC.  CGCG labels this galaxy IC 2390 and does not use the NGC designation.  +20 03 33
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NGC 2644 = UGC 4533 = MCG +01-22-016 = CGCG 032-052 = PGC 24425
08 41 31.9  +04 58 50; Hya
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 14°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration.  A pretty double star mag 13.5/14 at 17" separation lies 3.0' S of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2644 = St. 9-16 on 26 Feb 1868 and recorded a rough unpublished position (7' too far S) in his logbook. Additional observations were made on 7 Mar 1874 (2' too far W), 2 and 3 Feb 1878.  He published an accurate micrometric position in his 9th discovery list (in 1878) with description "eF, pL, irr oval, several small points [involved]."  
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NGC 2645 = ESO 259-14 = Pismis 6 = OCL-754 = Lund 467
08 39 03  -46 13 36; Vel
V = 7.0;  Size 1.5'

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): bright compact group with a dozen stars packed into a 2' region.  Contains 4 very bright stars forming a right angle, including a striking pair of mag 9 stars (HJ 4122) at 11" separation.  A third mag 9 star is 1' W of the pair and another mag 9.5 star is 1' SSE.  The latter star is also a double (R 86 GH) with a mag 10.1 companion at 16" separation.  This knot of bright stars is situated 15' ENE of mag 6.9 HD 73658.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2645 = h3136 on 29 Dec 1834 and described a "close group or small cluster of 12 or 13 large and small stars; place of a double star, the chief one."  This cluster is equivalent to Pismis 6 with the nearly central pair HD 73919/CoD-45 4352 at 08 39 04  -46 13.6 (2000).  Paris Pismis reported the cluster as new in her 1959 list of clusters found on Tonantzintla Schmidt plate and commented, "Two pairs of doubles, including the brightest star."

RNGC classifies NGC 2645 as nonexistent (Type 7) and Lynga labels the cluster Pismis 6 without reference to NGC 2645.
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NGC 2646 = IC 511 = UGC 4604 = MCG +12-09-019 = CGCG 331-069 = CGCG 332-019 = LGG 162-003 = PGC 24838
08 50 22.0  +73 27 46; Cam
V = 12.1;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6'.  Weak, even concentration to center.  Located 2.5' NNW of a wide 40" pair of mag 11/12.5 stars.  In a group with IC 2389 11' NW, IC 520 14' ENE and NGC 2636 15' NW.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small, round, faint star close south.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2646 = T. 9-9, along with NGC 2636, on 27 Jul 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence.  His description reads "Nebula [Herschel class] III, small, south-following by 2 1/2' are two stars 12-13m."  There is nothilng at Tempel's position, but 1 degree south is UGC 4604 and two mag 11-12 stars are ~2.5' SSE, matching his description.  The misprint in declination was corrected by Dreyer in the NGC notes section.  I'm surprised Tempel missed nearby IC 520, which is a brighter galaxy.
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NGC 2647 = CGCG 089-068 = PGC 24463
08 42 43.1  +19 39 01; Cnc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter core.  Located at the eastern edge of the Beehive Cluster and 1' NW of a mag 13 star.  An elongated 6' string of stars heads to the south and includes two mag 10 stars 4' S and 6.5' S.

17.5" (2/8/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, even surface brightness.  Located 0.9' NW of a mag 13 star at the east edge of M44!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2647 = m 132 on 30 Oct 1864 and simply noted a "neb *".  His position is 1' south of CGCG 089-068, at the east edge of M44.
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NGC 2648 = Arp 89 = UGC 4541 = MCG +02-22-005 = CGCG 060-035 = PGC 24464
08 42 39.9  +14 17 09; Cnc
V = 11.9;  Size 3.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 148°

48" (2/21/12): very bright large spiral, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, ~2.4'x0.9'.  Contains a large, very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Forms an interacting pair (Arp 89) with MCG +02-22-006 2.4' SE of center.  NGC 2648 has an asymmetric appearance with the south-southeast arm stretched into a faint tidal tail.  The brighter portion of the arm extends south-southeast of the core (in the direction of the major axis), but a faint thinner extension curves and sweeps east, fading out just before connecting with MCG +02-22-006.  A mag 11 star is 1.9' E.

The companion appeared moderately bright, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.2', sharply concentrated with a very small, bright nucleus.  The system was classified by Arp under "spiral with a large high surface-brightness companion on arms".

24" (4/28/14): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, 1.5'x0.6'.  A mag 11 star lies 1.9' E of center.  Forms a pair (Arp 89) with edge-on MCG +02-22-006 2.4' SE.  The companion appeared very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, ~25"x10", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, small very bright core.  Located 1.9' W of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2648 = H. III-49 = h521 = h3135 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177).  His description reads, "F, S, with a nucleus.  I had some doubts but 240 confirmed the reality."  On 18 Mar 1786 (sweep 538) Herschel logged "F, little extended from np to sf, considerably small. Almost like two joined together."  John Herschel reported from South Africa as "pB; little extended; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; precedes a star 10m."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 23 Feb 1857, described NGC 2648 as "extended np sf, much brighter in the middle."  In addition he noted and sketched a second nebula, "I think Alpha is a very faint ray though likely to be taken at first for a star."  The diagram clearly reveals that Alpha -- drawn as a small nebula extending WNW-ESE -- is CGCG 060-036 = PGC 24469.  The full description and sketch was not included in Lord Rosse's 1861 monograph, so John Herschel was unaware when he compiled the GC and Dreyer skipped CGCG 060-036 when compiling the NGC.
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NGC 2649 = UGC 4555 = MCG +06-19-018 = CGCG 179-022 = PGC 24531
08 44 08.3  +34 43 02; Lyn
V = 12.3;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is at the north edge 30" from center.  MCG +06-19-020 lies 24' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2649 = H. II-727 = h522 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807) and called "pF, pL, irregularly round, resolvable."  His position was 2' too far NW.  On 9 Mar 1852, the Lord Rosse assistant wrote, "Almost planetary, star in north edge, second star much smaller preceding it."
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NGC 2650 = UGC 4603 = MCG +12-09-020 = CGCG 332-018 = LGG 163-002 = PGC 24817
08 49 58.4  +70 17 58; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 82°

17.5" (2/2/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.4', even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is at the east end [23" from center] and a fainter mag 14.5 star is just off the north edge [33" from center].  Located 7.6' W of mag 7.3 SAO 6667.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2650 = H. II-908 on 30 Sep 1802 (his final sweep 1112).  He recorded "pretty bright, pretty large, easily resolvable. I believe I see some of the stars. Irregular figure."  His position (Caroline's reduction) and description matches UGC 4603.  This galaxy was not included in Herschel's third catalogue as it was found after his 500th discovery threshold was reached on 26 Sep 1802.  John Herschel added it in the appendix to his Cape of Good Hope catalogue as one of 8 "HON" (Herschel Omitted Nebulae) as II. 908 and in the GC as 1690.  It appears to be the final object that Herschel discovered.
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NGC 2651 = CGCG 061-001 = PGC 24521
08 43 55.2  +11 46 16; Cnc
V = 15.2;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very low even surface brightness and requires averted vision.  Located 48' SW of 5.9-magnitude 50 Cancri.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2651 = m 133 on 10 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, S, E."  His position is 1' south of CGCG 61-001.
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NGC 2652 = NGC 2974 = MCG +00-25-008 = CGCG 007-022 = UGCA 172 = PGC 27762
09 42 33.0  -03 41 59; Sex
V = 10.9;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 42°

See observing notes for NGC 2974.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2652 = LM 2-406 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.0, 0.7'x0.3', E 50°, gradually brighter in the middle, stellar ncl, *9 at 0.8' in PA 240°."  There is nothing near his published position.  But Harold Corwin uncovered that Stone made a 1 hour clerical error in RA.  Once corrected, the position is a reasonable math with NGC 2974 and his detailed description is a perfect match. So, NGC 2652 = NGC 2974 with NGC 2974 the primary designation (Herschel discovery).
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NGC 2653
08 54 55.6  +78 23 37; Cam
Size 17"

24" (3/21/20): NGC 2653 is a 17" pair of mag 13/14 stars that were easily resolved at 124x. At 260x, the pair was widely split and well seen.  Located 10' N of NGC 2655.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2653 = T. 6-7 on 18 Aug 1882 and reported a tiny nebula 12' north of NGC 2655.  At this position is a 16" pair of mag 13/14 stars that fits Tempel's description ("together with 2 brighter stars forms an obtuse triangle").
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NGC 2654 = UGC 4605 = MCG +10-13-017 = CGCG 288-006 = PGC 24784
08 49 11.9  +60 13 16; UMa
V = 11.8;  Size 4.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 63°

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright elongated core.  A mag 11 star is 4.5' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2654 = T. 6-6 on 18 Aug 1882 and recorded "S, B, II-III class; stellar ncl; a star 10m is 4'-5' north."  His position is 0.9 minutes of RA to the west and 3' north of UGC 4605, but there are no other nearby candidates and the description fits perfectly (a mag 11 star is 4.4' NNE).
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NGC 2655 = Arp 225 = UGC 4637 = MCG +13-07-010 = CGCG 349-033 = CGCG 350-007 = PGC 25069
08 55 38.5  +78 13 25; Cam
V = 10.1;  Size 4.9'x4.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 85°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 226x; bright, very large, oval 4:3 E-W, at least 3' diameter, very bright core increases to an intense, very small nucleus.

24" (3/21/20): at 260x; very bright, very large, slightly elongated 5:4 E-W, at least 4' x 3.2' and perhaps larger (outer periphery very diffuse), very strong concentration with an unusually bright core and an intense nucleus.  At 375x, the nucleus increases to a a confused stellar peak.  Two stars are superimposed on the southwest side; one near the edge of the core region and the second inside the fainter outer halo.

17.5" (2/1/92): very bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 3'x2', even concentration to an unusually bright core and almost stellar nucleus.  There appears to be a sharper light cut-off along the north side.  Forms an equilateral triangle with mag 9.2 SAO 6687 10' NE and mag 7.4 SAO 6692 11' SE.  Brightest in a group (LGG 165) including NGC 2591, 2715 and 2748.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2655 = H. I-288 = h520 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole).  He recorded "very bright, considerably large, little extended, suddenly much brighter middle, irregular figure.  I suspect it to be a cluster of stars."

On 21 Aug 1828 (sweep 170), John Herschel wrote, "very bright; little extended; in parallel; pretty suddenly much brighter middle, to a nucl = a * 12m; 30".  Has a L * preceding and another following, at a considerable distance."  Horace Tuttle independently found the galaxy on 8 Apr 1850 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory and it was reported as HC 12 in the AN #1453 discovery list.  The HCO position is accurate.

According to Michael Hoskin's "Unfinished Business: William Herschel’s Sweeps for Nebulae", NGC 2655 = H. I-288, NGC 2908 = H. III-977 and NGC 3057 = H. III-978 were the last three entries in his third catalogue to officially bring the total to 500 -- added after Herschel's third catalogue had been sent to the Royal Society for publication in 1802.  A month after submission, Caroline discovered that only 497 objects were included and on 26 Sep 1802, Herschel found 6 new nebulae.  Three of these (including NGC 2655) were added by Caroline to the catalogue, and three were saved for a possible additional catalogue.  A few nights later (30 Sep 1802) Herschel discovered 4 more nebulae but these along with 3 from earlier years that were overlooked were added at the last minute to the proofs to bring the actual total to 510, as Herschel was finished with his sweeps.
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NGC 2656 = MCG +09-15-025 = CGCG 264-015 = VV 703 = PGC 24707
08 47 53.1  +53 52 34; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star lies 3.5' W.  This is a double system with a compact companion (not seen) at the west edge.  Forms a pair with much fainter CGCG 264-014 3.4' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2656 = h523 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and simply noted "eF; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position from this single observation matches CGCG 264-015 = PGC 24707.
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NGC 2657 = UGC 4573 = MCG +02-23-002 = CGCG 061-006 = PGC 24595
08 45 15.8  +09 38 43; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration.  Forms the vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 2' SSW and a mag 13 star 3' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2657 = St. 13-43 on 7 Feb 1878.  His published position in his 13th discovery list was reduced on 7 Mar 1885 and he mentioned a faint star was attached on the east end.
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NGC 2658 = ESO 432-4 = Cr 195 = Mel 90
08 43 27  -32 39 24; Pyx
Size 12'

13.1" (2/25/84): 10 stars mag 11-14 resolved over haze in a 7' diameter.  A knot or double star is at the north edge.  Three mag 11 stars are off the south, southeast and east side but the remaining stars are mag 13-14.  Alpha Pyxidis (V = 3.7) lies 35' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2658 = D 609 = h4017 on 28 May 1826 and described a "small round faint nebula. North of Alpha Pyxidis".  His handwritten notes also mention it is about 30' N of star, matching perfectly.

John Herschel recorded the cluster on 16 Feb 1836 (sweep 678) and noted a "Cl class 8; not m comp; not v rich; v irreg fig; 5' diam; st 12.13m."  He added the cluster in a supplementary list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021).  Dreyer identified these objects as "h o n" (John Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.
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NGC 2659 = ESO 260-3 = Cr 194 = Mel 91 = Pismis 9
08 42 39  -44 57 30; Vel
V = 8.6;  Size 12'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): bright, compact group with 15-20 stars in a 4' group including five mag 10-10.5 stars and a distinctive brighter pair.  This cluster is in the same field as the Vela Supernova Remnant, though I didn't search for filaments in this region.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2659 = h3137 on 3 Feb 1835.  His second more detailed description reads "Cluster VII class; p rich, pL, 12' l, 8' br; fig irreg; rather branching stars 11..14th mag, not compressed in middle."  Both descriptions give a much larger size than I noted in my observation.
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NGC 2660 = ESO 260-004 = Cr 193 = Mel 92
08 42 38  -47 12 02; Vel
V = 8.8;  Size 4'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this distant cluster appeared relatively faint, small, and was only partially resolved.  It appeared ~2' in diameter and comparable to a faint globular cluster.  A few faint stars were resolved on the west side and an unresolved brighter knot of stars resides on the south side.  The cluster is wedged between a yellow/orange mag 8.4 star 2.5' S and a mag 10 star to the north.  Located 16' ENE of mag 4.7 HD 74272.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2660 = h3138 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded a "Cl VI cluster; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; 4'; resolved into distinct stars 14m."  His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.  E.E. Barnard swept it up on 18 Nov 1890 with the 12-inch.  It must have been extremely low from Lick Observatory but he questioned if it was "a condensed globular? cluster between two small stars."
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NGC 2661 = UGC 4584 = MCG +02-23-004 = CGCG 061-008 = PGC 24632
08 45 59.5  +12 37 15; Cnc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 11 star 1.0' W of center and 30" of the edge of the halo detracts from viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2661 = H. III-50 = Big. 38 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177).  His description reads, "eF, near a pB star, I had only a distant suspicion of its existence, but 240 confirmed it beyond a doubt and showed it of some considerable extent.  It is circular and without a nucleus."  There is nothing at his position, but 28 seconds of RA west and 1' north is UGC 4584.  The "pB star" is 1' west.

In the General Catalogue, John Herschel remarked "I find a memorandum to the effect that this neb is lost and was probably a comet, but I cannot recover my authority for the statement.  It is described by H. as "of the last degree of faintness," and it is therefore no way surprising that it should not have been again pereceived without some time and trouple bestowed, and in clear weather."  Biguordan found this galaxy on 8 Mar 1886 and measured an accurate position.  In the remarks section of his second Comptes Rendus list, Bigourdan noted B. 38 was identical  to GC 1696 [NGC 2661], which has an error of 28 seconds in RA.  Dreyer repeated in the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that the "RA is 28s too great (Ann. Harv. Coll., xiii, and Bigourdan.)"  E.E. Barnard swept it up with the 12-inch at Lick Observatory on 21 Dec 1891.  He noted it as "very small, 12 1/2 mag, difficult, 11th mag star 1/2' preceding. A Trapezium follows by 20'.  Three pB stars 40' following."
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NGC 2662 = MCG -02-23-002 = PGC 24612
08 45 32.0  -15 07 17; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, very small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, sharp concentration with a very small high surface brightness core surrounded by a very faint halo.  A mag 14 star is 43" WNW of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2662 = h3139 on 16 Mar 1836 and remarked "vF; vS; R; bM; near a * 15m."  His position is exactly 10' S of M-02-23-002 = NPM1G -14.0271.  Herbert Howe recovered the galaxy after 3 failed attempts at Herschel's position and finally measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 2663 = ESO 371-014 = MCG -06-20-001 = PGC 24590
08 45 08.1  -33 47 41; Pyx
V = 10.9;  Size 3.5'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 2.2'x1.5', contains a prominent core which is evenly concentrated down to a non-stellar nucleus.  Located in rich star field.  Several stars are within 5' including a mag 14 star 1.2' N of center and a mag 11.5 star 3.8' NW of center.  Located 5.7' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2663 = Sw. 3-40 on 8 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory in New York.  His position is 2.6' south of ESO 371-014. This is probably the brightest galaxydiscovered by Swift at V = 10.9 and the most southerly!
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NGC 2664
08 47 07  +12 36 24; Cnc
Size 5'

17.5" (2/8/97): poor scattered asterism of 10 stars in a 5' region dominated by four mag 10-11 stars in a "kite" asterism with pairs of sides 2' and 3'.  Only noticeable at low power and does not resemble a cluster, although the fainter stars are nicely spaced around the bright stars.  A fainter group with 4-5 mag 13 stars lies 5' NW.  Located ~16' E of NGC 2661.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2664 = h524 on 20 Mar 1830 (sweep 241) and recorded, "A neat cl of stars 9 and 10m regularly arranged about a central one (N.B. This is nearly the place of III 50, but no neb was noticed.)"  At Herschel's position are four mag 10/11 stars with several mag 13/14 stars nearby (his position nearly coincides with a mag 10 star at 08 47 13.8 +12 36 14).

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "pS Cl of a few st 10...15."  Harold Corwin notes that Villanova (2004, A&A, 428, 67) concludes this is a random enhancement of field stars and not a cluster.  The position given here corresponds with the center of this asterism. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in RNGC.
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NGC 2665 = ESO 563-019 = MCG -03-23-004 = UGCA 144 = PGC 24634
08 46 00.9  -19 18 11; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 144°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, small bright core contains a faint stellar nucleus.  A very faint star is superimposed.  Two mag 11 stars lie 3.5' N and 3.7' ESE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2665 = LM 2-407 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 11.0, 0.6' dia, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus."  His position matched ESO 563-019 = PGC 24634.
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NGC 2666
08 49 49  +44 42 12; UMa
Size 11'

18" (2/14/10): The HD 751354 group consists of nearly two dozen stars scattered around a mag 8 star.  Three collinear stars (length 3') oriented SW to NE are 2' E of HD 75135.  Another group of ~10 stars is scattered over a 5' region to the NW of the bright star.  This group was visually uninspiring and appears to be an asterism.

18" (2/23/06): the only possible candidate near John Herschel's original position is a mag 11.7 star and a group of five mag 13.5-14.5 stars close south.  Four of the stars are strung along a 5' gently curving arc.  To the northeast is a much brighter 10' string of a half dozen stars that extends towards the northeast.  Neither of these asterisms, though, are probably eye-catching enough to be mentioned as a "course cluster".  Note:  Based on more recent historical investigation, this identification is incorrect.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2666 = h525 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and simply noted "The chief * of a coarse cluster."  He made no mention of size, but there are no other objects matching his description nearby.  Karl Reinmuth remarked "nothing like a cluster" in his NGC photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates.

In Jun 2016 Harold Corwin checked JH's sweep record again and found "JH accidentally copied the reduced NPD of the preceding object in the sweep (a double star) into the column for the reduced NPD of this cluster.  The difference in the NPD index between the two objects is 2d 21' 18", leading to a corrected position for JH's "chief *" of 08 38 14.8, 44 40 27 (NPD, 1830) or 08 49 49, +44 42.3 (J2000), very close to the position of the SAO star.  The identity of JH's object with the sparce group is no longer in any doubt."
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NGC 2667 = IC 2410 = MCG +03-23-007 = CGCG 090-016 = Holm 98a = WBL 196-003 = PGC 24741
08 48 27.3  +19 01 09; Cnc
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 80°

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 35"x14", low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with IC 2411 1.6' NNE.  This close companion (similar redshift) appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 25"x12", very low surface brightness. In a group with NGC 2762/2763 13' ENE and IC 2399 11' SW.

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, small, elongated E-W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2667 on 18 Feb 1862 while observing and measuring NGC 2672.  His single position is not very accurate, but 7 seconds of time east is CGCG 090-016, the brighter of pair of galaxies.  Max Wolf found NGC 2667, as well as the companion 1.6' NNE on Heidelberg plates and catalogued both galaxies (IC 2410 and 2411) without reference to NGC 2667.  So, NGC 2667 = IC 2410 and NGC 2667B = IC 2411. CGCG (090-016) and MCG (+03-23-007) both label this galaxy as IC 2410, without reference to NGC 2667.

Interestingly, Ralph Copeland, observing NGC 2667 with the 72" on 26 Dec 1873 noted "cF, pS, lE p f, was thought to have an eF companion about 2' nf."  The companion is clearly IC 2411.  Dreyer later reobserved the field in 1876 and apparently was not convinced: "eF; I think it is only a *16 m +/- nf." Due to Dreyer's uncertainty, IC 2411 missed receiving a NGC designation.
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NGC 2668 = UGC 4616 = MCG +06-20-007 = CGCG 180-013 = PGC 24791
08 49 22.5  +36 42 37; Lyn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 155°

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, low even surface brightness.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2668 = St. 9-17 on 24 Jan 1870.  His rough, unpublished position was 4' to the E.  His accurate, micrometric position (Esmiol's reduction) was made on 7 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2669 = ESO 165-5 = Cr 202 = Harvard 3 = vdB-Ha 52
08 46 22  -52 56 54; Vel
V = 6.1;  Size 12'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): fairly rich group of ~60 stars in a 6' or 7' region, elongated N-S. Includes a mix of brighter mag 9.5-11 stars, along with a number of faint mag 14-15 stars.  A mag 9.5 star and five mag 11-12 in a 1.5' N-S string, is on the northeast side.  The cluster is bounded by a striking number of very bright stars including mag 7.6 HD 75105 off the southwest side, mag 8.2 HD 75227 and mag 7.7 HD 75202 off the north side, and mag 8.6 HD 75167 off the south side (20" pair with a mag 11 star).  The group spans at least 12' to 14' if you include these bright stars.  Located ~55' E of IC 2391 (surrounding mag 3.6 Omicron Velorum).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2669 = h3140 on 11 Apr 1834 and recorded "Cluster VIII class.  A L, poor, loose cl of stars, 10...13m."  The position was noted as very uncertain, with the RA to the nearest (+/-) minute. There is nothing resembling even a poor cluster near his position.  Dreyer credited Persian astronomer Al-Sûfi with the discovery of NGC 2669, but Al-Sûfi mentioned IC 2391 instead.

According to Archinal and Hynes in "Star Clusters", in 1930 Robert Trumpler found the most likely candidate for Herschel's missing cluster.  He noted "NGC 2669 - Declination of NGC corrected by +1°.", which corresponds with ESO 165-SC5.  This cluster fits JH's description though Archinal comments that several of the stars are brighter than mag 10...13.  He also mentions that Harvard 3 (from Shapley's 1930 Monograph on star clusters) refers to a part of NGC 2669.
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NGC 2670 = ESO 210-5 = Cr 200 = Mel 93 = Lund 484
08 45 30  -48 47 30; Vel
V = 7.8;  Size 7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this fairly bright open cluster has an unusual appearance.  Roughly two dozen stars mag 10-12 are arranged in a "wishbone" arrangement with a distinctive string of stars running SW-NE with the brightest mag 9 star on the SW end, with another string running E-W and a third side running N-S.  The group is ~6' in diameter.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2670 = h3142 on 18 Feb 1836 and recorded "a cluster 8th class, not rich, nor much compressed; 8' in diameter, irr round, stars 13 mag."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2671 = ESO 313-14 = Cr 201
08 46 12  -41 52 36; Vel
Size 4'

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, small cluster.  Between 15-20 stars mag 11-13 are resolved over haze.  This cluster is far south for viewing from Northern California.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2671 = D 489 = h3141 on 1 May 1826 and recorded "a very faint nebula, about 6' diameter, with small stars scattered in it - in the milky way."  Dunlop made a second observation a week later and his position is just 2' SSE of center.

John Herschel made a single observation on 2 Mar 1835 (sweep 554) and logged "a pretty rich, irregularly round cluster, not mbM, stars 12..13th mag, place that of the general middle."  He suggested D 489 and D 490 as possible equivalences, though D 490 applies Tr 10 = Cr 203: "very large cluster of pretty bright stars, coarsely scattered, about 1° diameter, following a star 5th magnitude, 396 Argus (Bode)."  Melotte called it a "Coarse clustering. Not considered a separate cluster." (1915).
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NGC 2672 = Arp 167 NED1 = UGC 4619 = MCG +03-23-010 = CGCG 090-019w = Holm 99a = KPG 175a = PGC 24790
08 49 21.9  +19 04 29; Cnc
V = 11.7;  Size 3.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.0

24" (2/16/15): bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  The large halo (~1.6' dia) has a low surface brightness and appears to encompass NGC 2673 (just 32" between center).  A mag 14 star lies 1.2' SE and a mag 13.7 star is 1.6' NE.  A mag 15 star is embedded on the west edge of the halo [34" from center].  At 450x, the core gradually brightens to a quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/28/89): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharp concentration.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 2673 at the east edge 32" separation between centers.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NNE and a fainter mag 14 star is 1.1' SE. 

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core. Much brighter of a merged pair with NGC 2673.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2672 = H. II-48 = H. II-80 = h526 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 169).  Observing in very windy conditions, he described II-48 as "a nebula resolvable, pL, little brighter in the middle then towards the extremes, and contains one star following the brightness and very near to it."  His position was off by nearly 15', largely due to the reference star, 85 Gem, being nearly 13° to the west!  The nearby star following "the brightness" (the galaxy's core) is likely the close companion NGC 2673.

Dreyer noted in his 1912 revision of William Herschel's catalogues, that "there was some doubt about the contraction of the rope in Sw. 169, hence in the error in the polar distance of II.48."   One week later (sweep 181) he recorded H. II-80 as "pB, pL, E, r. I can see 2 or 3 stars in it."  In this sweep the position was accurate to within 2', so the identification is certain.  Another observation of II-80 was on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698): "pB, E from a few degrees sp to nf.  The greatest brightness lays to the preceding side, it resembles a small one with another much smaller close to it nf [NGC 2673] with resolvable nebulosity around it."  In this sweep he mentioned he looked for II-48, but couldn't find it, not realizing it was identical to II-80.

Coincidentally, John Herschel discovered a very faint galaxy (h527 = NGC 2677) on 17 Mar 1831 that he assumed was his father's H. II-48, since it happens to lie very close to his father's erroneous position.  On 19 Dec 1848, George Stoney discovered NGC 2673, a close companion to NGC 2672 -- noted as a star by both Herschels -- with William Parsons' 72", but he assumed it was h527.  In the General Catalogue, JH listed H. II-48 under the entry for GC 1707 (= NGC 2677).  Finally, in the GC Supplement, Dreyer suggested H. II-48 = H. II-80 and they were correctly equated in the NGC.
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NGC 2673 = Arp 167 NED2 = UGC 4620 = MCG +03-23-011 = CGCG 090-019e = Holm 99b = KPG 175b = PGC 24792
08 49 24.1  +19 04 27; Cnc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.2'

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; fairly faint, small, round, ~18" diameter. Easily visible glow just 35" E of the center of NGC 2672 and embedded in its low surface brightness halo.  At 450x, the tiny nucleus occasionally brightens to a stellar point.  A mag 14 star is just 50" SE.  The pair is generally considered an interacting pair, resulting in a faint plume (not seen) extending to the southeast of NGC 2673.

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, extremely small, round.  NGC 2673 appears as a small "knot" attached at the east end of NGC 2672 40" between centers.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' SE and a mag 13.5 star lies 1.0' NNE. 

13.1" (1/19/85): very faint, appears as an extremely small "knot" 20" diameter in the halo of NGC 2672 just 0.6' E of the core.  Two stars are near NNE and SE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2673 (eastern component of the double system with NGC 2672) on 19 Dec 1849. He noted a "close double nebula, small star preceding." On 9 Feb 1855, R.J. Mitchell gave a more detailed description but incorrectly assumed NGC 2673 was h527 = NGC 2677: "very close, almost touching; h526 [NGC 2672] is mbM, h527 is smaller and little brighter in the middle."  Dreyer later added the note "the latter is not h527, but the close companion to [NGC 2673], viz [GC] 1705."  Interestingly, it's possible that both Herschels noted NGC 2673 in their observations, but thought it was a very faint star.
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NGC 2674 = PGC 24785
08 49 13.2   -14 17 39; Hya
V = 14.9;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 65°

24" (1/25/14): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", weak concentration.  A number of mag 12-13 stars are in the field including a mag 12.5 star 1.3' NW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2674 = LM 1-152 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.4' dia, neb?"  There is nothing at or near his rough position (nearest min of RA) and Herbert Howe was unable to find it on two nights at Stone's position using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory around 1900.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 2674 probably refers to PGC 24785, a faint galaxy located 1.2 min of RA due east of Stone's position.  As the Leander McCormick positions in the first list are often off in RA, this identification is fairly certain.  RNGC classifes NGC 2674 as nonexistent and NGC 2674 was not included in the first edition of the "Deep Sky Field Guide" to the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.
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NGC 2675 = UGC 4629 = MCG +09-15-037 = CGCG 264-021 = PGC 24909
08 52 05.0  +53 37 02; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', just a weak broad concentration with no well-defined core.  A small trio of mag 14 stars precedes by 2'-3'.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2675 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  This object is #81 in AN 1500 from 1865, but was added to a short appendix of omitted observations in his Siderum Nebulosorum. His position is poor -- 7 sec of RA east and 7' south of UGC 4629.  But a mag 14 star is 13 sec of RA preceding, matching his comment "mag 15 star precedes 12.4 seconds [of time]."  MCG gives the NGC designation as uncertain.
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NGC 2676 = UGC 4627 = MCG +08-16-032 = CGCG 237-022 = PGC 24881
08 51 35.6  +47 33 27; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/9/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' NE.  A distinctive rectangle of stars is ~4' NE including mag 8.2 SAO 42578 and mag 9.9 SAO 42574.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2676 = Sw. 6-33 on 24 Nov 1886 and described "eeF; pS; R; trapezoid of 4 pB stars near nf."  His position is 7 tsec E and 1' N of UGC 4627 and his description of the nearby 4 stars matches perfectly.
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NGC 2677 = MCG +03-23-012 = CGCG 090-021 = PGC 24821
08 50 01.3  +19 00 35; Cnc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  PA = 175°

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round, low even surface brightness.  In a group with NGC 2667, NGC 2672, NGC 2673.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2677 = h527 on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334) and noted "The faintest object imaginable, and discerned with the utmost difficulty.  Sky perfectly clear."  His position is an excellent match with CGCG 090-021 = PGC 24821 although the RA is marked as uncertain.  He assumed, though, that he found his father's H. II-48 instead of a new nebula.  Dreyer correctly noted in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that H. II-48 = H. II-80 = NGC 2672.  See the latter number for more on the identification confusion.
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NGC 2678
08 50 03  +11 20 18; Cnc
Size 10'

18" (3/5/05): this asterism contains two groupings of stars to the south of M67 which is partly in the field of the 31 Nagler at the north side.  The northern subgroup contains two mag 8.8 and 9.3 stars separated by 3' with a fainter double star between.  About 9' SW is a nice group of 5 stars surrounding mag 8.4 HD 75373.  Several mag 10-11 stars are to the SW including a NW-SE string.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2678 = H. VIII-10 = h528 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172), noting a "a cluster of very coarse scattered stars, not rich." John Herschel made four observations and reported on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242), "A poor cluster of 4 or 5 large and a few scattered small stars."  Both of the Herschel's positions point to 4 or 5 mag 9/10 stars with a few fainter stars -- an unimpressive asterism.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2679 = UGC 4632a = MCG +05-21-014a = CGCG 150-041a = PGC 24884
08 51 32.8  +30 51 52; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, very small, round, compact appearance.  Has a fairly high surface brightness with a very small bright core.  A nice mag 12/13 double star at 12" separation lies 7' W.  Forms a double system with NGC 2680 attached at the east side within a common halo, just 0.2' between centers.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2679 = H. III-294 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM, large stellar neb."  His position was 1.6' too far south.  On 27 Jan 1827 (sweep 56), John Herschel wrote "pB, R, very gradually much brighter middle, 15"."  Lord Rosse and his assistants found a very close double nebula, with the eastern nucleus catalogued by Dreyer as NGC 2680.  But the SDSS reveals there are only two stars on the following side of NGC 2679.  See notes on NGC 2680.
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NGC 2680 = UGC 4632b = MCG +05-21-014b = CGCG 150-041b = PGC 24884
08 51 33.6  +30 51 57; Cnc
V = 15.1/16.2;  Size 5"

17.5" (3/25/95): appears as a very faint quasi-stellar object attached on the following side of NGC 2679 within a common halo.  This object (a 5" pair of mag 15.1/16.2 stars) is smaller and fainter than NGC 2679 and appears nearly stellar with just 0.2' separation between the pair and the center of NGC 2679.

Bindon Blood Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2680 on 26 Feb 1851. He recorded an "exceeding close double nebula [with NGC 2679]."  A total of 9 observations were made at Birr Castle, generally describing a very close double nebula within a common envelope or a nebula with a double nucleus.  For example, Sir Robert Ball's description on 12 Jan 1867 reads "Double nebula in Pos 85.5°, preceding on cB, R, much brighter in the middle, following one F, R, perhaps with a * in the middle."

UGC (4632) calls this a double system (NGC 2679 + 2680) with a "companion superimposed at 0.2' following center, 0.20'x0.15'."  The DSS reveals two, very close stellar objects (northern component brighter) at the east edge of NGC 2679.  These are individually catalogued in NED as NGC 2680 NED01 ("Southern of two compacts (or stars?) superposed on NGC 2679") and NGC 2680 NED02 ("Northern of two compacts (or stars?) superposed on NGC 2679").  NED also has a single entry for NGC 2680 = KPG 176B (from the Karachentsev Isolated Pairs of Galaxies catalogue) at their mean position.  LEDA has a single entry for NGC 2679 = NGC 2680, but no individual entry(s) for NGC 2680.  On the SDSS DR8, two stellar objects just east of the nucleus of NGC 2679 are superimposed.  The northern "star" is classified as a galaxy and the southern component as a star.

After a query from Ivan Maly, I sent an email to Brian Skiff on 3/10/14 asking about the classification of these two objects and he quickly responded, "These are both stars.  I just examined numerous available images using the Goddard SkyView utility (GALEX, DSS, SDSS DR7 and DR8, 2MASS; no UKIDSS coverage unfortunately). Simply doing a blink-comparison of the POSS-I and -II blue plates (POSS-I red has less-good resolution), it is obvious that the northern star of the pair has modest proper motion, while the southern one is essentially fixed.  (I used 'SAOimage ds9' for this.)  Large-scale cut-outs of the Sloan images show no indication that they are other than stars, and the relative motion shows they are unrelated to each other.  Using the SDSS DR7 catalogue, I get V magnitudes 15.1 and 16.2, and separation of 4".66 in pa 192.2 deg for the two stars (epoch 2003.967).  At the epoch of POSS-I the position-angle is close to 180 deg, so presumably in Lord Rosse's time the fainter star would have been to the southeast."
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NGC 2681 = UGC 4645 = MCG +09-15-041 = CGCG 264-026 = Ark 185 = KUG 0849+515 = PGC 24961
08 53 32.8  +51 18 50; UMa
V = 10.3;  Size 3.6'x3.3';  Surf Br = 12.8

14.5" (4/1/21): at 226x; fairly bright and large, ~3' diameter, slightly elongated ~5:4 E-W in direction of two mag 13 stars close off the WNW side and nearly reaching the closer star.  The outer halo has a very low surface brightness, but there is a very sharp and strong central concentration with a small intense core and a stellar nucleus.

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, about 2' diameter.  Contains a small unusually bright core and stellar nucleus.  A pair of mag 12 stars are 2.1' W with separation 30" oriented NW-SE.  NGC 2693 lies 32' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2681 = H. I-242 = h530 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and recorded "vB, large bright resolvable nucleus with vF chevelure."  John Herschel gave a similar description on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328): "B; L; very suddenly much brighter middle to a * 10-11m, but sharply defined.  It is a nebulous star with a vF extensive nebulosity."  Eleven observations were made at Birr Castle, though no additional details were clearly recorded.
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NGC 2682 = M67 = Cr 204
08 51 24  +11 49; Cnc
V = 6.9;  Size 30'

17.5": at 140x about 200 stars mag 10-14 in a 15' diameter.  Includes several rich subgroups including one on the south edge near three brighter mag 10 stars.  The brightest star mag 7.8 SAO 98178 is just off the NE edge.

13.1" (12/22/84): about 100 stars mag 10-15 in 15' diameter, very rich and impressive cluster.

13.1" (3/24/84): beautiful at 88x with over 75 stars resolved at this magnification.

German observer Johann Gottfried Koehler discovered M67 = NGC 2682 = h531 before 1779 and recorded "A rather conspicuous nebula in elongated figure, near Alpha of Cancer."  Koehler also discovered M59 and M60.

Messier independently discovered M67 on 6 Apr 1780 and logged "Cluster of small stars with nebulosity, below the southern claw of Cancer. The position determined from the star Alpha [Cancri]."  William Herschel first observed the cluster on 26 Mar 1783 using his 6.2-inch and simply noted a "cluster of stars."  With his 18.7-inch in 1784 he described "a most beautiful cluster of stars; not less than 200 in view." 

The position given in Lynga #5, Sky Catalogue 2000, NGC 2000 and Deep Sky Field Guide (first version) is about 1.0 min of RA too far west.
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NGC 2683 = UGC 4641 = MCG +06-20-011 = CGCG 180-017 = PGC 24930 = UFO Galaxy
08 52 41.4  +33 25 14; Lyn
V = 9.8;  Size 9.3'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 44°

18" (3/13/10): gorgeous view at 280x!  This detailed, edge-on spiral extends 9'x1.5' from SW to NE.  The central region is well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core, roughly 3'x1.5'. It appears noticeably mottled or dusty with brighter knots or spots near the core.  The southwest extension is more prominent and easily traced to the outer tip. It broadly increases in brightness to the core.  In contrast, the northeast extension fades rapidly.  The northeast arm has a low surface brightness as it extends past a mag 13 star (close double) off the north flank.  Overall, the galaxy presents an unusual warped appearance with the southwest and northeast extensions misaligned in position angle.

14.5" (4/1/21): at 182x and 226x; very bright and large, excellent edge-on with structure.  Contains a bright, elongated, very mottled core (dust) but no distinct nucleus.  Extends ~6'x1.5' SW-NE, with the southern part of the NE extension having a lower surface brightness.  As a result the brighter portions of the two wings appear slightly misaligned.  A mag 13 star is embedded near the NE end, with the halo extending about 1/2' beyond.

13.1" (1/18/85): very bright, very large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 8.0'x2.0', halo is broadly concentrated.  Mottled or dusty near the core but no distinguishable nucleus. 

13.1" (2/25/84): bright and impressive, brigter core, thin fainter extensions oriented SW-NE.
  
80mm (1/18/85): visible in finder at 16x as a faint, edge-on streak.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2683 = H. I-200 = h532 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807).  His description reads, "very brilliant, much extended from sp to nf but nearer the meridian, about 7 or 8' l and 2 1/2 or 3' br. The brightness also much elongated and going off pretty suddenly; a beautiful object."

A total of 16 observations were made at Birr Castle and several times it was described as slightly concave and sharper on the western side.  On 2 Jan 1868, the observer wrote, "vF streaks and lanes on each side parallel to ray [were suspected]."
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NGC 2684 = UGC 4662 = MCG +08-16-035 = CGCG 237-024 = PGC 25024
08 54 54.1  +49 09 38; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 40°

18" (4/26/08): at 220x, NGC 2684 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE.  This is the brightest in a compact group (similar to a HCG) with four additional nearby NGC galaxies: NGC 2686 (double galaxy) 1.4' SE, NGC 2687 1.9' E, NGC 2688 3.7' SE (confirmed, though extremely faint), and NGC 2689 5.8' SE (marignal observation).

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', just a broad weak concentration.  Two mag 12-13 stars lie 2' N and 1.5' ESE.  Brightest of three in a close group.  The faintest members NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 were not visible.

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.8', weak concetration.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' ESE and a mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' N.  Brightest in a group of extremely faint galaxies including NGC 2687 and NGC 2686 close following.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2684 = H. III-712 = h533 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and reported "eF, cS, resolvable, preceding some faint stars."  His position is just 1' too far northwest. John Herschel recorded on 8 Mar 1831 (sweep 330) "vF; pL; R; 30"; a *12 m s f and on 13 m, n p."  The two stars are 1.4' ESE and 1.9' N.  Three extremely faint companions to NGC 2684 were discovered by LdR.
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NGC 2685 = Arp 336 = UGC 4666 = MCG +10-13-039 = CGCG 288-012 = PGC 25065 = Helix Galaxy
08 55 34.6  +58 44 03; UMa
V = 11.3;  Size 4.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 38°

48" (4/6/13): this famous polar-ring galaxy (nearest and brightest) was viewed at 488x.  It appeared very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.5', slightly bulging center (spindle shape), high surface brightness and brighter along the central axis.  Well concentrated with an intense core and surrounded by a much larger, low surface brightness halo that increases the size to 2.5'x1.2'.  The polar-ring was seen on the northwest side as a faint, low surface brightness outer loop attached to the spindle and bulging out ~20".  Periodically the outer edge of the loop popped as a distinct arc and appeared as a semi-ring.  A mag 11 star lies 2.4' N.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly small edge-on 4:1 SW-NE.  Contains an elongated bright core.  A mag 11 star is 2.4' N of center.  The well-known polar ring was not seen.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2685 = T. 6-8 on 18 Aug 1882 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is ~30 sec of RA too far east and 3' too far north, but the identification is certain.
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NGC 2686 = MCG +08-16-036 = MCG +08-16-037 = VV 765 = PGC 25026
08 54 59.8  +49 08 33; UMa
V = 14.7;  Size 0.8'x0.45';  Surf Br = 12.6

18" (4/26/08): this member of the compact NGC 2684 group appeared very faint, very small, either elongated or double oriented E-W.  I had a strong impression this was a very close pair; sometimes a single round galaxy was visible but at other moments it was elongated E-W or the fainter companion momentarily popped into view.  The DSS shows a double galaxy just 16" between centers with the eastern component fainter.  Located 1.4' SE of NGC 2684 and 0.9' SW of a mag 12.5 star.  NGC 2687 is just 1.4' NE

17.5" (3/8/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 1' SW of a mag 12.5 star and 1.5' SE of NGC 2684.  Second brightest of three in NGC 2684 group.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up while viewing NGC 2684. Extremely faint, very small, appears elongated 2:1 E-W.  Located 1.3' SE of NGC 2684 and requires concentration to view. The mag 13 star mentioned in the observation of NGC 2684 is 0.9' NE.  This is an (unresolved) double system with the components oriented E-W. The fainter eastern member is designated NGC 2686B.  Member of a group of faint galaxies along with NGC 2687.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2686 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2687, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684.  He described it as "double or is a neb with hazy * close f" and labeled it on the sketch as Beta.  MCG +08-16-036/037 is a double galaxy and the orientation on the sketch (E-W) is correct, so this identification is certain.  RNGC and MCG have separate listings for NGC 2686A and B.
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NGC 2687 = NGC 2687B = MCG +08-16-038+039 = VV 765 = PGC 25030+31
08 55 06.0  +49 09 22; UMa
V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 28°

18" (4/26/08): this member of the NGC 2684 compact group appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated, low surface brightness, 15"x12".  Located 1.9' E of NGC 2684 and just 35" E of a mag 12.5 star.  NGC 2686 lies 1.4' SW.

17.5" (3/8/97): faintest of close trio with NGC 2684 and NGC 2686.  Appears extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W with concentration.  Requires averted vision to clearly view.  Located just 30" following a mag 12.5 star and 2' E of NGC 2684.  Looked for NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 unsuccessfully.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up 1.9' E of NGC 2684 and 30" E of a mag 13 star. Extremely faint, very small, requires averted vision but repeatedly glimpsed.  This unresolved double system appeared elongated WNW-ESE, matching the orientation of the members.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2687 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2686, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684.  There was no description given (or approximate offsets from NGC 2684), so JH gave a single position in the GC for NGC 2686, 2687 and 2688.  The sketch, though, shows NGC 2687 east or slightly ESE of NGC 2684, with a star just preceding NGC 2687.  The SDSS reveals this a very close pair of galaxies (MCG +08-16-038 and -039) with the following component much brighter.
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NGC 2688 = MCG +08-16-040 = PGC 25048
08 55 11.7  +49 07 21; UMa
V = 15.4;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 87°

18" (4/26/08): this very difficult member of the NGC 2684 group appeared extremely faint and small, ~5" diameter (quasi-stellar).  Only popped into view with averted vision and concentration but sketched in the correct position on a line between a mag 10.7 star 2.8' SSE and NGC 2687.

17.5" (3/8/97): not found

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2688 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2686, 2687 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684.  He simply noted "vvF" but the sketch can be matched up well with MCG +08-16-040 = PGC 25048.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2689 = LEDA 2333935
08 55 25.4  +49 06 55; UMa
V = 16.1;  Size 0.35'x0.25';  PA = 40°

18" (4/26/08): this is the faintest of 6 galaxies viewed in the compact NGC 2684 group.  It was a marginal observation (barely glimpsed several times) with averted vision 2.7' NE of a mag 10.7 star.  It was necessary to keep this distracting star out of the field.  Slightly easier NGC 2688 lies 2.3' WNW

17.5" (3/8/97): not found.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2689 on 11 Mar 1858 at Birr Castle. It was indicated on the sketch of the NGC 2684 field published in the 1880 Monograph, along with NGC 2686, NGC 2687 and NGC 2688.  Dreyer reobserved the field in 1878, but he noted the "sky is very bad" and the novae were not seen.

John Herschel only included three of the four novae in the GC (1715/1716/1717), so one was left out, but Dreyer assigned NGC 2689 to the 4th nebula in the NGC. Based on the sketch, NGC 2689 can be matched with LEDA 2333935.  This is the faintest known galaxy (V = 16.3-16.4) discovered at Birr Castle, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.

RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 25042 (at 08 55 15.5 +49 09 04) as NGC 2689.  NED and HyperLEDA equate NGC 2689 with PGC 2333935. The identifications of NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 are discussed by Malcolm Thomson in his Catalogue Corrections.
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NGC 2690 = UGC 4647 = MCG +00-23-008 = CGCG 005-020 = PGC 24926
08 52 38.0  -02 36 12; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 19°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2690 = Sw. 3-41 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His RA is 20 seconds too large.  Herbert Howe corrected Swift's sloppy RA around the turn of the 20th century with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory and Kobold also measured an accurate position with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg in 1897.
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NGC 2691 = UGC 4664 = MCG +07-18-064 = CGCG 209-006 = Mrk 391 = PGC 25020
08 54 46.3  +39 32 19; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

17.5" (2/9/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration to a very small brighter core.  Bracketed by a mag 13 star 0.9' N and a mag 12 star 2.5' SW.  NGC 2704 lies 25' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2691 = H. II-658 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 721) and noted "pF, vS, much brighter in the middle."  His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is about 2' NW of UGC 4664 and the only nearby candidate.  MCG does not label the entry +07-18-064 as NGC 2691.
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NGC 2692 = UGC 4675 = MCG +09-15-057 = CGCG 264-036 = PGC 25142
08 56 58.0  +52 03 57; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 165°

24" (2/13/18): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~50"x25", small bright core.

UGC 4671, located 3.4' NW and a similar redshift, appeared fairly faint, round, ~40 diameter, slightly brighter core.  A mag 13 star is at the northeast edge of the halo and a similar star is 1' SE.  I'm surprised both Herschel's missed this galaxy as it is only slightly less evident than NGC 2692.

UGC 4690, located 13' NE, appeared  fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 WNW-ESE, 30"x20", small slightly brighter nucleus.  There is just a hint of a larger halo.  A mag 12 star is 1.2' N.

17.5" (2/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S.  A mag 13 star is 2.1' NW of center.  Forms a pair with UGC 4671 3.4' NW.  NGC 2693 lies 43' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2692 = H. III-831 = h534 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and simply noted as "vF, vS."  His position is less than 2' too far southeast.  On 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328), John Herschel wrote, "vF; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 2693 = UGC 4674 = MCG +09-15-055 = CGCG 264-035 = PGC 25144
08 56 59.3  +51 20 51; UMa
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 160°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 226x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1' diameter, small bright core increases somewhat to a stellar peak.  Forms the vertex of a near right triangle with two mag 12 stars 2' NNE and 3.7' WNW.  NGC 2694 is just under 1' due S and forms a close physical pair. 

17.5" (2/8/86): fairly bright, fairly small, bright core encased in much fainter halo, slightly elongated ~N-S.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2694 1' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2693 = H. II-823 = h535 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and recorded "pB, S, R, much brighter in the middle." His position is within the northwest side of the halo. John Herschel's observation on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) reads, "pB; mE nearly in meridian [north-south]; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  This double system was resolved with the 72" at Birr Castle. The CGCG declination is 30' too far south.
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NGC 2694 = MCG +09-15-056 = CGCG 264-034 = PGC 25143
08 56 59.3  +51 19 55; UMa
V = 14.5;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

14.5" (4/1/21): faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  Forms a very close pair (similar redshift) just south of much brighter NGC 2693 [55" between centers].

17.5" (2/8/86): faint, very small, almost round.  Forms a close double system with brighter and larger NGC 2693 1' N.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2694 (double system with NGC 2693) on 9 Mar 1850.  Multiple observations were made in the next couple of years (13 total) but John Herschel didn't include this nebula in the General Catalog, presumably as no details were given in the 1861 monograph. So, Dreyer added it in the GC supplement (GC 5435).

The CGCG declination is 30' too far south (same error with NGC 2693).  RC3 gives the dimensions as 1.2x1.2, but this much too large.
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NGC 2695 = MCG +00-23-010 = CGCG 005-025 = LGG 164-001 = PGC 25003
08 54 27.0  -03 04 01; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 175°

24" (2/15/23): at 375x; bright, slightly elongated, ~40" diameter, brighter core. Sandwiched between a mag 12.7 star 0.7' W of center and 14th mag star at the east edge.  Four NGC galaxies are within 30': NGC 2697 (9' NE), NGC 2698 (19' ESE), NGC 2699 (21' ESE), NGC 2709 (28' ESE), NGC 2708 (31' SE).

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.  Situated between a mag 13 star is 0.8' W of center and a mag 14 star at the east edge 0.4' from center.  Brightest in a group along with NGC 2708 30' SE.  NGC 2697 lies 9.4' NE, NGC 2698 19' SE and NGC 2699 21' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2695 = H. II-280 = h536 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and logged "F, vS, little extended, just following an obscure star, verified with 240 power."  John Herschel made a more detailed observation on 13 Mar 1826 (sweep 21): "pB; S; E nearly in parallel between 2 st of 12 and 15m, each half the length of the neb from the adjacent extremity."  On 9 Jan 1886, Pietro Baracchi wrote, "pB; vS; R; gradually little brighter middle; a star 16m following by 1 1/2 seconds nearly in the same declination a little south of neb.  Another star 13m preceding by 3 sec and nearly the same declination, just a little north of neb." (48" Great Melbourne Telescope)
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NGC 2696 = MCG -01-23-004 = PGC 24851
08 50 42.0  -05 00 35; Hya
Size 1.2'x1.1'

17.5" (2/1/03): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak even concentration to center.  Located 6' SSW of mag 8.7 SAO 136330.  Due to a very poor position by Stone, this galaxy is not generally identified as NGC 2696 (4 tmin error in RA) is not plotted on U2000 (version 2) atlas.  Listed at mag 16pg in the MCG, but does not appear that faint.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2696 = LM 1-153 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded as "mag 15.8, 0.2' dia, stellar nucleus."  There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of RA).  Harold Corwin suggests this may be MCG -01-23-004, in which case Stone's RA would be 4 minutes too large (as often the case with L M observations, the dec is fairly accurate but the RA is very poor).  So, this is an uncertain but very plausible identification.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 2697 = MCG +00-23-011 = CGCG 005-027 = PGC 25029
08 54 59.2  -02 59 14; Hya
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 120°

24" (2/15/23): at 327x; nearly moderately bright, oval ~4:3 NW-SE, 1.0' diameter, broad concentration, slightly brighter middle. Two mag 14.4/15.0 stars at 20" separation are 1.5' SW.  In a group with a number of NGC galaxies including NGC 2695 9' SW.

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, weak concentration.  Located 9.4' NE of brighter NGC 2695 in the same field.

Lord Rosse, along with observing assistant George Johnstone Stoney, discovered NGC 2697 on 24 Jan 1851.  While observing NGC 2695, Stoney noted "another neb, S, oval, about 10' following and 4' north."  d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 22 Feb 1865.
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NGC 2698 = MCG +00-23-012 = CGCG 005-030 = PGC 25067
08 55 36.4  -03 11 02; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 96°

24" (2/15/23): at 327x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W. Contains a small bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. A faint star is at the south edge. Situated in a busy star field with a 7th mag star (HD 76334) just 4' NW.  One of the brighter galaxies in a group that includes NGC 2699 4.6' NE.

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, small, oval ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 4.0' SE of mag 7.1 SAO 136405.  Forms a pair with NGC 2699 4.7' NE.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2695.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2698 = h538 on 11 Mar 1826 (sweep 20).  His description reads, "vF; R; resolvable; 30"; stars suspected in it. A *9 m precedes. This may possibly be II. 281 [NGC 2708] with an error of 10' in polar distance, but I have no reason for believing my observation erroneous."
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NGC 2699 = MCG +00-23-014 = CGCG 005-033 = LGG 164-002 = PGC 25075
08 55 48.8  -03 07 39; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6

24" (2/15/23): at 327x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, round, 0.6' diameter, very small bright core, good surface brightness.  Three nearby stars sandwich the galaxy; a mag 13.3 star 1.0' NW, a mag 14.8 star 0.8' NE, and a mag 15.2 star 0.6' SW. In a group with NGC 2698 4.6' SW.  A 7th mag star star (HD 76334) is 7' WSW.

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core.  A mag 14.5-15.0 star is 0.9' NE of center (NGC 2700).  Forms a pair with NGC 2698 4.7' SW in the NGC 2695/NGC 2698 group.

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2699 on 27 Jan 1852.  He noted "about 20' sf [of NGC 2695] are 2 bright, small nebulae, about 5' asunder."  At this position are NGC 2698 (discovered earlier by John Herschel) and NGC 2699.  Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered NGC 2699 on 4 Jan 1862 (called a "Doppelnebel" in AN 57, 337).  d'Arrest noted in a later observation that he had no doubt it was one of LdR's "6 knots", but he was credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC.
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NGC 2700
08 55 50.6  -03 06 59; Hya
V = 14.8

24" (2/15/23): at 327x, noted as a mag 14.8 star just 0.8' NE of NGC 2699.

17.5" (2/13/88): this is a mag 14.5-15.0 star situated just 0.9' NE of the center of NGC 2699 (see observation).

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2700, along with NGC 2702/2703/2705/2707, around 1876.  The discoveries were communicated directly to Dreyer.  All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group!  The North Polar Distance in the NGC is two degrees too far south since NGC 2700 was placed just 1' N of NGC 2699.  There is only a mag 14.5-15 star at his position, recorded in my observation of NGC 2699.
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NGC 2701 = UGC 4695 = MCG +09-15-063 = CGCG 264-043 = PGC 25237
08 59 05.4  +53 46 13; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 23°

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star on the northwest edge interferes with viewing the halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2701 = H. IV-66 = h537 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and recorded "a small star with a fan-shaped nebula. The star is on the preceding side of the diverging chevelure, and seems to be connected with it." 

On 10 Feb 1831 John Herschel logged, "A *11-12m with a pB fan-shaped neb appendage in which there seems to one vF*.  A curious object.  See fig 65."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2702
08 55 54.6  -03 03 55; Hya

= *?, Corwin.  Misidentified in the RNGC with 2MASX J08553714-0303149.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2702 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2703/2705/2707.  All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group!  He placed this object 4' NE of NGC 2699 and a mag ~15.5 star is at this position.  As the assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, J.L.E. Dreyer recorded on 4 Mar 1877: "an eF, vS, neb nf GC 1727 [NGC 2699] in PA 18.0° and dist. 238.8".  But his offset points exactly to the same mag 15.5 star.

RNGC and PGC (as well as other sources based on these catalogues such as Megastar) misidentify PGC 25072 as NGC 2702.  This galaxy is 4.4' N of NGC 2699 but it precedes this galaxy by 11 seconds of RA.  If Tempel confused the E-W orientations of the two galaxies, then PGC 25072 is a possible candidate though it may be too faint to have been seen in the 11-inch Amici I refractor.
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NGC 2703
08 55 47.1  -03 18 25; Hya
V = 14.2/14.4;  Size 14"

24" (2/15/23): this number refers to a 14" pair of well balanced, but faint mag 14.2/14.4 stars. They were easily resolved at 260x. Situated 6' NW of NGC 2708.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2703, along with NGC 2700/2702/2705/2707 around 1876.  It was found in the NGC 2695/2698 group and described (in the NGC) as "extremely faint, little elongated, doubtful".  There is no nebula near his position, but 2' SW is this double star.  As the observing assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, J.L.E. Dreyer looked for Tempel's "nova" on 4 Mar 1877.  He reported "looked carefully for nova Tempel [NGC 2703] between [[NGC 2698] and [NGC 2708], saw none, only about midways vF double star, which I first mistook for a nebula."  Ironically, the double star was probably Tempel's "nova"!  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" called it a "? Neb *14 [not nebulous], *14.5 sp vnr."  Harold Corwin also identifies this double star as NGC 2703.
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NGC 2704 = IC 2424 = UGC 4678 = MCG +07-19-005 = CGCG 209-009 = Holm 103a = PGC 25134
08 56 47.7  +39 22 56; Lyn
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.9' diameter, broad weak concentration.  Several galaxies are within 30'.
UGC 4689, 12' NE, is very faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x18" (central region).
CGCG 209-008, 15' S, is relatively bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 ~E-W, ~0.6' major axis, well concentrated with a small bright core.
UGC 4699, 24' ENE, is fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, weak concentration.  A very distinctive group of four brighter stars ("T" or "Y" shape) is 3' to 5' W.
UGC 4704 (viewed at 200x), 28' SE, is extremely faint, thin edge-on roughly 10:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.2'. Only glimpsed due to very low even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is just S of the E end.

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration.  UGC 4699 lies 24' ENE and NGC 2691 is 25' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2704 = H. III-625 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "vF, vS.  The same with 300 power."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west and 2' north is UGC 4678.  Bigourdan was unsuccessful in finding NGC 2704 at Herschel's position but reported Big. 271 (later IC 2424) as new at the correct position.  Dreyer noted that NGC 2704 is probably equal to IC 2424 (even suggested by Bigourdan) and Herschel's position was in error by 1 tmin.  So, NGC 2704 = IC 2424.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2705
08 56 00.0  -03 00 54; Hya

= *?, Corwin.  = Not found, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2705 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2702/2703/2707 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri observatory.  All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group!  There are no nebulae near his positions, but 1' south is a mag 16 star. As the assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, J.L.E. Dreyer also confused this star with a nebula on 7 Mar 1877, "eF, eS, is nf GC 1727 [NGC 2699] in PA 22.3° and dist. 440.4", it forms a quadrilateral with 3 st 14m f and nf.  Other eF neb susp here."  In 1915, Knox-Shaw reported NGC 2705 was not found on Helwan plates.
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NGC 2706 = UGC 4680 = MCG +00-23-017 = CGCG 005-036 = LGG 164-004 = PGC 25102
08 56 12.3  -02 33 48; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 167°

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.25'.  A mag 12 star is close following the SSE tip 1.3' from center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2706 = Sw. 3-42 on 27 Feb 1886 and wrote, "vF; pS; vE; * nr following."  His position and description matches UGC 4680.
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NGC 2707
08 56 05.5  -03 04 00; Hya
V = 13.1

= *?, Corwin.  = Not found, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2707 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2702/2703/2705.  All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri observatory!  A mag 15 star (GSC 4869-855) is close to the NGC position, though this identification is uncertain.  In 1915, Knox-Shaw reported NGC 2705 was not found on Helwan photographs.
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NGC 2708 = NGC 2727 = MCG +00-23-015 = CGCG 005-034 = LGG 164-003 = PGC 25097
08 56 07.9  -03 21 37; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 20°

24" (2/15/23): at 327x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated nearly 3:1 SSW-NNE, strong bright core.  A mag 13.2 star is 1.2' NW of center and a mag 13.6 star is just off the NE end [0.9' from center].  One of the two brightest galaxies in a group that includes NGC 2709 7' NNE, NGC 2698 13' NW and NGC 2699 15' NNW.

Supernova 2023bee (discovered on Feb. 1) appeared as a mag 13.2 "star" 3.2' NNE of center (between the mag 13.6 off the edge of NGC 2708 and a mag 13.6 star 1' N of the SN).

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.9' NE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2709 7.1' NNE.  One of the brightest galaxies in a group (LGG 164) that includes NGC 2695, 2699 and 2706.  Other members may include NGC 2697, 2698 and 2709.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2708 = H. II-281 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and noted "vF, vS, irr figure."  His position was less than 2' too far south.  John Herschel made no observations, but his position for h546 (later NGC 2727) is exactly 5 minutes of RA to the east. Corwin suggests h546 may apply to NGC 2708.
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NGC 2709 = MCG +00-23-016 = CGCG 005-035 = PGC 25103
08 56 12.9  -03 14 36; Hya
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 90°

24" (2/15/23): at 327x; faint but easily visible (can hold steadily), small, roundish, 25" diameter, diffuse, low nearly even surface brightness. Located in a group 7' NNW of NGC 2708 and 10' ESE of NGC 2698.

17.5" (2/13/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 2708 7.1' SSW.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2709 on 27 Jan 1852.  He had returned to Parsontown from his studies at Trinity to observe with his brother Bindon Blood. His sketch places it 11' SE of NGC 2699 (the actual separation is 9').  On 7 Mar 1877, Dreyer made a more detailed micrometric observation, noting "vF, pL, little extended south-preceding to north-following, north of [NGC 2708].  Position angle 9.5°, Dist 434.4"."
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NGC 2710 = UGC 4705 = MCG +09-15-066 = CGCG 264-046 = PGC 25258
08 59 48.4  +55 42 23; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 125°

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is at the NE edge 1.0' from center.  A bright wide pair mag 10.5/11 at 37" separation lies 4' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2710 = H. III-841 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called it "vF, S."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 1' south of UGC 4705.
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NGC 2711 = UGC 4688 = MCG +03-23-020 = CGCG 090-042 = PGC 25164
08 57 23.6  +17 17 17; Cnc
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, very small, round.  Located between a mag 12 star 1.5' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 1.1' NNE of center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2711 = m 134 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, S, R."  His position matches UGC 4688.
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NGC 2712 = UGC 4708 = MCG +08-17-003 = CGCG 238-001 = PGC 25248
08 59 30.5  +44 54 50; Lyn
V = 12.1;  Size 2.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 178°

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 N-S, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2712 = h540 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and remarked "pB; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; 2' l; 1.5' br' with attention a central point is seen = a * 18m."  Romney Robinson, Lord Rosse's friend, described it on 5 Mar 1848 as a "fine globular cluster, well resolved, no trace of  * in centre."  Robinson was adamant that all nebulae could be resolved so this bias certainly affected the observation.
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NGC 2713 = UGC 4691 = MCG +01-23-006 = CGCG 033-028 = PGC 25161
08 57 20.4  +02 55 14; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 3.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 107°

24" (2/13/18): bright, large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, strongly concentration with a large, bright, roundish core, ~45" diameter, and a faint stellar nucleus.  The halo or arms are much fainter and gradually fade out but extend roughly 2.5'x1'.  Mag 9.5 SAO 117289 lies 4.5' W.  NGC 2716 is 11' NNE and IC 2426 is 17.5' E, forming the triplet UZC-CG 083.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, fairly small, large brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2716 11' NNE.  Located 4.5' ENE of mag 9 SAO 117289.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2713 = m 135, along with NGC 2716, on 3 Mar 1864 and logged "pB, irregularly round, much brighter in the middle."  Heinrich d'Arrest discovered the pair again on 15 Mar 1866.  He noted a mag 10 star (SAO 117289) preceded by 18 seconds of time and 46" south and measured an accurate position (2 nights).  Édouard Stephan also made an observation on 3 Feb 1877 and identified it as Lassell [Marth] 135.  E.E. Barnard swept up the galaxy, along with NGC 2716, on 6 Nov. 1891 with the 12" refractor at Lick.
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NGC 2714 = ESO 125-007 = PGC 24959
08 53 29.8  -59 13 02; Car
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter, moderate even concentration to the center, symmetric appearance.  Set in a rich Carina star field 27' W of mag 4.9 HD 77002 (wide 4.9/6.8 pair at 40").

John Herschel discovered NGC 2714 = h3143 on 4 Feb 1835 (sweep 543) and recorded "eF; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; difficult, but certain."  His position matches ESO 125-007 = PGC 24959.  RNGC classifies the number as an "Unverified southern object" (Type 0).  Because of this, NGC 2714 is not in the Deep Sky Field Guide nor plotted on the first edition of Uranometria 2000 Atlas.
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NGC 2715 = UGC 4759 = MCG +13-07-015 = CGCG 350-012 = PGC 25676
09 08 06.4  +78 05 07; Cam
V = 11.2;  Size 4.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 22°

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 4'x2', broad weak concentration, fairly low but irregular surface brightness.  The major axis is collinear with a mag 11 star 4.0' SSW of center.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2715 around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at Marseilles Observatory. He noted "pretty bright, 3' in extent, elliptic; no nucleus." and his micrometric position (MNRAS, 32, 248) matches UGC 4759.
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NGC 2716 = UGC 4692 = MCG +01-23-007 = CGCG 033-029 = Holm 104a = PGC 25172
08 57 35.9  +03 05 25; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 30°

24" (2/13/18): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright, round, 0.8'-0.9' diameter, bright round core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.8 star is 1.5' ESE.  NGC 2713 is 11' SSW and IC 2426 is 17' SE.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, round, brighter core.  A mag 12 star lies 1.4' ESE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2713 11' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2716 = m 136, along with NGC 2713, on 3 Mar 1864 and recorded "F, S, R, much brighter in the middle."  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the pair on 15 Mar 1866 and measured accurate positions.  Édouard Stephan made additional observation on 7 Feb 1878 and 24 Feb 1886.  Both Marth (1) and d'Arrest (2) were credited in the GC Supplement and the NGC.  E.E. Barnard later swept up the galaxy on 6 Nov. 1891 with the 12" refractor at Lick.
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NGC 2717 = ESO 496-021 = MCG -04-21-015 = PGC 25146
08 57 01.1  -24 40 26; Pyx
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 10°

24" (2/8/18): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S.  Sharply concentrated with a relatively large 30" core and a very small bright nucleus and a thin low surface brightness halo. Located 13' NW of mag 7.1 HD 76799.  ESO 496-022, a very low surface brightness galaxy, lies 4.8' SSE.

17.5" (3/25/95): moderately bright, fairly small, 50" diameter, oval SSW-NNE, high surface brightness.  Contains a prominent 30" bright core and a stellar nucleus.  Difficult to judge extent of outer halo as gradually fades into background.  A mag 11 star lies 2.1' ENE of center.  Located 13' NW of mag 7.1 SAO 176747.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2717 = h3144 on 20 Mar 1835 and noted "F, S, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, 20"." His mean position (two observations) matches ESO 496-021 = PGC 25146
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NGC 2718 = UGC 4707 = MCG +01-23-015 = Mrk 703 = CGCG 033-034 = PGC 25225
08 58 50.4  +06 17 35; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (4/13/18): at 375x; bright, large, overall roundish, contains a bright elongated "bar" oriented NW-SE (face-on barred spiral), small bright core with a stellar nucleus.  The halo is quite a bit fainter and seems slightly elongated or oval.  Surrounded by three similar stars; a mag 14.8 star lies 1.4' N, a mag 14.4 star 1.7' E and a mag 14.6 star 1.9' W.  Located 55' NE of mag 3.1 Zeta (16) Hydrae.

UGC 4703, located 5.4' WNW, appeared faint, small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Too faint for any details; just a dim glow [V = 15.5].  This galaxy is an interacting pair with tidal bridge, but the companion was too faint to detect.  NGC 2718, at 180 million light-years distant is similar to the Milky Way — with two dwarf-galaxy satellites (UGC 4703) like the Magellanic Clouds.

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Surrounded by three mag 14.5 stars 1.6' ENE, 1.4' N and 1.9' W of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2718 = H. II-557 = h542 on 24 Mar 1786 (sweep 543) and recorded "F, mE, unequally bright, 3' long, 1' broad."  John Herschel only gave a very rough NPD on 25 Dec 1827 (sweep 116) and noted "F; pL; R."  In the General Catalogue, he included h542 and his father's H. II-557 as separate entries with the comment, "The descriptions are irreconcileable, and they must be two distinct nebulae..."  Dreyer, as the assistant on the 72" on 18 Mar 1876 "looked carefully for other nebulase near it and found none."  He combined the two GC entries into NGC 2718.
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NGC 2719 = Arp 202 NED1 = UGC 4718 = MCG +06-20-017 = CGCG 180-025a = Holm 105a = PGC 25281
09 00 15.5  +35 43 39; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 133°

24" (2/24/20): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 30"x12".  NGC 2719A is nearly attached (barely resolved) just south of the SE end.  It appeared as a very faint, small knot with a low surface brightness, 12"-15" diameter.

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE.  Forms a double system with NGC 2719A, which appears as a small knot at the south end, just 26" between centers.  NGC 2724 lies 10' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2719 = H. III-540 = h541 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorded "vF, S, little extended, seems to contain 2 vF stars."  On a second sweep he apparently added "E 20 degrees np-sf." and this implies the south-following star is certainly NGC 2719A.  John Herschel made a single observation (interrupted by clouds) on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331).
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NGC 2720 = UGC 4710 = MCG +02-23-016 = CGCG 061-034 = PGC 25238
08 59 08.0  +11 08 57; Cnc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~NW-SE, very small bright core.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2720 = m 137 = T. 1-23 on 10 Mar 1864 and noted "F, S, R, bM."  His position matches UGC 4710.  Wilhelm Tempel also measured the position in his first discovery paper and noted it was certainly equivalent to Marth's nebula.
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NGC 2721 = MCG -01-23-015 = PGC 25231
08 58 56.5  -04 54 07; Hya
V = 11.7;  Size 2.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, large brighter core.  Located 15' E of mag 6.6 SAO 136450.  The RNGC declination is 18' too far north.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2721 = H. II-529 = h543 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 520) and simply noted "F, S".  His position was 10 seconds of RA too small, though John measured a more accurate position on two sweeps.

The RNGC declination is off by 18' too far north.  This mistake was noticed while using the Uranometria 2000 Atlas to star hop to this galaxy and later was verified on the DSS.  Coincidentally, the MCG declination is also 9' too far N (all the M-01-23-XXX galaxies must be shifted 9' south).  I included this error in RNGC Corrections #3 (on the NGC/IC Project site).
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NGC 2722 = NGC 2733 = MCG -01-23-014 = PGC 25221
08 58 46.1  -03 42 37; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.8', brighter along major axis, fairly weak even concentration down to a brighter core, no well-defined nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 2.0' WNW.  The NGC position is 10' too far east.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2722 = H. III-264 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353).  His description reads, "eF, stellar, 240 verified it. I should have overlooked it, but in gaging the field perceived it."  He recorded an accurate position on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 520) but the RA in the NGC was 45 seconds too large.  Édouard Stephan measured a more accurate position on 23 Feb 1886, as well as Jermain Porter in 1907 at the Cincinnati Observatory. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 2722.

See NGC 2733, which may be a duplicate entry.
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NGC 2723 = UGC 4723 = MCG +01-23-017 = CGCG 033-039 = PGC 25280
09 00 14.3  +03 10 40; Hya
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star just 0.6' ENE of center is brighter than the core.  Also an extremely faint 15th mag star is just off the NW edge 20" from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2723 = m 138 on 3 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and noted "F, S, R."  His position is 1.6' NE of UGC 4723.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 14 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2724 = UGC 4726 = MCG +06-20-019 = CGCG 180-027 = PGC 25331
09 01 01.8  +35 45 45; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 2°

24" (2/24/20): at 260x; between faint and fairly faint, relatively large oval, ~1.0'x0.7' N-S, low nearly even surface brightness with a slightly brighter nucleus.  NGC 2719 pair (Arp 202) is 10' WSW.

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, moderately large, round, low even surface brightness.  Located 2.8' NE of a mag 10 star which detracts from viewing.  At the edge of the 220x field is mag 7.7 SAO 61205 10' NE.  In a trio with NGC 2719 and NGC 2719A 10' WSW.  This galaxy is not identified as NGC 2724 in the UGC, CGCG or MCG.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2724 = h544 on 7 Feb 1832 (sweep 401) and noted "eF; S; R."  There is nothing at his position, but John noted an uncertain RA and 0.9 minutes of time west is UGC 4726.  Because of this discrepancy, UGC, CGCG and MCG do not label their respective entries as NGC 2724, but RNGC and RC3 both label UGC 4726 as NGC 2724.  Harold Corwin mentions NGC 2719 (further west) as another possibility, but this is further out in RA and is quite elongated.
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NGC 2725 = UGC 4732 = MCG +02-23-018 = CGCG 061-038 = PGC 25332
09 01 03.2  +11 05 51; Cnc
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 11 star is 2.5' N of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2728 10' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2725 = m 139 on 10 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2728) and noted "F, pL".  Marth's position is at the south edge of UGC 4732.
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NGC 2726 = UGC 4750 = MCG +10-13-054 = CGCG 288-018 = PGC 25498
09 04 56.8  +59 55 58; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 87°

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', bright bulging core.  A mag 15 star is just south of the core [23" SSW of center].

William Herschel discovered NGC 2726 = H. II-834 = h545 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and recorded "pF, pS, iF, easily resolvable."  His position is 3' NE of UGC 4750.  On 8 Mar 1832 (sweep 404), John Herschel called the galaxy, "eF; R; quite certain".  MCG misidentified MCG +10-13-055 as NGC 2726.
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NGC 2727 = NGC 2708 = MCG +00-23-015 = CGCG 005-034 = LGG 164-003 = PGC 25097
08 56 07.9  -03 21 37; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 20°

See observing notes for NGC 2708.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2727 = h546 on 12 Mar 1826 (sweep 21) and recorded "vF; L; R; bM."  There is nothing at his position.  It was not found by Lord Rosse or by Bigourdan.  Harold Corwin suggests that if Herschel made a 5 minute error in RA, then NGC 2727 would be a duplicate observation of NGC 2708.  His description for h546 is "round", while NGC 2708 is very elongated, so this identification is very uncertain, but NGC 2733 = h547 discovered next in the same sweep also has a large error in RA, making the identification more likely.  RNGC classified NGC 2727 as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2728 = UGC 4738 = MCG +02-23-020 = CGCG 061-042 = PGC 25360
09 01 40.9  +11 04 58; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 60°

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, fairly small, round, very small bright core, low surface brightness.  Located along the south side of a very thin triangle formed by three mag 11-12 stars including a mag 12 star 2' W and pair of mag 11 stars 2' NE.  Located 10' E of NGC 2725.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2728 = m 140 on 10 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2725) and noted "vF, L, R, bM".  His position matches UGC 4738 = PGC 25360.
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NGC 2729 = UGC 4737 = MCG +01-23-018 = CGCG 033-046 = Holm 196a = PGC 25352
09 01 28.6  +03 43 14; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, very small, round, initially appeared elongated E-W due to a mag 15 star attached at the east end which is not cleanly resolved (16" ESE of center).  Faint halo 30" diameter is weakly concentrated, very small brighter core.  A pleasing bright double star mag 9.9/11 at 24" lies 3' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2729 = m 141 on 3 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R".  His position is 6 sec of RA west of UGC 4737, but there's no question of the identity.  The mag 15 star at the east edge was described as nebulous by Karl Reinmuth in his photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates.
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NGC 2730 = UGC 4743 = MCG +03-23-028 = CGCG 090-057 = LGG 166-004 = PGC 25384
09 02 15.8  +16 50 18; Cnc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 80°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, moderately large, almost round, low surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the south edge 0.7' from center.  Two mag 12.5 stars lie 2.0' SSE and 2.5' S.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 2734 12' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2730 = m 142 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, L, R."  His position is 1.8' due north of UGC 4743 of U04743 = PGC 25384.
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NGC 2731 = UGC 4741 = MCG +02-23-021 = CGCG 033-048 = CGCG 061-045 = PGC 25376
09 02 08.4  +08 18 05; Cnc
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 70°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.4'.  Has an unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is nearly attached at the ENE edge 0.4' from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2731 = m 143 on 3 Mar 1864 and noted "F, vS, R."  His position is 1.3' NW of UGC 4741 = PGC 25376.
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NGC 2732 = UGC 4818 = MCG +13-07-016 = CGCG 350-013 = PGC 25999
09 13 24.8  +79 11 14; Cam
V = 11.9;  Size 2.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 67°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.7, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is at the NE tip 0.8' from center.  Forms a pair with UGC 4832 4.1' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2732 = h539 on 2 Sep 1828 (sweep 171) and recorded "pB; S; E from nf to sp.  Has a star nf."  There is nothing at his position (marked as uncertain), but ~3 minutes of time east is UGC 4818 and his description is a perfect fit with this gaalxy.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured the position on 3 nights (first on 1 Dec 1863), which was used in the NGC.
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NGC 2733 = NGC 2722 = MCG -01-23-014 = PGC 25221
08 58 46.1  -03 42 37; Hya

See observing notes for NGC 2722.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2733 = h547 on 12 Mar 1826 (sweep 21) and noted "eF; R.  RA between 52m 31s and 54m 41s."  There is nothing at his position, but he gave a wide range for the RA, and Harold Corwin suggests this number is a duplicate of NGC 2722, which is 2.8 minutes of RA west.  NGC 2727, the previous object JH found in the sweep, may also have a large error in RA too far east.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 2734 = PGC 25413
09 03 01.6  +16 51 48; Cnc
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.4'

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round, just non-stellar.  Three mag 14/15 stars are on a line about 2' NW.  Located 12' E of NGC 2730.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2734 = m 144 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, vS, R."  His position is 2' north of PGC 25413, a faint galaxy not catalogued in the CGCG, MCG, UGC or RC3.
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NGC 2735 = Arp 287 NED1 = VV 40a = UGC 4744 = MCG +04-22-002 = CGCG 121-003 = Holm 108a = PGC 25399
09 02 38.7  +25 56 05; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 94°

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', contains a bright elongated core.  Forms a close pair (VV 40 = Arp 287) with NGC 2735A = PGC 25402 just 45" ENE of center, but detached. At 375x, the companion appeared very faint and small, round, only 10"-12" diameter.  Situated 4.9' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 77313, along with three mag 9-10 stars even closer.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W.  There are four bright stars to the south.  Three of these stars oriented WSW-ENE form a shallow arc; mag 10 star 1.6' S, mag 9.1 SAO 80591 3.2' SW, mag 9.0 SAO 80590 4.6' SW.  Also mag 7.2 SAO 80592 lies 5' SSW (2' S of SAO 80591).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2735 = St. 9-18 on 7 Feb 1878 and recorded a rough position just 1.5' to the SW.  His published position in his 9th discovery list was reduced on 26 Feb 1878 with description "small star enveloped in a vF, vS neby, little elongated E-W."  Due to a clerical error, his RA was 1.0 minute of time too large, although his offset star was correctly identified.  The error was caught and corrected by Emmanuel Esmiol in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's position.
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NGC 2736 = ESO 260-014 = RCW 37 = Herschel's Ray = Pencil Nebula
09 00 17  -45 56 54; Vel
Size 30'x7';  PA = 20°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): Herschel's Ray was a striking, bright filament at 130x and a UHC or OIII filter, extending SSW-NNE for at least 20' in length.  Herschel's Ray is brightest along a 5' stretch at the NNE end as it passes to the west of mag 8.3 HD 774433 and continues NNE ending to the west of a mag 9.5 star.  Several very faint stars appear to very close to the northern half of the ray, particularly along the eastern edge, though a mag 11.2 star is also at the western edge.  The ray weakens or thins to a narrow splinter just the east of this mag 11.2 star.  At the NNE tip the filament subtly bends very slightly towards the north and at the SSW end the filament more obviously curves or hooks slightly towards the south as it fades.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): Herschel's Ray was easily picked up at 105x using a UHC filter.  It extended well over 1/2 of the 38' field, at least 20'x2', oriented SSW-NNE.  This prominent Vela Supernova filament is brightest towards the NNE end near a mag 8.3 star which is just following the NNE edge.  It appears like a thin splinter of light through the field with a weak filamentary structure and variations in brightness, similar to one of the fainter strands in the Veil nebula.  Several stars are very close to the edge including a mag 11 star near the middle.  I was impressed that the appearance compared favorably with the view I had through an 18-inch in Australia.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an isolated bright eastern filament in the Vela Supernova remnant which is centered over 4° to the west.  At 128x and UHC filter (38 arcmin field), it appears as a fairly faint, thin, nebulous streak extending SSW-NNE over half the field, ~20'x1'!  The surface brightness is roughly uniform, though the northern portion is brighter near a mag 8.3 star off the NE end.  The nebulosity continues past this star and ends with a mag 9.5 star due east of the NNE tip.  On the SSW end the nebulosity gradually dims out.  A few mag 11 stars border the filament, one just off the west edge near the center and a couple further south.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2736 = h3145 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eeF, L, very very much elongated; an extraordinary long narrow ray of excessively feeble light; position 19 deg±.  At least 20' long, extending much beyond the limits of the field...".  His position and sketch (Plate V, figure 12) agrees perfectly with ESO 260-N14, the brightest piece of the huge Vela SNR, centered ~ 5 degrees WNW.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 2736 on 26 Jan 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate IV, figure 34 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").  Besides a thin ray, he also saw nebulosity spreading out from the southern end towards the west.  Turner commented, though, "As I cannot see it with the sketching eye-piece, the above drawing is rather a random sketch; still it is a fair representation of present aspect. I feel certain that H. could not have seen this object had it been as faint when he observed it as it is at present."  In Jan 1885, Baracchi commented, "Extremely faint, a long streak across the field, straight, very narrow, with a peculiar group of stars in the n.f. quadrant, forming almost a semicircle, of which the north portion of the streak is the diameter. Streak spreads out at its s.p. end, and becomes a large irregular-shaped whitishness, without distinct contour, which the eye cannot see except by moving the telescope up and down, and only when the back ground is perfectly black and free from haze; even then it requires a little time before it can be seen."

RNGC and NGC 2000.0 misclassify this filament as a galaxy and I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #5.  The first reported connection of NGC 2736 with the Vela SNR was in 2000: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/journal/issues/ApJL/v543n2/005648/005648.html, two years after the discovery of the SNR itself in 1998.  Estimated age of the supernova is 9-11,000 years.  A 2002 study investigates the connection between the Vela SNR, NGC 2736, and the Young X-Ray Supernova Remnant RX J0852.0-4622 at the east end of the older and larger Vela SNR.
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NGC 2737 = UGC 4751 = MCG +04-22-005 = CGCG 121-009 = PGC 25453
09 03 59.7  +21 54 23; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 61°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WSW-ENE, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2738 3.7' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2737, along with NGC 2738, on 23 Feb 1863.  His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) was accurate.  Engelhardt also measured an accurate position.
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NGC 2738 = UGC 4752 = VV 481 = MCG +04-22-006 = CGCG 121-010 = LGG 166-008 =PGC 25454
09 04 00.5  +21 58 04; Cnc
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 55°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2737 3.7' S.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2738, along with NGC 2737, on 23 Feb 1863.  His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) was accurate and he noted a mag 14 star that precedes by 8 seconds of RA and 30" north.
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NGC 2739 = MCG +09-15-085 = CGCG 264-059 = PGC 25530
09 06 02.8  +51 44 41; UMa
V = 14.8;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  Forms a close double system with NGC 2740 40" SE.  This galaxy is the smaller of the pair but is slightly more noticeable due to a small brighter core and stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 12 star lies 51" NNE of center.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2739 on 18 Feb 1855 while observing h549 = NGC 2740 with Lord Rosse's 72".  He noted a "Double nebula, vF, south one the larger, both S, R."  A sketch clearly shows both galaxies as well as two nearby stars (John Herschel logged "four small stars with a strong suspicion of nebula among them").
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NGC 2740 = MCG +09-15-086 = CGCG 264-060 = PGC 25531
09 06 05.0  +51 44 07; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  A mag 14 star is 35" SE of center.  Forms a double system with NGC 2739 40" NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2740 = h549 on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) and recorded "four small stars with a strong suspician of nebula among them."  This observation probably refers to both NGC 2739 and NGC 2740 (one or two of Herschel's "stars" are probably the nuclei or cores of these galaxies), but LdR is credited with the discovery of NGC 2740 in the GC and NGC. His position is 1.3' north of CGCG 264-060 = PGC 25531, and falls very close to a nearby star.
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NGC 2741 = Mrk 1221 = PGC 25425
09 03 16.5  +18 15 40; Cnc
V = 15.0;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.5'x0.3', ver weak concentration.  Located 3' N of a mag 10 star.  A mag 13 star follows by 1'.  This galaxy is the westernmost in the NGC 2744 group and lies 30' W of NGC 2744.  The NGC identification is uncertain as Marth's catalogued position is 1.0 tmin further east (nothing exists there).  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2741 = m145 on 28 Mar 1864 and simply noted "vF".  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan, Carlson and RNGC all concluded this object doesn't exist.  But Harold Corwin notes that 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position (and matching in declination) is PGC 25425.  The NGC description "p[receding] of two [with NGC 2745]" was added by Dreyer based on the positions, but is not accurate.
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NGC 2742 = NGC 2816? = UGC 4779 = MCG +10-13-057 = CGCG 288-019 = PGC 25640
09 07 33.2  +60 28 46; UMa
V = 11.4;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 87°

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, even moderate surface brightness.  Located 4.6' SE of mag 7.7 SAO 14765.  A thin isosceles triangle of stars including a mag 13 pair at 24" separation lies 3' SE.  NGC 2768 lies 40' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2742 = H. I-249 = h550 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and described "a considerably bright extended nebula about 4' long and 2' broad; it is easily resolvable, and I suppose with a higher power and longer attention the stars would become visible.  It is brighter about the middle."  His position is 2.3' northeast of the center of UGC 4779 = PGC 25640.  On 12 Mar 1852 the observer on the 72" logged, "an amorphous mass of neby of uneven character, elongated p-f."  MCG misidenties MCG +10-13-058 as NGC 2742.

NGC 2816 may be a duplicate observation.  See that number.
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NGC 2743 = UGC 4760 = MCG +04-22-009 = CGCG 121-013 = PGC 25496
09 04 54.3  +25 00 14; Cnc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 105°

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.8', low surface brightness halo, sharp concentration with prominent 15" core and stellar nucleus.  Forms the east vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 10.5 star 4.1' NW, a mag 12 star 4.1' WSW and mag 9.0 SAO 80621 9' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2743 = H. III-608 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 703) and noted "eF, S, R, very little brighter middle."  His position (Auwers' reduction) is within 1' of UGC 4760.
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NGC 2744 = UGC 4757 = MCG +03-23-031 = CGCG 090-065 = VV 612 = LGG 166-001 = PGC 25480
09 04 39.1  +18 27 53; Cnc
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small.  Elongated 4:3 ~WNW-ESE, although the appearance is asymmetric with an irregular outline and faint extensions visible with averted vision only.  Weak concentration to an ill-defined core.  A mag 13.5-14 star is at the east edge, 53" from center.  Located 13' NW of NGC 2749 in a group.  Difficult NGC 2745 lies 12' due south.

The DSS image reveals a distorted, (possibly) interacting system with a very faint tidal plume to the north.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, diffuse, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just 0.9' E of center.  NGC 2749 lies 14' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2744 = H. III-60 = h551 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and noted "vF, S, r.  I saw it better with 240 than 157, very near it is a small star."  John Herschel recorded on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334), "vF; R; is south of a coarse double star."  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 9 Feb 1855, recorded "Neb is very little brighter middle, perhaps lE np sf.  It is closely followed by a small star; a few minutes north are 4 stars."
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NGC 2745 = CGCG 090-064 = WBL 202-001 = PGC 25478
09 04 39.3  +18 15 26; Cnc
V = 14.8;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter.  A similar (in brightness) mag 15 star lies ~30" S and initially drew my attention.  Located 4.3' ESE of mag 9.2 SAO 98335 and 10' WSW of NGC 2749 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2745 = m 146 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, vS, stellar."  His position matches CGCG 090-064 = PGC 25478.  Dreyer added the description "f of 2 [with NGC 2741]", but this was based on the erroneous position of NGC 2741.
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NGC 2746 = UGC 4770 = MCG +06-20-023 = CGCG 180-032 = PGC 25533
09 05 59.5  +35 22 38; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 12 star is close north [52" from center].

William Herschel discovered NGC 2746 = H. III-825 = h552 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and recorded "vF, S, R, bM, south of a small star."  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 3 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2747 = CGCG 090-070 = WBL 202-003 = PGC 25507
09 05 18.3  +18 26 32; Cnc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  PA = 170°

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Low, even surface brightness and even with concentration could not hold steadily.  Collinear with a trio of mag 11 stars which trail to the east.  Just beyond the south-eastern star in the chain lies NGC 2752 8.5' SE.  Located 8' N of NGC 2749 in a small group of a half-dozen galaxies.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2747 = m 147 on 29 Mar 1865 and recorded "vF, vS, stellar."  His position matches CGCG 090-070 = PGC 25507.
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NGC 2748 = UGC 4825 = MCG +13-07-019 = CGCG 350-014 = PGC 26018
09 13 42.9  +76 28 33; Cam
V = 11.7;  Size 3.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 38°

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3.0'x1.0' SW-NE, broad concentration but no nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2748 = h548 on 2 Sep 1828 (sweep 171) and recorded "pB; pL; E; very gradually little brighter middle; 90" l; 40" br."  The position is marked as approximate, but is less than 2' northwest of the center of UGC 4825.
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NGC 2749 = UGC 4763 = MCG +03-23-036 = CGCG 090-069 = LGG 166-005 = WBL 202-002 = PGC 25508
09 05 21.4  +18 18 49; Cnc
V = 11.8;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 69°

17.5" (4/6/02): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.7', small bright core.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2741 30' W, NGC 2744 13' NW, NGC 2745 10' WSW, NGC 2751 4' SE and NGC 2752 5.3' ENE.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, almost round, bright core, small faint nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2751 4' SE and NGC 2752 5' NE.  Also NGC 2744 lies 14' NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2749 on 5 Mar 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen observatory.  His position (measured on 6 nights!) is accurate, though he missed nearby NGC 2751 and 2752.  Édouard Stephan observed NGC 2749 with the 31-inch reflector at Marseilles on 27 Jan 1873, 2 Feb 1878 (and probably NGC 2751and 2752), 23 Feb 1886 and 8 Mar 1886.
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NGC 2750 = VV 541 = UGC 4769 = MCG +04-22-012 = CGCG 121-017 = KPG 186B = PGC 25525
09 05 48.0  +25 26 13; Cnc
V = 11.9;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, strong concentration with a very small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus, fairly large slightly elongated halo 1.2'x1.0'.  A very faint, elongated brightening was visible at the west edge.  This object is catalogued as KPG 186A = PGC 93099, but on the SDSS it appears to be a bright spiral arm containing multiple star-forming knots.

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter.  Moderately concentrated to a small bright core and a stellar nucleus.  Forms the NE vertex of a right triangle with mag 9.7 SAO 80618 4' WSW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' SSW.  A superimposed companion on the west side was not seen.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even concentration to a small bright core, halo gradually fades into background.  Located 3.9' NE of mag 9.3 SAO 80618.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2750 = H. III-291 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and remarked "vF, pL, R, bM."  Auwer's reduction placed this object 1° too far north, but John Herschel caught this error when he compiled the General Catalogue (GC).  Heinrich d'Arrest made 4 observations, first on 21 Feb 1863.
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NGC 2751 = MCG +03-23-037 = CGCG 090-071 = WBL 202-004 = PGC 25517
09 05 32.4  +18 15 44; Cnc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 141°

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only).  Located 40" S of a mag 13 star and 4' SE of NGC 2749 in a group of a half-dozen galaxies.  Brighter NGC 2752 lies 5' NE.

13.1" (12/22/84): extremely faint, small, almost round.  In a group with brightest member NGC 2749 4.0' NW, also NGC 2752 lies 5.7' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2751 = m 148, along with NGC 2752, on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, eS, stellar."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2752 = UGC 4772 = MCG +03-23-038 = CGCG 090-072 = WBL 202-005 = PGC 25523
09 05 43.0  +18 20 23; Cnc
V = 13.7;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 58°

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3', low surface brightness with no noticeable central brightening.  A mag 11 star is 1.0' NW and a close double star (brighter component is 10.5 mag) with a wider third component is 1.9' NE.  Located 5.3' ENE of NGC 2749 at the eastern end of a group of 6 galaxies.

13.1" (12/22/84): extremely faint, small.  Three stars are close NE including a fairly bright mag 10/13 double at 20" separation located 2' NE and a mag 10.5 star lies 1.0' NW.  Located at the east edge of a galaxy group and 5.3' ENE of NGC 2749.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2752 = m 149, along with NGC 2751, on 28 Mar 1864 and remarked "pF, pL, vmE, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 4772 = PGC 25523.
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NGC 2753 = MCG +04-22-015 = CGCG 121-020 = PGC 25603
09 07 08.3  +25 20 32; Cnc
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 15°

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' NW.  NGC 2750 lies 19' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2753 on 21 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch Merz-refractor at the Copenhagen observatory.  There is nothing at his position (#87 in AN 1500), though he noted a mag 13-14 star was 40" northwest.  Exactly 1 min of time east of his position is CGCG 121-020 = PGC 25603, matching his description.  He mentioned that he couldn't find this nebula again on nights #173 and 229, so the first position was clearly a recording or copying error.
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NGC 2754 = ESO 564-016 = PGC 25504
09 05 11.2  -19 05 05; Hya
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  Faintest of three in field and located 5.3' SW of NGC 2758 and 9' NW of IC 2437.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2754 = LM 2-408 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted as "mag 15.0, 0.4' dia, R; 1st of 3 [with NGC 2757 and 2758."  His position is 8 sec of RA west of ESO 564-016 = PGC 25504.
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NGC 2755 = UGC 4789 = MCG +07-19-034 = CGCG 209-030 = PGC 25670
09 07 58.3  +41 42 32; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 130°

17.5" (4/5/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8'.  Even surface brightness with no discernable core.  Collinear with a nice well-matched double 12' ENE [mag 11-12 stars at 21" separation].

William Herschel discovered NGC 2755 = H. III-626 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded "vF, S, iF, little brighter middle, resolvable."  Caroline's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 4789.  Édouard Stephan observed this galaxy on 14 Mar 1874
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NGC 2756 = UGC 4796 = MCG +09-15-098 = CGCG 264-067 = PGC 25757
09 09 01.1  +53 50 58; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 0°

17.5" (2/9/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.6'.  Contains a brighter, roundish core.  There is an extremely faint clump of stars (triple on the DSS) about 1' SW which was near the limit of visibility and appeared nebulous.  CGCG 264-008 lies 2.8' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2756 = H. II-828 = h553 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "pB, S, very gradually much brighter middle."  His position (Auwers' reduction) is 1.5' south of UGC 4796, within his usual positional accuracy.  On 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324), John Herschel logged, "pB; pL; little extended; very gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 2757
09 05 25.7  -19 02 52; Hya

17.5" (2/8/97): this is a faint, close triple star (components mag 15) located 1.3' W of NGC 2758.  In my observation of NGC 2758, this triple appeared nebulous and I sketched it as a probably nonstellar companion (slightly elongated with a nearly stellar core)!  Howe identifies a wider pair close NW as NGC 2757.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2757 = LM 2-409 in 1886 with the 26" and recorded "mag 15.0, 2nd of 3 [with NGC 2754 and 2758]; *?".  His position is just 0.1 min of RA west of NGC 2758.  There is no galaxy near this offset and Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, found only an extremely faint double star, dist 12".  Harold Corwin proposes a closer triple star (Muller would have easily resolved the coarser double) at 09 05 25.7 -19 02 52.  I also thought this triple was a nonstellar object in my observation of NGC 2758!  See Corwin's identifications notes for more.
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NGC 2758 = ESO 564-020 = MCG -03-23-019 = PGC 25515
09 05 31.2  -19 02 33; Hya
V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 19°

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration (viewed core only).  A very close trio of mag 15 stars is 1.3' W.  This triple is probably NGC 2757, and I mistakenly took it for a small nebulous object also. Situated between two mag 13 stars 2' N and 3' S. Second brightest of three in field with NGC 2754 5.3' SW. On 3/25/95, I picked up brighter IC 2437 10' N but missed the pair of NGC galaxies.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2758 = LM 2-410 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.2, 0.5'x0.4', E 180° [N-S], 3d of 3 [with NGC 2754 and 2757].  His position is just 9 sec of RA east of ESO 564-020.
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NGC 2759 = UGC 4795 = MCG +06-20-033 = CGCG 180-042 = PGC 25718
09 08 37.3  +37 37 17; Lyn
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, moderately high surface brightness, broad concentration.  IC 527 lies 13' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2759 = H. III-647 = h554 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 721) and noted "vF, vS, verified 300 power."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is less than 2' northeast of UGC 4795.  John Herschel's observation from 7 Feb 1832 (sweep 401) reads, "pF; R; S; but not nearly so F as [NGC 2746], which precedes it in the sweep."  His position was 13 seconds of time too small.
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NGC 2760
09 15 42  +76 23; Cam

= Not found, Gottlieb and RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2760 = Sw. 6-34 on 26 Mar 1887.  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan came up empty. His description mentioned "nearly between an 8 and 9 mag star". About 10' NW of his position is a wide pair of mag 13.6/15.5 stars at 35" separation which are at the midpoint of two mag 9/10 stars matching Swift's description - but the pair seems too wide to be confused as nebulous.

Harold Corwin suggests CGCG 350-021 as a possible candidate, although the flanking stars are mag 11.  Also, this galaxy is 8.5 min of RA further east and 9' north of Swift's position.  More recently (2014) he suggested CGCG 350-016, which is about a half-degree south of Swift's position and 1 min 30 sec west.  Because of the large uncertainties, I'm listing this number as not found. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 2761 = MCG +03-23-041 = CGCG 091-001 = CGCG 090-077 = PGC 25638
09 07 30.9  +18 26 04; Cnc
V = 13.9;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak even concentration but no distinct nucleus.  Forms the vertex of an obtuse angle with two mag 13 stars 2.3' WNW and 1.9' S.  Located at the east end of a group including NGC 2744, NGC 2745, NGC 2747, NGC 2749, NGC 2751 and NGC 2752 viewed previously with the 13".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2761 = m 150 on 29 Mar 1865 and simply noted as "vF, S".  Marth's position matches CGCG 090-077 = PGC 25638.
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NGC 2762 = MCG +08-17-045 = CGCG 264-072 = WBL 206-001 = PGC 25828
09 09 54.5  +50 25 06; UMa
V = 15.1;  Size 0.5'x0.35';  PA = 0°

18" (2/14/10): at 280x this difficult galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, possibly elongated though too faint to determine an orientation, 20" diameter.  Required averted and concentration to just briefly glimpse (repeated a few times) this object 2.9' WNW of NGC 2767.  First of four in a group with NGC 2767, NGC 2769 and NGC 2771.

17.5" (4/5/97): not found but I appeared to be observing partially in a tree and 5 hrs past the meridian!  Located 2.9' NW of NGC 2767.

Bindon Blood Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 2762 on 26 Feb 1851. It was shown 3' NW of NGC 2767 (Gamma) on the sketch.  The sketch is accurate enough to clearly identify NGC 2767, 2769, 2771 (all discovered by JH), as well as NGC 2762 = MCG +08-17-045.  The first edition of the Deep Sky Field Guide lists V = 16.9 and the second edition lists V = 14.0 (should refer to NGC 2767).  The SDSS derived mag is V = 15.1.
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NGC 2763 = MCG -02-23-010 = PGC 25570
09 06 49.1  -15 30 00; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 120°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly bright, large, slightly elongated 5:4,~2.0'x1.6',  brighter core gradually increases to the center, faint stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo (face-on spiral).  A mag 13.0 star is at the north edge with a fainter star right at the north edge.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration, diffuse outer halo.  A mag 12.5 star is close off the north edge 1.2' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2763 = H. III-275 = h560 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and reported "vF, vS, bM, about 1/2' south of a small star."  On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111), John Herschel logged, "eF; pL; has a small star just north, and four more preceding."  His Slough Catalogue has a typo; read H. III-275 for H. II-275 but he corrected the error in the General Catalogue.
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NGC 2764 = UGC 4794 = MCG +04-22-017 = CGCG 121-024 = LGG 166-007 = PGC 25690
09 08 17.5  +21 26 37; Cnc
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 16°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, weak concentration.  Located between a mag 11.5 star 2.2' N and a mag 10.5 star 2.3' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2764 = H. III-236 = h557 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and logged "eF, little extended, between 2 pretty bright stars, verified with 240 power."  His position was just off the southwest edge of the galaxy.  Lord Rosse's assistant on 23 Feb 1857 noted a faint double star 1' SE.
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NGC 2765 = UGC 4791 = MCG +01-24-001 = CGCG 033-061 = PGC 25646
09 07 36.6  +03 23 34; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 107°

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, gradually brighter core but no sharp nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2765 = H. II-520 = h558 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 512).  His description reads, "vF, mE, easily resolvable.  May be a patch of stars; the weather being too hazy to observe it well."  On 15 Mar 1830 (sweep 238), John Herschel wrote, "vF; pL gradually brighter in the middle, but not to a nucleus".
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NGC 2766 = UGC 4801 = MCG +05-22-009 = CGCG 151-014 = PGC 25735
09 08 47.6  +29 51 53; Cnc
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 132°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', slightly brighter roundish core.  A wide pair of mag 13 stars follows (closer one is 1.6' E of center).  Located 16' NE of mag 5.4 Tau Cancri.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2766 = St. 13-44 on 7 Mar 1874, though his initial position was 25' too far south.  His published accurate position (list 13, #44) was made 10 years later on 22 Mar 1884.
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NGC 2767 = UGC 4813 = MCG +08-17-048 = CGCG 264-075 = WBL 206-002 = PGC 25852
09 10 11.9  +50 24 05; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 0°

18" (2/14/10): this galaxy forms the west vertex of a near equilateral triangle with NGC 2769 3.8' NE and NGC 2771 4.6' ESE.  At 280x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, well concentrated with a very small bright core.  NGC 2762 lies 2.9' WNW.

17.5" (4/5/97): first and smallest of trio with NGC 2769 and NGC 2771.  Faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, even surface brightness.  NGC 2762 3' NW not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2767 = h556 on 8 Mar 1831 (sweep 330) and recorded "eF; suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 15m; the first of 3 [with NGC 2769 and NGC 2771]."  His position is 6 seconds of RA too large, a similar offset as his positions for other two.
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NGC 2768 = UGC 4821 = MCG +10-13-065 = CGCG 288-026 = PGC 25915
09 11 37.6  +60 02 15; UMa
V = 9.9;  Size 8.1'x4.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 95°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 182x; bright, large, oval 2:1 E-W, ~4'x2', contains a very bright large core with an very small intense nucleus and an occasional stellar peak. A mag 10.5 star is 3.7' NW of center.

17.5" (3/28/92): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 E-W, faint halo extends to 3.0'x1.5' with averted.  The halo increases to a very bright core with a high surface brightness and a stellar nucleus.  Several bright stars are in the field including two mag 10 stars 3.5' WNW and 4.7' N of center.

8": fairly bright, elongated, bright core.  Located 15' SE of a wide mag 8/9 pair.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2768 = H. I-250 = h555 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and logged "vB, cL, little extended, large bright nucleus in the middle."  Caroline's reduced position was on the eastern side of the halo of UGC 4821.
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NGC 2769 = UGC 4816 = MCG +08-17-050 = CGCG 264-076 = WBL 206-003 = PGC 25870
09 10 32.2  +50 26 01; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 146°

18" (2/14/10): at 280x, the northern member of a small group (WBL 206) with NGC 2771, NGC 2767 and NGC 2762.  It appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.5'.  Gradually increases to a bright core and small, brighter nucleus though there are no well defined zones.

17.5" (4/5/97): brightest of small trio with NGC 2771 3.4' SSE and NGC 2767 3.8' SW.  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.5', brighter core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2769 = h559, along with NGC 2771, on 7 Mar 1831 (sweeo 329)) and noted "not vF; little extended; S; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15" [diameter]."  The next night he added nearby NGC 2767. His mean position from two sweeps is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 4816.
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NGC 2770 = UGC 4806 = MCG +06-20-038 = CGCG 180-047 = Holm 111a = PGC 25806
09 09 33.6  +33 07 26; Lyn
V = 12.2;  Size 3.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 148°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint but surprisingly large, nearly edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, 3.0'x0.9', weak broad concentration.  The surface brightness is fairly low but uneven, with an impression of mottling.  A mag 12 star is 2' N and a mag 13 star 1.7' NE of center.

NGC 2770 hosted four supernovae in a 16-year period: SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy and SN 2008D (all Type 1b ) and SN 2015by

William Herschel discovered NGC 2770 = H. II-490 = h562 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and logged "pF, pmE, resolvable, 3' long, 1.5' broad. South of 2 equals stars nearly in the meridian, and about 2' from each other."  His position matches UGC 4801.

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 20 Jan 1852, noted "F, L ray, 2 stars nearly parallel to it on n f side; suspect a bright streak down the middle."  This galaxy has hosted 3 Type Ib supernovae over a 10 year period: SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy and SN 2008D.
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NGC 2771 = UGC 4817 = MCG +08-17-051 = CGCG 264-077 = WBL 206-004 = PGC 25875
09 10 39.8  +50 22 47; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

18" (2/14/10): moderately bright, elonated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6' (this is the brighter bar and I missed the lower surface brightness halo).  Contains a well defined, small bright nucleus.  This galaxy is slightly fainter than NGC 2769 3.4' NNW with a roughly perpendicular orientation.

17.5" (4/5/97): the largest member of a small trio with NGC 2767 4.6' WNW and NGC 2769 3.4' NNW appears faint, round, 1.5' diameter with a fairly low surface brightness.  Broad concentration with a very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 13' SW of mag 6.6 SAO 27165.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2771 = h561, along with NGC 2769, on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329) and logged, "vF; S; little extended; 10"."  The next night he also recorded NGC 2767.  His mean position (2 sweeps) is 8 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 4817, but the identification is certain.
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NGC 2772 = ESO 497-014 = AM 0905-232 = MCG -04-22-002 = PGC 25654
09 07 41.9  -23 37 17; Pyx
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 163°

24" (2/13/18): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, ~40"x15".  The tips have a very low surface brightness, so it was difficult to estimate the total length.  The galaxy is nearly on line with an equally space string (length of 4') consisting of three mag 11.4/12/10.7 stars that extends NNE.  A mag 15.2 star is very close NE of the N end and a mag 15.6 star is close SW of the south end.  Occasionally, an extremely faint and small glow (PGC 25653) was glimpsed attached to the north of this star.

17.5" (2/8/97): fairly faint, moderately bright, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, broad concentration with a bulging core and much fainter extensions.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.1' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2772 = h3146 on 23 Jan 1835 and reported "eF, little extended, little brighter middle, rather a doubtful object."  His position is 1.8' south of ESO 487-014.
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NGC 2773 = UGC 4815 = MCG +01-24-004 = CGCG 034-005 = PGC 25825
09 09 44.2  +07 10 25; Cnc
V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 83°

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, elongated E-W.  Located just 1.2' W of a shallow arc of three stars mag 12.5/14/14 with 30" separation between the pairs.  NGC 2775 lies 13' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2773 = m 151 and noted "vF, S, lE."  His position matches UGC 4815 = PGC 25825.
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NGC 2774 = MCG +03-24-004 = CGCG 091-015 = PGC 25879
09 10 40.0  +18 41 47; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, appears elongated E-W but probably due to mag 15 star just off the west edge 24" from center, very weak concentration.  Collinear with a mag 14 star 2.1' S and a mag 13.5 star 3.8' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2774 = h565 = St. 9-19 on 25 Mar 1827 (sweep 63) and noted it was "very faint, small, resolvable."  He discovered it while searching for his father's III-61, but this galaxy was found 1° to the north.  William Herschel discovered III-61 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and described as "suspected a nebula with 157; 240x shewed 5 small stars with a little seeming nebulosity, of which however I still have some doubts; most probably a higher power would have shown them free from it."  There is nothing at his position, but 1 minute of RA preceding is a group of four 14th mag stars, that Wolfgang Steinicke identifies as III-61.

In the Slough Catalogue, John noted the 1° discrepancy in declination between h565 and III-61, but assumed they were the same object.  He used his father's (invalid) position in the GC (published in 1864), assuming it was more reliable.  Ralph Copeland, Lawrence Parsons' (4th Earl of Rosse) assistant, confirmed Sir John's position on 20 Feb 1873.  He described the galaxy as "eF, R, gradually little brighter middle *15m in Pos 266.8°, Dist 25.5".  Finally, Édouard Stephan found NGC 2774 on 7 Mar 1874.  He measured an accurate micrometric position on 7 Feb 1877 and reported it as new in his 9th discovery list (#19).  Dreyer relied on Stephan's and d'Arrest's measures so the NGC position is accurate.  
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NGC 2775 = UGC 4820 = MCG +01-24-005 = CGCG 034-006 = LGG 169-002 = PGC 25861
09 10 20.2  +07 02 16; Cnc
V = 10.4;  Size 4.3'x3.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 155°

14.5" (4/12/21): bright, large oval ~4:3 NNW-SSE, nearly 3' diameter, very strong concentration with a very bright core that increases to a nearly stellar peak.  The halo is much fainter and nearly even in surface brightness, only fading out at the edges.  NGC 2777 is 11' NNE.

17.5" (3/29/89): bright, very large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, small very bright core, stellar nucleus, large faint halo.  Near the edge of the field is NGC 2777 11' NNE (physical companion) and NGC 2773 13' NW (background galaxy).  

13.1" (2/23/85): bright, fairly large, elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  

8": fairly bright, bright core, elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2775 = H. I-2 = h564 on 19 Dec 1783 (general discovery #16 on the short sweep 57).  He noted "it forms an equilateral triangle with two small stars", but at this date he could only determine the RA and rough polar distance.  The two stars are 4' E and 4' SE, (eyepiece sketch in Steinicke's book on Herschel).  His summary description from 5 sweeps reads "cB, cL, R, very gradually brighter middle, with nucleus."

On 23 Dec 1827 (sweep 116), John Herschel wrote, "vB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 2' diam; the hazy border perhaps extends further; resolvable??"  Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's assistant, also thought he could resolve this galaxy, and reported on on 28 Mar 1861, "R, very gradually brighter middle like a glob. Cl, I see stars plainly at times."
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NGC 2776 = UGC 4838 = MCG +08-17-056 = CGCG 238-020 = PGC 25946
09 12 14.5  +44 57 19; Lyn
V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/16/96): moderately bright, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, round.  Fairly even concentration with a large 1' core increasing to a 20" nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 4' SSE.  Located 9' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 42735.

8": faint, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.  Located 8' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 42735.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2776 = h563 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and described "pB; vL; R; very gradually brighter middle; resolvable; 3' diam."  His position is accurate. R.J. Mitchell, the 72" observer on 16 Feb 1858, noted "pL, mottled and suspect spiral.".
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NGC 2777 = UGC 4823 = MCG +01-24-006 = CGCG 034-008 = LGG 169-003 = PGC 25876
09 10 41.8  +07 12 23; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, very small slightly brighter core, ~25"x18".  A mag 12.0 star is 2' NNE. Located 11' NNE of NGC 2775.

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus suspected.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' NNE.  NGC 2775, a physical companion, lies 11.4' SSW. 

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, bright core.  Situated 11' NNE of NGC 2775.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2777 = m 152 on 6 Mar 1864 and noted "F, S".  His position matches UGC 4823.
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NGC 2778 = UGC 4840 = MCG +06-20-043 = CGCG 180-054 = Holm 112a = PGC 25955
09 12 24.3  +35 01 39; Lyn
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2779 1.7' NNE with NGC 2780 in the field 7.3' SSE.  An evenly matched pair of mag 10 stars (at 38" in PA ~90°) is located 5' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2778 = H. II-564 = h566 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and noted "pB, S, R, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel logged 4 observations and estimated the size as between 20"-30".  Brightest in a group.
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NGC 2779 = MCG +06-20-044 = CGCG 180-055 = Holm 112b = PGC 25958
09 12 28.2  +35 03 12; Lyn
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.7'

17.5" (3/28/92): extremely faint, very small, round, can almost hold steadily with averted.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2778 1.7' SSW.  Faintest of three including NGC 2780. A wide evenly matched mag 10 pair at 38" separation is just 3.5' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2779 on 13 Mar 1850 and noted "a third neb [with NGC 2778 and NGC 2780], eF, found."  The sketch clearly shows the three galaxies correctly positioned and a micrometric offset from NGC 2778 was measured in 1867.
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NGC 2780 = UGC 4843 = MCG +06-20-047 = CGCG 180-057 = PGC 25967
09 12 44.3  +34 55 32; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 150°

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 12/13.5 double star at 15" separation in PA 90° is 1.8' WNW.  Appears slightly larger than NGC 2778 7.3' NNW but has an lower surface brightness.  This galaxy is the second brightest of three with NGC 2778 and NGC 2779.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2780 = H. III-826 = h567 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and called it "vF, S, resolvable."  The previous nebula observed in the sweep was brighter NGC 2778, which was discovered on 28 Mar 1786.  John Herschel made a single observation on 3 Apr 1831 (sweep 337).
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NGC 2781 = MCG -02-24-002 = PGC 25907
09 11 27.4  -14 49 01; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 75°

17.5" (2/8/97): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, 2.5'x1.4', sharp concentration with a prominent 40"x20" core. A mag 13 star lies 2' N.  Located 8' NNE of mag 8.7 SAO 154982. 

8": very faint, small, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  Located within a group of stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2781 = H. I-66 = h569 = h3147 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and recorded "B, vS, iF, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel's description is "pB; E in parallel; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 60" length."  From the Cape of Good Hope, he recorded "B, E, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 40" l, 30" br."  Joseph Turner, observing the Great Melbourne Telescope on 17 Jan 1877, sketched the galaxy as a sharply concentrated edge-on with a small nucleus.
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NGC 2782 = Arp 215 = UGC 4862 = MCG +07-19-036 = CGCG 209-031 = PGC 26034
09 14 05.2  +40 06 48; Lyn
V = 11.6;  Size 3.5'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.9

18" (2/14/10): at 280x, appears fairly bright and sharply concentrated with a very bright round core, 40" diameter.  The core is surrounded by a fairly large 2'-2.5' diameter halo.  A faint star is situated 1.6' ENE of the core and an extremely low surface brightness hazy patch is just following.  This patch is likely a detached outer section of a spiral arm or plume, caused by a earlier merger event.

17.5": moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated fainter halo.  A pair of mag 13 stars are 3' S and mag 9 SAO 42762 is 8.5' NNE.  

8": faint, bright core, two mag 13 stars to the S, mag 9 star 5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2782 = H. I-167 = h568 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded, "cB, R, BN, about 1.5' dia."  Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland described the galaxy as "B, pL, R, irregular, pretty gradually the suddenly much brighter in the middle to a nucleus."

Arp 215 is the result of a very unequal mass merger between two galaxies and contains extremely faint tidal tails.
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NGC 2783 = HCG 37A = UGC 4859 = MCG +05-22-019 = CGCG 151-027 = Holm 113a = PGC 26013
09 13 39.5  +29 59 34; Cnc
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 168°

24" (2/9/13): dominant member of the HCG 37 quintet (3 members observed).  At 375x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 N-S, well concentrated with a bright 25" core and large low surface brightness halo, extending 1.0'x0.6'.  HCG 37C (faint, very small, round  12" diameter) is just off the NW edge (0.6' from center) and IC 2449 = HCG 37B is 1.5' NW.  Situated 1.4' NE of a mag 9.8 star (1.1' pair with a mag 11 star further south).

17.5" (2/8/97): brightest of three galaxies visible in HCG 37.  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.  Two mag 9.5-10 stars lie 1.4' SW and 2.2' SSW. IC 2449 = UGC 4856 = HCG 37B is 1.5' WNW and just off the NW side is a marginal member HCG 37C, 36" from center.

17.5" (3/28/92): this is the brightest galaxy in the HCG 37 group.  Moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core.  Two bright stars are close south; a mag 9.5 star is 1.5' SW and a mag 10 star 2.3' SSW. The multiple system NGC 2783B = UGC 4856 lies 1.5' WNW (not seen).  Located 22' NW of NGC 2789.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2783 = H. III-295 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and reported "vF, vS, R, just North-following 2 pretty bright stars."  The description of the nearby stars is correct.  Bigourdan measured an accurate position (first reporting it as  Big. 274).  Member of the NGC 2789 group and brightest in HCG 37.
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NGC 2784 = ESO 497-023 = MCG -04-22-005 = UGCA 152 = AM 0910-235 = LGG 172-001 = PGC 25950
09 12 19.2  -24 10 18; Hya
V = 10.2;  Size 5.5'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 73°

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, moderately large, very bright core with much fainter extensions, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, possibly a sharper edge along the north side.  A mag 10.5 star is 3.7' E of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2784 = H. I-59 = h571 = h3148 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and noted, "S, considerably brighter middle but very faint at the side, a very little extended; the chevelure of the milky kind."  On 7 Jan 1831 (sweep 317), John Herschel noted, "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"."  On 23 Jan 1835 (sweep 532) at the Cape of Good Hope, he called it "B, L, mE, pretty gradually much brighter middle, 4' l, 90" br, position = 63.7°."
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NGC 2785 = UGC 4876 = MCG +07-19-042 = CGCG 209-035 = PGC 26100
09 15 15.2  +40 55 04; Lyn
V = 14.2;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.5'.  Exhibits a weak, broad concentration and fades at the tips.  A mag 14.5 star is close NNE [0.8' from center].

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2785 = St. 13-45 on 16 Mar 1882.  His published position in the 13th (and last) discovery list was reduced two years later with description,"quite small, irregularly oval; elongated ESE-WNW; two very distinct points of condensation."
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NGC 2786 = UGC 4861 = MCG +02-24-002 = CGCG 062-008 = PGC 26008
09 13 35.6  +12 26 27; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 77°

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.4', very small brighter core.  There are a group of mag 11/12 stars at the NW edge of the 220x field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2786 = m 153 on 5 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, vS, much brighter middle."  There is nothing near his position.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel" states "in Dreyer's place not found" but he proposes NGC 2786 = UGC 4861, which is located 18' north and 20 sec of RA west of Marth's position.  There are no other nearby candidates, but with the large positional discrepancy, this identification is uncertain.  Dorothy Carlson simply states "not found" based on Reinmuth's comment and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).  UGC 4861 is not identified as NGC 2786 in the major galaxy catalogues and is plotted as UGC 4861 on U2000.0 version 2.
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NGC 2787 = UGC 4914 = MCG +12-09-039 = CGCG 332-041 = PGC 26341
09 19 18.5  +69 12 11; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 3.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 117°

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.5', even concentration to a small very bright core.  A mag 14 star is at the SE edge of the halo 0.9' from the center. 

8": fairly faint, small, bright core.  A mag 7 star is 25' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2787 = H. I-216 = h570 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 890).   He recorded "pretty or considerably bright, pretty large, irregular figure."  On 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100, under the pole) he noted, "very bright, round, much brighter middle, seems to be resolvable. Towards the south following, within the nebulosity, is a very small star."  His position was ~10' too far SE.  He also recorded NGC 2787 on his last sweep 1112 , conducted on 30 Sep 1802 also under the pole.

On 28 Oct 1831, John Herschel wrote, "faint; extended in parallel [E-W]; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30" diameter."
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NGC 2788 = ESO 061-002 = PGC 25761
09 09 03.5  -67 55 57; Car
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 114°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent fairly bright edge-on, fairly large, elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.35', very weak cocnentration.  A faint star is just off the south side, 19" from the center.  I had the impression there was a sharper light cut-off on the south side, but was not convinced.

NGC 2788A, located 40' SW, appeared moderately bright and large, thin edge-on at least 4:1 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.3'.  A mag 13.9 star is close south of the northeast end.  Situated in a very rich star field with two mag 10.6 and 11.7 stars at 0.7' separation 2.5' SW.  The brighter star has a 14th mag companion and is nearly collinear with the major axis.  The galaxy was found 29' NNE of mag 5.9 HD 77887.

NGC 2788B, located 16' NNE of NGC 2788A, appeared extremely faint, small, roundish, 18" diameter, required averted vision.  A mag 10.8 star is 1.2' NE.  Located in a rich star field 30' W of NGC 2788.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2788 = h3150 on 29 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; vS; mE in pos 105°." His position is 30 sec west of ESO 061-002 but the description matches perfectly.
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NGC 2789 = NGC 3167 = UGC 4875 = MCG +05-22-026 = CGCG 151-035 = PGC 26089
09 14 59.7  +29 43 48; Cnc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.9'

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration, fairly faint stellar nucleus.  Slightly fainter than NGC 2783 22' NW, although the listed magnitude is brighter.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2789 = St. 13-45 on 17 Mar 1882.  The position was reduced on 13 Mar 1883 and incuded in his last discovery list.

NGC 3167, found earlier by d'Arrest on 1 May 1862, is probably a duplicate observation.  See that number.
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NGC 2790 = MCG +03-24-016 = CGCG 091-034 = Mrk 1228 = PGC 26092
09 15 02.8  +19 41 49; Cnc
V = 14.4;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, very small, round, only 15"-20" diameter, weakly concentrated to a very small brighter core.  Located 1.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star which forms a wide unequal double with a 14th magnitude companion 24" N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2790 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S, R, little brighter in the middle." His position matches CGCG 091-034 = PGC 26092.
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NGC 2791 = CGCG 091-033 = PGC 26088
09 15 02.0  +17 35 32; Cnc
V = 14.7;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round.  Forms a close "double" with a mag 15 star just 21" E of center.  First in a group with the NGC 2794/NGC 2795 pair 14' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2791 on 21 Dec 1863 and noted "F, R".  His position matches CGCG 091-033 = PGC 26088.
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NGC 2792 = PK 265+4.1 = ESO 314-6 = PN G265.7+04.1
09 12 26.6  -42 25 41; Vel
V = 11.8;  Size 18"

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x this high surface brightness planetary appeared very bright, small, round, 15"-20" in diameter.  It appeared annular with a brighter rim, although the the inner edge of the annulus was not well defined.  A wide pair of mag 11 stars lies 4' SE.  Located 13' SW of mag 6.3 HD 79524.

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright planetary, small, round, no central star.  A pair of mag 11 stars at 36" separation is located 4' SE.  This PN is very far south (-42.4°) for for observation from Northern California, so the altitude was very low.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2792 = h3149 on 2 Mar 1835 while observing with Thomas Maclear and another guest.  He recorded, "pF, exactly round, equal to a star 9th mag, but of a dull light. At first I was inclined to think it double, but with 320 it exhibited a uniform round disc; nor did a friend to whom I showed it see any division. Stars to-night perfectly well defined. In a field with leading stars, or which a diagram was made." On 7 Feb 1837 (his third observation of the planetary), he noted "Viewed past meridian. It occurs in a field with about 40 stars. Diameter 4" or 5" at the utmost; 10" is too large certainly. Very like that of sweep 771 [NGC 2452].  But now the night is good and it bears magnifying. With 320 power the disc is dilated into a dim hazy round nebula; yet there is a peculiarity in its appearance which completely separates it from all nebulae of the same size. A very remarkable object."

Robert Innes, observing on 16 Mar 1917 with the 9-inch refractor at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, described NGC 2792 as "an 11th magnitude planetary about 20" in diameter.  Is north preceding a pair of 10.5 mag stars. No stars within 3'."
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NGC 2793 = UGC 4894 = MCG +06-21-002 = CGCG 181-006 = PGC 26189
09 16 47.2  +34 25 47; Lyn
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

48" (4/4/11): 375x and 488x provided a fascinating view of NGC 2793, a collisional ring galaxy.  It appeared as a fairly faint, moderately large roundish glow, ~0.8' diameter, with a well defined edge.  The rim was slightly brighter along the north side, giving a partial annular or ring-like appearance [the SDSS image resolves this brighter rim into a series of small HII knots or star-forming regions.  The likely companion galaxy or intruder is visible along the east side of the rim as a fairly bright small glow of high surface brightness, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~15"x8", mottled appearance.  The actual nucleus of the ring galaxy is perhaps situated at the north end of the disrupting galaxy.  A 15" pair of mag 11 stars (HJ 2491) lies 5' N.  NGC 2793 is located 8' WNW of mag 9.7 PPM 74387.

LEDA 82356 = 2MASX J09164092+3426511, a background galaxy, is located just 1.7' NW. It appeared faint, small, round, ~15" diameter, low even surface brightness.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 53' W of Alpha Lyncis (V = 3.1).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2793 = h572 on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128) and reported, "vF; R; has a double star 5' north; 1 sec preceding."  His position and description matches the ring galaxy UGC 4893.
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NGC 2794 = UGC 4885 = MCG +03-24-018 = CGCG 091-037 = PGC 26140
09 16 01.8  +17 35 23; Cnc
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2795 2.4' NNE.  NGC 2791 lies 14' W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2794, along with NGC 2797 and an independent discovery of nearby NGC 2795, on 15 Mar 1866.  Édouard Stephan observed the pair on 26 Jan 1870, 14 Mar 1874 and 4 Mar 1886 at Marseilles Observatory.
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NGC 2795 = UGC 4887 = MCG +03-24-020 = CGCG 091-039 = PGC 26143
09 16 03.9  +17 37 42; Cnc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 170°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2794 2.4' SSW and NGC 2797 lies 6' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2795 = m 156 on 21 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta.  Heinrich d'Arrest also discovered it on 15 Mar 1866, along with nearby NGC 2794 and 2797. Édouard Stephan observed the pair on 26 Jan 1870, 14 Mar 1874 and 4 Mar 1886.
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NGC 2796 = UGC 4893 = MCG +05-22-029 = CGCG 151-042 = Holm 115a = PGC 26178
09 16 41.8  +30 54 57; Cnc
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', slightly brighter core, occasional stellar nucleus.  A close pair of mag 15 "stars" are 1' WSW of center - one of these is actually the compact galaxy PGC 3088981.  A similar galaxy just off the east side of the galaxy was not noted or assumed to be another faint star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2796 = H. III-296 = h573 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and noted "vF, S, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel called this galaxy "the faintest conceivable."
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NGC 2797 = UGC 4891 = MCG +03-24-023 = CGCG 091-042 = PGC 26160
09 16 21.7  +17 43 38; Cnc
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.4'

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Forms the east vertex of an isosceles triangle with a pair of mag 12 stars 3' WSW and 3' WNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2795 6' SSW in a group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2797, along with NGC 2794 and an independent discovery of NGC 2795, on 15 Mar 1866.  His single position is 5 seconds of time west of UGC 4891.  He noted the nebula formed a quadrilateral with 3 mag 16 stars (the stars are several mags brighter).  Édouard Stephan also made an observation on 4 Mar 1886.
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NGC 2798 = Arp 283 NED1 = VV 50a = KTG 22B = UGC 4905 = MCG +07-19-055 = CGCG 209-045 = Holm 117a = PGC 26232
09 17 22.8  +42 00 00; Lyn
V = 12.3;  Size 2.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

48" (4/6/13): very bright, large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.0'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, large core increasing to a small, intense nucleus.  A very large spiral arm extends to the NNW from the core and curves back sharply at the end counterclockwise to the SSE, fading rapidly to a very low surface brightness and dimmng out before reaching the core.  The SSE extension has an extremely low surface brightness and no arm structure was visible.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE.

24" (3/9/13): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.7'x0.7', fairly sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a small, intense nucleus.  The extension (spiral arm) to the northwest is brighter.  Forms a striking double system (Arp 283) with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE.  UGC 4904 lies 5' S and appears as a fairly faint glow, slightly elongated NW-SE, 25"x20", weak concentration.  The trio forms KTG 22.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1.6' NNE of center.  Forms a double system (interacting) with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2798 = H. II-708 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 797) and noted "pB, S, stellar."  His position is 3.5' too far southeast.  Nearby NGC 2799 was first seen at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2799 = Arp 283 NED2 = VV 50b = UGC 4909 = MCG +07-19-056 = CGCG 209-046 = Holm 117b = KTG 22C = PGC 26238
09 17 31.0  +41 59 38; Lyn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 125°

48" (4/6/13): fairly bright, very thin edge-on, 6:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.25'.  The disc is slightly warped, bending south slightly near the tips of both extensions.  The galaxy is also asymmetric, with the NW end stretched out towards the core of NGC 2798.  With careful viewing, an extremely faint tidal tail appears pulled out in the direction of the companion and it fades out just east of the core.

24" (3/9/13): moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.25', brighter along a very thin streak of the major axis.  Forms a 1.5' interacting pair (Arp 283) with brighter and larger NGC 2798.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  Forms a very close (interacting) pair with NGC 2798 1.5' WNW.

Ralph Copeland, observing on the 72", discovered NGC 2799 on 9 Mar 1874.  While observing NGC 2798 he recorded "F, cL, vmE 125.9°, pos 102.7°, dist 97.9" from [NGC 2798] or 8.7s f, 21.5" s.  The offsets and description are a perfect match with UGC 4909.  The NGC position is offset to the southeast as Dreyer used WH's poor position for NGC 2798.
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NGC 2800 = UGC 4920 = MCG +09-15-117 = CGCG 264-094 = PGC 26302
09 18 35.2  +52 30 52; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 40"x30".  Contains a very small, slightly brighter core. A mag 12 star is attached on the NW flank, 15" from the center, giving an unusual appearance.  Located 3.7' NW of mag 9 SAO 27206.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2800 = H. III-832 = h574 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and noted "vF, S, lE."  John Herschel described it on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) as "a star with vF neb attached, in which is involved another star 10" dist." The other "star" is probably the nucleus of NGC 2800 with the superimposed star at the northwest side just 15" separation.
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NGC 2801 = UGC 4899 = MCG +03-24-025 = WBL 213-002 = PGC 26183
09 16 44.1  +19 56 00; Cnc
V = 14.7;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.0

18" (3/4/08): very faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, very low surface brightness glow with little or no concentration.  Located 4' SW of a mag 9.9 star in the NGC 2804/2809 group

18" (2/9/08): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness and required averted.  Located 4.4' SW of a mag 10 star in the NGC 2804 group.

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.45', low even surface brightness, requires averted to glimpse.  Member of the NGC 2809 group and located 4.5' SW of *10 and 9.7' SW of NGC 2809.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2801 = m 157 on 17 Feb 1865 and noted "eF, pL".  His position is 1' south of UGC 4899 = PGC 26183.
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NGC 2802 = UGC 4897 = MCG +03-24-026 = CGCG 091-044nw = PGC 26177
09 16 41.4  +18 57 48; Cnc
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Almost in contact with NGC 2803 30" ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2802 = H. III-62 = h575, along with NGC 2803, on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181).  He recorded them together as "Two; very faint, pretty small, round, resolvable, both rather bright middle.  240x shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian."  The derived RA was ~30 seconds too small.  Henrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position that was used in the NGC.
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NGC 2803 = UGC 4898 = MCG +03-24-027 = CGCG 091-044 NED2 = PGC 26181
09 16 43.9  +18 57 16; Cnc
V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.7

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Slightly larger than NGC 2802, which forms a double system just 30" NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2803 = H. III-63 = h575, along with NGC 2802, on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181). He recorded them together as "Two; very faint, pretty small, round, resolvable, both rather bright middle.  240x shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian."
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NGC 2804 = UGC 4901 = MCG +03-24-028 = CGCG 091-047 = IC 2455: = WBL 213-003 = PGC 26196
09 16 50.0  +20 11 55; Cnc
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 60°

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.9', weak concentration with a very small brighter core.  This galaxy and NGC 2809 are the brightest in a group of 6 NGC galaxies and several fainter members (AWM 1).

18" (2/9/08): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, bright core, very faint ill-defined halo, 1.2'x0.9'.  Brightest in a poor group along with NGC 2804 located 8.7' SE.  The additional NGC members are NGC 2790, 2801, 2807, 2809, 2812 and 2813.

17.5" (3/12/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo is weakly concentrated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located between two mag 13 stars 1.6' N and 2.4' S.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2809 8.6' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2804 = h577, along with NGC 2809, on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and recorded, "vF; S; R; the np of two [with NGC 2809].  His position matches UGC 4901.  NGC 2804 wasn't found on one attempt at Birr Castle and d'Arrest followed up in 1862 and 1864 with three observations using the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  An observation was made at Birr Castle in 1876.

Stephane Javelle probably found this galaxy again on on 9 Apr 1896, but his position for J. 3-1087 (later IC 2455) was 5' south of NGC 2804.  There is nothing at that position.  Harold Corwin suggests that Javelle made a recording error and NGC 2804 = IC 2455, despite Javelle stating he also saw NGC 2804.
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NGC 2805 = UGC 4936 = MCG +11-12-003 = CGCG 312-002 = Holm 124b = LGG 173-1 = PGC 26410
09 20 20.4  +64 06 10; UMa
V = 11.0;  Size 6.3'x4.8';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 125°

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, very large, contains a 30" brighter core and a huge halo extending up to 4'x3' NW-SE.  The halo has a fairly low surface brightness but is slightly mottled, hinting of HII regions [SDSS shows a string of HII knots along the outer southern arm].  A mag 12.5 star is just off the NW edge of the halo and a mag 14 star is on the NE side.  Largest in a group (LGG 173) including the trio NGC 2814, NGC 2820 and NGC 2820A, roughly 10' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, large, irregularly round, very low surface brightness, weak concentration but no nucleus.  Located at the west end of a string of 7 mag 13-14 stars.  Several brighter stars are in the field including mag 9 SAO 14844 6.5' NNW and a mag 10 star 4.4' SE.  Largest of four in a group including NGC 2814 11' NE, NGC 2820 and NGC 2820A.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2805 = H. III-878 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1000).  He recorded "very faint, considerably large, round, much brighter middle.  I suppose it to be near 5' in diam but is so faint on the outside that it is difficult to determine its extent."  His position and description matches UGC 4936 = PGC 26410.
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NGC 2806
09 16 56.7  +20 04 14; Cnc

18" (2/9/08): this mag 14.5 star was mistakenly thought to be possibly nebulous by Dreyer.  At 225x it appeared clearly as a faint star 2.4' W of NGC 2809 and a similar distance NNW of NGC 2807.

PGC 26212 is = MCG +03-24-030 is misidentified as NGC 2806 in RNGC, MCG and PGC. For completeness, these are my observations of PGC 26212:

18" (3/4/08): very faint, very small, round, 15".  Located 50" WSW of NGC 2807 and about a half-magnitude fainter.

18" (2/9/08): extremely faint, very small, round, 15".  Forms a very close pair with NGC 2807 (just 50" between centers) with NGC 2809 just 3.2' NE.

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint and small.  Just visible at moments with averted vision just west of the south edge of NGC 2807 forming a close double system (separation 49").  NGC 2809 lies 3.3' NE.  This galaxy is incorrectly identified as NGC 2806 in the RNGC, MCG and DSFG and NGC 2807 in the second version of the DSFG.

Dreyer discovered NGC 2806 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 22 March 1876 and recorded "A vF * or cS, eF neb p [NGC 2809] (sky bad), forming an equilateral triangle with [2807] and [2809] (susp as neb by d'A, = [NGC 2806])."  At his position is a mag 14.5 star at 09 16 56.7  +20 04 14 (2000).  This star forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 2807 and NGC 2809 and lies due west of NGC 2809.  Since his descriptions and offsets for other objects in the field are exact, there is no mistaking the identity of NGC 2806 as a single star.  Dreyer noted that d'Arrest also suspected this star to be nebulous on 17 Feb 1862.

RNGC, MCG, Deep Sky Field Guide and Uranometria 2000 Atlas misidentify MCG +03-24-030 as NGC 2806.  MCG +03-24-030 is situated just preceding the south edge of NGC 2806.  It was visible in my 18-inch although it was not recorded by Dreyer (he noted the sky was bad).  Discussed in my RNGC Corrections #7 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2807 = MCG +03-24-031 = CGCG 091-051ne = WBL 213-004 = PGC 26213
09 17 00.6  +20 02 10; Cnc
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.55';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 165°

18" (3/4/08): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 24"x20", weak concentration.  Located 2.4' SW of NGC 2809 in a group.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2807A = MCG +03-24-030 just 50" WSW.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 15".

18" (2/9/08): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 25"x18", weak concentration.  Second faintest of a close trio with brighter NGC 2809 2.4' NNE and fainter NGC 2807A 50" SW.  Member of the NGC 2804 group.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, weakly concentrated.  Located 2.5' SSW of NGC 2809 in a group with a mag 10 star 3.3' S.  At moments, an extremely faint companion possibly elongated E-W is barely visible just west of the south edge (separation 49").  This fainter component of the double system NGC 2807 is incorrectly identified as NGC 2806 in the RNGC, MCG, U2000.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2807 on 17 Feb 1863 while observing NGC 2809.  He noted h578 [NGC 2809] follows by 7 seconds in time and 115" north.  His position (measured on 4 nights) and description matches MCG +03-24-031 = PGC 26213.  Several sources such as RNGC, MCG, Uranometria 2000.0 and Deep Sky Field Guide misidentify MCG +03-24-030 (just 50" WSW) as NGC 2807.  d'Arrest did not mention this galaxy.  UGC and CGCG have the correct identification (noted as a double system).  Megastar mislabels NGC 2807 as NGC 2806.
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NGC 2808 = ESO 091-001 = Mel 95
09 12 02.6  -64 51 46; Car
V = 6.1;  Size 13.8';  Surf Br = 0.7

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this was a stunning showpiece globular in the 24"!  The central region displayed an unusually strong concentration with a super-intense 2' core that was unresolved.  A very bright, small halo surrounded the core, which was mottled but mostly unresolved.  The outer halo resolved into perhaps 150-200 mag 14.5 and fainter stars.  The halo gradually thinned out in resolved stars out to 10' diameter. The core was smaller but still unresolved at 350x.  The overall appearance of the three brightness levels mentioned above is unusually symmetrical.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this bright globular (ranked 10th brightest at V = 6.1) is fairly large, ~10' diameter and very compressed with a blazing 2' core.  The halo was noticeably elongated, nearly 3:2.  A dense swarm of mag 14 and fainter stars were resolved in the halo and around the edges of the core but the inner central core was unresolved.  At 228x, there appeared to be some very faint stars lanes streaming into the halo, which were barely unresolved but looked like small tentacles.  A mag 10/10.6 double at 16" is outside the cluster ~10' ESE.  This is by far the brightest concentration class I globular and the only one easily resolved.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this very bright globular was large and elongated, ~8'x6' SW-NE increasing to 2' bright core and a blazing 40" nucleus.  At 144x, this cluster was mottled but with no obvious resolution.  At 166x a large number of extremely faint stars (mag 14-15) popped in and out of view over the entire disc, though the resolved stars could not be held steadily.  Located 1.8° NNE of mag 4.0 Alpha Volantis.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): fairly bright but fairly small at 10x.  Contains a very bright small core.  I wasn't confident of a naked-eye sighting.

Naked-eye (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): faintly visible naked-eye.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2808 = D 265 = h3152 on 7 May 1826 and recorded "a very bright round nebula, about 3' or 4' diameter, very gradually bright to the centre.  This has a fine globular appearance."  His handwritten notes also mention "preceding a small star", which probaby applies to the mag 10.6 star off the east side.  His single position was 20' too far NW.

John Herschel recorded 4 detailed observations from the Cape of Good Hope: On 8 Mar 1834 (sweep 430) he logged a "globular cluster, extremely compressed pretty gradually very much brighter to the middle; up to a perfect blaze; diam. in RA = 26.8 seconds; stars of 16th magnitude."  On 9 Feb 1837 (sweep 773) he called it "a truly beautiful and delicate globular cluster; diameter in RA = 45 seconds, that of the most compressed part 15 seconds; gradually very bright in the middle; all finely resolved into perfectly equal stars like the finest dust, which are seen with the left eye without effort, but the right requires to be somewhat strained to discern them. Runs up to a blaze in the centre."
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NGC 2809 = UGC 4910 = MCG +03-24-033 = CGCG 091-054 = WBL 213-005 = PGC 26220
09 17 06.9  +20 04 11; Cnc
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.9'x0.7', gradually increases to a small bright core and faint stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group (AWM 1) containing NGC 2801, NGC 2804, NGC 2807, NGC 2812, NGC 2813 and a few fainter galaxies.  The nearest two are NGC 2807 2.4' SW and CGCG 91-055 5' N.

18" (2/9/08): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.8'x0.65', weak even concentration to a small brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 2807 lies 2.4' SW and NGC 2807A is 3.2' SW.  Located 4.5' W of a 26" pair of mag 11 stars and 3' SSE of a mag 10.5 star.  Brightest in a poor cluster along with NGC 2804.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, even moderate concentration down to very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Located 2.9' SSE of a mag 10 star.  A wide double star lies 4.5' W (mag 11/12 at 26").  Brightest in a group with NGC 2807 2.5' SSW and NGC 2804 8.6' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2809 = h578, along with NGC 2804, on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and noted, "vF; S; R; the south following of two, distant 8'."  His position was marked as uncertain, but is a good match with UGC 4910.  He missed nearby NGC 2807, which was discovered by d'Arrest while observing NGC 2809.
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NGC 2810 = UGC 4954 = MCG +12-09-042 = CGCG 332-045 = PGC 26514
09 22 04.5  +71 50 38; UMa
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2810 = H. III-749 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 890) and noted as "cF, vS."  His position is 2.7' S of UGC 4954, but the identification is certain.
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NGC 2811 = MCG -03-24-003 = UGCA 155 = PGC 26151
09 16 11.1  -16 18 46; Hya
V = 11.3;  Size 2.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 20°

18" (3/30/05): the first object I took a look at was SN 2005am in NGC 2811, discovered on 22 Feb 2005.  The SN peaked at mag 13.6, but appeared significantly fainter.  Coincidentally, the SN makes a very close pair with a brighter mag 14.5 star (less than 10").  Generally only this star was visible, but occasionally I could see the supernova close NE.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on streak 4:1 SSW-NNE, brighter core, stellar nucleus.  A faint mag 14.5 star is embedded in the NE tip 0.6' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2811 = H. II-505 = h580 = h3151 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and recorded "pB, S, lE from sp to nf, suddenly much brighter middle."  John Herschel called it (from Slough) "pB; E to n f; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 60"."  Observing at the Cape, he wrote "pB; mE; pretty suddenly very much brighter middle; 40" l."  In the observations at Birr Castle, the star at the northeast edge was mentioned twice.
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NGC 2812 = CGCG 091-060 = PGC 26242
09 17 40.8  +19 55 08; Cnc
V = 15.2;  Size 0.55'x0.15';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 154°

18" (3/4/08): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.3'x0.2'.  This difficult galaxy is located just 1.3' NW of NGC 2813 in the NGC 2804/2809 group.

18" (2/9/08): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.15'.  Located 2' NNE of mag 9 SAO 80743 and 1.3' NW of brighter NGC 2813 in a galaxy group.

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4x0.2.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 2813 and situated just 1.3' NW.  A mag 9 star lies 2' SSW and greatly detracts from viewing.

17.5" (3/12/94): not seen.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2812 = m 158 on 17 Feb 1865, along with NGC 2813, and simply noted "eF".  His position is 1' north of CGCG 091-060.
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NGC 2813 = UGC 4916 = MCG +03-24-037 = CGCG 091-061 = WBL 213-010 = PGC 26252
09 17 45.4  +19 54 24; Cnc
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  PA = 145°

18" (3/4/08): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration, very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 2' NE mag 9.2 star that detracts from viewing.  Close pair with fainter NGC 2812.

18" (2/9/08): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, very weak concentration to a small brighter core.  Located 2' NE of mag 9 SAO 80743 and brighter of a close pair with NGC 2812 1.3' NW.  Member of the NGC 2809 Group. 

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, 0.6' diameter.  Forms a pair with NGC 2812 just 1.3' NW (see observing notes).  Located 2' NE of mag 9.2 that detracts from the observations.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, round, very low surface brightness halo difficult to view.  At first glance, only the core was noticed with a tiny quasi-stellar nucleus.  Overpowered by mag 9.0 SAO 80743 2.0' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2812 at 1.3' NW (not seen).  Located 13' SE of NGC 2809 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2813 = m 159 on 17 Feb 1865, along with NGC 2812, and simply noted "F".  His position is 1.5' north of CGCG 091-060.
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NGC 2814 = UGC 4952 = MCG +11-12-004 = CGCG 312-003 = KTG 23A = Holm 124c = LGG 173-2 = PGC 26469
09 21 11.5  +64 15 06; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 179°

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, thin edge-on 3:1 or 4:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.25', bright core bulges slightly, tapers at the tips (spindle-shaped).  A mag 11.4 star is 1.1' SSW of center, just off the southern tip.  Forms a striking pair with edge-on NGC 2820 4' E, along with NGC 2820A.  NGC 2805 lies 10' SW.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 20" off the south tip and 1.1' SSW of center.  This galaxy is smaller but has a higher surface brightness than NGC 2820 4' E.  Located 11' NE of NGC 2805 in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2814 = H. II-868 = h576, along with NGC 2820, on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004).  He recorded both as "Two nebulae. The first [NGC 2814] faint, small, irregular figure, the second [NGC 2820] faint, pretty large, elongated. The place is that of the second [NGC 2820], the other precedes it about 30 seconds and is nearly in the same parallel."  Dreyer commented in the notes section "Not seen by d'Arrest, and [John Herschel] only observed the following one (H. II-869)."

Dreyer assigned h576 to NGC 2820 but John Herschel's position on 30 Mar 1832 (sweep 410) corresponds with NGC 2814, and h579 = NGC 2816 is identical to H. II-869 = NGC 2820 (see notes on NGC 2816).
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NGC 2815 = ESO 497-032 = MCG -04-22-006 = AM 0914-232 = UGCA 156 = PGC 26157
09 16 19.6  -23 38 00; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 3.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, fairly large, broadly concentrated halo, faint extensions SSW-NNE, fairly low surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2815 = H. III-242 = h3153 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "vF, little extended, S, that is about 1' diameter."  From the Cape of Good Hope on 21 Mar 1835 (sweep 559), John Herschel noted, "F, R, or very little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 25"."
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NGC 2816 = NGC 2820 = UGC 4961 = MCG +11-12-006 = CGCG 312-005 = KTG 23C = FGC 877 = Holm 124A = LGG 173-3 = PGC 26498
09 21 45.6  +64 15 29; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 4.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 59°

See observing notes for NGC 2820.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2816 = h579 on 30 Mar 1832 (sweep 410) and noted, "F, pretty much extented."  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan was unable to find a suitable candidate.  Karl Reinmuth reported "not found at Dreyer's place" based on Heidelberg plates and this is repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.

Harold Corwin originally suggested this number might be a duplicate observation of NGC 2742 with a 13 minute error in RA (identical declination).  But Wolfgang Steinicke found (based on my questioning about h576) that JH made a large error (of 3 3/4 degrees) in reducing his declination for h579, and once corrected, h579 = NGC 2816 is a duplicate observation of NGC 2820 (discovered earlier by WH).  In addition, h576 refers to nearby NGC 2814 = UGC 4952 (also discovered by WH).  See Corwin's note for the full story.
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NGC 2817 = MCG -01-24-006 = PGC 26223
09 17 10.5  -04 45 09; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, moderately large, 1.4' diameter.  Low surface brightness with a very weak concentration.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2817 = Sw. 6-35 on 5 Feb 1878.  His rough position was 3' WNW, but he never published a precise micrometric position.

Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 26 Mar 1887 and reported it as new in his 6th discovery list (#35).  His RA was 10 seconds of time too large.  Swift was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 2818 = PK 261+8.1 = ESO 372-13 = Hb 2 = PN G261.9+08.5 = AM 0914-362
09 16 01.5  -36 37 37; Pyx
V = 11.5;  Size 85"x47"

14.5" (4/10/21): at 140x, the open cluster appeared as a sprinkling of mostly fainter  mag 13-14 stars spread over a 7' region, along with a few brighter mag 12 stars.  Increasing to 226x, the cluster appeared fairly rich, with close to 50 stars resolved, including many in the mag 14-14.5 range that popped in an out of view.

The planetary nebula is situated along the west side of the cluster and displayed an excellent response to an NPB filter at 140x.  It appeared relative bright and large, ~50" diameter, with an irregular shape (elongated ~N-S) that was hard to pin down, and an uneven surface brightness.

17.5" (3/25/00): NGC 2818 refers to both an open cluster and a superimposed planetary nebula (identified as NGC 2818A in the RNGC).  The moderately bright PN is nestled on the west side of a faint but fairly rich open cluster.  At 220x it appeared moderately bright, irregularly shaped, ~1.0'x0.8' and elongated roughly N-S.  Excellent view at 280x with a UHC filter and unfiltered at 380x.  The rim is irregularly brighter and gave a weak annular appearance; brightest at the south and southwest rim.  The center is slightly darker but there was no well-defined central hole. The outline wasn't crisp and seemed to change orientation somewhat with averted vision.

13.1" (4/10/86): the cluster appears as a faint group of 25-30 stars mag 12 to 15, over unresolved haze, though good seeing might resolve more.  Includes a fairly faint planetary (NGC 2818A) on the west side.  At 166x using a Daystar 300 filter, the planetary appeared moderately bright and large, elongated ~N-S.  Also responds well to an OIII filter at 79x.

13.1 (1/28/84): the cluster is a faint group of two dozen stars mag 12 and fainter.  The planetary on the west side of the cluster is a pretty sight using a UHC filter at 79x.  It appeared fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0'x0.8', elongated N-S or SSW-NNE.

The planetary was assumed to be the only one that was physically associated with an open cluster, although recent research firmly places the planetary in the foreground.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2818 = D 564 = h3154 on 28 May 1826. His summary description (based on two observations) reads "a pretty large faint nebula [star cluster] of a round figure, 6' or 8' diameter; the nebulosity is faintly diffused to a considerable extent. There is a small nebula [PN] in the north preceding edge, which is probably a condensation of the faint diffused nebulous matter; The large nebula is resolvable into stars with small nebula remaining."  He clearly described both the PN and the cluster.

John Herschel recorded on 7 Aug 1837 (sweep 787): "A very curious object which reminds me strongly of M46 and IV. 39 [NGC 2438].  It is a rich cluster of the VI class, stars 12..14m; about 8' dia, gradually pretty much brighter middle; all but a sort of vacuity, in which is situated a pB, R, neb; 40" diam; of a character approaching to planetary, having its edges shading off very rapidly, and being but very little brighter in the middle."  His sketch is reproduced on plate V, figure 8 of the CGH Observations. A second observation on 22 Jan 1838 (sweep 809) describes the planetary first and the NGC summary refers to the planetary (in a large cluster).  

Joseph Turner (date uncertain) and Pietro Baracchi (15 Jan 1885) sketched NGC 2818 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished Plate VI, figure 65).  RNGC lists the cluster as NGC 2818 and the planetary as NGC 2818A although the NGC designation applies to both objects.

A radial velocity study (2001) red giants in NGC 2818 found a cluster radial velocity of ~20.7 km/s, while the planetary's radial velocity is ~ -1 km/s. This discrepancy of ~22 km/s implies a line-of-sight coincidence, rather than a physical association.
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NGC 2819 = UGC 4924 = MCG +03-24-040 = CGCG 091-062 = PGC 26274
09 18 09.3  +16 11 53; Cnc
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, round, small bright core, fairly faint stellar nucleus.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2819 = m160 on 21 Dec 1863 and noted "pB, vS, R."  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 14 Mar 1874 and noted it as "160 Lassell" [NGC 2819] in his notebook. He made a later observation on 4 Mar 1886.  Johann Palisa rediscovered NGC 2819 on 2 Apr 1886 with the 27-inch Grubb refractor at the Vienna University Observatory. Palisa's micrometric position in AN 2783 is accurate.  Both Marth and Palisa are credited in the NGC.
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NGC 2820 = NGC 2816 = UGC 4961 = MCG +11-12-006 = CGCG 312-005 = KTG 23C = FGC 877 = Holm 124a = LGG 173-003 = PGC 26498
09 21 45.6  +64 15 29; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 4.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 59°

24" (2/22/14): fairly bright, very large, very thin edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, ~2.8'x0.4', very weak concentration, mottled appearance though the surface brightness is not high.

NGC 2820A dangles just south of the west-southwest edge.  It appeared faint, small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 18"x12", occasional stellar nucleus (probably an H-II/SFR region on the north end).  NGC 2814, a smaller edge-on, lies 3.7' W.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very thin edge-on 6:1 SW-NE with tapered ends, fairly low surface brightness, no noticeable core.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 2820A 20" off the southwest tip.  The companion is very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, very small brighter core (likely an H II/star forming region on the N end).  NGC 2820 is in a group with NGC 2814 4' W and NGC 2805 13' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2820 = H. II-869, along with NGC 2814, on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004).  He recorded them together as "Two nebulae. The first [NGC 2814] faint, small, irregular figure; the second [NGC 2820] faint, pretty large, elongated. The place is that of the second, the other precedes it about 30 seconds and is nearly in the same parallel."  This is one of the flattest galaxies that Herschel discovered.

Dreyer equated John Herschel's observation of h576 with H. II-869 = NGC 2820, but his sweep data (checked by Wolfgang Steinicke) reveals h 576 = H. II-868 = NGC 2814.  In addition, h579 = NGC 2816 is identical to NGC 2820, with John Herschel making an error in reducing the position for h579.  IC 2458, found by Guillaume Bigourdan on 14 Mar 1899, refers to the northeastern end of this galaxy and not the close companion NGC 2820A off the southwest end that is generally identified as IC 2458.
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NGC 2821 = ESO 497-034 = MCG -04-22-007 = PGC 26192
09 16 48  -26 49 00; Pyx
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, broad weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is attached just NW of the center.  A faint very close double star lies 1.8' W and a brighter mag 12 star is 2.0' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2821 = h3155 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, attached to a star 11th mag; somewhat doubtful."  His position and description matches ESO 497-034.  Herbert Howe noted the mag 11 star is northwest of the galaxy.  MCG does label their catalogue entry (MCG -04-22-007) as NGC 2821.
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NGC 2822 = ESO 061-004 = PGC 26026
09 13 50  -69 38 42; Car
V = 10.7;  Size 3.3'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 90°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located just 5.4' NE of mag 1.7 Beta Carinae (Miaplacidus)!  The view is significantly hampered by the overwhelming glare of the bright star in the 24".  At 260x it appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, ~1.0'x0.6', with a fairly high surface brightness.  Planetary Nebula IC 2448 lies 39' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2822 = h3156 on 29 Jan 1835 and called "pF, vS, R, gradually little brighter middle."  His RA is marked as approximate and is 1.5 min too far west.  He may have reversed the offset from nearby Beta as the galaxy is east of the bright star.
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NGC 2823 = UGC 4935 = MCG +06-21-008 = CGCG 181-016 = PGC 26340
09 19 17.4  +34 00 29; Lyn
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

24" (3/9/13): faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 24"x12", weak concentration.  Elongated in the direction of a mag 10.4 star 1.2' SSW.  Member of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2823 on 13 Mar 1850 though a sketch of the cluster was constructed the following year (by George or Bindon).  NGC 2823 was unlabeled but placed at the north end of the cluster with a star close west, so the identification is certain. The NGC declination is 5' too far north (NGC 2827 and 2828 are also placed 3' too far north).
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NGC 2824 = UGC 4933 = MCG +04-22-031 = CGCG 121-057 = Mrk 394 = PGC 26330
09 19 02.3  +26 16 11; Cnc
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 160°

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, round, very small bright core.  Overpowered by mag 6.5 SAO 80757 just 3' ESE!  The galaxy is located at the west vertex of a rhombus formed by three stars including the mag 6.5 star, a mag 11 star 2.7' S and a mag 12 star 2.9' NE with sides about 3' length.  Described by d'Arrest as a cluster in the NGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2824 on 30 Apr 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position matches UGC 4933, although he notes "vF, vS, cluster" and there are no superimposed stars and he made no mention of the nearby bright star.
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NGC 2825 = MCG +06-21-010 = CGCG 181-017 = PGC 26345
09 19 22.4  +33 44 34; Lyn
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 88°

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, small, weak concentration.  Located in the core of AGC 779 and preceding the triple system; NGC 2830 lies 3.9' E, NGC 2831 4.8' E and NGC 2832 4.9' ENE.

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, slightly brighter core, slightly elongated.  Located 5' WSW of NGC 2832

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, very small.  Located 5' W of NGC 2832 in AGC 779.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2825 = h581 on 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51) and noted, "vF; it is the s p of two.  The other is I. 113 [NGC 2832]."  His mean position (measured on sweep 337) matches CGCG 181-017 = PGC 26345.  This is the only galaxy that Herschel discovered in Abell 779.  It is labeled as Delta in Stoney's sketch made at Birr Castle on 26 Mar 1851.
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NGC 2826 = UGC 4939 = MCG +06-21-011 = CGCG 181-018 = PGC 26346
09 19 24.2  +33 37 26; Lyn
V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 143°

17.5" (1/31/87): second brightest in the core of AGC 779 rich cluster.  Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core.  Located 8.9' SW of NGC 2832.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, fairly small, very diffuse.  Located 9' SW of NGC 2832 in AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2826 on 13 Mar 1850.  On a diagram of 12 nebulae in the cluster constructed the following year, NGC 2826 is shown 9' southwest of Alpha (later NGC 2832).  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the galaxy on 30 Apr 1862 (#89 in AN 1500) and measured an accurate position (given in the NGC), though he acknowledged it was probably one of LdR's.  Joihn Herschel listed separate entries in the GC (1807 and 1809) for LdR and d'Arrest, assuming they might be different objects, but Dreyer combined them in the NGC.
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NGC 2827 = IC 2460 = MCG +06-21-009 = CGCG 181-015 = PGC 26342
09 19 19.0  +33 52 51; Lyn
V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, low surface brightness, no central concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' NNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 2828 3.3' ENE.  Located at the north side of the core of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2827 on 13 Mar 1850.  It was included on a sketch from 8 Jan 1851 showing 12 nebulae, on a line with NGC 2828 and 2833.  The NGC position is 8 seconds of RA east and 3' north of CGCG 181-015 = PGC 26342.  Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 28 Feb 1900 and placed J. 3-1091 (later IC 2460) 1.6' too far south due to an error in his reference star.  MCG labels MCG +06-21-009 as IC 2460, without reference to NGC 2827.
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NGC 2828 = CGCG 181-021 = PGC 26365
09 19 34.8  +33 53 17; Lyn
V = 15.0;  Size 0.5'x0.25';  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint, requires averted vision, very small, round.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.4' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 2827 3.3' WSW.  Located at the north edge of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2828 on 13 Mar 1850.  It was included on the sketch of 8 Jan 1851 on a line between NGC 2827 and NGC 2833.  The NGC position is 3' too far north (same offset as nearby NGC 2827) of CGCG 181-021 = PGC 26365.
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NGC 2829 = 2MASX J09195225+3338584 = LEDA 2036350
09 19 52.3  +33 38 58; Lyn
V = 15.3;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

24" (1/31/14): at 375x; LEDA 2036350 appeared very faint to faint (could hold steadily with averted), extremely small, round, 8" diameter.  LEDA 3529523, a larger galaxy, lies 3.5' ENE and appeared faint, small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 20"x12.

The identification of this galaxy with NGC 2829 is very questionable and based on the discovery sketch, the best match is a mag 14.5 star 2.9' due west.  PGC 26356, a double system 4.6' W, is often taken as NGC 2832, but it is fainter and a poor match with the discovery sketch.  For completeness, my description of PGC 26356 follows.

24" (3/9/13): at 375x; extremely faint (B = 16.8), very small, round, 12" diameter.  Nearly on a line between NGC 2826 1.9' SE and a mag 12.3 star 1.2' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2829 on 13 Mar 1850, one of "15 knots in all".  It was included on the sketch of 8 Jan 1851, which showed only a dozen nebulae, east of line connecting NGC 2832 and NGC 2826.  The nearest galaxy to the NGC position is PGC 26356, an extremely faint, double galaxy (brighter western component) situated 2' NE of NGC 2826.  RNGC and PGC identify this galaxy as NGC 2829 (as well as secondary sources based on the PGC).  But, PGC 26356 is directly on a line with NGC 2832 and 2826, contradicting Stoney's sketch. Karl Reinmuth description (based on Heidelberg plates) was "identification doubtful, vF, vS, R, very gradually very little brighter middle, triangle with 2 st nf and f, NGC 2826 sp 2.1'."

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2829 might apply to LEDA 2036350, a brighter galaxy 4.6' due E of PGC 26356, though this galaxy is only a fair match with Stoney's sketch.  The best fit to Stoney's sketch is a mag 14.5 star at 09 19 38.4 +33 39 12 (2000).  So, the identification of NGC 2829 is uncertain - it may apply to PGC 2036350 (described here), but more likely is just a faint star 2.9' west of this galaxy.  Seligman and Corwin (as of 2019) favor the single star as NGC 2829.
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NGC 2830 = UGC 4941 = MCG +06-21-014 = CGCG 181-023 = Holm 123b = PGC 26371
09 19 41.4  +33 44 17; Lyn
V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 112°

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, low surface brightness, edge-on WNW-ESE.  First of three in a triple system with NGC 2831 0.9' ENE and NGC 2832 1.4' NE of center in the core of AGC 779.  Also nearby is NGC 2825 3.9' W.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2830 on 13 Mar 1850.  It was one of "15 knots in all".  A sketch made in March 1851 NGC 2831 is labeled Gamma and measured at 1.2' southwest (PA = 237°) of NGC 2832.  John Herschel incorrectly equated this galaxy with H. I-113 = h582 in the General Catalogue, and Dreyer repeated the error in the NGC.  But the Herschel numbers apply to brighter NGC 2832.  The NGC RA is 6 seconds too large.

MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 2830 and NGC 2831.  According to the "New Description", RNGC has also reversed these identifications.  This error was included in my RNGC Corrections #1 and was discussed in detail by Malcolm Thomson in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal for Jan 1978.
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NGC 2831 = Arp 315 NED1 = UGC 4942sw = Holm 123c = MCG +06-21-013 = CGCG 181-024sw = PGC 26376
09 19 45.5  +33 44 42; Lyn
V = 13.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, extremely small.  Appears as a round knot at the southwest edge of halo of NGC 2832 just 0.4' from center in the core of AGC 779.  Forms a trio with NGC 2830 0.9' WSW.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, probably discovered NGC 2831 on 13 Mar 1850, though it was just one of "15 knots in all."  A diagram was made in March 1851, which shows NGC 2831 labeled "Beta" and measured as 25" SW (PA = 226°) of NGC 2832.  The NGC declination is 1' too large.

The identifications of NGC 2830 and NGC 2831 are reversed in MCG and RNGC.  This was caused by a mixup in the descriptions in the NGC.  See notes for NGC 2830.
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NGC 2832 = Arp 315 NED2 = UGC 4942ne = Holm 123a = MCG +06-21-015 = CGCG 181-024ne = PGC 26377
09 19 46.8  +33 44 59; Lyn
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round bright core, slightly elongated halo.  This is the brightest galaxy in AGC 779 and forms a double system with NGC 2831 at the SW edge of halo 22" between centers.  Also nearby is NGC 2830 1.3' SW.  A double star HJ 2493 = 10.1/11.7 at 10" is 2.5' SSE and a wide mag 11/12.5 pair is 3.0' ESE.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, round.  This object is the central galaxy in AGC 779.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2832 = H. I-113 = h582 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, much brighter following the middle, pL.  North of 3 stars in a row at very unequal distances, iF."  On 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51), John Herschel wrote, "B; R; bM."  Due to a confusion with the sketch of the cluster made in 1851 at Birr Castle, Dreyer assigned H. I-113 to nearby NGC 2830, a much fainter galaxy.  See Corwin's notes for full story.
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NGC 2833 = CGCG 181-027 = PGC 26389
09 19 57.9  +33 55 38; Lyn
V = 14.6;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 165°

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, elongated N-S.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' E.  Located at the north edge of AGC 779 10.9' NNE of NGC 2832.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2833 on 13 Mar 1850 and was one of "15 knots in all".  A sketch made the following year only showed a dozen nebulae and NGC 2833 is placed 12' north of NGC 2832 (actual separation is 11').  The NGC position is 6 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of CGCG 181-027.
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NGC 2834 = MCG +06-21-021 = CGCG 181-029 = PGC 26400
09 20 02.5  +33 42 37; Lyn
V = 14.5;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (1/31/87): extremely faint and small, round.  Located 4.1' SE of NGC 2832 in the core of AGC 779. A double star HJ 2493 = 10.1/11.7 at 10" is 2.3' W and a mag 11 star is 1.4' N.  NGC 2839 lies 8' ESE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2834 on 13 Mar 1850 (one of "15 knots in all.")  On a sketch made in March 1851 NGC 2834 is labeled Epsilon and measured 4.2' southeast (PA = 125°) of NGC 2832.  The NGC position is 4 sec of RA too large. Hermann Kobold measured a very accurate position in 1897 at the Strasbourg Observatory (published in his 1907 catalog).
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NGC 2835 = ESO 564-035 = MCG -04-22-008 = UGCA 157 = AM 0915-220 = LGG 172-002 = PGC 26259
09 17 52.8  -22 21 17; Hya
V = 10.5;  Size 6.6'x4.4';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 8°

17.5" (2/28/87): very large, low surface brightness, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Bracketed by two mag 10 stars 2.8' W and 3.4' SE of center.  Brightest in a small group (LGG 172), which includes NGC 2784, located 2.2° to the southwest.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2835 on 13 Apr 1884.  E.E. Barnard made an independent discovery in early 1885 while comet-seeking with his 5-inch refractor.  In The Observatory 8, p123, he wrote "very faint, close between two bright stars, the n.p. of which is about 8 mag, the s.f. is about 9 mag.  A 10th mag star is involved in the following edge of the nebula."  His position (determined with the 6-inch equatorial) was accurate.  After the discovery was announced in The Observatory, Wilhelm Tempel claimed an earlier discovery on 13 Apr 1884 in a note to his "New Nebulae" in AN 2660.  Barnard was credited with the discovery in the NGC, as Dreyer apparently missed Tempel's comment.

NGC 2835 was perhaps first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and described as "!! Very faint, 2-branch open spiral."  It was also photographed with the Reynolds reflectors at the Helwan Observatory in 1919-20 and described as "pF, 7'x4', E10°; beautiful 4-branched spiral with faint almost stellar nucleus and many almost stellar condensations along the arms."
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NGC 2836 = ESO 061-003 = PGC 26017
09 13 45.0  -69 20 00; Car
V = 11.8;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 118°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Located 23' N of mag 1.7 Beta Carinae (Miaplacidus) and 18' N of NGC 2822 in a rich Milky Way star field.  Unusual appearance with many nearby stars including at least one superimposed mag 16 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2836 = h3157 on 29 Jan 1835 and recorded "F, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40". Nearly on meridian with Beta Argus [Carinae]."  His position is 2' southwest of  ESO 061-003.
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NGC 2837 = Holm 122a/b
09 18 23.3  -16 28 53; Hya
V = 14.7/14.8;  Size 14"

= **, Corwin.  = Not found, Helwan and Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2837 = h585 on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111) and recorded "eF, R, bM, precedes a star [by] 8.5 sec".  Exactly at this offset from a mag 12 star is a pair of mag 14.7/14.8 stars at 14" separation with a mean position of 09 18 23.3 -16 28 53 (2000).  Harold Corwin also identifies this double star as NGC 2837.
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NGC 2838 = MCG +07-19-061 = CGCG 209-055 = PGC 26434
09 20 43.0  +39 18 56; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, even concentration down to small bright core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Forms the southern vertex of an acute triangle with two mag 14 stars 50" N and 63" NNE.  Also located almost at midpoint of a mag 10.5 star 3.2' NE and a mag 11.5 star 2.8' SW.  UGC 4950 is at the edge of the 220x field 11' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2838 = H. III-627 = h583 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and logged "vF, vS, stellar, 300 power."  Caroline's reduced position is 2' SSW of CGCG 209-055 = PGC 26434.  John Herschel made a single observation on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335).
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NGC 2839 = MCG +06-21-023 = CGCG 181-031 = PGC 26425
09 20 36.3  +33 39 02; Lyn
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, round, diffuse.  Located in the core of AGC 779 12' SE of NGC 2832.  NGC 2834 lies 8' WNW.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2839 on 13 Mar 1850 and was one of "15 knots in all".  This galaxy was labeled Zeta on a sketch made in March 1851. It was measured 8' 08" southeast (PA = 120°) of NGC 2834.  The NGC position is 1' too far south.
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NGC 2840 = UGC 4960 = MCG +06-21-025 = CGCG 181-032 = PGC 26445
09 20 52.7  +35 22 06; Lyn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, appears elongated in direction of a mag 11 star 1.0' NW although the catalogued dimensions are nearly circular, almost even surface brightness.  Located 1° north of Alpha Lyncis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2840 = H. III-827 = h586 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and noted "eF, vS, south-following a vS star."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 3' south of UGC 4960 and the description of the nearby star clinches the identification.  John recorded on 5 Mar 1828 (sweep 127), "vF; not vS; R; 100"-120"; s f a * 10 mag."  His position was very accurate.
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NGC 2841 = UGC 4966 = MCG +09-16-005 = CGCG 265-006 = PGC 26512
09 22 02.3  +50 58 35; UMa
V = 9.2;  Size 8.1'x3.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 147°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 182x; very bright and large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~5'x2'.  Strong concentration with a very bright core and an intense nucleus that sometimes reaches a stellar peak.  The east side of the galaxy (just beyond the core) is strongly affected by dust as the surface brightness is noticeably lower than the west side.  A mag 13.7 star is superposed on the north side of the halo and a mag 11 star is just off the NW edge.  Mag 8.5 HD 80566 (K2-type) is 5' ENE.

13.1" (1/18/85): bright, large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 6'x3'.  Contains a very small, very bright nucleus.  There is a sharp light cut-off on the east side due to dust.  A mag 10 star is at the NW edge 2.8' from center and mag 8.6 SAO 27227 lies 4.8' NE.

17.5" (5/15/99): observed supernova SN 1999by in NGC 2841, which was easy to identify with a finder chart . Using reference stars, it appeared slightly brighter than mag 14.0 and is superimposed on the face of the galaxy, about 1.6' W and 1.5' N of center. This was an unusual Type Ia-91bg supernova.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2841 = H. I-205 = h584 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815).  He recorded "a very brilliant nebula, 5' or 6' long and 3 or 4' broad; it has a small bright nucleus with a faint chevelure about it, and two opposite very extensive branches."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 23) as an illlustration of "extended nebulae that show the progress of condensation [core and nucleus]." John Herschel described it on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) as "vB; vmE; very suddenly much brighter middle; pos 150.8°; comes up to a nucleus, a star 10-11m; has 2 stars not involved 11 & 12 m, and a 3rd 10 mag perpendicular to axis of nebula."

This galaxy has hosted 4 supernovae; the earliest known is SN 1912A, which was discovered by Francis Pease in 1917 on a photograph taken with the 60-inch at Mt. Wilson on 19 Feb 1912.  It was independently found by Curtis.
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NGC 2842 = ESO 091-004 = PGC 26114
09 15 36.3  -63 04 09; Car
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 120°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core.  A mag 12 star is at the west edge of the halo and a mag 14 star is at the SE edge.  Located 3.7' SSW of a mag 9.7 star.  NGC 2887 lies 1.1° SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2842 = h3158 on 8 Mar 1836 and reported "F, vS, between two stars, in a field full of milky way stars. No doubt of the nature of the object."  His position and description matches ESO 091-004.
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NGC 2843 = PGC 26414
09 20 28.7  +18 55 34; Cnc
V = 15.6;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 57;  PA = 57°

18" (3/17/07): this marginal galaxy was just glimpsed for moments at 323x as an extremely small, hazy spot perhaps 8" diameter situated close south of a mag 12.5 star.  Located 2.6' NNW of a mag 10.3 star and 10' SSW of mag 7.2 HD 80495.

18" (3/11/07): not found at 220x.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2843 = H. III-64 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181).  He recorded a "suspected nebula, but 240x shewed some small stars with suspected nebulosity, probably a deception from want of light and power."  Likely he observed the mag 12.5 star, barely off the north side, along with marginal glow from the galaxy.  Despite his uncertainty, and a rough  RA given to only the nearest minute of time, the identification seems secure.  This galaxy is not included in the CGCG (complete to ~mag 15.7 blue photographic) or the MCG.  In fact it is likely the faintest galaxy he perceived at V = 15.5!
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NGC 2844 = UGC 4971 = MCG +07-19-064 = CGCG 209-057 = PGC 26501
09 21 48.0  +40 09 05; Lyn
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 13°

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, small brighter core.  Located 9' SSW of mag 7.0 SAO 42822 and 8' WSW of mag 7.7 SAO 42826.  The NGC 2852 and NGC 2853 pair lies 16' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2844 = H. III-628 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and described it as "cF, cS."
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NGC 2845 = ESO 314-010 = MCG -06-21-002 = PGC 26306
09 18 36.7  -38 00 36; Vel
V = 11.7;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 67°

18" (12/30/08): faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.25', even surface brightness.  The galaxy is nestled right against a mag 13 star that is attached on the east side, 20" from the center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2845 = h3159 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, attached to a star 12th mag, south following."  His position and description matches ESO 314-010 = PGC 26306.
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NGC 2846
09 19 40.4  -14 40 35; Hya
V = 14/14.5;  Size 8"

= **, Corwin.  = Not found, RNGC.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2846 on 4 Apr 1874 and described as a "*11 in a vS, pB, R neby."  Several micrometric offsets were also made to nearby stars.  At his position is a pair of mag 14 stars at ~8" separation -- in fact, one of the measured stars is the fainter companion.  Dreyer reobserved the star(s) on 25 Mar 1878 and noted "I think it only a vS cluster.  I do not see any star as bright as 11m in it."  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
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NGC 2847 = Holm 128c
09 20 08.6  -16 31 06; Hya
Size 0.3'

48" (2/20/12): at 375x, a mag 16.5 star is superimposed on the northwest side (0.6' from center) of spiral NGC 2848 and attached to this star is an extremely faint HII knot. The faint star (possibly including the knot) was probably recorded by Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell as a "faint knot north-preceding" and it received the designation NGC 2847.  The RNGC misclassified the number as nonexistent.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2847 one 15 Mar 1855 with LdR's 72", and noted a "F knot np [NGC 2848]". Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2847 as a star and HII region 0.6' NW of the nucleus of NGC 2848.  This is the most southerly deep sky object discovered at Birr Castle.  Still, I found it very inconspicuous in the 48", so I have reservations of this identification.
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NGC 2848 = MCG -03-24-007 = UGCA 160 = Holm 128a = PGC 26404
09 20 09.8  -16 31 34; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 2.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 30°

48" (2/20/12): bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, contains a relatively large, bright core that increases to the center.  A spiral arm is attached on the west side of the core and it sweeps around the galaxy clockwise, heading south and then sharply bending east before dimming out on the southeast side of the halo.  But an apparently detached section of the arm reappears on the east side heading north towards two mag 14/15 star at the NE edge.  A mag 16.5 star is superimposed on the NW side (0.6' from center) and attached to this star is an extremely faint HII knot. The combination of star + knot was likely recorded by Mitchell using Rosse's 72" as a "faint knot north-preceding" and it received the designation NGC 2847.  A mag 12 star lies 2.7' NE and NGC 2851 is 5' NE.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, faint halo 3:2 SW-NE.  A mag 12 star lies 2.8' NE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2851 5.5' ENE.  

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated SW-NE, very weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2848 = H. III-488 = h587 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503).  He logged "vF, cL, gradually very little brighter middle, near 3' long and above 2' broad, preceding a pB star."   He published a sketch (fig. 13) in his 1811 paper as representative "of nebulae that are gradually a little brighter in the middle."  On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111), John Herschel recorded, "vF; L; E nf to sp; little brighter in the middle.  It is 9.5 sec preceding a * 11m and south of the star."
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NGC 2849 = ESO 314-13 = OCL-756 = Cr 207
09 19 23  -40 31 12; Vel
Size 2'

24" (2/22/14): at 200x appeared as a mottled 2' glow with only a few stars resolved.  At 260x, roughly 20 stars pop in and out of view, some in small knots, in only a 2.5' region.  Several resolved stars are along an E-W string on the north side.  A number of bright stars are in the field including mag 9.3 HD 80623 3' SE and a similar star 3' NE.  A striking 25" linear triple of mag 10.5-11 stars lies 3' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2849 = h3160 on 22 Jan 1838 (his last sweep at the Cape of Good Hope) and noted a "globular cluster, eF, R, very gradually little brighter middle; resolved into vS, but not very numerous stars; 2.5' diameter. It is rather a cluster of the 6th class than a globular cluster."  His position is just off the southwest side of the small cluster.  NGC 2849 and NGC 3120 were the last two southern objects that JH discovered.
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NGC 2850 = PGC 26452
09 20 57.0  -04 56 24; Hya
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 30°

17.5" (2/1/03): faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, nearly even surface brightness with a well-defined halo.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2850 = St. 12-36 on 14 Feb 1877.  His published micrometric (list 12, #36) was measured on 22 Mar 1882 and PGC 26452.
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NGC 2851 = MCG -03-24-008 = PGC 26422
09 20 30.2  -16 29 43; Hya
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE.  Forms a pair with NGC 2848 5.5' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2851 = Sw. 3-43 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; vE; 1829 [NGC 2848], R. nova [NGC 2846] and 1828 [NGC 2847] in field west.  Did not see 1819 [NGC 2837] east of 1829."  His position is 1' south of MCG -03-24-008 = PGC 26422.
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NGC 2852 = UGC 4986 = MCG +07-19-065 = CGCG 209-059 = PGC 26571
09 23 14.6  +40 09 49; Lyn
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6

13.1" (1/18/85): extremely small, appears as a barely non-stellar "knot" forming a close pair with NGC 2853 2.5' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2852 = H. III-629 = h588, along with NGC 2853, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716).  His description reads, "Two, both very faint, very small; 300x showed them both very well, nearly in the same meridian [N-S], and about 3' distance."  His position was between the two galaxies, but close to NGC 2852.  John Herschel wrote on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335), "vF; S; R: has a * 10m 2' dist preceding.  The first of 2 [with NGC 2853]."
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NGC 2853 = UGC 4987 = MCG +07-19-066 = CGCG 209-060 = PGC 26580
09 23 17.3  +40 12 00; Lyn
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 25°

13.1" (1/18/85: faint, elongated ~N-S, fairly small.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2852 2' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2853 = H. III-630 = h590, along with NGC 2852, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716).  He described them together as "Two, both very faint and small, 300x shewed them both very well (probably first seen at 157x), nearly in the same meridian [N-S], and about 3' distance."  His position is between the two galaxies, but closer to NGC 2852.  John Herschel reported on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335), "eF; pL; very gradually brighter middle; the following of 2."
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NGC 2854 = Arp 285 NED1 = UGC 4995 = MCG +08-17-092 = CGCG 238-046 = WBL 221-001 = PGC 26631
09 24 03.1  +49 12 15; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.6', large brighter central region, brighter thin "bar" extends along the major axis through the center.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak broad concentration.  Located 2.1' SSE of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 2856 3.5' NE and NGC 2857 is also in the field 10.8' ENE.  Forms an unusual pair with NGC 2856 as the major axes of these similar galaxies are exactly perpendicular.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2854 = H. III-714 = h589, along with NGC 2856, on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815). He recorded, "cF, cS, lE."  On 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), John Herschel wrote, "pF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20".  The sp of 2 [with NGC 2856], making an isosceles triangle with a * 9m."
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NGC 2855 = MCG -02-24-015 = UGCA 161 = PGC 26483
09 21 27.5  -11 54 37; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 2.5'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately large, diffuse halo rising to a sharp, bright core with a brighter nucleus.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  Located 4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 155121.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2855 = H. I-132 = h592 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541).  He recorded it as "Faint, small, very gradually brighter middle, round, 1.5' diameter."  On 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995), he called it "pretty bright, round, much brighter middle like a nucleus, about 1' dia."  John Herschel recorded on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129), "pB; R; 45"; pretty gradually much brighter middle; almost to nucleus."
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NGC 2856 = Arp 285 NED2 = UGC 4997 = MCG +08-17-093 = CGCG 238-047 = WBL 221-002 = PGC 26648
09 24 16.0  +49 14 57; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 134°

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; moderately bright and large, broad concentration, slightly brighter along major axis like a bar, irregular surface brightness.  NGC 2854 is 3.5' SW and NGC 2857 is 11' NNE.  A mag 10.3 star 3.5' W forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 2856 and 2854.

17.5" (3/12/94): forms an interesting similar pair of elongated systems with NGC 2854 3.5' SW.  Fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', broadly concentrated.  Located 3.5' E of a mag 10 star.  NGC 2857 lies 7.3' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2856 = H. III-713 = h591, along with NGC 2854, on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815).  He recorded "cF, cS, lE."  On 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), John Herschel wrote, "Not vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"; the nf of 2, making an isosceles triangle with a * 9m."
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NGC 2857 = Arp 1 = UGC 5000 = MCG +08-17-095 = CGCG 238-049 = PGC 26666
09 24 37.8  +49 21 25; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.7

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; fairly faint, large, round but very diffuse with a slightly brighter core region.  The halo appeared a bit uneven but spiral structure wasn't seen.  The galaxy follows a distinctive quadrilateral of mag 12.4-14.4 stars.  NGC 2854 and 2856 (Arp 285) lies 7.5' and 11' SSW (nearly on a line).  CGCG 238-051, 3.8' ENE, is faint, round, 0.3' diameter, *13.8 at N edge.  Three galaxies are 12' to 15' E, including UGC 5016.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, round, very diffuse, 2.0' diameter.  This face-on spiral appears as a low surface brightness glow with no concentration.  The appearance is unusual, though, as four stars cradle the galaxy on the west side including a mag 13 star 1.6' NW, a mag 12 star 1.8' W and two mag 14 stars close SW.  In the same field with NGC 2856 7.3' SSW and NGC 2854 10.8' SSW (Arp 285).  CGCG 238-051 lies 3.9' ENE, but was not recorded.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2857 on 9 Jan 1856 and recorded "Both oval [NGC 2854 and 2856], their larger axes at right angles to one another, p one [NGC 2854] suspected patchy."  About 7' nf the n one is another, pL, slightly oval, follows 4 small stars, mottled, * susp in centre.  Is there about 5' f this latter another vS knot with 2 stars p and n?"  The last object noted is CGCG 238-051, which Dreyer failed to assign an NGC designation. Although Mitchell's offset from NGC 2856 is accurate, the NGC position is off a bit.
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NGC 2858 = UGC 4989 = MCG +01-24-017 = CGCG 034-040 = PGC 26556
09 22 55.0  +03 09 25; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 117°

24" (3/23/22): at 226x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE (increases in size with averted), ~0.9'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and a sharp stellar appearance.  IC 534, a very thin edge-on, lies 25' W.  A mag 7.0 star (HD 80678) lies 13' S.

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.5' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a fairly bright stellar nucleus surrounded by a small faint halo.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2858 = m 161 on 3 Mar 1864.  He noted "very faint, small, much brighter middle."
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NGC 2859 = UGC 5001 = MCG +06-21-030 = CGCG 181-040 = PGC 26649
09 24 18.6  +34 30 48; LMi
V = 10.9;  Size 4.3'x3.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 85°

13.1" (1/28/84): moderately bright, moderately large, strong concentration to a bright core, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, fainter halo.  Located 40' ENE of Alpha Lyncis (V = 3.1).

8" (12/6/80): faint, fairly small, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2859 = H. I-137 = h593 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549). He logged "vB, R, very suddenly much brighter middle, chevelure extending to about 3' diameter".  John Herschel made 3 observations, recording on 1 Apr 1831 (sweep 336), "vB; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a star; follows a * 7m and is 3' S of it."  A total of 11 observations were made by Lord Rosse and assistants and a couple of superimposed stars were noted in the outer halo [on the north side].  On 28 Mar 1861, Sir Robert Ball wrote, "Dull Nucl, I susp a dark ring around it [there is!].  A vF neb nf.  I strongly suspect st in h593 [=NGC 2859]."  The "vF neb nf" is probably UGC 5004.

Edwin Hubble classified NGC 2859 as a SBa.  de Vaucouleurs (1975) lists it as one of the 5 brightest galaxies in the NGC 2964 group, which includes NGC 2859, 2964, 3003, 3032 and 3067.
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NGC 2860 = UGC 5007 = MCG +07-20-003 = CGCG 210-005 = CGCG 209-065 = PGC 26685
09 24 53.2  +41 03 36; Lyn
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 108°

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  Exhibits just a weak concentration and brightens gently to center but no noticeable core.  Located 5.9' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 428431.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2860 = St. 13-47 on 14 Feb 1877.  His published position (list 13, #47) was measured on 17 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5007.
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NGC 2861 = UGC 4999 = MCG +00-24-010 = CGCG 006-038 = KTG 24A = PGC 26607
09 23 36.5  +02 08 12; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.4'

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, moderately large, small bright core, irregular surface brightness, ~1' diameter.  Seems to have a brighter knot of region just SSE of the core. [On the DSS, this is the brightest portion of the southern spiral arm].  Increases in size as well as orientation with averted vision, as my eye catches faint portions of the halo.  Strong impression of viewing a face-on spiral.  A mag 13.6 star is 1' E of center.  Brightest in a trio (KTG 24) with CGCG 6-40 3.2' SE and CGCG 6-41 7' ESE.

17.5" (3/7/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, halo brightens gradually.  A mag 13.5 star is at the east edge 1.1' from center and several other faint stars are near.  Forms the east vertex of a right triangle with a wide mag 10/12 double star at 28" separation located 4' W and a wide mag 10/11 double star at 43" separation which lies 6' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2861 = m 162 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "pB, R."  His position was 1' too far north. Heinrich d'Arrest discovered the galaxy again on 8 Feb 1866.  His single position, copied into the NGC, is 3' too far south (accurate in RA), though he mentioned a mag 14 star follows by 43" separation, so his rediscovery is certain.  The NGC description ("pF, S, irR, *14 following") is also from d'Arrest.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate postion at Strasbourg in 1895 (published in 1907).
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NGC 2862 = UGC 5010 = MCG +05-22-045 = CGCG 151-076 = PGC 26690
09 24 55.0  +26 46 30; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 114°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 5:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.4', brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 6' NNE of mag 8.4 SAO 80808 which has two 12th magnitude companions at 21" and 29".

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2862 on 21 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 5010 = PGC 26690.
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NGC 2863 = NGC 2869 = MCG -02-24-018 = PGC 26609
09 23 36.5  -10 26 00; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S (appears roundish on the POSS).  A mag 12 star is at the NW tip and a very faint mag 15 star is just beyond the south edge.  Contains an offset very small brighter core or a bright knot is on the north side just south of the mag 12 star.  Forms a close pair with difficult NGC 2868 2.3' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2863 = H. III-520 = h594 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 544) and logged "vF, S, E."  On 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129), John Herschel wrote, "F; extended between 2 stars 12 and 16 m."

Frank Muller independently found this galaxy (and discovered nearby NGC 2868) in 1886 at Leander-McCormick Observatory, and recorded LM 412 as "mag 14.5, 1.2'x0.6', E 170°, gradually brighter in the middle, bet 2 st 12 and 14."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 1 min too far east.  Dreyer assumed this was a different 'nebula' and catalogued it again as NGC 2869.  Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported the numbers were identical.  So, NGC 2863 = NGC 2869, with NGC 2863 the primary designation.  Because of Muller's poor position, NGC 2868 precedes NGC 2863 in the sky.
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NGC 2864 = MCG +01-24-020 = CGCG 034-044 = PGC 26644
09 24 15.4  +05 56 28; Hya
V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 12°

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.6'x0.5'.  Low, even surface brightness and requires averted vision for a positive identification.  Situated near the Hydra-Leo-Cancer border.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2864 = m 163 on 6 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, pL, lE."  His position matches CGCG 034-044 = PGC 26644.
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NGC 2865 = ESO 498-001 = MCG -04-22-011 = AM 0921-225 = PGC 26601
09 23 30.2  -23 09 40; Hya
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 146°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, small, very bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated halo.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2865 = h3161 on 23 Jan 1835 and logged "pB; S; R; very little brighter middle; 15"." His position (2 sweeps) matches ESO 498-001 = PGC 26601.
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NGC 2866 = ESO 212-3 = Pismis 13 = OCL 774 = Lund 504
09 22 06  -51 06 12; Vel
V = 10.2;  Size 1.5'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): the central region (Pismis 13) contains a dozen stars mag 12-15 over a glowing 1.5' circular patch.  Includes a close double at the east side.  The brightest mag 12 star (also a double) is at the north end of the cluster.  The surrounding field is rich and includes several mag 10 stars.  Specifically, a bright scattered 10' field centered 10' SSW stands out at low power.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2866 = h3162 on 31 Mar 1835 and noted a "Cluster class VIII.  Place of a small compact knot of st".  His position is an exact match with the small group of stars ESO 212-SC3 = Pismis 13, though because he placed it in class VIII, Herschel meant to include the scattered stars (bright) in the larger field.  Pismis noted "5 bright stars within 1' region."

The RNGC description incorrectly states "NOCL" and Lynga 5 and Sky Catalogue 2000 identify the cluster as Pismis 13 only.  ESO gives the correct identification with a question mark.
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NGC 2867 = PK 278-5.1 = ESO 126-8 = PN G278.1-05.9
09 21 25.4  -58 18 41; Car
V = 9.7;  Size 18"x16"

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): beautiful, very high surface brightness blue planetary at 200x, set in a rich star field.  Stunning view at 520x.  The thick, oval rim is clearly brighter with a relatively small darker hole in the center!  I didn't notice this structure in the 18" several years back from Australia.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x (unfiltered) this striking planetary is bright (V = 9.7), small, very high surface brightness oval with a pale blue color.  With a UHC filter, it appeared ~15"x10" and appeared like a cosmic easter egg set in a beautiful star field!  Located 1.1° NE of mag 2.3 Iota Carinae (southeast star of the "False Cross").

John Herschel discovered NGC 2867 = h3163 on 1 Apr 1834 (sweep 435) and called it "The finest planetary nebula I ever remember to have seen for sharpness of termination; 3" diameter; exactly R; no more haziness about them than would be about a star of the same magnitude to-night (which is a favourable one) Light, a pale white = * of 9th +/- mag. Position of companion star = 58.6° (mean) ; * = 15th mag. A very remarkable object. Showed to [assistant John] Stone, who distinctly perceived the total difference of appearance between it and a star 9th mag very near it. A second companion * suspected (at about half the distance of the 1st by diagram, and at an estimated position of 330°) among multitude of large and small stars."  The next night he observed it again with Thomas Maclear, astronomer at the Royal Observatory, while it was out of the meridian, to check if it might be a planet.  He remarked it was "Quite round, well defined, and about 3" or perhaps 4" diam. Much better seen (between clouds) than last night. The small star is still 1.5 diam. from edge. It has therefore not moved perceptibly, and is therefore not a planet."

Joseph Turner, observing with the 48-inch Melbourne Telescope on 26 Feb 1878, noted the color was a pale bluish, instead of the "pale white" noted by Herschel.

NGC 2867 was probably first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "planetary nebula, 0.3' [diameter]."  In the 1950 paper "A photographic survey of bright southern planetary nebulae" using the 74" Radcliffe reflector, Evans and Thackeray described NGC 2867 as "... a bean-shaped ring nebula, the ring being broken up into spots of brightness, brightest in the Sp sector. The central star is faint. About 13''x 11"."
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NGC 2868 = PGC 26598
09 23 27.2  -10 25 46; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 65°

17.5" (2/1/03): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.25, low even surface brightness.  Located just 2.3' W of much brighter NGC 2863!

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2868 = LM 2-411 = Big. 39 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He recorded "mag 15.3, 0.4' dia, R, 10s preceding [NGC 2869 = NGC 2863]."  According to Harold Corwin, Guillaume Bigourdan independently discovered NGC 2868 on 15 Jan 1887, but was not credited in the NGC.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in 1899-00 and the correction was repeated by Dreyer in the IC 2.  RNGC misclassified this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2869 = NGC 2863 = MCG -02-24-018 = PGC 26609
09 23 36.5  -10 26 00; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4

See observing notes for NGC 2863.

Frank Muller found NGC 2869 = LM 2-412 in 1886 and recorded ""mag 14.5, 1.2'x0.6', E 170°, gradually brighter in the middle, bet 2 st 12 and 14."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 1 min too far east, but the note on the nearby stars clinches the identification.  Dreyer assumed this was new object and catalogued it again as NGC 2869.  The equivalence was first noted by Howe in his list of NGC observations and corrections in 1900.  So, NGC 2863 = NGC 2869, with NGC 2863 the primary designation.  See that entry.
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NGC 2870 = UGC 5034 = MCG +10-14-013 = CGCG 289-008 = PGC 26856
09 27 53.5  +57 22 33; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 2.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 123°

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.5', brighter core.  Located 4.5' NE of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2870 = H. III-846 = h595 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and logged "cF, S, mE, very narrow."  John Herschel described this galaxy on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) as "vF; pL; little extended; very gradually little brighter middle; 35" l, 30" br."
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NGC 2871 = Holm 130c
09 25 39.5  +11 26 40; Leo
V = 15.9

24" (2/8/18): this is a 16th mag star located just 1.1' NW of the center of NGC 2872.  It was visible at 375x as a very dim star.

48" (2/21/12): mag 15.9 star situated 1.1' NW of NGC 2872.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2871 on 7 Mar 1874.  It was labeled as Epsilon on his field sketch.  The micrometric offset of 65.3" in PA 315.7° from NGC 2872 = Delta points directly to a mag 16 star 1' NW of NGC 2872.  Spitaler reported "not seen" with the 27" refractor at Vienna (mentioned in the IC 1 notes).
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NGC 2872 = Arp 307 NED1 = UGC 5018 = MCG +02-24-008 = CGCG 062-033 = Holm 130a = PGC 26733
09 25 42.5  +11 25 55; Leo
V = 11.9;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 22°

48" (2/21/12): very bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.2'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 20" core.  A mag 15.8 star = NGC 2871 is 1.1' NW.  Forms a striking trio with NGC 2874 and 2873.

24" (2/8/18): at 375x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 60"x50", strong concentration with an intense core and very small brighter nucleus.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 2874 1.3' S.  Much fainter NGC 2873 is 2.0' NE.  NGC 2871 was seen as a 16th mag star 1.1' NW.

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, sharp concentration with a very bright core.  Brightest of three with NGC 2874 1.3' ESE and NGC 2873 2.0' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2872 = H. II-57 = H. II-546 = h597, along with NGC 2874, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172).  He recorded both as "Two neb. about 3/4' or a little more from each other; Of the resolvable kind. The position of the first [NGC 2872] is about 15° or 20° np the second; they are pretty small and rather brighter towards the middle, but not much. The neby of the following one is rather more diluted than than of the preceding one, and it also somewhat larger."  His position was 1.0 min of RA too small and 11' too far north.  Herschel recorded the pair again two years later (H. II-546 and II-547) on sweep 534, this time at the correct position, but assumed they were new and listed them in his 2nd catalogue.

John Herschel included separate entries for the two H-designations in the 1864 General Catalogue, but Dreyer realized the equivalence and combined the identities in the NGC.
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NGC 2873 = MCG +02-24-009 = Holm 130d = PGC 26742
09 25 48.5  +11 27 15; Leo
V = 15.8;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 125°

24" (2/8/18): at 375x; extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE?, ~20"x10".  Required averted vision to pick up and could not hold continuously.

48" (2/21/12): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2', very small slightly brighter nucleus.  Faintest member of a striking trio with NGC 2874 and NGC 2872 (Arp 307) to the south and SW, respectively.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2873 on 22 Feb 1857 while observing NGC 2872 and 2874.  He sketched a trio and noted "Is Beta a vF neb?"  A month later, NGC 2873 = Beta was confirmed.  In the 1874 observation, Copeland measured an exact micrometric offset from NGC 2872.  This galaxy is not included in CGCG, UGC or RC3 but appears to be mentioned as an anonymous galaxy in the UGC notes.
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NGC 2874 = Arp 307 NED2 = UGC 5021 = MCG +02-24-010 = CGCG 062-034 = Holm 130b = PGC 26740
09 25 47.3  +11 25 28; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 2.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 43°

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, the largest member of this striking trio appeared very bright, large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.5', sharply concentrated with an intense core.  The northeast extension is slightly brighter, particularly along the eastern side (knotty spiral arm = NGC 2875).  NGC 2872 is 1.3' WNW and NGC 2873 is 1.7' NNE.

24" (2/8/18): at 375x fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.5', strong concentration with a bright elongated core.  A short central bar is misaligned with the major axis, angling N-S (verified on the DSS). Largest in a trio with NGC 2872 1.3' NW.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, halo gradually increases to a bright core.  A mag 15 star is 1.3' S of center.  In a close trio with NGC 2872 1.3' WNW and NGC 2873 1.8' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2874 = H. II-58 = H. II-547 = h598 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172).  See NGC 2872 for the story on the duplicate entries.
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NGC 2875
09 25 48.8  +11 25 54; Leo

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, the northeast extension (arm) of NGC 2874 is slightly brighter, particularly along the eastern side.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2875 on 7 Mar 1874 and labeled it as Gamma on the same sketch with NGC 2871, 2872, and 2873.  His offset from NGC 2874 (42" in PA 37°) falls on a slightly brighter section of the northeastern spiral arm of NGC 2874.  RNGC equates the number with NGC 2874, though a more appropriate classification would be part of NGC 2874.
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NGC 2876 = MCG -01-24-016 = PGC 26710
09 25 13.8  -06 43 00; Hya
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 95°

24" (2/8/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, ~30"x24".  IC 2471, located 7' S, is slightly smaller but has a slightly higher surface brightness.  MCG -01-24-017, situated 3' NNE, appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  The trio are the brightest members of a small physical group.

Images reveal a diffuse plume to the west-northwest of NGC 2876, but I didn't notice this low contrast feature.  The galaxy also appears to be a post-merger with an extremely fant plume extending 5' to the E.

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Pair with IC 2471 7' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2876 = St. 10-20 = LM 2-413 on 25 Mar 1879 and recorded "F, S, halo contains sev vF *.  He reduced the position on 5 Mar 1880 and included it in his 10th discovery list (#20), though Dreyer mistakenly referenced Stephan's 9th list in the NGC.  Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 2876 in 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and his position in the second observatory list (#413) is fairly accurate.
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NGC 2877 = MCG +00-24-015 = CGCG 006-043 = PGC 26738
09 25 47.0  +02 13 45; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (3/8/97): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 6' following a group of four mag 13 stars in a small "kite" asterism.  Forms a pair with NGC 2878 8.5' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2877 = m 164 on 28 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2878 = m 165) and recorded "vF, S, vlE."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2878 = UGC 5022 = MCG +00-24-014 = CGCG 006-042 = PGC 26739
09 25 47.4  +02 05 22; Hya
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 174°

17.5" (3/8/97): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, unconcentrated.  Slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 2877 located 8.5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2878 = m 165 on 28 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2877 = m 164) and recorded "vF, S, vlE."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 2879
09 25 22.2  -11 39 03; Hya

= ***, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2879 on 27 Feb 1865.  He noted a "neb with some vF *" and measured a mag 14-15 star as preceding by 11 seconds of time.  At his position is a triple star with the mag 14 star at this exact offset.  The two brighter components are mag 14.4/14.5 at 10" separation.  In 1924, Knox-Shaw reported "nothing shown here except a double star", based on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory in 1921-22 with the 30" reflector.
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NGC 2880 = UGC 5051 = MCG +10-14-015 = CGCG 312-011 = LGG 173
4 = PGC 26939
09 29 34.5  +62 29 27; UMa
V = 11.5;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 140°

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, round, 1' diameter, strong concentration, very small bright core.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.9' ENE.  Nearby to the north is a string of mag 13-14 stars including a mag 13 star 2.1' N.  Forms a pair with CGCG 312-012 3.2' N.  The companion is very faint, extremely small, round.  Two mag 14 stars are 1.7' NE and 1.2' E.

8": faint, small, bright core.  Located 40' SW of a mag 4 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2880 = H. I-260 = h596 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1000). He logged, "very bright, very large, much brighter middle, irregularly round."  On 8 Mar 1832 (sweep 404), John Herschel recorded "pF; R; S; very gradually brighter middle; 40", a *12 m follows."
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NGC 2881 = Arp 275 = VV 293 = MCG -02-24-021 = PGC 26747
09 25 54.4  -11 59 40; Hya
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

48" (5/9/21): NGC 2881 = Arp 275 = VV 293 is an interacting contact pair of two spirals (possible merger) oriented NW-SE.  At 488x, the SE galaxy (VV 293a) was moderately bright and large, ~40" diameter, brighter center but no distinct nucleus, irregular shape and surface brightness.  A faint extension (spiral arm) curls on the S side contacting a mag 15 star [21" S of center].  Also a mag 15.5 star is at the SW edge [16" from center].

The NW galaxy (VV 293b) was slightly fainter and smaller, but still relatively bright, irregularly round, ~30" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus. The two galaxies were detached but essentially in contact as they are connected by faint haze.

24" (2/24/20): at 200x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, low surface brightness but irregular shape.  A mag 15 star is at the S end.  An extension (interacting companion VV 293b) occasionally bulged out on the NW side [24" between centers], though I wasn't sure if it was detached.  IC 2482 lies 17' ESE.

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, small, round, very low even surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the northeast edge 0.7' from center.  An easy mag 10/11 double star at 26" separation lies 4.5' ESE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2881 = Sw. 3-44 on 9 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; preceding a coarse double star 17 sec; in field with 1854 [NGC 2889]."  His position is just 5 seconds of RA west of Arp 275 = PGC 26747.  In his extensive notes in MN, Herbert Howe stated the two stars mentioned by Swift are south-following, 9.5 & 10.5 mag.  Neither Swift or Howe resolved this double system.
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NGC 2882 = UGC 5030 = MCG +01-24-021 = CGCG 034-046 = PGC 26781
09 26 36.2  +07 57 15; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, almost even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.0' SE.  Located 16' N of mag 8.4 SAO 117694.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2882 = m 166 on 6 Mar 1864 and noted "F, pL, E."  His position and description matches UGC 5030.
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NGC 2883 = ESO 372-024 = MCG -06-21-005 + 006 = VV 768 = PGC 26713
09 25 17.5  -34 06 12; Pyx
V = 13.1;  Size 2.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 176°

18" (3/11/07): faint, moderately large, elongated at least 2:1 ~N-S, 1.1'x0.5'.  Unusual appearance as the galaxy has an irregular, mottled appearance and perhaps three faint stars are superimposed (with several others nearby).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2883 = h3164 on 7 Apr 1837 and recorded "a vF, S, cluster, class VI; very gradually little brighter middle; resolved so as to see the stars which are 15th mag; almost to be called a vF, large nebula."  His position matches ESO 372-024 = PGC 26713 though the first part of his description matches the superimposed and nearby stars only.

MCG misidentifies MCG -06-21-006 as NGC 2883.  The correct identification is MCG -06-21-005.
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NGC 2884 = MCG -02-24-022 = PGC 26773
09 26 24.4  -11 33 20; Hya
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, possible faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' W of center.  NGC 2889 lies 13' ESE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2884 on 27 Feb 1865.  His position (measured on 5 nights) matches MCG -02-24-022 = PGC 26773 and he noted the mag 13.5 star (called mag 15 or 16) that precedes by 5 seconds of time in the parallel.  His AN #1537 list has a 1 min typo in RA.
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NGC 2885 = IC 538 = UGC 5037 = MCG +04-22-058 = CGCG 121-098 = PGC 26943
09 27 18.5  +23 01 12; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 40" E of center and a mag 14 star is 2' NW.  Located 8' NW of mag 8.5 SAO 80841.  Brightest in a trio with CGCG 121-099 1.8' ENE and IC 2474 1.8' NW.  Incorrect identification in RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2885 = h599 on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and recorded, "eF; vS; E in parallel; RA very uncertain."  There is nothing at his position (1.7' NNW of a mag 8 star not mentioned in his description), but 25 seconds of RA west is UGC 5037, which fits the description as the galaxy is elongated roughly east-west.  Bigourdan rediscovered the galaxy while searching at Herschel's position on 21 Mar 1890, measured an accurate position for Big. 154 (later IC 538) and noted "does not seem to be NGC 2885."  Dreyer mentioned the possible equivalence with NGC 2885 in the IC description.

Sir Robert Ball, an observing assistant on LdR's 72", recorded on 10 Jan 1867, "3 objects seen close together, of which one is probably a nebula, the other possibly also, and third a star?  All these are eF, and would perhaps not be seen unless on so good a night as this is."  From the description, Ball picked up NGC 2885 and probably nearby IC 2474 and CGCG 121-99.

RNGC misidentifies CGCG 122-006 as NGC 2885.  CGCG and UGC misidentify IC 2474 as NGC 2885.  Finally, MCG labels NGC 2885 as IC 538.  Malcolm Thomson analyzed the identifications in a Webb Society Quarterly Journal article, July 1990.
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NGC 2886 = ESO 565-005
09 26 38.7  -21 44 16; Hya

= ***, Corwin.  Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2886 = h3165 on 1 Feb 1837 and simply noted "eeF; 50"."  There is nothing at his position, but four faint stars about 1.5' ENE of his position are likely Herschel's object (the separation is ~25").  Corwin also identifies this multiple star as NGC 2886.
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NGC 2887 = ESO 091-009 = PGC 26592
09 23 24.2  -63 48 45; Car
V = 11.7;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 78°

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.2'x1.0', sharply concentrated with a very bright 25" core.  Forms the SE vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 12/12.5 stars 1.3' WNW and 1.4' NNW.  A couple of arc minutes SE is a short string of very faint stars.  NGC 2842 lies 1.1° NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2887 = h3168 on 8 Mar 1834 and logged "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; near a bright star."  This is the first deep sky object he discovered at the Cape, with his first sweep recorded 3 nights earlier.  His position (measured on 3 different sweeps) matches ESO 091-009.
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NGC 2888 = ESO 434-002 = MCG -05-23-001 = PGC 26768
09 26 19.5  -28 02 08; Pyx
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 158°

17.5" (2/28/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2888 = h3166 on 30 Mar 1835 and logged "pF R; suddenly much brighter middle; very dilute at edges; 30"."  His position (on 2 sweeps) matches ESO 434-002 = PGC 26768.
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NGC 2889 = MCG -02-24-026 = PGC 26806
09 27 12.5  -11 38 37; Hya
V = 11.7;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 65°

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, diffuse halo, irregular bright core.  A mag 11.5 star is off the south edge 1.4' from the center.  NGC 2884 lies 13' WNW and NGC 2881 is 28' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2889 = H. II-555 = h600 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and recorded "vF; pL; R; bM."  On 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129), John Herschel logged, "pB; pL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 80"."  Using the 72" on 30 Jan 1856, R.J. Mitchell mentioned a very faint star at the east edge and "darkness all round the nucleus."
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NGC 2890 = MCG -02-24-024 = PGC 26778
09 26 29.8  -14 31 44; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 55°

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  The glow of the galaxy is overpowered by mag 7.8 SAO 155191 which lies 3.9' NE!

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2890 = LM 1-154 on 11 Jan 1886 and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.3' dia, R, bright middle to a nucleus, envelope 15.5." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 45 sec of RA east of MCG -02-24-024 = PGC 26778.  Howe published an accurate position in his 1900 MN observations and Dreyer copied this in the IC 2 notes.
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NGC 2891 = ESO 498-008 = MCG -04-23-003 = PGC 26794
09 26 56.6  -24 46 59; Pyx
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/7/92): fairly faint, small, round, sharp concentration with very small prominent core, stellar nucleus.  Located in rich Milky Way field close to the Antlia and Hydra border.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2891 = h3167 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; 15"." His position is 1' south of ESO 498-008 = PGC 26794.
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NGC 2892 = UGC 5073 = MCG +11-12-015 = CGCG 312-015 = PGC 27111
09 32 53.0  +67 37 02; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, gradually brighter halo, faint stellar nucleus.  A wide bright double star ∑1349 = 7.5/8.7 at 24" is 11' WSW at the edge of the 220x field.  Brightest in a group with UGC 5061 7.5' W.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2892 = Sw. 1-8 on 11 May 1885 and recorded "pF, pS, R, little brighter in the middle."  His position is 0.2 min of RA east of UGC 5073 = PGC 27111.
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NGC 2893 = UGC 5060 = MCG +05-23-005 = CGCG 152-018 = Mrk 401 = PGC 26979
09 30 17.0  +29 32 24; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 3.2' SW of a mag 9 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2893 = H. III-297 = h602 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "Suspected eF, eS.  240x showed the same appearance but left a doubt."  There is nothing at his position, but 8.5' north is UGC 5060 = PGC 26979.  On 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) John Herschel wrote, "S; R; suddenly brighter middle; 20", has a * 8m 55° n f dist 3'."
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NGC 2894 = UGC 5056 = MCG +01-24-024 = CGCG 034-051 = Holm 133a = PGC 26932
09 29 30.4  +07 43 06; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 27°

24" (2/23/22): at 260x and 375x; moderately bright but sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness very small core and nucleus.  Unusual appearance as squeezed directly between two stars; a mag 13.5 at the east edge and a mag 14 at west side.  The much fainter halo is elongated SSW-NNE and ~1' in length.  IC 540 lies 15' NE.  A mag 8.7 star is 3' SSW.

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, prominent core with faint extensions.  Unusual appearance as a mag 13.5 star is at the east end and a mag 14.5 star (Holmberg 133b) at the west end.  Located 3.0' NNE of mag 8.6 SAO 117726.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2894 = H. III-8 = h603 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 101) and recorded "Nebula.  I see 3 stars in it, & I believe it may all be resolved; yet my 240 power does not clear it quite of nebulosity.  [Higher] power gives me 3 very obscure nebulous stars, but leaves it undetermined whether there are more stars in it or whether these are only nebulous for want of light."  John Herschel's observation from 25 Dec 1827 (sweep 116) simply states, "2 or 3 st and nebulosity".
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NGC 2895 = MCG +10-14-018 = CGCG 289-009 = PGC 27092
09 32 25.1  +57 28 58; UMa
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, broad concentration in halo to brighter core.  Collinear with a wide double star 6' SSW (10.5/12.5 at 50" oriented SSW-NNE).

John Herschel discovered NGC 2895 = h601 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) and logged "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 15"; has a coarse double star 7' south."  His position and description matches CGCG 289-009 = PGC 27092.
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NGC 2896 = MCG +04-23-007 = CGCG 122-009 = PGC 26985
09 30 16.9  +23 39 47; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/13/91): very faint, extremely small, round, small bright core.  A mag 15 star is attached at the west end.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2896 on 1 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "F, S, R, *17m very near, *13 follows by 24.3 seconds of time and 30" north."  His position and description matches CGCG 122-009 = PGC 26985, with the star (closer to 15th mag) on the west edge.
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NGC 2897 = PGC 26949
09 29 45.7  +02 12 25; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/7/92): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.  Located just 1.8' WNW of mag 8.0 SAO 117736 which detracts from viewing.  Forms a pair with NGC 2898 8' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2897 = m 167 on 6 Feb 1864 (along with NGC 2898) and simply noted "eF, S."  His position matches PGC 26949.  It's odd that Marth did not mention the mag 9 star just 2' E as it interfered with my viewing, although his notes are very sparse.  This galaxy is not catalogued in the CGCG, UGC, MCG or RC3 although it is as bright as 15th magnitude.
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NGC 2898 = MCG +00-24-018 = CGCG 006-048 = PGC 26950
09 29 46.3  +02 03 51; Hya
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 125°

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, faint substellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 2897 8' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2898 = m 168 on 6 Feb 1864 and noted "vF, vS, lE."  His position is 6 sec of RA east of CGCG 006-048 = PGC 26950.
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NGC 2899 = PK 277-3.1 = ESO 166-13 = PN G277.1-03.8 = Gum 27 = RCW 43
09 27 03.0  -56 06 22; Vel
V = 12.2;  Size 120"x68"

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fascinating bipolar planetary at 260x using a UHC filter.  A very bright knot is situated on the SW end with fainter extensions along the rim to the SE.  A matching knot with a lower surface brightness is on the north side.  This knot is also elongated, making another short arc.  Overall, NGC 2899 is noticeably elongated with dimensions of ~1.6'x1.0', oriented NW-SE.  At 520x both knots or arcs gradually increase in brightness to their centers and occasionally show very faint stellar nuclei.  The overall surface is noticeably mottled at this power, though darker in the center.  The open cluster IC 2488 lies 50' S.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this interesting Vela planetary appeared fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.3'x1.0'.  Good contrast gain with a UHC filter. The surface brightness appears very irregular or mottled with a brighter knot on the SW end that is nearly detached and an irregular darker center.  Also a less-defined knot appears to be situated on the north end.  Four mag 7.5-9 stars are in the field to the west and north and the PN is situated 9' E of mag 7.3 SAO 236965.  The faint planetary Wray 17-31 = VBRC 2 lies 38' ESE

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this moderately bright planetary is fairly large, ~1.5'x1.0', with an irregular shape and surface brightness.  Adding a UHC filter improved the contrast and the PN is clearly elongated with an annular or bi-polar appearance with a darker, irregular center.  There are two brighter knots or arcs on on the SW and NE sides of the central section (minor axis?) with the SW knot more obvious.  Situated in a fairly rich star field with four mag 7-9 stars including a mag 7.3 star 9' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2899 = h3169 on 27 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; pL; R; gradually little brighter middle; 80".  At least 80 stars in field."  His position is accurate.

Margaret Mayall classified it a planetary in 1951 on an objective prism plate taken with the 10-inch Metcalf telescope in South Africa.
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NGC 2900 = UGC 5065 = MCG +01-24-026 = CGCG 034-055 = PGC 26974
09 30 15.1  +04 08 39; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration, ill-defined halo.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' SW of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2900 = Sw. 3-45 on 10 Mar 1886 and logged "eeF, pL, R, in vacancy."  His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 5065.
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NGC 2901
09 32 24  +31 07; Leo

= Not found, RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2901 = LM 1-155 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory "while looking for Winnecke's comet [7P/Pons-Winnecke]."  No additional notes are given and the position is marked as very rough (approximate even to the nearest min of RA).

This number is not listed in any modern catalogue (even the RNGC didn't pick a candidate).  Brian Skiff identifies this object as a double star with brightest component GSC 2494-0616 at 09 32 19 +31 07.1 (2000).  Harold Corwin suggest this number may refer to one of the galaxies (UGC 5070/5074/5087) just over a degree south of Stone's position.  Without more information, this number is lost.
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NGC 2902 = MCG -02-24-030 = PGC 27004
09 30 52.8  -14 44 07; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 35°

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, very small, 30" diameter, stellar nucleus.  A faint star is off the NW edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2902 = H. III-276 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and logged "vF; vS; stellar; with 240 the same."  Caroline's reduction is less than 2' northwest of MCG -02-24-030 = PGC 27004.  MCG equates NGC 2902 with Bigourdan's IC 543 but Corwin notes that Bigourdan observed both objects so he was not confusing them.
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NGC 2903 = UGC 5079 = MCG +04-23-009 = CGCG 122-014 = PGC 27077
09 32 10.0  +21 30 02; Leo
V = 9.0;  Size 12.6'x6.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 17°

48" (4/18/15 and 4/24/25): this spectacular barred spiral was observed at 375x.  Several luminous patches were visible along the very prominent central bar, which trends SSW-NNE. NGC 2905 refers to a patch at the NE end of the bar near the beginning of the western spiral arm.  Another patch is at the S end of the core with a third near the southern end of the bar where the outer eastern arm emerges.

The outer western arm extends S for a length of ~4', just beyond the southern edge of the main body.  The outer eastern arm emerges from the S end of the galaxy, curls E and shoots N. Although the surface brightness becomes quite low, the arm extends well beyond the main body for a total length of ~7'!  At the northern end is a low surface brightness larger patch about 5.5' NE of center.  The tips of the spiral arms are over 9' apart.

24" (2/22/14): excellent view at 200x and 375x.  This beautiful barred spiral is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, mottled core.  A prominent central bar runs along the major axis, extending ~2'x0.4' SSW-NNE.  The central bar is the brightest portion of a more oval, brighter central region, ~2.0'x1.0'.  Just beyond the northeast end of the central bar is a bright, irregular "knot" (NGC 2905) where the northern spiral arm attaches.  This arm bends sharply to the west (clockwise), but only curves for ~1' and quickly fades, as if it was angled towards us.  A prominent arm (more cleanly separated from the central region) is attached at the south-southwest end of the bar where there is another brighter, irregular "knot".  The southern arm bends east and then north, paralleling the orientation of the bar and extending as far north as the core, perhaps just beyond a mag 13.7 star 2' ESE of center. A darker dust lane separates this arm from the central region.

18" (2/14/10): beautiful view of this barred spiral at 175x.  The galaxy extends 2:1 SSW-NNE, roughly 8'x4', with a slightly brighter bar running through the major axis.  The center is sharply concentrated with a very bright clumpy core.  At the SSW end of the main body a faint arm emerges and sweeps around to the east.  Near the NNE end of the central bar is a brighter knot (NGC 2905) and beyond the knot is a fainter and less defined arm that curves around a short distance to the west.

17.5" (1/31/87): this is one of the brightest non-Messier galaxies.  Very bright and large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 10'x4'.  A very faint knot is involved on the NNE side 1.2' from center = NGC 2905.  An extremely faint knot is also symmetrically placed opposite the core on the SW end 1.2' from center.  The galaxy has a dusty, mottled appearance with knots and arcs easily visible with averted vision.

17.5" (3/23/85): a second knotty region is definitely visible on the SW edge.  Lord Rosse mentions these two knots as "thickened regions".

13.1" (1/28/84 and 12/22/84): very bright, elongated bright core.  Contains a very faint knot at the north end = NGC 2905.  Simiilar knot seen through a 16" scope.

8": bright, large, elongated, bright mottled core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2903 = H. I-56 = h604.I on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318). His description reads, "cB, cL, a small bright spot in the middle; at first sight appears very much elongated, but by careful attention it appears to consist of two; the north following of which less bright than the south preceding, though nearly of the same size and shape with the former, it has also a brightish spot in the middle but not nearly so brilliant as the other; distance of the center about a minute."  He assigned two catalogue designations: I-56 and I-57.  The latter is NGC 2905.

John Herschel recorded on 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 244), "I. 56 is vB; E; gradually brighter in the middle; r[esolvable].  Long attentions shows a vF, L, R, neb attached north following."  Again, the second object (following his father's lead) is NGC 2905 = h604.II and refers to the NE spiral arm (or a brighter region in the spiral arm).  

Lord Rosse first observed this galaxy on 24 Mar 1846 and noted "a tendency to an annular or spiral arrangement discovered."  He commented the night was bad, though.  NGC 2903 was probably the second galaxy (after M51) in which spiral structure was noted. Two years later on 9 Mar 1848 Romney Robinson, director of Armagh Observatory and a regular observer at Birr Castle, commented "Night excellent, a spiral seen in an oblique direction, resolved well, particularly towards the vB centre."  LdR was a bit more conservative in his assessment of spiral structure and didn't include this galaxy in his table of 16 spirals in the 1850 Philosophical Transactions paper, though his sketch (Fig. 3, 1850 publication) on 5 Mar 1848  shows multiple spiral arms with a knot embedded (NGC 2905).  Dreyer later commented, "the engraving does not agree with the numerous sketches taken later..."

William Lassell published three different sketches of NGC 2903 made in 1862 with his 48-inch on Malta. (plate II, Fig. 12).  They all showed a "wavy" or curved body with "hooks" at the ends of the spiral arms.
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NGC 2904 = ESO 434-006 = MCG -05-23-003 = PGC 26981
09 30 17.0  -30 23 05; Ant
V = 12.4;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 90°

17.5" (2/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, 3:2 oval E-W, 0.8'x0.5'.  Contains a brighter core with a very thin outer envelope.  Located 4' W of mag 8.8 SAO 200441 and 15' S of mag 7.7 SAO 177562.  There are several ESO galaxies within 20' which I didn't search for.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2904 = h3170 on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "F; S; very little extended; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15".  Very dilute at the edges."  His position matches ESO 434-006.
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NGC 2905 = NGC 2903
09 32 11.9  +21 31 10; Leo

48" (4/18/15): NGC 2905 is the brightest of several luminous patches along the central bar.  This irregular knot is located very near the north-northeast end of the central bar at the point where two spiral arms (extending west) emerge from the arm.

24" (2/22/14): just beyond the northeast end of the central bar is a fairly bright, irregular "knot" (NGC 2905) where the northern spiral arm attaches to the bar.  This arm bends sharply to the west (clockwise), but only curves for ~1' and quickly fades.

17.5" (5/10/86): very large knot or arc at the NNE edge of a spiral arm in NGC 2903.  Easily visible with averted vision. 

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint knot or arc at NE edge of arm of NGC 2903.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2905 = H. I-57 = h604.II on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded (together with NGC 2903) "cB, cL, a small bright spot in the middle; at first sight appears very much elongated, but by careful attention it appears to consist of two; the nf of which less bright than the sp, though nearly of the same size and shape with the former, it has also a brightish spot in the middle but not nearly so brilliant as the other; dist of the center about a minute."  

On 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 244), John Herschel recorded, "[NGC 2903] is vB; E; gradually brighter in the middle; r[esolvable].  Long attentions shows a vF, L, R, neb attached north following."  NGC 2905 is the attached "nebula" and refers to a brighter starcloud of large HII region in the northeast spiral arm.  George Stoney's sketch at Birr Castle on 5 Mar 1848 shows multiple spiral arms, along with a distinct embedded knot on the northeast side.  RNGC classified this number as nonexistent (Type 7), although Type 35 = nebulous region in a galaxy, would probably be more appropriate.
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NGC 2906 = UGC 5081 = MCG +02-25-001 = CGCG 063-001 = PGC 27074
09 32 06.3  +08 26 30; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 75°

17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, broadly concentrated halo, brighter along the major axis.  A mag 12 star is 2.9' SW and a mag 11 star 3.6' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2906 = H. II-495 = h606 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 497) and logged "F, pL, E, iF."  On 25 Dec 1827 (sweep 116) John Herschel wrote, "F; not vS; R; gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 2907 = MCG -03-25-002 = LGG 175-002 = PGC 27048
09 31 36.6  -16 44 07; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 115°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, large, slightly elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 2.4'x1.6', strong concentration with a bright, elongated core and an intense nucleus.  A number of stars are nearby including a half-dozen stars to the southwest.  The galaxy is elongated in the direction of two mag 14 stars 2.5' SE.

UGCA 167, located 24' E, appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated SW-NE. Contains a very small bright nucleus and a diffuse outer halo.

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.7, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A small group of four mag 11-13 stars lies roughly 4' SW.

Brightest in a small group including UGCA 167 24' E.  The following observation was made on 13 Apr 2018 with my 24".
At 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, well defined small bright core increasing to a stellar nucleus.  Several 9-10th magnitude stars are in the field including a mag 9.3 star 7' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2907 = H. II-506 = h607 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "pB, S, little extended, mb towards the sf side."  On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111) John Herschel recorded "F; bM; lE s f; 30" [diameter]."
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NGC 2908 = UGC 5152 = MCG +13-07-034 = CGCG 350-029 = PGC 27831
09 43 31.6  +79 42 05; Dra
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low but uneven surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 6' ENE.  Located 35' NNW of a mag 6.1 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2908 = H. III-977 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole).  He logged "extremely faint, very small, irregular figure.  I also saw it with 300x."  Caroline Herschel's reduced position is 3' north of UGC 5152, his 7th most northerly discovery (in 1800 coordinates).  This was one of 6 objects discovered on his second to last sweep, after Caroline realized the third list of nebulae submitted to the Royal Society included only 497 nebulae, instead of the intended 500.  A few nights later (30 Sep 1802) he made his last sweep and the final three nebulae were found.  NGC 2908 was not observed by John Herschel or at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2909
09 36 59.9  +65 56 26; UMa

= **?, Gottlieb.  Not found, Thomson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2909 = h605 on 3 Apr 1832 (sweep 412) and logged "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" [diameter]." There is nothing near his position and this object was not recorded on any other sweeps to verify the position.  RNGC and CGCG misidentify CGCG 312-021 as NGC 2909 although Herschel's position is more than 40' west of this galaxy.  A 13" pair of mag 14-15 star is close to his position, and the only plausible candidate, though perhaps he made some large error in recording the position.
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NGC 2910 = ESO 166-017 = Cr 209
09 30 29  -52 54 48; Vel
V = 7.2;  Size 5'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): ~50 stars are resolved in an oval or "racetrack" outline oriented NW-SE, perhaps 6'x4', with outliers making the group rounder.  Includes a half-dozen stars brighter than mag 11.  The SE end of the oval has a rich subgroup over unresolved haze.  No concentration, in fact the center of the "racetrack" is nearly devoid of stars!

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): faint, small, roundish, no obvious resolution.  Not difficult to identify just northeast of the "False Cross".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2910 = h3171 on 10 Apr 1834 and recorded "Cluster of loose stars; p rich; stars 11...15m; has rather a vacancy in the middle; fills about 2/3 of field."  On a later sweep (763) he measured an accurate position on a bright star at the southeast side of the cluster.
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NGC 2911 = Arp 232 = UGC 5092 = MCG +02-25-003 = CGCG 063-007 = PGC 27159
09 33 46.1  +10 09 09; Leo
V = 11.5;  Size 4.1'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 140°

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2914 4.8' SE and UGC 5093 8.1' SSE.  Forms a close pair with PGC 27167 1.3' ENE (misidentified as NGC 2912 in RNGC, PGC and Megastar).  In Lowrey's 48", PGC 27167 appeared faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 15"-18" diameter.  A mag 16.1 star is 26" E.

13.1" (4/28/84): fairly bright, fairly small, round, distinctive small bright nucleus.  

8" (4/24/82) : faint, small, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2911 = H. II-40 = h608 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 163). His description reads, "A nebula between two pretty considerable stars.  Brightest in the middle, but not cometic.  Faint and perhaps 30" dia, almost R and the extremities of it lose themselves gradually."  He swept the field again on 3 Mar 1786 and discovered nearby NGC 2914.
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NGC 2912
09 33 56.9  +10 11 33; Leo
V = 16.1

17.5" (2/20/88): mag 14.3 star situated 3.6' NE of NGC 2911.  Misidentified as a "nova" by Schultz.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 2912 on 3 Apr 1870 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory and recorded "eF; follows h608 [NGC 2911] some seconds about 2' N; but not observable".  I'm not sure of the meaning of his last comment but 1.3' ENE of NGC 2911 is PGC 27167, an extremely faint and small, low surface brightness galaxy, which the RNGC identifies as NGC 2912.

But this galaxy is too faint to be included in the CGCG and MCG and is extremely unlikely to have been seen by Schultz with a 9.6" scope.  I missed detecting this galaxy in my 17.5" and it was not found by Bigourdan, though of course it was not difficult in Lowrey's 48".  Instead, Corwin suggests NGC 2912 more likely refers to a mag 14.3 star 3.6' NE of NGC 2911.
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NGC 2913 = UGC 5095 = MCG +02-25-005 = CGCG 063-009 = PGC 27184
09 34 02.7  +09 28 45; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 140°

17.5" (2/20/88): extremely faint, fairly small, even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2913 on 10 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, pL, iR."  His position matches UGC 5095 = PGC 27184.
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NGC 2914 = Arp 137 = UGC 5096 = MCG +02-25-006 = CGCG 063-010 = PGC 27185
09 34 02.8  +10 06 31; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 15°

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated.  A mag 15 star is off the east edge 36" from the center.  A mag 11 star lies 1.6' NW. Forms a trio with NGC 2911 4.8' NW and UGC 5093 4.8' S.

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, very small, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2914 = H. III-513 = h609 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 534) and recorded "eF; vS; stellar; 240 verified it."  John Louis Dreyer, the 4th Earl of Rosse's assistant in March 1877, wrote "F, S, R, bM, vF star 3/4' following."
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NGC 2915 = ESO 037-003 = AM 0926-762 = PGC 26761
09 26 13.0  -76 37 35; Cha
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 129°

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.0'x0.6'.  Appears slightly brighter at the NW end.  An easy pair of mag 12-13 stars (25" separation) lies 4.5' NW.  Located 8.4' NE of a mag 8 star.

NGC 2915 is classified as an unusual Blue Compact Dwarf.  A significant percentage of its mass is within an extended neutral hydrogen halo that extends to nearly 20'x12' and within a massive halo of dark matter.

A very faint globular, E3, lies 43' SSW.  At 200x, three faint stars were resolved over a 1' low surface brightness hazy glow with no concentration.  In addition two brighter field stars are situated at the outside edge of the glow.  At 260x, a fourth superimposed star was glimpsed, though these are possibly line of sight stars and perhaps the cluster, itself, was unresolved.  Although situated 43' SSW of NGC 2915 the precise position was pinned down moving 13' W of a mag 7.7 star using a 16" pair of mag 12/14 stars (situated at the midpoint of this line) as a reference.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2915 = h3174 on 31 Mar 1837 and logged "pF; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 45"."  His position matches ESO 037-003 = PGC 26761.
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NGC 2916 = UGC 5103 = MCG +04-23-011 = CGCG 122-021 = PGC 27244
09 34 57.7  +21 42 19; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.7' SSW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2916 = H. II-260 = h610 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded "F, pS, lE."  George Stoney, using the 72" on 9 Mar 1850, logged "D Nucl or D * in it, light unequal, another * susp. preceding the brighter of the D one."  His description matches a (single) star superimposed just north of the nucleus.
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NGC 2917 = UGC 5098 = MCG +00-25-002 = CGCG 007-003 = PGC 27207
09 34 26.9  -02 30 16; Hya
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 169°

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.  A mag 10 star (SAO 136961) is 2' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2917 = m 170 on 6 Feb 1864 and logged "pF, S, much brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 5098 = PGC 27207.
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NGC 2918 = UGC 5112 = MCG +05-23-019 = CGCG 152-032 = PGC 27282
09 35 44.1  +31 42 20; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 65°

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.8', bright core has a slight even concentration down to an occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located at midpoint of two mag 13.5 stars 2.5' S and 2.5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2918 = H. III-298 = h611 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "vF, vS, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel recorded on 27 Jan 1827 (sweep 56), "F; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle almost to a star."
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NGC 2919 = UGC 5102 = MCG +02-25-007 = CGCG 152-032 = PGC 27232
09 34 47.5  +10 17 01; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 159°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, halo gradually brightens.  Flanked by two mag 13.5 stars 2.0' E and 2.0' N of center.  Two mag 9.5 stars are about 5' SE.  NGC 2911 lies 18' WSW.

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, very elongated NNW-SSE.  Located 17' ENE of NGC 2911.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2919 = T. 1-24 = T. 5-4 on 7 Mar 1874 and logged an approximate position 2' to the NW.  Apparently his target was NGC 2911 and/or NGC 2914 (about 16' SW) and he assumed his object was probably one of these.  Stephan didn't publish this discovery, so he didn't receive credit in the NGC.

Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered this galaxy again on 1 Feb 1877 and reported it as new in his first list (#24).  He measured a micrometric position matching UGC 5102 in his 5th list (#4).  The position in the GC Supplement is good, but the RA in the NGC is 21 seconds too large.
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NGC 2920 = ESO 565-015 = PGC 27197
09 34 12.1  -20 51 33; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 129°

17.5" (3/8/97): faint, small, slightly elongated, 30"x25" (NW-SE?).  A mag 15 star is just off the following end about 20" from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 2921 5.8' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2920 = h3172 on 1 Feb 1837 and logged "eF; S; R: the preceding of two [with NGC 2921]."  His position is ~1' E of ESO 565-015.
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NGC 2921 = ESO 565-017 = MCG -03-25-006 = PGC 27214
09 34 31.3  -20 55 13; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 83°

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.8', broad concentration to a 15" core.  A mag 14 star is just off the NW side [53" from the center].  Forms a pair with NGC 2920 5.8' NW.  Located 33' NW of NGC 2935.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2921 = H. III-597 = h3173 on 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 663) and logged "vF, S, R, very gradually little brighter middle.  His position is within 1' of ESO 565-017 = PGC 27214.  John Herschel made two observations and on sweep 770 discovered NGC 2920.
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NGC 2922 = UGC 5118 = MCG +06-21-057 = CGCG 181-066 = KUG 0933+379 = PGC 27361
09 36 52.4  +37 41 41; LMi
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 103°

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', appears brighter on the western half.  A string of mag 11.5-13.5 stars runs E-W through the 20' field including a mag 13.5 star 39" SW of center.  The western end of this unusual string begins at a mag 11.5 star which is 2.7' W of NGC 2922 and ends at an 11th magnitude star which is 18' E of NGC 2922.  IC 2493 lies 21' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2922 = St. 13-48 on 22 Mar 1878.  His published position (list 13, #48) was reduced on 18 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5118.
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NGC 2923 = CGCG 092-008 = PGC 27306
09 36 03.8  +16 45 37; Leo
V = 15.3;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  PA = 28°

24" (3/21/20): at 260x, very faint, very small, round, 24" diameter, low even surface brightness.  The CGCG blue photographic mag of 15.2 is too bright -- this galaxy is quite faint.

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Required averted to glimpse intermittently once exact position identified.  Located at the western edge of a faint group of galaxies (brightest member NGC 2943).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2923 = m 171 on 1 Apr 1864 and simply noted "vF".  His position is 2' N of CGCG 092-008 = PGC 27306, so this identification is pretty secure.
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NGC 2924 = MCG -03-25-008 = VV 808 = PGC 27253
09 35 10.8  -16 23 54; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 150°

24" (2/13/18): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, consists of mainly a large bright core and only a small halo.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' SE and a mag 15 star is at the SW edge, ~20" from center.  Mag 9.7 HD 83049 lies 6.6' SE and mag 7.8 HD 82927 is 8' W.

Forms a pair with IC 546 5' WNW.  The companion was fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20" diameter, with a mag 13.7 star attached on the north side.  Just 3' W of IC 546 is mag 7.8 HD 82927, a wide unequal pair.

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  A faint mag 14 star (similar in brightness to the nucleus) is off the SE edge, 1.0' from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2924 = h3175 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "pB; R; 20"."  His position matches MCG -03-25-008 = PGC 27253.
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NGC 2925 = ESO 166-022 = Cr 210
09 33 11  -53 23 48; Vel
V = 8.3;  Size 12'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): scattered cluster with 60+ stars mag 8.5 and fainter in a 10' region.  The brightest stars roughly define the outline, including mag 8.5 HD 82812 at the west end.  On the south side is HJ 4221, a 9.4/9.9 pair at 15" and three mag 9-10 stars are on the east side.  Mag 7.7 HD 82737 lies 13' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2925 = h3177 on 5 Jan 1837 and recorded "a pretty rich cluster, 8th class; a double star (one of the chief) taken."  His position is at the southeast edge of the cluster and the double is HJ 4221.
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NGC 2926 = UGC 5125 = MCG +06-21-060 = CGCG 181-071 = PGC 27400
09 37 31.0  +32 50 30; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 120°

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, unconcentrated.  A mag 14.7 star is 1.5' SW.  Located 4.3' S of mag 9.2 SAO 61602.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 2926 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at the Vienna University Observatory.  His description simply states "very faint" and his micrometric position matches UGC 5125.  The same night he discovered NGC 2944 and Oppenheim found NGC 2981.
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NGC 2927 = UGC 5122 = MCG +04-23-016 = CGCG 122-032 = PGC 27385
09 37 15.2  +23 35 26; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', even concentration in halo down to a very small brighter core, halo fades into background.  Located 14' WNW of mag 8.0 SAO 80939.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2927, along with NGC 2929, 2930 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863 and roughly recorded "F, pL, R, 25"-35"."  His position (measured on 4 nights) matches UGC 5122.
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NGC 2928 = MCG +03-25-005 = CGCG 092-011 = PGC 27380
09 37 10.1  +16 58 38; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  PA = 40°

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration.  Located 3.7' NW of a mag 10.4 star.  On a line with NGC 2933 11' ENE and NGC 2943 (brightest in the group) 20' ENE.

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.5', low surface brightness, weak concentration.  Located 3.7' NW of a mag 10.4 star.  First in the NGC 2943 group which extends about 40' to the east.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2928 = m 172 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, S, R, bM."  His position is 1'  NW of CGCG 092-011 = PGC 27380.  This is the 2nd of 7 galaxies discovered that night in the NGC 2943 group.
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NGC 2929 = UGC 5126 = MCG +04-23-017 = CGCG 122-034 = Holm 134b = WBL 227-001 = PGC 27398
09 37 29.9  +23 09 39; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 144°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; first in a nice string of an equally spaced and collinear triplet.  fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.9'x0.3', slightly brighter bulging core.  Located 11' NE of mag 7.1 HD 83145 and 20' ESE of mag 7.5 HD 83004.  Brightest in a group (WBL 227) which includes NGC 2927, 2930, 2931, PGC 27435 and PGC 27434.

PGC 27435, located 5.6' E of NGC 2929, was extremely faint (V = 15.6), fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, ~25"x12".  It was often visible at 225x (10mm ZAO) and 375x (6mm ZAO), but I couldn't hold steadily for a significant length of time.

PGC 27434, located 7' ESE of NGC 2929, was marginally glimpsed 1.2' ESE of PGC 27435.  I probably only noticed the slightly brighter central region (~10") but too ephemeral (V = 16.1) to notice a shape.  It only popped a few definite times but was verified in the same position.

17.5" (4/15/93): first and largest of a close trio in a line.  Faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3'.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' NW.  Located 10' NE of mag 7.1 SAO 80931 at the edge of the field.  NGC 2930 lies 2.8' NNE and similar brightness to NGC 2931 5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2929, along with NGC 2930 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 5126 = PGC 27398.
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NGC 2930 = MCG +04-23-018 = CGCG 122-035 = Holm 134a = WAS 1 = WBL 229-002 = PGC 27404
09 37 32.7  +23 12 12; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 135°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Faintest in a triplet at the midpoint of NGC 2929 2.6' SSW and NGC  2931 2.5' NNE.  NGC 2930 is a blue emission-line galaxy (WAS 1) and the site of a recent supernova (SN 2005M) 

17.5" (4/15/93): second and faintest of three.  Very faint, small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' SW.  In a tight trio with NGC 2929 2.8' SSW and NGC 2931 2.5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2930, along with NGC 2929 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches CGCG 122-035 = PGC 27404.
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NGC 2931 = MCG +04-23-019 = CGCG 122-036 = Holm 134c = WBL 227-003 = PGC 27415
09 37 37.7  +23 14 26; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  PA = 69°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 40"x30".  Third in a collinear trio with slightly fainter NGC 2930 2.5' SSW.

17.5" (4/15/93): third of three with NGC 2930 2.5' SSW and NGC 2929 5' SSW.  Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2931, along with NGC 2929 and 2930 on 21 Feb 1863.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches CGCG 122-036 = PGC 27415.  He noted a mag 14-15 star (mag 12 in my observation) follows by 11 seconds of time.
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NGC 2932 = ESO 261-010 = [KPS2012] MWSC 1694
09 35 54  -46 55; Vel
Size 60'

18" (10/17/17 - OzSky):  This observation, made at 2:30 AM with the object at an elevation of ~15°, completed the entire NGC!  At 91x it took a few minutes to identify the field with certainty as the general region is fairly uniformly rich and no detached Milky Way patches stood out. Using a printed finder chart, I identified a few distinct asterisms within this Milky Way star field.  John Herschel referred to a very large field, 1 to 1.5 degrees, but my eye caught a brighter, more condensed region centered about 09 35 15 -46 52 that was noticeably elongated SW-NE and extended ~15'x6'.  At the southwest end was mag 8.6 HD 83152 and at the northeast was mag 9.4 HD 83265.  This group is identified in SIMBAD as [KPS2012] MWSC 1694.

To the east of this grouping is a much smaller 6' string oriented WSW-ENE (centered about 09 36.4  -46 58) with a mag 9.9 star at the WSW tip.  Close  east is mag 8.6 HD 83444 and a curling stream of stars is to its south.  Finally, just to the southwest of this field is mag 7.7 HD 82729 as well as a distinctive 2' group of 4 stars including mag 9.2 HD 82851.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2932 = h3179 on 3 Mar 1837 and recorded "This is about the middle of an enormous cluster of 1 deg or 1.5 deg, very rich in stars of all magnitudes, from 8m downwards, which merits registry as a sort of telescope Praesape.  It may be regarded as a detached portion of the milky way."  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2933 = UGC 5132 = MCG +03-25-008 = CGCG 092-015 = VV 808 = WBL 229-001 = PGC 27436
09 37 55.0  +17 00 52; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  PA = 30°

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 24"x8", even surface brightness.  Situated 1.6' NNE of a mag 10 star and 9' W of NGC 2943, the brightest member of the group (WBL 229).  NGC 2934 (faintest member) lies 2.4' N.

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, small, round, very diffuse.  A mag 11 star is 1.5' SSW.  Located 11' N of mag 7.9 SAO 98681.  Forms a pair with NGC 2943 9' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2933 = m 173 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, vS, little extended, sp of 2 [with NGC 2943]."  His position is 1'  N of UGC 5132 = PGC 27436.  This is the 3rd of 7 galaxies discovered that night in the NGC 2943 group.  A very faint edge-on is at the NE tip and RNGC, UGC, MCG and PGC identify the system as NGC 2933/2934, but NGC 2934 is more likely a separate galaxy 2.4' N.  See that listing.
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NGC 2934 = PGC 1523531
09 37 55.2  +17 03 16; Leo
V = 15.8;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared extremely to very faint, extremely small, round, just 6" diameter.  It took some effort to initially identify and is comparable to a mag 15.9 star just 0.8' E.  Situated 2.4' N of NGC 2933.  This is the faintest of 7 NGC galaxies in the NGC 2943 group (WBL 229).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2934 = m 174 on 2 Apr 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and only noted "eF".  Dreyer added "nf of 2 [with m173 = NGC 2933], but NGC 2933 was discovered a year earlier.  His position is 3 tsec of RA east and 2' N of NGC 2933.  An extremely faint edge-on is at the NE tip of NGC 2933 and UGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2934.  Assuming Marth went back to verify the group in 1865 and picked a nebula near NGC 2933, the most likely candidate is PGC 1523531, situated 2.4' due north of NGC 2933.  Karl Reinmuth misidentifies NGC 2934 with a faint star 0.8' east: "neb*14, vS, R; eeeF neb or * p 0.8' [this refers to NGC 2934], *12.5 nnf 1.2', 2 cF S neb np 7.2' and nnp 3.8'."  This was the last nebula that Marth discovered on Malta and one of the faintest!
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NGC 2935 = ESO 565-023 = UGCA 169 = MCG -03-25-011 = PGC 27351
09 36 44.8  -21 07 41; Hya
V = 11.4;  Size 3.6'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 165°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, high surface brightness.  A couple of mag 14 stars are superimposed and a mag 12.5 star is just off the SE end 2.1' from center.  Appears brighter at the SW end.  NGC 2921 lies 33' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2935 = H. II-556 = h3178 on 20 Mar 1786 (sweep 542) and logged "pB; cL; iR; very gradually brighter middle."  On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 663) he noted "pB; vS; R; mbM."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on sweep 561: "pB; vS; gradually much brighter middle; little extended; 25" l, 20" br."
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NGC 2936 = Arp 142 NED2 = VV 316a = Holm 135a = UGC 5130 = MCG +01-25-006 = CGCG 035-015n = PGC 27422
09 37 44.2  +02 45 39; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

48" (2/20/12): bright disrupted galaxy with a highly irregular surface brightness and a curving shape with a faint tail. At 375x and 488x, the central region is extended E-W, roughly 30"x20", with a very small bright nucleus.  A low surface brightness "tail" is attached on the west side of the bright central region. The relatively broad tail sweeps south-southwest for ~45", gradually dimming out due west of the center of NGC 2937.  The tail significantly increases the overall dimensions of the galaxy to at least 1.2'x0.6'.

Forms a close pair with NGC 2937 to the south with the cores of the galaxies separated by less than 1'.  A mag 13 star is 1' NW and just beyond is LEDA 1237172, a very low surface brightness streak extending ~18"x5" NW-SE.  Arp describes LEDA 1237172 as a "shred" or "jet" of NGC 2936.

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6'.  A mag 13/14 double star at 18" separation is 1' NNW and two mag 13.5/14 stars at 36" separation are 2' NNE.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 2937 0.8' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2936 = m 175 on 3 Mar 1864, along with NGC 2927, and simply noted "vF, iR."  His position is 1' S of UGC 5130. The dimensions of NGC 2936 and 2937 appear reversed in the RC3 and MCG.
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NGC 2937 = Arp 142 NED3 = Arp 142:C1 = VV 316b = Holm 135b = UGC 5131 = MCG +01-25-007 = CGCG 035-015s = PGC 27423
09 37 45.0  +02 44 50; Hya
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  PA = 15°

48" (2/20/12): bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.25', high surface brightness, very small intense nucleus.  Forms a close pair with highly disrupted NGC 2936 with the cores of the galaxies separated by less than 1'.

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, very small, round.  Appears as a fairly high surface brightness "knot" located just off the south edge of NGC 2936.  No outer halo visible.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2937 = m 176 on 3 Mar 1864, along with NGC 2926, and noted "F, S, like a neb*."  His position matches UGC 5131. The dimensions of NGC 2936 and 2937 appear reversed in the RC3 and MCG.
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NGC 2938 = UGC 5115 = MCG +13-07-032 = CGCG 350-027 = PGC 27473
09 38 24.0  +76 19 10; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 105°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2938 = H. III-963 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He recorded "extremely faint, small, irregular figure."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  Herschel caught the error in alignment three nights later (5 Apr) with the telescope sweeping in the same position and appended this note: "On examination, I find by an accident of taking down the 25 feet [Spanish] telescope, my instrument has been drawn out of the meridian towards the east at least 5 or 6 degrees in azimuth, perhaps more."  But although his sweep that night was not registered (two nebulae and five stars were recorded), Caroline apparently didn’t realize the same situation applied to sweep 1096.  Eventually, a corrected position for NGC 2938 matching UGC 5115 was published in 1911 (MN, 71, 509) using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated the corrected position in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.

John Herschel observed what he assumed was his father's III-963, and recorded h612 as "eF; has a coarse double star 3' following."  His position and description is very close to a mag 15 star.  He used his father's description and added "D * f 3'." in the GC description.  The MN article equates h612 with a faint star preceding the double star.  So, NGC 2938 is only equated with H. III-963, and not h612.
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NGC 2939 = UGC 5134 = MCG +02-25-011 = CGCG 063-022 = WBL 228-001 = PGC 27451
09 38 08.1  +09 31 23; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 2.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 154°

24" (2/8/18): at 375x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, ~1.4'x0.4'. Contains a brighter core with a mag ~14 star attached at its southeast edge!  The extensions fade out at the tips.  In a trio with NGC 2940 5.6' N and IC 548 5.5' SE. NGC 2939 is part of the NGC 2911 group (LGG 177 at z = .01), which includes NGC 2913 and 2914.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2940 5.6' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2939 = H. III-4 = h614 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 82) and recorded (full text) "A nebula.  About 2/3 degree prec. & about 10' foll of 14 Leonis, a very faint nebula or cl of suspected stars.  A triangle is situated just north of it, but the nebula is so faint that is best to be seen when the stars are drawn out of the field.  These 3 or 4 stars are visible in the finder in the shape of a small nebula."  His position (from sweep 534 on 3 Mar 1786) is 3' northwest of UGC 5134 = PGC 27451.
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NGC 2940 = MCG +02-25-012 = CGCG 063-023 = WBL 228-002 = PGC 27448
09 38 05.2  +09 37 00; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 91°

24" (2/8/18): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20", low nearly even surface brightness with a very small brighter nucleus.  First of three with NGC 2939 5.5' S and IC 548 11' SSE.  A mag 10.5 star is 4.5' E and a mag 9.0 star (SAO 117823) is 7.5' E, with the two stars nearly collinear with this galaxy, along with a mag 9.7 star 6' NE.  The three galaxies have disparate redshifts, so lie at different distances.

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 2939 5' S.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2940 = T. 1-25  in 1877 with the 11" refractor at Arcetri and placed 5' N of NGC 2939 (the actual separation is 5.6').  He mentioned that d'Arrest missed this object.
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NGC 2941 = MCG +03-25-009 = CGCG 092-017 = Holm 136b = WBL 229-002 = PGC 27470
09 38 24.2  +17 02 40; Leo
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 167°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; faint, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", low even surface brightness.  Located 2.3' WNW of NGC 2943 in a group.

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, small, elongated ~2:1 N-S, 20"x12", a mag 15 star is 1' NW.  NGC 2943 (brightest in the group WBL 229) is 2.2' ESE.

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' NW.  Located 2.2' WNW of NGC 2943 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2941 = m 177 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "eF, vS, lE."  Dreyer added "p of 2 [with NGC 2943]" in the NGC description.  This is the 3rd of 6 members of the NGC 2943 group he discovered this night.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 14 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2942 = UGC 5140 = MCG +06-21-065 = CGCG 181-076 = PGC 27527
09 39 08.0  +34 00 23; LMi
V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 165°

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, round, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, very weakly concentrated, halo reaches 2/3 of the way to a mag 14 star just 1.4' W of center.  A mag 11.5 star is 3.0' ESE and a mag 12 star lies 4.6' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2942 = h613 on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128) and logged "vF; vL; lE parallel to meridian; very gradually brighter middle; has a * 10m following."  His position and description matches UGC 5140.
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NGC 2943 = UGC 5136 = MCG +03-25-011 = CGCG 092-019 = Holm 136a = WBL 229-003 = PGC 27482
09 38 32.9  +17 01 52; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 130°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; moderately bright and large, oval 5:3 NW-SE, ~40"x24", well concentrated with a small bright core.  A mag 15.5 star is 40" SW of center and a mag 15.2 star is 50" SE.  A 10" pair of mag 13.5 stars is 3' NE. NGC 2943 is brightest in a group (WBL 229) including nearby NGC 2941 2.3' WNW and NGC 2946 6.8' E.  LEDA 1523095 1.4' WNW of NGC 2943 (squeezed between NGC 2943 and 2941) appeared extremely faint (V = 15.9) and small, round, 8" diameter.  LEDA 3744883, 1.5' E of NGC 2943, appeared extremely faint, very small, 12" diameter. 

24" (2/22/14): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~40"x27", very weak concentration in then halo the increases suddenly to a small bright core.  A mag 15 star is 0.9' SE of center and a mag 15.5 star is 0.7' SW of center. Brightest in a group (WBL 229) with NGC 2941 2.2' WNW.

17.5" (3/29/89): brightest in a group with NGC 2941 2.2' WNW and a faint companion (MCG +03-25-012) 2.7' NE.  Faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star is 1' SSE.  The group extends one degree E-W and includes NGC 2923, NGC 2928, NGC 2933, NGC 2934 (not seen), NGC 2941, NGC 2943, NGC 2946 and NGC 2949.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2943 = m 178 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, S ,iR, bM."  Dreyer added "f of 2 [with NGC 2941]" in the NGC description.  This is the 4th of 6 galaxies discovered in the cluster on this night (NGC 2944 was picked up a year later).  Édouard Stephan observed the cluster on 14 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2944 = Arp 63 = VV 82a = UGC 5144 = MCG +06-21-067 = CGCG 181-078 = PGC 27533
09 39 18.0  +32 18 38; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 95°

48" (5/9/21): at 488x and 610x; the main galaxy (NGC 2944) of this apparent triple merger was moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.2', contains a very small bright core.  The eastern end of the galaxy is fainter.  This appearance may be due to a brighter "knot" or core of an interacting companion only 15" W of center.  This knot occasionally flashed a stellar nucleus.  The third galaxy, VV 82b (nearly attached to the eastern arm of NGC 2944), required averted vision and was an extremely low surface brightness spot, at most 0.2' diameter.

48" (4/18/15): at 697x, this double (or possibly triple) system appeared moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~36"x12", weak concentration.  A small roundish knot attached at the west end has a moderately high surface brightness and a diameter of 8"-10".  On the SDSS this "knot" appears to be the core of a merged interacting companion!  VV 82b is another interacting companion, just 27" SE of center.  It appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.  It was only visible with averted for short periods.  PGC lists a photographic mag of 18.6.

The double system Arp 129 = VV 83 = UGC 5146 is 3.5' NNE.  At 697x; the eastern component appeared moderately to fairly bright, small, round, high surface brightness, ~20" diameter.  A mag 12 star, superimposed on the western component VV 83a = MCG +06-21-071 is just 30" WSW.  VV 83a appeared fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, nearly even surface brightness?  Although easily visible, the view is significantly impaired by the 12th magnitude star and the galaxy was only visible on the east side of the star.

18" (4/14/12): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~30"x18", slightly brighter core.  Arp 63 is a merged double system with a third very faint companion 30" SE, which was not seen.

The double system Arp 129 lies just 3.8' NE.  The eastern component (MCG +06-21-072) appeared faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  There is a relatively bright star superimposed on the western component (MCG +06-21-072), making confirmation difficult.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, slightly brighter core but overall low surface brightness.  Collinear with two mag 13 stars 3.4' and 4.4' NE.  This double system was not resolved under noticeably hazy sky conditions and soft seeing.  UGC 5146 = Arp 129, another double system, lies 3.7' NE.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 2944 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at the Vienna University Observatory.  His description reads "faint, somewhat compressed, 1/4' diameter" and is micrometric position is accurate.  This is a disrupted double or triple system in contact.  The listed dimensions (from UGC) are for the combined system.  The same night Palisa also discovered NGC 2926 and Samuel Oppenheim discovered NGC 2981.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

NGC 2944 is in the Arp category of Spiral Galaxies with small, high surface-brightness companions on arms.  Vorontsov-Velyaminov also considered this a pair of galaxies, although VV 82a appears to be double itself.
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NGC 2945 = ESO 565-028 = MCG -04-23-010 = PGC 27418
09 37 41.1  -22 02 06; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 168°

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration with no nucleus.  A mag 14 star follows 1.1' E of center and a mag 15 star is off the west end 0.8' from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2945 = h3180 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "F, S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 2 or 3 small stars near."  His position and description (two observations) matches ESO 565-028 = PGC 27418.
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NGC 2946 = UGC 5143 = MCG +03-25-013 = CGCG 092-020 = WBL 229-004 = PGC 27521
09 39 01.6  +17 01 31; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 13°

24" (2/15/18): at 375x; faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.2', low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2' SSE. Located 6.8' E of NGC 2943 in a group.

24" (2/22/14): at 375x; appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 25"x10", weak concentration.  Located 6.9' due east of NGC 2943 (brightest in the group WBL 229-004).

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, elongated N-S.  Located 6.7' E of NGC 2943 in a group.  On a line with three mag 14 stars just SE oriented NNW-SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2946 = m 179 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, S, E."  This is the 5th of 6 galaxies in the NGC 2943 group that he discovered. Édouard Stephan made an observation on 14 Feb 1877.
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NGC 2947 = IC 547 = IC 2494 = MCG -02-25-004 = PGC 27309
09 36 05.8  -12 26 13; Hya
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 25°

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, round, 1.2' diameter, almost even surface brightness, well-defined outer edge to halo.  Two mag 11 stars are off the SE edge 1.6' and 2.1' from the center.  Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2947 = LM 1-156 on 6 May 1886 and reported "mag 15.0, 1.1' dia, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle."  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA), but 2.2 minutes o RA west is MCG -02-25-004 = PGC 27309.  Since this galaxy matches in declination, and the LM positions are generally 1-2 minutes of RA too large, this identification is very likely.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered NGC 2947 on 20 Apr 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice and measured an accurate micrometric position.  Dreyer assumed J. 1-165 was new so it was recatalogued it as IC 547.  Finally, NGC 2947 was independently found by Lewis Swift on 20 Feb 1898, listed as XI-95, and catalogued a third time as IC 2494.  Swift's position was 10 seconds of RA too far west and 3' too far north.  Howe measured an accurate position that was adopted in the IC.  So, NGC 2947 = IC 547 = IC 2494.  MCG labels the galaxy as IC 547, as the position is accurate.
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NGC 2948 = UGC 5141 = MCG +01-25-007 = CGCG 035-020 = PGC 27518
09 38 59.2  +06 57 19; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 7°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.7', weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the east edge of the south extension 0.9' from center.  Located between a mag 9.5 star 4.0' SW and wide pair of mag 11/13 stars 3' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2948 = H. III-519 = h615 on 24 Mar 1786 (sweep 543) and logged "vF, pL, very gradually very little brighter middle; between two groups of stars in a directions from np to sf."  His position matches UGC 5141.
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NGC 2949 = CGCG 092-025 = PGC 27579
09 39 56.3  +16 47 09; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 0.8'x0.45'

24" (2/15/18): this double system was resolved at 375x.  The brighter western galaxy (LEDA 1516936) appeared faint, very small, roundish, 20" diameter.  The fainter eastern component (NPM1G +17.0270) was very faint, extremely small, round, 8" diameter.  The two galaxies are separated by 32" WSW-ENE.

CGCG 92-24, 8' N, appeared very faint, small, round, 20", low surface brightness.  I probably only picked up the slightly brighter central region of this low surface brightness galaxy. CGCG 92-24 = PGC 27573 is misidentified as NGC 2949 in MCG and PGC, as well as secondary sources such as the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas/Catalog and Megastar.

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, very low surface brightness, visible with averted only.  Located at the east end of the NGC 2943 group.  This observation refers to the brighter western component.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2949 = m 180 on 1 Apr 1864 and recorded "vF, query: double?"  His position maches the double system CGCG 092-025 = PGC 27579, so both components would have received an NGC designation if he was confident.  MCG and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify CGCG 092-024 = PGC 27573 as NGC 2949.  This galaxy is 8' N of NGC 2949.  The identification is correct in CGCG and RNGC.
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NGC 2950 = UGC 5176 = MCG +10-14-032 = CGCG 289-016 = PGC 27765
09 42 35.1  +58 51 04; UMa
V = 10.9;  Size 2.7'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 145°

17.5" (3/12/88): bright, very small, almost round, sharp concentration with a very small and very bright core surrounded by a small faint halo.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' WSW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2950 = H. IV-68 = h616 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952). He recorded "very bright, small, exactly round, bright middle nucleus, very faint cheveulure very gradually joining to the north.  Possibly in a lower situation the chevelure might be invisible, and this nebula put on the appearance of a a very ill defined planetary, one of 6-8 or 10" diam."  The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars."

On 8 Mar 1832 (sweep 404) John Herschel logged, "pB; R; suddenly much brighter middle; almost to a star.  Has a * 11m 20s p and 15" or 20" N."
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NGC 2951 = MCG +00-25-006 = CGCG 007-017 = PGC 27562
09 39 40.4  -00 14 07; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 90°

17.5" (2/13/88): very faint, very small, round.  Located 2' S of the line joining two mag 9.5 stars 3.1' NE (SAO 117834) and 4.6' NW.  This double system was not resolved.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2951 = m 181 on 6 Feb 1864 and recorded "pF, S, E."  His position matches CGCG 007-017 = PGC 27562. This is a merged double system (the dimensions refer to the combined system) oriented east-west.
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NGC 2952 = PGC 27411
09 37 37.0  -10 11 00; Hya
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 9°

18" (4/14/12): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Just visible continuously with averted at 283x.  Located 40' NW of mag 6.3 HD 83650.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2952 = LM 2-414 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.6' dia, irregularly round, suddenly brighter in the middle, *9.5 f 30s."  There is nothing at his position but 2.0 tmin west and 3' south is PGC 27411. A mag 11 star follows by 30 sec of RA so despite the poor position, this identification is very likely.  RNGC classified NGC 2952 as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2953
09 40 27.7  +14 50 37; Leo

= *? Corwin, Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2953 = h3182 on 18 Mar 1836 (along with NGC 2954 = h3181) and noted as a "suspected nebula".  A note was added "These suspicions have been so constantly verified on re-observations, that I have little hesitation in registering it as an object in the catalogue."  Only a rough position was given, but the offset is 6' south of NGC 2954, which was measured on the same sweep and whose position is pretty accurate. There are nothing non-stellar near his position, but within 1' of this offset is a mag 14.5 star (isolated, so there are no other good candidates) and Harold Corwin suggests this is probably the "suspected nebula."  RNGC classifies the number nonexistent.
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NGC 2954 = UGC 5155 = MCG +03-25-019 = CGCG 092-026 = PGC 27600
09 40 24.1  +14 55 22; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 160°

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, bright core, fairly high surface brightness.  Located on a line with two mag 12 stars 1.8' NNW and 2.5' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2954 = h3181 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF; R; 20".  Another suspected [NGC 2953] 6' south, nearly on the same parallel."  Although his position for NGC 2954 was accurate, there is nothing near his position for NGC 2953 and it likely refers to a faint star.  E.E. Barnard swept it up on 3 Nov 1891 with the 12" refractor at Lick Observatory.  He noted it (Logbook #54) as "1/2' diameter, 12 1/2 mag, indef (?). A 9.5 mag star 4' ± south-preceding."
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NGC 2955 = UGC 5166 = MCG +06-21-073 = CGCG 181-082 = PGC 27666
09 41 16.6  +35 52 56; LMi
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 162°

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, elongated 5:3 NNW-SSE, broad concentration to a slightly brighter core.  The core contains a slightly brighter nucleus with direct vision.  A mag 15 star is at the west edge 32" from the center. Located 2.2' N of a mag 12 star.  There is a faint "star" 2' N which seemed slightly nebulous in appearance, but the DSS reveals this to be a close pair of mag 15 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2955 = H. III-541 = h620 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorded "cF; S; iF; resolvable." Caroline's reduced position is 2' north of UGC 5166.  John Herschel described it on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) as "F; pL' R' very gradually little brighter middle; 30"; has a *18 mag 30" p."  The star is just where he placed it, though close to 15th-magnitude.
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NGC 2956 = ESO 565-034 = PGC 27531
09 39 17.0  -19 06 04; Hya
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 55°

18" (2/23/06): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides of length 3' with a mag 10 star to the ENE and a mag 11 star to the SE.  I couldn't hold this galaxy steadily using averted vision.  The DSS reveals faint extensions to the SW and NE that were not visible.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2956 = LM 2-415 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.0, 0.4' dia, R, *9.5 at 3.8' in PA 130° [SE]."  His position is 3.8' south of ESO 565-034 = PGC 27531 and the description of the nearby star matches.
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NGC 2957 = MCG +12-10-002 = CGCG 332-064 = CGCG 333-002 = Mrk 121 = PGC 28119
09 47 18.2  +72 59 02; Dra
V = 14.5;  Size 1.0'x0.4'

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~35"x15", very small brighter core. A mag 13.7 star is nearly aligned with the major axis [42" from center].  Forms a close double system with MCG +12-10-001 off the NW side [14" between centers].  

17.5" (4/4/92): at 222x; faint, very small, round, broad concentration.  A mag 14 star is 25" off the SW edge and 40" from the center.  This is a double system with a very compact companion (not seen) just off the NW edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 2963 2.8' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2957 = h617 on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382) and recorded "eF; has a *13m near."  There is nothing at his position but exactly 1 min of RA east is CGCG 332-064 (a double system) and a mag 13 star is off the SW edge, matching the description.  Also, his position of nearby NGC 2963 (discovered by his father) carries the same offset.

Looking over the RNGC data, it is clear the entry for NGC 2957 is simply a duplicate of NGC 2963.  This error was included in my RNGC Corrections #4.
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NGC 2958 = UGC 5160 = MCG +02-25-015 = CGCG 063-033 = PGC 27620
09 40 41.7  +11 53 18; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 10°

17.5" (4/13/96): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  Broad and weak concentration with a fairly low surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star lies 4' WSW.  "Frosty Leo" nebula lies 13' NW.  Observation made through thin clouds.

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, 40" diameter, round, very weak concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 4.3' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2958 = St. 9-20 on 7 Mar 1877 (or earlier) with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory.  The first observation may have been on 17 Feb 1868 if he made a 3° error in recording the declination.
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NGC 2959 = UGC 5202 = MCG +12-09-062 = CGCG 332-061 = PGC 27939
09 45 08.9  +68 35 41; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, halo brightens to a small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' W of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2961 1.5' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2959 = h618 on 28 Oct 1831 (sweep 377) and logged, "F; R; pL; very gradually little brighter middle; 40"; is south of a small group of stars."  His position matches UGC 5202 = PGC 27939.
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NGC 2960 = UGC 5159 = MCG +01-25-009 = CGCG 035-026 = Mrk 1419 = PGC 27619
09 40 36.4  +03 34 37; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 2.7' WNW of a mag 10.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2960 = h621 on 4 Mar 1826 (sweep 18) and logged "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is 6 sec of RA east and 1.4' north of UGC 5159 = PGC 27619.
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NGC 2961 = NGC 2959A = MCG +12-09-063 = CGCG 332-063 = PGC 27958
09 45 22.4  +68 36 30; UMa
V = 14.7;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 136°

17.5" (4/4/92): extremely faint, very small, round, brighter core, averted only.  Forms a close pair with NGC 2959 1.5' WSW.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2961 on 26 Dec 1873 during the observation of GC 1893 = NGC 2959.  He noted it as "cF, S, lE 152.6°, gradually brighter in the middle.  Several stars near."  His micrometric offset is 77.3" in PA 57.4° from NGC 2959.  This is a good match with CGCG 332-063 although CGCG does not label this entry as NGC 2961.

Philip Keenan rediscovered this galaxy on a Yerkes Observatory plate by 1935 and called it NGC 2959A.  It was included in a list of new nebulae in the 1935 paper "Studies of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, Part I: Determination of Magnitudes" (ApJ, 82, 62).  All objects were assigned NGC + letter designations based on the nearest NGC object on the plate. He described it as "0.8'x0.25' in PA 144°; Sb."
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NGC 2962 = UGC 5167 = MCG +01-25-011 = CGCG 035-028 = PGC 27635
09 40 53.9  +05 09 57; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 3°

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, small, oval N-S, small bright core.  Collinear with a mag 11.5/14 double star at 24" separation just 1.5' NNE.  A line of three mag 11/12 stars of 1.0' length lies 5' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2962 = m 182 on 10 Dec 1864 and noted "F, vS, very little extended, pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  This galaxy hosted SN 1995D, which was discovered on 10 Feb 1995, 11 seconds of RA east and 90" south of the nucleus.
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NGC 2963 = UGC 5222 = MCG +12-10-003 = CGCG 332-065 = CGCG 333-003 = Mrk 122 = PGC 28155
09 47 50.4  +72 57 52; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

24" (3/6/21): at 375x; nearly moderately bright, oval ~ 5:3 NW-SE, broad concentration, ~0.8'x0.5'.  Located 5' NNW of a mag 9.8 star.  A very wide pair of mag 12/13.5 stars lie 2' S.  NGC 2957 is 2.6' WNW.

17.5" (4/4/92): at 222x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, broadly concentrated halo, faint extensions.  A wide double star mag 11/13 is 1.8' S of center (30" separation in PA 45°).  Forms a pair with NGC 2957 3' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2963 = H. III-315 = h619 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "eF, vS, 240x confirmed it."  Caroline's reduced position is 2.4' to the NW.  Herschel missed nearby NGC 2957, which was later discovered by his son.
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NGC 2964 = UGC 5183 = MCG +05-23-027 = CGCG 152-056 = Mrk 404 = KTG 25A = WBL 235-001 = PGC 27777
09 42 54.2  +31 50 50; Leo
V = 11.3;  Size 2.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 97°

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 E-W, 1.8'x1.1'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus.  Slightly brighter through the major axis like a bar.  Outside the nucleus the surface brightness is irregular, with a slight dip in brightness just north and south of the nucleus [dust or dust lanes].  A brighter arm extends E-W along the S side of the halo and a weak arm runs parallel along the N side.  NGC 2964 is the brightest in a linear trio (KTG 25, a physical group) with NGC 2968 6' NE and NGC 2970 11' NE.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 E-W, brighter core.  Brightest in a group with NGC 2968 5.8' NE and NGC 2970 11' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2964 = H. I-114 = h622, along with NGC 2968, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487). He recorded, "cB, cL, iF, much brighter in the middle." John Herschel made 4 observations, logging on 5 Mar 1828 (sweep 127), "B; vL; very gradually little brighter middle; E; 2.5' by 1.5'." 

Fourteen observations were made at Birr Castle and interesting structure was noted.  On 1 Feb 1856, R.J. Mitchell described "h622 [NGC 2968] has nucleus and is mE, its light is very unequal, and I suspect one dark lane running throughout its length south of nucleus; * in preceding edge?"  The dark lane probably refers to a dip in brightness between the nucleus and the southern spiral arm.
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NGC 2965 = UGC 5191 = MCG +06-22-003 = CGCG 181-086 = CGCG 182-004 = PGC 27813
09 43 19.1  +36 14 52; LMi
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 85°

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.8', gradually increases to a brighter and nucleus with direct vision.  Located 3.5' NNE of a mag 11.5 star.  Brightest in a group including CGCG 181-084 5.5' WSW and NGC 2971 6.8' SE (see descriptions), although fainter companions off the south side were not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2965 = H. III-751 = h623 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 902) and logged "eF, S, doubtful, not having been out long enough."  On a second sweep in Feb 1789 he recorded "eF, vS, 300x confirmed it."  John Herschel gave an unusual description from 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331): "vF, R, bM, filamentous (i.e. as if filaments hung round it; an effect probably of diverging lines of small stars, as in M13...)."  There are some faint companions on the south side which he may have glimpsed.  Both William and John Herschel missed nearby NGC 2971, which was discovered by Stephan with the 31" at Marseilles.
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NGC 2966 = UGC 5181 = MCG +01-25-013 = CGCG 035-033 = Mrk 708 = PGC 27734
09 42 11.5  +04 40 23; Sex
V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 72°

17.5" 1/31/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated WSW-ENE, unusual appearance.  A mag 13 star is attached at the NW end 30" from center and a faint star is west of the core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2966 = St. 13-49 on 22 Mar 1878 and recorded "vF star in vF, little elongated nebulosity east-west, mag 13 star precedes 2 sec of RA."  His published position (list 13, #49) was reduced on 16 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5181.  A later observation was made on 17 Mar 1882.
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NGC 2967 = UGC 5180 = MCG +00-25-007 = CGCG 007-020 = PGC 27723
09 42 03.3  +00 20 11; Sex
V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 65°

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, very gradual central brightening.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2967 = H. II-275 = h626 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 348) and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, near 1' dia."  On a later sweep he logged "pB, cL, iR."  On 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113) John Herschel logged, "pB; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 75"; r; well observed (and correctly reduced)."  His position was accurate.
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NGC 2968 = UGC 5190 = MCG +05-23-029 = CGCG 152-058 = KTG 25B = WBL 235-002 = PGC 27800
09 43 12.0  +31 55 43; Leo
V = 11.7;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

24" (2/22/14): at 260x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright, small elongated core.  There appears to be a mottled or knotty section just NE of the core.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration.  Second of three on a line with NGC 2970 5.1' NE and NGC 2964 5.8' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2968 = H. II-491 = h624, along with NGC 2964, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and logged "pB, pL, iF, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel observed the galaxy on 4 sweeps and 14 observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2969 = MCG -01-25-021 = Mrk 1235 = PGC 27714
09 41 54.5  -08 36 11; Sex
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (3/11/07): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, very weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2969 = H. III-527 = h628 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 547) and logged "cF, pL, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle."  His position was 1.2' NW of MCG -01-25-021 = PGC 27714 and two later measures were taken as well.
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NGC 2970 = MCG +05-23-030 = CGCG 152-059 = Mrk 405 = KTG 25C = WBL 235-003 = PGC 27827
09 43 31.0  +31 58 37; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, ~24"x20", sharp concentration with a very small bright nucleus.  Faintest in a nearly collinear triplet with NGC 2968 5' SW and NGC 2964 11' SW.

13.1" (2/23/85): very faint, very small, even surface brightness.  Third and faintest of three on a line with NGC 2968 5.1' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2970 = h627 on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128) and reported, "F; the foll and most northern of 3 [with NGC 2964 and 2968]."  On 18 Mar 1857, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell described it as "F, R?, bM, * in centre."  Dreyer added the comment in the NGC, "Not seen by d'Arrest, but often observed at Birr Castle."
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NGC 2971 = UGC 5197 = MCG +06-22-005 = CGCG 181-087 = CGCG 182-005 = PGC 27843
09 43 46.1  +36 10 46; LMi
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 135°

17.5" (4/18/98): very faint, small, irregularly round, 30" diameter, weakly concentrated.  A mag 11 star lies 7' W.  Located 6.8' SE of NGC 2965 in a group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2971 = St. 13-50 on 14 Feb 1877.  His published micrometric position was reduced on 26 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5197.  Dorothy Carlson mistakenly called NGC 2971 nonexistent in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.
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NGC 2972 = NGC 2999 = ESO 212-11 = Cr 211
09 40 13  -50 19 18; Vel
V = 9.9;  Size 4'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, three dozen stars are resolved in a 4' group.  Most of the stars are arranged in two intersecting rows forming an "X" shape. One part of the "X" is a 2' E-W string through the center of the group.  A few brighter stars are south of this string and these form another string that intersects and continues to the NW.  Also a 15" pair is less than 2' N of the E-W string.  Located about 2.5' W of a brighter mag 9.4 star.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2972 = D 397 = h3183 on 9 May 1826.  He recorded "a very small faint round nebula, about 15" diameter, with two or three exceedingly small stars slightly involved in it, and another small star [following] about 1' south of it."  His position is 6.6' too far ESE, within his usual errors, and the description matches.

On 18 Feb 1836 (sweep 680), John Herschel measured an accurate position and described "a small pretty compressed cluster; irregular figure; 4' in extent. Not rich stars, 13th mag."  NGC 2999 is likely a duplicate observation.
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NGC 2973
09 41 32.4  -30 05 22; Ant

= ** or ***, Corwin.

RNGC, ESO, LEDA and SIMBAD misidentify ESO 434-016 as NGC 2973, although this galaxy is 3.5 minutes of RA preceding and 6' south of JH's position.  Here is my description of that galaxy for completeness.

ESO 434-016 = MCG -05-23-007 = PGC 27439
09 37 59.6 -30 08 55
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  PA = 36°

24" (2/13/18): at 200x and 282x; fairly faint, oval 3:2 or 4:3 SW-NE, broad concentration with a slightly brighter core, no visible nucles.  Located 10' ENE of mag 7.5 HD 83379 at the center of a string of four stars, including a mag 10.6 star 3.6' N and a mag 10.4 star 5.4' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2973 = h4018 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "eF, pS, *8 f[ollowing]."  It was included in a "supplementary nebulae" list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) that Dreyer identified as "h o n" (Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.  There is no nebula at his position, but nearby is a double star at 09 41 32.4 -30 05 22 (J2000).  In addition, an 8th magnitude star is 4' due east, matching Herschel's description.  There is also a wider triple star at 09 41 34.7 -30 02 54, which is another candidate.

RNGC, ESO, LEDA and SIMBAD misidentify ESO 434-016 as NGC 2973, although this galaxy is 3.5 minutes of RA preceding and 6' south of Herschel's position.  Furthermore there is no matching bright star.  The Uranometria 2000.0 atlas (first edition) plots NGC 2973 at the position of ESO 434-016.  Reported in my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 2974 = NGC 2652 = UGCA 172 = MCG +00-25-008 = CGCG 007-022 = LGG 179-004 = PGC 27762
09 42 33.0  -03 41 59; Sex
V = 10.9;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 42°

13.1" (4/28/84): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.7', diffuse, even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is superimposed at the southwest end 0.7' from the center. Brightest in a group (LGG 179), though the other members (which include the double system Arp 253) lie over 1.5° to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2974 = H. I-61 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353).  The short description reads "pretty bright, very small, just following a star of about 9m."  He observed 11 hours this night although the temperature in the garden was recorded 30 minutes later at 14° F!  Herschel included the description of H. I-61 in the 1811 PT paper, along with a sketch (fig. 9), representing the category of nebulae with an irregular figure.  Dreyer measured an accurate micrometric position as the observing assistant for the 72-inch on 4 Mar 1877.

Ormond Stone found the galaxy in 1886 at Leander McCormick Observatory (LM II-406) but made a 1 hour mistake in RA and Dreyer recatalogued it as NGC 2652.
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NGC 2975 = PGC 27664
09 41 16.1  -16 40 28; Hya
V = 14.6;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (4/14/12): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Required averted vision and could only hold for brief periods.  There is a mag 15.5 star 35" NE that also occasionally popped and it was a bit confusing to disguish the two objects at 250x as they were about the same magnitude.  A couple of times the galaxy and star both popped simultaneously.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2975 = LM 1-157 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.0 tmin following and 1' north of PGC 27664, a typical error, so this identification is very likely.
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NGC 2976 = UGC 5221 = MCG +11-12-025 = CGCG 312-023 = PGC 28120
09 47 15.3  +67 55 00; UMa
V = 10.2;  Size 5.9'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 143°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 182x and 226x, bright, large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 4.5'x1.8'.  Unusual appearance with a highly uneven, very patchy surface due to dust and star forming complexes.  Very weak central concentration with no core or nucleus!  A mag 13 star is just at the western edge.

17.5" (2/8/91): bright, large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 4.5'x2.0', large brighter center but no core, mottled with an irregular patchy surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the west edge 1.0' from the center and a mag 14 star is just off the NW edge 2.6' from center.  

8": moderately bright, fairly large, elongated, even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2976 = H. I-285 = h625 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100).  He recorded "very bright, very large, extended from np to sf, about 6' long and 2' broad."

John Herschel made a single observation on 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 411): "bright; very large; much extended in pos = 332.4°; very gradually very little brighter middle, 3' l, 1' br; has several small stars in it, and one 12m nearly at right angles to the axis of extension."  Several of the involved stars or nearby stars were micrometrically measured at Birr Castle.
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NGC 2977 = UGC 5175 = MCG +13-07-035 = CGCG 350-030 = PGC 27845
09 43 46.7  +74 51 35; Dra
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 145°

17.5" (1/28/89): moderately bright, fairly small, oval NW-SE, large bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2977 = H. I-282 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096). He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, irregular figure."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7° (see NGC 2938 for more).   A corrected position matching UGC 5175 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  MCG does not label MCG +13-07-035 as NGC 2977.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 344).
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NGC 2978 = MCG -01-25-029 = PGC 27808
09 43 16.8  -09 44 45; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 85°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness.  Situated among a group of 10 mag 13-14 stars and just west of a line connecting a mag 12.5 star 1.2' SSE and a mag 13 star 1.4' NE which have a separation of 2.1' N-S.  Forms a pair with NGC 2980 8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2978 = Sw. 3-46 on 10 Mar 1886 to the south of NGC 2980.  His RA was 16 seconds too large.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  It seems odd that both William and John Herschel missed this galaxy while observing NGC 2980.

The Helwan observatory photographic description from 1935 reads "spiral with a pB almost stellar ncl and fairly distinct [arms]"
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NGC 2979 = NGC 3050 = MCG -02-25-012 = PGC 27795
09 43 08.6  -10 23 01; Sex
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.8', weak concentration.  Located 5.5' SSW of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2979 = H. III-521 = h631 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 544) and recorded "cF, pS, lE."  His position was just off the northwest edge of MCG -02-25-012.  John Herschel described it on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129) as "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."

Frank Muller independently found this galaxy in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described it as "mag 14.0, 0.6' dia, vlE 200°, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus."   Dreyer assumed Muller's object was new so catalogued it again as NGC 3050. His RA was 9 minutes too large, but the description (specifically the position angle) matches.  So, NGC 2979 = NGC 3050.
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NGC 2980 = MCG -01-25-028 = PGC 27799
09 43 12.0  -09 36 47; Sex
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, broad weak concentration.  Pair with NGC 2978 8' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2980 = H. III-528 = h632 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 547) and logged "vF; L; E nearly in the meridian."  His position was 6 seconds of RA too far east.  John Herschel made two observations, though only one good position.
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NGC 2981 = UGC 5208 = MCG +05-23-032 = CGCG 152-062 = PGC 27925
09 44 56.6  +31 05 52; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/18/98): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 1.0' SE of center.  Observation through thin clouds.

Samuel Oppenheim discovered NGC 2981 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch Clark refractor at the Vienna University Observatory.  His micrometric position is 1.3' too far north (probably an error in the offset star).  Dreyer credited Palisa in the NGC, but Oppenheim was mentioned in the discovery note by Weiss in 1887.  This galaxy is Oppenheim's only NGC discovery.  The same night, though, Palisa discovered NGC 2926 and NGC 2944.
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NGC 2982 = ESO 262-1 = OCL-770 = Ru 80? = Lund 516?
09 42 00  -44 00 30; Vel
Size 12'x6'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): bright, distinctive group of stars, roughly 10' x 6' E-W.  About three dozen stars are resolved with many of the brighter mag 10.5-11.5 stars in a zig-zag pattern extending west to east.  The brightest mag 10 star on the southeast end forms a wide 30" pair with an 11th mag companion.  Another mag 12.5/13.5 pair at 15" is less than 2' NE.  A 4' line of four mag 11-11.5 stars oriented NW-SE passes through the center and the remaining brighter stars are scattered within the outline.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2982 = D 468 = h3184 on 24 Jun 1826 and recorded "a very faint easily resolvable nebula, extended about 10' long, and 4' or 5' broad: no central condensation."  His position (single observation) is 8.5' west of the center of the cluster.

John Herschel probably found the cluster on 28 Feb 1837 and logged "a cluster of about 20* 11m, and 2 of 10m, forming an oblong nearly in parallel; place of preceding *10m".  But no bright star is near his position.  He modified the declination 30' further north when he recorded this object as GC 1910 (repeated by Dreyer in NGC) but this position does not correspond with a cluster either.  But an additional 10' north of the GC/NGC position is this group of brighter stars and his RA matches the southwest member of a wide pair of mag 10 stars at the southeast side of the group.  JH did not list an equivalence with D 468, so he may have felt it was a different object due to the discrepancy in position.

Lynga does not list NGC 2982.  MCG misidentifies MCG+05-28-059 as NGC 2982.  RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 2983 = ESO 566-003 = MCG -03-25-017 = UGCA 176A = PGC 27840
09 43 41.1  -20 28 38; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, bright substellar nucleus, faint halo 3:2 WSW-ENE.  A very faint anonymous galaxy is 5.0' SSW.  Located 7.1 SSE of mag 6.7 SAO 177893.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2983 = H. III-289 = h3185 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 382). His description reads "very faint; small; little brighter in the middle.  The (offset) star being at such a distance the PD is marked uncertain." Still, his position on this sweep was just 2' SE of ESO 566-003.  On 20 Mar 1786 (sweep 542), he logged "F; vS; large stellar." John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; R; bM; r." and measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 2984 = IC 556 = UGC 5200 = MCG +02-25-025 = CGCG 063-053 = PGC 27838
09 43 40.4  +11 03 39; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (4/1/00): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  The halo, which fades at the edges, increases to ~0.6' with averted vision.  A mag 14.5 star is close SSW (33" from center) and a slightly brighter star lies 0.9' NE.

NGC 2984 forms a pair with IC 557 7' SE.  The companion appeared faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 30"x15", weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus at moments.  The elongation was not always evident, so often I was just viewing the slightly brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2984 = H. III-34 = h633 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172) and recorded "vS, the faintest imaginable.  I was a great while before I could verify its being a nebula; however after having convinced myself with 240x, I saw it also very well with 157.  The evening is uncommonly beautiful."  There is nothing at his position (except stars), but 1 min 19 sec of RA west and 3.5' south is UGC 5200.  This is an unusually poor position (observed on only this one sweep).  John Herschel made two observations but didn't measure a good position, so its not clear what object he saw.  Dreyer carried over his poor position into the NGC.

Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 22 Apr 1892 and placed J. 1-168 (later IC 556) accurately.  Karl Reinmuth mentioned he couldn't find NGC 2984 in Dreyer's place using Heidelberg plates and questioned if it was equal to IC 556, probably as there are no other reasonable candidates in the vicinity.  UGC, CGCG and MCG label this galaxy as IC 556 and RNGC calls it NGC 2984.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 2985 = UGC 5253 = MCG +12-10-006 = CGCG 332-067 = CGCG 333-004 = PGC 28316
09 50 22.1  +72 16 44; UMa
V = 10.4;  Size 4.6'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

14.5" (4/1/21): at 182x and 226x; bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~2.4'x2.0', large low surface brightness halo, sharply concentrated with a very bright relatively small core and an intensely bright tiny nucleus. A mag 12 star is at the E edge [1.0' from center].

17.5" (4/4/92): bright, moderately large, irregularly round, gradually increases to a very bright well-defined core, stellar nucleus.  The faint outer halo extends to 2.0' diameter reaching a mag 12.5 star at the east edge of the halo 1.0' from center.  NGC 3027 lies 25' ESE.  

8": moderately bright, bright core, fairly large.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2985 = H. I-78 = h629 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390).  He recorded "very bright, considerably large, much brighter middle and the brightness confined to a pretty small space."  His RA was 35 seconds too large, equivalent to only 2.7'.  He also observed it on his final sweep 1112, conducted on 30 Sep 1802 and logged "very bright, small brighter middle, round, about 3' diameter.  A star directly following is involved in the nebulosity.  I suppose it to be a cluster of stars, as it seems to be a miniature of [M2]."

On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382) John Herschel wrote, "vB; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 50"; has a *13 m following 1' distant, exactly in the parallel."  His RA was 50 seconds too small (4' at this declination).
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NGC 2986 = UGCA 178 = ESO 566-005 = MCG -03-25-019 = PGC 27885
09 44 15.9  -21 16 41; Hya
V = 10.8;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

17.5" (2/28/87): bright, small, round, bright core, faint halo.  A mag 14 star is 2.0' WSW.  Forms a pair with ESO 566-004 2.3' WSW (just preceding the mag 14 star).  The companion appeared very faint, small, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2986 = H. II-311 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 382) and logged "F, pL, much brighter in the middle.  I partly suspect a very small, faint one preceding it about a minute or two, but it may be only a few close very small stars."  The comment about a "faint one preceding it about a minute or two" appears to refer to ESO 566-004 (Steinicke concurs), which was also picked up in my 17.5".  Herschel observed NGC 2986 again during sweep 542 ("cB; S; mbM; irr R") and sweep 660, but didn't mention the companion, so it did not receive an H-designation or NGC number.

E.E. Barnard swept up NGC 2986 on 27 Nov 1891 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick. He noted (Logbook #54) it as "1' diameter, 12 1/2 mag, round, indef.  8th mag star 10' north-preceding.  Perhaps a very small nebula 2 or 3' preceding.  This is certainly ESO 566-004.
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NGC 2987 = UGC 5220 = MCG +01-25-017 = CGCG 035-047 = PGC 27981
09 45 41.4  +04 56 30; Sex
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 160°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, weak even concentration to a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1.4' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2987 = St. 13-51 on 14 Feb 1877. His published position was reduced on 25 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5220.  His description incorrectly states that several very faint stars are involved.
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NGC 2988 = MCG +04-23-032 = CGCG 122-078w = PGC 28078
09 46 47.8  +22 00 42; Leo
V = 14.8;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

24" (4/13/18): at 375x; NGC 2988 appears as a small "spike" attached to the west side of the halo of NGC 2991 and extending to the southwest.  It was very faint, small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, ~24"x6".

17.5" (4/15/93): extremely faint, very small, round, cannot hold with averted but definitely seen, possibly elongated ~N-S.  Located just off the west side of NGC 2991.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2988 on 19 Feb 1855 with LdR's 72" and recorded "The preceding one [NGC 2991] is double, its companion [NGC 2988] being close preceding; lE sp nf?"
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NGC 2989 = ESO 566-009 = MCG -03-25-020 = PGC 27962
09 45 25.3  -18 22 27; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 38°

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Collinear with a wide pair of mag 10/11 stars 3' SE with a separation of 56".

John Herschel discovered NGC 2989 = h3186 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; precedes a coarse D star."  His position is just off the southeast side of ESO 566-009 and the coarse double star is ~3' southeast.
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NGC 2990 = UGC 5229 = MCG +01-25-021 = CGCG 035-051 = PGC 28026
09 46 17.2  +05 42 31; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 85°

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration to a brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2990 = H. II-624 on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 672) and recorded "F, little extended, about 1.5' l, not far from the parallel."  His position is 15 sec of RA too far west and 2.5' too far south.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 3 nights and noted the difference with WH's position.
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NGC 2991 = UGC 5233 = MCG +04-23-033 = CGCG 122-078 = PGC 28079
09 46 50.1  +22 00 50; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0

24" (4/13/18): at 375x fairly faint, fairly small, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  The halo is a fairly low surface brightness and ~45" diameter.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' SSE.  NGC 2988 appears as a small "spike" attached to the west side and extending to the southwest [30" between centers].  NGC 2994 lies 7.6' NE, forming a physical triplet (USGC U259)

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, even concentration to a small bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.1' SSE.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 2988 (discovered by Rosse) just off the west edge.  NGC 2994 lies 7.5' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2991 = h634 on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and recorded "F; vS; bM.  The south-preceding of two [with NGC 2994]."  His position is less than 30" north of the center of UGC 5233, though he missed NGC 2988 (found in 1855 by Lord Rosse), which is attached on the west side.
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NGC 2992 = Arp 245 NED1 = MCG -02-25-014 = PGC 27982
09 45 42.0  -14 19 35; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 3.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

48" (2/19/12): this disrupted galaxy was sharply concentrated with a very bright central region that appeared elongated ~5:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.4'.  The central region was well concentrated with an intense core that brightened to a brilliant nucleus. I initially noted a faint arm extending 30" SSW of the central region but on a second eyepiece look I noticed this arm is twice that length, though the surface brightness is quite low in the outer portion.

A long, brighter tidal arm stretched 2' NNE, placing the central region off-center along the 3.5' major axis.  This arm or tail has a low surface brightness but it brightened in a patch at the NNE end (2.2' NNE of center).  This patch (called Arp 245N in NED) is a tidal dwarf galaxy still in the process of formation! The western edge of the tidal arm had a subtle curvature.

With averted vision, I could see extremely low surface brightness haze that formed a bridge extending SE from the core of NGC 2992 towards NGC 2993, situated just 3' SE.

13.1" (3/24/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, bright core.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2993 2.9' SE.

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly faint, small, roundish, small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2992 = H. III-277 = h635, along with NGC 2993, on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371).  He described both as "Two, very faint, stellar, the most north and preceding [NGC 2992] is the largest.  240x showed the same.  Distance 3 or 4'.  The place is that of the preceding."  Wolfgang Steinicke reported that Herschel observed the pair again on 12 Mar 1798 (not on a sweep) with the 25-foot (24-inch f/12.5) "Spanish telescope", built and delivered to the King of Spain.  The observation was made off the meridian so a position wasn't taken, but his description matches this pair.  These were the only non-stellar objects that Herschel observed with the Spanish telescope. 

John Herschel measured an accurate position on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111) and noted "Not vF; R; bM; 30"."  Lord Rosse assistant Bindon Stoney noted a mottled appearance in 1852.
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NGC 2993 = Arp 245 NED2 = MCG -02-25-015 = PGC 27991
09 45 48.4  -14 22 06; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 95°

48" (2/19/12): this is the smaller member of an excellent interacting pair (Arp 245) with NGC 2992 3' NW.  At 488x it appeared very bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with an intense central core that brightens to a very small brilliant nucleus.  A single spiral arm is attached on the north side of the core and just begins to sweep east, but fades out after a length of ~0.6'.  There is no counterpart on the south side, but extremely faint haze or a bridge can be seen with averted to the northwest of the core, extending towards NGC 2992.  FGC 938, an extremely faint superthin, was glimpsed 3.9' SW.

13.1" (3/3/84): moderately bright, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 2' SSE.  Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2993 2.9' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2993 = H. III-278 = h637, along with NGC 2992, on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371). He recorded both as "Two, very faint, stellar, the most north and preceding [NGC 2992] is the largest..."  See additional comments under NGC 2992.  On 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111), John Herschel wrote "pF; R; bM; 25" [diameter]."
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NGC 2994 = UGC 5239 = MCG +04-23-035 = CGCG 122-082 = PGC 28122
09 47 16.1  +22 05 23; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 126°

24" (4/13/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 NW-SE, ~45"x30, gradual weak concentration to the center.  Surrounded by mag 12.0 stars 3' SE and 4' SW, along with mag 13 stars 3' E and 4' W.  Forms a small group (USGC U259 at z = .025) with the close pair NGC 2991/2998 7.6' SW.

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, weak concentration.  Forms the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 12.5 star 2.9' ENE and a mag 12 star 3.1' SE.  In a trio with NGC 2991 and NGC 2988 7.5' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2994 = h636 on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and recorded "F; vS; R; bM.  The north-following of two [with NGC 2991]; pos 40° north-following."
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NGC 2995 = ESO 167-004
09 44 03  -54 36 18; Vel

= Not found, ESO.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2995 = h3189 on 5 Apr 1837 and noted a "Cluster VIII class; at least 20* 11m and upwards, and many smaller."  There is no clustering at his position and the ESO and RNGC list the number as "not found" and "nonexistent", respectively.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2995 may refer to a "clump of stars roughly 20-25 min across centered about 10' north of Herschel's position."  This scattered group (likely not a cluster) seems to fit his description, though its been low on my priority to confirm from the southern hemisphere.
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NGC 2996 = ESO 566-012 = MCG -03-25-022 = PGC 28049
09 46 30.1  -21 34 17; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 115°

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter.  Gradually increases to a brighter core and occasional faint stellar nucleus.  View hampered somewhat by a mag 10.5 star just 1.1' NE of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2996 = h3187 on 23 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; S; has a * 20 m 1' following.  There is nothing at his position but 33 sec of RA east is ESO 566-012.  Herbert Howe corrected the RA in his Nov 1900 list of NGC corrections (repeated in the IC 2 notes).  He also noted that JH's description of a mag 20 star 1' following is in error, although a mag 10 star follows by 4 sec of RA and 0.3' north.
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NGC 2997 = ESO 434-035 = MCG -05-23-012 = UGCA 181 = AM 0943-305 = LGG 180-007 = PGC 27978
09 45 38.8  -31 11 27; Ant
V = 9.4;  Size 8.9'x6.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 110°

48" (4/22/17): Gorgeous grand-design spiral at 375x!  Appeared very bright and large, with the arms stretching roughly 7' E-W.  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a round, intensely bright nucleus ~30" diameter.  The spiral arms are sharply etched by the intra-arm dust and appeared similar to a photograph of the galaxy.

A thick arm is attached to the core on the west or southwest side.  It curls counterclockwise on the north side towards the east (fairly flat curvature) and includes a slightly bright patch, catalogued as [MM81] 306, on the northeast side [1.6' from center].  This arm continues and bends south, passing just inside a mag 14.5 star [2.5' E of center], and then quickly fading out to the south of this star.

The second prominent arm is attached to the core on its northeast side.  It curls counterclockwise to the east and shoots west on the south side of the core.  It contains a brighter knotty section (numerous HII regions are embedded) nearly 1' in length that's just inside a mag 12 star 2.2' SW of center.  This arm turns abruptly to the north as it curls around the west side and ends on the northwest side of the halo.

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 215x, this beautiful, asymmetric face-on spiral extended ~7'x4.5' and was sharply concentrated with a very bright 40" core.  The spiral structure is unusual with a very long, relatively thick arm that curves from west to east on the north side of the core.  This arm then bends south on the east side and contains a very faint 20" HII knot situated northeast of the core [1.6' from center] and symmetrically placed opposite a mag 12 star in the outer halo on the southwest side.  This HII region is identified in NED as NGC 2997:[MM 81] 306. A mag 14.5 star is near the end of this arm and due east of the core.  To the west of the end of this arm the light level noticeably dips (this is a gap between the arms) as well as on the southeast side of the halo, giving an asymmetric appearance.

A second fainter outer arm running roughly SW to NE also wraps around the galaxy on the west and north side but at further distance from the core.  This outer arm nearly reaches a mag 12 star on the southwest side (the one opposite the knot mentioned above) and then can be followed with more difficulty to the east where it attaches on the south side of the core.

NGC 2997 is the brightest in a group (LGG 180) including IC 2507 and UGCA 180 situtated ~30' SSW.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, very large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 4.5'x3.0', sharply concentrated with a bright core, no nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the SW edge of the halo 2.0' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2997 = H. V-50 = D 622 = h3188 on 4 Mar 1793 (sweep 1033).  He recorded "very faint, very small, little brighter middle, little extended about 8' long and 5 or 6' broad, a little from sp to nf about 10 or 15°."  NGC 2997 is one of the most southerly objects he discovered from Slough and the only galaxy that was found in Antlia.

James Dunlop observed the galaxy on 7 May 1826 and recorded "a faint elliptical nebula, 2.5' long and 1.5' broad, with a small star involved in the western margin."  His handwritten notes also mention "north preceding two stars of the 7th magnitude.", confirming the identification despite a poor position.

John Herschel made two detailed observations (h3188): on 28 Jan 1835 he logged "pB, vL, R, very suddenly a little brighter in the middle, to a pretty distinct round nucleus 4" in diameter. Diameter of nebula = 15 sec of time. The nebulous atmosphere extremely dilute. A very remarkable object."  On a later sweep he recorded "F, vL, first very gradually then very suddenly much brighter in the middle, to a nucleus (exactly like Halley's comet) as now (Feb. 16, 1836) seen in the [5-inch f/17] equatorial [refractor]; round; diam. in RA = 24 seconds. Has a 11th mag star S.p. just at the edge."
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NGC 2998 = UGC 5250 = MCG +07-20-051 = CGCG 210-036 = Holm 144a = PGC 28196
09 48 43.6  +44 04 52; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 2.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 53°

48" (5/14/12): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~2.4'x1.2', well concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to the center.  Weak spiral structure was evident at the SW and NE ends.  Brightest in a quartet with NGCs 3005, 3006 and 3008.  In addition, MCG +07-20-052 (misidentified as NGC 3002) lies 4.6' ESE.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak even concentration.  A mag 11 star is 3.0' SW and a mag 13 star 1.9' NNW of center.  Brightest in a group including NGC 3006 7' SE, NGC 3008 9.2' E and NGC 3005 6.4' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 2998 = H. II-717 = h638 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and logged "F, pL, iF, little brighter in the middle."  On 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139), John Herschel recorded "pB; irreg R; bM; resolvable."  His position was 12 seconds of RA too far east and 1' too far north.  Brightest in a group of faint galaxies which were later discovered with the 72".
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NGC 2999 = NGC 2972 = ESO 212-15
09 40 13  -50 19 18; Vel
V = 9.9;  Size 4'

See observing notes for NGC 2972.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2999 = h3192 on 13 Apr 1834 and described "a small irreg cl of a long triangular diverging figure; contains perhaps 50 stars 12...15m.  Observed for ∆397, and place only rough.  Possibly the same object with sweep 680, No. 27, which see above (No. 3183 [= NGC 2972])."  There is nothing near his position. Brent Archinal suggests NGC 2972 = NGC 2999 (the description applies), although JH's "rough" position is 5 tmin too large and Harold Corwin concurs.
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NGC 3000 = Holm 144e
09 48 51.3  +44 07 49; UMa

= **, Carlson.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3000 on 25 Jan 1851 (Sat. night).  On a sketch of the NGC 2998 group he labeled it Beta.  The offset given in the 1 Apr 1878 observation (203.1" in PA 23.6° from NGC 2998) points precisely to a 9" pair of very faint stars (mag 16-16.5). 

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel", described a "D neb not cont, dist 0.1' 35°; sp one eF, eS, R, bM; nf one perhaps *16."  This refers to the double star above.  Dorothy Carlson calls this a double star in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.
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NGC 3001 = ESO 434-038 = MCG -05-23-014 = UGCA 183 = PGC 28027
09 46 18.6  -30 26 12; Ant
V = 11.9;  Size 2.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 6°

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration, diffuse.  An 11th magnitude star at the NW edge interferes with viewing.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3001 = h3190 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; 30"; attached or contiguous to a * 12; pos = 320° +/- by estimation from diagram."  His position and description is accurate.
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NGC 3002
09 48 57.4  +44 03 26; UMa
V = 16.5

48" (5/14/12): near the position of NGC 3002 is a faint trio of stars, mag 16.5/16.5/16.9 as well as MCG +07-20-052, an extremely faint interacting pair of galaxies.  One of the two brighter stars is likely the object sketched by Bindon Stoney at Birr Castle in 1851.  At 488x, the two brighter stars were very comparable in magnitude.  The star identified by Corwin (southwest vertex of the triangle) was possibly marginally brighter, though the other mag 16.5 star at the east vertex of the triangle (09 49 01.4 +44 03 37) is a better match with Stoney's sketch.  MCG +07-20-052, the galaxy misidentified in most catalogues as NGC 3002, is just visible as a very low surface brightness patch ~1.5' SE of the trio of stars.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3002 on 25 Jan 1851. On a sketch of the NGC 2998 group he labeled it Epsilon.  The MCG, along with the RNGC, PGC, HyperLeda and other sources, misidentify PGC 28208 as NGC 3002.  Although this galaxy (double) is close to the position on the sketch, the surface brightness is probably too low to have been picked up by Stoney.  In fact, Dreyer reported not seeing Epsilon in his 1 Apr 1878 observation.

More likely, Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 3002 applies to one of two nearby mag 16.5 stars (the third is mag 17.0) with the more likely star at 09 48 57.3 +44 03 26 (2000).
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NGC 3003 = UGC 5251 = MCG +06-22-013 = CGCG 182-021 = KTG 26A = PGC 28186
09 48 36.0  +33 25 17; LMi
V = 11.9;  Size 5.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 79°

24" (4/20/14): bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 4.0'x1.0', mottled appearance, slightly bulging brighter core and nucleus, brighter and patchy along the major axis with a couple of very small knots.  Nearly detached at the west end is a very low surface brightness patch that seems angled or extends beyond the major axis.  A mag 15.7 star is ~1' N of center.  NGC 3003 and NGC 3021, located 30' ENE, are the two brightest members in the USGC U268 group (z ~.005).

13.1" (3/3/84): moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, 3.5'x1.0', almost even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3003 = H. V-26 = h639 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, mE nearly in the parallel, 8' long, 3' broad."  John Herschel described this galaxy on 22 Jan 1828 (sweep 51) as "a singular curved wisp of nebula, It curls up and tapers off at the s p side, and is clubbed at the n f extremity."

Lord Rosse's assistants made a total of 13 observations at Birr Castle.  On 8 Mar 1858, R.J. Mitchell commented "of unequal brightness throughout its length, p part is F but contains a B patch with a star in it; the foll part is comparatively much brighter and is mottled."
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NGC 3004
09 49 02.4  +44 06 40; UMa
V = 16.7

= *, Corwin.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3004 on 25 Jan 1851. It was placed on the diagram of the NGC 2998 field about midway between NGC 2998 and NGC 3005 and mentioned as "suspected".  Dreyer missed it on his 1 April 1878 observation, though he later added "the place for 1926 [NGC 3004] is evidently wrong, it must be about 9 40 15 +45 14 [based on the sketch]."

The closest object to the position on the sketch is an extremely faint star with SDSS mag(V) = 16.7.  Reinmuth calls it nonstellar (based on a Heidelberg plate):"vF, vS, R, bM, N3000 np 2.4', N3005 nf 2.7'."  Dorothy Carlson identifies it as a double star (based on Mount Wilson photograph) and this is repeated in RNGC, though it is clearly a single star on the SDSS.
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NGC 3005 = MCG +07-20-054 = Holm 144c = PGC 28232
09 49 14.9  +44 07 53; UMa
V = 15.0;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 150°

48" (5/14/12): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~0.6'x0.2', broad concentration.  Forms the north vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998, 3006 and 3008.  Located 3.7' SSE of mag 8.9 HD 84830, so I kept the bright star outside the field.  The nearest galaxy is NGC 3008, situated 3.9' SE.

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint and small, round.  Located 3.7' SSE of mag 8.4 SAO 43053.  This member of the NGC 2998 group lies just north of a line connecting NGC 2998 6.4' SW and NGC 3008.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3005 on 25 Jan 1851.  He labeled it "Gamma" on a sketch of the NGC 2998 group.  Dreyer gave a more complete description on 1 Apr 1878, "vF, pS, E nnp ssf."  His offset from NGC 2998 (388.5" in PA 62.5°) points exactly to MCG +07-20-054 = PGC 28232, although the RA in the NGC is 10 sec too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).
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NGC 3006 = MCG +07-20-055 = CGCG 210-037 = Holm 144d = PGC 28235
09 49 17.3  +44 01 33; UMa
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 82°

48" (5/14/12): moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 E-W, ~40"x12", broad concentration with a brighter core.  Forms the south vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998, 3005 and 3008.  MCG +07-20-052, a very low surface brightness interacting pair (misidentified as NGC 3002 in most catalogues), lies 2.2' NW.

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, small, edge-on 4:1 E-W, very low surface brightness.  Located 6.9' SE of NGC 2298 and 6.3' S of NGC 3005.  MCG +07-20-052 (misidentified as NGC 3002) 3' NW was not seen.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3006 on 25 Jan 1851. On a sketch of the NGC 2998 group he labeled it Delta. Dreyer logged it on 1 Apr 1878, "vF, S, stellar."  His offset from NGC 2998 (417.9" in PA 117.2°) points exactly to CGCG 210-037 = PGC 28235, although the RA in the NGC is 12 sec too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).
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NGC 3007 = MCG -01-25-038 = PGC 28150
09 47 45.5  -06 26 22; Sex
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5', just a weak broad central brightening.  A mag 13 star lies 1.0' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3007 = St. 13-52 = LM 1-158 on 14 Feb 1877.  His published position in his 13th discovery list was made on 16 Mar 1885 and is the last object (by date) that he reduced.  Francis Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy on 23 Feb 1886, though his rough position (nearest min of RA) in the first discovery paper of the Leander McCormick Observatory (#158) was 11' too far east-southeast.
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NGC 3008 = MCG +07-20-059 = CGCG 210-039 = Holm 144b = PGC 28252
09 49 34.3  +44 06 10; UMa
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 135°

48" (5/14/12): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 16.7 star is at the east edge.  Forms the east vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998 (brightest), NGC 3005 and NGC 3006.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  A mag 15 star is 45" off the west edge and 1.1' from center.  Located 9.2' E of NGC 2998 in a group.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3008 on 25 Jan 1851. On a sketch of the NGC 2998 group he labeled it Eta.  Dreyer logged it on 1 Apr 1878 as "pF, S, E, *13-14 1' p[receding]."  His offset from NGC 2998 (552" in PA 88°) is close to CGCG 210-039 = PGC 28252, although the RA in the NGC is 12 seconds too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).
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NGC 3009 = UGC 5264 = MCG +07-20-062 = CGCG 239-033 = Holm 146b = PGC 28303
09 50 11.1  +44 17 41; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (3/21/20): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 5:4 NNW-SSE, ~40" along major axis, broad weak concentration.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3010 5' ENE.

Alternative identification: NGC 3009 = NGC 3010sw = MCG +07-20-065
17.5" (2/8/91): this is the southwest member of the NGC 3010 triple system and noted as very faint, small, round.  UGC 5273b = MCG +07-20-066 is just 40" NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3009 = h640, along with NGC 3010, on 17 Mar 1828 (sweep 138). He described it as "Not vF; R; bM; r.  The first of 2 [with NGC 3010]."  His position was 17 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 5264 = PGC 28303, a fairly large error of 3.4'.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for this galaxy in 1896.  But the identification is very uncertain and it's possible that NGC 3009 applies to the southwest component of the NGC 3010 triplet (NGC 3010B).  See Corwin's notes on NGC 3010 for the quite involved story.
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NGC 3010 = UGC 5273 NED1 = MCG +07-20-065 = CGCG 239-035 NED1 = Holm 146A = PGC 28335
09 50 33.2  +44 18 52; UMa
V = 14.2;  Size 0.8'x0.45';  PA = 45°

24" (3/21/20): at 375x; triple system oriented SW to NE, with the NE member (NGC 3010C) the faintest.  It appeared extremely faint, slightly elongated, very low surface brightness, 15"x10".  The SW member was fairly faint, fairly small, ~24"x18" SW-NE, very small brighter nucleus and the middle galaxy was fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~20"x14", very small brighter nucleus.

17.5" (2/8/91): triple system consisting of two very faint, small, round "knots" (identified as UGC 5273a and 5273b in the UGC) with a separation of 40" oriented SW-NE.  The third component (UGC 5273c) is 1' NE and appeared as a mag 15.5 "star".  NGC 3009 lies 5' WSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3010 = h641, along with NGC 3009, on 17 Mar 1828 (sweep 138).  He reported it as "F; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; stars seen.  The second of 2 [with NGC 3009]."  There is nothing at his position, but 35 sec of RA east and 1.4' south is UGC 5273.  His RA for NGC 3009 is also off (to the west), but by only 16 sec, which is strange.  Another possibility is that h640 refers to the southwest component of NGC 3010 (MCG +07-20-065 = PGC 28330).  If that's the case, the relative offsets would be more in line but still not accurate.  Corwin notes that JH's descriptions are generic enough they don’t assist in choosing between these two alternatives.  So, he favors leaving the "traditional" identification as is.

The observations at Birr Castle are interesting.  The 1861 publication only includes the note "Several knots near [NGC 3009 and 3010].  The full account is given in the 1880 monograph.  On 1 Mar 1854 R.J. Mitchell recorded, "one pB [NGC 3009], 6' f and a little n are two others vF, about 3' apart pf; several others round about".  His separations are poor but probably the second part refers to NGC 3010 and one of its companions.  Thirty-five years later in 1878, Dreyer made another observation and wrote, "the f one [NGC 3010] is smaller and in a rectangular triangle of 3 stars."  At least one of these "stars" is likely a galaxy.  Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions of the two southern components of NGC 3010 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg.
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NGC 3011 = UGC 5259 = MCG +05-23-038 = CGCG 152-069 = Mrk 409 = PGC 28259
09 49 41.2  +32 13 16; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, 0.8' diameter.  Located 2.5' WSW of a mag 10 star.  A nice 10' string of 8 mag 10-12 stars oriented N-S is just a few arcminutes preceding.  Picked up at 100x and observation at 220x.  Member of the USGC U268 group (z ~.005) with brightest member NGC 3003 1.2° N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3011 = Sw. 3-47 on 21 Apr 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and remarked "eeF; eS; stel; a row of 8 or 10 pB stars nr preceding."  His position is 9 sec of RA west and 1' south of UGC 5259 and the row of stars is just as he described (north-south).
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NGC 3012 = UGC 5262 = MCG +06-22-017 = CGCG 182-023 = PGC 28270
09 49 52.1  +34 42 51; LMi
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, small, round, weak concentration, 0.6' diameter.  A mag 15 star is 1.5' W and a mag 12 star 3.5' SSE.  Picked up at 100x and views at 220x and 280x.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3012 on 30 Apr 1862 and described "vF, pL, R, Cometary.  A mag 11 star is 3 1/2' south-southeast."  His single position and description matches UGC 5262.
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NGC 3013 = MCG +06-22-018 = CGCG 182-024 = PGC 28300
09 50 09.4  +33 34 09; LMi
V = 14.6;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 64°

24" (4/20/14): faint, small, slightly elongated, 18"x15".  Situated 2.7' SE of mag 7.9 HD 85030.  A mag 15 star is 0.6' NE.  Located 10' WNW of NGC 3021.

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Located 3' SE of mag 7.9 SAO 61706 which detracts from viewing.  Also a mag 14.5-15 star is 38" NE of center and confuses the observation.  Situated between fairly bright galaxies NGC 3021 10' E and NGC 3003 21' WSW.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3013 on 18 Mar 1874.  While viewing the field of NGC 3021 he found a nebula at 164.8" in PA 137.2° from a mag 8 star.  His offsets point directly to CGCG 182-024 = PGC 28300.  Due to a misprint in the NGC the declination was reported 40' too far north, although the earlier GC Supplement gave the correct position. As a result when Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 12 May 1896 he catalogued it as new in his 3rd discovery list (#1127).  In addition, the galaxy was found by Keeler on a Crossley plate taken between 1898-1900 and included in a catalogue of new nebulae (#188) in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol. VIII.  Dreyer realized the NGC error and corrected the misprint in the IC 2 notes.
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NGC 3014 = MCG -01-25-043 = PGC 28222
09 49 07.7  -04 44 35; Sex
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (4/14/18): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~32"x24", broad concentration with a slightly brighter core, no nucleus.  A mag 14.7 star is close off the W side [0.7' WSW of center].  A pair of mag 13.5/14 stars at ~20" separation lies 2.5' N.  Two mag 8 and 9 stars lie 8' S and 9.5' SSE, respectively.  The 8th mag star (HD 85032) has an obvious orange tint (M1-type).  NGC 3014 is a member of the USGC S144 group with brightest member NGC 3022 27' SSE.

MCG -01-25-045, located 14.5' SE, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25"-30" diameter, very small bright core, occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1' S.

17.5" (3/29/97): very faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is very close WSW [38" from the center].  A pair of mag 14 stars [19" separation] lie 3' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3014 = h644 on 19 Feb 1830 (sweep 234) and noted "eF; L; 60".  The preceding of two [with NGC 3022].  There is nothing at his position (the dec is marked as uncertain or approximate) though the NGC position is 30' further north (no reason given in the notes) and 2' south of this corrected position is MCG -01-25-043 = PGC 28222.
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NGC 3015 = UGC 5261 = MCG +00-25-020 = CGCG 007-041 = PGC 28240
09 49 22.9  +01 08 43; Sex
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 95°

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  No brighter stars in field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3015 = m 183 on 23 Apr 1864.  His position is just 1' north of UGC 5261 = PGC 28240.
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NGC 3016 = UGC 5266 = MCG +02-25-040 = CGCG 063-077 = Holm 147c = KTG 27A = PGC 28269
09 49 50.6  +12 41 43; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 70°

24" (4/20/14): moderately to fairly bright, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6', contains a relatively large, very bright core that increases to the center.  NGC 3019 lies 5.0' NE and CGCG 063-075 is 3.2' SW.  The latter galaxy appeared very faint and small, round, 12", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Second brightest of five in the NGC 3020 group.  NGC 3019 lies 5.4' NE and NGC 3020 is 8.2' NNE.

13.1" (4/28/84): fairly faint, small, round, almost even surface brightness.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3016, along with NGC 3019, on 21 Mar 1854.  There was no sketch or positions taken but the description reads "4 neb.  Two p and f [NGC 3016 and 3019] about 4' apart; the 3rd is north about 3' [NGC 3024] forming the vertex of an obtuse triangle, the 4th is about 4' further north and lenticular [NGC 3020]."  Only NGC 3019, NGC 3020 and NGC 3024 received GC numbers as John Herschel incorrectly assumed that h642 referred to the 4th galaxy (see NGC 3020 for the story).

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 31 Dec 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhangen.  His position, measured on 4 nights, matches UGC 5266.  Dryer included it in the GC Supplement and credited d'Arrest.  Finally, Dreyer realized the equivalence and both LdR and d'Arrest are credited in the NGC
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NGC 3017 = MCG +00-25-019 = CGCG 007-040 = PGC 28220
09 49 03.0  -02 49 19; Sex
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration.  Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 12.5 and 14.5 stars 2.4' NW and 2.7' SW, respectively.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3017 = LM 2-416 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His position is 20 sec of RA east and 2' south of MCG +00-25-019 and his note of "*11 at 3' in PA 300°" clinches this identification.
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NGC 3018 = UGC 5265 = MCG +00-25-021 = CGCG 007-042 = PGC 28258
09 49 41.5  +00 37 20; Sex
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 27°

48" (4/7/13): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.3', small bright core.  A mag 9.7 star is just 0.8' NW of center.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3023 2.7' E.

48" (4/2/11): bright, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, fairly large, ~60"x15", very small bright core.  Located just 50" SE of mag 9.7 HD 85095 and 2.8' W of the fascinating galaxy NGC 3023 and Mrk 1236.  

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE.  Dominated by a mag 10 star 48" NW of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3023 3' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3018 = St. 10-21 = Sw. 3-48 on 10 Mar 1880, along with NGC 3023 = St. 10-22.  His position is accurate.  Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy exactly 6 years later.  The RA in his 3rd discovery list was 0.4 minutes too small but his comment "* near north, preceding of 2 [with NGC 3023]" clinches the equivalence.
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NGC 3019 = MCG +02-25-044 = CGCG 063-081 = Holm 147d = PGC 28295
09 50 07.2  +12 44 46; Leo
V = 15.0;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 30°

24" (4/20/14): at 280x appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.2'.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' NE.

17.5" (3/23/85): very faint, small, almost round.  A mag 14 star is off the NE edge 48" from the center.  Fourth brightest of five in the NGC 3020.  Located 3.0' S of NGC 3020.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3019 on 21 Mar 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72", along with NGC 3016.  There is no published sketch but the description reads "4 neb.  Two p and f [NGC 3016 and 3019] about 4' apart; the 3rd is north about 3' [NGC 3024] forming the vertex of an obtuse triangle, the 4th is about 4' further north and lenticular [NGC 3020]."  The described orientations are poor and no positions were given, but they certainly refer to the four brightest galaxies.  Only a rough position is given in the GC and the NGC position is 3' south of CGCG 063-081 = PGC 28295.
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NGC 3020 = UGC 5271 = MCG +02-25-045 = CGCG 063-082 = Holm 147a = KTG 27B = PGC 28296
09 50 06.6  +12 48 49; Leo
V = 11.9;  Size 3.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 105°

24" (4/20/14): at 280x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, 1.7'x1.0', large elongated core appears to be a bar, mottled appearance. Spiral structure was highly suspected in the halo. Largest and brightest in a quintet with NGC 3019 4' S, NGC 3024 5.5' SE, NGC 3016 8' SSW and CGCG 063-075 11' SW.  NGC 3020 and 3024 are a physical pair (z = .004), while the other three galaxies are in the background at z = .03.

17.5" (3/23/85): brightest and largest in the NGC 3020 group, elongated WNW-ESE, brighter core but no nucleus, diffuse halo.  Nearby are NGC 3019 4.0' S, NGC 3024 5.4' SE. 

13.1" (4/28/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated ~E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3020 = H. III-51 = h646 = h642, along with NGC 3024, on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177).  He described both as "Two [along with NGC 3024], both resolvable and eF. The preceding is the largest and they are about 6 or 7' distant from each other.  Position about 20° np-sf 6 or 7' distant. I saw them better with 240 than 157.  They require some attention before they are well seen." His single position is ~1.0 minute of RA too far east.

John Herschel made three observations under h646 and measured an accurate position, but on a 4th sweep he made an error recording the RA 1.0 minute too small and claimed a "nova" under h642.  Dreyer correctly equated the WH and JH designations in the NGC.
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NGC 3021 = UGC 5280 = MCG +06-22-019 = CGCG 182-025 = KTG 26B = PGC 28357
09 50 57.1  +33 33 13; LMi
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 110°

24" (4/20/14): bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus, the halo has an irregular surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 1' SE and a mag 14 star is at the north edge.  NGC 3013 lies 10' W and NGC 3003 is 20' WSW.  Member of the USGC U268 group.

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly bright, elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 10 star is 1.1' SE of center.  Located 30' NE of NGC 3003.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3021 = H. I-115 = h645 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, pL, little extended, iF, much brighter in the middle."  On 22 Jan 1827 (sweep 51). John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; R; bM; has a * 10m 20° sf, dist 30"."  Samuel Hunter's (Lord Rosse's assistant) sketch in 1863 shows a spiral arm of the east side, curling around towards the west.
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NGC 3022 = MCG -01-25-046 = PGC 28257
09 49 39.2  -05 09 59; Sex
V = 12.2;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5.2' SW of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with MCG -01-25-044 3' WSW.  The companion appeared extremely faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3022 = h647 on 19 Feb 1830 (swweep 234) and recorded "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; r. The following of 2 [with NGC 3014]."  His position matches MCG -01-25-046 = PGC 28257.
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NGC 3023 = UGC 5269 = MCG +00-25-022 = CGCG 007-043 = VV 620 = LGG 182-006 = PGC 28272
09 49 52.5  +00 37 07; Sex
V = 13.0;  Size 2.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 70°

48" (4/7/13): at 375x; very bright, large, irregular, asymmetric with a bright, slightly elongated central region, ~40"x30".  Extending to the W of the core is large, faint halo or loop, most evident on the N side of the loop (spiral arm), which is brighter and more sharply defined as it sweeps to the W towards companion NGC 3018.  The loop increases the diameter to ~1.7'.  Mrk 1236 (likely an HII/star-forming region) is a very small, but very high surface brightness knot attached on the E side of the core.

LEDA 1170217 = MAC 0950+0035 was picked up in the field, 4.4' ESE.  It appeared faint (V = 16.6), small, slightly elongated, 15"x10", low even surface brightness.

48" (4/2/11): at 375x this bright, interacting galaxy has a very unusual, asymmetric appearance.  The central region is bright, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 40"x30", increases evenly to a very small, very bright nucleus.  A larger, outer halo extends mainly to the W.  The halo extends from the central region ~1' in a loop and is brightest along the rim, particularly looping from the N side of the core counterclockwise to the W [the DSS reveals this feature is a spiral arm].  This arm gives the visual impression of a partial ring extending the west of the core.

Mrk 1236, a bright HII knot (often classified as a Wolf-Rayet galaxy) is attached within the small halo on the E side of the core, just 25" ESE of center.  It appeared moderately bright, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~16"x8", very high surface brightness.  On the SDSS image, this object is resolved into several clumps or knots.  NGC 3018 lies 2.8' W of center.  Located 3.4' ESE of mag 9.7 HD 85095.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3, broad concentration in halo but no nucleus.  A faint star or knot [this is Mrk 1236] is visible on the E end.  Forms a pair with NGC 3018 3' W and also 3.4' ESE of a mag 10 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3023 = St. 10-20 = Sw. 3-49, along with NGC 3018 on 25 Mar 1879.  His published position was reduced on 10 Mar 1880 and included in his 10th discovery list.  Lewis Swift rediscovered the galaxy exactly 6 years later and included it in his 3rd discovery list (#49).  Both Stephan (1) and Swift (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 3024 = UGC 5275 = MCG +02-25-046 = CGCG 063-084 = Holm 147b = KTG 27C = PGC 28324
09 50 27.4  +12 45 56; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 125°

24" (4/20/14): moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright very elongated core, 1.3'x0.3'.  A mag 14 star is off the SE end (aligned with the major axis).

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, thin edge-on NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3', brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is off the SE edge 1.4' from center.  This galaxy is the third brightest of five in the NGC 3020 group.  NGC 3020 lies 5.7' NW and NGC 3019 is 5' ESE.

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE.  A mag 13.5 star is off the east edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3024 = H. III-52 = h648, along with NGC 3020, on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177). He described the together as "Two, both resolvable and eF. The preceding [NGC 3020] is the largest and they are about 6 or 7' distant from each other.  Position about 20° np-sf 6 or 7' distant. I saw them better with 240 than 157.  They require some attention before they are well seen."  His single position was ~1.0 minute of RA too large.

John Herschel made a single observation on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242): "vF; pL; E.  PD estimated from III.51 [NGC 3020] which precedes."  His "estimated polar distance" was 1.2' too far south.
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NGC 3025 = ESO 566-015 = MCG -04-23-018 = PGC 28249
09 49 29.1  -21 44 32; Hya
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, roundish, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration, halo fades into background.  With averted vision, the halo increases to over 1' in diameter.  Located 2.6' NW of mag 9.3 SAO 178051.  A distinctive grouping of four mag 13-14 stars lies ~4' NW.  ESO 566-018 lies 14' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3025 = h3192 on 21 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, vS, R, north of a * 9 m."  His position and description is an exact match with ESO 566-015.
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NGC 3026 = UGC 5279 = MCG +05-23-043 = CGCG 152-074 = PGC 28351
09 50 55.4  +28 33 05; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 2.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 82°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, even fairly low surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3026 = Sw. 3-50 on 22 May 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; little extended; e diff; in vacancy, found searching for Winnecke's comet [7P/Pons-Winnecke]."  His position is 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 5279 = PGC 28351.
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NGC 3027 = UGC 5316 = VV 358 = MCG +12-10-009 = CGCG 332-068 = CGCG 333-006 = PGC 28636
09 55 40.5  +72 12 13; UMa
V = 11.8;  Size 4.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 130°

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, fairly large, elongated NW-SE, 3'x2', weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Two mag 15 stars are superimposed at the NW end of the major axis and at the south edge.  NGC 2985 lies 25' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3027 = H. V-23 = h643 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390). He logged "faint, large, little extended, resolvable, 6' or 7' long, 5' or 6' broad."  His position was just off the east side of UGC 5316.  He also observed it on his last sweep 1112, conducted under the pole on 30 Sep 1802.  John Herschel recorded this object on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382) as "eF; vL; very gradually little brighter middle; 3' l; 2.5' br."
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NGC 3028 = ESO 566-016 = PGC 28276
09 49 54.1  -19 11 05; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 48°

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, round, 35" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 3.2' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3028 = h3193 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; little brighter middle; 15"."  His position is an exact match with ESO 566-016 = PGC 28276.
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NGC 3029 = MCG -01-25-047 = PGC 28206
09 48 54.0  -08 03 04; Sex
V = 14.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 46°

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5', very low surface brightness.  Located 4.5' E of a mag 11 star.  Collinear with two mag 13 star to the NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3029 = Sw. 3-51 on 8 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory.  His description simply reads "pF; pS; R."  His position is 1.5 tmin E and 6.5' N of MCG -01-25-047, so this identification seems very uncertain.  RNGC and RC3 identify this object as MCG -01-25-047 (not MCG, though).  The MCG RA is +1 tmin too far E.
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NGC 3030 = MCG -02-25-021 = PGC 28302
09 50 10.5  -12 13 35; Hya
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, round, broad concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1' NNW.  Located 2.5' NNW of mag 8.5 SAO 155521.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3030 = LM 2-417 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.7, 0.2' dia, R, gradually brighter then suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His position is only 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of MCG -02-25-021 = PGC 28302.  Herbert Howe's corrected position made with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory (published in Monthly Notices 1899) is accurate.
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NGC 3031 = M81 = UGC 5318 = MCG +12-10-010 = CGCG 333-007 = PGC 28630 = Bode's Nebula
09 55 33.2  +69 03 55; UMa
V = 6.9;  Size 26.9'x14.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 157°

48" (4/15/10): dazzling view of M81 at 267x (21mm Ethos) and 330x (17mm Nagler).  The  galaxy is elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE and extends at least 20'x10'.  The brightness level increases gradually to the center from the large, very bright oval core but is punctuated at the center by an extremely bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.  A bright spiral arm attaches to the galaxy on the northwest end and bends abruptly to the south, passing across a mag 12 star located 5' NW of center.  As it heads southeast, the arm separates from the main glow of the galaxy and can be traced as it passes just north of double star STF 1387 = 10.8/10.8 at 9", ending to the northeast of the striking double star STF 1386 = 9.3/9.3 at 2.1".  The total length of this arm is ~15'.  The second main arm is more prominent, attaching to the main body on the south end.  This arm is much brighter in a narrow arc as it curves around at its south end.  The southern arm is still relatively narrow with a very well defined edge as it sweeps NNW and gradually separates from the main body.

Holmberg IX was visible 10.5' E of the center of M81. With this dwarf galaxy centered in the eyepiece, the outer halo of M81 was visible near the edge of the field.  At 330x it appeared very faint, fairly large, 2' diameter, round, low even surface brightness with no noticeable concentration.  The galaxy is nestled within a kite asterism including a mag 13 star 1.3' S.

17.5" (4/15/93): Type II SN 1993J was very prominent at 11th magnitude (2.8' SSW of nucleus).  This supernova was followed for a number of nights, even in my 10" in the light-polluted skies at home.  This supernova was one the brightest SNe of the 20th century, reaching mag 10.7-10.8.

17.5" (many dates starting 3/23/85): very bright, very large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, about 16'x8', large oval bright middle, bright core, nearly stellar nucleus.  Two mag 11.5 and 11.9 stars are superimposed in the halo at the south edge of the core.  An easily visible spiral arm is attached near these two stars at the south end of the core.  This arm curves due north along the east side and is well separated from the main body.  A second arm was suspected on 10/12/85 as a short extension curving around the NNW end towards a mag 12 star at the WNW edge of the halo and was described as "shorter and much less prominent.  The second arm was definitely seen on 1/31/87.  Mag 8.7 SAO 15020 (STF 1386 = 9.3/9.3 at 2") lies 10' SSW and the striking double star STF 1387 = 10.7/10.7 at 9" is 8' SSW.  Forms a very striking pair at low power with M82 37' N.  The bright supernova 1993j was located 3' SSW of the core and formed a right triangle with the two mag 11.5/11.9 stars south of the core. 

13.1" (1/18/85): extremely faint arm attached at the southeast end near two stars and curves to the east. 

8": very bright, bright core, large oval halo, elongated NW-SE, two faint stars involved.

Johann Bode discovered M81 = NGC 3031 = h649, along with M82, on 31 Dec 1774.  Pierre Méchain independently discovered M81 in August 1779.

William Herschel's first observation of M81 and M82 was on 6 Aug 1783 with his 12-inch (called the small 20-ft), according to Wolfgang Steinicke.  He next observed the pair on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100, under the pole) and described M81 as "extremely bright, the bright part [core] confined to a very small place; very much elongated fron north preceding to south following; the nebulosity is of the milky kind; it exceeds the limits of the field."  On his last recorded sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802, he wrote "very bright, extremely large; it very nearly fills all the field, it loses itself imperceptibly, much elongated np sf; I can trace it nearly 1/2° in extent beyond the brightest part."  Due to an issue with the ropes and the polar distances, Caroline assumed M81 was M82!   M82, itself, was catalogued as a new object (IV. 79) by John Herschel in his Cape Catalogue of 1847 (see NGC 3034).

On 28 Oct 1831 (sweep 377) John Herschel described h649 as "extremely bright; extremely large; elongated, position angle = 156°, gradually brighter and then suddenly very much brighter middle, with faint rays of light nearly to extremities of field (15').  The most condensed part is 4' long and 3' broad."  He mistakenly identified the galaxy as M82, though, probably due to the mix-up by his aunt.  It wasn't until the NGC in 1888 that the various catalogue entries for M81 and M82 were correctly sorted out!
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NGC 3032 = UGC 5292 = MCG +05-23-046 = CGCG 152-077 = PGC 28424
09 52 08.2  +29 14 10; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, very small, almost round, very small bright core, bright stellar nucleus, surrounded by small very faint halo.  Located midway between mag 8.6 SAO 81056 1.7' N and a mag 10 star 1.9' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3032 = h650 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and logged "a *12 with an eF atmos about 10-12".  It is between a *8-9m n p and one = 10m, s f, neither of which are so affected. A curious object." His position and description applies, although the two stars are more nearly north and south.
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NGC 3033 = Cr 212 = ESO 167-006
09 48 39  -56 24 42; Vel
V = 8.8;  Size 5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this is a small 4' group of ~30 stars situated just SW of mag 6.1 HD 85250.  Many of the stars are arranged in a loop or oval on the SW side of the star, so the combination with the bright star appears similar to a diamond ring.  The cluster members are fairly uniform in brightness with a number of mag 11 stars.  A wide double star 5' SE (9.5/11.5 at 26") is collinear with HD 85250.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3033 = h3194 on 27 Feb 1835 and logged "irregularly round cluster, 8' diameter, of 50 or 60 stars, 11 and 12 mag. In the milky way, but sufficiently rich and distinct to be registered as a cluster."
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NGC 3034 = M82 = Arp 337 = UGC 5322 = MCG +12-10-011 = CGCG 333-008 = UMa A = PGC 28655 = Cigar Galaxy
09 55 52.7  +69 40 46; UMa
V = 8.4;  Size 11.2'x4.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 65°

48" (4/15/10): stunning view at 330x with numerous irregular dark rifts slicing up the mottled, clumpy surface.  Several very small, bright knots or condensations (Super Star Clusters - SSCs) are just west of a dark wedge that pierces the galaxy on the south side and tapers as it cuts across the center at an oblique angle.  The very bright section of the galaxy to the northeast of the dark absorption wedge also displays mottled structure.  Another prominent dark inclusion cuts into the galaxy from the north on the northeast side of the galaxy.  A very faint extension of low surface brightness haze (the superwind outflow) bulges out from the main portion of the galaxy on the south side.  This glow is west of the dark wedge and east of a mag 10.5 star located 5.8' SW of center. On images this large bulge appears to explode out from the galaxy with filamentary structure.  Overall, there was too much visible structure to describe from a couple of minutes at the eyepiece.

24" (1/25/14): viewed type-Ia SN 2014J (discovered 4 days earlier), which was close to 11th magnitude and apparently still brightening. It appeared a pale orange or red color!  I don't know if this was due to intervening dust in M82, but I hadn't seen this effect before in a supernova.  This is the closest type-Ia discovered in the past 42 years.

17.5" (10/12/85): very bright, large, edge-on 4:1 WSW-ENE, 10' x 2.5', large bright irregular core.  Very mottled with an unusually high surface brightness.  Unique appearance with several dark cuts oblique to the major axis including a prominent wedge or cut nearly through the center.  A mag 10 star is just south of the SW end 5.8' from the center

13.1" (4/24/82 and 11/5/83): highly mottled with two obvious dark lanes.

8": bright, spindle, mottled.  A dark wedge cuts into the galaxy near the center from the south side.

10x50 binoculars: faintly visible though easier in 15x50's.

Johann Bode discovered M82 = NGC 3034 = H. IV-79, along with M81, on 31 Dec 1774.  Pierre Méchain independently discovered M82 in Aug 1779.

William Herschel observed M82 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100).  His description reads "extremely bright, much extended south preceding north following, about 10' long."  He also observed in on his final sweep 1112, conducted on 30 Sep 1802 (sweep 1112): "a very bright, beautiful ray of light, brightest in the middle of all the length, about 8' long and 2 or 3' broad."  Due to an issue with the ropes and the polar distances, Caroline assumed M81 (observed immediately after) was M82 and she recorded M82 as new!  William viewed M82 again on 23 Dec 1805 with the X-ft telescope (24-inch f/5) and noted "It seems to be mottled in the length containing brightish places like stars."

Due to his aunt's error, John Herschel added M82 as one of 8 new "HON" objects ("Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Catalogue of 1847, with Herschel designator IV. 79.  This list was meant to include new discoveries found after observations for the third catalogue of 500 objects were completed.  In the General Catalogue (GC), John realized the error and correctly associated M82 = HON 4 = IV. 79, though M81 has two entries (GC 1949 and GC 1953), the second from his father's observation on sweep 1112.  It wasn't until the NGC in 1888 that the various catalogue entries for M81 and M82 were correctly sorted out!

Ralph Copeland made the first published comment about dark lanes on 21 May 1871 as the observing assistant on the 72".  He noted "A most extraordinary object, at least 10' in length, and crossed by several dark bands."
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NGC 3035 = MCG -01-25-052 = PGC 28415
09 51 55.0  -06 49 23; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 25°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, round, gradually brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3035 = St. 10-23 on 25 Mar 1879.  His published position was reduced on 5 Mar 1880 and is an exact match with MCG -01-25-052.
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NGC 3036 = ESO 126-027
09 49 20  -62 40 30; Car
Size 10'

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): nice cluster consisting of two main groups with offshoots.  Overall fairly rich with roughly 30 stars in the southern group and 15 in the northern.  The larger southern group forms an elongated looping chain and extends ~6'x1.5'.  It includes a mag 9.9 star near the west end and a 11.5/12.5 pair at 15" on the southwest end.  Two mag 10 stars are at the east end.  The distinct northern chain also includes a 14" pair.  This cluster is situated 12' WNW of mag 5.6 HD 85656.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3036 = h3197 on 7 Mar and recorded "The chief star 10m of a cluster class VIII of sc st 10' dia.  It is one the borders of the milky way."  His position corresponds with a mag 10 star on the west side of a scattered group that is well-defined on the DSS.  JH's original Cape position was 20' too far north but he corrected it on the errata page, so the GC and NGC position is accurate. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 3037 = ESO 499-010 = MCG -04-24-002 = PGC 28381
09 51 24.2  -27 00 40; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, roundish, 1.0' diameter, very little concentration.  A 30" pair of mag 14 stars close SE (~1.5') is collinear with the center of the galaxy.  Located 5.4' SSW of mag 9.7 SAO 178100.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3037 = h3195 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; little brighter middle; 30"."  His position is an exact match with ESO 499-010 = PGC 28381.
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NGC 3038 = ESO 374-002 = MCG -05-24-001 = AM 0949-323 = LGG 184-002 = PGC 28376
09 51 15.4  -32 45 09; Ant
V = 11.6;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.2', large bright core, very faint halo, brighter quasi-stellar nucleus.  Three IC galaxies lie to the west with IC 2513 the closest at 17' SW.  Member of a poor group (LGG 184)

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, slightly elongated oval WSW-ENE, fairly small, bright core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3038 = Sw. 3-52 on 27 Feb 1886 and noted "pB; pS; R."  His position is just 40" north of ESO 374-002.
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NGC 3039 = UGC 5297 = MCG +00-25-027 = CGCG 007-051 = PGC 28452
09 52 29.6  +02 09 15; Sex
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 12°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 3.9' WSW and two mag 12.5 stars lie 3.0' W and 1.5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3039 = m 184 on 22 Jan 1865 and logged "vF, S, iR."  His position matches UGC 5297.
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NGC 3040 = UGC 5300 = MCG +03-25-037 = CGCG 092-067 = Holm 148a = PGC 28479
09 53 05.1  +19 25 56; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 170°

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Fairly well concentrated with a bright, round 20" core and faint extensions.  A mag 14 star lies 1.8' SSE.  Brightest in a triple system, including Ho 148b at the northeast edge (companions not seen).

CGCG 92-065, located 12' N, appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Contained a stellar nucleus in moments of steady seeing.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3040 = St. 13-53 on 16 Mar 1882.  His published position in list 13 was reduced on 25 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 5300.
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NGC 3041 = UGC 5303 = MCG +03-25-039 = CGCG 092-068 = PGC 28485
09 53 07.2  +16 40 40; Leo
V = 11.5;  Size 3.7'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 95°

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, large, diffuse, slightly elongated.  A mag 13 is just off the SW end 1.5' from the center and two mag 14.5 stars are at the NW edge 1.2' from center and at the north edge 1' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3041 = H. II-98 = h3196 on 23 Mar 1784 (sweep 184).  His description reads, "L, not vF, resolvable, R, not much bM.  North following the most south of 2 bright stars and not far from it; the nebulosity reaches up the bright star."  Interestingly, John Herschel called this galaxy a globular cluster and noted "F; L; R; very gradually little brighter in the middle; 2.5' dia; resolved with left eye."  Dreyer noted it was not a globular in 1876 observation at Birr Castle.
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NGC 3042 = UGC 5307 = MCG +00-25-030 = CGCG 007-054 = PGC 28498
09 53 20.1  +00 41 51; Sex
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 111°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, very small bright core, very faint extensions from core.  A mag 13 star is 1.3' SW of core.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3042 = m 185 on 30 Apr 1864 and recorded "pB, S, very little extended, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3043 = UGC 5327 = MCG +10-14-052 = CGCG 289-023 = PGC 28672
09 56 14.6  +59 18 25; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 84°

17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.5', small bright core.  Located 8' S of mag 7.9 SAO 27433.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3043 = H. II-835 = h651 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and noted "cF; S; E."  His position is within 1' of UGC 5327.  John Herschel described it on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) as "eF; pL; 35"; very gradually brighter middle; has a *10 m 7' n."
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NGC 3044 = UGC 5311 = MCG +00-25-031 = CGCG 007-056 = FGC 965 = PGC 28517
09 53 40.8  +01 34 46; Sex
V = 11.9;  Size 4.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 113°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly bright, large, edge-on 6:1 WNW-ESE, dimensions 3.5'x0.5', broadly concentration but there is no well defined core.

13.1" (4/10/86): very pretty, very thin edge-on streak at 166x-214x, moderately large, brighter middle.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3044 = H. III-254 = h652 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 342) and recorded "eF, mE, 3 or 5' long and near 1' br from np to sf; but not far from the parallel."  One week later on 20 Dec (sweep 348) he logged "very faint; about 5' long but extremely narrow, less than 1/4' broad; from np to sf."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 7) as an example of "very narrow long nebulae."  John Herschel measured an accurate position on 27 Jan 1832 (sweep 397) and recorded, "vF; mE, pos = 111.5°; 80" l, 15" br.  Aurora in sky, even at this polar distance."  The UGC, RC3 list the PA = 13°, but it should read 113°.
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NGC 3045 = ESO 566-22 = MCG -03-25-028 = PGC 28492
09 53 17.7  -18 38 43; Hya
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 110°

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, small, round, no details.  Located 17' W of NGC 3052.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3045 = h3198 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; little brighter middle; 30"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3046 = ESO 499-015
09 53 22.0  -27 19 19; Ant

= *?, RNGC and ESO.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3046 = h3199 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "pF; R.  RA precarious; a hurried observation." His position is 30" south of a mag 14.6 star and RNGC and ESO identify NGC 3046 as a star.  I would think it likely this was a duplicate observation of NGC 3051 except that both were recorded on the same sweep!  Still, Harold Corwin suggests this may be a case (there are two others) where he accidentally recorded the same object twice in the sweep.
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NGC 3047 = UGC 5323se = MCG +00-25-033 = (CGCG 007-059) = PGC 28577
09 54 32.0  -01 17 27; Sex
V = 13.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.3' SSE of mag 8.6 SAO 137215.  Forms a double system with a very faint stellar companion (NGC 3047A) just 40" WNW of center.

George Hough discovered NGC 3047 on 24 Apr 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and described as "small and round, very faint."  Both Hough and Sherburne Burnham reobserved the galaxy on 5 May and Dreyer credited the pair.  The discovery position in AN 2524 is 8 tsec W (only given to the nearest tenth of a tmin) of UGC 5323.
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NGC 3048 = CGCG 092-071 = PGC 28595
09 54 56.5  +16 27 23; Leo
V = 15.4;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  PA = 110°

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3053 8.7' ESE.  A very faint galaxy (LEDA 1509261) off the NE side was not noticed.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3048 = m186 on 27 Apr 1864 and simply noted "eF".  His position matches CGCG 092-071.  Two extremely faint galaxies are close to the east (slightly larger redshifts).
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NGC 3049 = UGC 5325 = MCG +02-25-055 = CGCG 063-103 = Mrk 710 = PGC 28590
09 54 49.6  +09 16 17; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 25°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  A mag 11 star is 3.4' NE of center and a mag 14 star lies 1.9' SW of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3049 = St. 12-37 on 13 Mar 1874 and described it as "very faint, very small, faint star very near.".  His published position (list 12, #37) was measured 8 years later on 20 Mar 1882 
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NGC 3050 = NGC 2979 = MCG -02-25-012
09 43 08.6  -10 23 01; Sex

See observing notes for NGC 2979.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3050 = LM 2-418 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His notes mention "mag 14.0, 0.6' dia, vlE 200°, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus."  There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of time).

Harold Corwin suggests, NGC 3050 is a duplicate of NGC 2979 (discovered by WH), which is located is over 11 tmin of RA west of Muller's position!  But the declination matches and the description and position angle is a good fit, so if a 10 min recording error in RA was made, this identification is likely.
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NGC 3051 = NGC 3046: = ESO 499-016 = MCG -04-24-004 = LGG 185-001 = PGC 28536
09 53 58.6  -27 17 11; Ant
V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/25/00): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  Broadly concentrated halo containing a very small bright core.  Located 14' ENE of mag 6.4 SAO 178130.  NGC 3037 lies 38' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3051 = h3201 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded ""pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle; 20 arcseconds."  His position matches ESO 499-016.  NGC 3046 may be a duplicate observation.  See notes on that number.
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NGC 3052 = ESO 566-026 = MCG -03-25-030 = PGC 28570
09 54 28.0  -18 38 21; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 102°

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, slightly elongated, diffuse, weak concentration.  Located 23' NNW of mag 4.9 SAO 155588.  NGC 3045 lies 17' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3052 = H. III-272 = h3202 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and noted "vF, pS, irr.  A lttle brighter towards the middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.5' southeast of ESO 566-026 = PGC 28570.  John Herschel logged "pF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 50" and measured an accurate position (in the NGC).
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NGC 3053 = UGC 5329 = MCG +03-25-040 = CGCG 092-074 = CGCG 093-001 = PGC 28631
09 55 33.6  +16 25 58; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, oval NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.9' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3048 8.7' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3053 = H. III-600 = h3200 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 690) and noted "vF, S, iR."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.5' north of UGC 5329.  John Herschel called it "vF; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"."
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NGC 3054 = ESO 499-018 = MCG -04-24-005 = UGCA 187 = LGG 185-007 = PGC 28571
09 54 28.6  -25 42 13; Hya
V = 11.8;  Size 3.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 123°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo, elongated WNW-ESE.  Brightest in a group (LGG 185) including NGC 3051, 3078, 3084 and 3089.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 3054 on 3 Apr 1859, perhaps while asteroid hunting, with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory.  His RA was 6 seconds of time too small.

Ormond Stone found this galaxy again on 14 Jan 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded it as #60 in the first LM first discovery list.  His rough RA was ~1.5 minutes of time too large but his description (PA = 120°, 2.7'x0.8') matches this galaxy.

Based on photographs taken in 1919-20 at the Helwan Observatory, the galaxy was described as "F, 3'x2', E 110°, spiral with pF almost stellar nucleus and faint well defined whorls [arms]."
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NGC 3055 = UGC 5328 = MCG +01-25-034 = CGCG 035-087 = PGC 28617
09 55 18.1  +04 16 11; Sex
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 63°

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, moderately large.  There is a sharper light cut-off on the east side due to dust.  Located 5.7' SSE of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3055 = H. VI-4 = h656 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 116).  He described it as "a nebula or cluster of very close and small stars."  Herschel misplaced this galaxy in his class VI of "Very condensed and rich clusters of stars."  A similar error was made with NGC 6412.

John Herschel made 3 observations and noted on 10 Apr 1828 (sweep 143), "pB, gradually brighter in the middle; r; little extended; 60" l, 40" br; twilight.  No other cluster or neb near."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 15 Mar 1855, recorded the following detail: "E sp nf, has a B nucl and a knot in sp end, or rather a twist towards then."  The following January he remarked "I see it as last year with appendage or curved branch at sp end."
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NGC 3056 = ESO 435-007 = MCG -05-24-003 = AM 0952-280 = PGC 28576
09 54 32.9  -28 17 53; Ant
V = 11.7;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 16°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, very small, bright core, very slightly elongated halo N-S.  A mag 12.5 star is off the NE end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3056 = h3203 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; very suddenly much brighter middle; has a * 10m almost contiguous; pos from neb = 203.8°.  His position and description matches ESO 435-007, though the position angle of the bright star is off by 180°.
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NGC 3057 = UGC 5404 = MCG +14-05-010 = PGC 29296
10 05 39.5  +80 17 09; Dra
V = 13.0;  Size 2.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 5°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, moderately large, elongated.  Two mag 13-14 stars are off the south edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3057 = H. III-978 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole).  He recorded "extremely faint, pretty large, very little brighter middle.  Just north of 2 small stars that are nearly in the parallel [E-W]."  Caroline's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 5404, though I don't know which two stars Herschel was referring to.  This object is the 500th discovery listed in Herschel's third catalogue although he left three additional ones out which exceeded the 500 limit.  Sweep 1111 was his second to last and NGC 3057 was his third most northern discovery (NGC 6252/51) are #1 and #2) in terms of 1800 coordinates.
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NGC 3058 = MCG -02-25-026 = VV 741 = PGC 28513 + 3442467 
09 53 35.7  -12 28 55; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 35°

28" (4/12/18): at 366x; NGC 3058 is an interacting double system. The brighter SE galaxy appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE, ~40"x25", very small slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 13.6 star is 1.1' W.  A very close, faint pair (~6" separation)  is 1.1' SSE.

LEDA 3442467 = NGC 3058 NED1 is only 18" NW of center. The companion was virtually attached and appeared very faint, extremely small, ~10" diameter.

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' W.  A wide mag 12/13 pair at 45" separation lies 2' SSW and a mag 12/13.5 pair at 30" separation E-W lies 3.5' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3058 = LM 1-159 on 6 May 1886 and recorded "mag 15.5, size 1.2', double or binuclear, tri-nuclear?". There is nothing at his rough position (nearest minute of RA) but about 2 minutes of RA west is the interacting, double system MCG -02-25-026. This type of large error in RA is fairly common in the first discovery list from the Leander McCormick observatory and his comment "double or binuclear" clinches the identification.

In 1899, Herbert Howe reobserved NGC 3058 with a 20-inch refractor in Denver and reported, "The following nucleus [of the pair] is the brighter. The preceding is at 210°, 20". The position of the brighter nucleus is 9h 48m 44s, -12° 0'.7."  His postion lands on the brighter eastern galaxy and Dreyer included his corrected position (in RA) in the IC 2 notes.  So, based on the historical observations, NGC 3058 refers to the interacting pair, though SIMBAD and HyperLEDA apply the number only to the brighter southeastern galaxy.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered J. 1-171 on 20 Apr 1892. His description reads, "extremely faint, round, 10" in diameter, difficult, close to a very small star." His position is a few seconds of time to the west of the eastern galaxy, though the size estimate of 10" is much too small.  The "very small star" may refer to the compact western galaxy or perhaps a mag 13.6 star less than 1' further west.   Dreyer assumed J-171 was new and assigned the number IC 573, which probably applies to the eastern galaxy.
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NGC 3059 = ESO 037-007 = PGC 28298
09 50 08.5  -73 55 18; Car
V = 11.0;  Size 3.6'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 71°

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appears fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated.  Appears to have a central bar or an elongated core (barred spiral).  At moments I caught a glimpse of a faint stellar nucleus.  The halo is large, ~2.5'x2.0' and seems mottled.  The galaxy is surrounded by a number of stars in a rich star field and it's situated 5' ESE of a mag 9 star.  I accidentally forgot to check this object off from the previous night so it was still on my observing list, though I suspected it had been seen earlier.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears fairly bright, large, slightly elongated, ~3.0'x2.5', weak concentration except for a small elongated core or bar (this is a face-on barred spiral).  Overall the surface brightness is fairly low, but fairly impressive due to its large size and central bar.  The galaxy is surrounded by a number of mag 13 stars.  A mag 8.9 star (HD 85642) lies 5' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3059 = h3205 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; L; irreg R; gradually little brighter middle; 3'; many vS stars near and in it."  His position (corrected in a list of errata at the end of the CGH) matches ESO 037-007.

NGC 2867 was probably first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "eF * involved in circular nebula, possible ring neb."
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NGC 3060 = UGC 5338 = MCG +03-26-002 = CGCG 093-003 = PGC 28680
09 56 19.2  +16 49 52; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 2.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 78°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, bright core, no well-defined nucleus, faint extensions taper to points.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3060 = H. III-601 = h3204 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 690) and recorded "vF, cS, little extended, easily resolvable."
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NGC 3061 = UGC 5319 = MCG +13-07-040 = CGCG 350-036 = PGC 28670
09 56 11.9  +75 51 59; Dra
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, fairly large, slightly elongated, low surface brightness.  There are two faint stars at the edges;  a mag 14.5 star 1.8' NW of center and a faint 15 star 0.9' SSE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3061 = H. II-903 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and logged "faint, pretty large, resolvable."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  A corrected position matching UGC 5319 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on William Herschel's sweeps.

John Herschel observed what he assumed was his father's II. 903, and recorded h653 as "very doubtful.  Moonlight and haze."  There is nothing at or near his poisition (noted in the 1911 Monthly Notices paper).  JH used his position, though, and basically his father's description (changing "F" to "vF") in the GC and Dreyer followed this in the NGC.  So, NGC 3061 = H. II. 903 and not h653.
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NGC 3062 = CGCG 008-002 = PGC 28699
09 56 35.7  +01 25 43; Sex
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 65°

17.5" (4/15/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Weak concentration to a slightly brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Not noticed at 100x but easy at 220x.  Based on description, I probably viewed the brighter core only and missed the fainter extensions.  Located 45' ESE of NGC 3044.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3062 = m 187 with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, vS, alm stellar."  His position matches Marth's position matches PGC 28699.
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NGC 3063
10 01 41.6  +72 07 05; UMa
V = 14.8/15.1;  Size 10"

= **, Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3063 = H. II-909 on 30 Sep 1802 (his last sweep 1112!).  It was found in the field of NGC 3065 and 3066 (both discovered on 3 Apr 1785), the full description reading,  "Three, the place is that of the last, which is faint, pretty large, round.  The south preceding one extremely faint, very small, about 1' more south and 20 seconds preceding. The north preceding one pretty bright, stellar, about 3' more north than that of which the place is taken and 30 seconds preceding."  Caroline apparently thought the last one was new, but the description applies to NGC 3066.  The ""south preceding one", which was assumed to be NGC 3066, likely refers to a pair of mag 14.9 stars at 11" separation.  When d'Arrest observed the field he also recorded the pair (GCS 5512) and d'Arrest's position was used in the NGC, correctly placing NGC 3063 to the west of NGC 3065 and 3066.

Herschel didn't include this object in his third catalogue as he had already reached his 500 object threshold, but John Herschel added it in an appendix to his Cape Catalogue (HON 5 = [William] Herschel Omitted Nebulae"), with the designation II-909 (later GC 1972).  There was confusion, though, which objects were the two nebulae previously discovered -- Caroline apparently thought the eastern most object (NGC 3066) was new.  As a result, John Herschel called it the third of three, instead of the first of three.  This confusion carried into the NGC and even Dreyer's 1912 commentary on William Herschel's third catalogue.  See Corwin's notes for the full history.
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NGC 3064 = MCG -01-26-001 = PGC 28638
09 55 41.5  -06 21 50; Sex
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 35°

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, low even surface brightness.  A distinctive group of mag 11-13 stars is roughly 5' NE.  The brighter mag 11 stars form a rectangle with a 13th magnitude star in the center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3064 = LM 1-161 on 6 May 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, vS, E45°."  A second listing LM I-162, has the note "same as 161?" and was not included in the NGC.  It may refer to a different observation of NGC 3064 or Harold Corwin suggests it may be MCG -01-26-005.  His rough position for LM 1-161 (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct - just 0.2 tmin east of MCG -01-26-001.
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NGC 3065 = UGC 5375 = MCG +12-10-014 = CGCG 333-010 = VII Zw 303 = PGC 29046
10 01 55.3  +72 10 13; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core, stellar nucleus, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 1.4' NW.  Forms a close striking pair with slightly fainter NGC 3066 3.1' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3065 = H. II-333 = h654, along with NGC 3066, on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390).  His description reads, "Two, pretty faint, small, brighter middle.  The most north [NGC 3065] a little larger and brighter than the southern one [NGC 3066]; otherwise much alike; not far from being in the same meridian."  Caroline's reduced position is ~30 seconds of RA east of UGC 5375 and UGC 5379.  This pair was also the very last object Herschel observed on his final sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802.  He also noted a third object (NGC 3063), which is probably a faint double star.

John Herschel made a single observation on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382), noting "vF; S; R; 10"; near a * 11-12m."  The NGC position (from d'Arrest) matches UGC 5375.
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NGC 3066 = UGC 5379 = MCG +12-10-015 = CGCG 333-011 = Mrk 133 = PGC 29059
10 02 11.0  +72 07 31; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, gradual moderate concentration but no sharp core.  Only slightly fainter than NGC 3065 3' NNW but has a smoother surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3066 = H. II-334 = h655, along with NGC 3065, on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390). He recorded "Two, pretty faint, small, bright middle.  The most north [NGC 3065] a little larger and brighter than the southern one [NGC 3066]; otherwise much alike; not far from being in the same meridian."  Caroline's reduced position is 30 seconds of RA east of the pair. The pair was the very last objects Herschel observed on his final sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802 and were described as "faint, pretty large, round."  He also also recorded a third object (later NGC 3063), which is a faint double star, but the positions and identifications of the three objects were confused by both Herschels.  Dreyer sorted things out in the NGC, although Steinicke lists NGC 3063 as "Not found".  See NGC 3063. 

John Herschel made a single observation on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382), noting "F; R; 20"; very gradually little brighter middle." The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate.
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NGC 3067 = UGC 5351 = MCG +06-22-046 = CGCG 182-051 = KTG 26C = PGC 28805
09 58 21.1  +32 22 12; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

24" (3/28/17): at 260x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, brighter elongated central section is mottled and appears to have a sharp light cut-off (dust lane) on the northern flank, the eastern end of the galaxy has a lower surface brightness, probably due to dust. Member of the USGC U268 group.

3C 232 = Ton 469, a distant quasar with a redshift of z = .531 (light-travel time of 5.3 billion years), lies 1.9' due north.  It was easily visible at 375x as a very faint mag 16 star.  A brighter mag 15 star is 1.4' WSW of the quasar.  This QSR was central to another Arp controversy as a “HI finger” or bridge appears to connect the quasar and NGC 3067. 

24" (4/20/14): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.5', contains a large bright core that is very mottled with several very small knots (HII regions and dust on the SDSS).  The southeast side of the halo is weaker with an irregular surface brightness. A mag 9.8 star is 3.9' ENE.

17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, brighter core bulges but no nucleus, extensions taper towards ends.  Located 3.8' WSW of a mag 9.5 star.  

8": faint, very elongated ~E-W.  A mag 9 star is 4' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3067 = H. II-492 = h657 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "pB, pL, lE nearly in the parallel."  John Herschel made 3 observations and wrote on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128), "pB; pL; E in parallel; gradually brighter in the middle; 60" l, 40" br; has a * 10th mag n f."

A total of 15 observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 13 Mar 1850, LdR (or assistant George Stoney) noted the following detail: "Longitudinal split visible occasionally, at least in following 2/3.  A bright streak seemed to run transversely across neb."
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NGC 3068 = Arp 174 NED2 = UGC 5353b = MCG +05-24-006 NED2 = CGCG 153-006 = PGC 28815
09 58 40.1  +28 52 39; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (3/28/17): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, contains a small bright core, ~15" diameter.  The oval halo has a very low surface brightness and appears to extend ~25"x18" E-W.

NGC 3068 is the brighter of a close, interacting pair with NGC 3068 NED1 = PGC 87670 just 36" SE (between centers).  The companion was extremely to very faint, round, only 10" diameter at most.  Although I couldn't hold this compact galaxy continuously (V = 15.6), it was often visible.  There was no sign of a connection between the pair or the long, diffuse tidal tail to the southwest.

17.5" (4/18/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (much smaller than listed dimensions). A mag 12.5 star is 2.8' N.  No details were visible (viewed through thin clouds) and the fainter companion 35" SW was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3068 = H. III-293 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and recorded"suspected, eF, eS, stellar. 240 left it doubtful, but showed the same suspicious nebulous which other stars of equal size were free from."  His position is 6' N of UGC 5353.  Dreyer has a note in the NGC that Auwers' reduction was incorrect due to a error in the identification of the offset star in Philosophical Transactions.
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NGC 3069 = IC 580 = MCG +02-26-005 = CGCG 064-010 = PGC 28788
09 57 56.7  +10 25 57; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6

13.1" (4/10/86): very faint, very small.  Located on a line with NGC 3070 5.0' SSE and 30" pair of mag 13/14.5 stars 2' NNW.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 3069 on 15 Mar 1877 as LdR's assistant.  While observing NGC 3070 he noted "5' nnp is an object which I have little doubt is a vF, vS, neb, perhaps lE.  Clouds." At his separation and direction is CGCG 064-010 = PGC 28788.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy on 22 Mar 1892 and recorded J. 1-175 as "pF, vS, iF".  His position is very close north of NGC 3069.  CGCG labels this galaxy IC 580, but it is clear NGC 3069 = IC 580.  See Harold Corwin's notes.  In fact, Javelle rediscovered it again on 18 Feb 1904 and included it in his unpublished 4th catalog as J. 1602.  The position used for his offset star (HD 86435) was offset by 18', though.  He also "rediscovered" NGC 3070 at the same time.
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NGC 3070 = UGC 5350 = MCG +02-26-006 = CGCG 064-011 = PGC 28796
09 58 06.9  +10 21 35; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, round, prominent core, stellar nucleus.  Located 13' WSW of mag 7.7 SAO 98881.  Forms a pair with NGC 3069 5.0' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3070 = H. II-59 = h659 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172) and recorded "vS, cometic; There is a vB star in the field with it and the nebula is the 4th in a row from the bright star both included; the two stars between are small."  John Herschel observed this galaxy in Jan 1828 (sweep 123), "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."  Stephane Javelle found it again on 18 Feb 1904, assume it was new due to an error in the position of his offset star, and included it in his unpublished 4th catalog as J. 1603.
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NGC 3071 = CGCG 153-008 = PGC 28825
09 58 53.1  +31 37 12; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 176°

18" (3/11/07): very faint, extremely small, round, 0.2' diameter (core region?), very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 33' SW of 5.4-magnitude 20 Leonis Majoris.  Forms a pair with very compact CGCG 153-009 6.8' NE.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3071 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 2782 matches CGCG 153-008 = PGC 28825.
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NGC 3072 = ESO 566-033 = MCG -03-26-001 = PGC 28749
09 57 23.9  -19 21 18; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 71°

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, very elongated WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.4', very small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3072 = H. III-273 = h3206 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and noted "eF, vS, irr."  His position is within 1' of ESO 566-033 = PGC 28749.  John Herschel made two observations at the Cape, logging on sweep 561 "vF; E; gradually little brighter middle; 60" l; 50" br."
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NGC 3073 = UGC 5374 = MCG +09-17-007 = CGCG 265-054 = CGCG 266-006 = Mrk 131 = Holm 156b = PGC 28974
10 00 52.0  +55 37 07; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, round.  Located 10' WSW of NGC 3079.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3073 = H. III-853, along with NGC 3079, on 1 Apr 1790 (sweep 955) and logged "vF, S, very gradually little brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 8 seconds of RA west of UGC 5374.  John Herschel didn't make an observation.  Although the NGC position was off by only 1', NGC 3073 was reported as a new nebula when it was found by Keeler on a Crossley reflector plate in 1898-00 and catalogued in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 3074 = UGC 5366 = MCG +06-22-047 = CGCG 182-054 = PGC 28888
09 59 41.2  +35 23 34; LMi
V = 12.7;  Size 2.3'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, moderately large, round.  Appears as a diffuse, low surface brightness glow, ~1.5' diameter with only a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.9' NE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3074 = H. III-542 = h660 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorded "cF, L, iF.  Part of it 5' long and 4' br."  Caroline's reduced position is 8 sec of RA preceding UGC 5366, although his size estimate is much too large.  John Herschel measured an accurate position (used in NGC) on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) and wrote, "eF; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 60"; has a * 10m in parallel, dist 7'.
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NGC 3075 = UGC 5360 = MCG +03-26-009 = CGCG 093-012 = PGC 28833
09 58 56.2  +14 25 07; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 135°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is involved at the NNW end 0.6' from center and a mag 15 star is close off the east side 1.5' ESE of center.  Located 2.9' NW of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3075 = h3207 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "vvF; forms an appendage to a star 14 mag; a star 11 mag follows." His position is accurate. This is one of 3 galaxies he discovered that night in Leo.
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NGC 3076 = ESO 566-034 = MCG -03-26-002 = PGC 28766
09 57 37.6  -18 10 43; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, small, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness.  Located 50" S of a mag 13 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3076 = h3208 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "eF, S, R, 15"."  His RA is 33 tsec too large.
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NGC 3077 = UGC 5398 = MCG +12-10-017 = CGCG 333-01 = KTG 28C = PGC 29146
10 03 19.1  +68 44 02; UMa
V = 9.9;  Size 5.4'x4.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 45°

24" (4/20/14): at 260x appeared very bright, very large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, large bright core, gradually increases to a small brighter inner core and occasionally a faint stellar nucleus.  The outer halo seems brighter or more extensive on the north-following side and gradually fades, so the periphery has a very low surface brightness.  Two similar unequal doubles are in the field: STF 1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4" lies 3.8' NW and STF 1398 = 8.1/11.4 at  3.6" lies 10".

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, fairly large outer halo elongated SW-NE, increases to brighter core.  Mag 7.9 SAO 15054 (STF 1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4") lies off the NW side 3.8' from the center.  Located 45' ESE of M81 (member of the M81 group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3077 = H. I-286 = h658 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100).  He remarked "very bright, considerably large, round, very gradually much brighter middle. On the north-following side there is a faint ray interrupting the roundness."

Wilhelm Struve independently found NGC 3077 in 1825 or 1826 and included it in his list of 9 "Nebulae dectae" in an appendix to his main catalogue of double stars (∑ 3).  John Herschel's position, measured on 28 Oct 1831 (sweep 377) was accurate in declination, but 1 minute of RA too small.  On 26 Dec 1873, Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland noted "vB, L, R, comet-like with 2 streams of neby towards the south."
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NGC 3078 = ESO 499-027 = MCG -04-24-009 = LGG 185-002 = PGC 28806
09 58 24.5  -26 55 36; Hya
V = 11.1;  Size 2.5'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 177°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very bright core, slightly elongated halo, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3084 is 15' SSE.  Both galaxies are part of the NGC 3054 group (LGG 185)

William Herschel discovered NGC 3078 = H. II-268 = h3209 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 676) and recorded "F, S, R, a bright point in the middle or cometic."  John Herschel logged "B, R, gradually much brighter middle, 30"."
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NGC 3079 = UGC 5387 = MCG +09-17-010 = CGCG 266-008 = Holm 156a = PGC 29050
10 01 57.3  +55 40 54; UMa
V = 10.9;  Size 7.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 165°

48" (4/18/15): I made another short observation of this remarkable asymmetric edge-on at 375x and 488x before observing the Twin Quasars, which lie 14' NNW.  The brightest portions of this 6:1 edge-on NNW-SSE is warped and bowed out towards the east in the very bright central section. An intense nucleus is within this central section, though offset to the east of center.  The west side of the central section is irregular in surface brightness due to dust.  The northern extention thins and has a slight bend on the north end, beyond a mag 14 star.  On the south side is a bright streak, but to the east of this streak and further south the galaxy is dusty and sections of the galaxy appear to be highly obscured.  Two mag 14 stars are off the west side of the galaxy and mag 9.6 HD 237858 is 3.5' SE of center.

Both components of the Twin Quasars at mag 16.7 and 16.9 were easily visible nearly continuously at 697x.  The southern component was clearly slightly brighter, although the delta V is only 0.2.  At 6" separation, the pair was relatively widely split.

48" (4/6/13): I only took a quick look at this gorgeous showpiece edge-on at 375x.  The entire length of the galaxy appeared very mottled, clumpy and dusty, although there was no distinct dust lane.  The shape is irregular and sharply rises to an intense, very elongated 4:1 core that bulges and appears offset from the geometric center.  A mag 14 star is superimposed on the north side and SDSS J100200.73+554247.0, an extremely faint galaxy (V = 18.6), was glimpsed 1.2' E.

18" (3/13/10): fascinating view at 280x.  NGC 3079 appeared very bright, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 7'x1.4'.  The galaxy extends a little bit beyond a mag 13 star near the north tip of the galaxy and on the south end the galaxy extends beyond a line drawn between mag 9.6 HD 237858 off the SE end and a mag 13.5 star to the west of the southern extension.  Contains a bright elongated 4:1 core, which appears clumpy and mottled with a noticeable irregular surface brightness.  The NNW extension is tilted further towards the west than the core, so appears misaligned.  In addition, the south extension appears warped or has a missing portion on the eastern side probably due to dust, so the entire galaxy has a bent, very striking asymmetric appearance. 

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; bright, very elongated up to 5:1 NNW-SSE, ~6'x1.2' with unusual structure.  Contains a large, bright central region with a very elongated bright core offset to the east side.  The eastern flank of the galaxy is also better defined and noticeably bowed outwards, while the western side is nearly flat, creating an asymmetric appearance.  The galaxy tapers on the north end and extends just beyond a mag 13.8 star pinned against the W edge.  The southern extension doesn't taper and has a lower surface brightness as if affected by dust.

17.5" (3/12/88): very bright, large, edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, bright core.  Forms a trio with NGC 3073 10' WSW and MCG +09-17-009 6' NW (noted as "very faint, very small, round.")  To the south is a triangle of bright stars; mag 9.0 SAO 27486 7' SE, mag 8.3 SAO 27476 6' SSW and mag 9.1 SAO 27482 3.3' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3079 = H. V-47, along with NGC 3073, on 1 Apr 1790 (sweep 955). He recorded "cB or vB, mE from np to sf, about 8' l and 2' br, very gradually much brighter middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3080 = UGC 5372 = MCG +02-26-015 = CGCG 064-025 = Mrk 1243 = PGC 28910
09 59 55.9  +13 02 37; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 2.1' WSW.  IC 585, located 4.4' SSW, appeared faint, small, round, bright core, 40" diameter.  IC 585 is very similar in size and magnitude to NGC 3080 and surprisingly, possibly easier visually due a brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3080 = H. III-934 on 1 Apr 1794 while observing Uranus, the "Georgian Planet", off the meridian.  The discovery wasn't recorded in Caroline's revised sweep record, but included in his third catalogue.  His offset from Uranus of 16 seconds of time preceding and 2' south lands within 1.5' of this galaxy (using sky-simulation software for the 1794 position of Uranus).  Bigourdan noted the NGC position was 12 seconds of RA too large and measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).  A similar situation occurred with NGC 3107 = H. II-898, also discovered while observing Uranus on 22 Mar 1794, and NGC 3332 = I-272, discovered on 4 Mar 1796.
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NGC 3081 = IC 2529 = ESO 499-031 = MCG -04-24-012 = PGC 28876
09 59 29.5  -22 49 35; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 158°

48" (4/18/15): this beautiful resonance ring galaxy was viewed at 488x and 610x.  It was very sharply concentrated with a very bright, roundish core (slightly oval at 610x) core that gradually increased to a stellar nucleus.  The surface brightness dropped significantly in the inner halo, but then brightened at the edge to a well defined oval ring, extending 5:3 WSW-ENE, 1.3'x0.8'.  The ring was fairly narrow and brightened slightly at the ends of the major axis (southwest and northeast ends).  This was a very distinctive object!  The core itself contains a barred ring, but this feature was not seen.

48" (5/3/19): at 488x; NGC 3081 is one of the most distinctive resonant ring galaxies; it was sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core that appeared roundish, moderately large, gradually intensified further towards the center.  The slightly elongated elongated halo displayed a noticeable edge brightening forming a fairly low contrast ring.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very bright compact core, possible stellar nucleus.  The fainter oval halo is extended E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3081 = H. III-596 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 660) and recorded "vF, S, little brighter in the middle.  South of a triangle of unequal small stars." Caroline's reduced position is 7 seconds of time west of ESO 499-031.

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 11 Apr 1898 and recorded it in list XI-103 (later IC 2529) as "eeF; eS; eF * in contact."  His position is just 1' south of ESO 499-031, though Corwin notes that there is no star in contact.  So, NGC 3081 = IC 2529.
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NGC 3082 = ESO 435-018 = MCG -05-24-011 = PGC 28829
09 58 53.0  -30 21 27; Ant
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 26°

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4'.  A pleasing pair of mag 13 stars (oriented N-S) is just off the NE end.

ESO 435-019, situated 7' NNE, appeared extremely faint, thin edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.2'x0.3', no concentration.  A mag 12 star is 1' W of center and a mag 13 star is embedded in the NNW end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3082 = h3210 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, close to a double star. Requires verifying."  His position and description matches ESO 435-018.
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NGC 3083 = MCG +00-26-002 = CGCG 008-011 = WBL 248-001 = PGC 28900
09 59 49.6  -02 52 40; Sex
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 50°

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3'.  A group of ~10 stars mag 12-14 lies a few arcmin NE.  Located at NW end of NGC 3090 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3083 = m 188 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, S, E."  His position matches CGCG 008-011 = PGC 28900.  In a group of galaxies discovered by Marth.
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NGC 3084 = ESO 499-029 = MCG -04-24-010 = IC 2528? = LGG 185-004 = PGC 28841
09 59 06.4  -27 07 44; Ant
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 2°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 13 star is off the SE end 25" from center.  Member of the NGC 3054 group (LGG 185).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3084 = h3211 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, attached to a star 13m sf." His position and description matches ESO 499-029.  MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 3084.

Lewis Swift's possibly found this galaxy on 28 Dec 1897 and recorded Sw. 11-102 as "eeeF; eeS; R; double star south; 3078 in field; ee diff."  His position is 30 sec of RA west and 3.5' south of NGC 3084 and his description doesn't help (a single star is attached to the galaxy and a 5" faint unequal pair is 2.5' SE), so the identification of IC 2528 with NGC 3084 is uncertain, though it is suggested by Harold Corwin.
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NGC 3085 = ESO 566-038 = MCG -03-26-003 = PGC 28875
09 59 29.2  -19 29 32; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 119°

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE.  NGC 3091 lies 12' SE.  Member of the NGC 3091 Group, of which HCG 42 is the core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3085 = h3212 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vS; R.  PD liable to some uncertainty."  His position is 1.5' south of ESO 566-038.  Herbert Howe observed the galaxy in 1899-00 with a 20" refractor and noted "this is called "R" by h, but it seems to be much elongated at 90°."
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NGC 3086 = MCG +00-26-003 = CGCG 008-012 = WBL 248-002 = PGC 28924
10 00 10.9  -02 58 34; Sex
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 145°

17.5" (3/16/96): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  Located 4.8' WSW of NGC 3090 at the west side of the NGC 3090 group.

17.5" (4/4/92): extremely faint, small, round, averted only.  Located 5' WSW of NGC 3090 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3086 = m 189 on 22 Jan 1865 and recorded "eF, S, iR." His position matches CGCG 008-012 = PGC 28924.  Not found by Bigourdan.
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NGC 3087 = ESO 374-015 = MCG -06-22-005 = AM 0956-335 = LGG 184-003 = PGC 28845
09 59 08.7  -34 13 31; Ant
V = 11.6;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 42°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very small, small bright core, fainter halo.  Bracketed by two mag 12/13 stars.  Member of a poor group (LGG 184).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3087 = h3213 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; pretty much brighter middle; between 2 st 13m."  His position is accurate.

Joseph Turner, observing with the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 8 Mar 1878, noted the star directly north [by 1.4' from center] was double.  Pietro Baracchi described it as "B; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; sparkling; resolvable?  A star 13m precedes by 5 1/2 sec and is on the same declination."
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NGC 3088 = NGC 3088A = UGC 5384 = MCG +04-24-010 = CGCG 123-013 = PGC 28997
10 01 08.4  +22 24 20; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.0

28" (4/12/18): at 285x; NGC 3088A, the main component of this overlapping pair, appeared moderately bright, small, roundish, fairly bright stellar nucleus, 25" diameter.  NGC 3088B is attached to the southeast side.  Most noticeable is a small, elongated nucleus, ~12"x6", that is centered 30" to the SE of NGC 3088A.  Occasionally very faint extensions were seen, increasing the size to 0.4'x0.1', merging with the halo of 3088A.  A collinear string of four mag 11.5-13 stars is SW and a mag 9.9 star lies 8' WNW.

UGC 3088 located 6.8' SW, appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  Occasionally fainter "wings" extending E-W were visible, increasing the dimensions to 35"x20".  A wide pair of mag 12-13 stars is 2' W.  The redshift z = .023 is similar to the components of NGC 3088.

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, very small, high surface brightness, possibly elongated ~E-W, either a stellar nucleus or a very faint star superimposed.  A string of four collinear stars mag 11.5-13.3 is SW; the closest is a mag 12 star 4.8' WSW and the farther two forms a nice wide double (12.4/13.3 at 35").  There is an impression of faint haze off the SE end of galaxy which creates a sense of elongation.  On the POSS, this is a double system – the "faint haze" off the SE end is an edge-on galaxy (MCG +04-24-010 = NGC 3088B).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3088 = H. III-24 = h661 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "I suspect a vS nebula.  Eyepiece #4 [240x] rather confirmed it, but still left a doubt."  His derived RA was 8 seconds too large.

On 16 Feb 1860 from Birr Castle, Samuel Hunter wrote, "I think there are two wings, spp and sff."  These probably refer to the two components, which have dimensions a) 0.9'x0.8' and b) 0.7'x0.2' and are catalogued separately as MCG +04-24-010 and MCG +04-24-011.
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NGC 3089 = ESO 435-024 = MCG -05-24-014 = AM 0957-280 = LGG 185-005 = PGC 28882
09 59 36.5  -28 19 53; Ant
V = 12.4;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 139°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, diffuse.  Unusual appearance as four or five faint stars involved, most near the east end.  Located 2.2' W of mag 7.9 SAO 178285.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3089 = h3214 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "pF; R; 60" has 2 or 3 vS stars involved, and a *8 m; 2' dist, foll[owing."  His position is 1' N of ESO 435-024 and his description is a perfect match.
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NGC 3090 = MCG +00-26-005 = CGCG 008-016 = WBL 248-003 = PGC 28945
10 00 30.2  -02 58 06; Sex
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4' NW-SE, small bright core.  Located 34" S of a mag 11 star.

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 10.5 star is at the north edge 33" from center which detracts from viewing.  Brightest in a group of six NGC galaxies (MKW 1 = WBL 248) with NGC 3086 5' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3090 = m 190 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "vF, vS."  His position matches CGCG 008-016 = PGC 28945.  In a group of galaxies discovered by Marth.
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NGC 3091 = HCG 42A = ESO 566-041 = MCG -03-26-007 = PGC 28927
10 00 14.1  -19 38 11; Hya
V = 11.1;  Size 3.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 149°

48" (4/1/11): extremely bright, large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~2.2'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a brilliant core that increases to the center.  Brightest of four in HCG 42 with two additional fainter galaxies noted in the group (PGC 852084 and PGC 852825).  HCG 42C = MCG -03-26-006 is the closest member at 1.25' NW, barely off the edge of the halo.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; very bright, fairly  large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core and a 2' halo.  HCG 42, just of the NW edge, appeared nearly moderately bright, small, round, 18" diameter, quasi-stellar nucleus..  HCG 42D, located 2.2' due south, appeared very faint, small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.

24" (2/9/13): very bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core and a very large fainter halo, extending ~2'x1.5'.  HCG 42C, just off NW edge of the halo, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, high surface brightness, brightens to the center.

17.5" (3/28/87): bright, moderately large, very small bright core, slightly elongated halo NW-SE.  A 14th magnitude "star" 1.3' NW is actually the compact galaxy MCG -03-26-006.  Brightest in HCG 42 including NGC 3096 4.7' SE. 

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, small, round, very bright core, substellar nucleus, very faint star close NW.  Brightest in HCG 42.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3091 = H. II-293 = h3215 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and recorded "pB, S, bM, iR."  John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; pS; the preceding of two [with NGC 3096].
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NGC 3092 = MCG +00-26-008 = CGCG 008-019 = WBL 248-005 = PGC 28967
10 00 47.4  -03 00 45; Sex
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 30°

17.5" (3/16/96): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', very low surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 1.7' SE and a mag 12 star 2' N.  Located 5' SE of NGC 3090 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3092 = m 191 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, S".  His position is 2.5' south of CGCG 008-019 = PGC 28967.  His offset is a bit odd since nearby NGC 3093 was accurate in declination.  Not found by Bigourdan.
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NGC 3093 = MCG +00-26-007 = CGCG 008-021 = WBL 248-006 = PGC 28977
10 00 53.5  -02 58 20; Sex
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter with a hint of a small halo.  Located in the NGC 3090 group 5.8' due east of NGC 3090 among a small group of stars.  A mag 10.5 star is 2.8' NW, a mag 13 star 2' SE and a mag 12 star 2.2' WSW.  NGC 3092 lies 2.9' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3093 = m 192 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, vS".  His position matches CGCG 008-021 = PGC 28977 in the NGC 3090 group.
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NGC 3094 = UGC 5390 = MCG +03-26-015 = CGCG 093-023 = PGC 29009
10 01 26.0  +15 46 13; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 75°

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, brighter core.  A mag 10 star is attached at the SE end 0.6' from center.  Located 6.2' NNE of mag 7.8 SAO 98897.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3094 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory.  His micrometric position in AN 2732 matches UGC 5390.
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NGC 3095 = ESO 435-026 = MCG -05-24-016 = UGCA 192 = AM 0957-311 = LGG 187-001 = PGC 28919
10 00 05.6  -31 33 08; Ant
V = 11.7;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 126°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE.  A mag 12 star is off the preceding side 1.0' from the center.  Appears brighter on the west end or an extremely faint star is involved.  NGC 3100 lies 11' SE and NGC 3108 is 31' ESE

John Herschel discovered NGC 3095 = h3216 on 16 Feb 1836, along with NGC 3100 = h3218, and recorded "F; L; E; very gradually little brighter middle; 3' l; 2' br."  His position and description applies to ESO 435-026.
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NGC 3096 = HCG 42B = ESO 566-042 = MCG -03-26-008 = PGC 28950
10 00 33.1  -19 39 43; Hya
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 170°

48" (4/1/11): this member of HCG 42 appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3, 0.9'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 1.5' NE and a mag 10.6 star is 1.8' NW.  Forms a pair with fainter PGC 852084 1.3' SW (not included by Hickson).  The mag 12 star, NGC 3096, PGC 852084 and a mag 13.8 star are collinear and nearly equally spaced on a 3.7' line oriented NE to SW.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 25"x16", fairly high surface brightness, small bright core.  Forms the vertex of a right triangle with a mag 11.5 star 1.5' NE and a mag 10.6 star 1.8' NW.

24" (2/9/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 24"x12" (central bar), very small brighter nucleus.  The larger, low surface brightness halo was not seen.  Located 1.5' SW of a mag 11.5 star and 1.8' SE of a mag 10.6 star.

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, weak concentration, visible with direct vision.  Located 4.7' ESE of NGC 3091 in HCG 42. 

13.1" (4/10/86): extremely faint, small, round, requires averted.  Located 5' ESE of NGC 3091.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3096 = h3217 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; R; little brighter middle; follows II 293 [NGC 3091].  (Place somewhat uncertain.)"  His position is 7 sec of RA east 1.5' north of ESO 566-042.
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NGC 3097
10 04 18  +60 08; UMa

= Not found, Corwin.

Edward P. Austin discovered NGC 3097 = HN 39 in 1870 at the Harvard College Observatory with the 15" f/18 Merz refractor (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, 177)  Austin recorded both NGC 3102 = H III-916 and NGC 3097 on the same date; "[NGC 3102] sf neb; p45 deg, s 2'.  Place only approximate."  Although his position is 2' northwest of NGC 3102, his position angle is 45 degrees (northeast).  In the notes section, Pickering states "perhaps a nebulous star.  It is halfway between GC 1998 and a star 11m."  In any case there is nothing in either position so this object is probably nonexistent or a star.  See Corwin's identification notes.

RNGC misidentifies NGC 3097 as a duplicate of NGC 3102.
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NGC 3098 = UGC 5397 = MCG +04-24-012 = CGCG 123-014 = PGC 29067
10 02 16.7  +24 42 40; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 90°

13.1": moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, brighter core. 

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, very elongated E-W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3098 = h663 on 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58) and logged "pB; S; mE in parallel; 30" l, 10" br; bM to nucleus."  His position and description matches UGC 5397.
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NGC 3099 = MCG +06-22-059 = MCG +06-22-058 = CGCG 182-064 = Holm 160a = PGC 29088
10 02 36.5  +32 42 25; LMi
V = 14.2;  Size 0.9'x0.55';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 146°

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, small, round, easily held with direct vision, very weak even concentration down to a slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 2.7' N.  Located 17' WNW of mag 7.6 SAO 61840.  Forms a double system with MCG +06-22-058 1.4' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3099 = H. III-478 = h664 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "eF, S, left doubtful."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3100 = NGC 3103 = ESO 435-030 = MCG -05-24-018 = AM 0958-312 = PGC 28960
10 00 40.8  -31 39 52; Ant
V = 11.1;  Size 3.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 154°

48" (5/12/12): very bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x1.2', sharply concentrated with a very bright oval core that gradually increases to the center.  Three stars are close following; two mag 10.5/12 stars lie 1.3' E and 1.5' SE, with a closer mag 14 star 0.9' SE of center.  We took a look at NGC 3100 because an uncatalogued companion (not found in NED or HyperLeda) is just 0.9' SE.  At 488x the companion was easily visible and appeared fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~21"x7", situated just north of the mag 14 star mentioned above.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.  Two mag 10/11.5 stars are 1.3' E and 1.5' SE (30" separation N-S).  Brightest in a group with NGC 3095 11' NW and NGC 3108 23' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3100 = h3218, along with NGC 3095 = h3216, on 16 Feb 1836 and recorded "pB, R, 30", gradually pretty much brighter middle."  His position is accurate.

Lewis Swift probably found NGC 3103 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded it in list III-53.  His position is 50 sec of RA east and 1' south of NGC 3100.  See notes on NGC 3103.
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NGC 3101 = MCG +00-26-011 = CGCG 008-024 = WBL 248-007 = PGC 29025
10 01 35.4  -02 59 40; Sex
V = 14.4;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 150°

18" (3/11/07): very faint, small, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.2', very weak concentration.  A small group of 4 NGC galaxies with brightest member NGC 3090 lies 10' to 20' W.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3101 = m 193 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF".  His position matches CGCG 008-024.  A tight group of four NGC galaxies found by Marth lies 15' west.
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NGC 3102 = UGC 5418 = MCG +10-15-007 = CGCG 289-030 = CGCG 290-004 = PGC 29220
10 04 31.7  +60 06 29; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 7.0' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3102 = H. III-916 = h662 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039). He recorded "extremely faint, very small, stellar neb.  Near a small star.  I wished to see it with a higher power, but it was too far advanced [to the west]."  Caroline's reduced position is 2.4' southwest of UGC 5418. John Herschel logged on 25 Mar 1832 (sweep 406), "faint; very small; round; brighter middle; a coarse double star nf points to it; has a *11m 30" distance, pos 142.2°."
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NGC 3103 = NGC 3100 = ESO 435-030 = MCG -05-24-018 = PGC 28960
10 00 40.8  -31 39 52; Ant

See observing notes for NGC 3100

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3103 = Sw. 3-53 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pL; R; coarse D * nr p; [NGC 3108] in field.  There is nothing at his position, but 50 seconds of time preceding and 1' north is NGC 3100.  The coarse double star he mentions, though, follows the galaxy.  Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported that Swift "saw 3100, but did not take its place with sufficient accuracy."  So, NGC 3100 = NGC 3103, with NGC 3100 the primary designation.
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NGC 3104 = Arp 264 = VV 119 = UGC 5414 = MCG +07-21-007 = CGCG 211-006 = PGC 29186
10 03 57.3  +40 45 25; LMi
V = 13.1;  Size 3.3'x2.2';  Surf Br = 15.1;  PA = 35°

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, moderately large, ~1.5'-2' diameter although seems irregular in shape.  Appears as a low but irregular surface brightness glow with a mag 13 star embedded at the south edge.  Unusual appearance and could be mistaken for a reflection nebula around the star.  With averted vision a fainter outer halo "grows" at times to 2.5' diameter nearly to a mag 14 star off the NE edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3104 = H. IV-48 = h665 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and logged "a vF star affected with vF nebulosity.  E from sp to nf about 1' long.  With 300 the same." Caroline's reduced position is 14 sec east of Arp 264. John Herschel wrote on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335), "A very small * seems to have a nebulous appendage, but moonlight troublesome."
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NGC 3105 = ESO 167-014 = Cr 214
10 00 40  -54 47 18; Vel
V = 9.7;  Size 2'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright compact cluster of just 2.5' diameter with 15 stars resolved at 200x.  Using 350x the total increases to ~20 stars in a 2.5' region.  A close unequal double is close west of center.  A 25" pair of mag 11.5 stars lies 3' NE.  Located 3' NW of a mag 9.6 star and 36' ESE of mag 3.5 Phi Velorum.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3105 = h3219 on 10 Apr 1834 and recorded "a small close clustering knot of stars 13-16 mag; oval; a great train of stars 12..13 mag on the S.p. side."  HIs position is an exact match with this small cluster. Trumpler (Lick Obs Bul, Vol 14, No. 420) gives the diameter as 2.5' and the class as 2 2 p.
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NGC 3106 = UGC 5419 = MCG +05-24-009 = CGCG 153-013 = PGC 29196
10 04 05.2  +31 11 07; LMi
V = 12.4;  Size 1.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with faint halo and abrupt bright nucleus.  A mag 13.7 star is 2.7' N of center.  Situated almost at the midpoint of a mag 11.5 star 5.3' WNW and a mag 12 star 4.9' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3106 = H. II-320 = h666 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "F, pS, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel noted on 27 Jan 1827 (sweep 56), "F; S; R; suddenly much brighter middle; is equal to a * 12m."
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NGC 3107 = UGC 5425 = MCG +02-26-022 = CGCG 064-048 = PGC 29209
10 04 22.4  +13 37 17; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 140°

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Located 1.8' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 98932.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3107 = H. II-898 on 22 Mar 1794.  It was not found during a sweep but while observing Uranus, which was used as a reference to describe the location.  His description in his 3rd catalogue reads, "By coarse estimation. Faint. 3' north of a pretty large red star.  This nebula was seen at 8h 49m, sidereal time, the telescope being out of the meridian [observing Uranus]."  The observation is not mentioned in Caroline's fair copy of the sweep records.  A similar situation occurred on 1 Apr 1794, when he discovered NGC 3080 (III-934) not far from Uranus, and on 4 Mar 1796, when he discovered NGC 3332 while observing Uranus off the meridian.

The listed RA is fairly accurate in the General Catalogue (6 seconds too small), but the dec is ~7' too far south.  In the 17 Mar 1876 observation at Birr Castle, the RA is mentioned as 54 seconds too large in the GC (due to a misidentification of a red star close south of the galaxy).  Dreyer combined these "offsets" and as a result the RA in the NGC is 48 seconds too large.

UGC, CGCG and MCG don't label their entries for this galaxy as NGC 3107.  See Corwin's notes for a complete discussion.
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NGC 3108 = ESO 435-032 = MCG -05-24-019 = AM 1000-312 = LGG 187-002 = PGC 29076
10 02 29.1  -31 40 36; Ant
V = 11.8;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, weakly concentrated.  Located 1.5' NE of a mag 10.5 star.  Two mag 14 stars are 0.9' NE and 1.1' NW.  NGC 3100 lies 23' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3108 = h3220 on 28 Jan 1835 and noted "F; S; R; little brighter middle; 15"."  His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 435-032 = PGC 29076.
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NGC 3109 = ESO 499-036 = MCG -04-24-013 = UGCA 194 = PGC 29128
10 03 07  -26 09 30; Hya
V = 9.9;  Size 19.1'x3.7';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 93°

48" (5/4/16): fairly bright, very large, very elongated 6:1 E-W, ~15'x2.5'.  Contains a large brighter irregular core region but no nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is superposed near the center with a faint star to its NW and a number of fainter stars are superimposed.  Overall the surface brightness is fairly low but patchy with several very small knots.

Near the SW edge of the galaxy, 3.9' WSW of the mag 12.5 star, is a faint 12" knot, identified in SIMBAD as [BCP93] F3 H2.  In addition, [BCP93] F1 H3 is a faint 10" knot 1.1' NW of the same star and [BCP93] F5 H1 is a faint larger patch, perhaps 15"-20", on the SE flank of the galaxy.

48" (4/22/25): at 610x; two of the brightest member stars of NGC 3109 lie near the superposed mag 12.5 star. A mag ~16.7 yellow supergiant was readily seen 1.1' NW of the star, along the northern flank.  A very faint LBVc (luminous blue variable candidate) was faintly seen just 0.6' NW of the bright star. A small, dim HII knot forms a triangle just west of these stars.

14.5" (4/12/21): fairly faint, huge low surface brightness irregular glow, very elongated ~5:1 E-W, ~10'x2'.  Very patchy appearance with a slightly brighter central region with no core or nucleus.  A mag 13 star is superimposed near the center.  Several faint mag 14 stars are either superimposed or nearby and confuse tracing the ragged outline.

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, very large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, diffuse.  Appears as a low surface brightness streak with very weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3109 = h3221 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vL; 12' l; 2' br; little brighter middle; pos of axis 82.3°.  See pl. V. fig 9."  His position and description and sketch (Plate V, figure 9) matches this large edge-on.

Joseph Turner sketch NGC 3109 in Feb 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope, though his sketch shows the galaxy extending between the four stars off the north edge (which are not involved).  A lithograph based on the sketch was never published.  While searching for NGC 3109 on 9 Apr 1885 with the GMT, Pietro Baracchi discovered nearby ESO 499-023.

Sidney van den Bergh concluded in his 2000 book "The Galaxies of the Local Group" that NGC 3109 was just outside the Local Group, but other papers assume this galaxy (along with Sextans A, Sextans B and the Antlia dwarf) is at a distance of 4.2-4.4 million light, on the outskirts of the Local Group.
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NGC 3110 = NGC 3122 = NGC 3518 = MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 29192
10 04 02.0  -06 28 29; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, broad weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 40" NW of center and a mag 14 star lies 1.7' S. 

Forms a close (interacting) pair with MCG -01-26-013 1.8' SW.  The companion appeared extremely faint and small, round, just visible with direct vision.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' ESE. 

Édouard Stephan independently discovered NGC 3110 = St. 13-54 on 13 Mar 1874, recording a rough position 4' too far W.  His published position (list 13, #54) was made 10 years later on 17 Mar 1884, with Emmanuel Esmiol's re-reduced position accurate to within a few arcseconds.

William Herschel made the original discovery  (H. II-305 = NGC 3122) on 5 Mar 1785.  The GC and NGC positions are incorrect, though, as Herschel's position was reduced using the wrong offset star.  When corrected, H. II-305 is an exact match with NGC 3110.  Based on historical precedence, NGC 3122 should be the primary designation, though modern catalogues use NGC 3110 as Stephan's position was accurate.

This galaxy was found again by Ormond Stone (list I, #182) on 31 Dec 1885.  But Stone made a 1 hour error in RA (confirmed by Corwin on Stone's discovery sketch).  Dreyer assumed this was a new object, so it was also catalogued as NGC 3518.  Once Stone's error is corrected, NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3111 = UGC 5441 = MCG +08-19-002 = CGCG 240-007 = PGC 29338
10 06 07.4  +47 15 45; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (4/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Weak concentration to center, very faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Forms eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11/11.5 stars 4.3' SW and 4.0' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3111 = h667 on 17 Mar 1828 (sweep 138) and noted "pB; R; suddenly much brighter middle; 20"."  His mean position from 3 sweeps matches UGC 5441.
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NGC 3112 = ESO 567-011 = PGC 29189
10 03 59.0  -20 46 56; Hya
V = 15.1;  Size 1.1'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 47°

24" (2/22/14): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Although only visible part of the time, the observation was confirmed.  Confusing the observation is a mag 16 star 40" NW that was slightly easier to view than the galaxy and it was difficult to view both objects simultaneously.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3112 = LM 1-163 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is only 2.7' east of ESO 567-011 = PGC 29189.
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NGC 3113 = ESO 435-035 = MCG -05-24-021 = UGCA 158 = PGC 29216
10 04 26.2  -28 26 36; Ant
V = 12.7;  Size 3.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 87°

17.5" (4/15/99): this galaxy was surprisingly difficult due to clouds low in the south obscuring the view.  Appeared extremely faint, small, round, required averted vision.  Viewed only the core of this galaxy as appeared no more than 40" in size [described as 3' diameter by John Herschel].  Forms an obtuse angle with mag 7.5 SAO 178366 4.5' NNW and mag 8 SAO 178361 7.5' SW.  Member of the NGC 3175 group (LGG 189).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3113 = h3222 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "eF, L, 3'; makes an obtuse angled triangle, with 2 stars 8 mag; one nearly on the parallel, the other nearly north."  His position and description matches ESO 435-035.
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NGC 3114 = Cr 215 = Mel 98
10 02 30  -60 07 48; Car
V = 4.2;  Size 35'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this very bright naked-eye cluster measured some 35'-40'.  It was beautifully framed in a 50' field with the 27mm Panoptic.  The cluster contains a couple of long curving chains of brighter stars, one forming a huge "U" shaped arc.  There are several pretty smaller groupings and star chains including a striking equilateral triangle of nearly equal mag stars just north of center, consisting of mag 9.2/9.4/10 stars at 20"/22"/27".  Two mag 6-7 stars (brightest mag 6.2 HD 87436) are involved and numerous 8-9th magnitude stars are scattered across the face of the cluster.  The cluster appears similar to a bright star cloud in Sgr or Cyg and is just inferior to NGC 3532.  Located 5° W of Eta Carina on the opposite side of Eta from NGC 3532.  This is a young cluster (160 million years old) projected onto the Carina complex and is heavily contaminated by field stars at varying distances.

Naked-eye and 10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): very bright naked-eye cluster only 5° W of Eta Carinae.  At least 3 dozen stars were resolved at only 10x in the 30mm binoculars!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3114 = D 297 = h3224 on 8 May 1826.  He described (single observation) "a beautiful cluster of stars, arranged in curvilinear lines intersecting each other, about 40' diameter, extended S.p., and N.f."  This is the brightest cluster that Dunlop discovered - surprising that Lacaille missed it during his observations at the Cape of Good Hope.

On 4 Feb 1835 (sweep 543), John Herschel noted "an enormous congeries or clustering region of stars 2 or 3 fields in diameter, constituting a decided cluster. Stars 9..14th mag, the larger magnitudes predominating. There must be many hundreds."  He wrote in his diary that "the night being most superb - the mirror billiant and the zone swept the richest perhaps in the heavens - attained the sublime of Astronomy - a sort of ne plus ultra". 
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NGC 3115 = MCG -01-26-018 = UGCA 199 = PGC 29265 = Spindle Galaxy
10 05 14.1  -07 43 07; Sex
V = 8.9;  Size 7.2'x2.5';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 43°

48" (2/19/12): this showpiece galaxy was stunning at 287x and 375x, with a very high surface brightness halo, ~5.5'x2', which is punctuated by a brilliant, nearly stellar nucleus.  The nucleus is centered within an extremely bright, very flattened core extending 1'-1.5'.  This dazzling streak dims slightly outside the central region but stretches at least 2.5' along the major axis with no breaks or significant drops in surface brightness.  The view of this thin, super-luminous central disc bisecting most of the outer, elongated halo was a unique sight.

UGCA 200, a faint dwarf galaxy, lies 5.7' SE.  At 375x it appeared as a faint low surface brightness patch with averted vision, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, with no central concentration.  The galaxy is situated within a triangle formed by a mag 11.2 star 1.7' SE, a mag 15.3 star 1.5' NW and a mag 13.8 star 2' ENE.

18" (2/23/06): at 257x the Spindle galaxy is a gorgeous high surface brightness edge-on, ~5'x1'.  Contains a small, very intense elongated core that increases to a dramatic quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/31/87): very bright, fairly large, edge-on spindle 3:1 SW-NE, 5.5'x1.8'.  Unusually high surface brightness, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 3.2' S of center and a mag 10.5 star is 8' E. MCG -01-26-021 lies 17' SSE.

13.1" (3/24/84): stunning edge-on, very bright, small very bright core.  

8" (3/24/84): very bright, high surface brightness, very bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3115 = H. I-163 = h668 = h3223 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 704). His description reads, "extremely bright, considerably large, much extended 45° sp to nf.  The bright part about 2' long with very faint branches extending in all, to 4 or 5'."

 On 14 Mar 1828 (sweep 136), John Herschel wrote, "vB; L; mE; very suddenly much brighter middle; almost to a nucl; 3' l, 30" br.  With 12-inches aperture, its nucleus is rather speckled; with 6-inch it is barely discernible as a nebula."  Lord Rosse observed NGC 3115 on 11 Mar 1848 (one of the earliest observations).  In 1861 the assistant questioned if "Is Nucl. resolvable and oblong?"
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NGC 3116 = MCG +05-24-012 = CGCG 153-017 = PGC 29383
10 06 45.1  +31 05 51; LMi
V = 14.4;  Size 0.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.6

18" (1/20/07): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, compact appearance with a well-defined halo, brightens slightly to a faint stellar nucleus.  A triangle of mag 12 stars lies 5' SE (one star is 14" double with a mag 13.5 companion).  Located 10' SE of mag 8.2 HD 87512.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3116 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory and reported it in AN 2782.  His micrometric position is accurate.
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NGC 3117 = UGC 5445 = MCG +01-26-014 = CGCG 036-038 = PGC 29340
10 06 10.5  +02 54 46; Sex
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a very small brighter core.  A pretty mag 9.5/11 double star at 18" separation lies 8' NNW.  Located 6' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 118106.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3117 = St. 9-21 on 9 Feb 1877 and logged "eF, eS, R, stellar nucleus."  His published position (measured on 15 Mar) is accurate.
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NGC 3118 = UGC 5452 = MCG +06-22-074 = CGCG 182-075 = FGC 118A = PGC 29415
10 07 11.6  +33 01 39; LMi
V = 13.5;  Size 2.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 41°

17.5" (4/25/92): very faint, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.3', very low almost even surface brightness.   Member of the USGC U268 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3118 = St. 13-55 on 16 Mar 1882 and recorded a "small group of very faint stars in very faint nebulosity."
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NGC 3119 = CGCG 093-045 = PGC 29381
10 06 47.9  +14 18 51; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 15.1

17.5" (1/23/88): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 4' SSW of NGC 3121.  Forms the SE vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 3121 3.7' NNE and a mag 13.5 star 3.8' NW.

The identification of NGC 3119 is uncertain and it may be a duplicate observation of brighter NGC 3121 instead.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3119 = m 194 on 14 Dec 1863 and simply noted "vF".  His position is 2.3' north of CGCG 093-045 and is actually closer to NGC 3121 = UGC 5450, which was discovered by William Lassell in 1848.

RNGC identifies CGCG 093-045 as NGC 3119 but MCG identifies UGC 5450 as NGC 3119.  Corwin feels NGC 3119 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 3121 because of the better positional match.  But CGCG 093-045 was visible in my scope so it should have visible to Marth and he may have already known of the earlier discovery of NGC 3121.  So, the identification of NGC 3119 is uncertain.
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NGC 3120 = ESO 374-029 = MCG -06-22-017 = LGG 184-005 = PGC 29278
10 05 22.9  -34 13 13; Ant
V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 1°

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0' diameter, slightly elongated, weakly concentrated.  A 20" pair of mag 12.5/13.5 stars are off the NW side 2' from center.  A brighter pair of stars is ~4' SW and the galaxy is nearly collinear with both pairs.  A mag 9.5 star (SAO 201047) lies 5.7' NE.  Member of a poor group (LGG 184).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3120 = h3225 on 22 Jan 1838 (his last sweep at the Cape of Good Hope) and noted "F, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 40"."  His position is an exact match with ESO 374-029.  NGC 3120 and NGC 2849 were the last two southern objects that JH discovered.
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NGC 3121 = UGC 5450 = MCG +03-26-027 = CGCG 093-046 = PGC 29387
10 06 51.9  +14 22 26; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 13.5 star is 3.6' W and a mag 10 star 5.5' NW.  Forms a pair with NGC 3119 4' SSW.

William Lassell discovered NGC 3121 on 31 Mar 1848 with his 24" reflector at Starfield Observatory near Liverpool, England.  He found this galaxy while observing Comet Mauvais 1847 IV ("almost in the field at the same time as the Comet") and reported the discovery in AN 27 [635], 171 (1848).  Using the 6" Heliometer at Königsberg, Auwers described it as "faint, 1.5' diam, * 9-10m 4' north, 14-15 seconds preceding" and included it as #26 in his 1862 list of new nebulae.  MCG labels this galaxy NGC 3119, though that number may also apply to this galaxy.
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NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518 = MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 29361
10 04 02.0  -06 28 29; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

See observing notes for NGC 3110.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3122 = H. II-305 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 379) and logged "F, S, little extended, easily resolvable."  He failed to find it again on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 704) as he had confused the offset star on the first observation.  As a result the GC and NGC position are about 36' too far ESE.

Édouard Stephan independently found this galaxy on 13 Mar 1874.  His published position (list 13, #54), made on 16 Mar 1884, was 1' too far north.  Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it again as NGC 3110 though he corrected the position in his 1912 revision of William Herschel's catalogues and stated NGC 3122 = NGC 3110.  This galaxy was also found by Ormond Stone at Leander McCormick Observatory on 31 Dec 1885 (reported in list LM 1-182) and later catalogued as NGC 3518.  Harold Corwin discovered that Stone's position was off by 1 hr in RA.  So, NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518.

RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 29361 as NGC 3122.  Coincidentally, this galaxy is close to Herschel's original position.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 3123
10 18 11.9  +00 02 25; Sex

= *, Gottlieb.  =Not found, Corwin and Carlson.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 3123 = HN 15 on 31 Mar 1859 and simply noted as a "nebulous object" by Bond (director of the Harvard Observatory) in AN #1453.  There are no nonstellar objects in the vicinity of the listed position, given roughly as 9 59 48 +/- 4s, +0 45' +/- 2' for 1859.  That's not unusual as all 8 of Coolidge's other nebulous objects are single or multiple stars. Bigourdan, Reinmuth or Carlson were unable to find his object and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  Harold Corwin lists a few possible candidates (stars) near Coolidge's position.

But in March 2015 I took a look at the Zone Catalogue (volume 6 from HCO, page 4-5) and found the number derived from star #47 (preceding #57 = NGC 3229), in which Coolidge noted "has a perceptible disc?" Furthermore, #47 was measured in Zone 117 but not Zone 118, so the position was not confirmed.  The only problem is the dec for entry #47 fits the range given by Bond but not the RA, though perhaps he made a copying mistake.  Assuming Coolidge's single position is Zone 117 is accurate, then NGC 3123 refers to a single star at 10 18 11.9 +00 02 25 (J2000).
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NGC 3124 = ESO 567-017 = MCG -03-26-024 = UGCA 202 = PGC 29377
10 06 40.0  -19 13 21; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 165°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter, diffuse, very weak broad concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.4' N of center.  A pleasing double star, South 607 = 8.8/10.0 at 9.5" lies 5' S.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very large, diffuse, broad concentration, no nucleus. 

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, large, very diffuse, weak concentration, no nucleus, lies 4' N of double star S607 8.5/9.5 at 9".

John Herschel discovered NGC 3124 = h3226 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F, L, R, little brighter middle, has a fine double star exactly south."  His description and position clearly apply to ESO 567-017.

NGC 3124 was probably first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "possibly a ring nebula.".  It was photographed a couple of times at the Helwan Observatory with the 30" Reynolds reflector and an image taken between 1914-16 revealed an "open spiral" of size 2' x 2'.
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NGC 3125 = ESO 435-041 = MCG -05-24-022 = AM 1004-294 = LGG 189-003 = PGC 29366
10 06 33.1  -29 56 08; Ant
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 114°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, roundish, brighter core. NGC 3125 is a nearby blue compact dwarf galaxy.  Member of the NGC 3125 group (LGG 189).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3125 = h3227 on 30 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His mean position from two observations matches ESO 435-041.
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NGC 3126 = UGC 5466 = MCG +05-24-019 = CGCG 155-023 = PGC 29484
10 08 20.8  +31 51 47; LMi
V = 12.8;  Size 2.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 123°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.4', faint thin arms, fairly well-defined round core.  A mag 11 star is 4.7' N of center.  Located 15' N of mag 6.2 SAO 61882.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3126 on 30 Apr 1864 and recorded "F, S, not little extended, mag 15 nucleus.  Confirmation still needed." This was his only observation, but his position matches UGC 5466.  Otto Struve independently found the galaxy on 8 Apr 1869 at St Petersburg while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke).  He recorded finding a "Bright elongated nebula with a stellar nucleus, a miniature image of the Andromeda Galaxy. 4.5' north is a mag 10-11 star with the nebula in PA of 168° [SSE]."  He immediately added a note that this nebula was discovered by d'Arrest in 1864.
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NGC 3127 = MCG -03-26-022 = KTS 38C = PGC 29357
10 06 24.8  -16 07 34; Hya
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 55°

18" (4/10/04): very faint, very small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 24"x8", weak concentration.  The extensions appear to fade at the tips. Situated near the midpoint of a mag 10 star 1.6' SE and a mag 12.5 star 1.1' NW.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3128 5.6' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3127 = LM 1-164, along with NGC 3128, on 1 Jan 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 1.6'x0.7', vE 45°."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 tmin east of MCG -03-26-022 and the description matches.
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NGC 3128 = MCG -03-26-020 = KTS 38A = PGC 29330
10 06 01.4  -16 07 19; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 174°

18" (4/10/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5'.  The surface brightness appears irregular with a broadly concentrated core.  The extensions are more difficult and require averted vision and seem patchy or knotty.  Forms a pair with NGC 3127 5.6' E.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3128 = LM 1-165, along with NGC 3127, on 1 Jan 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 1.3'x0.7', vE 170°."  His rough RA (nearest minute of time) is 1.3 minutes east of MCG -03-26-020 and the description matches.
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NGC 3129
10 08 19.2  +18 25 51; Leo

= **, Corwin

William Herschel discovered NGC 3129 = H. III-35 = h669 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "vS, elongated, resolvable.  240x showed it better than 157x."  There is nothing near his position besides stars.  John Herschel made an observation on 13 Mar 1831 (sweep 332): "eF; S; R. Forms a triangle with 2 stars." He only gave a very rough position from his working list, which was based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue.

It was searched for unsuccessfully at Birr Castle on 3 attempts and was not found by Reinmuth on Heidelberg plate in his photographic survey.  No modern catalogue has a listing for NGC 3129.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3129 as a double star (13" pair of mag 14 stars) at WH's position.  There are two stars to the east, which form the vertex of a triangle (as in JH's description).
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NGC 3130 = UGC 5468 = MCG +02-26-026 = CGCG 064-072 = PGC 29475
10 08 12.3  +09 58 37; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 30°

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  The visibility of this galaxy is hindered by by the glare of 31 Leonis (V = 4.6) just 4.7' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3130 = h670 on 19 Jan 1828 (sweep 123) and recorded "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; follows 31 Leonis 16.5s, and is 1' 40" south of it."  His position and description clearly applies to UGC 5468.  William Herschel observed 31 Leonis on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 83), but missed NGC 3130. 
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NGC 3131 = UGC 5471 = MCG +03-26-033 = CGCG 093-060 = PGC 29499
10 08 36.5  +18 13 52; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 2.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 54°

17.5" (3/29/97): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 2.0'x0.6', broad concentration.  The major axis is bracketed by two mag 13.5 stars 1.7' SSE and 3.1' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3131 = h671 on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334) and recorded "pB; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; 40" l and 20" br. Found in looking for III. 65 by working list [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps]."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 10 Jan 1856, suspected a knot in the preceding end.
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NGC 3132 = PK 272+12.1 = PN G272.1+12.3 = Eight-Burst Nebula = Southern Ring
10 07 01.8  -40 26 11; Vel
V = 9.7;  Size 62"x43"

48" (5/5/24): at 375x; extremely bright, very high surface brightness ring with a large, dark central hole and a striking 10th mag central star. The annulus is elongated NW-SE and the edges are somewhat raggedy.  The longer western and eastern ends are nearly flat creating a somewhat boxy appearance.  At 488x, a faint star is visible at the SSW edge of the ring.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 40° elevation in Costa Rica along the Gulf of Nicoya , NGC 3132 was quite beautiful at 200x and 260x.  The 10th magnitude A2-type "central star" (an unseen 16th mag companion at 1.65" separation is the true ionizing star) is embedded in the center of a very bright, elongated annulus with a darker center and interesting outer ring elongated NW-SE.  The oval ring is relatively narrow with a brighter outer rim.  Surrounding the ring is a faint, thin outer shell.  The ring is slightly offset in orientation to the major axis of the planetary giving a complex multi-ring appearance.

17.5" (3/28/87): very bright, moderately large, oval.  A dark ring surrounds the bright mag 10 star at the center (not the true central star).  Viewed at only 10°-11° elevation. 

13.1" (2/23/85): darker around the central star at high power.  

8" (3/28/81): mag 9 central star surrounded by a fairly bright, moderately large disc, striking.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3132 = h3228 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "Planetary nebula, very large, very bright, elliptic; has in it a 9th mag star somewhat excentric. Its light is exactly equable, ie. not increasing towards the middle; yet I cannot help imagining it to be closely dotted. It is just like a star out of focus in certain states of the mirror and atmosphere. Three stars near, a = 9th mag; b = 9th mag; c = 14th mag; A very extraordinary object."  On a later observation he logged, "Planetary nebula with a 10th mag star in centre; very bright; very well defined, and perfectly equable all over in light, there being no condensation up to the centre. The star is sharp, the nebula velvety, or like infinitely fine dust; a star 14th mag at a distance rather more than a radius of neb from edge (by diagram); has its position from centre = 333.8°."  Sketch on Plate VI, figure 9.

Herschel sketched NGC 3132 and other planetary nebulae from the Cape of Good Hope, commenting: "[these] represent planetary nebulae, a class of special interest, and of which, considering their general rarity, the southern heavens have afforded a rather unexpectedly large harvest. Those only are here delineated which have either accompanying stars, or which are distinguished by some peculiarity, as ... [NGC 3132] which has a star or a small disc near its centre".  He was clearly impressed as the next night he showed to Thomas Maclear, Astronomer Royal at the Cape, and observed it on his very last sweep at the Cape on 22 Jan 1838.

Father Angelo Secchi published a sketch (fig. 16) and description in 1856 using the 9.6" refractor in Rome.  He called it a "beautiful and large ring nebula similar to that of the Hydra [NGC 3242]." William Lassell also published a sketch made on 16 Apr 1862 (plate III, Fig. 13), which showed an annual structure.  He noted through his 48", "There is considerable similarity in this object to the annular nebula in Lyra [M57], only it is incomparably fainter. The centre is bright and evidently stellar.  There is a minute star touching the south preceding side of the nebula.  Thie sides of the nebula are flattened and better defined than the ends."

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, reported NGC 3132 displayed an emission line in an early spectroscopic investigation while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

The first photograph was probably taken at the Helwan Observatory in 1909-1911 with the 30" Reynolds reflector.  Knox-Shaw described it as "annular rather than planetary, but the inside of the ring is almost filled by the image of the central star.  Lassell's drawings are good."  On a later photograph he reported "vB, pS, lE 150° ±, annular, ring fainter on up side.  B star not quite central, and thus probably unconnected."

In "Southern Gems", Stephen O'Meara claims James Dunlop discovered NGC 3132 while making observations for the 1826 Brisbane Star Catalogue (published in 1835 and containing 7385 stars). In a footnote to #3085 he noted "Dusky Yellow - a fine Planetary disk."  But checking Dunlop's catalogued position, it lands on U Antliae, a mag 5.4 carbon star!  O'Meara also mentions that John Herschel recognized Dunlop's observation in a letter to Thomas Maclear in 1835, but I wasn't able to find this letter in the Royal Society archives online.

A star (HD 87892) is plotted at the position of NGC 3132 in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 because the BD catalogue (used as a source for the U2000) listed the bright "central" star as an entry.  In 1977 Kohoutek and Laustsen announced (1978IAUS...76..207K) that the actual illuminating star is a hot, dim 16th magnitude companion to the mag 10 star at only 1.65" separation. The pair probably forms a true binary

The nickname "Eight Burst Nebula" was coined by Harlow Shapley and John S. Paraskevopoulos in "Photographs of Thirty Southern Nebula and Clusters" (1940PNAS...26...31S).  Based on a series of photographs of NGC 3132 taken with the 60" reflector (mirror from Andrew Ainslie Common) at the Boyden station in Bloemfontein, South Africa, they wrote: "A series of photographs of varying exposures would be necessary to bring out the intricate details…. It could well be named the "8-burst" planetary from the number of distinct arcs on the boundary of the main disk or shell".
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NGC 3133 = PGC 29417
10 07 12.8  -11 57 55; Hya
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 25°

18" (4/10/04): extremely faint, small, 0.4'x0.3'.  Visible less than 50% of the time with averted vision so orientation difficult to determine but I was certain of the sighting.  Located 5' NE of a mag 10.4 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3133 = LM 2-419 in 1886.  He noted "mag 16.2, 0.2' dia, R."  There is nothing at his position but 1 min 18 sec of RA west is PGC 29417.  Also, 45 sec of RA east and 2' north is NGC 3138.  But this is the next entry in the LM II list and may have been found the same night.
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NGC 3134 = MCG +02-26-031 = CGCG 064-088 = Todd 21 = PGC 29722
10 12 29.3  +12 22 38; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 55°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; fairly faint (easily visible), contains a very small high surface brightness core/nucleus with faint thin extensions SW-NE, 45"x15".

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, very small, consists of a 15" core with a faint very thin extension to the SW.  The corresponding arm to the NE was not seen, so the appearance is asymmetric. Leo I lies 1° W.

This galaxy (discovered by David Todd) is listed as nonexistent in RNGC and is not identified as NGC 3134 in the MCG or CGCG.

David Todd discovered NGC 3134 = Todd 21 on 5 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  Based on Todd's sketch Corwin identified CGCG 064-088 as NGC 3134.  This galaxy is about 3 min of RA east of Todd's very rough RA.  Todd measured a "bright" star 28.3s following and a 12th mag star is at his exact offset clinching the identification.  Because of his poor position, Bigourdan was unable to recover this object.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.  Neither MCG or CGCG label their entries for this galaxy as NGC 3134.
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NGC 3135 = UGC 5486 = MCG +08-19-007 = CGCG 240-015 = PGC 29646
10 10 54.4  +45 57 01; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 90°

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.5', little or no concentration.  Bracketed by two mag 12.5 stars 2.2' E and 2.1' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3135 = h672 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and noted "F; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 25"."  His position matches UGC 5486.  It was searched for once at Birr Castle and not found.  Herschel mentioned in the General Catalogue notes that he checked the sweep and reductions and found all correct.
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NGC 3136 = ESO 092-008 = PGC 29311
10 05 48.0  -67 22 41; Car
V = 10.7;  Size 3.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 30°

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x; bright, moderately large, eloongated 3:2 SW-NE.  Sharp concentration with a small, intense core that brightens to the center.  The fainter extensions from the core appear irregular.  IC 2554 and IC 2554B, a striking interacting pair of galaxies, is 28' NE.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x this Carina galaxy appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.75'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, bright, roundish core increasing to an occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is close north.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3136 = h3229 = h3231 on 30 Jan 1835 and noted "B; R; bM; place only a very rude approximation."  In an errata list and the end of the Cape Catalogue, JH corrected the NPD by 2° so it nearly matches h3231, whose position was accurately measured twice and matches ESO 092-008.  Joseph Turner sketched this galaxy on 1 Mar 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and estimated the size as only 20" and brighter in the miiddle to a nucleus.
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NGC 3137 = ESO 435-047 = MCG -05-24-024 = UGCA 203 = AM 1006-284 = LGG 189-004 = PGC 29530
10 09 07.5  -29 03 52; Ant
V = 11.5;  Size 6.3'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 1°

18" (3/5/05): faint, large, elongated at least 5:2 N-S, 3.0'x1.2', fairly low surface brightness.  Broad, weak concentration in poor seeing.  A mag 12 star is on the west side (0.3' from the geometric center).  Located 7' SE of mag 9.4 SAO 178462.  Member of the NGC 3175 group (LGG 189).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3137 = h3230 on 5 Feb 1837 NGC 3137 and recorded "vF; little extended; 25"."  His position is 16 sec of RA west of ESO 435-047.
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NGC 3138 = MCG -02-26-032 = PGC 29532
10 09 16.7  -11 57 24; Hya
V = 14.8;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 80°

18" (4/14/12): at 225x appeared extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15" diameter.  Required averted vision to just momentarily pop occasionally but held for a few seconds a couple of times.  I did not notice an elongated shape, so probably just viewed the core though the object was well past the meridian.  Located 6.4' SW of mag 7.4 HD 88135, 13' NW of i 6.2 HD 88182 and 30' NW of mag 3.6 Lambda Hyd.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3138 = LM 2-420 and noted "mag 16.0, 0.1', R, 1st of 2 [with NGC 3139]."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is just 6 sec of RA east of MCG -02-26-032.  Not found by Bigourdan.
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NGC 3139 = MCG -02-26-034 = PGC 29583
10 10 05.2  -11 46 42; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 75°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2, 0.8'x0.5'.  Broad concentration to a small, round 15" core and an occasional faint, stellar nucleus with direct vision.

17.5" (2/22/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.5', broadly concentrated.  Located 10' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 155773.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3139 = LM 2-421 and noted "mag 15.60, 0.1', R, 2nd of 2 [with NGC 3138]."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min of RA west of MCG -02-26-034.  Not found by Bigourdan.
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NGC 3140 = MCG -03-26-028 = PGC 29548
10 09 27.7  -16 37 41; Hya
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (2/22/03): slightly brighter and larger of a close pair with NGC 3140 2.4' SW.  Faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Although following NGC 3141, Leavenworth listed this object first (identical coordinates) and his description indicates it is the brighter of the pair, so the NGC numbers are reversed in right ascension.  Located at the east edge of the rich cluster AGC 940.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3140 = LM 1-166 (along with I-167 = NGC 3141) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory.  Although he gave a single rough position for both objects, LM 1-166 is mag 15.5 and 0.5', while LM 1-167 is mag 16.0 and 0.3' dia. His position falls very close to the pair PGC 29548 and PGC 29544.

According to Harold Corwin, Leavenworth's sketch clearly shows that NGC 3140 = PGC 29548 is the brighter galaxy to the northeast and the fainter galaxy to the southwest is NGC 3141 = PGC 29544.  See Corwin's identification summaries for more.
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NGC 3141 = PGC 29544
10 09 19.8  -16 39 12; Hya
V = 15.4;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 26°

17.5" (2/22/03): smaller and slightly fainter of a pair of galaxies with NGC 3140 2.4' NE.  Very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.4'x0.3', faint stellar nucleus. Incorrectly equated with NGC 3140 in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3140 = LM 1-167 (along with I-166 = NGC 3140) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory.  Although he gave a single rough position for both objects, LM 1-166 is mag 15.5 and 0.5', while LM 1-167 is mag 16.0 and 0.3' dia. His position falls very close to the pair PGC 29548 and PGC 29544 (separation 2.5' SW to NE).

Based on the discovery sketch (examined by Harold Corwin), Dreyer incorrectly assumed that the brighter galaxy to the northeast was NGC 3140 and added "first of two" (listed first in the discovery paper) so the order of RA was reversed in the NGC.  The RNGC erroneously states NGC 3141 = NGC 3140.  See Corwin's identification summaries for more.
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NGC 3142 = MCG -01-26-028 = PGC 29586
10 10 06.4  -08 28 48; Sex
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, very small, round, brighter core.  Overpowered by 17 Sextantis (V = 5.9) 4.3' N.  A second bright star 18 Sextantis (V = 5.6) lies 12.8' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3142 = h3232 on 5 May 1836 and recorded "F; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 16m; diam 1' or 1 1/2'; sp the star g Sextantis, which occasioned its being taken by mistake for Halley's Comet, and the consequent loss of that comet."  His position matches MCG -01-26-028 = PGC 29586.
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NGC 3143 = MCG -02-26-033 = PGC 29579
10 10 04.0  -12 34 53; Hya
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 105°

18" (4/10/04): very faint, very small, irregularly round, 25"x20", weak concentration.  Can just hold steadily.  Fors the vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with two mag 11.5 stars 5.7' N and a similar distance SE.  Also situated 9' S of NGC 3145 and nearly midway between mag 5.3 SAO 155780 14' S and mag 3.6 Lambda Lydrae 15' NNE!

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3143 in 1880 with the 36-inch f/5.9 reflector at Ealing, UK.  He noted "S, F, just S of GC 2023 [NGC 3145].  Herbert Howe's corrected position in the IC 2 notes matches MCG -02-26-033, which is located 9' south of NGC 3145.
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NGC 3144 = NGC 3174 = UGC 5519 = MCG +12-10-023 = CGCG 333-020 = CGCG 351-011 = PGC 29949
10 15 32.0  +74 13 14; Dra
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, oval N-S.  A mag 13 star is attached at the east end.  Forms a pair with NGC 3155 11.6' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 3144 on 25 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 2 nights) is fairly close to NGC 3174 = UGC 5519 and his description "very faint, small, round, *13 appended on the following side" matches this galaxy.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 2 Apr 1801 (problematic sweep 1096), though the identity of III. 964 = NGC 3174 wasn't established until 1911. So, NGC 3144 = NGC 3174 (see notes).
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NGC 3145 = MCG -02-26-036 = PGC 29591
10 10 10.0  -12 26 02; Hya
V = 11.7;  Size 3.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, fairly small, nearly round, weak concentration.  Overpowered by the glare of Lambda Hydrae (V = 3.6) 8' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3145 = H. III-518 = h673 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541).  He noted "very faint, small, round, 7 or 8' south preceding Lambda Hydra."  On 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 997) he called it "F, pL, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle, in the field with Lambda Hydrae."

In a note to 8th discovery list at Lowe Observatory, Swift "corrected" the position 7' too far NNW!  Furthermore, Swift placed the star Lambda to the northwest, insteast of to its NE.  Finally, he commented it was strange the bright star was not mentioned by Herschel, though it was Dreyer who left this off the NGC summary description.
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NGC 3146 = ESO 567-023 = MCG -03-26-029 = PGC 29663
10 11 09.9  -20 52 14; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

18" (4/10/04): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, increases to a 15" bright core and a quasi-stellar nucleus.  The edge of the halo is well-defined.  Located 3.9' S of mag 8.9 SAO 178507.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3146 = LM 1-168 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is coincidentally a near match with ESO 567-023 = PGC 29663.
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NGC 3147 = UGC 5532 = MCG +12-10-025 = CGCG 333-022 = LGG 193-001 = PGC 30019
10 16 53.5  +73 24 02; Dra
V = 10.6;  Size 3.9'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

17.5" (2/8/91): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE.  Contains a very bright core with a stellar nucleus.  There is an impression of a dust lane to the west of the core.  The carbon star DH Dra (11.3-14.5) lies 4.2' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3147 = H. I-79 = h674 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390). He noted "cB, pL, R, much brighter in the middle.  The brightness decreasing very gradually."  John Herschel observed it on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382): "vB; L; R; at first very gradually, then very suddenly, very small bright middle."
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NGC 3148 = SAO 27566
10 13 43.8  +50 29 47; UMa
V = 6.6

= *6.6 = SAO 27566.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3148 = h675 on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) and noted "a star 7m has a photosphere 2 or 3' diam.  Sky perfectly clear; glass quite clear; windy.  Another star of same magnitude viewed presently after has no photosphere."  Herschel's description applies to mag 6.6 SAO 27566 at 10 13 43.8 +50 29 47, which he thought was surrounded by faint haze but was probably scattered light or dew). Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin agree with this conclusion.

RNGC and MCG misidentify MCG +08-19-011 as NGC 3148.
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NGC 3149 = ESO 019-001 = PGC 29171
10 03 44.5  -80 25 19; Cha
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.8

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located just 30' NNW of the bright planetary NGC 3195.  At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~0.9'x0.8', slightly brighter core, irregular surface brightness.  John Herschel mentioned a 15th magnitude star was involved, and there is a very faint star at the NE edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3149 = h3234 on 24 Feb 1835 (along with planetary nebula NGC 3195) and recorded "F; little extended; very little brighter middle; 25"; has a * 15m in it."  Although position is an exact match with ESO 019-001, the RNGC classifies this as an "Unverified Southern Object".  Because of this, it is not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas or included in the first edition of the companion Deep Sky Field Guide.
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NGC 3150 = MCG +07-21-017 = CGCG 211-019 = Holm 170b = WBL 258-001 = PGC 29789
10 13 26.3  +38 39 27; LMi
V = 14.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8

18" (2/19/09): very faint, small, round, 24" diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  Located 2.3' NNW of NGC 3151 and 1.9' NW fo a mag 12 star.  First of 7 (including NGC 3151/3159/3161/3163) in a small stream of galaxies about 7' N of NGC 3158.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 3151 2.3' S.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' WSW and a mag 14 star is 1.8' NNW.  Located within the NGC 3158 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3150 = Big. 40, along with NGCs 3151, 3159 and 3161, on 1 Feb 1886 in the NGC 3158 group.  His position matches CGCG 211-019.
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NGC 3151 = MCG +07-21-018 = CGCG 211-020 = Holm 170a = WBL 258-003 = PGC 29796
10 13 29.1  +38 37 11; LMi
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 170°

18" (2/19/09): faint, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", very small brighter core.  Located 2' SW of a mag 12 star with four NGC galaxies close north including NGC 3150 2.3' N and NGC 3159 5' NE.  Forms a close pair with LEDA 2131950.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, very small, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.0' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3150 2.3' N.  An extremely faint galaxy is 55" E of center (LEDA 2131950). Member of the NGC 3158 group. 

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small.  Located just west of a star.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3151 = Big. 41, along with nearby NGCs 3150, 3159 and 3161, on 1 Feb 1886 in the NGC 3158 group.  His position matches CGCG 211-020 = PGC 29796.
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NGC 3152 = MCG +07-21-018A = CGCG 211-021 = WBL 258-003 = PGC 29805
10 13 34.1  +38 50 35; LMi
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 80°

18" (2/19/09): very faint, small, ~20"-22" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 15 star lies 44" NE.  Located 4' W of brighter NGC 3160 and 5.7' NW of NGC 3158 in a small cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, round.  A mag 15 star is off the NE edge 0.8' from center.  NGC 3158 lies 5.5' SE and NGC 3160 4.1' E.  Member of the NGC 3158 group. 

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 4' W of NGC 3160 and 5.5' NW of NGC 3158.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3152 (along with NGC 3160) on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72".  He noted "3 nebula, preceding one [NGC 3152] vS, about 4' following is a small lenticular ray [NGC 3160], E sp-nf..."  Observing on 27 Feb 1876 Dreyer measured an accurate micrometric offset from NGC 3158 at Birr Castle, which matches CGCG 211-021.
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NGC 3153 = UGC 5505 = MCG +02-26-032 = CGCG 064-090 = PGC 29747
10 12 50.5  +12 39 59; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; nearly moderately bright, large, diffuse oval 5:2 N-S, broad concentration with a brighter middle but no core or nucleus. NGC 3134 = CGCG 064-088 lies 18' SSW.

28" (4/12/18): at 285x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 ~N-S, ~1.5'x0.6', brighter along the major axis (central bar), slightly brighter nucleus.  Located 1.3° NE of Regulus.

CGCG 064-091, situated 5.4' E, appeared very faint and small, 18" diameter; featureless glow with a very low surface brightness.  Its redshift is 3.5x that of NGC 3153 so it lies far in the background.

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval ~N-S, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3153 = H. III-53 = h677 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and noted "very faint, not small, resolvable."  He observed it again on 12 Apr (sweep 188) and logged "extremely faint, small, little elongated, resolvable. 240x confirmed it and I can perceive 3 or 4 stars in it."  On 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242), John Herschel called it "eF; pL; R."
 
David Todd independently discovered this galaxy on 5 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and recorded it as object #20b in his published results. It was found again by Christian Peters around 1880.  He was unsure if this was a new object as Herschel's RA in the General Catalog was 12 seconds off. The NGC position -- from Peters' first list of positions -- is accurate.
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NGC 3154 = UGC 5507 = MCG +03-26-040 = CGCG 093-071 = PGC 29759
10 13 01.3  +17 02 03; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 124°

17.5" (1/23/88): faint, very small, elongated NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is 1.1' N.  Located 2.2' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 99006.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3154 = St. 10-24 on 8 Mar 1869, though did not publish his rough position (2' too far SE).  He published an accurate micrometric position from 12 Mar 1880 and noted "F, S, R, little brighter in the middle."
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NGC 3155 = NGC 3194 = UGC 5538 = MCG +12-10-026 = CGCG 351-012 = LGG 193-002 = PGC 30064
10 17 39.9  +74 20 51; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3144 11.6' SW.

John Herschel found NGC 3155 = h676 on 2 Sep 1828 (sweep 171).  He recorded "very faint; small; round.  RA extremely precarious."  lHis rough position falls 4' NE of UGC 5538.  The NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096 with large systematic errors).   His revised position, using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509), reveals H. IIII. 965 = NGC 3194 is identical to NGC 3155.  The modern designation is NGC 3155, despite the earlier discovery of NGC 3194.
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NGC 3156 = UGC 5503 = MCG +01-26-019 = CGCG 036-057 = PGC 29730
10 12 41.2  +03 07 45; Sex
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 47°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, small, small bright core.  A triangle of bright stars follows; mag 9.0 SAO 118165 2.4' SE, mag 8.3 SAO 118168 5' ENE and mag 7.6 SAO 118169 9' SE.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly faint, small, elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3156 = H. III-255 = h680 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 342) and noted "vF, vS, preceding a triangle of bright stars."  On 10 Apr 1828 (sweep 143) John Herschel called the galaxy, "pB; S; R: pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"."
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NGC 3157 = IC 2555 = ESO 435-051 = MCG -05-24-026 = PGC 29691
10 11 42.4  -31 38 34; Ant
V = 13.2;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 38°

18" (4/10/04): very faint, thin edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.2', low even surface brightness.  Requires averted to glimpse once position pinpointed.  A mag 14.5-15 star is just off the east side of the center.  Located 4.5' N of a mag 9.0 HD 88480.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3157 = h3233 on 28 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; E; 30" has a * 8m sp."  His Cape position is an exact match with ESO 435-051, but due to an error, the GC and NGC position is 40' too far north.

DeLisle Stewart later rediscovered this galaxy on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station, recorded the correct position as D.S. 336 (later IC 2555).  So NGC 3157 = IC 2555.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent, although ESO and SGC have the correct identification.
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NGC 3158 = UGC 5511 = MCG +07-21-020 = CGCG 211-022 = WBL 258-004 = PGC 29822
10 13 50.5  +38 45 53; LMi
V = 11.9;  Size 2.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

18" (2/19/09): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, well concentrated with a very bright core and relatively large, fainter halo, ~0.8'x0.7'.  Brightest of 12 galaxies (WBL 258 group at a distance of roughly 300 million l.y.) viewed that are packed into a 14' circle!

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, irregular round or slightly elongated, small bright core.  Brightest in the NGC 3158 group with NGC 3159 6.7' SSE, NGC 3160 4.7' N and NGC 3152 5.5' NW.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly bright, round, weakly concentrated, largest and brightest in a group.

8" (3/28/81): faint, small, requires averted.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3158 = H. II-639 = h678, along with NGC 3163, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "pB, cL, r."  On 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335), John Herschel logged, "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 35 arc seconds."
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NGC 3159 = MCG +07-21-021 = CGCG 211-023 = Holm 172c = WBL 258-005 = PGC 29825
10 13 52.8  +38 39 16; LMi
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8

18" (2/19/09): faint to fairly taint, small, irregulaly round, 25"x20", very small bright core.  First of three in a 2.8' E-W string with NGC 3161 and NGC 3163.  MCG +07-21-019 lies 1.6' NW.  Located 6.5' S of NGC 3158 in a small cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core.  This member of the NGC 3158 group is the first of three with NGC 3161 1.2' E and NGC 3163 2.7' E.  NGC 3158 lies 6.7' NNW.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round.  Third brightest in NGC 3158 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3159 = Big. 42 on 1 Feb 1886, along with NGC 3150, 3151 and 3161.  His position is accurate.  Édouard Stephan observed NGC 3158 the following month on 4 Mar 1886 and independently discovered NGC 3159 and NGC 3161, though after the publication of his last discovery paper.
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NGC 3160 = UGC 5513 = MCG +07-21-023 = CGCG 211-024 = WBL 258-006 = PGC 29830
10 13 55.1  +38 50 34; LMi
V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

18" (2/19/09): faint, edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, ~40"x12".  Located 4.9' N of NGC 3158 in a rich group and directly between a mag 12.5 star 1.5' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 2.2' NNE.  NGC 3152 lies 4' W.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, edge-on NW-SE.  Member of NGC 3158 group with NGC 3158 4.7' S. 

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, small.  Located 5' N of NGC 3158.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3160 (along with NGC 3152) on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72".  He noted "about 4' following [NGC 3152] is a small lenticular ray, elongated sp nf."  His offset and description matches UGC 5513.
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NGC 3161 = MCG +07-21-022 = CGCG 211-025 = Holm 172a = WBL 258-007 = PGC 29837
10 13 59.2  +38 39 26; LMi
V = 13.5;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 10°

18" (2/19/09): very faint, very small, slightly elongated 20"x16", very small or stellar core.  Sandwiched between NGC 3159 1.2' W and NGC 3163 1.6' E in the NGC 3158 cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): this member in the NGC 3158 group is small and the faintest of three with close companions NGC 3159 1.2' W and NGC 3163 1.5' E.  Even surface brightness and visible with direct vision.

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located between NGC 3159 and NGC 3163.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3161 = Big. 43 on 1 Feb 1886, along with NGC 3151, 3159 and 3161.  His position was accurate.    Édouard Stephan observed NGC 3158 the following month on 4 Mar 1886 and independently discovered NGC 3159 and NGC 3161.  Only Bigourdan was credited in the NGC. 
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NGC 3162 = NGC 3575 = UGC 5510 = MCG +04-24-019 = CGCG 123-026 = PGC 29800
10 13 31.6  +22 44 15; Leo
V = 11.6;  Size 3.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; bright, large, roundish, ~1.8' diameter.  A very strong, well defined spiral arm is attached at the southeast side of the core.  It curled ~90° counterclockwise to the south and west.  The arm dimmed significantly at the apparent end, but looking carefully I could detect very faint haze further SW in the outer fringes of the galaxy.  Further south of this arm, the outer edge of the galaxy was barely visible as the surface brightness was very low.  The spiral arm on the north side of the galaxy was poorly seen, but a relatively large knot [several HII knots on the SDSS] was visible 25" N of center.  A short section of the spiral arm was also visible extending east from this knot.  A mag 15.4 star is east of the core [40" from center] and very faint haze from the ragged outer halo was detected beyond this star, along with a very dim knot (HII region in the outermost spiral arm) 1' E of center.  A mag 13.9 star is 1.1' SE of center, just beyond the halo.  A mag 10.9 star is 3.4' W.

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, fairly small, pretty diffuse, weak broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' SE, a mag 10.5 star 3.4' W and a mag 11.5 star 3.7' NE.  Located 1° SE of Zeta Leonis (V = 3.6).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3162 = H. II-43 = h682 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "vF, pL, r.  It seemed to consist of two nebula joined together having two places rather brighter than the ousides of the nebula; but with [higher power] the following of them appeared very plainly to be a star.  The star seemed to have no connection with the nebula, for, though within the nebulosity there was no kind of gradation of light from the star to the nebula as there generally is from the brighter to the more faint part of nebula."  His position was 20 seconds of RA too far west.

On 20 Mar 1854, R.J. Mitchell described it as a "spiral left-handed, spirality very faintly seen, night bad." In 1857, he "suspected a knot in the northwest end."  Based on my observation with a 48", this is probably a knot on the north side. NGC 3575 is a duplicate observation made by d'Arrest in 1863.  See that number for more.
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NGC 3163 = UGC 5517 = MCG +07-21-026 = CGCG 211-027 = Holm 172b = WBL 258-008 = PGC 29846
10 14 07.1  +38 39 09; LMi
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (2/19/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very small bright core.  Third of three in a 2.8' string with NGC 3163 1.5' W and NGC 3159 2.8' W.  Also MCG +07-21-019 is close NW of the string.  Located 7.4' SE of NGC 3158 in a rich group.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  Brightest and third of three with NGC 3161 1.5' W and NGC 3159 2.7' W. 

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round.  Third of three in a string and the second brightest in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3163 = H. II-640 = h681, along with NGC 3158, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and logged "F, vS, r.  300x showed the same."
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NGC 3164 = UGC 5527 = MCG +10-15-036 = CGCG 290-018 = PGC 29928
10 15 11.4  +56 40 19; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 0°

18" (4/10/04): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 0.7'x0.5'.  Low surface brightness with very little concentration.  Located 11' SW of mag 8.5 HD 88828.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3164 = h679 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) and noted "eF; R: very gradually little brighter middle; 15 arc seconds."  His single position matches UGC 5527.
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NGC 3165 = UGC 5512 = MCG +01-26-023 = CGCG 063-063 = Holm 173c = PGC 29798
10 13 31.4  +03 22 32; Sex
V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 177°

17.5" (3/23/85): very faint, elongated 2:1 N-S.  Forms the western vertex of a triangle with two mag 12.5 stars 1.9' SE and 1.7' NE.  First and faintest of three located 4.6' SW of NGC 3166 and 12' SW of NGC 3169.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3165 on 30 Jan 1856.  While observing NGC 3166 and 3169 he noted "about 5' sp 684 [NGC 3166] is a vvF ray extending N-S."  The NGC RA is 15 sec too small.  Probably based on the poor NGC position, NGC 3165 was included as #212 in a catalog of new nebulae and clusters found on a photographic survey of bright galaxies by James Keeler between 1898-1900 and published in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 3166 = UGC 5516 = MCG +01-26-024 = CGCG 063-064 = Holm 173a = LGG 192-003 = PGC 29814
10 13 44.9  +03 25 31; Sex
V = 10.4;  Size 4.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 87°

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, almost round, even concentration to a brighter core and stellar nucleus (the large, low surface brightness arms were not seen).  The core appears brighter than NGC 3169 7.8' ENE but the duo is pretty similar.  Second of three with NGC 3165 4.6' SW.  Two mag 12.5 stars lie 2.6' NW and 2.8' SW of center. 

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly bright, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3169.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3166 = H. I-3 = h684 = St. 13-56, along with NGC 3169, on 19 Dec 1783 (short sweep 58).  His summary description from 4 sweeps reads "cB, pL, cometic, much brighter in the middle."

John Herschel's first of four observations was made on 13 Feb 1826 (sweep 18): "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60". The preceding of 2 [with NGC 3169]."

Édouard Stephan made an observation on 17 Mar 1882.  His reduced position on 18 Mar 1884 was published in list 13 (#56), is within a few arcseconds of NGC 3166 though Dreyer and Esmiol (who later re-reduced all of Stephan's positions) misidentified the entry as NGC 3165.  Also Stephan's 13-57 refers to NGC 3169, though he calls it NGC 3166 in the notes section to list XIII.
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NGC 3167 = NGC 2789 = UGC 4875 = MCG +05-22-026 = CGCG 151-035 = PGC 26089
09 14 59.7  +29 43 48; Cnc

See observing notes for NGC 2789

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3167 on 1 May 1862 and recorded a "Small and faint nebula.  * 11 preceding 9.5 sec, a little farther north. Whether it is just a nebula, or perhaps a confused group of faint stars is still undetermined, for this evening the air is turbulent."  There is nothing at or near his single position matching his description and RNGC classifies NGC 3167 as nonexistent.

Harold Corwin originally listed this object as lost as there were no candidates nearby, but recently (email from 16 Jun 2014) he found that if d'Arrest made a 1 hr transcription error in his RA (too large), then his position matches NGC 2789 and the mag 11 star is just where he placed it to the northwest of the galaxy!  Corwin notes that d'Arrest made a similar 1 hr recording error on a few other discoveries (NGC 3575, 3760 and 5008), so this is not a unique situation.
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NGC 3168 = UGC 5536 = MCG +10-15-052 = CGCG 290-023 = PGC 30001
10 16 23.0  +60 14 06; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core.  Located 5.6' NE of mag 6.8 SAO 15131.  Brightest of a trio with UGC 5542 4.8' NE (noted as "faint, very small, round, small bright core") and CGCG 290-021 5' NNW (noted as "faint, very small, round.  Two mag 9.5/10 stars are near").

John Herschel discovered NGC 3168 = h683 on 25 Mar 1832 (sweep 406) and recorded "F; pretty suddenly brighter middle; like a star rubbed out.  A * 7-8m in field np - dist 5'."  His position matches UGC 5536, although the bright star is south-southwest.
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NGC 3169 = UGC 5525 = MCG +01-26-026 = CGCG 036-066 = Holm 173b = LGG 192-004 = PGC 29855
10 14 14.8  +03 28 00; Sex
V = 10.2;  Size 4.4'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, moderate concentration, pretty faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just off the east side, 1.6' from the center.  Third of three with NGC 3166 7.8' WSW and NGC 3165 12' SW. 

13.1" (4/16/83): bright, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3169 = H. I-4 = h684, along with NGC 3166, on 19 Dec 1783 (short sweep 58).  His summary description from 4 sweeps reads "cB, pL, cometic, much brighter in the middle."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 22) as an illlustration of "nebulae that have a cometic appearance."  John Herschel also made 4 observations and wrote on 13 Feb 1826 (sweep 18): "B; R; gradually much brighter middle; 60"; the foll of 2."

Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 17 Mar 1882 and measured an accurate micrometric position that was published in his 13th list (#57), though he misidentified the galaxy as NGC 3166.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, observed NGC 3169 on 15 Mar 1855 and commented "sharp at sf edge [dust lane?] and fades of np, spreading out in that direction."  The following January he also noted "perhaps vF neby beyond the well defined sf edge?"
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NGC 3170
10 16 14.5  +46 36 43; UMa

= **, Gottlieb and Corwin.  Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3170 = h686 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and noted "F; S; R."  Just 1' north of his position (single observation) is a 7" pair of mag 13.8/15.2 stars at 10 16 14.5 +46 36 44 (J2000).  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 3171 = ESO 567-031 = MCG -03-26-032 = PGC 29950
10 15 36.7  -20 38 51; Hya
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 176°

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 1.1'x0.8'.  Forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 13.5-14 stars 2.3' NE and 2.5' E.  Located 16' W of mag 6.6 SAO 178610.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3171 = LM 1-169 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.4 tmin west of ESO 567-03 = MCG -03-26-032.  MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 3171.  The RNGC declination is 9' too far south, so the galaxy was misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.
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NGC 3172 = MCG +15-01-011 = CGCG 370-002 = CGCG 370-018 = PGC 36847 = Polarissima Borealis
11 47 13.0  +89 05 35; UMi
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.95';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 39°

48" (10/26/16): at 375x and 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, round.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright round core that increases to the center and a low surface brightness 45" halo.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' separation (NW) and a mag 16-16.5 star is within 1' (50" S).

MCG +15-01-010, at 1.6' separation (WSW), appeared fairly faint, fairly small, ~35" diameter, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Visible continuously with direct vision though fairly low surface brightness.   A mag 16.7 star is 16" W at the edge of the halo.  2MASX J11503836+8907109, at 1.8' NNE, appeared extremely faint and small, ~6" diameter.  At 610x, it was as a thin, low surface brightness edge-on, ~20"x6".

24" (9/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, very small brighter core that occasionally sharpens up to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' (NW).  MCG +15-01-010, situated just 1.5' (WSW), appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, well defined halo, broad weak concentration with a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.5' distant (NW) and a very faint mag 16.5 star is 50" S.

18" (8/1/11): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' NW.  MCG +15-01-010, an extremely faint companion just 1.6' W, was marginally glimpsed though difficult to confirm.

17.5" (7/16/93) : faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter, very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' NW.  This is the closest NGC galaxy to the North Celestial Pole and is known as "Polarissima Borealis".

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, small, round, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus, can hold steadily with averted.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' distant.

17.5" (8/1/86): faint, brighter core, fairly small, round.  A mag 13 star is within 2'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3172 = h250 on 4 Oct 1831. He recorded "very faint; round; gradually brighter middle; 25" diameter; has a * 11m 2' S.  This nebula is remarkable for its proximity to the pole.  Owing to this the RA cannot be determined exactly, and the PD is open to correction."  In the synonym column he called it "Polarissima" but later it was called "Polarissima Borealis" to distinguish it from "Polarissima Australis".  At the time of discovery in 1831, NGC 3172 was only 4.5' from the north celestial pole!

Heinrich d'Arrest observed it with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen on 12 Aug 1866.  He noted the mag 12 star is 75" distant to the north.  E.E. Barnard swept it up on 26 Nov. 1891 with the 12-inch at Lick Observation. He logged it as "1' diameter, round, vgbM, 13th mag, 1' to the right of 12th mag star.  I think I found this nebula some months ago."  He made a detailed sketch of the field at 80x in Logbook #54.
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NGC 3173 = ESO 500-016 = MCG -04-24-022 = PGC 29883
10 14 34.9  -27 41 34; Ant
V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 7°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, moderately large, round.  Sharply concentrated with a moderately bright 15" core surrounded by a very faint, low surface brightness halo requiring averted vision.  The galaxy is very close preceding mag 10 SAO 178570 (1.3' from center) and 2.4' NNW of mag 10 SAO 178568!

John Herschel discovered NGC 3173 = h3235 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."  His position and description matches ESO 500-016.
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NGC 3174 = NGC 3144 = UGC 5519 = MCG +12-10-023 = CGCG 333-020 = CGCG 351-011 = PGC 29949
10 15 32.0  +74 13 14; Dra
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

See observing notes for NGC 3144

William Herschel discovered NGC 3174 = H. III-964 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "very faint, very small."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  A corrected position matching UGC 5519 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 25 Sep 1865, measured a fairly accurate position (within 1' of UGC 5519), and it was catalogued as NGC 3144.  By discovery priority, this galaxy should be identified as NGC 3174, though the modern identification is NGC 3144.
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NGC 3175 = ESO 436-003 = MCG -05-24-028 = UGCA 207 = VV 796 = LGG 189-005 = PGC 29892
10 14 42.2  -28 52 18; Ant
V = 11.2;  Size 5.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 56°

17.5" (3/28/87): bright, fairly large, bright core, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.5'x0.8'.  Located 38' ESE of mag 6.3 HR 2003.  NGC 3175 is the brightest in a group (LGG 189) that includes UGCA 196, NGC 3113, 3125 and 3137.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3175 = h3236 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "B; L; mE; gradually very little brighter middle; 2' l; pos 50.3°."  His position and description matches ESO 436-003.
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NGC 3176 = ESO 567-030
10 15 18  -19 01; Hya

= Not found, Corwin and Carlson.  Possibly = ESO 567-029, Corwin.  Possibly = ESO 568-011, Gottlieb

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3176 = LM 1-170 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 16.0, 0.8' dia, irregularly round, neb?"  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) and both Harold Corwin and Dorothy Carlson (in her 1940 NGC correction list) conclude this object is lost.  Corwin suggests ESO 567-02 as a possible candidate, but this galaxy is 1 degree south of Stone's position.  Another possible candidate which I found is ESO 568-011.  This galaxy would require a 10 tmin error in RA (too far E) but matches in Declination.
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NGC 3177 = UGC 5544 = MCG +04-24-023 = CGCG 123-032 = PGC 30010
10 16 34.1  +21 07 23; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, increases to a brighter core, stellar nucleus, small faint halo.  Member of the NGC 3190 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3177 = H. III-25 = h687 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and noted "vF, S."  His RA was 43 seconds too small.
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NGC 3178 = MCG -03-26-034 = PGC 29980
10 16 09.1  -15 47 28; Hya
V = 13.9;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 70°

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.9', even surface brightness.  A mag 12-13 star lies 2.9' ESE.  There are several mag 10-11 stars in the 20' field and mag 9.3 SAO 155864 8.5' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3178 = h3237 on 16 Mar 1836 and noted "pB; pL; gradually pretty much brighter middle; seen through haze."  His position matches MCG -03-26-034.
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NGC 3179 = UGC 5555 = MCG +07-21-036 = CGCG 211-037 = PGC 30078
10 17 57.2  +41 06 51; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 48°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', very small bright core appears mottled.  Almost collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 1.0' SW and 1.9' SW.  NGC 3184 lies 19' NNE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3179 on 25 Jan 1851.  He recorded "25' south and a little preceding [NGC 3184] I found a S, R neb, r, near 2 st almost in a line with it."  The following March it was placed about 20' sp of NGC 3184.  The observation was not included in LdR's 1861 publication so did not receive a GC or GC Supplement designation.  Bigourdan's measured an accurate position (given in IC 2 notes). Because of the poor NGC position, NGC 3179 was included as #233 (with an RA about 9 seconds too large) in a catalog of new nebulae and clusters found on photographs taken by Keeler between 1898-1900 and published in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 3180 = [H69] 44/45/47
10 18 10.8  +41 26 55; UMa

48" (4/4/11): A small HII knot with a stellar core was visible 1.8' NW of the nucleus of NGC 3184.  This small knot is within a larger, slightly brighter portion of the long, sweeping arm (shown on the sketch at Birr Castle) that wraps around the core of NGC 3184 on the south side before winding north on the west side and ending near NGC 3180.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3180 on 25 Jan 1851.  His description of NGC 3184 states "is triple, neby perhaps extends round them all as far as the * north."  The 1 Feb 1856 description states: "The neby connecting the 3 principal knots is vvF but I have no doubt of its existence."  R.J. Mitchell sketched the the spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication) and highlighted two brighter knots or sections of the western spiral arm.
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NGC 3181 = [H69] 41
10 18 11.5  +41 24 45; UMa

48" (4/4/11): NGC 3181 is a bright, 15" knot in one of the spiral arms of NGC 3184.  It resides 1.2' SW of the nucleus in a long sweeping arm that wraps around around south side of the core and then heads north on the west side of the galaxy.  This is the brightest of a couple of knots resolved in the arms.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3181 on 25 Jan 1851 in an observation of NGC 3184.  R.J. Mitchell sketched the the spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication) and highlighted two brighter knots or sections of the western spiral arm.  The elongated knot embedded in the spiral arm on the southwest side is NGC 3181.  This HII region is catalogued as [H69] 41 in Hodge's "HII Regions in 20 Nearby Galaxies".
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NGC 3182 = UGC 5568 = MCG +10-15-062 = CGCG 290-027 = PGC 30176
10 19 33.0  +58 12 21; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/29/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.7'.  Bright core, occasional stellar nucleus.  Collinear with two mag 13 stars 2.4' NE and 3.5' NE.  NGC 3225 lies 45' E.

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' SW followed by a mag 12 star 2.4' NE and a mag 13 star 4' NE on a line.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3182 = H. I-265 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "considerably bright, small, very gradually much brighter middle, irregularly round."  Caroline's reduction matches UGC 5568 although the NGC position (copied correctly from the GC) is 19 seconds of RA too small.  This is the first of 19 galaxies discovered on the sweep.
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NGC 3183 = NGC 3218 = UGC 5582 = MCG +12-10-028 = CGCG 351-018 = CGCG 333-023 = Holm 177a = LGG 193-003 = PGC 30323
10 21 49.4  +74 10 37; Dra
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 170°

17.5" (4/6/02): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.8', broad concentration but no well defined core.  Several stars are nearby including two mag 13.5 stars at the north edge and a couple more stars within 1'.  Very possibly one of these is a stellar companion 1.0' NNE of center (LEDA 213683).  The faint stars at the edges were a bit startling as it initially looked similar to a partially resolved cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 3183 on 28 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position matches UGC 5582.

William Herschel first discovered this galaxy on 2 Apr 1801, the problematic northern sweep 1096 with large systematic errors.  His revised position, using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509), reveals H. I-283 = NGC 3218 = NGC 3183.  The modern designation is NGC 3183, despite Herschel's earlier discovery.
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NGC 3184 = NGC 3180 = UGC 5557 = MCG +07-21-037 = CGCG 211-038 = PGC 30087
10 18 17.0  +41 25 27; UMa
V = 9.8;  Size 7.4'x6.9';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 135°

48" (4/4/11 and 4/25/25): NGC 3184 is a beautiful face-on spiral with two main long arms and branches, along with several HII knots (two with NGC designations) in the arms.  It contains a relatively small, very bright core, ~1' diameter with a sharp stellar nucleus.  A mag 15-16 star is visible about 40" NE of the center near the edge of the core.

One arm is attached on the E side of the core and winds counterclockwise around the S side of the core towards the W.  The outer halo of the galaxy to the S of this arm has a much lower surface brightness.  NGC 3181 is a bright, 15" knot (HII region/massive star cluster) embedded in this arm, 1.2' SW of the nucleus.  The arm continues spiraling outward as it heads N and contains NGC 3180, a very small knot 1.8' NW of the nucleus with a stellar core.  This knot is within a larger, slightly brighter portion of the arm that includes a very faint knot ~30" to its SW.

A second prominent arm is attached on the W side of the core. It rotates counterclockwise around the N side towards the E.  The surface brightness lowers on the E side and the arm splits into two branches.  A mag 11.7 star is superimposed near the outer edge on the N side beyond the arm.  Located 11' ESE of mag 6.6 HD 89053.

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, large, slightly elongated ~N-S, large 4' halo has a fairly low surface brightness, very weak concentration, small brighter elongated core.  There is an impression of spiral structure though it wasn't distinct.  A mag 11.5 star is at the north edge of the halo 1.8' from the center.  Located 40' W of Mu Ursa Majoris (V = 3.1).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3184 = H. I-168 = h688 = h689 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded "cB, R, near 8' dia, very gradually brighter middle.  A considerable star in the northern part of it but unconnected." John Herschel assigned two entries for this galaxy, h688 = H. I-168 and h689, with the second entry a poor position for this face-on spiral.

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 25 Jan 1851, logged "Is triple, neby perhaps extends round them all as far as the star north.  h689 not seen."  The following month, he commented "preceding part probably a portion of a ring."  R.J. Mitchell sketched spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication).  The sketch shows two brighter, elongated knots in the western arm and Dreyer catalogued these as NGC 3180 and 3181.

MCG mislabels the galaxy as NGC 3180.
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NGC 3185 = HCG 44C = UGC 5554 = MCG +04-24-024 = CGCG 123-034 = PGC 30059
10 17 38.5  +21 41 18; Leo
V = 12.2;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 130°

48" (4/18/15): at 610x; very bright, fairly large, oval halo 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.1'.  Strongly concentrated with a very bright roundish core which increases to a slightly brighter stellar nucleus.  The halo has a brighter arcs at the ends of the major axis (northwest and southeast ends) and is slightly weaker inside, creating a weak ring.  A very weak bar is highly suspected connecting the ends of the major axis and the core (very subtle barred ring).  A mag 14.5 star is just off the west side [42" from center].

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, increases to a brighter core, diffuse halo elongated NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is just off the west edge 0.7' from center and a similar star is 1.4' SW of center.  Member of the NGC 3190 group = HCG 44. 

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, moderately large, gradually brighter core. 

8" (4/24/82): faint, fairly small, elongated.

George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) discovered NGC 3185, along with NGC 3187, in January of 1850.  He labeled it "Delta" on the diagram of the group (shown in the 1861 publication).

Eduard Schönfeld found it at the Mannhein Observatory on 15 Jan 1861, Julius Schmidt at the Athens Observatory on 8 Feb 1861 and Heinrich d'Arrest on 1 Jan 1862 (position measured on 5 nights).  Schultz referred to it as "Nova Schonfeld", unaware of the Birr Castle observation. John Herschel credited both Lord Rosse and d'Arrest in the GC.
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NGC 3186 = MCG +01-26-032 = CGCG 036-085 = Mrk 720 = PGC 30058
10 17 37.9  +06 58 16; Leo
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, extremely small, round, ~15" diameter (probably viewed core only), faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.2' SE of a mag 12.5 star.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 3186 in the RNGC and PGC but the identification is uncertain due to a poor position from Albert Marth.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3186 = m 195 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "pF, vS, gradually brighter in the middle."  In the GC Supplement and NGC, Dreyer added the comment "several faint stars near", though Corwin notes the source is unknown (not in the published Lord Rosse observations). There is nothing at Marth's position, but a couple of candidates are nearby.  The RNGC and PGC identify CGCG 036-085 as NGC 3186.  This galaxy is located 20 seconds of time east and 5' S of Marth's position.  Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 3186 may be the northeastern component of CGCG 036-074.  This galaxy is 1.5 minutes of time preceding and 6' S of Marth's position.

In my observation of the field, I picked up IC 602 = UGC 5561 (double system with IC 601) which is located exactly 1.0 tmin east of Marth's position and appears brighter visually than CGCG 036-085.  Because this galaxy is only off in RA (by a single minute) it seems to me a better choice than the RNGC/PGC candidate, although there is only a single mag 12.5 star close by.  Stephane Javelle independently discovered IC 602 on 10 Apr 1893 and accurately placed it in list 2-673.  UGC 5561 is identified as IC 602 in all modern catalogues.  See Corwin's notes for more on the story.
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NGC 3187 = HCG 44D = Arp 316 NED1 = VV 307b = UGC 5556 = MCG +04-24-025 = CGCG 123-036 = PGC 30068
10 17 47.8  +21 52 25; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 3.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.7

48" (4/1/11): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.6', weak concentration with no well defined core.  At both the NW and SE ends of the bar are faint spiral arms.  The arm at the NW end bends sharply towards the south in the direction of a mag 13.8 star 1.0' SW of center, though doesn't reach this star.  At the SW end of the bar a second faint arm hooks at a right angle to the NE.  Both arms extend ~45" and give the galaxy a distinctive zig-zag shape.  Located on a line 4.9' NW of the showpiece edge-on NGC 3190.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, edge-on NW-SE.  A mag 14 star is off the SW side 1.1' from center and a similar star is 1.3' SSE.  Unusual as the major axis is exactly collinear with the brighter edge-on NGC 3190 4.9' SE.  Located 6.3' SSW of mag 7.8 SAO 81276 and 8.8' WSW of NGC 3193.

13.1" (4/24/82 and 3/24/84) very faint, elongated NW-SE.  Located 5' NW NGC 3190.  A mag 8 star 6' NNE detracts. 

8" (4/24/82): not seen (suspected).

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3187 in January 1850.  This object was found while observing NGC 3190 and 3193, and labeled "Gamma" on the sketch.  The description mentioned "[NGC 3190] and [NGC 3187] proibably connected.  In [NGC 3187], several minute stars seen by Lord R."  R.J. Mitchell's sketch (in the 1861 publication) shows the galaxy tapering at the southeast end and broader at the northwest end.
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NGC 3188 = UGC 5569 = MCG +10-15-065 = CGCG 290-028 = Mrk 31 = PGC 30183
10 19 42.9  +57 25 24; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/9/94): surprisingly faint, small, round, diffuse, unconcentrated except for extremely faint star superimposed at center or a very faint stellar nucleus, appears to have an irregular surface brightness.  Two faint stars just off edges; a mag 14.5 star 0.6' NW of center and a mag 15 star 0.6' E of center also confuse the observation.  Forms a close double with NGC 3188A 0.7' WSW (not seen).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3188 = H. III-910 = h690 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He recorded "very faint, pretty large, resolvable, irregular figure, some of the stars visible."  John Herschel logged, "eF; pL; 30" diameter." (9 Feb 1831, sweep 323).

Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland on 5 Apr 1874 reported it as "vF, cL, R, gradually brighter in the middle, * 15 m near the middle and several small stars near (within 2 or 3' foll), but does seem resolvable."  One of these "stars" may be a very companion (NGC 3188A) just off the southwest side.
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NGC 3189 = part of NGC 3190
10 18 04.3  +21 49 54; Leo

48" (4/1/11): this number refers to the thin strip of NGC 3190 that parallels the prominent dust lane on the outer southwest edge of the galaxy.  This strip has a well-defined southern edge and dims at the southeast end of the galaxy.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 3189 in January 1850,  He recorded "F neby probably extended to the right of [NGC 3190]."  The sketch produced by R.J. Mitchell (fig 14, Plate XXVII in the 1861 William Parsons' publication) shows NGC 3189 is the strip of NGC 3190 on the southwest side of the dust lane.  None of the subsequent observations at Birr Castle mention this feature, although d'Arrest claimed an observation with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen on 23 Mar 1865.
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NGC 3190 = HCG 44A = Arp 316 NED2 = VV 307a = NGC 3189 = UGC 5559 = MCG +04-24-026 = CGCG 123-037 = Holm 175a = LGG 194-003 = PGC 30083
10 18 05.7  +21 49 57; Leo
V = 11.1;  Size 4.4'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 125°

48" (4/1/11): extremely bright, large, nearly edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 3.7'x1.0', very bright core with a dazzling stellar nucleus embedded. A sharp, contrasty dust lane that is relatively wide runs along the full length of the galaxy, passing just south of the core. A thin strip of the galaxy parallels the dust lane on the outer southwest side of the galaxy. This strip has a well-defined southern edge and dims at the southeast end of the galaxy.  Dreyer catalogued the strip as NGC 3189 based on the 1850 sketch using Lord Rosse's 72-inch scope.

17.5" (4/6/02): viewed SN 2002bo (Type Ia), discovered on March 9th, and situated just 12" E and 14" S of center as a 14th magnitude "star".

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, edge-on NW-SE, stellar nucleus, fairly large.  Brightest in HCG 44 with NGC 3187 4.9' NW, NGC 3193 5.8' NE and NGC 3185 11' SW.  Two bright stars are in the field; mag 7.8 SAO 81276 8.3' NNW and mag 9.0 SAO 81279 6.5' NE.  

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, small bright nucleus, elongated NW-SE, brightest in a group.  Two mag 8 stars are in the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3190 = H. II-44 = h692, along with NGC 3193, on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166).  His description reads, "Two small nebulae; very like each other; both E and both little brighter middle; than towards the ends, but of the resolvable kind."  His single position is closer to NGC 3187, but must refer to the brighter galaxies though NGC 3193 is not noticeably elongated.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 15 Mar 1850, sketched two parallel strips separated by a lane.  Lord Rosse included the galaxy in a list of objects with "dark spaces" in his 1850 publications.  R.J. Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 22 Mar 1857, which was published in 1861 (plate XXVII, fig 14) as two strips separated by a dark lane with the brighter strip dented in towards the center.  
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NGC 3191 = NGC 3192 = UGC 5565 = MCG +08-19-018 = CGCG 240-026 = PGC 30136
10 19 05.1  +46 27 15; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak broad concentration.  Located 4.1' SSW of a mag 10 star.  Pair with MCG +08-19-017 1.3' W.

John Herschel found NGC 3191 = h691 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and recorded, "F; S; R; bM; 15-20".  If this be III. 704 [NGC 3192], there must exist a great error in PD on one or other side.  His position matches UGC 5565.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 5 Feb 1788 and recorded it as H. III-704 (later GC 2060 = NGC 3192).  His position, though, was 7' too far north.  All major catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 3191, instead of NGC 3192.  References: Malcolm Thomson's article in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal Apr 1980 and Betelgeuse Nov 1979.
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NGC 3192 = NGC 3191 = UGC 5565 = MCG +08-19-018 = CGCG 240-026 = PGC 30128
10 19 05.1  +46 27 15; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3191.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3192 = H. III-704 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "eF, vS, may be a patch of small stars."  There is nothing at his position, but 8' due south is h691 = NGC 3191.  John Herschel recorded this galaxy as h691 (and later NGC 3191), noting "F; S; R; bM; 15-20". If this be III. 704, there must exist a great error in PD on one side or the other."  Dreyer also commented "perhaps = h.691" in the notes to his Scientific Papers of WH.

RNGC misidentifies MCG +08-19-017 as NGC 3192.  This galaxy is located 1.3' W of NGC 3191.  See my RNGC Corrections #1, WSQJ Apr 1980 and Betelgeuse Nov 1979 (by Malcolm Thomson).
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NGC 3193 = HCG 44B = Arp 316 NED3 = UGC 5562 = MCG +04-24-027 = CGCG 123-038 = VV 307 = Holm 175b = WBL 262-003 = PGC 30099
10 18 25.0  +21 53 37; Leo
V = 10.9;  Size 3.0'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, small, round, stellar nucleus, second brightest in the NGC 3190 group.  Located just 1.3' S of mag 9.0 SAO 81279.  Third of three with NGC 3190 5.8' SW and NGC 3187 8.8' WSW. 

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, small bright nucleus, small, round.  A mag 9 star is just 1' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3193 = H. II-45 = h693, along with NGC 3190, on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166).  See notes on NGC 3190.
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NGC 3194 = NGC 3155 = UGC 5538 = MCG +12-10-026 = CGCG 351-012 = PGC 30064
10 17 39.9  +74 20 51; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

See observing notes for NGC 3155.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3194 = H. III-965 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "very faint, very small."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  A corrected position matching UGC 5538 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.   See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 344).

John Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 2 Sep 1828 and recorded h676 as "vF; S; R.  RA extremely precarious." His rough position is 4' too far northeast.  Dreyer also assumed this was a new discovery and catalogued it as NGC 3155 (with an accurate position from d'Arrest).  So, NGC 3194 = NGC 3155.  The primary designation should be NGC 3194, but the common name is NGC 3155.
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NGC 3195 = PK 296-20.1 = ESO 019-2 = PN G296.6-20.0
10 09 21.1  -80 51 31; Cha
V = 11.5;  Size 43"x36"

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x35".  The planetary was clearly annular at this magnification with the rim brightest along the E and W sides, giving a bipolar appearance.  The S end of the rim dimmed, making the rim appear U-shaped, open to the south (though also somewhat weaker on the north end).  The central hole was irregularly shaped with careful examination.  Two mag 12 stars to the W at 45" and 1.6' are collinear with the planetary and a brighter mag 11.5 lies 2' SE.  The surrounding field was lacking in bright stars but rich in faint stars.  NGC 3149 lies 30' NNW.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an interesting planetary at 171x with a UHC filter or at 228x.  It appeared moderately bright and large, ~40"x35", slightly elongated ~N-S.  This disc had a noticeably irregular surface brightness with a slightly brighter knot on the following side and a hint of annularity.  Good response to UHC and OIII filters.  Located in southern Chamaeleon between Zeta and Delta Chamaeleontis.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3195 = h3241 on 24 Feb 1835 and recorded "planetary nebula, pB, not quite uniform in its light, having two brighter patches, little extended towards a * (a); slightly hazy; diameter = 15 or 18" (in RA 13 seconds of time). Pos of star a = 265.7 , dist = 0.7 diam from edge, 11th mag.; of star c, pos = 210.7 , dist = 1 3/4 diam from edge."  On a later sweep he described "Planetary nebula, R or very little extended; a very little hazy at the edges but still pretty well defined with 240 power. Viewed long and with much attention, being a very remarkable object. I am positive of the existence of two brighter portions near the edges."  Sketched Plate VI, figure 2.

Joseph Turner sketched the planetary in July 1874 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished Plate V, figure 54).  His sketch shows it clearly as annular with brighter arcs on the east and west side.  Pietro Baracchi (10 Apr 1885) thought the annular rim was slightly brighter on the E and W sides.

The planetary was found in 1900 on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station and described as "extremely faint, extremely small, D neb (Dumb-bel), 2 nuclei, extremely faint star 0.6' preceding."
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NGC 3196 = CGCG 153-035 = CGCG 154-001 = PGC 30121
10 18 49.1  +27 40 08; Leo
V = 15.3;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 120°

18" (2/23/06): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  Located 0.5' W of a mag 15-15.5 star that confuses the observation.  This galaxy is unusually faint for a William Herschel discovery.  Located 13' NE of striking double star ∑1421 = 8.2/9.3 at 4.5".

William Herschel discovered NGC 3196 = H. III-348 = h694 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  Sweeps 396/397 on this date were Herschel's most productive night -- with 72 discoveries.  NGC 3196 was the first and the faintest of the sweep and one his smallest discoveries!  He recorded, "suspected, extremely faint, pretty small, little elongated.  I do not much doubt it; but there is too much light to verify it."  Caroline's reduction is 30 seconds of time following CGCG 153-035 = PGC 30121.  Given that comment and the magnitude of this galaxy, it's amazing that Herschel apparently picked it up during twilight.

John Herschel's observed it on 17 Feb 1827 (sweep 57) and noted "so excessively faint that I remained unsatisfied". His position, though, is just 30" S of this galaxy.
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NGC 3197 = UGC 5500 = MCG +13-08-009 = CGCG 350-045 = CGCG 351-010 = PGC 29870
10 14 27.7  +77 49 13; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Located almost at midpoint of two mag 11 stars 3.7' NE and 3.5' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3197 = H. III-966 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He logged "faint, small, stellar nebula.  It is very near and preceding a small star.  300x confirmed it."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  A corrected position matching UGC 5500 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.
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NGC 3198 = UGC 5572 = MCG +08-19-020 = CGCG 240-030 = PGC 30197
10 19 54.8  +45 32 59; UMa
V = 10.3;  Size 8.5'x3.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 35°

48" (5/4/16): at 375x; NGC 3198 is a showpiece, large spiral extending 7:2 SW-NE, ~8.0'x2.5'.  Contains a bright, elongated central "bar", punctuated by a very small bright core that rises to a stellar nucleus.  Slightly brighter patches are visible at the ends of the central region, where the spiral arms emerge.  A tight inner arm is attached on the northeast end; it bends back sharply and closely parallels the central region, extending southwest for a length of ~3.5'.  An outer low surface brightness arm sweeps clockwise on the southwest end.  A symmetric outer arm on the northeast end (of slightly higher surface brightness) curls clockwise towards the west.  The outer tip to tip diameter is nearly 8'.  An uncatalogued fairly bright double star [separation ~3.7"] is 3.5' NNE of center, just beyond the halo and a mag 14 star is 2.2' SSE of center.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 7.0'x2.5', broadly concentrated, brighter core has an indistinct elongated nucleus and an irregular surface brightness.  Two mag 14 stars are close south (nearest is 2.0' from the center) and a mag 11 star is just off the NNE edge 3.5' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3198 = H. I-199 = h695 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and remarked "cB, mE, gradually brighter in the middle, about 5' long and 2' broad from sp to nf."  John Herschel wrote on 20 Mar 1828 (sweep 140), "F; vL; bM; mE; 6' large, 2.5' br; r[esolvable]."

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 3 Mar 1850, noted "probably a faint spiral."  It was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 Philosphical Transactions paper.  In later observations, a "dark vacuity ssp Nucl" was noted as well as "dark spaces throughout its length".
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NGC 3199 = Ced 107 = Gum 28 = ESO 127-014 = RCW 48 = Banana Nebula = Southern Crescent
10 17 06  -57 55; Car
Size 22'x22'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x and UHC filter this Wolf-Rayet bubble appeared as an amazing 180° crescent, open on the east side and forming a thick "C" shape.  The rim of the bubble is widest on the western portion, although it is slightly brighter on the southwest side.  The main portion of the crescent spans ~13' from N to S end and appears ~3.5' thick in the middle, though fainter nebulosity spreads out to the southeast.  A double star (HJ 4302 = 10.4/11.6 at 23") is embedded near the S end.  The surface brightness is fairly high overall, though irregular with slightly brighter patches, knots and streaks.  A faint 5' linear streak or filament running NNW-SSE is superimposed along the outer western edge, though it separates or resolves from the Crescent at its north and south ends.  The illuminating mag 10.6 Wolf-Rayet star (WR 18 = HD 89358) is located about 4' E of the center of the "C", and is asymetrically positioned with respect to the center of the entire shell.  This W-R bubble is situated 4 degrees NW of the Eta Carina nebula in a rich Milky Way star field.

20" (3/29/25 - OzSky) at 149x and OIII filter; bright, striking, thick crescent opening to the east and appearing in the eyepiece as a reversed "C".  This Wolf-Rayet shell is slightly thicker in the central section. The surface brightness is fairly high overall and a bit irregular. It floats in a rich star field 4° SE of Eta Car.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x and UHC filter, this HII region appears as a remarkable, huge crescent, roughly 11'x7' (the main region extends nearly 1/3 of the 39' field).  Opens up towards the east in a huge "C" shape.  The SW portion of the crescent is brightest, although the overall surface brightness is irregular with a mottled or curdled appearance.  A few stars are superimposed even with the filter with the brightest stars at the SW end.  Fainter nebulosity sprouts out of the SW end, increasing the total size by several arcminutes.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an amazing HII region with a 20mm Nagler and UHC filter at 103x.  It appears as a fairly bright, thick crescent opening towards the east, roughly 10'x6'!  The surface brightness was quite irregular with a UHC filter and the nebulosity was noticeably brighter on the south end where a couple of brighter stars are embedded.  Off the bright portion of the south end, much lower surface brightness haze extends the curve further SE for several arcmin and spreads out somewhat increasing the length to  ~15'.  The main mass has a curdled, mottled appearance and dark lanes appear to intrude into the nebulosity.  The illuminating star HD 89358 is a Wolf-Rayet star (WR 18) and this nebulosity is reminiscent of the Crescent Nebula in Cygnus (it could be dubbed the "Southern Crescent").

50mm finder (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): surprisingly, NGC 3199 was visible in the 50mm finder at just 9x by blinking with the OIII filter.  An elongated bar of nebulosity was seen!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3199 = D 332 = h3239 on 1 May 1826.  He described (on a 2nd observation 8 nights later) a "very faint ray of nebula, about 2' broad, and 6' or 7' long, joining two small stars at the south following extremity, which are very slightly involved, but their lustre is not diminished from that of similar small stars in the field. The north extremity also joins a group of small stars, but they are not involved. Figure 15 [very basic sketch]."  Unfortunately he made a one degree error in reducing the declination (too far north) and a result he wasn't credited for the discovery.

John Herschel rediscovered this Wolf-Rayet nebula on 1 Apr 1834, unaware of Dunlop's earlier observation.  He recorded, "A very large and very remarkable nebula, which is brighter to the S.f. part, and dies off to the N.p., having a curved form and forked tail. In the head of it is a double star. The nebula is pretty bright, very large, figure irregular, 8' long, 4' broad. Among a vast number of milky way stars."  On 5 Feb 1835 (sweep 543, the night described in his diary as "most superb" and "having attained the sublime of Astronomy - a sort of ne plus ultra") he wrote, "very bright, very large, 10' long, of a concave or crescent form, sharply terminated inwards, fading away outwards. In a field of about 80 stars. The place is that of a 13th mag star, about the middle of the crescent, or rather nearer the head."  His sketch from that night is reproduced on plate IV, figure 3.  Later that month (sweep 552) he wrote: "pretty bright, very gradually brighter in the middle, of a falcated or semilunar shape, extending over three-quarters of the field. The place is that of a double star in its vertex or southern extremity."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 3199 carefully on 28 Apr 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished lithograph plate VII, figure 67).  The SE end is tapered and brightest and the wide northwest end is forked with the eastern fork slightly brighter.  A lithograph was completed but not published.  Albert Le Sueur earlier made a similar sketch with the 48", as well as Pietro Baracchi on 16 Jan 1885.

Williamina Fleming included the central (Wolf-Rayet) star in one of her 1893 lists of "Stars having peculiar spectra" based on Draper photographs taken at Harvard's Arequipa station.
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NGC 3200 = ESO 567-045 = MCG -03-26-037 = UGCA 210 = PGC 30108
10 18 36.5  -17 58 57; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 4.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 169°

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, moderately large.  A mag 14 star is at the north end.  Either contains a stellar nucleus or a star is superimposed on the center.  A mag 12 star lies 2.0' WNW of center.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3200 on 10 Apr 1882 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Wisconsin and noted "pB, E 160, bright middle to a nucleus." His position in Publ. of the Washburn Observatory, Vol I, p 73, matches ESO 567-045 = PGC 30108.  I find it surprising that this relatively bright galaxy was missed by the Herschels.
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NGC 3201 = ESO 263-026
10 17 36.7  -46 24 40; Vel
V = 6.7;  Size 18.2';  Surf Br = 0.7

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this beautiful, loose globular was well resolved with approximately two hundred mag 12 to 16 stars visible within a 10' region.  An unusual feature is the large number of brighter cluster stars that appear to be superimposed right on top of a fainter layer of stars in the central core.  The core seemed displaced towards the north side as if part of the northern half of the cluster was obscured and flattened.  This apparent affect may also be due to a larger number of brighter resolved stars that are superimposed on the northern half of the core.  A number of stars in the outer halo are arranged in strings and chains and the outer extent of the halo is irregular.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): beautifully resolved globular at 171x and 228x.  The cluster is fairly large, ~8'-10' diameter with more careful viewing.  Roughly 150 stars were resolved, though the number grew with magnification and averted vision.  A fairly dense layer of brighter mag 11.5-12 stars were resolved right over the bright core.  The halo, which has a large number of mag 13 stars, had a scraggly, irregular edge and seemed elongated - possibly partially obscured by intervening dust.  This concentration class X cluster is 7th in ranking of brightest stars (mag 11.7) and 10th in horizontal-branch mag stars (mag 14.8).

13.1" (2/23/85): this fairly bright globular cluster appears fairly large and mottled.  But only a few stars were resolved due to the view being compromised by the very low elevation (~5° altitude) from northern California.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3201 = D 445 = h3238 on 1 May 1826.  He took detailed notes on 5 nights with a summary description "pretty large, pretty bright round nebula, 4' or 5' diameter, very gradually condensed towards the centre, easily resolved into stars; the figure is rather irregular, and the stars are considerably scattered on the south preceding side: the stars are also of slightly mixed magnitudes."

John Herschel first observed NGC 3201 on 20 Apr 1836 and recorded a "globular cluster, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle, not v m comp, 6', resolved into stars 13...15th mag." On a second sweep he called it "irregularly round, 7' diameter, but the outliers extend to at least 10' or 12'; gradually pretty much brighter middle, but not very much compressed; all resolved into stars 13..16th mag."

NGC 3201 is 7th in ranking of brightest member stars (mag 11.7) and 10th in ranking of horizontal-branch mag (mag 14.8).  The distance is ~20,000 light years.
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NGC 3202 = UGC 5581 = MCG +07-21-041 = CGCG 211-044 = WBL 264-001 = PGC 30236
10 20 31.7  +43 01 18; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', only a weak concentration with a small brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' W of center.  First of three with very similar NGC 3205 4.4' SE and NGC 3207 5.7' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3202 = H. II-720 = h696 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804). He simply noted "F, vS" and 30 seconds later recorded NGC 3205 and 3207.  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), John Herschel wrote, "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 30"; the preceding of 3 neb in a triangle.  Some stars near."  His position was approximate and as a result the NGC position is 2' too far south.
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NGC 3203 = ESO 500-024 = MCG -04-25-002 = PGC 30177
10 19 34.5  -26 41 53; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 2.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 58°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, very small bright core is possibly stellar, very thin extensions.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3203 = h3240 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; E; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"."  His RA was 1.0 minute too small.  But he measured an accurate RA on the next sweep (563).  Unfortunately he rejected the second (accurate) RA, so the position in the NGC is in error.  Clearly his observations, though, refer to ESO 500-024.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1907, using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory, though he called this object a "nova".
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NGC 3204 = UGC 5580 = MCG +05-25-001 = CGCG 154-003 = PGC 30214
10 20 11.2  +27 49 02; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 110°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5'.  Located 4.1' NE of a mag 11 star.  A mag 7.7 star (SAO 81305) lies 13' SE at the edge of the field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3204 = h698 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and logged "F; L; 40" - 60"; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 5580.
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NGC 3205 = UGC 5585 = MCG +07-21-042 = CGCG 211-046 = Holm 179a = WBL 264-002 = PGC 30254
10 20 50.0  +42 58 19; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): second of three in a group.  Very similar appearance to NGC 3202 4.4' NW.  Fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' WSW.  Appears to have a slightly higher surface brightness than NGC 3202 and brighter along the major axis.  A threshold star is superimposed NE of the core (GSC shows a mag 15 star 15" NE of center).  NGC 3207 lies 2.1' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3205 = H. II-721 = h699 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804).  He noted "faint, very small, stellar" and immediately afterwards logged NGC 3207.   On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248) John Herschel recorded, "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 30"; the second of 3 [with NGC 3202 and 3207] in a triangle."
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NGC 3206 = WBL 265-001 = UGC 5589 = MCG +10-15-069 = CGCG 290-030 = PGC 30322
10 21 47.6  +56 55 50; UMa
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 2.5'x1.5', broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is just off the NNE end 2.1' from the center.  A pair of galaxies NGC 3214 and NGC 3220 lie 13' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3206 = H. I-266 = h697 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, gradually brighter in the middle, irregular figure."  He included a sketch in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 17) as an example "of nebulae which are gradually brighter in the middle."

On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel logged, "vF; L; E; very gradually little brighter middle; 2' long; 1 1/2' broad."
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NGC 3207 = UGC 5587 = MCG +07-21-043 = CGCG 211-047 = Holm 179b = WBL 264-003 = PGC 30267
10 21 00.6  +42 59 07; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 73°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, almost round, even concentration down to very small core.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.0' S.  Third of three in a close trio with NGC 3205 2.1' WSW and NGC 3202 5.7' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3207 = H. II-722 = h700, along with NGC 3202 and 3205 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804).  He noted "faint, very small, stellar."  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248) John Herschel recorded, "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 30"; the last of 3 in a triangle [with NGC 3202 and 3205]."
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NGC 3208 = ESO 500-025 = MCG -04-25-003 = PGC 30180
10 19 41.3  -25 48 53; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 20°

18" (4/10/04): faint, moderately large, round.  At 220x, appears as a low surface brightness glow with a very weak concentration, ~1.2' diameter.  Situated between two mag 10.5 stars - the closer is 1.6' due west and the second star is 3.0' due E!  Outlying member of AGC 1060?

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3208 = LM 1-171 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is a reasonable match with ESO 500-025 (30 tsec too far west).  Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA in 1899-00at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver (mentioned in the IC 2 notes section)
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NGC 3209 = UGC 5584 = MCG +04-25-002 = CGCG 124-003 = PGC 30242
10 20 38.5  +25 30 18; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 80°

17.5" (3/25/95): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a very small prominent core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 3.0' W of center.

Forms a pair with MCG +04-25-004 4.7' ENE (noted as "very faint, very small, round.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.2' NNE").  Brightest in a trio with UGC 5588 9.4' SSE (noted as "fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms a small isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 1.0' SSW and 1.2' E of center.  High surface brightness for a UGC galaxy").

John Herschel discovered NGC 3209 = h701 on 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58) and recorded "F; R; 30"; has a star."  His position matches UGC 5584.
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NGC 3210
10 27 58.9  +79 49 57; Dra
Size 24"

17.5" (1/28/89): NGC 3210 is a pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation located just 1' WNW of NGC 3212.  This double was easily resolved.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3210 = H. III-979, along with NGC 3212 and 3215, on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole). He recorded  "The preceding [NGC 3210] stellar; they are all in line and about 1' distance from each other.  The preceding is the most north, about 2' more than the last."  A pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation is the only object matching his description with respect to the two nearby galaxies.  As NGC 3210 was found just after his threshold of 500 new objects was reached, it wasn't included in his third catalogue but John Herschel added III-981 as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("[William] Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations.

In the 1912 update to Herschel's catalogues, Dreyer states the RA for NGC 3210 requires a correction of +1.0 tmin in RA (probably based on an observation by Bigourdan) and this would match one or both of the stars. In 1892 William Denning reported "there are two or three faint stars in the place assigned for it [NGC 3210], but, like d'Arrest, I see no nebulosity [in a 10-inch reflector]."  Dorothy Carlson identified NGC 3210 as a star in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.
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NGC 3211 = PK 286-4.1 = ESO 127-15 = PN G286.3-04.8
10 17 50.3  -62 40 14; Car
V = 10.7;  Size 17"

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): Picked up unfiltered at 105x as a moderately bright, 15" disc.  Good contrast gain with UHC filter.  Appears bright, evenly illuminated with a well-defined bluish halo.  Appears to float in a beautifully rich Carina star field and centered within a parallelogram of mag 10.5 stars (sides ~9'x7').  Located 1.3° south of the mag 3.4 q Velorum.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter this fine planetary appeared as a very bright, round disc, ~15" diameter, crisp-edged with a bluish hue.  Good filter response to UHC.  The surface brightness was very high and there was a hint of a slightly brighter rim.  Set in a rich Carina star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3211 = h3242 on 7 Mar 1837 and recorded "planetary nebula, delicate, exactly round, = * 10 mag, a little dim at edges; white; with 320x considerably hazy. In field with at least 150 stars."  The next sweep he recorded "perfectly round; very well defined, with a perfectly uniform light, not at all mottled; = a star 10th mag, of which brightness there are 5 or 6 more in the field, and not less than 150 others less bright. Examined by both Mr Maclear and myself with 240x which shows it proportionally magnified; quite round and planetary; a little hazy at the edges, but not more so than is due to the decidedly bad definition of the night, and the imperfect figure of the mirror, which has been injured by careless polishing on too soft a polisher."
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NGC 3212 = Arp 181 NED1 = VV 319b = UGC 5643 = MCG +13-08-021 = CGCG 351-023 = PGC 30813
10 28 16.1  +79 49 23; Dra
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 107°

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, round.  A pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation is 1' WNW (= NGC 3210).  Forms a pair with NGC 3215 1.2' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3212 = H. III-980, along with NGC 3210 and 3215, on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole).  He recorded the trio together as "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 3215 = III. 981].  The two last [NGC 3212 and 3215] very faint and very small."  This was his second to last sweep and NGC 3212 is the 5th most northern galaxy he discovered (using 1800 coordinates).  See NGC 3210, which is probably a single or double star.

None of these three objects were included in Herschel's third catalogue as they were discovered just after his 500th discovery limit was reached on the previous discovery (NGC 3057).  John Herschel added III. 980 as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("[William] Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations.  There are only two galaxies here that were measured accurately by d'Arrest and Bigourdan, so NGC 3210 (III. 979) is likely a single or double star.
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NGC 3213 = UGC 5590 = MCG +03-27-004 = CGCG 094-008 = PGC 30283
10 21 17.3  +19 39 07; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 133°

17.5" (4/25/92): very faint, small, round, low almost even surface brightness.  Located 10' NE of mag 8.1 SAO 99075 and 21' SE of the striking double star Gamma Leonis (2.2/3.5 at 4.5").

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3213 = St. 13-58 on 16 Mar 1882.  His published position in his 13th list was reduced the following March with description "faint, round, 20" diameter, very little concentration, seems resolvable."
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NGC 3214 = MCG +10-15-071 = CGCG 290-032 = Holm 182a = WBL 265-003 = PGC 30419
10 23 08.9  +57 02 20; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/9/94): first of two with NGC 3220 5.0' E.  Faint, very small, round, very small brighter core.  Bracketed by two mag 13.5 stars 0.8' W and 1.0' E.  NGC 3206 lies 13' SW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3214 on 9 Mar 1874 using LdR's 72" while observing GC 2082 = NGC 3220. He recorded "cB, vS, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus = * 11m, pos 277.3°, dist 288.7"  It is in a line, Pos about 100°, between 2 st, about 11m each, dist about 1.5'."  Copeland's offset from NGC 3220 matches CGCG 290-032 = PGC 30419.
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NGC 3215 = Arp 181 NED2 = VV 319a = UGC 5659 = MCG +13-08-022 = CGCG 350-055 = CGCG 351-024 = PGC 30840
10 28 40.4  +79 48 46; Dra
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 130°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3212 1.2' NW.  Collinear with NGC 3212 and pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars 2.2' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3215 = H. III-981, along with NGC 3210 and 3212, on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, under the pole).  He recorded "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 3215].  The two last [NGC 3212 and 3215] very faint and very small." Caroline's reduced position is ~4' N of Arp 181 = UGC 5643 and UGC 5659.  This was his second to last sweep and NGC 3215 is the 6th most northern galaxy he discovered (using 1800 coordinates).

None of these three objects were included in Herschel's third catalogue as they were discovered just after his 500th discovery limit was reached on the previous object (NGC 3057).  John Herschel added III-981 as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("[William] Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations.  There are only two galaxies here, which were measured accurately by d'Arrest and Bigourdan.  NGC 3210 is either a star or wide double star.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, Herschel first discovered this galaxy on 5 Apr 1801 (unregistered sweep 1097) with the telescope misaligned to the meridian in the north.  It was still in this orientation after problematic sweep 1096, three nights earlier. Positions in this discarded sweep weren't determined as there was no appropriate offset star.  A note was added that the scope was off the meridian by "at least 5 or 6 degrees in azimuth".
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NGC 3216 = UGC 5593 = MCG +04-25-007 = CGCG 124-008 = PGC 30312
10 21 41.2  +23 55 23; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.9'x0.7', weak concentration.  Located 4.7' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.  Brightest in a group with UGC 5597 at 4.6' SE (not seen) and an anonymous galaxy 4.1' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3216 = H. III-330 = h702 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, pS, very little brighter middle."  On 28 Mar 1832 (sweep 407) John Herschel logged, "eF; R; 20" diameter."
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NGC 3217 = IC 606 = Mrk 721 = VIII Zw 074 = MCG +02-27-006 = CGCG 065-017 = Todd 29 = PGC 30448
10 23 32.6  +10 57 35; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 30°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x and 375x; between faint and pretty faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter center. A mag 14.3 star is 1.4' SW.  Located 25' NW of mag 6.8 HD 90123.

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration.  Situated in a small group of mag 13-14 stars and a mag 11.6 star 2.6' SE.  Discovered by David Todd in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and equivalent to IC 606.

David Todd discovered NGC 3217 = Todd 29 on 28 Feb 1878 using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the US Naval Observatory during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  Todd's RA was only reported to the nearest minute of time (roughly 15') but Harold Corwin was able to identify CGCG 065-017 = PGC 30448 as NGC 3217.  This galaxy is 2.1 minutes of time east of Todd's rough position and 4' north but his sketch shows two nearby stars that match this galaxy.

Stephane Javelle independently found NGC 3217 on 18 Apr 1893 and reported it in list 2-676 (later IC 606).  PGC, MCG, CGCG and SIMBAD (and amateur software such as Megastar) use the IC designation only and RNGC misclassifies NGC 3217 as nonexistent.  NED and HyperLeda equate the two identities.
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NGC 3218 = NGC 3183 = UGC 5582 = MCG +12-10-028 = CGCG 351-018 = CGCG 333-023 = PGC 30323
10 21 49.4  +74 10 37; Dra
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 170°

See observing notes for NGC 3183.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3218 = H. I-283 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He recorded "considerably bright, considerably large, easily resolvable." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian by 7°.  A corrected position matching UGC 5582 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 28 Sep 1865 and measured an accurate position.  Dreyer assumed it was a new object and catalogued the galaxy again as NGC 3183.  So NGC 3218 = NGC 3183.  The modern designation of this galaxy is NGC 3183, despite the earlier discovery of NGC 3218 by Herschel.
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NGC 3219 = MCG +07-21-051 = CGCG 211-049 = Holm 184a = PGC 30383
10 22 37.4  +38 34 45; LMi
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  PA = 60°

18" (4/10/04): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  Situated in the middle of a thin triangle of mag 11-12 stars with a 1.6' pair of mag 11.5/12 stars ~2.5' W and a mag 11 star 3' E.  Forms a close pair with MCG +07-21-049 1.8' NW, which was not seen with certainty.  Located 9.5' NE of mag 8.8 SAO 62000.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3219 = St. 12-38 on 8 Apr 1882.  His position, reduced three days later, matches CGCG 211-049.  This galaxy is not in RC3 and for some reason is not plotted on the new version of the Uranometria 2000 Star Atlas.
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NGC 3220 = IC 604 = UGC 5614 = MCG +10-15-073 = CGCG 290-034 = Holm 182b = WBL 265-004 = PGC 30462
10 23 45.2  +57 01 38; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 97°

17.5" (4/9/94): brighter of a pair with NGC 3214 5.0' W.  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.5', weak concentration.  Forms the west vertex of a near isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 5.5' NE and a mag 10 star 6.5' ESE.  The mag 10 star is an unequal triple with two 14th magnitude companions at 18" and 27".

William Herschel discovered NGC 3220 = H. III-911 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "very faint, considerably large, irregular figure., cL, iF."

Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland on 9 Mar 1874 recorded "pF, L, considerably elongated 91.5°, *14 Pos 145.6°, Dist 94", *8m Pos 102.1°, Dist 393.3°.  The NGC description is based on this observation.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 8 Aug 1890, and reported it as new in his 9th discovery lists, #22 (later IC 604).  Dreyer apparently missed the match in position, so NGC 3220 = IC 604.
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NGC 3221 = UGC 5601 = MCG +04-25-013 = CGCG 124-017 = PGC 30358
10 22 20.2  +21 34 07; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 3.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 167°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x0.7', brighter middle but no nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 4.6' S of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3221 on 1 Jan 1862.  His description reads, "eF, incredibly thin, 90" length, mag 10 star 4' south."
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NGC 3222 = UGC 5610 = MCG +03-27-011 = CGCG 094-018 = PGC 30377
10 22 34.5  +19 53 13; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 50°

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, small bright core, faint halo.  A mag 14.5 star is just south of the west edge 0.6' from center.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.9' S.  FIrst of three with the NGC 3226/3227 duo 13' E in field.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 3222 = Au 27 in March 1855 with a 9.6-in Fraunhofer refractor at the Berlin Observatory.  It was found "while observing the double nebula [NGC 3226/3227]." and he added "it is much fainter than both components, round and slightly brighter to the middle."  Using the Heliometer at Konigsberg, Auwers described it as "very faint, ~1' diam; star-like core 12-13m."  d'Arrest and Schultz also measured accurate micrometric positions and Schultz called it "binuclear".
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NGC 3223 = IC 2571 = ESO 375-012 = MCG -06-23-023 = LGG 196-005 = PGC 30308
10 21 35.1  -34 16 01; Ant
V = 11.0;  Size 4.1'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

18" (4/10/04): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.2'.  Increases to a moderately bright 30" core.  A mag 11 star is just off the SE end and one or two faint stars are superimposed in the halo.  This was a surprisingly easy galaxy and bright for a low elevation (~15 degrees).  NGC 3223 is an outlyting member of the Antlia cluster (ACO S636), situated about 1.5° NW of the center of the cluster.  NGC 3224 lies 26' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3223 = h3243 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; vL; very little extended; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; to a centre; diam 2'."  His position is on the northeast side of ESO 375-012.

Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 30 Dec 1897, assumed it was new and reported Sw. 11-107 (later IC 2571) as "vF; cS; R; mag 9 star close p close following."  His RA was 28 seconds too small, but a close match (~30") in declination.  A couple of years later, Herbert Howe checked Swift's observation using the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.  He noted Swift's 9th magnitude star follows by 9 seconds of RA and he provided an accurate micrometric position.  Dreyer used Howe's corrected RA in the IC 2 but didn't notice the positional equivalence of IC 2571 with NGC 3223.
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NGC 3224 = ESO 375-013 = MCG -06-23-024 = LGG 196-006 = PGC 30314
10 21 41.2  -34 41 49; Ant
V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 133°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, failry small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.7'. Well concentrated with a small, bright core.  Outlying member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).  Found by starhopping from brighter NGC 3324 located 26' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3224 = h3244 on 18 Apr 1835 and recorded "vF; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 40"."  His position matches ESO 375-013.  Pietro Baracchi wrote "B; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; diam 50"." (11 Jan 1886, Melbourne telescope).
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NGC 3225 = UGC 5631 = MCG +10-15-077 = CGCG 290-037 = PGC 30569
10 25 10.0  +58 09 00; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, very weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' NNE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3225 = H. II-882 = h703 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "pretty bright, pretty large, little extended, brighter middle."  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) John Herschel logged, "pF; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; 30" to 40" [diameter]."
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NGC 3226 = Arp 94 NED1 = VV 209b = Holm 187b = UGC 5617 = MCG +03-27-015 = CGCG 094-026 = LGG 194-008 = PGC 30440
10 23 27.0  +19 53 54; Leo
V = 11.4;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 15°

48" (4/22/17): at 375x and 488x; very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~1.8'x 1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with an intensely bright non-stellar nucleus.  The halo has only a weak concentration and with averted vision appears to merge with the halo of NGC 3227.  A low surface brightness spiral arm on the west side of NGC 3227 extends north to the outer halo of NGC 3226.

17.5" (4/25/92): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, smoothly increases from halo to a bright core and an almost stellar nucleus.  The halo extends to almost 2' diameter with averted vision and fades into background.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3227 at the south side with 2.3' separation between centers.  The outer halo is just in contact with NGC 3227 at the SSE edge.  NGC 3222 lies 13' W.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly faint, broad concentration to a brighter middle.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3226 = H. II-28, along with NGC 3227, on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146). He described both as "Two nebula almost close together.  Perhaps 1 1/2 or 2' asunder, they are pretty considerable in size and of a roundish form; but not cometic; they are vF."  Later in the same sweep he discovered the pair NGC 3646 and NGC 3649.  His position for H. II-28 was 17' too far north, but d'Arrest and Schultz measured accurate positions used in the GC and NGC.  Stephan also measured a good position on 4 Mar 1886 with additional observations on 8 Mar and 27 Mar 1886 (after the last of published lists).

Father Secchi found NGC 3226 and 3227 on 6 Mar 1853 with the 9.5-inch Merz refractor at the Roman College observatory and announced the pair as new in Astronomische Nachrichten 36, p. 243 (1853).  He mentioned the nebulae were "not listed in Herschel's Observations of nebulae and clusters of stars [Slough catalogue]."  Like a number of observers, Secchi missed the prior discovery as he only checked the Slough catalogue or was misled by Herschel's poor positions.  In 1855, d'Arrest reported these nebulae were discovered previously.
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NGC 3227 = Arp 94 NED2 = VV 209a = Holm 187a = UGC 5620 = MCG +03-27-016 = CGCG 094-028 = LGG 194-009 = PGC 30445
10 23 30.6  +19 51 55; Leo
V = 10.3;  Size 5.4'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 155°

48" (4/22/17): at 375x and 488x; very bright, large, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE. ~3'x 1.5'.  Contains a very sharp, intensely bright stellar nucleus within a very bright elongated core.  The large, elongated halo displays two subtle spiral arms. A broad, low surface brightness arm is attached on the NNW end and sweeps south on the east side, ending just west of a mag 14.7 star, which is 2.3' SE of center.  A second broad arm emerges roughly on the southwest side and shoots north on the west side, extending to the halo of NGC 3226 [centers of the two galaxies separated by 2.2'].

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly bright, fairly bright, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.0', prominent very small high surface brightness core, striking stellar nucleus.  Just in contact with NGC 3226 at the NW tip, with the cores separated by 2.3'.  Brightest of three with NGC 3222 13' W.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly bright, elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.  This Seyfert galaxy forms a contact system with NGC 3226 2' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3227 = H. II-29, along with NGC 3226, on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146).  See notes for NGC 3226.
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NGC 3228 = ESO 214-001 = Cr 218
10 21 22  -51 43 24; Vel
V = 6.0;  Size 18'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): bright, 15' open cluster in Vela.  Prominent in 9x50 finder and easy in 10x30 IS binoculars.  The main portion consists of 9 mag 8-10 stars.  Scattered about are a few additional mag 9 and 10 stars in a 15' field.  Perhaps 3 dozen stars total are within the boundary, though besides the bright stars the remaining are mostly mag 13-14 and appear to be a random background scattering of stars in a rich Milky Way field.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3228 = Lac II-7 = D 386 = h3245 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x.  He called it a "heap of four or five stars, very small and compressed."

James Dunlop observed the cluster twice outside Sydney, Australia (first on 9 May 1826) and reported "11 Roboris Caroli. A group of 8 or 10 pretty bright small stars, with very small stars, about 6' diameter."  On 6 Apr 1834 (sweep 438), John Herschel called this "a group of 9 large, and a few scattered small stars."
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NGC 3229
10 23 24.3  +00 03 54; Sex
V = 13.6/15.8;  Size 9"

= **, Corwin.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 3229 = HN 16 on 31 Mar 1850 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He simply noted a "faint nebulous object", but at his exact position is a double star at 10 23 24.3 +00 03 54.  The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 009-008 as NGC 3229.  This galaxy is located 1.6 min of RA west and 12' north of Coolidge's position. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3230 = UGC 5624 = MCG +02-27-007 = CGCG 065-020 = WBL 266-002 = PGC 30463
10 23 44.0  +12 33 59; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 115°

48" (5/8/21): at 375x; bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.6'.  Strong concentration with a bright core and stellar nucleus.  The beginning root of a curving spiral arm is on the WNW end and a less defined counterpart on the ESE end.  A mag 11.3 star is attached on the south side, just 0.3' from center.

UGC 5625 lies 3.9' NNE and it appeared fairly faint, moderately large, oval 5:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.4', slightly brighter core, low surface brightness. 

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a small bright core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Unusual appearance with a mag 10 star superimposed at the south edge.

UGC 5625, situated 4' NNE, appeared very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star lies 1.1' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3230 = h705 on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242) and wrote, "a triple star in nebula, a fourth star suspected."  The next night he logged, "A very close D* of the first class involved in a nebulous wisp. 'A most curious, delicate and interesting object'."

In 1885, Herbert Sadler of England claimed to detect a change in the position (proper motion) relative to a nearby double star.  Dreyer replied that there was no evidence of motion.
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NGC 3231
10 26 58  +66 48 42; UMa
Size 2.5'

18" (3/5/05): 16 stars are visible in an 8' region.  The stars are distributed into two groups oriented NW-SE.  The northwest group stands out more distinctly as it is a bit richer and more compact (~2.5' diameter) and contains a mag 11.5/13 pair at 18".  The sparser SE group also contains a mag 13 pair at 17".  At the SE edge of the 225x field (9' SE of the NW grouping) is mag 7.9 HD 90318.  Listed as an asterism in the RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3231 = h704 on 3 Apr 1832 (sweep 412) and recorded "A cluster of 20 stars more or less, 10,11, and 12m, scattered over a space of 10' dia. A star 7m south."  Heinrich d'Arrest noted the principal star was double.  This group is apparently an asterism although it stands out well on the DSS, being detached from the surrounding field.
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NGC 3232 = MCG +05-25-004 = CGCG 154-008 = PGC 30508
10 24 24.3  +28 01 40; LMi
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 2.5' NE of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3235 7.7' E.

On the SDSS, this is a superposed (merging?) pair of galaxies, though it was not seen as double.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3232, along with NGC 3235, on 29 Dec 1861.  His single position is less than 1' to the SSE and his description mentions a mag 11-12 star is 150" southwest). So the identification is certain.
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NGC 3233 = ESO 568-001 = MCG -04-25-004 = LGG 195-002 = AM 1019-220 = PGC 30336
10 21 57.5  -22 16 04; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

17.5" (4/13/02): faint, small, elongated nearly 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6', irregular surface brightness.  There is possibly a very faint envelope surrounding the main bar.  Located 16' NNE of mag 6.5 HD 89828.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3233 = LM 1-172 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min of time west of ESO 568-001.  Herbert Howe's corrected position (given in the IC 2 Notes section) is accurate.
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NGC 3234 = NGC 3235? = UGC 5635 = MCG +05-25-007 = CGCG 154-010 = PGC 30553
10 24 59.3  +28 01 26; LMi

See observing notes for NGC 3235.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3234 = h706 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and noted "pB; R: pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"."  There is nothing at his position, though his brightness estimate of "pB" implies a duplicate observation (with a bad position) of a reasonably bright galaxy.  In the GC, JH mentioned it might be a comet.

This object was not found in six attempts at Birr Castle (1852-56), and Reinmuth and Carlson also reported it as not found, based on photographic searches.  In the NGC Notes section, Dreyer states that NGC 3234 is probably identical to NGC 3235 with a 1 degree error in declination.  In the IC 1 notes, though, Dreyer states that NGC 3234 ≠ NGC 3235, as both were seen by William Frederick Denning.  Nevertheless, Corwin concludes "NGC 3234 is almost certainly = NGC 3235."
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NGC 3235 = NGC 3234? = UGC 5635 = MCG +05-25-007 = CGCG 154-010 = PGC 30553
10 24 59.3  +28 01 26; LMi
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 3.1' NNW.  Brightest in a group with NGC 3232 7.7' W and IC 2572 4.7' NNE.  IC 2572 appeared extremely faint, small, very elongated ~N-S, although difficult to determine exact orientation as could only glimpse.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3235, along with NGC 3232, on 29 Dec 1861.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 5635 = PGC 30553 and he noted a mag 15 star precedes by 5.7 seconds of time, at a separation of 195" [SSW].  NGC 3234 is probably a duplicate (earlier) observation by JH with an erroneous position.  See notes for NGC 3234.
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NGC 3236 = MCG +10-15-081 = CGCG 290-040 = PGC 30711
10 26 48.5  +61 16 23; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 0.75'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 52°

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' ESE and a mag 12 star 2.8' SE.  Located 4.0' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3236 = h707 on 25 Mar 1832 (sweep 406) and recorded "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 8"; 2 st 11 and 12m follow."
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NGC 3237 = UGC 5640 = MCG +07-22-003 = CGCG 212-007 = PGC 30610
10 25 43.3  +39 38 47; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/13/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, brighter core.  An uneven mag 12/14 double is 3' N and trailing from this pair is a string of three mag 10.5-11.5 (total length including double of 10').

William Herschel discovered NGC 3237 = H. III-631 = h709 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "vF, vS.  With 300 the same."  Caroline's reduced position is 6' SSE of UGC 5640, but there are no other nearby candidates.  On 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335) John Herschel reported, "pF; R; S; pretty gradually brighter middle; 10-12" dia."  His position is marked as very uncertain, but his dec is just 1' south of UGC 5640.
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NGC 3238 = UGC 5649 = MCG +10-15-080 = CGCG 290-041 = PGC 30686
10 26 43.0  +57 13 35; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, even concentration with brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with MCG +10-15-079 5.4' NW.  NGC 3220 lies 27' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3238 = H. II-883 = h708 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "faint, small, round, brighter middle."  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) John Herschel reported "Not vF; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20" [diameter]."
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NGC 3239 = Arp 263 = VV 95 = UGC 5637 = MCG +03-27-025 = CGCG 094-038 = PGC 30560
10 25 05.5  +17 09 35; Leo
V = 11.3;  Size 5.0'x3.3';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 80°

48" (5/4/16): NGC 3239 was examined at 488x, specifically looking for the two tidal tails not seen in the previous observation with Lowrey's 48".  A very faint curving tail or hook (identified as "Tail A" in Krienke & Hodge's 1990 paper "The structure of the irregular galaxy, NGC 3239") was seen extending from the very bright HII knot (VV 95b) on the SE side.  It curved clockwise to the SE in the direction of a mag 15.8 star [2' ESE of the mag 10 superimposed star].

Beyond the W end of the main glow is a fairly wide, very low surface brightness glow (the start of "Tail B") in the direction of a mag 12.5 star (2.4' due W of the bright star); it sweeps broadly towards the S.  A narrow extension heads SW and ends at a faint HII knot, perhaps 6" diameter, which is identified in NED as NGC 3239:[HK83] 75 and 80.

48" (2/19/12): NGC 3239 = Arp 263 is a large, disrupted irregular, dominated by numerous HII regions.  It was a fascinating sight at 488x.  A mag 10 star is superimposed on the SW side of the galaxy with the patchy, highly irregular surface brightness glow of the galaxy extending mainly N and E of the star.

A very bright, round knot of ~15" diameter is prominent on the SE side of the galaxy.  This HII complex is catalogued as VV 95b in NED and as region #6 and #10 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of HII Regions in 125 Galaxies".  A faint star or knot is attached on the N side.  A "star" recorded just off the W side of this knot turned out to be supernova SN 2012A, discovered on 7 Jan 2012, still currently around 14th magnitude.  Very faint haze extends SE of VV 95b, but the "tail" structure was not seen.  

Along the N side of the galaxy (elongated E-W) are several additional knots.  About 30" due N of VV 95B is HK[83] #3 and #4.  This close pair of knots appeared as a faint, small, irregular glow, ~6" diameter.  Patchy haze is just W, but with no condensed spots. Further W, and 40" due N of the mag 10 star, is a moderately bright, small, round knot, ~10" diameter that has several [HK83] entries (#28/29/31/34).  To the W of this knot, the glow of the galaxy ends near [HK83] #57/58, a faint low surface brightness knot that is elongated N-S.

18" (3/28/09): moderately bright and large, irregular shape and mottled appearance, elongated ~2:1 E-W, ~1.0'x0.5'.  A mag 9.5 star is superimposed on the SW side with the brighter portion of the galaxy extending to the E. A bright HII knot (VV 95B) of ~20" diameter is at the SE end.  The galaxy has a patchy surface brightness with an ill-defined, irregular halo.  A number of fainter galaxies are in the field (background cluster) including CGCG 94-42 2.9' SE, CGCG 94-40 4.8' N, CGCG 94-43 6.3' NNE, UGC 5639 8' NE, CGCG 94-39 8.5' N, CGCG 94-46 8.5' SE.

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, very unusual appearance as a mag 9 star (BD+17 2217) is superimposed on the S or SW side.  An unusually bright knot is following the bright star by 51" on the SE side of the galaxy. This is VV 95b, an HII/star-forming knot.  The galaxy appears to extend to the W from this knot.  The galaxy exhibits an irregular surface brightness with edges difficult to define as it fades into the background.  The halo is more extensive to the N with averted vision.  About 2' NW and 2' W are two mag 11 and 12 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3239 = H. IV-10 = h710 = h3246 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "A pretty considerable star, with a milky vF brush after it.  The position of the brush is about 15 or 20° nf.  With 240 I saw 2 vF stars towards the confines of the brush; but they seemed to have no connection with it.  The bright star is the following one of a triangle, the preceding stars of which are a little smaller.  It precedes a large star 3 1/2 min of time and is 2' more north."

John Herschel made two observations: On sweep 63 (25 Mar 1827), he recorded "A star 9th mag, with a very faint nebula. The star is excentric, and has another star following at extreme edges." The "star following" seems to refer to the H II region VV 95b.

10 observations were made at Birr Castle, with knots in NGC 3239 mentioned several times.  On 10 Jan 1856, R.J. Mitchell commented "A knot north of the star and another nff, the space between them and the star is filled with faint mottled nebulosity.  A star suspected in np end of the following knot.  A very faint nebula suspected following?".  The last comment probably refers to CGCG 094-042, which is 3' ESE.

On the POSS, the bright knot on the southeast end seems like it could be an interacting galaxy but on the SDSS it looks like a large, blue HII region.  Also the area immediately north seems dusty.  Contains unusual asymmetric arcs to the south as if very disturbed.  This galaxy has a listed redshift of only 0.0025, while the surrounding galaxies (6 viewed on 3/28/09) have a redshift of z = .044.
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NGC 3240 = ESO 568-003 = MCG -04-25-007 = LGG 195-003 = PGC 30515
10 24 30.6  -21 47 28; Hya
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 78°

17.5" (2/22/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 0.8' SSE of center just outside the halo.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3240 = h3247 on 20 Mar 1835 and reported "eF; S; R; near a star."  His position from two sweeps matches ESO 568-003.
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NGC 3241 = ESO 436-016 = MCG -05-25-002 = PGC 30498
10 24 16.9  -32 28 58; Ant
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 123°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.3'x1.0'.  Weak concentration with no distinguishable core.  A mag 11 star is close off the NW edge, 1.4' from center and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star.  Scattered groups of mag 10 stars lie ~20' E and a similar distance west.  Outlying member of the Antlia cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3241 = h3249 on 16 Feb 1836 and logged "F pmE gradually little brighter middle; has a *11m north preceding."  His position is 1' N of ESO 436-016 and the description matches.
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NGC 3242 = PK 261+32.1 = ESO 568-5 = PN G261.0+32.0 = Eye Nebula = The Ghost of Jupiter = The CBS Eye
10 24 46.1  -18 38 32; Hya
V = 7.3;  Size 40"x35"

82" (5/4/19): at 400x; fairly prominent wings or handles were visible on both ends of the major axis of the inner lens.  Both "handles" extended well into the halo and greatly increased the length of the bright lens, which showed a couple of brighter interior knots.  The halo was surrounded by an obvious outer shell.

48" (4/18/15 and 5/1/19): In addition to the structure previously noted, the sharply defined inner ring clearly has lower surface brightness extensions at the NW and SE end, creating an lens outline.  The bulge on the NW end is a bit larger and brighter, while the SE end of the ring has a slightly brighter knot.

Two galaxies are nearby.  PGC 155202, 3.9' SSW of NGC 3242, was fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", very weak concentration.  A mag 11.2 star lies 1.9' NE.  PGC 155215, 3.4' SE of NGC 3242, was faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 15"x12", low surface brightness.  A mag 14 star lies 0.6' WNW and a mag 10 star is 2' E.

48" (2/18/12 and 5/14/12): at 814x, the multiple ring structure was remarkable.  The small, dark central hole and bright central star was surrounded by a beautiful inner lens, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x15".  This vivid turquoise lens was brighter at the ends of the major axis (particularly the NW side) and bulges out with an extension on the NW end.  Surrounding the lens was a broader halo or shell with a rounder outline, ~45"x35" NW-SE.  This shell had a distinctive light pink or salmon color.  Highlighting the very edge of this shell is an extremely thin, slightly brighter greenish ring.  A low surface brightness outer halo surrounds the planetary.

48" (4/1/11): stunning view at 488x with a high contrast, high surface brightness double ring structure and an outer third shell.  The small inner lens has an electric turquoise color and is elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x15".  At the southeast end of the major axis of the inner ring is a well-defined, bright knot.  The irregular inner ring is also brighter and thicker along the northwest end, though not as bright or sharply defined as the southeast knot.  The dim central portion is punctuated by the bright central star.  The outer ring is rounder and extends ~45"x35" NW-SE, with the limb unevenly lit.  The greenish color is not as intense in the outer ring.  Between the two main rings the nebulosity has a pinkish hue.  The main structure was surrounded by a low surface brightness outer halo, at least 1.5' diameter, which significantly increased the total size!

18" (4/9/05): at 435x, the double shell structure was prominent and exhibited filametary structure outside the inner ring.

17.5" (3/25/00): this beautiful PN has a very high surface brightness and a bluish color at 100x.  The view at 280x-380x was stunning with a well-defined double shell structure.  The bright, narrow inner ring is surrounded by a second fainter oval envelope.  Inside the bright lens is a dark, 10" donut-hole with a faint central star marking the center.  In moments of steady seeing, the inner ring has a hard-edge and the central star is easier.

17.5" (1/31/87): at 415x appears very bright, fairly small, bluish color, central star is visible.  Prominent double lens structure with a bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell.  Stunning at high power with a striking "eye" appearance with a darker center.

13.1" (many dates 3/24/84 to 4/10/86): very bright, bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell.  At 350x there is a darker center to the inner lens and the central star is visible almost continuously. Superb view at 535x in excellent seeing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3242 = H. IV-27 = h3248 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368).  He description reads, "A beautiful, very brilliant globe of light; a little hazy on the edges, but the haziness goes off very suddenly. I suppose it to be from 30 to 40" in diameter, perhaps a very little elliptical. The light of it seems to be all over of the uniform intensity of a star of the 9th magnitude.  The haziness of the edges does not exceed the 20th part of the diameter." The same night he discovered the planetary NGC 4361 in Corvus as as well as the Antennae Galaxy (NGC 4038/4039).  On a second observation on 29 Mar 1786 (sweep 542) he called it "a most beautiful object, of a uniform white light."   His published summary description for IV-27 reads "Beautiful, brilliant, planetary disk, ill defined, but uniformly bright, the light of the colour of Jupiter. 40" diameter. Second observation, near 1' diameter by estimation."  This description led to to the nickname "Ghost of Jupiter" (see below).

William Lassell observed NGC 3242 on 12 Mar 1853 with his 24-inch equatorial reflector on Malta and noted "a brilliant light blue colour with slight green tinge." The double ring structure was described at Birr Castle, as well as the northwest extension of the inner ring. On 6 Apr 1863 Samuel Hunter logged,"Outer ring is brightest north and south and fainter preceding, but vF on sf side, it does not appear so blue as the inner and brighter one....The little projection of np end of the bright ring is very marked." E.E. Barnard and Sherburne Burnham observed the planetary with the 36-inch at Lick Observatory on 25 Feb 1889.  Barnard described in his logbook "a glowing star in center of dark space, this in in parallelogram or diamond shape () of beautiful bluish green.  This in an elliptical rose colored disc."  James Keeler's sketch on 30 Mar 1891 with the 36-inch shows both extensions of the inner ring along the major axis.

Sir William Huggins observed an emission line spectrum in 1865 and it was confirmed by Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, in 1868 while stationed in Bangalore, India. Huggins also examined it with his 8" refractor and reported "Powers of 600 and 920 diameters showed that the nebula is annular.  It appears to consist of an oval ring of brighter matter surrounded by a broad margin of faint nebulosity.  The area enclosed by the ring is filled with faintly luminous matter.  The faint nebuosity surrounding the ring appears circular, or nearly so, suggesting the ring, seen obliquely from our system, extists with a globular mass of faint nebuous material."

Admiral Smyth noted the planetary "resembles Jupiter" in his "Cycle of Celestial Objects" (1844), following Herschel’s published description.  The specific moniker "Ghost of Jupiter" was first used by Captain William Noble in the 1882 issue of Knowledge. He wrote "It will be a seen as a pale-blue disc, looking just like the ghost of Jupiter." The description was repeated in his book "Hours with a Three-Inch Telescope" (London and New York, 1886). In his 1909 book "In Starland with a Three-Inch telescope” William Tyler Olcott also stated "It will be seen like a pale blue disk, like a ghost of jupiter" 

Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "the inner, roughly elliptical ring with its slightly fainter extensions is about 26"x16" in pa 145°.  The outer and considerably fainter oval disk is 40"x35", and shows faint ring or shell effects at its edges.
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NGC 3243 = UGC 5652 = MCG +00-27-012 = CGCG 009-003 = PGC 30655
10 26 21.4  -02 37 20; Sex
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 125°

17.5" (3/29/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, moderate concentration to a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus (possibly offset from center).  Located 1.5' SE of a mag 10.5 star and a similar star is 4' NNE.  IC 609 lies 27' NNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3243 = Sw. 3-54 on 2 Apr 1886 and noted "vF; S; little extended; between a pB and a vF *."  His position is 10 tsec west and 1' south of UGC 5652 and the description fits.
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NGC 3244 = ESO 317-024 = MCG -07-22-005 = PGC 30594
10 25 28.9  -39 49 41; Ant
V = 12.3;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, very diffuse, almost round.  A mag 11 star is 1.9' N.  Located 14' NW of NGC 3250.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3244 = h4019 on 22 Apr 1835 and recorded "vF; above a * 11m, dist 1.5'."  It was included in a "supplementary nebulae" list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) which Dreyer identified as "h o n" ([John] Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.  His position and description matches ESO 317-024.
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NGC 3245 = UGC 5663 = MCG +05-25-013 = CGCG 154-017 = LGG 197-002 = PGC 30744
10 27 18.4  +28 30 26; LMi
V = 10.8;  Size 3.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 177°

24" (4/1/24): at 327x; very bright, large, elongated at least 2:1 N-S, ~2.0'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core (somewhat elongated). The core increased to an intense, quasi-stellar nucleus.

The superthin NGC 3245A 9' NNW was a very faint, ghostly sliver at least 10:1 NNW-SSE, very low surface brightness with a weak central concentration. It was generally visible with averted and concentration. The galaxy nearly "points" to a mag 12.6 star 2' NW of centerand a mag 13.3 star is less than 2' N of the NNW tip.

14.5" (4/13/23): at 158x and 226x; fairly bright, oval at least 3:2 N-S, ~2.0' x 1.25'.  Sharp and strong concentration with a very bright elongated core that increases to a stellar or nearly stellar peak

17.5" (3/29/97): bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 2.2'x1.3'.  Unusually bright 30" core, increases to a very small but nonstellar nucleus.  The faint edge-on NGC 3245A lies 8.8' NNW.  Brightest in a small, loose group (LGG  197) that incudes NGC 3245A, 3254, 3265 and 3277.

NGC 3245A appeared extremely faint, thin edge-on 7:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x0.3'.  Required averted vision and concentration to glimpse, no noticeable concentration.  Surprisingly low surface brightness and I might not have noticed it if I wasn't aware of the position. The major axis points just north of a mag 11.5 star 2.1' NW of center. Also a mag 12 star is 2.4' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3245 = H. I-86 = h711 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  His description reads "considerably bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, the greatest brightness a little elongated."  John Herschel made five observations, calling the galaxy "very bright" on four of his sweeps.
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NGC 3246 = UGC 5661 = MCG +01-27-009 = CGCG 037-037 = PGC 30684
10 26 41.8  +03 51 43; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 100°

17.5" (3/25/00): faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 E-W, broad weak concentration, 1.5'x1.0'.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5-12.5 stars 2.8' SW and 3.0' SSW of center.  Located 9' SW of mag 6.7 SAO 118299.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3246 = h712 on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "eF; S; R: two stars, 10 and 11m sp, dist 90"."  HIs position and description matches UGC 5661.
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NGC 3247 = ESO 127-18 = Westerlund 2 = OCL-807 + Gum 29 = RCW 49
10 24 13  -57 45 48; Car
Size 6'x4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 230x): NGC 3247 consists of a compact cluster (often referred to as Westerlund 2), one of the most massive young star clusters known in the Milky Way, and a large, irregular H II region (Gum 22 = RCW 49) with star-forming pillars similar to the Eagle Nebula.  At 230x, the cluster extended ~1.5', but the richest part was a dense, elongated clump only 45" long with a half-dozen tightly packed mag 13.5-14 stars resolved in an WNW-ESE string.  Off the SW side is mag 13.5 WR 20a, one of the most massive binary systems (both superluminous O3-type stars).  The cluster is situated 12' N of mag 5.8 HD 90289.

At 145x, fairly faint emission haze was easily visible in an irregular 2.5' region just to the east of Westerlund 2. A mag 12 star is embedded near the center of the nebula, a mag 11.5 star is just off the north edge and a few additional stars are involved.  Adding a NPB filter, RCW 49 transformed into a fairly bright, irregular nebula!  The brightest part (centered on the star) was roughly circular with a well-defined northern boundary, but it spread further south and southwest to a ~4'x3' region.

Cr 220 (often misidentified as NGC 3247) is located ~15' SE of the NGC 3247 complex in the same low power field.  Roughly three dozen stars were resolved at 145x in a 6' circle, with the central part slightly condensed.  The brightest mag 9.8 star is at the north end with a mag 12 companion [13" separation].  A small quadrilateral of mag 13-13.5 stars [sides 14", 14", 18", 17"] is on the southwest side.  No involved nebulosity was seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3247 = h3250 on 1 Apr 1834 and described "a curious object. Stars involved in evident nebula."  The next sweep he logged, "there is a nebulous appearance, which merits re-examination. Observed much past meridian, and no reliance on the PD [polar distance]."  A third observation only has a very approximate polar distance. His rough (mean) position is 10 24.8 -57 51 (2000).  Joseph Turner unsuccessfully searched for this object using the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 12 Feb 1879, as well as Pietro Baracchi on three different occasions, perhaps due to Herschel's poor position.

Using a Harvard plate, DeLisle Stewart identified NGC 3247 at 10 23 58 -57 48.5 (2000), and Dreyer repeated this position in the IC 2 notes.  Brian Skiff places NGC 3247 more accurately at 10 24 01 -57 45.6, corresponding with ESO 127-SC18 = Westerlund 2.  This compact cluster (~1.5' dia) is embedded in the HII region RCW 49 = Gum 29, which spreads out ~10' in size.  ESO and Lynga misidentify Cr 220 as NGC 3247.  This group of stars is 1.0 tmin following and 5' south of Herschel's position.
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NGC 3248 = UGC 5669 = MCG +04-25-020 = CGCG 124-024 = PGC 30776
10 27 45.4  +22 50 49; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8x0.4, sharp concentration with a bright prominent core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' S of center.  Located 6.5' S of mag 9.1 SAO 81359.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3248 = H. II-347 = h713 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "pB, S, bM, r."  His position is a good match with UGC 5669.  John Herschel observed it on 3 sweeps, calling it "F" on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59) and "pB" on 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 244). The Slough Catalogue has a typo; read H. II-347 for H. II-374.  He corrected the error in the General Catalogue.
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NGC 3249 = ESO 375-024 = MCG -06-23-028 = LGG 203-001 = PGC 30657
10 26 22.1  -34 57 50; Ant
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 139°

18" (4/10/04): extremely faint, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter.  Requires averted vision and concentration to glimpse a very low surface brightness circular patch with no details.  Located 4.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star. Member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3249 = h3251 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "eF; pL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 60"."  His position matches ESO 375-024 = PGC 30657.
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NGC 3250 = ESO 317-026 = MCG -07-22-007 = LGG 199-005 = PGC 30671
10 26 32.3  -39 56 39; Ant
V = 11.1;  Size 2.8'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 148°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core.  A mag 12 star is 3.8' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3244 14' NW.  Brightest in a group (LGG 199) including NGC 3250E (PGC 30865) and NGC 3318.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3250 = h3252 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"; has a * 13m nf."  His position (measured accurately on 4 other sweeps) and description matches ESO 317-026 = PGC 30671.
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NGC 3251 = IC 2579 = UGC 5684 = MCG +04-25-023 = CGCG 124-029 = Holm 195a = PGC 30892
10 29 16.8  +26 05 57; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 2.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 55°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, weak concentration.  Located 7' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 81378.  A group of three stars are SW including a mag 10 star 3.4' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3251 on 19 Feb 1862 and recorded "vF, pL, 3 bright star precede to the south." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min of time following is UGC 5684, and his description pins down the identification.

Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 2 Apr 1900 and assumed it was new.  His position for J. 3-1158 (later IC 2579) is accurate.  Dreyer must have realized the possible equivalence with NGC 3251 as he added the note "?3251" to the description of IC 2579.  UGC labels this galaxy IC 2579.
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NGC 3252 = UGC 5732 = MCG +12-10-049 = CGCG 333-039 = PGC 31278
10 34 22.6  +73 45 51; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE.  The double star STF 1437 = 7.6/10.4 at 23" lies 5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3252 = H. III-316 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "eF, mE, pL, r."  Caroline's reduced position is 6.5' northwest of UGC 5732, though in the GC, John Herschel noted "Caroline's reduction of this nebula being affected with a considerable error, Auwer's RA is adopted, after verification."  But the GC/NGC position is even forther off in RA (too far west by 2.0 min of time). 

An accurate position was given in MN, 71, 509 (based on the Greenwich plate to determine positions on the sweep of 2 Apr 1801).  UGC does not label its entry (UGC 5732) as NGC 3252.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3253 = UGC 5674 = MCG +02-27-021 = CGCG 065-043 = PGC 30829
10 28 27.4  +12 42 14; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  Located 3' S of a mag 10.8 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3253 = Sw. 3-55 on 27 Apr 1886 and noted "vF, pS, R."  His position is 6 tsec west and 1' south of UGC 5674 = PGC 30829.  Spitaler measured an accurate RA in 1891.
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NGC 3254 = UGC 5685 = MCG +05-25-018 = CGCG 154-020 = LGG 197-003 = PGC 30895
10 29 19.9  +29 29 30; LMi
V = 11.7;  Size 5.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 46°

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x0.8', sharp concentration with small oval core surrounded by faint unconcentrated extensions, occasional very faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 2.9' W and a pair of mag 10 stars at 1.2' separation follows by 6'.  Member of the NGC 3245 group (LGG 197)

William Herschel discovered NGC 3254 = H. I-72 = h714 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and recorded "cB, cL, E, much brighter in the middle.  The brightness [core] also extended."  John Herschel made a total of 3 observations.  Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell noted, "dark spaces suspected", in his 20 Mar 1854 observation at Birr Castle.
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NGC 3255 = ESO 127-20 = Cr 221
10 26 31  -60 40 42; Car
V = 11.0;  Size 2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): small, glowing spot only 1' diameter at 145x.  A half-dozen stars are resolved over haze at 178x. A mag 12.5-13 star is at the southeast edge and a mag 13.5 star is on the south side of the main clump.  Most of the others are mag 14-14.5.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3255 = h3253 on 4 Feb 1835 (sweep 543) and described "a very compressed knot or cluster of milky way stars, 4' in diameter, somewhat insulated from the rest. Stars .. 15th mag."  Pietro Baracchi wrote "a knot of stars 15m amidst the multitude of stars of the Milky Way - no properly a cluster.  Rather a group hardly more conspicuous than many other groups of stars hereabout." (28 Jan 1886, Melbourne telescope). This small cluster shows up fairly well on the DSS.
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NGC 3256 = ESO 263-038 = VV 65 = AM 1025-433 = MCG -07-22-010 = LGG 198-001 = PGC 30785
10 27 51.1  -43 54 19; Vel
V = 11.5;  Size 3.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 100°

25" (4/1/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, very large, oval 4:3 NW-SE, ~1.6'x1.2', pretty sharply concentrated with a very bright relatively large core that appears off-center.  The halo is irregular in brightness.  The tidal plumes extending east from the north end and stretching west were not seen in dewy conditions.

NGC 3256C, a highly disrupted galaxy (interacting with NGC 3256) situated 14' ENE, appeared fairly faint, roundish, ~35"-40" diameter. Fairly low but uneven surface brightness, weak concentration.  Situated 4' E of mag 6.7 HD 90898.  The galaxy is just east of semi-circular chain of stars on the east side of HD 90898.  The chain includes three double stars as well as a triple! 

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this disturbed galaxy appeared as a moderately bright and large oval, extended 3:2 NW-SE with dimensions 1.6'x1.2'.  It contained a fairly bright 1' round core embedded in a very faint halo.  NGC 3256 is the furthest north and the brightest in a group of Vela galaxies stretching south to NGC 3261, located 46' to the SSE.

NGC 3256 is a member of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster and possible outlying member of the Antlia Cluster (9 degrees north).  This cluster was first catalogued as Klemola 12.  On photographs NGC 3256 is a chaotic system that appears to be undergoing a spectacular merger with long tidal tails.  This starburst galaxy is a luminous infrared source (LIRG) with X-ray emission.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3256 = h3254 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "bright, round, gradually much brighter middle, 25"."  His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 263-038.  Joseph Turner observed it on 24 Feb 1879 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and noted "it is considerably elongated, the densest section being towards the north-following extremlty, the faint section extending in the south-preceding direction."
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NGC 3257 = ESO 375-036 = MCG -06-23-031 = LGG 203-004 = PGC 30849
10 28 47.1  -35 39 29; Ant
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (3/17/07): faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration with no definite core.  Faintest of trio with NGC 3258 3.4' NNE and NGC 3260 5.4' NE in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3257 = h3255 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "vF; vS; R; suddenly brighter middle; 10".  The preceding of a group [with NGC 3258 and 3260]."  His mean position (3 observations) matches ESO 375-036.
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NGC 3258 = ESO 375-037 = MCG -06-23-032 = LGG 196-008 = PGC 30859
10 28 53.6  -35 36 20; Ant
V = 11.5;  Size 2.9'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 75°

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~1.7'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright core which increases to the center, very faint outer halo.  A mag 13 star is at the NW side of the halo (50" from center).  Brightest in trio with NGC 3260 2.6' ENE and NGC 3257 3.4' SSW

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A pair of stars are near north.  Forms a pair with NGC 3260 2.6' E in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3258 = h3256 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; suddenly brighter middle; 12"."  He observed this galaxy (along with NGC 3257 and 3258) on 4 nights.
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NGC 3259 = UGC 5717 = MCG +11-13-027 = CGCG 313-021 = PGC 31145
10 32 34.8  +65 02 28; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, oval elongated SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration.  Located 10' WNW of mag 8.4 SAO 15220.  NGC 3266 lies 20' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3259 = H. II-870 = h715 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and logged "F, S, irregularly round, almost of equal light throughout." On 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 411), John Herschel noted "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 18"."
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NGC 3260 = ESO 375-040 = MCG -06-23-033 = LGG 200-001 = PGC 30875
10 29 06.4  -35 35 43; Ant
V = 12.6;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 2°

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 0.5'x0.3', slightly brighter core.  A mag 12.5 star is attached at the south end.  In a small triio with NGC 3258 2.6' WSW and NGC 3257 5.4' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): very faint, small, oval.  A mag 12 star is attached at the south end 0.4' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3258 2.6' W.  Member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3260 = h3257, along with NGC 3257 and 3258 on 2 May 1834 (sweep 447) and recorded "eF; vS; R; slbM; 6"."  He recorded 4 observations.

Lewis Swift likely found this galaxy on 30 Dec 1897 and reported Sw. 11-108 as "eeeF; eeS; R; eF * in contact; [south-preceding] of 3267."  Herbert Howe examined Swift's position in 1900 and found "[NGC] 3257, 3258 and 3260 are in the same field, and I measured them all on the same night, but could not see Swift 108, which is supposed to be close by. 3260 has a star of mag 11.5 about 20" south, and Swift 108 is said to have an "eF * in contact."  Since the position and description of Swift 108 agree closely with those of 3260, I judge them to be identical."  As a result Dreyer didn't assign Swift's 11-108 an IC designation.  Harold Corwin comments on inconsistencies in Swift's earlier discovery lists.  Swift wrote "p[receding] of 2" in his 6th discovery list from Lowe in MNRAS and "f[ollowing] of 2" in Popular Astronomy. Then he included it again in his 7th discovery in MNRAS as the "sp of 2"!  Assuming he found NGC 3260, it closely follows NGC 3258, though technically "sp of 3267" is correct.
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NGC 3261 = ESO 263-040 = MCG -07-22-015 = LGG 198-003 = PGC 30868
10 29 01.4  -44 39 25; Vel
V = 11.2;  Size 3.7'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 85°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~WSW-ENE, 1.4'x0.7', weak concentration.  Bracketed between two mag 12 stars at the SW and NE ends (separation 2.6').  Located 4' SE of a mag 10 star in a rich Vela starfield.  NGC 3261 is in a subgroup of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster (brightest member NGC 3256) and is 9° south of the rich Antlia Cluster (but has the same redshift).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3261 = h3258 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; S; R: 15"; entangled among 2 or 3 stars, but is certainly a nebula."  His position matches ESO 263-040.
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NGC 3262 = ESO 263-042 = MCG -07-22-017 = LGG 204-001 = PGC 30876
10 29 06.2  -44 09 35; Vel
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 108°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ENE, 30"x25", low even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3263 2.6' NNE in a group (Klemola 12).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3262 = h3260 on 2 Feb 1835 (along with NGC 3263) and recorded "eF; S; R."  His position is 2.4' too far south.
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NGC 3263 = ESO 263-043 = AM 1027-435 = MCG -07-22-018 = LGG 204-002 = PGC 30887
10 29 13.4  -44 07 22; Vel
V = 11.9;  Size 5.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 103°

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, broad weak concentration.  A faint star is at the WNW tip.  Forms a distorted, interacting pair (a faint plume extends E) with NGC 3262 2.6' SSW.  Brightest member of the Klemola 12 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3263 = h3260 on 3 Feb 1835 (along with NGC 3262) and recorded "F; mE in pos = 280° +/- [WNW-ESE]; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"."
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NGC 3264 = UGC 5719 = MCG +09-17-069 = CGCG 266-054 = LGG 201-003 = PGC 31125
10 32 19.7  +56 05 00; UMa
V = 12.0;  Size 2.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 177°

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.6'x1.0'.  Appears as a diffuse glow with no concentration.  Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star at the SW end 0.8' from the center and a mag 13 star just off the ENE side 1.0' from center.  A brighter mag 11 star lies 3.8' N.  Located 16' ENE of 36 Ursa Majoris (V = 4.8).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3264 = h716 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) and noted "eF; between 2 small stars."  His position and description matches UGC 5719.
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NGC 3265 = UGC 5705 = MCG +05-25-019 = CGCG 154-023 = WAS 12 = LGG 197-004 = PGC 31029
10 31 06.8  +28 47 48; LMi
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 73°

17.5" (4/25/92): faint, small, round, weak even concentration, bright core.  Forms a close "double" with a mag 14.5 star just off the ESE edge and 0.6' from center.  Member of the NGC 3245 Group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3265 = H. III-349 = h718 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  His description reads, "Suspected, 240x showed a few small stars with seeming nebulosity, and I rather suppose it to be a patch."  His position was 8 seconds of time too small and 2' too far north.  John Herschel made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3266 = UGC 5725 = MCG +11-13-030 = CGCG 313-022 = PGC 31198
10 33 17.6  +64 44 57; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated small bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3259 lies 20' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3266 = H. II-871 = h717 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and noted "F, vS, much brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 5725.  On 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 717), John Herschel wrote, "vF; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; almost to a star."
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NGC 3267 = ESO 375-042 = MCG -06-23-036 = LGG 202-001 = PGC 30934
10 29 48.5  -35 19 21; Ant
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 148°

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3268 2.5' E.  Also A1027-35B = PGC 30939 lies 3.3' S.  First of five in a 10' field in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3267 = h3262 on 18 Apr 1835 (along with NGC 3268) and recorded "eF; vS; R.  By a diagram made out of the meridian in which 4 nebulae are delineated, two of them being those determined in sweep 446, Nos. 6 and 7."  His position is 1.7' south of ESO 375-042.
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NGC 3268 = ESO 375-045 = MCG -06-23-041 = LGG 196-009 = PGC 30949
10 30 00.7  -35 19 32; Ant
V = 11.5;  Size 3.5'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 71°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, round, brighter core.  Fourth of five in the field within the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636) with NGC 3267 2' W, NGC 3269 6.0' N, NGC 3271 5.7' ESE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3268 = h3263 on 18 Apr 1835 (along with NGC 3267) and noted "F; S; R.  By a diagram made out of meridian..."  His position is 2.7' south of ESO 375-045.  The position was corrected by de Vaucouleurs in Mem. Commonwealth Obs., (Mt. Stromlo), No. 13, 1956.
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NGC 3269 = ESO 375-044 = MCG -06-23-040 = LGG 202-002 = PGC 30945
10 29 56.9  -35 13 29; Ant
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 8°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S.  Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star at the SE end 0.7' from center and a mag 14.5 star at the NW end 0.5' from center.  Located 6' N of NGC 3268.  A mag 10.5 star is 2.5' NNW.  Third of five in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3269 = h3264 on 1 May 1834 and reported "F; S; R: bM; 15"; one of a group of 3 or more.  His position matches ESO 375-044.
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NGC 3270 = UGC 5711 = MCG +04-25-029 = CGCG 124-034 = PGC 31059
10 31 30.0  +24 52 10; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 3.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 10°

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 N-S, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, extremely faint thin extensions with averted vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3270 = H. III-331 = h719 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF; vS; very little brighter middle."  On 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58), John Herschel logged, "F; E; gradually brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3271 = IC 2585 = ESO 375-048 = MCG -06-23-044 = LGG 202-003 = PGC 30988
10 30 26.3  -35 21 35; Ant
V = 11.8;  Size 3.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 106°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, small bright core.  Appears similar to NGC 3268 5.7' WNW which is the brightest in the group.  Fifth of five in the field in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3271 = h3265 on 1 May 1834 and recorded "F; S; little extended; bM; 15"; one of a group of 3 or more."  His position is 23 sec of RA west of ESO 375-048, but this is one of the brightest galaxies in the cluster, so the identification is nearly certain.  Joseph Turner sketched NGC 3271, along with nearby galaxies in Mar 1882 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.  He included the faint star at the west edge of the galaxy. 

DeLisle Stewart found this galaxy again on an Arequipa plate and assumed it was new, so it also acquired the designation IC 2585.  The numbers are equated in ESO and Corwin's Southern Galaxy Catalogue.  The correct position was given by de Vaucouleurs in Mem. Commonwealth Obs., (Mt. Stromlo), No. 13, 1956.
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NGC 3272 = ADS 7827
10 31 48.1  +28 28 07; LMi
Size 4"

= **, Gottlieb.  Misidentified in RNGC.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 3272 = Nova VI on 9 Mar 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  His micrometric position is a perfect match with a close double star (mag 12.7/13.7 at 4").  In the notes section of his monograph "Micrometrical Observations of 500 Nebulae" Schultz describes "an insignificant object; preceding [NGC 3277] about 68s and 160" s; a * 10m f 0s.2 and 135" n."

A mag 11 star is exactly 135" north of the double star and the offset with NGC 3277 also matches, so there is no doubt of this identification.  On the night this double star was found, Schultz recorded the sky conditions as "Aurora.  Images dull."  This probably contributed to the close double star appearing nebulous, although a number of Schultz' objects are single or double stars.  RNGC misidentifies PGC 31115 as NGC 3272 at 10 32 10.4 +28 28 59.
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NGC 3273 = ESO 375-049 = MCG -06-23-045 = LGG 200-002 = PGC 30992
10 30 29.1  -35 36 39; Ant
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 97°

18" (3/17/07): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.1'x0.5', bright core.  Located 15' S of NGC 3271 in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core.  Member of the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281) with NGC 3271 15' N.  Located 19' E of NGC 3258.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3273 = h3259 on 3 May 1834 and recorded "F; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 12".  The 4th and last of a group."  He was uncertain of the minute of time, which should be 10 22 48.7 (for 1830).
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NGC 3274 = UGC 5721 = MCG +05-25-020 = CGCG 154-024 = WAS 13 = PGC 31122
10 32 17.1  +27 40 07; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 100°

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, brighter core appears slightly offset.  Forms the east vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 2' NNW and 2' SW.  A double star mag 11.5/13.5 at 13" lies 4' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3274 = H. II-358 = h720 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL".  John Herschel made 4 observations and noted the double star HJ 484 to the southeast.
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NGC 3275 = ESO 375-050 = MCG -06-23-046 = AM 1028-362 = LGG 203-005 = PGC 31014
10 30 51.6  -36 44 14; Ant
V = 11.8;  Size 2.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, bright core.  Located 2.9' N of a mag 10 star within the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3275 = h3266 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; little extended; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20 arcsec."  His position matches ESO 375-050.
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NGC 3276 = ESO 317-040 = PGC 31031
10 31 09.1  -39 56 41; Ant
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 74°

18" (2/19/09): very faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE.  A mag 9.3 star (HD 91213) 2.8' N detracts from viewing.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3276 5' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3276 = h3267 on 3 Mar 1835 and noted "F; S; has a * 8m, np."  His position and description matches ESO 317-040.
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NGC 3277 = UGC 5731 = MCG +05-25-022 = CGCG 154-026 = LGG 197-005 = PGC 31166
10 32 55.4  +28 30 42; LMi
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, even moderate concentration, bright core increases to a faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 5.1' WSW and a mag 10 star 6.9' SW.  Member of the NGC 3245 group (LGG 197).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3277 = H. II-359 = h721 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "pB, pS, almost R, bM."  John Herschel made three observations and d'Arrest recorded 5 accurate positions and measured a mag 12 star that precedes by 23 seconds of RA and 1' south.
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NGC 3278 = ESO 317-043 = MCG -07-22-021 = PGC 31068
10 31 35.3  -39 57 20; Ant
V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 62°

18" (2/19/09): brighter of a pair with NGC 3276 located 5' W.  At 175x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', contains a slightly brighter core.  Located just SW of a wide, bright pair (h4326 = 9.8/10.6 at 39").

John Herschel discovered NGC 3278 = h3268 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; sp a coarse double star."  His position and description matches ESO 317-043.
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NGC 3279 = IC 622 = UGC 5741 = MCG +02-27-027 = CGCG 065-059 = FGC 1100 = Todd 30 = Holm 201a = PGC 31302
10 34 42.8  +11 11 50; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 2.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 152°

24" (4/15/23): fairly faint and relatively large edge-on, ~2.0' x 20" NNW-SSE. Broad, weak concentration but no core. Very nice.  A mag 10.5 star is 3.6' N of center.

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, moderately large, edge-on 6:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. UGC 5737 lies 12' W.

David Todd discovered NGC 3279 = Todd 30 on 4 Mar 1878 using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the USNO during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  There is nothing at his postion, but roughly 2 minutes of RA east is UGC 5741 and his discovery sketch of an elongated galaxy and nearby stars, so this identification is certain.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 29 Jan 1890 and reported it as new in list IX-23 (later IC 622).  Swift's description reads "very faint; pretty small; elongated; *9m s[outh].", though he confused the orientation as the bright star is 3.7' north.  UGC and MCG label this galaxy as IC 622 and don't apply the NGC designation.
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NGC 3280 = NGC 3295 = IC 617 = MCG -02-27-006 = MCG -02-27-007 = PGC 31153 = PGC 31156
10 32 43.7  -12 38 15; Hya
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (3/29/03): this is a triple system listed as NGC 3280A/3280B/3280C in NED and NGC 3280/3280A/3280B in the second edition of the Uranometria DSFG.  At 262x there was a confused glow, ~1' diameter.  Within the glow, two small knots (NGC 3280w and NGC 3280e), ~0.4' and 0.3' were resolved, oriented E-W, with the larger component on the west side (separation is 40" between centers).  At moments I had the impression a very small and faint third component was squeezed between these two galaxies.  In a small group with NGC 3296 4.8' S and NGC 3297 7.1' ESE.  Located 4.6' NE of a mag 9.5 star.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3280 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector and described a "F double neb with 2 stellar centres."  Common's position is poor, but the description clearly refers to the triple system MCG -02-27-006, -007 and -008. Common probably observed -006 and -008, the two brightest of the trio.

Six years later (26 Feb 1886), Francis Leavenworth made an independent discovery with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, though his rough position for LM 1-173 (later NGC 3295) was off by 2.7 minutes of RA.  Leavenworth remarked, "D neb or sev st inv in neb", echoing Common's description.

Finally, Stephane Javelle found this trio again on 19 Apr 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice, assumed J. 1-179 (later IC 617) was new and measured an accurate position.  He also mentioned "D or st involved", so partially resolved the components.  So, NGC 3280 = NGC 3295 = IC 617.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes and Malcolm Thomson's IC Research Database.
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NGC 3281 = ESO 375-055 = MCG -06-23-050 = AM 1029-343 = LGG 203-002 = PGC 31090
10 31 52.4  -34 51 19; Ant
V = 11.7;  Size 3.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 140°

18" (4/25/09): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.6', bright core, fainter extensions.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, large bright core gradually brightens to the center.  A mag 13-14 star is off the NW extension and a mag 11.5-12 star is 2.8' S of center.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.  Largest in the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3281 = h3269 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "eF; E; gradually little brighter middle; 60" l; 40" br."  His position and description matches ESO 375-055.
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NGC 3282 = ESO 568-016 = MCG -04-25-013 = PGC 31129
10 32 21.9  -22 18 08; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 82°

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.4', weak concnetration.  A mag 13-14 star is at the tip of the eastern extension.  Located 9' SE mag 8.2 HD 91261.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3282 = Sw. 3-56 on 5 Mar 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; middle one of 3 eF stars involved in neby.  Two B stars point to it.".  His position is 7 sec of RA west of ESO 568-016 and the description applies, thoiugh only 1 star is attached (1 other mentioned by Swift is the nucleus).
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NGC 3283 = ESO 263-048 = AM 1029-455 = PGC 31035
10 31 11.6  -46 15 05; Vel
V = 11.5;  Size 2.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 168°

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'.  Contains a relatively large, bright core surrounded by a low surface brightness halo, elongated N-S.  Located 6.9' SE of mag 8.8 HD 91215 and 6' S of a mag 10.1/10.4 pair at 5".  Located in a rich star field.  ESO 263-047, an extremely low surface brightness galaxy 7' WSW, was highly suspected as a very small patch attached to a faint star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3283 = h3271 on 3 Mar 1837 and recorded "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 25".  RA coarsely taken by an auxiliary star".  The given position (updated to 2000 coordinates) is 10 32 47 (approximate), -46 15 14.  JH also made a 10' error in declination (too far north) in the GC, which was copied into NGC.

ESO couldn't find a suitable candidate and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  But assuming the RA was rough, I looked at ESO galaxies and found a likely candidate ESO 263-G48 located at 10 31 11.5 -46 15 05 (J2000).  This galaxy is 1.6 tmin preceding JH's rough RA and a nearly perfect match in declination.  It is also fairly bright (V = 11.5), so it's unlikely it would have been missed in his sweep.  Both NED and HyperLeda use this identification.
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NGC 3284 = NGC 3286 = MCG +10-15-112 = CGCG 290-056 = PGC 31433
10 36 21.3  +58 37 13; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

See observing notes for NGC 3286.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3284 = H. III-912 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "extremely faint, very small, 300x confirmed it and showed it very plainly."  His position is 2' SW of NGC 3288 and 5' S of brighter NGC 3286, both observed by Herschel the following night.

Dreyer comments in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that "it precedes III-913 (NGC 3408) 16.0 tmin, 5' N, so it is no doubt identical to either III.917 or III.918 [NGC 3286 or NGC 3288] which were observed the following night (sweep 1039) without any mention of III.912.  Harold Corwin states the GC/NGC position of NGC 3284 is 10 seconds of RA too small and that NGC 3284 is likely a duplicate observation of NGC 3286.  See Corwin's notes.

Karl Reinmuth equated NGC 3284 with a "*14 npp 1.5' of NGC 3288; no neb seen; nothing sp of NGC 3288."  This conclusion was repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her NGC correction paper and it is repeated by the RNGC.  It's more likely WH picked up one of the nearby galaxies.
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NGC 3285 = ESO 501-015 = AM 1031-271 = MCG -04-25-019 = PGC 31217
10 33 35.8  -27 27 19; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 2.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 108°

24" (3/28/17): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 WNW-ESE, sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core and stellar nucleus, much fainter halo, ~1.6'x1.0'.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright nucleus.  Located 7' SSW of mag 7.7 SAO 178978.  This member of AGC 1060 forms a trio with NGC 3285A 12' WSW and NGC 3285B 18' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3285 = h3270 on 24 Mar 1835 NGC 3285 and noted "pB; E; gradually brighter in the middle."  He measured the position four times (including the next two sweeps), so it was well determined.
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NGC 3286 = NGC 3284 = MCG +10-15-112 = CGCG 290-056 = PGC 31433
10 36 21.3  +58 37 13; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, moderate even concentration with a bright core and nonstellar nucleus.  Located 4.9' NW of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 3288 3.9' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3286 = H. III-917 = h722 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "Two [along with III-918 = NGC 3288], both vF, pS, R, little brighter in the middle."  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel noted "vF; pS; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15" [diameter]." His position is within 1' of CGCG 290-056 = PGC 31433.  NGC 3284 is likely a duplicate observation.  See that number.
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NGC 3287 = UGC 5742 = MCG +04-25-032 = CGCG 124-038 = PGC 31311
10 34 47.3  +21 38 54; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 20°

48" (5/9/21): excellent, very elongated, dusty barred spiral in the field with the beautiful colored (gold/blue) double STF 1448 6.5' SW.  At 375x, NGC 3287 appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, at least 1.5'x0.5'.  A bright irregular bar runs along the major axis.  Appeared mottled with a sharp light cut-off (due to dust) on the east side of the bar.  A fairly large, slightly brighter patch was noticed on the NNE end of the galaxy.

13.1" (4/16/83): faint, diffuse, moderately large, elongated N-S, even surface brightness.  A bright double star STF 1448 = 7.6/9.0 at 11" is 7' WSW.  NGC 3301 lies 30' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3287 on 1 Jan 1862 and made observations on 3 different nights.  He noted the bright double star STF 1448 was 24 seconds of time preceding and 3 3/4' south. Édouard Stephan made observations on 4 Mar 1878 and 25 Mar 1879.
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NGC 3288 = UGC 5752 = MCG +10-15-114 = CGCG 290-057 = PGC 31446
10 36 25.8  +58 33 23; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  Located 3.7' WSW of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 3286 3.9' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3288 = H. III-918 = h723 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "Two [along with III-917 = NGC 3286], both vF, pS, R, little brighter in the middle."  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel noted "eF; S; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 12"." His position is within 1' of UGC 5752 = PGC 31446.  WH may have observed this galaxy the previous night and recorded it as H. III-912 = NGC 3284, though that number may apply to brighter NGC 3288, which is 4' north.
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NGC 3289 = ESO 375-065 = MCG -06-23-054 = LGG 196-013 = PGC 31253
10 34 07.4  -35 19 24; Ant
V = 12.5;  Size 2.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 153°

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is off the SW side, 50" from the center and two mag 14.5 stars flank the galaxy on the NNW end.  Member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636) and situated at the eastern end of the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3289 = h3272 on 20 Apr 1835 and noted "eF: R; 15"."  His position is 1.6' north of ESO 375-065.

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on a couple of occasions in 1886 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote, "It is pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, a little mottled.  Once star 16m precedes nebula by 5s and in the same declination.  Also a star 13mag precedes nebula by 3s and is 40" south of it.  Another minute star 16m follows neb by 2s and is 20" north of it - this star, the nebula and the star 13 mag are in a straight line, bearing about 40°."
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NGC 3290 = Arp 53 = MCG -03-27-020 = PGC 31346
10 35 17.4  -17 16 36; Hya
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 60°

18" (3/29/03): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  In field with mag 8.4 SAO 156083 7' N and mag 7.8 SAO 156089 9' SW which detract from viewing.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3290 = LM 2-422 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.7, 0.4' dia, lE 180°, gradually brighter in the middle, * 7.5 n 6'."  His position is 0.5 min west of MCG -03-27-020 = PGC 31346 and a mag 8 staris  5' north, so the identification is certain.
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NGC 3291 = Holm 202b
10 36 06.4  +37 16 28; LMi

= * 3.5' SSW of NGC 3294, Carlson and Corwin.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3291 = Big. 44 on 5 Apr 1885.  His position is 5' southwest of NGC 3294, and falls between two mag 12.6 and 14.9 stars with a separation of 1.3'. 

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3291 with the mag 14.9 star 3.5' SSW of NGC 3294 based on Bigourdan's offsets.  Dorothy Carlson also arrived the same conclusion in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.
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NGC 3292 = MCG -01-27-023 = PGC 31370
10 35 34.4  -06 10 46; Sex
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 175°

18" (3/29/03): at 260x, very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.6'x0.4'.  Either has a faint stellar nucleus or there is a faint star superimposed.  Forms a close double system with MCG -01-27-022 0.9' WSW which was not noticed.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3292 = Sw. 6-36 on 16 Apr 1887 and noted "vF; vS; lE."  His RA was 28 seconds of RA too small.  Herbert Howe provided an accurate position with the 20" refractor in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 3293 = ESO 128-5 = Cr 224 = Gum 30 = Gem Cluster
10 35 49  -58 13 30; Car
V = 4.7;  Size 10'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): stunningly rich and bright open cluster, situated 2° northwest of the Eta Carina nebula.  At 105x, 60-70 stars are packed into 7' with many of the stars seemingly arranged in concentric circles!  Appears compact and well-detached, even in a rich Carina star field.  A striking linear trio of mag 6.5-7.5 stars (total length 1.5') runs SW-NE to the center including an orange star (mag 7.2 supergiant V361 Car) on the SW end, a blue star and a white star at the center (mag 6.5 B0-type supergiant HD 91969).  A mag 6.7 star (HD 91943) is on the NW side, 2.2' from center.  NGC 3293 is one of the top southern clusters and a worthy rival in beauty to the Jewel Box, though historically has received much less acclaim. The large HII region/cluster NGC 3324 = Gabriela Mistral Nebula lies 30' SSE.

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this very rich, young cluster is situated just NW of the Eta Carina complex and is one of the top open clusters in the southern sky.  It is bright, compact and very rich with a half-dozen mag 6-8 stars over a rich background of dozens of mag 10-13 star in a 10' diameter.  Appears somewhat similar to the Jewel Box including a mag 7 reddish supergiant, but with even a more compact appearance.  The listed 40' diameter is much larger than the visual impression.

50mm finder (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): resolved in the 9x50 finder.

Naked-eye (2/18/04): visible as a fuzzy "star".

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3293 = Lac II-8 = D 321 = h3276 in early 1752, using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He described a "Small heap of 4 small stars forming a lozenge."

James Dunlop observed the cluster 4 times (first on 29 Apr 1826) and described "a very small cluster of very small bright stars; round figure, about 4' diameter; rich in extremely small stars resembling faint nebula".  His published position was poor -- 17' WSW of the cluster.

John Herschel only has a rough position in the Cape catalogue using his small refractor (surprisingly he made no published observations with his 18-inch!) and he noted "a fine, bright, rich, not very L cluster. (Equatorial zone review)."  A corrected RA was given in the IC 2 notes (Harv. Ann., xxvi, p207).  Neither Lacaille nor Dunlop are listed as discoverers in the Cape catalogue, GC or NGC!

Henry Chamberlain Russell coined the nickname the "Gem" Cluster in an 1879 paper published in volume 13 of the Journal and proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales.  Russell wrote, "..the beauty and symmetry of form in which the brightest stars are arranged - a double curve fairly representing the letter M, with a miniature Southern Cross in the centre and a bright red star at the foot - combine to make this a little "Gem," which, in the estimation of many observers, is quite equal to the well-known Kappa Crucis ("Jewel Box" cluster)."  Russell compiled a catalogue of stars in "Gem" Cluster, as well as a map.
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NGC 3294 = UGC 5753 = MCG +06-23-021 = CGCG 183-030 = Holm 202a = PGC 31428
10 36 16.1  +37 19 30; LMi
V = 11.8;  Size 3.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 122°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, large brighter core but no nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 2.5' W and a mag 11 star 4.8' SSW.  Located 5.5' WSW of mag 9 SAO 62151.  NGC 3304 lies 18' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3294 = H. I-164 = h724 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and recorded "cB, E from 30° np to sf, 3 or 4' long and 1 1/2' br, easily resolvable, almost uniformly bright."  Caroline's reduced position is 20 sec of RA east of UGC 5753. On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331), John Herschel noted, "pB; mE; gradually little brighter middle; 2' l, 45" br."

On 5 Mar 1851, LdR and Bindon Stoney recorded "an appendage at south side.  LdR thought at times the nebula extended beyond this."  The sketch shows a single spiral arm on the west side, curling clockwise to the south.
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NGC 3295 = NGC 3280 = IC 617 = MCG -02-27-006 MCG -02-27-007 = PGC 31153 = PGC 31156
10 32 43.7  -12 38 15; Hya
V = 14.1;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

See observing notes for NGC 3280.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3295 = LM 1-173 on 26 Feb 1886 and described a "D nebula or several stars involved in nebula".  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~2 1/2 min of RA following NGC 3280 (discovered in 1880 by Andrew Ainslie Common and also a poor position!).  Leavenworth's description clearly applies to this triple system.  So, NGC 3295 = NGC 3280 and IC 617 is a third identity.
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NGC 3296 = IC 618 = PGC 31155
10 32 45.4  -12 43 03; Hya
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

18" (3/29/03): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration to a starry center.  Forms a trio with NGC 3280 5' N and NGC 3297 7' ENE.  Located 4.7' ESE of a mag 9.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3296 = LM 1-174, along with I-173 = NGC 3295 and I-175 = NGC 3297, on 26 Feb 1886.  All 3 were given same rough position to the nearest min of RA.  His position for LM 1-174 is 2.7 min of RA following PGC 31155 (typical error in the first discovery list), but the identification is secure.

Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again on 19 Apr 1892 and naturally assumed  J. 1-180 (later IC 618) was new.  Herbert Howe measured a corrected position for NGC 3296 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section), which clearly establishes NGC 3296 = IC 618.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3297 = PGC 31189
10 33 11.8  -12 40 18; Hya
V = 14.5;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 160°

18" (3/29/03): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 20"x10", situated between two mag 13.5-14 stars SSW and NE (4.3' separation).  In a group with NGC 3280 (triple system) 7' WNW and NGC 3296 7' WSW. This galaxy is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3297 = LM 1-175, along with NGC 3295 and NGC 3296.  His single rough position (nearest min of RA) is 2.3 min of RA following PGC 31189.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 3296 with the 20" refractor in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and he added "I could only suspect NGC 3297."  RNGC misclassifies NGC 3297 as nonexistent.
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NGC 3298 = MCG +08-19-043 = CGCG 240-065 = CGCG 241-001 = PGC 31529
10 37 12.3  +50 07 15; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 138°

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, round (core only viewed), 0.4' diameter, contains a very small brighter nucleus.  A very faint star lies 1' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3298 = H. III-767 = h725 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "very faint, pretty small, irregularly elongated.  May be a patch, or a few stars too small to be perceived."  His position is 6' south of MCG +08-19-043 = PGC 31529.  This was the first of 13 galaxies discovered in a northern sweep in Ursa Major.

On 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), John Herschel noted, "vF; two distant star nearly on parallel".  His position was 1.3' too far SE.  Because of the difference in positions, he questioned if h725 was identical to his father's III-767.
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NGC 3299 = UGC 5761 = MCG +02-27-029 = CGCG 065-064 = KTG 30A = LGG 217-001 = PGC 31442
10 36 23.8  +12 42 27; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 3°

24" (4/20/14): faint, fairly large, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~1.6'x1.2'.  No noticeable core or zones.  First in the KTG 30 trio (not physically related) with NGC 3306 11.8' SE and CGCG 065-069 11' ENE.  Redshift-independent distance of 17.6 million l.y and part of the M96 Group.

17.5" (3/1/03): very faint, fairly large, unusually large low surface brightness galaxy with a very weak concentration making detection difficult.  Appears at least 1.5' in diameter and roughly circular.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3306 12' ESE.  Required averted but once identified I could hold it most of the time with concentration and averted vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3299 = H. III-54 = h726 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and logged "eF, cL, R, r, without nucleus."  There is nothing at his position but 42 sec of RA east and 3' south (10' ESE) is UGC 5761 = PGC 31442 and this galaxy fits his description.  On 4 Apr 1831 (sweep 338), John Herschel noted, "pL; so faint as to be barely perceptible, but a sure observation."
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NGC 3300 = UGC 5766 = MCG +02-27-030 = CGCG 065-066 = PGC 31472
10 36 38.5  +14 10 15; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 173°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, bright core, stellar nucleus, fairly small diffuse halo slightly elongated ~N-S.  Surrounded by several brighter stars including a mag 10 star 4.2' NNW, a mag 9.5 star 6.4' E and mag 8.1 SAO 99207 7.8' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3300 = H. III-55 = h727 = h3273 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177).  His description reads, "vS, r, lE and unequally bright.  It is surrounded with brilliant stars at the same time in the field with it."  John Herschel made observations both at Slough and the Cape of Good Hope and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3301 = NGC 3760 = UGC 5767 = MCG +04-25-035 = CGCG 124-045 = PGC 31497
10 36 56.0  +21 52 55; Leo
V = 11.4;  Size 3.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 52°

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 3.5'x0.7', good concentration with a small very bright core and bright stellar nucleus, halo is brighter on the ENE side.  Off the north side is a thin isosceles triangle of mag 10-11 stars consisting of two mag 10 stars 2.9' N and 5.7' NNW, and a mag 11 star 4.2' N.

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, very elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3301 = H. II-46 = h728 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "not very faint, small.  North of it is a small triangle of pB stars."  Caroline's reduced position is 8' north of UGC 5767, but his description clinches the identification.

John Herschel made three observations under h728 (first on 24 Feb1827), though apparently was uncertain if this was the same as his father's H. II-46, so assigned two different GC designations.  The NGC position is accurate and Dreyer comments in the Notes section that JH's and d'Arrest's positions agree.

Heinrich d'Arrest also found the galaxy on 21 Feb 1863, but made a 1 hour error in RA (uncovered by Harold Corwin).  Once corrected, the position of NGC 3760 matches NGC 3301 (the same error was made with NGC 3575).
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NGC 3302 = ESO 437-007 = MCG -05-25-020 = AM 1033-320 = PGC 31391
10 35 47.4  -32 21 31; Ant
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 118°

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is off the NW edge.  ESO 437-014 lies 14' E.  Outlying member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636), though its redshift indicates it may lie in the background.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3302 = h3274 = h3275 on 28 Jan 1835 and reported it again on 16 Feb 1865.  His first observation reads "vF; S; R; 15"." and the later observation "eF; S; R."  The two positions are very similar (after a typo was corrected for h3274 in his errata list), so I'm surprised he didn't combine the entries in the GC.  But Dreyer combined the two GC numbers into NGC 3302.
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NGC 3303 = Arp 192 = VV 71 = UGC 5773 = MCG +03-27-066 = CGCG 094-096 = PGC 31508
10 37 00.0  +18 08 09; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 3.5'x2.4';  Surf Br = 15.6

48" (2/19/12): Arp 192 is a highly disturbed double system with a enormous irregular plume to the south and diffuse haze off the east side.  At 488x, the size of the main body was ~1.0'x0.7', extended NNW-SSE and split into two components.  LEDA 93104 is a large knot with a stellar center on the northwest side of the main core.  It is likely the core of an interacting companion.  The plume or tail was visible as a diffuse, fairly wide extension attached at the south-southeast end and extending south for ~1.0', roughly doubling the length of the galaxy.  A mag 15 star lies 1.6' S.

17.5" (3/1/03): faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration to a slightly brighter core but no nucleus.  Overall fairly low surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3303 = H. III-66 = h730 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "vF, S, E, r.  240 showed it no better than 157, though larger."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3304 = UGC 5777 = MCG +06-23-026 = CGCG 183-032 = CGCG 184-001 = PGC 31572
10 37 37.9  +37 27 20; LMi
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 158°

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with small bright core surrounded by faint extensions.  A mag 14 star is 2.1' E.  NGC 3294 lies 18' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3304 = H. III-615 = h729 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "eF, vS, er."  On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331), John Herschel noted, "vF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12"."
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NGC 3305 = ESO 501-030 = MCG -04-25-031 = PGC 31421
10 36 11.8  -27 09 44; Hya
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0

24" (3/28/17): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, small brighter core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12/12.5 double star at ~7" separation is 1.6' W.  Located 17' N of NGC 3308 and 20' NW of naked-eye mag 4.9 HD 92036

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, very small, round, no details.  Located ~15' N of NGC 3308 in AGC 1060.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3305 = h3277 on 24 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; S; R.  The 2nd of a group scattered over more than one field."  HIs position matches ESO 501-030 = PGC 31421.
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NGC 3306 = UGC 5774 = MCG +02-27-032 = CGCG 065-068 = KTG 30C = LGG 207-005 = PGC 31528
10 37 10.2  +12 39 09; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 138°

24" (4/20/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', relatively large brighter core.  Brightest in a trio (KTG 30) with CGCG 065-069 7.2' SSE and NGC 3299 11.8' WNW.

17.5" (3/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 11 star lies 1.9' NE.  NGC 3299, a very low surface brightness galaxy, lies 12' WNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3306 = Sw. 3-57 on 27 Apr 1886 and recorded "F; S; R; sf of [NGC 3299]."  His position is 1.5' too far south.  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1891 at Vienna.
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NGC 3307 = ESO 501-031 = MCG -04-25-029 = PGC 31430
10 36 17.2  -27 31 47; Hya
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 28°

24" (3/28/17): at 260x; faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 24"x18", very low even surface brightness.  Easily the faintest of the 6 NGCs in the core of AGC 1060.  Situated 4.2' W of NGC 3309. 

24" (2/22/14): at 260x, this member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 24"x12", low even surface brightness.  Located in the core of the cluster, ~5' W of the NGC 3309/3311 pair and 9.5' NW of mag 6.6 HD 91964.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3307 = h3278 on 22 Mar 1836 and "eeF. The 3rd of a group [with NGC 3285 and NGC 3270]."  He only recorded this object once in 4 different sweeps of the cluster and his position falls in a blank region, 5' south of ESO 501-031 = PGC 31430.  He commented in the Cape that his original figure was 5' further north but due to some confusion it was crossed out.  But the original declination matches ESO 501-031.  MCG does not label -04-25-029 as NGC 3307.  I am surprised the Herschel picked up this galaxy as it's easily the faintest one he saw in the cluster.
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NGC 3308 = ESO 501-034 = MCG -04-25-032 = LGG 206-004 = PGC 31438
10 36 22.3  -27 26 17; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 32°

24" (3/28/17): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, well concentrated with a small, very bright core, ~1.0'x50". Slightly fainter than NGC 3309.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration to a brighter core.  Furthest NW in the core of AGC 1060 and 11.5' WSW of the mag 5 star in the core.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, small, round, small weak concentration.  First of five in a 20' field in the core of AGC 1060.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3308 = h3279 on 24 Mar 1835 and simply noted "F".  Less than a week later he added "One of a group; 7 of which were seen and laid down in a careful diagram."
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NGC 3309 = ESO 501-036 = AM 1034-271 = MCG -04-25-034 = LGG 211-005 = PGC 31466
10 36 35.7  -27 31 06; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 94°

24" (3/28/17): fairly bright, moderately bright, slightly elongated, ~1.2'x1.0', contains a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  Highest surface brightness core of the main galaxies in the central region of the Hydra I cluster and noticeably higher than NGC 3311 just 1.7' ESE.  A mag 13.4 star is at the east edge (30" from center) and a mag 15 star is close WSW [48" from center].

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, moderately large, well-concentrated with a bright 40" core, halo increases with averted from 1.2'x1.0' to 1.5'x1.2' oriented SW-NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3311 1.7' ESE in the core of AGC 1060.

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is at the east edge.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3311 1.7' E.  Second of five in the core of AGC 1060.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3309 = h3280 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "B: L; double [with NGC 3311]."  Less than a week later he added "A double nebula, or rather two distinct nebulae near together.  By diagram, both pL, R, pos about 10° np or sf, and nearly equal."
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NGC 3310 = Arp 217 = VV 356 = VV 406 = UGC 5786 = MCG +09-18-008 = CGCG 267-004 = PGC 31650
10 38 45.8  +53 30 10; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 3.1'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.8

48" (5/16/12): extremely bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a large, very bright, slightly elongated N-S core, ~1' diameter.  The core appears mottled with a couple of "stellarings" or small knots.  The core is surrounded by a larger, much lower surface brightness irregular halo, extending the central portion to nearly 2'.  An outer spiral arm is attached on the north side of the halo and was most evident near the halo.  Occasionally, a very large, very low surface brightness looping arm was glimpsed, rotating 180° clockwise and ending west of the core, ~1.7' from center.

14.5" (4/12/21): bright, moderately large, roundish, sharply concentrated with a relatively large, very bright core that dominates the galaxy and a smaller, much fainter halo.  The core has a slightly elongated uneven surface brightness.  A nag 12 star is 3' N and mag 5.5 HD 92095 is 10' NNE.

17.5" (1/19/91): very bright, moderately large.  Unusual appearance as contains a very bright, very large central core with uniform high surface brightness with only a very faint, fairly small halo, elongated NW-SE.  Located 10.4' SSW of mag 5.5 HR 4165 at the edge of the 220x field.  A mag 12 star lies 3.0' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3310 = H. IV-60 = h731 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "very bright, round, planetary, but very ill-defined.  About 1' dia of it is equally bright, and 1/4 of a minute hazy or ill-defined round the margin."  On 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324),  John Herschel wrote, "B; R; very suddenly much brighter middle, so as to form almost a disc 15" diam. Surrounded by a very feeble atmosphere."

On 5 Mar 1848, Lord Rosse and William Rambaut observed NGC 3310 (the earliest observation in LdR's 1861 monograph) and reported, "See minute points in it at intervals, also spiral arrangement well seen."  Six nights later they wrote, "Nebula well resolved into little stellar points.  Saw a broad band across the bottom distinctly and two at the top."  NGC 3310 was included in the list of nebulae having dark regions.  Later observations mentioned the possibility of this object being a cluster.  A detailed observation was made on 20 Feb 1868: "Three principal branches f, nf and np towards a * np [probably a HII region].  Dark cavity on nf side.  Mr De la Rue, who was with me, saw it as a bay between 2 horns, and much neby surrounding it, with many stars exterior and involved.”
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NGC 3311 = ESO 501-038 = AM 1034-271 NED02 = MCG -04-25-036 = PGC 31478
10 36 42.9  -27 31 41; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 3.5'x2.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (3/28/17): fairly bright, fairly large, roundish core but slightly elongated halo, the brighter central region is relatively large, the outer halo extends ~1.5' (second largest in the central region).  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3309 1.7' WNW.  A mag 13.4 is 1.2' WNW (at the edge of NGC 3309's halo).

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, broad concentration, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  Outer halo increases to 2.0'x1.5' but has a slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 3309 as the core is not as concentrated.  NGC 3312 is less than 5' SE and NGC 3308 is 7' NW.

13.1" (2/23/85): third of five in the core of AGC 1060 = Hydra I.  Fairly faint, small, even surface brightness.  Appears larger than NGC 3309 1.7' W but with a lower surface brightness.  NGC 3312 lies 4.8' SE.  Located 7.7' N of mag 6.8 SAO 179027.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3311 = h3281 on 30 Mar 1835 and noted as "The following neb of a double one [with NGC 3309]."  He actually noted both objects in his observation on 24 March, but didn't list the objects separately for that sweep.
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NGC 3312 = IC 629 = ESO 501-043 = AM 1034-271 NED3 = MCG -04-25-039 = LGG 210-002 = PGC 31513
10 37 02.5  -27 33 54; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 3.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

24" (3/28/17): moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S.  Sharply concentrated with a reasonably large oval core (N-S).  The diffuse halo extends roughly 2.0'x0.8' (largest in the cluster) with averted vision.  A faint star, perhaps 15th magnitude, is superimposed just southeast of the core.  The NGC 3309/3307 pair is 5' to 6' NW and NGC 3316 lies 8' ESE.  Mag 4.9 HD 92036 is 9.5' NNE, but not in the field at higher power.

18" (4/9/05): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE.  Contains a fairly bright, roundish core ~20" diameter with fainter extensions 1.2'x0.6'.  The core steadily increases to a stellar nucleus.  A small isosceles triangle of stars is close SE.

13.1" (2/18/04) - Costa Rica: moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.5'x0.5', weak concentration.  Possible a brighter knot is at the north end or a star may be near the edge of the halo.  Three stars are close SE including two mag 11/12 stars 2' SE and 3' ESE of center.  In the core of AGC 1060 with NGC 3311/3309 5' NW.

13.1" (2/23/85): fourth of five in the core of AGC 1060.  Moderately bright, small, stellar nucleus, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE.  NGC 3311 lies 4.8' NW.  Located 7.0' NE of mag 6.8 SAO 179027.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3312 = h3282 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; pmE; the last of 4 in the field at once with two stars 6m near them, one above and one below them (which serves to identify the object beyond doubt)."  His declination, only measured on one of two sweeps, was 3.4' too far south.

Guillaume Bigourdan found this galaxy on 26 Feb 1887, assumed it was new, and recorded it as Big. 158.  Apparently neither Bigourdan nor Dreyer questioned the equivalence of IC 629 with NGC 3312, but there is no doubt.
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NGC 3313 = ESO 501-050 = MCG -04-25-044 = UGCA 213 = LGG 209-004 = PGC 31551
10 37 25.5  -25 19 10; Hya
V = 11.4;  Size 3.9'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 55°

48" (5/9/21): at 488x; bright, large, roundish spiral.  At first, I thought there was an intensely stellar nucleus, but realized a very bright star was superimposed on the N edge of a small, bright nucleus!  A low contrast bar extends WNW through the center. The halo is large, between 2' and 3' diameter, with a low surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 pair at ~8" separation is 3.5' WSW.

ESO 501-044, situated 5' WSW (collinear with the pair), appeared faint, moderately large, very elongated at least 6:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness, ~0.9'x0.15'.

18" (4/10/04): fairly bright, large, round.  Sharply concentrated with a small very bright core surrounded by a large, low surface brightness halo, ~1.5'-2' in diameter, which fades into the background.

Outlying member of the Hydra I cluster and member of the group LGG 209, along with NGC 3331 and NGC 3335.  On photos, this is a beautiful, face-on barred spiral with an inner ring and two main long spiral arms.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3313 = LM 1-176 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is a good match with ESO 501-050.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver around the turn of the century and noted the "* 15 north 3 arcseconds is really south of the nebula."  But I'm not sure what star either observer was referring to!
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NGC 3314 = ESO 501-046 = AM 1034-272 = MCG -04-25-041 = LGG 210-003 = PGC 31531
10 37 12.8  -27 41 01; Hya
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 143°

48" (4/21/17): at 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.4', brighter core.  Roughly spindle shaped but tapers more on the northwest end.  Irregular surface brightness (slightly brighter along the south side), but the foreground galaxy could not be distinguished.  A mag 13.5 star is just north of the NW tip.

24" (3/28/17): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 4:1 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.35' spindle.  Modest concentration with a slightly brighter bulging central region.  A mag 13.5 star is situated at the northwest tip [36" from center].

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, moderately large, spindle-shaped, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.5'.  A mag 13 star is at the NW tip.  Located 7' ESE of a mag 6.7 star which detracts from viewing.  Similar to NGC 3312 in the core of AGC 1060, but slightly smaller.

13.1" (2/23/85): fifth of five in the core of AGC 1060.  Fairly faint, small, elongated ~NW-SE.  Located 6.8' ESE of mag 6.8 SAO 179027.  NGC 3312 lies 7.6' NNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3314 = h3283 on 24 Mar 1835 and simply noted "the 8th of a group."  His position is an exact match with ESO 501-IG046A/B.  Pietro Baracchi recorded this object as "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  A star 14m close n.p. Also a star 16m also np." (10 Mar 1886, GMT)

NGC 3314 consists of a face-on galaxy (NGC 3314B) superimposed (line of sight) on an edge-on galaxy.  The HST has a remarkable image showing the dust within the foreground galaxy visible because it is silhouetted against the light from the object behind it.
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NGC 3315 = ESO 501-048 = MCG -04-25-042 = LGG 206-018 = PGC 31540
10 37 19.2  -27 11 30; Hya
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (3/28/17): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 25" diameter, high surface brightness, gradually increases to the center.  A mag 11 star is off the west side [42" from center].  Similar to NGC 3305. Located 13' N of mag 4.9 HD 92036.

18" (3/17/07): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.3'x0.2'.  Located 40" SE of a mag 11 star and 13' N of mag 4.9 HD 92036.  HCG 48 lies 9' NE.  This member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) has a disputed identification due to a poor discovery position.

Edward Austin discovered NGC 3315 = HN 40, along with NGC 3097 and 3317, on 24 Mar 1870 with the 15" Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #207).  There is nothing at his position. RNGC (as well as Laubert's 1981 ESO list) identifies ESO 501-047 as NGC 3315.  While this identication is possible, Austin mentioned a "star 1' NW" which does not apply to this galaxy and no mention is made of the bright star which would have interfered with the observation.

However, 30' N of Austin's position is ESO 501-048 at 10 37 19.2 -27 11 30 (2000) which has a 10th magnitude star 1' NW.  Based on Austin's visual description and a probable digit error in declination, this identification appears more likely and is the one used in ESO-Uppsala and RC3.  Corwin originally listed this number as a duplicate of NGC 3314 (which Austin observed the same night) but now agrees the 30' error in declination is was more likely.  This galaxy was listed by Knox-Shaw in a table of new nebulae (1912) found on plates taken at the Helwan Observatory between 1909-11.  The RNGC candidate for NGC 3315 is 17' south of ESO 501-048.
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NGC 3316 = ESO 501-054 = AM 1035-271B = MCG -04-25-046 = LGG 211-006 = PGC 31571
10 37 37.3  -27 35 39; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8

24" (3/28/17): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, high surface brightness with a thin low surface brightness halo, contains a very small bright nucleus that increases to a stellar pip.  Fifth and smallest of 5 brighter galaxies nearly on a line in the core of AGC 1060.

18" (4/9/05): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, increases to a small, brighter core.  On a line with NGC 3312 8' WNW and a mag 11 star 4.8' WNW.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration, no well-defined core.  A mag 11.5 star lies 3' SSE and two mag 13.5 stars are 1.2' S and 1.7' SE of center.  Situated in the core of AGC 1060 and forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with much brighter NGC 3314 7.5' SW and NGC 3312 8' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3316 = h3284 on 26 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; R."  In a later note he mentions "This numerous and very interesting group has been made out by a careful collation of diagrams made in sweep 564 and 689, for the purpose of identification, from which if appears that though in each diagram only 7 were seen and laid down, yet there are in reality at least 9 in the whole group."  Harold Corwin notes there are only 7 galaxies he likely picked up, and the remaining two are unknown or may not exist.
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NGC 3317 = ESO 501-055
10 37 43  -27 31 12; Hya

24" (2/22/14): this ~9" pair of stars (in the AGC 1060 field) was difficult to resolve at 260x (partially due to the low elevation) and seems more like a small nebulous glow.  It was resolved at 375x, though the (single) companion on the south side was quite faint (mag 15.5-15.8) and sometimes not distinctly seen as a star but as an indistinct glow.  The northern component (very close pair) was not resolved.

Edward Austin discovered NGC 3317 = HN 41, along with NGC 3097 and 3315, on 24 Mar 1870 with the 15" f/18 Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #210).  The description reads "nebulous star 5' N of [NGC 3316]".  Very close to Austin's position is a close double star, with the northern component an overlapping pair on the DSS.  RNGC classifies NGC 3317 as a double star (from Dorothy Carlson's paper) and a triple star in ESO/Uppsala (2+1).  NGC 2000 misidentifies ESO 501-047 (located just 3.5' S of a mag 4.9 HD 92036) as NGC 3317.
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NGC 3318 = ESO 317-052 = MCG -07-22-026 = LGG 199-008 = PGC 31533
10 37 15.5  -41 37 40; Vel
V = 11.6;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 78°

18" (2/19/09): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 30" (probably the core only due to the low elevation), very weak concentration. A very faint star or stellar nucleus was glimpsed.  Located 18' S of mag 7.0 HD 92057.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3318 = h3285 on 2 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; pL; pmE; gradually very little brighter middle; 2'."  His mean position (2 observations) matches ESO 317-052.
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NGC 3319 = UGC 5789 = MCG +07-22-036 = CGCG 212-033 = PGC 31671
10 39 09.3  +41 41 14; UMa
V = 11.1;  Size 6.2'x3.4';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 37°

48" (5/1/19): at 488x; very large barred spiral, extending 2:1 SW-NE and ~5.5' along the major axis!  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very bright, very elongated  high contrast bar, extending 1' SSW-NNE!  A fairly easy section of a spiral arm parallels the bar on the south side of the galaxy. A couple of easy knots, ~6" and 10" in size, along with a faint star, are at the SW end  of this arm [1.9' SSW of center].  The arm vaguely bends at a right angle to the NW and contains a bright, 12" knot [V = 16.6] . A low contrast arm is west of the bar, also running parallel (SSW-NNE).  Another low surface brightness arm is NE of the bar.  It curls sharply counterclockwise to the east and occasionally contained an extremely faint HII knot. An ill-defined, diffuse glow (part of this arm) extends further northeast to the outer edge of the halo.  SQM 21.85.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very elongated 5:2 SW-NE.  The brightest portion is a large bar with a knotty extension attached at the SW end and extending on a right angle to the south.  At this position on the POSS are several bright knots.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3319 = H. III-700 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and recorded "cF, L, irr E, about 4' long and 2 1/2' br, much brighter south of the middle."
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NGC 3320 = UGC 5794 = MCG +08-20-010 = CGCG 241-005 = PGC 31708
10 39 36.6  +47 23 53; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is at the SSW end 40" from center and a mag 11 star is off the NNE end 2.1' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3320 = H. II-745 = h732 on 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 822) and recorded "cF, pS, E.  Mixed with some stars visible, but probably not belonging to it. A pL star north and a little following the nebula."  His position is 5' north of UGC 5794 (similar offset as other nebula in the sweep).  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), "F; mE; between a *10m and one of 14 m."
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NGC 3321 = NGC 3322 = MCG -02-27-010 = UGCA 214 = PGC 31653
10 38 50.6  -11 38 55; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 36°

18" (3/29/03): faint, fairly small, diffuse, elongated nearly 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', low surface brightness halo, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is at the NW edge. Located 2.9' N of a mag 11 star on the Hydra-Sextans border.

Francis Leavenworth found NGC 3321 = LM 2-423 on 3 Jan 1887 and recorded "mag 15.7, 1.0' dia, vE 160°, * np end."  His position is ~35 sec of RA preceding MCG -02-27-010 = PGC 31653 and the star is just where he placed it.  His PA, though, should read 35°, instead of 160°.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver (given in the IC 2 Notes section).

This galaxy was originally discovered by Andrew Ainslie Common in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector, but his position for NGC 3322 was 16' too far north.  So, NGC 3322 = NGC 3321.
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NGC 3322 = NGC 3321 = MCG -02-27-010 = UGCA 214 = PGC 31653
10 38 50.7  -11 38 55; Hya

See observing notes for NGC 3321, Howe and HC.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3322 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector and recorded "F, irregular shape, f star."  There is nothing at his position, but 16' S is PGC 31653.  The "f star" in his description is at the NW end of this galaxy.

Francis Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy on 3 Jan 1887 and reported it in the Leander McCormick observatory's second paper.  Leavenworth's RA for NGC 3321 was 35 seconds too small.  Howe was unsuccessful in searching for Common's object on two nights though he notes "Probably = NGC 3321 as their descriptions are fairly similar and their RA's agree fairly."  So, NGC 3322 = NGC 3321, with discovery priority to Common. See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 3323 = UGC 5800 = MCG +04-25-036 = CGCG 124-049 = PGC 31712
10 39 39.0  +25 19 21; LMi
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 145°

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Located just east of the midpoint of a mag 11 star 2.2' WNW and a close double star 2.3' SE (mag 13/14 at 10" in PA 40°).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3323 = St. 9-22 on 9 Feb 1877.  His published micrometric position (which he measured on 15 Mar) is accurate.
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NGC 3324 = ESO 128-006 = Gum 31 = Ced 108 = IC 2599 = Cr 225 = Gabriela Mistral Nebula
10 37 19  -58 39 36; Car
V = 6.7;  Size 16'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I only took a quick look at the "Gabriela Mistral" Nebula at 200x with a UHC filter, but the brightest portion appeared like a cartoon drawing of a whale with a huge, very bright bulbous "head" forming the NW end of the nebula.  The brightest portion is perhaps 15'x6' in size, but quite an extensive amount of fainter nebulosity spreads out E and SE of the main body, significantly increasing the size to ~15'x11', elongated N-S.  Some faint nebulosity also spreads to the W of the main portion.  At the S end is mag 5.5 HD 92207.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): striking HII region and cluster 30' SE of NGC 3293 and 90' NW of the center of the Eta Carina nebula! (this is an outlying piece of the Eta Carina complex)  At 105x and UHC filter this huge, elongated, irregular nebula is quite bright, perhaps 15'x6' in size and tapers towards the S end where mag 5.5 HD 92207 is embedded.  The nebula widens to a well-defined bulbous mass on the N end.  Faint nebulosity hooks off the north end and spreads to the E and NE.  This HII region is ionized by mag 8 HD 92206 = HJ 4338 (an 8.2/9.2 pair at 5") situated near the center of the nebula.  Unfiltered, a scattered group of stars is superimposed but this just appears to be a random star grouping in the Carina section of the Milky Way.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3324 = D 322 = h3286 on 1 May 1826 and described a "star of the 7th magnitude, involved in faint nebula."  His position was roughly 6' too far NW.

John Herschel credited Dunlop with the discovery and reported on 1 Apr 1834 (sweep 435), "A double star involved in nebula, which is one of the outliers of the great nebula about Eta Argus. It extends to a star 6.7 mag half a field distant southwards, and almost as far north; pretty bright; irregular figure; fine object."

IC 2599, found by Williamina Fleming on a Harvard College Observatory plate in May 1893, refers to the southern portion of this nebula.
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NGC 3325 = UGC 5795 = MCG +00-27-036 = CGCG 009-093 = PGC 31689
10 39 20.4  -00 12 01; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 55°

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', brighter core.  A mag 13 star is 1.3' W of center.  Located 11' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 118422.  IC 633 lies 11' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3325 = St. 10-25 on 13 Mar 1874.  He misidentified it as "Lassell 198" [= NGC 3339], but this a single faint star discovered by Marth.  He made a second observation on 25 Mar 1879 and reduced an accurate position (list 10, #25) on 19 Mar 1880.
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NGC 3326 = UGC 5799 = MCG +01-27-025 = CGCG 037-104 = Mrk 1260 = PGC 31701
10 39 31.9  +05 06 27; Sex
V = 13.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 2.4' W of center.  Located 5.5' SSW of a mag 9.5 star.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3326 = m 196 on 22 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, eS, stellar."  His position matches UGC 5799.
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NGC 3327 = UGC 5803 = MCG +04-25-038 = CGCG 124-051 = PGC 31729
10 39 58.1  +24 05 29; LMi
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, moderate even concentration to a very small bright core.  A faint star is almost attached at the west side 25" from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3327 = H. II-348 = h734 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, S, lE."  On 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58), John Herschel noted, "vF: S; has either a star which gives it an apparent elongation in parallel, or is a double nebula."  The star is at the west edge.
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NGC 3328
10 39 54.2  +09 18 01; Leo

= *, Gottlieb.  Not found, RNGC.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 3328 on 27 Mar 1880 while making observations for a star catalog with the 13.5" refractor at the Litchfield observatory in New York.  At his position is a mag 14.8 star with a fainter companion 20" west and there are no nearby objects he might have picked up.  Corwin equates NGC 3328 with this pair of stars.  On 21 May 1879 Wilhelm Tempel found an object ~30 seconds of RA preceding NGC 3332.  Near this location (mentioned in the narrative portion of paper V) is a pair of 15th magnitude stars.  In 1892 Spitaler measured an accurate position for Tempel's pair (given in the IC 1 Notes), but it's unlikely this pair is the same as NGC 3328.
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NGC 3329 = NGC 3397 = UGC 5837 = MCG +13-08-033 = CGCG 351-034 = PGC 32059
10 44 39.4  +76 48 35; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 140°

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, broad concentration but no sharp nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' NW.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 3329 = h733 on 2 Sep 1828 (sweep 171).  On 5 Apr 1832 (sweep 414) he recorded, "pretty bright; little extended; gradually brighter middle; 25" diameter."  His position is accurate.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096 with large systematic errors).  His revised position, using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509), reveals H. I. 284 = NGC 3397 is identical to NGC 3329.  The modern designation is NGC 3329, despite the earlier discovery of NGC 3397.
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NGC 3330 = ESO 168-11 = Cr 226 = Harvard 4
10 38 48  -54 06 54; Vel
V = 7.4;  Size 7'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, ~30 stars mag 10-13 in a 6'x3' group elongated N-S.  Three brighter mag 10 stars are on the south side but the main group of stars is on the north side including another mag 10 star.  This was an easy object in my 10x30 IS bincoculars and was partially resolved in the 9x50 finder.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): fairly faint but easily seen, a couple of stars were resolved at the edges.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3330 = D 355 = h3287 on 29 Apr 1826.  His summary description (based on 4 observations) is "a triangular group of small stars resembling faint nebula, with several stars in it of some considerable magnitude."  NGC 3330 was one of his first few discovered.  John Herschel recorded on 6 Apr 1834 (sweep 438) as "The chief star (9th mag) of a poor cluster of 20 or 30 stars."
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NGC 3331 = ESO 501-072 = MCG -04-25-056 = PGC 31743
10 40 09.0  -23 49 13; Hya
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

17.5" (4/21/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration, no distinct core.  The NGC position is 24 tsec too far west and this galaxy follows NGC 3335 situated 10' SW.  Member of nearby group LGG 209 (6 galaxies).  IC 625 (faint edge-on) 10' NW was not seen.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3331 = LM 2-424 in 1886 and noted "mag 14.0, 0.8' dia, vlE 180°."  His position is 0.4 min of RA west of ESO 501-72 = PGC 31743 and his position angle (N-S) is a good match.

A "corrected" position by Ormond Stone (repeated in the IC I Notes section) is 1.1 min of RA too far west!  Herbert Howe's measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 3332 = NGC 3342 = UGC 5807 = MCG +02-27-038 = CGCG 065-080 = Todd 24 = PGC 31768
10 40 28.4  +09 10 57; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/15/23): at 229x and 327x; fairly faint, moderately large, round, at least 1.0' diameter, much brighter central region increases to a small bright core and sharp stellar nucleus.  The halo has a low surface brightness.  A 13th mag star is 1.2' SE of center and a mag 15.6 star is a similar distance to the W of center.

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Even concentration to a brighter core and a nearly stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.2' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3332 = H. I-272 on 4 Mar 1796 while observing the satellites of Uranus.  This discovery was made after he abandoned his sweeps in 1794 (until Nov. 1797), although even by 1790 and married for two years they had become much less frequent.  He used Uranus as the offset reference and recorded the nebula as "considerably bright, small, irregularly round, much brighter middle, bright nucleus."  Since the discovery was not made during a sweep, it was not recorded in Caroline's revised sweep records, but it was included in his third catalogue. Similar discoveries occurred with NGC 3080 (III. 934) and NGC 3107 (II. 898).

In the NGC notes, Dreyer states the nebula observed by Schönfeld on 26 Apr 1862 and by Vogel in 1867 differ a good deal in place from H. I-272, while the vF neb found by Tempel in Arcetri on 21 May 1879 and by Peters (AN 3328) is nearly in Herschel's place.  The NGC position (also measured by Engelhardt) is accurate.

This galaxy was probably first discovered by Herschel on 18 Jan 1784 (early sweep 83) and catalogued as H. III-5 (later NGC 3342), but his position was very poor and he called it "The faintest and smallest nebula imaginable."  See notes on NGC 3342.  Interestingly, this galaxy was also picked up by David Todd on 26 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet, but his position for object #24 is about 3 minutes of RA too small.  Nevertheless, Todd's sketch is an exact match with the surrounding field stars for this galaxy.  Dreyer didn't include Todd #24 in the NGC.  So, it appears this galaxy was independently "discovered" three times.
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NGC 3333 = ESO 376-002 = MCG -06-24-001 = PGC 31723
10 39 49.8  -36 02 12; Ant
V = 13.2;  Size 2.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 160°

18" (3/17/07): faint, thin edge-on NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15'.  A mag 15 star appears to be superimposed at the SSE end.  Occasionally, there is a strong impresssion that a second very faint star is superimposed, though the second point is probably a faint stellar nucleus.  Member of a group (Klemola 16 = LGG 213) along with NGC 3347, NGC 3354 and NGC 3358.  NGC 3347 lies 40' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3333 = h3288 on 2 Feb 1835 and noted "eF; vS; mE; appended like a tail to a * 15m."  His position and description match the edge-on galaxy ESO 376-002.

Swift probably found this galaxy again on 30 Dec 1897 and reported Sw. 11-115 as "eeeF; eeS; R; eF * in contact; sf of 2."  His position was only 1' SW of NGC 3333.  Herbert Howe has a note in his reexamination of NGC/IC objects around 1900 that "Swift says in a letter that these [Sw. 11-115 and 116] are to be dropped.  The former is evidently identical with the h nebula 3333.  The '* 15 att' is of mag. 13, and directly south of the nebula." As a result, Dreyer didn't assign an IC designation.  Finally, Swift called NGC 3333 the "sf of 2" in the large AN table and "f of 2" in his earlier lists, though its unclear what the other object he had in mind.  See Corwin's comments on NGC 3260 for more on Swift's objects.
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NGC 3334 = UGC 5817 = MCG +06-24-004 = CGCG 184-005 = PGC 31845
10 41 31.2  +37 18 46; LMi
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, almost even surface brightness.  A nice evenly matched mag 11.5 pair at 28" lies 3' ENE.  Situated in an interesting field consisting of several fairly bright stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3334 = H. II-641 = h735 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "F, vS."  His RA was 34 seconds too large.  John Herschel's position on 7 Feb 132 (sweep 401) is fairly close.
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NGC 3335 = ESO 501-071 = MCG -04-25-055 = PGC 31706
10 39 34.1  -23 55 21; Hya
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 130°

17.5" (4/21/01): fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter, weak even concentration to a small, brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with slightly fainter and smaller NGC 3331 10' NE.  Member of nearby group LGG 209.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3335 = LM 2-425 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  He noted "mag 13.5, 0.4' dia, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle" and his position is 0.7 min east of ESO 501-071 = PGC 31706.  Ormond Stone's corrected RA (given in the IC 1 Notes section) is accurate.
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NGC 3336 = ESO 437-036 = AM 1037-273 = MCG -05-25-036 = LGG 211-007 = PGC 31754
10 40 17.0  -27 46 36; Hya
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 123°

18" (3/13/04): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x1.0', very weak concentration but no core or nucleus.  This member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) is located ~45' ESE of the core of the cluster.  Observation made through thin clouds.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3336 = h3289 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; pL; little extended; gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 3337 = CGCG 037-119 = PGC 31860
10 41 47.6  +04 59 18; Sex
V = 14.5;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/22/96): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Two mag 11.5 stars lie 1.8' and 3.1' SW.  Located 11.4' WSW of NGC 3341.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3337 = m 197 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stellar."  His position matches CGCG 037-119 = PGC 31860.
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NGC 3338 = UGC 5826 = MCG +02-27-041 = CGCG 065-087 = PGC 31883
10 42 07.5  +13 44 49; Leo
V = 11.1;  Size 5.9'x3.6';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 100°

18" (4/14/12): at 280x appeared fairly bright, large, elongated E-W, ~2.8'x1.6'.  Broad concentration to a round brighter core but no distinct nucleus.  The halo fades out gradually (nearly face-on spiral) and there is a hint of mottling, though no clear spiral structure.  Mag 8.9 HD 92622 lies 2.7' WNW of center, beyond the western edge of the galaxy.  UGC 5832 = Arp 291 lies 20' SE.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, fairly large, broad concentration to an elongated brighter core with a brighter nucleus embedded, hints of internal structure.  The fainter outer halo is elongated 3:2 E-W in the direction of mag 8.7 SAO 99253 which lies 2.7' W of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3338 = H. II-77 = h737 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "a considerable, pB, E, resolvable nebula, brightest about the middle." On 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242), John Herschel logged, "F; E; pL; very gradually brighter middle; follows a * 7m 10s."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 22 Mar 1854, noted "B Nucl, R, about 2' dia, light irr, has a second minute Nucl preceding the L one?  Spiral?"  There is no second nucleus, but he was correct about the spiral structure.
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NGC 3339 = Holm 210b
10 42 10.0  -00 22 08; Sex

= * 2.1' WNW of NGC 3340, Corwin.  Misidentified in the RNGC as NGC 3340.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3339 = m 198, along with NGC 3340, on 30 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, stellar."  A single mag 15.4 star is very near his position.  This star was also measured at Birr Castle on 4 Mar 1877 and called "eF, S."

The data in the RNGC listed under NGC 3339 applies to NGC 3340, MCG misidentifies MCG +00-27-042 as NGC 3339 and UGC mislabels NGC 3340 as NGC 3339 = NGC 3340.
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NGC 3340 = UGC 5827 = MCG +00-27-042 = CGCG 009-101 = Holm 210a = PGC 31892
10 42 18.0  -00 22 37; Sex
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/29/00): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core.  The halo fades into the background.  Located 12' SW of uneven double STF 1464 = 8.2/10.9 at 5".  This galaxy is incorrectly identified as NGC 3339 in the RNGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3340 = m 199 on 30 Jan 1865 and noted "F, S, R."  His position matches UGC 5827.  NGC 3339 is a faint star 2.1' west-northwest.  UGC and CGCG label this galaxy as NGC 3339 = NGC 3340, although only NGC 3340 should apply.
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NGC 3341 = UGC 5831 = MCG +01-27-031 = CGCG 037-124 = PGC 31915
10 42 31.5  +05 02 38; Sex
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 24°

48" (5/9/21): NGC 3341 is an advanced triple merger with a Seyfert 2 AGN in NGC 3341B, one of the secondary dwarf companions.  At 610x, the main galaxy was moderately bright, relatively large, irregular shape, elongated ~5:3 SSW-NNE, ~45" in length, small brighter core.  The "B" nucleus appeared as an extremely faint "knot", ~6" in diameter, close to the NE edge [10" from center].  The "C" nucleus also popped as a 6" knot [15" N of center] at the edge of the halo.  A mag 12.8 star is 1' NW and a mag 14.7 star is at the SW edge.

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.4', smooth surface brightness.  A mag 11.5 star is 1.0' NW and a mag 14 star is at the WSW edge 25" from center.  Located 21' NW of mag 5.8 35 Sex.  NGC 3337 lies 11.4' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3341 = m 200 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS."  His position corresponds with UGC 5831 = PGC 31915.
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NGC 3342 = NGC 3332: = UGC 5807 = MCG +02-27-038 = CGCG 065-080
10 40 28.4  +09 10 57; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

See observing notes for NGC 3332.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3342 = H. III-5 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 83). He logged the following long description: "The faintest and smallest nebula imaginable.  I viewed it a long while and with a higher power than the sweeper.  Having no person at the clock, I went in to write down the time and found it impossible to recover the nebula.  It appeared like a vS nebulous star, and is probably of the cometic sort; there was another vS star south-following (I think, or rather, am pretty sure), and it preceded a pretty bright star.  It should have been secured before I went into the light.  Its place must be about 2 1/2 deg following rho Leonis and about 10 arcmin more north than that star.''

His position falls on a blank part of the sky, but Harold Corwin notes that Herschel's description matches NGC 3332 = H. I-272, discovered on 4 Mar 1796 while observing the satellites of Uranus (during a period where he was disengaged from sweeping).  This implies his RA for III-5 was off by over 2 minutes of time (RA) and 15' in dec, not an unusual error for his early sweeps, though the description "faintest and smallest nebula imaginable" is at odds with "considerably bright" for H. I. 272.

This galaxy was independently found by David Todd (#24) on 26 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  Because of Herschel's poor position, this galaxy was not recovered by Spitaler or Bigourdan and Reinmuth equated the number with a 15th mag star.
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NGC 3343 = UGC 5863 = MCG +12-10-073 = CGCG 333-051 = PGC 32143
10 46 10.4  +73 21 10; Dra
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 55°

18" (3/30/05): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a very small 15" bright core which increases to a stellar nucleus.  Forms the vertex of a right angle with a 23" pair of mag 10.5/11.5 stars situated 4.5' NE and a mag 10.5 star 4' WNW.  NGC 3348 lies 30' S and NGC 3403 is 40' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3343 = H. III-317 = h736 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "vF, vS, requires attention to be seen." On 4 Nov 1831, John Herschel noted, "not vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 3344 = UGC 5840 = MCG +04-25-046 = CGCG 124-060 = PGC 31968
10 43 31.0  +24 55 20; LMi
V = 9.9;  Size 7.1'x6.5';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly bright, large, about 4'x3' extended ~E-W.  Unusual appearance as two bright stars are involved on the east side.  Sharply concentrated with a faint outer halo and a well-defined much brighter core.  A mag 10.5 star is on the east side 52" from the center and a mag 10 star is at the east edge of the halo 1.6' from the center.  Also a mag 13.5 star is superimposed about 30" SSE of the core.

8" (3/28/81): faint, large, low surface brightness.  Two mag 10 stars are at the east edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3344 = H. I-81 = h739 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and recorded "cB, cL, milky, very near and preceding 2 stars; a small part of the nebula is considerably brighter than the rest; the 2 stars and the brightest part of the nebula are all within 2' and nearly in one parallel.  The greatest part of the milkiness is preceding the bright part, and the termination of it is imperceptible."  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 2) as an illustration of "Nebulosities joined to Nebulae."

On 19 Feb 1827 (sweep 58), John Herschel logged, "pB; L; gradually brighter in the middle; has (?) a star excentric within it and a double star closely following it."  Bindon Stoney, observing on 3 Mar 1851, called it a "spiral, vF, has a branch from p edge round to n and f."
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NGC 3345
10 43 31.9  +11 59 07; Leo

= **, Carlson.  =M95 = NGC 3351, WS.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3345 = h740 on 24 Mar 1830, while searching for his father's H. I-26 (see below).  He simply noted "eF, hardly visible."  At his position is a pair of mag 14 stars at 18" separation.  Peters also reported the same position.  Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections, identifies NGC 3345 as a double star.  As John's description was so disparate from his father's, Dreyer added two question marks to the equivalence of h740 with H. I-26. 

William Herschel found H. I-26 on 19 Mar 1784 and recorded "cB, pL, not R, and much brighter about the middle than towards the ends."  There is nothing at his position, but ~10' south is M95, which was not observed in the sweep, and Dreyer notes in his 1912 notes to WH's catalogues that I-26 is probably a duplicate of M95.  Wolfgang Steinicke emphasizes the identity with M95, but Harold Corwin feels JH's observation should not be ignored.
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NGC 3346 = UGC 5842 = MCG +03-28-001 = CGCG 094-116 = CGCG 095-003 = PGC 31982
10 43 39.0  +14 52 19; Leo
V = 11.7;  Size 2.9'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated E-W, 3.0'x2.5', fairly low almost even surface brightness, just a weak broad concentration.  A pair of mag 11-12 stars are 2.6' WSW and 3.5' due west.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3346 = H. V-7 = h3290 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "F, vL, almost R, resolvable."  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "vF; L; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 3' or 4' diam.  A soft globe of light, resolvable with the left eye."  His position matches UGC 5842.
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NGC 3347 = ESO 376-013 = MCG -06-24-007 = LGG 213-004 = PGC 31926
10 42 46.6  -36 21 12; Ant
V = 11.3;  Size 3.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 173°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright and large, elongated ~N-S, bright nucleus.  First of three with NGC 3354 3.4' E and NGC 3358 10' ESE.  Member of the Klemola 16 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3347 = h3291, along with NGC 3354, on 1 May 1834 (sweep 446) and recorded, "pF; S; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a * 12m."  He observed this group on four nights.
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NGC 3348 = UGC 5875 = MCG +12-10-077 = CGCG 333-054 = PGC 32216
10 47 10.1  +72 50 22; UMa
V = 11.1;  Size 2.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright but small, 1' diameter, slightly elongated E-W.  Unusual appearance because at first glance there appears to be a double nucleus.  Instead a mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the east side of the halo.  The core of the galaxy is close west and a small halo surrounds the star with averted vision.  Using direct vision the star is slightly brighter than the core.  A mag 11 star lies 1.7' WNW.  Straddles the UMa/Dra border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3348 = H. I-80 = h738 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390). He recorded "considerably bright, small, irregularly elliptical."  On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 383), John Herschel noted, "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 40"; has a * 11m pos 22.8°, Delta RA = 20 seconds."

Sherburne Burnham measured the separation of the star and the nebula at 22" in 1910.  Karl Reinmuth called this was a double galaxy (based on Heidelberg plates).
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NGC 3349 = VV 514 = MCG +01-28-002 = CGCG 038-002 = PGC 31989
10 43 50.6  +06 45 47; Leo
V = 14.4;  Size 1.0'x0.7'

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  Located 5.3' W of brighter NGC 3356.  An extremely faint mag 15 "star" is just off the SE edge [38" SE of center].  On the POSS this "star" is a compact companion (LEDA 2800964) with very faint disrupted arms.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3349 = m 201 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS."  His position matches the triple system VV 514.
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NGC 3350 = CGCG 155-002 = CGCG 154-044 = PGC 32035
10 44 22.9  +30 43 29; LMi
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (3/11/07): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, occasional very faint stellar nucleus.  Located just north of a wide pair of mag 9.5 and 10 stars (SAO 62223 and 62226) and 19' W of 5.4-magnitude 42 Leo Minor.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3350 = h742 on 10 Apr 1831 (sweep 342) and recorded "eF; vS; very difficult, but a certain observation; is n of 2 st 9 or 10m."  His position matches CGCG 154-044 = PGC 32035.
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NGC 3351 = M95 = UGC 5850 = MCG +02-28-001 = CGCG 066-004 = LGG 217-002 = PGC 32007
10 43 57.8  +11 42 14; Leo
V = 9.7;  Size 7.4'x5.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 13°

82" (5/6/24, McDonald Observatory): at 641x; the central region of M95 was quite striking with a nuclear ring at the center (~12" diameter).  The central bar was easily visible running WNW-ESE and forming the diameter of a perfect inner ring ~2.5' in diameter. At the center of the bar was the nuclear ring, which displayed an irregular surface brightness with a brightening (ring) along the periphery. It seemed to have a few brightenings, including a knot, along the rim. The bar was pretty uniform in brightness and was connected to a well defined ring. The inner regions on either side of the bar showed a dip in brightness. The field stars were sharp pinpoints during the observation.

48" (4/21/17): at 375x; extremely bright, very large, dominated by an intensely bright, round nucleus/core and a prominent central bar running nearly E-W.  A strong, round ring is attached at the ends of the bar, forming a striking "Theta" shape.  A well defined darker region is inside the ring to the north and south of the bar though the contrast is higher on the north side of the bar.  Surrounding the ring is a very large, low surface brightness outer halo extending SSW-NNE, perhaps 5.5'-6' by 4'.  With averted vision, low contrast spiral arm structure was noticed in the outer halo, particularly on the southwest side. 

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, very bright core. The outer halo is 4.5'x3.0' oriented SSW-NNE.  A bar is highly suspected extending WNW-ESE of the central core with inner ring structure suspected extending from this bar.   M96 (brightest in the group) lies 40' ENE.

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright, small bright nucleus. 

8": bright, fairly large, round.

Pierre Méchain discovered M95 = H. I-26 = h743 on 20 Mar 1781.

William Herschel first observed M95 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 73) and logged "a large extended, fine nebula. It seems to be Messier's 98th..but it appears that Mechain has not seen the whole of it, for its feeble branches extend about 1/4°, of which no notice is taken.."  He observed M95 again on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded a "fine, bright nebula, much brighter in the middle than at the extremes, of a pretty considerable extent, perhaps 3 or 4' or more. The middle seems to be of the magnitude of 3 or 4 stars joined together, but not exactly round; from the brightest part of it there is a sudden transition to the nebulous part, so that I should call it cometic."  Just a week later (19 Mar 1784) Herschel observed it during a sweep and assumed it was new!  He included it in his first catalogue as H. I-26: "cB, pL, not R, and much brighter about the middle than towards the ends."  There is nothing at his position, but ~20' S and 1 minute of RA E is M95, which is mssing in the sweep.  Dreyer concluded H. I-26 was likely a duplicate of M95 in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogoues.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 16 Feb 1858, noted "I sev times thought it had two spiral arms, p and f."  Sir Robert Ball commented on 10 Feb 1867, "The central bright section seems rather more complex than usual.  It may be divided into two ellipses, the inner one is uniform in light and brighter than the other one."  This appears to describe the core and the surrounding inner ring.
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NGC 3352 = UGC 5851 = MCG +04-25-048 = CGCG 124-061 = PGC 32025
10 44 15.0  +22 22 16; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, very small, round, brighter core.  A mag 14 star is 1.8' WNW.  NGC 3363 lies 21' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3352 = St. 10-26 on 8 Mar 1869.  His unpublished position was off by 2' SE.  He published an accurate micrometric position made on 19 Mar 1880.
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NGC 3353 = UGC 5860 = MCG +09-18-022 = CGCG 267-009 = Mrk 35 = SPRC-104 = PGC 32103
10 45 22.4  +55 57 37; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 45°

24" (7/11/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.6'x0.45', very small bright nucleus, occasionally a brighter spot was seen on the west side.  

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, increases to an irregular brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1.6' S of center.

8": faint, small, round.  A mag 13 star is 1' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3353 = H. III-842 = h741 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "vF, vS, R."  His RA is 30 sec too large.  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel recorded, "pB; S; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 15"; a small star 90" S."
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NGC 3354 = ESO 376-014 = MCG -06-24-008 = LGG 213-005 = PGC 31941
10 43 02.8  -36 21 46; Ant
V = 13.2;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S.  Second of three with NGC 3347 3.5' W and NGC 3358 7' ESE.  Member of the Klemola 16 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3354 = h3292 on 1 May 1834 and recorded (two sweeps later) "vF; S; little brighter middle; 8".  The 2nd of 3 [with NGC 3347 and NGC 3358]."  Pietro Baracchi wrote, "pB; S; R: very little brighter middle almost flat.  A star 14m close north." (3 Feb 1886, Melbourne).
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NGC 3355
10 43 30  -23 12; Hya

= Not found, RNGC.  =MCG -04-25-058 = ESO 501-G79?, ESO.

Samuel Langley found NGC 3355 = HN 29 on 12 Apr 1866 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor at Harvard Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #215).  He simply noted "found in search for Biela's comet; place approximate."  There is nothing near his position (the only NGC credited to Langley).  NGC 3355 is not listed in any modern catalogue except ESO, which lists ESO 501-079 as a possible identity.  This galaxy is located 2 minutes of RA west and 11.4' south of Langley's position, so is very poor match.

Harold Corwin suggests a more likely candidate is IC 625 = ESO 501-G80, a "normal'' early-type object with a surface brightness two magnitudes brighter than ESO 501-G79.  Either of these identifications are pretty speculative as IC 625 is 45' S of Langley's position.  So, I've listed this number as lost.
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NGC 3356 = UGC 5852 = MCG +01-28-004 = CGCG 038-005 = VV 529 = PGC 32021
10 44 12.3  +06 45 32; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 102°

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE.  A mag 11 star is 2.9' S.  Forms a pair with NGC 3349 5.3' W.  NGC 3362 lies 13.8' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3356 = H. III-107 = h744 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 196) and recorded "A suspected, extremely faint, pretty large [nebula].  Too much daylight remaining to verify it; but I do not much doubt it."  Apparently it wouldn't be fully dark for another half-hour and his position was poor.  He looked for it again but was unsuccessful on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 497): "I am pretty sure it does not exist as the morning is very favourable."   Finally, on 12 Apr 1801 (sweep 1098) he confirmed it as "faint, round, small, bright middle." His original position was about 2 1/2 minutes of time too small.

On 27 Dec 1827 (sweep 117), John Herschel wrote, "eF; R; bM; 30"; a * 9m south dist 2' or 3'."
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NGC 3357 = UGC 5206 = UGC 5854A = MCG +02-28-002 = CGCG 066-006 = PGC 32032
10 44 20.7  +14 05 03; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, broad concentration to an ill-defined brighter 15" core.  A mag 12 star is 2.3' W of center.  A wide pair of evenly matched mag 9.5 stars lies 8.5' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3357 = m 202 = T. 5-5 on 5 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, much brighter in the middle." His position is 1' north of UGC 5206.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 22 Feb 1865, noted the mag 13-14 star 10 seconds of time due west and measured a very accurate position.  Wilhelm Tempel made another discovery on 18 Nov 1881 while looking for Denning's Comet and included it in his 5th discovery paper.

UGC incorrectly gives the RA as 9h instead of 10h, although identifies this UGC 5206 as NGC 3357.  In the UGC addenda, NGC 3357 is listed again as UGC 5854A, as the corrected position falls between UGC 5854 and 5855.
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NGC 3358 = ESO 376-017 = MCG -06-24-009 = LGG 213-006 = PGC 31974
10 43 32.9  -36 24 37; Ant
V = 11.4;  Size 3.3'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 141°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, prominent core, fainter elongated halo.  Several stars are near.  Third of three with NGC 3354 7' WNW and NGC 3350 10' WNW.  Member of the Klemola 16 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3358 = h3293 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; vS; R: close to a vS star; the last of 3 [with NGC 3347 and 3354]."
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NGC 3359 = UGC 5873 = MCG +11-13-037 = CGCG 313-033 = PGC 32183
10 46 36.7  +63 13 28; UMa
V = 10.6;  Size 7.2'x4.4';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 170°

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, this beautiful barred spiral contains a prominent central bar extending ~1.3' N-S, with a bright, elongated core.  A spiral arm is attached at the south end of the bar.  It quickly rotates and sweeps northeast (clockwise) for 1.5', dimming out 1' E of center.  A longer, beautiful arm is attached on the north end of the bar and sweeps south along the west side of the galaxy.  This arm is brightest where it attaches to the bar.  The western arm passes well south of the central bar and includes a couple of HII knots towards the end.  The brightest is a faint 10" knot, situated 1.4' SW of center.  This HII region is catalogued as [H69] 42 in Hodge's 1969 paper "HII Regions in 20 Nearby Galaxies".  Just south of this knot the arm fades out, but brightens slightly again at the tip (2' S of center), where there is a very faint, low surface brightness knot, ~12" diameter.

14.5" (4/12/21): at 158x and 226x; moderately bright, large, oval ~3:2 N-S, ~4.5'x3' with averted vision. Contains a large, brighter central region.  Although there wasn't a well defined core, a brighter N-S bar was occasionally noticed.  The halo has a moderately low, fairly even surface brightness, except at the periphery.  No brighter stars are nearby.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE.  A brighter bar is visible through the center along the major axis!  Has a large, diffuse halo about 5'x3' which fades into the background.  The brighter core has an irregular surface brightness.  Two mag 14 stars are 3.4' WNW and 2.8' ESE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3359 = H. V-52 = h745 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1102 under the pole).  He recorded "considerably bright, large, little extended in the meridian, very gradually brighter middle, about 5' long and 3' broad.  The nebulosity seems to be of the milky kind [unresolvable], it loses itself imperceptibly all around.  The whole breadth of the sweeps seems to be affected with vF nebulosity."  His position was 3.5' too far north.

On 2 Apr 1832 (sweep 411), John Herschel logged, "pF; L; E in merid; gradually little brighter middle; 2.5' l, 2' br."  On 21 Feb 1874, Birr Castle assistant Ralph Copeland made two sketches showing both a striking "S" shaped spiral and a "figure 8".  No description accompanied the diagrams.
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NGC 3360 = MCG -02-28-003 = PGC 32026
10 44 16.1  -11 14 33; Sex
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 55°

17.5" (4/21/01): faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6'.  Low, nearly even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3360 3.8'  NE.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3360 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector.  His description reads "A F[aint] pair, f one brighter."  There is nothing at his position, but 10' north is MCG -02-28-003 = PGC 32026, which forms a pair with NGC 3361 = MCG -02-28-004 about 3.8' NE.

Herbert Howe's published position in his series of MN articles matches MCG -02-28-003, although it is incorrect in the IC Notes.
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NGC 3361 = MCG -02-28-004 = PGC 32044
10 44 29.1  -11 12 27; Sex
V = 12.8;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration.  A mag 15 star is close preceding.  Forms a pair with NGC 3360 3.8' SW.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3361 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector.  His description reads "A F[aint] pair, f one brighter."  There is nothing at his position, but 10' north is MCG -02-28-004 = PGC 32044, which forms a pair with NGC 3360 about 3.8' SW.  The position angle 160° given in the NGC description is accurate, though it was not given in Common's list.
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NGC 3362 = UGC 5857 = MCG +01-28-005 = CGCG 038-007 = PGC 32078
10 44 51.8  +06 35 48; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 90°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.0', broad concentration.  Located 3.8' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 118472 3.8' ESE.  NGC 3356 lies 13.8' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3362 = m 203 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, R."  His position is within 1' of UGC 5857.  Stephan observed the galaxy on 14 Mar 1872 (perhaps aware of Marth's earlier discovery) and reported it as new in his 12th discovery list (#39) with a measure taken on 18 Mar 1882.  He questioned if it was equivalent to GC 5534 [NGC 3362] in the notes section.  Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 3363 = UGC 5866 = MCG +04-26-002 = CGCG 125-003 = PGC 32089
10 45 09.5  +22 04 42; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7', even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' E of center and 1.0' off the edge.  NGC 3353 lies 21' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3363 = St. 12-40 on 4 Mar 1878.  His published position (list 12, #40) was reduced on 22 Mar 1882 with description, "F, pS, irregularly round, little brighter middle, r."
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NGC 3364 = UGC 5890 = MCG +12-10-082 = CGCG 333-056 = PGC 32314
10 48 29.7  +72 25 30; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  Collinear with a mag 13/13.5 double star at 29" separation located 4' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3364 = H. III-318 = h746 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "vF, pL, r."  His position was ~2.5' east of UGC 5890.  On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 482), John Herschel wrote, "eF; L; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60"; a coarse double star sf [about 5'] points back directly to it."
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NGC 3365 = UGC 5878 = MCG +00-28-006 = CGCG 010-008 = FGC 1131 = PGC 32153
10 46 12.6  +01 48 48; Sex
V = 12.6;  Size 4.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 159°

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, fairly large, edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, 4.0'x0.6'.  Appears as a low surface brightness streak, very weak concentration with a small slightly brighter core.  Surprisingly faint for the listed magnitude.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3365 = h747 on 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144) and recorded, "eF; L; 2' long, 20" broad; very gradually very little brighter middle; a ray nebula."  His position was 1.4' too far south.  The NGC has a typo in the RA hour (19).
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NGC 3366 = IC 2592 = ESO 264-007 = MCG -07-22-024 = LGG 204-003 = PGC 31335
10 35 08.4  -43 41 30; Vel
V = 11.3;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 37°

18" (2/19/09): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~0.6'x0.4'.  NGC 3366 is located just 1.7' S of mag 6.1 HD 91805 and the combination of low elevation and the glare of the bright star severely hampered viewing the galaxy.  At 225x I was able to place the star just outside the edge of the field which increased the visibility, though only viewed the brighter central region.  This galaxy is located 1.3° ENE of NGC 3256 and is probably part of the southern group Klemola 12 (NGC 3256, 3256B, 3261, 3262 and 3263 were observed from Costa Rica).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3366 = h3294 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded ""F; E; gradually brighter in the middle; close to a * 6.7m.  The minute of RA is doubtful.  The written record makes it 47; but as this is impossible from the context, 37 is assumed."  Corwin proproses that his assumed RA is still 10 minutes too large. Once corrected it matches ESO 264-007 in position and description so this identification is nearly certain.

DeLisle Stewart found this galaxy on an Arequipa plate around 1899 and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 2592.  So, NGC 3366 = IC 2592.  See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3367 = UGC 5880 = MCG +02-28-005 = CGCG 066-011 = LGG 216-001 = PGC 32178
10 46 34.8  +13 45 02; Leo
V = 11.5;  Size 2.5'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.2

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly bright, fairly large, almost even surface brightness, slightly elongated ~E-W.  NGC 3377 lies 20' NE. 

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, slightly elongated, slightly brighter core.  Located about 25' SSE of 5th magnitude 52 Leonis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3367 = H. II-78 = h748 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and simply noted "pB".  His position was off by 15' (too far northwest), but he measured a more accurate position on a later sweep.  On 4 Apr 1831 (sweep 338), John Herschel noted, "pB; vL; irreg R; very gradually brighter middle; 2' diam" and measured an accurate position in sweep 338.  The description under h748 on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242) also probably refers to NGC 3379.

On 23 Mar 1851, Bindon Stoney noted "probably spiral, dark spaces in it and * suspected in preceding edge."
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NGC 3368 = M96 = UGC 5882 = MCG +02-28-006 = CGCG 066-013 = LGG 217-003 = PGC 32192
10 46 45.5  +11 49 18; Leo
V = 9.3;  Size 7.6'x5.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, fairly large, elongated NW-SE, 5'x3.5', small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in the Leo group (M96 Group) with M95 40' WSW and M105/NGC 3384 ~50' NNE.

17.5" (5/23/98): observed SN 1998bu in M96, which was very close to maximum brightness of 12th magnitude.  It was located 4" E and 55" N of center.

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright, small bright nucleus. 

8" (3/28/81): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated.

Pierre Méchain discovered M96 = NGC 3368 = h749 on 20 Mar 1781.  Four nights later it was confirmed by Messier.  William Herschel observed M96 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "A fine, bright nebula, much like the former [M95], but the brightest part in the middle is more joined to the nebulosity than in the former, and the bright part is rather longer, though not quite so vivid as in the former. It may still be called cometic, though it begins to depart a little from that kind."

George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistant, noted "Is, I think, certainly a spiral." (3 Mar 1850).  A year later, Bindon Stoney added "vBM, perhaps shaped like an S reversed." A sketch clearly shows a spiral arm curving counterclockwise on the east side towards the south.  It also shows a darker strip just west of the central region between the western arm.  M96 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 PT paper.
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NGC 3369 = ESO 501-095 = MCG -04-26-009 = PGC 32191
10 46 44.6  -25 14 39; Hya
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 117°

18" (3/17/07): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, 0.5'x0.4'.  Outlying member of the Hydra I (AGC 1060) cluster to the NE of the main group.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3369 = LM 1-177 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) matches ESO 501-095.  Howe's corrected position in 1899-00 (given in the IC 2 Notes section) is accurate.
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NGC 3370 = UGC 5887 = MCG +03-28-008 = CGCG 095-019 = PGC 32207
10 47 04.0  +17 16 24; Leo
V = 11.6;  Size 3.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 148°

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly weak concentration, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE.  The nucleus is displaced to the west.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3370 = H. II-81 = h750 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and noted "pB, pL, not R, r."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 25 Mar 1827 (sweep 63), "pB; R; bM; r."
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NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 = UGC 5911 = MCG +02-28-012 = CGCG 066-021
10 48 16.9  +12 37 45; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3384.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3371 = h751 on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 282) and recorded "F, R. The second of 3 [with h748 and h753 = NGC 3373] in a triangle."  NGC 3367, situated ~7' WSW of Herschel's position, is the only galaxy in the vicinty.  Christian Peters claimed that "[N3371] was distinctly seen by me 1880, Mar. 2; but [GC]2198, the third of the 'triple nebula,' could not be found."  Most likely he saw a faint star hear Herschel's position.  But if the positions for all 3 objects are offset 73 seconds in RA east and 70' south, they match up perfectly with NGC 3379, NGC 3384 and NGC 3389.  Perhaps while observing NGC 3379, he used the position of NGC 3367 and measured offsets to obtain positions of other two galaxies.  So, h748 (sweep 282) = NGC 3379, NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 and NGC 3373 = NGC 3389.  His position angles (given under h748) also match these 3 galaxies.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

NGC 3371 and 3373 were reported as not found by Pease on plates taken with the 60" reflector in 1917 and 1919.
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NGC 3372 = ESO 128-013 = Gum 33 = 109a = RCW 53 = Carina Nebula = Keyhole Nebula
10 45 09  -59 52 00; Car
V = 4.8;  Size 120'x120'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this observation of the Homunculus was made at 350x in good seeing with the 24".  Eta Carinae appeared an iridescent electric-orange color surrounded by the bipolar blowouts of the Homunculus.  The brighter and larger lobe, which is expanding in our direction, extends to the southeast and was pretty circular (a bit flattened on the end), but punctured by a small, elongated hole that splits the lobe near Eta, creating a small 6" loop (connected on the SE end).  The NW blowout is fainter and smaller with an unusual "fountain" or "fan" appearance (also referred to as the "paddle" in schematics of the Homunculus), tapering in and dimming to an extremely narrow bridge at Eta and then spreading out to the NW.  The NW edge of this lobe is rounder, creating a "fan" appearance.  The two lobes create empty notches near Eta and extending into the NE notch between the two lobes is a very thin, short spike (referred to as equatorial debris or "skirt) that was not difficult to view but the SW "spike" was only intermittently visible.  Just west of Eta is the fairly prominent, dark "Keyhole Nebula".

18" (7/4/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): spectacular detail within the Homunculus nebula at 293x.  The bright 6" lobe to the SE of Eta is split by a dark lane (forming the two "legs" of the Homunculus).  This lane actually consists of two darker "holes" with the outer dark hole more prominent.  In moments of good seeing the outer periphery of the lobe has a slightly tattered or scalloped structure and it is flattened on the SE end.  Jutting out a few arcseconds to the NE is a small, thin spike that was visible continuously with averted vision.  On the opposite SW side, only a small, brighter extension or oval nodule bulges out slightly from the SE lobe.  The fainter NW lobe has a more translucent appearance with a pinched "key" or "bust" outline as the nebulosity is very weak or absent in the middle of the sides (this lobe forms the "head" of the Homunculus).  At the center of this remarkable sight is the bright, quasi-stellar, reddish-orange Eta Carinae.

Bochum 10 is located 40' NW of Eta Carinae and just north of the huge wedge of nebulosity that extends north of Eta. About two dozen stars, including 7 of 9th magnitude, were resolved in the main group, which extends ~5'x2'.  The cluster is fairly scattered and distributed in the two subgroups oriented NW and SE, with the SE group containing most of the stars.  Visually it was much smaller than the listed diameter of 20'.  Situated just 5' NW of mag 5.4 HD 92964 and just south of the southern arc of the HD 92809 Wolf-Rayet ring, which may be associated with Bochum 10.

This huge Wolf-Rayet bubble was surprisingly easy at 76x with an H-beta filter, although without prior knowledge I would have assumed it was an outer extension of the Eta Car nebula.  A huge, 35' semicircular annulus of nebulosity was easily traced.  The south side of the rim is bright, well defined and oriented roughly E-W as it passes north of Bochum 10.  With careful viewing, very faint nebulosity continues to spread out from the east end.  On the west side of this E-W strip, there is a short break and then it continues as a large, fairly prominent arc that curves northward.  This arc is sharply defined on both the interior and exterior edge and widens and fades at the north end, although a small locally brighter patch is at the NW tip.  The nebulosity curves back east on the north side but this section is quite faint and simply appears as low surface brightness haze.  A relatively prominent 4'x3' oval patch of nebulosity is isolated on the SE side, just within the interior.  Very faint haze also spreads out within the interior but the eastern half of the rim is completely missing. The OIII filter significantly dims the curving NW quadrant of the loop.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): I spent quite a bit of time viewing the Eta Carina complex, particularly examining the remarkable Homunculus Nebula. This is easily the largest bright emission nebula in the sky and a very prominent naked-eye object within the amazingly rich Carina Milky Way.  Dark lanes or rift separate bright islands of billowing nebulosity and the entire complex overfilled the 105x field at the eyepiece.

The surface brightness of the various sections is fairly uniform and pretty high, though it lowers in the outskirts.  No section is comparable in intensity to the central heart of the Orion Nebula, but the large wedge that contains Eta Car is quite prominent.  A UHC filter enhances the nebulosity without significantly dimming the stars.  Just west of Eta (within the central wedge) is the fairly prominent, dark "Keyhole Nebula" that extends ~5' length, elongated N-S (not as contrasty as when John Herschel named it in the 1830's).  Eta Carina's orange color and the small bipolar blowouts are quite stunning at high power.  Several clusters are involved with the nebula. The most prominent is Tr 16, situated just south of Eta Car.

Tr 14 is a rich group of ~30 stars mag 7 and fainter stars including the double star h4356 (7.2/8.9 at 2.8", with brighter component HD 93129A) within a 4' diameter.  There are several additional mag 8/9 stars and a swarm of mag 12 stars!  Tr 14 is situated just 12' NW of Eta Carinae within the bright, huge triangular section of nebulosity to the NW of Eta.  The cluster is the second most massive in the Carina nebula and contains ten O-type stars.  HD 93129Aa (the brighter spectroscopic component of HD 93129A) is one of the most luminous and massive known stars with ~80-100 solar masses and ~2,500,000 times the sun's luminosity.  The "Mystic Mountain" region, a remarkable star-forming pillar of gas and dust captured by the HST, is at the north edge of the cluster.

Tr 16 is the most massive cluster in the Carina nebula complex and contains the majority of the O-type stars.  Visually, Tr 16 is a rich group of stars trailing immediately south of Eta Carinae itself and close southeast of the dark Keyhole Nebula, all within the same bright triangular wedge.  At 166x, about three dozen stars mag 9-13 were resolved within 4'.  A number of the stars are arranged in chains and groups.  Eta Car itself is considered part of the cluster.  Mag 8.8 WR 25 = HD 93162 is about 7' W of center of the cluster.  The primary is considered the most luminous known star in our galaxy.

Tr 15 consists of roughly 15 stars (a half-dozen members are O-type supergiants) crammed into a 2' group including a neat triple h4364 (mag 8/9/11 at 8" and 9" in a string with brightest member HD 93249) on the north side.  Situated within a streamer of nebulosity just 20' NNW of Eta Carina itself.

At 200x, the Homunculus Nebula surrounding Eta Carina was remarkable in excellent seeing on the last evening of observing.  Both Eta and the nebula were a uniquely vivid color - an amazing fluorescent orange-tangerine.  The brighter lobe extend SE of Eta with a diameter of ~6". It outline is sharp and flattened along the southern edge in a mushroom shape.  There appeared to be a partial darker lane in the interior.  Extending to the NW was a smaller (4"-5") and much fainter lobe that faded with increased magnification.  A tiny spike of nebulosity jutted out along to the NE between the two lobes.  A couple of very close and faint companions lie just NE of Eta.  This bi-polar reflection nebula resulted from the most recent outburst of supermassive Eta Car in 1841.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): Using a 20 Nagler (127x) and UHC filter, the field of Eta Carina was a breathtaking sight.  The outer wings and streamers extended well outside the 39' field.  The turbulent nebulosity had a curdled, electric appearance with a strong 3-dimensional effect as brighter streaks, wings, fainter masses and dark lanes were mixed together throughout the field.

The best overall view of the nebula in the 20" was at 80x (32 mm) using a UHC filter.  Even at this low power, the Eta Carina nebula still overfilled the field with contrasty dark lanes and amazingly structured islands of nebulosity.  I stared into the eyepiece quietly, somewhat stunned by its beauty.  With this aperture at 282x, the 12"x8" bipolar Homunculus nebula was an astounding sight.  The orange central star appeared quasi-stellar with the unequal blowouts fairly prominent.  They had an eerie, translucent appearance with the western lobe somewhat smaller, fainter and more pinched with the eastern lobe more circular.  A possible dark lane is near the center and punctures the lobes.

Tr 14 is a rich group of stars mag 7 and fainter stars in a 5' region, situated ~12' NW of Eta within one of the sections of nebulosity. Contains the binary h4356 (7.2/8.9 at 2.8").  The brighter spectroscopic member of the mag 7.2 star (HD 93129Aa) is one of the most massive stars known and rivals Eta Car in mass and luminosity.  A triple system h4360 just 2' SE includes a 2" pair.  Cr 232 is a small, scattered group of ~20 stars in a 4' region just following Tr 14.  The brightest star is mag 7.7 HD 93250, a 04-type supergiant.  Tr 16, the most massive cluster in the Carina complex, is a triangular group of stars just south of Eta and includes a chain of a half-dozen brighter stars.  Tr 15 is a fairly small group of a couple dozen stars mag 8.5 and fainter, less than 30' N of Eta Car. A half-dozen members are O-type supergiants.

Cr 228 is a large, scattered cluster ~25' SSW of Eta Carina in the southern part of the complex.  It includes two mag 6.5 stars with brightest member 6.2-6.5 QZ Carinae and the Wolf-Rayet star HD 93131.  Includes a number of mag 8-9 stars spread over a 15'x10' field.  The group is elongated SW-NE.

Bochum 10 is a group of two dozen stars in a ~5'x2' region.  It includes 7 mag 9 stars that dominate the group.  Fairly scattered and distributed in the two subgroups NW and SE with the SE group containing most of the stars.  Located just 5' NW of mag 5.4 HD 92964 and just south of the southern arc of the HD 92809 Wolf-Rayet ring.  Situated just north of the huge wedge that extends north of Eta, ~40' NW of the star.  Visually the cluster appears much smaller than the listed diameter of 20'.

At 282x, the 12"x8" bipolar Homunculus nebula surrounding Eta Carina was an astounding sight.  The orange central star appeared quasi-stellar with the unequal blowouts fairly prominent.  They had an eerie, translucent appearance with the NW lobe somewhat smaller, fainter and more pinched with the SE lobe more circular.  A possible dark lane is near the center and punctures the lobes.

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): My first views of the Eta Carina nebula through Les Dalrymple's 12.5" and Gary's 20" were truly breathtaking and dwarfed the Orion Nebula in size and detail.  The nebula is broken into 4 or 5 main separate masses of varying sizes, shapes and surface brightness by three wide, dark obscuring dust lanes.  The mottled nebulosity has an amazing 3-dimensional curdled appearance and is riddled with dark bays and rifts.  Outer loops and brighter streaks complete an amazing vista. 

The brightest section forms a triangular wedge isolated by prominent dark lane that cuts at a striking right angle.  This wedge contains the centerpiece Eta Carina which has an amazing orange color.  Extending from Eta are the two small lobes (one is brighter), referred to as the "Homunculus nebula" and appearing as an explosive event from the early 19th century in a HST image.  Just preceding Eta is an elongated N-S, curving dark lane nicknamed the "Keyhole Nebula" by John Herschel, as well as the open cluster Tr 16 just south of Eta.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered (telescopically) NGC 3372 = Lac III-6 = D 309 = h3295 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He recorded a "Large group of a great number of small stars, little compressed, and filling out the space of a kind of a semi-circle of 15 to 20 minutes in diameter; with a slight nebulosity spreading in that space."  Of course, the nebula and embedded clusters is a prominent naked-eye object, so was certainly known by southern sky watchers.

James Dunlop observed it at least 13 times beginning on 30 Mar 1826.  His summary description reads "(Eta Roboris Caroli, Bode) is a bright star of the 3rd magnitude, surrounded by a multitude of small stars, and pretty strong nebulosity; very similar in its nature to that in Orion, but not so bright... I can count twelve or fourteen extremely minute stars surrounding Eta in the space of about 1'; several of them appear close to the disk: there is a pretty bright small star about the 10th magnitude N.f. the Eta, and distant about 1'. The nebulosity is pretty strongly marked; that on the south side is very unequal in brightness, and the different portions of the nebulosity are completely detached, as represented in the figure [plate III, figure 14]. There is much nebulosity in this place, and very much extensive nebulosity throughout the Robur Caroli, which is also very rich in small stars."

John Herschel commented "It is not easy for language to convey a full impression of the beauty and sublimity of the spectacle which this nebula offers, as it enters the field of the telescope fixed in R. A., by the diurnal motion, ushered in as it is by so glorious and innumerable a procession of stars, to which it forms a sort of climax, and in a part of the heavens otherwise full of interest."

During a 5-year period in the 1840's and '50s Eta Car brightened from 1.5 to -1 (chronicled by John Herschel) and was temporarily the second brightest star in the sky, nearly rivaling Sirius. This outburst later created the double-lobed Homunculus Nebula, discovered in 1944.  In 1863, Francis Abbott, using a 4-inch refractor at his private observatory in Hobart, Tasmania, claimed a decrease in the size and brightness of the main nebula and a displacement relative to Eta Carinae.  A number critical responses followed that strongly refuted any significant changes, including Lt. John Herschel (son of JH), and both Airy and Lassell in 1871. But Abbott persisted in his position, publishing 6 different papers in 1871.  Interestingly, the dark "Keyhole Nebula" does appear to have lost contrast based on JH's sketches and descriptions.  David Frew made a detailed analysis of the historical light curve of Eta Car at http://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/2004JAD....10....6F.

In Nov. 1874, Charles Burton (former assistant at Birr Castle) sketched the nebula with a 12" silver-on-glass reflector while at the island of Rodriquez on a transit of Venus expedition.  He reported that he detected some changes (differences) with Herschel's sketch, though doubted if there was any significant changes.

As far as the origin of the nickname "Keyhole Nebula" it's generally assumed that JH coined the phrase and his sketch of the elongated dark patch near Eta certainly appears like a perfect classic "keyhole".  But a search through his Cape Observations and articles about the brightening of Eta Car and the possible variability of the nebula reveals he used the term "lemniscate" to describe the shape (must have been his early mathematical training), and that's the term that Burton used in 1874..

In an 1873 issue of Appletons' Journal, Emma Converse, who reported on astronomical topics for the popular press, summarizes the dispute about changes in the nebula in an article titled "Eta Argus".  She mentions "In the middle of the brightest part of the nebulous light there was a dark vacancy, of a form resembling a keyhole, or the geometrical figure called a lemniscate, around which the light of the nebula was not uniform." Later she mentions "The southern loop of Herschel's lemniscate, or keyhole-shaped cavity had bulged out into the vacuity, forming an isthmus that trended north-south."  Agnes Mary Clerke refers to the "Key-Hole Nebula" in her "The System of the Stars" (second edition, 1905), plate XVII taken with the Bruce 24-inch at Arequipa in 1896.
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NGC 3373 = NGC 3389 = UGC 5914 = MCG +02-28-013 = CGCG 066-022 = PGC 32306
10 48 27.9  +12 31 59; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3389.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3373 = h753 on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 282) and recorded "F, R, the last of 3 [with h748 and h751 = NGC 3371] in a triangle."  NGC 3367, situated ~7' WSW of Herschel's position, is the only galaxy in the vicinty.  But if his 3 positions are offset 73 seconds in RA east and 70' south, they match up perfectly with NGC 3379, NGC 3384 and NGC 3389.  Perhaps while observing NGC 3379, he used the position of NGC 3367 and measured offsets to obtain positions for the other two galaxies.  So, h748 (sweep 282) = NGC 3379, NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 and NGC 3373 = NGC 3389.  His position angles (given under h748) also match these 3 galaxies.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 3374 = UGC 5901 = MCG +07-22-066 = CGCG 212-057 = PGC 32266
10 48 01.1  +43 11 11; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 142°

18" (3/30/05): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round though difficult to pin down an orientation, 0.7'x0.6'.  Broad, weak concentration with no noticeable core.  Located 16' NE of mag 7.3 HD 93271 and 18' NW of mag 7.8 HD 93663.  Forms a pair with CGCG 212-055 2.3' SSW (not seen).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3374 = H. III-701 = h752 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and recorded "vF, vS, iF."  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), John Herschel called this galaxy "vF; S; R; 12"."
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NGC 3375 = MCG -01-28-008 = PGC 32205
10 47 00.8  -09 56 29; Sex
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 153°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', bright 15" core, stellar nucleus.  No brighter stars in the 20' field at 220x.

Édouard Stephan  discovered NGC 3375 = T. 1-26 = T. V-6 = St. 11-9 on 14 Mar 1874.  His position was 1.5' NW of center.  He didn't publish the discovery until his 11th discovery list (#9) in 1881, based on a more precise position taken in April.  In the meantime,  Wilhelm Tempel made an independent discovery on 21 Feb 1878 and called it class II-III with a stellar nucleus.  He reported the discovery in his first discovery list (#26), as well as his 5th list (#6).  Tempel was credited first in the NGC, although Stephan's initial observation was earlier. MCG doesn't label MCG -01-28-008 as NGC 3375.
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NGC 3376 = UGC 5891 = MCG +01-28-007 = CGCG 038-013 = PGC 32231
10 47 26.5  +06 02 53; Sex
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 167°

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, slightly elongated, 25" diameter, moderate surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1.3' N which has a very faint companion close west.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3376 on 19 Feb 1863.  His position, measured on 2 nights, is an exact match with UGC 5891.
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NGC 3377 = UGC 5899 = MCG +02-28-009 = CGCG 066-016 = LGG 217-006 = PGC 32249
10 47 42.3  +13 59 08; Leo
V = 10.4;  Size 5.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 35°

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, well concentrated to a small bright nucleus. Member of the Leo I Group (also called the M96 Group).

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, slightly elongated SW-NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3377 = H. II-99 = h754 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "pB, S, r."  John Herschel made three observations and called it "first Class".  Auwers and d'Arrest also measured precise positions.
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NGC 3378 = ESO 318-012 = MCG -07-22-029 = PGC 32189
10 46 43.3  -40 00 59; Ant
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (3/28/09): faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3378 = h3296 on 1 Feb 1835 and noted "pB; R; bM.  Out of limit of sweep.  Place rough.  He measured a more accurate position on 3 later sweeps.
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NGC 3379 = M105 = UGC 5902 = MCG +02-28-011 = CGCG 066-018 = Holm 212a = KTG 33A = LGG 217-004 = PGC 32256
10 47 49.6  +12 34 54; Leo
V = 9.3;  Size 5.4'x4.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

24" (4/20/14): very bright, large, slightly elongated ~SW-NE, ~3.0'x2.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a large, brilliant core containing to an intense nucleus, which increases towards the center.  First in a prominent trio with NGC 3384 7.3' NW and NGC 3389 9.8' ESE.   M105 is a member of the M96 or Leo I Group (LGG 217), along with NGC 3384.

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, very small bright core, slightly elongated.  First of three bright galaxies in the field with NGC 3384 7.3' NW and NGC 3389 9.7' ESE.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, round.

Pierre Méchain discovered M105 = H. I-17 = h757 on 24 Mar 1781, four days after he discovered M95 and M96.  It was discovered after Messier's final catalogue was sent to publication (in the 1784 Connaissance des temps) but was included in a letter dated 6 May 1783 to Johann Bernoulli, the editor of the Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch and published in the 1786 Jarbuch volume. Méchain wrote, "Mr. Messier reports in the Connoissance des temps 1784, p. 264 & 265 two nebulous stars, which I have discovered in the Leo [M95 and M96]; I find nothing to change for my positions which I have established by comparing these nebulae to Regulus; but there is also a third one to the north; it is a bit more beautiful [brighter] than the 2 others; I have discovered it on March 24, 1781, 4 or 5 days after the other two. On April 10, I compared it to Gamma Leonis & I have concluded the right ascension 159d 3' 45"; the declination 13d 43' 58" north."

William Herschel independently discovered M105 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164).  He recorded "Three nebula in the field together [with NGC 3384 and 3389].  The two preceding ones [M105 and NGC 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96], but considerably less."  It was assumed to be new and catalogued as H. I-17.  A second observation and sketch was made 8 nights later (sweep 177), with a total of 5 observations during his sweep campaign.

John Herschel's earliest observation was on 10 Apr 1825 (sweep 2). The NGC position is accurate (measured by Auwers and d'Arrest).
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NGC 3380 = UGC 5906 = MCG +05-26-012 = CGCG 155-015 = PGC 32287
10 48 12.2  +28 36 06; LMi
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.3'x0.8'.  Gradually increases to a brighter core which rises suddenly to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 2.1' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3380 = H. II-360 = h755 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL, irregular.".  John Herschel made 5 observations – once calling NGC 3380 "faint" and twice calling it "bright".  Four observations were made by Lord Rosse's assistants, though other than the elongation, no structural details were mentioned.
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NGC 3381 = UGC 5909 = MCG +06-24-015 = CGCG 184-016 = LGG 218-001 = PGC 32302
10 48 24.8  +34 42 41; LMi
V = 11.7;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.6' diameter, broad weak concentration, no distinct core.  Located near midpoint of two mag 13 stars 5.5' NNW and 5.2' SSE. Forms a pair with IC 641 6' W (not seen).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3381 = H. II-565 = h756 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and logged "pB, cL, little brighter middle, iF."  Caroline's reduced position is 10 seconds of RA west of UGC 5909.  John Herschel made two observations and three were made at Birr Castle.  On 8 Mar 1858, R.J. Mitchell noted, "I think there is a B streak through it."  This likely refers to the bar running east-west. The NGC description is in error stating "1st of 3", which applies to NGC 3379.
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NGC 3382
10 48 24.9  +36 43 46; LMi

= **, Gottlieb. Not found, RNGC.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3382 on 5 Apr 1874 and described "About 4 min p [NGC 3432]. pF, cL, R, bM, *14 mag in centre. *9 Pos 238.0, Dist 173.7."  There is no nebula near his position. A second observation on 24 Mar 1878 reads "4m. p and 6'± n of [NGC 3432].  vF, S, irr R, only a S group of st, *9m Pos 192 deg, Dist 162.9"  This second position corresponds with a wide pair of mag 14/15 stars at 38" separation and a mag 10 star to the SSW (not mentioned in the first observation).  So this pair of stars might correspond to the second observation only or perhaps the reference galaxies were misidentified.  Dreyer didn't include this object in the GS Supplement.  See Harold Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 3383 = ESO 501-097 = MCG -04-26-010 = LGG 223-005 = PGC 32224
10 47 19.2  -24 26 18; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 24°

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.9', weak concentration.  A mag 15-15.5 star is at the SW edge of the halo.  Located 7' NNE of mag 8 HD 93474.

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 1.0'x0.8'.  Low, even surface brightness with just a weak concentration.  Observation made through thin clouds.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3383 = h3297 on 20 Mar 1835 and noted "F; pL; irreg R; gradually little brighter middle; 40"; moonlight."  He also recorded it on the next sweep and his mean position matches ESO 501-097 = PGC 32224.
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NGC 3384 = NGC 3371 = UGC 5911 = MCG +02-28-012 = CGCG 066-021 = Holm 212b = KTG 33B = LGG 217-005 = PGC 32292
10 48 16.9  +12 37 45; Leo
V = 9.9;  Size 5.5'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 53°

24" (4/20/14): very bright, large, elongated at least 2:1 SW-NE, ~3.2'x1.5' though the outer halo increases in size with averted vision.  Sharply concentrated with a large, brilliant, rounder core that gradually increases to the center.  Forms a prominent trio with M105 7.4' SW and NGC 3389 6.4' SSE.  NGC 3384 is a member of the M96 or Leo I Group, along with M105.

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, bright stellar nucleus, elongated 5:2 SW-NE.  Second of three with M105 7.3' SW and NGC 3389 6.4' SSE.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, round, moderately large.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3384 = H. I-18 = h758, along with NGC 3379 = M105 and NGC 3389, on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164).  He recorded, "Three nebula in the field together.  The two preceding ones [NGC 3379 and 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96] but considerable less. The following [NGC 3389] resolvable and of a longish form, elongated.  These three together form a beautiful sight."    A second observation and sketch was made 8 nights later (sweep 177).

John Herschel made three observations, each time calling it "very bright".
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NGC 3385 = UGC 5908 = MCG +01-28-009 = CGCG 038-015 = PGC 32285
10 48 11.6  +04 55 40; Sex
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 97°

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 30"x15", weak concentration, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14.8 star is just off the south side [20" from center].  NGC 3386 lies 4.2' N and CGCG 38-19 is 8.8' SE.

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration, diffuse ill-defined halo.  A mag 10.5 star lies 5' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3386 4.3' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3385 = h760, along with NGC 3386, on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "pB; R; bM; 15"."  On 15 Mar 1830 (sweep 238), he called it "eF, E[longated.", so the conditions or transparency were likely worse.
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NGC 3386 = MCG +01-28-010 = CGCG 038-016 = PGC 32284
10 48 11.9  +04 59 55; Sex
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.1

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 20"x16", weak concentration.  NGC 3385 lies 4.3' S.  A mag 11 star lies 3.0' SE.

17.5" (3/28/92): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 3385 4.3' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3386 = h759, along with NGC 3385 = h760, on 9 Apr 1828 and noted, "vF; R."  His position matches CGCG 038-016 = PGC 32284.
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NGC 3387
10 48 16.5  +04 58 03; Sex
V = 14.2/15.7;  Size 7"

24" (3/22/14): at 375x a faint unequal double star at 7" separation was resolved.  The brighter component on the SW side is mag 14.2 and the fainter component is mag ~15.5.  Although sometimes the pair was cleanly resolved into two sharp points, when the seeing was softer the fainter component appeared as a vague, dim spot so I can see how John Herschel might have called this pair a "suspected nebula".  Located 2.1' SE of NGC 3386 and 2.7' NNE of NGC 3385.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3387 = h762 on on 15 Mar 1830 and noted a "suspected nebula.  Has a bright star near." Just 30" northwest of his position is a 7" pair of mag ~14/15.5 stars and a mag 11 star (probably Herschel's "B* near") is 1.3' ENE.  There is a very faint galaxy less than 1' SW of pair, but it's almost certainly too faint to have been picked up by Herschel.  

Harold Corwin notes that the NGC position is from Heinrich d'Arrest (single observation), who placed the nebula just off the southeast side of NGC 3386. He noted the observation was uncertain and there is nothing there.

The RNGC misidentified a mag 17.5 galaxy on the northwest edge of the halo of NGC 3386 as NGC 3387.  MCG and CGCG also misclassify NGC 3386/3387 as double nebula.  Corwin originally classified this 7" pair as a "star (SE) + compact galaxy (NW)?", but Brian Skiff confirms the northwest component is a star.  The brighter star is itself a 4" double with the fainter component 18th mag.
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NGC 3388 = NGC 3425? = UGC 5967 = MCG +02-28-021 = CGCG 066-044
10 51 25.5  +08 34 01; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3425 (possibly equivalent).

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3388 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector.  He mentions his RA was roughly taken (estimate to the nearest minute of RA), and there is nothing near his position.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 3388 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3425 = III 108, discovered by WH on 17 Apr 1784.  This galaxy has a similar declination but located 3 min of RA east.
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NGC 3389 = NGC 3373 = UGC 5914 = MCG +02-28-013 = CGCG 066-022 = Holm 212c = KTG 33C = PGC 32306
10 48 27.9  +12 31 59; Leo
V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 112°

24" (4/20/14): moderately or fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.6'x0.7', brighter core.  The surface brightness is irregular with a very mottled appearance.  A knot is embedded on the SW side. A mag 15.8 star is 50" south of center (outside the halo).  Faintest in a striking trio with M105 and NGC 3384.  The two apparent companions are member of the M96 or Leo I Group, but NGC 3389 lies in the background Leo II Group at 70 million l.y.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, diffuse.  Third and faintest of three with bright galaxies NGC 3384 6.4' NNW and M105 9.7' WNW.

8" (3/28/81): faint, small.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3389 = H. II-41 = h761, along with NGC 3379 = M105 and NGC 3384, on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164).  He recorded "Three nebula in the field together.  The two preceding ones [NGC 3379 and 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96] but considerable less. The following [NGC 3389] r[esolvable] and of a longish form, elongated.  These three together form a beautiful sight."    A second observation and sketch was made 8 nights later (sweep 177).

John Herschel made four observations, describing it as "faint", "very faint" and "barely visible" on different sweeps.
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NGC 3390 = ESO 437-062 = MCG -05-26-007 = LGG 215-003 = PGC 32271
10 48 04.4  -31 32 00; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 3.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 177°

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on, at least 7:2 N-S, ~2'x0.5', broad weak concentration.  A faint star is at the north tip and a similar star is just beyond the southern extension.  Located 9.4' NNW of mag 5.9 SAO HD 93657.  The DSS image is similar to NGC 891 with a thin equatorial dust lane and bulging core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3390 = h3298 on 29 Apr 1834 and recorded "pF; S; pmE in merdian [N-S].  His description matches the edge-on galaxy ESO 437-062.
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NGC 3391 = UGC 5920 = MCG +02-28-014 = CGCG 066-027 = PGC 32347
10 48 56.4  +14 13 11; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 35°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE although appears irregular, broad weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the NE tip (about 15" from center) and an extremely faint mag 15.6 star is attached at the west end.  Lies 2.7' NW of a mag 10 star.  Member of a triplet (USGC U327) with NGC 3419 and NGC 3419A 38' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3391 = m 204 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "triple star in nebulosity." His position matches UGC 5920 = PGC 32347 and the description is accurate as two stars are involved (the third is the nucleus of the galaxy).

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the galaxy on 1 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch at Copenhagen and noted it was between two stars. His two positions are very accurate.  The RNGC questions if a star or knot is involved, but the two superimposed objects are single stars.
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NGC 3392 = MCG +11-13-042 = CGCG 313-037 = PGC 32512
10 51 03.0  +65 46 53; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, very small, round, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3394 4' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3392 = H. III-88I = h763 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and noted "vF, S".  His offset from II-872 = NGC 3394, the previous object in the sweep is accurate.  John Herschel measured an accurate position for h763 on 3 Apr 1832 (sweep 412) and called it "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; near some stars."  But he placed h764 = NGC 3394 24 seconds of RA east, instead of 24 seconds west.  MCG +11-13-042 should be labled as NGC 3392.
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NGC 3393 = ESO 501-100 = AM 1045-245 = MCG -04-26-011 = LGG 223-006 = PGC 32300
10 48 23.5  -25 09 43; Hya
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.6

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'. Contains a small, round, bright nucleus.  The galaxy precedes two mag 9 (HD 93674) and 11 stars 2.9' E and 1.6' E (nearly equally spaced with galaxy).  This observation (made through thin clouds) refers to the brighter core region and I probably missed the large, low surface brightness halo.  Outlying member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I), located 3.5 degrees northeast of the core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3393 = h3299 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R;  precedes two bright stars."  His position (3 sweeps) matches ESO 501-100.
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NGC 3394 = UGC 5937 = MCG +11-13-041 = CGCG 313-036 = PGC 32495
10 50 39.9  +65 43 38; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, slightly elongated, low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3392 4' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3394 = H. II-872 = h764 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004), along with III-881 = NGC 3392.  He recorded "F, cL, iR" and his relative offsets (21 sec in RA and 2' in dec) matches the pair.

John Herschel placed h764 = NGC 3394 24 seconds of RA east of h763 = NGC 3392, instead of 24 seconds of RA west.  This caused the NGC RA to be 44 seconds east of the true position of NGC 3394.
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NGC 3395 = Arp 270 NED1 = VV 246b = IC 2613 = Holm 215a = UGC 5931 = MCG +06-24-017 = CGCG 184-018 = LGG 218-002 = PGC 32424
10 49 50.1  +32 58 58; LMi
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 50°

48" (5/4/16): this very bright, two-armed disrupted spiral forms an interacting, contact pair (Arp 270 = VV 246) with NGC 3396.  At 375x, it contained a large bright core that increased to the center.  On the N side of the core, a spiral arm curled counterclockwise towards NGC 3396, nearly merging with the halo of the companion.  A brighter, more defined spiral arm is on the S side; it rotated sharply counterclockwise nearly 180°, ending on the E side of the galaxy.  A vague outer arm is at the S edge of the halo; it was visible as a low surface brightness extension to the SW.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.8', fairly high surface brightness, broadly concentrated halo, core appears rounder, no nucleus, mottled texture.  This galaxy is slightly larger and brighter of a striking interacting pair, almost in contact with NGC 3396 at the NNE end 1.6' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3395 = H. I-116 = h765, along with NGC 3396, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487).  He recorded, "Two, the 1st [NGC 3395] cB, the 2nd [NGC 3396] pB.  The 1st considerably large, the 2nd pretty large.  Both a little and irregularly elongated.  Their extent makes an angle, the vertex of which is towards the north about 1' from each other at the vertex."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, sketched the pair on 9 Feb 1855 (plate XXVII, figure 15, 1861 publication).  His description reads "[NGC 3395] is, I think, a spiral with a left-handed twist; immediately foll it is [NGC 3396], which is B and well defined, E pf.  I suspect F neby extending from 3395 and running up throiugh 3396."  The sketch showes a spiral arm wrapping 270° counterclockwise from the north, east and south side, ending west of the core.

Stephane Javelle found the galaxy on 13 May 1896 but made a sign error in the RA offset from his comparison star.  So, Dreyer assumed it was new and NGC 3395 was catalogued again as IC 2613.  IC 2605, discovered by Bigourdan on 11 Apr 1899, apparently refers to the southwest spiral arm.
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NGC 3396 = Arp 270 NED2 = VV 246a = Holm 215b = UGC 5935 = MCG +06-24-018 = CGCG 184-019 = LGG 218-003 = PGC 32434
10 49 55.2  +32 59 27; LMi
V = 12.1;  Size 3.1'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 100°

48" (5/4/16): NGC 3396 is the eastern member of a striking interacting double system (Arp 270 = VV 246) with NGC 3395 1.2' SW.  At 375x, it appeared bright, very elongated ~3:1 E-W, ~1.5'x0.5', contains a very bright small core and quasi-stellar nucleus that's offset to the W side of the galaxy.  A much lower surface brightness glow extends E from the main body and appears slightly offset or bent in orientation to the main part of the galaxy.  The galaxy is virtually merged with NGC 3395 on the W end.

17.5" (3/12/94):  moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.3', brighter along the major axis, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core.  Forms a prominent double system with NGC 3395 almost attached just S of the W end!

William Herschel discovered NGC 3396 = H. I-117 = h766, along with NGC 3395, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487).  See notes on NGC 3395.
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NGC 3397 = NGC 3329 = UGC 5837 = MCG +13-08-033 = CGCG 351-034 = PGC 32059
10 44 39.4  +76 48 35; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 140°

See observing notes for NGC 3329.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3397 = H. I-284 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He recorded "considerably bright, very small, irregular figure." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  A corrected position matching UGC 5837 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.

John Herschel made an independent discovery on 2 Sep 1828.  He described h733 as "pretty bright; irreg round; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 15" diameter."  His position (measured 3 times) clearly shows NGC 3397 (H. I. 284) = NGC 3329 (h733).  The modern designation for this galaxy is NGC 3329, despite William's earlier discovery of NGC 3397.
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NGC 3398 = IC 644 = UGC 5954 = MCG +09-18-038 = CGCG 267-018 = PGC 32564
10 51 31.5  +55 23 27; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 78°

17.5" (4/22/95): brighter of a pair of galaxies oriented N-S.  NGC 3398 is a faint, narrow edge-on streak 4:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.25'.  IC 646, 4.6' NNE, is very faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.5'x0.4'.  Located 4.7' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 27802.

Some catalogues refer to this galaxy as IC 644.  UGC 5976 (identified as NGC 3398 in CGCG and UGC) lies 13' NNE (see observation).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3398 = H. III-792 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922).  He logged "very faint, small, elongated 20 deg sp nf, easily resolvable".  His re-reduced position with respect to 44 UMa is 10 51 27 +55 25.2 (2000), which is 5 seconds of RA west and 1.5' too far north.  This was first of 26 galaxies discovered on this night, which contained three sweeps in the north.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 8 May 1890 and reported it in list Sw. 9-24 (later IC 644).  UGC, CGCG and RC3 label this galaxy IC 644.

CGCG and UGC misidentify UGC 5987 as NGC 3398 and the RC3 misidentifies IC 646 = MCG +09-18-039 as  NGC 3398.  The correct identification is given in MCG.  See UGC notes for NGC 3398 and Harold Corwin's identification notes for a complete analysis.
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NGC 3399 = MCG +03-28-012 = CGCG 095-031 = PGC 32395
10 49 27.6  +16 13 06; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.5'x1.5'

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, very small bright core.  Forms a pair with double system NGC 3405 4.0' ENE.  Located near one corner of an asterism of mag 13-14 stars in a rectangular outline with a mag 13 star 50" WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3399 = m 205 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "F, vS".  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 minute of RA west is CGCG 095-031 = PGC 32395.  Marth made a similar error with NGC 3405, located 4' ENE.
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NGC 3400 = UGC 5949 = MCG +05-26-020 = CGCG 155-025 = PGC 32499
10 50 45.5  +28 28 09; LMi
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.7'.  Fairly even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 6.2' WSW of mag 9.1 SAO 81552.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3400 = H. II-361 = h768 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  John Herschel made 3 observations, calling it both "faint" (17 Feb 1827) and "pretty bright" (13 Apr 1831).
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NGC 3401
10 50 24  +05 48; Sex

= Not found.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3401 = H. III-88 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "Suspected but did not verify it, as I would lose no time in this place."  Dreyer commented in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that III. 88 was "only seen in Sweep 191; place in NGC is that of Auwers from 56 Leonis.  In the sweep it is 1.9 min p[receding], 3' n of II. 131 [= NGC 3423].”  But on 30 Dec 1786 he found an object described as "cF, round, very gradually brighter middle, 4 or 5' diameter, almost condensed to a very large nucleus in the middle."  Caroline assumed it was the same nebula suspected on 13 Apr 1784 (based on position), but the observation applies to NGC 3423 (= IV-6 = II-131).  A similar situation occurred on 12 Apr 1801 (sweep 1098).  So Dreyer's comment is correct.  See Harold Corwin’s identification notes..
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NGC 3402 = NGC 3411? = MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479
10 50 26.1  -12 50 43; Hya

See observing notes for NGC 3411, HC.  Misidentified in the RNGC.

Andrew Ainslie Common found NGC 3402 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector.  There is nothing at his position, but 10 sec of RA east and 10' south is NGC 3411.  This galaxy was discovered by WH on 25 Mar 1786.  RNGC misidentifies PGC 32444 (a much fainter galaxy) as NGC 3402.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3403 = UGC 5997 = MCG +12-10-089 = CGCG 333-062 = CGCG 334-004 = PGC 32719
10 53 55.1  +73 41 24; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 3.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 73°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weakly concentrated.  A mag 12.5 star is 3.1' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3403 = H. II-335 = h767 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "pF, cL, iE."  On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382), John Herschel reported, "pF; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; 60" l, 40" br."
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NGC 3404 = IC 2609 = MCG -02-28-011 = PGC 32466
10 50 18.0  -12 06 31; Hya
V = 13.1;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 84°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.3', bright core.  NGC 3421 lies 23' SW and NGC 3422.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3404 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector.  There is nothing at his position but 15' south is MCG -02-28-011 and his description of "pB, very long, pos 270 deg [E-W]" is a good match with this galaxy.

Guillaume Bigourdan rediscovered this galaxy on 19 Apr 1898 while searching at Common's position, placed it correctly, and assumed it as new (Big. 403 = IC 2609).  MCG labels the galaxy IC 2609.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 3405 = UGC 5933 = MCG +03-28-014 = CGCG 095-033 = KPG 250 = PGC 32414
10 49 43.3  +16 14 19; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x1.0'

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small.  At first glance appeared elongated 3:2 SW-NE but on closer inspection resolves into a very close pair of small faint galaxies with a 20" separation between centers.  The brighter component (NGC 3405) is at the SW end and is very small and round.  Fainter MCG +03-28-015 is just barely separated at the NE side.  NGC 3399 lies 4.0' WSW.  Forms an perfect equilateral triangle with two mag 13 stars 1.7' SW and 1.7' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3405 = m 206 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "F, eS, alm stell, close to S*."  Marth's RA is 1.0 minute too large.  The same offet error was made with NGC 3399.  This is a double system; 0.7' x 0.7' + 0.2' x 0.2', with a separation of 0.35' SW-NE.
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NGC 3406 = UGC 5970 = MCG +09-18-040 = CGCG 297-020 = Holm 271a = PGC 32580
10 51 44.2  +51 01 26; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.0

48" (4/23/25): this merging, interacting pair was viewed at 610x with the brighter and larger member on the SW side.  Although the haloes are merged, the galaxies have distinct stellar nuclei separated by 13"

17.5" (4/22/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE.  Visually this appeared as a double system with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus that was offset at the SW end and a faint extension to the NE of this core [SDSS reveals a strongly interacting double system, with nuclei separated by only 13"].

Located in a field with several mag 11 stars and situated between mag 9 SAO 277806 8' NE and mag 8.9 SAO 27796 4.8' SW.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3410 1.8' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3406 = h771 on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) and recorded "pB; 2nd class; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; among many stars.  His position matches UGC 5970.

C.E. Burton, LdR's observer on 17 Mar 1868, recorded "Suspected to be triple, principal Nucl being double in direction sp nf, B point in p edge of sp part.  Neby susp from this p with a 3rd knot in it."  On 1 Apr 1878 Dreyer observed the field again, discovered nearby NGC 3410, and noted "preceding one [NGC 3406] pB, pL irr R gradually much brighter middle.  2 points of condensation, brighter one sp centre..."  The fainter northeast nucleus is the merged companion LEDA 93106, though for some reason Dreyer didn't even note the galaxy as double in the NGC description.
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NGC 3407 = UGC 5978 = MCG +10-16-017 = CGCG 291-007 = PGC 32626
10 52 17.9  +61 22 46; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core.  A mag 14 star just 1.1' NNE is collinear with the major axis of the galaxy.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3407 = H. III-919 = h769 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "vF, vS, near a vS star.  On 25 Mar 1832 (sweep 406), John Herschel noted "eF; S; R; 6"[diameter]."
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NGC 3408 = UGC 5977 = MCG +10-16-016 = CGCG 291-006 = PGC 32616
10 52 11.7  +58 26 18; UMa
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, round, broad concentration, diffuse, no sharp edges or nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1.6' NE.  Located 4.2' NNE of mag 8.8 SAO 27804.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3408 = H. III-913 = h770 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "very faint, very small."  His RA, which I re-reduced, is 15 seconds too small.  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel recorded "vF; S; R: is north of 2 pB stars forming an isosceles triangle."
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NGC 3409 = MCG -03-28-012 = PGC 32470
10 50 20.3  -17 02 37; Hya
V = 15.0;  Size 1.1'x0.25';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 9°

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.15'.  A faint star is just west of the south end of the galaxy.  Located 12' NNE of NGC 3420 and 13' WSW of NGC 3431 which are both brighter galaxies.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3409 = LM 2-426 (along with NGC 3420 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.3' dia, E 200°, 2 vF st inv in eF neb ". His position and PA of 20° matches MCG -03-28-012 = PGC 32470.
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NGC 3410 = MCG +09-18-042 = CGCG 267-021 = Ark 261 = KPG 253
= Holm 217b = PGC 32594
10 51 53.7  +51 00 23; UMa
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 33°

48" (4/23/25): at 610x; diffuse, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, ~0.7' diameter, no core but contains a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.8'  SE of the merged double NGC 3406.

LEDA 2386525 is a tiny galaxy just  0.7' to the SE of NGC 3410. It appeared as a very faint fuzzy glow, ~10" diameter. It lies in the background at ~900 Mly.

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness, no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 2' SSE.  Located 1.8' SE of double system NGC 3406.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3410 on 1 Apr 1878 while observing NGC 3406.  He reported "2 neb, pos 121.6°, dist 115.2".  The actual separation is ~110" and the identification with MCG +09-18-042 is certain.
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NGC 3411 = NGC 3402? = MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479
10 50 26.1  -12 50 43; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 2.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (3/29/03): at 257x, moderately bright, moderately large, round, small brighter core, 1.0' diameter.  A line of 3 mag 14 stars is close west.  Forms a pair with IC 647 2.1' ESE.  At 300x this tiny companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, required averted vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3411 = H. III-522 = h776 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 545) and recorded "cF, S, little brighter middle, iR."  His position matches MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479.  Andrew Common's NGC 3402 is probably a duplicate observation of this galaxy.
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NGC 3412 = UGC 5952 = MCG +02-28-016 = CGCG 066-038 = LGG 217-007 = PGC 32508
10 50 53.3  +13 24 43; Leo
V = 10.5;  Size 3.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/9/94): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x1.5', smooth halo, sharply concentrated with a striking bright core.  The core is evenly concentrated to an almost stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is at the NE edge of the halo 1.4' N of center.  Member of the Leo Group (also called the M96 Group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3412 = H. I-27 = h774 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "pB, S, lE.  It seems to have a nucleus or very bright place in the middle."  John Herschel made two observations and described it on 20 Mar 1830 (sweep 241) as "B; R; very suddenly much brighter middle almost to a *; 30" dia."
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NGC 3413 = UGC 5960 = MCG +06-24-024 = CGCG 184-027 = Holm 218c = PGC 32543
10 51 20.8  +32 45 58; LMi
V = 12.1;  Size 2.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 178°

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration, no nucleus.  First of three in the field with NGC 3424 9.6' NE and NGC 3430 15' NE.  The NGC 3395/NGC 3396 pair lies 20' NW.  Based on redshift, this galaxy lies in the foreground of the grup.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3413 = H. II-493 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "F, S."   Within the next minute he also logged NGC 3424 and 3430.  Although his RA was 20 seconds too large, the NGC position (measured by d'Arrest) is accurate.  Still, Francis Pease listed it as a new nebula in his 1920 paper based on Mt Wilson plates taken with the 60-inch.
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NGC 3414 = Arp 162 = UGC 5959 = MCG +05-26-021 = CGCG 155-029 = PGC 32533
10 51 16.3  +27 58 30; LMi
V = 11.0;  Size 3.5'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright nucleus, fairly small.  Forms a pair with NGC 3418 8.5' NNE.  Located 18' E of 44 Leonis (V = 5.6).

8" (3/24/84): faint, slightly elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3414 = H. II-362 = h773 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and note "pB, pL."  John Herschel made four observations (h773) while 8 observations were made at Birr Castle.

Bindon Stoney, using LdR's 72" on 6 Mar 1851, noted "Another neb eF, S. 2' np."  Again on 23 Feb 1857 as well as 22 Mar 1857, R.J. Mitchell mentioned "about 1' np is vvF neb? lE." and "about 1.5' np [NGC 3414] there is a vvF patch of neby."  These observations clearly refer to 2MASX J10511304+2800221 = PGC 93597, although it was not assigned a GC or NGC designation!
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NGC 3415 = UGC 5969 = MCG +07-22-072 = CGCG 212-062 = CGCG 213-001 = PGC 32579
10 51 42.7  +43 42 44; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 10°

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright but fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, small bright core, fairly high surface brightness overall.  Three mag 12 stars to the south form an equilateral triangle with the nearest star 56" S.  Forms a pair with NGC 3416 3' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3415 = H. II-718 = h772 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and logged "F, S, stellar; the np corner of a small trapezium."  His position and description matches UGC 5969.  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), John Herschel wrote, "B; S; R; the 2nd and northern of a trapez of stars 11 and 12m."
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NGC 3416 = MCG +07-22-073 = CGCG 212-063 = CGCG 213-002 = PGC 32588
10 51 48.3  +43 45 51; UMa
V = 15.3;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/6/91): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3415 3' SSW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3416 on 30 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72", while observing NGC 3415.  He noted "[NGC 3415 is] elongated N-S, another neb [NGC 3416] north of it, about 3' dist." At this position is CGCG 212-063 = PGC 32588.  Interestingly, Dreyer's observation on 13 Apr 1876 observation states "[N3416] is about 6' nnf, eF, eS, but is only a star."  There is a faint star at this separation, so he may have missed NGC 3416.
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NGC 3417 = CGCG 066-039 = PGC 32520
10 51 01.7  +08 28 25; Leo
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  PA = 85°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.4'x0.25', slightly brighter core.  Located 8' SW of NGC 3425.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3417 = m 207 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stell."  His position matches CGCG 066-039 = PGC 32520.  Tempel found NGC 3427 to the southeast as well reobserving NGC 3425, but missed this galaxy.
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NGC 3418 = UGC 5963 = MCG +05-26-023 = CGCG 155-030 = PGC 32549
10 51 24.0  +28 06 43; LMi
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 75°

13.1" (3/24/84): faint, slightly elongated, diffuse, even surface brightness, held steadily with averted.  Located 8.5' NNE of NGC 3414.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3418 = H. II-363 = h775 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, S."  John Herschel made four observations, while the LdR assistants recorded this galaxy on 5 nights.
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NGC 3419 = UGC 5964 = MCG +02-28-018 = CGCG 066-041 = Ark 259 = LGG 216-003 = PGC 32535
10 51 17.7  +13 56 46; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 115°

28" (4/12/18): at 285x; moderately bright, fairly small, ~40 diameter, very sharp bright stellar nucleus.  A fainter star is superimposed on the east side of the halo [9" NE of the stellar nucleus].  Brightest in a trio (USGC U327 at z = .01) with NGC 3419A and NGC 3391.

NGC 3419A = UGC 5965, located 4.6' N, appeared  faint, extremely thin edge-on, at least 6:1 NW-SE, ~60"x10".  Contains a slightly brighter core (very elongated) with low surface brightness extensions using averted vision.  A mag 11.7 star is 1.6' SW.

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, brighter core.  Forms the southwest vertex of a triangle with two mag 14 stars 1.5' N and 1.3' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3419 = m 208 = T. 1-27 = T. 5-7 on 1 Apr 1864. He recorded "faint, very small, round, almost stellar, close to a small star."  Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered the galaxy on 15 Mar 1876 and included it in his first discovery list as "faint, small, class III, forms an obtuse triangle with the stars."  A micrometric position was published in his 5th discovery paper.

The original discovery, though, was made by William Herschel on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691).  He noted a "very faint, very small, most likely a small patch."  His position lands 2.7' SW of the galaxy, within his usual errors.  As he was uncertain, the discovery wasn't catalogued and Herschel wasn't credited in the NGC.
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NGC 3420 = MCG -03-28-011 = PGC 32453
10 50 09.7  -17 14 33; Hya
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 30°

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, round, very low surface brightness halo is difficult.  Contains a 15"-20" core that is weakly concentrated surrounded by a hint of an larger halo.  NGC 3431 is 21' NE and NGC 3409 lies 12' NNE.  This group is located about 0.9 degrees SSE of 3.1-magnitude Nu Hydrae.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3420 = LM 2-427 (along with NGC 3409 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.4, 0.2' dia, R, *8.5 6' S.".  His position is 30 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-011 = PGC 32453 and the description matches (a mag 9.8 star is 5' south).  Herbert Howe's micrometric position measured in 1899-00 is accurate.
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NGC 3421 = IC 652 = MCG -02-28-013 = PGC 32514
10 50 57.6  -12 26 55; Hya
V = 13.7;  Size 2.0'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 175°

18" (3/29/03): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Possibly viewed the core only.  Forms a pair with NGC 3422 5.5' NE.  NGC 3422 lies 23' NW and NGC 3411/IC 647 is 25' SSW.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3421 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector and noted "Two, F, R".  His (rough) position is 13' N of MCG -02-28-013 and this galaxy has a companion (NGC 3422 = MCG -02-28-015) at 5.5' NE.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section).  

Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 19 Apr 1892 and recorded it in list 1-187 (IC 652), but Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence as Javelle's position was also poor (he misidentified his offset star), but NGC 3421 = IC 652.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3422 = MCG -02-28-015 = PGC 32534
10 51 17.3  -12 24 09; Hya
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 54°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only).  A mag 10.3 star is 42" SSW of center, just off the SW end.  Forms a pair with NGC 3421 5.5' SW.  NGC 3404 lies 23' NW and NGC 3411 29' SSW.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3422 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector, along with NGC 3421.  The pair were simply noted as "Two, F, R".  There is nothing at his position, but 13' south is the pair MCG -02-28-013 (NGC 3421) and MCG -02-28-015 (NGC 3422).  Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor in Denver around the turn of the century, could not recover NGC 3422, although he viewed brighter NGC 3421.
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NGC 3423 = UGC 5962 = MCG +01-28-012 = CGCG 038-029 = PGC 32529
10 51 14.3  +05 50 24; Sex
V = 11.1;  Size 3.8'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 10°

48" (4/16/15): very bright, large, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~3'x2.5', large bright core. A mag 15.8 star is superimposed on the SSW side, 1.2' from center.  Spiral structure is evident at 488x, particularly along a curving outer arm running from clockwise from east to north.  This arm contains three HII knots.

An obvious faint knot, 8"-10" diameter, is at the north end 1.1' from center.  The brightest knot is at the NE end of the halo 1.1' from center. It appeared fairly faint/faint, round, 12" diameter.  The faintest knot (SDSS J105118.10+055024.7) is directly E of center by 1.0' and noted as very faint, round, 6" diameter.  In addition to these three, a 4th knot is due S of center by 0.6'.  This HII region was very faint, round, 8" diameter.

Two additional objects were seen just off the south side of NGC 3423, but these are separate galaxies.  2MASX J10511769+0548323, situated 2.0' SE of the center, is fairly faint to moderately bright (V = 15.7), small, round, moderate surface brightness, 15" diameter. 2MASX J10511769+0548323, 2.0' S of center, is very faint (V = 17.1), very small, ~9"x6" SW-NE.  This latter galaxy has a redshift of z = .069 and lies far in the background at a light-travel time of ~920 million years.

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 3'x2', fairly low surface brightness, elongated bright core appears offset to the west.  The faint halo seems more extensive to the east of the core.  Two mag 12/13 stars are off the NE edge with the mag 12 star 2.4' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3423 = H. IV-6 = H. II-131 = h777 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 157). He recorded IV-6 as "faint, large, cometic with a bright point in the center.  The nebulous part is extremely faint."  His derived RA was 30 seconds too large.  He found the nebula again on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged II-131 as "pretty bright, very large, almost round, little brighter middle, resolvable."  The RA on this sweep was 1 min too large and 5' too far south, so Caroline assumed it was a new nebula.  Additional observations were made on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521), 17 Apr 1786, 30 Dec 1786 (sweep 675) and associated as IV-6.

John Herschel made three observations under h777 and equated his father's two entries, though he mistakenly also equated H. III-88 (NGC 3401). While compiling the NGC, Dreyer sorted out the identities H. IV-6 = H. II-131 = h777 = NGC 3423.

Bindon Stoney, observing on 7 Mar 1851 at Birr Castle, noted "2 knots [HII regions] on n side."  On the 29 Mar 1856 observation, R.J. Mitchell noted a "star in the south edge, another fainter in f edge, 2 knots in n edge.  I think it is resolvable."
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NGC 3424 = UGC 5972 = MCG +06-24-025 = CGCG 184-028 = Holm 218a = LGG 218-004 = PGC 32584
10 51 46.7  +32 53 59; LMi
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 112°

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 2.1'x0.7'.  A mag 13.5 is superimposed at the east edge and a brighter mag 11.5 star is 1.4' SE of center.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3430 6.0' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3424 = H. II-494 = h778 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487), along with NGC 3413 and 3420.  He recorded "pB, pL, iR."  Although brighter NGC 3430 is only 6' NE, they weren't described together.  John Herschel made an observation on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128): "bright; little elongated in a wisp; the sp of 2 [with NGC 3420].
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NGC 3425 = NGC 3388? = UGC 5967 = MCG +02-28-021 = CGCG 066-044 = PGC 32555
10 51 25.5  +08 34 01; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, stellar nucleus.  Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 10 star 2.3' SE and a mag 11 star 2.7' SSW.  NGC 3417 lies 8' SW.

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak concentration.  View hampered by a mag 10 star 2.2' SE.  This star is collinear with two mag 11/13 stars to the WSW.  A faint companion off the south side was not noticed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3425 = H. III-108 = T. 1-28 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 197) and noted "eF, eS, r."  There is nothing at his position, but 30 sec of RA west and 3' north is UGC 5967 = PGC 32555.

Wilhelm Tempel couldn't find H. III-108 at H's position in 1877, but instead found two nebulae and assumed one was Herschel's III-108.  Dreyer chose the slightly brighter northern nebula as III-108 and catalogued T. 1-29 as NGC 3427.  Andrew Common's NGC 3388 (found in 1880) may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3425 (equivalence suggested by Harold Corwin).
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NGC 3426 = UGC 5975 = MCG +03-28-020 = CGCG 095-046 = PGC 32577
10 51 41.8  +18 28 50; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, sharply defined 30" halo, well concentrated to a small bright core.  A wide pair of mag 11.5-12 stars (1.0' separation) are 2.2' and 2.8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3426 = Sw. 6-37 on 23 Mar 1887 and recorded "pF; S; R: coarse double star near north."  His position is 7 sec of RA preceding UGC 5975 and his description of a "coarse double star near N" clinches the identification.
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NGC 3427 = UGC 5966 = MCG +02-28-020 = CGCG 066-043 = Todd 4 = PGC 32559
10 51 26.3  +08 17 55; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 77°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SW-ENE, contains a bright core that increases to a faint stellar nucleus. The extensions are much fainter and extend 0.8'x0.4'.  NGC 3436 = CGCG 38-39 is 20' SE.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small brighter core.  Situated just south of the line connecting a mag 11.9 star 1.7' ENE and a mag 12.5 star 2.3' W.  NGC 3417 lies 12' NW.

17.5" (4/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 40"x20", slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  With averted vision the halo increases to nearly 1.0'x0.5'.  Nestled in a 10' stream of stars oriented NW-SE between a mag 12 star 1.7' NE and a mag 12.5 star 2.3' W.  NGC 3425 lies 16' due north.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3427 = T. 1-29 in 1877, while searching for NGC 3425 (H. III-108).  He ran across two nebulae, one of which was NGC 3425 and the other was new. His position is 2' too far south.

David Todd independently discovered this galaxy on 12 Nov 1877 and listed it as object #4 in AN 2698 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  The surrounding field stars match this galaxy.  Tempel didn't give a specific date in list I, so either Tempel or Todd could be the discoverer.
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NGC 3428 = NGC 3429? = UGC 5968 = MCG +02-28-022 = CGCG 066-045 = PGC 32552
10 51 29.5  +09 16 46; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

18" (3/29/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration.  Located 5' NE of mag 7.9 SAO 118535.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3428 = m 209 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, little extended, gradually little brighter middle."  His position matches UGC 5968.  The MCG declination has a typo, being 20' too far north.

Ainslie Common probably found this galaxy again in 1880 with his 36" reflector. See NGC 3429.
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NGC 3429 = NGC 3428? = UGC 5968 = MCG +02-28-022 = CGCG 066-045 = PGC 32552
10 51 29.5  +09 16 46; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3428.  Identification uncertain.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3429 in 1880 using his 36-inch silvered glass reflector.  His position is just 3 sec of RA east and 1' south of NGC 3428, which was discoverd by Marth on 25 Mar 1865.  So, likely NGC 3429 is a duplicate observation of this galaxy.

RNGC misidentifies PGC 32510 as NGC 3429.  This is a much fainter galaxy 8' WSW as NGC 3429.  Alister Ling and Harold Corwin feel the RNGC identification is unlikely and Common more likely recorded NGC 3428, the brighter of the pair.
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NGC 3430 = UGC 5982 = MCG +06-24-026 = CGCG 184-029 = Holm 218b = LGG 218-005 = PGC 32614
10 52 11.7  +32 56 59; LMi
V = 11.6;  Size 4.0'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x1.5', only a weak broad concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is off the south side 1.4' SE from the center.  Three bright stars are in the field; mag 8.6 SAO 62287 6.0' NNW, mag 7.5 SAO 62291 6.6' ENE and mag 9.1 SAO 62293 7.8' ENE.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3424 6.0' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3430 = H. I-118 = h779 = h782, along with NGC 3413 and 3424, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487).  He recorded "cB, cL, irregularly round, mbB."  Caroline apparently made a 1° error recording or copying the offset from 46 UMa.

Due this error, when John Herschel found h779 (NGC 3430) on 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128), he assumed it was new and logged it as a "Nova" with description "B; L; E; gradually brighter in the middle; the nf of 2 [with NGC 3424]."  Still looking for his father's H. I-118, he recorded it again as h782 on 3 Apr 1831 as a "Nova or I. 118" and described "B; L; the nf of 3 on a line [with NGC 3413 and NGC 3424].  The nebula may possibly be I. II8 as none exists in the place indicated by my Father."  He added designations for both of his observations in the General Catalogue (GC), as well as H. I-118.  Herschel has a long note in the GC regarding the probable 1° error in his father's sweep.  By the time of the NGC, Dreyer sorted things out and equated NGC 3430 = H. I-118 with GC 2236 and 2239, though GC 2233 is also an alias.

In February and April of 1855, Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell reported seeing a possible "dark bay" south or southwest of the nucleus.  Photographs shows this is a darker gap between the core region and the southern spiral arm.
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NGC 3431 = MCG -03-28-014 = PGC 32531
10 51 15.0  -17 00 29; Crt
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 130°

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.25', weak concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 1' NE and a similar star 2.8' SSW.  NGC 3409 lies 13' WSW while NGC 3420 is 21' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3431 = LM 2-428 on 5 Jan 1887 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory.  His position and description (mag 15.0, 0.6'x0.2', E 130°, gradually brighter then suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus) matches MCG -03-28-014 = PGC 32531.
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NGC 3432 = Arp 206 = VV 11 = UGC 5986 = MCG +06-24-028 = CGCG 184-030 = PGC 32643
10 52 31.0  +36 37 09; LMi
V = 11.3;  Size 6.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 38°

48" (5/17/23): at 610x and 813x; very bright, large edge-on SW-NE, 4'x0.6', with a very mottled surface.  A mag 12.9 star is 45" E of center.  Just SW of this star is the "core"; a bright, very elongated strip like a bar. Two HII knots are visible on the NE end; a 10" knot is 0.6' NW of the star and a brighter 12" knot is 0.8' N of the star.  These HII knots are identified in SIMBAD as CasHII Z184-030d and -030e from a 1987 survey. Two mag 12.5/13.5, oriented NW-SE, are near the southwest end.

UGC 5983, a 16th mag dwarf galaxy with a very low surface brightness, is 3.3' SW of center.  it appeared very faint, ~40" diameter, very diffuse patch.

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly bright, large, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 3'x0.5'.  Irregular surface brightness and fainter on the southwest end.  Appears to have a sharper light cut-off on the north side (due to dust?).  A mag 12.5 star is 48" E of center and two mag 12/13 star are very close to the southwest tip 1.4' from center.  The galaxy appeared asymmetric and brightest just north of the mag 12.5 star near the core [this corresponds to an HII complex].  A very weak enhancement [this is the core] is close west-southwest of this star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3432 = H. I-172 = h780 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 719) and recorded "cB, about 2' long and 1/2' broad from sp to nf.  In the preceding part a few stars pretty close together, and in the following part one, but unconnected." His position matches UGC 5986.

On 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331), John Herschel recorded, "pB; vmE; 90" l, 12" br; pos = 44.2°  It southern extremity touches the large star of a double star [at the south end].  Can this nebula have moved?"  On 7 Feb 1832 (sweep 401), he logged "vF; a long ray pos = 40.8°; has a double star class 4 in middle, and one more."  But the star at the east edge of the middle is only single.  Rudolph Spitaler measured the position of a knot or HII region at the northeast end in an observation at Vienna in 1891.

Friedrich Bidschof measured two micrometric positions at the Vienna Observatory in Feb 1892 - one for the center or core and a second at a knot (HII complex) I mentioned in my notes.
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NGC 3433 = UGC 5981 = MCG +02-28-023 = CGCG 066-048 = PGC 32605
10 52 03.9  +10 08 54; Leo
V = 11.6;  Size 3.5'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 50°

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, large, irregularly round, 2.5'x2.0', fairly low surface brightness, weak even concentration to small, slightly bright core and a faint stellar nucleus.  Appears to be a face-on spiral, though too faint to resolve the arms.  A mag 9.6 star is 8.5' E and 6' further NE of this star is NGC 3444.

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated.  NGC 3438 lies 25' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3433 = H. III-20 = h783 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and noted as "vF, r[esolvable]".  There is nothing at his position, but 1 minute of RA east and 2' N is UGC 5981 = PGC 32605.  On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), John Hershel recorded "eF; vL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 2' diam."
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NGC 3434 = UGC 5980 = MCG +01-28-015 = CGCG 038-036 = PGC 32595
10 51 58.1  +03 47 31; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/25/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~1.3'x1.0'.  Located 4.6' NW of mag 9 SAO 118551. Contains a large, brighter, elongated core with a much fainter outer halo which grows with averted vision.  A mag 14 star lies 1.3' NNE of center.

Brightest in close trio with CGCG 38-37 2.7' N and CGCG 38-35 2.4' WSW.  CGCG 38-37 appeared extremely faint and small, round, required averted to glimpse.  Located 2.7' N of NGC 3434 and 1.5' N of a mag 14 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3434 = H. III-497 = h784 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 513) and recorded "cF, S, R, very little brighter middle."  On 9 Apr 1828 (sweep 142), John Herschel logged "pB; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 30"."
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NGC 3435 = UGC 6025 = MCG +10-16-022 = CGCG 291-012 = PGC 32786
10 54 48.4  +61 17 23; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 35°

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3435 = H. II-887 = h781 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "F, pL, bM, iF."  His position is 3.8' southwest of UGC 6025 (similar offset as NGC 3407, the previous object in the sweep).  John Herschel's RA was 1 minute too small and this error was copied into GC and NGC.
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NGC 3436 = MCG +01-28-016 = CGCG 038-039 = Mrk 1266 = Todd 6 = PGC 32633
10 52 27.5  +08 05 38; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.5'

24" (4/15/23): at 229x and 375x; between faint and fairly faint, small, roundish, diffuse but can hold steadily with averted.  The slightly brighter central region is 15"-20" and the halo swells to 30" with averted vision.  NGC 3427 is 20' NW.

17.5" (4/15/99): very faint, very small, irregular.  Sometimes I had the impression that a very faint star was superimposed.  Located 7' S of mag 8.5 SAO 118552.

David Todd discovered NGC 3436 = Todd 6 on 30 Nov 1877 (AN 2698) using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the USNO during his search of a trans-Neptunian planet.  There is nothing at his very rough position, but based on Todd's sketch, Corwin was able to identify NGC 3436 as CGCG 038-039.  This galaxy is located 2.2 min of RA following Todd's position and 9' north.  The offsets with the stars he sketched to the east and west are a perfect match, so the identification is secure.

RNGC places NGC 3426 at 10 42.4 +07 56 (2000) or 8.9 min west of Todd's position. There is nothing at this location in CGCG, MCG or RC3 and I couldn't identify any object at this position on the DSS!  I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #6.  PGC has a placeholder (31905) but the position just follows the error in the RNGC.
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NGC 3437 = UGC 5995 = MCG +04-26-016 = CGCG 125-013 = PGC 32648
10 52 35.7  +22 56 04; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 122°

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.8'.  Two mag 14 stars are near the NW end collinear with the major axis and a mag 13.5 star is off the SW side 3.0' from center.  Slightly brighter at the SE end and also just west of the weak core.  Appears slightly bowed out on the north side and flatter on the south side.  There is a sharp light cutoff along the north side with a strong impression of a dust lane.  

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, small, very elongated NW-SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3437 = H. II-47 = h786 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "pL, E, resolvable."  I think I can distinguish 3 or 4 stars in it, towards the middle, and in a row."  His position was 11 seconds of RA too large and 1' too far north.  John Herschel made three observations and measured an accurate RA.
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NGC 3438 = UGC 5988 = MCG +02-28-025 = CGCG 066-052 = PGC 32638
10 52 26.0  +10 32 50; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' SE.  NGC 3433 lies 25' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3438 = m 210 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, eS, alm stell."  His position corresponds with UGC 5988.
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NGC 3439 = CGCG 066-050 = PGC 32634
10 52 25.7  +08 33 27; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (4/15/99): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter.  This galaxy was surprisingly faint and required averted and could not hold steadily.  A mag 12 star lies 2.8' S.  Located 15' E of NGC 3425.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3439 = m 211 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eeF, vS, alm stell."  His position corresponds with CGCG 066-050 = PGC 32634.
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NGC 3440 = UGC 6009 = MCG +10-16-019 = CGCG 291-009 = PGC 32714
10 53 49.6  +57 07 08; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 48°

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3445 10.0' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3440 = H. III-914 = h785 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "very faint, small, little extended."
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NGC 3441 = UGC 5993 = MCG +01-28-017 = CGCG 038-040 = PGC 32642
10 52 31.1  +07 13 30; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 5°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', very weak concentration.  A mag 14 star lies 1.2' NE.  Located 4.9' W of mag 8.7 SAO 118560.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3441 on 6 Apr 1882 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Madison, Wisconsin.  He simply noted "pB", but his position is fairly accurate (1' south of UGC 5993).
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NGC 3442 = UGC 6001 = CGCG 184-034 = Mrk 418 = LGG 218-006 = PGC 32679
10 53 08.1  +33 54 36; LMi
V = 13.4;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness.  Even concentration but no well-defined core or nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 1.9' SE.  Forms a pair with MCG +06-24-034 8.5' NE. A mag 10 star is 7' ESE.  Located south and west of several bright stars including 18' S of 46 Leonis Minoris (V = 3.8).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3442 = St. 13-59 on 15 Mar 1882 and described as "F, vS, R, much brighter in the middle, r?  His published position was reduced on 25 Mar 1884 and matches UGC 6001.
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NGC 3443 = UGC 6000 = MCG +03-28-025 = CGCG 095-056 = PGC 32671
10 53 00.4  +17 34 30; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 2.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 145°

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness halo with a small brighter core. A mag 13-13.5 star is 1.6' E.  NGC 3454/3455 pair is ~26' SE and NGC 3457 is a similar distance E.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, small very bright core, substellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3443 = Sw. 6-38 on 24 Apr 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "eeF; vS; R."  His RA is just 8 sec west of UGC 6000 = PGC 32671, but his declination is 8.3' too far south.  Furthermore, his description doesn't add any information about the field.  But there are no other nearby candidates, so this identification is the most likely.
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NGC 3444 = UGC 6004 = CGCG 066-055 = FGC 1148 = PGC 32670
10 53 00.1  +10 12 32; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 1.1'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 19°

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared faint, small, edge-on 3:1 SSW-NNE, 21"x7", low even surface brightness, not difficult.  Located 6' NE of a mag 9.6 star and 14' ENE of NGC 3433.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3444 = m 212 on 25 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and commented "eF, vS, pmE".  His position is 1' south of UGC 6004 and the description "pmE" applies to this edge-on.
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NGC 3445 = Arp 24 = VV 14a = UGC 6021 = MCG +10-16-023 = CGCG 291-011 = PGC 32772
10 54 35.9  +56 59 24; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4

48" (5/16/12): bright, moderately large, very irregular shape, roughly 1.2' diameter.  The brightest portion of the galaxy is on the north and east side where it appeared very mottled with slightly brighter knots (a couple are on the east end).  A spiral arm is attached on the west side and spreads further towards the south, appearing more like a wide, diffuse extension.  The "arm" fades out on the southeast side of the galaxy and just beyond is MCG +10-16-24, 1.2' SE of center.

MCG +10-16-24, an interacting companion, appeared faint to fairly faint, elongated 5:2 E-W, 20"x8".  A second companion, LEDA 2233323, lies 1.5' ENE, between the main galaxy and a mag 10.3 star just 2.2' NE of NGC 3445.  It was faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  The bright star detracted somewhat from viewing the fainter companions.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, broad concentration, bright core.  Located 2.2' SW of a mag 10 star.  Brightest in a group with NGC 3458 13.9' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3445 = H. I-267 = h787 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, irregularly round, about 1 1/4' dia.  The greatest part of it almost equally bright." On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel wrote, "pB; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; has a star 10m 2' nf."  His position is accurate.

On 30 Mar 1856 Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded "[NGC 3445] is very curious, it is round with bright nucleus excentric and a dark curved passage sp this nucleus as in sketch.  [See Plate III, fig 6].  The neby outside this dark curve runs up perhaps to a streak sf which is vF, but of the existence of which I have doubt."  The "streak south-following", which was displayed on the sketch, is certainly MCG +10-16-024 = PGC 32784.  It was mentioned again in the 3 Apr 1858 observation as "a vF, S patch of neby sf."
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NGC 3446 = ESO 264-045
10 52 07  -45 08 24; Vel
Size 7'

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): ~30 stars visible in a 6' group with a mag 8.7 star at the NW corner. The richest part is a 3'x1' group elongated NW to SE on the northeast side of the cluster.  This subgroup includes a mag 10.6 star.  An unequal mag 10.2/13 pair at 19" is on the south side with another mag 10.5 star ~45" SW.  The brightest star in the field is mag 8.4 at ~10' NW.

The galaxy ESO 264-047 is situated just off the east side of the cluster, 2' E of the mag 10.6 star mentioned above.  It appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.

24" (2/22/14): viewed on the meridian at an elevation of 8°, but not an optimal view.  At 200x, mag 8.7 SAO 222386 is at the NW edge.  A group of ~20 stars is south and east including four mag 10-11 stars in a 7' region.  The ESO galaxy just off the east edge was not seen.  Mag 8.4 HD 94198 is roughly 10' NW.  A number of stars are also scattered around this star including a couple of brighter ones, but this seems like an unrelated, random gathering.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3446 = h3301 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "The chief * (9m) of a cluster class VIII, 7' dia, not rich or comp.  Stars 10...13."

Brian Skiff gives a position of 10 52 07 -45 08.3 centered on CoD-44 6866 (mv 9.0) and suggests a diameter of 15' if a few bright stars to the west are included, though Herschel's "chief *" is part of a 7' group.  The galaxy ESO 264-G47 is at the east side, though was missed by Herschel.  RNGC classifies this object as non-existent.
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NGC 3447 = VV 252a = UGC 6006 = MCG +03-28-027 = CGCG 095-058 = LGG 225-001 = PGC 32694
10 53 23.9  +16 46 25; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 3.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.7;  PA = 0°

18" (3/29/03): very faint, fairly large, very diffuse glow.  Located 3' NE of mag 9.9 SAO 99342 and nearly collinear with mag 9.1 SAO 99340 8.3' SW.  This disturbed gas-rich system form a close pair with NGC 3447B = MCG +03-28-028 1.7' NE.  The companion was highly suspected at 300x but could not be confirmed with certainty.  An extremely distant galaxy PGC 32713 (z = .086) lies 7.8' NE.

17.5" (4/18/87): very faint, moderately large, very diffuse.  Three bright stars form an isosceles triangle to the SW; the closest is mag 9.2 SAO 9934 3.1' SW (very wide unequal double with a mag 13 star).  Forms a double system with NGC 3447B = MCG +03-28-028 1.7' NE (not observed).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3447 = h3300 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "eF; vL; very gradually very little brighter middle; 3' or 4' diam.  Has a bright coarse double star (9m) sp."  NGC 3447 is the most northerly discovery that Herschel made from the Cape of Good Hope (four galaxies in Leo were discovered on that date)  His position and description matches.
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NGC 3448 = Arp 205 = UGC 6024 = MCG +09-18-055 = CGCG 267-027 = PGC 32774
10 54 39.0  +54 18 19; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 5.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 65°

48" (5/16/12): this interacting starburst galaxy appeared very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, high surface brightness, irregular shape, mottled appearance.  At the northeast end of the galaxy is a large, bright knot, ~25"x12", which appears to be a huge HII/star-forming region on the SDSS.  Occasionally, an extremely faint tidal tail could be glimpsed, extending perhaps 1.5' ENE.  The beginning of the tail near the bright knot was easily seen.  At the very tip was a marginally visible galaxy, perhaps glimpsed a couple of times.  The dim tail extends the length from 2.4' to 3.6'.

NGC 3448 is interacting with UGC 6016, a low surface brightness dwarf galaxy, 4.1' WSW.  The companion appeared as a faint to fairly faint, low surface brightness patch, elongated SW-NE (in the direction of NGC 3448) , ~1.2'x0.5', no concentration.

24" (1/31/14): viewed supernova 2014G, which was discovered on Jan. 14th. This SN is located at the SW tip (44" west and 20" south of center) and was quite easy. It was immediately noticed at 125x, but 200x provided a better view. It was listed at mag 14.0, but I thought it might be a bit brighter.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, halo increases to a small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star follows 3.1' from center.  An extremely faint knot is visible east of the core along the major axis about 35" from the center.  Located 19' SE of 44 Ursa Majoris (V = 5.1).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3448 = H. I-233 = h788 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922). He logged "pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, elongated 30° south preceding to north following, resolvable.  On 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324), John Herschel wrote,"B; mE; gradually brighter in the middle; no nucl; 1 3/4' l, 20" br; pos = 67°."

NGC 3448 was observed 7 times at Birr Castle.  On 1 Feb 1851 and 3 Mar 1851, darker divisions (dust) were noted by one of the Stoney brothers on both sides of the core.  The one on the northeast side was more obvious.  R.J. Mitchell, observing on 8 Mar 1856, recorded "mE, certainly dark spaces on each side of the nucleus, but not well seen; the following one rather more distinct.  A sketch or diagram matches the photographic appearance with brighter knots at each ends of the extensions.
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NGC 3449 = ESO 376-025 = MCG -05-26-010 = KTS 41B = LGG 222-003 = PGC 32666
10 52 53.7  -32 55 39; Ant
V = 12.2;  Size 3.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 148°

48" (5/7/24): between moderately and fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, ~2.7'x0.9'.  Contains a bright elongated center that increases to a nucleus.  AM 1054-325 (the main target) is situated 0.9° ESE.

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Moderate, even concentration to a stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Situated 6' NW of mag 8.5 HD 94389.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3449 = h3302 on 29 Apr 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; 15".  Has a * 6.7m sf."  His position and description matches ESO 376-025.
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NGC 3450 = ESO 569-006 = MCG -03-28-004 = UGCA 218 = LGG 220-001 = PGC 32270
10 48 03.4  -20 50 57; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 2.5'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 128°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, moderately large, nearly round, 1.8'x1.5'.  Situated between two mag 12/13 stars 3.4' N and 3.4' S.  DSS reveals a face-on symmetric barred spiral.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3450 = h3303 on 22 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; r; 90"."  There is nothing near his position, though ESO 569-023 is exactly 3.0 min of RA east.  RC3, ESO-LV and ESGC identify ESO 569-006 = PGC 32270 as NGC 3450.  ESO 569-006 is 5.2 minutes of RA west of Herschel's position, but is a much brighter galaxy and a better fit with the description."  This identication was first suggested in the 1921 Helwan list, based on photographs taken with the 30" reflector in 1914-16.  MCG doesn't identify this galaxy as NGC 3450.  The other objects observed in the sweep (NGC 3514, 3528 and 3529) show no large errors in RA.
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NGC 3451 = UGC 6023 = MCG +05-26-028 = CGCG 155-035 = PGC 32754
10 54 21.0  +27 14 22; LMi
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 50°

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weakly concentrated but no core.  A mag 11.5 star is 4.2' NW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3451 = H. II-364 = h789 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pF, pL, little extended, brightest towards the sf part."  John Herschel made 4 observations; on one occasion calling it "eF" and on another "pB".
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NGC 3452 = MCG -02-28-019 = PGC 32742
10 54 13.9  -11 24 18; Crt
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 65°

18" (3/29/03): faint, very small streak, 20"x6", elongated ENE-WSW in the direction of a mag 12.5 star 1' ENE of center.

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3452 in 1880 with his silvered-glass 36" reflector and logged "eF, R, n of small star".  His position is 30 sec of RA west and 3' north of MCG -02-28-019 = PGC 32742.  A mag 13 star is close east-northeast, so Common probably confused the orientation.
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NGC 3453 = ESO 569-017 = MCG -04-26-013 = LGG 220-002 = PGC 32707
10 53 40.4  -21 47 35; Hya
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 4°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.9'x0.7', slightly elongated N-S, very weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3453 = h3304 on 21 Mar 1835 and logged "F; S; R; bM; 15"."  His position matches ESO 569-017 = PGC 32707.
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NGC 3454 = UGC 6026 = MCG +03-28-030 = CGCG 095-060 = FGC 1155 = Holm 221b = LGG 219-004 = PGC 32763
10 54 29.4  +17 20 38; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 116°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; moderately bright and large, very thin edge-on ~6:1 WNW-ESE, ~1.5'x0.25', low nearly even surface brightness with only a very weak central concentration.  Forms a nice pair with NGC 3455 3.6' S with a mag 11.0 star between.

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.3', weak concentration, tapers at the tips.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3455 3.6' S, with a mag 10.5-11 star directly between the pair.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint edge-on streak 5:1 WNW-ESE, fairly small, slightly brighter along the major axis.  Forms a pair with NGC 3455 3.6' S.  Located 1.7' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3454 = h790 on 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334) and recorded "pF; little extended; the np of two [with NGC 3455].  His position is accurate, so there's no question of the identification, but I'm surprised he didn't describe this galaxy as very elongated.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 28 Mar 1856, called it "the n one is a long narrow ray np-sf."
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NGC 3455 = UGC 6028 = MCG +03-28-031 = CGCG 095-062 = Holm 221a = LGG 219-005 = PGC 32767
10 54 31.0  +17 17 04; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 80°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.5', slightly brighter nucleus, slightly brighter along the major axis.  Forms an excellent pair with NGC 3454 3.6' N with a mag 11.0 star midway.

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration, no distinct core but an irregular surface brightness.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3454 3.6' N.  A mag 10.5-11 star is directly between the two galaxies.

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly small, broad concentration, oval elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE.  A mag 10.5 star is 2.0' N of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3454 3.6' N.  The bright star is symmetrically placed between the galaxies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3455 = H. II-82 = h791 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded ""F, S, little extended, r.  It's situation is south of a pB star."  On 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334), John Herschel wrote, "pB; E; gradually brighter in the middle; The south-following of 3 [with NGC 3454]; a *9-10m between them."
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NGC 3456 = MCG -03-28-018 = PGC 32730
10 54 03.2  -16 01 39; Crt
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 85°

18" (3/29/03): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.9', brighter core.  A mag 13 star is at the NE edge.  Located just over one degree ENE of mag 3.1 Nu Hydrae.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3456 = H. IV-29 = h792 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371). He recorded "a small star with an extremely faint brush towards the preceding side, or a vF nebula close to and preceding the star.  I perceived it in stopping to gage [count stars], otherwise should certainly have overlooked it.  240 shewed the the same."  There is nothing at his position, but 40 seconds of RA east and 4' further south is MCG -03-28-018 = PGC 32730, and the description applies.

On 16 Dec 1828 (sweep 111), John Herschel wrote,  "a *12m with an extremely faint nebulous appendage.  At first it seemed to envelope the *; but Mr Dunlop, to whom I showed it, considered it be detached."  Based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in 1919-20, it was described as "F, 1.75' x 0.75', E 80°; spiral with sharp nucleus."
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NGC 3457 = NGC 3460 = UGC 6030 = MCG +03-28-032 = CGCG 095-065 = PGC 32787
10 54 48.6  +17 37 16; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.2

24" (2/22/14): bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus.  NGC 3461 lies 5.4' NNE.  IC 655, a faint double star (actually a triple plus a dim galaxy), lies 4.4' E.  NGC 3454 and 3455, an excellent pair, lies ~20' S.  CGCG 095-061 (interacting pair) lies 10' NW and PGC 3090337 is 7.6' NW.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, small, round, compact, high surface brightness, bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3455 lies 20' SSW.

Francis Baily discovered NGC 3457 = h793 on 25 Mar 1827 using John Herschel's 18.7-inch reflector.  John Herschel wrote, "Stellar. 2 or 3 stars with a nebulous blur observed by Mr. Baily."  Baily was the President of the Astronomical Society of London at the time and a regular guest of Herschel.  The position is an excellent match (0.9' SE) with UGC 6030, but the description doesn't match this fairly bright galaxy.  It applies well, though, to IC 656, a small clump consisting of three faint stars and a dim galaxy just 4' E, though how could the more prominent galaxy be missed?

R.J. Mitchell, assistant to Lord Rosse, also observed UGC 6030 on 27 Mar 1854.  He described a "A S neb [NGC 3461] north of a bright one [UGC 6030], distance about 5' or 6'."

Lewis Swift also recorded this galaxy on 24 Aug 1883, though his RA in his first discovery paper (#9) was 25 seconds too large.  Swift's and Mitchel's observations were combined by Dreyer into NGC 3460.  So, most likely NGC 3457 = NGC 3460, despite the very poor description of NGC 3457.  Perhaps Baily noted the clump, but John Herschel measured the galaxy?  See Harold Corwin's discussion.
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NGC 3458 = UGC 6037 = MCG +10-16-026 = CGCG 291-014 = PGC 32854
10 56 01.5  +57 07 01; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, very small, round, very bright stellar nucleus, very faint small halo.  Forms a wide galaxy pair with NGC 3445 13.9' SW in the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3458 = H. I-268 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He recorded a "very bright, very small, round stellar nebula."  He included a small sketch in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 39) and noted "this may be a former planetary in a higher state of condensation."
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NGC 3459 = MCG -03-28-022 = PGC 32782
10 54 44.2  -17 02 31; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 156°

18" (3/29/03): appeared as a ghostly streak 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.3', slightly brighter center but no well-defined core.  Collinear with a mag 14 star 2' NNW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3459 = LM 2-429 on 5 Jan 1887 and recorded "mag 14.0, 1.0'x0.3', gradually brighter then suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  His position is ~20 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-022 = PGC 32782 and the description matches.
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NGC 3460 = NGC 3457 = UGC 6030 = MCG +03-28-032 = CGCG 095-065 = PGC 32787
10 54 48.6  +17 37 16; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.2

See observing notes for NGC 3457.

R.J. Mitchell, assistant to Lord Rosse, discovered NGC 3460 = Sw. 1-9 on 27 Mar 1854.  His description reads, "A small neb [NGC 3461 = PGC 32793] north of a bright one [NGC 3460 = PGC 32787]. distance about 5' or 6'."  Lewis Swift also recorded this galaxy on 24 Aug 1883, though the RA in his first discovery paper is 25 seconds too large.  These two observations were combined into NGC 3460.

Most likely John Herschel or observing guest Francis Baily first discovered this galaxy on 25 Mar 1827, and it was catalogued as h793 = NGC 3457.  The Slough Catalogue position is accurate, though the description "Stellar. 2 or 3 stars with a nebulous blur observed by Mr. Baily", appears to describe IC 656, a small clump consisting of three faint stars and a dim galaxy just 4' east.

Mitchell's observation clearly refers to NGC 3460 = UGC 6030 and NGC 3461.  Later, on 22 Mar 1878, Dreyer mentions finding an "eS cl , with a *12 in Pos 175 deg, dist 305 arcsec".  It's most likely that this observation is not related to the galaxy but may refer to the 3 faint stars + galaxy 4.5' following NGC 3457 (mentioned above).  RNGC has a typo and equates NGC 3557 = NGC 3460.  See Corwin's notes for further discussion.
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NGC 3461 = PGC 32793
10 54 55.3  +17 42 29; Leo
V = 15.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4'

24" (2/22/14): very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  Can just hold steadily with averted vision at 260x.  Located 5.4' NNE of NGC 3457 = NGC 3460.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3461 on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72" and recorded "A small neb [NGC 3461] north of a bright one [NGC 3460]. distance about 5' or 6'."  On 4 Apr 1878, Dreyer also logged this faint galaxy, "..I found a neb [NGC 3457 = NGC 3460] pB, pL, R, gradually brighter in the middle with a vF, diffused nebula [NGC 3461] in position 17°, distance 326".  At this offset is PGC 32793.  Although Mitchell's observation is in the 1861 publication, there was no offsets to compute a position and it was not included in the GC or GC Supplement.

NGC 3461 is not included in the CGCG, MCG or RC3.  RNGC misidentifies LEDA 1537008, an extremely faint galaxy very close to 3 stars (IC 656), as NGC 3461.
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NGC 3462 = UGC 6034 = MCG +01-28-019 = CGCG 038-049 = Todd 5 = PGC 32822
10 55 21.1  +07 41 48; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 60°

24" (4/15/23): at 229x and 327x; moderately bright, contains a bright core that increases to the center, slightly elongated, 40" diameter. The galaxy forms the NW vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 8.3 HD 94704 9' E and a mag 10.6 star 9' SE.

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, nearly round, 0.8'x0.7', very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3462 = H. II-16 = h794 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 102) and recorded "a small cometic nebula.  I am not sure whether it is cometic or not."  On 17 Apr 1830 (sweep 250), John Herschel logged it as "vF; S; R: pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12"."

David Todd also picked up this galaxy on 13 Nov 1877 and recorded it as #5 in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet (AN 2698).  The surrounding field stars are an exact match.
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NGC 3463 = ESO 502-002 = MCG -04-26-014 = LGG 223-001 = PGC 32813
10 55 13.4  -26 09 26; Hya
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 77°

18" (4/29/06): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4', weakly concentrated.  Nearly collinear with a pair of mag 13/14 stars ~5' N (at 17" separation).  An identical distance to the south is a mag 10.5 star with the galaxy at the midpoint of these stars.  Located ~4.5° ESE of Hydra I cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3463 = h3305 on 26 Mar 1835 and logged "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"."  His position matches ESO 502-002 = PGC 32813.
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NGC 3464 = ESO 569-022 = MCG -03-28-021 = UGCA 222 = LGG 220-003 = PGC 32778
10 54 39.9  -21 04 00; Hya
V = 12.6;  Size 2.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 112°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint but moderately large, roughly oval, 1.7'x1.2' WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a hint of mottled structure.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3464 = LM 1-178 on 14 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 1.3'x0.4', E 125°."  His very rough position (nearest min of RA) is less than 1 min of RA east of ESO 569-022 and the description applies. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 3465 = UGC 6056 = MCG +13-08-048 = CGCG 351-050 = KTG 34A = PGC 33099
10 59 31.3  +75 11 29; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 171°

24" (5/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 30"x22", contains a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 14-14.5 star is just 40" SE.  First in the KTG 34 triplet with NGC 3500 9' E and NGC 3523 14.5' ESE.

18" (3/30/05): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~NW-SE, ~0.7'x0.5', contains a small, brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is off the SE side and a 29" pair of mag 12 stars lies 3.5' NE.  First in a trio with NGC 3500 9' E.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, fairly small, round.  First of three in trio with NGC 3500 9' E and NGC 3523 14.5' ESE.  Appears as a low surface brightness spot of 25" diameter (probably viewed core) with little or no concentration.  Observation of the group was severely affected by hazy skies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3465 = H. III-967 = h795, along with H. III-968, on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He only recorded a single position and noted "Two, the 1st [NGC 3465] very faint, very small.  The 2nd, extremely faint and smaller than the first.  It is a little more north and following, but very near to it." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  Corrected positions matching UGC 6056 and UGC 6090 were published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated the corrected positions in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  In the NGC, Dreyer assigned both III-967 and III-968 to NGC 3500 (calling it a "Double neb, very near").

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 3465 on 4 Apr 1832.  He logged h795 as "extremely faint; pretty large; round; very gradually little brighter middle; 30", a double star north following points to it."  His position and description clearly applies to UGC 6056.  JH was credited with the discovery of NGC 3465 in the GC and NGC, though his father should probably receive credit.
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NGC 3466 = UGC 6042 = MCG +02-28-028 = CGCG 066-065 = PGC 32872
10 56 15.5  +09 45 16; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', weak even concentration.  A mag 11 star is 3.0' due west.  Forms a pair with NGC 3467 7.0' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3466 = h796 on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120) and recorded "vF; has another [NGC 3467] still fainter following; has also a * 9m preceding the same parallel."  His position and description matches UGC 6042.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured the difference in RA to the star as 13.3 seconds and the difference in Dec as 15".
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NGC 3467 = UGC 6045 = MCG +02-28-030 = CGCG 066-067 = PGC 32903
10 56 44.1  +09 45 32; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter.  Appears slightly smaller than NGC 3466 located 7.0' W but has a sharper concentration with a small bright core.  A mag 11 star lies 3.5' NW (similar brightness to the mag 11 star preceding NGC 3466).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3467 = h798 on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), along with NGC 3466.  His position matches UGC 6045.
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NGC 3468 = UGC 6048 = MCG +07-23-006 = CGCG 213-010 = PGC 32940
10 57 31.2  +40 56 46; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 8°

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.6' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.7' ENE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3468 = H. III-632 = h797 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "cF, vS, R, gradually much brighter middle."  On 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) he added "lE in the meridian [north-south]."  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), John Herschel wrote, "not vF; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12"; a *13m near."
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NGC 3469 = MCG -02-28-024 = PGC 32912
10 56 57.7  -14 18 03; Crt
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 115°

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentratin with a very small slightly brighter core.  Located 6' SSE of a mag 9 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3469 = h3306 on 7 May 1836 and simply noted "eeF; S."  His position matches MCG -02-28-024 = PGC 32912.
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NGC 3470 = UGC 6060 = MCG +10-16-038 = CGCG 291-016 = PGC 33040
10 58 44.9  +59 30 39; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration, diffuse outer halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3470 = H. II-888 = h799 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "F, S, R, bM."
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NGC 3471 = UGC 6064 = MCG +10-16-039 = CGCG 291-018 = Mrk 158 = PGC 33074
10 59 09.1  +61 31 51; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 14°

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, broad concentration, faint elongated halo.  Located 35' WSW of Alpha Ursa Majoris.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3471 = H. III-972 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1102, under the pole).  He recorded "very faint, very small, round, brighter middle."  His position is 4' north of UGC 6064, the only nearby galaxy.
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NGC 3472 = ESO 569-26
10 57 18  -19 38; Crt

= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3472 = LM 1-179 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.4' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle." with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of RA).  Harold Corwin was not able to identify a likely candidate, but lists ESO 572-025 as a possibility. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 3473 = UGC 6052 = MCG +03-28-041 = CGCG 095-079 = PGC 32978
10 58 05.2  +17 07 27; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 40°

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5'.  Unusual appearance due to nearby foreground stars.  A mag 12.5 star is attached at the NNE tip 0.5' from the center and the galaxy extends to the SW almost to a fainter mag 14 star 45" from center. Appears unconcentrated with a low surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3474 1.9' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3473 = H. III-67 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181). He noted "a suspected nebulosity reaching from one star to a smaller which is about 2' south of it; 240x [eyepiece No. 4] confirmed it." His sketch (reproduced in Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel) shows an elongated nebula between two apparent stars (or stellar cores).  The northern star is at north edge of the halo and the southern star is probably the mag 13.6 star 1' S.  Wolfgang suggests Herschel's southern star is NGC 3474, but that seems unlikely as the mag 13.6 star is more evident.  In his 1814 PT paper (fig. 2), Herschel stated the arrangement was too unusual to be a pure line of sight coincidence, and the stars had formed within the nebula.

Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position and similar to Herschel described NGC 3473 as "between 2 st 14 and 15m, the brighter one attached to the north limb."
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NGC 3474 = MCG +03-28-042 = CGCG 095-081 = PGC 32989
10 58 08.8  +17 05 44; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, very small brighter core.  Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 3473 1.9' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3474 = Sw. 6-39 on 24 Apr 1887 and noted "vF; pS; R; GC 2267 [NGC 3473] near north."  His RA is 8 seconds too large.  William Herschel and d'Arrest both missed this galaxy.
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NGC 3475 = UGC 6058 = MCG +04-26-022 = CGCG 125-017 = PGC 33012
10 58 25.3  +24 13 34; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 65°

17.5" (4/9/99): easily picked up at 100x while scanning the field.  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~WSW-ENE.  Well concentrated with a bright, round core and an ill-defined diffuse halo at least 1' along the major axis.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' N.  A couple of nearby faint companions were not seen but MCG +04-26-023 located 9' N was observed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3475 = H. III-332 = h800 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, about 1' north aof a small star."  Caroline's reduced position falls nearly 4' south of UGC 6058.  On 28 Mar 1832 (sweep 407), John Herschel wrote, "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2' s of a * 12m."  His position was fairly accurate.
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NGC 3476 = NGC 3480? = MCG +02-28-032 = CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987
10 58 07.6  +09 16 34; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (3/22/96): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' E of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3477 3.7' SSE.  There is faint pair of mag 14.5/15 stars 1.5' SSE at 14" separation which appeared nebulous at first glance.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3476 = m 213, along with NGC 3477, on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stell." His position is 4' N of CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987.  This is the same offset as NGC 3477 so this identification appears solid.

NGC 3480, found by Andrew Common in 1880, may be a duplicate observation.  See notes on this number.
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NGC 3477 = CGCG 066-074 = PGC 32997
10 58 12.6  +09 13 03; Leo
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 70°

17.5" (3/22/96): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE (difficult to determine PA as requires averted vision to glimpse).  A faint pair of mag 15 stars lies 2.3' N.  At the SE edge of the 220x field is a matched pair of mag 9.5 stars at 16" separation. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3476 3.7' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3477 = m 214 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eeF, eS, stell."  His position is 4' north of CGCG 066-074 = PGC 32997, the same offset he made with nearby NGC 3476.
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NGC 3478 = UGC 6069 = MCG +08-20-059 = CGCG 241-051 = PGC 33101
10 59 27.3  +46 07 21; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 2.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 132°

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.75', large brighter middle but no defined nucleus.  A pair of mag 11 stars are 3.9' S and 5.5' SSW with a separation of 2.0'.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3478 = H. III-705 = h801 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and simply noted "vF".  His position was 1.5' too far north (similar offset as NGC 3583, the next discovery in the sweep). On 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139), John Herschel logged "F; S; R" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3479 = NGC 3502: = MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053
10 58 55.5  -14 57 41; Crt
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 175°

18" (3/5/05): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.1'x0.8'.  Broad, weak concentration to a relatively large, slightly brighter core.  NGC 3502 may be a duplicate observation of this galaxy.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3479 = LM 1-180 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 30 tsec west of MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

NGC 3502 = LM 1-181, found by Leavenworth, is probably an independent observation with an error of 2.5 minutes in RA.  This galaxy was found again by Stephane Javelle on 24 Mar 1909 and included in his unpublished 4th catalogue (J. 1670).
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NGC 3480 = NGC 3476? = MCG +02-28-032 = CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987
10 58 07.6  +09 16 34; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3476.  Identification uncertain.

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3480 in 1880 with his 36" silvered glass reflector and simply noted "S, stellar."  There is nothing at his position, though 12' southwest is NGC 3476.  Bigourdan was unsuccessful in finding NGC 3480.  Because of the scant description, the identification NGC 3476 = NGC 3480 is uncertain.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3481 = MCG -01-28-016 = PGC 33097
10 59 26.6  -07 32 40; Crt
V = 13.0;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 136°

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, smooth surface brightness.  Located 5' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 137930 (wide yellow/blue unequal double).  Also nearby is a mag 10.7 star 2' W and a mag 11 star 3.5' N.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3481 = LM 2-430 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.3' dia, rr; prob vF Cl; *9 in PA 120° [east-southeast] at 5'."  His position is 0.3 min of RA west and 2' south of MCG -01-28-016 = PGC 33097 and the description clinches the identification.
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NGC 3482 = ESO 264-056 = PGC 33025
10 58 34.3  -46 35 03; Vel
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 14°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, ~50"x30", broad concentration to a small brighter core.  Situated in a rich Vela star field 8.8' WNW of mag 8.2 HD 95274.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3482 = h3308 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"."  His position is within 1' of ESO 264-056 = PGC 33025.  RNGC calls it an unverified southern object.
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NGC 3483 = ESO 438-001 = MCG -05-26-016 = PGC 33060
10 59 00.2  -28 28 37; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.2'x1.0', fairly high surface brightness.  Well concentrated with a small bright core that brightens to the center.  Forms the southern vertex of a small triangle with mag 9 HD 95183 1.8' NE and a mag 11.5-12 star 1.3' NNW.

18" (4/29/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6', irregular halo.  Increases to a small bright core and stellar  nucleus.  Located 1.8' SW of mag 9 HD 95183.  Completing a triangle with the galaxy is a mag 12 star 1.3' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3483 = h3307 on 10 May 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15". Among stars."  His position matches ESO 438-001 = PGC 33060.
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NGC 3484
11 03 00  +75 49; Dra

= Not found, Carlson.

John Herschel found NGC 3484 = h802 on 5 Apr 1832 (sweep 414) but noted it was "A very doubtful object."  He apparently was looking for H. III-967 as he queried if this was his father's object.

In the 1911 Monthly Notices paper on William Herschel's 15 objects discovered on 2 Apr 1810, it was noted "Nothing shown [for NGC 3484] on the photographic [Greenwich plate]" and Dreyer repeats this in his 1912 NGC Correction list.
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NGC 3485 = UGC 6077 = MCG +03-28-044 = CGCG 095-085 = PGC 33140
11 00 02.4  +14 50 28; Leo
V = 11.8;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, moderately large, fairly diffuse, oval slightly elongated WSW-ENE, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.7' W of center.  Possible member of the Leo group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3485 = H. II-100 = h804 = h3309 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "F, pL r."  John Herschel made three observations at Slough and one at the Cape of Good Hope.

Bindon Stoney, observing on 9 Apr 1852 at Birr Castle "suspected a dark curved passage sp centre."  Also on 15 Mar 1855, R.J. Mitchell "suspect[ed] a knot in p and one in f edge.  Query, a ring with a Nucl in centre?"
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NGC 3486 = UGC 6079 = MCG +05-26-032 = CGCG 155-041 = PGC 33166
11 00 23.8  +28 58 30; LMi
V = 10.5;  Size 7.1'x5.2';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 80°

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, large, slightly elongated E-W, 4'x3', diffuse outer halo with a brighter core.  Located 15' SW of mag 7.9 SAO 81621.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3486 = H. I-87 = h805 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396). He recorded "very bright, very large, the brightness decreasing very gradually."  John Herschel logged a total of 10 observations of this galaxy!

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 7 Mar 1856, wrote "pB, R, B central Nucl, light mottled about Nucl?
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NGC 3487 = UGC 6092 = MCG +03-28-047 = CGCG 095-089 = PGC 33195
11 00 46.6  +17 35 15; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 153°

24" (3/28/17): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, ~45"x18".  Appears brighter along a thin spine of the major axis.

Arp 198 = UGC 6073, an overlapping pair consisting of face-on spiral and a thin edge-on that extends directly to the nucleus of the face-on, lies 15' WNW.  At 260x and 375x, it appeared as a very faint, fairly small, very elongated glow,  ~0.4'x0.1', extending to the southwest of a mag 12.3 star.  The pair has an unusual "spike" appearance, with a very small "knot" (core of VV 267a = UGC 6073b, the face-on spiral) at most 10" diameter at the northeast end close to the mag 12 star [28" SW of the star].  The spike or tail (VV 267b = UGC 6073a) extends southwest with the combined glow collinear with the star!

18" (5/31/03): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.7'x0.25', nearly even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3487 = Sw. 3-58 on 5 Mar 1886 and logged "eeF; pretty small; round; extremely difficult; in vacancy."  His position is 35 seconds of RA too far west.

Stephane Javelle found it again on 10 Apr 1907 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory.  He included it as J. 1667 in his unpublished 4th catalogue.  At the same time he discovered CGCG 095-086, which is 14' SW.
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NGC 3488 = UGC 6096 = MCG +10-16-045 = CGCG 291-022 = PGC 33242
11 01 23.6  +57 40 39; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 175°

17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, gradually brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is at the SSE edge 1.0' from center.  Forms a pair with CGCG 291-021 7' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3488 = H. I-269 = h803 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038).  He logged "considerably bright, round, about 1' dia, just north of a small star."  He included a simple sketch (fig. 11) in his 1811 PT paper as an example of a round nebula.  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel noted "It is north of a *13, just at the edge of the nebula."
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NGC 3489 = UGC 6082 = MCG +02-28-039 = CGCG 066-084 = LGG 217-008 = PGC 33160
11 00 18.6  +13 54 04; Leo
V = 10.3;  Size 3.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 70°

18" (5/14/07): very bright, large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.25'.  Sharply concentrated with a round, intense core (relatively small) highlighted by a very bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.5' WSW of center, just outside the halo.  Member of the Leo Group (also called the M96 Group).

17.5" (4/1/95): very bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.5'.  Unusually bright, round core dominates view with an almost stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The halo nearly reaches to a mag 13 star 1.5' SW of center.

8" (12/6/80): fairly bright, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3489 = H. II-101 = h806 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "pretty bright, small, much brighter middle than at the extremes."  A sketch was included in his 1814 publication (fig. 11) as an example of a round nebula with the description (based on a later observation) "a pretty large, round, extremely faint, easily resolvable nebula. I can almost see the stars in it."

John Herschel made two observations at Slough and four were made at Birr Castle. JH and d'Arrest commented this galaxy should have been placed in William's 1st class.
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NGC 3490 = MCG +02-28-036 = CGCG 066-080 = PGC 33128
10 59 54.4  +09 21 42; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (5/15/10): at 220x appeared as a faint, very small, round glow, just 15" diameter.  The surface brightness was fairly low and occasionally a very faint stellar nucleus was glimpsed.  Located 1.5' NW of a mag 12 star.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3490 in 1880 with his 36" silvered-glass reflector.  His approximate position is 0.4 min of RA west of CGCG 066-080 = PGC 33128.  Neither MCG or CGCG label this galaxy as NGC 3490.  See Thomson's CGCG Corrections and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3491 = UGC 6088 = MCG +02-28-041 = CGCG 066-089 = PGC 33180
11 00 35.4  +12 09 42; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, very small bright core.  Located in a blank region bordered by brighter stars forming a circular pattern 16'-18' diameter.  The brightest of these are mag 8 SAO 99401 10' SE and SAO 99398 12' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3491 = H. III-21 = h807 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and noted "vF, S.  I could not be sure till I put on 240x."  His position was ~50 seconds of RA preceding UGC 6088.  On 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242), John Herschel simply noted "eF; R" but he measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3492 = UGC 6094 = MCG +02-28-045 = CGCG 066-093 = VIII Zw 116 = PGC 33207
11 00 57.3  +10 30 21; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

17.5" (4/25/98): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.0'x0.8'.  Weak, even concentration to a slightly brighter core and nucleus.  This galaxy is the brightest in AGC 1142 with IC 664 4.1' NW, IC 663 6.4' SW and IC 666 4.6' SE.  Observation made in hazy skies.

This system is a post-merger with two main nuclei separated by 10" SW-NE and two fainter nuclei involved.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 3492 around 1880 with the 13.5" refractor at the Litchfield observatory in New York. The discovery, probably made while making observations for a star catalog and atlas, wasn't published in either of his two lists in 1881 and 1882, so the discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 3493 = UGC 6099 = MCG +05-26-036 = CGCG 155-044 = PGC 33249
11 01 27.8  +27 43 10; LMi
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 84°

18" (5/31/03): faint, small, edge-on 7:2 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.15', even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star lies 0.7' SW of center.  Located 27' SW of NGC 3504.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3493 = h808 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 343) and noted "eF; has a small star sp."  His position (two sweeps) and description matches UGC 6099.
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NGC 3494
11 01 10.9  +03 46 28; Leo

= **?, Corwin. "Not found", Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3494 in 1882 and described in his 5th paper "6' north from the middle knot [of NGC 3495] I saw repeated a little nebula, I initially took as (part of) III-498 [NGC 3495]."  There are no nearby galaxies at this offset and Harold Corwin proposes a 5" pair of mag 14.5/16.7 stars located 9' north-northwest of NGC 3495.

Dorothy Carlson listed NGC 3494 as nonexistent in her 1940 NGC Correction paper and RNGC repeats this classification.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3495 = UGC 6098 = MCG +01-28-027 = CGCG 038-088 = PGC 33234
11 01 16.3  +03 37 40; Leo
V = 11.8;  Size 4.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 20°

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, fairly large, edge-on oriented SSW-NNE, 4'x1', broad concentration, mottled or uneven surface brightness (probably caused by a dark lane).  Located 10.5' E of 58 Leonis (V = 4.8).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3495 = H. III-498 = h809 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 513).  He noted "very faint, much extended."  His position is accurate, as it was recorded only 43 seconds after logging 5th magnitude 58 Leonis, the offset star.  John Herschel made three observations on consecutive sweeps, first recording on 7 Apr 1828 (sweep 141): "F; mE; 60° with meridian; 60" length; 15-20" broad."
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NGC 3496 = ESO 128-26 = Cr 237
10 59 34  -60 20 12; Car
V = 8.2;  Size 9'

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): this cluster is situated in a glorious Milky Way field!  The cluster is beautifully rich with mag 12 and fainter stars, roughly 60-75 stars in a 5'-6' circular region (this is the richest section) and 100-125 stars within a 9' region elongated E-W.  On the east side is HJ 4395 = 11.5/12.0 pair at 9" and a small knot of stars is on the northwest side. A mag 9.3 star is off the east side and a mag 9.2 star is off the south side. Located 34' ENE of 6th magnitude T Carinae and 80' WNW of NGC 3572.

Sher 1, a very small cluster, is 13' NE of NGC 3496. Using an 18" f/4.5 at 182x it appeared as a small 1' knot of ~10 stars including a few bright mag 9.5-11 stars, but several are very faint.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3496 = h3310 on 14 Mar 1834 and recorded the "Place of a small double star in the following part of a loose, rich, pretty large cluster of stars 13m.  8 or 10' in diameter; a fine object; a very much condensed milky way group."  His position is on h4395, a mag 12 pair at 9".
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NGC 3497 = NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = IC 2624 = ESO 570-006 = MCG -03-28-037 = PGC 33667
11 07 18.1  -19 28 19; Crt
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

See observing notes for NGC 3528

William Herschel discovered NGC 3497 = H. III-824 on 8 Mar 1790 (sweep 936) and logged "vF, vS, irregularly round, gradually little brighter middle."  His position is within 2' (typical error) of ESO 570-006 = PGC 33667.  The position in the GC, which was copied into the NGC, is 6 min too far west (reduction or copying error).  

John Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 22 Mar 1835 and logged h3316 as "F; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20".  The preceding of two [with NGC 3529]."  His position is 6 sec of RA west of ESO 570-006.  Ormond Stone also independently discovered this galaxy in 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and his rough position for LM 1-183 (nearest min of RA) is 1.0 tmin west of ESO 570-006.  Finally, Lewis Swift made a 4th "discovery" (along with NGC 3529) on 11 Apr 1898 and his position in list XI-118 is 5' too far south (nearly identical to NGC 3529).

So, there are four aliases in the NGC/IC!  Namely, NGC 3497 = NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = IC 2624.  NGC 3528 is the primary designation in modern catalogues.
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NGC 3498
11 01 41.5  +14 21 04; Leo

= ***, Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3498 = H. III-75 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "eF, not S.  I had some doubts and therefore put on 240, but as there was not a star very near I could not adjust the focus, which cannot be done on a nebula.  Therefore as it would have taken too much time to verify it, I went on."

There is nothing near his position and neither d'Arrest nor Bigourdan were able to find this nebula.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" reported "In Dreyer's place is a vF triple star, *14.7, *14.7, *16, a *14.7 f 1.8' of *16."  The DSS shows a triple star with a brighter pair of mag 14.2/14.6 stars at 10" separation.  Harold Corwin also identifies this number with this triple.
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NGC 3499 = UGC 6115 = MCG +09-18-080 = CGCG 267-037 = CGCG 241-065 = PGC 33375
11 03 11.0  +56 13 18; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 14.8' SE of Beta Ursa Majoris (V = 2.4).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3499 = H. III-793 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922). He logged "very faint, very small, stellar neb.  The brightness of Beta UMa is so considerable that it requires much attention to perceive this nebula."  No observations were made by John Herschel or at Birr Castle. The RNGC position is 1.0 tmin too large.
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NGC 3500 = UGC 6090 = MCG +13-08-052 = CGCG 351-052 = KTG 34B = PGC 33277
11 01 51.5  +75 12 05; Dra
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 45°

24" (5/25/14): at 280x appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', very small brighter core.  Second of three in the KTG 34 triplet, with NGC 3465 9.0' W and NGC 3523 7.0' SE.  This galaxy's redshift-based distance is ~150 million l.y., while the other two lie at 325 million l.y.

18" (3/30/05): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', low surface brightness.  Smallest and faintest of a trio with NGC 3523 7.2' SE and NGC 3465 9' W.  This galaxy is incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and it is not identified as NGC 3500 in UGC, MCG or CGCG.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 30"x20".  Faintest of trio with NGC 3465 9' W and NGC 3523 7' SE.  A pair of mag 12 stars [30" separation] is 6' preceding. Observation difficult due to very poor transparency.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3500 = H. III-968, along with H. III-967, on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He noted "Two, the 1st [NGC 3465] very faint, very small.  The 2nd [NGC 3500] extremely faint and smaller than the first.  It is a little more north and following, but very near to it." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  John Herschel assigned two GC designations to H. III-967 and H. III-968, but in the NGC Dreyer assigned both to NGC 3500, calling it a "double nebula, very near."

A corrected position for NGC 3500 that matches UGC 6090 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  UGC 6090 is not identified as NGC 3500 in any modern catalogue including RC3.  RNGC classifies NGC 3500 as nonexistent. CGCG, UGC and PGC equate "NGC 3465 = NGC 3500" (following Karl Reinmuth and Dorothy Carlson).  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3501 = UGC 6116 = MCG +03-28-051 = CGCG 095-097 = FGC 1187 = Holm 224b = PGC 33343
11 02 47.3  +17 59 21; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 3.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 27°

17.5" (4/1/95): faint, edge-on 7:1 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x0.4', low surface brightness, very slightly brighter elongated core.  A mag 14 star is 2.3' SE of center.  NGC 3507 lies 12.7' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3501= St. 11-10 on 14 Mar 1874 during an observation of NGC 3507.  His published position (list 11, #10) was made on 23 Apr 1881 with description "very faint spindle, small, very thin, gradually condensed towards the center; length about 3 '; inclined 30° [NNE]"  He made a later observation on 11 Mar 1886.
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NGC 3502 = NGC 3479: = MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053
10 58 55.4  -14 57 41; Crt

See observing notes for NGC 3479.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3502 = LM 1-181 in 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 1.2' dia, iR."  His rough RA (nearest minute of time) was 2.5 minutes east of MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053.

Ormond Stone also found this galaxy at Leander-McCormic Observatory the same year (discovery priority unknown) and recorded LM 1-180 = NGC 3479 as "mag 15.5, 0.6' dia, E 90°."  His rough position is essential correct -- 30 seconds of RA too far west.  So, NGC 3502 = NGC 3479.

RNGC misidentifies MCG -02-28-041 as NGC 3502.  This galaxy is located 50' north of Leavenworth's position.  See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes for more.
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NGC 3503 = ESO 128-28 = OCL-833 = Ced 109b = Pismis 17
11 01 17  -59 50 42; Car
Size 3'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): The brightest section of this nebulosity surrounds a group of 5 stars, consisting of a brighter mag 10.5 star with a faint, close companion (h4397 = 10.6/13.3 at 8") and three additional stars in a string. Several additional faint stars spiral out from the grouping.  The haze that surrounds these 5 stars is ~3' in diameter.  There was little or no contrast gain using a UHC filter, so the nebulosity does not have a significant emission component.  Situated in a rich star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3503 = h3311 on 1 Apr 1834 and described "3 very close stars, 10m, in a nearly straight line, and a double star north of them, the whole involved in a very faint nebula."  Paris Pismis reported it as new in her 1959 list of 24 new clusters found with the Schmidt camera at the Tonantzila observatory and noted "Quadruple star in nebulosity plus five faint stars; is the center of arcs that extend up 15'. Similar to NGC 2467."  Interestingly, Joseph Turner found no nebulosity using the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 14 Feb 1879 (p.202 in logbook).
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NGC 3504 = UGC 6118 = MCG +05-26-039 = CGCG 155-049 = LGG 227-005 = PGC 33371
11 03 11.2  +27 58 20; LMi
V = 11.0;  Size 2.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/25/95): bright, large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.5'x1.2'.  The [inner] halo has a fairly high irregular surface brightness.  Sharp concentration with a very small well-defined core dominating.  The bright core appears offset to the south side with the halo more extensive to the north.  Two mag 14 stars lie 1.7' NNW (45" separation).  First of three with NGC 3512 12' ENE and NGC 3515 24' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3504 = H. I-88 = h810, along with NGC 3512, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396). His description reads, "cB, cL, irregularly round, bM."  John Herschel made a total of 7 observations.  R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 22 Feb 1857, recorded "mE, B nucl, arms faint, patchy,suspect dark space all around the nucleus."  A month later he described "pL, Nucl vB and has a sensible disc, arms vF and patchy.  I think I see a knot or patch in np end of neb."

The RA in the RNGC is 1.0 minute too large and the galaxy is misplotted on the first version of Uranometria 2000 (later fixed).  Also see NGC 3506.
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NGC 3505 = NGC 3508? = MCG -03-28-031 = IC 2622
11 02 59.7  -16 17 22; Crt
Size 1.0'x0.9'

See observing notes for NGC 3508.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3505 = h3312 on 7 May 1836 and logged "pF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle.  Has a star 14m near."  There are two mag 14.5-15 stars about 1' northest and 1' southeast of Herschel's position, but no nearby galaxy.

Harold Corwin suggests this may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3508, which has a mag 13 star attached on the north-northeast tip of the galaxy.  If this identification is correct, his declination is off by over 45'.
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NGC 3506 = UGC 6120 = MCG +02-28-047 = CGCG 066-105 = PGC 33379
11 03 12.9  +11 04 37; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter.  Just a weak central brightening with no distinct core or nucleus.  Preceded by a trio of mag 13.5 stars within 4'.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, slightly brighter core.  A triangle of mag 13 stars is just west.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3506 = H. III-22 = h811 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "vF, vS.  240x made it considerably larger, but I saw it well enough with the common power not to doubt of the reality."  John Herschel made three additional observations, writing on 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), "F; S; R; very gradually very little brighter middle."

The RA in the RNGC is 1.0 minute too large and the galaxy was misplotted in the first printing of Uranometria 2000 Atlas.  Also see notes for NGC 3504.
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NGC 3507 = UGC 6123 = MCG +03-28-053 = CGCG 095-100 = Holm 224a = LGG 288-002 = PGC 33390
11 03 25.6  +18 08 08; Leo
V = 10.9;  Size 3.4'x2.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/1/95): unusual appearance as a bright mag 10.5 star is superimposed very close to the center!  Fairly faint, moderately large, 2.5' diameter, irregularly round.  The core is difficult to view but it's located just 30" SW of the superimposed star.  The galaxy is slightly offset to the W side of the star.  NGC 3501 lies 12.7' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3507 = H. IV-7 = h812 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  He described it as "F, pL.  The nebulosity is of the milky kind.  It situated between 2 bright stars but near the most north of them and to the south of that star.  At first sight the nebula appears like an electric brush to the great star, but on examination I find it to have no connection with it.  There is in the nebula, and pretty near the center of it, a vF star.  The milky nebulosity is of a circular form."  Based on the nearby or involved stars he placed it in his Class IV, which included planetary nebulae as well as "stars with burs, with milky chevulure, with short rays, remarkable shapes, etc."  On 25 Mar 1827 (sweep 63), John Herschel called this object "a * 9m with vF neb attached; pos 70° sp = 200° +/- dist 30".
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NGC 3508 = IC 2622 = NGC 3505? = MCG -03-28-031 = PGC 33362
11 02 59.7  -16 17 22; Crt
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 15°

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is attached on the NNE tip of the galaxy.  At times the galaxy appears slightly elongated N-S, ~1.0'x0.7' and the DSS image confirms this impression.  Observation made through thin clouds.  This is a starburst and luminous infrared galaxy with an active nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3508 = H. II-507 = h814 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "F, S, E."  John Herschel made a single observation on 16 Dec1827 (sweep 111) and wrote, "F; little extended; bM; vL; involved a * 45°nf from the nucleus."

Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 14 Jan 1898 and claimed it as new in list XI-117 (later IC 2622).  Swift's position was 0.5 min of RA too far east and 3' north, so Dreyer didn't make the equivalence.  Also see the NGC 3505, which may be another observation of this galaxy.  So, NGC 3508 = NGC 3505 = IC 2622.
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NGC 3509 = Arp 335 = VV 75 = UGC 6134: = MCG +01-28-033 = CGCG 038-109 = PGC 33446
11 04 23.6  +04 49 43; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 40°

48" (2/20/12 and 5/7/24): at 488x; NGC 3509 = Arp 335 displayed a fascinating amount of structure at 488x, though conditions were subpar in terms of transparency and seeing. The appearance was very asymmetric with the bright "central" portion elongated SW-NE and containing a very small, round, bright core.  A small knot is just 15" S of the core. Some sources identify this as a collider with NGC 3509, though it may be an HII/star-forming complex.

An easily visible, well-defined arm was attached on the NE side of the central body. It swept gracefully to the NE and then hooked sharply counterclockwise towards the S, parallelling the main body.  The total length of the arm is perhaps 1.5', though it ended about 45" E of the core.  The SW side of the galaxy had no corresponding tidal arm, but brightened along the S edge. A mag 16.5-17 star is 30" SW of the core on the W edge.

PGC 93108, located 3' NW, appeared fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~15"x7", weak central concentration.  The PGC galaxy is listed as C2 (collider) in the 2009 Atlas and Catalog of Collisional Ring Galaxies (Madore et al) and the knot close south of the core is listed as C1.

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.7'.  Low surface brightness with a very weak concentration (no visible core).  It was difficult to determine the outer extent of the halo but appears to have an asymmetric shape (slightly curved?).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3509 = H. III-598 on 30 Dec 1786 (sweep 675). He recorded "Suspected, extremely faint, small, little extended.  I could not verify it."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA east and 3' N is UGC 6134 = Arp 335.  John Herschel made no observations of this galaxy and it was not found by Bigourdan.

Dreyer commented in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that this number should probably be rejected since Herschel noted there was fog "which indeed was so strong as to make everything swim about me."  Still, this identification is reasonable as NGC 3604 has a similar offset error.
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NGC 3510 = UGC 6126 = MCG +05-26-040 = CGCG 155-050 = PGC 33408
11 03 43.6  +28 53 06; LMi
V = 12.2;  Size 4.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 163°

13.1" (3/24/84): faint, edge-on streak 4:1 NNW-SSE.  Located 7.6' ESE of mag 7.3 SAO 81642 which interferes with viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3510 = H. II-365 = h813 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He described it as "faint, much elongated, about 1 1/2' long but very narrow."  Sweeps 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 were Herschel's most productive night -- with 72 discoveries.

On 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115), John Herschel wrote, "pB; mE; nearly in meridian; bM."  The assistants at Birr Castle made a total of 5 observations.  For example, on 1 Mar 1865 R.J. Mitchell noted, "Query, an oval shaped spiral; major axis n-s."
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NGC 3511 = ESO 502-013 = MCG -04-26-020 = UGCA 223 = PGC 33385
11 03 23.7  -23 05 11; Crt
V = 11.0;  Size 5.8'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 76°

48" (4/18/15): at 488x; very bright, very large, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 5'x1.5'.  Well concentrated with a large bright oval core that gradually increases to a small bright nucleus and stellar pip.  The region surrounding the core is mottled, due to slightly brighter regions and dust patches.  An ill defined broad spiral arm is on the west side of galaxy and curved from north to south.  A mag 14 star, 2.0' SW of center, was barely off the southwest end of this arm.  A bright patch is 1' SW of center (not part of the arm), and just to its north was a relatively large darker (dust) region.  A second broad arm arc was visible at the east end of the galaxy.  It made a sharp curve clockwise, passing just inside a mag 13 star at the eastern tip.  NGC 3513 lies 11' SE.

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 4.0'x1.4'.  Broad concentration to a larger brighter core.  The galaxy is bracketed by a mag 13 star at the ENE end and a mag 14 star at the WSW tip.  Forms a pair with NGC 3513 10.8' SE.  A mag 9.5 star (SAO 179479) is 5' S, roughly midway between the galaxies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3511 = H. V-39, along with NGC 3513, on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 660).  He recorded "very faint, much extended, very gradually brighter middle, about 8' long and 3' broad, near the parallel [E-W] but about 10° sp to nf."
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NGC 3512 = UGC 6128 = MCG +05-26-041 = CGCG 155-051 = PGC 33432
11 04 02.9  +28 02 12; LMi
V = 12.3;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/25/95): moderately bright, fairly small, 1.2' diameter, round, weak concentration with an irregular surface brightness.  Second of trio with NGC 3504 12' WSW and NGC 3515 14' NNE.  Surrounded by three mag 12-13 stars 2.9' N, 3.7' E and 2.1' SW.

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, round.  Forms a pair with NGC 3504 12' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3512 = H. II-366 = h815, along with NGC 3504, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pF, pL, goes into the field with [NGC 3504]."  He made an offset error as his position is southeast of NGC 3504, instead of northeast.  John Herschel measured an accurate position, though he thought it was a new object.  He incorrectly equated h815 with H. II-366 in the General Catalogue.
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NGC 3513 = ESO 502-014 = MCG -04-26-021 = UGCA 224 = PGC 33410
11 03 46.0  -23 14 38; Crt
V = 11.5;  Size 2.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 95°

48" (4/18/15): at 488x and 610x; this superb barred spiral has a strong bright bar oriented northwest to southeast.  It is brighter along a narrow spine and contains a slightly brighter stellar nucleus.  A prominent spiral arm is attached to the bar at the southeast end and sweeps sharply to the north.  This well defined arm is relatively narrow and contains a small bright knot near the north end of the arm.  A second arm is attached at the northwest end of the bar.  This narrow arm shoots due south and rotates nearly 180° clockwise to the east on the south side of galaxy.  It is slightly more separated from the central region than the northern arm and is patchy or knotty near the eastern end.  Overall, the size is roughly 2.5'x2.0', extending northwest to southeast. A mag 15 star is 1.2' W of center, a mag 13 star is 1.7' E of center and a mag 17 star is just off the north side of the galaxy.

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly faint, moderately large, 2.5'x2.0', irregular surface brightness, only a slight central brightening.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.7' E of center.  A line of three equally spaced mag 11 stars lies about 4' S.  Forms a pair with NGC 3511 10.8' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3513 = H. V-40, along with NGC 3511, on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 660). He recorded "very faint, much extended, very large brighter middle, about 7' long and 3 or 4' broad in the middle, about 10 or 15° from sp to nf near the parallel.  His position matches ESO 502-014 = PGC 33410, so the identification is certain, but his size estimate ("7' long") and description ("much extended") are a poor match.  In fact, his description is virtually identical to that of NGC 3511, which was the previous object in the sweep!  So, there was apparently a mistake in copying the description for NGC 3511 twice.

Based on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14, Harold Knox-Shaw stated it was a "S-Shaped spiral".
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NGC 3514 = ESO 570-001 = MCG -03-28-035 = PGC 33430
11 03 59.9  -18 46 51; Crt
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 115°

18" (3/5/05): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7'.  Broadly concentrated with a slightly brighter middle.  Located 1.1° SE of mag 4.1 Alpha Crateris.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3514 = h3313 on 22 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; pL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle."  His position is 15 tsec west of ESO 570-001.
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NGC 3515 = UGC 6139 = MCG +05-26-044 = CGCG 155-055 = PGC 33467
11 04 37.3  +28 13 40; LMi
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 55°

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.5', weak concentration.  Located 13.7' NE of NGC 3512.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3515 = St. 12-41 on 16 Mar 1882.   He reduced an accurate position on 20 April and included it in his 12th discovery list, published the following year.
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NGC 3516 = UGC 6153 = MCG +12-11-009 = CGCG 334-011 = PGC 33623
11 06 47.5  +72 34 07; UMa
V = 11.7;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright but small, slightly elongated SW-NE, sharp small bright core dominates, fairly small halo.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' SE.  Two mag 10 stars lie 2.3' NE and 4.1' W.  This is a Seyfert galaxy with an large, active black hole.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3516 = H. II-336 = h816 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "pB, vS, iR."  On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep382) John Herschel called this "a singular object.  A burred star 11m diam 12"; very suddenly much brighter middle; a double stars follows."

NGC 3516 is a strong X-ray Seyfert galaxy and one of the 6 original galaxies studied by Seyfert in his seminal 1943 paper "Nuclear Emission in Spiral Nebulae".
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NGC 3517 = UGC 6144 = MCG +10-16-057 = CGCG 291-027 = PGC 33532
11 05 36.8  +56 31 30; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 91°

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, diffuse edges, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3517 = H. II-884 = h817 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038).  He noted "faint, small, round, brighter middle."  On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) John Herschel called it "eF; R; 12" diameter; very gradually little brighter middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3518 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3122 = MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 33442
10 04 02.0  -06 28 29; Sex
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

See observing notes for NGC 3110.  One hour error in RA in Stone's position.

Ormond Stone found NGC 3518 = LM 1-182 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.1', lE 110°, in same field with neb disc by Stephan."  There is nothing near his position.

Harold Corwin examined his discovery sketch and found a double nebula with four stars nearby.  Corwin found that Stone made a 1 hr error in RA (too large) and his sketch matches NGC 3110 = NGC 3122. This galaxy was discovered by WH (II-305 = NGC 3122), but he misidentified his offset star.  Once all positions are corrected, NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518 (in order of discovery).  The RNGC and misidentify PGC 29361 as NGC 3518. See Corwin's notes for the full story.
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NGC 3519 = ESO 128-30 = Ru 93
11 04 09  -61 22 30; Car
V = 7.7;  Size 8'

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): roughly 80 stars resolved in an irregular 6' region (boundary pretty arbitrary), many of these arranged in chains or curving streamers of stars.  On the west side is the brightest mag 9.7 star (mag 12.5 companion at 8" = HJ 4400) with a linear chain of mag 13 stars just west (oriented SW-NE).  Another chain of mag 12-13 stars (oriented NW-SE) is on the northeast side.  A mag 7.4 star (HD 96193) is roughly 8' SSE and a long chain of stars heads north from this bright star, reaching the south side of the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3519 = h3314 on 14 Mar 1834 and reported, "Chief star of a pretty rich cluster, class VII."  His position match the unequal double star HJ 4400 within a small cluster.

According to Brian Skiff, Ru 93 appears to be a string of stars on the northeast side of the cluster or may simply be a duplicate of NGC 3519.  In a visual observation with a C-8, Jenni Kay observed about two dozen stars in a single cluster of 5' diameter with two brighter stars at the southwest edge. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent, though the group was confirmed as a star cluster by Bica and Bonatto in 2011A&A...530A..32B ("Star clusters or asterisms? 2MASS CMD and structural analyses of 15 challenging targets.")
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NGC 3520 = ESO 570-004 = PGC 33648
11 07 09.2  -18 01 25; Crt
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 165°

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 20"x15", fairly low surface brightness.  An extremely low surface brightness halo was not seen.  This is a close double system [9" between centers] but was not resolved at 260x.  The NGC identification is uncertain due to a poor position.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3520 = LM 2-431 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick and reported "mag 15.3, 0.4' dia, irregularly round, gradually pretty much brighter middle, sev vF st inv."  Just 2' north of his position is a 1' group of four stars (brightest two are mag 13 and 14.5) and originally Harold Corwin identified this group as NGC 3520.  He now feels a more likely match based on the description is ESO 570-004 = PGC 33648, an interacting triple or quadruple system located 1.6 min of RA east and 5' south of Leavenworth's position.  ESO misidentified ESO 570-003 as NGC 3520.  This edge-on galaxy is situated 44 sec of RA east of Leavenworth's position and 19' south.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. See Corwin's NGC identification notes.
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NGC 3521 = UGC 6150 = MCG +00-28-030 = CGCG 010-074 = PGC 33550
11 05 49.2  -00 02 02; Leo
V = 9.0;  Size 11.0'x5.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 163°

14.5" (4/12/21): at 158x and 226x; very bright and large, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, extends nearly 6.5'x2.5' with averted vision.  Very strong and fairy sharp concentration with a prominent elongated core and an intense stellar nucleus.  The western portion of the halo has a lower surface brightness and with careful viewing a dust lane creates a sharp light cut off along the preceding edge of the central region.

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; showpiece spiral with a prominent dust lane and an outer spiral arm!  The galaxy appeared extremely bright, very large, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, at least 8'x3.2', sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core.  The core itself was sharply concentrated with a brilliant quasi-stellar nucleus!  A high contrast, fairly wide dust lane runs in the direction of the major axis along the entire west side of the core!  The principal spiral arm was easily visible emerging NNW from the NE side of the central region.  This arm displayed a hard outer edge (high contrast) and curved sharply clockwise on the north end.  The arm dimmed or lost contrast but could be traced to the west of the dust lane, extending south.  The galaxy was slightly brighter at the south end (along the major axis), where the opposite arm curled east and north. 

18" (5/14/07): very bright spiral with impressive structure, elongated at least 5:2 NNW-SSE, ~7.5'x3'.  Contains a bright, elongated core highlighted by an intense, stellar nucleus.  The halo is noticeably mottled at first glance and a low contrast dust lane runs NNW-SSE along the west side of the core.  There is a strong impression of spiral structure with an arm attached on the east side that extends to the north and appears to curve towards the west in the outer halo.  The halo appears more extensive or slightly brighter on the northern end.  A more difficult arm appears to sweep to the south on the west side of the core.

17.5" (1/19/91): very bright, very large, elongated 5'x2' NNW-SSE.  This is an impressive galaxy!  Contains a well-defined small bright oval core NNW-SSE and a stellar nucleus.  Appears mottled near the core and on the west side.  Along the west side is a dust lane evident as a sharp light cut-off.  The west side is somewhat fainter due to dust but extends beyond the dust lane.

8": fairly bright, fairly large, elongated, bright core.  Located 33' E of a mag 6 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3521 = H. I-13 = h818 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "a fine B nebula, with a bright star or nucleus in the middle; it sends out a milky ray towards the north, and another more faint towards the south, the extent of the whole, faint rays included, may be about 7 or 8'.  On 13 Apr 1828 (sweep144) John Herschel described NGC 3521 as "vB; L; mE in PA 140° +/-, 4' l, 1' br; very small & very much brighter middle; a double star follows.  The NGC position (measured by Auwers, d'Arrest, Peters) is accurate.

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded on 29 Mar 1856, "The nucleus projects into the dark space along the p edge.  Outside this dark space there is faint nebulosity, which I see joining the nebula at the north end."
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NGC 3522 = UGC 6159 = MCG +03-28-060 = CGCG 095-113 = PGC 33615
11 06 40.4  +20 05 08; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 117°

18" (5/31/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.4'.  Fairly sharply concentrated with a brighter 15" round core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3522 = Sw. 3-59 on 26 Apr 1883 and described "pF; vS; little extended; in starless field."  His RA was 18 seconds too small.  This was one of his first two discoveries (along with NGC 3588 on the same night), while still adjusting and testing his new 16-inch Clark refractor at Warner Observatory.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 4 Mar 1886 and his uncorrected RA was 10 seconds too large. Kobold measured an accurate position in 1901 at the Strasbourg Observatory.
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NGC 3523 = UGC 6105 = MCG +13-08-053 = CGCG 351-054 = KTG 34C = PGC 33367
11 03 06.3  +75 06 57; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (5/25/14): at 280x appeared fairly faint or moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1' diameter, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core that seems offset center within the halo.  Third in the KTG 34 triplet with NGC 3500 = UGC 6090 7' NW.

18" (3/30/05): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  Symmetrical appearance with a weak even concentration to the center but no defined core.  NGC 3500 lies 7.2' NW.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Collinear with two mag 11 stars 5' ESE and 9' ESE.  Brightest in trio with NGC 3465 14.5' WNW and NGC 3500 7' NW.  Observation severely hampered by poor transparency.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3523 = H. II-904 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He noted "faint, pretty large, little brighter middle."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  A corrected position matching UGC 6105 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  MCG doesn't label +13-08-053 as NGC 3523.
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NGC 3524 = UGC 6158 = MCG +02-28-050 = CGCG 066-112 = PGC 33604
11 06 32.1  +11 23 08; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 14°

24" (5/30/24): at 327x; moderately bright, elongated nearly 3:1 ~N-S, ~1.2'x0.4', strong concentration with a small, very bright core and faint extensions.  A mag 12 star is close NW of the N end of the galaxy and a a mag 13.4 star is 2' NNW.

I viewed type Ia SN 2024inv discovered on 5/10/24, which appeared mag 12.5-13.0, It was situated along the SE flank of the galaxy, nearly in line with the two stars mentioned above.

17.5" (4/1/95): moderately bright, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.6'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a well-defined 15" bright core and an occasional stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star lies 0.9' NNW and a mag 13 star 2.0' NNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3524 = H. III-23 = h819 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "vF, vS.  I was not quite assured of it till I put on 240x.  Very near it to the north are two smalls stars in a line with it."  John Herschel made three observations, recording on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242), "vF; R; bM; has 2 stars exactly in a line with centre, on 11-12 m, the other 13-14 m."
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NGC 3525 = NGC 3528 = NGC 3497 = IC 2624 = ESO 570-006 = MCG -03-28-037 = PGC 33667
11 07 18.1  -19 28 19; Crt
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

See observing notes for NGC 3528

Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 3525 = LM 1-183 in 1886 and recorded "mag 12.0, 0.8' dia, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus."  His rough (nearest min of RA) is ~1.0 tmin west of ESO 570-006 (matches in dec).

This galaxy was discovered by WH on 8 Mar 1790 and recorded as III-824 (later GC 2281 = NGC 3497).  His position is within 2' (typical error) of ESO 570-006, but the position in the GC, which was copied into the NGC, is 6 min too far west (reduction or copying error).  JH and Lewis Swift also independently discovered the same galaxy, so there are four aliases in the NGC/IC!  Namely, NGC 3497 = NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = IC 2624.  NGC 3528 is the primary designation in modern catalogues.  See notes on NGC 3497 for more on the story.
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NGC 3526 = NGC 3531 = UGC 6167 = MCG +01-28-039 = CGCG 038-129 = PGC 33635
11 06 56.8  +07 10 27; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 55°

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly faint, nearly edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x0.4', very weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is just off the SW end 1.3' from center.  Located 12' ENE of mag 8.3 SAO 118656 (at the west edge of the field).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3526 = m 215 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, perhaps 2' long, vm E ray, pos about 50°."  His position and description matches UGC 6167.

Edward Holden found this galaxy again on 27 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Wisconsin, and assumed it was new.  His description for NGC 3531 reads "E 50°, * 11 at sp end", but his position was 30' too far south. Spitaler equated the two identities NGC 3526 = NGC 3531.
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NGC 3527 = UGC 6170 = MCG +05-26-059 = CGCG 155-066 = PGC 33669
11 07 18.2  +28 31 39; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint, very small, round, smooth surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 2.1' WNW. NGC 3527 is an outlying member (on W side) of Abell 1185.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3527 = H. III-350 = h820 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made four observations and mentioned the mag 10-11 star that is 1' preceding.
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NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = NGC 3497 = IC 2624 = ESO 570-006 = MCG -03-28-037 = PGC 33667
11 07 18.1  -19 28 17; Crt
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 59°

17.5" (5/4/02): moderately bright, fairly large contains a bright core ~45" diameter increasing to a stellar nucleus.  Surrounding the core is a fairly large ill-defined halo elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~2.5'x1.5' with a low surface brightness.  A couple of faint stars are superimposed on the south side.  This galaxy may hold the record for the most NGC/IC aliases as NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = NGC 3497 = IC 2624.  Forms a pair with NGC 3529 5' S.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 3528 = h3316 on 22 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 20".  The preceding of 2 [with NGC 3529]."  His position is just 6 tsec west of ESO 570-006 = MCG -03-28-037.

WH discovered this galaxy on 8 Mar 1790 (sweep 936) and recorded it as H. III-824 (later GC 2281 and NGC 3497).  His position is within 2' (typical error) of ESO 570-006, but the position in the GC, which was copied into the NGC, is 6 min too far west (reduction or copying error).  Ormond Stone and Lewis Swift also independently discovered the same galaxy, so there are four aliases in the NGC/IC!  Namely, NGC 3497 = NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = IC 2624.  NGC 3528 is the primary designation in modern catalogues, despite the earlier discovery of NGC 3497.  See notes on NGC 3497 for more on the identities.
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NGC 3529 = IC 2625 = ESO 570-007 = MCG -03-28-038 = PGC 33671
11 07 19.1  -19 33 20; Crt
V = 14.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 55°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated with very faint extensions suspected at moments, ~45"x35", very weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 3528 = NGC 3525 = NGC 3497 just 5' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3529 = h3317 on 22 Mar 1835 and logged "eF; S; R; very little brighter middle; 15".  The following of 2 [with NGC 3528]."  His position is just 0.1 tmin west of ESO 570-007.  NGC 3529 is 5' south of NGC 3528, which has 4 NGC/IC designation! 

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 11 Apr 1898 and recorded Sw. 11-119 (later IC 2625) as "eeeF; vS; R; s of 2 [with IC 2624 = NGC 3528].  His position is just 1' to the southeast, so IC 2625 = NGC 3529.
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NGC 3530 = UGC 6188 = MCG +10-16-064 = CGCG 291-030 = PGC 33766
11 08 40.4  +57 13 48; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.7;  PA = 99°

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, bright core, probable stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3530 = H. III-915 = h821 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "very faint, small."  His position is accurate to within 1'.  John Herschl logged on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), "eF; S; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 10" [diameter]."
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NGC 3531 = NGC 3526 = UGC 6167 = MCG +01-28-039 = CGCG 038-129 = PGC 33635
11 06 56.3  +07 10 23; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3526.

Edward Holden found NGC 3531 on 27 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Wisconsin.  His description from a second observation on 20 Apr 1882 reads "Nebula is elongated 50° +/-, and at its sp end is a star 11m. * 11 at sp end"  He added the comment "This may be Marth 215 (GC 5546 = NGC 3526). If so, Marth's position appears to be a wrong. "  It was Holden who was wrong, though -- his position is 30' too far south.  Rudolph Spitaler equated the two identities NGC 3526 = NGC 3531 (IC 1 Notes section).  See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.
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NGC 3532 = ESO 128-31 = Cr 238 = Pin Cushion Cluster = Wishing Well Cluster = Football Cluster
11 05 48  -58 46 12; Car
V = 3.0;  Size 55'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this amazing naked-eye cluster packs several hundred stars, filling the 20mm Nagler field (74x and 65' field of view) with wall-to-wall stars in a 55'x35' region!  The central region is condensed and quite rich with several dense knots consisting of pairs, triples, chains, etc.  The brighter stars are extended ~E-W and includes 6th magnitude K2-type star (HD 96544).  There is no well-defined edge to this immense cluster although a huge "U" shaped chain of stars extends around the periphery.  A neat equal-mag equilateral triangle of stars stood out within the central maze of stars.

The cluster is quite prominent naked-eye as a 45' cloud just 3° ENE of Eta Carina in the NE corner of the rich Carina starcloud and is densely packed with dozens of resolved stars in the 9x50mm finder.  Mag 3.9 V382 Carinae (a Delta Cepheid variable not considered a cluster member) is just off the SE side.

20" (3/29/25 - Coonabarabran); shockingly large, bright and overfills the 33' field at 150x. The stars are fairly evenly distributed throughout the field.  Apart from pairs, groupings and strings, an obvious feature was several bright orange and yellow-orange stars, and others with a bluish tint.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This spectacular naked-eye and binocular cluster (3° ENE of Eta Carina) filled the entire 51' field of the 27mm Panoptic (76x) with several hundred stars mag 7 and fainter resolved.  The cluster is unusually elongated ~E-W, perhaps 55'x30' and widening on the following side.  The stars are irregularly distributed with many in pairs, small groups, chains and loops.  A group of about a dozen stars forms a perfect "S" asterism.  Interestingly, there is a lack of dense knots although the entire central region is rich.  Many of the stars appear to have a blue or yellowish tint.  This is one of the very top open clusters in the sky although it is probably best in a wider field view.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): absolutely stunning cluster - very prominent naked-eye, rivals nearby Eta Carina though smaller.  A couple of dozen stars were resolved in 10x30mm binoculars including a few very bright stars.  Some additional faint stars scintillated in and out of view.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3532 = Lac II-10 = D 323 = h3315 in 1751-1752.  Using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope, he described a "prodigious number of faint stars forming a semi-circle of 20 to 25 minutes diameter."

James Dunlop observed the cluster 3 times, including 27 Apr 1826, his first night recording clusters and nebulae. He described "a very large cluster of stars about the 9th magnitude, with a red star of the 7-8th magnitude, north following the centre of the cluster. Elliptical figure: the stars are pretty regularly scattered."

John Herschel was very impressed with the cluster, including it in a list of 'greatest hits': "Among the nebulae which occur from 9h to 12h we have .. the beautiful planetary nebula [NGC 2867], a perfect planet in appearance, with an attendant satellite; the falcated nebula [NGC 3199]; Eta Argus with its nebula; the superb cluster [NGC 3532]; the blue [Herschel's italics] planetary nebula [NGC 3918], a most exquisite and unique object ; and the beautiful cluster of various coloured stars about Kappa Crucis [NGC 4755]."

His first sweep on 31 Mar 1834 reported "Chief star of a very large, round, loosely scattered cluster of stars 8..12th magnitude, which fills 2 or 3 fields. A fine bright object." His next observation recorded "The chief star of a superb cluster, which has several elegant double stars, and many orange-coloured ones." On 5 Feb 1835 (sweep 543, the night described in his diary as "most superb" and "having attained the sublime of Astronomy - a sort of ne plus ultra") he wrote,"A glorious cluster of immense magnitude, being at least 2 fields in extent every way. The stars are 8, 9, 10 and 11 mag, but chiefly 10th magnitude, of which there must be at least 200. It is the most brilliant object of the kind I have ever seen."

The HST "first light" image in May 1990, was of a very small field within NGC 3532, includng HD 96755.
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NGC 3533 = NGC 3557A = ESO 377-011 = MCG -06-25-002 = AM 1104-365 = LGG 229-009 = PGC 33647
11 07 07.5  -37 10 22; Cen
V = 12.9;  Size 2.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 65°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 WSW-ENE, low fairly even surface brightness with just a weak, broad concentration.  A mag 14 star is just north of the ENE tip.  First in the NGC 3557 group (40' NW of NGC 3557).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3533 = h3318 on 22 Apr 1835 and simply noted "eeF; attached to a vS star."  His position is 14 sec of RA east of ESO 377-011 = PGC 33647 with the star at the northeast tip.

Gerard de Vaucouleurs labeled this galaxy as NGC 3557A in his 1956 "Survey of Bright Galaxies South of -35° Declination", based on Mt Stromlo plates, and the 1964 "Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies".  He apparently missed the previous identity of NGC 3533. 
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NGC 3534 = NGC 3534A = UGC 6190 = MCG +05-26-062 = CGCG 155-072 = Holm 229a = KTG 35A = WBL 303-001 = PGC 33782
11 08 55.6  +26 36 38; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 88°

24" (4/20/14): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  Largest in a trio (KTG 35) and brighter of a close pair with NGC 3534B = UGC 6193 just 0.9' S.  The companion appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 24"x12", with the major axis perpendicular to NGC 3534.  MCG +05-26-064 lies 2.9' ENE and appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 25"x15", small bright core. 

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5', broad weak concentration.  A mag 9.5 star is 4.3' NW.  This is a double system with separation 0.9' between centers (unresolved) and forms a triplet with MCG +05-26-064 2.9' ENE.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 3534 on 18 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg. While searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) he recorded a "Very faint nebua of uniform light, located 3' southeast (PA 145°) from a mag 9 star.  His position is 12 sec of RA west of UGC 6190.
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NGC 3535 = UGC 6189 = MCG +01-29-004 = CGCG 039-010 = PGC 33760
11 08 34.0  +04 49 55; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 178°

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, brighter core.  A mag 15 star is just 43" E of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3535 = H. III-111 = h823 on 18 Apr 1784 (sweep 201) and recorded "vF, vS, r, 240x confirmed it."  There is nothing at his position, but 33 seconds of RA west and 1.5' north is UGC 6189.  John Herschel measured an accurate position.  In Dreyer's 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, he explained issues with the telescope that led to different reductions between Auwers and Caroline Herschel.
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NGC 3536 = UGC 6191 = MCG +05-26-061 = CGCG 155-073 = PGC 33779
11 08 51.2  +28 28 32; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, round, 40" diameter, low even surface brightness.  The 20' field has only a half dozen stars.  NGC 3539 lies 12.3' NNE. Probable member of AGC 1185 and located about 30' SW of the core of the cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3536 = h822 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and noted "F; S; R; bM; 15 to 20" dia." His declination was 1.2' too small.
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NGC 3537 = PGC 33752
11 08 26.7  -10 15 28; Crt
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

48" (5/5/24): this merging pair was easily resolved at 610x.  The brighter northern galaxy appeared bright, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~25"x15", The center has a strong, sharp concentration with a small very bright core.

The interacting companion is on the SE side. It appeared moderately bright, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 N-S, with a  sharp nearly stellar nucleus. Its northern extension (arm) merges into the halo of the brighter galaxy so its full extent was not visible.

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~1.0'x0.8', moderate surface brightness, weak concentration to an irregular nucleus.  Located 8' W of mag 8.7 SAO 138012. This is a double system (not resolved) with a superimposed companion on the south side. 

PGC 33759 = MCG -02-29-003, which is misidentified as NGC 3537 in the MCG and SIMBAD, lies 14' S.  It appeared very faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, with a much lower surface brightenss than NGC 3537.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3537 = T. 1-30 = T. 5-8 on 7 Feb 1878.  On a second observation (noted in his 5th discovery list) made on 21 Feb 1878 he noted a faint star on one side of the nebula.  Corwin suggests the "star" refers to the slightly fainter companion (or its nucleus) on southeast end and this suggestion seems very likely.

Andrew Ainslie Common made a rediscovery in 1880 and described object #13 in his discovery list as "2 stars inv in haze, Pos. 160 deg."  MCG, RNGC, and SIMBAD misidentify PGC 33759 = MCG -02-29-003 as NGC 3537.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3538
11 11 33.1  +75 34 15; Dra
Size 9"

= **, Corwin.  = Not found, RNGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3538 on 15 Sep 1866 and noted "vF, pL, *17 near."  Just 20" north of his single position is a pair of mag 14.9/15.1 stars at 9" separation oriented NW-SE at this position.

In the 1911 Monthly Notices correction paper on William Herschel's sweep of 2 Apr 1801, NGC 3538 was noted (based on a Greenwich plate) as "Doubtful.  Appears as a double star on the photographs. P 310°, d 12", mags 17, 17."  Based on Heidelberg plates, Reinmuth noted "vS, = neb *14.0, *16 np 0.1', *14.5 f 0.7'.  This description applies to the brighter component of the double star, which is cleanly resolved on the DSS.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3539 = MCG +05-26-065 = CGCG 155-077 = PGC 33799
11 09 08.9  +28 40 20; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 1.2'x0.25';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 3°

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.2'.  Contains a small bright core with very faint extensions.  NGC 3536 lies 12.3' SSW.  Member of AGC 1185.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3539 = h825 on 13 Apr 1831 (sweep 343) and simply noted "eF".  Based on a plate taken with the 24-inch Yerkes reflector, Hubble described NGC 3539 as "F, E 5°, 60"x20"." (1917 PhD thesis).
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NGC 3540 = NGC 3548 = UGC 6196 = MCG +06-25-011 = CGCG 185-011 = PGC 33806
11 09 16.1  +36 01 15; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.  Located 8' E of mag 7.3 SAO 62421 and 17' S of mag 5.7 SAO 62427.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3540 = h824 on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) and recorded, "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"; a * 7m preceding, distance 7' - 8'."  His position and description matches UGC 6196.

NGC 3548, found by JH the following year, is probably a duplicate observation with a 1.0 minute error in RA.  See that number. This galaxy was not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 star atlas.
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NGC 3541 = MCG -02-29-003 = PGC 33759
11 08 32.2  -10 29 30; Crt
V = 14.5;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.8

17.5" (5/4/02): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter.  Has a much lower surface brightenss than NGC 3537 14' N.  The NGC identification is very uncertain due to an imprecise position by Common and NGC 3541 may apply to MCG -02-29-004 28' SSE.  This galaxy is identified as NGC 3537 in MCG and RNGC.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3541 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector in 1880 and described a "Nebulous star, B centre."  His rough discovery position is 12' north of MCG -02-29-004 and 15' south of MCG -02-29-003.  Both of these galaxies are possible candidates.  Harold Corwin feels that based on Common's description, MCG -02-29-003 = PGC 33759 is more likely.

Wolfgang Steinicke credits Wilhelm Tempel with the discovery on 7 Feb 1878, but the position and description in list I-31 appears to apply to a couple of very faint stars.

MCG -02-29-003 is misidentified as NGC 3537 in MCG, SIMBAD and RNGC (see notes for NGC 3537).  RNGC misclassifies NGC 3541 as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3542 = MCG +06-25-013 = CGCG 185-013 = PGC 33868
11 09 55.5  +36 56 47; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, low surface brightness, no concentration.  Forms a trio with NGC 3545 3.5' ENE and MCG +06-25-014 3.3' N.  MCG +06-25-015 is at the edge of the field 11' N.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3542 = St. 13-60, along with NGC 3545, on 15 Mar 1882.  His published position was reduced on 26 Mar 1884 and matches CGCG 185-013.
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NGC 3543 = UGC 6213 = MCG +10-16-075 = CGCG 291-034 = PGC 33953
11 10 56.5  +61 20 49; UMa
V = 14.2;  Size 1.3'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 8°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 ~N-S.  A wide pair of mag 14 stars at 51" separation lie 2' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3543 = H. III-920 = h826 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "eF, vS, E nearly in the meridian [north-south]."  Caroline's reduced position is 3.5' southwest of UGC 6213.
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NGC 3544 = NGC 3571 = ESO 570-011 = MCG -03-29-001 = PGC 34028
11 11 30.3  -18 17 23; Crt

See observing notes for NGC 3571.

Ormond Stone found NGC 3544 = LM 1-184 on 7 Jan 1886 at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest minute of RA) but 2 minutes of RA east (same dec) is NGC 3571 = ESO 570-011 and Stone's position angle (95°) and dimensions (2.5'x0.4') are a perfect match with NGC 3571.

This galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on 8 Mar 1790 and catalogued as II-819 (later NGC 3571).  So, NGC 3544 = NGC 3571.  Harold Knox-Shaw noted the equivalence in 1915, based on photographs taken at the Helwan Observatory in 1912-14 with the 30" Reynolds reflector.  The primary designation should be NGC 3571, although RC3 labels this galaxy NGC 3544.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3545 = VV 182 = MCG +06-25-016 = MCG +06-25-017 = CGCG 185-015 = PGC 33893
11 10 12.3  +36 57 53; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.3'

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, slight even concentration.  Forms a trio with NGC 3542 3.5' WSW and MCG +06-25-014 4.7' NW.  MCG +06-25-015 lies 10.5' NNW.  This is a double system with components separated by just 13" (oriented SW-NE).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3545 = St. 13-61, along with NGC 3542, on 15 Mar 1882.  His published position was reduced on 26 Mar 1884 and matches this double system.  The individual components appear to be at most 0.3'x0.3' and in contact SW-NE.
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NGC 3546 = MCG -02-29-007 = PGC 33846
11 09 46.8  -13 22 50; Crt
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 100°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, very small, slightly elongated, 25"x 20", stellar nucleus.  Apparently I picked up the core region only as the arms have a much lower surface brightness.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3546 = LM 2-432 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "* 12m in PA 40° at 2.1'."  His position is 0.3' of RA west of  MCG -02-29-007 = PGC 33846 and his description matches.
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NGC 3547 = UGC 6209 = MCG +02-29-007 = CGCG 067-019 = PGC 33866
11 09 55.9  +10 43 14; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 7°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated N-S, bright core.  Possible member of the Leo group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3547 = H. II-42 = h828 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "F, S.  Does not require 240x to see it."  On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), John Herschel wrote "F; S; little extended; of nearly uniform brightness."
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NGC 3548 = NGC 3540 = UGC 6196 = MCG +06-25-011 = CGCG 185-011 = PGC 33806
11 09 16.1  +36 01 15; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3540.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3548 = h827 on 7 Feb 1832 (sweep 401) and noted "eF; R; a * 8m precedes."  There is nothing at his position buyt 1.0 min of RA west is NGC 3540, which he discovered the previous year on 11 Mar 1831, and the two descriptions are very similar.  RNGC equates NGC 3548 with NGC 3540.  See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes for more on this number.
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NGC 3549 = UGC 6215 = MCG +09-18-097 = CGCG 267-047 = PGC 33964
11 10 56.8  +53 23 17; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 38°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 2.6'x1.0', broad concentration. The ends fade into the background but do not taper giving a boxy impression.  Three collinear mag 13.5 stars nearly parallel the galaxy off the SE side.  The nearest is 1.7' ESE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3549 = H. I-220 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "considerably bright, elongated 70° np to sf, 3 or 4' long, about 2' broad."  His position is within 1.5' (typical error) of UGC 6215.  A second observation was made two nights later to start sweep 920.

A sketch made on 29 Feb 1868 at Birr Castle shows a curving shape with the comments "Lord R. remarks; - south end much spread out.  We were almost certain of the branches given in diagram, n one most decided."
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NGC 3550 = UGC 6214 = MCG +05-27-002 = CGCG 155-082 = CGCG 156-003 = PGC 33927
11 10 38.5  +28 46 04; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2

13.1" (3/24/84): brightest in the AGC 1185 cluster.  Faint, small, round.  A mag 11 star is 1.5' E and a mag 12 star 1.5' SSW.  NGC 3552 lies 4.7' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3550 = H. III-351 = h829, along with NGC 3552, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded "Two, both vF and vS.  The most south [NGC 3552] is the faintest and but for the other [NGC 3552] could not have been observed."

John Herschel made 6 disparate descriptions in terms of brightness - ranging from eF to B - and in the notes to the General Catalogue suggested this was possibly a variable nebula.
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NGC 3551 = CGCG 125-032 = Holm 230b = PGC 33825
11 09 41.2  +21 44 25; Leo
V = 14.9;  Size 0.35'x0.35'

17.5" (4/15/99): extremely faint, very small, possibly elongated but difficult to confirm, 20" in diameter.  Could not resolve this double system with certainty (or only viewed the brighter component).  Located 1.4' SSW of NGC 3555.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, very small, round, fairly low even surface brightness.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3555 1.4' NNE.  This is a double system [29" between centers] which was not resolved or only one component visible.  Member of AGC 1177.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3551 = Sw. 1-10, along with NGC 3555, on 24 Aug 1883.  His brief description reads, "eeF; vS; R; diff; s of 2."  His RA is 50 seconds east of CGCG 125-032 (close pair) but similar in declination.  His relative separation with NGC 3555 is 10 sec of RA and 0.5' north.  This suggests NGC 3555 = UGC 6203 (brightest in the cluster), though the actual RA difference is 3.2 tsec of RA.  CGCG 125-032 is not labeled NGC 3551 in UGC (notes) or CGCG.  RNGC and PGC identify the brighter western component of this double as NGC 3551.

As an alternative identification, Corwin suggests that NGC 3551 = UGC 6203 and NGC 3555 = CGCG 125-034, but the declination separation of 3' is much larger than Swift's 0.5'.  I feel this solution is less likely.
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NGC 3552 = MCG +05-27-004 = CGCG 155-085nf = CGCG 156-006nf = PGC 33932
11 10 42.9  +28 41 35; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint glow that is slightly brighter than NGC 3553, situated very close SW, just 44" from center.  Located in the core of AGC 1185.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3552 = H. III-352 = h832, along with NGC 3550, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396). He recorded them together as "Two, both vF and vS.  The most south [NGC 3552] is the faintest and but for the other could not have been observed."  John Herschel made 3 observations, describing this object on sweep 65 as "so excessively faint as hardly to be discerned on long attention.  The second of a group of 3 [with NGC 3561]."  

Hermann Kobold measured micrometric positions of the cluster in 1902 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg, but nothing is at his position for NGC 3552, so he likely misidentified the offset star.  Also see notes on NGC 3553.
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NGC 3553 = MCG +05-27-004 = CGCG 155-085sw = CGCG 156-006sw = LEDA 1842970
11 10 40.3  +28 41 08; UMa
V = 15.3;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint, extremely small.  Located very close SW of NGC 3552 (44" between centers).  The pair is just resolved at 220x.  Located in the core of rich cluster AGC 1185.  A faint star (not recorded) is at the south edge -- perhaps I noticed the star or a combination of the star and the galaxy?

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3553 = Big. 45 on 13 Mar 1885 and recorded "20" diam; forms a double nebula with GC 2320 [NGC 3552]."  His position, though, matches NGC 3552, as he assumed the fainter southwestern galaxy was William Herschel's III-352, and the brighter northeastern one was new.  As a result, the positions in the NGC for NGC 3552 and NGC 3553 both apply to the brighter northeastern galaxy.  Since Bigourdan clearly discovered the southwestern galaxy (MCG +05-27-003), Harold Corwin suggests it should be labeled as NGC 3553.  This places the numbers out of RA order, though.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3554 = MCG +05-27-007 = CGCG 155-086 = CGCG 156-007 = PGC 33948
11 10 47.9  +28 39 36; UMa
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 57°

13.1" (3/24/84): extremely faint and small.  Located in the core of AGC 1185 close SSE of the NGC 3552/NGC 3553 pair.  Appears just non-stellar and near the visual threshold.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3554 = h833 on 24 Dec 1827 (sweep 115) and noted "F; R; bM; not vS; PD mistaken 10'; corrected."  His declination was 1.5' too large.
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NGC 3555 = UGC 6203 = MCG +04-26-035 = CGCG 125-033 = Holm 230a = PGC 33836
11 09 44.4  +21 45 32; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 30°

17.5" (4/15/99): brightest of trio with CGCG 125-032 (= NGC 3551) 1.4' SSW and CGCG 125-034. Appears very faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter.  Located 9' NW of three mag 9 stars which form a shallow arc. This galaxy is the brightest in AGC 1177.  CGCG 125-034 (identified as NGC 3555 in NED and LEDA) appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak even concentration to brighter core and very small nucleus.  A trio of mag 9 stars are in the field 8'-9' S including mag 8.9 SAO 81702 9.1' SE and mag 9.2 SAO 81700 8.7' SSE.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3551 1.4' SSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3555 = Sw. 1-11, along with NGC 3551 = Sw. 1-10, on 24 Aug 1883.  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min west is UGC 62035, the brightest member of the cluster.  UGC, MCG and CGCG fail to label this galaxy as NGC 3555.  This assignment implies NGC 3551 = CGCG 125-032, a faint double double system close southwest.  See Corwin's notes for an alternate interpretation of the identifications.
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NGC 3556 = M108 = UGC 6225 = VV 529 = MCG +09-18-098 = CGCG 267-048 = CGCG 268-001 = PGC 34030
11 11 31.8  +55 40 14; UMa
V = 10.0;  Size 8.7'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 80°

48" (5/12/12 and 4/29/22): extremely bright and large, very elongated at least 4:1 WSW-ESE, ~8'x2'.  M108 displayed a unique tortured appearance and was riddled with irregular dust lanes and patches.  A very irregular dust lane courses through the galaxy along the major axis, but north of the core.  A bright mag 12.5 star is superimposed just west of center and east of this star is a bright, large elongated knot, catalogued as [HK83] 87.  Very close west of the star is a small, faint knot [HK83] 108 and a large dust patch is just west of this knot.  On the west edge of the dust patch (1.2' W of the star) is a very bright, elongated knot with multiple HII designations, including [HK83] 139 and 146.  A fainter knot (40) is on the east side, 30" W of a superimposed mag 15 star and a large, elongated knot is near the east end ([HK83] 4 and 5).

18" (5/14/07): very bright, very large, elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, ~8'x2'.  This striking galaxy has a very mottled, patchy appearance with the main body appearing twisted or distorted.  A few brighter patches or knots are visible along the major axis with a prominent knot along the west side.  The core region is streaked with dust.  The brightest portions of the two extensions have slightly different orientations or central axes!  The galaxy bulges out a bit on the east end and the galaxy appears to bend a bit towards the north on the west end adding to the asymmetry.  A couple of faint stars are superimposed on the eastern extension and close to the center is a prominent mag 12.5 star masquerading as a bright, stellar nucleus.  The Owl Nebula, M97, lies 48' SE.

17.5" (2/25/84 and 2/28/87): very bright, very large, edge-on 4:1 WSW-ENE, 8.0'x2.0'.  A mag 12 star is superimposed just west of center (V = 12.5) appearing similar to a bright stellar nucleus.  Two fainter stars are also superimposed east of the core.  A bright knot is visible west of the core (1.3' W of the star) and the region near the core appears dusty.  A mag 12 star is just south of the west end, 4.9' from the center.

17.5" (3/12/88): very bright, very large, a bright star is superimposed near the center, knot visible west of the core.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly bright, very elongated, stellar nucleus.

Pierre Méchain discovered M108 = NGC 3556 = V-46 = h831 on 16 Feb 1781 with a 3-inch refractor.  Messier measured an accurate position and added it by hand to his personal copy of the catalogue, but a later edition was never published.

William Herschel independently discovered M108 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922) with a second observation a week later (sweep 925), unaware of the earlier discovery.  He recorded H. V. 46 as "very bright, 10' long and 2' broad, resolvable.  An unconnected pretty bright star in the middle."  His sketch was included in the 1814 PT paper (fig. 1) as an example of "stars in remarkable situations with regard to nebulae."  John Herschel made a single observation on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and wrote, "B; vL; p b r; vmE; pos 79°.  Has a distinct star in centre and 1 or 2 vS stars elsewhere."

M108 was observed on at least 7 occasions at Birr Castle, first on 13 Apr 1850.  It was described variously as "twisted", "mottled", "patched and irregular", "knots".  William Herschel was credited with the discovery in the NGC.  
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NGC 3557 = ESO 377-016 = MCG -06-25-005 = AM 1107-371 = LGG 229-003 = PGC 33871
11 09 57.6  -37 32 21; Cen
V = 10.4;  Size 4.1'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 2.5'x1.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a prominent 40" core.  With averted vision the diffuse outer halo extends to 3'x2' in size.  A mag 10.5 star lies 3.3' SE.  Brightest in a group (Klemola 18) including NGC 3564 7.7' E and NGC 3568 11.5' NE and part of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster.

ESO 377-012, 20' WSW, appeared faint, moderately large, elongated roughly 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5'.  This galaxy has a very unusual appearance as a mag 12.8 star is superimposed and the galaxy is a faint, elongated, low surface brightness haze to the south of the star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3557 = h3319 on 21 Apr 1835 and noted "pB; S; R; bM."  His position (2 observations) matches ESO 377-016.
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NGC 3558 = MCG +05-27-008 = CGCG 155-089 = CGCG 156-010 = Mrk 422 = PGC 33960
11 10 55.9  +28 32 37; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (3/24/84): this is the second brightest galaxy in the rich cluster AGC 1185.  Faint, very small, round.  There is a string of four faint stars preceding.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3558 on 15 Apr 1866 and viewed at 123x, 148x and 226x.  His declination was 1.3' too large.
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NGC 3559 = UGC 6217 = MCG +02-29-008 = CGCG 067-025 = PGC 33940
11 10 45.2  +12 00 58; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 55°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8', fairly low surface brightness, brighter core.  IC 2628 is located 14' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3559 = H. III-79 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 188) and noted "eF, not L, little extended, r."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is  6' too far south.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (twice) and noted the 6' error in WH's position.  NGC 3560 is a duplicate observation with a poor declination.
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NGC 3560 = NGC 3559 = UGC 6217 = MCG +02-29-008 = CGCG 067-025
11 10 45.2  +12 00 58; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3559.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3560 = h834 on 6 Apr 1831 (sweep 340) and recorded "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20" (conspicuous).  The PD of the working list [for H. III-79] is 6' out, owing to which I have often looked for it in vain."  Although he was correct about the error in the polar distance of H. III-79, Herschel's polar distance was off by 50'.

Ignoring his previous equivalence with his father's H. III-79 (NGC 3559), Herschel gave h834 a separate GC designation (2324) at his erroneous position.  Dreyer followed JH, and added the duplicate designation NGC 3560.  Harold Corwin (private correspondence on 10 Aug 1995) identifies NGC 3560 = h834 = H. III 79 = NGC 3559 as Herschel originally stated.  See Corwin's notes for full discussion.
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NGC 3561 = Arp 105 NED2 = VV 237a = UGC 6224a = MCG +05-27-010 = CGCG 155-090 NED2 = CGCG 156-011 NED2 = PGC 33991
11 11 13.3  +28 41 46; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0

48" (5/12/12): bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3561A 0.9' N.  The companion appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 30"x20", small bright core.

At 488x, a very low surface extension or plume reaches 30" S.  The dwarf galaxy "Ambartsumian's Knot" was occasionally visible near its southern end as an extremely faint stellar spot.

A number of galaxies within AGC 1185 are nearby .MCG +05-27-012, 1.6' SE of NGC 3561, is fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.3'x0.2'.  LEDA 1842563, 2.2' SE of NGC 3561 and 39" SE of MCG +05-27-012, appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 16"x8".

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint, very diffuse spot with averted.  This member of AGC 1185 is slightly larger than most members.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3561 = h835 on 30 Mar 1827 (sweep 65) and simply noted "vF.  The last of a group of 4 [with NGC 3550, 3552 and 3554]."  The next night he called it "F; pL; 8' dist from another [NGC 3550] and 30° south-following it."  He likely picked up the brighter southern component of this multiple system.

RC2 lists the components as NGC 3561A = MCG +05-27-011 (northern) and NGC 3561B = MCG +05-27-010 (southern). The dwarf galaxy "Ambartsumian's knot" is located at the southern end of a plume extending from NGC 3561B.
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NGC 3562 = UGC 6242 = MCG +12-11-011 = CGCG 334-013 = PGC 34134
11 12 58.7  +72 52 45; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  PA = 165°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.2' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3562 = H. II-337 = h830 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "pF, pS, bM."  John Herschel recorded on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382), "pF; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; a * 15m dist 70"; pos from neb 22.1°."
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NGC 3563 = UGC 6234 = MCG +05-27-013 = MCG +05-27-14 = CGCG 156-014 = Holm 234a = PGC 34025
11 11 25.3  +26 57 49; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 15°

18" (5/31/03): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  This is a double galaxy and a very small companion was just resolved on the west edge.  NGC 3563A appears as an extremely faint, round "knot" (perhaps 10" diameter) just 17" W of center.  Located 3.3' S of mag 9.5 SAO 81711.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 3563 on 18 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  He found this galaxy while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) and noted it was 2' south of a mag 8 star in PA 169°.  RC 3 and the first edition of the Deep Sky Field Guide label this galaxy NGC 3563B and the fainter companion NGC 3563A.
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NGC 3564 = ESO 377-018 = MCG -06-25-006 = AM 1108-371 = LGG 229-004 = PGC 33923
11 10 36.4  -37 32 51; Cen
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 15°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.4'x0.6', weak concentration and tapers at the ends (spindle-shaped).  Follows NGC 3557 by 7.7' in a group (Klemola 18) and bracketed by two mag 13 stars 2' NW and 2' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3564 = h3320 on 21 Apr 1835 and logged "F; S; R; bM.  On the same parallel with [NGC 3557]."  His position matches ESO 377-018 = PGC 33923.  Joseph Turner, observing with the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 29 Mar 1878, noted the nebula was not round, as stated by Herschel, but elongated SSW-NNE. (p. 165 logbook).
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NGC 3565 = NGC 3566: = ESO 570-008 = PGC 33701
11 07 47.8  -20 01 18; Crt
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 126°

18" (3/17/07): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".  Located 13' WNW a mag 8.3 HD 96800.  The identification of this galaxy with NGC 3565 is not certain and the number (along with NGC 3566) may apply to IC 2623 and a star just south.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3565 = LM 1-185, along with NGC 3566, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  Both objects were given the same rough position (nearest min of RA and marked as +/-).  There is nothing near his position.

ESO, RC3 and PGC identify NGC 3565 = NGC 3566 = ESO 570-008, an interacting double galaxy roughly 2.5 min of RA east of Stone's position (typical error in the first discovery list).  On the POSS, the images of these two small galaxies are merged and difficult to resolve.  So, it's possible that Stone observed this galaxy and a nearby faint star for his second object.  RNGC classifies NGC 3565 and 3566 as nonexistent.  Also, see my RNGC Corrections #6 and Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.
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NGC 3566 = NGC 3565: = ESO 570-008 = PGC 33701
11 07 47.8  -20 01 20; Crt
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 126°

See observing notes for NGC 3565.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3566 = LM 1-186, along with NGC 3565, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  See NGC 3565.
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NGC 3567 = UGC 6230 = MCG +01-29-011 = CGCG 039-051 = PGC 34004
11 11 18.7  +05 50 10; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 132°

18" (3/5/05): fairly faint, round, contains a relatively bright stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus surrounded by a round, faint halo.  Forms a double system with MCG +01-29-012 39" SE.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, 20" diameter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3567 = H. III-89 = h836 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged "eF.  I am a little doubtful of the reality.  His position is 30 seconds of RA west and 3' north of UGC 6230, the only object in the vicinity.  John Herschel made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position, but he was uncertain of the identification with H. III-89 because of the poor match in positions.  He also noted "an appearance of stars", perhaps picking up the close companion as stellar!
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NGC 3568 = ESO 377-020 = MCG -06-25-009 = LGG 229-008 = PGC 33952
11 10 48.5  -37 26 52; Cen
V = 12.3;  Size 2.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 7°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, very elongated 7:2 N-S, 1.5'x0.4', fairly low even surface brightness.  Cradled by a trio of mag 10-11 stars just following (the 2 stars off the north and south ends are parallel to the major axis).  NGC 3564 lies 6.7' SSW and NGC 3557, the brightest member of the Klemola 18 group, is 11.5' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3568 = h3321 on 21 Apr 1835 and recorded "eF; pL; involving several stars.  The last of 3 [with with NGC 3557 and 3564].  The next night he noted "F; R; near 3 bright stars.", apparently recognizing the stars were not involved with the object. His position is 1' south of ESO 377-020 = PGC 33952 and the description matches.
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NGC 3569 = UGC 6238 = MCG +06-25-020 = CGCG 185-018 = PGC 34075
11 12 08.1  +35 27 08; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

18" (5/31/03): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, very weak concentration with no visible core.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3569 on 27 Apr 1864 and mentioned a mag 12 star to the west-northwest by 3.5'.  Édouard Stephan observed the galaxy on 14 Mar 1874, as well as 30 Mar 1886.

In 1899 Hermann Kobold discovered a faint companion (called Kobold 14) 1.8' SW of NGC 3569 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg.  The discovery was published, though, in 1909 - too late for inclusion in the IC2.
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NGC 3570 = UGC 6240 = MCG +05-27-019 = CGCG 156-018 = PGC 34071
11 12 03.3  +27 35 23; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Forms a pair with NGC 3574 at 2.9' NE.  Brightest in a faint group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3570 = St. 9-23, along with NGC 3574, on 9 Feb 1877.  His published position matches UGC 6240.  This galaxy is the brightest in a group with NGC 3754 2.9' NE.

In Emmanuel Esmiol re-reduction of Stephan's positions (published in 1916), removed NGC 3570 and replaced it with an anonymous galaxy as if the NGC position was in error.  But his new position matches the NGC position!
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NGC 3571 = NGC 3544 = ESO 570-011 = MCG -03-29-001 = PGC 34028
11 11 30.3  -18 17 23; Crt
V = 12.1;  Size 3.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 94°

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, moderately large.  Contains a small bright core surrounded by a faint halo elongated 2:1 ~E-W.  Located 19' NW of mag 6.1 Psi Crateris.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3571 = H. II-819 on 8 Mar 1790 (sweep 936) and reported "pF, pL, bM, iF."  His position matches ESO 570-011 = PGC 34028.

Ormond Stone independently discovered the galaxy on 7 Jan 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) for NGC 3544 = LM 1-184 is two tmin too far west, but his description matches.  So, NGC 3571 = NGC 3544.  The primary designation should be NGC 3571, although RC3 labels this galaxy NGC 3544.
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NGC 3572 = ESO 129-1 = Cr 239
11 10 19  -60 14 54; Car
V = 6.6;  Size 20

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this is an 8' irregular group of 80-100 stars including a mag 7.9 star on the west side and about a dozen mag 10 stars.  A mag 6.7 star lies 11' SE of center outside of the apparent cluster (but part of Cr 240).  A dark patch abuts the cluster and there is an impression of more bright and dark nebulosity in the field.  At 128x with the UHC filter, the cluster is adjacent to a large field of faint nebulosity to the north (RCW 54) with the borders of the nebulosity seemingly obscured by dust.  Located 16' NW of mag 4.6 HD 97534.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3572 = h3323 on 14 Mar 1834 and noted "Middle of a tolerably rich cluster, class VIII."  His position is good.
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NGC 3573 = ESO 377-022 = AM 1108-363 = MCG -06-25-011 = LGG 229-010 = PGC 34005
11 11 18.3  -36 52 33; Cen
V = 12.3;  Size 3.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 4°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, bright core, very small bright nucleus, faint extensions.  A string of three mag 11.5-12.5 stars oriented E-W follow with the closest star 2.3' E and a mag 14.5 star is at the east edge.  Located on the north side of the NGC 3557 group (part of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster) in the NW corner of Centaurus near the Antlia border.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3573 = h3322 on 20 Apr 1835 and recorded "eF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"; precedes 3 stars 11 and 12 mag, nearly on the same parallel.  His position is 1.3' north o fESO 377-022 = PGC 34005 and the description matches.
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NGC 3574 = MCG +05-27-022 = CGCG 156-020 = PGC 34080
11 12 12.1  +27 37 29; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (4/14/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, no details and requires averted vision.  Located 2.9' NE of NGC 3570 and second brightest in a group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3574 = St. 9-24, along with NGC 3570, on 15 Mar 1877.
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NGC 3575 = NGC 3162 = UGC 5510 = MCG +04-24-019 = CGCG 123-026
10 13 31.6  +22 44 15; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3162.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 3575 on 21 Feb 1863.  He noted it was "moderately bright, R, 45" diam.  A mag 11 stars precedes at 3' separation and a mag 16 star is 1' southeast.  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan and Reinmuth (Heidelberg plate) both reported negative results.

But Harold Corwin discovered that d'Arrest's RA was exactly one hour too large, and once corrected his position as well as description is a perfect match with NGC 3162, discovered by WH in 1784.  d'Arrest made the same error with NGC 3760 that evening and with NGC 3167 on 1 May 1862.
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NGC 3576 = Gum 38a = RCW 57 = PP 79 = ESO 129-005 = Ced 113a = Statue of Liberty Nebula = Little Tarantula Nebula
11 11 31.7  -61 21 48; Car
Size 1.1'x0.7';  PA = 90°

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3576 is the first of six sections in a small, but very interesting nebulous complex consisting of NGC 3576, NGC 3579, NGC 3581, NGC 3582, NGC 3584 and NGC 3586 – all situated in the same low power field with NGC 3603!  The entire group is often referred to as the NGC 3576 nebular complex or the RCW 57A region.

NGC 3576 is a somewhat isolated patch on the southwest side, about 5' from the main sections.  At 128x and a UHC filter it appeared as a faint, circular hazy patch of low surface brightness with a mag 12.5 star at the west side and ~1.5' in diameter.  NGC 3579 is a small, fan or wedge-shaped section located just to the west of larger NGC 3584.  It appears 2' in size with a 12th magnitude star at the south tip and spreads to the north and west from this star.  NGC 3581 is the brightest section of this complex and has sharply defined borders running SW-NE and NW-SE, meeting at a right angle about 1' WNW of mag 9.2 SAO 251313. The overall size is ~2'x1.5' with an irregular surface brightness.  It is just disconnected from NGC 3582, which is close NE.  NGC 3582 is another fan-shaped section which wraps around a mag 10.6 star.  It has a well-defined edge running SW to NE with the northern border running E-W. The brighter star is embedded roughly in the center and several mag 13 stars are near the border.  The diameter is ~2' (similar in size to NGC 3581 just SW).  NGC 3584 is the furthest NE and the largest section of nebulosity.  It appears as a looping arc about 3.5'x1', bowed out towards the east and extending mostly N-S and narrowing at the north end.  A few mag 12 stars are off the edges.  NGC 3579 appears as nearly a continuation of this loop towards the west.  Finally, NGC 3586, the last in the complex, is situated ~4' SE of the center of the group of nebulae.  It appears as a faint, elongated steak of 2' length oriented N-S with an 11th magnitude star about 40" NE of the north tip.  The entire group was roughly sketched and easily matched up with the DSS later.  NGC 3603 lies ~25' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3576 = h3324 on 16 Mar 1834 and recorded "F, oval.  The first of a group of 6.  Place by collation of diagrams."  His (rough) position is too far southwest.  His sketch was included in the CGH Observations, plate IV, figure 10.

Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").  He sketched it noticeably elongated E-W.
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NGC 3577 = UGC 6257 = MCG +08-21-006 = CGCG 242-010 = PGC 34195
11 13 44.9  +48 16 22; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (4/6/91): very faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE.  A mag 11.5 star is 30" SE of the outer halo and 1.2' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3583 5.2' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3577 = H. III-723 on 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 822) and noted "eF, vS.  It is south preceding the foregoing nebula [NGC 3583]."  His position is 4.5' north of UGC 6257, but this is the same offset as NGC 3583, so the identification is certain.
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NGC 3578
11 12 48  -15 57; Crt

= **?, Corwin.  = "Not found", Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3578 = h837 on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 111) and recorded an uncertain "Nova" as "A doubtful object, but probably a nebula."  There is nothing near his position he might have picked up.  Dorothy Carlson reports "not found" in her 1940 NGC errata list.  Harold Corwin lists a couple of single or double stars that JH might have noted.
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NGC 3579 = ESO 129-008 = RCW 57 = Ced 113b
11 11 58  -61 14 41; Car
Size 1.6'x0.8';  PA = 45°

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3579 is a small, fan or wedge-shaped section located just to the west of larger NGC 3584 within the RCW 57 complex.  It appears 2' in size with a 12th magnitude star at the south tip and spreading to the north and west from this star.  This is the second of 6 separate pieces catalogued by John Herschel.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3579 = h3325, in a group of nebulae, on 14 Mar 1834 and noted "R, suddenly brighter in the middle, by diagram. Place by collation of diagrams."  Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...")
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NGC 3580 = MCG +01-29-018 = CGCG 039-075 = PGC 34159
11 13 15.9  +03 39 26; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 178°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, very small, 20" diameter (core), quasi-stellar nucleus.  At moments there are faint extensions N-S.  A mag 13 star lies 1.3' ESE of center.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3580 = T. 1-32 in 1876.  His position and description (a mag 14 star follows by 3 - 4 sec of time) matches CGCG 039-075 = PGC 34159.
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NGC 3581 = ESO 129-009 = Gum 38a = RCW 57 = Ced 113c
11 12 01  -61 18 00; Car
Size 1.6'x1.3';  PA = 45°

25" (3/29/25 - OzSky): brightest of 6 or more specific emission patches visible at 187x with an OIII filter.  NGC 3581 is roughly wedge-shaped, fanning out to the north of a 12th mag star. NGC 3582, which surrounds mag 11 HD 306206, is centered just 2' NE.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3581 is the brightest section of this complex and has sharply defined borders running SW-NE and NW-SE, meeting at a right angle about 1' WNW of mag 9.2 SAO 251313. The overall size is ~2'x1.5' with an irregular surface brightness.  NGC 3581 is just disconnected from NGC 3582, which is close NE.

A very young, infrared cluster (identified in SIMBAD as " NGC3576 IR Cluster") is on the western side of the HII region, including a number of massive young stellar objects (YSOs).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3581 = h3326 on 14 Mar 1834 in an HII complex and noted "a * 12m, with a fan nebula attached.  Place by direct observation."  Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the GMT (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").  He shows the nebula tapering at the southwest end to a brighter star or knot.
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NGC 3582 = ESO 129-010 = RCW 57 = Ced 113d
11 12 10  -61 16 30; Car
Size 1.8'

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3582 is another fan-shaped section which wraps around a mag 10.6 star.  It has a well-defined edge running SW to NE with the northern border running E-W.  The brighter star is embedded roughly in the center and several mag 13 stars are near the border.  The diameter is ~2' (similar in size to NGC 3581 just SW).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3582 = h3327 on 14 Mar 1834 in a complex of emission nebulae.  He noted "R; has a * in middle.  Place by collation of diagrams."  Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the GMT (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").
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NGC 3583 = UGC 6263 = MCG +08-21-008 = CGCG 242-012 = PGC 34232
11 14 10.8  +48 19 06; UMa
V = 11.1;  Size 2.8'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 125°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0', bright core, stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 14 star is just off the south side 1.5' from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3577 5.2' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3583 = H. II-728 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808).  He recorded "pB, pL, R, very gradually much brighter middle."  His position on sweep is 4' north of UGC 6263 (similar offset as NGC 3577 = II-723 on sweep 822).
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NGC 3584 = ESO 129-012 = RCW 57 = Ced 113e
11 12 19.2  -61 13 12; Car
Size 3.6'x0.8'

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3584 is the furthest northeast and the largest section of nebulosity.  It appears as a looping arc about 3.5'x1', bowed out towards the east and extending mostly N-S and narrowing at the north end.  A few mag 12 stars are off the edges.  NGC 3579 appears as nearly a continuation of this loop towards the west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3584 = h3329 on 16 Mar 1834 in a complex of emission nebulae and recorded "L, bM, E in meridian.  Place by collation of diagram."

Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the GMT (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").  NGC 3584 is shown as a looping nebulosity, narrowing on the north end and matching my description and the photographic appearance.
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NGC 3585 = ESO 502-025 = MCG -04-27-004 = AM 1110-262 = LGG 230-004 = PGC 34160
11 13 17.1  -26 45 18; Hya
V = 09.9;  Size 4.7'x2.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 107°

17.5" (4/6/91): very bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, very high surface brightness, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Two mag 13.5 stars are 2.5' NE and 3.3 ' NNW.  Forms the western vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 8.5 stars (SAO 179663 and 179667) 8.4' E and 8.4' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3585 = H. II-269 = h3328 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 676) and noted "pB, pL, little extended, mbB."  His position at the south edge of the galaxy. John Herschel made two observations from the CGH and first logged "vB, pL, pmE; forms equilateral triangle with two stars 8th and 8-9 mag following, distant 6' or 7'."  Joseph Turner made a sketch on 13 Apr 1877 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope showing it as nearly edge-on WNW-ESE with a small bright nucleus.
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NGC 3586 = ESO 129-013 = RCW 57 = Ced 113f
11 12 29.5  -61 20 57; Car
Size 2'x0.4';  PA = 0°

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3586 is the last in the complex of nebulae and is situated ~4' SE of the center.  It appears as a faint, elongated steak of 2' length oriented N-S with an 11th magnitude star about 40" NE of the north tip.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3586 = h3330 on 14 Mar 1834 in a complex of emission nebulae and recorded "S, oval, E in pos 160° +/- by diagram.  Place by collation of diagrams; the last of a group of 6."

Joseph Turner sketched this group of nebulae on 19 May 1876 using the GMT (plate IV, figure 35 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope...").  A star is close to the north tip.  This matches the photographic appearance.
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NGC 3587 = M97 = PK 148+57.1 = PN G148.4+57.0 = Owl Nebula
11 14 47.7  +55 01 08; UMa
V = 9.8;  Size 202"x196"

48" (4/19/15): at 375x and 488x w/NPB filter; although the unfiltered view was excellent, adding a NPB filter at 488x ramped up the contrast!  The two famous holes were very high contrast with the NW "eye" slightly larger with a irregular outline.  The slightly darker SE "eye" has an easily visible star at its S edge [40" SSE of the central star].  In addition, a third very faint star (best seen unfiltered) is close west of this hole [37" SSW of center].  Overall the surface brightness of the planetary is irregular or mottled.  It fades around the periphery creating a dimmer ragged circular rim of uneven brightness.  The main bright portion of the planetary is slightly elongated NNW-SSE.

48" (4/15/10): the Owl Nebula was quite impressive at 330x (unfiltered) and exhibited a fascinating amount of detail.  The mag 16 central star was easily visible at the center of the 3.4' disc.  To the northwest and southeast of the central star are two large, darker "holes" (Owl's "eyes"), each roughly 45" in diameter.  The southeast eye has a little more contrast and a very faint star is close to its SE edge.  The NW "eye" is a little larger, though not quite as dark in the center.  A mag 12 star lies 2.6' NE of center and a mag 14 star lies 3' S of center.  MCG +09-19-014, a faint galaxy, lies 3.8' SSE adjacent to a mag 14.5 star.  HCG 50 (faintest of the Hickson Compact Groups) lies 20' ESE.

24" (2/9/13):  although I didn't take notes on the structure of M97, the mag 16 central was readily visible using magnifications of 200x and higher.

17.5" (3/12/88): both holes definitely visible at 280x using a UHC filter.

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, very large, round.  Two low contrast darker "holes" are visible with averted vision which form the "eyes" of the "Owl Nebula".  The southeast hole is darker but the northwest hole appears larger.  Central star not visible.

13.1" (4/28/84): moderately bright, large, round.  A single hole west of center is highly suspected.

13.1" (2/25/84): the darker "holes" visible were near the threshold. No central star seen at 166x-220x.

Pierre Méchain discovered M97 = NGC 3587 = h838 on 16 Feb 1781. 

William Herschel's first observed M97 on 8 Aug 1783 with his 6.2", before starting his sweeps.  He viewed it with his 18.7" on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920): "Very or considerably bright, round, 3' diameter, of equal light throughout. Like a planetary brought to 1/4 of the distance of my other planetary ones; it has an ill defined margin of no great extent."

A total of 45 observations were made at Birr Castle.  The dark holes were first recorded by assistant William Rambaut on 5 Mar 1848: "Saw two dark and very large spots in middle; Lord Rosse remarked that all round its edge the sky appeared darker than the average."  On 11 March, Lord Rosse wrote, "Brilliant star in the centre.  After 5 min observation, detected the star to the right, which Dr. Robinson immediately saw.  Round each star seems a black space." Rosse's or Rambaut's sketch, made in 1848, suggested some spiral structure ("a double perforation appears to partake of the structure both of the annular and spiral nebulae.").  He was clearly influenced by the focus on resolving spiral structure in a variety of objects.

Between 1848 and early 1850 Lord Rosse and Johnstone Stoney made additional detailed sketches (Rosse, Fig. 11, 1850 publication) that vaguely resembled the face of an owl with two large dark holes or "eyes" punctuated by stars (one is the misplaced central star), additional darker streaks and patches, and fuzzy filaments extending out of the sides (perhaps to indicate an irregular fringe).  On 13 Apr 1850, Stoney noted that only one star was visible.  Wilhelm Tempel was highly critical, though, of Rosse's fanciful sketch when he drew the planetary in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory in Florence.  William Huggins first observed the two brighter emission lines in the spectrum in 1865.

The nickname "Owl Nebula" was never used by Lord Rosse in a published paper but in 1864 William Darby wrote that M97 was "familiarly known in the Parsontown Observatory as 'the owl nebula' from its resemblance to an owl."  For an unusual interpretation of the appearance, Romney Robinson described the planetary on 11 Mar 1848 as "A most intricate group of spiral arcs disposed around two starry centers, looking like the visage of a monkey."
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NGC 3588 = UGC 6264 = MCG +04-27-009 = CGCG 126-011 = PGC 34219
11 14 02.5  +20 23 15; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (5/31/03): very faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Weak, even concentration to center.  Located just 8' S of mag 2.6 Delta Leonis! (Zosma).  Not difficult at 320x with Delta just outside of field.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3588 = Sw. 1-12 on 26 Apr 1883 and recorded "cS; vF; follows Delta Leonis 4 sec.  Easily overlooked."  His position, 8' south of Delta Leonis, matches UGC 6264.  He specifically looked at Delta Leonis, hoping to find a nebula, hidden in the glare of a bright star. This was his first discovery while still adjusting and testing his new 16-inch Clark refractor.
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NGC 3589 = UGC 6275 = MCG +10-16-096 = CGCG 291-046 = PGC 34308
11 15 13.4  +60 42 02; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 48°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, moderately large, oval ~SW-NE, diffuse.  Located just west of the line connecting mag 7.5 SAO 15447 4' NNE and mag 8.6 SAO 15449 5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3589 = H. III-921 = h839 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "eF, pL, E."  John Herschel recorded on 25 Mar 1832 (sweep 406), "vF; L; very gradually little brighter middle; 45"; situated in the centre of gravity of a triangle of 3 large stars 5' distance."  His position was accurate.
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NGC 3590 = Cr 242 = ESO 129-014
11 12 59  -60 47 18; Car
V = 8.2;  Size 4'

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this is a small, fairly bright 2' knot of ~20 stars mag 10 and fainter.  At 76x this diminutive cluster is set in a remarkable field, forming a triangle with NGC 3603 and the NGC 3579-86 complex (RCW 57) to the south.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3590 = h3332 on 4 Feb 1835 (sweep 543) and recorded "a close, p rich, compressed, oval cluster, somewhat insulated."  His position is good.
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NGC 3591 = MCG -02-29-012 = PGC 34220
11 14 03.3  -14 05 14; Crt
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.7'.  Contains a very small brighter nucleus, ~10" diameter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3591 = H. III-529 = h3331 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and noted "eF, S."  John Herschel recorded "vF; R; 30"; very little brighter middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3592 = UGC 6267 = MCG +03-29-011 = CGCG 096-011 = LGG 237-001 = PGC 34248
11 14 27.5  +17 15 34; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/9/99): surprisingly faint for listed magnitude, required averted and appeared as a 15" "knot" just 45" following a mag 14.5 star.  Elongation not seen so I only viewed the brighter inner core of this edge-on system.  Located 11' W of NGC 3598.  Member of the LGG 237 group, which includes NGC 3681, 3684 and 3686.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3592 = m 216 on 4 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, S, pmE, pos 60°."  Marth's position matches UGC 6267 = M+03-29-011, although the PA is 120°.
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NGC 3593 = UGC 6272 = MCG +02-29-014 = CGCG 067-040 = LGG 231-001 = PGC 34257
11 14 37.0  +12 49 03; Leo
V = 10.9;  Size 5.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 92°

17.5" (4/1/95): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 3.2'x1.2'.  Strong concentration from a faint outer halo to a prominent elongated core and a very small rounder nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3593 = H. I-29 = h840 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 188) and recorded "B, cL, little extended, much brighter in the middle, r."  John Herschel made 4 observations, the first on 10 Apr 1825 (sweep 2) while still developing his technique.  On 13 Mar 1826 (sweep 22) he noted, "B; E; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 40" l, 30" br."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 27 Mar 1856, logged "suspect as before a dark lane along the n side of the nucleus and neby outside this again, but far from being certain."
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NGC 3594 = UGC 6286 = MCG +09-19-022 = CGCG 267-058 = CGCG 268-011 = PGC 34374
11 16 14.0  +55 42 15; UMa
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 10°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, very small, round, bright core.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3594 = H. III-770 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920).  He noted "very faint, very small, stellar neb."  It was found about a minute and half after observing M97 for the first time during his sweeps.  His position is 0.6 minutes of RA west and 2.5' N of UGC 6286.   But Harold Corwin notes his position is also 13' following CGCG 268-006, which has a higher surface brightness and is a possible identification.  The question remains if CGCG 268-006 was missed due to it not being on the sweep path?
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NGC 3595 = UGC 6280 = MCG +08-21-009 = CGCG 242-014 = PGC 34325
11 15 25.5  +47 26 49; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 176°

17.5" (4/22/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S.  Sharp concentration with a very small bright core and much fainter extensions.  Located 2.0' S of mag 7.4 SAO 43659!  UGC 6255 lies 19' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3595 = H. III-706 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "vF, vS, stellar, south of a cB star."  His position is 2' too far north (very close to mag 7.6 HD 97773).
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NGC 3596 = UGC 6277 = MCG +03-29-013 = CGCG 096-013 = PGC 34298
11 15 06.2  +14 47 13; Leo
V = 11.3;  Size 4.0'x3.8';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (5/27/17): bright, large, broad fairly weak concentration in halo to a slightly brighter core, small brighter nucleus.  The galaxy is bracketed by a mag 13.5 star 3.7' SSW and a similar star 3.4' N.  A third 13th mag star is 4.7' due E forming a near equilateral triangle with sides 7'.

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, fairly large, diffuse, slightly elongated NW-SE, sharp stellar nucleus is possibly offset to the west of the geometric center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3596 = H. II-102 = h841 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Faintish, pS, R, rather bM, resolvable."  His position is 2'-3' north-northwest of UGC 6277.  John Herschel made two observations of this galaxy and noted on 23 Apr 1832 (sweep 419). "pF; vL; gradually brighter in the middle; 2' dia."

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 22 Mar 1857, wrote that he "strongly suspect either a vF nebulous ring round nucleus, or a branch joining centre at the following side.  Difficult object."  Suprisingly, E.E. Barnard announced in 1906 (AN 172, 123) the discovery of a new large planetary found on a photographic plate and observed visually with the Yerkes 40" refractor.  But his position and description (about 2.5' in diameter) applies to this galaxy!
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NGC 3597 = ESO 503-003 = MCG -04-27-005 = AM 1112-232 = PGC 34266
11 14 42.0  -23 43 39; Crt
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 65°

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Moderate even concentration to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A pair of mag 13 stars lie less than 2' NE of center.  Located 5' SSW of mag 9.1 HD 97783.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3597 = h3333 on 21 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; bM; much diluted at the borders, 30"." His position matches ESO 503-003 = PGC 34266.
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NGC 3598 = UGC 6278 = MCG +03-29-014 = CGCG 096-014 = PGC 34306
11 15 11.6  +17 15 45; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, well-concentrated with a bright core steadily increasing to a faint stellar nucleus.  The outer halo is ill-defined and much weaker.  A mag 14 star is just off the north edge 0.6' from center and a pair of mag 13.5 stars is 4' ENE.  NGC 3592 lies 11' W.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3598 = m 217 = T. 1-33 on 4 Mar 1865 and noted "F, vS, stellar."  His position is accurate.

Wilhelm Tempel found this galaxy in 1876 and recorded it as new in his first discovery paper.  He mentioned a star was close north.
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NGC 3599 = UGC 6281 = MCG +03-29-015 = CGCG 096-015 = PGC 34326
11 15 27.0  +18 06 37; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 2.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 99°

17.5" (4/13/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~4:3, 2.0'x1.5'. Contains a small, fairly bright round core which is concentrated to the center with a much lower surface brightness halo.  Located 21' WNW of NGC 3607 in a group (UGSGC U376).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3599 = H. II-49 = h843 = St. 12-43 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and logged "resolvable, brightest in the middle & the brightness going off imperceptibly."  On 17 Mar 1831 (sweep 334) John Herschel wrote , "B; R: pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 35"."  Édouard Stephan observed NGC 3599, as well as NGC 3605, 3607 and 3608 on 14 Mar 1874, 28 Mar 1879 and 17 Mar 1882. He reduced the positions on 18 Apr 1882 and included them in his 12th discovery list (#42-45), though he added a note that they were discovered by Herschel.
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NGC 3600 = UGC 6283 = MCG +07-23-038 = CGCG 213-038 = Mrk 1443 = PGC 34353
11 15 52.0  +41 35 28; UMa
V = 11.7;  Size 4.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 3°

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.8'x0.6', small bright core, faint extensions.  Two mag 12 stars lie 2.4' and 3.2' NNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3600 = H. II-709 = h842 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798).  He recorded "very faint; small; elongated in the meridian [N-S]."  John Herschel's description from 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248) reads "pretty bright; small; little elongate; very gradually bright middle; 20" diameter."
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NGC 3601 = UGC 6282 = MCG +01-29-024 = CGCG 039-091 = PGC 34335
11 15 33.3  +05 06 56; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, small, irregularly round, 25"x20" diameter, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 2.9' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3601 = m 218 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted " vF, pS, alm stell."  His position matches UGC 6282 = PGC 34335.
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NGC 3602 = MCG +03-29-017 = CGCG 096-017 = PGC 34351
11 15 48.3  +17 24 57; Leo
V = 14.8;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 45°

18" (5/15/10): extremely faint, very small, required averted vision to initially pick up at 175x although visible ~75% of the time at 260x.  Appears roughly as a tiny, thin streak, ~15"x5", although sometimes the extensions were not seen, only a 5" core.  .  Located 3.4' NE of a mag 10 star.

17.5" (4/9/99): not found.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3602 = m 219 on 4 Mar 1865 and noted "eeF, vS, alm stell."  His position matches CGCG 096-017 = PGC 34351.
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NGC 3603 = ESO 129-16 = Cr 244 = [Hf53] 57 = Gum 38b = RCW 57
11 15 07  -61 15 42; Car
V = 9.1;  Size 12'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this distant (20,000 light years) superluminous HII region and cluster was mesmerizing at 200x using a UHC filter.  The nebulosity was generally elongated E-W, ~5'x3', but with bays and extensions and dark lanes.  The surface brightness was highest to the south of the embedded cluster with a dark lane slashing through the nebulosity just west of the bright core.  At 350x, 15-20 stars were resolved in the glow, though the tiny, brilliant "core" cluster (HD 97950 = multiple star B 1184) was only mottled and barely resolved into a few stars.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x a bright irregular nebula surrounds a mag 9 "star".  At 200x, a half-dozen very faint stars are packed very close to the central star.  This very compact knot is actually a distant, very dense, super star cluster (SSC) of extremely luminous stars!  Adding a UHC filter, the nebulosity is irregular at 105x, extending mostly south of the star and fading out into two or three sections that are possibly divided by a dark lane.  The brightest section is to the southwest of the central star.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this distant but superluminous HII region is a fascinating clump of stars of and nebulosity surrounding a bright 9th magnitude knot.  The bright central region was extremely dense and contained 10-12 stars crammed into 2', yet it seemed only partially resolved at the very center into a couple of stars.  At 128x and UHC filter, the surrounding "haze" is clearly gaseous in nature with the brightest portion offset to the SW side from the core with a roughly broad fan with a total size of approximately 5'x3'.  A dark lane appears to cut through the nebulosity towards the core and there is a strong impression that the field is riddled with dust lanes and patches.  This is a well-studied highly reddened, luminous cluster (~20,000 light years) and HII region with similarities to the Tarantula nebula in the LMC!

John Herschel discovered NGC 3603 = h3334 on 14 Mar 1834.  He recorded "a red star 10m, the centre of an excessively condensed group of stars 15...18m, with a nebulosity extending over 2' diameter.  On the next sweep, he noted "the center, when examined with powers 240 and 320, decidedly not a star, and the nebula about it all resolved.  Perhaps it is a globular clusters, veru suddenly very much brighter in the middle." 

In 1928, Willem van den Bos examined the central "star" with the 26.5-inch refractor at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg and found "the central star to be a close double, B 1184, with many faint stars near."  He measured the AB pair as 0.6" separation in PA 98°, with the "C" component at 1.8" in PA 75° and the D component (I 1132) at 2.7" in PA 259°.  He also noted "The central double is red or at least decidedly reddish, though the spectral type is given as Oe in the Draper Catalogues..."

The emission nebula surrounding the cluster was first catalogued in a 1953 study by Dorrit Hoffleit based on red and blue plates taken with the ADH Schmidt telescope in South Africa.  Described as a "Irregular, Area I [near NGC 3572]."
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NGC 3604 = NGC 3611 = UGC 6305 = MCG +01-29-026 = CGCG 039-103 = PGC 34478
11 17 30.1  +04 33 19; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

See observing notes for NGC 3611.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3604 = H. II-626 on 30 Dec 1786 (short sweep 675) and recorded "pretty bright, small, little extended, much brighter middle."  There is nothing at Herschel's position and this object was not recovered by Bigourdan.  In the "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", Dreyer states "should probably be rejected as there was fog "which indeed was so strong as to make everything swim about me."  But, Herschel's RA is 1.0 minute preceding NGC 3611 (similar offset as NGC 3509 on the same sweep).  Dorothy Carlson (1940 NGC correction paper), Harold Corwin, and Wolfgang Steinicke equate NGC 3604 and 3611.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3605 = UGC 6295 = MCG +03-29-019 = CGCG 096-019 = Holm 240c = WBL 319-001 = PGC 34415
11 16 46.6  +18 01 01; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 17°

24" (3/23/22): at 260x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 60"x40". Contains a bright, relatively large core and a very bright nucleus that increases to the center. Situated just off the SW side of NGC 3607, 3.0' from center.

24" (5/27/17): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Close pair with brighter NGC 3607 3' NE. Member of the large group USGC U376.

13.1" (2/16/85): fairly faint, small, round, small bright nucleus.  In a group with brigtest member NGC 3607 3.0' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3605 = H. III-27 = h844 = St. 12-43, along with NGC 3607 and 3608, on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  He described these as, "Three nebula of different sizes; all brightest in the middle & R.  The largest is that in the middle [NGC 3607] & is of a considerable size; that on the north [NGC 3608] is a good deal smaller.  The most south of them [NGC 3605] is much smaller than either of them, so that at first I did not immediately perceive it."  Édouard Stephan measured accurate positions for these galaxies, along with NGC 3599, on 17 Mar 1882 and published them in his 12th discovery list (#42-#45), though added a note they were identical to Herschel's nebulae, which had imprecise coordinates.
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NGC 3606 = ESO 377-032 = MCG -05-27-004 = PGC 34378
11 16 15.6  -33 49 40; Hya
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

18" (3/17/07): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, small bright core, relatively bright stellar nucleus.  Two mag 10 and 11 stars lie 4.5' and 5.5' NNE.  ESO 377-031 lies 9' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3606 = h3335 on 20 Apr 1835 NGC 3606 and logged "eF; R; S; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."  His single observation matches ESO 377-032.
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NGC 3607 = UGC 6297 = MCG +03-29-020 = CGCG 096-021 = Holm 240a = WBL 319-002 = PGC 34426
11 16 54.7  +18 03 06; Leo
V = 9.9;  Size 4.9'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 120°

24" (3/23/22): at 260x; very bright, very large, extensive halo over 3' diameter, large bright core, sharply concentration with a small intensely bright nucleus.  The halo gradually fades into the sky background with no distinct edge.  NGC 3605 is close off the SW edge, 2.8' SW of center.  A small group of mag 12-14 stars is ~4' SE.

24" (5/27/17): very bright, large, oval 4:3 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to an extremely bright nucleus.  A nice group of 5 stars is roughly 4' SE with one a wide pair [17"].  In a small group of bright galaxies (part of the larger group USGC U376) with NGC 3605 2.9' SW and NGC 3608 5.8' N.

13.1" (2/16/85): bright, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest in a group with NGC 3608 5.7' N, NGC 3605 3.0' SW and NGC 3599 21' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3607 = H. II-50 = h845 =  St. 12-44, along with NGC 3605 and 3608, on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  See NGC 3605 for description.
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NGC 3608 = UGC 6299 = MCG +03-29-022 = CGCG 096-022 = Holm 240b = WBL 319-003 = PGC 34433
11 16 59.0  +18 08 55; Leo
V = 10.8;  Size 3.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 75°

24" (3/23/22): at 260x; bright, large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, ~ 2' diameter.  Sharply concentred with a very bright core that increases to an intensely bright center.  The halo nearly reaches a mag 12.3 star 1.3' NW of center.  A similar star is 1.9' NE of center.  Second brightest in a striking trio with NGC 3607 6' S and NGC 3605.

24" (5/27/17): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core and an intense nucleus.  In a prominent trio with NGC 3607 5.9' S and NGC 3605 8.5' SS W and part of the larger group USGC U376.  Two mag 12.3 and 12.8 stars are 1.4' NW and 1.9' NE.

13.1" (2/16/85): moderately bright, small, stellar nucleus.  Appears slightly fainter than NGC 3607 5.7' S.  In a trio with NGC 3605 and NGC 3607.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3608 = H. II-51 = h846 = St. 12-45, along with NGC 3605 and 3607, on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  See NGC 3605 for description.
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NGC 3609 = NGC 3612 = UGC 6310 = MCG +05-27-043 = CGCG 156-050 = Holm 241a = PGC 34511
11 17 50.6  +26 37 33; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 50°

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter.  Weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.  A mag 14 star is just off the south edge 50" from center and a second mag 14 star is 1.8' NW.  A brighter mag 11 star lies 3.3' NE.  Forms a pair with UGC 6321 (misidentified as NGC 3612 in modern sources) 5.4' E.  UGC 6321 appeared extremely faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness.  A mag 11 star lies 3.9' NW.

Otto Struve found NGC 3609 on 18 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  It was found while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) without realizing he made the original discovery just 2 nights earlier.  As a result it carries two NGC designations; 3609 and 3612.  Modern sources mistakenly identify UGC 6321 as NGC 3612.  See NGC 3612 for the story.
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NGC 3610 = UGC 6319 = MCG +10-16-107 = CGCG 291-048 = LGG 234-001 = PGC 34566
11 18 25.3  +58 47 10; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 2.7'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/19/88): bright, small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Sharp concentration with a very small bright core and a faint halo!  About 15' NNW is a small group of 7 stars including mag 9.0 SAO 27978.

NGC 3610 is the brightest member of a 5 member group (LGG 234), along with NGC 3610, 3619, 3642, 3674 and 3683.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3610 = H. I-270 = h847 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He noted "very bright, considerably large."  John Herschel made 3 observations, on 14 Apr 1831 (sweep 344), logging "bright; round; very small & very much brighter middle to a * 11m."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3611 = NGC 3604 = UGC 6305 = MCG +01-29-026 = CGCG 039-103 = Todd 1 = PGC 34478
11 17 30.1  +04 33 19; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/22/96): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.8'.  Fairly sharp concentration with a rounder 30" core and a bright nearly stellar nucleus offset to the north side of the core. A mag 11 star is 3.2' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3611 = H. II-521 = h849 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 514).  He recorded "Faint, very small, irregular figure, easily resolvable."  A second observation was made on 15 Apr 1786 (sweep 552) after just moving to Slough with the telescope not yet properly adjusted for the meridian.  Then it was found again on 30 Dec 1786 (short sweep 675) and assumed to be new.  He recorded II-626 (later NGC 3604) as "pretty bright, small, little elongated, much brighter middle."  So, NGC 3611 = NGC 3604, both appearing in Herschel second catalogue.

John Herschel made two observations, first recording "B; S; R suddenly much brighter middle; has a * 10m, 60° np, dist 3'."  Finally, David Todd found NGC 3611 once again on 3 Nov 1877 in his search for trans-Neptunian planet.  Todd's offset for object #1 from nearby stars matches this galaxy.
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NGC 3612 = NGC 3609 = UGC 6310 = MCG +05-27-043 = CGCG 156-050 = PGC 34511
11 17 50.5  +26 37 32; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 50°

See observing notes for NGC 3609.  Modern sources misidentify UGC 6321, located 5.4' E, as NGC 3612.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 3612 on 16 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  It was found while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke).  His description (translately roughly from German using GoogleTranslate) reads "pretty faint, 30"-40" diameter.  A mag 10-11 star is approximately 2' north following, with the nebula in position angle 225°."  His position is within 1' of UGC 6310, the brighter of a pair with UGC 6321 5.4' east, and his description matches the brighter galaxy (the star is 3' northeast and the PA matches).  Karl Reinmuth identified UGC 6321 as NGC 3612, but noted "No *10-11 nf 2'." and modern sources (including NED) follow this misidentification.  

Two nights later (18 Mar) Struve reported finding another nebula,  described as 20" diameter and situated in PA 226° from a 10th magnitude star.  His position was 14 seconds of time too far west, but his PA is a perfect match with UGC 6310.  So, although there are two galaxies here, both of Struve's entries point to the same brighter galaxy.  I notified Corwin and Steinicke of the situation in April 2015 and Wolfgang agreed NGC 3612 = NGC 3615 = UGC 6310.  He mentioned that this leaves UGC 6321 without a NGC designation as Bigourdan, Kobold and Hagen only observed the brighter galaxy.  Kobold called the brighter galaxy NGC 3612, but modern sources identify it as NGC 3609.
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NGC 3613 = UGC 6323 = MCG +10-16-109 = CGCG 291-049 = PGC 34583
11 18 36.0  +58 00 00; UMa
V = 10.9;  Size 3.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 102°

17.5" (3/19/88): bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3619 lies 15' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3613 = H. I-271 = h848 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038).  He logged "very bright, considerably large, elongated, much brighter middle."  His RA and Dec is too large (noted by Dreyer in Scientific Papers).  John Herschel recorded "vB; mE; pos 305°, a nucl and F branches." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3614 = UGC 6318 = MCG +08-21-015 = CGCG 242-019 = PGC 34561
11 18 21.3  +45 44 53; UMa
V = 11.6;  Size 4.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, moderately large, weak concentration, slightly elongated 4:3 E-W with dimensions 2.5'x2.0', low surface brightness, edges fade gradually into background.  Located on a line with a mag 13 star 3.5' E and a mag 12 star 5.1' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3614 = H. II-729 = h850 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "vF, cL, little brighter middle, lE in the parallel."  John Herschel noted "F; pL; gradually little brighter middle; r."  His position matches UGC 6318.  The MCG declination is 2 degrees too far north.
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NGC 3615 = UGC 6313 = MCG +04-27-012 = CGCG 126-021 = PGC 34535
11 18 06.7  +23 23 50; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 40°

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6'.  The prominent 20" core steadily increases to a stellar nucleus.  First and brightest of a trio with NGC 3618 7' NE and extremely faint CGCG 126-022 3.2' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3615 = H. III-333 = h851 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF, vS.  240x verified it."  Caroline's reduction is 3.4' northwest of UGC 6313.  John Herschel called it "pF; suddenly much brighter middle; stellar."  His position is accurate to within 30".
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NGC 3616
11 18 08.9  +14 45 53; Leo

= Not found, Harold Corwin and Dorothy Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3616 = H. III-76 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "eF, pL.  Some doubts were removed by putting on 240."  There is noithing near his position and Dreyer notes in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that it was not found by Bigourdan (visually) nor by Max Wolf (on a Heidelberg plate).

Harold Corwin initially identified this number with a star near WH's position but more recently he feels a single or even close double star would not fit Herschel's description of "pL".  So, this object is not found.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3617 = ESO 503-012 = MCG -04-27-008 = UGCA 231 = AM 1115-255 = KTS 42C = PGC 34513
11 17 50.9  -26 08 04; Hya
V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 147°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, small, round , 30" diameter.  Increases to a very small brighter nucleus.  I probably only viewed the brighter core and missed the dim halo.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3617 = h3336 on 22 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  His position matches ESO 503-012 = PGC 34513.
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NGC 3618 = UGC 6327 = MCG +04-27-014 = CGCG 126-025 = Mrk 1288 = PGC 34575
11 18 32.6  +23 28 08; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 175°

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  Third of three on a line with CGCG 126-022 and NGC 3615 7' SW.  At low power collinear with two mag 10 stars equally spaced 8' and 17' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3618 = H. III-334 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, S, goes into the field with the foregoing [NGC 3615]."  Caroline's reduction is 3.6' northwest of UGC 6327 (similar offset as NGC 3615).

NGC 3618 was assumed to be a new on the 23 Mar 1857 observation by R.J. Mitchell at Birr Castle: "about 6' or 7' nf [NGC 3615] is a S, vvF patch, little brighter in the middle."  JH included this observation in the GC (2365) as well as GC 2368 = III-334.  In the 1880 compilation of LdR observations, Dreyer added the note "the latter [GC 2365] is not a "nova" but = III 334, as pointed out by d'Arrest.  GC 2365 is to be struck out."
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NGC 3619 = UGC 6330 = MCG +10-16-115 = CGCG 291-054 = PGC 34641
11 19 21.6  +57 45 29; UMa
V = 11.5;  Size 2.7'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 3625 9.5' E and NGC 3613 lies 16' NNW. 

8" (3/28/81): faint, small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3619 = H. I-244 = h852 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951).  He recorded "cB, R, very gradually much brighter middle, 1 1/2' dia."  Caroline's reduced position is just off the nortwest edge of UGC 6330.  John Herschel made a single observation and noted "pB; R;  pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 45".  The PD differs 7' from that assigned by my Father; query therefore if the same object."  His position is 1.5' too far south, so there does not appear to be a significant discrepancy.
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NGC 3620 = ESO 038-010 = PGC 34366
11 16 04  -76 12 54; Cha
V = 13.9;  Size 2.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 15.0;  PA = 78°

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is pinned against the south side, a little west of the center.  I reobserved this galaxy not realizing it was logged the previous night.  Located 32' NE of the bright reflection nebula IC 2631.

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.5', small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is barely off the south side (west of center).  The large reflection nebula, IC 2631, lies 32' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3620 = h3338 on 31 Mar 1837 and logged "F; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; 50". His position and description matches ESO 038-010.  This galaxy is not included in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 star atlas or it companion Deep Sky Field Guide.

NGC 3620 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "eF, S, considerably elongated at 80°, 12 mag star 0.5' south."
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NGC 3621 = ESO 377-037 = MCG -05-27-008 = UGCA 232 = AM 1115-323 = PGC 34554
11 18 16.5  -32 48 51; Hya
V = 9.7;  Size 12.3'x7.1';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 159°

48" (5/9/18): at 488x; this prominent galaxy is extremely large and irregular but elongated at least 2:1 NNW-SSE.  The main disk extends ~7'x3' and is noticeably mottled and dappled with slightly brighter and darker areas.  Around the periphery is a very low surface brightness outer halo that dissolved into the background sky, but could be traced ~5' SE of center.  The galaxy contains a very large, brighter central region, which appeared somewhat offset within the main disk, though it was less defined than a typical core or nucleus. The most noticeable features are a couple of large dust lanes that border or outline spiral arms and arcs. A long, thin dust lane extends in an SSE to NNW orientation, just east of the central region.  This dark lane cuts off or borders a relatively narrow spiral arm that is adjacent to the east.  It contains a brighter 10" knot (includes stellar association/HII complex [KWB2013] 104) that was easily visible 1.1' ESE of center and 1.1' due west of mag 12.7 star. A broader dusty lane extends SSE to NNW along the west side.  A very low surface brightness arm running parallel is just west of this darker lane or gap.

Several brighter stars outline the galaxy; two mag 10.3/10.6 stars are near the southern edge of the halo, 2.8' SSW of center and 3.9' SSE of center, and a mag 12.7 star is placed ~2.5' ESE of center.  A number of stars cradle the north end of the galaxy; the brightest is a mag 11.6 star [2.6 NW of center], which forms a kite asterism outlining the galaxy, along with the previous three stars.  In addition, a couple of stars are superimposed on the north side of the main glow, and a number of additional mag 13 and 14 stars are at the northern edge of the halo.

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 6' diameter, weak central concentration and along the major axis but no sharp nucleus.  Several stars are nearby; three mag 11-13 stars are off the north tip and two mag 10 stars are 2.7' SW and 3.7' SSE of center.

14.5" (5/1/24): I viewed the bright supernova SN 2024ggi, discovered on Apr 11th, and currently at an estimated mag 12.5. (brightest SN in 2024). It lies on the SE side of this large spiral and appeared slightly brighter than a mag 12.7 star 1.5' NE.  Two bright mag 10.3 and 10.6 stars are 2' S and 2.6' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3621 = H. I-241 = D 617 = D 610 = h3337 on 17 Feb 1790 (sweep 808). He recorded "considerably bright, very gradually brighter middle, elongated from about 70° np to sf, about 6 or 7' long and near 4' broad.  Within a parallelogram of stars."Using 2000 coordinates, NGC 3621 is the most southerly object that Herschel discovered, but precessing back to the observation date, it was 1.1° higher in declination and the 4th most southerly object he discovered.  From the latitude of Slough, NGC 3621 culminated at an elevation of just 6.8°.  The observation was made standing or sitting on steps on the ground, not in the observing gallery.

James Dunlop observed NGC 3621 on 30 Apr 1826 and recorded D 617 as "a faint nebula, irregular figure, extended 6' in length, position north preceding and south following - 2 small stars follow the nebula.  He made additional observations in May and August: "a very faint pretty large nebula, about 2' broad and 4' long, very faint at the edges. The brightest and most condensed part is near the south following extremity; a small star is involved in the north preceding extremity, and there are two small stars near the south extremity, but not involved."   D 610, described as "a faint nebula of an irregular figure, extended about 6' in length", is a duplicate entry but his declination was 1° too far north.

John Herschel observed the galaxy on 29 Apr 1834 from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded, "pB, vL, oval, very gradually very little brighter middle, resolvable [mottled], 5' long, 3' broad."

NGC 3621 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as a "large, close, spiral." It was photographed again in the 1930s at the Boyden Observatory in Bloemfontein, South Africa with the 60-inch Common reflector and described by John Paraskevopoulos as a "peculiar spiral with a wide faint extension to the southward that nearly doubles the length of the object over the portion that can be clearly seen in the reproduction"
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NGC 3622 = UGC 6339 = CGCG 314-020 = PGC 34692
11 20 12.5  +67 14 29; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 7°

17.5" (4/22/95): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.2'x0.6', elongated bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' SE of center.  Located 9.3' NNW of mag 6.2 SAO 15478.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3622 = H. II-879 = h853 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and noted "pB, R, S, bM."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.8 tmin following UGC 6339.  John Herschel logged "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3623 = M65 = Arp 317 NED1 = UGC 6328 = MCG +02-29-018 = CGCG 067-054 = Holm 246b = LGG 231-002 = PGC 34612 = Leo Triplet
11 18 55.3  +13 05 35; Leo
V = 9.3;  Size 9.8'x2.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 174°

48" (5/1/19): at 375x; beautiful, extremely large, showpiece spiral extending 7:2 N-S. The galaxy displayed a strong concentration with a very bright, round core and an intensely bright, prominent nucleus.  There was a slight enhancement along the major axis but no impression of a bar. A long, low contrast dust lane runs N-S along the length of the galaxy on the east side.  The edge was a bit ragged and the glow of the galaxy on its east side had a low surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is at the W edge of the dust lane, due E of the core.  Also a mag 16 star is at the W edge of the galaxy, slightly S of the nucleus [1.2' WSW of the mag 14.5 star]. A mag 12.3 star is 2.3' SSW of center, just off the W side.

17.5" (1/31/87): very bright, very large, very elongated N-S, 7.5'x2.0', bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is west of the south end 2.1' from the center.  Forms a remarkable trio with M66 20' ESE and NGC 3628 36' NE.  Requires low power (31 Nagler) to easily fit all three in the same field. 

13.1" (4/10/86): very bright, elongated N-S, elongated bright core, possible stellar nucleus.

Charles Messier discovered M65 = NGC 3623 = h854, along with M66, on 1 Mar 1780.

William Herschel first observed it in April 1783, probably with his 6.2" reflector. On 31 May 1783 with his 12-inch (20-ft focal length) he logged "almost a certainty of its being stars.  There is however in both the nebulas [65 and 66] a certain whitishness left which may be nebulosity."  With his 18.7-inch workhorse, he observed it on sweep 188 (12 Apr 1784) and described it in his 1811 publication as "a very brilliant nebula extended in the meridian, about 12' long.  It has a bright nucleus, the light of which suddenly diminishes on its border, and two opposite very faint branches."  A sketch is shown in fig. 29 in his 1811 paper representing "extended nebulae that show the progress of condensation."

Lord Rosse observed M65 on 31 Mar 1848 and described it as a "Curious nebula with bright nucleus at left a little above and towards the right is a streak spiral; resolved very well about the nucleus, but no other part.  From the right, and apparently springing from the nucleus, a very faint portion of nebulosity extends for about 15', gradually melting away.  William Rambaut's (LdR's assistant) sketch on this night was published in the 1850 PT paper (fig. 7).  On 25 Feb 1854, "Lord Rosse suspected dark spaces on either side of the nucleus.", though this suspicion wasn't confirmed the following year.  William Lassell also sketched M65 using the 48" from Malta.
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NGC 3624 = MCG +01-29-029 = CGCG 039-114 = PGC 34599
11 18 50.9  +07 31 16; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 175°

17.5" (5/4/02): very faint, diffuse glow with a brighter center.  Halo fades into background, ~40" diameter.  A mag 13 star lies 2.5' N.  Forms a close pair with CGCG 039-113 2.1' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3624 = h855 on 27 Dec 1827 and simply noted as "eF." His position matches CGCG 039-114 = PGC 34599.
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NGC 3625 = UGC 6348 = MCG +10-16-120 = CGCG 291-057 = PGC 34718
11 20 31.2  +57 46 53; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 148°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, very elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  Third of three with NGC 3613 20' NW and NGC 3619 9.4' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3625 = H. II-885 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He logged "faint, extended from np to sf, about 1 1/2' long."  The NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.
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NGC 3626 = NGC 3632 = UGC 6343 = MCG +03-29-032 = CGCG 096-029 = LGG 237-002 = PGC 34684
11 20 03.9  +18 21 24; Leo
V = 11.0;  Size 2.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 157°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.4', broadly concentrated halo with a larger brighter core and very low surface brightness outer halo.  The core, though, is sharply concentrated with a very intense, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Member of a group (LGG 237) that extends from NGC 3607/08 to NGC 3681/84/86.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 ~NNW-SSE.  Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core that increases to a bright, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3639 lies 23' ENE.

17.5" (3/22/96): bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.8'x1.2'.  Strong, sharp concentration with a very small elongated core and a bright stellar nucleus.  Located roughly 50' ENE of the NGC 3607 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3626 = H. II-52 = h856 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and noted "a nebula like the northern one [II-51 = NGC 3608], but a little longish."  NGC 3632 = H. II-30, found a month earlier on 15 Feb 1784, is a duplicate observation, though further out in position.  John Herschel measured an accurate position and logged "B; R; suddenly brighter middle; 20"."
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NGC 3627 = M66 = Arp 16 = Arp 317 NED2 = VV 308a = Holm 246a = UGC 6346 = MCG +02-29-019 = CGCG 067-057 = LGG 231-003 = PGC 34695 = Leo Triplet
11 20 15.0  +12 59 22; Leo
V = 8.9;  Size 9.1'x4.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 173°

48" (4/13/10): this showpiece galaxy stretched 7'x3' N-S.  The central region is dominated by a prominent, 3'x1.2' central bar that is elongated NNW-SSE.  The central region has a mottled, irregular surface brightness and increases gradually towards the center and then suddenly to a very bright, stellar nucleus.  The longer, better defined arm is attached at the north end and sweeps directly south along the western flank of the galaxy for a total length of ~5'. The western edge of this arm is very well defined as it fades to the southern tip, though the inner edge merges with the glow within the central region.  The arm and bar are brightest where they join at the north end of the central region. A very faint HII knot (#47 in Paul Hodge's 1974 "Second Survey of HII regions in Galaxies") was seen at the root of the arm on the north tip of the bar.

The second spiral arm is attached at the south end of the bar and shoots north on the eastern side of the galaxy.  This arm fades after a shorter distance, so is not as prominent, but is brightest at the root where it emerges from the bar.  A mag 9.8 star lies 3' NW of center at the outer edge of the halo.

17.5" (1/31/87): very bright, large, elongated N-S, 5'x3', bright elongated core contains a stellar nucleus.  Two spiral arms are visible although the western arm is more prominent. 

13.1" (many dates from 4/24/82 and 2/25/84): bright elongated core, stellar nucleus.  A diffuse spiral arm extends south and a second short arm extends to the east.  A dark patch is visible just east of the nucleus.

Charles Messier discovered M66 = NGC 3627 = h857 = h875, along with M65, on 1 Mar 1780. 

William Herschel first logged M66 with his 18.7" on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187): "very bright, much elongated, much brighter in the middle than its two faint branches which run out further than my field of view can take in. It is Messier 66 but that gentleman could not see its branches, they being much too feeble for his light." "  The next object recorded was NGC 3628 (discovery observation).  He missed M65 on this sweep but observed the entire Leo Triplet on the next sweep 4 nights later.  M66 was called "very bright, much elongated, irregular figure.  The extension is chiefly in the direction of the meridian, and the greatest brightness near the middle."

John Herschel made 4 observations and once claimed it as new (h875) as he made an error with his RA (3 minutes too large).  On sweep 22 he logged "vB; vL; suddenly brighter middle; 3' l, 2' br; E 60° np to sf in direction of 2 stars 10m, preceding."

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, sketched the galaxy on 17 Apr 1849 (Plate XXVII, fig. 16 in the 1861 publication).  Features included a well defined spiral arm along the western side and arcs within the main body that correspond with brighter sections of spiral arms.  The 31 Mar 1848 observation by Rosse or assistant Rambaut mentions "a little above towards the right [nf] is a dark streak; spiral, resolved well about the Nucl, but no other part.  From the right, and apparently springing from the nucleus, a vF portion of nebulosity extends for nearly 15', gradually melting away."  A schematic in the 1880 publication shows the beginning of two arms on the eastern side and a long, thick arm on the western side.

William Lassell also sketched M66 using his 48-inch from Malta on 21 Apr 1862, though misidentified it as M65.  The galaxy was drawn as more irregular than spiral, though the primary arm on the west side is clearly sketched, along with a dark gap between it and the core.  Also a loop was sketched on the north side corresponding with part of the eastern arm as well as a continuation of the western arm as it curls towards the core.
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NGC 3628 = Arp 317 NED3 = VV 308b = UGC 6350 = MCG +02-29-020 = CGCG 067-058 = Holm 246c = LGG 231-004 = PGC 34697 = Leo Triplet
11 20 16.2  +13 35 22; Leo
V = 9.5;  Size 14.8'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 104°

48" (5/12/18 and 4/29/22): at 375x; extremely bright, showpiece edge-on WNW-ESE, at least 13' in length.  A stunning dust lane extends for over 8' and widens towards the ends.  The northern "slice" of the galaxy is brighter with a broad concentration, but without a distinct core or nucleus. The surface brightness drops at both ends and flares out in width, instead of tapering.  The WNW end spreads out in a wide cone, though the flaring is brighter north of the major axis, creating a bent asymmetry towards the north.  A mag 16.5 star is along the N edge, at the brightest section, and a mag 15.5 star is 40" further NE.  A brighter mag 14.8 star is along the ESE flank, 2.5' from center.

17.5" (1/31/87): bright, unusually large edge-on WNW-ESE, 11'x2.5'.  A broad irregular dust lane is prominent bisecting the galaxy along the entire length.  Appears brighter to the north of the dark lane and fainter on the south side. 

13.1" (4/24/82 and 2/25/84): the dust lane was clearly visible along the entire length and divided the galaxy into two asymmetric halves with the south slice much fainter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3628 = H. V-8 = h859 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Bright, very much elongated, little brighter in the middle than towards the ends.  It seems to extend 9 or 10' if not more."  The next sweep he observed the Leo Triplet again and called NGC 3628 "bright, very much elongated. The extent is not far from the parallel [E-W]. The faint branches are longer than my field can take in."  

John Herschel called it "a v long narrow ray, very gradually brighter middle; 15' long, a most curious object.  E by diag in pos 105°.  Lord Rosse first observed NGC 3628 on 31 Mar or 1 Apr 1848.  Samuel Hunter, observing on 10 Feb 1861, noted "split into two parallel rays."  A month later he added "split extends its whole length, the f part being partially filled with faint nebulosity."  Robert Ball, observing on 18 Mar 1866 also noted "there seems to be a dark channel on the south side in direction of elongation."
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NGC 3629 = UGC 6352 = MCG +05-27-058 = CGCG 156-064 = Holm 247a = PGC 34719
11 20 31.7  +26 57 49; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 30°

18" (3/29/03): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.2'x0.9', diffuse, low surface brightness, weak broad concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.1' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3629 = H. II-338 = h860 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and recorded "vF, pL, r, nearly R, gradually very little brighter middle."  John Herschel made a total of 7 observations with a composite description "F; L; R; very gradually brighter middle; 2' dia; *14 m s f 60"."
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NGC 3630 = NGC 3645: = UGC 6349 = MCG +01-29-031 = CGCG 039-124 = PGC 34698
11 20 17.0  +02 57 52; Leo
V = 11.9;  Size 4.6'x3.0';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 37°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core and a much fainter disc, ~1.2'x0.4'

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, small but very bright core, stellar nucleus, thin extensions.  Located 10' NW of mag 8.3 SAO 118800 in the NGC 3640 group.  

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, very small bright core.  Located ~20' SW of NGC 3640.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3630 = h861 on 7 Apr 1828 and recorded "B; R suddenly much brighter middle to nucl: 25".  His two positions are very similar.  In the Slough Catalogue, he equated h861 with his father's H. II-32 but listed this object as a nova in the General Catalogue (GC).
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NGC 3631 = Arp 27 = VV 363 = UGC 6360 = MCG +09-19-047 = CGCG 268-021 = LGG 241-001 = PGC 34767
11 21 02.9  +53 10 10; UMa
V = 10.4;  Size 5.0'x4.8';  Surf Br = 13.7

48" (4/4/11): beautiful face-on spiral of 4' diameter with two long, winding arms and branching extensions!  This very bright galaxy appeared sharply concentrated with an intensely bright small core that increased to an extremely bright stellar nucleus.  A prominent patchy arm was attached on the west side of the core and rotated counterclockwise to the north, then bent sharply back in a straight line to the east end of the galaxy. What appeared to be an offshoot arm turned counterclockwise on the east side and continued all the way to the south end of the galaxy.  The second arm was attached on the southeast end of the core and swept around the south side towards the west and then continued to the northwest end of the galaxy.  An offshoot or another patchy arm continued east near the edge of the northern halo.  The two main arms are nearly connected by a slightly brighter region on the south side.  Member of the LGG 241 or UMa NED1 Group.

17.5" (4/1/95): bright, large, round, 3.5' diameter.  Sharp concentration with a prominent core which brightens to a nearly stellar nucleus.  The outer halo fades into the background and shows a hint of the spiral arm structure.  Two mag 12-13 stars are 3.4' NE and 3.3' WNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3631 = I-226 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "cB, R, small br nucl and vF halo of considerable extent, 3' or 4' dia." 

Four observations describing spiral arms were made at Birr Castle.  On 30 Mar 1856, R.J. Mitchell recorded "Spiral, with I think, two arms thus (thumbnail sketch). The arms are broken and of unequal light. There are bright patches at alpha (preceding the nucleus), beta (south preceding arm) and gamma (end of bright north following arm)."  A week later he logged "Spirality seen as in last observation. The following branch comes down past the other, doubling over it and seems to originate from the preceeding side of nucleus. Very patchy."

The1880 publication has a thumbnail sketch and the 1861 publication has a drawing (Plate XXVII, fig 20).  Both show the main features that can be confirmed on the DSS.
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NGC 3632 = NGC 3626 = UGC 6343 = MCG +03-29-032 = CGCG 096-029 = PGC 34684
11 20 03.9  +18 21 24; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3626.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3632 = H. II-30 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146) and described a "pB neb, it seems to contain stars; it is of some extent."  There is nothing at his position (objects found in his early sweeps often have fairly large offset errors), but 24 seconds of RA west and 12' N is NGC 3626.  Dreyer states in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues, "not seen by d'Arrest (5 times), is no doubt [II-30] = II 52 = NGC 3626 only 24 seconds preceding and 12' N."  Herschel observed II-52 a month later on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and called it "a neb like II 51 but a little longish."  So, NGC 3632 = NGC 3626.  Dreyer's conclusion was repeated by Karl Reinmuth in his photographic survey of the NGC.
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NGC 3633 = UGC 6351 = MCG +01-29-032 = CGCG 039-126 = PGC 34711
11 20 26.2  +03 35 08; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 72°

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is off the west edge.  Located 3.5' WSW of mag 8.9 SAO 118799.  NGC 3640 lies 21' SSE.  Member of the NGC 3640 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3633 = Sw. 6-40 on 23 Mar 1887 and reported "vF; S; R; nearly between a pB star and a faint star."  His position and description matches UGC 6351.
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NGC 3634 = VV 724 = MCG -01-29-008 = PGC 34714
11 20 30.3  -09 00 51; Crt
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 11.7

24" (3/9/13): faint, extremely small, round, 8"-10" diameter.  Situated at the west edge of brighter NGC 3635, appearing as a small knot.  The surface brightness is relatively high (similar to the nucleus of NGC 3635), so this galaxy was fairly easy to see at 375x.  A mag 13.5 star is ~30" W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3634 = LM 2-433, along with NGC 3635, on 24 Jan 1887.  His (single) position is very close to the double system MCG -01-29-008 and -009.
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NGC 3635 = VV 724 = MCG -01-29-009 = PGC 34717
11 20 31.4  -09 00 49; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 18°

24" (3/9/13): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 30"x20", very small brighter nucleus.  NGC 3634, a very compact interacting companion, is attached on the west edge.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.9' W.

17.5" (4/14/01): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration.  NGC 3634 was not seen.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3635 = LM 2-434, along with NGC 3634, on 24 Jan 1887.  His (single) position is very close to the double system MCG -01-29-008 and -009.
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NGC 3636 = MCG -02-29-019 = LGG 235-001 = PGC 34709
11 20 25.1  -10 16 55; Crt
V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/29/89): moderately bright, very small, bright core, round.  Located just 1.8' NW of mag 6.6 SAO 156618!  Forms a pair with similar NGC 3637 3.8' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3636 = H. II-550 = h862, along with NGC 3637, on 4 Mar 1786 (sweep 597).  He recorded them together as "Two, stellar, vF, vS.  A considerable bright star is situated between them, but about 1' south of the line that connects them."

Andrew Ainslie Common found the pair again in 1880 and reported them as new in his Copernicus discovery list: "2 planetary nebulae, B star between" in his Copernicus discovery.
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NGC 3637 = MCG -02-29-020 = LGG 235-002 = PGC 34731
11 20 39.5  -10 15 27; Crt
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/29/89): moderately bright, very small, bright core, round.  Located 3.0' NE of mag 6.6 SAO 156618.  Forms a pair with NGC 3636 3.8' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3637 = H. II-551 = h863, along with NGC 3636, on 4 Mar 1786 (sweep 597).  He recorded them together as "Two, stellar, vF, vS.  A considerable bright star is situated between them, but about 1' south of the line that connects them."

Andrew Ainslie Common rediscovered the pair in 1880 and reported them as new in his Copernicus discovery list: "2 planetary nebulae, B star between" 
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NGC 3638 = MCG -01-29-007 = PGC 34688
11 20 10.0  -08 06 21; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 141°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', brighter along the major axis.  With averted vision, there are hints of longer extensions.  Forms the western vertex of a right triangle with two mag 12 stars 3.4' E and 4.3' NE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3638 = L II-435 in 1886 and logged "mag 15.8, 0.4' dia, 2 star 10m following."  His position is 0.6 min of RA east of MCG -01-29-007 = PGC 34688 and his description matches two mag 12 stars 3'-4' northeast and southeast.
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NGC 3639 = UGC 6374 = MCG +03-29-036 = CGCG 096-032 = PGC 34819
11 21 35.7  +18 27 30; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 27°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, occasional very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 2' N of a mag 12 star.

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3639 on 21 Jan 1855. He logged "about 15' following [NGC 3626] and a little north is a neb.  S, R, pF, very little brighter middle."  Dreyer added the comment "d'Arrest could not see [NGC 3639], perhaps the observation from 1855 was of some other neb. in this neighborhood."  But the position matches UGC 6374 = PGC 34819, so there is no question regarding the identification, altlhough UGC, CGCG and MCG do not label this galaxy as NGC 3639.
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NGC 3640 = UGC 6368 = MCG +01-29-033 = CGCG 039-130 = PGC 34778
11 21 06.8  +03 14 05; Leo
V = 10.4;  Size 4.0'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, 2' diameter, strong concentration with an intense oval core.  The nucleus is small, round and very bright.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 3641 2.4' SSE.

17.5" (2/8/91): bright, moderately large, small very bright core, oval halo 3:2 E-W, 15" substellar mottled nucleus.  A mag 14 star is 2.3' N.  Brightest in a group and forms a close pair with NGC 3641 2.5' SSE.

14.5" (4/12/21): at 182x and 226x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval halo ~5:4 E-W of low surface brightness, ~2.0'x1.6'.  Strongly and sharply concentrated with an unusually bright core that increases steadily to a nearly stellar nucleus.

8" (4/24/82): bright, moderately large, bright core, slightly elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3640 = H. II-33 = h864 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and logged "a nebula like the former [pB, bM, vS], but a good deal larger and more regular; almost cometic."  His RA is poor (not uncommon in the early sweeps) -- 50 seconds too large -- but there are no other bright nearby galaxies.  John Herschel logged "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3641 = UGC 6370 = MCG +01-29-034 = PGC 34780
11 21 08.8  +03 11 40; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; between pretty faint and moderately bright, round, 40" diameter, sharp concentration with a small bright nucleus.  The halo seems more extensive to the south of the nucleus.  Located 2.6' SSE of the center of much brighter and larger NGC 3640.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close pair with bright NGC 3640 2.6' NNW.

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; nearly fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, small brighter nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 3' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3641 = m 220 = T. 1-34 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "F, vS, alm stellar."  His position matches UGC 6370.  Wilhelm Tempel found this galaxy in 1876 and reported NGC 3641 as new in his first discovery paper with description "Small and faint, Class III; NGC 3640 is 2' south."
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NGC 3642 = UGC 6385 = MCG +10-16-128 = CGCG 291-062 = PGC 34889
11 22 17.9  +59 04 28; UMa
V = 11.2;  Size 5.4'x4.5';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 105°

17.5" (3/19/88): bright, fairly large, round, even concentration down to a very bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Appears mottled (knot?) on the west side of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3642 = H. I-245 = h865 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and noted "p or cB, pS, R, very gradually brighter middle."  His position is within 1' of the center of UGC 6385.  Samuel Hunter, observing with LdR's 72" on 19 Apr 1862, noted "bright nucleus and I suspect it either a spiral or an annular neb."
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NGC 3643 = MCG +01-29-036 = CGCG 039-136 = PGC 34802
11 21 25.0  +03 00 50; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4

24" (5/20/20 and 5/24/20): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, brighter core, 40"x20", overall fairly low surface brightness.  A mag 13.2 star is 1' SE of center.

SN 2020hvf, a Type Ia supernova in NGC 3643, was discovered about a month ago (Apr 21) at 22" E of center (at the east edge of the galaxy). At 13th magnitude, the SN was similar in brightness to the mag 13.2 star just 45" to its SSE, and was bright enough to detract from viewing the galaxy!

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE.  A mag 13 star is at the SE edge 1.0' from center.  NGC 3644 lies 12' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3643 = m 221, along with NGC 3644, on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS".  His position matches CGCG 039-136 = PGC 34802.

The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 039-143 = PGC 34817 as NGC 3643 (listed in my RNGC Corrections #2).  See Harold Corwin's NGC notes for more errors in the modern identifications.
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NGC 3644 = IC 684 = UGC 6373 = MCG +01-29-037 = CGCG 039-139 = PGC 34814
11 21 32.9  +02 48 37; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 63°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 SW-NE, broad weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is just off the SW edge.  IC 683 and CGCG 039-134 (1.3' pair) lie 3.6' S and 4 members of Shk 352 were seen 5' N.

IC 683: faint, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus.
CGCG 039-134: extremely faint, round, 15" diameter, only occasionally popped

48" (4/4/11): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 40"x16", contains a bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 40" SSW of center.  Shk 352, a rich group of faint galaxies, lies 5' N in the field.

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE.  A mag 13 star is at the SW edge 0.6' from center.  Located 12' ESE of mag 8.3 SAO 118800 in the NGC 3640 group with NGC 3643 12' N.  A very faint quartet of galaxies is midway between NGC 3644 and NGC 3643.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3644 = m 222 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS."  His position matches UGC 6373 = PGC 34814.

Guillaume Bigourdan found this galaxy on 14 Apr 1888 and assumed it was new, and recorded #163 as a "small nebula with a mag 12.8 situated in PA 214° at 0.5'." His position is a bit off to the north and Dreyer recatalogued this galaxy as IC 684.  So, NGC 3644 = IC 684.
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NGC 3645 = NGC 3630: = UGC 6349 = MCG +01-29-031 = CGCG 039-124 = PGC 34817
11 20 17.0  +02 57 52; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3630.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3645 = H. II-32 = h867 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "pB, vS, bM so that it resembles an irregular nebulous star."  His position, reduced correctly by Caroline, falls 3' south of NGC 3643 (much too faint to fit his description), in a group of very faint galaxies.  But it is also 70 seconds of RA due east of NGC 3630, a bright galaxy that fits the description.  John Herschel has a single observation, giving a very rough position (near his father's) but the description of h867 ("pB; S; E; bM") applies to NGC 3630.  In fact, JH suggested the equivalence in the GC, though Dreyer rejected this in the NGC Notes section because Tempel claimed an observation of NGC 3645 (h867).

The identification of H. II-32 was analyzed by Malcolm Thomson in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal #73, Alister Ling in issue #87 and Harold Corwin in his NGC/IC identification notes. They all conclude that NGC 3645 is likely a duplicate observation of NGC 3630.  RNGC and CGCG misidentify CGCG 039-143 as NGC 3645.
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NGC 3646 = UGC 6376 = MCG +03-29-037 = CGCG 096-034 = PGC 34836
11 21 43.1  +20 10 10; Leo
V = 11.1;  Size 3.9'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

48" (4/23/25): at 375x; NGC 3646 is an amazing spiral with this aperture. The central portion consists of a very bright, slightly elongated core with an extremely bright stellar nucleus.  The central part is brightest along its major axis, creating an apparent bright bar extending through the nucleus, though this is probably a flattened central bulge.

The unusual spiral arms create an irregular inner lens or ring that is separated from the core by a darker (dusty) region. The western half of the apparent ring is brighter and better defined, and it contains several relatively large star-forming knots.  One is located at the SW end of the ring, 1' from center. On images, the two "arms" connect at this point at a sharp angle.  A small, less evident spot is on the opposite end (NE) of the ring [1.3' from center].  A brighter knot is 0.6' NW of center, on line with the center and a mag 14.5 star 0.8' further NW. A fainter knot is midway along the arm between the last two knots. The outer disk, which is more evident on the SW side, has a low surface brightness, though seems mottled.

48" (5/16/12 and 4/6/13): this showpiece spiral appeared bright, large, oval ~2:1 SW-NE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  The visual treat was a prominent lens or eye-shaped ring surrounding the core!  The ring was slightly brighter in an arc along the north side.  A very faint quasi-stellar knot (SDSS J112141.34+201039.0, V = 17.2) is at the W edge of this arc.  Another section of the ring that stands out is along the SW edge, with a brighter linear piece about 40" long with several SDSS designations.  The interior of the ring is fairly dark near this section as well as other parts, providing a good contrast between the core and ring.  A very small, weak brightening was also noted on the NE end of the ring.  A mag 14 star lies 1.4' NW of center and a mag 16 star is 1' SSE of center.

17.5" (4/14/01): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 3'x2' SW-NE.  Gradually increases to a brighter 30" oval core.  A quasi-stellar nucleus is occasionally visible with direct vision.  Forms a pair with NGC 3649 7.8' ENE.

13.1": moderately bright and large, elongated, broad concentration with no nucleus.  An extremely faint star or knot is involved.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3646 = H. III-15 = h866 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146) and recorded "Two, a Large nebula [NGC 3646] followed by a small one [NGC 3649], in the same field of view with it.  The large one is extremely and small one still fainter, so that I did not perceive it immediately.  I suppose the large one cannot be less than 5 or 6' of extent."  Earlier in the sweep he discovered the pair NGC 3226 and 3227.

John Herschel logged "F; L; E; 2' long.  The sp of two [with NGC 3649]."

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 13 Apr 1852, remarked "L neb [NGC 3646] is bM.  It has a knot in sp end and a dark curved passage on p and n sides of centre; Spiral."  This description is similar to the view in Jimi Lowrey's 48".
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NGC 3647 = CGCG 039-135 = SHK 352-1 = PGC 34794
11 21 32.6  +02 53 14; Leo
V = 14.6;  Size 0.6'x0.45';  PA = 73°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 20"x15", low surface brightness.    Brightest in a quartet with CGCG 039-140 0.8' NE, CGCG 039-141 1.5' E and CGCG 039-142 1.7' NE.  All three were very faint, round, ~12" diameter.

48" (4/4/11): fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, small bright nucleus.  First in the dense Shk 352 cluster (7 members within 2') with 6 galaxies close following including Shk 352-6 0.8' SE, CGCG 39-140 0.8' NE and Shk 352-3 1.5' ENE.  Located 4.6' N of NGC 3644 (brightest nearby galaxy) and 11' ENE of mag 8.1 HD 98603.

Shk 352-2: fairly faint, very small, round, 14" diameter, very small bright nucleus.  Located 0.8' NE of NGC 3647 (Shk 352-1) in a dense group of compact galaxies.  CGCG 39-141 lies 50" E and Shk 352-6 lies 42" S.

Shk 352-3:  faint, very small, round, 14" diameter.  In a very rich, group of faint, compact ellipticals with CGCG 139-140 = Shk 352-2 0.8' W, CGCG 139-142 = Shk 352-4 0.7' N, Shk 352-7 0.7' NE and NGC 3647 1.5' WSW. 

Shk 352-4: fairly faint, very small, round, 12", very small bright nucleus.  Located 0.9' NE of CGCG 39-140 = Shk 352-2 and 0.7' N of Shk 352-3 in the core of this compact cluster.  Shk 352-7 lies 45" ESE.

Shk 352-5: extremely faint and small, 6" diameter.  Furthest north in tight group of 7 members of Shk 352, packed into a 2' circle.  Located 42" N of CGCG 39-142 = Shk 352-4.  A mag 16 star lies 35" NW.

Shk 352-6: very faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter.  This member of Shk 352 forms the southern vertex of a tiny quadrilateral with NGC 3647 = CGCG 39-135 0.8' NW, CGCG 39-140 0.7' N and CGCG 39-141 1' NE!

Shk 352-7: faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter, bright stellar nucleus.  Located 40" NE of Shk 352-3 and 45" ESE of CGCG 039-142 = Shk 352-4.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3647 = m 223 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted an "eF neb. star."  His position falls in a tight quartet including CGCG 039-135, -140, -141 and -142.  Bigourdan misidentified a star as NGC 3647.

Various modern sources pick all four of these compact galaxies as NGC 3647!  NED, HyperLeda and NGC/IC Project (Corwin) identifies CGCG 039-141 as NGC 3647, CGCG identifies CGCG 039-142 as NGC 3647, and the RNGC position falls on CGCG 039-140.  But CGCG 039-135 is the brightest visually in the quartet!  So, although the identification is uncertain with 4 close candidates, the 2014 version of Harold Corwin's NGC positions file also identifies CGCG 039-135 as NGC 3647.
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NGC 3648 = UGC 6389 = MCG +07-23-043 = CGCG 213-043 = CGCG 214-002 = LGG 236-001 = PGC 34908
11 22 31.5  +39 52 37; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 75°

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.6'.  Contains a small, round, bright core with a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located 18' S of mag 6.6 SAO 43717 and 7' ESE of mag 9.7 SAO 43713.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3648 = h868 on 18 Mar 1831 and noted "pB; pmE; S; has a suspicious nucleus, as if a vF close double star."  The coordinates are marked uncertain, but his position is just 1' S.
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NGC 3649 = UGC 6386 = MCG +03-29-038 = CGCG 096-036 = IC 682 = PGC 34883
11 22 14.8  +20 12 30; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 140°

17.5" (4/14/01): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4' (viewed oval core only).  A mag 14.5 star is just off the south edge [23" from center].  Forms a pair with NGC 3646 7.8' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3649 = H. III-16 = h869, along with NGC 3646 (see notes), on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146).  John Herschel made two observations of the pair and his mean position is fairly accurate.

Lewis Swift possibly found the galaxy on 22 Apr 1889. He assumed it was new and recorded it in his 8th discovery list, #56 (later IC 682) with description "eF; eS; R; vF * close np."  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA east is NGC 3649 and the description applies.
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NGC 3650 = UGC 6391 = MCG +04-27-031 = CGCG 126-043 = PGC 34913
11 22 35.4  +20 42 15; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 54°

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.2', irregular surface brightness, small brighter core.  Situated 2.7' SE of a mag 11 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3650 = Sw. 3-60 on 5 Mar 1886 and noted "eF; S; R; between 2 stars."  His position is 16 sec of RA west of  UGC 6391, though this galaxy is south of two brighter stars.
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NGC 3651 = HCG 51A = UGC 6388 = MCG +04-27-028 = CGCG 126-042n = Holm 249a = WBL 326-004 = PGC 34898
11 22 26.3  +24 17 56; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4

48" (4/18/15): NGC 3651 is the brightest member of the HCG 51 septet.  At 488x, it appeared moderately to fairly bright, round, 0.6' diameter.  It forms a merged double system with HCG 51F at the south edge.  The companion is faint to fairly faint, very small, elongated 2"1 ~N-S, ~12"x6".  The two galaxies were not fully resolved but there is a dip in brightness at the point they merge.  NGC 3653 lies 1.5' SE.

HCG 51G, just 28" SE, is a faint, round, quasi-stellar knot under 10" diameter.  MCG +04-27-030 = HCG 51D is 1' E and appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, brighter nucleus. CGCG 126-040 = HCG 51B is 2.8' W and the largest in the septet.  It appeared moderately bright, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a small bright core.  Most catalogues misidentify this galaxy as IC 2759, which lies 1' further NNW.  IC 2759 = HCG 51E is also moderately bright but small, round, 18" diameter, sharply concentrated with a small bright core.

17.5" (5/11/96): this is the brightest member of the HCG 51 quintet.  Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0'x0.8', small brighter core.  Forms a small isosceles triangle with NGC 3653 (51C) 1.4' SE and MCG +04-27-030 (51D) 1.0' E.  MCG +04-27-026 (51B) lies 2.7' W and brighter IC 2759 (51E) is 1' N of 51B.

MCG +04-27-026 is very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.9'x0.6', very weak concentration.  Larger of close pair with IC 2759 1.0' N but has a significantly lower surface brightness.  Modern catalogues misidentify this galaxy as IC 2759.  IC 2759 is faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, moderate surface brightness.  Finally MCG +04-27-030 is extremely faint and small, 12" diameter.  It's the faintest of five in HCG 51.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3651 = H. III-335 = h870, along with NGC 3653, on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394). His description reads, "Two, both vF and vS.  The most south [NGC 3653] is the faintest.  I saw them both very well with 240.  About 2 or 3' from each other."  John Herschel noted "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; the np of 2."
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NGC 3652 = UGC 6392 = MCG +06-25-055 = CGCG 185-049 = Ark 291 = LGG 236-002 = PGC 34917
11 22 39.0  +37 45 54; UMa
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 150°

18" (5/30/03): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5'.  Contains a bulging core and much fainter extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3652 = H. II-775 = h871 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 915). He logged "pB, cL, little extended, very gradually much brighter middle."  NGC 3652 was discovered by WH (II 775).  John Herschel noted (single observation) "F; pL; wires visible in twilight."
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NGC 3653 = HCG 51C = MCG +04-27-029 = CGCG 126-044 = Holm 249b = PGC 34905
11 22 30.1  +24 16 45; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

48" (4/18/15): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  NGC 3653 is the second brightest member of HCG 51 with slightly brighter NGC 3651 (and companions) 1.5' NW.

17.5" (5/11/96): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 30" diameter, stellar nucleus.  Second brightest in HCG 51 quintet with brightest member NGC 3651 1.4' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3653 = H. III-336 = h872, along with NGC 3651, on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394).  His description reads, "Two, both vF and vS.  The most south [NGC 3653] is the faintest.  I saw them both very well with 240x.  About 2 or 3' from each other."  John Herschel noted "vF; the sf of 2."  His position was 45" too far SE.
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NGC 3654 = UGC 6407 = MCG +12-11-022 = CGCG 334-029 = PGC 35025
11 24 10.9  +69 24 47; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 27°

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, brighter along the major axis, very small bright core.  Situated midway betwen a mag 12 star 3.1' NE and a mag 13 star 3.4' SW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3654 = H. II-880 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036).  He recorded "faint, small, little extended from sp to nf, brighter middle."  Another observation was made on 7 Dec 1801 (sweep 1105), noting "faint, small, little extended from sp to nf but not far from the meridian, gradually brighter middle."
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NGC 3655 = UGC 6396 = MCG +03-29-039 = CGCG 096-037 = LGG 237-003 = PGC 34935
11 22 54.7  +16 35 24; Leo
V = 11.6;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 30°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, large, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, very well concentrated with a relatively large bright core and an intensely bright small nucleus.  Member of a group (LGG 237) that includes NGC 3681, 3684 and 3686.

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, prominent core, stellar nucleus, fainter extensions, high surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is 2.5' ENE.

8" (4/24/82): fairly bright, bright core, slightly elongated.  Located 45' WNW of a mag 6 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3655 = H. I-5 = h873 on 30 Dec 1783 (early sweep 71) and recorded "A nebula.  F, not of the cometic kind, but seem to be resolvable.  It is of a roundish shape, but not regular."  John Herschel made three observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3656 = Arp 155 = VV 22a = UGC 6403 = MCG +09-19-063 = CGCG 268-029 = SPRC-201 = PGC 34989
11 23 38.5  +53 50 32; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 7°

48" (4/6/13): bright, moderately large, irregularly round, ~1.3'x1.0', large very bright core but no distinct nucleus.  A mag 12.7 star is just off the west edge of a large, diffuse halo.  A dust lane or absorption patch is evident on the north side as a region of lower surface brightness.

MCG +09-19-64, a merging companion, is attached at the southern edge of the halo [40" S of center].  It appeared faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, slightly elongated E-W, 20"x15". PGC 2452556, 2.3' ENE, was a fairly faint, fairly small, roundish glow, 15" diameter, with a brighter core.

18" (5/30/03): moderately bright, round, fairly small, 0.8' diameter, fairly weak concentration with a brighter core.  A mag 12 star is just off the west side, 45" from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3656 = H. II-782 = h874 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920). He recorded "pB, S, R, very gradually much brighter middle, just following a small star."  John Herschel logged "pB; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 20"; a * 12m preceding." and measured a very accurate position.
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NGC 3657 = UGC 6406 = MCG +09-19-065 = CGCG 268-030 = LGG 241-010 = PGC 35002
11 23 55.6  +52 55 15; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1

18" (5/30/03): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, small bright core.  Member of the LGG 241 or UMa NED1 Group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3657 = H. III-768 = h876 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He noted "very faint, very small, stellar, left doubtful."  His declination was 3' too far south but John Herschel measured accurate position (used in the NGC).
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NGC 3658 = UGC 6409 = MCG +07-24-002 = CGCG 214-003 = LGG 236-003 = PGC 35003
11 23 58.3  +38 33 45; UMa
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (5/30/03): moderately bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, small bright core, symmetrical appearance.  Located 15' SW of NGC 3665 and 9' SE of mag 9 SAO 62530.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3658 = H. IV-59 = h877 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 915).  His description reads, "considerably bright, small, round, bright nucleus. The nucleus considerably well defined, and the chevelure [halo] very faint."  The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars." and he was confident of the connection between the star and the nebulosity.

John Herschel made two observations and noted, "Nothing remarkable in its character to place it in the 4th class."  The fourth class included planetary nebulae, but also oddballs such as "stars with burs, with milky chevelure, with short rays, remarkable shapes etc."  About 40 seconds later he discovered NGC 3665.
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NGC 3659 = UGC 6405 = MCG +03-29-040 = CGCG 096-038 = LGG 237-004 = PGC 34995
11 23 45.3  +17 49 04; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 2.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 60°

24" (5/13/23): at 229x and 375x; moderately bright, relatively large, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE, broad concentration with a larger, brighter central region.

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, weak concentration, elongated WSW-ENE. Member of the LGG 237 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3659 = H. II-53 = h878 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and noted "F, S, r."  John Herschel measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3660 = UGCA 234 = MCG -01-29-016 = Mrk 1291 = PGC 34980
11 23 32.2  -08 39 31; Crt
V = 11.9;  Size 2.9'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 110°

48" (4/21/17): at 697x and 813x; this multi-armed barred spiral appeared bright, large, oval 4:3 WNW-ESE, ~2.8'x2.1'.  The core consists of fairly narrow bar oriented NNW-SSE with a bright quasi-stellar nucleus at the center.  Subtle spiral structure was evident in the halo with a couple of long spiral arcs, though the contrast was too low to distinguish complete arms.  A mag 11.5 star is 2' NE of center and three mag 10-12.5 star are ~5' E.

LEDA 1000714, a Hoag-type Ring galaxy ("Burcin's Galaxy") lies 4' WSW. The core of this Hoag-type Ring appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, brightens slightly to a faint stellar nucleus.  The detached ring (roughly 1' across and mag V = 17.7) was not seen, though Jimi had pops of the NE section. 

48" (5/12/12): fairly bright, large, oval 5:4 WNW-ESE, ~2.5'x2.0', well concentrated with a bright, elongated core that seems to contains a brighter bar.  The outer halo fades out gradually and increases in size with averted vision.  LEDA 1000714 (Ring Galaxy) lies 4' W and LEDA 3081853 is 4.4' SE.

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, fairly large, round, ~2' diameter with averted vision, broad concentration but then suddenly increases to a small nucleus.  A faint star is off the W edge 1' from center.  A trio of mag 10-12 stars follows by ~5'.  Located 19' NE of mag 6.9 HD 98853.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3660 = H. II-635 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 705) and noted "F, pL, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle."  His position matches MCG -01-29-016 = PGC 34980.
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NGC 3661 = IC 689 = MCG -02-29-022 = PGC 34986
11 23 38.4  -13 49 51; Crt
V = 14.0;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 137°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very elongated NW-SE.  A string of three mag 11 stars begins 1.6' S and continues to the SE.  NGC 3667 lies 10' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3661 = H. III-530 = h3339 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and noted "vF, stellar."  His position is 2' due south of MCG -02-29-022 = PGC 34986.  John Herschel described NGC 3661 as "faint; small; round; gradually brighter middle."  The preceding of 2 [with NGC 3667]."

Ormond Stone found the galaxy again on 1 Jan 1889 with the 26-inch at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and assumed it was new.  His micrometric position (#421 in the LM Southern Nebulae list) matches PGC 34986.  Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence, but IC 689 = NGC 3661.
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NGC 3662 = UGC 6408 = MCG +00-29-025 = CGCG 011-086 = PGC 34996
11 23 45.6  -01 06 12; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 25°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7'.  There is a fairly bright star ~mag 13.5 which is superimposed about 10" NE from the geometric center and appears similar to a bright stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3662 = H. IV-4 = h879 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153). He recorded "an extremely faint nebula, consisting of a nucleus with a vF, S, brush south preceding.  The brush is not regularly fan shaped." He sketched it as a fan with a stellar point at the W end.  Herschel commented in his 1814 PT paper (fig. 5) that "a very small star has an extremely faint and very small nebula attached to it in the shape of a puff.".  He gave this example as evidence of a union of attraction between the nebula and the star.  John Herschel called this object a "star 13-14 m with a F, S, nebulous brush."

Wolfgang Steinicke, in "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters" states Julius Schmidt found NGC 3662 on 29 Mar 1862 with a 15.7-cm refractor and described an "exceedingly faint, object with slight central condensation." There was a controversy involving a number of observers whether this was a "variable nebula" (like NGC 1555) as either this galaxy or a nearby star appeared in the BD catalogue (BD -1° 2436) and marked as a nebula.  Involved in the controversy were Julius Schmidt, d'Arrest, Hermann Goldschmidt, C.H.F. Peters and Argelander.  The end result is that Argelander found a mistake occurred in the BD entry and the star should not have been marked as nebulous.
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NGC 3663 = MCG -02-29-023 = PGC 35006
11 23 59.8  -12 17 47; Crt
V = 12.5;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, fairly small, oval E-W, low even surface brightness.  Two mag 13 and 15 stars are at the NE edge 39" and 57" from the center, respectively.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3663 in 1880 with his 36" silvered-glass reflector and recorded "eF, fan-shaped, star close".  There is nothing at his position but 15' north is MCG -02-29-023 = PGC 35006 and two stars are at the northeast side of this galaxy.  Common's position for his 32 discoveries are consistently poor in declination (obtained from reading the setting circle), so this identification is very plausible.
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NGC 3664 = Arp 5 = VV 251 = UGC 6419 = MCG +01-29-041 = CGCG 039-170 = VIII Zw 146 = LGG 233-004 = WBL 329-003 = PGC 35041
11 24 24.8  +03 19 39; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

48" (5/12/12 and 5/7/24): This disrupted spiral was a fascinating sight in Jimi Lowrey's 48-inch. The brightest feature is a very knotty 1' irregular bar oriented SW-NE, containing at least three brighter knots. The brightest knot is at the NE end with at least two very close knots on the SW side. A very short offshoot extends just north of the NE end.  Fainter haze surrounds the bar on the NW and SE sides.

The second brightest feature is a detached, mottled "arm segment" on the SW side, which is oddly cocked (NW-SE) perpendicular to the bar. As it appeared detached from the bar, it didn't seem like it was part of a spiral feature.  But this arm segment dims significantly and continues curving clockwise around the south and east side, making a low surface brightness outer loop or ring, reaching around to the other side of the bar!  Then I realized the bar was noticeably offset towards the northwest side within a rounder 1.6' outline.

NGC 3664A, situated 6.2' south, is a much fainter disturbed companion that was likely involved in a train wreck with NGC 3664 during an earlier encounter.  NGC 3664 is a 30" fairly low surface brightness glow with a broad concentration, but it didn't reveal any irregular structure. UGC 6417, a more challenging edge on, is another 5' further south.

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly large, low surface brightness glow with just a weak concentration, ~2' diameter.  Nearly collinear with a wide pair of mag 10.5/12.5 stars 3' SE with a mag 10.5 star 7' NW also on this line.  In addition, three mag 13 stars to the east are collinear!  Located 20' W of a mag 6.7 star. This Arp galaxy has an unusual extension that juts at a 90° angle from the main body.

13.1" (4/10/86): very faint, slightly elongated ~N-S.  Two stars lie SE and a bright star (82 Leo) is ~20' E.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3664 on 14 Mar 1879 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory in Italy. He called it a double nebula with the two nuclei separated by 15"-20", so he resolved the two brightest "knots" along the central bar.  The discovery was reported in a short note in AN 94, p. 335.
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NGC 3665 = UGC 6426 = MCG +07-24-003 = CGCG 214-004 = LGG 236-004 = PGC 35064
11 24 43.7  +38 45 47; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 30°

18" (5/30/03): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 2.4'x1.6', strong concentration with a very bright core which increases to the center.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.6' N of center, outside the halo.  NGC 3658 lies 15' SW.

17.5" (5/2/92): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 2.5'x1.3', increases to very bright core, stellar nucleus, fainter elongated halo.  A mag 15 star is off the north edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3665 = H. I-219 = h881 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 915).  He recorded "very bright, considerably large, very gradually much brighter middle, irregular figure."  About 40 seconds earlier he had discovered NGC 3658, situtated 15' SSW.  A sketch (fig. 20) was including in his 1811 publication as representative of "Nebulae that are gradually much brighter in the middle."

John Herschel made two observations, first logging it on 18 Mar 1831 (sweep 335) as "very bright; round; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 50"; resolvable."

The RNGC has a typo in the declination, which is listed as 2 deg 54' instead of 38 deg 54'.
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NGC 3666 = UGC 6420 = MCG +02-29-025 = CGCG 067-071 = PGC 35043
11 24 26.2  +11 20 31; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 4.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 100°

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, elongated ~E-W, bright core, sharper light cut off on the east side.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' NNE of center.  Located 9' SW of mag 5.8 Rho (30) Virginis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3666 = H. I-20 = h882 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "Extended, resolvable.  A very bright star may be taken into the field with it."  The "very bright" star is mag 5.8 HD 99196.less than 10' NE.

John Herschel observed it on 3 sweeps, first on 23 Mar 1830 (sweep 242): "eF; 2nd or 3rd class.  The bright star 1341 A.S.C. follows it.  This neb must have changed greatly if it ever belonged really to the 1st class."

Winnecke wrote a paper in 1879 (AN 2293) claiming this nebula displayed "periodic variability".  As "proof" Winnecke mentioned that William Herschel placed this nebula in his first class of "Bright Nebula", but John Herschel called it "eF, 2nd or 3rd class."  Winnecke described it as "pretty bright", while d'Arrest in 1863 termed it "subobscura".  Dreyer found it barely visible in 1887 with a 10-inch Grubb refractor at Armagh but in 1891 he it appeared bright.

Dreyer was critical of reports of variability of nebulae in general and commented in an 1891 paper: "this is a diffused nebula with a very slight central condensation" and "the appearance of objects of this kind is far more influenced by the state of our atmosphere than that of nebulae with a distinct condensation."  Wolfgang Steinicke discusses these cases on page 519 of his book on the history of the NGC.
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NGC 3667 = (R)NGC 3667A = MCG -02-29-025 = Holm 252a = PGC 35028
11 24 17.0  -13 51 26; Crt
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/29/89): moderately bright, very small, round, small bright nucleus.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3667A = MCG -02-29-026 1.1' E.  The companion appeared faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  NGC 3661 lies 10' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3667 = H. III-531 = h3340 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548). He noted "considerably faint, very little brighter in the middle, stellar."  John Herschel recorded "pF; R; 20"; has 3 stars 10 mag near it, with the two following of which it makes an equilateral triangle.
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NGC 3668 = UGC 6430 = MCG +11-14-023 = CGCG 314-026 = PGC 35123
11 25 30.4  +63 26 46; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 137°

17.5" (4/22/95): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.5'x1.0', mottled appearance.  Well concentrated with an elongated core and a bright nucleus.  A mag 15 star is superimposed at the northwest end 0.6' from center.  Located 2.6' NE of a mag 10 star.

Forms a pair with CGCG 314-028 = Arak 293 9.7' E, at the edge of the 225x field.  The Arakelian galaxy (catalogue of high surface brightness galaxies) appeared fairly faint, very small, round.  Appears a compact fairly high surface brightness glow about 20" diameter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3668 = H. II-845 = h880 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and noted "vF, pS."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 14 sec of RA west of UGC 6430.  The mag 15 star superimposed on the northwest side is mentnioned in the UGC notes as a galaxy, but it appears stellar on the SDSS.
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NGC 3669 = UGC 6431 = MCG +10-16-135 = CGCG 291-067 = PGC 35113
11 25 26.7  +57 43 17; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 153°

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3669 = H. II-829 = h883 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and noted "vF, E, easily resolvable."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel made a single observation and logged "vF; mE; very little brighter middle; 60" length."
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NGC 3670 = UGC 6427 = MCG +04-27-033 = CGCG 126-048 = PGC 35067
11 24 49.7  +23 56 43; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

18" (5/31/03): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5'.  Moderate concentration with faint extensions and a small, brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3670 = H. III-337 = h884 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, S."  His single position (Caroline's reduction) is 4' northwest of UGC 6427, the brightest galaxy in the vicinity.  John Herschel called this galaxy "eF; vS; R" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3671 = CGCG 291-068 = PGC 35149
11 25 52.5  +60 28 46; UMa
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

17.5" (3/19/88): extremely faint and small, round.  A mag 14.5 star is close east.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3671 = H. III-922 = h885 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039).  He noted "very faint, very small, 2 very small stars in it."  One of these "small stars" is probably the nucleus.  This galaxy is certainly one of the faintest and smallest discovered by Herschel.

John Herschel's position matches CGCG 291-068 although his description reads "This must be my father's neb, but it is a suspicious object and I doubt whether it be not a little knot of 3 or 5 stars."  Only a single mag 14.5 star is close following.
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NGC 3672 = MCG -02-29-028 = UGCA 235 = LGG 235-003 = PGC 35088
11 25 02.5  -09 47 40; Crt
V = 11.4;  Size 4.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 8°

14.5" (4/13/23): at 158x; fairly bright, large, elongated 2:1 N-S and 5:2 with averted, ~3.0'x1.3'. Contains a large brighter middle (about 1.5' diameter) with weak concentration and no nucleus. The surface brightness is irregular or mottled. Spiral structure is suggested with the fainter southern portion of the halo enhanced in a thinner arc.  IC 688 lies 20' W.

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 2:1 N-S, weakly concentrated to the center.  Brightest in a small group that includes NGC 3636 and 3637 (LGG 235 = USGC S165).

8" (5/21/82): faint, diffuse.  Located 20' W of a mag 7.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3672 = H. I-131 = h886 on 4 Mar 1786 (sweep 597) and reocorded "cB, E, 4 or 5' long and near 4' broad, gradually brighter in the middle."

Andrew Ainslie Common probably found this galaxy in 1880 with his 36" reflector, assumed it was new, and reported #17 as "pB, L, bM, E 180°" in his Copernicus discovery list.  On 15 Feb 1868, C.E. Burton (observer at Birr Castle) recorded, "Sharper faint than p, curved horn towards sf?  Deep concavity on faint side, poiints of light suspected on nucleus."  This detailed description appears to confuse the E-W directions.
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NGC 3673 = ESO 503-016 = MCG -04-27-010 = UGCA 236 = PGC 35097
11 25 12.8  -26 44 12; Hya
V = 11.5;  Size 3.6'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 70°

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 2.0'x1.4', broad concentration to halo.  Appears brighter along the major axis like a bar (verified on the DSS) with a very small brighter core.  Two mag 11.5 and 13 stars following closely, 2' and 1.5' from the center.  Located 8' N of mag 8.7 SAO 179863.

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 2:1 WSW-ENE.  Contains a bright 45" elongated core embedded in a much faint halo, ~2.5'x1.5'.  Within the halo is the strong impression of a bar and the galaxy is locally brighter immediately following the bar.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3673 = h3341 on 22 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; vL; very gradually little brighter middle.  Several small stars near, and one = 7m nearly south, at 6' distance. HIs position and description matches ESO 503-016.
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NGC 3674 = UGC 6444 = MCG +10-16-138 = CGCG 291-069 = PGC 35191
11 26 26.6  +57 02 54; UMa
V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 33°

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, small, very elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3683 lies 13.6' SE and NGC 3683A is 23' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3674 = H. II-886 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038). He logged "pretty bright, irregular figure."  This was the last of 19 galaxies discovered in a very productive sweep in Ursa Major. The NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.  
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NGC 3675 = UGC 6439 = MCG +07-24-004 = CGCG 214-005 = PGC 35164
11 26 07.8  +43 35 06; UMa
V = 10.2;  Size 5.9'x3.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 178°

17.5" (4/6/91): very bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 4'x1.5', very bright sharply defined elongated core, substellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the SSW edge 2.0' from the center.  A dust lane is evident by a sharper light cut-off along the east side of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3675 = H. I-194 = h887 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798) and recorded "vB, mE in the meridian, BN."  John Herschel made two observations, first noting on 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), "vB; L; mE; very suddenly much brighter middle; 2' long, 40" broad.  Many stars 14 and 15 mag precede."  On 17 Mar 1849, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) wrote, "Dark space [dust lane] following centre strongly suspected."  As a result, the galaxy was included in the list of objects with "dark spaces" in Lord Rosse's 1850 publication.  
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NGC 3676 = MCG -02-29-029 = PGC 35131
11 25 37.5  -11 08 23; Crt
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 151°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, occasional very faint stellar nucleus.  Located in an asterims of 5 mag 11.5-12.5 stars with two mag 11.5 stars just 1' NNE and 1' SE.  Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3676 = LM 2-436 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position, but 30' south is MCG -02-29-029 = PGC 35131 and his comment "2 st 10 nf, sf" matches this galaxy perfectly.  NGC 3676 was not recovered by Bigourdan because of the poor discovery position.

RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and MCG -02-29-029 is not labeled as NGC 3676 in the MCG, Deep Sky Field Guide, Megastar, etc.
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NGC 3677 = UGC 6441 = MCG +08-21-035 = CGCG 242-035 = PGC 35181
11 26 17.7  +46 58 26; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 130°

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6'.  Weak, even concentration to a small, brighter core.  Collinear with two mag 11 stars 4' and 6' NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3677 = h888 on 19 Mar 1828 and noted "S; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 16m."  His mean position from 2 observations is 1' north of UGC 6441.
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NGC 3678 = UGC 6443 = MCG +05-27-071 = CGCG 156-075 = WAS 21 = KUG 1123+281 = PGC 35177
11 26 15.7  +27 52 01; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

18" (3/29/03): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, fairly even surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3678 = h889 on 13 Apr 1831 and recorded "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25".  Is 2' sp a * 12m."  His position and description matches UGC 6443.
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NGC 3679 = MCG -01-29-021 = Mrk 1294 = PGC 35165
11 26 08.6  -05 35 09; Leo
Size 1.0'x0.5';  PA = 178°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, small, elongated 5:2 N-S, 0.7'x0.3', fairly even surface brightness.  Three mag 14 stars are within 2'.  Located 4.6' SSE of a mag 10 star. The NGC identification is very uncertain and NGC 3679 may apply to MCG -01-29-012 = PGC 34844.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3679 = H. III-112 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205). He recorded "extremely faint, considerably large, round, resolvable.  Just preceding, and very near a bright star.  The nebulosity touches the star.  There is so much moonlight that I do not see it satifactory, and am, even not without some doubts as to the reality, but must defer the verification till a darker night."  There is nothing near his position.

Dreyer noted that Herschel couldn't find this nebula again on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 673).  He "Looked for the Nebula III. 112 and though the night is apparently not a bad one, I could not find it.  I examined a great part of the heavens in this neighborhood but saw nothing of it."  He searched again unsuccessfully on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 912), but found another nebula - probably MCG -01-29-021 - "making a trapezium with 2 small stars".  NGC 3915 = H. III-113, the next object found in the sweep, also cannot be identified with any confidence.  Dreyer concludes that III-112 is probably nonexistent.

See Harold Corwin's discussion of the identities as well as Wolfgang Steinicke in his book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 258-259).  Corwin and Steinicke conclude that NGC 3679 might be MCG -01-29-012, located 2.4' S of of mag 7.8 HD 98750.  The RNGC and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) identify PGC 35165 as NGC 3679.  But there is no bright star matching the original description/  My visual description refers to PGC 35165.  Interestingly, Spitaler also identified this galaxy as NGC 3679 in an 1892 observation and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3680 = Cr 247 = ESO 265-032
11 25 37  -43 15 00; Cen
V = 7.6;  Size 12'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): scattered group of a dozen stars at 105x in 7' but with an interesting arrangement as many of the stars form two intersecting lanes crossing at a right angle.  Includes a few mag 10-10.5 stars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3680 = D 481 = h3342 on 7 May 1826 and recorded (based on 4 observations), "a cluster of stars, about 10' diameter, mixt magnitude. This precedes 25 Centauri."

On 3 Feb 1835 (sweep 542) John Herschel logged "cluster VIII class, 60 or 70 stars 11..13th mag in a compact round space, 10' diameter." On 24 Feb 1837 (sweep 774) he wrote, "not very rich but a good cluster; gradually compressed in the middle, large, rich, very scattered, almost fills field, stars 10..14th mag."
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NGC 3681 = UGC 6445 = MCG +03-29-048 = CGCG 096-045 = LGG 237-005 = PGC 35193
11 26 29.8  +16 51 48; Leo
V = 11.2;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 170°

24" (5/27/17): bright, fairly large, roundish, contains a relatively large brighter core which is sharply concentrated with an intensely bright nucleus.  A string of 3 stars extends to the ENE of the galaxy, the last is an uneven double [~7" separation].  First in a bright quartet (part of the LGG 237 group) with NGC 3684 14' NE, NGC 3686 28' NE and NGC 3691 24' ENE.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, round, brighter core, stellar nucleus.  On a line with two stars mag 11 and 12 3.0' NE and 4.7' NE.  First of four in the NGC 3686 group with NGC 3684 14' NNE, NGC 3691 24' ENE and NGC 3686 28' NE.

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3681 = H. II-159 = h891 = h3343 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 198) and recorded "pB, S, bM, rather too large to be called stellar."  His position is 18 sec of RA west of UGC 6445.  John Herschel made three observations at Slough (measuring an accurate position) and one at the Cape of Good Hope.
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NGC 3682 = UGC 6459 = MCG +11-14-027 = CGCG 314-029 = PGC 35266
11 27 41.2  +66 35 23; Dra
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 95°

18" (3/30/05): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated E-W, ~0.6'x0.45'.  Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright, 20" core and a much fainter halo.  Located on the Draco-Ursa Major border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3682 = H. I-262 = h890 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and recorded "cB, vS, iF.  A sort of a nucleus with a vF nebulosity about it."  His RA was 92 tsec too large and dec 3' too large.  John Herschel logged "pB; R; very suddenly much brighter middle almost to a *; 30" dia." and his position matches UGC 6459.
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NGC 3683 = UGC 6458 = MCG +10-16-143 = CGCG 291-072 = PGC 35249
11 27 32.0  +56 52 37; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 128°

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  In a low power field with NGC 3674 14' NW and NGC 3683A 21' NE.   NGC 3683A was noted as moderately bright and large, oval ~SW-NE, broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is off the northeast edge, 1.7' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3683 = H. I-246 = h892 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and logged "F, pL, iR."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 17 sec of RA too small.  John Herschel noted "E.  haze so that I can barely be certain that a nebula exists.", but his position is very accurate!

Sir Robert Ball observed NGC 3683 on 1 Mar 1867 as an assistant to the Earl of Rosse.  He reported finding another nebula described as "pF, pL, round, little brighter middle, following half a field of finder and about the same amount north of [NGC 3683].  Unless there is 
some mistake (f for p) this must be a nova, otherwise it must be 2415 [= NGC 3674].  A * near."  Ball's description points to NGC 3683A = UGC 6484, which is 14' E and 15' N of NGC 3683, matching about half a finder field (~30').  Dreyer didn't assign this object a NGC designation as he didn't confirm it in a later observation on 1 Apr 1878.  Corwin suggests he perhaps didn't look far enough northeast of NGC 3683 to pick up NGC 3683A.
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NGC 3684 = UGC 6453 = MCG +03-29-050 = CGCG 096-047 = LGG 237-006 = PGC 35224
11 27 11.2  +17 01 48; Leo
V = 11.4;  Size 3.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

24" (5/27/17): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, irregular halo increases in size with averted, ~1.6'x 1.2'.  Contains a relatively large brighter core that is nearly round and is very weakly concentrated to the center.  Middle of three bright galaxies that are nearly collinear with NGC 3681 14' SW and NGC 3686 14' NE.  NGC 3691 lies 15' ESE. These galaxies are part of the LGG 237 group.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration.  Second of three on a line with NGC 3681 14' SW and NGC 3686 14' NE.  Also, NGC 3691 lies 15' SE.

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, round.

John Herschel found NGC 3684 = h893 on 17 Mar 1831 and logged "cB; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; 100" diameter."  JH made a total of three observations and d'Arrest measured the position on 5 nights.  JH is credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC.

But Wolfgang Steinicke found that WH probably discovered this galaxy on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 198).  After discovering NGC 3681, he turned north and found another new object, H. II-160, which he described as "cL, R, brightest in the middle but the brightness goes off very gradually."  His position is poor -- 35 sec of RA west and 10' north of NGC 3684 and also 68 sec of RA west and 2' south of NGC 3686.  Both JH and Dreyer assumed II-160 applied to NGC 3686 but Wolfgang states that WH didn't move his telescope that far north in the sweep and discovered NGC 3684 instead.
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NGC 3685 = MCG +01-29-045 = CGCG 039-192 = Todd 9 = PGC 35305
11 28 16.2  +04 19 39; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  PA = 31°

24" (4/15/23): at 229x and 327x; faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, ~20"x15".  Forms the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with two 13th mag stars 2' NE and 2' E..

18" (4/30/11): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Forms the western vertex of a triangle with two mag 13 stars 2' NE and 2' E.  Forms a close pair with UGC 6466 just 1' SW. It was suspected but I wasn't able to confirm this very low surface brightness spiral.

David Todd discovered NGC 3685 = Todd 9 on 11 Dec 1877 in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet (AN 2698).  I was unable to identify this object but Corwin found a match with CGCG 039-192.  He describes this as "the higher surface brightness component of a pair of CGCG galaxies; the other is UGC 06466, a pretty low surface brightness barred spiral."  I confirmed Todd's offsets for the nearby stars, so this identification is certain.  The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent, though NED and HyperLeda correctly dentify NGC 3885 = CGCG 039-192
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NGC 3686 = UGC 6460 = MCG +03-29-051 = CGCG 096-049 = LGG 237-007 = PGC 35268
11 27 44.1  +17 13 26; Leo
V = 11.3;  Size 3.2'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, very large, slightly elongated ~N-S, broad mild concentration with a relatively large slightly brighter core and a small brighter nucleus.  A 14th magnitude star is on the south edge of the halo, 1.2' from center.  The halo extends ~2.5'x2.0' and encompasses this star.

13.1" (1/18/85): brightest and largest in a group (LGG 237) with NGC 3681, NGC 3684 and NGC 3691.  Elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 3.0'x2.4', brighter core.  An extremely faint star or knot is involved.  A mag 11 star lies 2.6' N of center.  NGC 3684 is 14' SSW and NGC 3691 19' SSE.

8" (4/24/82): brightest of trio, moderately bright and large.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3686 = H. III-28 = h894 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and logged "vF, L, r."  His position is 15 sec of RA due east of UGC 6460.  His observation of II-160 a month later on 17 Apr 1784 was assumed by JH and Dreyer to be a duplicate observation, but Wolfgang Steinicke analyzed the sweep and found II-160 applies to NGC 3684 instead.

JH observed h894 on 3 sweeps recording "pB; pL. (N.B. II 160 and III 28 are probably identical".  On a second sweep he noted "B; L; R; bM; has a L star north and a smaller one south".  Finally he logged "B; vL; E; very gradually brighter middle; 2' diam.  Near a *."  Dreyer followed JH's comment in his first sweep and commented in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that the transit for II 160 must have been recorded 1 tmin too late.
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NGC 3687 = UGC 6463 = MCG +05-27-073 = CGCG 156-078 = Mrk 736 = PGC 35285
11 28 00.6  +29 30 39; UMa
V = 12.0;  Size 1.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round.  Seems to have an irregular surface brightness with a very small, slightly brighter condensation in the halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3687 = H. II-770 = h895 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 909) and noted "pB, pL, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made 5 observations of this galaxy.
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NGC 3688 = MCG -01-29-024 = PGC 35269
11 27 44.4  -09 09 56; Crt
V = 14.3;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 10°

18" (3/17/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.35', low even surface brightness.  Located 7.6' SSW of a mag 10.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3688 = LM 2-437 in 1886 and noted "lE in PA 0°."  His position is an unusually good match with MCG -01-29-024 = PGC 35269, and his position angle is similar.  Steinicke lists the discoverer as Ainslie Common, but the closest entry in his list (#17) is a much better match with NGC 3672.
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NGC 3689 = UGC 6467 = MCG +04-27-037 = CGCG 126-057 = PGC 35294
11 28 11.0  +25 39 41; Leo
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 97°

17.5" (4/9/99): moderately bright, oval 5:3 ~E-W, ~1.3'x0.8', broadly concentration to a brighter core.  The core brightens but no distinct nucleus.

8" (4/24/82): faint, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3689 = H. II-339 = h897 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "pF, pS, irr."  John Herschel logged "B; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; lE".  His position is just of the south side of UGC 6467.

On 22 Feb 1857, R.J. Mitchell (Lord Rosse's assistant) recorded, "Slightly E sp/nf, gradually brighter in the middle, faint nucleus.  I have a faint suspicion that it has a curve to it, like a right-handed spiral."
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NGC 3690 = Arp 299 = VV 118 = UGC 6471 = UGC 6472 = MCG +10-17-003 = MCG +10-17-005 = CGCG 291-073 = Mrk 171a/b = Holm 256a/b = PGC 35321
11 28 32.3  +58 33 43; UMa
V = 11.5;  Size 2.9'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 50°

48" (5/12/12): at 488x, the SW component (VV 118b) of NGC 3690 appeared as a very bright, elongated, irregular knot of high surface brightness.  Contains a very bright, quasi-stellar nucleus.  The northeast component (VV 118a) is the larger of the merged interacting pair [~20" between nuclei] and appeared bright, moderately large, ~1' diameter, small very bright core.  A very low surface, asymmetric halo extends on the NW side of the bright pair.  The SW component is generally misidentified as IC 694, which is described below.

VV 118d/e, probably HII regions, are just 45" NW of NGC 3690 (just outside the halo).  Occasionally an extremely faint and small glow popped in this position, 6"-8" diameter.  IC 694, ~1' NW of the bright pair, was easily visible as a fairly faint, slightly elongated glow, 15"x12", weak concentration.  PGC 35345 (the brighter component of Arp 296) lies 2.6' NE.  It was also a direct vision, fairly faint glow, fairly small, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 24"x18", increasing to a very small brighter core.

17.5" (4/1/95): NGC 3690 is a disrupted, interacting double system (Arp 299).  This unusual pair appears moderately bright, fairly small, elongated E-W.  The appearance is confusing with two very small "knots" in a common halo elongated E-W (20" between centers).  On the west side is a fairly bright virtually stellar "knot", which is probably the nucleus of the brighter member of NGC 3690.  There is a small fainter unconcentrated extension on the following end and the two components are not individually resolved.  With averted vision, IC 694 was barely glimpsed as an extremely faint spot about 1' NW.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, irregular, mottled appearance.  A mag 14 star is superimposed on the west side and an extremely faint mag 15.5 star or knot is involved.  This is a disrupted interacting system which includes IC 694.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3690 = H. I-247 = h896 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and recorded "pB, little extended, much brighter in the middle."  On 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) he logged "vB, pL, lE near the parallel, but a little from nf to sp."  John Herschel reported "B; R; pretty gradually brighter middle.  Query whether there be not a * excentric towards the south-following side." The "star" may refer to the companion on the south side.  On 27 Jan 1852, LdR's assistant Bindon Stoney described the system as "Neb div into two parts, faint appendage np about one dia distant."

Swift also noticed it was double in 1883, writing in Sidereal Messenger IV (p39), "mentioned to all observers as very little elongated.  Chancing to run across it with a power of 132, I immediately suspected it to be a close double, which suspicion a power of 200 confirmed.  It is probably the closest double nebula known."  Swift reobserved the galaxy on 18 Apr 1892 (list X) and noted "vs, close D with [NGC] 3690, suspected with 132, ver with 200".  This is nearly identical to his 1883 comments.  Dreyer entered Stoney's and Swift's second component as IC 694 -- but did they apply to the same object?

Usually, IC 694 is identified as the southwest component of the interacting double system NGC 3690 and this is likely what Swift resolved in his first observation.  But Stoney's earlier observation clearly resolved NGC 3690 into two components as well as picking up the extremely faint 16th mag galaxy (MCG +10-17-002a = VV 118c) "one diameter" NW of the NGC 3690 system.  Based on Stoney's observation, it is reasonable to assign IC 694 or IC 694B to MCG +10-17-002a = VV 118c.
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NGC 3691 = UGC 6464 = MCG +03-29-053 = CGCG 096-050 = LGG 237-008 = PGC 35292
11 28 09.4  +16 55 11; Leo
V = 11.8;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 15°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; fairly bright, moderately large, sightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', broad weak concentration but no core or nucleus.  Last in a group (LGG 237 = USGC U376) and a prominent quartet with NGC 3681, 3684 and 3686.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, slightly elongated, moderately large, even surface brightness.  Last of four in the NGC 3686 group.  Located 19' SSE of NGC 3686 and 15' SE of NGC 3684.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3691 = H. II-54 = h898 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and noted "vF, S, r."  His position is 35 sec of RA east of UGC 6464 (the previous object in the sweep, NGC 3686, was 15 sec too far east).  He found this galaxy a month later (17 Apr 1784, sweep 198) and logged "not F, S, R."  John Herschel measured the position twice, but made the single description "F; E; 40"; has a * 10m 5' sp".  Heinrich d'Arrest also measured an accurate position (2 nights).
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NGC 3692 = UGC 6474 = MCG +02-29-032 = CGCG 067-084 = PGC 35314
11 28 24.0  +09 24 27; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 3.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 95°

18" (5/3/11): fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 E-W, 2.4'x0.4'.  Extends at least 80% of the separation (2.9') of two mag 13/13.5 stars to the NE.  Well concentrated with a bright core that gradually increases to very small nucleus.  The halo fades at the tips and only extends the estimated diameter with averted vision.  Located 10' SE of mag 9.6 HD 99621.  A group of IC galaxies, including IC 696, lies 20' S and NGC 3705 is 27' ESE.

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, thin edge-on 5:1 E-W, 2.0'x0.4', very small bright core.  A mag 13 star is off the NE edge 2.3' from the center.  NGC 3705 lies 26' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3692 = H. II-152 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and noted "F, mE, r." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 7' N of UGC 6474.  Neither John Herschel nor d'Arrest made an observation.  The GC position (revised by Tempel) is also too far north.  The NGC position is 9 seconds of RA too small and 2' too far south.  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1892 using the 27" refractor at Vienna.
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NGC 3693 = MCG -02-29-032 = PGC 35299
11 28 11.5  -13 11 41; Crt
V = 12.3;  Size 3.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 E-W, very small bright core.  A mag 12 star is 3.3' WSW.  Located 10' SE of mag 8.3 SAO 156691.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3693 = H. III-532 = h3344 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and noted "vF, little extended, very little brighter middle."  John Herschel logged "F; pmE in parallel; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 20"."  The NGC misidentifies h3334 as NGC 3693 (typo).
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NGC 3694 = UGC 6480 = MCG +06-25-076 = CGCG 185-070 = PGC 35352
11 28 54.1  +35 24 50; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 30"-40" diameter, bright core, stellar nucleus at moments.  Brightest in a pretty similar trio of NGC 3695 11' NNE and NGC 3700 11' NE (both with uncertain NGC identifications).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3694 = h899 on 11 Mar 1831 and logged "Not vF; R; suddenly brighter in the middle almost to a star; 20" diameter."  His position matches UGC 6480.
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NGC 3695 = NGC 3698 = UGC 6490 = MCG +06-25-078 = CGCG 185-071 = PGC 35389
11 29 17.3  +35 34 31; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 165°

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus with direct vision at 280x.  A mag 14 star lies 1.7' SE.  In a trio with NGC 3694 11' SSW and NGC 3700 5.7' SE.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 3695 on 31 Mar 1867 in his observation of NGC 3694.  He described "3 faint nebula forming a triangle certainly seen here and one or more susp in the neighborhood.  There being no great difference in brightness, it is not easy to see which is h899 [NGC 3694].  The 2 nf ones, pos 310°, dist 339" [5564 and 5566]."  The relative position for the latter two exactly match NGC 3695 = GC 5564 = UGC 6490 and NGC 3700 = GC 5566 = UGC 6494.

But on 18 Mar 1876 Dreyer reobserved NGC 3694 and stated "nnp is a pS, eeF neb [=5564] in PA 357.2°, Dist 256.7"."  This was the position Dreyer used in NGC for NGC 3695 and it corresponds with mag 14.8 star at 11 28 53.1 +35 29 00 (2000).  In the same observation, Dreyer notes "about 15' n and a few minutes f is another eF, vS neb [5565] with an ef* 2' sf."  Apparently he felt this object was not observed on 31 Mar 1867 so he assigned it separate designations GCS 5565 = NGC 3698, but his rough description applies to UGC 6490 = NGC 3695, which has a mag 14.4 star 1.7' southeast.  So, most likely NGC 3698 is a duplicate observation of NGC 3695.
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NGC 3696 = PGC 35340
11 28 43.9  -11 16 58; Crt
Size 1.2'x1.0';  PA = 90°

18" (5/12/07): very faint, very small, elongated 4:3 E-W, ~16"x12".  There appeared to be a mag 15.5 star superimposed NE of center.  Located 3.2' NW of a mag 10 star.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): extremely faint, very small, round.  Only glimpsed with averted, though the observation was likely made through clouds that I noticed afterwards.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3696 = LM 2-438.  There are no pertinent notes (simply described as round) or sketch found for this object and nothing at his position.  But 10 sec if RA east and 10' north is the faint galaxy PGC 35340.  NGC 3696 was not recovered by Bigourdan and the identification with PGC 35340 is uncertain.
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NGC 3697 = UGC 6479 = MCG +04-27-042 = CGCG 126-061 = HCG 53A = Holm 258a = WBL 335-001 = PGC 35347
11 28 50.4  +20 47 43; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 2.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 93°

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; the brightest of four in HCG 53 appeared bright, large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, 2.0'x0.5'.  Strong concentration with a bright elongated core or bar.

HCG 53B: moderately bright, small, round, high surface brightness with a relatively large, very bright core.
HCG 53C: fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, nearly even surface brightness.
HCG 53D: faint, small, elongated 5:2 E-W.  Easily visible and could hold continuously. Located 38" N of a 12th magnitude star.
SDSS J112853.30+204424.3: extremely faint, small, ~15" diameter, very low irregular surface brightness.  Located 1.4' W of HCG 53B at the same redshift.

17.5" (4/1/95): brightest of three in the HCG 53.  Fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, weak even concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is 3.6' W and a mag 13 star 1.8' SE.  The mag 13 star is on a line midway to a pair of close companions MCG +04-27-044 (HCG 53B) 4.0' SE and MCG +04-27-045 (HCG 53C) 3.3' SE.  IC 700 lies 13.9' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3697 = h900 on 24 Feb 1827 and noted "eF; vS; E in parallel."  His position and description matches UGC 6479.
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NGC 3698 = NGC 3695 = UGC 6490 = MCG +06-25-078 = CGCG 185-071 = PGC 35389
11 29 17.3  +35 34 31; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 165°

See observing notes for NGC 3695.

J.L.E. Dreyer found NGC 3698 on 18 Mar 1876 while an assistant at Birr Castle.  He noted that "about 15' north and a few minutes following [NGC 3694] is another eF, vS neb with an eF* 2' sf."  This description appears to match NGC 3695 = UGC 6490, which was discovered 9 years earlier by Sir Robert Ball on 31 Mar 1867 (see notes on N3695).  The actual separation is 11' but there is a faint star 2' SE.  So NGC 3698 = NGC 3695.
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NGC 3699 = PK 292+1.1 = ESO 129-21 = PN G292.6+01.2 = Ced 114 = Hf 62
11 27 58.4  -59 57 37; Cen
V = 11.0;  Size 71"

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this showpiece planetary appeared very bright, fairly large, ~70" in diameter.  It displayed an excellent contrast response using an UHC filter at 200x.  The planetary is bisected by a prominent, broad dark rift that slashes through the planetary from WSW to ENE (like Centaurus A!).  The northern lobe is the more prominent: both larger and brighter.  The shape of this lobe is semicircular with a round, outer periphery but with a fairly straight edge SW-NE in the interior due to the dark rift.  The center of the dust lane is south of the geometric center of the planetary, giving an asymmetric distribution to the lobes.  The rift itself is widest at the ENE end and tapers down towards the WSW end.  Superb view at 350x as the extra magnification increases the contrast and confirms that the south lobe is fully detached by the dust lane at the WSW end.  The compact planetary He 2-67 lies in the same field 11' SE.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 100x, this planetary appeared moderately bright and large, ~60"-65" in size.  There was a good contrast gain with a UHC filter at 105x and 166x and it appeared brightest on the north side of the planetary.  A dark rift running WSW-ENE appears to nearly detach the smaller and fainter southern section.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this interesting planetary is moderately bright, fairly large, ~70" in diameter with some faint stars superimposed.  With the UHC filter the appearance is very unusual with a dark rift bisecting it in a WSW-ENE orientation just below the geometric center.  At 228x, the northern "hemisphere" is both larger and brighter with an irregular surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is ~1' NW.  This is a fascinating planetary set in a beautiful Centaurus star field with an appearance similar to faint HII region or a small version of Cen A!

John Herschel discovered NGC 3699 = h3345 on 1 Apr 1834 and recorded "B; pL; irr R; pgpmbM; 90"; r.  Almost resolved. It is, however, by no means a mere knot of the Milky Way."

Joseph Turner sketched this planetary on 8 Apr 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope.  It accurately showed two segments cut by a "dark channel on the following side".  The dark lane is oriented NE-SW with the cut off section to the east much smaller and the dark lane slightly wider at the NE end.  Robert Innes observed it with the 9-inch refractor at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg in 1914 and called it "a faint nearly round nebula 60" in diameter, mag = 14th."
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NGC 3700 = UGC 6494 = MCG +06-25-079 = CGCG 185-073 = PGC 35413
11 29 38.6  +35 30 53; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 130°

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration.  Similar to NGC 3695 5.7' NW and third in trio with NGC 3694. The orientation given matches the main bar - a fainter outer ring oriented NW-SE was not seen.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 3700 on 31 Mar 1867 while observing NGC 3694.  Ball mentions "the 2 nf ones, Pos 310, Dist 339" which precisely matches the separation and position angle of UGC 6480 and UGC 6494.  This suggests NGC 3694 = UGC 6480 and NGC 3700 = UGC 6494, despite the NGC position for NGC 3700 off by 20 tsec in RA and 6' in dec.
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NGC 3701 = UGC 6493 = MCG +04-27-048 = CGCG 126-068 = PGC 35405
11 29 28.9  +24 05 36; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 145°

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', weak concentration with a central bulge.  A mag 14 star lies 0.9' N of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3701 = H. II-349 = h901 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "F, pL, of an irregular triangular form."  Caroline's reduction is 4.4' northwest of UGC 6493 (an similar offset with several objects in the sweep).  John Herschel noted "pB, lE" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3702 = MCG -01-29-026 = PGC 35448
11 30 13.4  -08 51 47; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 158°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3702 = LM 2-439 and recorded "mag 15.2, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *10  precedes 30s; *10 follows 30s."  There is nothing at his position but 1 min of RA east and 8' north is MCG -01-29-026.  A mag 9-10 star is 20 sec of RA east (and 1.8' north) and a mag 13 star is 20 sec of RA west, both plausible candidates but not a certain match.  RNGC identifies this galaxy as NGC 3702, but MCG does not label it as such.
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NGC 3703
11 29 36  -08 37; Crt

= Not found, RNGC.  = PGC 170146 at 11 29 09.2 -08 26 47?, Corwin

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3703 = LM 1-187 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) but Corwin suggests a possible identification with PGC 170146 at 11 29 09.2 -08 26 47.  He notes, though, the sketch "only vaguely matches the galaxy (and its surrounding stars)" so this identification is uncertain.  The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.
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NGC 3704 = MCG -02-29-037 = PGC 35435
11 30 04.6  -11 32 47; Crt
V = 13.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 150°

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core.  A mag 15 star is 42" E of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3707 1.7' E.  Located 2.6' ESE of a mag 10 star.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3704 = T. 1-35 = T. 5-10 on 23 Feb 1878 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded "Class III; a star 15m (nebulous?) follows 2 sec; near the comparison star is another fainter nebula [NGC 3707]."  His micrometric position matches MCG -02-29-037 = PGC 35435, the brighter of the pair.

Andrew Ainslie Common independently discovered this galaxy in 1880 with his 36" silvered-glass reflector and described "2 [along with NGC 3707], F, R, on the parallel, star symmetrically placed between."  Common's single position is 13' north of MCG -02-29-037 but his description is a perfect match with the pair.  The NGC description for NGC 3704 mentions a mag 9-10 star 2' SSE of NGC 3704, although the bright star is actually 2.6' WNW.  The RNGC and MCG position is 2' too far north.

Harold Corwin suggests that Swift's IC 703 might be a duplicate observation of NGC 3704.
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NGC 3705 = UGC 6498 = MCG +02-29-039 = CGCG 067-093 = Holm 259a = PGC 35440
11 30 07.4  +09 16 37; Leo
V = 11.1;  Size 4.9'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 122°

18" (5/3/11): very bright, very large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE (with averted vision), 3.5'x1.5'.  Contains a large, brighter core that increases to a very bright stellar nucleus [a star is superposed at the NW edge of the nucleus].  Outside the central region, the outer halo fades rapidly but doesn't have a distinct boundary.

17.5" (2/28/87): bright, fairly large, small bright core, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.6'.  NGC 3692 lies 26' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3705 = H. II-13 = h902 = h903 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 84) and recorded "a pL nebula.  It is probably a faint cluster of stars, not being of the cometic kind."  John Herschel made two observations, but his PD differed by 5' and his descriptions were sufficiently different he assumed h902 and h903 were perhaps different objects.  But Dreyer notes that "only one nebula seen by William Herschel, John Herschel, d'Arrest, Vogel, Tempel and Lord Rosse", so h902 = h903 = H. II 13 = NGC 3705.
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NGC 3706 = ESO 378-006 = MCG -06-25-022 = PGC 35417
11 29 44.4  -36 23 29; Cen
V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 78°

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x1.0'.  Contains a bright, sharply defined 40" core and much fainter extensions.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3706 = h3346 on 1 May 1834 and noted "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"."  His mean position (from 3 observations) matches ESO 378-006.  Joseph Turner observed the galaxy on 24 Feb 1879 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and wrote the center has quite a stellar appearance, as if a star of about the 12th mag ..the center." (p.204 in logbook, the last object he transcribed from his notebook)
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NGC 3707 = PGC 35446
11 30 11.5  -11 32 37; Crt
V = 15.4;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint and small, round.  Picked up 2.6' E of NGC 3704.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3707 = T. 5-10b on 23 Feb 1878.  He noted NGC 3704 as "Class III; a star 15m (nebulous?) follows 2 sec; near the comparison star is another fainter nebula [NGC 3707]."

Andrew Common made an independent discovery in 1880 with his 36" silvered-glass reflector (along with NGC 3704) and described "2, F, R, on the parallel, star symmetrically placed between."  Common's single position (obtained roughly using his setting circles)  is 13' north of the pair MCG -02-29-037 = NGC 3704 and PGC 35446 = NGC 3707.  His description applies, though, as there is a mag 15 star between the two galaxies.  Dreyer credits both Tempel and Common with the discovery in the NGC.  Howe could only find NGC 3704 on 4 nights of searching with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

The NGC summary descriptions (from Tempel?) for both NGC 3704 and NGC 3707 has errors.  The description for NGC 3707 mentions a "*15 (neb?) 2s following", which actually describes the mag 15 star 2.8 tsec following NGC 3704.  See RNGC Corrections #4.

For some reason, the RNGC ignores the second fainter galaxy of the pair and lists NGC 3707 as nonexistent.
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NGC 3708
11 30 42  -03 13; Leo

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3708 = LM 1-188 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  There is nothing at his position and this object could not be recovered by Harold Corwin, even with Stone's field sketch.
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NGC 3709
11 30 42  -03 15; Leo

= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3709 = LM 1-189 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position and this object could not be recovered by Harold Corwin.
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NGC 3710 = UGC 6504 = MCG +04-27-052 = CGCG 126-078 = PGC 35502
11 31 07.0  +22 46 05; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, small, round, well-defined 30" halo is weakly concentrated but no noticeable core.  Located 4.5' SW of mag 7.8 SAO 81865.  A mag 15 star lies 1.3' SE and a pair of similar stars 2' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3710 = H. II-350 = h904 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, S."  Caroline's reduction is 5' north of UGC 6504.  John Herschel logged "F; has a *7.8 nf dist 5'." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3711 = MCG -02-29-035 = PGC 35392
11 29 25.5  -11 04 46; Crt
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 165°

48" (4/25/25): at 610x in poor transparency; fairly faint, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, diffuse, low surface brightness, small slightly brighter nucleus.  A mag 15.7 star is 0.6' SW.

LEDA 3771864 is attached at the NE edge (22" NNE of center). It appeared fairly faint, small, roundish, 15" diameter, good surface brightness, increases to a central peak. Based on radial velocity, LEDA 3771864 lies in the background of NGC 3917 though it has a higher surface brightness.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3'.  Located 2.4' N of a mag 11 star.  The observation may have been made through some clouds.

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 11 star is 2.4' S of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3711 = LM 2-440 in 1886.  His position is 1.5 min of RA following MCG -02-29-035, but his description of a "*9, 4' S." is a reasonable match (a mag 11 star is 2.5' south).  Howe's corrected RA in the IC 2 notes is accurate.
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NGC 3712 = Arp 203 = UGC 6506 = MCG +05-27-082 = CGCG 156-090 = PGC 35507
11 31 09.2  +28 34 05; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 160°

18" (3/17/07): UGC 6506, the galaxy identified as NGC 3712 in the RNGC and PGC, appeared extremely faint, small, elongated.  Occasionally it was glimpsed as a very low surface brightness hazy patch with no concentration.  It extended perhaps 0.4'x0.2' in the direction of a couple of stars with a third star nearby making a triple.  Located ~8' NE of mag 6.7 HD 100041.

More likely NGC 3712 is a duplicate observation of NGC 3714.  See observing notes for that number.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3712 = h905 on 26 Mar 1827 and recorded "vF; R; suddenly much brighter middle."  The following month he noted "F; vS; R; bM."  Neither description is helpful in identifying this number and his one good position (first observation) falls on a blank patch of sky, roughly 8' from both NGC 3714 and UGC 6506.  Bigourdan and Reinmuth were unsuccessful in finding h905.  RNGC and RC3 identify UGC 6506 as NGC 3712, but UGC, MCG and CGCG do not label this galaxy as NGC 3712.

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 3712 is more likely a duplicate observation of NGC 3714 as he observed these objects on different sweeps and his position for NGC 3712 was far enough off that he assumed it was new.  See his identification notes for more.
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NGC 3713 = NGC 3927: = UGC 6511 = MCG +05-27-084 = CGCG 156-094 = PGC 35546
11 31 42.0  +28 09 13; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 125°

18" (5/30/03): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.7', small bright core.  Collinear with a mag 11.5 star 5' WNW and a mag 13 star 8.5' WNW.

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', bright core increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus, halo is ill-defined.  Brightest of 4 in region with NGC 3714 13' NNE, UGC 6522 11' SE and CGCG 156-92 5.5' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3713 = H. II-367 = h906 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, vS."  John Herschel made three observations and his mean position is accurate.  NGC 3927, discovered by Heinrich d'Arrest, is probably a duplicate observation with a 20 minute error in RA.  See that number.
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NGC 3714 = UGC 6516 = MCG +05-27-085 = CGCG 156-095 = PGC 35556
11 31 53.6  +28 21 31; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 68°

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness (like the core of a larger galaxy), moderate concentration though no nucleus.

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration.  Appears similar to the core of a larger galaxy.  NGC 3713 lies 13' SSW.

17.5" (4/9/99): very faint, very compact galaxy ~20" in diameter, brightens somewhat to center.  Picked up at 100x along with brighter NGC 3713 located 13' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3714 = H. III-353 = h907 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "eF but doubtful.  I tried to verify it, but could not succeed."  His re-reduced RA is 38 seconds too large, but matches in declination and John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 3 sweeps (given in the GC and NGC).  There was a misprint in the PT catalogue of 10 tmin from the offset star, so Auwers questioned the identity of III-353.
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NGC 3715 = MCG -02-29-041 = PGC 35540
11 31 32.3  -14 13 53; Crt
V = 11.1;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 11.4;  PA = 145°

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, even concentration, bright core, smoothly increases to core.  A mag 10.5 star is 5.0' NNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3715 = H. II-562 = h3347 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and recorded "F, S, bM, iF."  There is nothing at his position, but 35 sec of RA west and 2' north is MCG -02-29-041 = PGC 35540.  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3716 = UGC 6513 = MCG +01-30-001 = CGCG 040-001 = PGC 35545
11 31 41.2  +03 29 16; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 150°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration.  Located just west of the midpoint of a line connecting two mag 10 stars oriented N-S and separated by 8'.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3716 on 6 Apr 1866 and recorded "faint, small.  West of a line connecting two mag 11/12 stars."  His position and description matches UGC 6513.
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NGC 3717 = ESO 439-015 = MCG -05-27-015 = UGCA 238 = PGC 35539
11 31 32.0  -30 18 28; Hya
V = 11.2;  Size 6.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 33°

48" (4/21/17): at 488x; very bright, large, nearly edge-on ~5:1 SSW-NNE, slightly bulges at the center.  Contains a large, very bright central section with a mag 12.5 star attached near the NNE end.  A sharp dust lane cuts off part of the central section along the northwest flank, partially hiding the core.  Only a very faint, thin strip of the galaxy on the northwest side of the dust lane was occasionally visible.  With averted vision the low surface brightness outer extensions (beyond the mag 12.5 star) were visible out to roughly 3.5' diameter. Forms a pair with IC 2913 7.4' SE. The companion appeared fairly bright, round, 0.6' diameter, moderate even surface brightness but with no obvious core/nucleus.

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated SSW-NNE, 2.5'x0.5', small brighter core, fades at the ends of the thin extensions.  A mag 13 star is attached near the NNE end and this galaxy appears like a dagger attached to the brighter star.  Located 7' ESE of mag 9 SAO 179951.  Photographs reveal a strong dust lane but this was not noticed visually.

8" (5/21/82): faint, small, very elongated ~N-S, thin, moderately large.  Located 10' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 179951 and 1° SSW of north Crateris (V = 5.8).  Forms a pair with IC 2913 7.3' SE (not seen).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3717 = h3348 on 29 Apr 1834 and recorded "pB; S; mE; attached to a star."  His position matches ESO 439-015.  He made a second observation the next sweep, though his position was 7' too far north.
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NGC 3718 = Arp 214 = UGC 6524 = MCG +09-19-114 = CGCG 268-048 = LGG 241-003 = PGC 35616
11 32 35.0  +53 04 05; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 8.1'x4.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 15°

48" (4/4/11): NGC 3718 is a very striking, distorted system with sweeping arms emanating from an oval main body crossed by a curving dust lane (reminiscent of Centaurus A).  At 375x it appeared very bright, very large, elongated ~5:2 N-S (including arms), ~6.5'x2.5', contains a bright round core.  A star is at the E edge of the core.  The main body is nearly split by a dust lane or gap oriented NW to SE. The gap is particularly evident on the NW side as a lane.

A spiral arm (perhaps 0.4' wide) is attached at the NW end. It curves gently counterclockwise towards the NE.  The surface brightness is fairly low and the arm or wing dims as it extends nearly to the W of a mag 11 star located 4' NNE of center. The dust on the S side of the core covers a larger region and is concentrated just W of where the southern arm begins to emerge on the SE end.  A fairly low surface brightness arm spreads S (wider than the northern arm), passing E of a wide pair of 11th mag stars at 33" separation.  The overall visual impression is that the "arms" are tidal tails being drawn out from a past interaction as the central body looks more like the merger of two galaxies resulting in the warped dust lane and "S" shaped body.  All five members of HCG 56, which is located just 7' S, were easily resolved.

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, fairly large, broad concentration, almost round.  Double star HJ 2574 = mag 11/11 at 35" separation is 2.2' SSW of center.  NGC 3729 lies 12' ENE.  Member of the LGG 241 or UMa NED1 group, probably a subgroup of the NGC 3992 (M109) group. The galaxy chain HCG 56 = UGC 6527 = VV 150 lies 7' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3718 = H. I-221 = h908 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919).  He recorded "pretty bright or considerably bright, round, very gradually much brighter middle, about 3' dia."

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney reobserved it on 27 Jan 1852 and "found a neb strongly mottled, with stars inv."  A later observation in 1868 questioned if it was a double nebula.
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NGC 3719 = UGC 6521 = MCG +00-30-005 = CGCG 12-008 = Holm 260b = PGC 35581
11 32 13.4  +00 49 09; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 15°

17.5" (5/10/86): moderately large, fairly diffuse, almost round, broad weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3720 2.2' ESE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3719, along with NGC 3720, on 15 Mar 1866 and noted a faint, difficult double nebula, with a difference in RA of 9 sec and 1' in declination.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3720 = UGC 6523 = MCG +00-30-006 = CGCG 12-010 = Holm 260a = PGC 35594
11 32 21.6  +00 48 15; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 85°

17.5" (5/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharp concentration.  Appears smaller but slightly brighter than NGC 3719 2.2' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3720, along with NGC 3719, on 15 Mar 1866 and noted a faint double nebula, with a difference in RA of 9 sec and 1' in declination.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3721 = PGC 35727
11 34 07.8  -09 28 01; Crt
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  PA = 141°

24" (3/9/13): fairly faint, small, oval 5:3 NW-SE, 24"x15", lens-shaped.  Two mag 15/15.5 stars lie 2' SE.  The identification of this galaxy with NGC 3721 is uncertain.  Member of a large group (USGC S171) at z = .021 with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3721= LM 2-441 in 1886 and simply recorded "mag 15.5, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin lists PGC 35727 as a possible candidate at 11 34 07.8 -09 28 01 (2000).  This galaxy is 1.5 tmin of RA east of Leavenworth's position (typical error) but matches in declination.  Corwin lists PGC 170156 as a preferable candidate at 11 31 53.4 -09 31 57.  This galaxy is 0.7 min of time west of Leavenworth's position but is 4.5' south (a less common error).  Finally, RNGC identifies MCG -01-30-003 as NGC 3721.  Although brighter than the other candidates, it is 1.7 min of RA east and 7' south of Leavenworth's position.  All in all, there is no compelling candidate to me.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 3722 = MCG -01-30-005 = PGC 35746
11 34 23.3  -09 40 48; Crt
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.4

24" (3/9/13): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness.  Brightest of four in a 4' string, including extremely faint MCG -01-30-006 = PGC 35753 just 0.7' NNE.  PGC 35753 appeared very faint, round, just 6" diameter!  Member of a large group (USGC S171) at z = .021.

18" (5/12/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness.  First of three in a 4' string with NGC 3724 1.8' NE and MCG -01-30-008 4' NE.  NGC 3730 (MCG -01-30-003) lies 6.4' NNW and NGC 3732 10' SSW.

17.5" (4/5/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  First of close trio with MCG -01-30-007 = NGC 3724 (uncertain ID) 1.8' NE and MCG -01-30-008 4.0' NE.  Also nearby is MCG -01-30-003 (possibly NGC 3730) 6.4' NNW and a two anonymous galaxies 9' and 10' NNE.  Located 10' NNE of NGC 3732.  The galaxies in this group have uncertain NGC designations due to poor positions by Leavenworth.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3722 = LM 2-442, along with NGC 3724, in 1886 and noted "mag 15.0, round, 0.2', suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, 1st of 2 [with N3724]."  There is nothing at his position, but this number is generally equated with MCG -01-30-005, which lies 1.8 min of RA east (good match in dec).  The error in RA is fairly common in the Leander McCormick observatory discoveries, though there is no galaxy southeast to match NGC 3724 (a companion is northeast).

Corwin proposes PGC 170153 as NGC 3722.  This galaxy is a closer match  in RA (less than 1 min of RA west) and agrees in declination.  Also, NGC 3734 would match IC 2910 in relative offset.  See NGC 3734.
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NGC 3723 = MCG -02-30-002 = PGC 35604
11 32 30.6  -09 58 11; Crt
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, small round, 25" diameter, weak concentration to a very small brighter nucleus.  In a group (USGC S171 at z = .021) of mostly faint galaxies with several uncertain designations (NGC 3721, NGC 3722, NGC 3724) ~35' NE, as well as NGC 3732 (z = .006), which is 26' ENE.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3723 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector.  His position is just 8 sec of RA following and 1.5' north of MCG -02-30-002 (relatively accurate compared to his generally poor positons).
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NGC 3724 = MCG -01-30-007 = PGC 35757
11 34 28.7  -09 39 37; Crt
V = 14.2;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 55°

24" (3/9/13): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 24"x12", contains a small bright core with fainter extensions.  Middle galaxy in a 4' string with NGC 3722 1.8' SW and MCG -01-30-008 = PGC 35771 2.4' ENE.  Both of these companions are comparable in brightness. Also much fainter MCG -01-30-006 is 1.1' SW.  PGC 35771 (labeled as NGC 3730 in the RNGC) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.15'.  Member of a large group (USGC S171) at z = .021.

18" (5/12/07): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 or 2:1 SW-NE, ~20"x12".  Second of three in a 4' string with NGC 3722 1.8' SW and MCG -01-30-008 2.3' ENE.

17.5" (4/5/97): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE.  Brightest in close trio with MCG -01-30-005 = NGC 3722: 1.8' SE and MCG -01-30-008 2.3' NE, although still required averted vision.  The NGC identifications in the group (from Leavenworth) are uncertain due to poor positions and several nearby faint galaxies.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3724 = LM 2-443 in 1886 and noted "mag 15.0, 0.4' dia, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, 2nd of of 2 [with NGC 3722]."  There is nothing at his exact position, though a number of candidates are in the area.  MCG -01-30-007 = PGC 35757 is often taken (RNGC, PGC, NED, HyperLeda) as NGC 3724 and MCG -01-30-005 = PGC 35746 is taken as NGC 3722.  The MCG does not label MCG -01-30-007 as NGC 3724.  This pair is between ~1.7 min of RA east of Leavenworth's positions (not an uncommon error) though the relative orientation (southwest-northeast) is wrong.  Corwin proposes the identification NGC 3722 = PGC 170153 and NGC 3724 = IC 2910.  These two galaxies are less than 1 min of RA west of Leavenworth's position and match the correct orientation.

MCG -01-30-007 was possibly discovered by Andrew Common 6 years earlier with his 36-inch reflector.  In his description for NGC 3732 (#20), he mentions "a cluster of 3 similar ones 15' N", which appears to refer to MCG -01-30-005, -007 and -008, though Dreyer did not assign NGC designations to Common's trio.
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NGC 3725 = UGC 6542 = MCG +10-17-015 = CGCG 291-078 = CGCG 292-005 = Mrk 179 = PGC 35698
11 33 40.6  +61 53 16; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration to a small, slightly brighter coire.  A mag 14 star is 1' SE of center.  UGC 6528, 7.6' to the SW, is faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.0' diameter, low surface brightness. .  NGC 3762, a nice edge-on, lies 27' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3725 = H. II-836 = h909 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and logged "F, S, R, r, almost of equal light throughout."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' south of UGC 6542.  John Herschel made two observations, noting (sweep 406) "Not vF; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."
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NGC 3726 = UGC 6537 = MCG +08-21-051 = CGCG 242-045 = LGG 258-012 = PGC 35676
11 33 21.1  +47 01 45; UMa
V = 10.4;  Size 6.2'x4.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 10°

48" (4/19/17): at 375x and 488x; very bright, very large spiral, extending 3:2 N-S, 4.5' or 5' x 3'.  Contains a brighter, mottled central core that is sharply concentrated with an intensely bright roundish nucleus.  Two obvious spiral arms are attached on the N and S end of the central region.  The N arm is brightest at its root near the NE side of the core.  It rotates clockwise and sharply curls W and SW, then dims and ends W of the nucleus.  This arm appeared a bit thicker than the DSS2 image.  The southern arm shoots straight SE, and curls a bit E.  The arm contains a couple of slightly brighter HII patches including NGC 3726:[BKB2006] 2, situated 1.4' S of center.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness but extends to a mag 12.5 star 2.4' N of center.

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, large, oval 2:1 N-S, 5.0'x2.5', patchy mottled appearance, very small or stellar nucleus but no core.  A mag 12 star is at the north tip 2.4' from the center.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup with the NGC 3992 (M109) group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3726 = H. II-730 = h910 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "pB, bM, 4' long and 3' broad, r."  His position is at the north edge of the galaxy.  John Herschel made two observations, first recording "pB; vL; E in meridian; very gradually brighter middle; 4' l, 2' br; has a * at its northern extremity."

William Rambaut, observing with LdR on 26 Mar 1848, recorded "Before nebula came into the field of the large finding eyepiece Lord Rosse observed a vF neb p it about 2m nearly in the parallel [likely CGCG 242-042, which was ignored in the GC and NGC].  [NGC 3726] is tolerably bright nucleus almost in centre; Lord Rosse at intervals perceived traces of spiral arrangement; dark black elliptical stripe a little above the nucleus."  R.J. Mitchell on 30 Mar 1856 wrote, "it appears of the shape annexed [sketch shows a dramatic "S" shaped (barred) spiral], which exaggerates.  There can be no doubt of the bend upwards at Alpha [shows the southeast arm] and of the darkness about the nucleus."  NGC 3726 was included in the list of spiral nebulae in the 1850 PT paper.
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NGC 3727 = PGC 35697
11 33 40.9  -13 52 44; Crt
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 78°

18" (4/29/06): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 11.5 star lies 1.3' SE.  NGC 3734 lies 19' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3727 = LM 2-444 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.2, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, *11, 1' SE."  His position is 0.8 min of RA east of PGC 35697 and the description applies.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (given in the IC 2 notes) with the 20" refractor at Denver.
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NGC 3728 = UGC 6536 = MCG +04-27-061 = CGCG 126-087 = PGC 35669
11 33 15.8  +24 26 49; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 25°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small.  Contains a bright core and stellar nucleus surrounded by faint extensions SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.6'.  STF 1549, a nice mag 9/10 pair at 12" separation, lies 11' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3728 = H. II-351 = h912 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, S."  Caroline's reduction was 3.8' northwest of UGC 6536.  John Herschel recorded "F; S; R; bM" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3729 = UGC 6547 = KUG 1131+534 = MCG +09-19-117 = CGCG 268-051 = LGG 241-004 = PGC 35711
11 33 49.3  +53 07 33; UMa
V = 11.4;  Size 2.8'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated ~N-S.  A mag 11 star is on the SSW edge 57" from the center.  NGC 3718 lies 12' WSW.  Member of the LGG 241 or UMa NED1 group, a subgroup of the M109 Group

William Herschel discovered NGC 3729 = H. I-222 = h911 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "pretty bright, irregularly elongated, gradually brighter middle, nearly in the meridian [N-S], about 2' long.  John Herschel called this galaxy "Not B; L; little extended; a *12 mag south-preceding very near the edge."  His position is accurate.

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney made an observatio on 27 Jan 1852: "12' following [NGC 3718] is another neb, irregular, with a bright star in south edge and having dark lanes through it."
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NGC 3730 = MCG -01-30-003 = PGC 35743
11 34 16.8  -09 34 34; Crt
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 18°

24" (3/9/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~30"x24".  Sharply concentrated with a bright round core and a much fainter halo.  Forms a close pair with MCG -01-30-004, an extremely faint edge-on just 0.8' SSW of center.  This companion was only marginally glimpsed.

NGC 3730 is the brightest member of a group of galaxies USGC S171 at z = .021 (several with uncertain identifications) including MCG -01-30-005 (NGC 3722), -006, -007 (NGC 3724) and -008 roughly 6' SE.  Another trio of faint galaxies (LEDA 156711, 156714 and 156715) is ~6' NE.  Finally PGC 35727 (possibly NGC 3721) lies 7' NNW.

18" (5/12/07): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.4'x0.3', broad weak concentration with an occasional sparkle at the center (slightly brighter nucleus).  A group of 4 or 5 mag 14-15 stars follows.  Located 16' N of NGC 3732 and 10' NNW of a string of three galaxies (including NGC 3722 and NGC 3724).  LEDA 156711 (first in another extremely faint trio) lies 5' NE.

17.5" (4/5/97): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration to center but no well-defined core.  Several fainter galaxies in field including the trio of NGC 3722, NGC 3724 and MCG -01-30-008 ~6' SE and a very faint pair of anonymous galaxies 4.5' NE and 7.0' NE.  The NGC identification is very uncertain as Leavenworth's position is a very poor match.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3730 = LM 2-445 in 1886 and logged "mag 15.6, 0.5' dia, lE 140°, gradually little brighter middle."  There is nothing at this position, though a number of galaxies to the east are possibilities.  In addition, Andrew Common, in his observation of NGC 3732, noted "a cluster of 3 similar ones 15' n."  Dreyer assumed one of these was Leavenworth's NGC 3730 (mentioned in the NGC notes section).

The brightest and largest of the galaxies to the north of NGC 3732 is MCG -01-30-003 = PGC 35734, though this is not necessarily one of Common's "cluster of 3".  This galaxy is 0.9 min of RA east of Leavenworth's position and 2' north.  The RNGC likely misidentifies MCG -01-30-008 as NGC 3730.  Another possibility is NGC 3730 refers to one of the trio of extremely faint galaxies that are situated ~6' northeast of MCG -01-03-003, though none would likely be described as large as 0.5' diameter.  So, MCG -01-30-003 is the most plausible candidate.
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NGC 3731 = UGC 6553 = MCG +02-30-001 = CGCG 068-003 = PGC 35731
11 34 11.7  +12 30 44; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  A wide mag 10/14 pair lies 7' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3731 = H. III-80 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 188) and noted "vF, vS, R, stellar; brightest in the middle.  240x confirmed it."  His position is The NGC position is 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 6553.
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NGC 3732 = MCG -02-30-005 = LGG 248-005 = PGC 35734
11 34 13.9  -09 50 44; Crt
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 85°

18" (5/12/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated nearly 3:2 E-W, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Contains a bright core which gradually increases to the center.  A mag 12 star lies 1' SW.  Brightest in a group with a string of three very faint galaxies 10'-12' NNE and an additional 4 very faint galaxies 5'-8' further north.  Physically, NGC 3732 is part of the much nearer NGC 3892 group (LGG 248). 

17.5" (4/5/97): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, broad concentration with a bright core.  A mag 12 star lies 1.0' SW.  A group of at least six very faint galaxies lies between 10'-20' N and NGC 3723 lies 26' WSW.

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated but irregular outline, fairly bright elongated core.  A faint stellar nucleus is visible at moments.  A mag 13 star lies 1.0' SW.  Located 35' W of Theta Crateris (V = 4.7).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3732 = H. II-552 = h913 on 4 Mar 1786 (sweep 597) and noted "F, pS, iR.  Following a very small star."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel recorded (sweep 129) "S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a * 14m, 45° sp."

Andrew Ainslie Common found it in 1880 with his 36-inch and included it as #20 in his Copernicus discovery list: "F, R, a cluster of 3 similar ones 15' N."  The "3 similar ones" might refer to MCG -01-30-005 = NGC 3722, MCG -01-30-007 = NGC 3724 and MCG -01-30-008.  Unfortunately, there are a number of faint galaxies in in this area so these identifications are uncertain.
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NGC 3733 = UGC 6554 = VV 459 = MCG +09-19-123 = CGCG 268-055 = LGG 250-001 = PGC 35797
11 35 01.7  +54 51 02; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 4.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/19/88): very faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, very diffuse.  Located 4' N of mag 5.6 SAO 28064 which detracts from viewing!  Located within a large galaxy group including NGC 3738 21' SSE and NGC 3737 8' NE.  NGC 3733 is not a member of AGC 1318, but rather the NGC 3898 group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3733 = H. III-771 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "eF, S, irr E.  On account of the brightness of the foregoing star which was in the field of view with it; I had nearly overlooked it.  His position matches UGC 6554.
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NGC 3734 = MCG -02-30-006 = PGC 35773
11 34 40.7  -14 04 54; Crt
V = 13.9;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 19°

18" (4/29/06): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak concentration with a very small slightly brighter core.  Located 7' ESE of mag 9.4 HD 100552.  NGC 3727 lies 19' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3734 = H. III-935 = h3349 on 19 Apr 1794 (sweep 1058).  He noted "very faint or rather extremely faint, small, bright middle."  Caroline's reduction is 4' south of PGC 35773.  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "eeF, R, gradually brighter in the middle, difficult but a good obs." His position was fairly accurate.
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NGC 3735 = UGC 6567 = MCG +12-11-036 = CGCG 334-042 = PGC 35869
11 35 57.3  +70 32 09; Dra
V = 11.8;  Size 4.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 131°

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 3.0'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus at moments.  A mag 14 star lies 1.1' NE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3735 = H. I-287 = h914 on 7 Dec 1801 (sweep 1105, under the pole).  He recorded "considerably bright, much extended, much brighter middle, from north preceding to south following, about 3' long and 1' broad."  John Herschel called this galaxy "faint; much extended in pos 130.4°; brighter middle; 90" long and 12" broad."
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NGC 3736 = UGC 6560 = MCG +12-11-035 = CGCG 334-041 = PGC 35835
11 35 41.7  +73 27 07; Dra
V = 14.4;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 155°

18" (3/30/05): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5'.  A faint star is superimposed on the SE side.  Located 4.7' NE of mag 8.3 HD 100532.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3736.  Although the discovery was not published in Lord Rosse observations, Wolfgang Steinicke says it was probably found around between 1885 and 1887 with his 6.1-inch Simms refractor. The NGC position is 0.6 tmin east of UGC 6560.  At this declination the error amounts to only 2-3 arc minutes.  UGC 6560 is not labeled as N3736 in UGC or MCG, though it is in the CGCG.
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NGC 3737 = UGC 6563 = MCG +09-19-128 = CGCG 268-058 = Holm 266a = PGC 35840
11 35 36.4  +54 56 55; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, very small, round.  Forms a pair with CGCG 268-057 = NGC 3737A 1.3' SW.  The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated.  Member of AGC 1318.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3737 = H. III-772 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "vF, stellar neb."  His position is accurate (discovered immediately after NGC 3733).  d'Arrest also measured two accurate positions.
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NGC 3738 = Arp 234 = UGC 6565 = MCG +09-19-130 = CGCG 268-060 = PGC 35856
11 35 48.5  +54 31 28; UMa
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x1.3', noticeably mottled or knotty appearance. Broad concentration but no defined core or nucleus.  A brighter knot (HII complex?) is on the northwest side.  A chain of bright stars begins at a mag 10.5 star 2.5' NE of center and extends southeast.  NGC 3756 is 16' SE.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE although has an irregular appearance.  Sharper edge on the west side and more curved on the east side.  Two mag 10/11 stars are 2.4' NE and 4.0' ENE of center.  NGC 3756 lies 15' SE.

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, almost even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3738 = H. II-783 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "pB, pL, bM."  His position matches UGC 6565.
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NGC 3739 = UGC 6564 = MCG +04-27-071 = CGCG 126-105 = PGC 35841
11 35 37.6  +25 05 19; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 17°

17.5" (5/4/02): very faint, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.2', very low even surface brightness. Located 12' W of mag 7.0 HD 100843 (very close double?).

Otto Struve discovered NGC 3739 on 16 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  He recorded "Very faint nebula, situated in the middle between several small stars.  Almost on a straight line between two stars (mag 11-12), little closer to the south one, from which the PA is 327 °. From the more northern star it is 160 °. Distance between the two stars from each other is about 4'." He found this object (along with 7 others) while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) in Mar-Apr 1869.
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NGC 3740 = UGC 6573 = MCG +10-17-023 = CGCG 292-008 = PGC 35883
11 36 12.3  +59 58 35; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

18" (3/30/05): faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 0.5'x0.2'.  Situated on a line between a mag 14 star 2' SE and a mag 13 star 3' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3740 = H. III-847 = h915 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "eF, vS, iF."  Caroline's reduced position is 2' south of UGC 6573.  John Herschel called this galaxy "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 30"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3741 = UGC 6572 = MCG +08-21-068 = CGCG 242-057 = PGC 35878
11 36 06.2  +45 17 02; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 2.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 5°

18" (3/17/07): faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration, a faint star is just off the west side.  Collinear with a 13" pair of mag 12 stars located ~10' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3741 = h916 on 19 Mar 1828 and recorded "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 20"."  His position (single observation) matches UGC 6572.
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NGC 3742 = ESO 320-006 = MCG -06-26-001 = PGC 35833
11 35 32.5  -37 57 23; Cen
V = 12.1;  Size 2.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 116°

18" (4/25/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~45"x30".  Contains a small, brighter, round core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3749 4.8' SE.  In a group with NGC 3783 43' ENE. The DSS image reveals large, sweeping spiral arms (not seen) that increase the overall size considerably.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3742 = h3350 on 21 Apr 1835 and recorded "pB, pL, R, gradually little brighter middle, 40"."  His mean position from 2 sweeps matches ESO 320-006.
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NGC 3743 = CGCG 126-106 = PGC 35855
11 35 57.4  +21 43 21; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

18" (5/12/07): very faint, extremely small, round, 12" diameter.  Located 1.4' NW of a mag 10 star.  Discovered on the same night as Copeland's Septet (13 April 1876) and located 30'-35' SW of the Septet.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3743 on 18 Mar 1876, just west of "Copeland's Septet", and recorded "F, S, R, from *9 [offset of] 78" in PA 322.5°.  This offset points exactly to CGCG 126-106 = PGC 35855, although the galaxy was positioned much too close to Copeland's Septet on the constructed sketch of 13 Apr 1876 because of a confusion with the offset stars.
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NGC 3744 = CGCG 126-107 = PGC 35857
11 35 57.9  +23 00 42; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.2';  PA = 10°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', brighter core.  NGC 3761 lies 10' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3744 = St. 12-46 on 20 Mar 1882.  His published position was reduced on 11 Apr 1882 and matches CGCG 126-107.
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NGC 3745 = HCG 57G = Arp 320 NED1 = MCG +04-28-004 = PGC 36001 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 44.4  +22 01 16; Leo
V = 15.2;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 100°

48" (4/16/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 15" diameter.  Squeezed between slightly brighter and larger NGC 3748 and NGC 3745.

17.5" (5/11/96): this member of Copeland's Septet appears extremely faint and small, round. Located between brighter NGC 3748 1.1' E and NGC 3746 just 0.7' S.

17.5" (3/19/88): second of 7 member of Copeland's Septet.  Extremely faint and small, round.  Second in a very tight trio with NGC 3746  43" SSW and NGC 3748 1.1' ENE.  Located 3.2' NW of NGC 3753.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3745 and other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 5 Apr 1874.  He noted "pB; pL; R" and labeled it Beta on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876.  See NGC 3753.
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NGC 3746 = HCG 57B = Arp 320 NED2 = UGC 6597 = MCG +04-28-005 = CGCG 127-006 = VV 282 = PGC 35997 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 43.6  +22 00 35; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 127°

48" (4/16/15): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  The 0.6'x0.4' halo has a low surface brightness.  NGC 3745 is 40" N with NGC 3748 1.6' NE.

LEDA 169872, the 9th member of the group, lies 2.1' NW.  It appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter.  This galaxy is not a member of HCG 57.

17.5" (5/11/96): this member of Copeland's Septet appears very faint, very small, round.  Brightest of close trio with similar NGC 3748 1.6' NE and NGC 3745 just 0.7' N.

17.5" (3/19/88): first of 7 in Copeland's Septet and second brightest in the group.  Very faint, very small, round.  Brightest of a close trio with NGC 3745 43" NNE and NGC 3748 1.6' NE.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3746 and 2 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 9 Feb 1874.  He noted "pB; cL; gradually little brighter middle; E 90° +/-" and labeled it Gamma on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876.  See NGC 3753.
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NGC 3747 = PGC 90149
11 32 31.0  +74 22 42; Dra
V = 15.3;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/18/98): extremely faint, very small, round.  Only visible with averted vision for moments although repeatedly glimpsed.  Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3747 = H. III-969 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He noted "extremely faint, small."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors.  A corrected position matching PGC 90149 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on William Herschel's sweeps (p.344).

This galaxy is 1 1/2 magnitudes fainter than any of the other galaxies discovered in the sweep, so I'm a bit skeptical that it was noticed by Herschel.  If so, it is certainly one of the faintest he ever recorded (B = 16.2).
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NGC 3748 = HCG 57E = Arp 320 NED3 = MCG +04-28-007 = CGCG 127-007 = VV 282 = PGC 36007 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 49.1  +22 01 34; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 66°

48" (4/16/15): at 488x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.4'x0.3', small brighter core.  HCG 57H (the "8th member" of Copeland's Septet), is 0.9' SSE and appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.

48" (2/20/12): at 488x, HCG 57H = PGC 36010 was easily seen 0.9' SSE of NGC 3748.  It appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.

17.5" (5/11/96): very faint, very small, round.  Third of three in a tight trio within Copeland's Septet with extremely faint NGC 3745 1.1' W and NGC 3746 1.6' SW.

17.5" (3/19/88): third of 7 in Copeland's Septet.  Extremely faint and small, round.  This galaxy is the third in a close trio with NGC 3745 1.1' WSW and NGC 3746 1.6' SW.  Located 2.9' NNW of NGC 3753.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3748 and 3 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 5 Apr 1874.  He noted "pB; pS; R" and labeled it Delta on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876.  See NGC 3753.
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NGC 3749 = ESO 320-008 = MCG -06-26-002 = PGC 35861
11 35 53.2  -37 59 50; Cen
V = 12.3;  Size 3.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 107°

18" (4/25/09): faint, moderately large, elongated.  At times only the brighter 30" core was visible but with concentration, long low surface brightness arms extend WNW-ESE and increased the size to ~1.4'x0.5'.  The eastern side of the galaxy nearly reaches a line connecting two mag 12/13 stars with a separation of 3'.  Located 4.8' SE of NGC 3742 and on images appears to be tidally disrupted.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3749 = h3351 on 21 Apr 1835 and logged "pB; little extended; gradually little brighter middle; 40"."  His mean position from 2 consecutive sweeps matches ESO 320-008.
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NGC 3750 = HCG 57C = Arp 320 NED4 = VV 282c = MCG +04-28-008 = CGCG 127-009 = PGC 36011 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 51.7  +21 58 27; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 160°

48" (4/16/15): moderately bright, small, round, very small bright core, high surface brightness, 18" diameter.  First in a striking trio with spirals NGC 3753 40" NE and 3754 1.0' NE.

17.5" (5/11/96): faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  First of three in Copeland's Septet in a tight trio with NGC 3753 just 40" NE and NGC 3754 1.0' NE.

17.5" (3/19/88): fourth of 7 in Copeland's Septet.  Very faint, very small, round.  Located just 39" SW of brighter NGC 3753.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3750 and 2 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 9 Feb 1874.  He noted "pB; little brighter middle; * in Pos 23.8°, distance 109.3"." and labeled it Epsilon on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876.  See NGC 3753.
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NGC 3751 = HCG 57F = UGC 6601 = MCG +04-28-009 = PGC 36017 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 53.9  +21 56 11; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 5°

48" (4/16/15): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, 22"x16", very small bright nucleus, fairly high surface brightness.  Southernmost member of Copeland's Septet.

17.5" (5/11/96): extremely faint and small, round, 20" diameter.  Requires averted vision although easier to view than NGC 3754.  Furthest southern member of Copeland's Septet.  Located 2.0' WSW of a mag 13 star and 2.7' S of brightest member NGC 3753.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3751 and 3 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 5 Apr 1874.  He noted "F; L; E 45° +/-".  This galaxy is labeled Zeta on the constructed sketch in the 1880 publication.  See NGC 3753.

Although NGC 3751 = UGC 6601, the UGC copied the coordinates and magnitude for CGCG 127-011 located 8' south, so this data is incorrect.
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NGC 3752 = UGC 6515 = MCG +13-08-064 = CGCG 351-063 = PGC 35608
11 32 32.3  +74 37 39; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, moderately large.  At first this galaxy appeared roundish (probably viewing the core only), but then fainter extensions were seen NW-SE, increasing the dimensions to 1.2'x0.6'.  Forms a triangle with two mag 11/13 stars 2.4' ENE and 1.4' NNE, respectively, and several other stars trail off towards the SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3752 = H. II-905 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He noted "pretty bright, pretty large."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  John Herschel has a listing (h917) for what he assumed was II-905 in the Slough Catalogue, but his position falls on a 14th magnitude star.  Dreyer used JH's erroneous position for NGC 3752 in the NGC.

A corrected position for NGC 3752 that matches UGC 6515 was published in 1911 using plates taken at Greenwich with the 30-inch reflector (MN, 71, 509).  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 344).
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NGC 3753 = HCG 57A = Arp 320 NED6 = VV 282a = UGC 6602 = MCG +04-28-010 = CGCG 127-012s = PGC 36016 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 53.8  +21 58 53; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 120°

48" (4/16/15): moderately to fairly bright, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 45"x15", contains a small bright core.  Tightly paired with NGC 3754 21" NE of center and NGC 3750 40" SW.  A mag 12 star is 1.3' N.

17.5" (5/11/96): the brightest member of Copeland's Septet appears very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Closely bracketed by NGC 3750 40" SW and virtually in contact with NGC 3754 just 20" NE of center.  A mag 12 star lies 1.3' N.

17.5" (3/19/88): this galaxy is the brightest member of Copeland's Septet.  Very faint, fairly small, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core.  This is the central galaxy in a very tight trio with NGC 3750 39" SW and NGC 3754 22" NE of center.  Other members include NGC 3745 3.2' NW, NGC 3746 2.9' NW and NGC 3748 2.9' NNW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3753, while an assistant at Birr Castle, on 9 Feb 1874 and noted "pF, star in PA 5.5°, Dist 71.7"."  This galaxy was labeled Eta in the constructed sketch of 13 Apr 1876.  Copeland found this group while searching in vain for d'Arrest's GC 2464 = NGC 3760, which he assumed was in the general location.  But d'Arrest had made a 1-hour error in RA, so his object was not to be found and the Septet happened to be just west of d'Arrest's erroneous position.

Due to a mixup in the reference star, though, Dreyer's computed positions for Copeland's Septet were offset 1.5 min of RA too far west and 16' too far south.  The error was caught by Hermann Kobold while observing with the 19-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory in 1894 (see AN 3241).  Dreyer acknowledged the correction in AN 3246 and the correction was given in the IC 1 Notes section.  Still, the RNGC did not catch the correction and listed the entire Septet as nonexistent!  See RNGC Corrections #2 and Deep Sky 1983.  The nickname "Copeland Septet" appears in the RC2 notes section.
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NGC 3754 = HCG 57D = Arp 320 NED7 = VV 282b = MCG +04-28-011 = CGCG 127-012ne = PGC 36018 = Copeland's Septet
11 37 55.0  +21 59 07; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.0

48" (4/16/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3', small bright core.  Situated just off the northeast side of NGC 3753.

17.5" (5/11/96): one of the three most difficult members of Copeland's Septet appears extremely faint and small, round.  Difficult to resolve from brighter NGC 3753 just 40" SW of center.  A mag 12 star is 1.0' N.

Ralph Copeland, while an assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 3754 and 3 other members of "Copeland's Septet" on 5 Apr 1874.  He noted "vF; R" and labeled it Theta on the constructed sketch made on 13 Apr 1876.  See NGC 3753.
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NGC 3755 = UGC 6577 = MCG +06-26-008 = CGCG 186-012 = PGC 35913
11 36 33.4  +36 24 37; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 3.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 133°

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2'x1'.  Broad, weak concentration to a slightly brighter oval core.  A couple of very faint stars are nearby.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3755 = h920 on 11 Mar 1831 and noted "eF; pmE; pL; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position and desciption matches UGC 6577.
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NGC 3756 = UGC 6579 = MCG +09-19-134 = CGCG 268-063 = LGG 250-002 = PGC 35931
11 36 47.9  +54 17 39; UMa
V = 11.5;  Size 4.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 177°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, large, elongated ~2:1 N-S, ~3.5'x1.7'.  Uneven, moderate surface brightness (except low surface brighterness outer halo) but no distinct core or nucleus.  The halo (arms) is not symmetric and change shape with different brighter patches (parts of spiral arms) using averted vision.  Often the north half of the galaxy appeared brighter.  NGC 3738 is 16' NW.  Member of the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 Group).

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, large, oval 2:1 N-S, even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 4.0' NNW of center. 

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly large, diffuse, elongated N-S. 

8" (3/28/81): very faint, low surface brightness.  Located 15' SE of NGC 3738.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3756 = H. II-784 = h918 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "pB, cL, little extended, 3' long."  His position matches UGC 6579.
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NGC 3757 = UGC 6584 = MCG +10-17-026 = CGCG 292-010 = PGC 35955
11 37 02.9  +58 24 56; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (4/14/01): compact, high surface brightness glow, round, 25" diameter, very small bright core.  A mag 13 star lies 1' E of center.  Several galaxies are within 30' in a group (LGG 246).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3757 = H. III-843 = h919 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and noted "vF, stellar neb.  North-preceding a small star."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' northwest of UGC 6584 and the star is 1' east. John Herschel reported "vF; R; 15".  Has a vS star south-following rather more than a diameter from edge."
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NGC 3758 = MCG +04-27-073 = CGCG 126-110 = Mrk 739 = PGC 35905 = Owl Galaxy
11 36 29.2  +21 35 46; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6

48" (4/20/17): at 697x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter.  Two stellar nuclei were resolved, separated by only 6" E-W.  The eastern nucleus seemed slighter brighter or perhaps more stellar.  The western nucleus was quasi-stellar (perhaps a few arseconds diameter).

NGC 3758 is a post-merger pair and the twin nuclei (separated by ~11,000 light-years) both house super-massive black holes!  The seeing was fairly poor at the time of the observation but the twin nuclei were still easily resolved.  Located 2.6' ESE of a bright mag 9.7 star (SAO 81899).

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5' diameter. Mag 9.7 SAO 81899, which is the first of three on a line to the NE, is 2.5' E. Also a 43" pair of mag 9.5 stars is in the field ~8' SSE.  Copeland discovered NGC 3758 and this galaxy is situated 30' SW of Copeland's Septet, and 1 degree WNW of mag 5.3 92 Leo.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3758 south of "Copeland's Septet on 18 Mar 1874 and logged "pB; S; R; suddenly much brighter middle; Nucl not stellar."  His offsets to nearby stars is a perfect match with CGCG 126-110 = PGC 35905, although it was placed too close to Copeland's Septet on the constructed sketch of 13 Apr 1876 showing all discovered nebulae.  This galaxy was independently found by Stephan exactly 10 years later on 18 Mar 1884 and accurately placed in his list XIII-61.

Bill Keel dubbed NGC 3758 as the "Owl" galaxy (because of twin nuclei) in a 1993 article in Mercury magazine titled "The real astrophysical zoo - Colliding galaxies". I did find any other references to this nickname in an Internet search.
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NGC 3759 = UGC 6581 = MCG +09-19-136 = CGCG 268-064 = PGC 35945
11 36 54.1  +54 49 23; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 2.1' N of a mag 11 star and 16' E of mag 5.6 SAO 28064.  Forms a pair with IC 2943 2.2' NW.  NGC 3759A = UGC 6582 lies 20' N.  Member of AGC 1318.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3759 on 19 Aug 1866 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured twice, matches UGC 6581 and he accurately places a mag 11 star 2' distant (due south).
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NGC 3760 = NGC 3301 = UGC 5767 = MCG +04-25-035 = CGCG 124-045 = PGC 31497
10 36 56.0  +21 52 55; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3301.  There is a one hour error in RA in the NGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3760 on 21 Feb 1863 and recorded "B, pS, much brighter middle to a nucleus = *13, a mag 11 star precedes 4 seconds of time and south 175"."  There is nothing at his position and he searched in vain for it again in Jan 1865.  Dreyer mentions in the NGC notes that nothing was found at Birr Castle, though "a large group of novae preceding it [Copeland's Septet!] was found."

In the IC 1 notes, Dreyer comments "Delenda.  It is = [NGC] 3301 with an error of 1 hour in RA [too large]."  This identity was first suggest by Kobold in 1894.  d'Arrest also mistakenly placed the nearby mag 11 star to the south, instead of north (same offset) and also made the same 1 hour transcription error the same night with NGC 3375, which is identical to NGC 3162.
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NGC 3761 = CGCG 127-001 = PGC 35933
11 36 44.1  +22 59 31; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (5/4/02): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Contains a faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Located 1° NNW of Copeland's Septet.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3761 = St. 12-47 on 17 Feb 1868 and recorded a rough unpublished position (4' too far NNW) in his logbook.  His measured an accurate micrometric position on 11 Apr 1882.
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NGC 3762 = UGC 6591 = MCG +10-17-027 = CGCG 292-011 = PGC 35979
11 37 23.9  +61 45 33; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 167°

17.5" (4/14/01): this attractive spindle appeared fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.35', sharp bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 3725 lies 27' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3762 = H. II-837 = h921 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "pB, lE."
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NGC 3763 = IC 714 = MCG -02-30-009 = PGC 35907
11 36 30.3  -09 50 48; Crt
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated.  Overpowered by Theta Crateris (V = 4.7) just 3.7' NE.  Member of a large group at z = .021 (USGC S171) with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3763 in 1880 and recorded "F, diffused, south preceding 7 stars."  His position is within 0.2 minutes of RA and 1' south of MCG -02-30-009 = PGC 35907, the only nearby galaxy he might have picked up.  I'm surprised, though, he didn't mention mag 4.7 Theta Crateris, only 3.7' northeast.  William Herschel recorded Theta Cra on three sweeps, but missed this galaxy.

Francis Leavenworth independently found this galaxy on 25 Feb 1887 and gave an accurate micrometric position.  It's listed as #430 (later IC 714) in the Southern Nebulae list.  So, NGC 3763 = IC 714.
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NGC 3764 = MCG +03-30-020 = CGCG 097-025 = II Zw 52 = PGC 35930
11 36 54.6  +17 53 18; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (4/14/01): faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter, very small brighter core with direct vision.  This is a close interacting system (unresolved).  Forms a pair with NGC 3768 5.5' SE.  Both William and John Herschel missed this galaxy although they observed nearby NGC 3768.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3764 on 20 Apr 1862, in the field of NGC 3768.  His position, from two observations, matches CGCG 097-025 = PGC 35930 and he mentions a mag 15 star that follows by 14.9 seconds of RA.

NGC 3764 was probably discovered earlier by R.J. Mitchell at Birr Castle on 22 Mar 1857.  While observing h923 = NGC 3768 he noted "npp is another of the same character, but fainter."  Dreyer, while preparing the 1880 publication added the note "= GC 2466, nova d'Arrest", though only d'Arrest is credited in the NGC.
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NGC 3765 = MCG +04-28-001 = CGCG 127-003 = PGC 35956
11 37 04.2  +24 05 46; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 61°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 40"x30", even surface brightness.  About 5' following is a perfect equilateral triangle of mag 11 stars with sides 4'.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3765 = h922 on 28 Mar 1832 and noted "vF; R; 30"."  His position (single observation) matches CGCG 127-003 = PGC 35956.
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NGC 3766 = Cr 248 = ESO 129-027
11 36 14  -61 36 36; Cen
V = 5.3;  Size 15'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): superb naked-eye open cluster in Centaurus with several hundred stars resolved in a 15' field.  It contains a very dense mass of stars in the central 5' region that are seemingly arranged in a spiral configuration, as well as a beautiful string of stars running SW-NE on the S side of the cluster.  A mag 7.2 M-type reddish star (SAO 251470) lies at the NW end, an orangy mag 7.5 star is on the E side (HD 306799), and a mag 7.1 star (HD 100943) is on the SE side.  On the N end is B798, a mag 9.1/9.4 pair at 5" separation. This impressive cluster was a delight to observe as it wasn't on my list of top showpieces.  Located 50' NW of a mag 5.1 star and 1.4° due N of mag 3.1 Lambda Cen.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/28/19 - Tasmania): easy naked-eye cluster in a gorgeous wide-angle binocular field!  Situated within a superb string of bright stars.  Very bright, high surface brightness cluster with a few resolved stars, moderately large and well defined. A few additional stars popped on and off.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3766 = Lac III-7 = D 289 = h3352 in 1751-1752 from the Cape of Good Hope.  Using his 1/2-inch telescope at 8x, he noted "three faint stars in nebulosity".

James Dunlop observed the cluster on 27 Apr 1826, his first night logging nebulae and clusters.  He described a "A pretty large cluster of stars of mixt magnitudes, about 10' diameter. The greater number of the stars are of a pale white colour. There is a red star near the preceding side; another of the same size and colour near the following side; another small red star near the centre; and a yellow star near the south following extremity, all in the cluster."

John Herschel first observed the cluster on 14 Mar 1834 (sweep 432) and noted "the preceding of two chief stars of a fine, large, loose, round cluster of stars 8..12th mag; gradually pretty much brighter in the middle, fills field; 150..200 stars." Two sweeps later he recorded, "A very fine cluster class VII; nearly round, 8' diameter, slightly compressed in the middle, stars of 9..15th magnitude; place that of an orange star 9..10th mag following the centre."
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NGC 3767 = UGC 6590 = MCG +03-30-023 = CGCG 097-031 = PGC 35969
11 37 15.5  +16 52 37; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20" diameter, fairly high surface brightness (core only viewed?).  A mag 14 star lies 2.3' SW of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3767 = h924 on 17 Mar 1831 and simply noted "vF; S; bM."  His position matches UGC 6590.
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NGC 3768 = UGC 6589 = MCG +03-30-024 = CGCG 097-030 = PGC 35968
11 37 14.4  +17 50 23; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0' diameter, moderately concentrated.  Forms a pair with NGC 3764 5.5' NW.  Member of a large group (LGG 246).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3768 = H. III-29 = h923 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and described a "very faint, extremely small nebula, or rather nebulous star.  The sweeping power left me rather doubtful but 240x verified it."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 28 sec of RA too large (recorded on a very windy night and the RA could not be determined well).  JH also called this galaxy "stellar; a burred star.", though he measured a fairly accurate position.  It seems odd that both missed nearby NGC 3764 (discovered by d'Arrest).
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NGC 3769 = Arp 280 NED1 = UGC 6595 = MCG +08-21-076 = CGCG 242-065 = Holm 270a = PGC 35999
11 37 44.2  +47 53 34; UMa
V = 11.8;  Size 3.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 152°

48" (5/1/22): at 488x; bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:2 NW-SE, at least 2.5' major axis.  Contains a bright elongated core about 1' in length and a very small bright nucleus that appears offset towards the NW end of the core.  The outer extensions have a much lower surface brightness and occasionally I noticed a slightly brighter patch near the NW end.  The HST image reveals this is an uncatalogued barred spiral (mag 17-17.5).

NGC 3769A forms a close pair 1.2' SE of center.  It was moderately bright, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 0.6' diameter. A clearly brighter knot, ~6" diameter, is at the ESE end, giving the appearance of a Tadpole galaxy with a very subtle curvature.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2.5x0.8', weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.2' NE of center.  A very close companion NGC 3769A = CGCG 242-066, which appeared very faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, low surface brightness, is 1' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3769 = H. II-731 = h925 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and reported "F, S, E from sp to np."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on sweep 330 "'B; mE; gradually brighter in the middle; 60" l, 30" br."

Neither Herschel noticed the faint companion NGC 3769A at the southeast end, which was observed at Birr Castle. On 9 Apr 1852, Bindon Stoney recorded "gradually brighter in the middle, a F appendage of 2nd neb."  On 17 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell logged "The appendage looks like an independent nebula.  Lord Rosse thought the B ray resolvable."  On 12 Apr 1861, Samuel Hunter also noted "Two, probably connected."  A sketch shows the companion at the correct orientation.  But surprisingly, neither JH nor Dreyer added this second galaxy to the GC or NGC.  Kobold measured an accurate position in 1902 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg.
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NGC 3770 = UGC 6600 = MCG +10-17-028 = CGCG 292-012 = LGG 251-001 = PGC 36025
11 37 58.7  +59 37 01; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 107°

18" (3/5/05): fairly faint, small, round, fairly high surface brightness, only 20" diameter.  I probably viewed only the core as the catalalogued dimensions are much larger).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3770 = H. II-838 = h926 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "pB, S." Caroline's reduced position is 10 seconds of RA west of UGC 6660.  John Herschel called this galaxy both "B" and "eF", although the latter observation mentions "Sky growing dull.  Mirror tarnished." His mean position matches UGC 6600.
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NGC 3771 = MCG -01-30-018 = PGC 36107
11 39 06.0  -09 20 53; Crt
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, fairly small, round, increases to a bright core, appears to have a very faint larger halo.  Appears similar to NGC 3791 8' E.  This identification is uncertain as the NGC position from Leavenworth is 1.7 tmin farther west.  Member of a large group (USGC S171) with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3771 = LM 2-446 in 1886 and logged "mag 14.5, 0.1' dia, R, *10 p 15 seconds."  There is nothing near his position, but 1.7 min of RA east is MCG -01-30-018 = PGC 36107.  To clinch this identification, there is a star 16 sec preceding as Leavenworth's notes, though the mag is closer to 13.  Still, Corwin gives this identification as somewhat uncertain.  Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1907 using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory, though he called this object a "Nova".  The RNGC RA is 0.7 minutes too far west.
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NGC 3772 = UGC 6598 = MCG +04-28-006 = CGCG 127-008 = PGC 36005
11 37 48.5  +22 41 28; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 16°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.5', slightly brighter core.  Located 40' N of Copeland's Septet!

William Herschel discovered NGC 3772 = H. II-352 = h927 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 5' north of UGC 6598.  John Herschel made two observation and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3773 = UGC 6605 = MCG +02-30-005 = CGCG 127-008 = Mrk 743 = PGC 36043
11 38 13.0  +12 06 44; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 165°

48" (4/23/25): at 610x; bright, round, fairly small, ~30" diameter. Contains a bright, elongated nucleus oriented ~WSW-ENE. A mag 16.6 star is off the WSW edge of the halo [21" from center].

In moments of very good seeing at 813x, the "nucleus" split several times into two extremely close nuclei [separation 3.2"] that were collinear with the mag 16.6 star. The eastern nucleus appeared brighter.  This is the closest double nucleus I've resolved!

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus, small faint halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3773 = H. III-81 = h928 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 188) and recorded "eF, vS; it contains more nebulosity than the preceding [NGC 3731]; 240x showed it better than 157."
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NGC 3774 = MCG -01-30-016 = PGC 36058
11 38 30.3  -08 58 35; Crt
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 56°

24" (3/9/13): very faint to faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low but irregular surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 2.9' SW.  Member of a large group (USGC S171) with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3774 = LM 2-447 on 24 Jan 1887 and noted mag 15.8, 0.2'x0.1', E 75°.  Another neb or eF star p 0.5'; *9 np 3'."  His position is 6 sec of RA west and 1' north of MCG -01-30-016 = PGC 36058.  His PA and description is a good match, although the mag 9 star described by Leavenworth as 3' northwest lies 2.9' southwest.
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NGC 3775 = MCG -02-30-012 = PGC 36055
11 38 26.8  -10 38 19; Crt
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 27°

17.5" (4/9/99): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star lies 3.0' NNW.  Forms a pair with NGC 3779 6.8' NE.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3775 in 1880 and described "pB to a Nucl; another 5' nf, eeF."  The second object was catalogued as NGC 3779.  Common's position is 1.2' south of MCG -02-30-012 and NGC 3779 = MCG -02-30-013 is 6.8' NE, a reasonable match.
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NGC 3776 = CGCG 012-045 = PGC 36048
11 38 17.9  -03 21 15; Vir
V = 15.4;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.6

18" (4/30/11): extremely faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, required averted and could not hold steadily.  Collinear with two stars mag 12.7/13.8 at 3.2' S and 5.6' S.  Only faint stars in the field.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3776 = LM 1-190 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His very rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 3' south of CGCG 012-045 = PGC 36048, a very small faint galaxy.  RNGC identifies this galaxy as NGC 3776, but the CGCG does not make the NGC equivalence.
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NGC 3777 = MCG -02-30-008 = PGC 35879
11 36 06.8  -12 34 08; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

18" (3/19/04): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5', very weak concentration.  Located 13' SE of mag 7.2 SAO 156771.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3777 = LM 1-191 on 26 Feb 1886 and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.8' dia, irregularly round, small star or neb following."  There is nothing near his very rough position (near min of RA).  But 2.5 min of RA west is MCG -02-30-008 = PGC 35879 and a very faint star is 4 sec of time following.  Herbert Howe's measured an accurate RA (given in the IC 2 Notes section).
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NGC 3778 = ESO 216-026 = PGC 36051
11 38 22  -50 43 00; Cen
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 40°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~40"x32", contains a small bright core.  A mag 14.5-15 star is barely off the northwest edge [17" from center].

ESO 216-027 lies 8' ENE.  It was visible as a faint round glow, 25" diameter, with a low surface brightness.  A mag 13.6 star is close southeast [42" from center].

John Herschel discovered NGC 3778 = h3353 on 31 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; R; 20"; in a field with 50 or 60 small stars."  His position matches ESO 216-026 = PGC 36051.
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NGC 3779 = IC 717 = MCG -02-30-013 = LGG 248-001 = PGC 36084
11 38 51.3  -10 35 01; Crt
V = 13.7;  Size 2.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 85°

17.5" (4/9/99): extremely faint, fairly small, round, 0.5'.  Was not able to locate initially at 220x but once picked up with averted a dim glow was visible <50% of the time.  Located 6.8' NE of brighter NGC 3775. Member of the NGC 3892 group (LGG 248) at z = .006.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3779 in 1860 with his 36" reflector.  With respect to NGC 3775, he noted "another 5' nf ".  Close to this offset is MCG -02-30-013 = PGC 36084.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position, that was repeated in the IC 2 notes.

Frank Muller found IC 717 on 14 Feb 1888 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described it as "1.0'x0.8', E 90°, dif."  With respect to NGC 3775, he measured an offset of +53.92 seconds in RA but no delta for declination.  Apparently he made a 30 second error as NGC 3779 follows by +24 seconds in RA.  His description "E 90° [E-W]" seems to clinch the identification IC 717 = NGC 3779.
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NGC 3780 = UGC 6615 = MCG +09-19-150 = CGCG 292-014 = PGC 36138
11 39 22.3  +56 16 15; UMa
V = 11.5;  Size 3.1'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 90°

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration, uneven surface brightness [images reveal a face-on multiarmed spiral].  A mag 13 star is off the ENE side 2.1' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3804 13' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3780 = H. I-227 = h929 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "pB, cL, iF, r, 3' by 2'.  John Herschel made two observations, noting on sweep 345, "F; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 60".  Twilight."
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NGC 3781 = MCG +05-28-004 = CGCG 157-005 = WBL 344-001 = PGC 36104
11 39 03.8  +26 21 43; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.7'x0.45';  PA = 23°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, very small, round, very small brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star is 50" E.  First of three with NGC 3784 and NGC 3785 7' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3781 = St. 11-11, along with NGC 3784 and 3785, on 28 Apr 1881. His position matches MCG +05-28-004.
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NGC 3782 = UGC 6618 = MCG +08-21-087 = CGCG 242-071 = PGC 36136
11 39 20.7  +46 30 48; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5', almost even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is at the SSW tip 0.6' from center and a mag 15 star is off the NNE tip 1.3' from center.  Member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258, though another paper list it a member of the NGC 3769 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3782 = H. II-732 = h930 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "F, S.  Almost between 2 stars, the cheveulure touches them both; the are sp the nebula."  John Herschel reported "a * 15m with a nebulous tail nf which touches another star."
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NGC 3783 = ESO 378-014 = MCG -06-26-004 = PGC 36101
11 39 02  -37 44 18; Cen
V = 11.9;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 162°

18" (4/25/09): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.6', bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located just NW of a mag 9.2 that detracts from viewing.  This well-studied face-on galaxy contains a very bright, highly variable Seyfert 1 nucleus (one of the closest) and my observation describes the core of the galaxy.  NGC 3742/3749 lies ~40' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3783 = h3354 on 21 Apr 1835 and recorded "pB; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle; precedes (to n) a * 9m."  His position and description matches ESO 378-014.
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NGC 3784 = MCG +05-28-006 = CGCG 157-006 = Holm 271a = WBL 344-002 = PGC 36147
11 39 29.8  +26 18 33; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (4/15/93): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Located just 0.9' NE of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3785 0.8' SE with NGC 3781 7' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3784 = St. 11-12, along with NGC 3785, on 13 Mar 1874.  His position was 2' to the west of this pair.  His published position (list 11, #12) was made on 28 Apr 1881and matches CGCG 157-006.
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NGC 3785 = UGC 6620 = MCG +05-28-007 = CGCG 157-008 = Holm 271b = WBL 344-003 = PGC 36148
11 39 32.9  +26 18 08; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 25°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core, very faint extensions.  Located 1.5' E of a mag 10.5 star.  This galaxy is the slightly brighter of a close pair with NGC 3784 just 0.8' NW.  NGC 3781 lies 7' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3785 = St. 11-13, along with NGC 3784, on 13 Mar 1874.  His published position (list 11, #13) was made on 28 Apr 1881 and is an excellent match.  He described both galaxies as having faint stellar nuclei.
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NGC 3786 = Arp 294 NED1 = VV 228b = UGC 6621 = MCG +05-28-008 = CGCG 157-009 = Mrk 744 = Holm 272b = WBL 345-002 = PGC 36158
11 39 42.4  +31 54 32; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 77°

48" (5/7/24): at 488x; bright oval 2:1 WSW-ENE with a small, much brighter nucleus.  Brighter regions are at the ends of the major axis (probably HII/star-forming locations).  A very diffuse outer halo was detected. Forms a prominent interacting pair (Arp 294) with NGC 3788 just north.

LEDA 1969619, a background galaxy 1.4' SW, appeared very faint and small, slightly elongated NW-SE, perhaps 8" in length. The derived V mag from SDSS is only 17.5.

24" (6/16/20): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.5', bright core, small bright nucleus. Forms a striking pair (Arp 294 = VV 228) with NGC 3788 1.4' NNE.

18" (4/10/04): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, brighter core.  I observed SN 2004bd, discovered less than a week earlier on 4/4/04 and situated just 4.7" W and 1.2" S of center.  When the seeing steadied, the supernova was clearly resolved as a mag 14.5 "star" close WSW of center (along the major axis) and very close to the brighter (Markarian) core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3788 1.4' NE of center.  A mag 10.8 star lies 2.0' SE.

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, bright core.  Forms a pleasing close pair with NGC 3788 (separation of 1.4' NE).  The galaxies are elongated at nearly right angles and almost attached at the ENE end of NGC 3786.  A mag 10.5 star is 2' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3786 = h931, along with NGC 3788, on 29 Apr 1827.  His description reads, "the sp of 2 [with NGC 3788]; less bright and smaller than the nf."  He made 3 observations of both galaxies.
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NGC 3787 = MCG +04-28-015 = CGCG 127-017 = PGC 36154
11 39 37.9  +20 27 17; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.55';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 29°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, very small, elongated 4:3, SW-NE, 0.4'x0.3'.  Moderate concentration to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Forms the NE vertex of a small triangle with a mag 13 star 1' W and a mag 12 star 1.7' S.  NGC 3805 lies 16' SE.  Located at the NW edge of AGC 1367.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3787 on 10 May 1864. His position is within 30" of CGCG 127-017 = PGC 36154 and he also noted a mag 15-16 which precedes by 4.5 seconds of time and slightly south.  Stephan made an unpublished observation on 21 Feb 1868, though his rough position was 5' WSW.
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NGC 3788 = Arp 294 NED2 = VV 228a = UGC 6623 = MCG +05-28-009 = CGCG 157-010 = Holm 272a = WBL 345-003 = PGC 36160
11 39 44.7  +31 55 51; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 178°

48" (5/7/24): at 488x; very bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, contains a small, elongated bright core.  The ends of the major appear as distinct brighter arcs (curved tips of the spiral arms), particularly on the N end of the galaxy. Dark patches (dust) inside the spiral arcs create a narrow ring appearance outside the bright central region. NGC 3788 is the brighter northern member of an interacting pair of spirals with NGC 3786 1.4' SW.

24" (6/16/20): at 260x and 375x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 N-S.  Contains a relatively large, bright elongated core. A small bright nucleus is embedded on the N side of the central core.  A quite noticeable bright arc (outer curve of the northern spiral arm) is at the northern end of the disc.  The disc is relatively dark (due to a dust lane) just on the inside (south) of the arc, so it appears partially detached.

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, brighter core.  Forms a striking pair of elongated spirals with NGC 3786 1.4' SW (Arp 294), which is almost attached at the S end of NGC 3788.  A mag 10.5 star lies 2.7' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3788 = h932, along with NGC 3786, on 29 Apr 1827.  His description reads, "pB, E in merid [N-S]; gradually brighter in the middle; 40-50" long; the nf of 2 [with NGC 3786]."

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 24 Feb 1852, reported "2 rays, forming an angle of about 100°, the south one has a nucleus, and there is a knot at the north extremity of the north one."  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1891 at the Vienna Observatory.
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NGC 3789 = MCG -01-30-015 = PGC 36036
11 38 09.1  -09 36 26; Crt
V = 13.4;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 179°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4'.  Contains a small brighter core and stellar nucleus with extremely faint extensions.  Forms the western vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 13.5 stars ~2.5' SSE and east.  Located 25' NE of mag 4.7 Theta Crateris.  Member of a large group at z = .021 (USGC S171) with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3789 = LM 2-448 in 1886 and noted "mag 14.8, 0.3'x0.2', E 180°.  RNGC and MCG misidentify MCG -01-30-019 as NGC 3789.  This galaxy is only 3' south of Leavenworth's position but does match his description (elongated N-S).  But 1.4 min of RA west is MCG -01-30-015 = PGC 36036 and the position angle is directly N-S.  Considering Leavenworth's positions are often too far east, but accurate in declination, MCG -01-30-015 is a much more likely candidate.
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NGC 3790 = UGC 6624 = MCG +03-30-032 = CGCG 097-043 = LGG 246-011 = WBL 347-001 = PGC 36167
11 39 47.2  +17 42 44; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 154°

48" (4/2/11): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very bright small core.  First of six in the NGC 3801 group with MCG +03-30-35 4.5' ESE and NGC 3801 7' ENE.  A mag 12.1 star lies 2.3' SE.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, contains a brighter elongated core.  Collinear with two stars 2.3' and 4.7' SE.

18" (5/12/07): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', nearly collinear with two mag 11.5 and 13 stars to the SE.  First in a group with brightest member NGC 3801.

17.5" (4/1/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus at moments.  Collinear with two mag 11.5 and 13 stars 2.3' and 4.7' SE, respectively.  First in the NGC 3801 group and located 7.0' WSW of NGC 3801.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3790 = H. III-109 = h933 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 198) and recorded "I suspect a vS stellar nebula in the same field with the preceding one [NGC 3801], about 8 or 10' distant and south-preceding it. The suspected nebula is in a row with two small stars and preceding them."  His description fits UGC 6624 perfectly, although the separation is only 7'.  Interestingly, although he noticed this fairly faint galaxy in the field of NGC 3801, he missed NGC 3802, which is located just 2' north.  John Herschel made two observations and recorded "F; vS; pmE; suddenly brighter middle; the first of 3 [with NGC 3801 and 3802]."
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NGC 3791 = MCG -01-30-020 = PGC 36156
11 39 41.7  -09 22 02; Crt
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 164°

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  Located 6.0' N of mag 7.4 SAO 138326.  Forms a pair with NGC 3771 8' W.  Member of a large group (USGC S171).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3791 = H. III-609 = h935 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 705) and recorded "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter in the middle.  240 showed it very plainly."  His RA is 30 seconds too small and falls very close to NGC 3771!.  John Herschel's position and description ("vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; has a * 8m 6' south, on the same meridian") matches MCG -01-30-020 = PGC 36156.
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NGC 3792
11 39 38.1  +05 06 00; Vir

= **?, Corwin.  Not found, RNGC.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3792 on 27 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Madison, WI.  He noted "vF, diffused.  Neb makes an isosceles triangle with D.M. 2523 and 2525.  There is nothing at his position and there is no entry for NGC 3792 in any modern catalogue.

Harold Corwin noticed that a double star (~16" separation) ~6' north of the NGC position matches his description of making an isosceles triangle with DM 2523 and 2525.  This double star is listed here.
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NGC 3793
11 40 02.0  +31 52 39; UMa

= *?, Gottlieb and Corwin. = Not found, Thomson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3793, along with NGC 3797, on 12 Feb 1882, and described (paper V) "from the beautiful double nebula [NGC 3886/3788] I have a rough sketch from 12 Feb 1882, which shows two fainter nebulae +18 sec and +30 sec [in RA] following the southern companion [NGC 3786]."  There are no galaxies near these offsets and neither Bigourdan or Pease could find these numbers.  

RNGC misidentifies CGCG 157-007 as NGC 3793.  This galaxy is located 15 sec west and 4.9' south of NGC 3788.  Dorothy Carlson incorrectly equates NGC 3793 = NGC 3786.  Harold Corwin identifies two stars matching Tempel's separation from NGC 3786.
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NGC 3794 = NGC 3804 = UGC 6640 = MCG +09-19-153 = CGCG 268-070 = CGCG 292-019 = LGG 250-003 = PGC 36238
11 40 54.1  +56 12 10; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the WNW edge.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 3780 13' WNW.  Member of the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 Group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3794 = H. III-773 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and logged "cF, pS, just following a vS star."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 20 tsec preceding and 1' north of UGC 6640 = PGC 36238 and the star is at the west edge, so the identification is certain.

He found the galaxy again on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and recorded "pB, E.  I saw it too late to describe it properly."  His position here is even cloer to UGC 6640, but he catalogued it as II-830 assuming it was new and Dreyer added it as NGC 3804.  Dreyer noted the equivalence in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues and mentioned in Malcolm Thomson's and Harold Corwin's correction lists.

RNGC misidentifes CGCG 268-068 as NGC 3794.  This galaxy is located one degree south of the NGC position!  I originally observed CGCG 268-068 assuming it was NGC 3804.
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NGC 3795 = UGC 6629 = MCG +10-17-038 = CGCG 292-017 = PGC 36192
11 40 06.7  +58 36 47; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 2.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 53°

17.5" (4/14/01): spindle-shaped galaxy, fairly faint, elongated 7:2 SW-NE in the direction of a mag 12 star 5' SW, 1.4'x0.4'.  In a galaxy group (LGG 246) with NGC 3757 27' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3795 = H. III-844 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and noted "vF, mE, S." Caroline's reduced position is 1.5' southeast of UGC 6629.  Samuel Hunter, LdR's observing assistant on 12 Feb 1860, logged "faint, elongated N-S, very gradually brighter middle, ends pointed."
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NGC 3796 = UGC 6638 = MCG +10-17-039 = CGCG 292-018 = PGC 36215
11 40 31.1  +60 17 56; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 127°

18" (3/5/05): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.6'x0.5', increases to a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3796 = H. II-839 = h937 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and recorded "pF, cS, R, much brighter in the middle."  Caroline's reduced RA is 27 tsec too large.  John Herschel made two observations, noting on sweep 406 "pB; R; 35"; pretty gradually brighter middle."  His position is within 1' of UGC 6638.
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NGC 3797
11 40 13.3  +31 54 24; UMa

= *, Corwin.  Not found, Thomson but ≠ NGC 3788.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3797, along with NGC 3793, on 12 Feb 1882.  At his offset from NGC 3786 is a single mag 15 star (see NGC 3793). Dorothy Carlson incorrectly equates NGC 3797 = NGC 3788 in her 1940 NGC Correction list and this is repeated in RNGC.
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NGC 3798 = UGC 6632 = MCG +04-28-018 = CGCG 127-022 = PGC 36199
11 40 14.0  +24 41 49; Leo
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 60°

17.5" (4/14/01): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.7', moderate concentration with a small brighter core visible with direct vision.  In a small group (LGG 245) with NGC 3812 14' NE and NGC 3815 20' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3798 = H. II-340 = h938 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F, vS, little brighter in the middle."  Herschel observed it again on the next sweep (4 nights later) and recorded "vF, vS, stellar with a vF and very short ray towards the preceding side."  John Herschel measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3799 = Arp 83 NED1 = VV 350b = UGC 6630 = MCG +03-30-037 = CGCG 097-047 = PGC 36193
11 40 09.4  +15 19 38; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 115°

48" (3/1/19): NGC 3799 is the small and fainter southwest member of an interacting pair (Arp 83 = VV 350) with NGC 3800 1.5' NE.  At 488x it appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, ~0.6'x0.25', relatively large bright core.  A low surface brightness spiral arm was seen attached at the SE end. It extended a short distance to the east, separated from the main body and dimmed out.  The initial part of the NW arm extending W was also visible though had a low contrast.  A mag 12.7 star is 1' S.

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, round.  Forms a striking pair located just off the southwest end of NGC 3800 1.4' from center.  A mag 12 star is 1.1' directly south, and a brighter mag 10.5 star is 2.9' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3799 = h934 = h3355 on 21 Apr 1832.  While observing NGC 3800 he noted, "F; E nf to sp; has another F neb [NGC 3799] attached to its preceding extremity."  In a later sweep, he called it "an appendage to II 103 [NGC 3800], which it precedes."  WH, in his observation of NGC 3800, noted "2 or 3 stars visible in it."  One of these "stars" may refer to NGC 3799.
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NGC 3800 = Arp 83 NED2 = VV 350a = UGC 6634 = MCG +03-30-039 = CGCG 097-049 = PGC 36197
11 40 13.4  +15 20 32; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 52°

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; bright, large, elongated nearly 3:1 SW-NE, 1.7'x0.55', large bright core, very irregular appearance. It appeared the SW portion of the galaxy extended further or was stretched in the direction of the companion NGC 3799 (the pair is Arp 83).  The SW outer fringes had a lower surface brightness than the rest of the galaxy as it neared NGC 3799.  The galaxy brightened slightly at the NE end of a spiral arm.  NGC 3799 is centered 1.3' SW.

17.5" (3/29/89): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.5'.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3799 just off the SW end 1.4' from the center.  A mag 10.5 star is 3.2' SSE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3800 = H. II-103 = h936 = h3356 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "F, S, E, r.  2 or 3 star visible in it.  The nebula is near some small stars."  John Herschel made 5 observations at Slough and one at the Cape of Good Hope.  His first observation (21 Apr 1832) reads "F; E nf to sp; has another F neb [NGC 3799] attached to its preceding extremity."

Lord Rosse first observed NGC 3800 on 1 Apr 1848 (when the 72" started use after the potatoe blight) and noted "a tolerably bright nebula with a smaller one following."
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NGC 3801 = UGC 6635 = MCG +03-30-040 = CGCG 097-051 = Holm 273a = WBL 347-003 = LGG 246-002 = PGC 36200
11 40 16.8  +17 43 41; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 3.5'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 120°

48" (4/2/11): the brightest of 6 galaxies in a 15' group that is stretched out in a SW to NE orientation.  At 375x appeared very bright, very large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~2.5'x1.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright core and much fainter outer halo.  There is some ill-defined structure in the halo, either due to dust, spiral arms or both.  NGC 3802 is 2.3' N, MCG +03-30-035 is 3.4' SW, NGC 3803 is 4.5' N, NGC 3790 is 7' WSW and NGC 3806 is 8' NE.  MCG +03-30-035 (B = 16.6) appeared fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, ~40"x10".  A mag 11.5 star is  2.4' preceding.

18" (5/12/07): moderately bright, fairly large but moderately low surface brightness, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, broad concentration with a brighter core that increases to a small, brighter nucleus.  Brightest in a group including NGC 3790 7' W and NGC 3802 2.3' N.

17.5" (4/1/95): brightest in a group.  Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration to a brighter core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3802 2.3' NNE.  Also in the field are NGC 3790 7.0' WSW and NGC 3806 8.1' NE.  Located 7' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 99729.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3801 = H. III-30 = H. II-161 = h939 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and recorded III-30 as "vF, pS, r, preceded by two vB stars."  His position is only 8 sec of RA following NGC 3801 = UGC 6635, although John Herschel (in the GC) and Dreyer (in the NGC) assumed it applied to NGC 3802, 2.3' north of NGC 3801.  A month later, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 198), he returned to the field and recorded II-161 as "F, not S, R, bM."  His position on this sweep is 4' too far south.  John Herschel made 3 observations and his mean position matches UGC 6635.

Since WH observed only one object near this position on both sweep 170 and 198, we can assume he picked up the brighter galaxy NGC 3801 both times, and missed NGC 3802.  In fact, he was uncertain if H. II-161 was new or identical to H. III-30, so Caroline decided to assign it a new internal number.  So, H. II-161 = H. III-30 = NGC 3801 and JH should be credited with the discovery of NGC 3802.  Wolfgang Steinicke confirmed these conclusions (email on 7/15/14).
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NGC 3802 = UGC 6636 = MCG +03-30-041 = CGCG 097-052 = Holm 273b = WBL 347-004 = LGG 246-003 = PGC 36203
11 40 18.8  +17 45 57; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 85°

48" (4/2/11): this bright edge-on is located 2.3' N of NGC 3801 in a group of 6 galaxies.  It appeared edge-on 5:1 E-W, 1.4'x0.3'.  Contains a brighter, slightly bulging core.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the following end, 1.0' from center.  NGC 3803 lies 2.2' N.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 E-W, ~1.1'x0.3', brighter core, slightly brighter along the major axis.  A mag 13.5 star is close to the east end.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 3801.

18" (5/12/07): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.3'.  A mag 13 star is just off the following end.  Located 2' N of NGC 3801 in a group.

17.5" (4/1/95): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', very weak concentration.  Almost reaches to a mag 13.5 star just off the east end 1.0' from center.  Located 2.3' NNE of NGC 3801 in a group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3802 = h940 on 14 Mar 1784 and simply noted "last of 3 [with NGC 3790 and 3801]."  He made 3 observations, though real description.  WH is credited with the discovery (III-30) in the GC and NGC, although that number most likely applies to NGC 3801 (see that number).
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NGC 3803 = PGC 36204
11 40 17.3  +17 48 05; Leo
V = 15.7;  Size 0.3'x0.2'

48" (4/2/11): this galaxy is the faintest of 5 NGC galaxies (and one MCG) in the NGC 3801 group.  At 375x it appeared fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, slightly brighter core.  Located 4.5' N of NGC 3801 and 2.2' N of NGC 3802.

17.5" (4/1/95): not seen with confidence.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3803 on 27 Mar 1856 with LdR's 72" and noted "A [on the diagram] is a vvF knot." The sketch clearly matches PGC 36204.
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NGC 3804 = NGC 3794 = UGC 6640 = MCG +09-19-153 = CGCG 268-070 = CGCG 292-019 = LGG 250-003 = PGC 36238
11 40 54.1  +56 12 10; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is at the WNW edge.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 3780 13' WNW.  Member of the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 Group).

William Herschel rediscovered NGC 3804 = H. II-830 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and recorded "pB, E.  I saw it too late to describe it properly." Caroline's reduced position is within 2' of UGC 6640.  He originally discovered this galaxy on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and logged "cF, pS, just following a vS star."  It was catalogued as III-773 and later as NGC 3794.  There was probably just enough difference in position and description for both Herschel and Dreyer to assume the objects were different, but there is only one galaxy here.  So, NGC 3804 = NGC 3794.  The primary designation should be NGC 3794 (earlier discovery), but it is known as NGC 3804 because of the more accurate position.
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NGC 3805 = UGC 6642 = MCG +04-28-019 = CGCG 127-024 = PGC 36224
11 40 41.6  +20 20 35; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 60°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, small bright core dominates a small halo.  A mag 13 star is 2.2' WSW.  NGC 3787 lies 16' NW. Located at the western edge of AGC 1367.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3805 = H. III-375 = h941 on 25 Apr 1785 (sweep 401). He logged "extremely faint, small, but strong twilight and moonlight make it impossible to describe it properly."  John Herschel reported "Not vF; S; R; bM." and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3806 = UGC 6641 = MCG +03-30-042 = CGCG 097-054 = WBL 347-005 = PGC 36231
11 40 46.6  +17 47 47; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.2

48" (4/2/11): last of 6 in the NGC 3801 group.  At 375x appeared fairly bright, large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.4'x1.2', broad weak concentration but no core.  Located  8' NE of NGC 3801 and 5' N of mag 9.2 HD 101485.  NGC 3807 is probably a 16th magnitude star 2.4' NE of NGC 3806, although the two numbers are equated in the UGC and PGC and repeated in Megastar.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, ~45" diameter, weak concentration with only a slightly brighter middle.

17.5" (4/1/95): very faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness glow with no concentration.  Collinear with two mag 12.5-13 stars to the SSW by 2.5' and 4.5'.  Located 5' N of mag 8.7 SAO 99729 and 8' NE of NGC 3801 in a group.

Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 3806 on 3 Apr 1851.  While observing NGC 3802 he noted "another vF neb, about 6' nf."  On 6 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell logged it as "vvF, R, little brighter in the middle."  UGC 6641 lies 6.9' NE of NGC 3802, so this identification is certain.  The 1861 LdR publication mentions "2 'novae' near [NGC 3801 and 3802], probably a 3rd." but does not give Stoney's offset from NGC 3802.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 21 Apr 1862 and noted a mag 9-10 star is 5' south.  His position is accurate and both John Herschel (in the GC) and Dreyer (in the NGC) credited d'Arrest with the discovery, although d'Arrest commented his object might be identical to one of the two LdR novae mentioned in the 1861 publication.
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NGC 3807
11 40 54.7  +17 49 07; Leo

= *, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.  = NGC 3806, UGC.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3807 on 27 Mar 1856 and noted "C [on the sketch] is a vvF knot or possibly a star."  The diagram shows object "C" to the northeast of NGC 3807 ("B").  There is nothing in this position and Bigourdan and Reinmuth reported negative findings.  UGC, PGC (and other secondary sources such as Megastar) equate NGC 3806 = NGC 3807, but Mitchell's object is very likely the mag 16.5 star identified by Harold Corwin.
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NGC 3808 = Arp 87 NED1 = VV 300a = UGC 6643a = MCG +04-28-021 = CGCG 127-025s = PGC 36227
11 40 44.2  +22 25 46; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 123°

48" (4/20/17): NGC 3808 is the brighter member of a remarkable interacting pair with NGC 3808A 1' N.  At 375x it appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, brighter core.The beginning of spiral arms extend south on the northwest end and north on the east end . On deep images, the northern arm extends into a tidal bridge to NGC 3808A (and wraps around the companion), but visually the arm only extended roughly half-way.

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus.  Located 3.5' NNE of mag 9.1 SAO 81939.  Forms a close, interacting pair (Arp 87) with NGC 3808A = VV 300b 1' N.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, round, very small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3808 = H. III-338 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 10 seconds of RA east and 3.8' north of this interacting system.
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NGC 3809 = UGC 6649 = MCG +10-17-040 = CGCG 292-020 = LGG 251-002 = PGC 36263
11 41 16.1  +59 53 09; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 123°

18" (5/31/03): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, well-concentrated with a small, prominent core and stellar nucleus.  Very symmetrical appearance.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3809 on 20 Aug 1866 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured twice) matches UGC 6649.
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NGC 3810 = UGC 6644 = MCG +02-30-010 = CGCG 068-024 = PGC 36243
11 40 58.7  +11 28 17; Leo
V = 10.8;  Size 4.3'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 15°

17.5" (5/2/92): bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, broad concentration, increases to brighter core but no nucleus, large very faint halo of dimensions 3.0'x2.0'.  A group of three mag 11-12 stars mag is located between 9'-11' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3810 = H. I-21 = h943 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "pB, L, little extended, r."  His position was 50 seconds of RA too far east. John Herschel made 5 observations, the earliest on 10 Apr 1823 (sweep 2), while still developing his sweeping technique: "vF; R; very gradually brighter middle; a *9m 15' dist in parallel."

Several interesting observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 18 Mar 1851, Bindon Stoney recorded "BM, F neby all round of a mottled charachter, knot or appendage in the p part.  On 10 Apr 1852, he queried "Spriral? gradually little brighter middle."  Dreyer, though, observing in 1878, comments "Beyond doubt a glob cl, outlying F branches on a F background which fades away gradually."
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NGC 3811 = UGC 6650 = MCG +08-21-091 = CGCG 242-074 = Mrk 185 = PGC 36265
11 41 16.6  +47 41 27; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 160°

18" (5/31/03): fairly faint, moderately large, oval elongated nearly 3:2 N-S, 1.5'x1.1', broadly concentrated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3811 = H. II-737 = h942 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "pF, S, little brighter middle, iR."  Caroline's reduction is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 6650.  John Herchel's mean position from two observations is 1' too far north.
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NGC 3812 = UGC 6648 = MCG +04-28-023 = CGCG 127-027 = WBL 348-001 = PGC 36256
11 41 07.8  +24 49 18; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, small, round, prominent core, fairly high surface brightness.  Located 1.7' WNW of mag 8.4 SAO 81942.  First of three in a 220x field with NGC 3814 5' E and NGC 3815 6.7' ESE.  Member of a small group (LGG 245) with NGC 3798 14' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3812 = H. III-320 = h944 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and simply noted "stellar", probably rushed in the observation.  John Herschel recorded "F; R; has a * 6.7 m sf, dist 3'.
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NGC 3813 = UGC 6651 = MCG +06-26-019 = CGCG 186-024 = PGC 36266
11 41 18.7  +36 32 47; UMa
V = 11.6;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 87°

17.5" (4/1/95): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.4'x0.8'.  Broad concentration to a large brighter core which brightens to a small nucleus.  Mottled appearance with an irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is at the east end 1.3' from center.  Two mag 14 stars just off the west end 2.1' and 2.8' from center are collinear with the major axis.  A mag 15 star is close SW of the core by 1.2'.  Located 13' ENE of mag 7.8 SAO 62647.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3813 = H. I-94 = h945 on 28 Apr 1785 (sweep 404). He recorded "cB, pL, much extended nearly in the meridian.  His position is 10 seconds of RA west of UGC 6651.  On 27 Apr 1827 (sweep 72), John Herschel called it "pB; pL; 90 l, 60" b, E in parallel; hazy."
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NGC 3814 = MCG +04-28-024 = CGCG 127-028 = Holm 276b = WBL 348-002 = PGC 36267
11 41 27.7  +24 48 19; Leo
V = 14.8;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 175°

17.5" (4/15/93): second and faintest of three with NGC 3812 5' W and NGC 3815 2.5' E.  Very faint, very small, round.  Located 3.1' E of mag 8.4 SAO 81942.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3814 = St. 11-14 on 14 Mar 1874, during an observation of NGC 3812 and 3815.  His published position (list 11, #14) was determined 7 years later on 25 Apr 1881.
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NGC 3815 = UGC 6654 = MCG +04-28-025 = CGCG 127-030 = Holm 276a = WBL 348-003 = PGC 36288
11 41 39.3  +24 48 01; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 72°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, broad concentration.  Last in a small group (LGG 245) with NGC 3814 2.5' W, NGC 3812 6.7' WNW and NGC 3798 20' WSW.  Located 5.8' ESE of mag 8.4 SAO 81942.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3815 = H. III-339 = h946 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF, vS, goes into the field with the foregoing [NGC 3812].  He discovered NGC 3812 4 nights earlier, but missed NGC 3815.  John Herschel called this galaxy "Not vF; pL; 30"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3816 = UGC 6656 = MCG +03-30-046 = CGCG 097-060 = WBL 353-003 = LGG 249-005 = PGC 36292
11 41 48.0  +20 06 14; Leo
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 70°

17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Member of AGC 1367.  CGCG 097-068, situated 7' E, was very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3816 on 9 May 1864.  His position, measured on two nights, is accurate.
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NGC 3817 = HCG 58C = UGC 6657 = MCG +02-30-012 = CGCG 068-028 = WBL 350-001 = PGC 36299
11 41 53.0  +10 18 16; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, brighter core.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' NNW of center.  First of five in the field in HCG 58 with NGC 3819 4.3' NE, NGC 3822 4.7' ESE, NGC 3825 7.9' ESE and NGC 3820 5.7' NNE.  This group is superimposed on distant galaxy cluster Abell 1356.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3817 = h947 on 18 Jan 1828 and noted "F.  The first of 4 [with NGC 3819, 3822 and 3825]."  His position is at the south edge of NGC 3817.
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NGC 3818 = MCG -01-30-023 = UGCA 243 = PGC 36304
11 41 57.3  -06 09 21; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 2.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 103°

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly bright, fairly small, oval, very bright core containing a stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3818 = H. III-284 = h948 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 379) and recorded "vF, S, iE, little brighter in the middle."  His RA is 33 sec too large.  John Herschel logged "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30". At least 2nd class."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3819 = HCG 58D = MCG +02-30-013 = CGCG 068-030 = WBL 350-002 = PGC 36311
11 42 05.9  +10 21 04; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 160°

17.5" (4/25/87): very faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Second of five in HCG 58, located 4.2' NE of NGC 3817.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3820 2.0' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3819 = h950 on 18 Jan 1828 and noted "vF; the second of 4 [with NGC 3817, 3822 and 3825]; place estimated from the others."
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NGC 3820 = HCG 58E = MCG +02-30-014 = CGCG 068-031 = WBL 350-003 = PGC 36308
11 42 04.9  +10 23 02; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/25/87): extremely faint, small, almost round, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Located 2.0' N of NGC 3819 and 5.5' NNE of NGC 3817.  Third of five (and faintest) in HCG 58.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3820 on 29 Apr 1865 and accurately placed it 2' north of h950 = NGC 3819.
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NGC 3821 = UGC 6663 = MCG +04-28-030 = CGCG 127-032 = PGC 36314
11 42 09.0  +20 18 56; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core.  A mag 14 star is at the SW edge and a mag 10 star lies 2.9' W.  Member of AGC 1367 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3821 = H. III-376 = h949 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402).  He logged, "suspected, very faint, very small.  I am pretty sure of it; but twilight is too strong."  This galaxy is the last discovery (1000th object) that was included in Herschel's first catalogue.  He observed it again on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671), but was again uncertain: "two very small stars with seeming nebulosity between them, but probably a deception.  In the direction of the meridian nearly."

John Herschel made two observations, recording on 26 Mar 1830 (sweep 246) "vF; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; a * 11m precedes 10s."
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NGC 3822 = HCG 58A = NGC 3848? = UGC 6661 = MCG +02-30-015 = CGCG 068-033 = WBL 350-004 = PGC 36319
11 42 11.1  +10 16 40; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 178°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, small, oval N-S, brighter core.  Brightest in HCG 58 and the fourth of five in the field within the NGC 3817-3869 group.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3825 3.2' ESE on the Leo-Virgo border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3822 = H. II-153 = h951, along with NGC 3825, on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and recorded both as "Two F, pS, cometic nebula."  His single position is just 1'-2' too far south.  He probably found this pair a month ealrier (15 Mar 1784, sweep 174), but his position was 2.0 tmin too far east and they were recorded as III-35 = NGC 3848 and III-36 = NGC 3852.  If so, NGC 3822 = NGC 3848.
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NGC 3823 = MCG -02-30-017 = PGC 36331
11 42 15.1  -13 52 01; Crt
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 90°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration, 0.7'x0.6'.  Situated directly between two mag 13-14 stars 2' N and 2' S.  NGC 3831 lies 1.0° NNE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3823 = h3357 on 7 May 1836 and logged "F; little extended; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 40"."  His position is just off the north side of PGC 36331 although he questioned if a double error of 1 min in RA and 1 degree in dec would make it a duplicate of NGC 3831.
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NGC 3824 = UGC 6676 = MCG +09-19-161 = CGCG 268-073 = PGC 36370
11 42 44.9  +52 46 47; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 118°

18" (5/31/03): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.35', pretty even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 2.0' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 3829 8' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3824 = H. III-774 = h952 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "vF, vS."  His position (Caroline's reduction) --  1.0 tmin too large and 3' south of UGC 6676, but his relative position with nearby NGC 3829 (recorded next in the sweep) is reasonably accurate.  A more accurate position was measured on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 946).  John Herschel logged "vF, mE" and measured a good position.
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NGC 3825 = HCG 58B = NGC 3852? = UGC 6668 = MCG +02-30-018 = CGCG 068-037 = MKW 10 = WBL 350-005 = PGC 36348
11 42 23.7  +10 15 51; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Fifth of five (second brightest) in HCG 58 with NGC 3822 3.2' WNW.  Also located within the larger NGC 3817-3869 group on the Leo-Virgo border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3825 = H. II-154 = h953, along with NGC 3822, on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and recorded both as "Two F, pS, cometic nebula."  His single position is just 1'-2' too far south.  He probably found this pair a month earlier (15 Mar 1784, sweep 174), but his position was 2.0 tmin too far east and the pair was recorded as III-35 = NGC 3848 and III-36 = NGC 3852.  If so, NGC 3825 = NGC 3852.
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NGC 3826 = UGC 6671 = MCG +05-28-018 = CGCG 157-018 = PGC 36359
11 42 32.8  +26 29 20; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 65°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A close trio of mag 14 stars is 8' NE.  NGC 3830 lies 10' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3826 = H. II-341 = h954 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F, stellar."  John Herschel made 3 observations, calling it "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"."
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NGC 3827 = UGC 6673 = MCG +03-30-054 = CGCG 097-070 = LGG 246-006 = PGC 36361
11 42 36.3  +18 50 44; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 65°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6', very weak concentration.  Located midway between mag 9.1 SAO 99747 4.5' S and a mag 10. star 4.5' NNW.  Outlying member of AGC 1367.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3827 on 29 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate and his description mentions a mag 16 star is 21 seconds of time preceding and a bit south.  The star is at his offset, though only 14th magnitude.
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NGC 3828 = MCG +03-30-057 = CGCG 097-075 = PGC 36376
11 42 58.4  +16 29 15; Leo
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, round.  A mag 11 star is 1.7' SE.  Forms a pair with edge-on UGC 6686 5.9' E.  UGC 6686 appeared very faint, very small (only the central region was seen).

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3828 = Big. 46 on 28 Mar 1886.  His position matches CGCG 097-075, though CGCG (and the UGC notes to UGC 6686) fail to label this galaxy as NGC 3828.  MCG labels it correctly.  Mentioned by Malcolm Thomson in his "CGCG Corrections" and in Harld Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3829 = UGC 6690 = MCG +09-19-164 = CGCG 268-074 = PGC 36439
11 43 27.3  +52 42 40; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 95°

18" (5/31/03): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.35', weak concentration.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3824 8' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3829 = H. III-775 = h955 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "suspected; vF, vS."  His position is poor -- 37 tsec too large and 2' south of UGC 6690, but his offset from NGC 3824 (previous nebula discovered in the sweep) is a good match.  John Herschel simply noted "eF", but his position is within 1' of UGC 6690.
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NGC 3830 = MCG +05-28-024 = MCG +05-28-025 = CGCG 157-023 = PGC 36414
11 43 11.8  +26 33 32; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 9°

17.5" (4/15/93): very faint, very small, round.  Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 13 stars 1.5' W and 1.5' SW.  NGC 2826 lies 10' SW.  This is an unresolved double system.

The identification of NGC 3830 is uncertain and the number may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3826.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3830 = h956 on 19 Apr 1832 and simply logged "Cloudy; hardly discernible." His position is 3.7' south of CGCG 157-023 = PGC 36414.  Bigourdan was unable to recover this object.  The RNGC identifies CGCG 157-023 = PGC 36414 as NGC 3830 due to its proximity in position.

Corwin suggests that NGC 3830 is probably a duplicate of NGC 3826, which is located 43 sec of RA west but with the same declination.  NGC 3826 was observed on three sweeps but NGC 3830 was recorded on a different sweep.  Both NED and LEDA equate NGC 3830 = NGC 3826. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3831 = MCG -02-30-023 = PGC 36417
11 43 18.6  -12 52 42; Crt
V = 12.7;  Size 2.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 23°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4'.  Contains a small, bright core and very faint extensions which fades at the tip.  Surrounded by several MCG galaxies, though these were not searched for.  A mag 9 star lies 6' N.  NGC 3823 lies 1° south.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3831 = h957 on 9 Mar 1828 and logged "F; vS; R; bM.  Well observed."  His position is within 1' of MCG -02-30-023.  Herbert Howe noted an elongation in PA 20 degrees.
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NGC 3832 = UGC 6693 = MCG +04-28-040 = CGCG 127-038 = PGC 36446
11 43 31.4  +22 43 31; Leo
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.1

18" (5/30/03): faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  A mag 11 star is 2.2' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3832 = H. III-340 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF, pL.  I suspected two stellar near it, but could not ascertain with 240 whether they were stars or nebula as I could not stop long enough to view them sufficiently."  Caroline's reduction is 5' due north of UGC 6693.  The CGCG does not label this galaxy NGC 3832.  The RA in the MCG is 1.0 min too small.
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NGC 3833 = UGC 6692 = MCG +02-30-020 = CGCG 068-043 = PGC 36441
11 43 28.8  +10 09 43; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 27°

17.5" (4/25/87): very faint, fairly small, very diffuse, elongated SSW-NNE.  A very faint mag 15.5 star is off the SW end 0.9' from center.  Forms a pair with MCG +02-30-023 = PGC 36456 6' NNE.  The companion (identified as NGC 3848 in the RNGC and PGC) appeared very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness.  Member of the NGC 3817-3869 group (USGC U412) near the Leo-Virgo border, which includes HCG 58.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3833 = H. III-102 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and noted "eF, pL."  Caroline's reduction is 3' south of UGC 6692.  Neither John Herschel nor Heinrich d'Arrest made an observation.  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1892 using the 27" refractor at Vienna.
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NGC 3834 = MCG +03-30-065 = CGCG 097-084 = PGC 36443
11 43 37.7  +19 05 26; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 132°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, very small, round, 0.8' diameter (viewed core only?).  Located 9' SW of mag 9.2 SAO 99762.  NGC 3827 lies 21' SW.  This galaxy is within one degree of the core of AGC 1367 and is likely an outlying member (identical redshift).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3834 on 29 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is 30" north of CGCG 097-084 = PGC 36443.
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NGC 3835 = UGC 6703 = MCG +10-17-055 = CGCG 292-021 = PGC 36493
11 44 04.9  +60 07 11; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 60°

18" (5/31/03): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE.  Broad concentration with a large, slightly brighter middle and slightly fainter extensions.  Extended in the direction of a mag 12 star 3.6' NE.  Located 7' NW of mag 7.7 SAO 15622.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3835 = h958 on 14 Apr 1831 and recorded "pF; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; preceds * 8m, 5' distant.  His position (measured twice) is good, though the star is 7' southeast.
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NGC 3836 = VV 477 = MCG -03-30-010 = PGC 36445
11 43 29.7  -16 47 40; Crt
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 or 2:1 NW-SE, ~0.9'x0.6'.  Appears brighter along a major axis NW-SE, surrounded by a rounder, faint halo.  A mag 12-13 star is just off the north flank, perhaps 45" from the center.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3836 = T. 1-36 = T. 4-8 on 29 Apr 1877.  On the SDSS, the foreground star happens to lie at the exact tip of the northern spiral arm.
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NGC 3837 = UGC 6701 = MCG +03-30-068 = CGCG 097-089 = PGC 36476
11 43 56.4  +19 53 41; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter core.  This is the second brightest galaxy in the core of the galaxy cluster AGC 1367 and lies 3.6' SSW of NGC 3842 (brightest in the core).  UGC 6697, the third brightest galaxy, lies 4.7' NNW.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round.  Second brightest in the core of the cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3837 = H. III-377 = h961, along with NGC 3842, on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402).  He described both as "two, the time and NPD is that of the most north [NGC 3842], which is the largest and brightest; and is vF, pS.  The most south [NGC 3837] eF; vS, but twilight is too strong to determine them properly."  His RA was 10 seconds too small. 

John Herschel made two observations, measured an accurate position, and assumed it was new.  Dreyer concluded in the his revision of William Herschel's catalogues that h961 = H. III-377 = NGC 3837.
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NGC 3838 = UGC 6707 = MCG +10-17-056 = CGCG 292-022 = LGG 244-005 = PGC 36505
11 44 13.8  +57 56 53; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 141°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; very pretty edge-on at 375x, bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.35', very strong concentration with a very bright core and an intensely bright nucleus.  A mag 12.1 star is 3' S.  Brightest member of the LGG 246 group.

CGCG 292-024, situated 7' SE, appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~25"x20", strong concentration, bright core, small brighter nucleus, faint halo with averted.  A mag 15.5 star is at the N edge.  Located 7' SE of NGC 3838.

18" (5/31/03): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3', spindle-shaped.  Sharp concentration with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 3.2' S.  Member of the LGG 246 group along with NGC 3757 and NGC 3795.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3838 = H. II-831 = h959 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and logged "pB, vS, lE."  Caroline's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 6707.
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NGC 3839 = UGC 6700 = MCG +02-30-024 = CGCG 068-048 = PGC 36475
11 43 54.3  +10 47 06; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 87°

24" (5/20/20): at 225x and 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, ~50"x30", relatively large slightly elongated central region, low surface brightness outer halo extended E-W.  Located 6' NNW of mag 8.1 HD 101932.

IC 727, situated 8.4' E, appeared as a very faint, very thin low surface brightness streak, ~8:1 NNW-SSE, brighter core, ~0.8'x0.1'. A mag 8 star (HD 101932) is 9' SW.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, weak concentration, elongated WSW-ENE.  Forms the north vertex of near equilateral triangle with mag 8.5 SAO 99760 6.0' SSE and mag 8.4 SAO 99756 7.1' SW.  Member of the NGC 3817-3869 group (USGC U412), which includes HCG 58.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3839 = St. 12-48 on 17 Mar 1882.  He reduced the position the following month (19 Apr 1882) and included it in his 12th discovery list (#48).
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NGC 3840 = UGC 6702 = MCG +03-30-070 = CGCG 097-091 = PGC 36477
11 43 58.9  +20 04 37; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 67°

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, irregularly round, broad concentration.  Located 2.9' NNW of NGC 3844 in the core of galaxy cluster AGC 1367. 

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small, round.  This is the farthest northern galaxy in the core of AGC 1367.  Appears similar to NGC 3844 and NGC 3845.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3840 on 8 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on two nights, matches UGC 6702 and he mentions "it is certainly one of LdR's 'eight knots'."
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NGC 3841 = MCG +03-30-073 = CGCG 097-096 = PGC 36469
11 44 02.2  +19 58 19; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, extremely small, small bright core.  Located 1.3' N of NGC 3842 in the central core of AGC 1367.  Nearby are NGC 3845 1.7' NNW, and UGC 6697 3.0' W.

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, very small, in central core of AGC 1367.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3841 = h960 = Big. 48 on 25 Mar 1827 and simply noted "F; R."  On a later sweep (334) he recorded "vF; S; the first of 4 [with NGC 3837, 3842 and 3845."  All modern catalogues equate NGC 3841 with CGCG 097-096 = PGC 36469, but Herschel's two positions are a better match with the edge-on UGC 6697, as well as his offset from NGC 3842!

Heinrich d'Arrest's #118 in his AN 1500 discovery list matches CGCG 097-096, so he clearly observed this galaxy.  In his main monograph "Siderum Nebulosorum" he gives an uncertain equivalence with h960.  Harold Corwin's equates Big. 48 with NGC 3841.  The MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 3841 and 3842.
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NGC 3842 = UGC 6704 = MCG +03-30-072 = CGCG 097-095 = PGC 36487
11 44 02.1  +19 57 00; Leo
V = 11.8;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core.  A mag 15 star is 0.8' SE of core.  Brightest and largest in core of the rich cluster AGC 1367 with NGC 3841 1.3' N, UGC 6697 3.2' WNW, NGC 3845 2.9' NNE, NGC 3837 3.6' SSW and NGC 3851 4.7' ENE.

13.1" (2/25/84): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, many companions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3842 = H. III-378 = h962, along with NGC 3837, on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402).  His description reads "Two, the time and NPD is that of the most north [NGC 3842], which is the largest and brightest; and is very faint, pretty small.  The most south [NGC 3837] eF; vS, but twilight is too strong to determine them properly."

John Herschel misassigned H. III-377 to h962 and H. III-378 to h966 = NGC 3851 in the GC and Dreyer repeated this in the NGC.  Édouard Stephan observed NGC 3842 on 16 Mar 1882 and also discovered (but didn't publish) UGC 6697.  According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan discovered nearby CGCG 097-090 = Big. 47 (1' west), but it wasn't assigned a NGC or IC designation.  MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 3841 and NGC 3842.
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NGC 3843 = UGC 6699 = MCG +01-30-011 = CGCG 040-034 = PGC 36471
11 43 54.7  +07 55 33; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 42°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3843 on 27 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. and recorded "F; elongated 225° [SW-NE].  Follows a star 11m by 14s [of time]."  His position and description matches UGC 6699, though the star is closer to 13th mag.
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NGC 3844 = UGC 6705 = MCG +03-30-069 = CGCG 097-097 = PGC 36481
11 44 00.8  +20 01 46; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 28°

17.5" (3/12/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Located in the core of AGC 1367 4.8' N of NGC 3842.  Nearby are NGC 3845 2.3' SE, NGC 3841 3.4' S, NGC 3840 2.9' N.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small, round, brighter core, similar to NGC 3840 and NGC 3845.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3844 (#119 in his AN 1500 list) on 8 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on two nights, matches UGC 6705.
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NGC 3845 = MCG +03-30-074 = CGCG 097-100 = PGC 36470
11 44 05.5  +19 59 45; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 135°

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Located 1.6' NNE of NGC 3841 in the core of AGC 1367.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3845 = h963 on 17 Mar 1831 and recorded "vF; pS; the last of 4 [with NGC 3841, 3837 and 3842].  There are however 3 or 4 more nebulae in this neighbourhood."  His position is 0.8' southwest of CGCG 097-100 = PGC 36470.  d'Arrest measured an accurate position (observed on 2 nights).
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NGC 3846 = UGC 6710 = MCG +09-19-171 = CGCG 268-078 = LGG 250-008 = PGC 36539
11 44 29.1  +55 39 08; UMa
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE.  First in a group of five galaxies with NGC 3850 17' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3846 = h964 on 10 Feb 1831 and recorded "F; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle."  His single position is barely off the southwest edge of UGC 6710.
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NGC 3847 = NGC 3856? = UGC 6708 = MCG +06-26-023 = CGCG 186-032 = PGC 36504
11 44 14.0  +33 30 52; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/14/01): faint, small, round, slightly brighter core.  A close pair (CGCG 186-029) to the NE wasn't noticed.  Member of a group (USGC U418) with NGC 3855 10' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3847 = h965 on 3 Apr 1831 and recorded "not vF; S; R pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 6708.  Rudolph Spitaler's position is 7.5' too far north (error in offset star?) and Max Wolf misidentified this galaxy on a Heidelberg plate.  As a result the "corrected" declination in the IC 2 Notes section is off by 10'.  Sinnott's NGC2000.0 repeats this erroneous position.  It is possible that either NGC 3855 or NGC 3856 (found by d'Arrest but with a poor position) is a duplicate of this galaxy.
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NGC 3848 = HCG 58A = NGC 3822 = UGC 6661 = MCG +02-30-015 = CGCG 068-033 = WBL 350-004 = PGC 36319
11 42 11.1  +10 16 40; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 3822.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3848 = H. III-35, along with NGC 3852 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He described both as "Two, very small, and eF.  Their situation is in the same parallel of declination, and distance perhaps 3 or 4 minutes.  It took up some time to see them well."

The RNGC identifies MCG +02-30-023 = CGCG 068-046 as NGC 3848 (the closest galaxy to his position) though there is only a single object here "in the same parallel of declination".  Malcolm Thomson feels that CGCG 068-046 is a reasonable match in position.  CGCG 068-046 is not labeled NGC 3848 in MCG or CGCG.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 3848 and NGC 3852 are probably duplicate observations of NGC 3822 and NGC 3825 (found again by WH a month later!).  This pair is 2.0 min of RA west of WH's position and 1-2' south.  The separation of this pair is 3.2' (roughly east-west), agreeing with WH's description, so this identification seems more liekly likely.
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NGC 3849 = IC 730 = MCG +01-30-013 = CGCG 040-040 = Todd 10 = PGC 36658
11 45 35.2  +03 13 54; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 35°

24" (4/15/23): at 229x and 375x; fairly faint, small, elongated at least 3:2 SW-NE, 20"-24" length

48" (4/16/15): at 488x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 or 5:3 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.3', small bright core, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 16.3 star is off the southeast side [27" from center].  An extremely faint "star" was noted off the northwest side [25" from center].  After later checking the SDSS, I discovered this is a compact galaxy (SDSS J114534.52+031417.8) with V = 17.8.

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 25" diameter, no concentration.  Visible steadily with direct vision.  A mag 15 star lies 1.6' SSW. This galaxy is identified as IC 730 (good position from Javelle) in several sources.

David Todd discovered NGC 3849 = Todd 10 on 14 Dec 1877 in his search for trans-Neptunian planets with the 26-inch refractor at the Naval Observatory.  He noted a "large and nebulous" object with a star 2' in PA ~210° (SSW).  There is nothing at his rough position, but using Todd's discovery sketch, Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3849 = CGCG 040-040.

Stephane Javelle found this galaxy on 22 Mar 1893 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory and measured an accurate position.  Javelle and Dreyer assumed J. 2–728 was new, so it acquired the designation IC 730.  All modern catalogues label this galaxy as IC 730 only.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3850 = UGC 6733 = MCG +09-19-174 = CGCG 268-079 = LGG 250-004 = PGC 36660
11 45 35.6  +55 53 12; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 2.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 130°

18" (2/14/10): fairly faint, fairly large oval 3:2 NW-SE, 1.6'x1.1', low surface brightness, very weak concentration.  Located 17' WSW of NGC 3888 and 19' NW of mag 5.3 HD 102328 (adjacent to AGC 1377).    Member of the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 Group), though also included in the M109 (NGC 3992) group.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, diffuse oval NW-SE.  Second of five in a group with NGC 3846 17' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3850 = H. III-776 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "eF, pL, lE.  Time inaccurate, left doubtful."  There is nothing at his position but exactly 1.0 min of RA east is UGC 6733.  Probably because of the poor position it was not recovered by Bigourdan.  MCG gives the NGC identification as uncertain.  The RNGC mislabels NGC 3850 as NGC 3889.
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NGC 3851 = MCG +03-30-077 = CGCG 097-106 = PGC 36516
11 44 20.4  +19 58 51; Leo
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.45';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 83°

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, extremely small, round, just non-stellar.  Forms a faint "pair" with a mag 14.5 star 37" W of center.  Located 4.7' ENE of NGC 3842 in the core of AGC 1367. 

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, stellar.  Located east of a faint star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3851 = h966 on 24 Feb 1827 and logged "vF; R; the nf of 2."  He mistakenly equated H. III-378 with this galaxy, instead of h962 = NGC 3842 and this error was repeated in the NGC.  WH did not record this object.
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NGC 3852 = HCG 58B = NGC 3825? = UGC 6668 = MCG +02-30-018 = CGCG 068-037 = WBL 350-005 = PGC 36348
11 42 23.7  +10 15 51; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 3825.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3852 = H. III-36, along with NGC 3848, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174). He described both as "Two, very small, and eF.  Their situation is in the same parallel of declination, and distance perhaps 3 or 4 minutes.  It took up some time to see them well."  There are no pair of galaxies fitting this description near his position and both numbers were equated by Dreyer in his 1912 NGC Correction list (repeated by Reinmuth).

In his 1912 update of WH's catalogues, Dreyer notes that NGC 3852 was not found by Bigourdan but possibly there was a 1 tmin error in RA in reducing the position.  Corwin suggests NGC 3848 and NGC 3852 may be duplicate observations of NGC 3822 and NGC 3825.  These galaxies have the same declination and 3.2' separation but lie 2.0 tmin west of H's position.  So, NGC 3852 = NGC 3825 and NGC 3848 = NGC 3822 seems the most likely scenario, although this identification is uncertain.
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NGC 3853 = UGC 6712 = MCG +03-30-081 = CGCG 097-107 = PGC 36535
11 44 28.3  +16 33 29; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 140°

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, halo increases to a small bright core.

Alphonse Borrelly found NGC 3853 around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseilles Observatory. His description reads "R, little extended, small ncl at center" and his micrometric position in AN 1885 (4th object) matches UGC 6712.

William Herschel probably discovered this galaxy on 30 Dec 1783 (sweep 72) and logged "Some minutes after 32, I saw a small nebula, but in looking a good while at the finder to determine its place, lost is again.  I suspect partly that is consists of a few vS stars, but shall look for it another night."  Although he was completely uncertain of the minute of RA (so didn't catalogue it), his polar distance is an exact match with NGC 3853.
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NGC 3854 = NGC 3865 = MCG -01-30-028 = PGC 36581
11 44 52.1  -09 13 58; Crt
V = 12.0;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 49°

See observing notes for NGC 3865.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3854 = LM 2-449 in 1886 and reported "mag 14.5, 0.3' dia, lE 70°, gradually brighter then suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus."  There is nothing close to his position.  The brightest galaxy in the vicinity is NGC 3865 = PGC 36581, 28 seconds of RA east and 9' north.  Harold Corwin lists this galaxy as the most likely candidate.  Due to the unusually large discrepancy in declination and only a fair match in PA (70°), this identification is very uncertain. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 3855 = IC 2953 = UGC 6709 = MCG +06-26-025 = CGCG 186-033 = WAS 31 = PGC 36508
11 44 25.8  +33 21 18; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 65°

14.5" (3/7/24): at 158x and 226x; very faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness with very little or no concentration. In a group of faint galaxies with IC 729 11' ESE.

17.5" (4/14/01): faint, small, round, 0.8', low even surface brightness

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.  On a line with two mag 14 stars located 6'-7' SE.  In a group with NGC 3847 10' NNW, IC 2952 1.8' W and MCG +06-26-028 4.5' ESE (not observed on 2/24/90).  The identifications are very uncertain in this group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3855 on 8 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single observation gives a rough declination (marked to the nearest arcmin and very uncertain) and mentions a companion to the north [NGC 3856], though without a position or even offset.  There are a number of galaxies in the vicinity, but none exactly matching in RA.

When Rudolph Spitaler looked for the pair in 1891 with 27-inch refractor at the Wien Observatory, he identified CGCG 186-31 as NGC 3855 and UGC 6709 as NGC 3856 (published in AN 3167-68).  His positions (roughly 17 tsec of RA west of d'Arrest's position) are given in the Notes and Corrections section of the IC 1.  Stephane Javelle independently found these galaxies on 11 Jun 1896 at the Nice Observatory and they were later catalogued as IC 2952 and IC 2953.

UGC, MCG and CGCG label these galaxies using the IC designations.  RNGC, MCG and CGCG identify CGCG 186-036 as NGC 3855.  This is a very small galaxy located 5' SE of the close pair.  RNGC classifies NGC 3856 as nonexistent. It seems very unlikely that CGCG 186-036 was the single galaxy seen by d'Arrest as IC 2953 in the same field is both larger and more prominent visually.

If we accept Spitaler's corrected positions in the IC 2 notes, then NGC 3855 = IC 2952 and NGC 3856 = IC 2953.  Malcolm Thomson proposes NGC 3855 = IC 2953 and NGC 3856 = CGCG 186-036, though the fainter galaxy would be located southeast, instead of north as d'Arrest mentions.  Harold Corwin argues d'Arrest most likely picked up the two brightest galaxies in the vicinity.  So, he proposes NGC 3855 = IC 2953 and NGC 3856 = NGC 3847, though the latter galaxy is nearly 10' to the north.  So, although NGC 3855 is most likely IC 2953 (brightest galaxy nearest d'Arrest's position), the identification of NGC 3856 is very uncertain.
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NGC 3856 = MCG +06-26-028 = CGCG 186-036 = WBL 354-006 = PGC 36569
11 44 44.9  +33 19 16; UMa
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.6'

17.5" (4/14/01): extremely faint, small, round.  Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily.  Located 4.5' ESE of IC 2953 = NGC 3855.

The identification of NGC 3856 = CGCG 186-036 is very uncertain and this number may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3847.

See notes for NGC 3855.
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NGC 3857 = MCG +03-30-084 = CGCG 097-117 = PGC 36548
11 44 50.1  +19 31 58; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 40°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 3.3' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 99769 and 5.8' SW of NGC 3862 within the galaxy cluster AGC 1367. 

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small, round.  A fairly bright star is 3.5' SE.  Appears similar to NGC 3859 5' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3857 = St. 13-63 = Sw. 1-13, along with NGC 3859 and 3864, and reduced the position on 23 Mar 1884.  The original discovery date is uncertain, though Stephan discovered NGC 3867 and  3868 on 16 Mar 1882.  Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 13 Apr 1885 and reported it in his first discovery list.  Swift's position is 12 sec of RA too far west and 1.5' too far south.
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NGC 3858 = NGC 3866 = MCG -01-30-029 = PGC 36621
11 45 11.7  -09 18 51; Crt

See observing notes for NGC 3866.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3858 = LM 2-450 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.6, 0.1' dia, R, gradually brighter in the middle, *9.5 preceding 3 sec [of time]."  His position is 30 sec of RA west of NGC 3866 = PGC 36621 (discovered by Andrew Common in 1880).  A star is 3 sec of RA west, so the identification NGC 3858 = NGC 3865 is nearly certain.  Because of the poor position NGC 3865 was not found by Bigourdan or on Helwan Observatory plates in 1919-20 and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 3859 = UGC 6721 = MCG +03-30-091 = CGCG 097-122 = PGC 36582
11 44 52.3  +19 27 16; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 58°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Member of AGC 1367 with NGC 3857 4.7' NNW and CGCG 97-123 2.5' N.  Located 3.4' SW of mag 8.1 SAO 99769.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small.  Located 3.4' SW of a bright star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3859 = St. 13-64 = Sw. 1-14, along with NGC 3857 and 3864, and reduced the position on 23 Mar 1884.  Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 13 Apr 1885 and reported it in his first discovery list.  His position was 10 sec of RA too far west and 2' too far south.
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NGC 3860 = UGC 6718 = MCG +03-30-088 = CGCG 097-120 = Holm 285a = PGC 36577
11 44 49.1  +19 47 43; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 38°

48" (4/29/22): at 488x; bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~60"x40", strong concentration with a bright oval core.

Surrounded by numerous galaxies with CGCG 97-114 1.4' SSW, CGCG 97-113 2.3' SSW (both collinear with NGC 3860), LEDA 1606249 just 45" N, and CGCG 97-125 1.8' SE.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, broad concentration.  Member of galaxy cluster AGC 1367 with NGC 3862 13' SSE, NGC 3842 14' NW, CGCG 97-115 5' NNW and CGCG 097-131 6' NE.  Nearby members include CGCG 97-114 1.3' S and CGCG 97-113 2.2' S.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, small, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3860 = H. III-386 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and recorded "vF, vS, r."  His position was 2' too far south.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 27 Mar 1886.
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NGC 3861 = UGC 6724 = MCG +03-30-093 = CGCG 097-129 = Holm 287a = WBL 353-057 = LGG 249-004 = PGC 36604
11 45 03.8  +19 58 25; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 2.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 77°

48" (5/15/12): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 1.7'x1.0', well concentrated with a large, bright core and very small brighter nucleus.  A very faint spiral arm emerges on the north or northeast side of the core and winds counterclockwise, merging with MCG +03-30-094, a close companion  on the southeast side.  A similar second arm emerges from the south side of the core and unwinds towards the west, ending at 0.9' W of center.  A very faint extension on the northwest side was not seen.  The companion is situated just 50" SE of center and appeared fairly faint, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.25', even surface brightness.  CGCG 97-133 lies 4.3' NE.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, fairly sharp concentration with a very bright core and stellar nucleus, faint oval halo.  This member of AGC 1367 is located 6.5' NW of mag 7.4 SAO 81972.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, moderately large, small bright core, diffuse.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3861 = h970 on 23 Mar 1827 and noted "F; S; R; bM.  Doubtful."  His position was just off the northwest side of the galaxy.
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NGC 3862 = UGC 6723 = MCG +03-30-095 = CGCG 097-127 = 3C 264 = PGC 36606
11 45 05.0  +19 36 23; Leo
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a close trio with IC 2955 0.9' NNW and CGCG 97-118 2.9' W.  This galaxy is in the core of AGC 1367 and is the brightest in the field with NGC 3857, NGC 3859, NGC 3868.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round, bright core, IC 2955 0.9' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3862 = H. III-385 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403).  He called it "very faint, very small, resolvable" though missed nearby IC 2955.
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NGC 3863 = UGC 6722 = MCG +02-30-028 = CGCG 068-054 = Holm 286a = PGC 36607
11 45 05.6  +08 28 11; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 2.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 75°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, thin edge-on WSW-ENE, moderately large, bright core.  This pretty galaxy is located 15' N of XI Virginis (V = 4.9) within the UGC 6730 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3863 = m 224 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, perhaps 2' l, mE, almost ray, pos 70°, gradually little brighter middle."  His position is less than 1' south of UGC 6722 and the description matches.  William Herschel recorded Xi Virginis (13' SSE of the galaxy) on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194), but missed this galaxy.
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NGC 3864 = MCG +03-30-097 = CGCG 097-130 = Holm 288b = WBL 353-060 = PGC 36620
11 45 15.6  +19 23 32; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/12/88): very faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Located 3.3' W of NGC 3867 in AGC 1367.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3864 = St. 13-65 = Sw. 1-15, along with NGC 3857 and 3859, and reduced the position on 23 Mar 1884.  The original discovery date is uncertain, though he discovered NGC 3867 and 3868 on 16 Mar 1882.  Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 13 Apr 1885 and reported it in his first discovery list (#15).  His RA was 8 seconds too small and the dec was 1.5' too far south.
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NGC 3865 = NGC 3854 = MCG -01-30-028 = PGC 36581
11 44 52.1  -09 13 58; Crt
V = 12.0;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 49°

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very small brighter core appears offset from the geometric center.  Located 4.5' SE of mag 9 SAO 138385.  Forms a pair (identical redshift) with NGC 3866 7' SSE.  Probably one of the brightest members of the large USGC S171 group that includes NGC 3730, 3771 and 3791.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3865 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector and reported "F, pL, dif, another sf [NGC 3866] not so L".  Common's RA (single position) was 20 seconds too large .  Leavenworth probably found this galaxy again in 1886 and reported it as new, though his RA for NGC 3854 was 28 seconds too small and 9' too far south.  In 1921, it was reported again as a possible new nebula at the Helwan Observatory with an interesting description: "F, pS, double nebula [probably an a bright section of a spiral arm] separation 20" in p.a. 40. ? = NGC 3865"  MCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 3858.  See Corwin's notes for NGC 3854.
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NGC 3866 = NGC 3858 = MCG -01-30-029 = PGC 36621
11 45 11.7  -09 18 51; Crt
V = 13.2;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 56°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is close off the west edge 0.8' from center.  Forms a physical pair with NGC 3865 6' NW.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3866 in 1880 and noted "another sf [of NGC 3865] not so L".  The only logical candidate is MCG -01-30-029 = PGC 36621, situated 7' southeast of NGC 3865.  Leavenworth probably found this galaxy again in 1886 and reported it in list LM 2-450 = NGC 3858.  His RA was 30 seconds too small.  So, NGC 3866 = NGC 3858, with discovery priority to Common.  Because of the poor positions, this galaxy was reported as new again at the Helwan observatory (1921 bulletin #22).
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NGC 3867 = UGC 6731 = MCG +03-30-103 = CGCG 097-134 = PGC 36649
11 45 29.6  +19 24 01; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 173°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, oval ~N-S, bright core.  Member of the galaxy cluster AGC 1367 with NGC 3868 2.7' N. 

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, brighter than NGC 3857 and 3859 to the NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3867 = St. 13-66 = Sw. 1-16, along with NGC 3868, on 16 Mar 1882.  His published position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 23 Mar 1884.  He made a later observation on 27 Mar 1886, after his 13th list.  The 16th entry in Swift's first discovery list may be a reobservation on 13 Apr 1885.
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NGC 3868 = MCG +03-30-104 = CGCG 097-135 = Holm 288a = WBL 353-062 = PGC 36638
11 45 29.9  +19 26 41; Leo
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration.  Located in a trio within AGC 1367 with NGC 3867 2.7' S and NGC 3864 4.5' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3868 = St. 13-67, along with NGC 3867, on 16 Mar 1882.  His published position in his 13th and last discovery list was reduced on 23 Mar 1884.  This was the 29th (and last) galaxy recorded that night with detailed notes.
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NGC 3869 = UGC 6737 = MCG +02-30-032 = CGCG 068-059 = PGC 36669
11 45 45.6  +10 49 29; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 135°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; bright, fairly large, very elongated spindle 5:1 NW-SE, ~1.5'x0.3', sharply concentrated with an intense, round core that gradually brightens inward.  The disc is relatively thin.  IC 727 is 19' WSW.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, pretty galaxy.  Member of the NGC 3817-3869 group (USGC U412), which includes HCG 58.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3869 = h971 on 10 Mar 1826 and noted "F; S; suddenly brighter middle; irreg fig; resolvable."  His mean position (2 sweeps) is just off the west side of UGC 6737.
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NGC 3870 = UGC 6742 = Mrk 186 = MCG +08-22-001 = CGCG 268-081 = LGG 258-023 = PGC 36686
11 45 56.6  +50 11 59; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 25°

18" (5/31/03): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', weak concentration.  Situated near the intersection  of a string of stars to the SE and a couple of stars nearly collinear to the ENE.  Member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3870 = H. III-833 = h972 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 946) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel made three observations and and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3871 = IC 2959 = UGC 6744 = MCG +06-26-031 = CGCG 186-041 = PGC 36702
11 46 10.2  +33 06 31; UMa
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 105°

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, very small, elongated E-W.  First of four and forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides 4' length with NGC 3880 and NGC 3881 to the NE and east and also forms a rhombus using a mag 13 star 3.7' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3871 = h967 on 3 Apr 1831 and noted "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  The preceding of 3 [with NGC 3880 and 3881] forming an equilateral triangle.  Place very rough."  There is nothing at his position (given only to the nearest min of RA and min of Dec; both marked as +/-), but 1 min 15 sec of RA due east is UGC 6744, which perfectly fits his description.  Rudolph Spitaler observed the field in 1891 at the Wein Observatory, though his position was 2' too far south (same offset with NGC 3881).

Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again when he went through the region on 11 Jun 1896 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory and because of JH's poor position assumed it was new.  So, NGC 3871 = IC 2959.
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NGC 3872 = UGC 6738 = MCG +02-30-033 = CGCG 068-060 = PGC 36678
11 45 49.1  +13 46 00; Leo
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 20°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  Located 1° SW of Denebola = Beta Leonis (V = 2.1).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3872 = H. II-104 = h973 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "pB, R, vS, cometic (or rather close resolvable).  The kind of nucleus visible is pretty large and seems not to consist of a single star or point, but looks as if it were resolvable."  John Herschel made three observations, describing it on sweep 242 as "B; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a * 11m; 40"."
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NGC 3873 = UGC 6735 = MCG +03-30-106 = CGCG 097-137 = Holm 289a = WBL 353-065 = LGG 249-003 = PGC 36670
11 45 46.1  +19 46 26; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 95°

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a close double with NGC 3875 0.9' SE within the galaxy cluster AGC 1367. 

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round, bright core, close pair with NGC 3875.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3873 = H. III-387 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "vF, vS, R."  His position matches the double system NGC 3873/3875, so H. III-387 could apply to either component.  But it's reasonable to assume he picked up NGC 3873, which is slightly brighter and larger visually.

When Heinrich d'Arrest observed H. III-387 on 8 May 1864.  He resolved the pair and measured both components.  He applied H. III-387 to the northwest component and wrote "Double Nebula, seen [by WH] as single in 1785.  Estimated distance = 52", PA = 119°.  The north-preceding [NGC 3873] is a little brighter and the view is the fainter [NGC 3873] is extremely difficult.  Both are only 2'."  But when Dreyer added d'Arrest's "nova" to the GC Supplement (5582), he mistakenly wrote "III-387 sf", instead of "III-387 np".  Assuming III-387 applies to NGC 3873, then d'Arrest should be credited with the discovery of NGC 3875.
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NGC 3874
11 45 37.7  +08 34 26; Vir

= **, Reinmuth and Corwin.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3874 = H. III-104 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and recorded "I suspect a vF, vS nebula; but there is too much twilight to verify it."  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan was unable to find this nebula on two occasions.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel", notes "F double star in Dreyer's place."  Harold Corwin agrees with this identification.  The only galaxy near his position is NGC 3863, but this galaxy is 45 sec of RA west and 5' south of WH's offsets.
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NGC 3875 = UGC 6739 = MCG +03-30-105 = CGCG 097-139 = Holm 289b = WBL 353-067 = PGC 36675
11 45 49.4  +19 46 03; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 87°

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, very small, very elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  Forms a close double system with brighter NGC 3873 0.9' NW within AGC 1367.

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, small, oval ~E-W, small brighter core.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small.  Forms a pair with NGC 3873.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3875 on 8 May 1864.  He noted a double nebula with H. III-387 = NGC 3873 at 52" separation in PA 119° (east-southeast).  d'Arrest noted the north-preceding nebula was slightly brighter and the south-following nebula extremely difficult. He attached the designation H. III-387 to the north-preceding object.  Dreyer added d'Arrest's "nova" to the GC Supplement (5582), using d'Arrest's mean position (two observations) but mistakenly noted "III-387 sf", instead of "III-387 np".  He repeated this error in the NGC, incorrectly crediting d'Arrest with the discovery of NGC 3873, instead of NGC 3875.
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NGC 3876 = UGC 6730 = MCG +02-30-029 = CGCG 068-055 = PGC 36644
11 45 26.7  +09 09 39; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 105°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' NE.  Located 5.7' E of mag 8.6 SAO 119025.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3876 = H. III-103 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and noted "vF, r."  His position is 4' northeast of UGC 6730 and 4.5' north-northeast of UGC 6734, a much fainter galaxy.  Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position on 24 Mar 1892 using the 27" refractor at Vienna (given in the IC 1 notes).

The major catalogues UGC, CGCG and MCG do not label UGC 6730 as NGC 3876, but it is identified correctly in the RNGC.
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NGC 3877 = UGC 6745 = MCG +08-22-002 = CGCG 243-004 = LGG 258-015 = PGC 36699
11 46 07.6  +47 29 41; UMa
V = 11.0;  Size 5.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; very bright, very large, excellent edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, ~4.5' length and 1' wide.  The central region appears mottled and contains a fairly small brighter core with a sharp, intense stellar nucleus.  The ends of the SW and NE extensions are irregular in brightness (brighter streaks) and don't narrow at the ends.  At times they seemed warped, perhaps due to the patchy brightness.  NGC 3738 is 16' NW.  Member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258 and brightest in the NGC 3877 subgroup.

17.5" (4/18/98): Viewed 13.5 magnitude supernova SN 1998S (type IIn) as an easy object on the south side of the core.

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 4.5'x1.1', bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 10.5 star is 3.8' NNW of center.  Located 16' S of Chi Ursa Majoris (V = 3.7).

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly bright, large, very elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3877 = H. I-201 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "pB, mE nearly in the meridian, 4 or 5' long, 1' broad."  His RA (Caroline's reduction) is 10 sec too large.
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NGC 3878 = MCG +06-26-032 = CGCG 186-042 = PGC 36708
11 46 17.8  +33 12 16; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.6'

17.5" (2/24/90): extremely faint and small, round, very low surface brightness.  Faintest and smallest of four with NGC 3880 2.5' SE and part of a larger group (USGC U418) with NGC 3855 25' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3878 = h974 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "vF; R; the first in an unequally divided line of 3 [with NGC 3880 and 3881].  His position matches CGCG 186-042 = PGC 36708.  In this sweep (74) he missed NGC 3871, which was found later.  R.J. Mitchell missed NGC 3878 when he observed the group on 28 Mar 1856 at Birr Castle.
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NGC 3879 = UGC 6752 = MCG +12-11-040 = CGCG 334-051 = PGC 36743
11 46 49.8  +69 22 59; Dra
V = 13.1;  Size 2.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

18" (5/31/03): faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3'.  This galaxy appeared as a low surface brightness phantom streak with no concentration.  The galaxy is close following a group of five stars including two to the south and three to the west with a mag 10.5 star 2.5' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3879 = H. II-881 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037).  He logged "faint, much extended, about 1 1/2' long, from np to sf, but near the parallel."  His position is accurate.  In "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", Dreyer notes this galaxy was not found by d'Arrest or Bigourdan.
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NGC 3880 = MCG +06-26-033 = CGCG 186-043 = PGC 36712
11 46 22.3  +33 09 42; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, small, round, very diffuse, very low surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is off the north end 0.8' from center.  Third of four with NGC 3878 2.5' NW and NGC 3881 4' SE.  Part of a larger group (USGC U418) with NGC 3855 27' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3880 = h968 = h975 on 29 Apr 1827 and noted (sweep 74) "vF; R; bM; the second of an unequally divided line of 3 [with NGC 3881 and NGC 3878]."  On sweep 337 he only has a rough position for h968 which he assumed was different and logged "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  The second of 3 [with NGC 3871 and NGC 3881]."  So, on both sweeps he missed one of the 4 brighter galaxies here.
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NGC 3881 = MCG +06-26-034 = CGCG 186-046 = PGC 36722
11 46 34.4  +33 06 23; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.75';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 15°

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 4' SW.  Last of four in a faint quartet with NGC 3880 4.2' NW and part of a larger group (USGC U418) with NGC 3855 30' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3881 = h969 = h976 on 29 Apr 1827 and recorded h976 as "vF; R; the third of an unequally divided line of 3 [with NGC 3878 and 3880].  His position is accurate.  He found the galaxy again on 3 Apr 1831 and logged "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  The last of 3 [forming an equilateral triangle with NGC 3871 and 3880]."  His positions for these three galaxies were very poorly determined but the identifications are obvious from the description.  In the first sweep he missed NGC 3871 and in the later sweep he missed NGC 3878.  Rudolph Spitaler measured a position in 1891 at the Vienna Observatory, though his position is 2' too far south (same error with NGC 3871).
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NGC 3882 = ESO 170-011 = PGC 36697
11 46 06.6  -56 23 17; Cen
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 126°

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 3882 is buried in a rich Centaurus Milky Way star field only 5.3° from the Galactic planevery, a very unusual setting for a galaxy.  At 200x, it appeared fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2'x1', weak concentration.  A mag 12 star sits at the SSE edge and a mag 13.5 star is close off the SE end.  A faint star barely off the NW end appears to be a very close double.  In addition, 4 or 5 fainter stars are superimposed on the unconcentrated glow!  Located 2.4' WSW of mag 8.8 HD 102323.

This galaxy was misclassified as a diffuse nebula in the RNGC and as a reflection nebula in the Sky Atlas 2000.0, probably because it is embedded in the Milky Way.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3882 = h3358 on 3 Apr 1834 and recorded "vF; little extended; has two stars in it."  His position is just off the north side of ESO 170-011.  This galaxy is misclassified by the RNGC as a diffuse nebula in the RNGC and the Sky Atlas 2000.0 lists it as a reflection nebula!  I'm not certain where the first misclassification occurred, although Sven Cederblad included it as a nebula.
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NGC 3883 = UGC 6754 = MCG +04-28-053 = CGCG 127-054 = PGC 36740
11 46 47.1  +20 40 31; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 3.0'x2.4';  Surf Br = 14.6

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, fairly small, very slightly elongated, weak concentration.  Located 17' N of NGC 3884 in the galaxy cluster AGC 1367.

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, small, round, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3883 = H. III-372 on 13 Apr 1785 (sweep 398) and recorded "vF, cL, but (moon) light is too strong to see it well."  His position was offset 13 seconds of RA to the west and 3' to the south of UGC 6754.  Neither John Herschel nor d'Arrest made an observation, though Édouard Stephan observed it on 27 Mar 1886, after the last of his discovery lists were published.
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NGC 3884 = UGC 6746 = MCG +04-28-051 = CGCG 127-052 = PGC 36706
11 46 12.1  +20 23 30; Leo
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 10°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, broad concentration, small faint core.  Located 4.5' NNE of mag 7.7 SAO 81978 within AGC 1367.

NGC 3884 forms a pair with IC 732 4' NW.  The companion is very faint, very small, very elongated. This system is a contact pair though was not resolved.

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, brighter middle increases to a small brighter core, very faint halo extended ~N-S.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3884 = H. III-388 = h977 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "vF, vS, r."   His position (1 min 25 sec preceding 93 Leo and 25' north) is within 4' of the galaxy.

On 29 Mar 1832 (sweep 409), John Herschel called it "pretty faint; north following a * 7m; Delta RA = 4.5 sec, dist 5'.  His offset from mag 7 HD 102243 is fairly close, but his published position was 34 seconds of RA too large.  Dreyer used John Herschel's erroneous RA in the NGC, placing NGC 3884 east of NGC 3883, instead of west. This error was caught by Bigourdan though a correction wasn't published in the IC Notes section.
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NGC 3885 = ESO 440-007 = MCG -05-28-006 = AM 1144-273 = LGG 253-002 = PGC 36737
11 46 46.4  -27 55 19; Hya
V = 11.9;  Size 2.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 123°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, bright core.  A mag 12 star is 1.4' ESE and a fainter mag 13.5 star is 1.4' SSE of center.  Located 6' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 180171.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3885 = H. III-828 = h3359 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 939) and logged "eF, stellar.  Just preceding a very small star.  With 300x, R, very gradually brighter middle."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position,
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NGC 3886 = UGC 6760 = MCG +03-30-111 = CGCG 097-147 = PGC 36756
11 47 05.6  +19 50 14; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 132°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration.  Member of AGC 1367.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3886 on 9 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position matches UGC 6760 and the description mentions the mag 11 star that follows by 13.5 seconds of RA and 45" south.
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NGC 3887 = MCG -03-30-012 = UGCA 246 = PGC 36754
11 47 04.7  -16 51 16; Crt
V = 10.6;  Size 3.3'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly bright, large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 3.0'x2.0', broadly concentrated halo, no well-defined nucleus.  A mag 12 star is at the NE edge of the halo 1.2' from the center and a mag 13 star is off the SE edge 2.0' from center.

8" (5/21/82): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, diffuse.  Located 90' NE of mag 5 Zeta Crateris.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3887 = H. I-120 = h979 = h3360 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and recorded "cB, L, bM, irregularly round, 4 or 5' l and 3 or 4' br."  His position matches MCG -03-30-012 = PGC 36754.  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "pB; L; R; vgpmbM; r(?); 90"."  Based on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory, Harold Knox-Shaw described it as an open spiral.
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NGC 3888 = UGC 6765 = VV 455 = MCG +09-19-189 = CGCG 268-085 = Mrk 188 = PGC 36789
11 47 34.5  +55 58 01; UMa
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 120°

18" (2/14/10): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0'.  The galaxy is extended in the direction of a mag 12.5 star 1.9' WNW of center.  Appears brighter along the major axis and increases mildly to a nucleus that seems offset to the SE side.  Located south of a group of 5 mag 9-10.5 stars and 21' NNE of mag 5.3 HD 102328.  Several galaxy are in the vicinity including NGC 3898 16' NE, NGC 3889 3.7' NE and MCG +9-19-183 4.7' NNW.  AGC 1377, a distant cluster near the bright star, lies ~15' south!

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval WNW-ESE, bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is 1' W.  There are five fairly bright mag 9-10 stars to the NE and NW (including mag 8.8 SAO 28139 and mag 9.2 SAO 28134) arranged in two parallel strings.  Third of five in the NGC 3898 group with NGC 3889 3.7' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3888 = H. II-785 = h978 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "pB, S, lE."  His RA is 30 tsec too small.  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position (used in the NGC).
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NGC 3889 = MCG +09-19-191 = PGC 36819
11 47 48.2  +56 01 06; UMa
V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 126°

18" (2/14/10): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 24"x12", low even surface brightness.  Located just 3.7' NE of NGC 3888.  The redshift (z = .054) implies this is an outlying member of AGC 1377.

17.5" (3/19/88): very faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE.  Located 3.7' NE of NGC 3888.

Bindon Blood Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant), discovered NGC 3889 on 13 Mar 1852 (Sat. night).  While observing NGC 3888 he noted "another F, S, 5' nf."  The faint galaxy MCG +09-19-191 is situated 3.7' northeast of NGC 3888 and is a reasonable candidate in position and brightness.  But a second observation by Lawrence Parsons on 1 Apr 1878 confused the situation as he logged "Nova, vF, vS, Pos 167.2 deg (SSE), Dist 340.5"."  This placed the nebula southeast of NGC 3888 instead of northeast.  In compiling the NGC, Dreyer was swayed by the second observation and placed NGC 3889 just 2 seconds of RA following NGC 3888 and 5.6' south and there is nothing at Parsons' position.

In an attempt to identify NGC 3889, the RNGC assigns it the same coordinates and new description as NGC 3850 which is located 17' WSW of NGC 3888!  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #1, WSQJ January 1985.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3890 = NGC 3939 = UGC 6788 = MCG +13-09-003 = CGCG 352-008 = PGC 36925
11 49 19.9  +74 18 08; Dra
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (5/31/03): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration, no noticeable core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3890 = H. III-940 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068). He recorded "very faint, small, round, bright middle."  Caroline's reduced position (used in the GC) lands 2.8' too far NW.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position, although the RA in the NGC position is 1.0 minute too small.

Herschel later rediscovered this galaxy on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096), with large systematic errors in position.  He catalogued it again as III. 971 = NGC 3939.  The corrected position for NGC 3939 published in 1911 (MN, 71, 509) reveals NGC 3939 = NGC 3890.  Dreyer mentioned the one minute error in RA for NGC 3890 and the equivalance with NGC 3939 in his 1912 update of Herschel's catalogues.
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NGC 3891 = UGC 6772 = MCG +05-28-031 = CGCG 157-035 = PGC 36832
11 48 03.3  +30 21 34; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 70°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.7'.  Contains a very small, brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3891 = H. II-723 = h980 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 805) and noted "pB, S, lE."  John Herschel observed it on 30 Mar 1827 (sweep 65) with description,"B; R; suddenly brighter middle; 20-30"."
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NGC 3892 = MCG -02-30-030 = LGG 248-004 = PGC 36827
11 48 00.9  -10 57 43; Crt
V = 11.5;  Size 3.0'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 E-W, 2.0'x1.5', prominent core, very small brighter nucleus, large faint halo.  A mag 13.2 star is 2' NW and a mag 13.7 star is off the SW edge of the halo [1.1' from center].  Located 5' WSW of a mag 10.5 star.  Brightest in a small, but spread out group (LGG 248 at z = .006) including NGC 3732 and 3779.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3892 = H. II-553 = h981 = h3361 on 4 Mar 1786 (sweep 597).  His description reads, "pB, pL, bM, irregular figure.  To the south and a little preceding is a vS star inclosed in the nebulosity, which at first had the appearance of a small, stellar nebula."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel logged this galaxy from Slough, England as "L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"; r" and from the Cape of Good Hope as "pB; R; pL; 45"; first gradually the pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  Joseph Turner, observing on 5 Apr 1878 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope, noted it this object was suddenly brighter to a nucleus.
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NGC 3893 = UGC 6778 = MCG +08-22-007 = CGCG 243-008 = Holm 293a = LGG 258-016 = PGC 36875
11 48 38.2  +48 42 39; UMa
V = 10.5;  Size 4.5'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

48" (5/9/18): I was quite impressed with this gorgeous asymmetric spiral.  At 488x and 610x it appeared very bright, very large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, slightly over 3'x2'.  The slightly elongated core contains a bright, circular nucleus that rises to a very bright non-stellar peak.  A prominent spiral arm is rooted at the SW side of the core.  It emerges to the south with a 15th mag star superimposed, and unfurls fairly sharply clockwise to the SE as it separates from the core. The arm shoots nearly straight N on the E end of the halo, ending nearly 1.5' NNE of center.  The arm is relatively thin and has a high contrast with the much darker interarm gap to the W.  An easy HII knot is within the arm, 50" ESE of center, and a second bright knot with a stellar center is just 15" S.  The northern section of the arm is mottled but I didn't notice any specific knots.  A second thin arm is attached on the E or NE side of the core.  It curls around the N side of the core to the W and ends at a mag 13.4 star [0.9' NW of center].  This arm has a sharply defined, hard outer edge at 610x.  Forms a pair (similar redshift) with NGC 3896 3.7' SE.

MCG +08-22-009 was also picked up in the field 5' NE.  It appeared bright (V = 14.6), fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 20"x14", fairly high surface brightness. It contains a very small, very bright nucleus.

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 2.4'x1.6', broad moderate concentration, small bright core.  I saw a hint of spiral structure with an impression of an arm attached at the SW end trailing to the east.  A mag 13.5 star is involved at the NW side 1.0' from the center and a mag 10.5 star is 3.1' SW.  Forms a pair with NGC 3896 3.7' SE.  NGC 3893 is a member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3893 = H. II-738 = h982 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and recorded "pB, pL, R, much brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.  John Herschel logged "B; pL; R; gb and pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 60"."

Bindon Stoney, observing on 15 Apr 1852 with LdR's 72", logged "Spiral probably, knot in south edge and a * outside preceding edge."  The next night he also noted the "spiral branch seems to start from the south edge and go round the following and n sides as far as the preceding star."  Further observations of the spiral structure were made in 1857 and 1861.
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NGC 3894 = UGC 6779 = MCG +10-17-078 = CGCG 292-033 = Holm 294a = LGG 251-004 = PGC 36889
11 48 50.3  +59 24 56; UMa
V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, brighter along the major axis, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3894 = H. I-248 = h983 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951), along with NGC 3895, and logged "cB, pL, iF." John Herschel made two observations and noted "B; pL; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle; the preceding of 2."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 3895 = UGC 6785 = MCG +10-17-080 = CGCG 292-035 = Holm 294b = LGG 251-005 = PGC 36907
11 49 04.0  +59 25 57; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 125°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 3894 2.2' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3895 = H. II-832 = h984 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951), along with NGC 3894, and logged "pB, pL, R." John Herschel made a single observation, "F; pL; E; gradually brighter in the middle.  The foll of 2."
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NGC 3896 = UGC 6781 = MCG +08-22-008 = CGCG 243-009 = Holm 293b = LGG 258-017 = PGC 36897
11 48 56.4  +48 40 28; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 125°

48" (5/9/18): at 488x and 610x; bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~0.9'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a very bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is at the north edge [25" from center], and a mag 16.8 star is just off the west side [33" from center].  Fainter of pair with showpiece (in this aperture) NGC 3893 3.7' NW.

17.5" (4/7/89): faint, small, oval NW-SE, small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is at the north edge 26" from the center.  Forms a pair with NGC 3893 3.7' NW.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3896 = H. II-739, along with NGC 3893, on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "F, vS."  His position is 2' too far north.  d'Arrest found it on 4 Dec 1861 and assumed it was new, though he made a transcription error and his position is 36 minutes of time too small.
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NGC 3897 = UGC 6784 = MCG +06-26-041 = CGCG 186-054 = PGC 36902
11 48 59.5  +35 00 58; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2

18" (4/5/03): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak concentration to center but no core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 2.5' NW.  Located 10' NW of mag 5.7 SAO 62718.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3897 = H. II-408 = h986 on 28 Apr 1785 (sweep 404) and noted "vF, vS, R."  Caroline's reduction is NGC 3897 is 12 sec of RA west of UGC 6784.  John Herschel made three observations and called this galaxy either "pF" or "F".
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NGC 3898 = UGC 6787 = MCG +09-19-204 = CGCG 268-088 = CGCG 269-002 = LGG 250-005 = PGC 36921
11 49 15.3  +56 05 04; UMa
V = 10.7;  Size 4.4'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 107°

17.5" (3/19/88): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, very bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 3888 lies 15' SW. Brightest in the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (also UMa NED2 Group).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3898 = H. I-228 = h985 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "cB, vB irr Ncl with F branches, 1 1/2' l, 3/4' br."  John Herschel made 4 observation calling it (sweep 345) "B; pL; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 60"."
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NGC 3899 = NGC 3912 = UGC 6801 = MCG +05-28-037 = CGCG 157-041 = PGC 36979
11 50 04.5  +26 28 47; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3912.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3899 = h987 on 26 Mar 1827 and noted "pB, R, suddenly much brighter middle".  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA east and 2' north is NGC 3912 = h992 which was observed on three different sweeps, but not on the sweep in which he found h987.  Reinmuth noted the equivalence NGC 3899 = NGC 3912 and Corwin agrees with this equivalence.
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NGC 3900 = UGC 6786 = MCG +05-28-034 = CGCG 157-038 = PGC 36914
11 49 09.4  +27 01 19; Leo
V = 11.4;  Size 3.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 2°

17.5" (5/2/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 2'x1', brighter core, very small prominent round core, faint stellar nucleus.  Surrounded by a mag 11.5 star 3.3' S, a mag 10.5 star 4.6' NNE and a mag 12 star 5.0' ESE.

8" (4/24/82): fairly bright, elongated, bright core, NGC 3912 30' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3900 = H. I-82 = h988 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "pB, pS."  John Herschel made 6 observations, recording on 27 Feb 1827 (sweep 57), "B; pL; R; suddenly brighter in the middle to nucleus; 40"."
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NGC 3901 = UGC 6675 = MCG +13-09-001 = CGCG 351-068 = CGCG 352-006 = LGG 284-010 = PGC 36386
11 42 49.7  +77 22 22; Cam
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 165°

18" (3/5/05): very faint, moderately large, low surface brightness, very weak concentration, elongated roughly 4:3 though it was difficult to pin down an orientation as the halo increased with averted vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3901 = H. III-970 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096).  He logged ""very faint, pretty large, resolvable."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  A corrected position matching UGC 6675 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 344).
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NGC 3902 = UGC 6790 = MCG +04-28-055 = CGCG 127-060 = LGG 254-001 = PGC 36923
11 49 18.9  +26 07 18; Leo
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 85°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', weak concentration.  Member of the nearby group LGG 254 and located ~2 degrees NW of the NGC 4005 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3902 = H. III-321 = h989 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "vF, pS."  Caroline's reduction is 10 sec of time preceding UGC 6790.  John Herschel made two observations and measured a more accurate RA.
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NGC 3903 = ESO 378-024 = MCG -06-26-008 = AM 1146-371 = LGG 256-002 = PGC 36906
11 49 03.9  -37 31 02; Cen
V = 12.8;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7

18" (5/15/10): at 175x and 220x; between faint and fairly faint, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~30"x25", just a broad weak concentration with no core or zones.  Situated in a E-W line of stars with a mag 14 star 50" W and a mag 12 star 2.6' E.  A pair of mag 14/15 stars also lies 1.5' E.  Member of a loose, poor group (LGG 256).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3903 = h3362 on 21 Apr 1835 and logged "pF; R or little extended; gradually very little brighter middle; among stars."  His position (measured twice) matches ESO 378-024.
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NGC 3904 = ESO 440-013 = MCG -05-28-009 = LGG 255-002 = LEDA 731258 = PGC 36918
11 49 13.2  -29 16 37; Hya
V = 10.9;  Size 2.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 8°

18" (4/29/06): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core and a much fainter halo of uniform surface brightness.  NGC 3923 lies 40' NE.  Member of a group with NGC 3923, NGC 4105, IC 764 and NGC 4106.

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Located 40' SW of NGC 3923.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3904 = H. II-864 = h3363 on 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 998).  He logged "pB, S, R, very gradually much brighter middle, almost resembling a nucleus."  Caroline's reduction is 2' southwest the center of this galaxy.  John Herschel made a single observation, noting "pB, R, pretty suddenly much brighter middle, 15 arcseconds."
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NGC 3905 = MCG -01-30-035 = PGC 36909
11 49 04.9  -09 43 48; Crt
V = 12.8;  Size 1.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

17.5" (5/2/92): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.  Forms the vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 3' N and a mag 13 star 2' E.  The halo fades into the background so it is difficult to determine the elongation.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3905 in 1880 with his 36" reflector.  He recorded #24 in his Copenicus discovery list as "F, L, diffused".  His (rough) position is 0.3 min of RA east and 2' south of MCG -01-30-035 = PGC 36909.

Ormond Stone found this galaxy again in 1886 at the Leander-McCormick and reported I-192 as "mag 15.5, 1.8' dia, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle."  His rough position (nearest min of RA) was essentially correct (30 sec of RA east).  Dreyer credited both Common and Stone in the NGC.
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NGC 3906 = UGC 6797 = MCG +08-22-012 = CGCG 243-011 = LGG 269-001 = PGC 36953
11 49 40.4  +48 25 33; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (4/7/89): faint, fairly large, round, low surface brightness, broad mild concentration.  Bracketed by a mag 12.5 star 2.0' S and a mag 13.5 star 2.6' NNE of center.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the M109 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3906 = H. III-715 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "eF, pS."  Caroline's reduction is at the west edge of UGC 6797.
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NGC 3907 = UGC 6796 = MCG +00-30-028 = CGCG 012-094 = Holm 295a = WBL 359-003 = PGC 36941
11 49 30.1  -01 05 12; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

18" (4/9/05): This is a close pair of galaxies (NGC 3907A/B) although John Herschel only recorded a single object.  The eastern component has a fairly high surface brightness and appears fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.4'x0.3' (viewed core only and missed the much fainter extensions).  Forms a close 1.7' pair with NGC 3907B = UGC 6793 just west.  The companion appears as a faint edge-on, ~3:1 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.25', low even surface brighness.  UGC 6793 is larger, though has a lower surface brightness than NGC 3907.  Both galaxies were comparable in ease of viewing so it's surprising that Herschel missed one.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3907 = h990 on 15 Apr 1828 and noted "eF; S; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His position is just off the south side of UGC 6796, though his missed the nearby companion to the west.
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NGC 3908 = PGC 36967
11 49 52.7  +12 11 09; Leo
V = 15.0;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (3/9/13): very faint to faint, small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 3.3' SE of a mag 10.6 star and 12' E of mag 8.6 HD 102633.

PGC 36967 is the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in Abell 1390, with a light-travel time of 1.1 billion years (second most distant in the NGC)!  The densest part of the galaxy cluster is 10' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3908 = Sw. 1-17 on 10 Apr 1885 and noted "F; vS; R; mbM."  There is nothing at his position, but 7' north is PGC 36967.  This galaxy is not catalogued in the MCG or CGCG and may be too faint for Swift to have noticed visually.  He called the galaxy "F[aint]", although he described difficult galaxies as "eF" or "eeF".  Even though there are no other nearby candidates, this identification is very uncertain.

The light-travel time for PGC 36967 is 1.1 billion years, and if seen by Swift is the second most distant galaxy in the NGC (after NGC 5609) and the 4th most distant visually discovered galaxy in the entire NGC/IC.
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NGC 3909 = ESO 217-008
11 50 07  -48 14 42; Cen
Size 18'

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x and 145x): at 73x, this very large, scattered cluster contained ~75 stars mag 10-14 in a 20'x14' field, elongated E-W.  Many of the stars are arranged in a roughly circular (somewhat boxy) annulus, with relatively few stars in the interior.  Stands out reasonable well at low power, but unimpressive at 145x.  On the west side is HJ 4476, a 10.1/11.0 pair at 20".  A couple of doubles are on the east side, including a 13th mag pair at 14", and near the center is a mag 10.2/11.8 pair at 25".

John Herschel discovered NGC 3909 = h3364 on 1 Mar 1835 and logged "a fine, large, but coarse cl class VII; stars 9, 10, 11m; two double stars are in it."  On a later sweep he recorded "Place of a double star in a vL, no v comp cl, class VII, well defined and insulated, has about 50 or 60 st 9...12 m".  His position corresponds with a pair of mag 10-11 stars at 18" separation in a scattered group.  RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 3910 = UGC 6800 = MCG +04-28-058 = CGCG 127-063 = PGC 36971
11 49 59.3  +21 20 01; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, oval ~NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 30" off the NW edge and 1.0' NNW of center.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 3910 on 3 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg.  He recorded "a round nebula, 20" diameter, strong concentratin to center.  A star 10-11 is 48" north." This object was found (along with 7 others) while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) in Mar-Apr 1869.  Struve was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement and the NGC.

William Herschel made the first observation on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671), but he wasn't confident it was a real nebula:  He recorded "extremely faint, extremely small.  Suspected, but may be a deception."  His reduced position lands less than 3' SW of NGC 3910, within his standard errors.  He never went back in a later sweep to confirm this object and the discovery wasn't assigned a general (internal) number or published in his catalogues.
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NGC 3911 = (R)NGC 3920 = UGC 6803 = VV 367 = MCG +04-28-059 = CGCG 127-064 = PGC 36981
11 50 06.0  +24 55 13; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 3920 lies 10' W.  The identifications of NGC 3911 and NGC 3920 are reversed in all modern catalogues.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3911 = H. III-341 = h991 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF, vS, but little exceeding the stellar.  240 showed it very plainly."  His position is 3' southwest of UGC 6803, within his typical margin of error.

But when John Herschel reobserved this field, he assumed UGC 6803 was new and took UGC 6795, a fainter galaxy 10' west, as his father's III-341. Furthermore, he only measured the declination and failed to measure the RA for either object (as they were past the meridian), but adopted his father's RA for UGC 6795 (assuming it was H. III-341).  This confusion resulted in the CGCG and other modern catalogues reversing the identifications of NGC 3911 and NGC 3920.

The identifications given by Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin place the NGC labels on the historically correct galaxies, but this leaves the numbering out of order in RA (NGC 3920 precedes NGC 3911).  Instead, Courtney Seligman favors the NGC numbers in RA order with NGC 3911 on the western galaxy and NGC 3920 on the eastern.  He also assigns "H. III-314" on NGC 3920, the brighter galaxy.  This is consistent with modern catalogues.
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NGC 3912 = NGC 3899 = UGC 6801 = MCG +05-28-037 = CGCG 157-041 = PGC 36979
11 50 04.5  +26 28 47; Leo
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.2'x0.6'.  Broad concentration with a brighter core but no well-defined nucleus.  The surface brightness is irregular at 280x.  Sky transparency and seeing conditions poor.

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, elongated N-S.  NGC 3902 lies 23' SSW and NGC 3900 30' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3912 = H. II-342 = h992 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F, pL."  John Herschel made three observations, describing it on 13 APr 1831 (sweep 343) as "pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"."  h987 = NGC 3899 is a fourth observation on 26 Mar 1827 with a similar description, but his position was 1 minute of RA too small.  So, NGC 3912 = NGC 3899, with NGC 3912 the principal designation.
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NGC 3913 = IC 740 = UGC 6813 = MCG +09-20-001 = CGCG 268-092 = CGCG 269-004 = Holm 296a = LGG 241-005 = PGC 37024
11 50 38.9  +55 21 13; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 14.5

18" (4/30/11): fairly faint, fairly large, 2' diameter.  The halo has a very low surface brightness with a weak, broad concentration to a small brighter core.  NGC 3916 lies 13' S and NGC 3921 is 17' SSE.  NGC 3913 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group and the UMa NED1 (LGG 241) subgroup.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration.  NGC 3916 and NGC 3921 are located about 15' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3913 = H. II-786 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920), along with nearby NGC 3916 and 3921, and noted "F, E."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2' southwest of UGC 6813.

Lewis Swift "rediscovered" this galaxy on 8 May 1890 and described "eeF; pL; iR; 3916-3921 in field."  Dreyer recatalogued it IC 740.  Both positions are close enough to each other, that I'm surprised neither suggested the equivalence.  So, NGC 3913 = IC 740.
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NGC 3914 = UGC 6809 = MCG +01-30-017 = CGCG 040-050 = PGC 37014
11 50 32.7  +06 34 05; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 40°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Either a knot or more likely a faint star is superimposed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3914 = H. III-90 = h995 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191)and noted "vF, vS, not mbM.  Near some bright stars and very near a faint star."  John Herschel logged (sweep 253) "F; R: 15"; has a * 13m, 70" dist np."
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NGC 3915
11 50 30  -05 09; Vir

= Not found, RNGC.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3915 = H. III-113 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205) and recorded "eF, eS.  240x showed 2 vS close stars with nebulosity between them; but probably a more favorable evening will prove it a deception."  There is nothing at his position (nor for NGC 3679 = H. III-112, the previous object in the sweep), though 1.0 min of RA preceding is IC 2963 and Wolfgang Steinicke identifies NGC 3915 as IC 2963.

Harold Corwin notes that the NGC position is from Christian Peters (in his Copernicus lists).  There is nothing near Peters' position (a bit further east than WH's), but perhaps he measured a poor position for IC 2963, which is 1.1 minutes of RA west of his position, or refers to IC 741, which is 19' N of his position.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 3915 might be LEDA 170172 at 11 46 55.6 -05 11 16 (J2000), though IC 2963 seems a more likely candidate to me.  PGC (and HyperLEDA) identifies NGC 3915 as IC 738 and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.  With all these uncertainties, I've listed the number as Not Found.
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NGC 3916 = UGC 6819 = MCG +09-20-005 = CGCG 269-005 = CGCG 268-093 = PGC 37047
11 50 51.0  +55 08 36; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 45°

48" (5/12/12): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 4:1 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.3'.  Arp 224 = NGC 3921 lies 4.5' SE, MCG +09-19-213 is 5.8' SSW and PGC 2491113 (part of Arp 224) is 3.6' ESE.

18" (4/30/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.2'.  NGC 3921 lies 4.5' SE.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, thin edge-on SW-NE, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 3921 4.5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3916 = H. II-787 = h993 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "Two, the south-following [NGC 3921], which is that of which the place is taken, is pB, S [with another [NGC 3916] north-preceding about 5', it precedes the other about 5 sec in time.)"  John Herschel logged "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle" and his position is within 1' of UGC 6819.
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NGC 3917 = UGC 6815 = MCG +09-20-008 = CGCG 268-093 = LGG 258-002 = PGC 37036
11 50 45.4  +51 49 28; UMa
V = 11.8;  Size 5.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 77°

48" (4/25/25): at 375x in poor conditions; fairly bright, large, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE. Contains a large, brighter core or middle, but no nucleus. The surface brightness appears irregular or mottled. Two mag 14.0 and 14.3 lie 1.4' S and SE of center.

UGC 6802, situated 6' WNW, appeared faint, extremely thin edge-on ~8:1 NNW-SSE, slightly brighter elongated core.

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, broad concentration without a distinct nucleus.  Two stars are off the S edge; a mag 13.5 star 1.3' S and a mag 14 star 1.3' SE of center.  I missed the 16th magnitude flat galaxy UGC 6802 6.2' WNW.  NGC 3917 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3917 = H. II-824 = h994 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 946) and recorded "'B, mE, about 6' l and 2' br."  Caroline's reduced position is 5' north of UGC 6815 and the description matches perfectly.  John Herschel made a single observation and logged "F; vmE; very gradually brighter middle; 150" l, 30" br."  Although he equated h994 with II-824 in the Slough Catalogue, he assigned a separate GC designation to II-824 and placed it 1° too far north.  The two GC designations were combined by Dreyer in the NGC.

The RA in the RNGC is 0.7 min of RA too far east.  There is a similar offset for NGC 3921 located 3° north.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #3.
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NGC 3918 = PK 294+4.1 = ESO 170-13 = PN G294.6+04.7 = Blue Planetary
11 50 17.8  -57 10 56; Cen
V = 8.2;  Size 19"

25" (3/29/25 and 3/28/19 - OzSky): at 187x and 318x; very bright, uniform high surface brightness disc of 15" diameter with a sharp outline and a vibrant blue color. Central star not noticed.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x the "Blue Planetary" has an even, extremely high surface brightness disc of 15" and a saturated, vivid blue color.  The edge is crisply defined and the disc has a uniform surface brightness.  At 350x, the planetary is oval or irregular, perhaps 18"x15".  There was no sign of the central star, though I didn't try high powers.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 76x appears as a bright, beautiful blue cosmic egg floating in a rich star field, ~15" diameter.  The surface brightness is extremely high and uniformly lit, with a sharply defined edge to the disc.  At 228x, the planetary appears to be set in the middle of an absorption hole in the Milky Way as there are very few faint stars in a 4' to 5' circular region surrounding the planetary.  Outside this hole, the Milky Way background is very evident and fairly bright.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 195x, this 8th magnitude planetary appears as a beautiful 10"-12" blue disc with a very crisp edge.  No central star was glimpsed or other structural details at this magnification though the surface brightness is unusually high.  Situated in a rich star field but set near the middle of a oval 12'-13' ring of mag 11 and 12 stars which are near the periphery of the 17' field at 195x!  Located 8.4' SSW of mag 8.1 HD 102817 and 19' SW of mag 5.6 HD 103101.  The open cluster NGC 3960 lies 90' N.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, the "Blue Planetary" appears as a bright, round disc, ~15" diameter with a vivid blue color (V = 8.2).  The surface brightness is very high and the edge of the halo is crisply defined, but no structural details or central star were noted.  Good response to UHC filter, although it was unnecessary for a good view.  The Milky Way is quite rich here in faint stars but the planetary seems to be set a darker, circular hole without the faint background glow - a contrast affect with the PN?

John Herschel discovered NGC 3918 = h3365 on 3 Apr 1834 and described this planetary as "perfectly round; very planetary; color fine blue;...very like Uranus, only about half as large again and blue."  In a letter to Francis Baily from the Cape of Good Hope dated 22 Oct 1834, he added "On the 3d of April I discovered another fine planetary nebula, having a perfectly sharp disc, without the least haziness, of about 6" diameter.  The most remarkable feature about this is its evident blue colour, which needs not the presence of lamp light, or that of any red star, to be very conspicuous, as it appears when the nebula stands alone in a dark field."  On 5 Feb 1835 (sweep 543, the night described in his diary as "most superb" and "having attained the sublime of Astronomy - a sort of ne plus ultra") he noted the color as "a beautiful rich blue, between prussian blue and verditter green...its outline is sharp and clean, and perhaps a very little elliptic.  A feeble lamp light gives a deep indigo contrasted color."

According to Glen Cozens (and repeated by Stephen O'Meara), James Dunlop first recorded this planetary in the Brisbane Star Catalogue of 1826 as #3807, noting a "fine blue star".  But checking his catalogued position, it lands on mag 5.6 HD 103101, which lies 19' NE of NGC 3918.

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, John Herschel's son, reported NGC 3918 displayed an emission line in an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.  In 1890, Williamina Fleming reported the spectrum showed bright lines in the ultra-violet, which was not seen in other planetary nebulae.

Joseph Turner and Pietro Baracchi (1885) sketched the planetary with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate V, figure 57).

The term "planetary", of course, had been used by William Herschel but he never made an analogy to Uranus.  John Herschel wrote in his "A Treatise on Astronomy”, "They [planetary nebulae] have, as their name, exactly the appearance of planets."  He also reported the colors of several as shades of blue (NGC 7009, 7662, 3242, 3918).  See additional comments on M57.
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NGC 3919 = UGC 6810 = MCG +03-30-119 = CGCG 097-161 = PGC 37032
11 50 41.5  +20 00 54; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' ENE of center.  A mag 15.7z galaxy 3' NE was not noticed.  Located 80' E of the core of AGC 1367.  With a similar redshift, this galaxy seems likely to be an outlying member.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3919 on 6 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position matches UGC 6810 and he mentions the mag 14 star that follows by 4.3 seconds of RA, and slightly north.
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NGC 3920 = (R)NGC 3911 = UGC 6795 = VV 367 = MCG +04-28-056 = CGCG 127-061 = LGG 254-005 = PGC 36926
11 49 22.2  +24 56 19; Leo
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/15/93): very faint, small, round, ~30" diameter.  A mag 10.5 star is just off the west edge (40" W of center) which hinders observation.  NGC 3911 lies 10.5' E.  The identifications of NGC 3911 and NGC 3920 are reversed in all catalogues.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3920 = h996 on 28 Mar 1832.  Although he gives no visual description, he mentioned  "Follows III 341 [NGC 3911] on same parallel."  He was confused on the identification of H. III 341 and assigned the nova to the wrong object.  Because of this confusion, the identifications of NGC 3911 and NGC 3920 are reversed in all modern catalogues.  This error is discussed in Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections, WSQJ April 1989 and CGCG Corrections.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3921 = Arp 224 = VV 31 = UGC 6823 = MCG +09-20-009 = CGCG 268-095 = CGCG 269-007 = I Zw 28 = Mrk 430 = PGC 37063
11 51 06.8  +55 04 43; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

48" (5/12/12): at 488x; the "core" of this disrupted galaxy is very bright, oval 4:3 N-3, ~25"x20", fairly sharply concentrated with a small intense nucleus that brightens to a blazing stellar center.  A large, faint tear-drop shaped plume extends from the core 1' due south.  The plume forms an elongated loop or ring with a brighter rim. The offset, brilliant core sits at the north edge of the loop.

PGC 2489542 lies 1.2' SW and appeared faint, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~12"x6".  PGC 2491113 is 2.4' NNE and was fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 12"x9".  These two fainter galaxies are captured in Arp's 200-inch photo.  Also nearby are MCG +09-19-213 5' WSW and NGC 3916 5' NW.  NGC 3921 is considered a proto-typical late stage merger-remnant with two long, crossed tidal tails indicating a merger of two former disk galaxies.

18" (4/30/11): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to the center and a much fainter outer halo. NGC 3916 lies 4.4' WNW.  This is a disrupted galaxy with an off-set nucleus and long filamentary tidal tails.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, round, small very bright core.  Brightest of three with NGC 3916 4.5' NNW and MCG +09-19-213 5' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3921 = H. II-788 = h997 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded "Two, the south-following [NGC 3921], which is that of which the place is taken, is pB, S [with another [NGC 3916] north-preceding about 5', it precedes the other about 5 sec in time.)"  John Herschel logged "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position. The RA in the RNGC is 0.5 min too large.
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NGC 3922 = NGC 3924 = UGC 6824 = MCG +08-22-017 = CGCG 269-008 = CGCG 243-017 = LGG 258-001 = PGC 37072
11 51 13.4  +50 09 25; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 38°

18" (5/31/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.4', fairly low surface brightness, slightly brighter middle.  A 20" pair of mag 12/13 stars lies 4' SE.  NGC 3922 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3922 = H. III-716 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "vF, vS."  His position is 3' north of UGC 6824 = PGC 37072. There are no other objects close by, so this identification is solid.  He observed this galaxy again on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 946) and measured a very similar position, but recorded it again as II-825 = NGC 3924.  So, NGC 3922 = NGC 3924.
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NGC 3923 = ESO 440-017 = MCG -05-28-012 = AM 1148-283 = LGG 255-003 = PGC 37061
11 51 01.8  -28 48 22; Hya
V = 9.8;  Size 5.9'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 50°

24" (4/13/18): at 200x; very bright, large, oval ~2:1 SW-NE.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright and very small core that seems mottled, highlighted by a stellar nucleus.  A very faint star is situated at the southwest edge of the core.  The core is surrounded by a large, much fainter oval halo that increases in size with averted vision and extends at least 4'x2'. Brightest member of the LGG 255 group, which includes NGC 3904 and UGCA 250.

Supernova 2018aoz, discovered on April 2 (11 days ago) was surprisingly bright at mag ~13.0 and very easy to identify 3.7' N of center.  It was clearly brighter than a mag 13.5 star superimposed at the southwest edge of the halo.

18" (4/29/06): very bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~2.5'x1.5'.  Well-concentrated with a very bright elongated core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  The relatively fainter halo increases in size with averted vision.  This well-studied galaxy is surrounded by concentric gaseous shells of material.

8" (5/21/82): bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, small bright nucleus.  NGC 3904 lies 40' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3923 = H. I-259 = h3366 on 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 998) and logged "cB, pL, gradually brighter in the middle, little extended, the brightness takes up a large space of it."  His position is at the southwest edge of the galaxy.  John Herschel made two observations, first logging "B, pL, little extended, gradually little brighter middle, 80" long, 50" broad, resolvable."
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NGC 3924 = NGC 3922 = UGC 6824 = MCG +08-22-017 = CGCG 269-008 = CGCG 243-017 = PGC 37072
11 51 13.4  +50 09 26; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3922.  This number is incorrectly applied to UGC 6849 in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG, RC3!

William Herschel discovered NGC 3924 = H. II-825 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 946) and recorded "pB, L, bM, iF."  His position is just far enough off (3' north-northeast of UGC 6824) that WH didn't equate it with III-716 = NGC 3922, which he previously discovered on 9 Mar 1788.  Dreyer later realized the equivalence and noted in his 1912 Monthly Notices paper on NGC corrections "to be struck out (= 3922)".  CGCG, UGC, RNGC and RC3 misidentify UGC 6849 as NGC 3924. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3925 = MCG +04-28-071 = CGCG 127-075 = PGC 37078
11 51 21.0  +21 53 20; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, small, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.4'.  Located 4.5' NE of a mag 10.5 star.  A mag 11.5 star lies 4' ESE and a nice equal mag 13 pair [12" separation] is 4' ENE.  The double system NGC 3926 is the field 8' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3925 on 19 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured twice, matches CGCG 127-075 = PGC 37078, and he mentions the double star (in my notes) that follows by 19 seconds of time.  The RNGC declination is 2' too far north.
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NGC 3926 = VV 218a/b = UGC 6829 = MCG +04-28-074 = CGCG 127-076 = KPG 305 = PGC 37079 = PGC 37080
11 51 28.2  +22 01 33; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.8'

24" (5/20/20): NGC 3926 is an overlapping pair with the nuclei separated by 24" and the halos overlapping.  The eastern component is the larger and brighter and appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a quasi-stellar nucleus at most 10" diameter.  The nucleus of the western galaxy was also easily visible at 225x and 375x and similar in brightness.  But only a 10" core could be distinguished as the halos are merged.  Overall, the dimensions were ~40"x20" in an E-W orientation.

CGCG 127-079, just 2.5' NE, appeared faint, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness, 24"x18".

17.5" (5/4/02): this is a double system in a common envelope.  The combined glow was elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.3'.  In moments of better seeing, the system resolved into a contact pair with the brighter component (VV 218b) on the east end and the companion appearing as a very small knot (VV 218a) at the west edge!  The separation is just 24" between centers.  NGC 3925 is 8' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3926 = H. III-379 = h998 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402). He noted "extremely faint, little elongated, easily resolvable, may be a patch of stars, the night not being dark enough."  Interestingly, he swept it again on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671) and wrote "two extremely faint stars, with seeming nebulosity; but the nebulosity is probsably a deception."  Despite the uncertainty in both observations, the positons are good.  John Herschel made a single observation, logging "eF; R; S; near a star." Perhaps his comment about near a star refers to the western component!
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NGC 3927 = NGC 3713:
11 31 42.0  +28 09 13; Leo

See observing notes for NGC 3713.  = Not found, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3927 on 27 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  There are no stellar or nonstellar objects near his single position.  He mentioned the observation was beyond doubt, but the sky conditions were poor.  No one has suggested or found a plausible candidate.  Harold Corwin concludes "NGC 3927 is probably lost for good."

But in April 2015, after checking possible digit errors in d'Arrest's postion I found that if he made a 20 minute error in time (too large) then his position is a very close match with NGC 3713.  After notifying Harold Corwin, he concurs this is the only reasonable identification though still leaves a bit of uncertainty as d'Arrest failed to mention any nearby stars.
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NGC 3928 = UGC 6834 = Mrk 190 = MCG +08-22-019 = CGCG 243-019 = LGG 258-018 = PGC 37136 = Miniature Spiral
11 51 47.6  +48 40 59; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Bracketed between a mag 13.5 star 1.3' SE and a mag 14 star 1.9' NNW of center.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3928 = H. II-740 = h999 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "pF, pS, stellar."  Caroline Herschel's reduction is 1.7' northeast of UGC 6834.  John Herschel called it "not vF; S; R; pspmbM" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3929 = UGC 6832 = MCG +04-28-076 = CGCG 127-080 = PGC 37126
11 51 42.5  +21 00 09; Leo
V = 14.1;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core.  A mag 14.5 star is at the SE end 0.5' from center.  Located at the center of triangle formed by a mag 11 star 1.7' SE and two mag 13.5 stars 1.8' N and 2.0' W.  NGC 3940 lies 12' E.  Member of the NGC 3937 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3929 on 4 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 2 nights, matches UGC 6832 and he accurately placed the mag 11 star that follows by 5.3 seconds of RA and 1' south.
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NGC 3930 = UGC 6833 = MCG +06-26-045 = CGCG 186-059 = Holm 300a = PGC 37132
11 51 45.8  +38 00 54; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 3.2'x2.4';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 30°

18" (4/5/03): very faint, moderately large, round.  Appears as a very diffuse ill-defined glow with just a weak concentration.  It was not initially noticed initially in the field.  Located 2.5' E of a mag 13 star, the southernmost of three collinear mag 13/13.5 stars.  John Herschel mentioned a 7th magnitude star which followed due east by 3'.  This is Groombridge 1830, a halo star with the third fastest known proper motion (7.04"/yr). This star is now roughly 23' SE!

William Herschel discovered NGC 3930 = H. III-616 = h1000 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714).  He recorded "very faint, considerably small, just south of a star 6th mag.  I suspected at first that my glass had been affect with damp."  He reobserved the galaxy on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 915) and logged "extremely faint, irregular figure, 3 or 4' dia, resolvable.  About 5' south of a star 6th mag."  In his 1814 PT paper, Herschel mentioned that on one observation he logged "A star of the 6th magnitude, about 5' north of a very faint nebula, or an irregular figure."  But on a observation two years before, the two objects were then so near each other, as, at first sight, it caused a suspicion that some damp had settled upon the eye-glass and affected the star.  He commented this might suggest that the nebula had a considerable proper motion, though differences in observing conditions might account for the difference.  It turns out that Herschel's first explanatin was correct -- the star is Groombridge 1830, which has the third highest known proper motion of 7.04"/yr and the star is now roughly 23' further southeast!  But in a two-year period there was not a significant proper motion of the star.
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NGC 3931 = NGC 3917A = UGC 6825 = MCG +09-20-011 = CGCG 268-096 = CGCG 269-009 = LGG 258-031 = PGC 37073
11 51 13.4  +52 00 02; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  Located 4.9' W of mag 8.6 SAO 28166.  NGC 3917 lies 11' NNE.  NGC 3931 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3931 = H. III-769 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He noted "considerable faint, small."  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA preceding, and 2' north is UGC 6825.  Philip Keenan rediscovered this galaxy on a Yerkes Observatory plate and labeled it NGC 3917A (assuming it was new) in his 1935 paper "Studies of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, Part I: Determination of Magnitudes" (ApJ, 82, 62).  All objects were assigned NGC + letter designations based on the nearest NGC object on the plate. "  He determined a magnitude of 13.9.

In a 1926 photographic survey Karl Reinmuth identified PGC 37168 as NGC 3931.  This galaxy is close to WH's position, but UGC 6825 is much brighter and more likely to have been picked up.  CGCG and MCG do not label their corresponding catalogue entries as NGC 3931.  Both Harold Corwin and Malcolm Thompson discuss this identification.
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NGC 3932
11 52 10.8  +48 37 13; UMa

= * 5.5' SE NGC 3928, RC1 and Thomson.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.  See CGCG 243-022 for notes.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3932 on 4 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position in AN 1500 corresponds with a mag 13 star 5.5' southeast of NGC 3928.  d'Arrest didn't include this object in his compilation of observations "Siderum Nebulosorum" (1867).  RNGC, CGCG and MCG misidentify CGCG 243-022 = PGC 37194 as NGC 3932.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3933 = UGC 6839 = MCG +03-30-122 = CGCG 097-170 = PGC 37156
11 52 02.0  +16 48 35; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 83°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, fairly small, oval WSW-ENE, almost even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3934 3.6' NE.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 3933, along with NGC 3934, around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseilles Observatory.  His description (5) reads "pF, E, elliptic, no bright point" and his micrometric position in AN 1885 matches UGC 6839.  Dreyer included the discovery in the GC Supplement (5588).  The pair was independently found by Pechüle in 1884 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at Copenhagen.
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NGC 3934 = UGC 6841 = MCG +03-30-123 = CGCG 097-171 = PGC 37170
11 52 12.6  +16 51 06; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, low surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 2.0' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 3933 3.6' SW.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 3934, along with NGC 3933, around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseilles Observatory.  His description (6) reads "eF, nearly round, almost undiscernable" and his micrometric position in AN 1885 matches UGC 6839.  Dreyer included the discovery in the GC Supplement (5589).  The pair was independently found by Carl Frederick Pechüle in 1884 in Copenhagen.
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NGC 3935 = UGC 6843 = MCG +06-26-049 = CGCG 186-061 = PGC 37183
11 52 24.1  +32 24 15; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 114°

17.5" (2/24/90): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3935 = h1001 on 29 Apr 1827 and noted "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."  His mean position (from 3 sweeps) is an excellent match with UGC 6843. Alphonse Borrelly's position in AN 1885 appears to have a typo in RA as he placed this object 23 sec of RA west of NGC 3933.  Since Borrelly listed this object after NGC 3933 in his short table, he may have communicated the correct RA to Dreyer.
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NGC 3936 = ESO 504-020 = MCG -04-28-004 = UGCA 248 = LGG 253-004 = PGC 37178
11 52 20.5  -26 54 21; Hya
V = 12.0;  Size 3.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 63°

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x0.6', fairly even surface brightness.  A mag 10.5 star is 4.8' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3936 = h3367 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vmE; 2' l; 15" br; pos of extension = 59.3°."  His position and description match ESO 504-020.  Based on photos taken at the Helwan Observatory in 1919-20, it was described as "F, 3' x 0.25', E 75°; spiral seen edge-wise; no nucleus."
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NGC 3937 = UGC 6851 = MCG +04-28-081 = CGCG 127-088 = PGC 37219
11 52 42.6  +20 37 52; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 15°

17.5" (4/7/89): moderately bright, very small, slightly elongated, small very bright core.  Brightest in the NGC 3937 group with NGC 3943 9.8' SSE and IC 2968 2.8' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3937 = H. III-389 = h1003 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel made a single observation and measured an accurate position.

The RNGC equates NGC 3937 with IC 2968, but IC 2968 is a separate galaxy located 3' west (see that number).
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NGC 3938 = UGC 6856 = MCG +07-25-001 = CGCG 214-034 = CGCG 215-002 = LGG 269-002 = PGC 37229
11 52 49.4  +44 07 15; UMa
V = 10.4;  Size 5.4'x4.9';  Surf Br = 13.8

48" (5/10/18):  at 375x; I was very impressed with this gorgeous face-on spiral!  Very bright, roundish, over 4' diameter, strongly concentrated with a well defined, very bright round core and bright stellar nucleus. Three principal spiral arms were easily visible.  A thin inner arm can be traced 180°; it originates just south of the core and curls counterclockwise towards the west.  It dims out as it extends north along the west side [~0.6' from center] but brightens noticeably as it spirals out and detaches from the central region on the northwest side, ending nearly due north [1.3' from center].  A shorter outer arm on the west side was easily visible [at a radius of 1.5'], curving 90° from the southwest to the northwest.  These two western arms are separated by a darker interarm gap

The eastern arms have a noticeably lower contrast.  The inner eastern arm can be traced with the help of a wide, darker dust lane immediately to its east.  The arm disappears into the halo on the south side but just further west two small HII knots, ~6" diameter each, were visible. The knots are separated by 20" E-W, and isolated on the southwest edge of the halo.  The 1983 Hodge-Kennicutt "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies" includes multiple designations including #120 [1.4' SSW of center] and #140 [1.5' SW of center].  A 15th magnitude star is ~1' W, just beyond the halo on the SW end.

The outer arm on the eastern edge of the halo could mostly be traced by three HII knots within the arm.  The largest is an easily visible 12"-15" patch (#23) on the NE edge of the halo [2.2' from center]. Also 2' ENE of center are a pair of faint knots only ~5" diameter.  These are separated by 12" in a N-S orientation, with the northern knot (#3) slightly brighter than the southern (#4).

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, fairly large, large round halo, 3'x3', fairly weak concentration, core appears elongated E-W, faint stellar nucleus embedded.  This galaxy, along with NGC 4051 and NGC 4111, are the brightest members of the NGC 4111 group (LGG 269) in the UMa Cloud.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3938 = H. I-203 = h1002 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 810) and recorded "cB, cL, R pBNM."  John Herschel made two observations, logging on sweep 248 "a superb nebula; B; vL; R; 3' diam; very gradually brighter middle; r; is probably a globular cluster."

On 17 Mar 1849, George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, logged "Suspect it to be a spiral.  Lord Rosse and I independently thought at moments that were saw a ring around the nucleus.  Two years later, Bindon Stoney wrote "Spiral of the faintest class.  The middle is pB, but branches vF.  Conjectured form as in diagram [which shows a 3-armed spiral]."  Listed as "Spiral or curvilinear" in LdR's 1850 PT paper.  Two possible spiral shapes (by Stoney in 1851 and by R.J. Mitchell on 17 Apr 1855) were shown in the 1861 and 1880 publications.
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NGC 3939 = NGC 3890 = UGC 6788 = MCG +13-09-003 = CGCG 352-008 = PGC 36925
11 49 19.9  +74 18 08; Dra
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8

See observing notes for NGC 3890.

William Herschel found NGC 3939 = H. III-971 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "extremely faint, very small, round."  This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors due to a misidentification of the offset star and the telescope misaligned off the meridian.  A corrected position matching UGC 678 was published in 1911 using plates taken at the Greenwich Observatory with the 30-inch reflector.  Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues.  See Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752 and Wolfgang Steinicke's book on Herschel's sweeps (p. 344)..

As it turns out, Herschel had already discovered this galaxy on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068) and it was catalogued as III. 940 (later NGC 3890).  So, NGC 3939 is a duplicate of NGC 3890.
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NGC 3940 = UGC 6852 = MCG +04-28-082 = CGCG 127-089 = PGC 37224
11 52 46.5  +20 59 21; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (5/20/20): at 225x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, slightly brighter core that is sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus, ~40" diameter with suggestions of a larger very low surface brightness halo.

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.4' SE.  Member of the NGC 3937 group with NGC 3946 8.2' ENE and NGC 3929 12' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3940 = H. III-380 = h1004 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402) and noted "faint, small."  His RA was 10 seconds too large.  He swept NGC 3940 again on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671) and noted "suspected; but doubtful; probably 2 very faint and very close stars."  On this sweep, Caroline's reduction is 3' too far SSW and it wasn't equated with his earlier discovery.  Oddly, this was the 4th galaxy observed in the fairly short sweep lasting about an hour and half that he was uncertain or thought was probably a "deception" (NGC 3821, NGC 3910, NGC 3926, NGC 3940).
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NGC 3941 = UGC 6857 = MCG +06-26-051 = CGCG 186-062 = PGC 37235
11 52 55.3  +36 59 10; UMa
V = 10.3;  Size 3.6'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 10°

24" (2/15/18): at 200x; bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~2.5'x1.8'.  Sharply concentrated with an intense core.  At 375x the core increases to a very small, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Type Ia SN 2018pv (discovered on 3 Feb at the pre-max stage) was easily visible at 13th magnitude, but located only 4" E of center, right up against the edge of the bright nucleus.

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 2.5'x1.2', high surface brightness, small very bright mottled core, substellar nucleus, fairly small halo.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' ENE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3941 = H. I-173 = h1005 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 719) and recorded "vB, R, NM but very gradually diminishing about 2 1/2' diam."   John Herschel made three observation and measured a more accurate position.  Samuel Hunter, Lord Rosse's assistant on 17 Apr 1862, questioned if it was a "right-handed spiral?"
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NGC 3942 = MCG -02-30-035 = PGC 37099
11 51 30.1  -11 25 29; Crt
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 127°

18" (3/19/04): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8'x0.6'.  Low, even surface brightness with no discernable core.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3942 = LM 2-451 and reported "mag 16.0, 0.8'x0.5', E 160°, gradually very little brighter middle." There is nothing near his position, but 1.3 min of RA due west is MCG -02-30-035 = PGC 37099 and the description is a reasonable fit.  Due to the poor position, Bigourdan could not find this object.
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NGC 3943 = MCG +04-28-084 = CGCG 127-090 = PGC 37237
11 52 56.6  +20 28 44; Leo
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/7/89): faint, small, oval, small bright core.  Located 6' NE of mag 7.3 SAO 82020.  Located in a group with NGC 3937 9' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3943 on 27 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 2 nights, matches CGCG 127-090 = PGC 37237 and he accurately placed the mag 13 star that precedes by 15.5 sec of RA.
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NGC 3944 = UGC 6859 = MCG +04-28-085 = CGCG 127-091 = CGCG 157-048 = LGG 254-004 = PGC 37244
11 53 05.1  +26 12 25; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 25°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', brighter core.  Situated between two mag 10.5-11 stars 2.5' W and 3.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3944 = H. III-322 = h1007 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and simply noted "vF, stellar."  Caroline's reduction is 3.7' southwest of UGC 6859.  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3945 = UGC 6860 = MCG +10-17-096 = CGCG 292-042 = PGC 37258
11 53 13.6  +60 40 32; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 5.8'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 15°

17.5" (4/13/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 2.0'x1.5'.  The small, very bright core has sharp edges and appears mottled with bright spots.  The slightly elongated halo is much fainter.  Three stars are near; a mag 12 star is 1.3' SW and two mag 13.5 star lie 1.7' NW and 1.3' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3945 = H. I-251 = h1006 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and recorded "vB, perfectly R, BN with F chevelure joining to it by imperceptible degrees; the whole about 1 1/2' dia.  Caroline's reduced position is 16 tsec of RA too small.  John Herschel made two observations and logged on sweep 344 "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 60"; a star precedes 8 sec of time from neb in PA 215.9°."
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NGC 3946 = MCG +04-28-089 = CGCG 127-096 = PGC 37268
11 53 20.6  +21 01 17; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, extremely small, round.  Located 3.0' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.  Member of the NGC 3937 group with NGC 3954 9.6' SE and NGC 3940 8' W.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3946 = Big. 49, along with NGC 3948, on 23 Apr 1886.  His position is an exact match with CGCG 127-096 = PGC 37268.
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NGC 3947 = UGC 6863 = MCG +04-28-088 = CGCG 127-095 = PGC 37264
11 53 20.3  +20 45 06; Leo
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (4/7/89): moderately bright, fairly small, oval E-W.  A mag 15.5 star is at the east edge 0.9' from center.  Located 3.2' SE of a mag 10 star.  Member of the NGC 3937 group with CGCG 127-092 6.0' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3947 = H. II-403 = h1008 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402) and recorded "F, S, irr F."  His position is 17 sec too far west.  He measured a more accurate position on two later observations, including 27 Dec 1785 (sweep 671).  John Herschel recorded "F; mE; bM; a coarse D * precedes."
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NGC 3948
11 53 36.7  +20 57 03; Leo

= *, Corwin

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3948 = Big. 50 on 23 Jun 1886.  There are no galaxies at his position, which is 14 sec of RA east and 4' south of NGC 3946, which he also discovered.  At this offset, though is a mag 13.4 star.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 3954 as NGC 3948.
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NGC 3949 = UGC 6869 = MCG +08-22-029 = CGCG 243-025 = Holm 301a = PGC 37290
11 53 41.6  +47 51 31; UMa
V = 11.1;  Size 2.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 120°

24" (5/13/23): at 327x; bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:3 NW-SE, ~2'x1.2', broad concentration with large brighter central region, noticeably mottled or irregular surface brightness (dusty Sc spiral with several star-forming regions).

17.5" (4/7/89): bright, fairly large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration, substellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 3950 1.8' N (appears stellar).  A mag 15 star lies 3.0' NE of center.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the M109 group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3949 = H. I-202 = h1009 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and logged "pB or cB, pS, lE."  John Herschel made two observations, first logging "B; mE; very gradually brighter middle."  Nearby NGC 3950 was found at Birr Castle.
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NGC 3950 = MCG +08-22-030: = Holm 301b = PGC 37294
11 53 41.3  +47 53 05; UMa
V = 15.7;  Size 0.4'x0.35'

24" (5/13/23): at 327x; extremely faint quasi-stellar object (V = 15.7), just 1.8' N of center of NGC 3949 and 1' off the N edge. Required averted vision to glimpse.

17.5" (4/7/89): seen as an extremely faint mag 15.5-16.0 stellar object located 1.8' N of NGC 3949.  The redshift-based light travel time is 1.0 billion years!

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Lord Rosse, discovered NGC 3950 on 31 Mar 1872.  While observing NGC 3949 = GC 2604 he noted a "companion nebula north about 2.5'."  On 27 Apr 1875, a micrometric measurement placed the nova in position angle 356.5° (north), distance 154.6".  PGC 37294 is only 1.6' N of NGC 3949, so the reported offsets were 1' off.  Despite the error, this galaxy was likely seen at Birr Castle.  Karl Reinmuth identifies this galaxy as NGC 3950 in his 1926 photographic survey Die Herschel-Nebel.

The RNGC position is 4' north of NGC 3949.  Dorothy Carlson misidentifies NGC 3950 as a star.
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NGC 3951 = UGC 6867 = MCG +04-28-090 = CGCG 127-099 = PGC 37288
11 53 41.2  +23 22 56; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 172°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.9'x0.5', weak concentration.  Brightest in a string of five galaxies including UGC 6846 and 6855 to the NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3951 = H. III-342 = h1010 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, vS, lE."  John Herschel noted "vF; S; R" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 3952 = IC 2972 = MCG -01-30-044 = PGC 37285
11 53 40.6  -03 59 46; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 85°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 5:2 E-W, broad weak concentration, ~50"x20".  Mag 8.2 HD 103252 is 7.5' NNW.  Observation several hours past the meridian (elevation 25°).

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, thin edge-on, faint arms ~E-W, brighter core.  Located 7.5' SSE of mag 8.3 SAO 138460.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3952 = H. III-612 = h1012 on 11 Mar 1787 (sweep 709) and noted "vF, cS, E."  Caroline's reduction is 2' north of MCG -01-30-044 = PGC 37285.  John Herschel made 3 observations and on sweep 147 called it "F; little extended; nearly in parallel; resolvable??"

Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 23 Mar 1895 and reported Sw. 11-127 (later IC 2972) as "vF; pS; R; 2 B stars n and np; s of 2 [with IC 2969]."  His position is very close to NGC 3952, so it's surprising that neither Swift nor Dreyer realized the equivalence IC 2972 = NGC 3952.
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NGC 3953 = UGC 6870 = MCG +09-20-026 = CGCG 269-013 = LGG 258-004 = PGC 37306
11 53 48.8  +52 19 35; UMa
V = 10.1;  Size 6.9'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 13°

48" (5/2/19): at 375x and 545x; very bright, large spiral with 3 visible arms, extending .nearly 6'x2.5' SSW-NNE  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very bright, round nucleus.  A moderate contrast bar extends through the nucleus in a SW-NE orientation.  A long, gently curving spiral arm extends north into the outer halo and curves counterclockwise to the NE.  A low contrast, long spiral arm (~2.5' in length) drapes due south on the east side of the core/bar.  A mag 14.5 star is just within this arm [0.9' NE of center]. An extremely faint HII patch is east of this arm at the edge of the halo [1.4' E of center].  Finally, an outer section of the southern spiral arm was easily seen and brightest in a patch at the south tip [2' from center].  The arms bends sharply from SW to NE at the outer end.  A mag 14 star is close to the W edge [51" from center].

17.5" (3/19/88): very bright, very large, elongated ~N-S, 5'x2', very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is at the west edge, 0.9' from the center, and a brighter mag 11 star is off the NE side, 2.7' from center.  NGC 3953 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

16x80 finder (3/19/88): visible as a fairly large, elongated patch.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3953 = H. V-45 = h1011 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "considerably bright, bright nucleus with faint branches, 6 or 7' length, 3 or 4' broad."  John Herschel reported "B; L; very suddenly brighter in the middle; r; 3' diam.  Fine object."

Henk Bril has proposed that NGC 3953, and not NGC 3992, is the object discovered by Pierre Méchain, and associated with M109.  See http://www.astrobril.nl/FortinOther.html#M109

Bindon Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant on 3 Mar 1851, reported "S neb, vF, 6' npp."  Although this object was not mentioned again in 3 later observations at Birr Castle, it probably refers to 16th magnitude PGC 2412642, 4.5' WNW of center (Steinicke concurs).  R.J. Mitchell's sketch on 19 Apr 1857 is Plate XXVII, Fig. 17 in LdR's 1861 publication.
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NGC 3954 = UGC 6866 = MCG +04-28-091 = CGCG 127-098 = PGC 37291
11 53 41.7  +20 52 57; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms the northern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 10 star 4.4' SSE and a mag 11 star 4.2' SSW.  Member of the NGC 3937 group with NGC 3947 10' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3954 = H. III-381 = h1013 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402) and noted "vF, R."  His re-reduced position is 10 sec of RA following UGC 6866.  Caroline made a 2° 25' error in reducing the declination, so John Herschel assumed h1013 was new.  His position is just 40" southeast of center.  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1891 at the Stasbourg Observatory (published in 1907).
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NGC 3955 = ESO 504-026 = MCG -04-28-005 = AM 1151-225 = LGG 263-013 = PGC 37320
11 53 57.1  -23 09 50; Crt
V = 11.9;  Size 2.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 165°

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 NNW-SSE, 2.3'x0.6', broad concentration to a 1.5' diameter core.  A mag 14.5 star is just preceding the NNW tip 1.1' from center.  Located 4.7' SW of mag 8.9 SAO 180282.  Probably a member of the NGC 4038/39 (Antennae) group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3955 = H. II-623 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 660) and recorded "vF, S, E.  Near the meridian but a few deg. from np to sf., a little brighter south of the middle."  His position and description matches ESO 504-026.
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NGC 3956 = ESO 572-013 = MCG -03-30-016 = UGCA 251 = LGG 263-001 = PGC 37325
11 54 00.9  -20 34 01; Crt
V = 12.1;  Size 3.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 58°

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE.  Broad concentration with no well-defined core.  Halo gradually fades into background, so difficult to estimate size but roughly 3.2'x1.0' (slightly larger than similar NGC 3955).  Located 4.5' SE of mag 8.6 SAO 180275.  Member of the NGC 4038/39 (Antennae) group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3956 = H. III-290 = h3368 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 709) and logged "eF, pL, broadly elongated from a few degrees sp to nf."  John Herschel made a single observation and recorded "F; pL; mE; gradually little brighter middle; 60"; pos 236.8°."  Both Herschels measured accurate positions.
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NGC 3957 = IC 2965 = ESO 572-014 = MCG -03-30-017 = LGG 263-002 = PGC 37326
11 54 01.5  -19 34 09; Crt
V = 11.8;  Size 3.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 173°

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, edge-on spindle 4:1 N-S.  NGC 3981 lies 35' SE.  Both galaxies are members of the NGC 4038/39 group (Antennae).

8" (5/21/82): very faint, small, spindle-shape.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3957 = H. II-294 = Sw. 11-124 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and recorded "F, S, E, r."  His position is just 1' too far east.

Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy again on 20 Feb 1898 and reported "B, S, eE, a ray."  Dreyer assumed this was a new nebula, which he catalogued as IC 2965.  There is nothing at Swift's position, but 3.5 tmin of time east (same declination) is NGC 3957 and the description fits.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 3957 = IC 2965, the only plausible candidate he could find.
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NGC 3958 = UGC 6880 = MCG +10-17-098 = CGCG 292-043 = LGG 251-006 = PGC 37358
11 54 33.6  +58 22 01; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 28°

18" (5/31/03): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, slightly brighter core.  A mag 14 star lies ~30" N.  Located 8.2' SSW of NGC 3963.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3958 = H. II-833 = h1014 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951).  He noted "F, S."  John Herschel made two similar observations and measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 3959 = MCG -01-30-046 = PGC 37363
11 54 37.7  -07 45 24; Crt
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Located midway between a mag 13 star 30" off the SE edge and a mag 13.5 star 30" off the NW edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 3967 10' SE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3959 = T. 5-11, along with NGC 3967, on 19 May 1881 and noted "between two star mag 14 and 16.".  His micrometric position (measured twice) matches MCG -01-30-046 = PGC 37363, as the comment clinches the identification.
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NGC 3960 = ESO 170-14 = Cr 250 = Mel 108
11 50 33  -55 40 36; Cen
V = 8.3;  Size 7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): roughly 30 fainter stars are resolved in a 6' group over unresolved background haze.  The cluster is moderately bright, weakly compressed and rich in faint stars although it does not contain any stars brighter than 12th magnitude!  Located 1.5 degrees due north of the "Blue Planetary", NGC 3918.  NGC 3882 lies 56' SW. This is an old open cluster with an age of roughly one billion years.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3960 = D 349 = h3369 on 30 Apr 1826.  He made 4 observations with a summary description, "a pretty large, faint nebula, 6' or 7' diameter, easily resolvable with slight compression of the stars to the centre, or rather towards the following side of the centre."  His position is just 5' SSE of center (relatively small error for him).

John Herschel only observed this cluster on one sweep (5 Apr 1837) and noted "cluster, VI class, pretty rich, irregular figure, round with long appendages, gradually pretty much brighter to the middle, 9', stars 13th magnitude."
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NGC 3961 = UGC 6885 = CGCG 334-055 = PGC 37390
11 54 57.6  +69 19 48; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9

18" (3/5/05): faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, slightly brighter core.  With averted vision the faint halo grows to 40".  Situated between a mag 14 star 1' SW and a mag 14.5 star 1.5' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3961 = H. III-905 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037).  He logged "extremely faint, very small, 300x confirmed it." His position is accurate although Bigourdan missed finding this galaxy (too faint) and it was listed as a dubious object by Father Hagen.
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NGC 3962 = MCG -02-30-040 = UGCA 253 = PGC 37366
11 54 40.1  -13 58 30; Crt
V = 10.7;  Size 2.6'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 15°

17.5" (5/11/96): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 5:4 N-S, 2.0'x1.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a bright 25" core and increasing to a nonstellar nucleus.  Forms a right triangle with two mag 10.5 stars 2.2' S and 3.1' SSE.

8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3962 = H. I-67 = h3370 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and logged "cB, pL, much brighter in the middle, iF."  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope and first logged "vB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 40"; forms a triangle with 2 stars 10-11m."  His position matches MCG -02-30-040 = PGC 37366.
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NGC 3963 = UGC 6884 = MCG +10-17-100 = CGCG 292-044 = LGG 251-007 = PGC 37386
11 54 58.7  +58 29 37; UMa
V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.9

18" (5/31/03): moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, 2.5'x2.0', fairly low irregular surface brightness.  Asymmetric appearance with the slightly brighter core offset from center and one or two  faint stars or knots embedded near the edge of the halo (breezy conditions with fairly poor seeing made confirmation difficult).  Forms a pair with NGC 3958 8.2' SSW.

17.5" (5/2/92): moderately bright, moderately large, round, 2' diameter, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star is at the SSW edge of the halo 0.5' from the center.  The very small core of the galaxy appears to be just NE of this star.  A non-stellar knot is clearly visible with averted vision at the NE edge of the halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3963 = H. IV-67 = h1015 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and recorded "pB, vL, R.  The greatest part of it equally bright, then fading away pretty suddenly.  Between 2 and 3' dia."  His re-reduced position (with respect to 66 UMa) is 20 seconds of RA too large, but John Herschel measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 3964 = MCG +05-28-043 = CGCG 157-050 = PGC 37375
11 54 53.4  +28 15 45; Leo
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 76°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, starry center.  A mag 11.5 star lies 0.9' NNE of center.  Very close to the Leo-Ursa Major border.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3964 = h1016 on 30 Mar 1827 and recorded "A * 10m with eF neb 45° sp; 30".  The neb by a diagram made at the time is oval, and forms a kind of appendage to the star."  His positions on 3 sweeps and descriptions point directly to CGCG 157-050 = PGC 37375.
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NGC 3965 = PGC 157086
11 54 23.1  -10 52 01; Crt
Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 123°

24" (3/22/14): very faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter.  Immediately picked up once the position was centered at 375x.  Located 11.8' NNW of mag 8.2 HD 103449.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3965 = LM 2-452 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.  His notes mention "mag 16.0, 0.1' dia, R, brighter middle to a nucleus, *9.5 np 4'."  There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin identifies LEDA 157086 = 2MASX J11542315-1052003 as NGC 3965.  This faint galaxy is located 43 tsec west of Leavenworth's position (a typical error with the LM discoveries) and a mag 11 star 4.4' NW matches Leavenworth's description.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 3966 = NGC 3986 = UGC 6920 = MCG +05-28-053 = CGCG 157-058 = PGC 37544
11 56 44.1  +32 01 17; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3986.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3966 on 8 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He noted a mag 12-13 star that precedes by 4.1 seconds of time and 22" south (separation of 49" from the nebula) but there is nothing at his single position.  Max Wolf suggested in list VIII that d'Arrest's RA was off by 30 seconds and Dreyer copied this "correction" into the IC 2 notes.  The corrected position matches CGCG 157-056 = IC 2981 (see that number) and RNGC, MCG, CGCG and PGC identify CGCG 157-056 as NGC 3966.  

But Harold Corwin (e-mail from 6 Mar 1998) notes that NGC 3986 has a star at the exact separation given by d'Arrest, although this galaxy is over 20' southeast of d'Arrest's position (one of his few very poor positions).  Curiously, d'Arrest mentions he was searching for h1027 = NGC 3986!  So, NGC 3966 = NGC 3986.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 3967 = MCG -01-30-047 = PGC 37398
11 55 10.4  -07 50 37; Crt
V = 10.7;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 11.1;  PA = 118°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' ENE. A semicircle of five stars with a 4' diameter is about 5' SE.  NGC 3959 lies 10' NW.  This galaxy does not appear as bright as listed magnitude V = 10.7.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3967 = T. 5-13, along with NGC 3959, on 19 May 1881.  His micrometric position (measured twice) matches MCG -01-30-047 = PGC 37398, as well as his comment "a mag 11 star follows and 3'-4' south."
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NGC 3968 = UGC 6895 = MCG +02-30-045 = CGCG 068-092 = CGCG 069-004 = PGC 37429
11 55 28.8  +11 58 07; Leo
V = 11.8;  Size 2.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 10°

17.5" (5/11/02): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 2'x1.3'.  The halo is pretty diffuse but brightens fairly suddenly to a distinct core and occasional stellar nucleus.  Located 2.6' WSW of mag 9.8 SAO 99868 and 3° SE of Denebola.  Also two mag 11 stars are 4.5' NNW and 5' N.  Together with the mag 9.8 star the galaxy forms the SW vertex of a rectangle with these two mag 11 stars.  Forms a close pair with NGC 3973 2.7' NE (missed by John Herschel).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3968 = H. II-162 = h1018 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "not vF, pL, irregularly round, r, very little brighter towards the following part." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2.3' southeast of UGC 68985.  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 242) "pB; R; very gradually brighter middle; a * 10m 25° nf, dist 4'-5'."
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NGC 3969 = ESO 572-017 = MCG -03-30-020 = PGC 37396
11 55 09.2  -18 55 38; Crt
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 64°

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8'.  Weak, even concentration to an ill-defined brighter core.  Located 3.7' S of a mag 10 star.  A mag 12 star is 1.8' ENE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3969 = LM 2-453 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He reported "mag 15.0, 0.2' dia, gradually brighter middle to a nucleus, *10 in PA 340° at 4' distance." There is nothing at his position, but 10' south is ESO 572-017 and a mag 10 star matching his description is 3.8' north-northwest.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section) with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.
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NGC 3970 = MCG -02-30-041 = PGC 37425
11 55 28.1  -12 03 41; Crt
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 98°

17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5'.  Contains a round, very small, bright core with faint extensions.  A mag 11 star is 2.3' SSE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3974 3.6' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3970 = h1020, along with NGC 3974, on 9 Mar 1828 and noted "F; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15".  The p of 2."
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NGC 3971 = NGC 3984: = UGC 6899 = MCG +05-28-047 = CGCG 157-054 = PGC 37443
11 55 36.4  +29 59 45; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, moderate surface brightness.  Collinear with a 3' string of three equal mag 12.5 stars to the SSE (closest 3' S).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3971 = H. II-724 = h1019 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 805) and noted "F, vS."  John Herschel recorded "pB; R; bM.  An exact obs."   See comments for NGC 3984, which may be a duplicate observation.
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NGC 3972 = UGC 6904 = MCG +09-20-032 = CGCG 269-016 = Holm 304a = LGG 241-006 = PGC 37466
11 55 45.2  +55 19 13; UMa
V = 12.3;  Size 3.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 120°

18" (4/30/11): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.6', weak concentration.  Two mag 13.4 stars to the southwest are nearly collinear with the core of the galaxy.  NGC 3972 is listed as a member of the UMa NED1 (LGG 241) subgroup of the M109 or UMa cloud.

I observed Supernova 2011by, situated 19" N and 5" E of the nucleus and discovered just a few days previously on April 26.  It was easily visible even in darkening twilight.  The magnitude was pretty similar to the two stars on the southwest side.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, almost even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3977 5.4' NE.  NGC 3990 and NGC 3992 lie 20' NE and NGC 3982 is 13' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3972 = H. II-789 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "Two, the first [NGC 3972] pB, E.  The second [NGC 3977], F, S." His single position is 3' west of UGC 6904, but d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 7 Oct 1866.
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NGC 3973 = MCG +02-31-001 = CGCG 068-093 = CGCG 069-005 = PGC 37439
11 55 37.0  +11 59 51; Leo
V = 14.9;  Size 0.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (5/11/02): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3'.  Nearly lost in the glare of mag 9.8 SAO 99868 just 45" SSE.  This galaxy is the faint companion of NGC 3968 2.7' SW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3973 with LdR's 72" on 15 Mar 1855, while observing NGC 3968.  He simply noted "[NGC 3968] is pF, R, suddenly brighter middle.  Nova nf."  It was seen again by Dreyer on 16 Apr 1876 as "an eeF object, most probably an eS neb" at 56" separation in PA 318.6° from a mag 10 star.
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NGC 3974 = MCG -02-31-001 = PGC 37452
11 55 40.2  -12 01 39; Crt
V = 12.9;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 10°

17.5" (5/11/96): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' preceding.  Fainter of pair with NGC 3970 3.6' SW.  Located 20' WNW of mag 7 SAO 157002.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3974 = h1021, along with NGC 3964, on 9 Mar 1828 and recorded "vF; S; R; bM; 15".  The f of 2."
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NGC 3975 = MCG +10-17-103 = Holm 306b = PGC 37480
11 55 53.7  +60 31 46; UMa
V = 15.5;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/13/91): extremely faint, small, round, very low even surface brightness, requires averted vision.  Forms a pair with NGC 3978 2.0' ESE.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Lord Rosse, discovered NGC 3975 on 21 Feb 1874 and recorded as a "vF, vS knot" 17.2 sec preceding and 32" north of [NGC 3978].  "It was quite certainly and repeatedly seen by Lord Rosse and Copeland."  This offset points to MCG +10-17-103 = PGC 37480.

This galaxy is mentioned in the UGC notes to NGC 3978, though questioned if it is NGC 3975.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes on Lewis Swift's IC 3166, which may be a duplicate observation.
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NGC 3976 = UGC 6906 = MCG +01-31-001 = CGCG 041-006 = Holm 305a = PGC 37483
11 55 57.3  +06 44 56; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 3.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 53°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, thin edge-on WSW-ENE, small bright core is possibly stellar.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3976 = H. II-132 = h1022 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged "pL, E, pBM, r."  John Herschel recorded (sweep 117) "B; E 30° nf to sp; very suddenly much brighter middle to nearly a star.  The arms very faint."

Johann Palisa found this galaxy on 26 Mar 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Vienna Observatory and thought it was new.  His micrometric position in AN 2782 is accurate.
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NGC 3977 = NGC 3980 = UGC 6909 = MCG +09-20-034 = CGCG 269-017 = Holm 304b = PGC 37497
11 56 07.2  +55 23 26; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.3

18" (4/30/11): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 40"x35", weak even concentration to a small brighter core.  Located 5.4' NE of NGC 3972 in a group.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 3972 5.4' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3977 = H. II-790 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "Two, the first [NGC 3972] pB, E.  The second [NGC 3977], F, S." His single position is 3' west of NGC 3972 and no offset was given for II-790. But Dreyer reobserved this galaxy on 31 May 1878 at Birr Castle and noted "nf one F, R, Pos 37.7°, Dist 323.3" [from NGC 3972].

Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy on 16 Apr 1885 and described NGC 3980 as "eF; pL; pE; v diff; D neb nr."  His position is just 7 seconds of RA east of NGC 3977, though perhaps Dreyer decided it was new as Swift's description didn't agree well with Herschel's.
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NGC 3978 = UGC 6910 = MCG +10-17-105 = CGCG 292-047 = Holm 306a = PGC 37502
11 56 10.3  +60 31 21; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration.  Located just 4' W of mag 8.0 SAO 15664 and 7.6' ENE of a mag 9.5 star.  A mag 13 star is 1.7' SSE.  Forms a pair with NGC 3975 2' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3978 = H. II-840 = h1023 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and noted "F, S, bM."  Caroline's reduced position is 3' south of UGC 6919.  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.  Harold Corwin suggests IC 3180 may be a duplicate observation.  See his notes on that number.
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NGC 3979 = IC 2976 = UGC 6907 = MCG +00-31-003 = CGCG 013-005 = PGC 37488
11 56 01.1  -02 43 15; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 112°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.5', even concentration to a very small brighter core.  A mag 12.5 star lies 1.0' NNE of center.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3979 = Sw. 3-61 on 23 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory and recorded "pF, the nebula precedes DM 2593, 42s [of time].  A star 11.5 north and following 30"."  His position and description matches UGC 6907.

Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 27 Apr 1886 and reported it in his 3rd discovery list (#61). Both Holden (1) and Swift (2) are credited in the NGC. Swift found the galaxy again 11 years later on 23 May 1897, while observing at Echo Mountain in southern California.  His last observation (Sw. 11-129) was off by 1.5 min in RA too far west so Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 2976.  Corwin notes this galaxy was "discovered twice by Lewis Swift, once toward the beginning of his systematic sweeping for new nebulae (April 1886), and once toward the end (May 1897)."  So, NGC 3979 = IC 2976, with discovery priority to Holden.
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NGC 3980 = NGC 3977 = UGC 6909 = MCG +09-20-034 = CGCG 269-017 = PGC 37497
11 56 07.2  +55 23 26; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3977.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3980 = Sw. 1-18 on 16 Apr 1885 and noted eF; pL; pE; v diff; D neb nr."  His position is just 7 sec of RA east of NGC 3977 (discovered by WH in 1789).  Both Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC correction paper, and Harold Corwin equate NGC 3980 with NGC 3977. The "D[ouble] neb nr" might apply to NGC 3990 and 3998, though the NGC description reads "D star nr", which would then apply to a mag 12/13 double star 2.5' east-southeast.  Another possibility is that NGC 3980 refers to NGC 3972.  This galaxy is a better fit with Swift's description "pL; pE", but it is further off in position (6' southwest).
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NGC 3981 = Arp 289 = VV 8a = ESO 572-020 = MCG -03-31-001 = UGCA 255 = LGG 263-003 = PGC 37496
11 56 07.1  -19 53 49; Crt
V = 11.3;  Size 5.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 15°

48" (4/20/17): at 488x; bright, large, very elongated 4:1 SSW-NNE, ~2.5'x0.6'.  The central region consists of a bright, very elongated bar-like core that condenses to a small brighter nucleus.  A fairly thin, straight arm is evident extending north by over 1' on the east side of the galaxy.  The counterpart extending south on the west side was more difficult to distinguish from the halo on the south side.  A low contrast knot (VV 8b) was visible on the south tip of this arm [1.2' SSW of center].  Vorontsov-Velyaminov interpreted this knot as a companion attached at the end of a spiral arm.  A mag 13 star is 1' E and mag 9.8 HD 103615 is 4.3' NW.

13.1" (2/16/85): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is off the east edge 1.0' from the center.  The galaxy forms the east vertex of a rough isosceles triangle with two mag 10 stars 4.2' NW and 5.0' SSW.  Member of the NGC 4038/39 (Antennae) group.

ESO 572-023, located 13' ENE, appeared faint, very small, round, brighter core.  I'm surprised this galaxy was missed by Herschel.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3981 = H. III-274 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and noted "vF, pL, iF."  His position is just 1' too far east.
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NGC 3982 = UGC 6918 = KUG 1153+554 = MCG +09-20-036 = CGCG 269-019 = LGG 250-007 = PGC 37520
11 56 28.1  +55 07 29; UMa
V = 11.0;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.5

18" (4/30/11): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter.  Broad concentration but no real zones, though the center is slightly brighter.  Two mag 12/13 stars lie 3.5' S.  Located 23' SW of NGC 3998 in a group of 6 galaxies.    Member of the NGC 3898 Group = LGG 250 (UMa NED2 Group).

17.5" (5/2/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, 2.0'x1.5', broad concentration but does not have a well-defined core except for a faint stellar nucleus or very faint star superimposed at center.  A wide pair (1.0' separation) of mag 11 and 12 stars lie 3.5' S.  Forms a wide pair with NGC 3972 13' NW.

17.5" (4/18/98): 13th magnitude supernova SN 1998aq (type Ia) was an easy object within the outer halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3982 = H. IV-62 = h1017 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920).  He recorded "considerably bright, quite round.  A large place in the middle of nearly an equal brightness; towards the margin suddenly less bright."  The description was included in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars." and he commented "this seems rather to approach to the planetary sort."  He placed it in class IV of "planetary nebulae; stars with burs, with milky chevelure, with short rays, remarkable shapes, etc.", though many of these turned out to be galaxies.

John Herschel called this object "B; pL; R; nearly uniform, but hazy; diam 25"."  His RA is exactly 1.0 tmin too large, but Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (on 5 nights).  Ralph Copeland, observing with LdR's 72" in 1878, noted "definition not good, but feel sure that is a globular cluster."
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NGC 3983 = UGC 6914 = MCG +04-28-098 = CGCG 127-108 = PGC 37514
11 56 23.7  +23 52 05; Leo
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 114°

17.5" (5/4/02): faint, elongated 3-1 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.3', very faint stellar nucleus.  Appears to have a brighter bar along the major axis.  Located 80' SSW of the NGC 4005 group (possible member?).

William Herschel discovered NGC 3983 = H. III-343 = h1024 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel logged "F; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 3984 = NGC 3971: = UGC 6899 = MCG +05-28-047 = CGCG 157-054 = PGC 37443
11 55 36.4  +29 59 45; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 3971 and UGC 6943.

UGC 6943 is mistakenly identified as NGC 3984 in modern catalogues including RC3 and the Uranometria 2000 atlas (first edition).  It was not noticed in the field initially as two mag 12/13.5 stars (separation 15") are superimposed on the SW side and the galaxy is just a weak glow mostly following the pair.  Appears round, although the halo is ill-defined, and perhaps 0.8' in diameter.



John Herschel discovered NGC 3984 = h1026 on 10 Apr 1831 and recorded "eF; R: bM; 25"."  He later added "Supposed at the time to be II.724 [NGC 3971], but on reducing the obs, it differs 1 min in RA and 1 deg in PD, BOTH which can hardly be mistakes."  There is nothing at his position.

Modern catalogues (including RC3) label UGC 6943, an extremely low surface brightness face-on spiral with two stars nearly superimposed, as NGC 3984.  This galaxy is 1 min 15 sec of RA following Herschel's position as well as 2.5' north.  This identification seems very unlikely due to the faintness of the galaxy and the fact that the bright nearby stars were not mentioned.  Malcolm Thomson concludes that NGC 3984 is nonexistent.

Harold Corwin agrees that the NGC 3984 ≠ UGC 6943 but feels that despite errors in both RA and Dec, NGC 3984 is most likely a reobservation of NGC 3971.  These entries were recorded on different sweeps and although NGC 3971 was described as "pB, R, bM", there are many situations where Herschel made very discordant estimates of brightness.  See his identification notes.
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NGC 3985 = UGC 6921 = Ark 334 = MCG +08-22-045 = CGCG 243-031 = LGG 258-020 = PGC 37542
11 56 42.0  +48 20 02; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 73°

17.5" (4/7/89): moderately bright, moderately large, oval WSW-ENE, broad moderate concentration, small bright core.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3985 = H. III-707 = h1025 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "vF, vS.  Another still fainter and smaller suspected sf."  The latter object is either a faint star or nonexistent as there is only a single galaxy here.  Soon after "A thick fog came up at once; it has been below all the evening."
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NGC 3986 = NGC 3966 = UGC 6920 = MCG +05-28-053 = CGCG 157-058 = PGC 37544
11 56 44.1  +32 01 17; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 3.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 110°

48" (5/9/21): at 375x; moderately bright, large edge-on with very thin arms extending nearly 10:1 WNW (excluding the central region).  Sharply concentrated with a small bright bulge that concentrates towards the center.  Overall ~2.5'x0.4', with thinner extensions.  A strong impression of a thin dust lane slices though the center.  A well matched pair of mag 13 stars at 9" separation (DAM 653) is S of the western arm [50" from center].  NGC 3994/3995 pair (Arp 313) is 20' NE.

17.5" (2/24/90): faint, small, edge-on E-W, bulging core.  A close double star is located just 0.8' SW of the center consisting of mag 13 and 14 stars with separation 9" oriented N-S.  Member of the NGC 3995 group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 3986 = h1027 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "E nearly in parallel [east-west]; a * 11m near." His mean position (3 observations) matches UGC 6920.  NGC 3966, found by d'Arrest on 8 May 1864, is a duplicate observation.  See notes for NGC 3966.
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NGC 3987 = UGC 6928 = MCG +04-28-099 = CGCG 127-110 = WBL 368-001 = Holm 308c = LGG 261-001 = PGC 37591
11 57 20.9  +25 11 42; Leo
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 58°

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.4', large bright core, irregular surface brightness.  First of 4 in a string with NGC 3989 2.6' NE, NGC 3993 4.7' NE and NGC 3997 7.7' NE.  A mag 10.5 star is 2.4' N.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Located 2.5' S of a mag 10.5 star.  Member of the NGC 3987/4005 group with NGC 3989 2.6' NE, NGC 3993 4.6' NE and NGC 3997 7.5' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3987 = H. III-323, along with III-324 (either NGC 3993 or 3997) on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393).  His description reads, "very faint, little elongated. Suspected another extremely faint, about 5' or 6' north following.  I was pretty sure of it."  His single position is 2' west of UGC 6928.

In the NGC, Dreyer mistakenly assigned H. III-323 (with a question mark) to NGC 4015, found by Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell on 27 Apr 1854.  And in the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", Dreyer incorrectly equated H. III-323 with "Theta" (NGC 3993), based on Auwer's reduction.
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NGC 3988 = MCG +05-28-057 = CGCG 157-061 = PGC 37609
11 57 24.2  +27 52 39; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Weak even concentration to center but no core.  First of three on a line with NGC 4004 9' E and IC 2982 6' E.  A mag 11 star is 5' following (near IC 2982).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3988 = h1028 on 13 Apr 1831 recorded "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  The first of 2 [with NGC 4004]."  On a later sweep he logged "vF; S; R; suddenly brighter in the middle like a *.  The p of 2 with several stars between them."  His position matches CGCG 157-061 = PGC 37609.
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NGC 3989 = MCG +04-28-100 = CGCG 127-111 = WBL 368-002 = LGG 260-005 = Holm 308d = PGC 37599
11 57 26.7  +25 13 58; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 135°

24" (3/22/14): very faint, small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 1.2' E of a mag 10.5 star and 2.6' NNE of NGC 3987.  NGC 3993 is 2.6' E.

17.5" (3/19/88): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 1.2' E of a mag 10 star.  Member of the NGC 4007 group with NGC 3987 2.5' SSW and NGC 3993 2.7' ENE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3989 at Birr Castle on 27 Apr 1854 and was labeled "Xi" on the later constructed sketch.  Although a micrometric position was not measured, the identification with CGCG 127-111 = PGC 37599 is certain.
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NGC 3990 = UGC 6938 = MCG +09-20-043 = CGCG 269-024 = Holm 310b = PGC 37618
11 57 35.6  +55 27 31; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 40°

18" (4/30/11): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.3'. Located 2.9' W of brighter NGC 3998.  Member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 3998 2.9' E.  Located 4.4' S of mag 9.2 SAO 28204.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3990 = H. II-791 = h1029, along with NGC 3998, on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and recorded both as "Two, the last [NGC 3998] cB or vB, R, very gradually brighter middle.  The preceding [NGC 3990] pB, E, S."
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NGC 3991 = VV 523 = Haro 5 = KTG 39A = UGC 6933 = MCG +06-26-060 = CGCG 186-073 = Holm 309c = PGC 37613
11 57 31.1  +32 20 16; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 33°

48" (5/9/21): at 610x; fairly bright, moderately large, very thin edge-on ~6:1 ~SSW-NNE, slightly brighter elongated core region. An unusually bright stellar or quasi-stellar knot (exceptionally bright star-forming region (SFR) catalogued as [ZBF2015]#1) is at the NNE end.  Just to its S is a small, fainter patch (separate SFR #6/7).  The prominent NNE end extends at least 12" and is tilted (N-S orientation) with respect to the major axis of the rest of the galaxy.  NGC 3991 galaxy is interacting with NGC 3995 (forming Arp 313 = VV 249) 4' SE.  NGC 3994, just 2' SW, completes the trio KTG 39.

24" (5/25/14): moderately to fairly bright, very elongated 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.25'.  At 375x, this irregular galaxy has a striking, asymmetric appearance with a very bright, elongated knot (site of very active star formation), 15"x8", at the NNE end.  At 375x the knot is slightly skewed to the major axis of the longer (but fainter) portion of the galaxy.  There is no central brightening, in fact, the galaxy dims just south-southwest of the knot (though not completely detaching the knot) and then brightens along the southern half. At best, there was a very small, inconspicuous core. First in an excellent trio (KTG 39) with NGC 3994 3.8' SSE and the remarkable NGC 3995 3.8' SE.

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.3'.  This object has a bright stellar knot at the NNE end (about 25" from the center) giving an unusual asymmetric appearance!  First of three striking elongated systems with NGC 3994 3.7' SSE and NGC 3995 3.9' SE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3991, along with NGC 3995, on 5 Feb 1864 with the 11" refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  His position (measured on 3 nights) is accurate.
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NGC 3992 = M109 = UGC 6937 = MCG +09-20-044 = CGCG 269-023 = PGC 37617
11 57 35.9  +53 22 29; UMa
V = 9.8;  Size 7.6'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 68°

48" (4/20/17): stunning showpiece barred spiral!  The central bar extends 1.5' in length SW-NE and is highlighted by an extremely bright, rounder nucleus.  Striking spiral arms wrap around the bar/nucleus forming an oval ring, with brighter "handles" at the ends of the bar.  A pair of outer spiral arms, ~6'x4', extend west on the north side and east on the south side.  A mag 13 star is superimposed [50" NNW of center].

18" (5/14/07): bright, large, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SW-NE, ~6.5'x4'.  The galaxy lies between a mag 9.5 star 5' SW and a mag 12 star 3.4' NE of center, just beyond the edge of the halo.  The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a fainter halo and a bright, oval core that increases slightly to a faint stellar nucleus.  With averted vision, the halo is quite extensive and reaches to the mag 12 star to the northeast.  The halo appears mottled or dusty with an impression of spiral structure.  A mag 12.5 star is superimposed less than 1' N of the center and another mag 12 star is near the SW end.  Brightest in a galaxy group (LGG 258) with 41 members at z ~.003.

17.5" (3/19/88): bright, large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, at least 6.0'x3.5', broadly concentrated halo, large faint halo.  A mag 13 star is superimposed on the halo 50" NNW of center.  A mag 13 star is at the NE edge of the halo 3.4' from center.  Located 5.1' NE of mag 9.3 SAO 28199 and 39' SE of mag 2.4 Gamma UMa.  Forms a pair with UGC 6923 15' SSW. 

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, diffuse halo.  A star is superimposed NW of the core.

Charles Messier probably discovered M109 = NGC 3992 = H. IV-61 = h1030 in March or April 1781 and added a position by hand in his personal copy of the catalog.  Méchain has been given credit for discovery of this object, but according to the SEDS page, his position corresponds well with NGC 3953, not NGC 3992.  See http://www.astrobril.nl/FortinOther.html#M109

William Herschel independently discovered NGC 3992 = H. IV-61 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919), unawared of the earlier observations.  He recorded "pretty bright, considerably bright nucleus with very faint extended branches about 30° np to sf, 5 or 6' long, 3 or 4' br."  He recorded it again on the next sweep as "cB, vL, Br Ncl with vF elongated branches 7 or 8' long"
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NGC 3993 = UGC 6935 = MCG +04-28-101 = CGCG 127-112 = Holm 308A = LGG 260-002 = WBL 368-003 = PGC 37619
11 57 37.8  +25 14 25; Leo
V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 141°

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.35', weak concentration.  Two mag 11.5-12 stars are off the NW end.  Sandwiched between NGC 3997 3.0' NE and NGC 3987 4.7' SE.  Also NGC 3989 is 2.5' W.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 3989 2.7' WSW.  Member of the NGC 4007 group.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3993 on 25 Apr 1854 and it was labeled "Eta" on the constructed sketch of the group made at Birr Castle.  In a later observation, a very faint star was noted close south-following and two mag 11-12 stars north-preceding.  The micrometric position is very accurate.

Harold Corwin notes that WH's III-324 refers to NGC 3997 and not NGC 3993 as Dreyer assigned in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH".  But Wolfgang Steinicke lists WH as the discoverer of NGC 3993 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393), probably due to the better match in position.
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NGC 3994 = Arp 313 NED1 = VV 249b = KTG 39B = UGC 6936 = MCG +06-26-059 = CGCG 186-074 = Holm 309b = PGC 37616
11 57 36.9  +32 16 39; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 10°

48" (5/9/21): at 610x; bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a very intense core and a brilliant nucleus.

24" (5/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly bright, elongated oval 5:2 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x35', well concentrated with a very bright core.  Second in a striking trio (KTG 39) with NGC 3995 1.9' NE and NGC 3991 3.8' NNW.

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, prominent core.  Second of three elongated systems with NGC 3991 3.8' NNW and NGC 3995 1.8' NE.  Located 5' WNW of mag 6.4 SAO 62774.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3994 on 6 Apr 1864 with the 11" refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory.  His position, measured on 3 nights, is accurate and he accurately placed a mag 15 star (called 17th magnitude), which is 4 seconds of time due west.
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NGC 3995 = Arp 313 NED2 = VV 249a = KTG 39C = UGC 6944 = MCG +06-26-061 = CGCG 186-075 = Holm 309a = PGC 37624
11 57 44.1  +32 17 39; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 33°

48" (5/9/21): this bright, large distorted blue spiral is interacting (Arp 313 = VV 249) with NGC 3991 4' NW and a normal spiral NGC 3994 is 2' SW.  At 610x, the core was prominent and a fairly faint bulge extended NE [on the SDSS this is a loop or spiral arm with multiple knots].  A narrow, faint spiral arm is attached on the east side of the core and extends NE.  On the SW side of the core, a more obvious, thin spiral arm extends south on the western side of the galaxy.  Beyond the arm to the south is a diffuse region [blue knotty region on the SDSS].  Overall, the galaxy extends ~3 in length in a nearly 3:1 ratio.  Forms a pair (non-interacting) with NGC 3994 2' SW, with interacting NGC 3991 4' NW.  Mag 6.4 HD 103928 is only  5' ESE, but not in the field.

24" (5/25/14): fairly bright striking galaxy with unusual asymmetric structure, fairly large, elongated roughly 5:2 SSW-NNE, well concentrated with a very bright core containing a short bar oriented E-W.  A long linear arm is attached at the west side of the core and extends south ~40".  The outer western edge of this arm has a sharply defined edge and the inner (eastern) side has a low, irregular surface brightness.  A short extension (arm) heads northeast from the east side of the core.  As a result the core appears offset towards the north, because of the longer southern arm.  Mag 6.4 HD 103928 lies 5' ESE and was placed outside the field.

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, large bright core.  Third and largest of an excellent trio with NGC 3994 1.8' SW and NGC 3991 3.8' NW.  Located 6.6' W of mag 6.4 SAO 62774.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3995, along with NGC 3991, on 5 Feb 1864.  His position, measured on 3 nights, is accurate.
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NGC 3996 = UGC 6941 = MCG +03-31-004 = CGCG 098-011 = PGC 37628
11 57 46.0  +14 17 50; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 50°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5', nearly even surface brightness.  A line of stars oriented SSW-NNE precedes the galaxy and two mag 13.5-14 stars follow.  Located 20' ENE of a mag 6.7 star and 2.1° ESE of Beta Leonis (Denebola).

John Herschel discovered NGC 3996 = h1032 on 23 Apr 1832 and logged "vF; pL; R; has two stars sf."  This was one of the last two objects discovered by Herschel at Slough (the following year he set sail for the Cape of Good Hope), though he measured the position again on the 26th and 28th of April.
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NGC 3997 = UGC 6942 = MCG +04-28-102 = CGCG 127-114 = WAS 38 = Holm 308B = LGG 260-003 = WBL 368-004 = PGC 37629
11 57 48.3  +25 16 15; Leo
V = 13.4;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, irregular, ~1.0'x0.7'.  Contains a small brighter core embedded in a curving bar oriented ~E-W.  There was an impression of weak spiral arms in the halo.  Bracketed by two mag 12.5-13 stars just off the east and southwest side.  Brightest and fourth in a string with NGC 3993 3' SW and NGC 3987 7.7' SW.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, elongated ~E-W (central bar), small bright core.  Bracketed by two mag 12 stars 0.9' E and 0.9' SW of center.  Member of the NGC 4007 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3997 = H. III-324 = h1033, along with NGC 3987 = H. III-323, on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and recorded "vF, lE. Suspected another eF, about 5' or 6' nef.  I was pretty sure of it."  NGC 3997 is 7.8' NE of NGC 3987, while NGC 3993 is 4.7' NE, so either could apply but NGC 3997 is slightly brighter.  John Herschel measured an accurate position and described "F; vS; E pos 25° Between 2 stars, 80" dist."

The two WH numbers have been applied to different galaxies. JH equated NGC 3997 = H. III-323 in the Slough catalogue.  Dreyer gave a possible equivalence of NGC 4015 = H. III-323 and NGC 4021 = H. III-324 in the NGC, which in the 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH", Dreyer equates NGC 3987 = H. III-323 and NGC 3993 = H. III-324.
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NGC 3998 = UGC 6946 = MCG +09-20-046 = CGCG 269-025 = Holm 310a = LGG 241-007 = PGC 37642
11 57 56.1  +55 27 13; UMa
V = 10.7;  Size 2.7'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 140°

18" (4/30/11): very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 5:4 NNW-SSE, 1.8' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a small, blazing core that increases to a very bright stellar nucleus. NGC 3990 lies 3' due W.  Brightest in a group of 6 galaxies in a 30' field.  NGC 3998 is a member of the UMa NED1 (LGG 241) subgroup of the M109 group or UMa cloud.

17.5" (4/6/91): very bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a round very bright well-defined core, increases to stellar nucleus.  Located 5.6' SSE of mag 9.2 SAO 28204.  Forms a pair with NGC 3990 3.0' W.  Brightest in a group including NGC 3982, NGC 3972 and NGC 3977.

William Herschel discovered NGC 3998 = H. I-229 = h1031 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920), along with NGC 3990, and recorded both as "Two, the last [NGC 3998] cB or vB, R, very gradually brighter middle.  The preceding [NGC 3990] pB, E, S."  His offset from NGC 3990 (22 sec of RA) is accurate.
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NGC 3999 = CGCG 127-117 = WBL 368-005 = PGC 37647
11 57 56.5  +25 04 05; Leo
V = 15.4;  Size 0.4'x0.2';  PA = 88°

24" (3/22/14): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, even surface brightness.  Situated 1.4' E of a mag 12 star and 4.5' SSW of mag 8 HD 103913.  A string of gaalxies oriented NW to SE begins with NGC 4000, which lies 4.5' N.

17.5" (4/18/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Requires averted vision and can only hold steadily 2/3 of the time.  A mag 12 star is 1.5' preceding.  Located 4.6' SSW of mag 7.4 SAO 82077 in the NGC 4005 cluster.  The RNGC identification is incorrect.

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3999 on 25 Apr 1878 in one of the six Birr Castle observations of the NGC 4005 cluster.  Parsons placed this nebula at 277" separation in PA 201.3° (SSW) with respect to mag 8 HD 103913 and it was labeled as Mu on the composite sketch of the cluster.  At this exact offset is CGCG 127-117 = PGC 37647.  The RNGC position is clearly in error and points to a blank piece of sky (closer to NGC 4011).  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #3.
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NGC 4000 = UGC 6949 = MCG +04-28-103 = CGCG 127-118 = WBL 368-006 = LGG 261-005 = PGC 37643
11 57 57.0  +25 08 39; Leo
V = 14.5;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 3°

24" (3/22/14): faint, fairly small, very thin edge-on, 0.5'x0.1', even surface brightness.  Situated 1.7' WNW of mag 8 HD 103913.  NGC 4005 is symmetrically placed on the opposite side of the star.

17.5" (3/19/88): very faint, fairly small, very elongated N-S.  Located 1.6' WNW of mag 7.8 SAO 82077.  Located in the center of the NGC 4007 group with NGC 4007 3.2' ESE.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 4000 on 25 Apr 1878 during one of the six Birr Castle observations of the cluster.  Parsons placed this nebula at 100.5" separation in PA 283.9° (WNW) with respect to mag 8 star HD 103913 and described it as "vF, vS, lE ns, gradually brighter in the middle." The micrometric offset points directly to UGC 6949.
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NGC 4001 = MCG +08-22-047 = CGCG 243-033 = Holm 314b = PGC 37656
11 58 06.8  +47 20 05; UMa
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 160°

17.5" (4/7/89): extremely faint, very small but elongation visible NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star is 2.1' N and a mag 11.5 star 4.2' NE of center.  Located 6' NW of NGC 4010.

George Johnstone Stoney or his brother Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 4001 on 13 Apr 1852.  While observing NGC 4010 with the 72-inch, it was noted "A small, round neb about 7' np."
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NGC 4002 = MCG +04-28-104 = CGCG 127-116 = PGC 37635
11 57 59.3  +23 12 07; Leo
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 75°

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, small, elongated ~E-W, small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' SE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4003 4.6' S.  Located very close to Coma Berenices border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4002 = H. III-344 = h1034, along with NGC 4003, on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394). He logged them as "Two, both extremely faint and very small.  240x verified them, 5 or 6' from each other."  John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4003 = UGC 6948 = MCG +04-28-105 = CGCG 127-115 = PGC 37646
11 57 59.0  +23 07 29; Leo
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 10°

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, small, oval, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4002 4.6' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4003 = H. III-345 = h1035, along with NGC 4002, on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394).  Herschel provided a single position for both objects, but John Herschel measured fairly accurate positions.

CGCG, UGC and MCG equate NGC 4003 with NGC 4007, but the correct equivalence is NGC 4005 = NGC 4007.
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NGC 4004 = VV 230 = UGC 6950 = MCG +05-28-060 = CGCG 157-065 = Mrk 432 = Holm 312a = WBL 367-003 = PGC 37654
11 58 05.2  +27 52 43; Leo
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 8°

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4', no concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is close following [57" SE of center].  Last and brightest of a trio with IC 2982 3.1' W and NGC 3988.  IC 2982 appeared faint, very small, elongated 20"x15" SW-NE.  Just follows a mag 11 star [45" to center] which is the brightest star in an inverted "L" asterism and which detracts from viewing.  

On the DSS, NGC 4004 appears to be an interacting, distorted galaxy (or the result) with a long tidal tail to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4004 = H. III-354 = h1036 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded "vF, vS.  It was in the field I was gaging [counting stars] otherwise it would probably have been overlooked."  Caroline's reduction is 6.5' NNE of UGC 6950.

Because of his father's poor position, John Hershel listed this object as a "nova" (h1036), though questioned if it was identical to III-354 in the GC.  He recorded "pretty faint; little elongated; gradually brighter in the middle; the following of 2 in parallel [with NGC 3988] with a star between."  Both Herschels missed nearby IC 2982, next to the star.
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NGC 4005 = NGC 4007 = UGC 6952 = MCG +04-28-107 = CGCG 127-120 = WBL 368-007 = LGG 261-002 = PGC 37661
11 58 10.1  +25 07 19; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 92°

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 30"x20", bright core.  Situated 1.6' SE of mag 8.2 HD 103913.  NGC 4011 lies 3.7' ESE.

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, oval slightly elongated E-W, bright core.  Located 1.8' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 82077.  This is one of the brightest members in the cluster.

Otto Struve found NGC 4005 on 16 Mar 1869 with the 15-inch refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke) in Mar-Apr 1869.

William Herschel discovered this galaxy and it was catalogued as H. III-325 (later NGC 4007), but the declination in the GC and NGC is two degrees too far south due to a copying or reduction error (Auwer's reduction has the correct position).  This correction was noted by Dreyer in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH."  Because of Struve's unambiguous position, this galaxy is identified as NGC 4005 in UGC, CGCG, MCG, RNGC, RC3, despite Herschel's earlier discovery.
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NGC 4006 = UGC 6951 = MCG +00-31-006 = CGCG 013-015 = PGC 37655
11 58 05.8  -02 07 12; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Near the middle of a 13' N-S string of stars concave outwards towards the east.  A mag 12 star lies 1.6' NE.  Forms a pair with CGCG 013-020 7' ESE.  This galaxy appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4'.  Brightest in a small group including IC 754 34' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4006 = h1037 on 15 Apr 1828 and noted "F; S; R; bM; sp a * 11m."  His position and description matches UGC 6951.  Harold Corwin notes that IC 2983 is not NGC 4006.  See his notes on that number.
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NGC 4007 = NGC 4005 = UGC 6952 = MCG +04-28-107 = CGCG 127-120 = WBL 368-007 = LGG 261-002 = PGC 37661
11 58 10.1  +25 07 19; Leo
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 92°

See observing notes for NGC 4005

William Herschel discovered NGC 4007 = H. III-325 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "eF, vS."  John Herschel either copied or precessed Williams's position incorrectly as the North Polar Distance in GC and NGC is two degrees too far south.  The error was caught and corrected by Dreyer in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues.  Otto Struve independently found the galaxy on 16 Mar 1869 and Dreyer himself picked it up at Birr Castle in 1878 (labeled as Alpha on the diagram of the cluster), and it was catalogued as NGC 4005 at the correct position.

All major catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 4005 although you could argue that by prior discovery, NGC 4007 should take historical precedence.  In any case, it is clear that NGC 4005 = NGC 4007.  Unfortunately, as a result of the two degree error, the NGC position falls close to NGC 4003.  So, Karl Reinmuth in his 1926 survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", Dorothy Carlson's NGC/IC Correction list, CGCG, UGC, MCG all misidentify NGC 4007 = NGC 4003, ignoring Dreyer's correction.  See Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4008 = UGC 6953 = MCG +05-28-061 = CGCG 157-066 = PGC 37666
11 58 17.0  +28 11 33; Leo
V = 12.0;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 167°

17.5" (4/9/99): moderately bright, very elongated ~N-S with a prominent core., 1.4'x0.5'.  The extensions nearly reach an extremely faint mag 15.5 star at the north edge.  Initially I thought this galaxy was NGC 4004 which is located 20' SSW.

8" (4/24/82): faint, round, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4008 = H. II-368 = h1038 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pF, bM."  John Herschel made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.  A total of 7 observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4009
11 58 15.1  +25 11 24; Leo

= *, Corwin.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4009 with the 72" on 26 Apr 1878 in the last observation of the cluster at Birr Castle.  He placed it 238" in PA 41.5° from mag 8 HD 103913 and at this exact offset (labeled "Iota" on the final compiled sketch) is a mag 15 star (GSC 1985-1944).  RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 37677 as NGC 4009.  This galaxy is 7' northeast of the offset star.
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NGC 4010 = UGC 6964 = MCG +08-22-049 = CGCG 243-034 = Holm 314a = LGG 258-021 = PGC 37697
11 58 37.0  +47 15 37; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 4.3'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 66°

17.5" (4/7/89): faint, large, edge-on WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4001 6' NW.  Member of the NGC 3877 subgroup of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4010 = h1040 on 26 Apr 1830 and noted "F; mE; very gradually little brighter middle; 100" l, 25" br."  His position is 2' southwest of center of UGC 6964, bu the identification is certain.
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NGC 4011 = CGCG 127-121 = WBL 368-008 = PGC 37674
11 58 25.4  +25 05 51; Leo
V = 14.7;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  PA = 35°

24" (3/22/14): very faint or faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 3.7' SE of NGC 4005 and 5.4' NW of NGC 4015.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4011 on 24 Apr 1878 in one of the later observations of the cluster with the 72" and labeled as "Epsilon" on the published sketch (constructed from all observations).  His notes read "vF, vS, *12m 2.5' np."  The nebula was placed +/- 4' in approximately PA  112° from mag 8.3 HD 103913.  The actual offsets to CGCG 127-121 = PGC 37674 are 5.4' in PA 117°.  The mag 12 star (also shown on the sketch) is 1.4' N.  This was apparently the last night that novae were discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4012 = UGC 6960 = MCG +02-31-006 = CGCG 069-009 = PGC 37686
11 58 27.6  +10 01 17; Vir
V = 13.4;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 153°

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4012 = m 225 = Sf. 108 on 15 Jan 1865 and recorded "vF, S, lE". His position matches UGC 6960.  Truman Safford independently found this galaxy on 12 Jun 1868 with the 18.5-inch refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.
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NGC 4013 = UGC 6963 = MCG +07-25-009 = CGCG 215-010 = PGC 37691
11 58 31.7  +43 56 48; UMa
V = 11.2;  Size 5.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 66°

48" (5/1/22): at 375x; very nice bright, large edge-on ~5:1 SW-NE, with a high surface brightness.  The galaxy is cleaved by an easily visible thin dust lane that extends through the entire central portion. Very close to the geometric center is a mag 12 star.  The central halves are brighter and outline the equatorial dust.  The tips are fainter and uneven; brighter on the south side of the western extension and the north side of the eastern extension. Two 13th mag stars are 4' SW and 5' SW.

17.5" (3/8/97): moderately bright, fairly large edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 3.5'x0.7'.  A mag 12 star is superimposed very close to the actual center and masquerades as a bright stellar nucleus (similar to M108).  The galaxy bulges towards center but is only weakly concentrated, fades towards tips.  On the DSS the star is superimposed on a thin equatorial dust lane that was not seen.  Member of the NGC 4111 group in the UMa cloud.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4013 = H. II-733 = h1041 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 810) and recorded "pB, mE, about 4' long and 3/4' br.  A pretty bright small nucleus and very faint branches near the meridian."  John Herschel made two observations and logged on sweep 248 "B; mE; very small & very much brighter middle to a * = 10-11m; pos of extension = 62.3° by measure." 

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, recorded it on 17 Mar 1849 as "E with a split or opening in the direction of major axis and a star a little following the center."  The dark lane was confirmed on 12 Apr 1861: "Brightest part preceding the star and certainly a narrow split going towards preceding end from the star."
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NGC 4014 = NGC 4028 = UGC 6961 = MCG +03-31-005 = CGCG 098-012 = PGC 37695
11 58 35.8  +16 10 38; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 120°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.5', weakly concentrated halo, rises suddenly to a very small brighter core.  Forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with a mag 10.8 star 6.5' NW and a mag 12 star 6.4' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4014 = h1042 on 26 Apr 1832 and logged "Not vF; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 35".  The next sweep is observed it again as"pB; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25"."  His position matches UGC 6961.  William Herschel made the original discovery on 26 Apr 1832 and recorded it as H. III-3 (later NGC 4028), but with an erroneous position.  Because of JH's unambiguous identification, this galaxy is known as NGC 4014.
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NGC 4015 = Arp 138 NED1 = VV 216a = UGC 6965 = MCG +04-28-109 = MCG +04-28-110 = CGCG 127-122 = WBL 368-010 = LGG 260-006 = KPG 314 = PGC 37703
11 58 42.6  +25 02 12; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.7

48" (5/9/21): at 488x; bright, moderately large, round, ~45" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to an intensely bright nucleus!  An attached companion (perhaps foreground VV 216b) appears as a faint streak, ~0.6'x0.15', easily seen extending NE from the N side of NGC 4015.  Contains a slightly brighter elongated core.

24" (3/22/14): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with a very bright blazing core and a faint halo.  The superimposed or interacting companion (VV 216b) was just visible at 375x as an extremely faint, elongated patch jutting out on the north side!

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated bright core.  First of three with NGC 4021 5' NE and NGC 4023 6' SE.  Located close to the Coma Berenices-Leo border within the NGC 4007 group.  This is a double galaxy but the companion on the north side was not seen.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4015, along with NGC 4021 and 4023. on 24 Apr 1878 and described it as "F, vS, E pf, much brighter in the middle."  With respect to NGC 4005, he placed it at a separation of 545.1" in PA 124.9° and it was labeled "Beta" on the constructed sketch of the cluster.  At this exact separation is Arp 138 = VV 216 = UGC 6965.  The summary table questions if this nebula is H. III-323, but this Herschel number applies to NGC 3987.  The next night Lawrence Parsons (4th Earl of Rosse) commented "Beta has a tail n[orth] of nucleus."  The "tail" refers to the northern component (VV 216b = MCG +04-28-110) of the double system, which did not receive a separate NGC designation.

The PGC positions for the two components, PGC 37702 and 37703, are nearly identical, though the dimensions (0.9'x0.2') and magnitude (15.6) of PGC 37702 apparently apply to the edge-on.  HyperLEDA assigns the PGC designation in order or RA, which puts the label PGC 37703 on the edge-on, while NED assigns PGC 37702 to the edge-on.
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NGC 4016 = Arp 305 NED1 = UGC 6954 = MCG +05-28-063 = CGCG 157-068 = PGC 37687
11 58 29.0  +27 31 44; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 175°

48" (4/20/17): at 488x; moderately bright and large, slightly elongated but irregular shape.  Contains a brighter elongated bar through the center oriented ~E-W with a slightly brighter, very small nucleus.  The halo changed shape and size with averted version so I was probably picking up part of the spiral arms that extend north on the west side and south on the east side.  The "bowtie" structure visible around the bar on the SDSS was not seen.  A mag 17.3 star is superimposed just 15" N of center and a mag 16.2 star is at the southeast edge of the galaxy.  Forms a pair (Arp 305) with NGC 4017 6' SE.

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, fairly small, elongated ~ E-W, 0.8'x0.5', no noticeable concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 1.3' S of center.  First and fainter of pair with NGC 4017 6' SE.

R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 4016 at Birr Castle on 30 Mar 1854 and noted "another vF neb about 5' np or nearly north [of NGC 4017]."  At this offset is UGC 6954.  The following April this galaxy was also noted as "np [NGC 4017] is another F, R neb with stellar centre."  The CGCG confuses the identifications of NGC 4016 and 4017.
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NGC 4017 = Arp 305 NED2 = VV 424 = UGC 6967 = MCG +05-28-065 = CGCG 157-069 = PGC 37705
11 58 45.8  +27 27 10; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.0

48" (4/20/17 and 5/7/24): at 488x; beautiful 2-armed spiral with a very distinctive "S" shape.  Contains a bright, elongated core or bar oriented E-W, though it was not as narrow as a typical bar.  It brightened somewhat in the center to a rounder nucleus.  Two very easy, graceful spiral arms were visible; the eastern arm is a bit brighter and knotty (HII regions) near its root on the SE side of the core.  It rotates clockwise, bending north on the east side of the galaxy and then curls towards to the west, ending nearly due north of the core.  The western arm was also easily seen as an extension SSE, while tapering and fading to the south of the core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 4016 6' NW.

17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.8', weak concentration [face-on SBc spiral].  Forms a pair with NGC 4016 6' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4017 = H. II-369 = h1043 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, E, pL.  The following part the brightest."  John Herschel made three observations, although all positions are rough.

On 30 Mar 1854, R.J. Mitchell (Lord Rosse's assistant) noted "F, spiral?  Another vF neb [NGC 4016] about 5' np or nearly north."  The following spring he commented "Query, shaped like an "S"?  Its light is certainly patchy and the neb is lE nearly pf.  np this object is another F, R neb with stellar centre."  His sketch, included in the 1861 publications, accurates depicts the "S" shape of NGC 4017.  Finally on 16 Apr 1855, he wrote "my previous conjectoure as to shape is rather confirmed by Mr. Johnstone Stoney [on a visit prior to starting his professorial duties], who saw the preceding branch turned off sharply to the south, while the following bend is not so sharp, but this latter branch reacher farther round and is rather fainter."

CGCG mislabels NGC 4017 as NGC 4016.
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NGC 4018 = UGC 6966 = MCG +04-28-108 = CGCG 127-123 = WBL 368-009 = LGG 261-003 = PGC 37699
11 58 40.7  +25 18 59; Com
V = 13.8;  Size 1.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 163°

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.4', broad weak concentration.  NGC 4022 lies 7' SE.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE.  A pair of mag 13 stars at 25" separation is located 3' SSE.  Member of the NGC 4007 group with NGC 4022 7' SE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4018 on 26 Apr 1878 in the last observation of the cluster from Birr Castle.  He placed it roughly 12' in PA 37° from NGC 4009 and it is labeled "Kappa" on the constructed diagram.  The actual separation is 10' in PA 37°, although NGC 4009 is a star.  The note"mE np sf, 2 st S" pins down the identification as UGC 6966 = PGC 37699.  The two stars are ~3' SSE and shown too close to the nebula on the sketch.
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NGC 4019 = IC 755 = UGC 7001 = MCG +02-31-014 = CGCG 069-024 = FGC 1347 = PGC 37912
12 01 10.3  +14 06 16; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 2.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 145°

24" (5/20/20): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, excellent very thin edge-on!  Extended ~10:1 NW-SE, ~80"x8", bright core, tapers at tips.  A mag 10.1 star is 5.6' SSE.

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, edge-on NW-SE, 1.0'x0.2', low even surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 5.5' SE and 2' following this star is CGCG 069-029.  The identification of this galaxy (IC 755) with NGC 4019 is very uncertain.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4019 = h1044 on 23 Apr 1832 (the last night he made a discovery at Slough, setting sail for the Cape of Good Hope the following year).  He described it as "eF; has a *9m 5' south-following".  There is nothing near his position.  A mag 15 star is 3.5' northwest of his position and a mag 10 star lies 6' SE of this faint star (a good match with his description), so the faint star is one possible candidate for NGC 4019.

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 4019 as IC 755, an edge-on galaxy 2 min 16 sec of RA east and 6' south of Herschel's position.  It has a mag 10 star 5.5' southeast that matches his description, but it unusually off in both RA and Dec.  So, this identification is uncertain.
Update: Corwin checked Herschel's sweep records and it appears his offsets refer to Beta Leonis.  Rereducing yields a position 2 minutes of RA further east, which is within 20 seconds of RA within IC 755.  Hence the equivalnce is very likely.
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NGC 4020 = UGC 6971 = MCG +05-28-066 = CGCG 157-072 = LGG 279-012 = PGC 37723
11 58 56.6  +30 24 42; UMa
V = 12.7;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 15°

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.8'x0.9', broad concentration but no well-defined core.  A mag 10.5 star lies 3.1' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4020 = H. II-725 = h1045 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 805) and recorded "pB, E, much brighter in the middle, about 2' long from sp to nf, but nearer to the meridian."  John Herschel recorded "Not vF; bicentral or elongated; very gradually brighter middle to a central axis pos = 199.5°, or pos of the two centres = 19.5°; 14" long and 25" br."  The Slough Catalogue has a typo; read H. II-725 for H. II-275.  He corrected the error in the GC. Bindon Stoney, observing on LdR's 72" on 26 Apr 1851, not "Bicentral appearance very indistinct.  Light mottled, E ssp-nnf."
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NGC 4021 = MCG +04-28-112 = CGCG 127-124 = WBL 368-011 = PGC 37730
11 59 02.6  +25 04 59; Com
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  PA = 85°

24" (3/22/14): faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, slightly brighter core.  Located 5.2' NE of NGC 4015 in the NGC 4005 cluster.

17.5" (3/19/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.4'x0.3'.  Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 4015 5' SW and NGC 4023 6' SSE.  Member of the NGC 4007 group.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4021 on 26 Apr 1878, the last session "nebulae" were discovered at Birr Castle.   He recorded, "F, S, R or lE and placed this object 58.2" in PA 312.1° with respect to NGC 4015.  It was labeled "Delta" on the final compiled sketch of the cluster.  At Dreyer's micrometric offset is CGCG 127-124 = PGC 37730.  Dreyer made an incorrect assumption that William Herschel's III-323 = NGC 4015 and III-324 = NGC 4021, based on their separations - these numbers apply to NGC 3987 and NGC 3997.
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NGC 4022 = UGC 6975 = MCG +04-28-111 = CGCG 127-125 = WBL 368-012 = LGG 261-004 = PGC 37729
11 59 01.0  +25 13 21; Com
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small very bright core increases to the center.  Two mag 13 stars lies 2.2' WSW and 2.4' WNW.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Contains a stellar nucleus or a star is superimposed.  Member of the NGC 4007 group with NGC 4018 7.3' NW.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4022 on 26 Apr 1878 in the last observation of the cluster from Birr Castle.  He placed it approximately 6' in PA 144° from NGC 4018 (Kappa) and noted "pF, vS, stellar".  On the final constructed diagram NGC 4022 is labeled "Lambda".  The actual separation is 7' in PA 140°.
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NGC 4023 = UGC 6977 = MCG +04-28-113 = CGCG 127-127 = WBL 368-013 = PGC 37732
11 59 05.5  +24 59 20; Com
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 25°

48" (5/9/21): at 488x; bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~50"x40".  Contains a relatively large, very bright core that increases towards the center.  The halo  extends nearly 1' and has a fairly low surface brightness, suggesting a face-on spiral (though no spiral structure).  A mag 16.5 in the halo on the north side [14" from center] and a mag 16 star is at the NNW edge of the halo [24" from center].  NGC 4015 is 5.9' NW.

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, slightly irregular surface brightness.  Situated 5.9' SE of NGC 4015.

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.  Member of the NGC 4007 group with NGC 4015 7' WNW.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 4023 on 24 Apr 1878 on a late observation of the NGC 4005 group at Birr Castle.  He described the nebula as "pF, pL, diffuse" and placed it at 358.1" in PA 117.8° with respect to NGC 4015.  It was labeled "Gamma" on the final compiled sketch of the cluster.  At this offset is UGC 6977 = PGC 37732.  This was apparently the last night that nebulae were discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4024 = ESO 572-031 = MCG -03-31-004 = LGG 263-006 = PGC 37690
11 58 31.2  -18 20 50; Crv
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 70°

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a bright 25" core that increases to the center.  The fainter outer halo measures ~1.4'x1.1'.  An isosceles triangle of mag 10-11.5 stars (sides 2', 2', 4.8') lies 6' W.  Located 1 degree NW of the Antennae (NGC 4038/39) in the NGC 4038 galaxy group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4024 = H. II-295 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and recorded "F, vS, iF, bM."  His RA was 30 seconds too large.  Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 at Denver (repeated in the IC 2 notes) as well as Porter in 1908 at the Cincinnati Observatory.
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NGC 4025 = UGC 6982 = MCG +06-26-064 = CGCG 186-080 = DDO 107 = PGC 37738
11 59 10.2  +37 47 37; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 2.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 15.0;  PA = 40°

18" (3/30/05): picked up at 165x as a moderately large but very low surface brightness glow.  At 225x, it appears ~1.5' diameter with very little concentration.  The DSS images reveals a face-on irregular barred spiral with very low surface brightness arms.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4025 = H. III-617 = h1046 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and noted "eF, irregularly round, about 1' in diameter."
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NGC 4026 = UGC 6985 = MCG +09-20-052 = CGCG 269-029 = LGG 258-009 = PGC 37760
11 59 25.0  +50 57 42; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 5.2'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 178°

17.5" (3/8/97): bright, large, excellent lens-shape edge-on 5:1 N-S, 4.0'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a striking bulging core and non-stellar nucleus.  Extensions tapers at ends.  Located 7.2' SSW of mag 9.2 SAO 28211. NGC 4026 is a member of the NGC 3992 (M109) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4026 = H. I-223 = h1047 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "considerably bright, elongated in the direction of the meridian [N-S], bright nucleus with very faint branches, 3' long."  His RA was 20 seconds too large, but the NGC position (probably from John Herschel) is accurate.
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NGC 4027 = Arp 22 NED2 = VV 66 = ESO 572-037 = ESO 572-036 = MCG -03-31-008 = MCG -03-31-007 = VIII Zw 158 = UGCA 260 = PGC 37773 = Ring-tail Galaxy
11 59 30.5  -19 15 44; Crv
V = 11.1;  Size 3.2'x2.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 167°

48" (5/5/24): at 488x and 610x; bright, striking asymmetric spiral with one prominent, thick arm that attaches to the NW end of the central region and loops E on the northern side for 180°, ending close to a 14th mag star situated 0.8' NE of center.  A faint 10" HII knot is readily visible along this arm, 0.4' NW of the star.  The bright core (or bar) is elongated E-W and a shorter spiral arm attaches at its E end, bending to the SE. This arm has a fairly low contrast but stands out distinctly in moments of better seeing. A faint mag 16.7 star is in the outer halo just E of this arm. 

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this is a strange looking one-armed spiral.  Overall it appeared quite bright and large with a very irregular shape, 3'x2', and sharply concentrated with a fairly small, round core.  The core gradually increased to the center.  A fairly well-defined arm emerges from the core on the NW end. It initially extends north in the direction of a mag 12.3 star located 3.7' NNW of the center of the galaxy. Then the arm sharply curves counter-clockwise ~135°, bending around to the N and NE, ending just outside a 14th mag star situated close NE of the core.  On the SE end of the core, a second arm begins to emerge but it suddenly terminates, creating a very asymmetric appearance with one long, wrapping arm.

A faint companion, NGC 4027A, lies 4' S.  At 260x, this galaxy appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 25"x20", low even surface brightness.  A very faint star is attached at the south end.  The Antennae galaxy, NGC 4038/4039, lies 40' NE.

48" (2/28/19): at 488x; the spectacular spiral arm on the north side of the galaxy wrapped around over 180° and faded out beyond a 14th mag star, nearly due east of the core of the galaxy.  The core of the galaxy was roundish but contained a brighter bar oriented E-W.  There was a darker region just south of the core, due to dust.  NGC 4027A, situated 4' S, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated N-S, irregular, fairly low even surface brightness.  An extremely faint star is at the southeast edge.

13.1" (2/16/85): fairly bright, round, moderately large, broad concentration, possible stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star is off the ENE edge 1.0' from center.  NGC 4027 is an unusual interacting one-armed barred spiral.

13.1" (4/28/84 and 9/22/84): a spiral arm highly suspected north of the nucleus trailing to the east.  

8" (3/28/81): faint, moderately large, no details.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4027 = H. II-296 = h3371 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "pB, pL."  His RA was 1.0 minute of time too large.  John Herschel made an interesting description from the Cape of Good Hope: "Globular; F; pL; R; 2'; resolved; stars barely seen; but in a better night for definition would no doubt be clearly resolved into st 16m."  His position is accurate, though of course his description isn't valid. It was described as a single branched spiral with condensations in the Helwan Observatory bulletin for 1921, based on photos taken by Knox-Shaw in 1914-16 with the 30" reflector.
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NGC 4028 = NGC 4014 = UGC 6961 = MCG +03-31-005 = CGCG 098-012 = PGC 37695
11 58 35.8  +16 10 38; Com

See observing notes for NGC 4014.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4028 = H. III-3 on 30 Dec 178 (sweep 72) and recorded "vF, not cometic tho' almost round.  It forms an isosceles triangle with 2 small stars [by a diagram these are about 6' sp].  It is probably of the resolvable kind but eF; it may be a very distant compressed cl of stars, but would require a great quantity of light to resolve."  There is nothing at his position (an early sweep prone to large errors) and III-3 was not found visually by Bigourdan or photographically by Reinmuth.

Harold Corwin equates NGC 4028 with NGC 4014, which matches WH's description of forming an isosceles triangle with two stars (6' sp and 6' np).  He notes this would require WH made offset errors on two different sweeps landing roughly at the same erroneous position.
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NGC 4029 = UGC 6990 = MCG +01-31-008 = CGCG 041-017 = PGC 37816
12 00 03.1  +08 10 54; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 150°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.8' NE of center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4029 = m 226 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS, little extended, with stellar N."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4030 = UGC 6993 = MCG +00-31-016 = CGCG 013-033 = PGC 37845
12 00 23.5  -01 06 01; Vir
V = 10.6;  Size 4.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 27°

17.5" (3/24/90): bright, moderately large, oval SW-NE, halo increases to a small bright core, mottled halo with structure suspected.  Bracketed by a mag 10.5 star 2.2' SSW and a mag 11 star just off the NNW edge 1.6' from the center.  Visible in 16x80 finder.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4030 = H. I-121 = h1048 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 507) and recorded "vB, cL, much brighter in the middle.  Between, but a little following two pB stars." John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 145) "B; R; pL; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; 70"; has 3 or 4 large stars near."  Using the Great Melbourne Telescope, Joseph Turner sketched it on 10 Apr 1877 (p. 133 of his logbook) and noted it was gradually brighter to the center with no resolution.  Pietro Baracchi (in Feb 1886 with the GMT) logged it as "B; pS; R; vgpmbM".
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NGC 4031 = MCG +05-28-075 = CGCG 157-082 = PGC 37855
12 00 31.3  +31 56 51; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 0.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE.  A mag 15.5 star is at the SW end and a second mag 15 star is 0.7' N of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4031 on 6 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is an exact match with CGCG 157-082 = PGC 37855.  He mentioned the mag 15.5 star at the south end, though his magnitude estimate (17th) is too faint.
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NGC 4032 = UGC 6995 = MCG +03-31-010 = CGCG 098-019 = WAS 40 = PGC 37860
12 00 32.9  +20 04 27; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 1.9'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, round, fairly small, even surface brightness.  A mag 12 star is 3.4' NNE.  Located west of the NGC 4065 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4032 = H. II-404 = h1049 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and recorded "pB, pL, much brighter in the middle, R, cometic." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2' too far SE. John Herschel observed this galaxy on 6 sweeps and his brightness descriptions vary from "extremely faint" to "bright"!
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NGC 4033 = ESO 572-042 = MCG -03-31-011 = LGG 263-011 = PGC 37863
12 00 34.8  -17 50 34; Crv
V = 11.7;  Size 2.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 47°

13.1" (4/28/84): fairly bright, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, small bright nucleus.  Located 1° north of the "Antennae" galaxies NGC 4038/NGC 4039 and a member of the group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4033 = H. II-508 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "pB, S, little extended, bM."  Using the Great Melbourne Telescope on 11 Apr 1877, Joseph Turner sketched it as very elongated SW-NE with a brighter core (p. 133 of logbook).  Pietro Baracchi reported it as "B; S; little extended; gpmb." (28 Feb 1886, GMT). Engelhardt measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4034 = UGC 7006 = MCG +12-11-044 = CGCG 335-002 = CGCG 334-058 = LGG 272-001 = PGC 37935
12 01 29.6  +69 19 26; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is 30" off the NW edge.  Located 9.5' NE of mag 7.3 SAO 15686.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4034 = H. III-903 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and noted "eF, S, iF, very little brighter middle."  CGCG misidentifies this galaxy (CGCG 334-058) as NGC 4043.
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NGC 4035 = MCG -03-31-010 = LGG 263-014 = PGC 37853
12 00 29.3  -15 56 53; Crv
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 0°

18" (4/9/05): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very low surface brightness with little or no concentration.  Located 5.8' SSW of mag 9 HD 104306.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4035 = H. III-279 = h3372 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and recorded "eF, pL.  Requires much attention to be seen.  I saw it also with 240, but its light was much lessened and the difficulty of seeing increasing."  Caroline's reduction is less than 2' northeast of PGC 37853.  John Herschel made the single observation "eeF; pL; R; has a * 9m 0.9 radius of field dist; 45° +/- nf."
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NGC 4036 = UGC 7005 = MCG +10-17-125 = CGCG 292-059 = PGC 37930
12 01 26.7  +61 53 45; UMa
V = 10.7;  Size 4.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 85°

24" (5/27/17): at 200x beautiful large spindle 4:1 ~E-W, 3'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core/nucleus and tapered extensions.  Forms a bright pair with NGC 4041 15' NNE.

17.5" (5/2/92): very bright striking galaxy!  Fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 3.0'x1.0', halo increases to a bright core, very bright nucleus.  The eastern extension appears slightly brighter.  NGC 4041 lies 16' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4036 = H. I-253 = h1050 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953).  He logged "very bright, very large, extended."  Caroline's reduced position is 15 sec of RA east of UGC 7005.  John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 25" diameter."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4037 = UGC 7002 = MCG +02-31-015 = CGCG 069-027 = PGC 37928
12 01 23.7  +13 24 03; Com
V = 11.9;  Size 2.5'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (5/19/01): very faint, moderately large, low surface brightness, ill-defined, ~2' diameter, slightly elongated N-S, very weak concentration.  Located 5' W of mag 9 SAO 99915.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4037 = H. III-77 = h1051 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "eF, pL, R, r."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4038 = Arp 244 NED1 = VV 245b = ESO 572-047 = MCG -03-31-014 = UGCA 264 = PGC 37967 = The Antennae = Ringtail Galaxies
12 01 53.0  -18 52 05; Crv
V = 10.3;  Size 3.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 80°

82" (5/4/19, McDonald Observatory): at 613x; I was surprised to see the numerous high surface brightness knots lining the rim of NGC 4038 and the looping spiral arm on the east side. A total of 17 knots were counted; these were irregularly spread out with several in clumps.  The beginning of the tidal arm extending south was very noticeable exiting the eyepiece field.

48" (5/18/23): I took another careful look at the knots at 375x and 610x, identifying most of those identified in the 1970 paper (ApJ, 160, 801) by Rubin et al.  The brightest component in NGC 4038 is by the far the relatively large and mottled nuclear region (knots J and K). Along the SW rim are three small knots R, S, and T lined up N-S. S and T were very easy and R was a bit fainter. Along the NW rim is knot G with a mag 16.7 star 0.2' to its N. At the S edge is the faint knot M, 30" SSW of J. On the E rim is knot E, a faint mottled region.

Midway along the connecting section to NGC 4039 are knots C and D, both small and faint. The nucleus of NGC 4039 (knot A) is very bright and ~15" diameter.  Knot B is small, but easily seen 15" to the NE of knot A.  A faint thin curving arm extends S from the W side of knot A.

48" (4/1/11 and 5/3/19): I took a quick look at the Antennae Galaxy on 4/1/11 to see the faint tidal tails that shoot north and south from the east end of NGC 4038/4039.  The tidal tail heading south from NGC 4038 (the northern component) was easily visible, sweeping 2' S but then quickly dimming.  The streamer heading north was also visible but appeared detached from the galaxies.  It was picked up ~2.5' NE of NGC 4038 and extended 2' N, terminating at a faint star.

On 5/3/19 we examined the galaxy using a NPB filter at 375x.  Overall the galaxy dimmed but a ring of HII knots extending 270° seemed to light up, providing a striking appearance!  They appeared to brighten and dim as individual knots "turned on" with averted vision and gave the impression of viewing car headlights through different layers of fog.

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was an amazing object in the 24" at 350x.  The main, bright northern component (NGC 4038) was partially annular, with a very bright knotty rim and a darker center giving a truly unique appearance for a galaxy.  At least 3 knots were visible embedded along its rim.  On the E side is the brightest knot [the nucleus, Knot J] which appeared faint, small, ~12" diameter.  A second fainter knot, only ~6" in size, is on the west side [Knot S].  Finally, a third very faint 6" knot is on the northwest side [Knot G].  The three knots were roughly spaced out 120° apart along the outer portion of this tortured galaxy.  An elongated "arm" (the interacting companion NGC 4039) is attached on the east end and curves around on the south side towards the southwest.  Another very faint, but slightly larger 20" knot is embedded along the main portion of NGC 4039 [Knot B].  At the southwest tip of the brighter portion of NGC 4039 is a relatively large, brighter knot [its nucleus, Knot A] that at times appeared double.  Surrounding the southwest portion of NGC 4039 is a much fainter outer halo extended SW-NE.  This fainter halo extends further southwest for a few arc minutes and widens to a bulbous shape at the end. This was by far the most detailed view I've seen of the Antennae galaxy.  NGC 4027, another disturbed galaxy, lies 40' SW.

The knot designations are from a 1970 paper by Vera Rubin and repeated in the 2010 paper by Whitmore: "The Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038/4039) Revisited".

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly bright, moderately large.  Forms a striking "shrimp-like" or "comma" shape with the tail attached at the east end and extending to the south.  Appears clearly darker between the two objects on the west side.

13.1" (5/21/82): appears as two irregular galaxies connected at the east end in a "shrimp" shape.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4038 = H. IV-28.1 = h1052, along with NGC 4039, on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368). He recorded both as "pB, L.  Two joined together, the smallest south [NGC 4039]; or one opening with a branch very faintly joined."  Herschel assigned a single entry in class IV (planetary), though John Herschel separated these into IV 28.1 and IV 28.2 in the Slough catalogue.  Bindon Blood Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, sketched the galaxy pair on 14 Apr 1852 (Plate XXVII, Fig. 18 in 1861 publication).  It appears to show one of the long tidal tails.

The long "Antennae" tidal tails were first photographed by Carl Lampland with the 40-inch Lowell reflector in 1917.  In 1923 J.C. Duncan first used the term "antennae" based on 100-inch photos at Mt. Wilson:  "Most remarkable of all, two faint extensions, like antennae, seem to cross at the eastern end of the bag, one reaching northward and the other southward, and both concave toward the west" in the "Photographic studies of nebulae.III." based on the 100" Hooker telescope.  In 1940, Harlow Shapley and John S. Paraskevopoulos described a "Ring-Tail" structure based on photos taken with the 60" reflector at the Boyden Station at Bloemfontein, South Africa.  The Toomre's adopted the nickname "the Antennae" in their early 1972 computer simulation "Galactic Bridges and Tails".
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NGC 4039 = Arp 244 NED2 = VV 245a = ESO 572-048 = MCG -03-31-015 = UGCA 265 = PGC 37969 = The Antennae = Ringtail Galaxies
12 01 53.6  -18 53 11; Crv
V = 10.6;  Size 3.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 130°

48" (5/18/23): at 610x; the nucleus of NGC 4039 (knot A) is very bright and ~15" diameter.  Knot B is small, but easily seen 15" to the NE of the nucleus. A faint thin curving arm extends S from the W side of knot A. Midway along the connecting section to NGC 4038 are knots C and D, both small and faint. 

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): attached on the east end of NGC 4038 (see detailed notes) is a long "tail" or arm (this is the interacting companion NGC 4039) that curves around on the south side towards the southwest.  Another very faint, but slightly larger 20" knot B is embedded along the main portion of the tail.  At the tip of the main tail was a relatively large, brighter knot (the nucleus, knot A) that at times appeared double.  Surrounding the SW portion of the tail is a much fainter outer halo extended SW-NE.  This fainter halo extends beyond the tail for a few arc minutes and widens to a bulbous shape at the end.  This was by far the most detailed view I've seen of the Ring-tail galaxy.

17.5" (5/14/88): this is the southern member of the striking "Ring-Tail galaxy".  Attached at the east side of NGC 4038 and forms a "tail" elongated NW-SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4039 = H. IV-28.2 = h1053, along with NGC 4038, on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368).  He assigned only a single H-designation (IV-28).  See that number for more.
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NGC 4040 = UGC 7013 = MCG +03-31-018 = CGCG 098-028 = PGC 37993
12 02 05.4  +17 49 23; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 145°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.8'x0.7', broad weak concentration.  An isosceles triangle with sides 2'/2'/1' consisting of mag 12.5 stars is 2' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4040 = Sw. 6-41 on 30 Mar 1887 and noted "forms nearly a square with 3 stars".  His position and description is a good match with UGC 7013.
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NGC 4041 = UGC 7014 = MCG +10-17-129 = CGCG 292-061 = PGC 37999
12 02 12.2  +62 08 14; UMa
V = 11.3;  Size 2.7'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; bright, large, roundish, nearly 2' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a large, low surface brightness halo and an intensely bright core.  The core brightness towards the center but there was no distinct nucleus.  Forms a bright pair with NGC 4036 15' SSW.

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 2' diameter, broad concentration with an overall fairly high surface brightness.  Two mag 11 and 12 stars at 1.0' separation are 3.5' SSE.  NGC 4036 lies 16' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4041 = H. I-252 = h1054 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and recorded "vB, cL, R."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 411) "B; R; at first gradually, the pretty suddenly very much brighter middle to a nuclear mass which seems resolvable." His position is accurate.
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NGC 4042 = 2MASX J12024674+2009478 = LEDA 3781394
12 02 46.8  +20 09 49; Com
V = 15.7;  Size 0.3'x0.2'

24" (3/22/14): very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter.  Cannot hold steadily at 375x but not difficult to see knowing the position.  The identification of this number is uncertain.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4042 = m 227, along with NGC 4056 and NGC 4060, on 18 Mar 1865 using William Lassell's 48" on Malta.  There is nothing near his position and his description "vF, vS" is not helpful.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 4042 = LEDA 3781394 = 2MASX J12024674+2009478.  This galaxy is located 26 tsec of RA east and 1.8' N of Marth's position.  This offset in declination would also match the offsets for suggested identifications for NGC 4056 and 4060, though NGC 4042 is still further off in terms of RA.  See Corwin's notes.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", suggests the possible equivalent with NGC 4032, but this galaxy is 1.8 tmin of RA west and 4' south of Marth's position.  Carlson and RNGC also give this possible equivalence.
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NGC 4043 = UGC 7015 = MCG +01-31-012 = CGCG 041-026 = PGC 38010
12 02 22.9  +04 19 47; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 0.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4043 = h1055 on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "S; R; preceds a double star about 30 sec, and is 3' south of it.  RA is a rough estimate only from the double star.  On the next sweep he logged "Not B; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4044 = UGC 7018 = MCG +00-31-020 = CGCG 013-043 = PGC 38018
12 02 29.5  -00 12 45; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4044 = H. III-491 = h1056 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 507) and noted "vF, S".  His position matches UGC 7018.
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NGC 4045 = NGC 4046 = UGC 7021 = MCG +00-31-022 = CGCG 013-046 = Todd 13b = Holm 320a = WBL 372-001 = PGC 38031
12 02 42.3  +01 58 38; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 2.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 86°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 E-W, brighter rounder core, distinct stellar nucleus, low surface brightness halo over 1' in diameter.A mag 12.3 star is 1.6' SE of center.

NGC 4045A, just 1.5' S, appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 25" major axis. A 15th mag star is just off the SW side. Not a physical pair.

17.5" (5/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, stellar nucleus offset to the SW of faint superimposed star [no star on the DSS].  Forms a close pair with NGC 4045A 1.5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4045 = H. II-276 = h1057 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 349) and noted "pF, S, R, little brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made the single observation: "F; R: suddenly brighter middle; 25"; a star south following." and measured an accurate position.

Heinrich d'Arrest found this galaxy on 10 Apr 1863, but his declination was 15' too far south.  Dreyer assumed it was new and included it in the supplement to the General Catalogue as GCS 5602 and again as NGC 4046.  So, NGC 4045 = NGC 4046. David Todd (#13b) found the galaxy again on 2 Jan 1878 in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet, along with NGC 4045A and CGCG 013-049.  The RNGC position is 1.0 minute of RA too far west.
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NGC 4046 = NGC 4045 = UGC 7021 = MCG +00-31-022 = CGCG 013-046 = PGC 38031
12 02 42.3  +01 58 38; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 2.7'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

See observing notes for NGC 4045.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4046 on 10 Apr 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single observation (Latin translation copied from Harold Corwin's notes) reads "round; not small. Class II. It makes a triangle with 2 stars mag 13 and mag 16 to the south and following 6.6 sec.  However, the question remains if it is h1057 [NGC 4045] with a 15' error in declination."  In fact there is nothing at his position, but 15' north is NGC 4045, which matches his description.  The mag 16 "star" is likely NGC 4045A.  So, NGC 4046 = NGC 4045.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4047 = UGC 7025 = MCG +08-22-058 = CGCG 243-037 = PGC 38042
12 02 50.6  +48 38 10; UMa
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/25/98): moderately bright and large, ~1.3'x1.1', halo slightly elongated ~E-W.  Fairly well concentrated with a fainter halo surrounding a bright core and nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 3.6' WSW.  Sky hazy with smoke.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4047 = H. II-741 = h1058 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "pF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  Caroline's reduction is 1.6' northeast of UGC 7025.  John Herschel logged "B; pL; R; pretty gradually brighter middle; 40"."  The RNGC position is 1.0 min of RA too far west (see NGC 4045/4045A).
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NGC 4048 = UGC 7023 = MCG +03-31-020 = CGCG 098-030 = VV 384 = PGC 38040
12 02 50.0  +18 00 56; Com
V = 14.0;  Size 0.65'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 92°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.5'x0.35', even surface brightness.  A mag 11.5 star lies 3.0' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4048 = h1059 on 23 Mar 1827 and on a second sweep noted "vF; S; R pretty suddenly brighter middle; almost stellar."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4049 = UGC 7027 = MCG +03-31-021 = CGCG 098-031 = PGC 38050
12 02 54.7  +18 45 09; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 52°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', weak broad concentration.  A mag 11 star is 2.6' SE and another mag 11.5 star is 5' following.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4049 = H. III-390 = h1060 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and simply noted "suspected."  His position (CH"s reduction) is 28 sec of RA followoing UGC 7027.  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate RA on one sweep.
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NGC 4050 = MCG -03-31-016 = LGG 263-015 = PGC 38049
12 02 54.0  -16 22 25; Crv
V = 12.2;  Size 3.1'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 85°

18" (3/19/04): faint, fairly large, oval 4:3 E-W, 2.0'x1.5'.  Broad, weak concentration with a 15" brighter nucleus using direct vision.  Located 5.8' NE of mag 8.3 HD 104656.  Member of the NGC 4038/39 (Antennae) group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4050 = H. II-509 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "F, cL, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle."  His re-reduced position matches MCG -03-31-016 = PGC 38049
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NGC 4051 = UGC 7030 = MCG +08-22-059 = CGCG 243-038 = LGG 269-004 = PGC 38068
12 03 09.6  +44 31 53; UMa
V = 10.2;  Size 5.2'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 135°

48" (5/10/18): at 375x; NGC 4051 is a highly structured S or Z-shaped barred spiral with easy HII knots and subtle details!  This Seyfert galaxy is very sharply concentrated with a brilliant quasi-stellar nucleus!   The bright core extends into a  slightly brighter central region or bar elongated 2:1 NW-SE and just over 1.5' in length.  The halo extends at ~4.5'x3.5' NW-SE.

A very obvious eastern arm is attached at the southeast end of the bar and angles at a 90° angle towards the northeast, pointing towards a mag 14.0 star [2.8' NE of center].  A low surface brightness thin arm [roughly 1.6' in length] angling SE to NW was visible on the north side.  On the DSS this arm appears to emanate from the bright eastern arm though visually it appeared straight and completely detached.

A large knotty arm, attached at the northwest end, bends sharply towards the south. This arm is thick or wide at its root with a large brighter knot or region embedded (catalogued as [EKS96] #31 and #28 in the 1996 "Atlas of HII Regions in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies").  As the arm dips south it terminates at a faint 10" knot (#10), 1.4' W of center.  In addition, an obvious, small bright knot (#52), ~8" diameter, is just south of the core [by 0.6'].  This knot resides in a very thin arm (not seen) just south of the central region. Overall, I was very impressed with this gorgeous galaxy!

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly bright, large, ~4.0'x2.5' NW-SE.  Nearly extends to a mag 11 star 2.2' W.  Very bright, very small core increasing to a bright stellar nucleus (original Seyfert galaxy list).  The galaxy shows signs of spiral structure and there appears to be a short outer spiral arm attached at the SE end hooking north separated by a slightly darker region between the main body (verified on photo).  This galaxy, along with NGC 3938 and NGC 4111, are the brightest members of the NGC 4111 group (LGG 269) in the UMa Cloud.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4051 = H. IV-56 = h1061 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 810) and recorded "cB, irregularly round, considerably brighter nucleus with extensive chevelure about 5' dia."  His position matches UGC 7030.  He placed it in Class IV due to the bright nucleus.

Bindon Blood Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) sketched the galaxy on 3 May 1851 as an "S" shaped barred spiral (Plate 27, Fig. 19 in the 1861 publication). He captured the structure very accurately and noted, "Spiral.  I suspect the f branch extends to [star] alpha [on the northeast end]."  On 19 Apr 1857, assistant R.J. Mitchell logged "The preceding branch seems to me the brighter rather of the two, and more suddenly curved than the following one, both of them look not quite so sharp as given in the drawing."

NGC 4051 is one of the original 6 galaxies studied by Carl Seyfert in his seminal 1943 paper "Nuclear Emission in Spiral Nebulae".
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NGC 4052 = ESO 094-10 = Cr 251 = OCL-870
12 02 05  -63 13 24; Cru
Size 8'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this cluster is located just 10' NW of mag 4.3 Theta 1 and 15' W of mag 4.7 Theta 2 Crucis in the SW portion of the constellation!  At 105x, ~60 stars mag 10 and fainter are mostly scattered in a 9' diameter.  More striking, though, is a dense 3' subgroup of mostly mag 12-13 stars on the SE end of the cluster over a background of haze from unresolved stars.  A neat string of six stars oriented WNW-ESE is located on the south end with a brighter mag 9.5 star about 2.5' further west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4052 = h3373 on 8 Mar 1837 and logged "Cluster VII class; loose and scattered but pretty rich."  There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west is a scattered cluster.
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NGC 4053 = UGC 7029 = MCG +03-31-024 = CGCG 098-032 = PGC 38069
12 03 11.6  +19 43 44; Com
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 109°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.3'.  Brighter along the major axis and the very small core contains a stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 1.6' W of center.  Located 33' SSW of NGC 4065 (brightest in a large group of NGC galaxies).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4053 = m228 on 9 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 7029.  He accurately placed the mag 15 star which precedes by 7 sec of time (though he estimaged its magnitude as 18).  Marth independently discovered the galaxy on 18 Mar 1865.  His position was good, though on the same night Marth also recorded NGC 4042, 4056 and 4060 which all have very uncertain identifications due to poor positions.
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NGC 4054 = VV 136 = MCG +10-17-131 = CGCG 292-062 = PGC 38078
12 03 12.4  +57 53 36; UMa
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 90°

48" (4/20/17): at 488x; NGC 4054 is a close triple (VV 136) that fits in a 30" circle.  VV 136a is the largest component; it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 3:2 E-W, ~24"x15".  The galaxy is diffuse with a fairly low surface brightness and only a weakly brighter nucleus.  VV 136b, on the southeast side [15" between centers], appeared fairly bright, very small, slightly elongated, ~12"x9".  The surface brightness is very high (easily the highest of the trio) and peaks at a stellar nucleus.  VV 136c, on the northeast side [18" between centers], appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~15"x8".

24" (6/4/16): at 322x; the western and largest component (VV 136a) of the triple system NGC 4054 appeared faint, small, slightly elongated 20"x15", low surface brightness.  The southeast component (VV 136b) is smaller but significantly higher surface brightness and was noted as fairly faint, very small, elongated 12"x9" E-W.  The centers of these small galaxies are separated by just 15".  VV 136c, the northeast component, was not seen.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15" diameter.  This is a triple system, though it initially appeared single.  After careful viewing an extremely faint "star" occasionally popped out on the southeast edge.  This virtually stellar object is VV 136b = LEDA 3547623.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4054 = H. III-794 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He noted "extremely faint, small, verified by 300x."   Bigourdan wasn't able to find this triple system with the 12-inch refractor at the Paris Observatory (too faint?).
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NGC 4055 = NGC 4061: = UGC 7044 = MCG +04-29-006 = CGCG 128-005 = CGCG 098-040 = VV 179 = PGC 38146
12 04 01.5  +20 13 57; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 0°

See observing notes for NGC 4061.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4055 = h1062 on 29 Apr 1832, the same night he logged h1063 = NGC 4057 and h1064 = NGC 4059.  His coordinates were very uncertain ("PD very doubtful") and given to the nearest degree, although all three objects were described as "B[right]".  The description for h1064 also mentions "On meridian with two more".

As it seems very likely these are duplicates of brighter galaxies, Harold Corwin suggests (in response to my email about the identifications) that NGC 4055 = NGC 4061, NGC 4057 = NGC 4065, and NGC 4059 = NGC 4070.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates, misidentifed MCG +04-29-004 as NGC 4055 although he noted that "no PB nebula in Dreyer's place".  See Corwin's discussion under NGC 4055.
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NGC 4056 = PGC 38140
12 03 57.7  +20 18 45; Com
V = 15.8;  Size 0.3'x0.3'

24" (3/22/14): extremely faint and small, round, 6"-8" diameter.  At 375x, I could repeatedly glimpse this galaxy, though would not have picked it up without knowing the exact location.  Located 3.5' SW of NGC 4066 in the NGC 4065 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4056 = m 229, along with NGC 4042 and 4046, on 18 Mar 1865.  All of these objects have uncertain identifications because of imprecise positions and several faint nearby galaxies.  His description "eF, vS" adds no new information.  RNGC identifies PGC 38140 as NGC 4056.  This galaxy is located 12 tsec of RA east and 2.6' north of Marth's position.  If m 230 = NGC 4060 = CGCG 128-006 then the declination errors are similar.  Although this galaxy is extremely faint, Marth could have picked it up with Lassell's 48-inch. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4057 = NGC 4065? = UGC 7050 = MCG +04-29-007 = CGCG 098-042 = CGCG 128-007 = VV 179 = PGC 38156
12 04 06.2  +20 14 07; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7

See observing notes for NGC 4065.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4057 = h1063 on 29 Apr 1832, the same night he logged h1062 = NGC 4055 and h1064 = NGC 4059.  His coordinates were very uncertain ("PD very doubtful") and given to the nearest degree, although all three objects were described as "B[right]".  The description for h1064 also mentions "On meridian with two more".

Since it is very likely these are duplicates of brighter galaxies, Harold Corwin suggests NGC 4055 = NGC 4061, NGC 4057 = NGC 4065, and NGC 4059 = NGC 4070.  RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 38278 as NGC 4057.  PGC 38278 is located 3.0' west of NGC 4090.  See Corwin's explanation under NGC 4055.
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NGC 4058 = UGC 7036 = MCG +01-31-017 = CGCG 041-032 = PGC 38124
12 03 49.1  +03 32 53; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 165°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  Located 15' W of mag 7.2 SAO 119207.

George Searle discovered NGC 4058 = HN 37 on 24 Mar 1868 with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #257).  His position matches UGC 7036.
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NGC 4059 = NGC 4070? = UGC 7052 = MCG +04-29-009 = CGCG 128-009 = WBL 374-008 = PGC 38169
12 04 11.3  +20 24 36; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1

See observing notes for NGC 4070.  Uncertain identification.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4059 = h1064 on 29 Apr 1832, the same night he logged h1063 = NGC 4057 and h1062 = NGC 4055.  His coordinates were very uncertain ("PD very doubtful") and given to the nearest degree, although all three objects were described as "B[right]".  The description for h1064 mentioned "On meridian with two more".

Since it is very likely these are duplicates of brighter galaxies,  Harold Corwin suggests (in response to my email about the identifications) that NGC 4055 = NGC 4061, NGC 4057 = NGC 4065, and NGC 4059 = NGC 4070.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates, misidentifes MCG +04-29-012 as NGC 4059.  See Corwin's discussion under NGC 4055.
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NGC 4060 = CGCG 128-006 = WBL 374-004 = PGC 38151
12 04 01.0  +20 20 15; Com
V = 14.6;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  PA = 85°

24" (3/22/14): faint, small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 2.1' WSW of NGC 4066.  Brightest of three companions to NGC 4066 on the southwest side.

17.5" (3/28/87): extremely faint, very small, round.  Located 2' WSW of NGC 4066 in the NGC 4065 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4060 = m 230 on 18 Mar 1865 (same night he found NGC 4042, NGC 4053 and NGC 4056).  Due to his poor positions, and density of galaxies in the cluster, only NGC 4053 has a secure identification.  Marth's position is 3 seconds of RA west and 2.3' S of CGCG 128-006 = PGC 38151. This identification is adopted in RNGC, CGCG and by Corwin.

Another possibility is that PGC 38140 (identified as NGC 4056 in the RNGC) is NGC 4060.  PGC 38140 is only 0.6' N of Marth's position, though it is noticeably fainter visually and that would leave no other candidate for Marth's NGC 4056.  Finally, it is possible that NGC 4060 = PGC 38166.  PGC 38166 is identified as NGC 4069 in the RNGC and would imply Marth's position was 8 tsec too far W and 1.4' too far S.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4061 = NGC 4055: = VV 179b = UGC 7044 = MCG +04-29-006 = CGCG 128-005 = CGCG 098-040 = WBL 374-003 = PGC 38146
12 04 01.5  +20 13 57; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 0°

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, brighter core but not as strongly concentrated as NGC 4065 just 1.1' ENE.  These form a striking pair with NGC 4065.  Nearby lies NGC 4072 ~3' SE and NGC 4076 7' ESE.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, almost round, brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4065 1' ENE within the NGC 4065 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4061 = H. III-394 = h1065, together with 5 other galaxies, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403). His description reads, "Six nebulae. The times and numbers belong to the three first [III-391, III-392 and III-393]; but I saw three more [10 or 12'] south of them.  They were are all vF, vS."  I suspected many more besides."  The three nebulae that he did not measure positions for are likely NGC 4061, NGC 4065, and NGC 4076 (the three brightest).

John Herschel observed NGC 4061 on 3 sweeps and recorded on 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 244), "vF; a double neb by diag, pos 20° sp, nearly equal.  They run together."  Herschel's h1062 (= NGC 4055), which was recorded on 29 Apr 1832, is very likely a duplicate observation.  See that number for more.
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NGC 4062 = UGC 7045 = MCG +05-29-004 = CGCG 158-008 = PGC 38150
12 04 03.8  +31 53 44; UMa
V = 11.1;  Size 4.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 100°

17.5" (2/24/90): fairly bright, large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.6', broadly concentrated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4062 = H. I-174 = h1066 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and noted "cB, E, about 5' l and 1.5' broad."   John Herschel made 4 observations and logged on 11 Mar 1828 (sweep 131), "pB; vL; mE; 10° np to sf; very gradually brighter middle; 3' l, 1' br."

Lord Rosse's assistant George Johnstone Stoney wrote on 12 Mar 1850, "broad equable band; several consipicuous stars in it especially near the ends."
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NGC 4063 = MCG +00-31-026 = CGCG 013-055 = Todd 12d = WBL 372-007 = PGC 38154
12 04 05.9  +01 50 49; Vir
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; fairly faint, elongated 2:1 N-S, 40"x20", even surface brightness except for a faint stellar nucleus.  Located 6' SW of NGC 4073 in a cluster (WBL 372).

17.5" (5/10/86): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  In a group with UGC 7042 3.9' NW, NGC 4073 6.0' ENE and NGC 4139 7.5' SE.

David Todd discovered NGC 4063 = Todd 12d = St. 11-15 on 2 Jan 1878.  It was found during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the USNO.  Édouard Stephan rediscovered the galaxy less than 4 months later on 27 Apr 1878.  He measured an accurate position on 3 May 1881 and included it in his 11th discovery list, #15.  Dreyer credited Stephan with the discovery in the NGC.

PGC mixed todgether the identification and data for NGC 4063 and UGC 7042.
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NGC 4064 = UGC 7054 = MCG +03-31-033 = CGCG 098-044 = PGC 38167
12 04 11.2  +18 26 36; Com
V = 11.4;  Size 4.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 150°

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 3'x1.5', large bright core but no nucleus, sharper light cut-off on the SW side due to dust.  Two mag 14 stars are 1.6' SSW and 2.7' E of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4064 on 29 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position matches UGC 7054 and he accurately placed the mag 14 star 82" southwest.  This is an unusually bright galaxy to have been missed by both Herschels.
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NGC 4065 = NGC 4057: = VV 179a = UGC 7050 = MCG +04-29-007 = CGCG 098-042 = CGCG 128-007 = WBL 374-006 = PGC 38156
12 04 06.2  +20 14 07; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4061 just 1' W.  NGC 4072 lies 2.4' SE and NGC 4076 is 6.5' ESE.  NGC 4066 and 4070, two similar ellipticals, lie 6.8' N and 10.5' N.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter core.  Brightest in the NGC 4065 cluster (a large group of NGC galaxies) with NGC 4061 1.1' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4065 = H. III-395 = h1067 and 5 other galaxies on 18 Mar 1865 (sweep 403).  They were recorded together as "Six nebulae. The places belong to the three first [III-391, III-392 and III-393]..."  The three galaxies to the south without positions are likely NGC 4061, NGC 4065, and NGC 4076 (the three brightest).  He swept up the entire sextet again on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671).

John Herschel noted "pB" on one sweep and "vF; R; the second of 5" on another. Herschel's h1063 (= NGC 1057), recorded on 29 Apr 1832, is very likely a duplicate observation.  See notes for that number.
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NGC 4066 = UGC 7051 = MCG +04-29-008 = CGCG 128-008 = WBL 374-007 = PGC 38161
12 04 09.4  +20 20 53; Com
V = 13.0;  Size 1.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, strong concentration with a very bright nucleus that increases to the center.  NGC 4070 is 3.7' NNE and a trio of galaxies are close southwest: NGC 4060 2.1' WSW, NGC 4069 1.7' SSW and NGC 4056? 3.4' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, small, round, strong bright core.  In a tight trio with NGC 4060 2' WSW and NGC 4069 1.7' SSW.  Also in the field are NGC 4065 7' S and NGC 4070 3.8' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4066 = H. III-392 = h1068*, along with 5 other galaxies, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403).  They were recorded together as "Six nebulae. The times and numbers belong to the three first (H. III-391, III-392 and III-393)..."  He entire sextet was swept up again on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671).

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 4 sweeps, first recording it on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59).   He equated his h1068 with his father's III-391 and misassigned III-392 to NGC 4069 = h1070.
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NGC 4067 = UGC 7048 = MCG +02-31-019 = CGCG 069-036 = PGC 38168
12 04 11.5  +10 51 16; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly bright, fairly small, round, bright core.  Brightest in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4067 = H. III-37 = h1069 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and recorded "eF, vS, in a line with 2 small stars and followed by one that is larger.  I had some doubt with the sweeping power, but 240x showed it very plainly and of considerable extent."  There is nothing at his position but 1 minute of RA west (a similar error as several other nebulae discovered that night) and 3' south is UGC 7048.  John Herschel made 5 observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4068 = IC 757 = UGC 7047 = MCG +09-20-079 = CGCG 269-031 = PGC 38148
12 04 00.8  +52 35 18; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 3.3'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 30°

48" (4/20/17): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated SW-NE.  The surface brightness of this galaxy is fairly low but very irregular/patchy with a ragged outline and there is no core or zones.  A mag 12 star is superimposed near the center, which is not well defined, and a second mag 14 star is at the southwest end.  The brightest section is near the mag 12 star and to the NE.  The outline is irregular and spreads out more on the northeast half.  NGC 4102 lies 23' ENE.

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE.  A mag 12 star is superimposed and a mag 14 star is at the SW end 40" from the center.  A string of four mag 11-13.5 stars is just NW.  In a low power field with NGC 4102 24' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4068 = H. II-781 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919).  He recorded "pretty faint, stellar."  On 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929), he logged, "A pretty small star involved in nebulosity of no great extent; the star does not seem to belong to it."  His RA was about 15 seconds too large and declination 2' too far south.. 

According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan misidentified a star as NGC 4068 on two nights and "rediscovered" the galaxy on 11 Mar 1886, though made an error in his position, and Big. 166 (later IC 757) is identical to NGC 4068.  NED and SIMBAD equate IC 757 with NGC 4068, though CGCG, UGC, MCG and PGC and SIMBAD only use the single identity NGC 4068.
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NGC 4069 = PGC 38166
12 04 06.0  +20 19 26; Com
V = 15.5;  Size 0.3'x0.2'

24" (3/22/14): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Located 1.7' SSE of NGC 4066.  NGC 4060 lies 1.5' NW and an extremely faint galaxy (possibly NGC 4056) lies 2.0' SW.  Either I missed the mag 16 star just off the southeast edge (~10" from center) or the galaxy and star were merged together

17.5" (5/14/88): extremely faint and small, round.  Located 1.7' SSW of NGC 4066.  Forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 4060 and NGC 4066 within the NGC 4065 cluster.  The identification of this number with PGC 38166 is very certain.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4069 = h1070 on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59).  His description reads "vF, R, 4th of 5; has another on same meridian, north".  This is one of the very faint galaxies near NGC 4066 and was not seen by his father, although Sir John assumed h1070 = H. III-392.  His position (single sweep) is 6 seconds of RA east of PGC 38166, a galaxy that like is too faint to have been swept up.  Assuming NGC 4069 = PGC 38166, then the nebula "on the same meridian, north" would refer to NGC 4066.  But how could he have missed NGC 4060, which is just 1.5' NW?   See Harold Corwin's discussion in his identification notes.  Courtney Seligman classified NGC 4069 as a "lost or nonexistent object, commonly misidentified as PGC 38166."
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NGC 4070 = NGC 4059? = UGC 7052 = MCG +04-29-009 = CGCG 128-009 = WBL 374-008 = PGC 38169
12 04 11.3  +20 24 36; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, high surface brightness, very small bright nucleus.  NGC 4066 lies 3.7' S.

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 3.8' NNE of NGC 4066 within the NGC 4065 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4070 = H. III-391 = h1071, along with 5 other galaxies, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403).  They were noted together as "Six nebulae.  The times and numbers belong to the three first (III-391, III-392 and III-393)..."  His position (Auwer's reduction) is 2.4' southeast of UGC 7052, the same offset he as NGC 4066 = H. III-392.

Harold Corwin concludes that John Herschel's h1064 = NGC 4059 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 4070.  See that number.
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NGC 4071 = PK 298-4.1 = ESO 094-12 = PN G298.3-04.8
12 04 15.3  -67 18 35; Mus
V = 13.0;  Size 80"x51"

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I had a difficult time ferreting out this faint PN that is buried within a very rich Milky Way field.  It finally picked it up at 76x (27 Panoptic) and OIII filter as a faint, round disc at least 40" in diameter.  Removing the filter, a faint star was superimposed on the SW side of a low surface brightness glow.  Also viewed unfiltered at 228x which showed the faint star and the disc more easily, though this is quite faint for NGC planetary.  The best view was at 128x using an OIII filter, although NGC 4071 has a low-excitation level.  The disc appeared fairly faint with subtle irregularities in surface brightness and was likely brighter along portions of the rim.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4071 = h3374 on 4 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; 40"; has a vS star in centre; in a field of at least 80 or 90 stars."  His position is accurate.  The "vS star" he mentions might be the one on the southwest side.
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NGC 4072 = CGCG 098-045 = CGCG 128-010 = WBL 374-009 = PGC 38176
12 04 13.8  +20 12 35; Com
V = 14.8;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 30°

24" (3/22/14): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  Not difficult to pick up 2.4' SE of NGC 4065.  A mag 13.6 star is 1' NE.

17.5" (3/28/87): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold.  A mag 13 star is 1.1' NE of center.  Located 2.6' SE of NGC 4065.  Member of the NGC 4065 cluster.

Ralph Copeland, assistant to the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 4072 on 3 Apr 1872.  During an observation of GC 2686 = NGC 4061 and GC 2689 = NGC 4065 he found "a third and much fainter neb south-following the second [NGC 4065], in pos 128.4°, dist 144.1"  At precisely Copeland's offset is CGCG 098-045 = PGC 38176.
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NGC 4073 = UGC 7060 = MCG +00-31-029 = CGCG 013-059 = WBL 372-011 = PGC 38201 = Todd 12a
12 04 27.0  +01 53 45; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 3.2'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 105°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; fairly bright, large oval ~3:2 E-W, well concentrated with a bright core that gradually increases to a small bright nucleus. Large low surface brightness halo increases with averted to ~2'x1'.  Brightest in a large group (MKW 4).

17.5" (5/10/86): moderately bright, elongated WNW-ESE, moderately large, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Brightest of a poor cluster (MKW 4) with NGC 4063 6.0' SW, NGC 4075 11' N, NGC 4077 7.3' SSE, NGC 4139 = IC 2989 6.0' SSE and UGC 7042 8' W, all in the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4073 = H. II-277 = h1072, along with NGC 4077, on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 349).  He noted it as "faint, small. (goes in the same field with the following [NGC 4077]."  John Herschel made 4 observations (first on 7 Apr 1828). David Todd independently found this galaxy (#12a) on 2 Jan 1878 during his his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  Édouard Stephan also observed NGC 4073 on 27 Apr 1878.
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NGC 4074 = MCG +04-29-011 = CGCG 128-013 = WBL 374-011 = PGC 38207
12 04 29.6  +20 18 59; Com
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 105°

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Located within the NGC 4065 cluster with NGC 4076 7' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4074 = H. III-393 = h1073, along with 5 other galaxies, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403).  They were noted together as "Six nebulae.  The times and numbers belong to the three first [NGC 4072 = III-391, NGC 4070 = III-392 and NGC 4074 = III-393] which are vF, vS."  His position (Auwer's reduction) is 3.1' too far SW.  John Herschel made a single observation on 29 Mar 1832 (sweep 409), measured an accurate position, and noted "eF".
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NGC 4075 = MCG +00-31-032 = CGCG 013-064 = PGC 38216 = Todd 11
12 04 37.8  +02 04 22; Vir
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 124°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; relatively bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', small bright core. A very wide pair of similar mag 10.3/10.4 stars is just under 5' S.

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, stellar nucleus.  Located 11' NNE of NGC 4073 within a group.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4075 = h1074 on 14 Apr 1828 and noted "F; S; R."  His position was 6 sec of RA west of CGCG 013-064 = PGC 38216.  David Todd found the galaxy again on 27 Dec 1877 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and reported it as object 11 in his 1885 paper in Astronomische Nachrichten.
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NGC 4076 = UGC 7061 = MCG +03-31-034 = CGCG 098-046 = CGCG 128-012 = WBL 374-010 = PGC 38209
12 04 32.5  +20 12 18; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, small slightly brighter core.  Located 6.5' ESE of NGC 4065 (close pair with NGC 4061).  NGC 4072 lies 4.4' W.

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse.  Located within the NGC 4065 cluster and the eighth galaxy in the field.  LEDA 213924 lies 2' NE and appeared very faint, very small, round.  Forms a right angle with NGC 4076 2.1' SW and a mag 13 star to the SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4076 = H. III-396 = h1075, along with 5 other galaxies, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403). He recorded the sextet together as "Six nebulae. The times and numbers belong to the three first [III-391, III-392 and III-393]..."  The three nebulae [10 to 12'] to the south without positions are likely NGC 4061, NGC 4065, and NGC 4076 (three brightest).

John Herschel recorded NGC 4076 on 24 Feb 1827 (sweep 59). He simply noted "the last of 5."  His position as 2.7' too far south-southeast.

Ralph Copeland, observing with LdR's 72" on 3 Apr 1872, notes "south following these nebulae [NGC 4061, 4065 and 4072] are two others, F, L, R, gradually little brighter middle and eF, L, R, little brighter middle, pos 47.6°, Dist 133.6".  The last pair refers to NGC 4076 and PGC 213924.
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NGC 4077 = NGC 4140 = UGC 7063 = MCG +00-31-031 = CGCG 013-063 = PGC 38218
12 04 38.0  +01 47 16; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 50"x25", brighter elongated core region. A star is attached to the N end of the halo.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 4139 1.3' NW.

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, oval ~N-S.  A mag 14 star is attached at the north end.  Forms a pair with NGC 4139 = IC 2989 1.3' NW.  Located 7.5' NNE of NGC 4073 in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4077 = H. III-258 = h1076, along with NGC 4073, on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 349).  He noted it as "vF, vS. (goes in the same field with the preceding [NGC 4073] conveniently."  John Herschel viewed it on 10 Apr 1828 (sweep 143) and recorded, "F; R; bM; 20"; the south-following of two {with NGC 4073]."

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy, as well as NGC 4139, on 10 Apr 1863, but his RA was exactly 5 min too large, and Dreyer recatalogued it as NGC 4140.  So, NGC 4077 = NGC 4140.  NGC 4077 was found again by David Todd 15 years later during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and reported as object #14a on 5 Jan 1878 and #16a the following night.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4078 = NGC 4107 = UGC 7066 = MCG +02-31-023 = CGCG 069-043 = WBL 375-001 = PGC 38238
12 04 47.6  +10 35 44; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 18°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core.  Located in a group with NGC 4083 6.6' ENE, IC 2991 6.7' NE and NGC 4082 7.4' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4078 on 23 Mar 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on two nights, matches UGC 7066 = PGC 38238.  Albert Marth also found the galaxy just two nights later from Malta.  But d'Arrest made the earliest discovery on 17 Apr 1863, and it was catalogued as GC 5617 = NGC 4107, but he made a 2 minute error in RA.  So, NGC 4078 = NGC 4107.

The UGC notes misidentifies NGC 4083 as NGC 4078.
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NGC 4079 = UGC 7067 = MCG +00-31-034 = CGCG 013-067 = PGC 38240
12 04 49.9  -02 22 57; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 2.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 125°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is off the NW end 1.7' from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4079 = h1077 on 15 Apr 1828 and recorded "not vF; L; R; 40"; has a * 10m, 60" north."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4080 = UGC 7068 = MCG +05-29-006 = CGCG 158-012 = PGC 38244
12 04 51.8  +26 59 33; Com
V = 13.7;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 122°

18" (3/30/05): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4'.  The core appears to be offset SE of center as the galaxy appears to extend to the NW of this spot.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4080 = H. III-355 = h1078 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF, pmE, S."  His position matches UGC 7068.  John Herschel made 4 observations, the first on 26 Mar 1827 (sweep 64).
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NGC 4081 = NGC 4125A = UGC 7062 = MCG +11-15-015 = CGCG 315-010 = PGC 38212
12 04 33.7  +64 26 13; UMa
V = 12.8;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.5'.  A nice evenly matched mag 10 double star (STI 739) is 4.7' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4081 = Sw. 1-20 on 18 Jun 1884 and recorded "F; S; vE; D * nr; preceding nearest bright star east 20 sec."  His position was 18 seconds of RA too large and 1' too far north, but his description matches.

Philip Keenan rediscovered NGC 4081 on a Yerkes Observatory plate and assumed it was new.  He labeled it NGC 4125A in a list of new nebulae in the 1935 paper "Studies of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, Part I: Determination of Magnitudes" (ApJ, 82, 62).  All objects were assigned NGC + letter designations based on the nearest NGC object on the plate.  His description reads, "13.8m; 1.2'x0.3' in PA 132°; Sa."
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NGC 4082 = MCG +02-31-026 = CGCG 069-046 = Holm 324b = WBL 375-004 = PGC 38274
12 05 11.4  +10 40 14; Vir
V = 14.4;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

17.5" (1/23/88): extremely faint, very small, round.  Forms a faint pair with NGC 4083 3.7' SSE within the NGC 4067 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4082 = m 232 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS, little extended, little brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4083 = MCG +02-31-024 = CGCG 069-044 = Holm 324c = WBL 375-002 = PGC 38275
12 05 14.0  +10 36 47; Vir
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

17.5" (1/23/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness.  Located 2.2' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.  Forms a faint pair with NGC 4082 3.7' NNW.  Located within the NGC 4067 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4083 = m 233 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS."
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NGC 4084 = MCG +04-29-014 = CGCG 128-017 = PGC 38272
12 05 15.3  +21 12 52; Com
V = 13.6;  Size 0.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located less than 1° north of the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4084 on 26 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on two nights, matches CGCG 128-017 = PGC 38272 and he accurately place a mag 13 star that precedes by 2 seconds of time and 3' north.
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NGC 4085 = UGC 7075 = MCG +09-20-086 = CGCG 269-032 = Holm 326b = LGG 258-040 = PGC 38283
12 05 22.9  +50 21 12; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 78°

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x0.6', weak concentration.  Forms an isosceles triangle with mag 7.6 SAO 28237 6' SW and mag 8.4 SAO 28247 7' SE.  NGC 4088 lies 11' NNE.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

8" (3/28/81): faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE.  Two mag 8 stars are in the field to the SE and SW.  Located 11' SSW of NGC 4088.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4085 = H. I-224 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). He recorded "pretty bright, much elongated, the brightness confined to a small point."  His position is poor - about 6' too far SE.  d'Arrest found it on 4 Dec 1861 but his position was nearly 3' too far south (he suspected it was identical to H. I-224).  John Herschel still assigned two numbers in his 1864 General Catalogue , but Dreyer combined the two GC designations in the NGC.  d'Arrest later made two accurate measurements of NGC 4085.
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NGC 4086 = UGC 7076 = MCG +04-29-016 = CGCG 128-018 = WBL 374-012 = PGC 38290
12 05 29.3  +20 14 49; Com
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 13' E of NGC 4076.  Forms a pair with NGC 4090 3.9' N within the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4086, along with NGC 4090, on 2 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is a fairly good match with UGC 7076 and he accurately placed a mag 9 star as 7' to the west.  In his description he also mentions another nebula is 3' to the north.  This refers to NGC 4090, though his RA for this object as 10 seconds too large.
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NGC 4087 = ESO 505-010 = MCG -04-29-005 = PGC 38303
12 05 35.3  -26 31 21; Hya
V = 12.1;  Size 2.1'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 39°

18" (4/29/06): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  A mag 10 star 5' SSW has two faint companions (RST 2777); a close mag 13 star at 1.8" and a wider 12" companion.  I'm surprised that neither one of the Herschels noted this interesting unequal triple.  Several brighter stars are scattered in the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4087 = H. III-754 = h3375 on 24 Feb 1789 (sweep 911) and logged "Suspected, eF, too low to be verified, but I have not much doubt." John Herschel made an observation on 22 Mar 1836 (sweep 689) from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  Lewis Swift found it again on 11 Apr 1898 and included in his large 11th discovery list (#132) at Lowe Observatory.  Howe reported Sw. 11-132, "this must be identical with 4087, since both are pretty bright, and their places agree within three seconds in right ascension and 1' in declination." As a result, Dreyer didn't assign a duplicate IC designation.
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NGC 4088 = Arp 18 = VV 357 = UGC 7081 = MCG +09-20-089 = CGCG 269-033 = Holm 326a = LGG 258-010 = PGC 38302
12 05 34.1  +50 32 23; UMa
V = 10.6;  Size 5.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 43°

48" (4/4/11 and 5/1/22): this is a showpiece spiral in the 48-inch with the initial eyepiece view matching the detail in the DSS image.  The galaxy extended 5.5'x2.0' SW-NE.  Near the center is an elongated, extremely bright core.  The very bright central portion extends from the core in a roughly 2'x0.5' region towards the SW but is a bit concave, bending slightly towards the S.  This feature appears similar to a slightly distorted central bar.  Just S of the central bar is a dust lane running SW to NE parallel to the bar, though the contrast is higher to the NE of the core.

The dust lane separates the bright bar feature from a very long arm that extends the entire length of the galaxy along the S side and vaguely emerges from the SW end of the bar.  This arm is clumpy with a couple of large, bright knots to the east of the core.  As it extends further NE the arm dims, but abruptly brightens (1.7' NE of the core) with a faint extension at the end fanning out and bending N in the direction of a mag 13.5 star.

Emerging from the NE end of the core is a second prominent arm that immediately doubles back towards the SW on the N side.  This arm nearly parallels the central bar to the N and is separated by a less contrasty darker strip or dust lane. This clumpy arm contains a fairly prominent star-forming knot, [BKD2008] WR 201, only 0.6' NW of the core.  After this point the arm dims dramatically and continues a bit further SW.  The two main arms, along with the central bar create a squashed "S" or "Z" appearance!

MCG +09-20-092, which lies 5' SE in the field, appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness. 

24" (5/31/24): very large, impressive spiral oriented NE-SW at 263x. Contains a brighter extended core, which brightens along its major axis.  A thin, darker gap extends along the NW flank of the central portion and a brighter arm is just beyond, roughly paralleling the main portion. A thin darker gap is also along the SE flank (though less defined) of the central region and a fairly distnct arm is just beyond, extending most of the length of the central region. Beyond the NE end of this arm, a detached large, brighter knot (~0.4') is visible.

18" (3/13/10): using 280x this striking, irregular spiral extends 5:2 SW-NE, rougly 5'x2'.  The surface is noticeably mottled and clumpy with a dark patch or dust lane that extends to the S of the core with a weaker darkening to the N of the core.  At the NE end of the galaxy, a portion of what appears to be a spiral arm emerges from the main body and bends to the N.  A corresponding feature on the SW end of the galaxy, bending S, is much more subtle.

18" (5/3/08): at 280x appeared very bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 4.5'x1.8', contains a bright elongated core.  The galaxy is very asymmetric, with an unusually mottled or clumpy appearance and an irregular outline.  At the NE end is a faint extension (this is a disrupted arm on the DSS) that juts out or dangles from the NE end of the main body and hooks slightly towards a mag 13.5 star located 3.7' NE of center. A more subtle irregular extension is at the SW end.  Just east of the N side of the core the surface brightness drops, either due to a dust lane or large dust patch on the E side of the core and then brightens a bit again just following the dust patch. NGC 4085 lies 11' SSW.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

17.5" (4/13/91): bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 5.0'x2.0', mottled patchy appearance, small elongated brighter core but no nucleus.  A mag 15 star is 2' off the NW side.  Faint spiral structure is visible with concentration.  An extremely faint arm is off the NE end curving towards a mag 14.5 star to the NE 3.7' from center and a second extremely faint arm is just visible off the SW end curving to the south.  Forms a pair with NGC 4085 11' SSW.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration, cigar-shaped.  Forms a pair with NGC 4085 11' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4088 = H. I-206 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and logged "cF, E, about 4' long."  His summary description from 3 observations reads "cB, E, 45° np sf, 6' long, 4' br, almost equally bright."  Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 observation, the earliest on 4 Dec 1861.

Sir Robert Ball, observing assistant at Birr Castle on 28 Mar 1867, recorded "vB, vL, E 53.5°.  A new spiral with probably many details of interest, of an S shape.  There is certainly a brighter portion sf the nucleus with a dark lane between them.  Likewise, a similar brightness np the nucleus.  I thought the darkness did not extend all round the centre.  There can be little doubt of the curved branch following, it seems to proceed in the direction of a star nf."  E.E. Barnard made a small sketch with the 36-inch at Lick on 8 Apr 1894 showing the main structure along with a bright knot on the NE end.
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NGC 4089 = MCG +04-29-017 = CGCG 128-020 = WBL 374-014 = PGC 38298
12 05 37.5  +20 33 21; Com
V = 13.7;  Size 0.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 4091 37" E of center.  First of six in field within the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4089, along with NGC 4901, on 2 May 1864 and described a double nebula separated by 3 sec in RA.  His mean position from 3 nights matches CGCG 128-020 = PGC 38298.
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NGC 4090 = UGC 7077 = MCG +04-29-015 = CGCG 128-019 = WBL 374-013 = PGC 38288
12 05 27.9  +20 18 32; Com
V = 13.9;  Size 1.2'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 38°

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, almost round, diffuse, fairly small.  A mag 14 star is 1.1' SE of center.  Located 3.7' N of NGC 4086 within the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4090, along with NGC 4086, on 2 May 1864.  He mentioned this galaxy in his description for NGC 4086 as 3' to the north but his position is 10 sec of RA too large and 1.3' too far south.  He notes a mag 13 star 1.1' southeast, as mag 15-16 at 60" distance, so the identification is certain despite the poor position.

IC 2997, discovered by Bigourdan, is not identical to NGC 4090, as assumed in modern catalogues.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4091 = UGC 7083 = MCG +04-29-019 = CGCG 128-022 = WBL 374-015 = PGC 38308
12 05 40.1  +20 33 21; Com
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.25';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 43°

17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, elongated SW-NE.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' S.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 4089 37" W of center and the second of six in the field within the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4091, along with NGC 4089, on 2 May 1864 and described a double nebula separated by 3 sec in RA.  His mean position from 4 nights matches UGC 7083 = PGC 38308.
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NGC 4092 = UGC 7087 = MCG +04-29-020 = CGCG 128-023 = WBL 374-016 = PGC 38338
12 05 50.2  +20 28 38; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is close NW 0.9' from center.  This galaxy is the third of six in the field with NGC 4093 2.6' NNE in the NGC 4065 cluster.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4092 = H. III-382, along with NGC 4095 and 4098, on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402).  They were recorded together as "Three, the time is that of the last [NGC 4098], which is vF and S.  The other two which are south-preceding are much fainter and smaller."  His single position is 11 seconds of time east and 2.5' north of NGC 4098.

Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position for UGC 7087 on 4 nights and questioned if it was one of WH's three objects.  Dreyer credited d'Arrest with the discovery of NGC 4092 and Dreyer states in his 1912 Scientific Papers that WH probably saw NGC 4093.  But Harold Corwin argues that NGC 4092 is brighter and most likely seen by WH, despite being further south.
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NGC 4093 = MCG +04-29-021 = CGCG 128-024 = WBL 374-017 = PGC 38323
12 05 51.4  +20 31 18; Com
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  PA = 50°

17.5" (5/14/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is close off the NW edge 1.1' from center.  Fourth of six in the field within the NGC 4065 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4093 on 4 May 1864.  Two nights earlier he discovered the pair NGC 4089 and 4091.  His position, measured on 3 nights, is accurate.

In his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, Dreyer suggests H. III-382 is NGC 4093.  But more likely Herschel picked up NGC 4092, which is brighter.
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NGC 4094 = MCG -02-31-016 = UGCA 269 = PGC 38346
12 05 54.0  -14 31 35; Crv
V = 11.8;  Size 4.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 63°

18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated at least 5:2 SW-NE, 2.2'x0.8, fairly low even surface brightness.  The NE end of the galaxy points between a mag 10.5 star just following (2.2' E of center) and a mag 11 star close north (1.7' from center).  NGC 4114 lies 28' NE.  The galaxy is located 8' N of mag 9.3 HD 105063.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4094 = h3376 on 7 May 1836 and recorded "eF; L; pmE; very gradually brighter middle.  The direction of elongation points between two stars 11m; very near, and nf the centre."  His position and description matches MCG -02-31-016 = PGC 38346.
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NGC 4095 = MCG +04-29-022 = CGCG 128-025 = WBL 374-018 = PGC 38324
12 05 54.3  +20 34 22; Com
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.9'

17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' E.  Fifth of six in the field within the NGC 4065 cluster with NGC 4098 3.1' NE.  Located between NGC 4093 and NGC 4098.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4095 = H. III-383 = h1079, along with NGC 4092 and 4098, on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402). They were recorded together as "Three, the time is that of the last [NGC 4098], which is vF and S.  The other two which are south-preceding are much fainter and smaller."  His position is 11 seconds of RA east and 2.5' north of NGC 4098.  The "other two" in the trio are likely NGC 4095 = CGCG 128-025 and NGC 4092 = UGC 7087, the next two brightest galaxies in the group.

John Herschel made two observation (sweeps 409 and 423) and his mean position is less than 1' too far north. Heinrich d'Arrest measured a very accurate position.
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NGC 4096 = UGC 7090 = MCG +08-22-067 = CGCG 243-043 = PGC 38361
12 06 01.0  +47 28 41; UMa
V = 10.8;  Size 6.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 20°

17.5" (4/7/89): bright, very large, almost edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, sharp concentration with a very small bright core embedded within the long extensions.  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4096 = H. I-207 = h1081 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and reported "cF, mE about 4' long from sp to nf but nearer the meridian."  On 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) he recorded "cB; mE; 6 or 7' long, from sp to nf, about 70°."  In his 1811 PT paper, WH commented "it seems to join to imperceptible nebulosity on the south preceding side." The galaxy does extend further out and more gradually fade on the southwest side.  On 8 Mar 1831 (sweep 330), John Herschel logged, "B; vL; mE in pos 32°; seen through much fog."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4097 = UGC 7092 = MCG +06-27-004 = CGCG 187-004 = PGC 38363
12 06 02.5  +36 51 49; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 98°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, very small brighter core, occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Located 1.6' NNE of a mag 11.4 star, close to the UMa/CVn border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4097 = H. III-400 = h1080 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "eF, vS, suspected, stellar; about 1 1/2' north of a small star."  His position and description of the nearby star points to UGC 7092. This was the first of 42 galaxies discovered on this night.  John Herschel made two observations describing it on 11 Mar 1831 (sweep 331) as, "vF; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle; has a * 10m, 45° sp, 90" dist."
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NGC 4098 = NGC 4099 = VV 61 = UGC 7093 = MCG +04-29-023 = MCG +04-29-24 = CGCG 128-026 = WBL 374-009 = PGC 38365
12 06 03.6  +20 36 28; Com
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  PA = 164°

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core.  Last and brightest of six in the field within the NGC 4065 cluster.  Appears slightly brighter than NGC 4092 8.4' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4098 = H. III-384 = h1082, along with NGC 4092 and 4095, on 26 Apr 1785.  The were recorded as "Three, the time is that of the last [NGC 4098], which is vF and S.  The other two which are south-preceding are much fainter and smaller."  His position is poor; 11 seconds east and 2.5' north of NGC 4098 = UGC 7093.  On 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 671) he made another observation and logged "Two, the place is that of the most north [NGC 4098], which is the largest.  Both vF."  This time his RA was just 6 seconds preceding NGC 4098 and the second object was either NGC 4095 or NGC 4092.  John Herschel made three observations (first on 25 Mar 1830) though mistakenly labeled it as III-383.
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NGC 4099 = NGC 4098 = VV 61 = UGC 7093 = MCG +04-29-023 = MCG +04-29-24 = CGCG 128-026 = WBL 374-009 = PGC 38365
12 06 03.6  +20 36 28; Com
V = 13.7;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  PA = 164°

See observing notes for NGC 4098.

William Herschel found NGC 4099 on 26 Apr 1785 (sweep 402), recording three nebulae described as "Three, time is that of the last [NGC 4098], which is vF and S.  The other two [probably NGC 4092 and 4095] which are south preceding are much fainter and smaller."  John Herschel was confused trying to match his father's three objects with the two he observed and those discovered by d'Arrest.  He attributed the discovery of NGC 4092 to d'Arrest (instead of WH) and assigned III-384 separately to GC 2714 (later NGC 4099).  But III-384 applies to NGC 4098 = h1082 and Dreyer suggests in his 1912 update of WH's catalogues that NGC 4099 "is probably superfluous".  Since this number is a duplicate of one of WH's discovered, I've arbitrarily equated it with NGC 4098 here.
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NGC 4100 = UGC 7095 = MCG +08-22-068 = CGCG 243-044 = LGG 258-024 = PGC 38370
12 06 08.4  +49 34 59; UMa
V = 11.2;  Size 5.4'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 167°

17.5" (5/2/92): bright, very large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 4.0'x1.5', large brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.  The northern extension appears slightly brighter.  Mag 8.2 SAO 44027 is 7' NW.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4100 = H. III-717 = h1084 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and logged cF, mE about 5' long near the meridian [N-S], about a little sf."  Caroline's reduction is 1.3' northeast of center.  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 7 Mar 1831 (sweep 329), "pB; vL; mE in pos 166.5°; 3' long, 1' broad, very gradually very little brighter middle.  This cannot be either [NGC 4088] nor [NGC 4096], as neither of these agrees in its angles of position."
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NGC 4101 = UGC 7093 = MCG +04-29-025 = CGCG 128-027 = WAS 46 = PGC 38373
12 06 10.6  +25 33 25; Com
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 60°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, small, irregularly round, 0.6'x0.5', weak even concentration to the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4101 = H. III-326 = h1083 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and recorded "eF, vS.  240 verified it with great difficulty.  It was in the field I gaged, otherwise I should certainly have overlooked it."  John Herschel made two observations and his mean position is a good match with UGC 7093 = PGC 38373.
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NGC 4102 = UGC 7096 = MCG +09-20-094 = CGCG 269-036 = LGG 258-041 = PGC 38392
12 06 23.0  +52 42 40; UMa
V = 11.2;  Size 3.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 38°

48" (4/20/17): at 488x; fascinating galaxy with unusual structure.  Overall, NGC 4102 is very bright, large, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~2.5'x1.1', very sharply concentrated with a small, intensely bright nucleus surrounded by a bright oval core SW-NE with a bar-like enhancement.  Just outside the core the surface brightness drops significantly forming a darker [dusty] annulus.   Surrounding this is a bright, thick, mottled ring oriented NNW-SSE (slightly offset in orientation from the core).  A brighter knot (SDSS J120625.26+524307.4) is at the NE end of the ring [32" NE of center].  On the SDSS this corresponds with the brightest star cloud in the galaxy and the site of supernova 1975E. A brighter mag 12.5 star is 50" WSW of center, just outside the halo.  When the seeing settled this star resolved into a close pair (~13.2/13.8 at 1.8" separation!)  NGC 4068 lies 23' WSW.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, small very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is at the west end 48" from the center!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4102 = H. I-225 = h1085 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919). This was last 13 galaxies discovered in the sweep and he logg it as "pretty bright, pretty large."  John Herschel recorded "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a * 12m 35" sp, very near the edge."

Lord Rosse assistant Bindon Stoney noted on 13 Apr 1852: "I suspect a dark curved passage south of center, probably a new spiral."  Four years later R.J. Mitchell confirmed "I have little doubt this is a spiral" and he made two diagrams of the possible arm arrangements.
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NGC 4103 = ESO 130-5 = Cr 252 = Mel 109 = Lund 604
12 06 40  -61 15 00; Cru
Size 7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, ~60 stars mag 9.5-13 are resolved in a 8' region including roughly ten mag 10 stars.  The cluster has a very interesting asymmetric arrangement with a perfect 5' string of five stars extending out of the cluster to the WSW. At the west end of the string is the 10th magnitude variable AI Crucis. Two other short strings on the eastern end of the cluster meet up and make a perfect arrow asterism.  NGC 4103 is located 12' ESE of mag 6.6 HD 104971 and two degrees WSW of mag 3.6 Epsilon Crucis.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): moderately bright cluster, perhaps 8' diameter, mottled but no obvious resolution.  Situated within a large, glowing naked-eye patch of the Milky Way that includes two bright stars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4103 = D 291 = h3377 on 30 Apr 1826.  He made a total of 3 observations with description "a cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes, irregular figure, about 6' long and 4' broad."

John Herschel observed the cluster on 3 sweeps.  On 14 Mar 1834 (sweep 432) he logged "middle of a rich, large, irregularly round cluster; poor VI or rich VII, stars 10..14 mag; diam 5' with stragglers."  A second observation was made two weeks later (sweep 434) under poor conditions: "cluster of stars class VII, pretty rich and compact, stars 10..12 mag, and nearly equal; diameter 5'; the whole field is in a state of wavy fluctuation, owing to the southeast wind, and so bad that each star is dilated into a large puff ball." The next night he took another look (sweep 435) and recorded "A 10th mag star in centre of a pretty rich close cluster; 5' diameter; irregularly round; stars 10..13 mag."
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NGC 4104 = UGC 7099 = MCG +05-29-016 = CGCG 158-024 = PGC 38407
12 06 38.9  +28 10 26; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 35°

17.5" (3/20/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.8'x1.2', broad concentration.  Forms a close pair with MCG +05-29-015 = PGC 38387, 3.0' SW of center.  The companion appeared faint, small, round, broad weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4104 = H. II-370 = h1086 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pB, cL, mb towards the nf side."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 20 sec of time too far west.  John Herschel made a total of 6 observations, so pinned down the position.
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NGC 4105 = ESO 440-054 = MCG -05-29-013 = PGC 38411
12 06 40.8  -29 45 37; Hya
V = 10.7;  Size 2.7'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 151°

18" (5/28/06): western member of a close, moderately bright pair with NGC 4106, just 1.1' between centers.  Appears round, ~45" diameter, sharply concentrated with a bright, prominent core.  The halo is fairly faint and increases in size with averted vision to ~1' diameter.  NGC 4105 is slightly larger and brighter than NGC 4106.  Nearby galaxies include IC 2996 lies 17' SW, IC 3005 17' SE and IC 3010 38' SE.

8" (5/21/82): elongated glow resolves into NGC 4105 and NGC 4106 just following.  NGC 4105 is slightly brighter and larger but appears faint, small and round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4105 = H. II-865 = h3378, along with NGC 4106, on 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 998).  They were logged together as "Two, within a minute of two of each other.  Both faint, small, round, bright middle.  Nearly in the same parallel."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 10 May 1834 (sweep 452), "The first of a double nebula (pos 111.2° by means of 2 measures), B; R; pL; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; 25"."
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NGC 4106 = ESO 440-056 = MCG -05-29-014 = LGG 271-005 = PGC 38417
12 06 45.6  -29 46 06; Hya
V = 11.4;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 77°

18" (5/28/06): eastern member of a close, striking pair with slightly brighter NGC 4105 just 1.1' W.  Appears moderately bright, round, ~40" diameter, well concentrated with a bright, prominent core.  The halo is fairly faint and increases in size with averted vision to ~55" diameter. This galaxy is slightly smaller with a less condensed core than NGC 4105.

8" (5/21/82): faint, small, round.  This is a close companion to NGC 4105 and is the slightly fainter and smaller of the pair.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4106 = H. II-866 = h3379, along with NGC 4105, on 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 998).  See NGC 4015. John Herschel made two observations, recording on 10 May 1834 (sweep 452), "The 2nd of a double nebula, B; R; pL; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; 25"."
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NGC 4107 = NGC 4078 = UGC 7066 = MCG +02-31-023 = CGCG 069-043 = PGC 38238
12 04 47.6  +10 35 44; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4078.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4107 on 17 Apr 1863 and described (loosely translated) a "very small, slightly elongated planetary, a mag 10-11 star follows by 30.2 seconds of time and 1' south."  There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin found that exactly two min of RA west is NGC 4078, which has a star at his required offset.  d'Arrest recorded the galaxy again on 23 Mar 1865 (and just two days later by Albert Marth) at the correct position and it was also catalogued NGC 4078. So, NGC 4107 = NGC 4078.

In the IC 1 notes, Sherburne Burnham states "delete planetary; the star is np".  This seems to imply Burnham found some object at the NGC position but in the IC 2 notes Dreyer comments "not found by Frost on plates of 4h exposure" [from Annals of Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1].  Reinmuth writes "=*13.5, no nebulosity seen.  *10 ssf 2.6', *13.2 spp 1.4'."  Dorothy Carlson classifies NGC 4107 as a star and this error is repeated in the RNGC.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4108 = UGC 7101 = MCG +11-15-023 = CGCG 315-015 = WBL 379-002 = LGG 277-005 = PGC 38423
12 06 44.6  +67 09 47; Dra
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 105°

17.5" (3/29/89): brightest in a quartet with UGC 7106 = NGC 4108B 5' NNE, UGC 7087 = NGC 4108A 8' NW and UGCA 272 = CGCG 315-017 15' NE.  Moderately bright, small, almost round, broad concentration.  A mag 11.5 star lies 1.9' SE.

NGC 4108A = PGC 38343 appeared very faint, small, elongated N-S and NGC 4108B = PGC 38461 is very faint, very diffuse, fairly small, irregularly round.  Finally, UGCA 272 = PGC 38504 was noted as fairly faint, fairly small, oval, brighter core.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4108 = h1087 on 3 Apr 1832 and recorded "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; first class".  His single position matches UGC 7101.
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NGC 4109 = MCG +07-25-024 = CGCG 215-027 = Holm 333b = WBL 380-002 = PGC 38427
12 06 51.1  +42 59 44; CVn
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.9'

24" (5/30/16): fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, 20" diameter, broad weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with LEDA 2210701 just 40" to the east.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1' NNW. NGC 4109 is situated 4.7' SSE and UGC 7094 is 7.7' SW.

LEDA 2210701 appeared extremely faint and small, ~6" diameter.  Once acquired, I could hold it nearly 50% of the time, despite a very low SDSS magnitude (V ~16.0).  The redshift of z = .086 implies a light-travel time of 1.1 billion years!
UGC 7094 is very faint, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.25', very low surface brightness with no noticeable concentration.

13.1" (4/12/86): very faint, small, round.  Forms a pair with NGC 4111 5.0' NNE.  NGC 4117 lies 9' NE.  Located on the Ursa Major-Canes Venatici border.

George Johnstone Stoney or his brother Bindon Blood Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistants), discovered NGC 4109 on 21 Apr 1851. During an observation of NGC 4111, it was noted "the first [NGC 4109] is vF and 6' ssp the second [NGC 4111], which is vB and mE.  A double star is 5' nf, whose smaller component is blue."  Although mentioned in the 1861 publication, John Herschel did not include this galaxy in the GC so Dreyer added it to the GC Supplement (GCS 5618).
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NGC 4110 = UGC 7102 = MCG +03-31-040 = CGCG 098-058 = PGC 38441
12 07 03.5  +18 31 54; Com
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 128°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5', low fairly even surface brightness.  A nice mag 12/13 double lies 5.5' S [separation 14"].  Globular cluster NGC 4147 is 43' following.

William Rambaut, Lord Rosse's first observing assistant, or possibly Lord Rosse himself, discovered NGC 4110 on 1 April 1848.  While observing the globular cluster NGC 4147 he found "a small nebula, RA 3 min less than that of [NGC 4147]."  Nearly 30 years later it was observed again and placed 3 min, 3.5 sec preceding and 35" south of NGC 4147.  This is the first galaxy discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4111 = UGC 7103 = MCG +07-25-026 = CGCG 215-028 = Holm 333a = WBL 380-003 = LGG 269-006 = PGC 38440
12 07 02.6  +43 04 01; CVn
V = 10.7;  Size 4.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 150°

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; stunning edge-on ~8:1 NNW-SSE with a bulging core, ~4.0'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, very elongated bulging core.  The nucleus is very small and brilliant!  Due to dust lanes that run perpendicular to the major axis, the galaxy was slightly brighter on the centerline of the major axis on both sides of the core. The arms taper slightly like a spindle.  A very faint star (~17th mag) is at the SW end of the galaxy.

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; very bright, beautiful edge-on ~7:1 NNW-SSE, 3.5'x0.5'.  Sharply concentrated with a small very bright elongated core, with an unusually bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  An extremely faint star or stellar knot was suspected near the southeast end.  A very wide unequal pair (HJ 2596) with a orange mag 8.1 primary lies 3.7' NE.

NGC 4111 is the brightest in a group (LGG 269 = UMa NED4 Group) containing NGC 4109 4.8' SSW (background object), NGC 4117 8.6' NE, NGC 4118 9.4' NE, UGC 7094 11.6' SW and UGC 7089 12.8' NW.    All of these galaxies with the exception of UGC 7089 are roughly aligned in a 20' string oriented SW-NE.  UGC 7094 appeared very faint, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.25', very low surface brightness with no noticeable concentration.

18" (5/14/07): this striking edge-on is extends 6:1 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x0.6'.  Dominated by a small, sharply concentrated, intense core.  The core is only 24"x15" and brightens somewhat to the center.  The eastern flank possibly has a sharper edge, but no dust lane was visible.  Located 4' SW of a wide double star (8.2/10.7 at 34").

18" (6/4/05): fairly bright, fairly large, excellent edge-on at least 6:1 NW-SE.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core that increases to the center.  The extensions are very thin, ~3'x0.4', with a slightly bulging core.  A wide double star (HJ 2596 = 8.2/10.7 at 34") to the northeast is collinear with the core.

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, small very bright core, long thin extensions.  A double star with components mag 8.2/10.7 at 34" separation lies 3.8' NE.  Brightest in a group with NGC 4109 4.8' SW and NGC 4117 8.7' WSW. 

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly bright, pretty edge-on, small very bright core, faint thin arms.  Located 5' SW of a mag 8 star.  In a group with NGC 4109 5' SSW and NGC 4117 8.5' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4111 = H. I-195 = h1088 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798) and recorded "E sp nf, vBN with faint branches.  His position and description matches UGC 7103.  On 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 810) he made another observation and also discovered NGC 4117.  John Herschel first recorded (sweep 150) "B; S; mE; suddenly brighter middle; a double star point to its nucleus."
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NGC 4112 = ESO 321-006 = MCG -07-25-003 = AM 1204-395 = PGC 38452
12 07 09  -40 12 24; Cen
V = 12.0;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 5°

18" (5/15/10): at 175x, this southern galaxy appeared fairly faint (view diminished by low elevation), fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~45"x30", broad concentration.  Located just north of a group of 3 stars with the closer two (1' S and 1.5' S) collinear with the major axis of the galaxy and mag 9.25 HD 105253 2' SSW.  ESO 321-7, located just 2.5' ESE, was not seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4112 = h3380 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; at the end (or forming the continuation of an arc of 3 stars respectively, in order 8, 9 and 10m."
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NGC 4113 = NGC 4122 = MCG +06-27-011 = CGCG 187-009 = PGC 38451
12 07 08.5  +32 59 46; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 55°

See observing notes for NGC 4122.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4113 = h1089 on 3 Apr 1831 and simply noted as "eF".  There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin found that exactly one degree north is NGC 4122, which JH found earlier on 29 Apr 1827, but also with a poor position!  So, likely NGC 4113 = NGC 4122.
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NGC 4114 = MCG -02-31-018 = PGC 38460
12 07 12.3  -14 11 08; Crv
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 135°

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, prominent core which increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. The low surface brightness halo requires averted to view.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4114 = H. III-533 = h3381 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and recorded "vF, S, iF.  Time uncertain to 5 or 6 seconds."  John Herschel noted "F; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 15"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4115
12 07 09.6  +14 24 24; Com

= *?, Gottlieb. Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4115 = h1090 on 3 Apr 1826 (sweep 24) and simply noted "a suspected neb.  Extremely faint."  There are no galaxies near his position, though a mag 14.8 star is 30" away.  So, either this number is lost or perhaps refers to this faint star.  See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4116 = UGC 7111 = MCG +01-31-022 = CGCG 041-041 = PGC 38492
12 07 37.2  +02 41 29; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 3.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 155°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated NNW-SSE.  Appears brighter along the major axis.  NGC 4123 lies 14.1' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney (or his brother Bindon Stoney) discovered NGC 4116 on 6 Mar 1851.  While observing NGC 4123 he noted "another also E and vF, about 18' south-preceding."  The actual separation is 14', but the identification NGC 4116 = UGC 7111 is certain.  On 18 Apr 1855, NGC 4116 was sketched "U" shaped (open at one end) with the comment "a wedge-shaped division running downwards?"  Christian Peters measured an accurate position and noted "RA and NPD in the GC [John Herschel's estimated position] not good."  Édouard Stephan made a late observation on 30 Mar 1886.
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NGC 4117 = UGC 7112 = MCG +07-25-027 = CGCG 215-029 = Holm 334a = LGG 269-018 = PGC 38503
12 07 46.1  +43 07 35; CVn
V = 13.0;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 18°

24" (5/30/16): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.3', well concentrated with a small bright elongated core with faint extensions.  Forms a pair with NGC 4118 1.8' SE.  NGC 4111, the brightest member in a group, lies 8.6' SW and orange mag 8.1 HD 105288 (wide pair) is 5' WSW.  Member of the NGC 4111 Group = LGG 269.

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  Forms a close pair with faint NGC 4118 1.6' SE and NGC 4111 lies 8.5' WSW.  The double star h2596 = 8.2/10.7 at 34" is 5' WSW. 

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, broadly concentrated.  Located on the opposite side of a mag 8 star from NGC 4111.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4117 = H. III-708 = h1091 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 810) and logged vF, vS.  The foregoing nebula [NGC 4111], 2 stars [HJ 2598] and this are in a line from sp to nf."  John Herschel's position on 12 Apr 1830 was poor but d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 2 nights in May 1865.
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NGC 4118 = MCG +07-25-028 = CGCG 215-030 = Holm 334b = PGC 38507
12 07 52.8  +43 06 41; CVn
V = 15.2;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 150°

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~14"x10".  Located just 1.5' SE of NGC 4117.  Member of the NGC 4111 group.

17.5" (4/28/89): extremely faint, very small, requires averted to glimpse.  Forms a close pair with much brighter NGC 4117 1.6' NW. 

13.1": not seen.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 4118 on 20 Apr 1857 using LdR's 72".  He noted "about 60" or 70" sff [of NGC 4117] is an eF nebulous knot which I at first took for a star."  The 1880 publication includes a sketch and this object is labeled "delta".  Dreyer credited Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, with the discovery.
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NGC 4119 = NGC 4124 = IC 3011 = UGC 7117 = MCG +02-31-036 = CGCG 069-058 = PGC 38527
12 08 09.7  +10 22 43; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 4.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 114°

See observing notes for NGC 4124

William Herschel discovered NGC 4119 = H. II-14 on 18 Jan 1784 (the only object in short sweep 85).  He recorded "a nebula of a longish figure, not cometic; probably it consists of stars." There is nothing at his position (using 59 Vir as the reference star) and the galaxy could not be recovered by Bigourdan, Reinmuth or Frost (Annals of Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1).

According to Harold Corwin, NGC 4119 is likely the first observation of NGC 4124 as originally suggested by Dreyer in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues: "WH's final position is just 50 arcmin south of NGC 4124, and there are no other bright galaxies nearby that he might have picked up."
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NGC 4120 = UGC 7121 = MCG +12-12-001 = CGCG 335-004 = LGG 272-002 = PGC 38553
12 08 31.4  +69 32 35; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 166°

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, thin, very elongated NNW-SSE.  A mag 15 star is at the south end 0.5' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4120 = H. III-904 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and noted "eF, vS, E from north to south."  Caroline's reduced position is 33 sec of RA west and 2.5' north of UGC 7121.
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NGC 4121 = MCG +11-15-026 = CGCG 315-018 = Holm 335b = PGC 38508
12 07 56.5  +65 06 50; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 0.5'x0.45'

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint but very small, round, stellar nucleus surrounded by a small round halo.  Forms a pair with the bright galaxy NGC 4125 3.6' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4121 on 9 Sep 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches CGCG 315-018 = PGC 38508.
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NGC 4122 = NGC 4113 = MCG +06-27-011 = CGCG 187-009 = PGC 38451
12 07 08.5  +32 59 46; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 55°

17.5" (2/24/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Located at the NW edge of Coma Berenices border.  IC 3003 lies 12' SSE (not noticed).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4122 = h1093 on 29 Apr 1827 and recorded "eF; vS; R; mbM."  There is nothing near his position, though 1.1 min of RA west is CGCG 187-009 = PGC 38451.  JH found the galaxy again on 3 Apr 1831, but his position on this sweep was 1 degree too far south!  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for NGC 4113.
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NGC 4123 = UGC 7116 = MCG +01-31-023 = CGCG 041-042 = Mrk 1466 = PGC 38531
12 08 11.2  +02 52 41; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 4.4'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 3'x2', small bright core.  NGC 4116 lies 14.1' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4123 = H. V-4 = h1092 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "vF, of a considerable extent, being about 5 or 6' diameter.  To the north of the nebula at a distance of about 15' or more is a bright triangle of stars, the base where of is towards the nebula."  The "bright triangle" is about 13' N and consists of 10th magnitiude stars.

Lord Rosse assistant R.J. Mitchell wrote on 29 Mar 1856, "the north one [NGC 4123] is however a spiral like an "S", the arms being faint."  His diagram in the 1861 publication shows a long "bar" shaped middle and two curling spiral arms.
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NGC 4124 = NGC 4119: = UGC 7117 = MCG +02-31-036 = CGCG 069-058 = IC 3011 = PGC 38527
12 08 09.7  +10 22 43; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 4.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 114°

17.5" (5/14/88): bright, fairly large, elongated WNW-ESE, bright elongated core.

17.5" (5/10/86): fairly bright, moderately large, attractive system, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, elongated large bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4124 = H. I-33 = H. II-60 = h1094 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174). He described II-60 as "faint, small, resolvable."  Caroline's reduced position is 2' NE of UGC 7117.  He discovered it again exactly a month later and assumed it was a different nebula.  He called H. I-33, "B, L, mE, much brighter in the middle, r."  A note was added "by description ["Faint" vs. "Bright"] not the same as [II-60]."  Nevertheless, John Herschel combined both (correctly) H-designations in the GC.  John Herschel made an early observation on 11 Apr 1825 (sweep 3) and noted it was "extended in a north-preceding directions towards a star, 30" diameter."

William Herschel probably first discovered this galaxy on 18 Jan 1784 and catalogued it as H. II-14 (later NGC 4119).  So, Herschel apparently catalogued this galaxy three times, as I-33, II-60 and IIi-14.  See notes on NGC 4119.

Finally Schwassmann's Sn. 124 = IC 3011, found on a Heidelberg plate on 23 Feb 1900, is an exact match.  So, NGC 4124 = NGC 4119 = IC 3011 and there are three Herschel designators: H. II-14 = H. II-60 = H. I-33.
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NGC 4125 = UGC 7118 = MCG +11-15-027 = CGCG 315-019 = Holm 335a = PGC 38524
12 08 05.7  +65 10 24; Dra
V = 9.7;  Size 5.8'x3.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 95°

17.5" (3/20/93): bright, moderately large, very elongated almost 4:1 E-W, 2.5'x0.7'.  A very bright elongated core and nearly stellar nucleus dominates the galaxy with much fainter extensions but overall the surface brightness is high.  A mag 10 star is 2.4' ESE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4121 3.6' SW.

John Russell Hind discovered NGC 4125 = Au 28 on 5 Jan 1850 with a 7-inch Dolland refractor at George Bishop's private observatory in London. He noted "tolerably bright, but small."  This was the second deep sky object he discovered after NGC 6760.  In the next issue of Astronomische Nachrichten he added "of an elliptical form with a strong nuclear condensation."  Hind's Crimson star is mentioned in the same note!   Auwer measured an accurated position for this galaxy and included it as #28 in his 1862 list of nebulae discovered subsequent to John Herschel.
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NGC 4126 = UGC 7123 = MCG +03-31-047 = CGCG 098-065 = PGC 38565
12 08 37.4  +16 08 34; Com
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (5/11/02): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.6'x0.5', weak even concentration to a faint, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 2' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4126 = H. III-68 = h1095 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "Two vS stars very near each other with suspected nebulosity between them.  240x left it doubtful."  Caroline's reduced position is 23 sec of RA east of UGC 7123, though interestingly there are two nearby stars that could possibly be WH's object.  Nevertheless, John Herschel's position on 23 Apr 1832 is within 30" of UGC 7123.
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NGC 4127 = UGC 7122 = MCG +13-09-012 = CGCG 352-019 = PGC 38550
12 08 26.3  +76 48 15; Cam
V = 12.7;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 140°

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, broad mild concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the east end and second mag 14 star is close east.  Forms the east vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 5.8 SAO 7500 13' NW and mag 7.4 SAO 7497 13' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4127 = H. I-279 = h1096 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068).  He noted "pretty bright, considerably large, irregularly elongated, brighter middle."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4128 = UGC 7120 = MCG +12-12-002A = CGCG 335-003 = Holm 337a = LGG 272-003 = PGC 38555
12 08 32.4  +68 46 04; Dra
V = 12.0;  Size 2.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 58°

17.5" (3/20/93): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.4'.  Contains a very bright core and almost stellar nucleus that dominates the much fainter extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4128 = H. I-263 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and noted "considerably bright, little extended."  Caroline's reduced position lands 2' north of the galaxy.  CGCG doesn't identify CGCG 335-008 as NGC 4128.
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NGC 4129 = NGC 4130 = MCG -01-31-006 = PGC 38580
12 08 53.3  -09 02 12; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 95°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated ~E-W, weakly concentrated.  A mag 13 star is 3.0' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4129 = H. II-548 = h1097 = h3382 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and recorded "F, pL, mE from np to sf, not far from the parallel."  John Herschel made two observations at Slough and once at the Cape of Good Hope. On sweep 136 he noted "F; very gradually brighter middle; E in parallel; 30" l, 20" br."

NGC 4130, found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 15 Mar 1866, is a duplicate observation with an erroneous position.  See that number.
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NGC 4130 = NGC 4129 = MCG -01-31-006 = PGC 38580
12 08 53.3  -09 02 12; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 95°

See observing notes for NGC 4129.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4130 on 15 Mar 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His description mentions a mag 13 star precedes by 21.7 seconds of time, but no star matches that position.  Instead, Harold Corwin found his description fits NGC 4129, which is located exactly 5° south of d'Arrest's position, and a mag 13 star is exactly 21 sec of time west!  So, NGC 4130 = NGC 4129.
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NGC 4131 = UGC 7126 = MCG +05-29-019 = CGCG 158-029 = Holm 339c = WBL 382-001 = PGC 38573
12 08 47.3  +29 18 17; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 73°

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, small, fairly high surface brightness, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, small prominent core, stellar nucleus.  Located 4.0' NE of a mag 10.5 star.  First of three on a line and second brightest with NGC 4132 4.5' SE and NGC 4134 9' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4131 = H. III-356 = h1098, along with NGC 4132 and 4134, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded the trio as "Three, the time and number belongs to the largest [NGC 4134] which is faint, irregular.  I suspect a fourth, but could not stay to ascertain it, though I am pretty sure.  The other two are very faint, small, much elongated."  Sweeps 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 were Herschel's most productive night -- with 72 discoveries.  John Herschel made two observations, the first on 31 Mar 1827 (sweep 66).
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NGC 4132 = MCG +05-29-020 = CGCG 158-030 = Holm 339a = WBL 382-002 = PGC 38593
12 09 01.4  +29 15 01; Com
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 20°

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, fairly sm.all, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, small brighter core.  Second and faintest of three with NGC 4134 4.5' SSE and NGC 4131 4' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4132 = H. III-357 = h1099, along with NGC 4131 and 4134, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded the trio as "Three, the time and number belongs to the largest [NGC 4134] which is F, irregular.  I suspect a fourth, but could not stay to ascertain it, though I am pretty sure.  The other two [NGC 4131 and NGC 4132] are vF, S, mE."  MCG +05-29-024 = PGC 38602, a very dim galaxy, is just 2' NE of NGC 4132.  Could that be the one that Herschel suspected?  Possibly, but I would think it is too faint to be seen.

John Herschel made three observations (first on 31 Mar 1827) and his mean position is a good match with this galaxy.
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NGC 4133 = UGC 7127 = MCG +13-09-013 = CGCG 352-020 = PGC 38578
12 08 49.9  +74 54 15; Dra
V = 12.3;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 125°

17.5" (5/2/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, irregular surface brightness with one or two bright knots possibly including a substellar nucleus.  Forms the vertex of a right angle with a mag 12 star 2.5' N and a mag 13 star 2.2' E of center.  Located 18' NNW of mag 6.4 SAO 7512.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4133 = H. I-278 = h1100 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068) in the north (under the pole). He noted "considerably bright, considerably large, irregularly round, much brighter middle, cL, iR."  His position was accurate, though Dreyer thought that Herschel exchanged the polar distance with NGC 4133 and NGC 4127.  On 6 May 1831 (sweep 349), John Herschel called it "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle.  Strong twilight" and on a later sweep, "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4134 = UGC 7130 = MCG +05-29-023 = CGCG 158-031 = Holm 339b = WBL 382-003 = PGC 38605
12 09 10.0  +29 10 37; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 2.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 150°

17.5" (3/20/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, broad concentration, NGC 4132 5' NNW.  Brightest and third of three spiral galaxies almost collinear in a NW-SE direction!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4134 = H. II-371 = h1101, along with NGC 4131 and 4132, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He recorded the trio as "Three, the time and number belongs to the largest [NGC 4134] which is F, irregular.  I suspect a fourth, but could not stay to ascertain it, though I am pretty sure.  The other two [NGC 4131 and NGC 4132] are vF, S, mE."  Sweeps 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 were Herschel's most productive night -- with 72 discoveries.  Three minutes later he discovered the HCG 61 quartet = NGC 4169/73/74/75 ("The Box") as passed through his field of view.

John Herschel made three observations (first on 31 Mar 1827) and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4135 = MCG +07-25-032 = CGCG 215-034 = PGC 38601
12 09 08.9  +44 00 12; CVn
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

17.5" (4/28/89): very faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 4137 5.5' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4135 = St. 11-16, along with NGC 4137, on 27 Apr 1878.  He reduced an accurate position on 4 May 1881 and included the discovery in his 11th list, published the same year
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NGC 4136 = UGC 7134 = MCG +05-29-025 = CGCG 158-034 = PGC 38618
12 09 17.7  +29 55 39; Com
V = 11.0;  Size 4.0'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.8

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, round, brighter core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 4131/NGC 4132 pair lies 38' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4136 = H. II-321 = h1108 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "pB, L, gradually brighter in the middle."  His position matches UGC 7134.  On 2 Apr 1827 (sweep 67), John Herschel wrote, "vF; vL; 5 or 6' diam."
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NGC 4137 = UGC 7135 = VV 454 = MCG +07-25-033 = CGCG 215-036 = PGC 38619
12 09 17.6  +44 05 26; CVn
V = 14.3;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 100°

17.5" (4/28/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, even surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4135 5.5' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4137 = St. 11-17, along with NGC 4135, on 27 Apr 1878.  He reduced an accurate position 3 years later on 4 May 1881 and included the discovery in his 11th list.
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NGC 4138 = UGC 7139 = MCG +07-25-035 = CGCG 215-037 = LGG 269-008 = PGC 38643
12 09 29.9  +43 41 07; CVn
V = 11.3;  Size 2.6'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 150°

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, rises quickly to a small bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.0' NNW of center.  Member of the NGC 4111 Group = LGG 269.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4138 = H. I-196 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798) and recorded "cB, cL, very gradually brighter middle, iF."
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NGC 4139 = IC 2989 = MCG +00-31-030 = CGCG 013-061 = WBL 372-013 = PGC 38213
12 04 34.0  +01 48 05; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 157°

24" (4/15/23): at 327x; fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 30"-35" major axis, broad concentration with a slightly brighter core. Fainter and smaller of a pair with NGC 4077 only 1.3' SE.

17.5" (5/10/86): faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4077 just 1.3' NW in a group.  Located 6.0' SSE of NGC 4073.  This galaxy is identified as IC 2989 in the UGC, MCG and CGCG.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4139, along with NGC 4140, on 10 Apr 1863.  He described a double nebula, with the companion preceding by 4-5 seconds of time and somewhat north.  There is nothing at his position but Corwin found that d'Arrest's RA was 5 minutes too large. See NGC 4140 for the story.

David Todd rediscovered the galaxy on 5 Jan 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and reported it as objects #16b and #14b.  Finally Guilllaume Bigourdan found it a third time on 29 Mar 1895 and reported it as Big. 287 (later IC 2989).  Both Dorothy Carlson and the RNGC misclassify NGC 4139 as nonexistent.  CGCG labels this galaxy as IC 2989, though RC3 gives NGC 4139 as an identity.
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NGC 4140 = NGC 4077 = UGC 7063 = MCG +00-31-031 = CGCG 013-063 = PGC 38218
12 04 38.0  +01 47 16; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

See observing notes for NGC 4077

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4140 on 10 Apr 1863, along with NGC 4139, which was mentioned as 5 seconds of time preceding and somewhat north.  There is nothing near his usually accurate ring-micrometer position.  But Harold Corwin notes that exactly 5 minutes of RA west of d'Arrest's position is the pair NGC 4077 and IC 2989, matching his description.  So, NGC 4140 = NGC 4077 and NGC 4139 = IC 2989.  Dorothy Carlson classifies NGC 4140 as nonexistent in her NGC corrections list and this is repeated in the RNGC.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #6.
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NGC 4141 = UGC 7147 = MCG +10-17-152 = CGCG 292-074 = PGC 38669
12 09 47.3  +58 50 57; UMa
V = 14.5;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  PA = 75°

17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Two mag 15 stars are 1' W and 1' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4141 = H. III-795 = h1102 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He noted "very faint, small, round, irregular figure."  His RA was 20 seconds of time too small.  John Herschel made a single observation on 1 May 1831 (sweep 345): "faint; pretty large; little extended; gradually brighter middle; 40"." His RA was 15 seconds of time too small.
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NGC 4142 = UGC 7140 = MCG +09-20-102 = CGCG 269-037 = LGG 258-037 = PGC 38645
12 09 30.2  +53 06 18; UMa
V = 13.3;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 175°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration.  Nearly collinear with a wide pair of mag 11/13 stars ~4' SW.  NGC 4181 is located 32' SE.   Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

17.5" (5/13/88): faint, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration, oval ~N-S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4142 = H. III-814 = h1103 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and logged "vF, S, easily resolvable."  His position is accurate. John Herschel made a single observation on 4 May 1831 (sweep 347) and noted, "vF; irreg fig; very gradually little brighter middle; twilight."
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NGC 4143 = UGC 7142 = MCG +07-25-036 = CGCG 215-039 = LGG 269-007 = PGC 38654
12 09 36.1  +42 32 03; CVn
V = 10.7;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 144°

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 5.0' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 44055.  Member of the NGC 4111 group = LGG 269.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4143 = H. IV-54 = h1104 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798) and noted "cB, Nucleus with faint chevelure (halo)."  His position is just off the east side of this galaxy.  On 1 May 1828 (sweep 150), John Herschel logged "R; suddenly brighter in the middle to nucleus."
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NGC 4144 = UGC 7151 = MCG +08-22-077 = CGCG 243-048 = PGC 38688
12 09 58.5  +46 27 28; UMa
V = 11.6;  Size 6.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 104°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly bright, very large, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 5'x1', bright core.  Double star mag 13.5/13.5 at 8" separation is off the SE end 2.3' from center.  Located between two mag 9 stars 8' N (double) and SAO 44057 7.7' SW.   Member of the M94 Group (CVn I Cloud) or possibly the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

8": faint, edge-on WNW-ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4144 = H. II-747 = h1107 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and recorded "pB, E, about 3' long, from np to sf about 15 or 20°."  John Herschel made two observations, logging on 26 Apr 1830 (sweep 255), "F; vmE in pos 109° by measure; very gradually very much brighter in the middle; 4' long, 30 or 40" br."

On 9 Mar 1850, Birr Castle assistant George Johnstone Stoney called it a "long ray with mottled light and probably a tendency to an annular arrangement about the nucleus."
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NGC 4145 = UGC 7154 = MCG +07-25-040 = CGCG 215-042 = Holm 342a = PGC 38693
12 10 01.6  +39 52 58; CVn
V = 11.3;  Size 5.9'x4.3';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 100°

24" (5/30/16): at 200x; fairly bright, very large, roughly oval 4:3 ~E-W, 4'x3', contains a large brighter core and a noticeably patchy or irregular halo with a strong impression of spiral structure.  Two arms were fairly confident; one extending east of the core on its south side and another extending west of the core on its north side.  Otherwise, it seemed like slightly brighter HII patches in the low surface brightness halo were just resolving in the outer halo.  Located 9' due west of mag 6.8 HD 105824, an 0.6" double.

NGC 4145A = UGC 7175 lies 12' SE.  It appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small as often only the 20" slightly elongated core was visible.  Sometimes very low surface brightness extensions E-W were seen, increasing the size to ~35"x20", but the full extension of the arms were not detected.

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, weak broad concentration, slightly elongated E-W.  Located 9' W of mag 6.9 SAO 44055, a distraction for the low surface brightness galaxy.  NGC 4151 lies 30' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4145 = H. I-169 = h1105 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 717) and noted "cB, cL."  On 28 Apr 1827 (sweep 73), John Herschel reported, "pB; vL; dilute; very gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 4146 = UGC 7163 = MCG +05-29-028 = CGCG 158-036 = PGC 38721
12 10 18.3  +26 25 51; Com
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Weak concentration in halo but direct vision revealed a very small brighter core of ~10" (this is a Seyfert galaxy).  Located 22' ESE of mag 7.1 SAO 82152.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4146 = H. III-327 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "vF, pS."  Caroline's reduction is 13 sec of time preceding UGC 7163.  There were no observations made by JH or at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4147 = NGC 4153
12 10 06.2  +18 32 32; Com
V = 10.4;  Size 4.4';  Surf Br = 0.1

48" (4/22/17): NGC 4147, a class IX globular, was well resolved and impressive at 488x.  It appeared very bright, fairly large, large bright core.  Over 100 stars were resolved including a number of relatively bright 14.5-15.5 stars.  The stellar density increases significantly towards the center where a large number of resolved stars are packed over a hazy, mottled background.  The loose halo was well resolved, a bit scraggly around the edges and extended to ~5' diameter.  The superthin galaxy UGC 7170 lies 18' NNE.

17.5" (4/13/96): moderately bright, fairly small, irregular 2'-2.5' diameter, very small bright core.  A few faint stars are resolved at 220x including one brighter star at the south edge.  Appears on the verge of more extensive resolution.  At 280x, the halo clearly has an irregular outline and several stars are resolved in extensions or star lanes.  The core is mottled and intense but not resolved.

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 2.5' diameter.  Approximately six faint stars are just resolved around the edges of the halo including a single easy mag 14 star at the south edge.  The compact core is mottled and clumpy but has no clean resolution.  There is an impression of several star lanes in the halo just below the limit of resolution.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4147 = H. I-19 = h1106 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and recorded "a very brilliant nebula.  Not cometic.  Brightest in the middle but the brightness extends a good way towards the extremes; pS."  His position was 20 seconds of time too large.  The NGC position is accurate (Engelhardt measured a micrometric position). John Herschel made 3 observations; on 23 Mar 1827 he wrote, "B; R; 80"; consists of distinct stars.  A globular cluster."

Herschel probably discovered this globular a month earlier on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146) but his position for H. I-11 = NGC 4153 was poor (not unusual in his early sweeps).  See that number and Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.

Lord Rosse (or assistant William Rambaut) observed NGC 4147 on 1 Apr 1848 and described it as "a very close cluster of faintish stars, preceded by a small nebula [NGC 4110]."
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NGC 4148 = UGC 7158 = MCG +06-27-018 = CGCG 187-016 = PGC 38704
12 10 08.0  +35 52 39; CVn
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 165°

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' SE and a mag 12 star 4' W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4148 on 7 Feb 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured twice, matches UGC 7158 and he accurately placed a mag 12 star at 3.8 seconds of time following (and 1.3' south).
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NGC 4149 = NGC 4154 = UGC 7167 = MCG +10-17-155 = CGCG 292-076 = PGC 38741
12 10 32.9  +58 18 14; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 87°

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, thin edge-on WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  This is a pretty system.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4149 = H. II-802 = h1109 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and noted "faint, small, elongated."  His position was 3' too far NW.  He swept it up a second time on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951), but mistakenly assumed III-845 (later NGC 4154) was new.  So, NGC 4149 = NGC 4154.  John Herschel made a single observation on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) and his position was 9 tsec west and 1' south of UGC 7167.
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NGC 4150 = UGC 7165 = MCG +05-29-029 = CGCG 158-037 = PGC 38742
12 10 33.7  +30 24 06; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 147°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly bright, moderately large, small very bright core, stellar nucleus, faint halo extends NW-SE to 2.0'x1.3'.  Located 6' E of mag 9 SAO 62870.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4150 = H. I-73 = h1110 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "vB, S."  His position is close off the southwest side of UGC 7165.  John Herschel made the single observation "B; R: pretty gradually much brighter middle; 25"; a * 8m 5' preceding."
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NGC 4151 = UGC 7166 = MCG +07-25-044 = CGCG 215-045 = Holm 345a = WBL 383-001 = PGC 38739
12 10 31.4  +39 23 19; CVn
V = 10.8;  Size 6.3'x4.5';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 50°

18" (5/1/24): bright, fairly large, strong concentration with a small bright core and an intense stellar nucleus.  The lower surface brightness halo is extended 3:2 NW-SE, ~2.5' in length, with a very faint "arc" on the SE end.  A mag 13.8 star is at the N edge of the galaxy.

13.1" (3/17/86): very bright, very small or stellar nucleus, fainter halo.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' N and a closer mag 13 star is 1.3' N of center.  Forms a optical pair with NGC 4156 5.1' NE (the companion is in the background).  NGC 4145 lies 29' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4151 = H. I-165 = h1111, along with NGC 4156, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714).  His description reads, "vB, A bright nucleus, but the nucleus not in the middle, or perhaps two joined together, the northern on having the nucleus."

On 26 April 1851, Bindon Blood Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) logged, "Has a B, R centre with nucleus, then two dark spaces concentric with the nucleus and outside these faint nebulosity as in figure."  Two night laters he noted "Previous observation rather confirmed. The dark spaces certainly exist, but I cannot be sure that appendages are not parts of spiral branches."  The following year he wrote "Last year's observation confirmed as to dark curved spaces preceding and following centre and faint nebulosity outside them again."  His sketch was included in the 1861 publication (Plate XXVII, Fig. 20).

NGC 4151 is one of the 6 galaxies studied by Seyfert in his seminal 1943 paper "Nuclear Emission in Spiral Nebulae".
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NGC 4152 = UGC 7169 = MCG +03-31-052 = CGCG 098-077 = Mrk 759 = PGC 38749
12 10 37.5  +16 01 59; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 115°

17.5" (4/25/98): moderately bright, round, ~1' diameter, moderately concentrated with a brighter core ~20" in diameter.  Halo increases to nearly 1.5' diameter with averted vision.  Transparency poor due to smoke.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4152 = H. II-83 = h1112 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "F, pL, r."  JH and d'Arrest both observed and measured this galaxy four times.
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NGC 4153 = NGC 4147
12 10 06.2  +18 32 32; Com

See observing notes for NGC 4147.  Identification uncertain.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4153 = H. I-11 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146).  His description reads, "a B nebula, not very large, however of some extent, it is not round; the greatest brightness lies towards the middle but is not circular.  The whitishness of this nebula is of the milky kind of the unresolveable nebula such as that of [M42]."  There is nothing near his position (during an early sweep his positions were prone to error) but 14' NW is the globular cluster NGC 4147 = H. I-19, which he found again just a month later (14 Mar 1784).  He published a sketch in his 1811 paper (Fig. 4) as an illustration "of milky Nebulae with Condensation".

Harold Corwin states that Walter Scott Houston may have suggested in one his Deep Sky Wonders columns that NGC 4133 might be a comet (perhaps as it was described as elongated?), although offered no proof.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4154 = NGC 4149 = UGC 7167 = MCG +10-17-155 = CGCG 292-076 = PGC 38741
12 10 32.9  +58 18 14; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 4149.

William Herschel rediscovered NGC 4154 = H. III-845 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and recorded "vF, S, E in the parallel."  His offset from Delta UMa and description (elongated E-W) points to within 1' of UGC 7167.  He first discovered this galaxy on 17 Apr 1789 and recorded it as II-802 (and later became NGC 4149), but his position was 3' too far northwest.  So, NGC 4154 = NGC 4149.

Interestingly, Bigourdan was not able to recover this galaxy and using Heidelberg plates, Reinmuth apparently was confused and noted "*12?; no neb seen; BD +59 1426 nff 3.7'."  Because of Reinmuth's description, Dorothy Carlson identifies NGC 4154 as a star in her 1940 NGC correction list and RNGC classifies NGC 4154 nonexistent.  NGC 4154 is not equated with NGC 4149 in any major catalogue.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4155 = UGC 7172 = MCG +03-31-058 = CGCG 098-082 = PGC 38761
12 10 45.7  +19 02 27; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 1.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 81°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, moderate concentration to a small bright core.  Two mag 10 stars are 9'-10' SW near the edge of the 20' field.  Located 31' NNE of gc NGC 4147.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4155 = Sw. 1-21 on 6 Apr 1885. Although his description "vvF, vS" is not very helpful, his position is just 6 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 7172.
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NGC 4156 = UGC 7173 = MCG +07-25-045 = CGCG 215-047 = Holm 345b = WBL 383-003 = PGC 38773 = The Eye of Sauron
12 10 49.5  +39 28 22; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

13.1" (3/17/86): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, possible faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 4151 5.1' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4156 = H. II-642 = h1113, along with NGC 4151, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714).  He called it "pB, S." while John Herschel wrote, "vF; little extended; very gradually brighter middle."
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NGC 4157 = UGC 7183 = MCG +09-20-106 = CGCG 269-038 = FGC 1380 = LGG 258-025 = PGC 38795
12 11 04.9  +50 29 07; UMa
V = 11.3;  Size 6.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 66°

48" (5/1/22): at 488x; extremely bright, very large edge-on, extends ~6'x0.8' WSW-ENE.  The galaxy barely reaches a mag 10.4 star, which overwhelms the dim western tip.  The core is relatively long, ~3'x0.4', and highly mottled with a dust lane running along its northern edge.  A faint outer strip runs along the opposite side of the absorption lane. A brighter knot or patch (likely a star-forming region) is near the west end of the core, 1.3' WSW of center.

17.5" (5/2/92): bright, moderately large, edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, 5.0'x0.7', elongated bright core, extensions taper at ends.  Located 4.3' SE of mag 8.0 SAO 28277.  Two mag 10/10.5 stars oriented N-S are 3.8' SW and 5.1' SW and a mag 11 star lies 4.9' NE.  This is a striking galaxy with several bright stars near adding to the view.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

8" (3/28/81): faint, very elongated WSW-ENE, bright core.  A mag 8 star is close NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4157 = H. I-208 = h1114 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and recorded "F, mE from sp to nf, nearer the parallel, about 3' l and 3/4' broad."  John Herschel made the single observation, "B; vmE; very gradually little brighter middle; 4' long.".  Heinrich d'Arrest measured the position twice.

Fritz Zwicky discovered SN 1937A, a type II(P) supernova, using the 18-inch Schmidt telescope at Palomar.  This was his first SN discovery, after initiating a systematic search in September 1936.

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NGC 4158 = UGC 7182 = MCG +03-31-060 = CGCG 098-084 = PGC 38802
12 11 10.2  +20 10 32; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (5/14/88): moderately bright, fairly small, broad concentration, slightly elongated ~E-W.  A mag 11 star is 1.7' SE of center.  Located 25' SW of 5 Comae Berenices (V = 5.6).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4158 = H. II-405 = h1115 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "F, S, lE.  Preceding a pB star."  His position is 2' south of UGC 7182.  John Herschel noted "vF; has a * nf.", but the star is southeast.
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NGC 4159 = UGC 7174 = MCG +13-09-015 = CGCG 352-022 = PGC 38777
12 10 53.6  +76 07 34; Dra
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

17.5" (5/2/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, low almost even surface brightness.  Two mag 13 stars are 1.4' ESE and 1.0' NE of center.  The galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star to the NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4159 = H. III-941 = h1116 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068). He recorded "very faint, pretty small.  It has two stars nf making a triangle with it."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.7' SE of UGC 7174 and the description matches.  John Herschel called it "extremely faint; round; makes equilateral triangle with 2 stars."
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NGC 4160
12 11 36  +43 45; CVn

= Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4160 = Big. 51 on 27 May 1886 and described "a star 13.3m accompanied by a little nebulosty."  There is nothing at his position (roughly midway between NGC 4138 and NGC 4183) and no modern catalogues carries this NGC number.  Harold Corwin was not able to recover this object.  See his identification notes.
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NGC 4161 = UGC 7191 = MCG +10-18-002 = CGCG 292-078 = PGC 38834
12 11 33.3  +57 44 14; UMa
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 50°

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, elongated SW-NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4161 = H. II-803 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and noted "faint, small, round."  His re-reduced position with respect to Delta UMa on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) is accurate.
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NGC 4162 = UGC 7193 = MCG +04-29-046 = CGCG 128-051 = PGC 38851
12 11 52.5  +24 07 25; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 2.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 174°

17.5" (5/11/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, ~2'x1.3'.  Weak concentration except for a faint but distinct stellar nucleus (this is probably a superimposed star).  Located nearly midway between a mag 10.5 star 2.6' SW and a mag 12 star 2.2' NE.  A mag 14.5 star is 1' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4162 = H. II-353 = h1117 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "pB, cL, bM, irr."  John Herschel noted "B; L; E; bM; 60"."
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NGC 4163 = NGC 4167 = UGC 7199 = MCG +06-27-026 = CGCG 187-020 = PGC 38881
12 12 09.1  +36 10 09; CVn
V = 14.0;  Size 1.8'x1.6';  Surf Br = 15.1

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, very diffuse, weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Located between mag 8.7 SAO 62893 7.0' NE and a double star STF 1607 = 8.9/9.8 at 27" oriented N-S, which is 9' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4163 = H. III-399 on 28 Apr 1785 (sweep 404) and noted "vF, pL, R, r."   He observed this galaxy again the next sweep (1 May) and added "little elongated; easily resolvable."  NGC 4167, found by John Herschel, is a duplicate observation.  See that number.
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NGC 4164 = CGCG 069-076 = PGC 38877
12 12 05.4  +13 12 20; Vir
V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 111°

17.5" (1/23/88): extremely faint, very small, round, only visible with averted vision.  Faintest in a trio and located 3' SSW of NGC 4165 and 2.9' W of NGC 4168.

Willhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4164 = T. 1-37 (as well as paper V) and placed it 2.5' south of d'Arrest's "nova" [NGC 4165].  He commented "but it is strange that he has not seen the second companion", though I'm not surprised as this galaxy is quite faint.  Interesting, the LdR observation of NGC 4168 on 17 Feb 1855 reads "vB, R, bM, 2 stars preceding."  One of the "stars" preceding must be NGC 4164, but it was seen as stellar.

This galaxy is mentioned in the UGC notes for NGC 4168, but not identified as NGC 4164.
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NGC 4165 = IC 3035 = UGC 7201 = MCG +02-31-045 = CGCG 069-078 = WBL 386-002 = PGC 38885
12 12 11.8  +13 14 47; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 160°

17.5" (1/23/88): very faint, fairly small, round, slightly elongated, diffuse.  Located 2.6' NW of NGC 4168 in a trio with NGC 4164.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4165 on 8 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is 1.4' too far southwest, unusually poor for his micrometric positions.  He mentions that LdR (or assistant) missed this nebula when he observed NGC 4168 in 1855.

Arnold Schwassmann found this galaxy again on 16 Nov 1900 on a plate taken by Wolf with the 6" astrograph at the Königstuhl Observatory in Heidelberg. He measured an accurate position and reported Sn. 222 (later IC 3035) as new.  So, NGC 4165 = IC 3035.  CGCG misidentifies an extremely faint companion at the northwest side as IC 3035.
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NGC 4166 = UGC 7198 = MCG +03-31-068 = CGCG 098-096 = PGC 38882
12 12 09.6  +17 45 26; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 20°

17.5" (5/11/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, moderate concentration to a very small brighter core.  Very symmetrical appearance.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4166 = T. 9-10 on 30 Apr 1878.  His uncorrected position was 2' S.  Stephan didn't publish the discovery.  Willhelm Tempel rediscovered NGC 4166 on 15 Mar 1885 with the 11-inch refractor at Arcetri and published it in his 9th discovery list (#10).  Temple was searching for the periodic Comet 1867 II when he ran across this galaxy.
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NGC 4167 = NGC 4163 = UGC 7199 = MCG +06-27-026 = CGCG 187-020 = PGC 38881
12 12 09.1  +36 10 09; CVn

See observing notes for NGC 4163

John Herschel discovered NGC 4167 = h1118 on 11 Mar 1831 and recorded "F; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; a double star south-preceding dist 10'.  The MS observation makes the polar distance decidedly 33'; but should it be a mistake for 52', this nebula would be identical to [NGC 4163]."  There is nothing at his position, but 30' south is NGC 4163, as he suspected, and 8.5' southwest of this galaxy is a double star.  So, NGC 4167 = NGC 4163.  Reinmuth writes "no pL neb with ** sp 10' found; NGC 4167 = NGC 4163? and Dorothy Carlson repeated this equivalence in her 1940 monograph on NGC corrections.
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NGC 4168 = UGC 7203 = MCG +02-31-046 = CGCG 069-081 = PGC 38890
12 12 17.2  +13 12 18; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 2.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (1/23/88): brightest of a trio with NGC 4164 2.9' W and NGC 4165 2.6' NW.  Fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4168 = H. II-105 = h1119 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "pS but pB, roundish, resolvable, containing some stars visible."  Caroline's reduction is 4.7' southeast of UGC 7203.  John Herschel called this galaxy "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; irreg fig; r" and measured an accurate position. Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 4165, which was discovered by d'Arrest.

In the IC 2 Notes section, Dreyer mentioned "not found by Frost on plates of 4 hr exposure", although this bright galaxy was included in Adelaide Ames 1930 "A Catalogue of 2778 Nebulae, including the Coma-Virgo Group", based on plates taken with the Bruce astrograph at Arequipa.
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NGC 4169 = HCG 61A = KTG 42A = UGC 7202 = MCG +05-29-032 = CGCG 158-041 = PGC 38892
12 12 18.8  +29 10 46; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 153°

48" (4/20/17): extremely bright, moderately large, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.6'.  Sharply concentrated with a relatively large bright core that increases to an intensely bright nucleus.

24" (5/22/17): at 282x; bright, moderately large, oval 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.2'x0.6', highly concentrated with an intense, elongated core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.

18" (6/17/06): brightest member of HCG 61 = "The Box".  Appears moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.7'.  Well concentrated with a 25" bright core that increases to the center.

13.1" (4/10/86): brightest in a small group of four galaxies = HCG 61.  Moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, very small bright core.  Forms the west vertex of a nearly perfect rectangle with NGC 4173 1.7' NNE, NGC 4174 2.5' SE and NGC 4175 2.9' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4169 = H. III-358 = h1120, along with NGC 4173/74/75, on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  He described the quartet as "Four, the time and number belongs to the largest [NGC 4170], which is faint and small.  The other three are less and fainter; forming a small quartile, the largest being the most north of the preceding side; all within 3 arc minutes."  The combined sweeps 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 were Herschel's most productive night -- with 72 discoveries
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NGC 4170
12 12 18  +29 12; Com

= Not found, Thomson.  =*?, Corwin.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4170 and 4171 on 10 May 1864, while observing the NGC 4169 quartet = HCG 61.  Under his description for H. II-372 = NGC 4173, he noted "In addition, I think I see two other nearby nebulae; clearer skies would help."  There was no position or offset given for these two objects and most likely he glimpsed a couple of nearby stars.  The galaxy identified as NGC 4170 in the RNGC is NGC 4173.  Other sources apply the designations NGC 4170 = NGC 4171 to NGC 4173.
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NGC 4171
12 12 18  +29 11; Com

= Not found and ≠ NGC 4173, Thomson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4171 and 4170 on 10 May 1864, while observing the NGC 4169 quartet = HCG 61.  He did not provide a position or offset, so it is impossible to assign these numbers to a nearby faint star with any confidence. See notes for NGC 4170.
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NGC 4172 = UGC 7205 = MCG +09-20-109 = CGCG 269-039 = CGCG 292-080 = PGC 38887
12 12 15.0  +56 10 38; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4172 = H. II-792 = h1123 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "F, S, R, bM."  His RA is 45 sec too small.  John Herschel recorded "pF; S; E; gradually brighter in the middle; 15" l, 12" br." and measured an accurate position (in the NGC).
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NGC 4173 = HCG 61B = KTG 42B = Holm 346a = NGC 4171 = UGC 7204 = MCG +05-29-033 = CGCG 158-043 = FGC 1382 = PGC 38897
12 12 21.4  +29 12 25; Com
V = 13.0;  Size 5.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 134°

48" (4/20/17): fairly faint to moderately bright, very large, edge-on 6:1 NW-SE, 2.5'x0.4', fairly low surface brightness with only a modest central brightening and no distinct core or nucleus.

24" (5/22/17): at 282x; fairly faint, very large, very elongated ~6:1 NW-SE with averted, 2.0'x0.35', low surface brightness.  Only a broad weak concentration with no distinct core/nucleus.

18" (6/17/06): faint, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.4'.  Overall, low surface brightness with a very weak central brightening.  Faintest of the HCG 61 quartet, although NGC 4173 lies in the foreground with a recessional velocity only 1/3 of the other members.

13.1" (4/10/86): very faint, very elongated NW-SE, low even surface brightness.  Faintest in the NGC 4169 group = HCG 61 and located just 1.7' NNE of NGC 4169.  Forms the north vertex of a rectangle with NGC 4174, and NGC 4175.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4173 = H. II-372 = h1121 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  See description under NGC 4169.  The RNGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 4170, which is nonexistent (possibly a star).  SIMBAD also has the same identification error.

Although NGC 4173 appears perfectly lined up with NGC 4175, it is apparently in the foreground with a redshift only 1/3 of the other three galaxies.
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NGC 4174 = HCG 61D = UGC 7206 = MCG +05-29-034 = CGCG 158-044 = Mrk 761 = Ark 351 = PGC 38906
12 12 26.9  +29 08 57; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.7;  PA = 50°

48" (4/20/17): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3'. Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core that increases to an intensely bright stellar nucleus!

24" (5/22/17): at 282x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3'.  Contains a very small and very bright core with a sharp stellar nucleus (brighter than the nucleus of NGC 4169).

18" (6/17/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a bright 15"-20" rounder core with the extentions much fainter.  Smallest member of the striking HCG 61 quartet.

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, prominent very small bright core.  Slightly elongated halo is faint and small.  This galaxy is the smallest in NGC 4169 group = HCG 61. Forms a small rectangle with NGC 4175 1.5' NE, NGC 4175 2.5' NW and NGC 4173  3.6' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4174 = H. III-359 = h1122 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  See notes under NGC 4169.
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NGC 4175 = HCG 61C = KTG 42C = Holm 346b = UGC 7211 = MCG +05-29-036 = CGCG 158-045 = PGC 38912
12 12 31.0  +29 10 06; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 130°

48" (4/20/17): fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, ~1.5'x0.3', contains a large, brighter bulging core.  The extensions taper at the ends giving a spindle appearance.  This galaxy is parallel to NGC 4173 and perpendicular to NGC 4174 to the southwest.

24" (5/22/17): at 282x; moderately bright, fairly large, thin edge-on 5:1 NW-SE.  1.25'x0.25'. Contains a brighter elongated core but not strongly concentrated and no nucleus.  NGC 4174, 1.5' SW, is orientated exactly perpendiculat to NGC 4175.

18" (6/17/06): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.25', broad weak concentration to a slightly brighter bulging core.  Fades at the tips.  Second of two edge-ons in HCG 61 = "The Box" with NGC 4173 3' NW.

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, edge-on NW-SE, bright core, similar in size to NGC 4173 but fainter.  Last of four in the NGC 4169 group = HCG 61 with NGC 4169 2.9' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4175 = H. III-360 = h1124 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  See notes under NGC 4169.
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NGC 4176 = PGC 38928
12 12 36.8  -09 09 37; Vir
V = 14.8;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 70°

18" (5/12/07): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.3' diameter, low even surface brightness.  A small group of stars follows in the field.  Located 12' SW of mag 8.7 HD 106225.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 4176 = LM 2-454 in 1886 and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.3' dia, R, slightly brighter middle to a nucleus, *10 follows 15 sec."  His position matches PGC 38928.  A mag 12 star is 12 sec following and is likely the one in his description.
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NGC 4177 = MCG -02-31-021 = PGC 38937
12 12 41.2  -14 00 52; Crv
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 69°

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.7', broad concentration.  With averted vision a very faint larger halo increases the size to perhaps 1.4'x1.0'.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4177 = H. III-534 = h3383 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and logged "vF, pL, of unequal light."  His position is 12 sec of time too far west.  John Herschel recorded "vF; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60"." and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4178 = IC 3042 = UGC 7215 = MCG +02-31-050 = CGCG 069-088 = PGC 38943
12 12 46.4  +10 51 57; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 5.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 30°

48" (4/26/25): at 375x; very bright, large barred spiral, contains a bright, thin bar along the central spine that is quite striking with a slightly brighter nucleus at the center. Extends nearly 3:1 SW-NE, ~4' in length.

Two bright HII regions are on SW end.  The first is a distinct 10" knot 1.2' SW of center along the outer SW flank.  The second is a bright 12"-15" patch with a brighter center at the SW tip of the galaxy, directly in line with the central bar. Identified in SIMBAD as 2MASXJ12124237+1050275.

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE.  Gradually increases to a small bright core and faint stellar nucleus.

17.5" (5/10/86): very large but diffuse, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, very little central concentration but a brighter knot appears along the SW edge.  Located 7.0' WNW of mag 7.6 SAO 99995.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4178 = h1125 on 11 Apr 1825 (sweep 3) and recorded, "vF; E nf to sp; 40"."  This object was only his third discovery (after NGC 7010 and NGC 7653), found while developing his sweeping technique.  On 2 May 1829 (sweep 191) he noted, "vF; vL; E; a * 7m follows 7' +/- distance."  His position matches UGC 7215 and the bright star follows by 7'

Arnold Schwassmann found this galaxy again on 6 Sep 1900 on a plate taken with the 6" astrograph at Heidelberg.  Neither he nor Dreyer noticed the equivalence in position with NGC 4178 and it was recatalogued as IC 3042.
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NGC 4179 = UGC 7214 = MCG +00-31-038 = CGCG 013-104 = Todd 15 = PGC 38950
12 12 52.1  +01 17 57; Vir
V = 11.0;  Size 4.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 143°

17.5" (3/24/90): bright, fairly small, very distinctive edge-on system oriented NW-SE, very bright core, sharp light cut-off along the SW flank.  A string of mag 11 stars trail off to the NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4179 = H. I-9 = h1126 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 118).  His brief description reads "faint, very small, extended."  John Herschel's more detailed description reads, "pretty bright; small; much extended; a ray with a nucleus, position 45° np to sf."  The NGC position (from JH) is accurate.

David Todd found this galaxy on 5 Jan 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and recorded it as object #15a in his list of suspected objects.
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NGC 4180 = UGC 7219 = MCG +01-31-025 = CGCG 041-048 = PGC 38964
12 13 03.0  +07 02 20; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 22°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, pretty edge-on SSW-NNE, small bright nuclear bulge, stellar nucleus.  NGC 4191 lies 15' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4180 = H. II-133 = h1127 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "not vF, S, E, r."  His position matches UGC 7219.  NGC 4182 may be a duplicate observation (see Harold Corwin's identification notes).
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NGC 4181 = MCG +09-20-111 = CGCG 269-041 = PGC 38938
12 12 48.9  +52 54 11; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 11 star lies 1.5' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4181 = H. III-777 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "eF, S, stellar neb."  His re-reduced position is 1' south of MCG +09-20-111 = CGCG 269-041, so this identification is certain.  The RNGC data is confusing.  Based on the comment "companion 1' N" (but not the position), the RNGC misidentifies NGC 4187 as NGC 4181.
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NGC 4182
12 13 24  +04 03; Vir

= NGC 4180?, Corwin. Not found, Sulentic.  =* or *'s, Gottlieb.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4182 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory.  At his exact position is a mag 12 star.  Harold Corwin comments "NGC 4182 may be NGC 4180, or it may simply be a star at Peters's position".
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NGC 4183 = UGC 7222 = MCG +07-25-051 = CGCG 215-053 = FGC 1386 = LGG 269-009 = PGC 38988
12 13 17.0  +43 41 53; CVn
V = 12.3;  Size 5.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 166°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on about 7:1 NNW-SSE, 3.5'x0.5', broad concentration without a nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the SE edge of the core 0.8' from the center.  Member of the NGC 4111 group = LGG 269 in the UMa Cloud.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4183 = H. III-697 = h1128 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798). He noted "considerably faint, much extended from np to sf, 3 or 4' long, 3/4' broad."  On 27 Apr 1788 (sweep 833) he described the galaxy as "elongated, very faint nebulosity intermixed with small stars, near the meridian [N-S] but a little south-preceding to north-following about 2 or 4' long.  In his 1814 PT paper, he mentions "several small stars are contained in faint nebulosity about 3 or 4' long and 3/4' broad."  His sketch (fig. 10) seems to show 6 superposed stars though only one is evident on the DSS.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 6 Apr 1856, noted "F, bM, a bright star in sf edge and a patch in np end which is the brighter.  Neb is fully 4' long."
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NGC 4184 = ESO 130-10 = Ru 102 = OCl 877 = vdB-Ha 128 = Lund 607
12 13 32  -62 43 18; Cru
Size 4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x and 318x): about two dozen faint stars resolved in a 4' circle.  Flanked by a mag 10 star ~4' SW and a mag 10 star ~4' NE.  The richest part is a 30" clump on the east side with a half-dozen stars resolved at 318x.  Located 16' NNE of mag 6.0 HD 106068.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4184 = h3384 on 8 Mar 1837 and noted "Cluster class VI; vf, almost nebulous".  There is no obvious clustering at his position on the DSS1.

Brian Skiff comments "Looks like an absorption hole, and no more ridiculous than the typical Ruprecht cluster.  I make it just 0'.8 diameter at: 12 13 37  -62 43.2."  Ruprecht gives a diameter of 5' to include a larger scattered group.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 4185 = UGC 7225 = MCG +05-29-038 = CGCG 158-047 = LGG 276-006 = PGC 38995
12 13 22.1  +28 30 40; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 2.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 165°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 1.5'x1.1', broad concentration.  Forms the southern vertex of a triangle with mag 7.7 SAO 82189 8.5' NW and a mag 11.5 star 10' NE.  NGC 4196 lies 16' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4185 = H. II-373 = h1129 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, L, bM."  d'Arrest mentioned that this galaxy forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 12 stars and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4186 = NGC 4192B = UGC 7240 = MCG +03-31-081 = CGCG 098-111 = Holm 348b = PGC 39057
12 14 06.5  +14 43 33; Com
V = 13.8;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 60°

17.5" (5/10/86): faint, small, slightly elongated.  Located 11.0' SSE of M98.

13.1" (4/28/84): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 11' SSE of M98.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4186 = T. 1-38 in 1887.  His position in this paper is 10 seconds of RA preceding and 10' south of M98.  But in list V (AN 2439) he states it is located 20 seconds of time east and 9.5' south of M98.  Dreyer used the latter position, but confused the direction of RA offset and placed NGC 4186 20 sec of RA preceding of M98, instead of following.  His offset in list V establishes NGC 4186 = UGC 7240, but the RA in the NGC is 40 seconds of RA too small.  The correct position was measured by Kobold in 1901 (Strasbourg Annales, Vol 3, 1907).

Because of erroneous NGC position, UGC and MCG misidentify UGC 7223 (which lies 22 sec of RA west of M98 and 7.4' south) as NGC 4186.  Also, CGCG misidentifies CGCG 098-119 as NGC 4186.  The correct identification was first given by Dorothy Carlson in 1940 paper and also given in RNGC and RC3.

It's possible NGC 4186 was first observed at Birr Castle on 10 Feb 1861.  Samuel Hunter noticed a "F, R neb with a * or Nucl in centre", which he described as 1/2 field of finder [13'] north of M98.  If he confused the direction, then the comment probably applies to NGC 4186.
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NGC 4187 = UGC 7229 = MCG +09-20-117 = CGCG 269-042 = Holm 347a = PGC 39004
12 13 29.2  +50 44 29; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' WNW of center.  A mag 15.5 is superimposed on the south edge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4187 = H. II-813 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and logged "pB, S, lE." His position is just 1' south of UGC 7229.

RNGC misidentifies a faint companion just north of NGC 4187 as NGC 4181.  There are several faint companions with a couple of arcminutes of NGC 4187.
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NGC 4188 = MCG -02-31-023 = PGC 39059
12 14 07.4  -12 35 10; Crv
V = 13.7;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (5/8/04): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter.  A mag 14 star lies 30" N of center, barely off the north edge of the galaxy.  The star masks the galaxy a bit and it was not noticed initially.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 4188 = LM 1-193 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory.  His rough position (nearest min of RA) is just 0.5 tmin W of MCG -02-31-023 = PGC 39059.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 4189 = IC 3050 = UGC 7235 = MCG +02-31-054 = CGCG 069-092 = LGG 285-003 = PGC 39025
12 13 47.5  +13 25 33; Com
V = 11.7;  Size 2.7'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 85°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, broad concentration.  Located northeast of the NGC 4164, NGC 4165, NGC 4168 group in Virgo.  NGC 4193 lies 15' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4189 = H. II-106 = h1131 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "vF, pL, r."  John Herschel recorded "pB; L; little extended; very gradually very little brighter middle; 2' diam" and measured an accurate position.  Harold Corwin notes that WH's NGC 4209 (listed as lost) might be a duplicate observation, though both objects were found on the same sweep.

Schwassmann found NGC 4189 again on 16 Nov 1900 on a Heidelberg plate of the Virgo/Coma cluster.  His position for Sn. 227 (later IC 3050) matches NGC 4189, so its surprising Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence, but IC 3050 = NGC 4189.
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NGC 4190 = UGC 7232 = MCG +06-27-030 = CGCG 187-024 = VV 104 = PGC 39023
12 13 44.5  +36 38 05; CVn
V = 13.3;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, broad weak concentration, pretty diffuse, slightly elongated N-S.  Located 7' S of mag 8.5 SAO 62902.  Member of the M94 Group (CVn I Cloud).

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly faint, moderately large, round, diffuse.  A mag 8 star lies 6' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4190 = H. II-409 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and logged "vF, S, r." His summary description (including a later sweep) reads "pB, pL, very gradually brighter middle, r."
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NGC 4191 = UGC 7233 = MCG +01-31-026 = CGCG 041-049 = PGC 39034
12 13 50.4  +07 12 03; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.9' NW.  Forms a pair with NGC 4180 15' SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4191 = h1130 on 19 Apr 1830 (sweep 251).  On the next night he logged "F; R; near a small star." and measured positions on four consecutive sweeps.
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NGC 4192 = M98 = UGC 7231 = MCG +03-31-079 = CGCG 098-108 = Holm 348a = PGC 39028
12 13 48.2  +14 54 01; Com
V = 10.1;  Size 9.9'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 155°

17.5" (5/10/86): bright, very large, very elongated 4:1 NNW-SSE, 6'x1.5', small bright core, stellar nucleus.  A faint knot was highly suspected near the south tip.  NGC 4186 lies 11' SSE.  Located 32' W of 6 Comae Berenices (V = 5.1). 

13.1" (4/28/84): bright, large, very elongated, small bright nucleus, impressive.

Pierre Méchain discovered M98 = NGC 4192 = h1132 on 15 Mar 1781.  Messier made a confirmation a month later.

William Herschel first observed M98 on 30 Dec 1783 (sweep 73) and recorded "A large, extended, fine nebula.  It seems to be M98, but from the description in Connoissance des Temps it appears that Mechain has not seen the whole of it, for its feeble branches extend about 1/4°, of which no notice is taken.  Near the middle of it a few stars are visible and more suspected; my field will not quite take it in." He made a sketch showing several stars in the middle, which probably represent mottling.  He made another observation on 14 Jan 1787 (Sw. 691) and logged, "vB, mE, over 15' long, a BN in the middle."

John Herschel recorded M98 on 4 sweeps, first describing it on 3 Apr 1826 as "B; vmE; a ray pos 70° sf to np; mbM almost to nucleus; 10' long."

Based on a photograph with the Crossley reflector, Heber Curtis (1918) described M98 as "An open, elongated spiral 8'x2' in p.a. 150°.  Bright stellar nucleus; numerous almost stellar condensations. Absorption effects on east side"
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NGC 4193 = IC 3051 = UGC 7234 = MCG +02-31-053 = CGCG 069-091 = LGG 285-009 = PGC 39040
12 13 53.6  +13 10 22; Vir
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 93°

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, fairly large, oval E-W, brighter core.  NGC 4189 lies 15' N over the border in Coma Berenices.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4193 = H. II-163 = h1134 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and noted "pS".  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; pL; E; very gradually brighter middle" and measured an accurate position.

Schwassmann found this galaxy again on 16 Nov 1900 on plate taken of the Virgo/Coma cluster with a 6" astrograph at Heidelberg.  His position for IC 3051 matches NGC 4193, so its surprising Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence, but there are several similar cases with Schwassmann's list of nebulae.
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NGC 4194 = Arp 160 = VV 261 = UGC 7241 = MCG +09-20-119 = CGCG 269-043 = Mrk 201 = I Zw 33 = PGC 39068 = Medusa Galaxy
12 14 09.6  +54 31 35; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

48" (4/20/17): at 697x; bright, fairly large, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core enclosing an intensely bright nucleus.  The main halo is roughly oval with a weak, elongated brightening oriented SW-NW at the south end.  This low contrast feature is possibly the remnant of a past merger.  A very low surface brightness tidal plume was seen as an ill-defined haze spreading out to the north from the NNW side of the main halo and increasing the N-S dimension to over 1.5'.

17.5" (5/13/88): moderately bright, small, elongated NW-SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4194 = H. II-867 = h1135 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001) amd noted "pB, vS, stellar."  John Herschel called it "F; very suddenly much brighter middle to a * 12m; 20"."  His position is at the northwest edge of the galaxy.

The nickname Medusa Galaxy was coined by V-V in his Atlas of Interacting Galaxies, Part II: "Of this 'Medusa', the structure of the "head" is as yet unresolved. In this case, three galaxies apparently are coalescent. "Behind", the dwarfs begin to separate."  William Keel repeats the nickname "Medusa" in his March/April 1993 article "The real astrophysical zoo - Colliding galaxies" in Mercury (ASP). Professional journal papers refer to it as "Medusa" since 2000.
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NGC 4195 = UGC 7244 = MCG +10-18-010 = CGCG 292-083 = CGCG 293-004 = PGC 39082
12 14 18.1  +59 36 55; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.9

17.5" (5/13/88): extremely faint, fairly small, very diffuse, round, averted only.  Collinear with two mag 14 stars to the NW.  NGC 4199 lies 18' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4195 = H. III-796 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and simply noted "extremely faint".  His position is 2.7' NW of UGC 7244 (only galaxy nearby).
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NGC 4196 = UGC 7245 = MCG +05-29-040 = CGCG 158-050 = LGG 276-007 = PGC 39098
12 14 29.7  +28 25 24; Com
V = 12.9;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 60°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.35', fairly well concentrated.  Higher surface brightness than larger NGC 4185 16' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4196 = H. II-374 = h1136 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, S."  John Herschel made 4 observations and d'Arrest provided a micrometric position, so the NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 4197 = UGC 7247 = VV 520 = MCG +01-31-029 = CGCG 041-052 = FGC 1390 = LGG 278-002 = PGC 39114
12 14 38.6  +05 48 21; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 3.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 36°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is south of the SW end 1.5' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4197 = H. II-134 = h1137 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He logged it as "faint, much elongated."

On 17 Apr 1830 (sweep 250), John Herschel described this galaxy as "pretty bright; elongated; very gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; like II. 133 [NGC 4180]."
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NGC 4198 = IC 778 = UGC 7246 = MCG +09-20-123 = CGCG 269-045 = PGC 39090
12 14 22.0  +56 00 42; UMa
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 130°

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  Situated between two mag 12 and 13 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4198 = H. II-793 = h1139 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 920) and noted "pF, pS, bM."  John Herschel logged "pF; S; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle; like II. 792 [NGC 4172]." and measured an accurate position.

Swift probably found this galaxy again nearly a 100 years later, but his RA for Sw. 7-19 (later IC 778) is 5 minutes too large.  Once corrected Swift's position matches NGC 4198, which also is a good match with his description.

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NGC 4199 = VV 183a/b = UGC 7253 = MCG +10-18-011 = CGCG 292-084 = CGCG 293-005 = PGC 39135
12 14 48.6  +59 54 22; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small.  A mag 15 star is involved at the north end just 16" from center and a mag 16 "star" is involved at the east end 24" from the center.  NGC 4195 lies 18' SSW.  A later check on the POSS revealed the mag 16 star I recorded is an extremely faint and small galaxy (VV 183b)!  NGC 4199 is the brightest galaxy in AGC 1507.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4199 = H. III-797 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and noted "extremely faint, small."  His RA is 17 seconds too small and declination 4' too far north.  He observed this galaxy again on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and his position (with respect to NGC 4036) was ~25 seconds of RA too large.

This galaxy lies at a distance of ~820 million light years, one of the furthest that Herschel discovered.
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NGC 4200 = UGC 7251 = MCG +02-31-057 = CGCG 069-096 = PGC 39124
12 14 44.2  +12 10 51; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 98°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4200 = H. II-164 = h1138 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and noted "pS, vmE."  On 6 Apr 1831, John Herschel logged "pB; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 40" diameter."
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NGC 4201 = MCG -02-31-024 = PGC 39120
12 14 41.9  -11 34 58; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 80°

18" (5/8/04): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration to a very small brighter core.  An extremely faint halo was suspected.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.8' S of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 4201 = LM 2-455 in 1886.  His position is 0.5 min of RA east of MCG -02-31-024.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 4202 = UGC 7337 = MCG +00-31-046 = CGCG 013-121 = Todd 18 = PGC 39495
12 18 08.6  -01 03 52; Vir
V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 127°

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.0' NNE of center.

David Todd discovered NGC 4202 = Todd 18 on 14 Jan 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet (AN 2698).  Dreyer only included eight of the 30 objects which Todd sketched as many were considered doubtful or near nebulae already catalogued.  Todd's sketch of #18, which includes several nearby field stars, clearly identifies NGC 4202 = UGC 7337 at 12 18 08.6 -01 03 52 (2000).  This means that Todd's rough position was 3 tmin too far west although a number of his entries have large errors in RA.

The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 013-109 as NGC 4202, located at 12 14.9 -02 27 (2000).  Early versions of U2000.0 atlas have it misplotted at this position.  I described this galaxy as nonexistent in RNGC Corrections #5 but corrected the identification in #6.  See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4203 = UGC 7256 = MCG +06-27-040 = CGCG 187-029 = PGC 39158
12 15 05.0  +33 11 50; Com
V = 10.9;  Size 3.4'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 10°

17.5" (4/28/89) : bright, moderately large, round, sharp concentration with a prominent very bright core (LINER nucleus) a much fainter halo, possible stellar nucleus.  Located 3.7' SSE of mag 7.8 SAO 62912

8": fairly bright, small, small bright nucleus.  A mag 5 star (SAO 62928) is 20' SE at the edge of the field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4203 = H. I-175 = h1140 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and recorded "vB, S, R, much brighter in the middle."  On 6 Apr 1855, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell described it as "very like a distant Cl, vB Nucl with neby gradually fading off.  Star involved preceding Nucl and other stellar points suspected in the outlying faint neby."
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NGC 4204 = UGC 7261 = MCG +04-29-051 = CGCG 128-060 = PGC 39179
12 15 14.3  +20 39 31; Com
V = 12.4;  Size 3.6'x2.9';  Surf Br = 14.8;  PA = 130°

48" (4/26/25): at 488x; moderately bright, large, contains a very elongated bright central bar oriented NW-SE within a diffuse, ill-defined halo roughly 3' in diameter. An elongated central portion of the bar was somewhat brighter but spiral structure wasn't evident in poor transparency.

Mrk 1315, a compact HII/star-forming region, is near the SE end of the halo, 1.5' from the center of the bar. At 16th magnitude, it was easily visible, though it appeared virtually stellar with a very small, faint halo at times using averted. A mag 15.0 star is 1' SE.

24" (5/31/22): at 263x and 327x; fairly faint, large, overall very diffuse, at least 2' diameter.  The brightest portion is a very extended thin bar oriented NW-SE and over 1' in length.  The central bar is embedded in a roughly circular, but ill-defined halo of very low surface brightness.

Mrk 1315, a very faint 10" HII knot, is just off the SE end (1.5' from center).  It was often visible, though not continuously, and a mag 15 star is 1' to its SE.

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE.  Brighter along the major axis but no distinct core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4204 = H. III-397 = h1141 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and recorded "vF; vL, irr, about 5 or 6' from np to sf and 4 or 5' broad, unequally bright but brightest towards the middle."  John Herschel noted "eF; L; very gradually little brighter middle; 45"."
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NGC 4205 = UGC 7258 = MCG +11-15-038 = CGCG 315-027 = PGC 39143
12 14 55.3  +63 46 55; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 28°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.4'x0.5', brighter along major axis.  A mag 13 star is just 20" west of the NNE tip.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4205 = Au 29 on 4 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 7258 and he mentions the nearby mag 13 star at the north edge.  Auwers included this object in his 1862 list of new nebulae.
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NGC 4206 = IC 3064 = UGC 7260 = MCG +02-31-066 = CGCG 069-107 = Holm 353b = PGC 39183
12 15 16.7  +13 01 26; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 6.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 0°

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, edge-on 6:1 exactly N-S, 4'x0.7', fairly large, weak concentration.  A mag 12 star lies 2.9' SE of center.  NGC 4216 lies 10' NE and NGC 4222 is 23' NE.  First of three edge-ons in a low power field!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4206 = H. II-165 = T. 1-39 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and noted "faint, very much elongated."  His position was poor -- 30 second of RA too small and 9' too far north.  NGC 4216, the next nebula in the sweep, also has a poor position.

Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered NGC 4206 in 1877 (as well as NGC 4222) while observing NGC 4216 and measured accurate positions, though he was unsure if they applied to H. II-165 and II-109. Arnold Schwassmann found the galaxy again on two Heidelberg plates taken with a 6" astrograph (measured on 16 Nov 1900) of the Virgo/Coma cluster and reported Sn. 230 (later IC 3064) as new.  His position matches NGC 4206, so this galaxy also carries the designation IC 3064.
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NGC 4207 = UGC 7268 = MCG +02-31-069 = CGCG 069-107 = PGC 39206
12 15 30.4  +09 35 07; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 124°

17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core.  A mag 13.5 star at the WNW end 1.2' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4207 on 23 Mar 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 3 nights. matches UGC 7268 and he accurately placed the nearby mag 13.5 star as preceding by 5 seconds of time.
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NGC 4208 = NGC 4212 = UGC 7275 = MCG +02-31-070 = CGCG 069-110 = PGC 39224
12 15 39.3  +13 54 05; Com

See observing notes for NGC 4212.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4208 = H. II-107 = h1142 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and simply noted as "pL".  Caroline's reduced position is 5' north of NGC 4212 = UGC 7275.  Dreyer commented in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that for H. II-107 and II-108, "there is only one nebula here (NGC 4212)...We may assume that Herschel, after observing the star [6 Comae], again moved the telescope 1° south and took the nebula a second time without noticing it was the same object."

Strangely, John Herschel also recorded this galaxy twice (h1142 and h1144) on two nights and thought they were different objects because of his different positions and descriptions!  So, H. II-107 = H. II-108 = h1142 = h1144 = NGC 4208 = NGC 4212.  Édouard Stephan also made observations on 30 Apr 1878 and 25 Mar 1879, perhaps looking for two objects. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4209
12 15 30  +28 31; Com

= Not found, Carlson.  = NGC 4185?, Corwin.  = *, Steinicke

William Herschel discovered NGC 4209 = H. II-375 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pS."  Dreyer notes in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that John Herschel, d'Arrest and Bigourdan were unable to find this object.  With respect to NGC 4196, the previous object in the sweep, Herschel placed II-375 1 min 18 sec foll and 2' N, but there is no object at that position.  This sweep was Herschel's most productive -- with 74 discoveries.  NGC 4209 is the only catalogued object that cannot be identified with a galaxy.

In an email correspondence (Jul 15 1998) Harold Corwin commented: I've been unable to find NGC 4209. I thought it might be a reobservation of NGC 4185, but both were found by WH on the same night. It is still not a completely impossible identity (e.g. N4208 = N4212, another nebula seen twice within a single sweep), but the chances are against it. I don't see any object aside from N4185 (just over 2 arcmin west) at any reasonable systematic offset (e.g. +- 1 deg, +-10 min, etc) from WH's position. 

Wolfgang assigns the number to a star 2' SSW of WH's position. That is certainly possible, but I'd be happier with it if WH had left us a description more complete than "F, pS".
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NGC 4210 = UGC 7264 = MCG +11-15-039 = CGCG 315-028 = PGC 39184
12 15 15.9  +65 59 07; Dra
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 105°

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.8'x1.4'.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' off the WNW edge.  Located 11' SE of mag 6.7 SAO 62870.  NGC 4221 lies 16' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4210 = H. III-850 = h1143 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and noted "vF, pS."  John Herschel recorded (single observation) "Not vF; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 30"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4211 = Arp 106 NED1 = VV 199a = UGC 7277 = MCG +05-29-042 = CGCG 158-053n = KPG 327A = PGC 39221 = PGC 39297
12 15 35.8  +28 10 39; Com
V = 14.1;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 105°

24" (5/30/16): NGC 4211 is an interacting system (Arp 106) oriented NW-SE (separation 35"), with the brighter component (VV 196a) on the northwest side.  At 225x it appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, round, 24" diameter, increases rapidly to a very small brighter core and stellar nucleus.  The fainter southeast component (NGC 4211A = VV 196b) is faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 15"x10", slightly concentration at the center.  The tidal tail to the south was not seen.  Situated 9' NW of mag 8.2 HD 106678.

UGC 7287 lies 8' SE.  It appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 24"x18", low even surface brightness.

18" (4/5/03): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter.  This is a double, interacting system (Arp 106) with a small, faint companion 0.55' SE.  At 300x, the companion (VV 196b) appeared extremely faint and small (0.2' diameter) and just resolved from NGC 4211. A mag 12.4 star lies 2.8' NE.  Third of three with NGC 4196 and NGC 4185 20' NW and  35' NW, respectively.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4211 = St. 11-18 on 5 Apr 1878.  His published position (list 11, #18) was reduced on 30 Apr 1881 and is accurate.
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NGC 4212 = NGC 4208 = UGC 7275 = MCG +02-31-070 = CGCG 069-110 = PGC 39224
12 15 39.3  +13 54 05; Com
V = 11.2;  Size 3.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 75°

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly bright, fairly large, 2.2'x1.4' oriented WSW-ENE.  Moderate concentration to a large bright core which appears mottled.  The nucleus is not well defined although the core is broadly concentrated and at times a stellar center was glimpsed.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' S. IC 3061 lies 11' NW.  Poor transparency due to smoke.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4212 = H. II-108 = h1144 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted  "mE, resolvable."  His position (Caroline's reduction) was 6.5' too far northeast.  He apparently also recorded it as the previous object "pL" in the sweep.  John Herschel also recorded this galaxy twice (h1142 = h1144) on different nights.  See notes for NGC 4208.

The Lord Rosse observation on 8 Mar 1856 (by R.J. Mitchell) reads "Irregular shaped neb with ncl excentric and some sort of knot or appendage following.  Possibly another knot in preceding end.  The former one is likely connected with the neb forming a sprial arm."  The same month he logged "Much better seen.  There are 4 knots or stars in the neb besides the bright patch south-following."
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NGC 4213 = UGC 7276 = MCG +04-29-054 = CGCG 128-065 = AWM 2-1 = PGC 39223
12 15 37.6  +23 58 55; Com
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 67°

24" (4/1/24): at 327x; moderately to fairly bright, oval 4:3, ~1' diameter, well concentrated with a bright core and a low surface brightness halo.  Brightest in a group (AWM 2) with IC 772 5' WSW.  5th-magnitude 7 Comae is 10' ESE (placed outside the field).

17.5" (4/17/88): faint, fairly small, round, gradually brighter halo, small bright core.  Located 9.9' WNW of 7 Comae Berenices (V = 4.9) which detracts from viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4213 = H. II-354 = h1145 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, vS."  About 45 seconds later, 4.9-magnitude 7 Comae was recorded in the sweep.
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NGC 4214 = NGC 4228 = UGC 7278 = MCG +06-27-042 = CGCG 187-032 = PGC 39225
12 15 38.9  +36 19 50; CVn
V = 09.8;  Size 8.5'x6.6';  Surf Br = 14.0

48" (5/9/21): NGC 4214 is a nearby (9.5 million l.y.) dwarf starburst galaxy with a bright central starburst/emission complex (surrounded by fainter knots) that is very rich in Wolf-Rayet and O-type stars.  Overall, the galaxy is large and very bright, with an irregular structure and appeared very mottled/knotty, particularly in the central region, which tapers to the SE.  The halo extends roughly 5' and seems more extensive on the NW side.

The view was fascinating at 488x.  At the center is a bright stellar nucleus (starburst/super star cluster NGC 4214-IA) that could easily be mistaken for a superposed star.  Immediately SE of the nucleus [13" separation] is a small knot (region IB).  NGC 4214-II is a very prominent, relatively large HII region, ~0.3' diameter, situated 0.5' SSE of center.  The combination creates a curving central region.  A couple of HII knots are on the NW side: HS 1213+3636B, a fairly faint 15" HII knot, is 1' WNW of center and HS 1213+3636A is a small (6") fainter knot to its N [by 27"].

A 14th mag star is near the  edge of the halo, 2.5' NNW of center.  A fairly faint, small HII knot is 0.5' NW of this star.

13.1" (4/12/86): bright, large, slightly elongated NW-SE, bright core.  There is a strong impression of curvature at the ends of the major axis.  A mag 11 star lies 4.3' SE of center.  Member of the M94 Group (CVn I Cloud).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4214 = H. I-95 = h1146 on 28 Apr 1785 (sweep 404) and recorded "cB, cL.  A blunt parallelogram, faintest towards the edges; from np to sf about 4'; the other way about 3'.  Position not above 15 or 20° from the meridian."  His position is on the northwest side of this Irregular-type galaxy.  The next sweep (1 May) he noted "Can hardly be called a parallelogram for want of corners; but rather irregularly elongated."

John Herschel reported this galaxy as new (h1157) on 27 Apr 1827 and logged,"vF, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 90"."  His RA, though, was 1 minute too large and he didn't make the connection with his father's H. I 95, so Dreyer later catalogued this entry as NGC 4228.  So NGC 4214 = NGC 4228.

JH reobserved the galaxy 4 years later on 11 Mar 1831 and logged "B, L, gradually brighter in the middle, 50", has a double nucleus very indistinct.  The diagram makes it a double neb, the two running together. See fig 71."  The second "nucleus" is a bright HII complex southeast of the core.  At Birr Castle it was also noted in 1856, "Irreg shaped neb with Nucleus excentric and some sort of knot or appendage following.  Possibly another faint knot in preceding end."  Two weeks later, "Much better seen.  There are 4 knots of stars in the neb besides the bright patch south-following."  Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for this knot in 1893 at Strasbourg.  
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NGC 4215 = UGC 7281 = MCG +01-31-031 = CGCG 041-055 = PGC 39251
12 15 54.5  +06 24 04; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 174°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, moderately large, pretty system very elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4215 = H. II-135 = h1147 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "S, E, pBM."  John Herschel made three observations, recording on sweep 250 "vB; mE; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 11m."
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NGC 4216 = UGC 7284 = MCG +02-31-072 = CGCG 069-112 = Holm 353a = PGC 39246
12 15 54.2  +13 08 59; Vir
V = 10.0;  Size 8.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 19°

48" (4/27/22): extremely bright and large spiral, ~8:1 SSW-NNE.  Very strong concentration with a prominent elongated core that increases to an intensely bright nucleus. An irregular dust lane runs along the eastern flank and creates the odd effect of impinging on the core and pinching it in. A very faint strip (spiral arm) dimly glows beyond the lane. A mag 14.5-15 star is at the eastern edge, just beyond the dust lane. The western edge is sharply defined along the entire length and the south end of the galaxy brightens a bit near the tip. CGCG 069-113 is situated 4' N of center and IC 771 is 10' WNW.

18" (6/17/06): very bright, very large, extremely thin edge-on 8:1 SSW-NNE, 7'x0.9'.  Sharply concentrated with a striking high surface brightness core with dimensions ~0.9'x0.3', which dominates the extensions.  A mag 14 star is just following the core.  A dust lane appears to run along the eastern edge of the galaxy, mostly evident by a sharp light cut off along this edge.  Brightest of three edge-ons in the field with NGC 4206 and NGC 4222!

17.5" (1/23/88): very bright, very large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, small very bright core.  A mag 14 star is close east of the core.  This is a striking galaxy and is the second of three edge-on galaxies in the same field with NGC 4206 11' SW and NGC 4222 12' NE in Coma Berenices!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4216 = H. I-35 = h1148, along with NGC 4206, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199). He described this edge-on as "very much elongated, very bright in the middle and the brightness also elongated.  The whole not less than 9 or 10' long."  John Herschel made 5 observations, the earliest on 10 and 11 Apr 1825 (sweeps 2 and 3).  On sweep 3 he logged, "A very remarkable long ray, extended 70° nf to sp, 1/2 field in length [7 1/2'], suddenly much brighter middle.  It has a star nf of center."

On 23 Apr 1860, Birr Castle assistant Samuel Hunter recorded "a fine E neb, very brighter middle like a globular cluster (I think too it is resolvable?), small star following nucl, where I also think there is very dilute nebulosity, parallel to neb [beyond the dust lane].  The neb is either twisted at n end in p direction or it has a faint companion there?  Dark space around centre?  perhaps only the contrast of the bright centre.  15' long."  The possible nebula Hunter mentions to the north is likely CGCG 069-113.
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NGC 4217 = UGC 7282 = MCG +08-22-087 = CGCG 243-053 = Holm 354a = LGG 258-026 = PGC 39241
12 15 50.9  +47 05 30; CVn
V = 11.2;  Size 5.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 50°

48" (4/23/17): bright, very large, striking edge-on ~4.5'x1.0' SW-NE, large bright core that bulges near the center but no distinct nucleus.  The galaxy is bisected by a beautiful, relatively wide dust lane that slices through the entire length of the galaxy, only losing contrast at the very tips!  The brightest portion, including the core, is on the north side (northwest facing) of the dust lane.  The cut off section of the galaxy on the south side (southeast facing) of the the dust lane is fairly thin and low surface brightness, though slightly brighter at the center/core.  A mag 14.8 star is at the southwest tip of the galaxy. A mag 11.6 star is at the edge of the halo on the north side [50" from center] and a 9th magnitude star is 2.3' NNE of center.  The galaxy is situated 6' E of mag 7.2 HD 106556, though this star was kept outside the field.  NGC 4226 lies 7' SE.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258. Viewed in windy conditions.

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, pretty edge-on 4:1 SW-NE.  A mag 9 star is off the NE edge 2.2' from the center and a mag 11.5 star is just north of the core 0.8' from center.  Located 6.2' E of mag 7.3 SAO 44092.  Forms a pair with NGC 4226 7' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4217 = H. II-748 = h1149 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and recorded "pB, pL, sp and in a line with two stars."  John Herschel made 5 observations and logged (sweep 255) "pB, vmE in pos = 225° by measure; 5' long, 1' br; 2 stars near and a large star preceding."  On 15 Mar 1849, George Johnstone Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) described it as a "Ray with split [dark lane] in the direction of the major axis".
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NGC 4218 = UGC 7283 = MCG +08-22-088 = CGCG 243-054 = PGC 39237
12 15 46.3  +48 07 53; CVn
V = 12.5;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 142°

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Located 2.6' NW of mag 8.3 SAO 44096.  NGC 4220 lies 16' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4218 = H. III-718 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "vF, vS."  d'Arrest measured an accurate position as well as noting the mag 9-10 star that follows by 15 sec and 55" south.
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NGC 4219 = ESO 267-037 = MCG -07-25-005 = PGC 39315
12 16 27.3  -43 19 26; Cen
V = 11.9;  Size 4.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 36°

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 220x appeared bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, broad concentration but no distinct core, ~2.5'x1'.  Direct vision revealed a very faint stellar nucleus.  The arms (extensions) dim towards the ends and seem irregular in surface brightness (DSS shows an irregular, knotty appearance).  NGC 4219A lies 21' SE.

At 220x, NGC 4219A appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.35', weak concentration, irregular surface brightness.  Situated in a group of stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4219 = h3385 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; pmE; very gradually brighter middle; 2' l, 45" br.  His position (measured on 4 nights) and description matches ESO 267-037.
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NGC 4220 = UGC 7290 = MCG +08-22-089 = CGCG 243-055 = LGG 258-027 = PGC 39285
12 16 11.7  +47 53 00; CVn
V = 11.4;  Size 3.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 141°

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, brighter core, stellar nucleus.  Located 12' S of mag 8.3 SAO 44096.  NGC 4218 lies 15' NNW.  Member of the M109 (NGC 3992) group = LGG 258.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4220 = H. I-209 = h1151 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "cB, cL."  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; pmE in pos 314.4°; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle. (Foggy)"  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4221 = UGC 7288 = MCG +11-15-040 = CGCG 315-029 = PGC 39266
12 15 59.9  +66 13 51; Dra
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 25°

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, prominent core, stellar nucleus at moments, very faint larger halo slightly elongated SSW-NNE extends with averted to 1.5'-2.0'.  NGC 4210 lies 16' SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4221 = h1150 on 3 Apr 1832 and recorded "pB; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"." His single position is accurate.  William Herschel recorded the nearby star mag 6.7 HD 106381 (14' to the southeast) on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954), but missed the galaxy.
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NGC 4222 = UGC 7291 = MCG +02-31-075 = CGCG 069-119 = FGC 1396 = Holm 353c = PGC 39308
12 16 23.0  +13 18 29; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 3.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 56°

17.5" (1/23/88): faint, moderately large, very thin edge-on SW-NE.  A mag 15 star is at the east end.  Located 5' W of mag 8.7 SAO 100016.  This is the third of three edge-ons with NGC 4206 23' SW and NGC 4216 12' SW in Virgo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4222 = H. II-109 = T. 1-40 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and simply noted "resolvable".  This is an odd description for a thin edge-on, but the moon was up and probably affected the observation.  Dreyer commented in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that the observation was probably rushed as the polar distance is 20' too far south, though Caroline's derived position is only 10' to the south.  In any case, Wilhelm Tempel corrected the position in his first discovery paper and in his 5th paper provided an offset from NGC 4216.  Herschel didn't pick up the brighter nearby edge-ons, NGC 4206 and NGC 4216, until 10 days later (sweep 199)

CGCG, UGC, MCG and PGC incorrectly equate IC 3087 (from Schwassmann) with NGC 4222.  IC 3087 refers to two stars to the SE of the galaxy.
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NGC 4223 = IC 3102 = UGC 7319 = MCG +01-31-038 = CGCG 041-0653 = LGG 278-004 = PGC 39412
12 17 25.8  +06 41 24; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 128°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core, larger faint extensions with averted.  Located 5' N of mag 7.9 SAO 119308.

The galaxy described above is misidentified as NGC 4241 in modern catalogues. It forms a pair with IC 3115 (the "real" NGC 4241) 8' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4223 = H. II-137 = h1152 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and simply noted "r[esolvable]."  Although he was probably rushed (the nearby entries in the sweep were rapidly found), his position is just 2' north of UGC 7319. He reobserved the field on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and his RA was 20 seconds of time too large, but he also discovered H. III-480 = UGC 7333, which was missed on the earlier sweep.  

John Herschel made two observations of H. II-137 and one of H. III-480.  On 4 Apr 1830 (sweep 250) he recorded "vF; very gradually brighter middle; a *7m to south".  The description and position clearly points to II-137 = NGC 4223, but he calls it H. III-480.  He made a second observation on 24 Apr 1830 (sweep 254), recording both H. II-137 and H. III-480, and here's where the problem occurs.  He catalogued the preceding object as h1152 = H. II-137, but the position is about 1 tmin too far west.  He noted, though, that the position was only estimated from III-480.  Unfortunately, his position for the eastern galaxy (H. III-480) happens to be a close match (1.4' south) with H. II-137.  The result is that JH's entry in the Slough catalogue for NGC 4241 = h1165 = H. III-480 contains two observations -- one for II-137 and one for III-480, with a position matching H. II-137.  Furthermore, his entry for h1152 = NGC 4223 = II-137 points to a blank part of the sky, 1 tmin of RA west of H. II-137.  In the NGC notes, Dreyer mentions NGC 4223 was not found by d'Arrest, obviously because of the poor position.

The two galaxies were later picked up by Arnold Schwassmann in 1899 on a Heidelberg plate, placed accurately, and catalogued as IC 3102 (brighter west-northwest galaxy) and IC 3115 (fainter east-southeast galaxy).  Modern catalogues generally identify the brighter galaxy as NGC 4241 = H. II-137 and the fainter galaxy as IC 3115 = H. III-480, leaving NGC 4223 = h1152 without an identification.  Dreyer recommended "h1152 (rough place only) is to be struck out" in his notes to "Scientific Papers of William Herschel".

But, Harold Corwin argues that since WH and John Herschel observed both galaxies, the correct assignment should be NGC 4223 = H. II-137 = h1152 = h1165 (sweep 250) = IC 3102 and NGC 4241 = H. III-480 = h1165 (sweep 254) = IC 3115.  This changes, though, the long-standing identification of NGC 4241 as the brighter western galaxy.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4224 = UGC 7292 = MCG +01-31-034 = CGCG 041-060 = PGC 39328
12 16 33.8  +07 27 42; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 2.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 57°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4233 13' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4224 = H. II-136 = h1153 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged "F, S, iF, r."  His position matches UGC 7292.  John Herschel made two observation and noted on sweep 251 "pB; pL; little extended; gradually brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4225 = MCG -02-31-027 = PGC 39337
12 16 38.4  -12 19 40; Crv
V = 14.0;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 60°

18" (5/28/06): faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter.  Located 1.6' N of a mag 10 star.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4225 = h1154 on 9 Mar 1828 and recorded "F; eS; R; 5"; has a * 8m 80° sf, dist 60"."  His position is 1' too far north and the bright star is 1.6' distant.
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NGC 4226 = UGC 7297 = MCG +08-22-090 = CGCG 243-057 = Holm 354b = PGC 39312
12 16 26.3  +47 01 31; CVn
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 127°

13.1": faint, small, elongated NW-SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4217 7' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4226 = h1155 on 19 Mar 1828 and recorded "F; S; little extended; the second of 2 in field [with NGC 4217]."
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NGC 4227 = UGC 7296 = MCG +06-27-043 = CGCG 187-033 = Holm 355a = PGC 39329
12 16 33.7  +33 31 19; CVn
V = 12.7;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 70°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, small, strong bright core.  A mag 15 star is 0.9' NE of center.  Forms the brighter of a pair with NGC 4229 2.6' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4227 = H. II-518 = h1156, along with NGC 4229, on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508).  He recorded them together as "Two, both extremely faint, very small.  The preceding [NGC 4227] is the largest, about 3 or 4' distance from each other."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 11 Mar 1828 (sweep 131), "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; the south preceding of 2 [with NGC 4228]"
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NGC 4228 = NGC 4214 = UGC 7278 = MCG +06-27-042 = CGCG 187-032 = PGC 39225
12 15 38.9  +36 19 50; CVn

See observing notes for NGC 4214

John Herschel found NGC 4228 = h1157 on 27 Apr 1827 and recorded "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"."  There is nothing at his position and d'Arrest could not find this object.  Karl Reinmuth questioned if NGC 4228 = NGC 4214 and this is probably the case as Herschel's position is exactly 1.0 minute of RA too large and the description applies.  The primary designation should be NGC 4214.
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NGC 4229 = UGC 7299 = MCG +06-27-044 = CGCG 187-034 = Holm 355b = PGC 39341
12 16 38.8  +33 33 39; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 3°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core, fairly faint stellar nucleus.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 4227 2.6' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4229 = H. II-519 = h1158, along with NGC 4227, on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508). They were recorded together as "Two, both extremely faint, very small.  The preceding [NGC 4227] is the largest, about 3 or 4' distance from each other."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 11 Mar 1828 (sweep 131), "F; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 65° nf the neb [NGC 4227]."
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NGC 4230
12 17 09  -55 17 12; Cen
Size 6'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x and 178x): roughly 40 stars are resolved in a 7'x5' region (the outline is pretty arbitrary), roughly elongated SW-NE.  Appears as an unimpressive asterism with no rich subgroups.  A mag 11.5/13 pair at 13" separation is southwest of center with several mag 13-14.5 stars to its northeast.  A mag 12 star 2' SW and a mag 11 star 4' SW of the central pair are all collinear.  Located 18' SW of mag 5 Delta Crucis.

Note the group of stars described here is 12' S of ESO 171-SC14, the cluster identified as NGC 4230 in most sources including SIMBAD and ESO.  ESO 171-SC14 is a cluster of roughly two dozen mag 13-14 stars in a 3' region just southeast of mag 8.4 HD 106826.  A couple of mag 11 stars are 2' E and 3.5' NE of the mag 8.4 star, but these are detached.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4230 = h3386 on 5 Apr 1837 and described a "Cluster class VI.  F; pL; irreg; 6'; resolved into stars 13, 14, 15m.  Place of a * 12m, chief and near the middle of cluster."  At his position is an unimpressive 5' group of star that is likely an asterism, with the brightest star 12th magnitude.  This is the "cluster" identified by Harold Corwin as NGC 4230.  Corwin notes that ESO (and SIMBAD) misidentify  ESO 171-SC14 as NGC 4230.  This group of stars is scattered southeast of a mag 8 star -- too bright not to have been mentioned by JH.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more on this number.
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NGC 4231 = UGC 7304 = MCG +08-22-094 = CGCG 243-060 = Holm 356a = PGC 39354
12 16 48.9  +47 27 27; CVn
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.4

13.1" (4/12/86): faint, small, round.  Forms a very similar close pair with NGC 4232 1.1' S!  NGC 4248 lies 10' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4231 = H. III-719, along with NGC 4232, on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and recorded both as "Two both vF, vS, from north to south about 1' distance."  Caroline's reduction is 20 sec of time following this pair.
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NGC 4232 = UGC 7303 = MCG +08-22-093 = CGCG 243-059 = Holm 356b = PGC 39353
12 16 49.0  +47 26 20; CVn
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 155°

13.1" (4/12/86): faint, small, almost round.  This galaxy is a close twin in brightness and size to NGC 4231 located just 1.2' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4232 = H. III-720, along with NGC 4231, on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and recorded both as "Two both vF, vS, from north to south about 1' distance."
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NGC 4233 = UGC 7311 = MCG +01-31-037 = CGCG 041-063 = PGC 39384
12 17 07.6  +07 37 26; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 2.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 174°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, bright core, high surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4224 13' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4233 = H. II-496 = h1161 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and simply noted "F".  Despite the sparse description, his position falls on the north side of the galaxy.  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle to a small nucleus; 20"."
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NGC 4234 = UGC 7309 = MCG +01-31-035 = CGCG 041-061 = Holm 358a = PGC 39388
12 17 09.0  +03 40 58; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4234 = h1160 on 7 Apr 1828 and recorded "pB; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"."  His single position matches UGC 7309.
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NGC 4235 = IC 3098 = UGC 7310 = MCG +01-31-036 = CGCG 041-062 = Holm 359a = PGC 39389
12 17 09.8  +07 11 28; Vir
V = 11.6;  Size 4.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 48°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, fairly large, almost edge-on SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo.  Cradled along the north side by three mag 12-13 stars 2.2' NW, 1.8' N and 3.0' ENE of center.  NGC 4246 lies 12' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4235 = H. II-17 = h1159 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 104) and recorded a "longish nebula, not cometic."  On 24 Apr 1830 (sweep 253), John Herschel called it "vB; pmE; very suddenly brighter in the middle; among small stars."

Schwassmann found it again on a plate taken with the 6" astrograph at the Königstuhl Observatory on 30 Oct 1899. He listed it as new (Sn. 5), missing the earlier NGC identity, so it also carries the designation IC 3098.
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NGC 4236 = UGC 7306 = MCG +12-12-004 = CGCG 335-008 = Holm 357a = LGG 176-005 = PGC 39346
12 16 43.5  +69 27 34; Dra
V = 9.6;  Size 21.9'x7.2';  Surf Br = 15.0;  PA = 162°

48" (5/9/21): NGC 4236 was huge, very elongated, irregular and full of patches. At 375x, it sprawled NNW-SSE across the entire 16' field (extending beyond 16'x4') using a 13mm Ethos.  The galaxy had a tattered appearance, with multiple knots near both the N and S end. The bar formed a fairly conspicuous brighter spine about 5' in length. A fainter star is close to the geometric center and a very weak enhancement is 1' SSE (possibly the core).

Several HII knots are on the south side of the galaxy. The brightest HII region is VII Zw 446 = NGC 4236:[HK83] #3 (from the Hodge-Kennicutt atlas of HII regions), ~4.5' SSE of center.  It appeared bright, high surface brightness, ~12" diameter.  [HK83] #2 is 0.5' NNE (fairly faint, ~8" diameter") and [HK83] #4 is 0.7' WNW (only occasionally popped).  Finally, #6 is 1.6' W (fairly faint, easily visible, only 6" diameter).

Another HII complex is 4' NNW of center.  The two brightest condensations are [HK 83] #15 and #16, which form a 25" E-W pair, and extend ~0.2' and 0.3', respectively. The outer extensions of the galaxy have a very low surface brightness.

18" (4/26/08): this huge, low surface brightness galaxy extends roughly 12'x3', oriented NNW-SSE.  There is only a very weak central brightening with no obvious core.  A very faint star appears to be superimposed near the geometric center and just to the south is a slightly elongated brightening (possibly the core).

Another brighter region is near the north end of the galaxy.  This patch seems elongated at 45° to the major axis, appearing to extend out to the west of the main glow on the north end.  Images reveal this is a gigantic HII complex and is catalogued in the Hodge-Kennicutt Atlas of HII regions (1983AJ, 88, 296) as NGC 4236:[HK83] 15, 16 and 17.

The south end is also splotchy and at the very south tip were two very faint "stars" oriented SW-NE that seemed slightly fuzzy (probably small HII knots).  The first is also known as VII Zw 446, assumed by Zwicky to be a "blue patchy compact [galaxy]."

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, extremely large, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE.  Appears as a ghostly streak about 20' length with only a broad, weak concentration!  Best at low power due to size and low surface brightness.

13.1" (5/27/84): faint, very large, very elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  In a field with five mag 8-9 stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4236 = H. V-51 = h1163 on 6 Apr 1793 (sweep 1036) and recorded "very faint, much extended, little brighter middle, about 25' long, and losing itself imperceptibly, about 6 or 7' broad, from about 70° np to sf."  His position, measured again on the next sweep, is accurate.  John Herschel reported, "immensely large; vF; mE; very gradually brighter middle; it fills more than a field, but is hardly distinguishable.  Hazy."  He incorrectly identified his h1163 as H. V-17 (instead of H. V-51) in the Slough Catalogue.

Francis Pease (based on a 60" plate taken in 1913): "It is an irregular cloud of nebulous stars and nebulous haze roughly scattered about a region 15' x 5', p=160°. The strongest parts are a mixed group in the Np corner [H II regions] and a wisp extending from the N end a little to the E of southward for about 7' [spiral arm?]."
Heber Curtis (Crossley 36" reflector, 1918): "Very faint; 10' to 12' long by about 2' broad; p.a. 165°. A few faint condensations, but no discernible nucleus. Quite irregular; probably an S-shaped spiral seen nearly edgewise."
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NGC 4237 = UGC 7315 = MCG +03-31-091 = CGCG 098-130 = PGC 39393
12 17 11.4  +15 19 26; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 2.1'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 108°

17.5" (4/25/98): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0'.  Moderate concentration to a 30" irregular core which appears mottled.  Located 15' NE of mag 6.3 SAO 100023.  Poor transparency due to smoke.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4237 = H. II-11 = h1162 on 30 Dec 1783 (sweep 73) and recorded "another nebula [besides M98] about full 1/2° nf 6 Coma Ber.  pL, very feeble, almost round, but not cometic.  It is not a Messier, for being too feeble it could not be seen by an achromatic of 3 1/2 ft, which I suppose is the maximum of his light."  No offsets in time and PD were measured, but the offset from 6 Com matches this galaxy.

John Herschel logged "B; L; little extended; very gradually brighter middle" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4238 = UGC 7308 = MCG +11-15-041 = CGCG 315-031 = PGC 39366
12 16 55.8  +63 24 37; Dra
V = 13.6;  Size 1.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 36°

17.5" (4/15/93): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.5', low even surface brightness, no central concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4238 = H. III-851 = h1164 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "eF, S, iF."  His position is 3.6' too far north.  John Herschel recorded "vF; not vS; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 15"-20"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4239 = UGC 7316 = MCG +03-31-092 = CGCG 098-129 = PGC 39398
12 17 14.9  +16 31 53; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 120°

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.9'x0.6', weak concentration.  Easy to locate as situated between two mag 10.5 stars 2.9' WSW and 2.1' NE.

Carl Frederick Pechüle discovered NGC 4239 in 1884 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory. His position is 1.6' south of UGC 7316.
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NGC 4240 = NGC 4243 = MCG -02-31-029 = PGC 39411
12 17 24.4  -09 57 06; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter.  Contains a very small bright core ~10" diameter which increases to a bright substellar nucleus. Located just east of a mag 13 star (24" from the center).

18" (3/13/04): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, strongly concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star is barely off the west edge.  Observation made through thin clouds.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4240 = T. 1-41 = T. 5-15 on 20 May 1875.  His micrometric position and description in his 5th discovery paper (mag 12 star 1/2' southwest) is accurate.

Andrew Ainslie Common found the galaxy again in 1880, assumed it was new and recorded it as #25 in his Copernicus discovery list.  He noted "Like a pair of stars 90°; the f one is a nebulous star."  His RA is 11 sec too large (estimated positions using setting circles) and his description is a perfect match.  Dreyer, who edited the journal Copernicus, added a footnote that Common's #25 was identical to Tempel's nebula.

Finally, Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy again on 27 Apr 1886 and described it in list III-62 as "pB; eS; pB * nr p; Looks a first like a double star.  Curious object."  There is nothing at his position but 1.4 degrees due north is the same galaxy found by Tempel and Common, and his description fits (very similar to Common's!).  Dreyer assumed Swift's object was new and catalogued it as NGC 4243.  So, NGC 4240 = NGC 4243.
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NGC 4241 = IC 3115 = UGC 7333 = VV 431 = MCG +01-31-040 = CGCG 041-069 = PGC 39483
12 17 59.8  +06 39 16; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 164°

17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint, oval, very low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4223 8' WNW.  This galaxy is identified as IC 3115 in modern catalogues and the brighter, western galaxy is usually catalogued as NGC 4241.  My identification (NGC 4241 = IC 3115 = UGC 7333) follows the historical record.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4241 = H. III-480 = h1165 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and recorded "vF, L. Would not have been seen if it had not been for the preceding [H II-137 = UGC 7319].  His position is just 1' from UGC 7333 = PGC 39483.  John Herschel made a single observation on 24 Apr 1830 (sweep 254) and simply recorded "vF."  Unfortunately, his position was poor, and lands very close to UGC 7319, causing much confusion in modern catalogues.

Arnold Schwassmann found both galaxies on a Heidelberg plate of the Virgo region in 1899 and measured accurate positions.  Schwassmann assumed they were new and Dreyer recatalogued the pair as IC 3102 and IC 3115.  So, NGC 4241 = IC 3115 = UGC 7333 and NGC 4223 = IC 3102 = UGC 7319.  Modern catalogues, though, identify UGC 7319 as NGC 4241 and UGC 7333 as IC 3115.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes on NGC 4223 for the full story.
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NGC 4242 = UGC 7323 = MCG +08-22-098 = CGCG 243-061 = PGC 39423
12 17 30.1  +45 37 08; CVn
V = 10.8;  Size 5.0'x3.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 25°

13.1" (4/12/86): very large but very diffuse, 4' diameter, broad weak concentration, large core appears offset to the west, almost round.  A mag 11.5 star lies 3.2' E of center and a faint mag 14 star is at the south edge 2.0' from center.    Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4242 = H. III-725 = h1166 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and recorded "eF, cL, bM, iR."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 256), "F; vL; R: very gradually brighter middle; diam in RA = 15s of time."
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NGC 4243 = NGC 4240 = MCG -02-31-029 = PGC 39411
12 17 24.4  -09 57 06; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4240.

Lewis Swift found NGC 4243 = Sw. 3-62 on 27 Apr 1886 and described "pB; eS; pB * near preceding; Looks at first like a double star.  Curious object."  There is nothing near his position, although the description implies a relatively bright galaxy.

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 4240, located 1° 21" due north of Swift's position, as the most likely object.  Swift's "pB* close p" applies to a mag 13 star 25" southwest of center.  NGC 4240 was discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1875.
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NGC 4244 = UGC 7322 = MCG +06-27-045 = CGCG 187-035 = FGC 1402 = PGC 39422 = Silver Needle Galaxy
12 17 29.4  +37 48 24; CVn
V = 10.4;  Size 16.6'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 48°

18" (6/4/05): beautiful, extremely large ray extends at least 3/4 across the 20' field, ~15'x1' SW-NE.  The galaxy is broadly concentrated without a well-defined core or nucleus and it bulges only very slightly at the center.  The surface brightness is fairly low and only varies gradually over the entire length, though it has a grainy texture.  A mag 13.5 star is near the NE end.  Member of the M94 Group (CVn I Cloud).

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly bright, extremely large edge-on about 10:1 SW-NE.  Extends to 15' diameter (fades at the ends of the extensions).  Appears as a narrow ray with only a weakly concentrated core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4244 = H. V-41 = h1167 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714).  He recorded "considerably or very bright, very gradually brighter middle, 18 or 20' long, about 2' broad, from about 60 degrees sp to nf."  NGC 4244 is one of William Herschel's flattest edge-on discoveries (axial ratio ~9:1)
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NGC 4245 = UGC 7328 = MCG +05-29-049 = CGCG 158-059 = PGC 39437
12 17 36.8  +29 36 29; Com
V = 11.4;  Size 2.9'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly bright, elongated ~4:3 NW-SE, 1.5'x1.1', strong concentration with a prominent roundish core.  The core steadily increases to a stellar nucleus with direct vision.  A string of mag 11 stars from the SW leads to the galaxy.  Located 29' W of NGC 274 and 40' N of double star O∑ 245 = 5.7/9.8 at 9".  Observed in poor transparency.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4245 = H. I-74 = h1168 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "cB, R, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made 3 observations and first logged "vB; R; suddenly brighter middle; 60"."
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NGC 4246 = IC 3113 = UGC 7334 = MCG +01-31-041 = CGCG 041-070 = Holm 359b = PGC 39479
12 17 58.1  +07 11 08; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 2.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 83°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, very low surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the east edge 2.0' NE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4247 5.4' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4246 = H. III-91 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and recorded "Two, the first [NGC 4235] mE.  The second [NGC 4246] eF."  His position is 4' south of UGC 7334.

Arnold Schwassmann found the galaxy again on 30 Oct 1899 using the 6-inch astrographic refractor at Heidelberg and measured an accurate position.  Schwassmann and Dreyer assumed it was new and it was catalogued again as IC 3113.
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NGC 4247 = MCG +01-31-042 = CGCG 041-071 = Holm 359c = PGC 39480
12 17 58.0  +07 16 26; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, very small, round, weak concentration, low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4246 5.4' S.

George Searle discovered NGC 4247 = HN 35 on 25 Feb 1868 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor at the Harvard Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #265).  His offset from GC 2821 = NGC 4235 is just 4 sec of time preceding and 1' north of MCG +01-31-042.
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NGC 4248 = UGC 7335 = MCG +08-22-099 = CGCG 243-064 = CGCG 244-001 = Holm 363b = LGG 290-020 = PGC 39461
12 17 50.4  +47 24 31; CVn
V = 12.5;  Size 3.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 108°

13.1" (3/17/86): faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, moderately large, 1.5'x0.5'.  A mag 14.5 is at the NW edge.  Located 10' W of NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 and 13' NW of M106. Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4248 = H. II-742 = h1169 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and recorded "F, S, E."  Caroline's reduction is 17 sec of RA following UGC 7335.  John Herschel made two observations and called it "vF; pmE; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4249 = MCG +01-31-039 = CGCG 041-068 = PGC 39481
12 17 59.4  +05 35 55; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.2

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration to the center.  NGC 4252 lies 8.2' ESE and CGCG 041-072 ("very faint, round, 12" diameter, low surface brightness") is 5.5' NNE.  

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4252 7' ESE.  Located at the west edge of the large NGC 4261 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4249 = m 234 on 26 May 1864, along with NGCs 4252, 4266, 4282 and 4287.  His position is an exact match with CGCG 041-068 = PGC 39481.
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NGC 4250 = UGC 7329 = MCG +12-12-005 = CGCG 335-009 = VII Zw 447 = PGC 39414
12 17 26.2  +70 48 09; Dra
V = 11.8;  Size 2.7'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 168°

17.5" (5/2/92): moderately bright, small, round, broad concentration with overall high surface brightness.  The halo appears to extend further on the north side of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4250 = H. I-264 = h1170 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037).  He noted "considerably bright, small, bright middle."  His position is 1.0 minute of RA too small.  John Herschel called it "pretty faint; small; round; pretty gradually brighter middle; 15" diameter."

Philip Keenan apparently found NGC 4250 on a Yerkes Observatory plate and assigned it the designation NGC 4250A.  It was included in a list of new nebulae in the 1935 paper "Studies of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, Part I: Determination of Magnitudes" (ApJ, 82, 62).  All objects were assigned NGC + letter designations based on the nearest NGC object on the plate.  He assigned a magnitude of 13.5.
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NGC 4251 = UGC 7338 = MCG +05-29-050 = CGCG 158-060 = PGC 39492
12 18 08.4  +28 10 31; Com
V = 10.7;  Size 3.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 100°

17.5" (5/23/98): bright, moderately large, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, 2.2'x0.8'.  Well concentrated with a roundish prominent core within fainter extensions which dim towards the tips.  At 280x the core contains a substellar nucleus.  A mag 13-13.5 star is 2.9' ESE of center and 9 Com (V = 6.3) follows by 18'.  IC 777 lies 18' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4251 = H. I-89 = h1171 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vB, S, lE."  His position is just off the north side of the galaxy.  John Herschel made 3 observations and noted on sweep 417 "vB; very small & very much brighter middle; has a *6.7 1.5 min (of time) following."
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NGC 4252 = UGC 7343 = MCG +01-31-045 = CGCG 041-076 = PGC 39537
12 18 30.9  +05 33 34; Vir
V = 14.1;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 48°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 42"x14". even surface brightness.  NGC 4249 lies 8' WNW, NGC 4257 is 13' NE and NGC 4266 is 18' E.

17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint, small, edge-on SW-NE, low surface brightness.  Forms a pair with NGC 4249 7' WNW.  Located at the west side of the large NGC 4261 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4252 on 26 May 1864, along with NGCs 4249, 4266, 4282 and 4287.  He noted "F, E." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4253 = UGC 7344 = MCG +05-29-051 = CGCG 158-061 = Mrk 766 = PGC 39525
12 18 26.5  +29 48 46; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly faint, very small, irregularly round, 20" diameter.  Fairly high surface brightness, quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14 star lies 1' N.  Located 22' NW of NGC 474.  Observation in hazy conditions.  Contains a Sy 1 nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4253 = H. III-702 = h1172 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 805) and noted "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 5 sec of time preceding and 2.5' north of UGC 7344.  John Herschel called this galaxy "vF; R; 20".", but did not measure a very accurate position either.
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NGC 4254 = M99 = UGC 7345 = MCG +03-31-099 = CGCG 098-144 = CGCG 099-011 = LGG 285-011 = PGC 39578 = Coma Pinwheel Galaxy
12 18 49.6  +14 24 59; Com
V = 9.9;  Size 5.4'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

48" (4/1/11): stunning view of this showpiece, asymmetric two-armed spiral at 375x. The galaxy is sharply concentrated with a brilliant 1' core that increases to a sharp stellar nucleus. The brighter, more open arm, is attached on the E side of the very bright core.  It unwinds beautifully and expands counterclockwise for ~225°, ending to the NW of center.  A bright, well defined knot is within the arm as it passes S of the core (sketched and later measured 0.9' S of center) with two additional diffuse knots in this arm 1.2' SW and 1.9' W of center.  The arm continues to sweep N on the W side, where it is well separated from the main body.

A second, long sweeping fainter arm is attached on the W side of the core and unfolds counterclockwise towards the NE.  It contains a diffuse knot ~1.2' NNW of center and terminates near an ill-defined knot 2' NE of center.  The halo of the galaxy is more extensive on this side and it contains a prominent knot 1.8' E of center ([HK83] 1).  This knot lies at the end of another more ill-defined arm on the N side of the core heading E that contains additional mottled clumps.

24" (5/24/20): at 225x and 375x; relatively large bright circular core, ~1' diameter, increased to a very bright, small mottled nucleus.  The irregular outer halo extended ~4' diameter. The brighter and larger arm was easily visible; it emerged from the E side of the core and curved counterclockwise to the S of the core and then extended WSW before dimming out.  A very subtle brightening or knot was seen within the arm [50" S of center]. A second arm of much lower contrast began on the W side of the core and headed in the NNE direction for ~1.5' before fading into the halo.  [HK83] 1, a very faint knot, was easily seen with averted in the eastern outer halo, 1.8' ENE of center.  A mag 13.5 star is just outside the halo, 2' ESE of center.

24" (1/31/14): viewed supernova 2014L, which was just discovered on 26 Jan '14.  Nothing was seen at 200x, but bumping up the power to 375x, a very faint "star" (perhaps mag 15.5) was visible just SW of the core.

18" (4/10/04): a fairly prominent arm is attached at the southeast end of the large, bright core and winds along the south side towards the southwest.  This arm is clearly detached from the core with a dark gap between the arm and the core.  The northern arm is ill-defined and appears more like a couple of short "brush-strokes" close north of the core.

17.5" (5/10/86 and 6/6/86): very bright, large, bright core, stellar nucleus.  There is an obvious spiral arm attached at the SE side of the core and winding along the south side towards the west. A dark gap is between the spiral arm and the core along the S and W side.  A second shorter, diffuse arm is visible on the N side. I viewed Type II SN 1986I, discovered on May 17th, just SE of the core.

13.1" (3/24/84 and 4/28/84): bright nuclear region.  A spiral arm is easily visible attached at the SE side of core and winding almost 180° to the west.  Located 10' SW of mag 6.5 HD 10710.

Pierre Méchain discovered M99 = NGC 4254 = h1173 on 15 Mar 1781.  William Herschel first observed M99 on 8 Apr 1784, soon after observing M98: "pretty bright, large, resolvable. Too much moonlight to described it more particularly." He had a better view on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and recorded, "vB, vL, very gradually much brighter middle, and the brightness taking up a great space.  But William never viewed it through the 48" and didn't notice any hints of spiral structure.

William Parsons, the third Earl of Rosse, discovered spiral structure in April of 1846 using the 72" Leviathan of Parsonstown.  The observation was made a full year after the spiral nature of M51 was discovered as LdR's attention was diverted to the Irish potato famine.  M99 was the second confirmed spiral, though a month earlier NGC 2903 was noted as having a "tendency" to an "annular or spiral arrangement".  On 11 Mar 1848, observing assistant William Rambaut described M99 as a "Spiral with a bright star above; a thin portion of the nebula reaches across this star and some distance past it.  Principal spiral at the bottom, and turning towards the right.” Lord Rosse’s outstanding sketch showed at least 4 arms was published in the Philosphical Transactions of 1850 (figure 2), alongside his sketch of M51. A good copy of the sketch is at http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/exo/rosse/index.html.  A bright HII region ([HK83] 1) 1.8' E of center is shown on the sketch as a star. 

William Lassell sketched M99 on 31 Mar 1862 from Malta with his 48-inch and included three principal arms and one or two offshoots .  He noted "Viewed with power 285.  The spiral form is very evident, more so, I think than in any other nebula I have seen."
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NGC 4255 = UGC 7348 = MCG +01-31-047 = CGCG 042-004 = PGC 39592
12 18 56.1  +04 47 11; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 115°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Auguste Voigt discovered NGC 4255 = Voigt 1 on 22 Apr 1865, probably while making an observation of NGC 4257 (discovered 3 years earlier by d'Arrest).  He recorded a fairly accurate position and noted it preceded a mag 11-12 star (modern mag 13.8) by 9 seconds of time.  None of Voigt's discoveries with the 31-inch silver-on-glass Marseilles reflector were published.  Édouard Stephan, who followed Voigt as director, made an observation on 30 Apr 1878, perhaps aware of the earlier discovery.  In any case, he didn't include it in one of his discovery lists.

Christian Peters also found NGC 4255 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory (discovery date unknown) and listed it as a "nova" in the 1881 Copernicus Joiurnal (first list). As Voigt's discoveries weren't published, Peters was credited in the NGC.
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NGC 4256 = UGC 7351 = MCG +11-15-045 = CGCG 315-032 = PGC 39568
12 18 42.9  +65 53 54; Dra
V = 11.9;  Size 4.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 42°

17.5" (3/20/93): bright striking galaxy, large, very thin edge-on 4.0'x0.5' SW-NE, elongated bright core, almost stellar nucleus, thin tapering extensions.  NGC 4210 lies 21' WNW and NGC 4332 25' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4256 = H. II-846 = h1174 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "pB, mE, bright nucleus, 5' long and 1/2' broad from sp to nf."  John Herschel recorded "pB; vmE in pos 218.2°; 90" l." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4257 = MCG +01-31-049 = CGCG 042-006 = PGC 39624
12 19 06.5  +05 43 33; Vir
V = 14.0;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 75°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 3:1 WSW-ENE, 32"x12", pretty smooth surface brightness.  Two mag 14/15 stars 1.2' S and 1.8' S are collinear with the galaxy.  Located 7' SW of NGC 4261 and 10' SW of NGC 4264 in a field with numerous NGCs.

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, small, edge-on WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  Located in a large group with NGC 4261 7' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4257 on 21 Apr 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory, while observing nearby NGC 4261.  His description mentions a mag 18 star 2' south, though the star is closer to mag 14-14.5.  The discovery was listed in his sample preliminary results published in 1862 (AN 57, 337).
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NGC 4258 = M106 = UGC 7353 = VV 448 = MCG +08-22-104 = CGCG 243-067 = CGCG 244-003 = Holm 363a = LGG 290-004 = PGC 39600
12 18 57.5  +47 18 15; CVn
V = 8.4;  Size 18.6'x7.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 150°

48" (5/1/22): gorgeous extremely bright two-armed barred spiral!  At 375x, a well defined and very thin high surface brightness bar runs NNW-SSE.  A thick dusty region extends along its western side, reaching further to the south.  A very thin and long spiral arm is well defined to the W of the dust-infused region, extending towards the SSE, roughly 3.5' in length. It contains an obvious bright star-forming knot, ~12" diameter (identified in SIMBAD as [CPH93] 74C).  A much fainter 6"-8" knot ([CPH93] 82Ca) is 30" further SE, at the tip of the arm.  A surprisingly high surface brightness arm (fairly thin) is very prominent along the northeastern edge. The brightest section is 48C/52C.  The arm vaguely wraps around the core on the east side. Two mag 13.4 and 15.3 are in the northern halo beyond this arm.

18" (6/4/05): two spiral arms are evident emerging from the large, very bright core.  On the west side of the core, a thin, gently sweeping arm defines the western edge of the galaxy.  At the southern end of this arm is a brighter knot or HII region, listed in SIMBAD as [CPH93] 74C.  On the east side of the core, a well-defined, thin arm juts out from the core towards the NNW as a linear extension.  The arm is brightest at the root, where it attaches to the core.  The core is concentrated to a fairly small, very bright central nucleus and the extensions/arms have a slightly mottled or lively appearance.

This is a Seyfert 2 galaxy with a very active galactic nuclei.  The standard model for the core assumes a massive black hole.

17.5" (4/7/89): very bright, very large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 14'x4', large bright core concentrated to a very small brighter central region.  A thin bright spiral arm is attached at the core and it extends towards the NNW on the following side of the galaxy.  There was a sharp edge along the west side of this arm.

14.5" (4/12/21): gorgeous, very large spiral, elongated ~3:1 NNW-SSE, ~12'x4'.  Very strongly and pretty sharply concentrated with a very bright inner core that rises to an intensely bright nucleus.  A thin spiral arm was immediately noticed attached to the east side of the core and extending NNW in a nearly linear arc in the direction of a mag 13.4 star in the halo.  The western side has a much more subtle enhancement on the S edge.  The outer halo has a very low surface brightness and increases in size with averted vision.

13.1" (4/12/86): bright, very large, bright core, substellar nucleus, mottling near core.  A large bright knot is at end of the southern arm. 

13.1" (3/17/86): very bright, very large, impressive!  Contains a nearly stellar core in a high surface brightness oval disk.

8": bright, very large, elongated, bright core.

Pierre Méchain discovered M106 = NGC 4258 = H. V-43 = h1175 in July 1781. It was discovered after Messier's final catalogue was sent to publication but was included in a letter dated 6 May 1783 to Johann Bernoulli, the editor of the Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch and published in the 1786 Jarbuch volume. Méchain wrote, "In July 1781, I have found another one close to Ursa Major near the star No. 3 of Canes Venatici & 1 deg more or less to the south; I estimate its right ascension 181d 40' & its declination about 49d."

William Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 9 Mar 1788, unaware of the earlier observation.  He recorded H. V 43 as "very brilliant.  Bright nucleus with much fainter branches from np to sf, about 15' long, and the sf running out into vF nebulosity extending a great way."  On 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 823) he logged "vB, much elongated directly in the meridian [N-S] with faint branches 10 or 12' long, bright nucleus with the nucleus not round."

John Herschel made 4 observations and recorded (sweep 330) "vB; vL; very small & very much brighter middle to an oval nucl; 8 or 9' long; 4 or 5' broad."  On 20 Apr 1857 Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell logged "a vL, B, E neb np sf, much mottled.  The f edge is comparatively sharp and well defined, but in the p and n edge there is a great inequality of light.  Nucleus elongated, vB part to north of nucleus."
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NGC 4259 = UGC 7359 = MCG +01-31-051 = CGCG 042-012 = Holm 368e = WBL 397-001 = PGC 39657
12 19 22.2  +05 22 35; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 143°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 5:2 NW-SE, 28"x12", fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 15 star is off the NE flank, 0.4' from center.  A number of galaxies are in the field to the east, including IC 3513 3.9' ENE, NGC 4268 8.4' SE, NGC 4270 8.6' NE and NGC 4273/4277 pair 9' ESE.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; fairly faint, small, almost round, bright core.  A mag 15 star is at the NE edge 0.5' from center.  First of seven in the NGC 4273 group and forms a pair with IC 3153 3' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4259 = h1178 on 27 Dec 1827 and noted as "precedes four more, nearly in parallel."  His position is 2.3' too far south, but the north polar distance was marked as approximate.  The four galaxies are perhaps NGC 4273, 4270, 4277 and 4281.
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NGC 4260 = UGC 7361 = MCG +01-31-054 = CGCG 042-015 = PGC 39656
12 19 22.2  +06 05 55; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 2.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 58°

24" (4/28/14): bright or very bright, large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2'x1', sharply concentrated with a very bright round nucleus.  A mag 14.7 star is just off the NE edge of the halo.  CGCG 042-007 lies 5.4' W ("very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness"), IC 3136 is 8' NW ("fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x12", even surface brightness") and NGC 4269/IC 3155 pair is 8' SE, just south of a mag 7.7 star. 

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo.  A mag 14.5 star is off the NE end 1.4' from center.  Located 7' NW of mag 7.7 SAO 11933.  NGC 4261 lies 17' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4260 = H. II-138 = h1177 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and simply noted "F".  His position is 3.8' northwest of UGC 6361.  John Herschel noted "B; E; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4261 = UGC 7360 = MCG +01-31-052 = CGCG 042-015 = 3C 270 = PGC 39659
12 19 23.2  +05 49 29; Vir
V = 10.4;  Size 4.1'x3.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 160°

24" (4/28/14): very bright, very large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 2.4'x1.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a large, intensely bright core that brightens to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is near the edge of the halo on the ENE side.  VCC 344, a compact elliptical, is 1.8' S, just outside the halo. It was logged as "faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, high surface brightness."  Forms a pair with NGC 4264 3.3' NE and brightest of 30 galaxies viewed within 35'!
  
17.5" (3/24/90): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated NW-SE, very bright core with stellar nucleus embedded.  Brightest in a large group of 13 NGC galaxies.  In a field with NGC 4264 3.4' ENE, NGC 4257 7' SSW and CGCG 042-014 5' N.  NGC 4260 lies 17' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4261 = H. II-139 = h1176 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and recorded "Two. The first [NGC 4261] is the largest. The 2nd [NGC 4264] very faint."  John Herschel called the galaxy "vB; pL; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 40"."  His single position is 10 sec of RA too far west, but Schönfeld and d'Arrest both measured accurate positions.
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NGC 4262 = UGC 7365 = MCG +03-31-101 = CGCG 099-014 = SPRC-33 = PGC 39676
12 19 30.6  +14 52 39; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, strong bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with IC 781 9' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4262 = H. II-110 = h1179 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "S, resolvable."  A sketch was included (fig. 40) In his 1811 PT paper with the comment (based on a later observation): "this star with a bur is probably one that formerly a planetary nebula with a pretty strong haziness on the borders."

John Herschel made an observation on 26 Apr 1832 (sweep 421) and called it "bright; small; round; like a * 11m with a burr." (sounds like his father's description).
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NGC 4263 = NGC 4265 = MCG -02-32-001 = PGC 39698
12 19 42.2  -12 13 32; Crv
V = 12.6;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 125°

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, roughly 1.2'x0.9', only a weak broad concentration.  The halo is irregular with averted vision and appears elongated 3:2, though at other times appears rounder.  On the DSS there is a faint extension to the west and perhaps I was picking up this section with averted.

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.3', low even surface brightness.  Observation made through thin clouds.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4263 = H. III-535 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and recorded "vF, pS, iF."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 1.5' southwest of PGC 39698.

Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy on 6 May 1886 and reported it in list III-63, close to WH's position. Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued NGC 4263 again as NGC 4265.  Dreyer equated the two numbers in his 1912 version of WH's catalogues.  By prior discovery, NGC 4263 should be the primary designation.
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NGC 4264 = UGC 7364 = MCG +01-32-001 = CGCG 042-020 = PGC 39687
12 19 35.8  +05 50 48; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, broad weak concentration.  Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 4261 3.5' WSW.

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration.  Located at the north edge of a large galaxy group and 3.4' NE of NGC 4261.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4264 = H. II-140 = h1180 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and recorded "Two. The first [NGC 4261] is the largest. The 2nd [NGC 4264] very faint."  John Herschel called the galaxy "pF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"." Henrich d'Arrest measured the position 6 times and noted the separation with NGC 4261 was 13 seconds of time.
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NGC 4265 = NGC 4263 = MCG -02-32-001 = PGC 39698
12 19 42.2  -12 13 30; Crv

See observing notes for NGC 4263.

Lewis Swift found NGC 4265 = Sw. 3-63 on 6 May 1886.  His position is only 2' south of NGC 4263 = H. III-535 so I'm not sure why Dreyer assumed it was a different object.  In any case, he noted that NGC 4265 was identical to NGC 4263 in the IC 2 Notes section as "Howe saw only one."  The primary designation should be NGC 4263.
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NGC 4266 = UGC 7368 = MCG +01-32-002 = CGCG 042-021 = WBL 397-003 = PGC 39699
12 19 42.3  +05 32 18; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 2.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 76°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, thin edge-on 6:1 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.2', even surface brightness.  Although this is a nice streak, the galaxy is partially masked by mag 9.1 HD 107228 just off the NW flank (40" from center).  In a rich region of galaxies, with NGC 4270 4.9' SSW, IC 4153 8.6' SSW, NGC 4282 10' ENE, NGC 4259 11' SSW, NGC 4281 13' SE and more. Mag 7.3 HD 107258 lies 9' NNE.

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, small, edge-on WSW-ENE.  The view is hampered by mag 8.5 SAO 119331 at the NW edge of the galaxy!  Faintest of 8 galaxies in the field including NGC 4282, NGC 4270, NGC 4259, NGC 4268, NGC 4273, NGC 4281 and IC 3153.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4266, along with NGCs 4249, 4252, 4282 and 4287, on 26 May 1864.  His position matches UGC 7368.
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NGC 4267 = UGC 7373 = MCG +02-32-004 = CGCG 070-013 = PGC 39710
12 19 45.2  +12 47 54; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 3.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

24" (5/29/14): very bright, moderately large, round, 1.3' diameter, sharply concentrated with an intense core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus. Contains a much fainter outer halo.

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, fairly small, very diffuse round halo.  Sharp concentration as increases suddenly to a small very bright core and stellar nucleus.  NGC 4305/NGC 4306 pair lies 33' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4267 = H. II-166 = h1181 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and noted "pB; vS."  His position at the north edge of the halo of UGC 7373.  John Herschel made two observations, calling this galaxy "pB, R, very suddenly much brighter middle, almost to a star."
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NGC 4268 = UGC 7371 = MCG +01-32-004 = CGCG 042-023 = Holm 368d = WBL 397-004 = PGC 39712
12 19 47.2  +05 17 02; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 48°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.4', contains a small bright core.  A mag 14.5-15 star lies 0.8' NW of center.  NGC 4273 lies 4.2' NE, NGC 4277 5.4' NE and NGC 4281 10.6' NE with a total of 8 galaxies (7 NGCs) in a 15' field.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' NW of center.  Third of seven in a group with NGC 4273 4.3' NE.

William Herschel probably discovered NGC 4268 = H. II. 568 = h1189 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 552). After recently moved to Slough from Clay Hall and setting up his scope in the garden (and aligning on the meridian), he recorded "Four, the time and number is that of the last.  They are scattered about."  Just afterwards Caroline's log reads "a stop occasioned by the same blundering person". This was apparently a new worker not familiar with using the telescope at the handle to adjust the height.  There is nothing near his recorded position, but exactly 1° south is a group of 5 galaxies -- NGC 4268, 4270, 4273, 4277, and 4281 -- and they all just fit within his 15' field of view.  Dreyer suggested NGC 4270 = II. 568?, NGC 4273 = II. 569? and NGC 4277 = II. 571, ignoring the 4th number II. 570.  Later in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues) he identified the quartet as NGC 4270/73/77/81.  Wolfgang Steinicke suggests that Herschel viewed NGC 4268/4270/4273/4281.  NGC 4277 forms a relatively close 2' pair with NGC 4274, which does not match with Herschel's comment "They are scattered about."

John Herschel created additional confusion with his own poor positions.  On 27 Dec 1827 (sweep 117), he reported positions on 3 objects (h 1189/90/94), where none exist.  Eduard Schönfeld  reobserved the group at the Mannheim observatory with a 6" refractor in April and May 1862.  He measured accurate positions and found that Herschel's RA was 0.8 minutes too large.  Heinrich d'Arrest also observed NGC 4268 at the same time and included the position in a sample of preliminary results published in 1862 AN, 57, 337.  Still, the 1864 General Catalogue (GC) contained William's 1° NPD error and John's 0.8 minutes error in RA and as a result there are 7 GC entries that probably refer to only 4 galaxies (GC 2852/56/57/62/65/69 and 5070).  Dreyer assumed that Schönfeld's and d'Arrest's nebula was new and added it the GC Supplement as 5632 (later NGC 4268). 

Herman Schultz made additional measurements in 1865 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala Observatory.  He likely discovered NGC 4277 (just east of NGC 4273) and proposed that John Herschel reversed the descriptions for h1189 ("very faint; small") and h1190 ("very bright; round; the central nebula of 4 in a trefoil").  As a result Dreyer assigned h1189 = NGC 4273 and h1190 = NGC 4277, crediting Schönfeld and d'Arrest with the discovery of NGC 4268.  Alternatively, Steinicke assigns h1189 = NGC 4268 and h1190 = NGC 4272, leaving the discovery of NGC 4277 to Schultz.  In the end, Dreyer was able to sort things out pretty well in the NGC and provide accurate positions for the 5 galaxies, so there are no questions regarding the identifications.
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NGC 4269 = UGC 7372 = MCG +01-32-005 = CGCG 042-024 = Holm 365a = WBL 392-012 = PGC 39719
12 19 49.2  +06 00 54; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 137°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, small, round, 12" (core) surounded by a much fainter elongated halo 20"x14" NW-SE.  The core has a very high surface brightness and contains a very bright stellar nucleus.  Located 1.6' SE of mag 7.7 HD 107238 and 8.4' SE of NGC 4260.  Forms a close pair with fainter IC 3155 1.2' SW.  IC 3155 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, very weak concentration, 30"x18".  Slightly larger than NGC 4269, though a lower surface brightness.

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, very small, very small and bright core, slightly elongated.  Located 1.7' SSE of mag 7.7 SAO 119333 which interferes with viewing.  Forms a pair with IC 3155 1.2' SW.  NGC 4260 lies 10' WNW.  Located at the north edge of the NGC 4261 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4269 on 4 Mar 1862 with an 11" refractor.  His position, measured on 2 nights, is accurate and he measured nearby mag 7.7 HD 107238 at 1.7 sec of time preceding and 85" north.  The discovery was listed in his sample preliminary results published in 1862 (AN 57, 337).

d'Arrest missed the companion IC 3155, which was discovered by Auguste Voigt in 1865 with the 31-inch silverized reflector at Marseilles. 
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NGC 4270 = UGC 7376 = MCG +01-32-007 = CGCG 042-026 = Holm 368c = WBL 397-005 = PGC 39718
12 19 49.5  +05 27 48; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 2.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

24" (4/28/14): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a very bright core increasing to a bright stellar nucleus.  Eight additional NGC galaxies lie within 10'!   NGC 4266 is 3.8' NNW, NGC 4273 7.3' SSE, NGC 4281 is 9' SE.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; fairly bright, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core, fainter arms, moderately large.  Located 5.4' SSE of mag 9 SAO 119335.  Fifth of seven in a group including NGC 4273 7.5' S, NGC 4266 4' NNW and NGC 4281 9.4' SE.

William Herschel probably discovered NGC 4270 = H. II-568 or II-569 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553).  In his first regular sweep after moving from Clay Hall and setting up his 18.7" in his garden in Slough, he recorded "Four, the time and number is that of the last.  They are scattered about."  There is nothing near his position (10 min 14 sec following and 34' N of 11 Virginis), but 1° south (or roughly 34' S of 11 Vir) is a group of 5 galaxies (NGC 4268/70/73/77/81) and NGC 4270 is one of the four brightest.  The error was like caused by "a stop occasioned by the same blundering person [working the sweep mechanism].", noted immediately after the observation.  The "blundering person" was a new worker, who apparently was unfamiliar with the sweeping routine.  

John Herschel observed the field on 3 different sweeps (117, 238 and 251) and also stated 4 nebulae were seen on sweep 117 and 238, but he never measured a position for NGC 4270.  Heinrich d'Arrest (11" refractor) reobserved NGC 4270 on 4 Mar 1862, as well as Eduard Schönfeld (6" refractor) on 1 Apr 1862, and both measured accurate positions. Herschel assumed d'Arrest made a new discovery and added GC 5070 to a supplementary list at the end of his 1864 General Catalogue (missing Schönfeld's observation at Mannheim).  Dreyer assigned William Herschel's II. 568 to NGC 4270, though added a question mark.
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NGC 4271 = UGC 7375 = MCG +10-18-025 = CGCG 293-010 = Holm 366a = PGC 39683
12 19 32.7  +56 44 12; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 55°

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, sharp bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is off the west edge 1.1' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4271 = H. II-804 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He recorded "pretty bright, pretty large, irregular figure."
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NGC 4272 = UGC 7378 = MCG +05-29-059 = CGCG 158-072 = PGC 39715
12 19 47.6  +30 20 20; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/25/98): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration.  A nice wide pair of mag 11 stars (47" separation) lie 5' SSE.  Observation in hazy conditions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4272 = H. III-299 = h1182 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and simply noted "eF".  John Herschel made the single observation "eF; vS; R; 10"." and measured an accurate position.  The UGC declination is 10' too far south.
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NGC 4273 = UGC 7380 = MCG +01-32-008 = CGCG 042-028 = Holm 368a = WBL 397-006 = PGC 39738
12 19 56.1  +05 20 36; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 10°

24" (4/28/14): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.6'x0.8', well concentrated, brighter along the major axis (bar?).  Among numerous NGC galaxies including NGC 4277 2' E, NGC 4268 4' SW, NGC 4281 7' NE, NGC 4270 7.5' N and NGC 4259 9' WNW.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4277 2' ESE.  Brightest in a group of 7 galaxies with NGC 4281 6' ENE, NGC 4268 3.8' SW and NGC 4270 7.5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4273 = H. II-570 = h1183 = h1190 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553).   He recorded "Four, the time and number is that of the last [NGC 4281].  They are scattered about."  There is nothing near his position, but exactly one degree south is NGC 4281, the last of the 4 bright galaxies (5 in the field).

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 27 Dec 1827 (h1190, sweep 117) and 15 Mar 1830 (h1183, sweep 238).  In both cases he assumed it was a new discovery!  His position for h1183 on sweep 238 was accurate.  On sweep 119, he described h1190 as "very bright; round; the central nebula of 4 in a trefoil (3 of similar brightness)", but there is nothing at his position (same for h1189 and h1194).  Eduard Schönfeld  reobserved the group at Mannheim observatory with a 6" refractor on 1 Apr 1862 and proposed that Herschel's RA on this sweep was 0.8 minutes too large.  Once corrected h1990 falls very close to NGC 4273.   Herman Schultz later analyzed Herschel's observations in his 1874 "Micrometrical Observations of 500 Nebulae" from Uppsala.  Schultz suggested that besides the RA error of 0.8 minutes, Herschel reversed the descriptions of h1189 and h1190.  Based on this assumption, he concluded that h1190 = NGC 4277 and h1189 = NGC 4273, which was followed by Dreyer in the NGC.  Alternatively, Steinicke applies h1189 to NGC 4268, which avoids the assumption of a second error, though leaves Schultz as the discoverer of NGC 4277.  
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NGC 4274 = UGC 7377 = MCG +05-29-060 = CGCG 158-071 = PGC 39724
12 19 50.6  +29 36 51; Com
V = 10.4;  Size 6.8'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 102°

14.5" (5/1/24): at 158x and 226x; bright, large, elongated ~5:2 E-W, very diffuse halo with a large bright core that increases to a nearly stellar peak. There is a slight dip in brightness just outside the central region.  Several galaxies are in the area.

17.5" (4/25/98): bright, very large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, ~5'x2' though difficult to trace the full extent as the outer halo fades into background.  Well concentrated with a bright roundish core ~1' diameter which increases to a very small or stellar nucleus.  NGC 4253 lies 22' NW, NGC 4245 29' W and NGC 4278/NGC 4283/NGC 4286 ~20' SSE.  Observation made in hazy skies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4274 = H. I-75 = h1185 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and simply noted "vB".  John Herschel made the single observation "vB; vL; E in parallel (E-W); 2' l, 1.5' br."  On 24 Apr 1849, Lord Rosse or his assistant George Stoney suspected a "faint tail following".  This probably refers to part of the ring surrounding the core.
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NGC 4275 = UGC 7382 = MCG +05-29-058 = CGCG 158-073 = PGC 39728
12 19 52.6  +27 37 16; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, brighter core, fairly high surface brightness.  A mag 13 star lies 1.1' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4275 = H. II-376 = h1184 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pF, S, almost R, bM."  John Herschel made two observations and noted on sweep 417, "F; little extended; near a * 15m."
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NGC 4276 = UGC 7385 = MCG +01-32-010 = CGCG 042-032 = PGC 39765
12 20 07.4  +07 41 30; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness, no noticeable core.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4276 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory.  The discovery date is unknown though it was published in his first table of positions in the Copernicus publication of 1881.
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NGC 4277 = MCG +01-32-009 = CGCG 042-029 = Holm 368f = WBL 397-007 = PGC 39759
12 20 03.7  +05 20 29; Vir
V = 13.4;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (5/20/20): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~NW-SE, 30"x24", very weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1' S.  Situated among several brighter Virgo cluster members and forms a close pair with NGC 4273 2' W.

SN 2020ftl, a Type Ia supernova in NGC 4277, was discovered on Apr 2nd. It reached nearly 14th magnitude but had faded to only mag 15.5 at the time of this observation.  As the SN is located only 6" N of the nucleus, it was tough to pick out, but it was seen consistently as a faint stellar point.

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, broad concentration.  A mag 14-14.5 star lies 1.2' S of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4273 2' W and nearly at the midpoint of NGC 4281 5' NE and NGC 4268 5' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; faint, small, diffuse.  A mag 14 star is 1.2' S of center.  Located just 2.1' E of NGC 4273.  Second faintest of 7 in the NGC 4273 group.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 4277 on 24 Apr 1865, while reobserving the NGC 4073 quartet with the 9.6" refractor at the Uppsala Observatory.  He also made observations on two nights in March and April 1866, though noted the sky was always "tolerably bad."  Schultz proposed that John Herschel's h1189 and h1190 applied to NGC 4273 and 4277 (after subtracting 0.8 minutes of RA from Herschel's positions and reversing the descriptions), so he assumed NGC 4277 was not a new object.  Eduard Schönfeld and Heinrich d'Arrest both examined the field earlier in 1862 and measured accurate positions, but missed NGC 4277.

Dreyer followed Schultz's conclusions in the NGC and credited both William Herschel (II. 571) and John Herschel (h1190) with the discovery of NGC 4277, though used Schultz's position.  But of the five galaxies NGC 4268/4270/4273/4277/4281, the Herschels likely observed NGC 4268/70/73/81 and missed NGC 4277.  See the other numbers for more on the story.
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NGC 4278 = UGC 7386 = MCG +05-29-062 = CGCG 158-077 = Holm 369a = WBL 399-001 = PGC 39764
12 20 06.8  +29 16 50; Com
V = 10.2;  Size 4.1'x3.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/25/98): bright, roundish, fairly large, the outer halo increasing to ~3.5' diameter with averted vision.  The halo surrounds a well-defined very prominent core which increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4283 3.5' NE.  Poor transparency.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4278 = H. I-90 = H. II-322 = h1186, along with NGC 4283 and 4286, on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387).  His description (which includes II-322) reads "Three, all in a row, but of unequal size and brightness.  The most following [NGC 4286] vF."  He found this galaxy a month later (on his most productive sweep of 11 Apr 1785) and recorded it as I-90, along with NGC 4283: "Two, the time is that of the brightest and preceding [NGC 4278], which is cB, pL, nearly R.  The other [NGC 4283] is south following, pretty bright, small, about 6' distance."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4279 = MCG -02-32-003 = PGC 39812
12 20 25.0  -11 40 00; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

18" (5/8/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very small brighter core.  Brighter of a close pair with NGC 4285 4' NE.  A couple of faint stars are between the two galaxies (these are possibly Swift's NGC 4280).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4279 = Sw. 3-64, along with NGC 4280 and 4285, on 6 May 1886.  His description reads "eeF; vS; R; 1st of 3."  There are only two galaxies near his positions for these three objects and only his position for NGC 4285 = Sw. 3-66 lands directly on a galaxy.  His first two positions are both to the south of MCG -02-32-003 = PGC 39812.  Modern catalogues assign NGC 4279 = PGC 39812.  See NGC 4280.
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NGC 4280
12 20 31  -11 39 06; Vir

18" (5/8/04): this number may apply to a trio of mag 15 stars situated between NGC 4279 and NGC 4285.  The two brighter stars were noted, although I was not looking for the fainter third star.  This identification is uncertain and listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4280 = Sw. 3-65, along with NGC 4279 and 4285, on 6 May 1886.  There are only two galaxies here and either NGC 4279 or 4280 is nonexistent or refers to a faint star(s).  Assuming NGC 4279 = PGC 39812 , then Swift's offsert to NGC 4280 falls close to a 45" string of 3 mag 14.5/15.5/16.5 stars.  His description "eeeF; vS; R; 2nd of 3" is not helpful in pinning down the identification.  So, this number is lost or might apply to one of more of these stars.
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NGC 4281 = UGC 7389 = MCG +01-32-012 = CGCG 042-034 = Holm 368b = WBL 397-008 = PGC 39801
12 20 21.5  +05 23 11; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 88°

24" (4/28/14): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.8'x0.9', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to quasi-stellar nucleus.  NGC 4268, 4273 and 4277 in a 10' string to the SW and NGC 4270 and 4266 lie to the NW.

17.5" (3/28/87): at 220x; fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated 2:1 E-W.  This galaxy is the last of 7 in a 15' circle and the brightest in the group along with NGC 4273 6.9' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4281 = H. II-571 = H. II-573 = h1187 = h1194 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553). He recorded "Four (II-568 to II-571), the time and number is that of the last [NGC 4281].  They are scattered about."  There is nothing near his position, but 1° south is NGC 4281, the last of five galaxies in a 15' field (Herschel probably missed NGC 4277).  He found the galaxy again 6 days later in sweep 556, though only noted it as "a nebula, but cloudy." His position was accurate on the second sweep so Caroline assumed it was a new object (catalogued as II-573).  Both Herschel listings appeared in his second catalogue.

John Herschel made three observations: h1187 on 15 Mar 1830 (sweep 238) and h1194 on 27 Dec 1827 (sweep 117) and 19 Apr 1830 (sweep 251).  His position for h1187 is also accurate, but his positions for h1194 on both sweeps 117 and 251 were about 0.8 minutes of RA too large.  As a result he assumed h1194 was a "nova".  On sweep 117 the same error in RA applied to h1189 and h1190.  Due to the confusion, Eduard Schönfeld, Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz made additional observations of NGC 4281 and the other galaxies in the group, solving the mystery.  Dreyer was able to sort things out pretty well in the NGC and his 1912 revision of William Herschel's catalogues.  In the end, H. II. 571, II. 573, h1187 and  h1194 all refer to NGC 4281.
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NGC 4282 = MCG +01-32-013 = CGCG 042-035 = WBL 397-009 = PGC 39809
12 20 24.3  +05 34 22; Vir
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 100°

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 ~E-W, 0.7'x0.3', gradually increases to a slightly brighter core, brighter along the major axis.  On a line between NGC 4270 11' SW and NGC 4287 7' NE.  Also NGC 4266 lies 11' WSW.

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, low even surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is 1.8' S of center.  Located in the large NGC 4261 group with NGC 4287 6' NE and NGC 4270 10' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4282 = m 237, along with NGC 4249, 4252, 4266 and 4287 on 26 May 1864.  His position is 2' north of CGCG 042-035 = PGC 39809.
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NGC 4283 = UGC 7390 = MCG +05-29-063 = CGCG 158-080 = Holm 369b = WBL 399-002 = PGC 39800
12 20 20.8  +29 18 39; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/25/98): moderately bright, round, 1' diameter.  Fairly well concentrated with a small, bright core and stellar nucleus.  Second of three in trio with brighter NGC 4278 3.5' SW and NGC 4286 5' NE.  Poor transparency due to smoke.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4283 = H. II-377 = H. II-323 = h1188, along with NGC 4278 and 4286, on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387).  His description reads "Three, all in a row, but of unequal size and brightness.  The most following [NGC 4286] vF."  He found NGC 4283 again a month later (his most productive discovery night of 11 Apr 1), assumed it was new and recorded II-377 as "Two [with NGC 4283], the time is that of the brightest and preceding [NGC 4278], which is cB, pL, nearly R.  The other [NGC 4283] is sf [error: should read nf], pB, S, about 6' distance."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4284 = UGC 7393 = MCG +10-18-026 = CGCG 293-011 = Holm 373b = PGC 39775
12 20 12.6  +58 05 34; UMa
V = 13.5;  Size 2.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 102°

17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, bright core, elongated NW-SE.  Forms a right angle with two mag 13 stars 1.3' S and 1.1' E of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4290 5' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4284 = H. III-798, along with NGC 4290, on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He recorded "considerably faint, little elongated, irregular figure.  The preceding of two [with NGC 4290].
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NGC 4285 = MCG -02-32-004 = PGC 39842
12 20 39.8  -11 38 31; Vir
V = 14.1;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 50°

18" (5/8/04): very faint, small, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE, 35"x20", weak concentration.  Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 4279 4' SW.  Between the galaxies are a couple of faint stars (possibly NGC 4280).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4285 = Sw. 3-66, along with NGC 4279 and 4280, on 6 May 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; 3rd of 3."  There are only two galaxies here, but his position clearly establishes NGC 4285 = MCG -02-32-004 = PGC 39842.  See NGC 4280.
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NGC 4286 = UGC 7398 = MCG +05-29-065 = CGCG 158-083 = IC 3181 = WBL 399-003 = PGC 39846
12 20 42.1  +29 20 45; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

17.5" (4/25/98): very faint, very low surface brightness.  No details visible but appears as an elongated haze ~N-S, located just north of a mag 15.5 star.  On a line with NGC 4283 5' SW and NGC 4278 8.5' SW.  Transparency poor.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4286 = H. III-300, along with NGC 4283 and 4286, on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387).  His description reads, "Three, all in a row, but of unequal size and brightness.  The most following [NGC 4286] vF.

On 24 Apr 1849, Lord Rosse or observing assistant George Johnstone Stoney, noted "a third nebula about 8.5' nf [NGC 4278]."  Assuming it was new, John Herschel (who missed this galaxy) assigned it GC 2863, although Dreyer realized the equivalence with NGC 4286 and combined the two GC designations in the NGC.  Henrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position.  

Max Wolf found this galaxy again on a Heidelberg plate on 23 Mar 1903 and reported it in his list IV-28 (later IC 3181).  His position matches d'Arrest's, so it's surprising that Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence NGC 4286 = IC 3181.
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NGC 4287 = MCG +01-32-014 = CGCG 042-037 = PGC 39860
12 20 48.5  +05 38 23; Vir
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.2';  PA = 75°

24" (4/28/14): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 or 5:1 WSW-ENE, 35"x8", fairly low even surface brightness.  A mag 14.3 star is attached on the northwest side and detracts from viewing.  NGC 4282 lies 7' SW and IC 782 is 14' NE (the trio is collinear).  In addition, NGC 4266 and 4270 are both ~18' SW.

17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, low surface brightness.  A mag 14.5 star on the west edge slightly hampers the view.  NGC 4282 lies 6' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4287 = m 238, along with NGC 4249, 4252, 4266 and 4282 on 26 May 1864.  His position is 1' south of CGCG 042-037 = PGC 39860.
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NGC 4288 = UGC 7399 = MCG +08-23-006 = CGCG 244-006 = Holm 371a = PGC 39840
12 20 38.1  +46 17 31; CVn
V = 12.9;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 130°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, gradually brighter halo.  Located almost at the midpoint of a mag 13 star 3.3' NNW and a mag 13.5 star 3.7' SSE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4288A 2.3' S.  The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' S.  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4288 = H. III-726 = h1191 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and noted "eF, pS."  John Herschel made 3 observations and reported on sweep 138 "pF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60"."
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NGC 4289 = UGC 7403 = MCG +01-32-015 = CGCG 042-038 = FGC 1418 = LGG 281-010 = PGC 39886
12 21 02.3  +03 43 20; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 4.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 1°

48" (4/28/22): NGC 4289 is an unusual perfectly edge-on spiral with long whisker-thin extensions over 4' long N-S and a narrow boxy bulge.  At 488x it appeared fairly bright, very large, razor-thin extensions ~3'x0.2', with a bright, very elongated core.  A mag 8.4 star (HD 107473) is 3' ESE of center.

18" (5/8/04): very faint, thin edge-on 5:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.2', very weak concentration.  This delicate sliver required some care in first acquiring.  A mag 8.4 star (HD 107473) just 3.1' E detracts from viewing.  Located 47' SSW of M61.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4289 = T. 1-42 in 1877.  His position and description (BD +4°2606 follows by 12 sec of time) matches UGC 7403.
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NGC 4290 = UGC 7402 = MCG +10-18-029 = CGCG 293-012 = Holm 373a = PGC 39859
12 20 47.5  +58 05 33; UMa
V = 11.8;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 90°

17.5" (5/13/88): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4284 4.6' W.  A wide double star = M40 lies 15' E.  Located 15' N of 70 Ursa Majoris (V = 5.6).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4290 = H. II-805 = h1193, along with NGC 4284, on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He recorded "pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle.  The following of two [with NGC 4284]."  John Herschel observed this object on a single sweep and noted "pB; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 60"."
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NGC 4291 = UGC 7397 = MCG +13-09-024 = CGCG 352-028 = PGC 39791
12 20 17.7  +75 22 15; Dra
V = 11.5;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly bright, small, round, small bright nucleus, possible stellar nucleus at 312x.  A mag 14 star is at the west edge 25" from the center.  Form a pair with NGC 4319 6' SE.  Located 13' NNE of mag 5.4 SAO 7540.  NGC 4386 lies 20' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4291 = H. I-275 = h1192, along with NGC 4319, on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066).  He noted "considerably bright, small, round."  This was the first of 5 galaxies discovered in Draco while observing in the north, under the pole.  The offset star was a new double, whose position was fixed two nights later in sweep 1068.

John Herschel made four observations. On sweep 349 he recorded "pretty faint; round; gradually brighter middle; 20" diameter; followed and almost surrounded by 3 stars 10m, one of which is double; has also a vS * south preceding dist 30"."
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NGC 4292 = UGC 7404 = MCG +01-32-016 = CGCG 042-040 = Holm 375a = PGC 39922
12 21 16.4  +04 35 44; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 7°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, bright core, slightly elongated halo.  Located 1.3' SSE of a mag 10 star.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4292A 2' N.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, almost round, requires averted.  M61 lies 11' SE. 

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, brighter core.  A mag 9 star is 1' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4292 = h1196 on 7 Apr 1828 and logged "F; S; near a bright star; precedes M61 about half a field."  A few nights later he logged "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; has a star 70° np; 1' dist.  Taken for H. I-139, but this nebula does not exist, or is identical with M61."  The latter is the case.

On 1 Mar 1851, Bindon Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistant) recorded "bM and has a vF companion".  While compiling the 1880 publication, Dreyer added the note "2' north by diagram."  At this offset from NGC 4292 is NGC 4292A = PGC 213977, another pre-NGC discovery which should have recieved a NGC designation.
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NGC 4293 = UGC 7405 = MCG +03-32-006 = CGCG 099-023 = PGC 39907
12 21 13.0  +18 23 00; Com
V = 10.4;  Size 5.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 72°

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly bright, large, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, ~4.5'x1.5'.  The core is more oval, ~1.2' diameter.  The galaxy has an irregular surface brightness and there appears to be a dark band following the core.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the following end 2.7' from center and a trio of mag 12-13 stars are off the NE end as well as another mag 13 star 2' N of center.  Located 36' N of 11 Comae Berenices (V = 4.7).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4293 = H. V-5 = h1195 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and recorded "L, E, r, 6 or 7' in length."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 61) "F; vL; E; bM; 5' l, 1.5' br."  Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant on 10 Apr 1852, noted a "faint knot at end of the preceding branch."
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NGC 4294 = UGC 7407 = MCG +02-32-009 = CGCG 070-024 = Holm 376a = PGC 39925
12 21 17.8  +11 30 37; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 155°

48" (4/22/25): at 375x and 488x; very bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:1 NNW-SSE, brighter along the central spine (bar), overall very mottled, with an irregular surface brightness.  [HK83] 23 is a bright star-forming region at the NNW end ~0.7' from center (apparently cut off by dust). A mag 14.8 star is 27" to the NW (just beyond the edge of the galaxy).  [HK83] 15 is a very small, subtle knot at the NW tip of the bar.

48" (5/5/24): I only took a quick look at 488x in poor seeing.  Bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:1 NNW-SSE, over 2' in length, irregular surface brightness.  Broad concentration with no distinct nucleus but brighter along the major axis (bar). A mag 14.8 star is at the NNW end. A strong dust lane dims the galaxy on the NNW side and a small slightly brighter section at the end of the major axis (just SE of the star) seems partially cut off from the main body.  Forms a pair (probably physical) with NGC 4299.

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.7', fairly weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is at the north end 1.1' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4299 5.6' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4294 = H. II-61 = h1197, along with NGC 4299, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He described both as "Two [with NGC 4299] considerable, E, F nebula; their situation is in the same parallel; and they are near fixed pB stars."  His RA was about a minute too large but the description fits.  John Herschel's description on sweep 242 is interesting: "F; vmE; like a double neb composed of 2 R nebulae."
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NGC 4295 = MCG +05-29-068 = CGCG 158-085 = PGC 39906
12 21 09.8  +28 09 54; Com
V = 13.6;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

18" (6/23/09): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 30"x25", increases gradually to a very small brighter core.  Blazar W Com is 6' NE.

17.5" (4/25/98): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 3.3' NNE.  Poor transparency due to smoke.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4295 on 6 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is just off the east side of CGCG 158-085 = PGC 39906.
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NGC 4296 = UGC 7409 = MCG +01-32-017 = CGCG 042-041 NED2 = PGC 39943
12 21 28.4  +06 39 12; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 15°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, very small, bright core, very faint elongated halo N-S mostly visible to the south of the core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4297 1.1' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4296 = H. III-92, along with NGC 4297, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded both as "vF, vS; and one still smaller and fainter [NGC 4297] suspected just by."
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NGC 4297 = MCG +01-32-018 = CGCG 042-041 NED1 = PGC 39940
12 21 27.4  +06 40 16; Vir
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 171°

17.5" (3/24/90): extremely faint and small, round, required averted.  Located 1.1' N of NGC 4296.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4297 = H. III-93, along with NGC 4296, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded both as "vF, vS; and one still smaller and fainter suspected [III-93 = NGC 4297] just by."  The separation of this pair is only 1', which is unusually close for a Herschel discovery.

But NGC 4297 was not seen by Heinrich d'Arrest or Guillaume Bigourdan.  And when Royal Frost missed it on a Harvard plate, he classified it as nonexistent (Annals of Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No. 1).  The CGCG has a single entry and lists it as a double system.
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NGC 4298 = UGC 7412 = MCG +03-32-007 = CGCG 099-024 = Holm 377a = PGC 39950
12 21 32.8  +14 36 24; Com
V = 11.3;  Size 3.2'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 140°

48" (4/7/13): at 610x; very bright, large, oval 2:1 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.5'.  Contains a very bright core, which increases to a small bright nucleus.  The core is offset a bit to the NW side.  The halo extends further to the SE side and a weakly defined spiral arm is evident in the outer halo on the W side, extending to the SE end.  A mag 13.5 star is at the E side, 0.8' from the core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 4302 2' E.  M99 lies 40' WSW.

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, broadly brighter center.  A mag 13 star is at the east end 0.8' from center.  Forms a close pair with edge-on NGC 4302 2' E.

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE.  A mag 13 star is at the east end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4298 = H. II-111 = h1198, along with NGC 4302, on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Two resolvable nebula.  The first [NGC 4298] R.  The second [NGC 4302] E.  About 2' from each other.  John Herschel noted "F; L; E; very gradually brighter middle; a star follows; the p of 2."
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NGC 4299 = UGC 7414 = MCG +02-32-010 = CGCG 070-025 = Holm 376b = PGC 39968
12 21 40.8  +11 30 03; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 26°

48" (4/22/25): at 375x and 488x; bright, somewhat boxy with a fairly straight, knotty edge from the S tip towards the NW. Overall very mottled and knotty, only a slightly brighter stellar nucleus or star-forming knot.

[HK83] 16 is an H II region/star-forming knot at the S end [27" from center]. It appeared fairly faint, small, round, ~10" diameter.  [HK83] 27 is a faint, very small, diffuse knot, 10" or less diameter, situated just 30" NW of #16. A very faint and small uncataloged knot is squeezed between #16 and #27, just 15" NW of #16.

48" (5/5/24): I only made a quick observation at 488x in poor seeing. Fairly bright and large, irregularly round, lumpy appearance due to HII knots but no noticeable core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4294 5.7' W.

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, moderately large, overall fairly diffuse with a broad concentration, slightly elongated.  A group of mag 12-13 stars is SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4294 5.6' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4299 = H. II-62 = h1200, along with NGC 4294, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He recorded them together as "Two [with NGC 4294] considerable, E, F nebula; their situation is in the same parallel; and they are near fixed pB stars."  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4300 = UGC 7413 = MCG +01-32-021 = CGCG 042-044 = PGC 39972
12 21 41.5  +05 23 05; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 42°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.4', fairly well concentrated with a bright, elongated core.  At the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 9.2 stars 8.4' NNE and 9.2' NW.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration.  Located 20' E of NGC 4281 and 11' WNW of 17 Virginis (∑1636 = 6.6/9.4 at 21").

William Herschel discovered NGC 4300 = H. II-572 = h1201 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and only noted "a nebula, [position] very badly taken."  Despite Herschel's comment just previously in the sweep that "a slop occasioned by the same blundering person", his position is just off the southwest end of the galaxy.
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NGC 4301 = NGC 4303A = UGC 7439 = MCG +01-32-027 = CGCG 042-053 = Holm 379b = PGC 40087
12 22 27.2  +04 33 58; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, fairly even surface brightness.  Located 10' NE of M61.  NGC 4292 lies 11' NW.  

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, fairly small, diffuse, roundish.

13.1" (5/26/84): very faint, small, diffuse, slightly elongated, no concentration.

Here are my notes on UGC 7411, the galaxy identified as NGC 4301 in the MCG, PGC and RC3: "Fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, broad weak concentration.  Located 19' NNW of M61."

George Johnstone Stoney or his brother Bindon Blood Stoney (Lord Rosse's assistants), discovered NGC 4301 on 21 Apr 1851.  While observing the field of M61 he noted, "Another neb 10' nf."  This could be interpreted as 10' NE of M61 or 10' NE of NGC 4292, but UGC 7439 (= NGC4303A ) is 10' NE of M61, which suggests NGC 4301 = UGC 7439.

Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz were unable to find NGC 4301 at the GC position.  Because of this, Dreyer assumed Stoney's object was 10' northeast of NGC 4292 (the other object grouped together) and modified the position of NGC 4301 in the NGC.  As a result, UGC 7411 (located 12' NNE of NGC 4292) assumed to be new when it was found on plates taken by Keeler with the Crossley reflector in 1898-1900 and catalogued in the 1908 list of new nebulae (Publ Lick Obs, Vol VIII).  UGC 7411 was misidentified as NGC 4301 in the MCG, PGC, RC3, NGC 2000.0 and RNGC.  UGC identified UGC 7439 as NGC 4301.  Malcolm Thomson investigated the identifications (WSQJ 10/92) and Harold Corwin has a very thorough analysis in his NGC/IC notes.
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NGC 4302 = UGC 7418 = MCG +03-32-009 = CGCG 099-027 = Holm 377b = PGC 39974
12 21 42.3  +14 35 59; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 5.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 178°

48" (4/7/13): at 610x; beautiful, thin edge-on stretching at least 8:1 N-S, ~5.0'x0.5'.  Contains a brighter, elongated, mottled core.  A very thin dust lane extends along the major axis!  The core is slightly brighter on the E side of the dust lane.  The northern tip extends beyond a mag 14.2 star off the NW end.  A mag 14.3 star is just W of the southern tip.  Forms a superb pair with NGC 4298 just 2' W.

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, large edge-on 7:1 N-S, 4.5'x0.6', low surface brightness, weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is off the north edge 2.0' from center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4298 2.4' W.

13.1" (3/24/84): faint edge-on streak N-S close following NGC 4298.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4302 = H. II-112 = h1199, along with NGC 4298, on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Two resolvable nebula.  The first, round [NGC 4298], the second elongated [NGC 4302] .  About 2' from each other."

On 26 Apr 1832 (sweep 421), John Herschel noted "L; vmE nearly in the meridian [N-S]; the following of 2."
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NGC 4303 = M61 = UGC 7420 = MCG +01-32-022 = CGCG 042-045 = Holm 379a = PGC 40001
12 21 54.9  +04 28 25; Vir
V = 9.7;  Size 6.5'x5.8';  Surf Br = 13.4

82" (5/6/24, McDonald Observatory): at 641x;  M61 is a beautiful spiral with an intense nucleus at the center of N-S bar and three well defined arms.  There were three obvious HII/star-forming regions and the one ~40" S of the nucleus resolved into an E-W pair.  The nucleus was extremely bright and included a slightly brighter stellar peak at the center.  Two lower surface brightness outer arms were visible at this power - one is on the W side and passes near a 14th mag star 2.5' SW of the nucleus.  The inner arms form a pseudo-ring, though one arm has a sharp angle instead of a smooth curve.   The field stars were sharp pinpoints during the observation.

48" (4/5/13) and 5/1/19) at 375x and 488x, the visible structure was similar to photographic detail!  A bright bar extends north-south and is sharply concentrated with a very small, round, intense nucleus.  A bright arm is attached right at the N side of the bar and sweeps counterclockwise 180° to the S end, along the E side.  A brighter region was visible in the arm E of the nucleus, which include HII regions NGC 4303:[HK83] #35/39/41/45/49, from the Hodge-Kennicutt "Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies."  At this location, the arm has a sharp turn [63°] and angles towards the SW. The arm dims rapidly on the S end, but I was able to follow it much further SW in the outer halo, where it passes just N of a mag 14.0 star [2.4' SW of center].

The western arm is attached at the S end of the bar and it sweeps N on the W side.  A bright, elongated patch is on the southern end of this arm, which includes [HK83] #155, ~45" SSW of the nucleus.  The arm extends inside a mag 14 star in the W side of the halo [1.2' WSW of center] and then sharply dims but extends towards #242, a nearly detached faint knot 1.2' WNW of center.

A partial outer arm, not attached to the core, was easily visible on the N side, angling SW to NE.  At the NE end of this short bright arm is the HII knot [HK83] #91, a very bright, 15" knot, 1.2' NNE of center.  The arm dims suddenly on the NE end, but a diffuse extension continues to wrap counterclockwise to the SE at the edge of the eastern halo.

24" (5/20/20 and 5/24/20): viewed SN 2020jfo (Type II), discovered on May 6th 1.1' W and 0.5' N of the center of the galaxy.  This is the 8th SN discovered in M61 since 1926, the most of any Messier.  It appeared very close in brightness to a mag 14.2 star that is 1.2' W of center and collinear with another mag 14 star 2.4' SW of center.

M61 appeared strongly concentrated with a bright elongated core or bar oriented N-S that increased to an intense, very small nucleus.  Three arms were easily visible. A short but well defined arm angled SW-NE on the north side (outside the eastern arm). It ended at a relatively bright HII knot [HK83] #91, which was well defined and noticed immediately. The eastern arm, which emerged from the N side of the bar, was very well defined and extended E of the core, then headed S and angled towards the SW. The western arm began on the S or SE side of the bar and rotated counterclockwise towards to the W and bent in the NW direction. It passed inside a 14th mag star [1.1' W of center]. A subtle brightening or knot, [HK83] #155, was seen along this arm 40" S of center (collinear with the northern knot and the center).

18" (5/12/07): spiral structure was easily visible.  One arm is attached at the N end and sweeps towards the NE and then hooks to the S along the E side.  A bright knot ([HK83] #91) is within the arm at the NE end.  A second broader arm is attached at the S end and sweeps towards the SW and then hooks towards the N on the W side.  The central region contains a bright, stellar nucleus.

13.1" (5/27/84): very bright, large, bright stellar nucleus.  Two spiral arms were faintly visible; one arm is attached south of the nucleus and winds towards the W and then N.  A slightly brighter arm is attached N of the nucleus. It winds along the E side towards the S.  In the field with NGC 4292 11' NW and NGC 4301 10' NE.

11x80mm (5/27/84): easy in finder.

Italian astronomer Barnaba Oriani discovered M61 = NGC 4303 = H. I-139 = h1202 on 5 May 1779 with a 3.6-inch refractor at the Brera Observatory in Milano.  He discovered it while following the Comet of 1779 and described it as "Very pale and looking exactly like the comet."   Messier independently found M61 the same night, though initially mistook it for the comet, finally recognizing it as a nebula on 11 May.

William Herschel found M61 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553).  He noted "very bright". He observed it again on 30 Apr (sweep 558) and noted "extremely bright, very bright nucleus, resolvble, 6 or 7' diameter."  Herschel didn't realize it was M61 and it was included in his second catalogue as H. I. 139.  John Herschel observed M61 on 3 consecutive sweeps in 1828, describing it on 10 April as "very faintly bicentral.  The two nuclei 90" distance in position angle 45 to 50° north-following."  This comment was the source of the GC and NGC description "bi-nuclear".  The second nucleus is very likely the bright knot on the northern spiral arm.  Sir John equated M61 and his father's  I. 139 in the Slough Catalogue.

Bindon Blood Stoney and/or his brother George Johnstone discovered spiral structure on 1 Mar 1851 and noted "spiral, 2 knots, centre bright.  There is another neb. 10' nf."  A sketch made of M61 on 14 Apr 1852 was included in the 1861 publication, though misidentified as h1196 [NGC 4292].  The two knots clearly included in the sketch are [HK83] #91 and [HK83] #155, mentioned in my 24-inch observation. The neb 10' nf probably refers to NGC 4301 = NGC 4303A = UGC 7439.  See that number.

M61 has hosted 8 supernovae since 1926 (six of these since 1961), making M61 the current record holder among Messier galaxies.  The first (SN 1926A) was found by Max Wolf and Karl Reinmuth at the Heidelberg Observatory.
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NGC 4304 = ESO 380-020 = MCG -05-29-034 = LGG 280-003 = PGC 40055
12 22 12.7  -33 29 04; Hya
V = 11.6;  Size 2.6'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.5

18" (5/28/06): very faint, fairly large, round, 2' diameter, broad weak concentration.  Appears as a diffuse glow of low surface brightness though seems mottled or one or more very faint stars is superimposed. Located 6.9' NW of mag 8.2 SAO 203407.

On the DSS, this galaxy is a face-on barred spiral similar to NGC 1300.  A bright HII region lies on the south side and this probably contributed to the appearance of "mottled" or having a superimposed "star".

John Herschel discovered NGC 4304 = h3387 on 28 Apr 1834 and logged "vF; pL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 90"; r."

NGC 4304 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as a "looks lie a ring nebula."  A photograph taken with the 30-inch reflector at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt between 1912-14 revealed a "S-Shaped spiral".
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NGC 4305 = UGC 7432 = MCG +02-32-013 = CGCG 070-031 = Holm 381a = PGC 40030
12 22 03.6  +12 44 27; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 32°

24" (5/29/14): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6'.  Contains a brighter, elongated core.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 4306 2.8' N.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, diffuse arms, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4306 2.8' N.  NGC 4267 lies 33' W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4305 = h1203 on 2 May 1829 and simply noted "vF; R."  His position is just 45" south of center, though he missed nearby NGC 4306.
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NGC 4306 = UGC 7433 = MCG +02-32-014 = CGCG 070-032 = Holm 381b = PGC 40032
12 22 04.1  +12 47 15; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  PA = 140°

24" (5/29/14): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 40"x32", weak concentration.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 4305 2.8' S.

17.5" (4/25/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, diffuse, no concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4305 2.8' S.

George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 4306 on 13 Apr 1849, while viewing the central region of the Virgo cluster.  He labeled the galaxy Beta on the diagram and recorded "Alpha [NGC 4305] and Beta [NGC 4306] nearly in merdian [N-S], both F, Alpha the larger."  Henrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 4306 on 16 Apr 1865 and measured an accurate position.  d'Arrest is credited with the discovery in the NGC as no positions or offsets were later determined.
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NGC 4307 = UGC 7431 = MCG +02-32-012A = CGCG 070-029 = Holm 380a = PGC 40033
12 22 05.6  +09 02 38; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 3.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 24°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, large, edge-on SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration.  Forms a pair with IC 3211 3.2' S.  The companion (identified as NGC 4307A in the RNGC) appeared extremely faint and small, round.  NGC 4316 lies 20' NNE.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4307 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory.  He noted "pL, not vF" and his position was 2.5' too far south. Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 4307 on 17 Mar 1882 and mentioined it in the narrative part of his 7th discovery paper.
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NGC 4308 = UGC 7426 = MCG +05-29-069 = CGCG 158-088 = PGC 40011
12 21 56.8  +30 04 27; Com
V = 13.4;  Size 0.8'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (4/25/98): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration.  Located 13' NW of NGC 4314.  Observation hampered by poor transparency.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 4308 = Sf. 107 = T. 5-16 on 11 Jun 1868 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  The discovery was not published until 1887, too late to be credited in the NGC.  Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered the galaxy on 17 Feb 1882, recorded it as new in his 5th discovery paper.  Tempel was credited with the discovery in the main NGC listing.
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NGC 4309 = UGC 7435 = MCG +01-32-025 = CGCG 042-051 = Holm 382a = PGC 40051
12 22 12.4  +07 08 39; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, elongated E-W, diffuse, gradually increases to a small bright core.  A mag 13 star is 2.9' E.  Located 20' W of the NGC 4343 group.

Auguste Voigt discovered NGC 4309 on 27 Apr 1865.  His unpublished logbook position is 4' to the SSW and he logged it (#39 in a list 102 objects observed) as a "Nova?"  Due to his uncertainty, NGC 4309 wasn't included in his final list of 10 "Novae".  None of his Voigt's discoveries at the Marseilles Observatory were published at the time.  Christian Peters rediscovered NGC 4309 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory in New York and measured an accurate position. The discovery was not published in his two lists in Copernicus 1881 and 1882, so it must have been communicated directly to Dreyer.

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NGC 4310 = NGC 4338 = UGC 7440 = MCG +05-29-074 = CGCG 158-092 = PGC 40086
12 22 26.3  +29 12 31; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 165°

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', weak concentration.  A wide pair of mag 12 stars [1.3' separation] lies 4' S.  The nearer star has a mag 14 companion at 24".

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration.  The trio of NGC 4278, NGC 4283 and NGC 4286 lies ~30' NW.  Observation affected by hazy skies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4310 = H. II-378 = h1205 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "F, cL, lE."  There is only a single galaxy here, although on sweep 68, John Herschel called it "vB.  The np of 2 [with h1206 = NGC 4611]."

Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 accurate measurements of the positions, with a 4th exactly 1.0 min of time too large.  Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it as NGC 4338.  So, NGC 4310 = NGC 4338.
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NGC 4311
12 22 26  +29 12 24; Com

= Not found, Corwin.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4311 = h1206 on 19 Apr 1827 and recorded "F; the sf of two [with NGC 4310]."  There is only a single galaxy here, so it is not clear what Herschel was referring to.  Curiously, his position is a very close match with NGC 4310.  Harold Corwin was unsuccessful in searching for other pairs that JH might have misidentified.  UGC, RNGC and MCG label the single galaxy as NGC 4310 = NGC 4311.
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NGC 4312 = UGC 7442 = MCG +03-32-014 = CGCG 099-029 = Holm 387b = PGC 40095
12 22 31.4  +15 32 16; Com
V = 11.7;  Size 4.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright and large, very elongated N-S, 2.5'x0.6', brighter the along major axis.  A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars at 21" separation lies 2.5' ESE.  Located 18' SSW of M100.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4312 = H. II-628 = h1209 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and logged "pB, cL, E."  Caroline's reduced position is 6 sec of RA east of UGC 7442.
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NGC 4313 = UGC 7445 = MCG +02-32-016 = CGCG 070-034 = PGC 40105
12 22 38.6  +11 48 04; Vir
V = 11.6;  Size 4.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 143°

24" (5/29/14): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 NW-SE, 2.1'x0.6', bright, elongated core increases to a faint stellar nucleus, mottled surface.  The northwest extension seems slightly brighter and longer and in addition is slightly tilted with respect to the major axis of the core.

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated NW-SE, very small bright core.  Located 22' NE of the NGC 4294/NGC 4299 pair in the same low power field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4313 = H. II-63 = h1207 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "E, resembling the former two [NGC 4294 and 4299].  His position on this sweep is 1.0 tmin too large. A similar error was made on several nebulae discovered on that night including NGCs 3810, 4067, 4294, 4313, 4352, 4371, and 4429.  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 11 Apr 1823 (only his 3rd registered sweep), "eF; E 45° np, resolved in middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4314 = UGC 7443 = MCG +05-29-075 = CGCG 158-093 = PGC 40097
12 22 32.0  +29 53 44; Com
V = 10.6;  Size 4.2'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/25/98): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:1 NNW-SSE, ~3'x1' [prominent central bar].  The halo fades at the tips and rises fairly abruptly to an oval core.  A mag 13 star is at the northwest tip and a mag 14/15 star is embedded on the southeast side.  The observation was hampered by poor transparency and the faint outer halo of this barred spiral was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4314 = H. I-76 = h1204 = Sf. 20 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "cB, L, E."  His position matches UGC 7443. Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy on 16 May 1886 with the 18.5" Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory, though noted "vB, probably well known."
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NGC 4315
12 22 39.5  +09 17 10; Vir

= *, Corwin.  "Not found", Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4315, along with NGC 4316, on 17 Mar 1882.  He mentioned a fainter nebula to the south 1.5' and 2 sec of RA west.  There is nothing at this offset, except a mag 15 star which is 2.8' south and 3 sec of RA west or perhaps a mag 14 star 1.6' south and 2.5 sec of RA east.  Tempel apparently confused one of these stars as being nebulous.
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NGC 4316 = UGC 7447 = MCG +02-32-017 = CGCG 070-035 = PGC 40119
12 22 42.3  +09 19 56; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 113°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration.  A double star is off the WNW end with components 13.2/13.5 at 19".  NGC 4307 is 21' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4316 = St. 13-68 = T. 5-17 on 5 Apr 1878.  His notebook position was less than less than 2' S of center.  His published position (list 13, #68) was reduced on 1 Apr 1884 and mentions the galaxy is elongated WNW-ESE.

Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered NGC 4316, along with NGC 4315, on 17 Mar 1882.  He reported it in his 5th discovery list and noted the 20" pair of stars off the northwest end so the identification with UGC 7447 is certain, although there are only a couple of stars near his offset for NGC 4315.  Both Tempel (1) and Stephan (2) are credited in the NGC, although the order should be reversed based on the date of discovery (not publication).
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NGC 4317
12 22 36  +31 02; Com

= Not found, Corwin.  = *, Reinmuth and Carlson.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4317 = H. II-324 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and logged "F, S."  There is nothing at his position and Corwin was not able to find a likely candidate.

Karl Renimuth identifies NGC 4317 with a mag 13.7 star and this is repeated by Dorothy Carlson.  But Corwin feels II-324 probably does not refer to a star as the description would more likely be vS or eS.  So, he calls it "lost".
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NGC 4318 = UGC 7446 = MCG +02-32-015 = CGCG 042-059 = CGCG 070-033 = PGC 40122
12 22 43.3  +08 11 54; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 0.7'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 65°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core.  Located 4.4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 119363.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4318 = h1208 on 18 Jan 1828 and noted "eF; a star 8m 5' dist, on meridian to north."  His position is within 30" of the center of UGC 7446 and HD 107744 is 4.4' due north.  Schwassmann reported (IC 2 Notes section) "it looks on the plate like a *11-12, not nebulous". on a Konigstuhl-Heidelberg plate.
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NGC 4319 = NGC 4345 = UGC 7429 = MCG +03-09-025 = CGCG 352-029 = LGG 284-005 = PGC 39981
12 21 43.9  +75 19 20; Dra
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 160°

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, small, bright core, stellar nucleus.  The quasar Markarian 205 (controversial quasar with an apparent discordant redshift) appears as a faint mag 14.5 stellar object 0.7' south of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4291 6' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4319 = H. I-276 = h1210, along with NGC 4291, on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066). He recorded "considerably bright, considerably large, much brighter middle, irregular figure."  John Herschel made three observations and recorded (sweep 413) "pretty bright; pretty large; bright middle.  Follows [NGC 4291]."
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NGC 4320 = UGC 7452 = MCG +02-32-018 = CGCG 070-036 = VIII Zw 184 = PGC 40160
12 22 57.8  +10 32 55; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, very small, round, bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4325 4.9' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4320 on 15 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 4 nights, matches UGC 7452 and he mentions the mag 15 star (called mag 17) which precedes by 5.6 sec of RA.  In the IC 2 Notes section, Dreyer mentions that Frost was unable to identify this galaxy on a Harvard plate of 4 hours exposure, although it was included in Adelaide Ames' 1930 "A Catalogue of 2778 Nebulae, including the Coma-Virgo Group", based on plates taken with the Bruce astrograph at Arequipa.
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NGC 4321 = M100 = UGC 7450 = MCG +03-32-015 = CGCG 099-030 = Holm 387a = WBL 401-001 = PGC 40153
12 22 55.0  +15 49 21; Com
V = 9.3;  Size 7.4'x6.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 30°

82" (5/6/24, McDonald Observatory): at 641x; the center of M100 is sharply condensed with an intensely bright nucleus, 10"-15" in diameter, with a stellar peak at the center.  The nucleus has a brighter rim (star-forming arms) forming a fairly subtle but definite 'nuclear ring'.  A near certain knot was glimpsed along the rim of the nucleus [on the NW side]. In general, the nucleus was mottled or uneven in surface brightness.  The well defined arm structure was beautiful at this power.

82" (5/4/19): at 400x; this superb spiral nearly filled the 10' eyepiece field and displayed two main high contrast, very thin and beautiful spiral arms.  They wrapped towards the center, which was sharply concentrated with an extremely bright nucleus.

48" (4/18/15): stunning view of this gorgeous spiral at 375x and 488x.  M100 was sharply concentrated with an intensely bright circular nucleus.  Two prominent, high contrast arms (fairly narrow) each rotated ~270° and could be clearly traced to within 1' of the center.  The south and north outer tips of the arms are between 5.5'-6' apart with the overall size ~6'x5'.

One arm begins off the WNW side of the core with a bright mottled section angling nearly N-S for ~25".  This section contains multiple HII sites NGC 4321:[HK83]220/223/229/230 from Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies."  The arm curls clockwise around the S side.  A small (~8" dia.) HII knot (#160/171/172) is within this arm, 1.0' S of center.  Just to the east [1.5' SE of center] is a brighter, mottled section that contains a close pair [18" separation] of compact HII knots (#110 and #69/87).  The surface brightness of the arm abruptly drops as it shoots due N on the E side of the halo for ~3'.  The arm dims further as it curves W on the NE side of the outer halo and ends just SE of a mag 15 star [2.9' NNW of center].

The second arm begins ~1' SE of center as a thicker, much brighter region.  Numerous HII objects lie in this region, but none stood out individually.  The arm sharply narrows and rotates clockwise around the N side of the core towards the W.  It passes just S of two mag 15.5 stars, where there is a slightly brighter mottled section containing HII regions #252/253.  The arm dims significantly as it heads S on the W side of the halo.  Finally, it weakens further and spreads out at the end on the SW side of the galaxy [2.6' from center].

18" (5/15/10): very bright, large, ~4.0-4.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright round core.  Spiral structure was evident at 220x with a spiral arm attached on the SW side of the core region.  This arm sweeps E on the S side, heading in the direction of a mag 14 star just off the SE end of the galaxy, but bending N.  On the N side off of the core, a portion of the inner spiral arm is visible.  This section is oriented E-W and extends to the NW of the core region.

17.5" (5/23/87): bright, very large, almost round, well-defined bright core surrounded by a large, fainter halo.  Two faint galaxies NGC 4323 and NGC 4328 lie 5' N and 6' E, respectively.  This is the brightest spiral in the Coma-Virgo cluster.

Pierre Méchain discovered M100 = NGC 4321 = h1211, along with M98 and M99, on 15 Mar 1781 and Messier verified it a month later.  William Herschel described "a vL nebula of about 10' in diameter, with a small bright cluster of supposed stars in the middle.  It is followed at the distance of 6 or 8' by another distinct F, S, R, r nebula [NGC 4328] which is nearly in the same parallel with the great one."  His description obviously refers to the sharply concentrated core, though he gave this as an example in his 1814 publication of a nebula probably consisting of a cluster of stars.

Lord Rosse discovered spiral structure in M100 on 9 Mar 1850 (or earlier) and included M100 in his list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in the 1850 PT paper.  William Lassell published two sketches of M100 using his 48-inch on Malta on 24 and 26 Apr 1862.  The second one is an excellent rendering of the spiral arms, which both wrap about 1 1/2 revolutions around the core.  Dreyer's comment "(L): 2-branched spiral", is based on this sketch.

M101 is one of the largest and brightest spirals in the Virgo cluster.  It was the first Virgo cluster member that the HST observed Cepheid variables (1993) and derived a distance of 55 million light years.  Five supernovae have been recorded: 1901B, 1914A, 1959E, 1979C, 2006X.  The first two were found on archived plates and announced by Heber Curtis in Lick Observatory Bulletin 300 (1917LicOB...9..108C). SN 1901B was found on a photograph taken on 17 Mar 1901 and SN 1914A was found on a photograph taken 2 Mar 1914.
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NGC 4322
12 22 42.0  +15 54 13; Com

24" (5/22/17): this number *possibly* applies to a 13th magnitude star 5.7' NW of the center of M100 and 4.8' due west of NGC 4323 (CGCG 099-031).  This single star clearly appeared stellar 200x-375x and was bright enough that I'm surprised if Tempel would have confused it as a nebulous object unless the seeing was very poor.  Most catalogues assign both NGC 4322 and 4323 to the single galaxy to the north of M100.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4322, along with NGC 4323 and NGC 4327, in 1882, during an observation of M100.  In the text section of his 5th discovery list (AN 2439) he mentions "on my drawing are three other very faint nebula in the vicinity, two north and close to M100 and the third south of [NGC 4328]."  There is only a single galaxy close north of M100 and none to the south of NGC 4328.  RNGC and MCG equate NGC 4322 = NGC 4323 although Corwin suggests NGC 4323 should apply to the (single) galaxy and NGC 4322 to a star further west, whose position is given here.  This assignment for NGC 4322 is really just a guess, though, so I've left the designation as "Not Found".  Of course, the galaxy listed here could be identified as NGC 4322 with NGC 4323 left as "Not Found".
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NGC 4323 = MCG +03-32-016 = CGCG 099-031 = Holm 387f = WBL 401-002 = PGC 40171
12 23 01.6  +15 54 20; Com
V = 14.7;  Size 1.1'x0.8'

24" (5/22/17): at 375x; very faint, fairly small, roundish, ~0.4' diameter, very low surface brightness with no structure.  Could often hold with averted but required concentration to pick up.  Located 5.3' NNE of the center of M100.  A mag 13 star is 4.8' due W.  This galaxy was marginal in Carter Scholz's 16", which makes me question if Wilhelm Tempel would have picked it up in an 11" refractor.

18" (5/15/10): this faint galaxy is located just 5.2' NNE of the center of the face-on spiral M100.  At 220x it appeared very faint, fairly small, ~0.5'x0.4' (difficult to determine the orientation), very low surface brightness with no central brightening.  This galaxy is the fainter of two companions of M100 with NGC 4328 6' E of center.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4323, along with NGC 4322 and NGC 4327, in 1882, during an observation of M100.  He mentions "on my drawing are three other very faint nebula in the vicinity, two north and close to M100 and the third south of [NGC 4328]."  But there is only a single galaxy north of M100, namely CGCG 099-031 = PGC 40171.  RNGC and MCG label this galaxy as NGC 4322 = NGC 4333 but Harold Corwin argues that NGC 4322 is probably a star 4.8' west of the galaxy, which implies only NGC 4323 should be used for the galaxy (placing the numbers in order of RA).  See Corwin's identification notes.

In 1908 this galaxy was reported as a new "nebula" based on photographs taken by Keeler and Perrine in 1898-1900 and catalogued (#423) in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 4324 = UGC 7451 = MCG +01-32-032 = CGCG 042-063 = Holm 388a = LGG 287-004 = PGC 40179
12 23 06.2  +05 15 01; Vir
V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 53°

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, small bright core, elongated WSW-ENE, fainter extensions.  Located 9' ESE of double star 17 Virginis (∑1636 = 6.6/9.4 at 21").

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4324 on 4 Mar 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on 4 nights) is accurate.  Eduard Schönfeld independently found the galaxy less than a month later on 1 Apr 1862 with a 6-inch refractor at the Mannheim Observatory.
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NGC 4325 = NGC 4368? = MCG +02-32-019 = CGCG 070-037 = PGC 40183
12 23 06.6  +10 37 16; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, small, irregularly round, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4320 4.9' SSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4325 on 15 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He made 4 observations and noted the mag 14.5 star (he called it mag 16) that follows by 7.6 seconds of time.

WH's III-38 = NGC 4368 is probably another observation, though this identification is somewhat uncertain as his position is 1.5 minutes of RA further east.  See that number.
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NGC 4326 = UGC 7454 = MCG +01-32-033 = CGCG 042-064 = PGC 40192
12 23 11.6  +06 04 19; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 1.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 145°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3, 0.6'x0.45', small bright core.  Bracketed by a mag 10.5 star 3' N and a mag 11.5 star 2' S.  Located 5.8' W of NGC 4339 in a trio with NGC 4333 3.3' SE in the Virgo cluster.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  First of three and forms a right angle with NGC 4333 3.3' SE and NGC 4339 5.7' E.  A mag 11 star is 3.0' N.  Located within the NGC 4339 group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4326 = H. II-141 = h1213, along with NGCs 4333 and 4339, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded "Three [with NGC 4333 and 4339], the last [NGC 4339] is the largest."  On 25 Apr 1830 (sweep 254), John Herschel wrote, "vF; S; R; bM; 10"; the first of 3 in a triangle."
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NGC 4327
12 23 07.5  +15 44 11; Com

= not found, Gottlieb and Carlson.  =*, Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4327, along with NGC 4322 and 4323, in 1882, during an observation of M100.  In the notes section of paper V (AN 2439) Tempel commented, "There are three other, very subtle nebulae in the vicinity [of M100], two to the north, near to M100, and the third to the south of NGC 2894." There is no nebula to the south of NGC 2894 (and only one to the north of M100) and it was not found visually or photographically by Bigourdan, Frost, Carlson and the RNGC.  Corwin suggests a star that might have been picked up by Tempel, but the magnitude (roughly 16.5) seems too faint, so I've classified it as "not found".
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NGC 4328 = MCG +03-32-019 = CGCG 099-034 = Holm 387d = WBL 401-003 = PGC 40209
12 23 20.0  +15 49 13; Com
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 90°

18" (5/15/10): faint, fairly small, very diffuse with just a weak concentration, ~0.8' diameter, no distinct core or zones.  Located just 6' due east of the center of M100 and the brighter of two companions in the field with NGC 4323.

18" (4/5/03): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6', very low surface brightness (although catalogued surface brightness is 13.1), very weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.4' NE.  Located 6.0' E of M100.

17.5" (5/23/87): extremely faint, small, round.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.4' NE of center.  Located 6' due east of M100!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4328 = H. II-84 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "It [M100] is followed at the distance of 6 or 8' by another distinct F, S, R, r nebula which is nearly in the same parallel with the great one."  The NGC RA is 9 seconds too small, but the identification is certain.  Nevertheless, it was found again on plates taken with the Crossley reflector in 1898-1900, and catalogued as a new nebula (#465 of 744) in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.
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NGC 4329 = MCG -02-32-009 = PGC 40212
12 23 20.7  -12 33 31; Crv
V = 11.5;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 11.5;  PA = 45°

17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, moderate surface brightness, 25" diameter.  Seems fainter than listed blue magnitude of 12.5.  MCG -02-32-006 lies 24' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4329 = h1214 on 9 Mar 1828 and recorded (single observation) "F; sB; R; bM to nucleus. His position is 1.4' north of PGC 40212.
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NGC 4330 = UGC 7456 = MCG +02-32-020 = CGCG 070-039 = FGC 1423 = PGC 40201
12 23 16.6  +11 22 07; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 4.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 59°

17.5" (4/18/87): faint, fairly large, edge-on SW-NE, even surface brightness.  NGC 4353 lies 14' SE.

George Johnstone Stoney or his brother Bindon Blood Stoney discovered NGC 4330 on 14 Apr 1852.  During an observation of NGC 4294 and 4299 with the 72", "another vF and thin ray about 30' following." John Herschel catalogued this object as GC 2909 ("R. nova").  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 15 Apr 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and measured an accurate position (3 nights).  Dreyer catalogued this observation as GC 5639 with the note ""Probably = [GC] 2909."  The two GC entries were combined in the NGC.
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NGC 4331 = UGC 7449 = MCG +13-09-026 = CGCG 352-031 = VII Zw 451 = LGG 284-007 = PGC 40085
12 22 35.9  +76 10 21; Dra
V = 14.1;  Size 2.2'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 2°

18" (3/5/05): extremely faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 N-S.  A mag 14-14.5 star is at the north tip and the galaxy appears as a ghostly dagger hanging to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4331 = H. III-942 = h1220 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1068). He noted "extremely faint, elongated near the meridian [N-S].  Verified with 320x."  Caroline's reduced position is 1.8' SE of UGC 7449 and his description matches.
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NGC 4332 = UGC 7453 = MCG +11-15-048 = CGCG 315-033 = PGC 40133
12 22 46.8  +65 50 37; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, weak concentration.  A mag 11.5 star is 2.1' ENE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4332 = H. II-847 = h1216 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "pB; S; lE."  John Herschel recorded (single observation) 'F; R; very gradually brighter middle; 20"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4333 = MCG +01-32-034 = CGCG 042-065 = PGC 40217
12 23 22.2  +06 02 26; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus, 20" diameter.  Located 4' SW of NGC 4339 in a trio with NGC 4326 3.3' NW.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4339 4' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4333 = H. II-142 = h1215, along with NGC 4326 and 4329, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  On 25 Apr 1830 (sweep 254), John Herschel logged "F; pS; R; bM; 15"; the second of 3 in a triangle."
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NGC 4334 = UGC 7458 = MCG +01-32-035 = CGCG 042-066 = PGC 40218
12 23 24.0  +07 28 23; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 2.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 135°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, very small, small bright core, faint extensions NW-SE.  A mag 11.5 star is just 0.7' SSE of center.  NGC 4365 lies 18' SE.  The IC 3256/NGC 4343 group is located 30' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4334 = h1218 on 24 Apr 1830.  His single observation reads "pF; R; S; close to a star [on the south side]" and his position is very accurate.
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NGC 4335 = UGC 7455 = MCG +10-18-035 = CGCG 293-015 = PGC 40169
12 23 01.9  +58 26 40; UMa
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 145°

17.5" (5/13/88): first of four and brightest in the group.  Moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4335 = H. II-806 = h1217 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and simply noted "pretty bright".  John Herschel made two observations, recording on 1 May 1831 (sweep 345), "pretty bright; small; elongated; gradually brighter middle; good observation of place."
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NGC 4336 = IC 3254 = UGC 7462 = MCG +03-32-020 = CGCG 099-035 = Holm 389a = PGC 40231
12 23 29.8  +19 25 36; Com
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 162°

17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE (PA 160°) in the direction of a mag 10 star 3.5' SSE, 60"x45".  Weak concentration to center but the surface brightness appears irregular.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4336 = H. II-406 = h1219 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and recorded "pF, pL, much brighter in the middle.  It either has a small one almost joined to it to the north, or else the light of it is a little brighter in that place, but not nearly so bright as the other part."  No such structure is apparent on the DSS.  John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position on 23 Mar 1827 (sweep 61).

Royal Frost found the galaxy on 7 May 1904 at Arequipa on a Bruce 24-inch plate (taken on the night of 9 May 1904) and reported as number 884 in Harvard Annals 60.  His position is 2' north of NGC 4336.  So, NGC 4336 = IC 3254.  See Harold Corwin's IC identification notes for the full story.
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NGC 4337 = ESO 131-2 = Cr 254
12 24 02.3  -58 07 12; Cru
V = 8.9;  Size 4'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, ~15 stars are arranged in a striking 4.5' diameter partial oval for ~270 degrees and open on the west side.  A few stars are situated both in the interior and outside of this three-fourth completed ring.  In the center of the loop are a few mag 13-14 stars and a fairly bright background glow from a dense group of unresolved stars in the core of the cluster.  A gorgeous, equal mag double star Brs 8 = 7.6/7.9 at 5" is located 6' E.  The cluster is located midway between Delta and Gamma Crucis along one side of the Southern Cross.  This group may be an asterism an not a physical cluster.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4337 = h3388 on 1 Apr 1834 and reported "a p rich cl; not much compressed in the middle; stars 12...14m, in curved branches.  A fine double star follows [Brs 8]."  His position is just west of center of this cluster.
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NGC 4338 = NGC 4310 = UGC 7440 = MCG +05-29-074 = CGCG 158-092 = PGC 40205
12 22 26.3  +29 12 31; Com

See observing notes for NGC 4310.  Here are my notes on IC 3247, often misidentified as NGC 4438 --
24" (5/30/16): at 225x; extremely faint, thin edge-on ~5:1 N-S, very low surface brightness, very slightly brighter elongated core, ~45"x9".  Only visible part of the time, though pops clearly and can hold for a few seconds.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4338 on 19 May 1863 and described "vF, E, cometary, quite difficult to see because of dusk. The place has not yet been verified."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min of time west is NGC 4310, discovered by WH.  d'Arrest measured NGC 4310 on 3 other nights, but not the one he recorded NGC 4338.  Harold Corwin equates NGC 4338 = NGC 4310.

RNGC, RC3, SIMBAD and secondary sources such as WikiSky, Uranometria 2000. Atlas and Megastar misidentify IC 3247 as NGC 4338.  IC 3247 is located 20' south of d'Arrest's position.  Reinmuth also questioned if NGC 4338 = IC 3247 but Malcolm Thomson feels this galaxy is too faint and would not have been visible in d'Arrest's 11-inch refractor in twilight -- I agree.
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NGC 4339 = UGC 7461 = MCG +01-32-036 = CGCG 042-068 = LGG 289-026 = PGC 40240
12 23 35.0  +06 04 54; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 2.4'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter, bright core increases evenly to center.  A mag 11 star lies 1.5' S of center.  Brightest of three with NGC 4326 and NGC 4333.  This Virgo cluster member harbors an active galactic nucleus.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, fairly small, round, small very bright core.  Forms a trio with NGC 4333 4' SW and NGC 4326 6' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4339 = H. II-143 = h1222, along with NGC 4326 and 4333, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  Immediately after viewing this trio, he discovered another trio - NGC 4341, 4342 and 4343.  On 25 Apr 1830 (sweep 254), John Herschel wrote "B; R; pL; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"; the third in a triangle."
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NGC 4340 = UGC 7467 = MCG +03-32-021 = CGCG 099-036 = Holm 391b = PGC 40245
12 23 35.2  +16 43 21; Com
V = 11.2;  Size 3.5'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 102°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, almost round, fairly small, small well defined core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4350 5.6' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4340 = H. II-85 = h1212, along with NGC 4350, on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182).  He described both as "Two nebula, the following [NGC 4350] is the brightest, both S and the last pB."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position in April 1864 (credited in the NGC), as well as Édouard Stephan on 30 Mar 1886.
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NGC 4341 = IC 3260 = UGC 7472 = MCG +01-32-042 = CGCG 042-076 = PGC 40280
12 23 53.5  +07 06 25; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 96°

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; fainter and lower surface brightness than NGC 4342 and 4343, very elongated 3:1 or 4:1 E-W, ~50"x15", low nearly even surface brightness.with just a very subtle central brightening.  NGC 4342 is 5' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~E-W, even surface brightness.  Member of the NGC 4343 group and midway between IC 3259 4.9' NNW and IC 3267 5.0' SSW.  The identification og NGC 4341 is uncertain and this galaxy of sometimes identified as IC 3260 instead.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4341 = H. III-95, and with NGC 4342 and NGC 4343, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded "Three, all extremely faint and very small, round nebula."  His single position is between NGC 4343 and 4342.  H. III-95 = UGC 7472 is the faintest of the three brightest galaxies (out of five) that Herschel likely viewed.  See NGC 4342 for more.

Bigourdan observed the group on 23 Apr 1895 and measured the position of this galaxy (UGC 7472).  Likewise, Arnold Schwassmann measured a very accurate position (Sn. 17) on a Heidelberg plate from 27 Nov 1900.  Dreyer assumed they found a new object, but IC 3260 is likely NGC 4341.

Due to the ambiguity of the identification of NGC 4341, the CGCG and MCG label this galaxy IC 3260.  UGC and RNGC use both designations. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for the full story.
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NGC 4342 = IC 3256 = UGC 7466 = MCG +01-32-039 = CGCG 042-071 = PGC 40252
12 23 39.1  +07 03 14; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 168°

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, ~40"x12", high surface brightness slash!  Contains a very bright, nearly stellar nucleus.  Larger (but lower surface brightness) NGC 4343 is 6' S.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very small, elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 4342 = IC 3256 has the highest surface brightness of the members in the NGC 4343 group.  NGC 4343 is 6.0' S, NGC 4341 = IC 3260 4.8' NE, IC 3267 6.6' E, IC 3259 8.3' NNE.  See notes on the identification.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4342 = H. III-96, along with NGC 4341 and 4343, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded the trio as "Three, all extremely faint and very small, round nebula."  His single position is between NGC 4343 and 4342.  There are 5 galaxies in this group and as a result there's been considerable confusion on the correct identifications.  Assuming Herschel observed the three brightest galaxies, Harold Corwin suggests the identifications NGC 4341 = IC 3260 = UGC 7472, NGC 4342 = IC 3256 = UGC 7466 and NGC 4343 = UGC 7465, though the CGCG (Herzog) argues the NGC designations should be dropped and the unambiguous IC designations used exclusively.

Bigourdan found this galaxy again on 23 Apr 1895 and his B. 291 (later IC 3256) matches this galaxy and the CGCG and MCG use the IC designation.  The identifications are discussed in CGCG Vol 5, the RC 2 notes, Webb Society Quarterly Journal articles in Jan 1986 and Jan 1990, Herzog's 1967 paper "On the Identification of Five Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster" (1967PASP...79..627H), as well as Harold Corwin's identification notes!
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NGC 4343 = UGC 7465 = MCG +01-32-038 = CGCG 042-070 = PGC 40251
12 23 38.8  +06 57 15; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 2.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 133°

14.5" (4/12/21): at 226x; quite easy, very thin edge-on ~5:1 NW-SE, ~1.25'x0.25', small slightly brighter core.  Furthest south in a small group of galaxies SW of NGC 4365.  NGC 4342 is 6' N.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, brighter core, elongated NW-SE.  Brightest member of a group of five along with NGC 4342 = IC 3256 6.0' N.  Nearby are IC 3259 14' NNE, IC 3267 8' NE and NGC 4341 = IC 3260 10' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4343 = H. III-94 = h1223, along with NGC 4341 and 4342, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded the trio as"Three [along with III-95 = NGC 4341 and III-96 = NGC 4342], all eF and vS, R nebula."  His single position is between NGC 4343 and 4342.  See NGC 4342 for identification discussion.  This trio was discovered immediately after the NGC 4326/4333/4339 trio and immediatlely before the NGC 4365/4366/4370 trio!

John Herschel catalogued only a single nebula in the group that he identified as III-94: "pB; E; or has a F neb on the s f side."  His position matches UGC 7465.  See Corwin's identification notes for more on this group.
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NGC 4344 = UGC 7468 = MCG +03-32-022 = CGCG 099-037 = Holm 390a = PGC 40249
12 23 37.5  +17 32 28; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (5/23/98): faint, small, round, 30" diameter.  Appears as a diffuse glow with weak concentration forming an isosceles triangle with two mag 13 and 14 stars 2.0' SE and 2.0' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4344 = H. III-31 = h1224 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and noted "eF.  It forms a triangle with 2 small stars."  John Herschel logged "F; not vS; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 25"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4345 = NGC 4319 = UGC 7429 = MCG +03-09-025 = CGCG 352-029 = PGC 39981
12 21 43.9  +75 19 20; Dra

See observing notes for NGC 4319.

Gerhard Lohse found NGC 4345 in 1886 with the 15.5-inch refractor at Wigglesworth's observatory near Scarborough, England.  There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west is NGC 4319 = H I-276.  So, likely NGC 4345 = NGC 4319 with a 1 tmin error in RA.  Dorothy Carlson identifies NGC 4345 as a star near Lohse's position, but since the description mentions "pL" this is very unlikely.
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NGC 4346 = UGC 7463 = MCG +08-23-016 = CGCG 244-009 = PGC 40228
12 23 27.9  +46 59 38; CVn
V = 11.1;  Size 3.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 99°

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, rises sharply to a small very bright core, stellar nucleus highly suspected.  Located roughly 50' SE of M106.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4346 = H. I-210 = h1225 on 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 823) and recorded "cB, S, BN with irregular chevelure, lE near the parallel".  Caroline's reduction was 8' north of UGC 7463.  On 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) he recorded "vB, vS, lE nearly in the parallel; a BN with eF branches."  John Herschel made six observations and d'Arrest made a single observation with a precise position.
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NGC 4347
12 23 54  -03 14; Vir

= *?, Gottlieb and Corwin.  = NGC 4348??, Corwin.  = Not found, Sulentic.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4347 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory.  The only objects close to his position are faint stars.  Perhaps coincidentally, 13' south of his position is NGC 4348 (discovered by William Herschel).  He expressly mentions in his description "this can hardly be GC 2911 [NGC 4348]", due to the discrepany in position.  Assuming that's the case, this object is probably lost, though may refer to one or more faint stars.
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NGC 4348 = MCG +00-32-003 = CGCG 014-023 = PGC 40284
12 23 53.9  -03 26 36; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 3.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 40°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on SW-NE, increases to a brighter core.  A mag 14 star is located 1.2' W of center and a brighter mag 12 star lies 3.2' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4348 = H. II-625 = h1226 on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 674) and recorded "F, E from sp to nf, about 2' long."  His position is off the east side of CGCG 014-023 = PGC 40284.  John Herschel made two observations and logged on sweep 21 "F; irreg R; a small star preceding."
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NGC 4349 = ESO 131-3 = Cr 255 = Mel 110 = Lund 611
12 24 06  -61 52 12; Cru
V = 7.4;  Size 16'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, ~150 stars are resolved in a 15' field.  This cluster is rich and uniform in magnitudes except for a single mag 8.4 star (HD 107944) on the SE side which stands out over the large number of mag 10.5-12.5 stars.  The outline is elongated NW to SE but the stars are distributed fairly evenly within the boundaries.  This is a very pleasing group and an easy binocular object.  Located along the western side of the Southern Cross and 75' NNW of Alpha Crucis (Acrux)!

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): fairly faint, large glow, appears oval or elongated.  No resolution except for a star at the edge.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4349 = D 292 = h3389 on 30 Apr 1826.  Based on 4 observations he wrote, "a pretty cluster of extremely small stars, resembling a pretty large faint nebula, about 6' or 7' diameter: the compression is very gradual to the centre; a pretty bright star is in the following side of the cluster, round figure."

John Herschel observed the cluster on three sweeps.  On 14 Mar 1834 (sweep 432) he logged "chief star 10m of a fine rich cluster which fills field."  Two weeks later (sweep 434) he noted "a large loose cluster of small stars 12..14th mag; irregularly round; not very rich; little compressed in the middle; diam. 10'." His final sweep three years later (sweep 778) he recorded a "cluster class VI. Very large, very bright, A star about 8..9 mag taken but the brightest part of the cluster is about 4' N.p. Fills field; not much compressed in the middle; stars 12..13th mag; This cluster was found by Mr Maclear in this sweep made with him, not being aware at the time of its having been seen in Sweep 432."
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NGC 4350 = UGC 7473 = MCG +03-32-023 = CGCG 099-038 = Holm 391a = LGG 289-021 = PGC 40295
12 23 57.8  +16 41 36; Com
V = 11.0;  Size 3.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 28°

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly bright, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, fairly small, very small bright core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4340 5.6' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4350 = H. II-86 = h1221, along with NGC 4340, on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182). He described both as "Two nebula, the following [NGC 4350] is the brightest, both S and the last pB."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position in 1864 (credited in the NGC).
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NGC 4351 = NGC 4354 = UGC 7476 = MCG +02-32-024 = CGCG 070-045 = PGC 40306
12 24 01.6  +12 12 16; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, diffuse, fairly even surface brightness with only a slight broad concentration, slightly elongated ~E-W.  IC 3258 lies 16' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4351 on 19 May 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He measured the position on 5 different nights and estimated the size as 40"-45" in diameter.

Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 17 Apr 1887 and reported it as new in list VI-42.  His position is nearly identical to d'Arrest's, so it's surprising that Dreyer recatalogued it as NGC 4354. In any case, NGC 4351 = NGC 4354.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4352 = UGC 7475 = MCG +02-32-023 = CGCG 070-044 = PGC 40313
12 24 05.0  +11 13 05; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 102°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, small, oval ~E-W, small brighter core.  NGC 4330 lies 14' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4352 = H. II-64 = h1227 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and logged "F, vS."  His RA was 1 min too large (roughly the same error was made on this sweep with several others objects).  John Herschel measured an accurate RA and logged "vF; S; lE.", though he used his father's erroneous RA in the GC.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the nebula on 23 Mar 1865, measured an accurate RA again and Dreyer catalogued it again as GC 5642.  Bigourdan noted the equivalence and Dreyer combined the two GC and GCS entries (2929 and 5642) into NGC 4352.
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NGC 4353 = IC 3266 = MCG +01-32-043 = CGCG 042-077 = PGC 40303
12 24 00.2  +07 47 05; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 67°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, oval SW-NE.  A mag 13 star is 1.2' NNW.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4353 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at the Hamilton College Observatory.  His position in his Copernicus table (1881) is 0.1 minute of RA too large and 2' too far north.

Arnold Schwassmann found the galaxy again on 20 Nov 1899 using a Heidelberg plate taken with the 6" astrograph and assumed Sn. 49 was new.  In addition his Sn. 48 (later IC 3265) refers to a single star 1.2' NNW of the galaxy (mentioned in my observation).  So, NGC 4353 = IC 3266.  Instead of identifying the galaxy as NGC 4353, CGCG mislabels the galaxy as IC 3265 = IC 3266.
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NGC 4354 = NGC 4351 = UGC 7476 = MCG +02-32-024 = CGCG 070-045 = PGC 40306
12 24 01.6  +12 12 16; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4351.

Lewis Swift found NGC 4354 = Sw. 6-42 on 17 Apr 1887 and described as "eeF; pL; in vacancy; v diff."  His position is 1' from NGC 4351 = UGC 7476 (discovered by d'Arrest on 19 May 1863).  It's surprising that Dreyer didn't equate the two discoveries.  Dorothy Carlson states NGC 4354 = NGC 4351.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 4355 = NGC 4418 = UGC 7545 = MCG +00-32-012 = CGCG 014-039 = Todd 17 = PGC 40762
12 26 54.6  -00 52 40; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 59°

See observing notes for NGC 4418.

David Todd found NGC 4355 = Todd 17 on 11 Jan 1878 with the 26" refractor at the U.S. Naval Observatory during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  This is one of the 8 galaxies in his list that Dreyer credited to Todd.  His rough RA was 4.0 minutes too small but his field sketch and offsets match NGC 4418.  William Herschel made the original discovery on 1 Jan 1786 and catalogued this galaxy as H. III-492.  So, NGC 4355 = NGC 4418.
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NGC 4356 = IC 3273 = UGC 7482 = MCG +02-32-026 = CGCG 070-048 = FGC 1427 = PGC 40342
12 24 14.9  +08 32 16; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 2.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 40°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, edge-on SW-NE, low surface brightness.  A mag 13 star is involved at the east edge of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4356 = H. III-481 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and simply noted "vF".  Caroline's reduction is at the southwest tip of UGC 7482, so there is not doubt about the identification.  Arnold Schwassmann found it again in 1899 on a Heidelberg plate taken with a 6" astrograph and measured an accurate position.  He assumed it was new and Dreyer recatalogued this edge-on as IC 3273, although the NGC and IC positions are very close.  So, NGC 4356 = IC 3273.

UGC, CGCG and MCG label this galaxy as IC 3273 and ignore the NGC designation.
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NGC 4357 = NGC 4381 = UGC 7478 = MCG +08-23-017 = CGCG 244-010 = PGC 40296
12 23 58.9  +48 46 47; CVn
V = 12.4;  Size 3.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 77°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, increases to a small brighter core.  Located 10' ESE of mag 7.7 SAO 44149.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4357 = Big. 52 on 8 Mar 1886.  His position matches UGC 7478.  This galaxy was discovered earlier by WH on 9 Feb 1788 (II-743 = NGC 4381) but his position was 66 tsec too far east.  So, NGC 4357 = NGC 4381.
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NGC 4358 = UGC 7479e = MCG +10-18-038 = CGCG 293-017e = PGC 40309
12 24 02.1  +58 23 07; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, round, small bright core.  Brightest of a triple group with stellar MCG +10-18-037 just 40" WSW of center and NGC 4362 1.9' SE.  MCG +10-18-037 = PGC 40314 appeared as a mag 15.5 "star" just 40" WSW of center of NGC 4364 and almost attached.

This galaxy described above is identified as NGC 4364 in all modern catalogues.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4358 = H. III-799 = h1230 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and logged "very faint, very small."  His re-reduced position is just 11 seconds of RA west of UGC 7479.  This is a double galaxy with a very faint companion off the southwest edge -- too faint to have picked up by William and John Herschel.  The next objects in the sweep were H. III-800 = NGC 4362 and H. III-801 = NGC 4364, described together as "two, both cF, cS, R".  There are only two galaxies here that were likely seen by Herschel, and Dreyer notes in the 1912 Scientific Papers that "very probably the word 'two' refers to III 799 and III 800, as nobody [including John Herschel, Bigourdan and d'Arrest] seems to have seen three nebulae in the place."

John Herschel, Bigourdan and d'Arrest only found two galaxies (h1230 and h1231) with his first position matching H. III-799 = UGC 7479 and his second position clearly referring to CGCG 293-018 = PGC 40350.  CGCG identifies the two components to UGC 7479 as NGC 4358 + 4364 and MCG and RNGC both identify the stellar western component as NGC 4358 and the main eastern component as NGC 4364.

Corwin concludes only the two brighter galaxies should receive NGC designations (and WH was mistaken on the third nebula he reported).  In which case, NGC 4358 = UGC 7479 and NGC 4362 = NGC 4364 = CGCG 293-018 = PGC 40350.  This leaves the southwest component of UGC 7479 without a NGC designation.  See Corwin's notes for the complete story.
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NGC 4359 = UGC 7483 = MCG +05-29-079 = CGCG 158-099 = PGC 40330
12 24 11.7  +31 31 20; Com
V = 12.7;  Size 3.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 108°

17.5" (4/25/98): very faint, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, appears as large as 3'x1' at times, low surface brightness with weak central brightening, fades at tips.  Located 34' NW of NGC 4414. Transparency poor.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4359 = H. III-648 = h1229 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722) and logged "vF, E, about 1' length in the direction of the parallel."  John Herschel made a single observation, noting "F; pmE; nearly in parallel; very little brighter middle; 25"."
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NGC 4360 = UGC 7484 = MCG +02-32-028 = CGCG 070-052 = Holm 393a = WBL 404-009 = PGC 40363
12 24 21.7  +09 17 34; Vir
V = 12.3;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 145°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core.  Located 1.3' SE of a mag 10 star.  Forms a pair with IC 3274 2' SW.  The companion (identified often as NGC 4360B) appeared very faint, extremely small, round, low surface brightness, just non-stellar.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4360 = T. 1-43 = T. 5-18 = St. 13-69 on 22 Mar 1878.  His micrometric position in his 5th list (+4.87 sec of RA and -47" dec from HD 107953) matches UGC 7484.  Édouard Stephan independently discovered NGC 4360 just two weeks later on 5 Apr 1878.  He reduced the position on reported 1 Apr 1884 and reported it as new in his 13th discovery list (#69).
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NGC 4361 = PK 294+43.1 = PN G294.1+43.6
12 24 30.8  -18 47 05; Crv
V = 11.0;  Size 93"x37"

48" (5/3/19): at 488x; fascinating bright blue planetary with a very bright mag 13 central star.  Unfiltered, the unusual feature are two opposite "handles" or thick arcs that are attached just outside the central region on the WNW and ESE sides.  Adding a NPB filter, two arms or loops lit up on the SW and NE sides.  These loops appeared similar to spiral arms attached to the main body and rotated counterclockwise!

48" (2/20/12 and 5/14/12): the unusual structure in this planetary shocked me at 488x as previous views in my 17.5" and 18" had only showed a hint of detail.  The two main components are large bulbous lobes or wings with an irregular surface brightness that jut out of the central region in a WNW and ESE direction, with the WNW lobe slightly brighter.  More surprising were two arms and loops, similar to spiral arms in a galaxy, that extend out to the NE and SW and curve clockwise.  The arm to the southwest is very thin where it emerges from the central portion, so it appeared partially detached!  The arm on the NE side clearly bends south but was not as sharply defined.  Between the lobes (WNW and ESE) and arms (SW and NE) were darker gaps or regions creating a unique, basically symmetric shape that is elongated SW-NE (arms are longer), ~1.8'x1.4'.  At the center is a very bright mag 13 central star.  A fainter, more roundish halo envelops the brighter components.

17.5" (5/15/99): 100x easily reveals the bright central star surrounded by a moderately high surface brightness halo ~1' in size. At 220x, the central star appears 13th magnitude and the halo gradually brightens towards the center.  With averted vision, the halo increases to roughly 90"x60", extended SW-NE, with an ill-defined edge.  I had the strong impression of an extension or hook on the southwest end of the PN, which was confirmed on the DSS image (a similar extension is also on the NE end).

13.1" (5/14/83): moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated.  The mag 13 central star is fairly easy at 165x.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4361 = H. I-65 = h1231 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368).  His description was "very bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle.  The central brightness not round but as if it had two nucleuses pretty closely joined; the chevelure [halo] irregularly round."  The comment about the "central brightness" likely applies to the 13th mag central star. The same night he discovered NGC 3242 in Hydra as as well as the Antennae Galaxy (NGC 4038/4039).

John Herschel wrote, "vB, L, R, very suddenly much brighter middle to nucl = *11, 90" diameter.  R[esolved] with power 320, and is no doubt a globular cluster; fades away to nothing.  So, JH was convinced it was a globular.  Surprisingly it was misclassified as a galaxy in de Vaucoleurs' first "Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies" (RC1)!

In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, reported NGC 4361 displayed an emission line spectrum (3 seen, 4th suspected) in an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.

Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis described NGC 4361 as "central star about mag 10; this is surrounded by an irregular oval mass whose brighter parts are about 44"x39" in pa 103°.  From this central portion two arms (spiral whorls?) go out in pa 20° and portions of a very faint ring 81" can just be made out." (1918PLicO..13...55C).  Early photographs were taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14 at the Helwan Observatory near Cairo.  The director Harold Knox-Shaw also described a "Round nebula 1' diameter from which proceed spiral arms."
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NGC 4362 = NGC 4364? = MCG +10-18-039 = CGCG 293-018 = PGC 40350
12 24 11.3  +58 21 38; UMa
V = 14.3;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' S.  Located 1.9' SE of NGC 4364.  Possible identification mix-up.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4362 = H. III-800 = h1233 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and recorded "Two [with III-801 = NGC 4364], both cF, vS, R."  His position is 3 sec of RA following and 1' north of III-799 = NGC 4358.  But there is only a single galaxy (CGCG 293-018 = PGC 40350), which is 9 seconds of RA following and 1.5' south of NGC 4358.  So, there was clearly some confusion with the orientation and/or description.  John Herschel reported "eF, the last of 2 [with h2914 = NGC 4358]."  

Notes on the identifications of NGC 4358, 4362 and 4364 are under NGC 4358.
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NGC 4363 = CGCG 352-032 = PGC 40233
12 23 28.4  +74 57 08; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 14.1

18" (3/5/05): very faint, fairly small, round, very low surface brightness.  Appears as a hazy disc with with no evident concentration.  Located 23' SE of NGC 4319 and Markarian 205.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4363 = H. III-938 on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066). He noted "excessively faint, pretty large, irregular figure."  A new double star (position not known until later) was used as the offset star. Dreyer mentions an error in Herschel's reduction of the position though Caroline's position in her revised sweep record is less than 1' from the center.
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NGC 4364 = NGC 4362? = MCG +10-18-039 = CGCG 293-018 = PGC 40350
12 24 11.3  +58 21 38; UMa

See observing notes for NGC 4362.  Uncertain identification.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4364 = H. III-801, along with NGC 4362, on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923).  He recorded "Two [with III-800 = NGC 4362], both considerably faint, very small, round."  There is only a single galaxy 2' SE of H. III-799 = NGC 4358, so Herschel's observation is clearly in error.  Dreyer suggested that perhaps "Two" should be interpreted as "Two with III-799", as there are only two galaxies that were likely seen.

See discussion under NGC 4358 and Corwin's notes for the identifications of NGC 4358, 4362 and 4364.  CGCG 293-018 is labeled NGC 4364 in all modern catalogues.
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NGC 4365 = UGC 7488 = MCG +01-32-048 = CGCG 042-083 = PGC 40375
12 24 28.3  +07 19 03; Vir
V = 9.6;  Size 6.9'x5.0';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 40°

14.5" (4/10/21): quite bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~3'x2', strong concentration with a very bright core and an intense well defined nucleus.

17.5" (3/28/87): very bright, large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, very small or stellar nucleus.  The NGC 4343 group is close SW and NGC 4370 lies 10' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4365 = H. I-30 = h1232, along with NGC 4366 and 4370, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  His description reads, "pretty bright, pretty large, or an irregularly round form, much brighter in the middle, resolvable."  This trio was the third consecutive trio discovered in the sweep with NGC 4326/4333/4339 and NGC 4341/4342/4343!
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NGC 4366 = MCG +01-32-050 = CGCG 042-087 = PGC 40421
12 24 47.0  +07 21 11; Vir
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  PA = 51°

17.5" (3/28/87): very faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness.  Located 5' NE of NGC 4365.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4366 = H. III-97, along with NGC 4365 and NGC 4370 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded "Two unequal nebula [the other is II-144 = NGC 4370]; one of them [III-97 = NGC 4366] extremely faint."

Dreyer notes that III-97 was observed one only this sweep but nearby H. II-144 = NGC 4370 was reobserved on 28 Dec 1785.  It was also not seen by John Herschel, Heinrich d'Arrest, or Samuel Hunter with the 72".  So, Dreyer suggested NGC 4366 = NGC 4370 and this was repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her 1940 list of NGC errata.  But 5' NE of NGC 4365 is CGCG 042-087 = PGC 40421, a faint galaxy that Herschel might have seen.  The RNGC, PGC and Deep Sky Field Guide identify this galaxy as NGC 4366 but not in the CGCG or MCG.  It's curious that Herschel recorded NGC 4366 together with NGC 4370, but it lies closer to NGC 4370.  Probably this was due to the vertical motion in the sweep.
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NGC 4367
12 24 35.1  +12 10 56; Vir

= **, Corwin.  = Not found, Dreyer.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4367 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and also measured 3 nights later.  There is nothing at his position except a mag 15 star with a mag 17.5 companion at 13" separation (likely too faint to have been seen by d'Arrest).  On the second observation, he mentions this object follows NGC 4351 by 35 seconds of time, so the identification with this star is nearly certain.

Royal Frost reported NGC 4367 was not found on a 4-hour Bruce plate (Annals of Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No. 1).  Karl Reimuth equates NGC 4367 with IC 3311, neglecting the difference of 0.9 tmin in RA.
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NGC 4368 = NGC 4325 = MCG +02-32-019 = CGCG 070-037 = PGC 40183
12 23 06.6  +10 37 16; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4325.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4368 = H. III-38 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "vF, vS."  There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan was unsuccessful in locating NGC 4368, and neither was Frost photographically (Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1, Virgo-Coma survey).  Dreyer notes in the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that the RA is possibly 1 tmin too great.  Several nebulae discovered by WH that night (including NGCs 3810, 4067, 4294, 4313, 4352, 4371, and 4429) have comparable errors.  So, it's reasonable that NGC 4368 is a duplicate of NGC 4325 (located 1.5 min of RA west of WH's position). See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4369 = UGC 7489 = MCG +07-26-004 = CGCG 216-002 = Mrk 439 = PGC 40396
12 24 36.2  +39 22 58; CVn
V = 11.7;  Size 2.1'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core with a distinct stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4369 = H. I-166 = h1234 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and noted "vB, S, R."  John Herschel made two observations, calling it "pB; R; suddenly much brighter middle almost to a *."
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NGC 4370 = NGC 4366: = UGC 7492 = MCG +01-32-051 = CGCG 042-089 = PGC 40439
12 24 54.9  +07 26 42; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 83°

14.5" (4/10/21): at 226x; fairly faint, slightly elongated E-W, ~40" diameter, weakly concentrated, irregular surface brightness?  An equilateral triangle (sides ~2.5') of mag 12/12.5/13.5 stars is ~3' NE.  NGC 4370 is located 10' NE of NGC 4365.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.  NGC 4365 lies 10.1' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4370 = H. II-144 = h1236, along with NGC 4365 and 4366, on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He recorded "Two unequal nebula; one of them [III-97 = NGC 4366] eF."  His derived RA is 14 seconds too small.
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NGC 4371 = UGC 7493 = MCG +02-32-033 = CGCG 070-057 = PGC 40442
12 24 55.4  +11 42 15; Vir
V = 10.8;  Size 4.0'x2.2';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, small, sharp concentration with a very small very bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo elongated E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4371 = H. I-22 = h1235 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "pB, not vL."  There is nothing at his position, but 45 seconds of RA west is UGC 7493. Several nebulae discovered that night including NGCs 3810, 4067, 4294, 4313, 4352, 4368 and 4429 have comparable errors so this identification is very likely.  John Herschel made 4 observations, the earliest on 10 Apr 1825, his second formal sweep.
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NGC 4372 = ESO 064-006
12 25 45.4  -72 39 32; Mus
V = 7.5;  Size 18.6';  Surf Br = 1.2

18" (3/29/25 - OzSky) at 121x; well resolved, fairly loose globular with many stars visible over the core and up to 100 in the outer halo.  Mag 6.6 HD 107947 star is just 5' NW of the core and it affects the view.

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, NGC 4372 is a highly-resolved, low-concentration class globular.  A mag 6.6 star just 5.5' NW of center was a bit distracting but scores of stars were resolved over the 4' core, appearing to criss-cross the center in numerous lanes.  The outer halo was very large, nearly 15' in diameter, and resolved into a couple of hundred stars.  Except for the brighter and denser core, this globular appeared similar to a very large, fully resolved open cluster. 

18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this large, bright globular was an impressive object and beautifully resolved into 150-200 stars mag 13 and fainter, within a 13'-14' diameter.  The unresolved background glow was relatively faint for such a well-resolved globular.  The large 4' core was only slightly brighter and there was no nucleus (class 12 concentration), although a close pair of brighter mag 12.5 stars is near the center.  Scores of stars appeared linked in chains and loops, particularly in the outer halo, which is quite irregular and ragged.  Mag 6.6 HD 107947 lies 5.5' NW of center at the edge of the halo and provided a striking contrast although it detracted somewhat from viewing.  A dust lane appeared to pierce the cluster on the north side for a few arc minutes (east of the bright star) and this dark intrusion may be an extension of the "Dark Doodad" (see notes).

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this large, loose globular was well-resolved into ~100 stars mag 12-15 with a 12' diameter.  The roundish core is ~4' in size with many faint stars sprinkled across the core.  The halo is elongated and irregular in shape. A starless dark lane appears to wind into the cluster towards the core from the NW side angling roughly NW-SE (later verified on the DSS).  A mag 6.8 star lies 5' NW of the core and interferes with viewing!  Located 44' SW of mag 3.8 Gamma Muscae.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): faint, low surface brightness glow with no core. Attached to the south of a mag 6.6 star that is close to the end of the "Dark Doodad".

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4372 = D 67 = h3390 on 30 Apr 1826, with additional observations on 9 May and 4 Jun.  His lengthy description (mostly from 4 Jun) reads "a star of the 6th magnitude, with a beautiful well-defined milky ray proceeding from it south following; the ray is conical, and the star appears in the point of the cone, and the broad or south following extremity is circular, or rounded off. The ray is about 7' in length, and nearly 2' in breadth at the broadest part, near the southern extremity. With the sweeping power this appears like a star with a very faint milky ray south following, the ray gradually spreading in breadth from the star, and rounded off at the broader end. But with a higher power it is not a star with a ray, but a very faint nebula, and the star is not involved or connected with it: I should call it a very faint nebula of a long oval shape, the smaller end towards the star; this is easily resolvable into extremely minute points or stars, but I cannot discover the slightest indications of attraction or condensation towards any part of it. I certainly had not the least suspicion of this object being resolvable when I discovered it with the sweeping power, nor even when I examined it a second time; it is a beautiful object, of a uniform faint light."  Dunlop's position is 24' too far WNW (a fairly large error), but the mag 6.6 star near the NW edge clinches the identification.  His sketch is shown in Fig. 2 of his catalogue.

John Herschel described it on 1 Apr 1835 as "a globular cluster, very faint; large; very gradually brighter in the middle; 6' diameter; resolved into stars of 15th magnitude; rich in stars; a delicate and faint object; has a star 45 N.p., distance 5' from centre. Almost perfectly insulated in a very large space almost entirely devoid of stars, being the smaller and southern lacuna below the great 'coal sack'."
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NGC 4373 = ESO 322-006 = MCG -06-27-025 = LGG 298-002 = PGC 40498
12 25 17.8  -39 45 35; Cen
V = 10.9;  Size 3.4'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 43°

18" (3/28/09): fairly bright and large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x1.0'.  Contains a large bright center that increases to a small, bright core.  A number of stars surround the galaxy.

NGC 4373 is the brightest in a subgroup of at least 7 galaxies on the northwest side of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526), including IC 3290 and IC 3370.  IC 3290, just 2' SW of NGC 4373, appeared faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter.  It seems odd that John Herschel missed this galaxy.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4373 = h3391 on 8 Jun 1834 and logged "pB; S; R; pretty gradually very much brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.  Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 16 Apr 1877 (p. 136 of his logbook) with the 48" Melbourne Telescope and also discovered IC 3290, though he never announced the discovery and Lewis Swift, who rediscovered it in 1898, was credited in the IC.
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NGC 4374 = M84 = UGC 7494 = MCG +02-32-034 = CGCG 070-058 = Holm 403b = PGC 40455
12 25 03.8  +12 53 13; Vir
V = 9.1;  Size 6.5'x5.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 135°

24" (4/28/14): extremely bright, large, slightly elongated, ~4'x3.5', sharply concentrated with a very intense core that increases gradually to a nonstellar nucleus.  The large halo gradually fades out.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the SW side of the halo, 1.2' from center.

M84 is at the western end of Markarian's Chain and the 23' field (at 260x) contains M86 17' ENE, NGC 4438 17' SE, NGC 4387 10' ESE and IC 3303 11' SSE.

18" (6/12/10): at 175x, very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~2.8'x2.4' NW-SE.  The halo gradually brightens from the edge and then suddenly increases dramatically to a very bright 45" core that increases to a sharp stellar nucleus.  A faint star is just off the SW edge, 1.3' from center.  At 280x the halo appears slightly mottled.

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, moderately large, almost round, very bright core, very small bright nucleus, halo gradually fades into background sky so there is no sharp edge.  Nearly an identical twin of M86 17' ENE but rounder. 

13.1" (5/14/83): very bright, very bright core.  Located in the core of the Virgo cluster.

Charles Messier is credited with the discovery of M84 = NGC 4374 = h1237, along with M86 amd M87, on 18 Mar 1781. He described a "Nebula without star, in Virgo; the center it is a bit brilliant, surrounded with a slight nebulosity: its brightness and its appearance resemble that of those in this Catalog, No.s 59 & 60."  But Wolfgang Steinicke recently found (email Oct '16) that Johann Gottfried Koehler made an earlier discovery on 5 May 1779 using a Dolland refractor of 6-ft focal length.

William Herschel only recorded it on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and he simply noted "B.  Is No. 84 of the Connoissance des Temps." John Herschel also recorded it only a single sweep, calling it "vB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 60"; r."
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NGC 4375 = UGC 7496 = MCG +05-29-080 = CGCG 158-100 = PGC 40449
12 25 00.4  +28 33 31; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/13/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.6'.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.2' NE of center.  Located 30' NW of a mag 4.3 SAO 82313 in a field with very few stars.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4375 = H. II-379 = h1238 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, S."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 66) "F; R: has a small star 35° nf, 90" dist."
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NGC 4376 = UGC 7498 = MCG +01-32-053 = CGCG 042-093 = LGG 289-027 = PGC 40494
12 25 18.2  +05 44 29; Vir
V = 13.4;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 157°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', broad, weak concentration with no noticeable core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4376 = H. II-530 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "F, S."  Caroline's reduction is 2' southwest of UGC 7498.

The RNGC misidentifies NGC 4378, located 50' south of UGC 7498, as NGC 4376.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections #2.
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NGC 4377 = UGC 7501 = MCG +03-32-025 = CGCG 099-041 = III Zw 65 = PGC 40477
12 25 12.4  +14 45 44; Com
V = 11.9;  Size 1.7'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 177°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, almost round or slightly elongated N-S, small very bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4377 = H. I-12 = h1239 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 149) and recorded "pB, but not vL; I saw it only through a very strong haziness and only a single moment."  John Herschel made the single observation "B; S; very suddenly much brighter middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4378 = UGC 7497 = MCG +01-32-052 = CGCG 042-092 = PGC 40490
12 25 18.1  +04 55 30; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 2.9'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 167°

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, fairly small, very bright core, very slightly elongated.  Forms an obtuse angle with mag 9 stars SAO 119386 3.9' N and SAO 119388 3.5' ESE.  NGC 4376 lies 49' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4378 = H. I-123 = h1228 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "faint, small."  Caroline's reduction is at the south edge of the halo.  John Herschel made the single observation: "bright; visible in strong twilight; has a * 8-9 mag 20° sf dist 3'.", but his recorded RA was 1 minute too small (the error was repeated in the General Catalogue).  August Voigt found it at the Marseilles Observatory in 1865 and questioned if it was new. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (single observation) and noted the RA error in the GC.
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NGC 4379 = UGC 7502 = MCG +03-32-026 = CGCG 099-042 = PGC 40484
12 25 14.7  +15 36 27; Com
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, small, round, strong bright core.  NGC 4396 is located 11' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4379 = H. II-87 = h1240 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "S, resolvable, brightest in the middle."  There is nothing at his position, though UGC 7502 is 10' northwest.  JH independently discovered this galaxy on 6 May 1826 and assumed h1240 was a new object.  In the GC, he questioned the equivalence with II-87.  Heinrich d'Arrest also observed NGC 4379 and discovered nearby NGC 4396.  He was uncertain which one was WH's II-87.  In the NGC, Dreyer concluded II-87 = h1240 and noted WH's early sweeps were often poor in position.
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NGC 4380 = UGC 7503 = MCG +02-32-037 = CGCG 070-061 = LGG 289-041 = PGC 40507
12 25 22.1  +10 00 59; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 3.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 153°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly large, fairly diffuse but gradually increases to a very small brighter core.  A mag 14 star is off the south end 2.4' from center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4380 = h1241 on 10 Mar 1826 and logged "vF; pL; R; little brighter in the middle."  In the IC 2 Notes section, Dreyer mentions that Frost was unable to identify this galaxy on a Harvard plate of 4 hours exposure, although it was included in Adelaide Ames' 1930 "A Catalogue of 2778 Nebulae, including the Coma-Virgo Group", based on plates taken with the Bruce astrograph at Arequipa.
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NGC 4381 = NGC 4357 = UGC 7478 = MCG +08-23-017 = CGCG 244-010 = PGC 40296
12 23 58.9  +48 46 47; CVn

See observing notes for NGC 4357.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4381 = H. II-743 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and logged "F, S." There is nothing at his position, but 70 sec of RA west is NGC 4357 = UGC 7478 and the equivalence was suggested by Dreyer in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues.  NGC 4357 was found again by Bigourdan (II-52) on 8 Mar 1886 and placed accurately.  NGC 4381 should be the primary designation by historical precedence.
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NGC 4382 = M85 = UGC 7508 = MCG +03-32-029 = CGCG 099-045 = Holm 397a = PGC 40515
12 25 24.0  +18 11 28; Com
V = 9.1;  Size 7.1'x5.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 5°

14.5" (4/12/21): at 158x and 226x; very bright, very large, elongated ~3:2 N-S, between 3' to 3.5' in length.  Strongly concentrated with an extremely bright core that increases to a virtually stellar peak.  A mag 13 star is superimposed ~1' NNE of center and a mag 10.4 star is 3' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4394 7.7' ENE.

24" (7/14/20): observed supernova SN 2020nlb (Type Ia ), discovered on 25 Jun 2020 on the north side of M85.  It appeared as a prominent 12th mag "star", 0.7' N of center, and formed a 15" "double" with the superimposed 13th mag star just east.

17.5" (5/23/87): very bright, moderately large, small very bright core.  A mag 13 star is superimposed near the NNE edge and a mag 10 star is off the SE side 2.7' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4394 7.6' ENE.

Pierre Méchain discovered M85 = NGC 4382 = h1242 on 4 Mar 1781.  William Herschel made an observation on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170) and recorded "Two resolvable nebulae; the preceding is the largest and with 157 seems to have another small nebula joining to it [NGC 4394], but with 240 it appears to be a star."  John Herschel recorded on 23 Mar 1827 (sweep 61), "vB; R; bM; 2' diam; has a * 80° np dist 30" from edge."

Based on a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector, Heber Curtis called it a "Very bright oval, 4'x2'; very slight traces of spiral structure."
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NGC 4383 = UGC 7507 = MCG +03-32-030 = CGCG 099-044 = Mrk 769 = PGC 40516
12 25 25.4  +16 28 12; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 28°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, very small, bright stellar nucleus, small faint extensions SW-NE.  A mag 12 star is 1.8' SW of center.

Eduard Schönfeld discovered NGC 4383 on 23 May 1862 with a 6" Steinheil refractor at the Mannheim Observatory.  He described it as 15" diameter, with a more stellar center, almost like a star 11-12 mag with some nebulosity (1862 "Beobachtungen von Nebelflecken und Sternhaufen").  John Herschel missed the discovery, so it wasn't included in his 1864 General Catalogue but Dreyer added it to the Supplement (GC 5644).  Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.
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NGC 4384 = UGC 7506 = MCG +09-20-168 = CGCG 269-055 = Mrk 207 = PGC 40475
12 25 12.0  +54 30 22; UMa
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

18" (3/30/05): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8'x0.7'.  Fairly well concentrated to a small, brighter core and a quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located 11' SW of mag 7.5 HD 108316.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4384 = H. III-879 = h1243 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001) and logged "cF, S, iF."  His position is 1' north of UGC 7506.  This is an active galaxy with a UV excess.
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NGC 4385 = UGC 7515 = MCG +00-32-009 = CGCG 014-034 = Mrk 52 = PGC 40564
12 25 42.8  +00 34 21; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 82°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated E-W, small bright core.  Located 4' N of mag 9 SAO 119390.  Red variable (Carbon star) SS Virginis is 14' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4385 = m 239 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS, alm stell."  His position is 1' south of UGC 7515.
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NGC 4386 = UGC 7491 = MCG +13-09-027 = CGCG 352-033 = LGG 284-006 = PGC 40378
12 24 28.3  +75 31 44; Dra
V = 11.7;  Size 2.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 135°

18" (3/5/05): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE.  Contains a small bright core which increases to the center, surrounded by an oval halo 1.2'x0.8'.  Third in an impressive trio with NGC 4291 and NGC 4319.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4386 = H. I-277 = h1247 on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066). He recorded "consderably bright, considerably large, much brighter middle."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 348) "pretty bright; little extended; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 25" diameter."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4387 = UGC 7517 = MCG +02-32-039 = CGCG 070-065 = PGC 40562
12 25 41.7  +12 48 38; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:4 NNW-SSE, 25"x20", gradually increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NNW and a mag 15.5 star is 50" S of center.  At the center of M84, M86 and NGC 4388, ~10' from each galaxy.

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' NNW.  This member of the Virgo cluster is located in the center of the triangle formed by M84, M86 and NGC 4388 with NGC 4388 9' S, M84 10' NW and M86 11' NE.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.  A faint star is close north.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4387 = H. II-167 = h1250, along with NGC 4388, 4413 and 4425, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Two nebulae [NGC 4388 and 4387]. The most southern [NGC 4388] extended."  His position is between the two galaxies.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 4 different nights (#255 in AN 1537).
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NGC 4388 = UGC 7520 = MCG +02-32-041 = CGCG 070-068 = Holm 403c = PGC 40581
12 25 46.7  +12 39 41; Vir
V = 11.0;  Size 5.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 92°

24" (4/28/14): fairly bright, large, edge-on 4:1 E-W, well concentrated with a mottled, very bright core.  Fairly sharp light cutoff on the south side (dust lane) of the core.  Faint, stellar knots are at the west and east ends of the core.

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, edge-on streak E-W, fairly large, brighter core, thin extensions.  A faint mag 14.5 star lies 1.3' NE of center.  Located 16' SE of M84 in the core of the Virgo cluster.  On a line between IC 3303 8.4' WNW and NGC 4413 11.4' ESE.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, very elongated E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4388 = H. II-168 = h1244, along with NGC 4387, 4413 and 4425, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Two nebulae [NGC 4388 and 4387]. The most southern [NGC 4388] extended."  His position is between the two galaxies.  John Herschel noted "vF; E; the p of 2 [with NGC 4413], dist about 30s in RA."  He didn't realize this was the same as his father's II-168, so listed it as a "nova" and included separate listings in the GC for II-168 and h1244.  Dreyer combined the listings in the NGC.
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NGC 4389 = UGC 7514 = MCG +08-23-028 = CGCG 244-014 = PGC 40537
12 25 35.4  +45 41 03; CVn
V = 11.7;  Size 2.1'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 105°

13.1" (3/17/86): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, brighter along the major axis (central bar).  A mag 13.5 star is off the SE edge 1.1' from center and a mag 12.5 star lies 2.1' NNW.  Similar view on 4/12/86.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4389 = H. II-749 = h1245 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) and recorded "pB, S, iF."  John Herschel made 3 observations, noting on sweep 255 "F; vL; E; very gradually little brighter middle; 2' l, 1.5' br."

On 30 Mar 1856, R.J. Mitchell (Lord Rosse's assistant) logged, "pB, E, Nucl, a bright streak runs through the nucleus, growing broader at the preceding end, on either side of this I suspect dark spaces and outside them again faint nebulosity, especially to south side of the nucleus."  His sketch was included in LdR's 1861 publication (Plate 27, Fig. 22).
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NGC 4390 = IC 3320 = UGC 7519 = MCG +02-32-040 = CGCG 070-067 = PGC 40597
12 25 50.7  +10 27 33; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/20/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse, even or almost even surface brightness.  Located 26' NNE of NGC 4380.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4390 = H. III-39 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "vF; near some bright stars."  His re-reduced position is 5' northeast of UGC 7519, though the nearest stars as bright as mag 10 and 11 are roughly 10' away.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 3 nights and noted the discrepancy of 20 sec in RA and 2.9' in declination, so he wasn't certain if it was the same object.  Dreyer used d'Arrest's mean position in the NGC.

Schwassmann "rediscovered" this galaxy on a Heidelberg plate in 1900 and it was catalogued again as Sn. 155 (later IC 3320).  Apparently he was unaware of the NGC identification (a number of his objects have NGC designations) and Dreyer missed the equivalence.
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NGC 4391 = UGC 7511 = MCG +11-15-053 = CGCG 315-037 = VII Zw 454 = PGC 40500
12 25 18.8  +64 56 00; Dra
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A fairly bright triple star is 2' WSW consisting of three mag 10.5-12 stars with separations 34", 50" and 68".  NGC 4441 lies 14' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4391 = H. III-852 = h1248 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "vF, stellar, north following a small triangle of B stars."  John Herschel made two observations, first recording on sweep 411 "pB; S; bM; 12".  Near a pB triple star."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4392 = MCG +08-23-023 = CGCG 244-012 = I Zw 35 = PGC 40499
12 25 18.8  +45 50 51; CVn
V = 13.7;  Size 0.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly faint, small, elongated, bright core.  Located 10' NNW of NGC 4389.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4392 = H. III-729 = h1249 on 27 Apr 1788 (sweep 833) and noted "vF, S."  Caroline's reduction is within 1' of CGCG 244-012 = PGC 40499.  John Herschel made the single observation, "F; S; R; very gradually brighter middle.  RA from II. 749 [NGC 4389], which it follows 10 sec."  But NGC 4392 is west of NGC 4389 by 17 sec of RA (3' north of his position), so there must have been some confusion.  Herschel used his position in the GC and Dreyer followed, so the NGC position is poor.  As a result, Curtis reportd in the 1918 "Descriptions of 762 Nebulae and Clusters Photographed with the Crossley Reflector", "There is nothing in just this position, though there are several small nebulae near."  He did finger the correct galaxy, though: "The NGC description accords best with a very small, moderately bright oval 9' n: and 2' w. of 4389."
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NGC 4393 = UGC 7521 = MCG +05-29-083 = CGCG 158-104 = PGC 40600
12 25 51.6  +27 33 43; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 3.2'x3.0';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 0°

18" (5/30/03): faint, large, diffuse glow, approximately 2.5'x2.0' in diameter, extended N-S, very low surface brightness with just a broad, weak concentration.  A neat string of 6 mag 11-12.5 stars running NNW-SSE passes 6'-7' W.  Located 19' NNW of mag 4.9 14 Comae Berenices.  NGC 4408 lies 19' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4393 = H. III-361 = h1246 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF, vL."  John Herschel called it "F; irreg fig; has a line of bright stars preceding."

Harold Corwin notes that IC 3329, found by Max Wolf on a Heidelberg plate, is an HII knot in NGC 4393.  IC 3323 is a nearby star.
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NGC 4394 = UGC 7523 = MCG +03-32-035 = CGCG 099-047 = Holm 397b = PGC 40614
12 25 55.6  +18 12 50; Com
V = 10.9;  Size 3.6'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.4

14.5" (4/12/21): at 158x and 226x; moderately bright and large, oval ~4:3 N-S.  Contains a much brighter round core with subtle extensions NW-SE (bar).  The core increases to a nearly stellar nucleus.  Located 7.7' ENE of M85.

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, brighter core, slightly elongated NNW-SSE.  Forms a pair with M85 7.6' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4394 = H. II-55 = h1251 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  His description reads, "Two resolvable nebula.  The preceding [M85] is the largest and with 157 seems to have another small nebula joining to it, but with 240 it appears to be a star."  He only measured a single position (matching M85).  John Herschel made two observations and his mean position was accurate.
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NGC 4395 = UGC 7524 = MCG +06-27-053 = CGCG 187-042 = PGC 40596
12 25 48.9  +33 32 51; CVn
V = 10.2;  Size 13.2'x11.0';  Surf Br = 15.4;  PA = 147°

17.5" (5/15/99): Several bright HII regions dominate this chaotic galaxy. At 100x, the large low surface brightness glow is clearly clumpy with a couple of faint knots evident on the east side of the haze. At 220x, the galaxy's glow is more difficult to view and several nonstellar knots and a couple of very faint superimposed stars are more prominent. The brightest HII region is NGC 4401 located 2' SE of the core, ~25" in size, with a second smaller 15" knot (NGC 4400) close south. The core of the galaxy appears as an ill-defined, low surface brightness glow, larger than the individual HII knots.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed NE of the core. A third difficult knot is on the SW side of the core, about 15" in diameter (NGC 4399) and requiring averted vision to confirm.  Member of the M94 Group (CVn I Cloud).

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, very large, extremely low surface brightness, must use low magnification to view.  Three knots are involved (one of these observed "knots" may be the core) within a very diffuse glow.  The brightest knot (NGC 4401) is at the SE end about 2' SE of center with NGC 4400 close SSW of NGC 4401.  A mag 14.5 star is at the north end.  Also see description for NGC 4399.

13.1" (4/12/86): at 62x appears very large, diffuse, slightly elongated glow, broad very weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4395 = H. V-29.1 = h1252 on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508). He recorded "eF, vL, very little brighter middle, resolvable, about 10' long and 8 or 9' broad."  John Herschel made two observations, logging on 29 Apr 1827, "two nebulae running into one another; both eF, vL, the f rather the brighter. Place that of the preceding."  Dreyer catalogued the two components as NGC 4395 = V 29.1 and NGC 4401 = V 29.2.  On a second observation, JH wrote "vL; extremely ill defined, may perhaps be 10' l, 3' br; pretty suddenly little brighter middle to an irregular centre.  On closer inspection bicentral; pos of the nuclei 30° np; dist 2'."

This galaxy was viewed on three occasions at Birr Castle by Bindon Stoney, who recorded "a cluster of nebulae found" on 13 Apr 1850 and "there are 4 nebulae.  The 3 f ones seem to be inv in a mass of F neby."  Based on these observations, Dreyer included two additional entries: NGC 4399 and NGC 4400. The sketch of these condensations match up well with my own observations with a 17.5" and can be identified on the POSS.
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NGC 4396 = UGC 7526 = MCG +03-32-034 = CGCG 099-049 = Holm 400a = PGC 40622
12 25 58.9  +15 40 19; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 3.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 125°

17.5" (5/23/87): faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE, even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is at the NW end [probably IC 3310] 1.1' from center and a brighter mag 12 star is 1.4' NNE of center.  Located 11' S of mag 6.9 SAO 100095 which is at the north edge of a 220x field.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4396 on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured the position on 2 nights. He also observed NGC 4379 and was uncertain which was H. II-87 (likely NGC 4379, see that number).
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NGC 4397
12 25 58.1  +18 18 04; Com

= ***, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4397 = T. 1-44 and placed "5 sec following, 6 arcmin north of II 55 [NGC 4394]".  Very close to this offset is a triple star, including a 4"-5" close pair, with the third component at 18".  Dorothy Carlson also identifies NGC 4397 as this triple star.
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NGC 4398
12 26 07.5  +10 41 10; Vir

= *14.5, Reinmuith and Corwin.  = *, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4398 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position corresponds with a mag 13.8 star and his description of two mag 11/13 stars (closer to mag 10/11.5) that precede by 11.6 sec and 16.35 sec of time is a perfect match.  d'Arrest was uncertain if his object was the same as WH's III-39, and noted the descrepancy in declination.  Neither Bigourdan (visually) nor Frost (on photographic plate) found NGC 4398, but Karl Reinmuth identified it as a mag 14.5 star using a Heidelberg plate.
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NGC 4399
12 25 42.8  +33 30 57; CVn

17.5" (5/15/99): faintest of three HII knots observed in NGC 4395.  Appeared extremely faint and small, 10"-15" in size and situated 2.3' SW of the ill-defined core on a line with a mag 14.5 star to the NE of the core.  Required averted vision to confirm.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4399, along with NGC 4400, on 13 Apr 1850, while observing NGC 4395.  On 14 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell noted "there are 4 nebulae.  The 3 following ones seem to be involved in a mass of faint nebulosity.  A sketch shows 4 "nebulae" along with a couple of stars.  One of these (furthest north on the sketch) is the core of NGC 4395 and the other three (NGC 4399, NGC 4400 and NGC 4401) are HII knots in the galaxy.  John Herschel recorded NGC 4401, the brightest of the knots.

Francis Pease assigned NGC 4399 to the knot identified here as NGC 4400 in his 1920 paper on nebulae photographed with the Mt Wilson 60-inch.  Corwin lists the position for NGC 4399 as 12 25 42.8 +33 30 57, which is just following a mag 15 star.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent with the description "Part of NGC 4395."
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NGC 4400
12 25 55.9  +33 30 54; CVn

17.5" (5/15/99): very small HII knot in NGC 4395 situated 0.9' SSW of brighter NGC 4401.  Shows up well at 220x, although only 15" in size and no other details.

17.5" (4/28/89): one of a pair of knots in the SE end of galaxy NGC 4395.  The smaller and fainter of the pair (probably NGC 4400) is very faint, fairly small and is close SSW of NGC 4401.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4400, along with NGC 4399, on 13 Apr 1850.  See notes on NGC 4399.
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NGC 4401
12 25 57.5  +33 31 42; CVn

17.5" (5/15/99): this number refers to the brightest HII region in NGC 4395, located ~2' SE of the ill-defined core.  Fairly easy at 220x (the galaxy loses its identity at this power!), appearing as an irregular 25" knot.  Off the south side is a second fainter knot (NGC 4400).

17.5" (4/28/89): brightest of three knots in the galaxy NGC 4395 along with NGC 4399 and NGC 4400.  Appears fairly faint and fairly small.  Forms a close pair with knot NGC 4400 just SSW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4401 = h1252 on 29 Apr 1827, while observing NGC 4395 (discovered by WH).  He described "Two nebulae running into one another; both eF, vL, the following rather the brighter."  JH's description most likely applies to the core of NGC 4395 and the brightest of the HII knots in this galaxy.  Two additional knots (NGC 4399 and NGC 4400) were sketched at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4402 = UGC 7528 = MCG +02-32-044 = CGCG 070-071 = Holm 403d = PGC 40644
12 26 07.7  +13 06 48; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 3.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 90°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 E-W, 2.1'x0.6'.  Very mottled, patchy appearance implying a dusty equatorial plane and HII regions, though individual knots were not resolved.  M86 is 10' N.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, fairly even surface brightness. Located 10' N of M86 in core of the Virgo cluster. 

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, fairly large, even surface brightness.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4402 = Au 30 on 13 Apr 1849 and labeled it Eta on the diagram of the central core of the Virgo cluster.  He also noted "Eta hollow in the middle [dust lane], probably a ring seen obliquely, faint star north of its middle, seen best with the single lens."

Arthur von Auwers independently discovered NGC 4402 on 5 Mar 1862 with the 6.2-inch Fraunhofer heliometer at the Königsberg Observatory and recorded "faint, gradually brighter in the middle, much elongated in the parallel [east-west], 3' long and 1.5' broad."  Auwers was credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC since the position wasn't determined (or an offset from a known object) at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4403 = MCG -01-32-008 = Holm 402a = PGC 40656
12 26 12.8  -07 41 05; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 30°

17.5" (5/19/01): NGC 4403 is the preceding and fainter member of close pair with NGC 4404 just 0.9' NE.  Appears fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4' with a brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4403 = H. III-75, along with NGC 4404, 5 on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913).  He recorded the pair together as "Two, both very faint, very small, elongated, within 1 1/2' of each other." Neither galaxy was observed by John Herschel.
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NGC 4404 = MCG -01-32-009 = Holm 402b = PGC 40666
12 26 16.2  -07 40 51; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 1.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 11.7

17.5" (5/19/01): this is the following member of a close pair with NGC 4404 just 0.9' SW.  Moderately bright, round, fairly small, 0.8'x0.6' SW-NE.  Contains a sharp, brighter core.  Although smaller than NGC 4403 this galaxy is the brighter of the pair with a higher surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4404 = H. III-756, along with NGC 4403, on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913).  He recorded the pair together as "Two, both very faint, very small, elongated, within 1 1/2' of each other."  His single position is less than 1' from NGC 4404.
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NGC 4405 = IC 788 = UGC 7529 = MCG +03-32-036 = CGCG 099-050 = LGG 289-059 = PGC 40643
12 26 07.1  +16 10 52; Com
V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 20°

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S.  IC 787 lies 11' WSW and IC 792 is 17' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4405 = H. II-88 = h1254 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "S, resolvable, brightest in the middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 11 sec of RA east of UGC 7529.  John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; R; very suddenly brighter in the middle; 30" diameter." and measured an accurate position.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy on 19 May 1893 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory, measured an accurate position and included it in his second discovery list, #748 (later IC 788).  Javelle's offset point directly to this galaxy. So, NGC 4405 = IC 788.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4406 = M86 = UGC 7532 = MCG +02-32-046 = CGCG 070-072 = Holm 403a = PGC 40653
12 26 11.7  +12 56 46; Vir
V = 8.9;  Size 8.9'x5.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 130°

24" (4/28/14): at 260x appeared extremely bright, very large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 4.5'x3.0'.  Sharply concentrated with a very intensely bright core that increases down to the center.  The halo increases in size with averted and gradually fades out at the periphery.  Brightest galaxy in the central core of the Virgo cluster.

18" (6/12/10): at 175x appears very bright, very large, elongated 4:3 or 5:3 NW-SE, ~4.3'x3.0'.  The outer halo gradually brightens then dramatically increases to a very intense 45" core that increases down to a stellar nucleus.  The nucleus is fairly well defined as a 20" brighter inner zone.  A mag 14.6 star is at the ENE edge of the halo, 2.0' from center.  Brighter of a 17' pair with M84 in the core of the Virgo cluster.

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 4'x3', intense core, substellar nucleus, large diffuse halo.  One of the two brightest galaxies in the core of the Virgo cluster along with M84 17' W.  NGC 4402 lies 10' N.

13.1" (5/14/83): very bright, larger and more elongated than M84.

Charles Messier is credited with the discovery of M86 = NGC 4406 = h1253, along with M84 and M87, on 18 Mar 1781.  He described a "Nebula without star, in Virgo, on the parallel and very near to the nebula above, No. 84: their appearances are the same, & both appear together in the same field of the telescope."  But Wolfgang Steinicke recently found (email Oct '16) that Johann Gottfried Koehler made an earlier discovery on 5 May 1779.

William Herschel only recorded M86 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and he simply noted "Bright.  Is No. 74 of the Connoissance des Temps." John Herschel observed M87 on 13 Mar 1826 (sweep 22) and logged "vB; R; gradually brighter in the middle to nearly a star".  In the Slough catalogue he claimed M86 as a "Nova" (new discovery), probably due to the poor positions of his father.
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NGC 4407 = NGC 4413 = UGC 7538 = MCG +02-32-049 = CGCG 070-076 = Holm 403f = PGC 40705
12 26 32.2  +12 36 39; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4413.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4407 = h1255 on 4 May 1829 and simply noted "the following of 2" with h1244 = NGC 4388.  There is nothing at his approximate position, but the description for NGC 4388 mentions the second nebula follows by roughly 30 sec in RA.  NGC 4413 follows by 47 sec in RA and is the only reasonable candidate nearby.  This identification was suggested by Frost, based on Harvard plates and Harold Corwin concurs NGC 4407 = NGC 4413.  See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 4408 = CGCG 158-107 = PGC 40668
12 26 17.2  +27 52 16; Com
V = 13.9;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

18" (5/30/03): faint, small, elongated 4:3, 0.4'x0.25', brighter along the major axis.  There appears to be a faint star at the SE edge.  Located 19' NNE of NGC 4393.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4408 on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 4409 = NGC 4420 = UGC 7549 = MCG +01-32-064 = CGCG 042-106 = PGC 40775
12 26 58.5  +02 29 39; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4420.

William Herschel found NGC 4409 = H. III-17 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and noted "vF, pS, it seems to be resolveable."  There is nothing at his position, but 25 seconds of RA east is NGC 4420, which Herschel had discovered just a month earlier and catalogued as H. II-23.

John Herschel suggested the equivalenceof III-17 and II-23.  As William's positions in his early sweeps were prone to errors and there are no other nearby candidates, the equivalence is nearly certain.
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NGC 4410 = UGC 7535 = MCG +02-32-047 = CGCG 070-073 = Mrk 1325 = KPG 335 = WBL 408-004 = PGC 40694 = PGC 40697
12 26 28.9  +09 01 11; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x0.8';  PA = 110°

24" (6/4/16): at 225x; NGC 4410 is a merged, interacting pair at 18" separation in a common halo.  NGC 4410B, the brighter eastern component, appeared moderately bright, small, round, 20"-25" diameter (the halos overlap), very small bright core.  NGC 4410A, the western galaxy, appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, weak concentration, lower surface brightness than NGC 4410B.

IC 790 = NGC 4410C, located 1.8' ENE, appeared fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 24"x16", very small brighter nucleus.  A very diffuse tidal plume (not seen) connects IC 790 with NGC 4410A/B.  CGCG 070-079, 2.3' ENE of IC 790 (and also connected by a tidal plume), is faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 24"x12".

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated E-W, weak concentration.  This double system (NGC 4410A and 4410B) was not resolved.  NGC 4410A is the brightest in a quartet with IC 790 1.9' NE and CGCG 070-079 4' ENE (not seen).  NGC 4411A lies 9' S.  IC 790 appeared very faint, very small, elongated E-W.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4410 = h1256 on 18 Jan 1828 and recorded "eF; vL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2.5' diameter."  His RA was 7 seconds too small.
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NGC 4411 = NGC 4411A = IC 3339 = UGC 7537 = MCG +02-32-048 = CGCG 070-074 = WBL 408-006 = PGC 40695
12 26 30.0  +08 52 20; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.1

24" (6/4/16): at 225x; faint or fairly faint, moderately large, round, low surface brightness, ~1.2' diameter.  The view is confused by a superimposed mag 13.5 star, slightly west of center.  A diffuse but uneven glow encompasses the star, with the very weak core just east of the star.  The halo has a very low surface brightness and it was difficult to estimate the diameter.

Forms a pair with (similar) low surface brightness NGC 4411B 4.4' ENE.  It appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly large, round, low surface brightness, weak concentration, ~1.6' diameter.  The halo fades out gradually with no distinct edge (increases in size with averted vision) but doesn't reach a mag 13 star off the northwest edge (1.3' from center).

CGCG 070-087, located 11' NE, appeared fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 24"x15", sharply concentrated with a brighter 15" core that gradually increases to the center and very low surface brightness extensions.  A mag 9.5 star (HD 108384) is 1.2' NE.

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, round, fairly small, very diffuse glow.  Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is superimposed on the core and the galaxy appears as a low surface brightness halo surrounds this star.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4411B 4' ENE.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4411 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory.  His position matches UGC 7537 (generally known as NGC 4411A).  Arnold Schwassmann rediscovered the galaxy on a Heidelberg plate in 1900 and assumed it was new.  Dreyer missed the nearly identical positions, so IC 3339 is another designation. Gerard de Vaucouleurs used the letter suffix NGC 4411A in the 1964 "Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies".

When Bigourdan observed the field, he found B. 298, which was described as "very large and diffuse, about 2.5' dia, slbM.  Could be NGC 4411 with an error of 17 sec in RA."  In the IC 2 notes Dreyer mentions this is probably the same as NGC 4411, but B. 298 refers to NGC 4411B = UGC 7546, situated 4.5' east-northeast.  Because of Dreyer's error, this galaxy did not receive an IC designation.  See Corwin's notes for more on the story.
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NGC 4412 = UGC 7536 = MCG +01-32-062 = CGCG 042-104 = LGG 281-017 = PGC 40715
12 26 36.1  +03 57 52; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 1.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration at center to a small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4412 = H. II-34 = h1257 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and noted "vF, pS.  Seems to be resolveable and resembles the former [NGC 4409 = NGC 4420]."  His position is 30 sec of RA east of UGC 7536, the only nearby galaxy.  John Herschel made two observations, calling it "; L; R; very gradually brighter middle" on sweep 238 and measured an accurate RA.
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NGC 4413 = NGC 4407 = UGC 7538 = MCG +02-32-049 = CGCG 070-076 = PGC 40705
12 26 32.2  +12 36 39; Vir
V = 12.3;  Size 2.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 60°

24" (4/28/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6'.  Unusual appearance with a brighter bar and a small, bright rounder nucleus.  The bar and halo are not aligned along the same axis.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, slightly brighter along major axis.  A mag 12 star is off the north edge 1.4' from center and a mag 11 star is 2.9' N.  Located 12' ESE of NGC 4388 in the core of Virgo cluster with NGC 4425 12.7' NE.

13.1" (5/7/83 and 5/14/83): faint, small, slightly elongated, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4413 = H. II-169 = h1259, along with NGC 4387, 4388 and 4425, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199).  He noted "S.  It may be taken into the field with other [NGC 4387 and 4388].  Caroline's reduced position is 17 seconds of RA east of UGC 7538.

On 11 Apr 1825 (early sweep 3), John Herschel recorded, "eF; gradually brighter in the middle; has 2 stars, n and n p."  His position is 2.8' too far south, although the description clearly applies.  Four years later he recorded it again as h1255 = NGC 4407 and simply noted "the following of 2 [with NGC 4388].  His position was marked as very uncertain or approximate but was noted as ~30 seconds following NGC 4388 (the actual RA difference is 47 sec).  So, NGC 4413 = NGC 4407, with NGC 4413 the primary designation.
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NGC 4414 = UGC 7539 = MCG +05-29-085 = CGCG 158-108 = PGC 40692
12 26 27.0  +31 13 23; Com
V = 10.1;  Size 3.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/25/98): bright, elongated NNW-SSE, ~3'x2'.  Sharp concentration with a prominent rounder core which increases to a stellar nucleus.  There appears to be a sharper light cutoff along the preceding edge and an hint of spiral structure in the outer halo.  Observation hampered by hazy skies.

8": fairly bright, elongated NW-SE, small bright nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4414 = H. I-77 = h1258 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "vB, L, E, broadly [concentrated] to a mbM."  John Herschel made two observations and logged (sweep 342) "vB; L; pmE; first gradually brighter and then very small & very much brighter middle to a nucleus = 11m; 3' l, 90" br."

Spiral structure was not described at Birr Castle, though on 12 Apr 1849, LdR or assistant George Stoney recorded "uncertain whether double nucleus or nucleus and star; neby decidely darker in middle, following the nucleus and rather brighter outside this."  The 7 Mar 1856 observation by R.J. Mitchell also mentions "Has a double nucl or a nucl and a star which are excentric, being nearer the sp side; light uneven and patchy.  I suspect especially a darkness north of the main nucleus."
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NGC 4415 = UGC 7540 = MCG +02-32-052 = CGCG 070-078 = LGG 292-013 = PGC 40727
12 26 40.5  +08 26 08; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 2.4' NNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4415 = H. III-482 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and simply noted "eF".  His position (Caroline's reduction) is just 3 sec of RA too small.
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NGC 4416 = UGC 7541 = MCG +01-32-063 = CGCG 042-105 = LGG 289-056 = PGC 40743
12 26 46.7  +07 55 08; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, gradually increases to small bright core.  Located 4' NE of mag 8 SAO 119397.  M49 lies 45' E and NGC 4434 20' NE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4416 = h1260 on 27 Dec 1827 (sweep 117) and recorded "vF; L; R; 60"; has a * 7m, 5' sp."  His position and description matches this galaxy.
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NGC 4417 = UGC 7542 = MCG +02-32-053 = CGCG 070-080 = LGG 292-019 = PGC 40756
12 26 50.6  +09 35 03; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 3.4'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 49°

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, moderately large, elongated lens-shape SW-NE, bright bulging core containing a bright stellar nucleus.  NGC 4424 lies 11' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4417 = H. II-155 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and logged "F, pL, lE and lb towards the preceding side, r."  Caroline's reduction is 3' northeast of UGC 7542.
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NGC 4418 = NGC 4355 = UGC 7545 = MCG +00-32-012 = CGCG 014-039 = PGC 40762
12 26 54.6  -00 52 40; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 59°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, small, oval SW-NE, broad concentration.  A mag 15 star is just off the SW end 0.9' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4418 = H. III-492 = h1261 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 507) and recorded "vF, mE, cL, r."  His position is 3' south of UGC 7545 = PGC 40762.  John Herschel made two observations, noting on sweep 146 "F; S; R; near a star" and measured an accurate position.

David Todd independently discovered this galaxy on 5 Feb 1878 and recorded it as object #17 in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet.  Todd's rough RA is 4.0 tmin too far west but his field sketch and offsets to nearby stars clearly match this galaxy.
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NGC 4419 = UGC 7551 = MCG +03-32-038 = CGCG 099-054 = PGC 40772
12 26 56.3  +15 02 51; Com
V = 11.2;  Size 3.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 133°

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.8', bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4419 = H. II-113 = h1262 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "E, resolvable."  John Herschel called this galaxy "B; E; np to sf; suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4420 = NGC 4409 = UGC 7549 = MCG +01-32-064 = CGCG 042-106 = PGC 40775
12 26 58.5  +02 29 39; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 2.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 8°

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated N-S, almost even surface brightness, nuclear bulge.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4420 = H. II-23 = h1263 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 119) and logged "F, E."  His position is 30 seconds of RA too far east and 5' S (positions in his early sweeps often have larger errors).  He observed the galaxy again a month later, and catalogued it as III-17 (later NGC 4409), assuming it was new.

John Herschel measured an accurate position and suspected it was a duplicate observation.  As the positions in his early sweeps were prone to errors, it is nearly certain that NGC 4420 = NGC 4409.
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NGC 4421 = UGC 7554 = MCG +03-32-039 = CGCG 099-055 = PGC 40785
12 27 02.6  +15 27 41; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 2.7'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 20°

17.5" (5/19/01): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S.  The 1.5' diameter halo is punctuated by a 30" prominent core.  Located 2.4' SE of mag 9.5 SAO 100101.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4421 = H. II-89 = h1264 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "S, resolvable, brightest in the middle, near a bright star."  There is nothing at Caroline's reduced position but 10' northwest (similar error as  NGC 4379) is UGC 7554 as well as the bright star."  John Herschel made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4422 = MCG -01-32-010 = PGC 40813
12 27 12.1  -05 49 52; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.4

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Symmetric appearance as this round galaxy increases steadily to a small brighter core and stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4422 = H. III-114 = h1265 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and recorded "Two very small stars with nebulosity.  240 rather confirmed it, but there is too much moonlight to see it perfectly.  It makes a vS nebula."  On a later sweep (706) he logged "vF, vS, stellar" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4423 = UGC 7556 = MCG +01-32-065 = CGCG 042-107 = LGG 292-108 = PGC 40801
12 27 08.9  +05 52 47; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 2.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 18°

17.5" (4/21/90): faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness.  NGC 4430/NGC 4432 pair lies 25' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4423 = H. II-145 = h1266 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "extremely faint, elongated."  His RA is 28 seconds too large.  Interestingly, just prior he recorded NGC 4430 (about 23' N) and when the telescope was moved south he picked up NGC 4423.  Then the direction changed back to the north and he logged NGC 4430 a second time!

On 17 Apr 1830 (sweep 250), John Herschel described this galaxy as "vF; vS; E".  His position was accurate.
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NGC 4424 = UGC 7561 = MCG +02-32-058 = CGCG 070-090 = LGG 288-008 = PGC 40809
12 27 11.7  +09 25 13; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 3.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 95°

48" (3/1/19): at 488x; very bright, fairly large, elongated ~5:2 E-W, ~2.5'x1', asymmetric appearance.  Contains a larger bright elongated core that appears brightest on the east end (possibly a HII region).  The brighter central part extends further to the west than to the east of center.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness and dims out gradually, so there was no distinct edge.  A 16th mag star is off the south side [35" from center].  IC 3366, only 0.3' SW of this star, was almost fairly faint, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~15"x7".

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated E-W, bright core.  NGC 4417 is at the edge of the 220x field 11' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4424 on 27 Feb 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 4 nights, matches UGC 7561 and he estimated the size as 80".

Max Wolf discovered SN 1895A in 1925 on a plate taken on 16 Mar 1895 and reported as a variable star (assigned VW Vir) or a nova.  This supernova and 1895B (Z Cen) in NGC 5253 are the oldest known extragalactic supernovae after S And in M31, which occurred 10 years earlier.
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NGC 4425 = UGC 7562 = MCG +02-32-059 = CGCG 070-091 = Holm 403e = LGG 286-003 = PGC 40816
12 27 13.4  +12 44 05; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 3.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 27°

24" (4/28/14): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.4'x0.4', small bright core.  A mag 13.8 star is 1.2' W of center and a mag 15.3 is 1.3' SE.

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, small brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' W and a mag 11 star 4.4' ENE of center.  Located in the core of the Virgo cluster with NGC 4413 12.7' SW. 

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, very elongated, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 1' W and a mag 11 star to the east.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4425 = H. II-170 = h1267, along with NGC 4387, 4388 and 4413, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199).  He simply noted "F" and his position is ~18 sec of RA too far east (similar offsets with the others nearby).  John Herschel recorded "pB; S; R; bM" and measured an accurate position (on a second sweep).
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NGC 4426 = NGC 4427
12 27 10.5  +27 50 17; Com

= **, Corwin and Dreyer

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4426 on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  At his position is a 14" pair of mag 14.5/15 stars.  Interestingly, Bigourdan independently found this pair again 21 years later and also thought it was mixed with some nebulosity.  Both measured nearly identical positions and Dreyer realized the equivalence NGC 4426 = NGC 4427 = **, after compiling the NGC.
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NGC 4427 = NGC 4426
12 27 10.5  +27 50 17; Com

= **, Corwin and Dreyer

Guillaume Bigourdan found NGC 4427 = Big. 53 on 22 Apr 1886 and described "vF, 2 or 3 stars mixed with nebulosity."  At his position is pair of stars separated by ~14".  The same pair was discovered earlier by Heinrich d'Arrest on 21 Apr 1865 and both positions are nearly identical in the NGC.  Dreyer must have realized the equivalence before publication of the NGC, as he added the note "These are evidently identical (note added in press)."
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NGC 4428 = MCG -01-32-012 = Holm 407b = PGC 40860
12 27 28.3  -08 10 04; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 75°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, broad concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4433 7' SSE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4428 = h1269 on 16 Mar 1828 and logged "pL; vF; very ill defined."  His position is close off the south side of MCG -01-32-012 = PGC 40860.
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NGC 4429 = UGC 7568 = MCG +02-32-061 = CGCG 070-093 = LGG 292-009 = PGC 40850
12 27 26.4  +11 06 29; Vir
V = 10.0;  Size 5.6'x2.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 99°

17.5" (4/18/87): very bright, fairly large, very bright core, stellar nucleus, faint extensions E-W.  Located 2.0' SSW of a mag 9.5 star.  Mag 9.2 HD 108453 lies 5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4429 = H. II-65 = h1271 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and logged "pB, not vS."  His position is 40 sec of RA east of UGC 7568 (a similar error as a number of objects in the sweep).  On sweep 191, John Herschel recorded "B; L; pmE; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a *10m nf, 1' distance."  He was uncertain if this was his father's object and noted "Nova, or II 65" in the Slough catalogue.
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NGC 4430 = UGC 7566 = MCG +01-32-067 = CGCG 042-111 = Holm 406a = LGG 289-033 = PGC 40851
12 27 26.2  +06 15 45; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 2.3'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse, elongated 3:2 E-W.  There is a sharp light cut-off on the east end.  The surface brightness is asymmetric with the brightest portion offset to the east of center with a more extensive faint halo towards the north and west.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4432 2.5' SE.  Located 8' N of mag 7.9 SAO 119411.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4430 = H. II-146 = h1270 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged "Faint, pretty large. I suspect this to be the same nebula with the last but one which was observed when the telescope went down and this while it up, however I am not sure of it.  The difference of 0.4 minutes in time and 3' in polar distance is not sufficient to determine this point as they were both taken in a hurry."  Apparently he was correct,  He recorded NGC 4430 less than 30 seconds earlier in the sweep, moved south and picked up NGC 4423, then head back north and saw logged NGC 4430.

John Herschel observed this galaxy on 24 Apr 1830 (sweep 253): "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 90"."  Both missed nearby NGC 4432, which was discovered by Albert Marth.
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NGC 4431 = UGC 7569 = MCG +02-32-062 = CGCG 070-094 = Holm 408c = LGG 292-006 = WBL 409-001 = PGC 40852
12 27 27.4  +12 17 24; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 177°

24" (5/29/14): fairly faint to moderately bright fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 40"x25", broad concentration with a slightly brighter core.  A mag 14.4 star is 1.2' E.  First of three with fainter NGC 4436 3.8' NE and brighter NGC 4440 6.4' E.

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, very diffuse, slightly elongated.  This galaxy is slightly brighter and larger than NGC 4436 4.0' ENE.  NGC 4440 lies 6.5' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4431 = H. II-171 = h1268 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Three F nebulae; the two first vS [NGC 4431 and 4436], the third [NGC 4440] S."  His single position is roughly 30 sec of RA too large, but the identifications are certain.  John Herschel noted "vF; oval gradually brighter in the middle; 50"."
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NGC 4432 = UGC 7570 = MCG +01-32-068 = CGCG 042-114 = Holm 406b = PGC 40875
12 27 33.0  +06 14 00; Vir
V = 14.7;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (4/21/90): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  A mag 15 star is 0.7' NW of center.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4430 2.5' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4432 = m 240 on 22 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48-inch on Malta and noted "2* in a F nebulosity."  His position matches NGC 4432 = UGC 7570, just 2.5' southeast of NGC 4430, though the brighter galaxy is not mentioned.
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NGC 4433 = MCG -01-32-013 = Holm 407a = PGC 40894
12 27 38.7  -08 16 45; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 2.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~N-S, broad concentration. Bracketed by two mag 14 stars at the north edge and 1.0' SW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4428 7' N.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4433 = h1273 on 16 Mar 1828 and noted "not vF; pL; little extended; very ill-defined."  His position is at the south edge of MCG -01-32-013 = PGC 40894.
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NGC 4434 = UGC 7571 = MCG +01-32-069 = CGCG 042-115 = LGG 292-014 = PGC 40886
12 27 36.6  +08 09 15; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 1.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/21/90): moderately bright, small, round, small very bright core dominates small round halo, sharp stellar nucleus.  Located 35' WNW of M49.  NGC 4416 lies 20' SW.  UGC 7580 is 7' SE but I didn't look for this faint galaxy.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4434 = H. II-497 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and noted "pF, vS."  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position on two nights (used in the NGC).
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NGC 4435 = VV 188 = Arp 120 NED1 = UGC 7575 = MCG +02-32-064 = VV 188 = Holm 409b = PGC 40898 = The Eyes 
12 27 40.5  +13 04 44; Vir
V = 10.8;  Size 2.8'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 13°

24" (4/28/14): very bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 N-S, ~1.5'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to the center.  Forms a prominent pair ("The Eyes") with NGC 4438 4.4' SSE.

18" (6/12/10): at 175x appears bright, moderately large oval, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.8'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, 20"x10" core and stellar nucleus.  This galaxy is the NW member of the "Eyes" with highly disrupted NGC 4438 4.3' SSE.

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a striking pair called the "Eyes" with slightly fainter NGC 4438 4.5' SSE.  Located 20' E of M86 in the central core of the Virgo cluster.

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, prominent small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4435 = H. I-28.1 = h1274, along with NGC 4438, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199).  He recorded them together as "two bright, considerably large nebula. One is 86 of the Connois des Temps."  His position matches the pair NGC 4435/4438, but Caroline assume one of the pair was M86.  The same mistake was made a week earlier, though it that case his positions fall close to NGC 4458/4461 (if he viewed NGC 4435/4438 instead, his position was 17' off).

John Herschel repeated this error in the Slough catalogue, but in the General Catalogue he split the pair into h1274 = I-28.1 (later NGC 4435) and h1275 = I-28.2 (later NGC 4438).

NGC 4435 and 4438 was nicknamed "The Eyes" by Leyland S. Copeland (first author of the Deep Sky Wonders column) in a February 1955 article titled "Adventures in the Virgo Cloud."; the likeness to a pair of eyes is emphasized by the fact that NGC 4435 and 4438 are both elongated in a SSW-NNE direction.
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NGC 4436 = UGC 7573 = MCG +02-32-066 = CGCG 070-096 = Holm 408a = LGG 289-010 = WBL 409-002 = PGC 40903
12 27 41.2  +12 18 57; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 116°

24" (5/29/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 30"x20", weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is off the NW side, 0.9' from center.  Faintest of three with NGC 4440 3.4' ESE and NGC 4431 3.8' SW.

13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, diffuse, low even surface brightness.  A mag 11.5 star is just off the NW edge 1.0' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4440 3' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4436 = H. II-172 = h1272 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Three faint nebulae; the two first vS [NGC 4431 and 4436], the third [NGC 4440] S."  His single position is roughly 30 sec of RA too large, but the identifications are certain.  John Herschel noted "vF; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"."
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NGC 4437 = NGC 4517 = UGC 7694 = MCG +00-32-020 = CGCG 014-063 = PGC 41618
12 32 45.6  +00 06 59; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4517.

John Herschel found NGC 4437 = h1277 on 14 Apr 1828 and recorded "F; vmE; pos 15° nf to sp; a long ray; it is south preceding a * 10m.  The place is that of the star." There is nothing near his position, but 5 min of RA east is NGC 4517 and his description is a perfect match with this galaxy.  Karl Reinmuth may have first suggested the equivalence in his 1926 photographic Heidelberg survey "Die Herschel Nebel".  Various sources (including the RNGC) mistakenly equate NGC 4437 with NGC 4417, instead of NGC 4517.
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NGC 4438 = Arp 120 NED2 = VV 188 = UGC 7574 = MCG +02-32-065 = CGCG 070-097 = Holm 409a = PGC 40914 = The Eyes 
12 27 45.5  +13 00 32; Vir
V = 10.2;  Size 8.5'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 27°

24" (4/28/14 and 5/29/14): very bright, very large, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x1.0'.  Contains a large, bright elongated core that increases to a very small, very bright nucleus.  With averted vision, the tidal tails are visible as much fainter irregular extensions (with an uneven surface brightness) that significantly increase the total diameter.  The SW "plume" is not aligned with the major axis of the galaxy and angles further towards the west.

18" (6/12/10): bright, large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 2.4'x1.0'.  Contains a bright, elongated core that increases to a small, very brighter, rounder nucleus.  The outer halo appears warped with very faint extensions that increase the overall size to nearly 5'x1.5'.  The SW tidal arm is more noticeable and appears to bend or curve to the southwest (counterclockwise).  The NNE tail is extremely faint and slightly offset to the axis of the core.  This highly disrupted galaxy forms an excellent pair with NGC 4435 4.3' NNW along Markarian's Chain.

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, small bright core.  Forms a striking pair with NGC 4435 4.5' NNW.  The core is not as large or bright as NGC 4435.  Located in the center of the Virgo cluster 23' E of M86.

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, bright core, larger but more diffuse than NGC 4435.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4438 = H. I-28.2 = h1275, along with NGC 4435, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199).  He noted "two bright, considerably large nebula."  His single position matches the pair NGC 4435 and 4438.  See NGC 4435 for more on the confusion with the identifications.

John Herschel made 3 observations and recorded (sweep 242) "pretty bright; large; little extended; 60" [diameter]."
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NGC 4439 = Cr 259 = ESO 131-006
12 28 26  -60 06 12; Cru
V = 8.4;  Size 4'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, 20 stars mag 10-13 are arranged in a perfect semi-circle (180 degree arc) open towards the west, with the endpoints directly N-S.  A string of three collinear stars, oriented WNW-ESE, sits right in the middle of the semicircle!  A wide bright double (HJ 4524 = 8/9.5 at 30") situated less than 5' NW is aligned directly with the center of the cluster!  Situated in the middle of the Southern Cross, 55' ENE of mag 3.6 Epsilon Crucis.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4439 = D 300 = h3392 on 30 Apr 1826.  His summary description (based on 4 observations) reads "a triangular group of very small stars, about 3' long, resembling faint nebulae. A star of the 9th magnitude near the north following extremity [the bright star is NW of the cluster]."  His published position was 7' too far E.

John Herschel observed the cluster on 31 Mar 1834 (sweep 434) and noted "Cluster taken for Dunlop 300; a semi-elliptic group of stars 11..12th mag, diameter 2'."
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NGC 4440 = UGC 7581 = MCG +02-32-067 = CGCG 070-099 = Holm 408b = LGG 292-007 = WBL 409-003 = PGC 40927
12 27 53.6  +12 17 36; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (5/29/14): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core containing a bright stellar nucleus.  Brightest in trio with NGC 4436 3.4' NW and NGC 4431 6.4' W.  Nearly at the midpoint of mag 9.2 HD 108469 5.7' SW and mag 9.6 HD 108577 6.5' ENE.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, small, small bright core, diffuse fainter halo.  Third of three with NGC 4436 3.2' NW and NGC 4431 6.5' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4440 = H. II-173 = h1276 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Three faint nebulae; the two first vS [NGC 4431 and 4436], the third [NGC 4440] S."  His single position is roughly 30 sec of RA too large, but the identifications are certain.  John Herschel noted "B; R; bM; 50"; resolvable."
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NGC 4441 = UGC 7572 = MCG +11-15-056 = CGCG 315-039 = PGC 40836
12 27 20.3  +64 48 06; Dra
V = 12.7;  Size 3.2'x2.5';  Surf Br = 14.8

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus.  NGC 4391 lies 14' NW.  NGC 4441 is thought to be an advanced galactic merger with optical tidal tails and two shells.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4441 = H. II-848 = h1278 = h1291 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "F, bM, iF, stellar."  John Herschel recorded h1278 "pF; R; very gradually brighter middle; 25"." and measured an accurate position.  The next night he viewed this galaxy again, but placed h1291 1 min of RA too far east and was unsure if it was new.  The various designations were combined in the NGC.
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NGC 4442 = UGC 7583 = MCG +02-32-068 = CGCG 070-100 = LGG 288-001 = PGC 40950
12 28 03.8  +09 48 13; Vir
V = 10.4;  Size 4.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 87°

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Two mag 14.5 star are at the east end and just south of the core 1.5' E and 0.9' SSW of center.  Located in the core of the Virgo cluster with NGC 4417/NGC 4424 pair roughly 30' SW.

14.5" (7/7/21): viewed supernova SN 2021 qvv discovered on 23 Jun '21.  The observation was challenging as the SN is only 14" W of center.  At 226x, it appeared as a dim mag 14.5 "star" at the W edge of the core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4442 = H. II-156 = h1279 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and logged "F, pL, little extended, r."  Caroline's reduction is 28 sec of RA east of UGC 7583.
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NGC 4443 = NGC 4461? = UGC 7613 = MCG +02-32-084 = PGC 41111
12 29 03.0  +13 11 02; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4461.  NGC identification very uncertain.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4443 on 13 Apr 1840 while observing the central region of the Virgo cluster.  He simply noted "F, S" and labeled it "Kappa" on the diagram of the field.  No positions were measured, but the sketch places this object close to the NGC 4458/4461 pair.

Frost reported that NGC 4443 was not found in the Virgo-Coma survey (Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1) and Reinmuth also reported a negative result.  Harold Corwin suggests NGC 4443 may be a duplicate discovery of NGC 4461 (despite missing fainter NGC 4458), and I agree.  See Corwin's notes for story.
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NGC 4444 = ESO 268-010 = MCG -07-26-007 = PGC 41043
12 28 36.4  -43 15 43; Cen
V = 12.3;  Size 2.5'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.0

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~1.4' diameter, weak concentration with a very small brighter nucleus.  A mag 13.2 star is just off the NE edge [1.0' from center].  NGC 4444 forms the northeast vertex of a triangle with a mag 8 star 4.8' ENE and a mag 10 star 4.6' S.  In addition two mag 9.6 stars are 7' SW and 8' SSW!

John Herschel discovered NGC 4444 = h3393 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "eF; L; R; very gradually brighter middle; 3' diam."  His single position is very accurate.
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NGC 4445 = IC 793 = UGC 7587 = MCG +02-32-072 = CGCG 070-104 = LGG 288-013 = PGC 40987
12 28 16.0  +09 26 11; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 2.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 106°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint but pretty edge-on WNW-ESE, moderately large, weak concentration.  NGC 4451 lies 12' SE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4445 on 24 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured on 2 nights that he also observed NGC 4424, is accurate.

Lewis Swift probably found this galaxy again on 6 May 1888 and reported it as new in this 8th list, #63 (later IC 793) with description "eF; S; eE; 3 others in field."  His position is 15 seconds of RA too far west, but his description "extremely elongated (or extended)" matches.  Dorothy Carlson equates NGC 4445 = IC 793 in her 1940 list of NGC/IC corrections.
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NGC 4446 = UGC 7586 = MCG +02-32-069 = CGCG 070-103 = PGC 40962
12 28 06.8  +13 54 43; Com
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 82°

24" (5/29/14): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.5'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  Fainter of a pair(lower surface brightness) with NGC 4447 1.6' SE.  Located 13' WSW of NGC 4459.

18" (4/5/03): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.6'x0.4'.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 4447 1.6' ESE.  Two mag 12.5/13 stars are 2' and 3' N of the pair.  Located 7' WSW of a mag 9.6 star and 13' WSW of NGC 4459.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4446 = Sw. 6-43, along with NGC 4447 close southeast, on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; ee difficult; Double; triplicity suspected; 2 = mag stars range with it n and s; [NGC 4459] in field following."  His position is 10 sec of RA following and 1' north of UGC 7586.  This galaxy is single, though forms a pair with NGC 4447, so his comment "triplicity suspected" is not valid.
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NGC 4447 = MCG +02-32-073 = PGC 40979
12 28 12.5  +13 53 57; Com
V = 14.0;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 117°

24" (5/29/14): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4446 1.6' WNW.  Located 12' WSW of NGC 4459.

18" (4/5/03): very faint, very small, round, 0.4'.  Slightly smaller of a close pair with NGC 4446 1.6' WNW.  In a galaxy-rich area 12.5' WSW of NGC 4459 and 6' SW of a mag 9.6 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4447 = Sw. 6-44, along with NGC 4446 close northwest, on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; ee difficult."  His position is 7 sec of RA following and 2' north of MCG +02-32-073 = PGC 40979 (comparable offset as NGC 4446).
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NGC 4448 = UGC 7591 = MCG +05-29-089 = CGCG 158-113 = CGCG 159-002 = PGC 40988
12 28 15.4  +28 37 13; Com
V = 11.1;  Size 3.9'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 94°

18" (4/5/03): bright, large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, 2.8'x1.2'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, well-defined 35"x25" oval core.  Located 27' NE of mag 4.3 15 Gamma Comae Berenices.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4448 = H. I-91 = h1280 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  His description reads, "vB, E in the direction of the parallel [east-west].  It has a B, pL nucleus sending forth a ray to each side."  John Herschel made 4 observations, describing it on sweep 343 "B; L; mE exactly in parallel; suddenly much brighter middle."
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NGC 4449 = UGC 7592 = MCG +07-26-009 = CGCG 216-005 = LGG 290-017 = PGC 40973 = The Box Galaxy
12 28 11.2  +44 05 36; CVn
V = 9.6;  Size 6.2'x4.4';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 45°

48" (2/20/12, 3/1/19, 5/1/19): NGC 4449 is a boxy-shaped Magellanic-type Irregular containing several bright, giant HII regions that are sites of active star formation.  The galaxy has been intensively studied as one of the strongest galaxy-wide starbursts in the nearby universe.  The overall surface brightness of the galaxy was unusually high at 375x.  The very bright central region is elongated SW-NE, irregular in surface brightness and contains a small, intense "nucleus".  This object is identified in SIMBAD as [GHG2001] 1 and described as a 10 Myr super star cluster in the 2001 study by Gelatt et al, "The Star Clusters in the Irregular Galaxy NGC 4449".

To the SW is a fairly large, bright patch that mimics a second core.  This region is catalogued as #27/28/30 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies" [HK83].  Several additional patches are on the north end of the galaxy.  The largest and brightest is #15, a high surface brightness irregular glow at the north end of the galaxy, 20"x12", with a mottled surface and a stellar knot (#11) at the north tip.  Roughly 35" SW is #25, a moderately bright roundish knot of ~12" diameter.  20" W is #31, a fairly faint, small HII knot, less than 10" in diameter.  At the northeast tip of the galaxy is #2, nearly 1' SE of #15.  It appeared as a moderately bright knot, ~15"-20" in size.  A small knot (#16) was noted on the southeast side of the galaxy. A faint 12" knot is nearly detached at the SW end of galaxy (#6 in the 1969 "Kinematic study of ionized hydrogen in NGC 4449").  Very low surface brightness haze extends west off the SW end. A mag 14 star is superimposed [44" ENE of the nucleus].

On 5/1/19, I had the strong impression of an extremely low surface brightness glow nearly 10' SE of the galaxy (and 2.4' W of LEDA 2233323). This is the location of a tidal star stream, discovered in 2011.

18" (5/14/07): very mottled, irregular appearance, elongated ~2:1 SW-NE, ~5'x2.5'.  The core is quite splotchy in appearance with a couple of bright knots; the most prominent is attached to the southwest of the core.  The main body is roughly rectangular with an extension at the northwest "corner" that ends with a bright knot or knots ([HK83] #15).  Another extension or knot ([HK83] #2) is off the northeast corner.  A mag 13 star lies 2.4' E of the core and 1 or 2 additional very faint stars or knots are superimposed in the central region. 

18" (5/8/04): fascinating view of this "Magellanic" system at 323x!  The galaxy is very irregular in appearance and surface brightness with a large, bright, elongated core oriented SW-NE.  The core appears offset to the south side of the galaxy.

Several knots (giant HII regions) are visible outside the core.  The brightest is a well-defined obvious patch on the north edge of the galaxy, 1.5' from the center.  This object is #15 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies" ([HK83]) and it is nearly comparable in surface brightness to the core.  Roughly 1' SE is #2, a smaller, faint knot that is collinear with #15 and a mag 13.5 star 2.4' E of the core.  #25, a third difficult knot, can sometimes be glimpsed about 40" SW of #15.  Finally, attached on the south end of the core is a larger, bright knot, although initially I thought this was just part of the core.

13.1" (4/12/86): very bright, very large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A knot is involved at the north end and the galaxy generally appears brighter to the north of the core.  A star is superimposed close east of the core. 

8": bright, moderately large, elongated, bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4449 = H. I-213 = h1281 on 27 Apr 1788 (sweep 833) and recorded "very brilliant, cL, E from sp to nf, difficulty r, seems to have 3 or 4 B nuclei."  His sketch (fig. 5) at the end of 1811 PT paper (reproduced in Stenicke's book) shows 4 bright round condensations (HII knots) within the glow, though one of these may be the nucleus.  He gave M106 as an illustration of "Nebulae which are brighter in more the one place."  According to Wolfgang Steinicke, Caroline Herschel independently discovered NGC 4449 on 8 Jul 1793 with the "large sweeper" (9.6" reflector).  Initially she thought it might be a comet but additional observations showed it remained stationary.  William did not record a sweep that night, so she was on her own.

On sweep 150 in May 1828, John Herschel recorded "B; L; gradually brighter in the middle; E in pos 75° nf to sp, a fine cluster; well resolved; I see several of the stars; 3' l, 2' br."  On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248 and last of 4 observations), he wrote "vF; vL; vmE; it is either a double nebula or the nf end is bifid.  If double the companion is F; R; bM; nearly north 1.5' or 2'.  A fine object."  So, clearly WH and JH resolved several HII regions in this galaxy.  Lord Rosse or assistant Johnston Stoney noted on 17 Mar 1849, "3 nuclei or 2 nuclei and star, and faint neb outlying."

Based on photographs taken with the 60-inch reflector at Mt Wilson, Francis Pease (1917) described NGC 4449 as "..an irregular nebulous mass in which many nebulous stars [HII regions] are distributed unevenly.  The greater part of the nebula is roughly rectangular, about 4.5'x2.5', p.a. = 40°, there being an assemblage of some dozen nebulous stars W of the SW corner.  On the original negative there are 230 nebulous stars or patches...Two-thirds of them are in the N half.  The nebulosity proper is weak toward the edge, gradually increases inward, and culminates along a central ridge, where it is as strong as the stars themselves.  A number of dark irregular rifts appear here and there in it."
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NGC 4450 = UGC 7594 = MCG +03-32-048 = PGC 41024
12 28 29.6  +17 05 06; Com
V = 10.1;  Size 5.2'x3.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 175°

17.5" (5/23/87): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 4'x2', diffuse halo, increases suddenly to a high surface brightness core.  Located 3.9' NE of mag 8.9 SAO 100115.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4450 = H. II-56 = H. II-90 = h1282 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170).  He described II-56 as "A resolvable nebula of an irreg shape of about 2 or 3' diam.  It is near a pB star."  He found it again a week later on sweep 182: "pL, resolvable, bright middle".  The nebula was noted as the same one observed in sweep 170.  But his next entry (II-90) was placed 1.0 min following and there is only one galaxy here, so he must have recorded NGC 4450 a second time (perhaps due to a change in sweep direction?).  John Herschel made 8 observations, apparently looking for a second nebula, but found only one and combed the two H-designations in the GC.
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NGC 4451 = UGC 7600 = MCG +02-32-079 = PGC 41050
12 28 40.5  +09 15 33; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 162°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is 1.5' S of center.  NGC 4445 lies 12' NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4451 on 19 Mar 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He measured the position on 4 nights and noted the mag 13 star, measured at 83" south.
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NGC 4452 = UGC 7601 = MCG +02-32-080 = PGC 41060
12 28 43.3  +11 45 18; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 2.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 32°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly small, thin pretty edge-on SW-NE, brighter core.  Located 8' SE of mag 7.7 SAO 100114.  IC 3381, situated 7.1' WNW, appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.  The IC is located 2.2' S of a mag 7.7 SAO 10014 that detracts from viewing.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4452 = H. I-23 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and recorded a "B, S, much E nebula, or bright dash."  Caroline's reduced position is 10 sec of RA east of UGC 7601.
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NGC 4453 = MCG +01-32-073 = PGC 41072
12 28 46.7  +06 30 42; Vir
V = 15.3;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 157°

17.5" (4/21/90): very faint, extremely small, round.  Unusual appearance with mag 14 star nvolved near the south edge and also an extremely faint 16th magnitude star or companion superimposed.  NGC 4430/NGC 4432 lie 25' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4453 = H. II-26 = h1283? on 28 Jan 1784 (the only nebula discovered on sweep 131).  He recorded "pretty bright, not very small.  It is not cometic.  The brightest part of it lies towards the following side.  I suppose it to be resolveable."  Dreyer noted this sweep was problematic ("unsatisfactory") with possible confusion with the offset star.  There is no object at Herschel's position and it was not found visually by Bigourdan or photographically by Wolf.  Dreyer suggested that if Herschel made an error of 20' in PD, then H. II-26 might be identical to H. II-146 (NGC 4430).

John Herschel, though, found h1283 = PGC 41072, which he incorrectly assumed was H. II-26.  This extremely faint galaxy is 44 seconds of RA following WH's position.   Harold Corwin argues that H. II-26 cannot be h1283 due to the significant difference in description (H. II-26 was described as "pretty bright").  He concludes "I'm leaning toward adopting NGC 4430 as H. II 26, though with considerable uncertainty."
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NGC 4454 = UGC 7606 = MCG +00-32-014 = PGC 41083
12 28 51.0  -01 56 27; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 2.0'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 100°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, the large diffuse halo has a gradual concentration down to a small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4454 = H. II-180 = h1284 on 22 Apr 1784 (sweep 204) and recorded "pB, L, R, er, near some stars."  On 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) he noted "F, pL, lE."  John Herschel made a single observation: "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"; a stellar point 18m in the centre; 2 B stars precede, distant."
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NGC 4455 = UGC 7603 = MCG +04-30-001 = WAS 57 = Kaz 390 = PGC 41066
12 28 44.1  +22 49 21; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 2.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 16°

14.5" (4/13/23): at 158x; moderately bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:1 SSW-NNE, ~2' in length, tips taper a bit, broad concentration but no distinct core or nucleus.  At 226x contains a brighter bulging core.

18" (4/5/03): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SSW-NNE, 2.5'x0.7', broad concentration, bulging core, fades at the tips of the extensions.  A wide pair of mag 11 stars are 3' and 4' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4455 = H. II-355 = h1285 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "pF, L, broadly elongated."  Caroline's reduction is 25 sec of RA following UGC 7603.  John Herschel made two observations, logging "pB; pmE; gradually brighter in the middle; two B stars nf" on sweep 424, and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4456 = ESO 441-030 = MCG -05-30-002 = PGC 40925 = PGC 40922
12 27 52.4  -30 05 52; Hya
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 150°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.  A mag 13-13.5 star is attached on the west side, 22" from the center.  Located 5.1' E of mag 8.2 HD 108412.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4456 = h3394 on 30 Mar 1835 (sweep 564) and recorded "eeF; vS; attached to a * 13m.  (no doubt of the nebulous character of the object)."  There is nothing at this position, but 1.2 min of RA west is ESO 441-030 and the mag 13.7 at the southwest edge clinches the identification.
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NGC 4457 = UGC 7609 = MCG +01-32-075 = LGG 292-045 = PGC 41101
12 28 59.0  +03 34 14; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 2.7'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.7

24" (7/14/20): observed supernova SN 2020nvb (Type Ia ), discovered on 1 Jul 2020 near the center of NGC 4457 (8" N, 3" W).  It appeared as a fairly prominent 12.5 mag "star" and stood out easily despite being superposed on the core.

17.5" (2/28/87): bright, small, almost round, very bright core.  A mag 13 star lies 2.6' W of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4457 = H. II-35 = h1286 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "pB; mbM than towards the ends."  John Herschel made three observations, logging on sweep 143, "B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"."
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NGC 4458 = UGC 7610 = MCG +02-32-082 = Holm 411b = PGC 41095
12 28 57.6  +13 14 31; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (4/28/14): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2' ENE. Fainter of a pair with NGC 4461 3.7' SSE.  

18" (6/12/10): at 175x and 280x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.9' diameter.  Contains a small, bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 2.2' ENE of center.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 4461 3.7' SE.

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.1' E.  Forms a pair with NGC 4461 3.7' SSE.  Located in the core of the Virgo cluster.

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, small, almost round, small faint nucleus.  A mag 11 star is close east.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4458 = H. II-121 = h1287, along with NGC 4461, on 8 Apr 1784 and recorded (sweep 187) "Two resolvable nebula at 4 or 5' distance."  He assumed one of these was M86, so only one new discovery number was added.  The derived position was ~5' W of NGC 4458 and 4461, so this is the most likely pair.  Four nights later he swept the field again (sweep 189) and recorded "Two [NGC 4461 and 4458]. Both pF, S, bM."  His single position on this sweep was 22 seconds of RA following NGC 4458 and the identification is unambiguous.   The on the 17th (sweep 199), he recorded "two bright, considerably large nebula" and assumed they were pair from sweep 187 (one being M86), but his position matches NGC 4435 and NGC 4438!

John Herschel logged "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; the p of 2 [with NGC 4461] and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4459 = UGC 7614 = MCG +02-32-083 = PGC 41104
12 29 00.0  +13 58 43; Com
V = 10.4;  Size 3.5'x2.7';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

24" (5/29/14): very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 5:4 ~E-W, ~1.5'x1.2', sharply concentrated with a small intensely bright core, stellar nucleus, appears mottled near the core.  The halo increases in size with averted.  Mag 8.7 HD 108676 lies 2.2' SE of center.

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright intense compact core, stellar nucleus.  Located 2.2' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 100121.  NGC 4468 lies 8.7' NE and NGC 4474 is 14' NE.  A close pair, NGC 4446 and NGC 4447 lies 13' WSW.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated, small bright nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4459 = H. I-161 = h1288 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and recorded "vB, pL, iR."  John Herschel logged (sweep 23) "pB; R; bM; r; has a *8m 2' dist; 45° sf."
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NGC 4460 = UGC 7611 = MCG +08-23-041 = CGCG 244-022 = PGC 41069
12 28 45.6  +44 51 52; CVn
V = 11.3;  Size 4.0'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, pretty edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, moderately large, brighter core.  A pretty double star STF 1645 = 7.5/8.1 at 10" is in the field 8.5' SW.  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4460 = H. I-212 = H. II-750 = h1289 on 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830).  He noted for I-212 "considerably bright, pretty large, elongated."  His position is poor -- Caroline's reduction placed it 8.6' too far NW (all the preceding objects in the sweep are too far north).  He found it again 17 days later (sweep 833) and logged II-750 as "pretty faint, pretty large, elongated SW-NE."  His position was just 2' NE of center.  So this galaxy appeared twice in his 2nd catalogue. John Herschel realized the equivalence and combined the two H-designations in the General Catalogue (GC).
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NGC 4461 = NGC 4443? = UGC 7613 = MCG +02-32-084 = Holm 411a = PGC 41111
12 29 03.0  +13 11 02; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 3.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 9°

24" (4/28/14): bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 2.0'x0.8', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that gradually increases towards the center.  A mag 11 star lies 4' NNE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4458 3.7' NNW.  

18" (6/12/10): bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.7', extending nearly on a line with a mag 11 star 4' NNE.  Sharply concentrated with a small, intense core that increases to a very bright, stellar nucleus.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 4458 3.7' NW.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, very small bright core possibly stellar.  Form a pair with NGC 4458 3.7' NW.  The striking NGC 4435/NGC 4438 pair lies 21' SW.  Located in core of the Virgo cluster.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly small, elongated N-S, small bright core.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4458.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4461 = H. II-122 = H. II-174 = h1290, along with NGC 4458, on 8 Apr 1784,  (sweep 187).  He simply noted, "Two resolvable nebula at 4 or 5' dist."  He assumed one of the nebulae was M86, so only added one new discovery number.  On 12 April he swept the field again and recorded "Two [NGC 4461 and 4458]. Both pF, S, bM."  His single position on this sweep was 22 seconds of RA following NGC 4458.  On 17 April he swept through the field a third time and logged NGC 4461 again as H. II-174 (apparently not measuring NGC 4458).  NGC 4443 may be a duplicate observation.  See that number.

John Herschel made an early observation of NGC 4461 on 10 Apr 1825 (sweep 2), while working on his observing technique.  Six years later (sweep 338) he recorded, "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; the f of 2 [with NGC 4458] and measured an accurate position.  See notes for NGC 4458.
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NGC 4462 = ESO 506-013 = MCG -04-30-002 = PGC 41150
12 29 21.2  -23 10 01; Crv
V = 11.9;  Size 3.2'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 124°

13.1" (3/17/86): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 streak WNW-ESE.  Contains a bright core with fainter extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4462 = H. III-764 = h3396 on 26 Mar 1789 (sweep 918) and recorded "cF, R, pS, stellar."  John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope and logged (sweep 690) "pB; E; suddenly brighter middle; pos of elongation 130° [NW-SE]."
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NGC 4463 = Cr 260 = ESO 095-010
12 29 55  -64 47 24; Mus
V = 7.2;  Size 5'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this is a fairly small but fairly rich group with two bright mag 8.5 stars (HD 108719 and PPM 779024) oriented N-S and separated by 1.3'.  The cluster is fairly rich along a curving E-W string that passes through the northern of the two bright stars.  Scattered outliers increase the size to perhaps 6'x3' and include up to 60 stars.  This cluster is located just 1.7° SSE of Acrux on the SW edge of the Coalsack Nebula.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): faint, small, round.  A couple of close brighter stars were resolved near the center.  Located on a line with Acrux and two other stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4463 = h3395 on 2 May 1835 and noted "cl VIII. class; poor; scattered.  The northern of 2 stars 8m taken."  His single position is good.
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NGC 4464 = UGC 7619 = MCG +01-32-078 = PGC 41148
12 29 21.3  +08 09 23; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright but very small, irregularly round, high surface brightness, small bright core, possible stellar nucleus.  M49 is at the edge of the 220x field 11.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4464 = H. III-483 = h1292 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and simply noted "vF".  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; vS; pretty gradually brighter middle; R; 10"."  Julius Schmidt found the galaxy again in June 1861, along with NGC 4470 and 4492, and reported them as new in AN 1513 (1866), although Heinrich d'Arrest quickly reported the earlier discoveries.  d'Arrest also measured the position accurately on 4 nights.
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NGC 4465 = CGCG 042-127 = Holm 413d = PGC 41157
12 29 23.5  +08 01 34; Vir
V = 14.6;  Size 0.2'x0.2';  Surf Br = 11.0;  PA = 108°

48" (5/15/12): At 488x appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 20"x15", weak concentration.  A mag 16.8 star is just off the NE side [12" from center].  This is one of several faint galaxies outside the halo of M49 (situated 5.9' WNW of center) with brighter NGC 4467 2.6' SE.  According to the redshift, though, this galaxy lies in the background of the Virgo cluster at a distance of ~330 million light years.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4465 = Big. 54 on 31 Mar 1886.  The NGC position is just 3 sec of RA too large, although it was not found by Arnold Schwassmann on a Heidelberg plate (probably appeared stellar).
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NGC 4466 = UGC 7626 = MCG +01-32-081 = Holm 412a = PGC 41170
12 29 30.6  +07 41 47; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 101°

17.5" (4/18/87): faint, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W.  Located 7.8' SSW of NGC 4470 and 18' SSW of M49.

Bindon Blood Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4466 on 26 Feb 1851.  While observing the M49 field he noted "a 3rd about 12' south of 2nd [NGC 4470] is elongated."  The actual separation between NGC 4470 and NGC 4466 is 8', but there are no other possible candidates.  In the General Catalogue, John Herschel added three numbers for what he assumed were three new objects found at Birr Castle, although only a single very rough position was given.  Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 24 Apr 1865 and measured an accurate position.  Dreyer assumed it was new, adding it as GC(S) 5653.  The two GC designations were combined in the NGC, though, and d'Arrest was credited with the discovery.

Wolfgang Steinicke attributes William Herschel with the discovery of NGC 4466 on 28 Dec 1787 (sweep 498, H. II-18).  On this sweep he logged two "nebulae" to the south of M49.  One is H. II-498, which applies to NGC 4470 (discovered earlier on 23 Jan 1784). The second object is probably NGC 4466, although the north polar distance is again poor - only 2' S of NGC 4470.
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NGC 4467 = MCG +01-32-080 = CGCG 042-130 = Holm 413c = LGG 289-078 = PGC 41169
12 29 30.2  +07 59 34; Vir
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.5'

48" (5/15/12): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, 24"x20", small bright core.  A mag 12.8 star is 35" W.  Located 5.2' W of the center of M49.  NGC 4465 lies 2.6' NW.

17.5" (4/18/87): very faint, very small, almost round.  Located 6' W of M49!  A mag 12.5 star is just off the west edge 34" from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4467, along with NGC 4470, on 23 Jan 1784 (early sweep 105, discovery #44).  He logged, "Nebula.  Preceding [M49], and not far from its parallel is a nebulous star or small nebula."  In fact, a star is very close to the galaxy.  He added "South of and at rectangles to the great Nebula [M49] and the small star near it, is a nebula incomparably more faint. My field takes them both in together."  His position was very uncertain and only roughly found (off by 3°). In fact, he initially thought the bright nebula was M61, though he realized his error a month later.   His description, though, applies to M49, NGC 4467 and NGC 4470, which form a right triangle, although the sighting of NGC 4467 was uncertain.  On 28 Dec 1785, Herschel observed H. II 18, which he assumed was identical to #44, but the second observation probably refers to NGC 4466.  As a result, WH's observation of NGC 4467 wasn't assigned an H-designation.

Otto Struve independently discovered NGC 4467 on 28 Apr 1851 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory while observing M49.  He wrote, "Near this last star [preceding M49 by 17 seconds of time] , there is still another smaller nebula at a distance of 2 to 3 seconds, located on the straight line joining the star with the main nebula."  Struve is credited with the discovery in the NGC.  d'Arrest measured an accurate position (3 nights) and credited Struve with the discovery. The IC2 Notes mention Schwassmann couldn't find NGC 4467 on a Heidelberg plate.  The RNGC incorrectly equates this number with NGC 4465.
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NGC 4468 = UGC 7628 = MCG +02-32-090 = PGC 41171
12 29 30.9  +14 02 56; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 73°

17.5" (4/25/87): faintest of three with NGC 4474 5.5' ENE and NGC 4459 8.7' SW.  Faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small weak concentration.

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, small, diffuse, slightly elongated, no noticeable concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4468 = H. II-630 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and simply noted "cL".  His position was well off - 5' too far south and 14 seconds of RA too small, but it was observed in the sweep between NGC 4459 and NGC 4474, and this is the only galaxy between these two.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position at Copenhagen as well as Rudolph Spitaler in 1891 at the Vienna Observatory.
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NGC 4469 = UGC 7622 = MCG +02-32-089 = LGG 288-003 = PGC 41164
12 29 28.0  +08 45 00; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 3.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 89°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 E-W, fairly large, 3.0'x1.2', faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4469 = H. II-157 = St. 13-70 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and recorded "F, pL, mE, r."  His position was 4.5' too far N.  Édouard Stephan found NGC 4469 on 5 Apr 1878.  He measured an accurate position on 28 Apr 1884 and included it in his 13th discovery paper (#70).  But he added a footnote that it was identical to H. II 157 = GC 3019 [NGC 4469], though Herschel's position was off by 5' in polar distance.
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NGC 4470 = NGC 4610 = UGC 7627 = MCG +01-32-082 = CGCG 042-132 = PGC 41189
12 29 37.9  +07 49 25; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval N-S, pretty even surface brightness.  Located 14' SSW of M49.

William Herschel found NGC 4470 = H. II-498 = h1293 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498).  He described it as "F, pL", and recorded a fairly accurate position.  The original discovery, though, was made  on 23 Jan 1784 (problematic sweep 105).  He recorded H. II-19 (later NGC 4610) as "south of and at [right angle] to the great Nebula [M49] and the small star near it [NGC 4467], is a nebula incomparably more faint.  My field takes them both in together."  His position was very poorly determined (off by 3°) as he initially thought the field included M61 and the reference star was recorded nearly two hours earlier in the sweep.

John Herschel made two observations, though his descriptions are so disparate ("B[right]" on sweep 117 and "vF" on sweep 251), they may refer to NGC 4470 and NGC 4466, respectively!  Julius Schmidt made an independent discovery on 29 Jun 1861 (announced in AN 1513 (1866)), but Heinrich d'Arrest noted the earlier discovery and measured an accurate position over several nights.  

In the NGC, Dreyer incorrectly equated H. II-18 with H. II-498 = NGC 4470 and assigned H. II-19 the number NGC 4610.  But in the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", Dreyer correctly sorted out the identifications based on Herschel's description and his sketch. He correctly concluded that H. II-19 (= NGC 4610) was identical to H. II-498 (= NGC 4470).
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NGC 4471
12 29 42.0  +07 53 45; Vir
V = 13.9

48" (5/15/12): this number applies to one of two 14th magnitude stars at 1' separation oriented NNW-SSE, situated ~6' SSW of M49.  VCC 1203, a fairly faint galaxy (too faint to have been seen by Schmidt), lies 1.5' NW of the NNW star.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 4471 on 29 Jun 1861 near M49 with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory.  He also found NGC 4470, 4492 and 4464, which had all been discovered earlier by WH.  There is nothing at his position in AN 1513 (1866) except a 14th magnitude star and neither Heinrich d'Arrest nor Guillaume Bigourdan could recover Schmidt's object.

Karl Reinmuth refers to a possible candidate as "vS, R, = neb *13.5; eF vs iR neb np 1.7', *13.5 ssf 1.0'."  His description applies to a faint star at 12 29 40.6 +07 54 40.  Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 paper on Corrections to the NGC, identified NGC 4471 as a star (from Ames in Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1 (Virgo-Coma survey) and this is repeated in the RNGC.  Corwin identifies NGC 4471 with one of two 14th magnitude stars near the NGC position.  SIMBAD (and others) misidentify VCC 1203 = PGC 41185 as NGC 4471.
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NGC 4472 = M49 = Arp 134 = UGC 7629 = MCG +01-32-083 = CGCG 042-134 = Holm 413a = PGC 41220
12 29 46.8  +08 00 01; Vir
V = 8.4;  Size 10.2'x8.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 155°

48" (5/15/12): at 488x, M49 appeared extremely bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, ~6'x5', fades gradually so the outer extent may be larger.  Well concentrated with an intense core that is sharply concentrated with a brilliant nucleus.  A mag 12 star is superimposed 45" E of center.  A number of galaxies (see below) surround the halo, including NGC 4467 4' W and NGC 4465 5.9' WNW.  A mag 13 star is 4.6' W of center (close to NGC 4467).

VCC 1199, 4.5' NW of center, appeared faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

VCC 1203, 4.6' SSW of center, is fairly faint, fairly small, round, 12" diameter, slightly brighter core.  VCC 1203 is misidentified as NGC 4471 in SIMBAD.  The NGC number probably applies to one of the two faint stars ~2' SE.

UGC 7636, 5.4' SE of center, is very faint, fairly small, elongated patch, ~0.5'x0.3' N-S, with a very low surface brightness and no concentration.  This blue, dwarf irregular companion (Arp called it a "fragment") has been disrupted by M49 with H I gas stripped in a tidal tail.

17.5" (4/18/87): very bright, fairly large, sharp concentration to a compact very bright nucleus, large halo slightly elongated ~N-S fades at the edges.  A mag 12 star is superimposed at the east edge 0.8' from center.  A faint galaxy NGC 4467 lies 5' W.

Charles Messier discovered M49 = NGC 4472 = H. I-7 = h1294 on 19 Feb 1771 (first Virgo cluster member discovered).  Italian astronomer Barnaba Oriani independently found it on 22 Apr 1779 at the Brera Observatory while following a comet that passed through the Virgo cluster.  Admiral Smyth confused these discovery dates, causing later confusion on the primary discoverer.

William Herschel first recorded M49 = H. I-7 on 23 Jan 1784 (early sweep 105) and described a "A beautiful nebula.  Not cometic.  It is visible in the finder and vB in the telescope."  He assumed H. I-7 was M61 but due to his very rough position (found 2 hours after his reference star, 49 Leo, was recorded!) he wasn't able to recover the field and Dreyer didn't include H. I-7 in the NGC.  Wolfgang Steinicke discovered that Herschel's RA was 11 minutes too large (3° error) and the nearby objects NGC 4467 (H. II-18) and NGC 4470 (H. II-19).  On 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) Herschel observed M49 again and wrote, "vB, cL, gradually much brighter middle, extended with faint branches."  This time it was correctly identified as M49.

John Herschel made 5 observations, recording on 24 Apr 1830 (sweep 253): "eB; L; R pretty suddenly much brighter middle; insensibly fading away, has a * 13m following; by diag the star is just beyond the nebula." Heinrich d'Arrest claimed he resolved the cluster and saw "countless groups of stars; at 147x, the nebula periphery can be resolved into stars of the 13th and 14th magnitudes."
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NGC 4473 = UGC 7631 = MCG +02-32-093 = PGC 41228
12 29 48.8  +13 25 46; Com
V = 10.2;  Size 4.5'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 100°

24" (5/29/14): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 E-W, 2.0'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus.

18" (6/12/10): bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 2.4'x1.0'.  Sharply concentrated with a small, intense core, ~30"x15" that increases smoothly to the center.

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, small but intense core, stellar nucleus.  NGC 4477 lies 13' N. 

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, elongated E-W, small very bright nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4473 = H. II-114, along with NGC 4477 and 4479, on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187). He simply noted "F, resolvable."

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4473 and 4477 on 29 Mar 1856, unaware of Herschel's prior discovery.  John Herschel responded in an open letter to John Hind that both of d'Arrest's "novae" were seen earlier and that he was surprised d'Arrest missed NGC 4479.  This caused some controversy whether NGC 4479 was a "variable" nebula.
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NGC 4474 = UGC 7634 = MCG +02-32-094 = PGC 41241
12 29 53.6  +14 04 07; Com
V = 11.5;  Size 2.4'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/25/87): second brightest of three in the field with NGC 4468 6' WSWand NGC 4459 14' WSW.  Moderately bright, fairly small, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, elongated WSW-ENE. 

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, small, very elongated E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4474 = H. II-117 = H. II-629 = h1295 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "r[esolvable]."   He observed this galaxy again on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and simply noted  "faint".  His RA was only 12 seconds too small but it was assumed to be new and included in his second catalogue as II.629.  John Herschel realized the equivalence when he compiled the GC.
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NGC 4475 = UGC 7632 = MCG +05-30-008 = CGCG 159-008 = PGC 41225
12 29 47.6  +27 14 36; Com
V = 13.6;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 5°

18" (5/30/03): faint, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.9'x0.6', fairly low surface brightness.  Appears brighter along a bar extending along the major axis.  Faint halo or extensions which are difficult to pin down the orientation.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4475 = H. III-362 = h1297 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "eF, cL, the whole about 4 or 5' long and 2' broad."  His size estimate is much too large and John Herschel, who only picked up the nucleus, called it "eF; R; 15"."
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NGC 4476 = UGC 7637 = MCG +02-32-096 = PGC 41255
12 29 59.1  +12 20 55; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 25°

24" (5/29/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 28"x14", bright core gradually increases to the center.  Fainter of pair with NGC 4478 4.6' ESE.  Located 12.5' WSW of M87 in the core of the Virgo Cluster.  

17.5" (5/24/87): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, small brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4478 4.7' ESE.  Located 12' W of M87 in the Virgo cluster.

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, elongated, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4476 = H. II-123 = h1296 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and described "Two [along with NGC 4478] F, S and one B, L nebula [M 87].  His single position matches NGC 4478.  On sweep 245, John Herschel recorded "F; R; S; bM."
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NGC 4477 = UGC 7638 = MCG +02-32-097 = PGC 41260
12 30 02.0  +13 38 12; Com
V = 10.4;  Size 3.8'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

24" (5/29/14): very bright, fairly large, round, 2.0' diameter, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core and stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4479 5.3' SE.

NGC 4477 marks the eastern end of Markarian's Chain (1961 paper).

18" (6/12/10): very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 2.5'x2.0'.  The outer halo is very weakly concentrated and then suddenly increases to an intense 40"x20" core.  At 275x the core appears lively or mottled and increases to a stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4479 5.3' SE.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4479 5.5' SE and NGC 4473 lies 12' SSW.

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, slightly elongated N-S, small bright nucleus, NGC 4479 5.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4477 = H. II-115 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187), along with NGC 4473 and 4479.  He recorded "Two resolvable nebula [NGC 4477 and 4479]."  Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4477 and NGC 4473 on 29 Mar 1856, apparently unaware of Herschel's prior observation.  See notes for NGC 4473.
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NGC 4478 = UGC 7645 = MCG +02-32-099 = PGC 41297
12 30 17.4  +12 19 43; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 140°

24" (5/29/14): bright, fairly small, elongated 5:4 NW-SE, 35"x28", high surface brightness, contains a very small, very bright nucleus.  A star is involved on the north side, just 10" N of center.  Brighter of a pair with NGC 4476 4.6' WNW. Located 8.7' SW of M87.

17.5" (5/24/87): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4476 4.7' WNW.  Located 9' WSW of M87. 

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4478 = H. II-124 = h1298 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and described "Two [along with NGC 4476] F, S and one B, L nebula [M 87].  His single position matches NGC 4478.  On sweep 245, John Herschel recorded "B; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"; the f of 2 [with NGC 4476]."  Kolbold measured the position for both the nucleus and the superimposed star in 1893.
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NGC 4479 = UGC 7646 = MCG +02-32-100 = PGC 41302
12 30 18.4  +13 34 39; Com
V = 12.4;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 24°

24" (5/29/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 45"x35", broad weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 4477 5.3' NW.

18" (6/12/10): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration to an ill defined, slightly brighter core and an occasional faint stellar nucleus.  Fainter of a pair with NGC 4477 5.3' NW.

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration.  Located 6' SE of NGC 4477. 

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4479 = H. II-116, along with NGC 4473 and 4477, on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187). He recorded "Two resolvable nebula [NGC 4477 and 4479] at 4' or 5' distance."  His single position matches NGC 4477 but the separation is 5' so the identification is certain.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found NGC 4473 and 4477 on 29 Mar 1856.  John Herschel was surprised that d'Arrest missed NGC 4479 as it was in the same field as NGC 4477 and a class II nebula.  He wrote a letter to John Russell Hind (as possibly another variable nebula), which was reprinted in 1862 MNRAS, Vol. 22, p.250 titled "Sir John Herschel to Mr. Hind, on the Disappearance of a Nebula in Coma Berenices".  He was 70 years old at the time and decades past being an active observer. Jean Chacornac, Schönfeld and Lassell, reading about the supposed missing nebula, also confirmed the visibility of NGC 4479.  Eventually d'Arrest observed this galaxy on 5 May 1862 using the 11-inch Copenhagen refractor.
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NGC 4480 = UGC 7647 = MCG +01-32-087 = PGC 41317
12 30 26.7  +04 14 48; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 2.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 175°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weakly concentrated.  A mag 13 star is 1.9' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4480 = H. II-531 = h1299 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and recorded "pB, E, about 3' long, brighter towards the southern side."  Caroline's reduction is 2' south of UGC 7647.
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NGC 4481 = MCG +11-15-057 = CGCG 315-040 = PGC 41222
12 29 48.7  +64 01 59; Dra
V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 144°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.15'.  Appears as a thin sliver 40" W of a mag 13 star.  NGC 4510 lies 17' NE and NGC 4481 is 20' ESE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4481 on 7 Oct 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His measured an accurate position on 2 nights and accurately placed the mag 13 star that follows by 7 or 8 seconds of time.
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NGC 4482 = IC 3427 = UGC 7640 = MCG +02-32-098 = CGCG 070-130 = PGC 41272
12 30 10.4  +10 46 46; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/21/90): faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, almost even surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4482 = H. III-40 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and logged "eF, pL, I was near overlooking it."  There is nothing at his position, but 28 sec of RA west and 2' north is UGC 7640.  Several nebulae discovered that night have errors from 30 sec to 90 sec in RA too large, so this identification is very reasonable. Bigourdan first noted the RA in the NGC was 29 seconds too large in his 18 Jan 1897 Comptes Rendus paper.

Arnold Schwassmann found this galaxy again on a Heidelberg plate in 1900 and reported Sn. 158 (later IC 3427) as new.  NGC 4482 was photographed  as well as by Frost in 1904.  So NGC 4482 = IC 3427.  UGC, MCG and CGCG label this galaxy IC 3427, instead of NGC 4482.
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NGC 4483 = UGC 7649 = MCG +02-32-103 = PGC 41339
12 30 40.6  +09 00 56; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 1.6'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 65°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, small, oval SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4483 on 19 Mar 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He measured the position on 2 nights and noted the nearby mag 10 star preceded by 26 seconds of time.
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NGC 4484 = MCG -02-32-013 = PGC 41087
12 28 52.7  -11 39 08; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 14.3

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, broad concentration to a slightly brighter core.  With direct vision a small slightly brighter 10" nucleus was sometimes visible.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4484 = h1300 on 9 Mar 1828 and logged "Not vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  There is nothing at his position, but exactly 2.0 min of RA west is PGC 41087.  Herbert Howe was apparently the first to note this error when he observed this galaxy in 1898 or 1899.
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NGC 4485 = Arp 269 NED1 = VV 30b = UGC 7648 = MCG +07-26-013 = CGCG 216-007 = Holm 414b = PGC 41326
12 30 31.4  +41 42 01; CVn
V = 11.9;  Size 2.3'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 15°

48" (5/1/19): at 375x; two obvious HII knots are just off the SW side of this bright galaxy.  [VS65] 04, 39" from center, is a bright knot ~12" diameter.  [VS65] 01, a slightly fainter knot only 6" diameter, is just 15" further SW.  These designations are from a 1965 study of HII regions in NGC 2403, 2903 and 4485/4490 by Véron and Sauvayre.

24" (5/27/17): at 200x; moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:4 N-S, ~1.5'x1.2'.  Contains a very small brighter core/nucleus but not strongly concentrated.  The surface brightness is fairly high and patchy, but I didn't use high power to look for HII regions.

18" (6/13/07): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~1.6'x1.2', broad mild concentration.  Extended in the direction of the northwest arm structure in NGC 4490.

13.1" (2/16/85): moderately bright, fairly small, brighter core, elongated SSW-NNE.  Forms a fascinating interacting pair with NGC 4490 3.6' SSE of center.  Located 40' NW of Beta Canum Venaticorum (V = 4.3).  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4485 = H. I-197 = h1306 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798).  He recorded both as "Two, the most south [NGC 4490] very bright, very large, little elongated.  That to the north [NGC 4485] bright, pretty small, irregular figure, about 1 1/2' distance."   John Herschel logged "S; R; is 70° np and 3' n of I. 198 [NGC 4490]." 

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell sketched the pair on 27 Mar 1856 (Plate 27, Fig. 23 in the 1861 publication). He showed a bright nucleus and a well defined outer ring.  The following year, though, he could not see any sign of spirality.  In addition, a small patch (HII region) esd sketched on the south side as well as a faint star, probably a compact HII region.
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NGC 4486 = M87 = Arp 152 = UGC 7654 = MCG +02-32-105 = CGCG 070-139 = Virgo A = 3C 274 = PGC 41361
12 30 49.7  +12 23 28; Vir
V = 8.6;  Size 7.2'x6.8';  Surf Br = 13.0

82" (5/4/19, McDonald Observatory): at 613x; M87's jet was a remarkable sight!  It appeared as a bright, sharply defined "spike" with a fairly high surface brightness and two stellar knots!  I was very surprised by the length and the extreme thinness, appearing like a narrow laser beam shooting out of the core, ~18"x2"!

48" (5/4/16 and 4/30/19): at 488x, 610x and 697x; M87's jet was almost continuously visible as a small, very thin spike extending to the WNW of the core, perhaps 15"x2". When the seeing was sharp, there was a brighter, knot (stellar) at the outer tip that sometimes appeared detached.  There was a strong impression of a second stellar knot within the spike.

48" (4/1/11): at 488x, the jet in M87 was immediately noticed as a short, faint spike poking out of the central core to the WNW and the position angle [290-300°] was accurately sketched without prior knowledge.  The narrow jet brightened or there was a knot at the outer tip.

In addition to looking for the jet, I sketched three companions at the edge of the outer halo on the southwest side. About 2' SW of the center of M87 is a pair of very faint, roundish galaxies, both ~15" diameter.  The pair forms UGC 7652 with the components separated by 40" and nearly aligned with the center of the galaxy as if they were ejected.  2MASX J12303903+1222222, an extremely faint companion (V = 17.9), lies 2.8' WSW of the core, just 20" SE of a mag 15.5 star.  The three close "companions" to M87 are actually part of a distant, poor cluster in the background of M87, with a redshift of 20x that of M87!

Virgo UCD 3 is either one of the brightest globular clusters in M87 or a nucleated dwarf galaxy, called a Ultra-Compact Dwarf (UCD).  It is situated just 3.0' NE of the center of M87, directly opposite the two small galaxies at the southwest edge of the halo of M87.  A mag 14.5 star, just 20" SSW, is a perfect reference to focus on the cluster.  On 4/16/13 using 488x it was suspected as an 18th magnitude "star", but I didn't feel confident of the observation.  At 813x, though, it was confirmed as an extremely faint, stellar object, glimpsed several times at the same position.

24" (5/29/14): extremely bright, large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, ~4'x3.5', well concentrated with a large, intense core.  The core brightens but there was no distinct nucleus.  The halo gradually fades and increases in size with averted vision.  Several galaxies are nearby including NGC 4486B 7.2' NW, NGC 4486A 7.6' SSE, NGC 4478 8.7' SW and NGC 4476 12.6' WSW.

17.5" (5/24/87): very bright, fairly large, gradually increases to a very bright core, no sharp nucleus.  A very compact galaxy NGC 4486A = UGC 7658 lies 7' S. 

13.1" (5/14/83): very bright, intense core, fairly smooth halo.

Charles Messier is credited with the discovery of M87 = NGC 4486 = h1301, along with M84 and M86, on 18 Mar 1781.  But Wolfgang Steinicke recently found (email Oct '16) that Johann Gottfried Koehler made an earlier discovery on 5 May 1779.

On 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199), William Herschel logged "Three nebulae, the two first [NGC 4476 and 4478] vF, S, the third [M87], B, L, much brighter middle but diminishing very gradually in brightness."  John Herschel made at least 5 observations, recording on sweep 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 245): "vB; vL; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; r; 3' diam."

M87 is one of the most distant galaxies (~52 million light years) visible in binoculars.  It contains a 6.4-billion-solar-mass black hole (1,000 times more massive than Sgr A).  The 20" jet was discovered by Heber Curtis at Lick Observatory in 1918 and described as a "curious straight ray lies in a gap in the nebulosity in pa 20°, apparently connected with the nucleus by a thin line of matter. The ray is brightest at the inner end, which is 11" from the nucleus."

A supernova (1919A) was found in 1922 by Russian astronomer Balnowski on a plate taken 24 Feb 1919.
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NGC 4487 = MCG -01-32-021 = LGG 293-001 = PGC 41399
12 31 04.4  -08 03 15; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 4.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 70°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly large, diffuse, brighter core, slightly elongated.  A mag 13 star is off the north end 1.1' from center.  Brightest in a small group that incudes NGC 4504 35' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4487 = H. II-776 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 916) and logged "F, vL, er."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 7 sec of RA west and 1.5' south of MCG -01-32-021 = PGC 41399.  JH did not make an observation.
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NGC 4488 = UGC 7653 = MCG +02-32-104 = PGC 41363
12 30 51.4  +08 21 36; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 3.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, small brighter core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.3' SW of center.  Located 16' NNW of NGC 4492.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4488 = H. III-484 = h1302 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and noted "vF".  His position matches UGC 7653.  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; vS; lE."
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NGC 4489 = UGC 7655 = MCG +03-32-054 = PGC 41365
12 30 52.2  +16 45 32; Com
V = 12.0;  Size 1.7'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus.  A group of four stars mag 11-13 is about 4' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4498 12' NE.  Located 9.3' NNW of mag 7.8 SAO 100135.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4489 = H. II-91 = h1303 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and simply noted "vS".  He was discovering new objects very rapidly, so this and several following objects in the cluster have very brief descriptions.  John Herschel made three observations and measured an accurate RA.
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NGC 4490 = Arp 269 NED2 = VV 30a = UGC 7651 = MCG +07-26-014 = CGCG 216-008 = Holm 414a = PGC 41333 = Cocoon Galaxy
12 30 36.1  +41 38 34; CVn
V = 9.8;  Size 6.3'x3.1';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 125°

48" (5/1/19): at 375x; several HII knots were identified along the north side of this remarkable galaxy. NGC 4490:[VS65] 19, 22 and 23 are three very close, tiny knots oriented WNW-ESE [total length 22"] along the north edge of the central region.  The middle knot (#22) was the brightest but only ~6" and the last knot (#23) was the faintest. NGC 4490:[VS65] 02 was a fairly bright, elongated glow on the NW edge of the galaxy [1.8' from center]. On close inspection it resolved into two extremely small knots. These designations are from a 1965 study of HII regions in NGC 2403, 2903 and 4485/4490 by Véron and Sauvayre.

24" (5/27/17): very bright, large, elongated ~5:2 WNW-ESE, ~5'x2.2', fairly high but irregular surface brightness, brighter core, but seems offset from center.  A long arm (somewhat detached from the brighter central region), sweeps WNW and curls north near the end (bending towards companion NGC 4485).  Fascinating unusual structure.

18" (6/7/08): I viewed this interesting pair in my 15x50 IS binoculars (just a faint blur), 18" Starmaster (disturbed arm on the WNW end extending towards NGC 4490 easily visible) and the 33.4" f/5 (internal structure visible).

18" (6/13/07): very bright, large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, ~5'x2', with a very bright oval core, ~45"x30".  The surface brightness is irregular or mottled but most interesting is a small extension or arm that juts out of the WNW end and appears to bend or hook north towards the companion NGC 4485.  There appears to be a smaller counterpart at the ESE end that slightly protrudes from the main body.  With averted vision, the galaxy grew wider and appeared ~5'x2.5'.  Located 39' NW of mag 4.3 Beta CVn.  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

18" (6/4/05): very bright, large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, contains a large, bright core.  At the northwest end a faint arm appears to emerge hooking sharply to the north for 1' towards NGC 4485.  At the southeast end, there appears to be slight extension without much curvature near a 16th magnitude star.  The central region is weakly concentrated to the center.  Overall, the galaxy has a mottled, slightly splotchy appearance as if was dusty or knotty with HII regions.  Located 40' NW of 4.2-magnitude Beta Canum Venaticorum.

13.1" (2/23/85 and 4/12/86): very bright, large, striking, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 6'x3', large bright core is elongated and grainy.  A very faint arm extends from the NW end in the direction of NGC 4485 3.6' NNW.  A small extension (arm) at the SE end is suspected.  On 4/12/86, just a hint of curvature was noted towards NGC 4485.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4490 = H. I-198 = h1308, along with NGC 4485, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 798). He recorded both as "Two, the most south [NGC 4490] very bright, very large, little elongated.  That to the north [NGC 4485] bright, pretty small, irregular figure, about 1 1/2' distance."  John Herschel reported "vB; vL; mE; 40° np to sf; easily resolvable."

Birr Castle assistant R.J. Mitchell made an accurate sketch of NGC 4485 and 4490 on 27 Mar 1856 (figure 23, Plate XXVII in LdR's 1861 publication).  It showed the northwest tip curling towards NGC 4485 and a faint streak, corresponding to a string of HII regions, along the north edge of the galaxy.
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NGC 4491 = UGC 7657 = MCG +02-32-107 = PGC 41376
12 30 57.1  +11 29 00; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 148°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, fairly small, brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 2.2' NE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4497 12' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4491 = H. III-41 = h1304 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "vF".  Caroline's reduced position is 4' southeast of UGC 7657.  John Herschel logged "pB; L; R; 40"." and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4492 = IC 3438 = UGC 7656 = MCG +01-32-089 = PGC 41383
12 30 59.7  +08 04 40; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.  A mag 12.5 star is very close NE 45" from center and a brighter mag 11.5 star is 1.8' SE.  Located 19' ENE of M49.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4492 = H. II-499 = h1305 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and simply noted "F".  His position is within 1' of UGC 7656.  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; pL; very gradually little brighter middle; near two small stars."

Julius Schmidt independently found NGC 4492 in June 1861 with the 6" refractor at the Athens Observatory and announced it (along with both NGC 4464 and NGC 4470) in AN 1513 (1866).  All three of these objects, though, were found previously by Herschel.  In addition, Arnold Schwassmann found this galaxy again in 1900 on a plate taken with the 6" astrograph at the Königstuhl Observatory in Heidelberg.  He assumed Sn. 65 was new (on a different plate he correctly identified Sn. 64 as NGC 4492) and Dreyer recatalogued Sn. 65 as IC 3438 although the NGC and IC positions are virtually identical.  So, NGC 4492 = IC 3438.
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NGC 4493 = MCG +00-32-017 = PGC 41409
12 31 08.3  +00 36 49; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 133°

24" (5/20/17): at 200x and 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 30"x25".  Contains a small slightly brighter core and brighter nucleus with direct vision.  Located 4.7' SE of mag 8.5 HD 108916.

At 200x an extremely faint "knot" (companion) was suspected off the southeast side [50" between centers].  The companion was definitely glimpsed at 260x and appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, stellar nucleus.  At 375x it was just visible continuously with averted (V = 15.2, B = 16.1) and was round, 12" diameter, possible stellar nucleus.

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Located 4.7' SE of mag 8.6 SAO 119442.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4493 = m 241 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS, iR."  His position is accurate, though he didn't notice the faint companion off the southeast end.
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NGC 4494 = UGC 7662 = MCG +04-30-002 = CGCG 129-005 = LGG 294-001 = PGC 41441
12 31 24.1  +25 46 30; Com
V = 9.8;  Size 4.8'x3.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

18" (4/5/03): very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~3'x2.4', sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core which increases to center.  The halo gradually fades and increases in size with averted vision.  Located 6' SSW of mag 7.9 HD 109030 and 35' ESE of the wide binocular pair 17 Coma.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4494 = H. I-83 = h1307 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393).  He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, irregularly round."  John Herschel described it as "very bright, round, very small much brighter in the middle to a nucleus, 40-50" diameter."
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NGC 4495 = UGC 7663 = MCG +05-30-012 = PGC 41438
12 31 22.9  +29 08 10; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 130°

18" (4/5/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4495 = H. III-301 = h1310 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "vF, vS, R."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4496 = NGC 4505 = VV 76a = Holm 415b = UGC 7668a = MCG +01-32-090 = CGCG 042-144 = PGC 41471
12 31 39.3  +03 56 23; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 4.0'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 70°

48" (4/26/25): at 488x in poor transparency and seeing; NGC 4496A = VV 76a is the foreground member of the NGC 4496 "double" [0.9' between centers]. It appeared fairly bright and highlighted by a moderately bright, very elongated central bar oriented SW-NE. The large, diffuse halo extends ~2.5'x1.5' and merges with NGC 4496B = VV 76b to its SE. A "star" 40" SSW of center turned out to be an HII/star-forming region when I later checked the HST image.

NGC 4496B appeared moderately bright with a bright core and a fainter ~1' halo that merges with the outer halo of NGC 4496A.  A faint glow was occasionally glimpsed off the S side and this may be another HII region in NGC 4496A.

17.5" (2/28/87): NGC 4496A is moderately bright, large, elongated WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  It forms a double system with NGC 4496B = PGC 41473 superimposed at the SSE end [0.9' between centers].  The companion, which lies in the background at nearly 2.5 times the distance, appears fairly faint, very small, round, diffuse.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4496 = H. II-36 = h1309 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "a faintish pL nebula.  It seems to be resolveable."  Just 1 minute later, according to Caroline's sweep record, he logged III-18 with the same polar distance.  Perhaps there was some confusion that resulted in II-36 being recorded twice.  It's also possible the second object is NGC 4496B (southeastern component). If that's the case, the 1 minute time difference is wrong and I assume Herschel would likely have called it a double nebula.

John Herschel made three observations and resolved this double system on the 7 Apr 1828: "A double nebula; vF; pL; both R; pos 45° sf by diag; the two are in contact; unequal."  The three editions of the Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies label the two components as NGC 4496A and 4496B.  

R.J. Mitchell sketched and described this system on 18 Apr 1855 at Birr Castle, "A double neb, alpha [NGC 4496B] is vF, and its light flickering, the other [NGC 4496A] has F neby extending a good way downwards [north], and is much the larger and brighter of the two."  Neither John Herschel in the General Catalogue or Dreyer in the NGC assigned two designations for the components, although the NGC description reads "bi-nuclear or double nebula."
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NGC 4497 = IC 3452 = UGC 7665 = MCG +02-32-113 = PGC 41457
12 31 32.5  +11 37 29; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 2.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 65°

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated WSW-ENE, broad concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is 2.4' E of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4497 12' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4497 = H. III-42 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and simply noted "vF" (he was recording objects very quickly on the sweep).  Caroline's reduced position is 2.5' southeast of UGC 7665 - a similar offset as NGC 4491, the previous object he discovered, so this identification is nearly certain.

Schwassmann "rediscovered" the galaxy on 8 Sep 1900 using a Heidelberg plate taken by Wolf, measured an accurate position and recorded Sn. 199 (later IC 3452) as new.  Both Schwassmann and Dreyer missed the earlier NGC discovery, but IC 3452 = NGC 4497.
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NGC 4498 = UGC 7669 = MCG +03-32-056 = PGC 41472
12 31 39.7  +16 51 10; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 3.0'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 133°

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint streak NW-SE, diffuse, brighter core.  Forms a trio with NGC 4489 12' SW and NGC 402 11' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4498 = H. III-69 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and simply noted "S".  His position was 30 seconds of RA too large and 6' too far south.

Heinrich d'Arrest measured the position twice, and questioned if it was same object as H. III-69.  He noted "F, L, oval, 70" mininum dia.  The nucleus is very faint.  After repeated observation, it was seen as 90" long. Question is whether this is a Herschel object or not as it differs in AR by 22s, and in Dec by 3 1/2'."  Stephan also made an observation on 28 Mar 1879.
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NGC 4499 = ESO 322-022 = MCG -07-26-008 = PGC 41537
12 32 05.0  -39 58 57; Cen
V = 13.2;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 93°

18" (5/15/10): at 220x appeared very faint, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.65'.  Low even surface brightness with no core or zones, although view compromised by low elevation.  Probable outlying member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).  NGC 4507 lies 40' ENE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4499 = h3397 on 5 Jun 1834. He recorded "F; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 90"."  His position (measured on 2 sweep) is a close match with ESO 322-022 = PGC 41537.  Pietro Baracchi noticed this galaxy while observing NGC 4507 on 8 Feb 1886 with the GMT and assumed it was new.  He called it "large and diffused, very gradually very little brighter middle, about 2' long and 40" broad."
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NGC 4500 = UGC 7667 = Mrk 213 = MCG +10-18-062 = PGC 41436
12 31 22.1  +57 57 53; UMa
V = 12.5;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 130°

18" (5/8/04): moderately bright, small lens, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and faint extensions.  Located 1' W of a mag 10.5 star!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4500 = H. I-234 = h1311 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923). He recorded "considerably bright, very small, little elongated.  Just preceding a pretty large star."  John Herschel logged "pB; E; pretty gradually brighter middle; a * 9m foll 30" dist in parallel."
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NGC 4501 = M88 = UGC 7675 = MCG +03-32-059 = CGCG 099-076 = PGC 41517
12 31 59.1  +14 25 13; Com
V = 9.6;  Size 6.9'x3.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 140°

48" (4/5/13 and 4/27/22): at 488x; M88 contains a large bright core with a small, intensely bright nucleus. A thin spiral arm was clearly visible extending along the entire western flank of the halo (inside edge defined by a dark lane) and stretching 4.5' from NW to SE.  This arm separates more cleanly from the central region as it extends south, reaching a wide double star (mag 13.7/14.3 that is superimposed on the SE end.  A low contrast, very thin straight arm was also visible along the E side of the galaxy, extending towards the NW.  This arm hugs close to the E side of the core and separates a bit on the N side.

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, brighter core, intense very small or stellar nucleus (Seyfert 2 galaxy).  A faint double star is embedded at the SE end (mag 13.5/14.5 at 20").  A brighter double star mag 11/12 at 30" is 5' S of center.  Located at the NE end of "Markarian's chain" in the core of Virgo cluster.

17.5" (6/5/99 and 6/12/99): 14th magnitude type Ia SN 1999cl was easily observed in M88 just outside the brighter core.  It was discovered just a week earler at 46" west and 23" north of the nucleus.

Charles Messier discovered M88 = NGC 4501 = h1312 on 18 Mar 1781.

William Herschel's first observation was on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) in moolight: "bright, pretty large, resolvable nebula with a small one after it; moonlight so strong that I had nearly overlooked the latter."  He described it on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) as "vB, vL, E."

John Herschel made 5 observations. On 28 Apr 1832 (sweep 422): "B; vL; vmE; 8' length, 1' broad.  The northern half is brighter than the southern."   On two other sweeps he accurately measured the position angle as between 140°-145°.

On 9 Mar 1850, George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, wrote "Another spiral? dark spaces p[receding] Nucl, others also, especially one sf [south-following] Nucl."  Lord Rosse included M88 in his list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in his 1850 PT paper.  On 17 Mar 1855 R.J. Mitchell logged "Thought I could trace a dark passage from south end down past the Nucl.  Saw but the one branch f neby outside this passage."  William Lassell sketched M88 on 21 May 1862 with his 48-inch on Malta.  He noted "this nebula is of a somewhat convoluted form it may be a spiral, but I cannot make it out."  Nevertheless, a comparison of his sketch with images, shows the tight set of spiral arms around the core and another spiral arm curling around on the southeast side of the halo.
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NGC 4502 = UGC 7677 = MCG +03-32-060 = CGCG 099-076 = LGG 289-083 = PGC 41531
12 32 03.3  +16 41 16; Com
V = 13.9;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

18" (4/5/03): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', low surface brightness.  NGC 4498 lies 11' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4502 = H. II-92 = h1314 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "vF, S."  Caroline's computed position was 6' too far north.  He was working quickly in the sweep and made several positional errors on nearby objects.  John Herschel measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4503 = UGC 7680 = MCG +02-32-118 = CGCG 070-149 = PGC 41538
12 32 06.2  +11 10 35; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 3.5'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 12°

24" (5/20/17): bright, fairly large, oval 2:1 or 5:2  N-S, the halo increases to ~2'x0.8' with averted.  Sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core that increases to an intense stellar nucleus!  IC 3470 lies 6.6' NE, 

24" (6/4/16): bright, large, elongated nearly 5:2 N-S, ~1.8'x0.7'.  Sharply concentrated with a very large, very bright elonagated core that increases to an even brighter nucleus and stellar peak at the center.  The halo gradually fades out but the ratio of major to minor axis is higher in the halo than the core.  IC 3470 is 6.7' NE and IC 3483 (the third member of Zwicky's Triplet, along with IC 3481 and 3481A) is 19' NE. 

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, very bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4503 = H. II-66 = h1313 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "pB".  His descriptions are very brief in this portion of the sweep as he was recording new nebulae rapidly.  Caroline's reduced position is 18 sec of RA too far east.  John Herschel made two observations, the first on 11 Apr 1825, his third formal sweep.  Dreyer made an observation on 24 Mar 1878, though mistakenly assumed he was observing GC 3077 = NGC 4528. He wrote, "pB, lE N-S, irr figure, fades away more gradually on f[ollowing] side..."
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NGC 4504 = MCG -01-32-022 = LGG 293-002 = PGC 41555
12 32 17.3  -07 33 50; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 4.4'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 150°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly large, almost even surface brightness, slightly elongated, very weakly concentrated core.  Two mag 14.5-15 stars are off following end 1.4' NE and 2.1' ESE of center.  Member of the NGC 4487 group (LGG 293).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4504 = H. II-771 = h1398 on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) and noted "pB, iF, much brighter in the middle, easily resolvable."  John Herschel made a single observation from the Cape of Good Hope and logged "vF; L; little extended; gradually very little brighter middle; 2' l by 100" broad."
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NGC 4505 = NGC 4496? = UGC 7668a = MCG +01-32-090 = CGCG 042-144 = VV 76a = PGC 41471
12 31 39.3  +03 56 23; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4496.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4505 = H. III-18 = h1315 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "vF of a considerable size; it seems to be resolvable, is more faint than the foregoing [II-36 = NGC 4496] and rather larger.  It was logged 1.0 minute of time following H. II-36 (= NGC 4496) at the same polar distance.  The two descriptions are fairly similar, with the second nebula (NGC 4505) noted as fainter and larger.  There is nothing at his position, roughly 15' E (1 minute of time) of NGC 4496.  One possibility is due to some confusion, the same galaxy was recorded twice by Caroline.  The other possibility is NGC 4505 is the galaxy 1' SE of center of NGC 4496 and there was an error recording the time.  Wolfgang Steinicke subscribes to the second interpretation.  But if that's the case, why wasn't it described as a double nebula, as done with most other cases?

John Herschel made a single observation on 9 Aor 1828 (sweep 142): "eF, the following of 2 [with NGC 4496] in field."  His position is roughly the same as his father's (perhaps using his working list based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue), so it's uncertain whether he resolved the galaxy often called NGC 4496B.  Karl Reinmuth, in his photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", questions whether NGC 4505 refers to a mag 14 star, and this is possible.
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NGC 4506 = UGC 7682 = MCG +02-32-120 = CGCG 070-152 = PGC 41546
12 32 10.5  +13 25 10; Com
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/25/87): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse, very weakly concentrated core.  A mag 11 star is 2.1' W.  Located 34' E of NGC 4473 near the Virgo border.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4506 = H. II-631 = h1316 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and noted "F".   John Herschel's description reads, "vF; pmE in parallel; gradually brighter in the middle; a * 9m 8 sec following."
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NGC 4507 = Shapley-Ames 2 = ESO 322-029 = MCG -07-26-011 = LGG 298-008 = PGC 41960
12 35 36.7  -39 54 34; Cen
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 56°

18" (4/25/09): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, increases to a small brighter core.  Situated within an oval group of ~8 stars (~9'x6') and 5' SW of mag 5.8 HD 109573 (on the east end of the group).

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, oval, weak concentration.  Located 5.2' SW of mag 5.8 SAO 203621 and the glare detracts from viewing.  This is a Seyfert galaxy and possible member of the Centaurus galaxy cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4507 = h3399 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "pB; S; R: pretty suddenly much brighter middle to a * 16m."  His position (measured on two sweeps) is at the east edge of ESO 322-029 = PGC 41960.  He must have made an error precessing the position to 1860 coordinates in the GC, as the position there (copied into the NGC) was 3.0 min of RA too far west.  As a result, Joseph Turner couldn't find this galaxy when he searched for it with the Great Melbourne Telescope in 1878.

The identification with NGC 4507 was missed in the 1932 Shapley-Ames Catalogue and this galaxy was listed as one of 6 "new anonymous" galaxies (New 2).
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NGC 4508
12 32 17.4  +05 49 08; Vir

= **?, Gottlieb. = "Not found", Carlson.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4508 = h1317 on 19 Apr 1830 and noted "vF; R; a * 13m with a burr."  His position corresponds with a close, faint double star.  The stars are cleanly resolved on the SDSS.  Karl Reinmuth also identifies a double star at the NGC position, although he also mentions a possible nearby candidate.  This is object #1450 in the Ames "Catalogue of 2778 Nebulae including the Coma-Virgo Group".  Ames felt this object was too far from the NGC position and too faint.
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NGC 4509 = UGC 7704 = MCG +05-30-018 = CGCG 159-015 = Mrk 773 = PGC 41660
12 33 06.8  +32 05 32; CVn
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, almost even surface brightness.  Located 4.5' NW of a bright double star STF 1653 = 9.7/9.7 at 8".

John Herschel discovered NGC 4509 = h1318 on 11 Mar 1828 and noted "vF; S; R; little brighter in the middle."  There is nothing at his position but 1.0 min of RA east is UGC 7704 = PGC 41660.  His position matches in dec, so this is a reasonable identification, though CGCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 4509.
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NGC 4510 = UGC 7679 = MCG +11-15-058 = CGCG 315-041 = PGC 41489
12 31 47.2  +64 14 01; Dra
V = 13.1;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 153°

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, very small, very small bright core, stellar nucleus, very small halo. NGC 4441 lies 17' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4510 on 9 Sep 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is an excellent match with UGC 7679.  He described it as sparkling and almost resolved, so Dreyer called it a cluster in the NGC description.  Also see NGC 4521, which may be a duplicate observation.
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NGC 4511 = MCG +10-18-063 = CGCG 293-027 = PGC 41560
12 32 08.1  +56 28 16; UMa
V = 14.1;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 9°

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~N-S.  A mag 14 star is close south, in the direction of elongation.  UGC 7691 lies 11' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4511 = H. III-834 = h1319 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 947) and noted "eF, S, iF."  His position matches CGCG 293-027.  John Herschel made a single observation, "Not eF; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; 12"."
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NGC 4512 = NGC 4521? = UGC 7706 = MCG +11-15-061 = CGCG 315-046 = PGC 41621
12 32 47.6  +63 56 21; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 167°

See observing notes for NGC 4521.  Identification uncertain; this number may be identical to NGC 4510.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4512 = h1321 on 3 Apr 1832 and recorded "pB; R: pretty suddenly brighter middle; 20"."  There is nothing at his single position, though 10' north-northeast is UGC 7700, the galaxy identified in all modern catalogues as NGC 4512.  But this galaxy would not be described as "pB", as it has a very low surface brightness.  In addition, JH made no mention of much brighter NGC 4521, just 4' north of UGC 7770, which was seen on the previous sweep with a poor position.

Bigourdan was unable to recover NGC 4512 and Reinmuth states "no pB neb found, =NGC 4521?"  Corwin suggests that NGC 4512 may be identical to NGC 4510 as this would require a 30' error in declination.  Furthermore this galaxy is more likely than NGC 4521 to be called "round" and "20" in diameter.  So, the identification with NGC 4521 is uncertain, but likely applies to either NGC 4521 or NGC 4510.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4513 = UGC 7683 = MCG +11-15-059 = CGCG 315-042 = LGG 277-007 = WBL 412-001 = PGC 41527
12 32 01.5  +66 19 57; Dra
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 15°

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4', small bright core.

The triple system VII Zw 467 = CGCG 315-044 (2 members seen) is 4' NNE and VII Zw 466 = CGCG 315-043 (empty collisional RING galaxy) is 4' N.  PGC 41549 appeared very faint to faint, round, 12" diameter, visible continuously with averted vision.  Both PGC 2686685 and VII Zw 466 were challenging objects, only occasionally visible.

48" (4/4/13): at 488x; VII Zw 466 appeared fairly faint, small, round with a slightly brighter rim and darker center.  The ring was irregular lit and brighter on the west side with a couple of slightly brighter knots north and south.

PGC 3441759, the faintest member of triple system VII Zw 467, appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter.  PGC 41549, the brightest component, is fairly faint, small, round, high surface brightness and PGC 2686685 is faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 20"x10".

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4513 on 16 Oct 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is an excellent match with UGC 7683, though he questioned if it consisted of stars or was a genuine nebula.
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NGC 4514 = UGC 7693 = MCG +05-30-015 = CGCG 159-011 = PGC 41610
12 32 43.0  +29 42 45; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak concentration with no noticeable core.  A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4514 = H. III-302 = h1320 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "eF, vS".  John Herschel made two observations and called this galaxy (sweep 342) "vF; R; bM; 15"."
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NGC 4515 = UGC 7701 = MCG +03-32-065 = CGCG 099-086 = PGC 41652
12 33 05.0  +16 15 56; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, very small, almost round, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4515 = H. II-93 = h1324 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "F, vS."  John Herschel called it "F; an extremely dilute nebulosity, with a centre almost stellar.
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NGC 4516 = UGC 7703 = MCG +03-32-067 = CGCG 099-087 = PGC 41661
12 33 07.6  +14 34 30; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 3°

17.5" (5/23/87): faint, small, very elongated N-S, small well defined core.  Located 18' NE of M88.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4516 = H. III-78 = h1323 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "A B, pL, r nebula [M88] with a small one [NGC 4516] after it.  Moonlight so strong that I had nearly overlooked the latter.  John Herschel logged "F; R: very gradually brighter middle; 40"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4517 = NGC 4437 = UGC 7694 = MCG +00-32-020 = CGCG 014-063 = FGC 1455 = PGC 41618
12 32 45.6  +00 06 59; Vir
V = 10.4;  Size 10.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 83°

48" (5/4/16 and 4/28/22): beautiful, showpiece edge-on spiral, nearly 8:1 WSW-ENE, ~11'x1.5'.  A mag 10.9 star is attached on the N edge, just E of center.  The galaxy is broadly concentrated with a slightly bulging, brighter core region.  A fairly prominent, irregular dust lane extends ~5', unevenly slicing the galaxy along the north edge of the core region.  The absorption lane is widest and most prominent in the central region and a small, slightly brighter nucleus peaks out just S of the lane.  A fairly thin strip of the galaxy is visible to the north of the dust lane, passing through the bright star at the N edge.  The dust gives the galaxy a patchy, mottled appearance reminiscent of NGC 253 or NGC 55.

NGC 4517A, situated 17' NNW, appeared moderately bright, large, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, ~3'x2.2', broad concentration with a small brighter core, patchy, irregular surface brightness.  A mag 10 star is 3.5' NW and a mag 11.5 star is 4.6' W.

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, very large edge-on 8:1 WSW-ENE, almost 10'x1.2'.  This galaxy is an impressive large narrow streak with fairly low surface brightness and fills 1/2 of the 21' field.  There is no well-defined nucleus but central region slightly bulges.  Appears brighter along the western extension.  A mag 9 star is attached at the northeast edge of the core.

NGC 4517A, located 17' NNW, appeared very faint, large, small brighter core.  Appears as a very diffuse hazy region elongated SSW-NNE with no distinct boundaries.  Located 3.5' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4517 = H. IV-5 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "A pretty bright star with a milky ray on the south side of it, extending from east to west, or rather from np to sf.  It does not seem to touch the star, and is about 10 or 12' in length."  On a second observation (1 Jan 1786, sweep 507), he added "a pB star with a milky ray to the south of it, and partly including it."  WH commented this might suggest that the nebula had a considerable proper motion, though differences in observing conditions might account for the difference.  The GC and NGC position (from 3 observations) is 0.5 min of RA too far east and 2' south.

JH found h1277 = NGC 4437 on 14 Apr 1828 and recorded "F; vmE; pos 15° nf to sp; a long ray; it is south preceding a * 10m.  The place is that of the star."  There is nothing near his position, but 5 min of RA east is NGC 4517 and his description is a perfect match with this galaxy.  The equivalence may have first been suggest by Karl Reinmuth in his 1926 photographic Heidelberg survey "Die Herschel Nebel".  Various sources (including the RNGC) mistakenly equate NGC 4437 with NGC 4417, instead of NGC 4517.  So, NGC 4517 = NGC 4437.
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NGC 4518 = MCG +01-32-095 = CGCG 042-150 = Holm 417a = PGC 41674
12 33 11.7  +07 51 06; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 0°

24" (5/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~25"x18", gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 16' NW of NGC 4526 and 6.6' SSW of mag 7.6 HD 109270.

Forms a close pair with NGC 4518B = CGCG 042-149 1.1' SSW.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, 15"x10" SW-NE.

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, small, elongated NW-SE, bright core.  Located to the west of a N-S line joining mag 6.9 SAO 119466 12' SSE and mag 7.7 SAO 119465 7' NNE.  NGC 4526 lies 17' SE.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4518 = h1322 on 27 Dec 1827 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; 20"."  His position corresponds with CGCG 042-150 = PGC 41674 (double system with a fainter companion CGCG 042-149 close south).  Karl Reinmuth noted CGCG 042-149 in his description of NGC 4518 based on a Heidelberg plate: "..eF neb sp 1.4'..."
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NGC 4519 = UGC 7709 = MCG +02-32-135 = CGCG 070-167 = Holm 418a = PGC 41719
12 33 30.3  +08 39 16; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 3.2'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 145°

24" (6/4/16): at 322x; bright, large, slightly elongated 5:4 SW-NE, at least 1.5'x1.2'.  Contains a relatively large brighter core. The halo is noticeably mottled with an uneven surface brightness (probably due to HII knots in the arms).

Forms a pair with NGC 4519A 2.6' NW.  This companion appeared very faint (V ~15.4), small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14.3 star is 35" SW.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, moderately large, brighter core, slightly elongated.  A knot is superimposed on the SW end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4519 = H. II-158 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and recorded, "F, pL, almost R, r."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 3' northeast of UGC 7709.  This galaxy was not observed by JH, but d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 2 nights.
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NGC 4520 = IC 799 = PGC 41748
12 33 49.9  -07 22 32; Vir
V = 14.0;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 101°

18" (4/9/05): faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W.  A very faint star is at the western tip. The galaxy appears to have a very faint stellar nucleus or a second star is involved.  A mag 11.2 star is 3' NW.  NGC 4504 lies 20' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4520 = H. III-757 on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) and logged "2 vF stars involved in nebulosity, vF, S."  He made another observation with a similar description a few nights later (sweep 916).  The GC and NGC has a typo, calling this galaxy II-757.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 21 Apr 1889 and assumed it was new.  His description for #64 in his 8th discovery list (later IC 799) states "? ef star is in contact on p side.", which applies to PGC 41748, and clinches the identification IC 799 = NGC 4520.
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NGC 4521 = NGC 4512? = UGC 7706 = MCG +11-15-061 = CGCG 315-046 = PGC 41621
12 32 47.6  +63 56 21; Dra
V = 12.2;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 167°

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; moderately bright and large, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core.  A mag 11 star is 2' NNW and a mag 15.2 star is 1.4' SSE.  Forms a pair with much fainter UGC 7700 4' SSW.  Brightest in a group including NGC 4510 19' NNW and NGC 4545 27' SSE.

UGC 7700 (misidentified in all modern catalogues and most online sources as NGC 4512) appeared very faint, fairly small, 24" diameter (only the central region seen), very low even surface brightness.

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright and large, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, very bright core, faint stellar nucleus, very thin tapering extensions.  Located 2.0' SSE of a mag 10 star.  A mag 15 star is just 30" E of the southern extension.  NGC 4481 lies 20' WNW.  UGC 7700 = (R)NGC 4512 located 4' SW was not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4521 = H. II-849 = h1326 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and logged "pB, vS, little extended, SN."  John Herschel recorded "pB; pmE; pretty gradually brighter middle; 20" long, 12" broad; a * 9m near.  His description matches NGC 4521, but his position is 20' too far south.  Because of the discrepancy with his father's position, JH listed it as a "Nova".  In the NGC notes, Dreyer notes that "h1326 = II 848, but h's P.D. Is wrong; d'Arrest's adopted".

See notes for NGC 4512 = h1321, which may be identical to NGC 4521.
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NGC 4522 = UGC 7711 = MCG +02-32-137 = CGCG 070-168 = PGC 41729
12 33 39.5  +09 10 25; Vir
V = 12.3;  Size 3.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 33°

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, fairly large, thin edge-on streak oriented SSW-NNE, weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4522 = h1325 on 18 Jan 1828 and recorded "eF; pL; little extended; very little brighter middle." His single position is accurate.
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NGC 4523 = UGC 7713 = MCG +03-32-068 = CGCG 099-089 = DDO 135 = PGC 41746
12 33 47.8  +15 10 02; Com
V = 14.1;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 15.4

17.5" (5/23/87): extremely faint, difficult, very diffuse, moderately large.  Located 10' S of IC 800.  Three stars are involved; a mag 12 star is 0.4' NE of center and an evenly matched mag 13.5 double star at 21" separation is 0.7' S of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4523 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His published position is 10 sec of RA west of UGC 7713, though he mentions his first observation (of 2) differed to 10 sec. In any case, there is no question about the identification as he mentions a double star on the south side of the nebula and a brighter star on the north.
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NGC 4524 = MCG -02-32-014 = PGC 41757
12 33 54.4  -12 01 39; Crv
V = 13.7;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 80°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  Three mag 15 stars are just west.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4524 = h1327 on 9 Mar 1828 and recorded "vF; irreg R; bM."  His single position is 1' north of MCG -02-32-014 = PGC 41757.
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NGC 4525 = UGC 7714 = MCG +05-30-020 = CGCG 159-016 = LGG 279-015 = PGC 41755
12 33 51.2  +30 16 39; Com
V = 12.2;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 47°

18" (4/10/04): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, broadly concentrated to an ill-defined 0.8' core.  A low surface brightness halo increases the size to at least 2.0'x.1.0'.  The halo is irregular or patchy and fades into the background so is difficult to trace, though it is a little brighter on the SW extension.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4525 = H. II-325 = h1328 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and noted "F, pL, E, bM."  John Herschel made a single observation: "pF; L; R; 60".", but didn't measure a position.
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NGC 4526 = NGC 4560? = UGC 7718 = MCG +01-32-100 = CGCG 042-155 = PGC 41772
12 34 03.1  +07 41 59; Vir
V = 9.7;  Size 7.2'x2.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 113°

24" (5/20/17): very bright, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, ~3.75'x1.25'.  This prominent galaxy contains a large, rounder core with a small intense nucleus that seems slightly offset south of center.  The extensions gradually fade out towards the tips.  Situated at the midpoint of mag 7.0 HD 109285 7.5' WSW and mag 6.8 HD 109417 7.3' ENE.  NGC 4518 lies 15' NW.

17.5" (3/12/94): Supernova SN 1994D (Type Ia) was observed 5 days after discovery. It appeared about 12th magnitude and was located 9" W and 7" N of the galaxy's nucleus.

17.5" (4/18/87): very bright, fairly large, very elongated WNW-ESE, bright core, strong stellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.3' S of center.  Located midway between mag 6.9 SAO 119466 7.6' W and mag 6.7 SAO 119479 7.2' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4526 = H. I-31 = H. I-38 = h1329 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and recorded I-31 as "vB, E, much brighter in the middle, r."  It is situated between two brilliant stars at a considerable distance."  There is nothing at his position, but 17' north is UGC 7718 = PGC 41772 and his description matches this bright galaxy.  Five nights later (sweep 202), he returned to the field and recorded I-38 as "B, vL, mE, much brighter in the middle."  His position was only 2' south of UGC 7718.  JH combined the two H-designations in the GC.  

Herschel probably found this galaxy a third time on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and recorded it as H. I-119 = NGC 4560, with another bad position.  So, NGC 4526 = NGC 4560.
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NGC 4527 = UGC 7721 = MCG +01-32-101 = CGCG 042-156 = PGC 41789
12 34 08.4  +02 39 11; Vir
V = 10.5;  Size 6.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 67°

24" (5/20/17): at 200x; bright; very large; very elongated ~4:1 WSW-ENE, ~4'x1', well concentrated with a very bright elongated core that contains a fairly intense nucleus. The galaxy appears to brighten slightly on the western end, curl south, and spread out. Similarly, an enhancement curls a bit north on the eastern end, like the beginning of spiral arms [verified later on the DSS]. IC 3474 lies 23' due east.

17.5" (5/10/91): Supernova 1991T (Type Ia) was bright!  It appeared as an 11th mag "star" less than 1' NE of the nucleus.

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, very large, very elongated WSW-ENE, prominent core, small bright nucleus.  NGC 4536 is 30' SSE with mag 8.8 SAO 119473 and mag 8.6 SAO 119474 near the midpoint.  NGC 4533, a fainter galaxy, also lies 20' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4527 = H. II-37 = h1330 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "pB, of an extended shape, from np to sf and mbM than at the ends."  His orientation should read "sp to nf".  On sweep 143, John Herschel logged "pB; pL; gradually much brighter middle; E in pos 30° nf to sp."
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NGC 4528 = UGC 7722 = MCG +02-32-140 = CGCG 070-172 = PGC 41781
12 34 06.1  +11 19 16; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 5°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright but small, oval ~N-S, nucleus bulge, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 35' WNW of the NGC 4567/NGC 4568 pair.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4528 = H. II-67 = h1331 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "vS but pB."  His RA was 42 seconds too small (several objects on this sweep have a poor RA).  John Herschel made four observations (first on 11Apr 1825, his third sweep) with a range of brightness descriptions from "F" to "pB".
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NGC 4529
12 34 12  +20 32; Com

= No confident identification, but might be UGC 7697.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4529 = H. III-26 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 167) and logged "I suspected a large, extremely faint nebula; but though I looked at it a good while I could not verify the suspicion, nor could I convince myself that it was a deception."  The RA was only taken approximately, but the derived position is 19' ENE of UGC 7697, a low surface edge-on that would have been very difficult to see.   He reported another observation on 16 Mar 1790 (sweep 944), using 26 Comae as the offset star, though his description only states "extremely faint."  Caroline's reduced position was reported in the GC and NGC and is 14' further north than the first observation.  Dreyer discussed the difference between Caroline's reduction and Auwers' reduction in the NGC Notes/Corrections section (based on the sweep used).  In any case, there is nothing at either position.

RNGC misidentifies MCG +04-30-003 = CGCG 129-006 as NGC 4529, although neither CGCG or MCG uses this identification.  PGC follows the RNGC for the NGC number, but list the MCG/CGCG entry separately. So both PGC 41482 and 41463 refer to the same galaxy.

Malcolm Thomson states this a probable misidentification if the original NGC position is correct.  I send an e-mail to Harold Corwin back in October 1999 about the identification and he couldn't identify a convincing candate.  But Wolfgang Steinicke identifies UGC 7697 as NGC 4529.  I never viewed this galaxy in my 18", but it looks like a tough object visually.
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NGC 4530 = Beta CVn = 8 CVn
12 33 44.5  +41 21 27; CVn
V = 4.3

= *4.3 (Beta CVn), Gottlieb.  = Not found, RNGC.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4530 = h1332 in May 1828 (sweep 150).  He described "8 [Beta] CVn.  Involved in a considerable nebula 3' in diam, exactly round; very gradually brighter in the middle." He made a total of four observation and described the star as nebulous on each occasion, although there is no nebulosity surrounding this star.  Herschel realized the observation was uncertain.  In the appendix to the Slough catalogue, he noted "With regard to nebulous stars generally, I ought to mention that it has frequently occurred to me to notice a peculiar state of atmosphere in which all large stars (above the 7th magnitude) have appeared surrounded with photospheres of 2' or 3' or more diameter, precisely resembling that about some of the finer specimens of nebulous stars."  William Herschel used Beta CVn as his reference star for an observation of NGC 4485/4490 though made no mention of it being nebulous.

This is the second brightest star (after NGC 771) with an entry in the NGC.  Albert Marth wrote to Herschel in 1862 that the star "does not appear to me have any nebula or appendage about it."
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NGC 4531 = UGC 7729 = MCG +02-32-141 = CGCG 070-175 = PGC 41806
12 34 15.9  +13 04 31; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 3.1'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 155°

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated NW-SE, diffuse, broad concentration.  Located 37' W of M90.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4531 = H. II-175 = h1333 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199)and noted "pF, L."  John Herschel made two observations and recorded (sweep 339) "pF; pL; R; very gradually brighter middle; 80"."
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NGC 4532 = UGC 7726 = MCG +01-32-103 = CGCG 042-158 = PGC 41811
12 34 19.3  +06 28 07; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 2.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 160°

24" (5/20/17): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 NNW-SSE.  The surface brightness is irregular; brighter and mottled on the NNW end and fainter on the SSE end, giving an asymmetric appearance.  A mag 14.5 star is off the east side [0.6' from center].  Mag 8.0 HD 109402 lies 5.4' S.

Holmberg VII lies 12' SE of NGC 4532.  At 200x this dwarf was just visible as a very faint patch with averted vision, roundish, ~40" diameter (no distinct edge), very low even surface brightness, no core or nucleus.

17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, no central condensation.  Asymmetric appearance as fainter at the SE end (dust?).  Located 5.4' N of mag 8.3 SAO 119478.  NGC 4543 lies 25' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4532 = H. II-147 = h1334 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "pB, pL, mE, r."  His position and description matches UGC 7726.
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NGC 4533 = UGC 7725 = MCG +01-32-102 = CGCG 042-157 = PGC 41816
12 34 22.0  +02 19 31; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 2.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 161°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, moderately large, edge-on NNW-SSE, low surface brightness narrow streak.  Collinear with mag 8.6 SAO 119474 4.1' N and mag 8.8 SAO 119473 7.2' N.  All of these are on line with bright galaxy NGC 4536 8.3' SSE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4533 = T. 1-45 and described a class III nebula, 7 sec of RA west and 9' north of [NGC 4536].  The exact offsets to this galaxy are -5 sec RA and +8' dec.
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NGC 4534 = UGC 7723 = MCG +06-28-010 = CGCG 188-008 = Holm 419a = PGC 41779
12 34 05.4  +35 31 06; CVn
V = 12.3;  Size 2.6'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 125°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 2.0' diameter, low almost even surface brightness, very small region of central brightening.  A mag 15 star is 30" SW of the halo and 1.5' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4534 = H. II-410 = h1336 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "F, cL, r."  His position is just off the north side of UGC 7723.  John Herschel made two observations, reporting on sweep 331, "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 45"."
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NGC 4535 = UGC 7727 = MCG +01-32-104 = CGCG 042-159 = PGC 41812 = The Lost Galaxy
12 34 20.3  +08 11 52; Vir
V = 10.0;  Size 7.1'x5.0';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 0°

48" (4/4/13): NGC 4535 is a gorgeous face-on Sc spiral with two, long, very prominent arms extending from a small, very bright central region.  The small, very bright core is elongated SSW-NNE and punctuated by an intense, stellar nucleus.  The two main arms are clearly attached right at opposite ends of the core.  At the northeast end, a beautiful thin arm winds clockwise to the west with a mag 13.5 star pinned on the outer north edge.  The arm contains NGC 4535:[HK83] #157 (several additional entries including #141/145 are in Hodge & Kennicutt's "Atlas of HII regions in 125 galaxies"), a small, bright, 15" knot and then dims as it wraps to the south.  A mag 14.5 star is situated midway between the nucleus and southern end of this arm [47" SW of the nucleus].

The second main arm is attached at the southwest end of the core and curves clockwise to the southeast, where the arm brightens in an elongated 30" patch (#51/52/72/78), which is symmetrically positioned opposite #157.  A fainter arm segment, extending WNW to ESE is visible on the south side, containing #84/90, a small, fairly faint 12" patch, located 1.5' SSE of center.  This knot forms the vertex of a flat isosceles triangle with a mag 15 star 0.5' NW and a mag 14 star 0.7' S.  The arms are etched on the slightly fainter and larger background glow of the disc, which extends 5.5'x4.0' in a N-S orientation. 

24" (5/24/20): at 260x; bright, large, face-on spiral with a low contrast "S" shape, ~5'x4' N-S. Strongly concentrated with a small bright core elongated N-S and an intense quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is superimposed 0.8' SW of center.  The northern arm was very subtle; it curved clockwise to the west, passing close to a mag 13.5 star 1' N of center.  A faint 15" knot, [HK83] #157, was at the end of this arm, 1' NW of center. A low contrast arm on the south side curled towards the east and north.  A mag 15 star is 1.2' S of center (just south of the arm) and a mag 14 star is 2.2' S of center at the edge of the outer halo.

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, fairly large, very small bright core, elongated SSW-NNE, about 5.5'x4.0'.  Appears slightly darker on both sides of core (this is a gap between the spiral arms).  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed on the north side 1.0' from the center and a similar star is at the south end of the halo 2.2' from center.  A faint mag 14.5 star is just 48" SW of the core.  NGC 4526 lies 30' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4535 = H. II-500 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and described "very large, easily resolvable.  I see a few of the largest stars in it."  In his 1814 PT paper (fig. 12), Herschel hypothesized this object may be a cluster of stars mixed with nebulosity or a cluster seen at great distance which contains no nebulosity.  John Herschel did not make any observations, though d'Arrest made four observations and described it as up to 5 or 6' in size.  He also noted the mag 15 star (called mag 17) just 48" preceding the nucleus.

The nickname "Lost Galaxy" is from Leland S. Copeland's February 1955 S&T article "Adventuring in the Virgo Cloud". In his article, Copeland described a star hop through the Virgo Cluster using his 8" Cave reflector. He states, "North of the Diamond is a very dim spiral, here called the Lost Galaxy, NGC 4535." Leland was probably referring to NGC4535's difficulty to locate due to its low surface brightness.  The a caption of a photograph states that NGC 4535's "delicate structure shows only on long exposure photographs".
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NGC 4536 = UGC 7732 = MCG +00-32-023 = CGCG 014-068 = PGC 41823
12 34 27.1  +02 11 16; Vir
V = 10.6;  Size 7.6'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 130°

48" (4/22/25): at 610x; beautiful spiral with elegant, long this arms extending NW and SE. Focusing on the H II/star-forming regions along the western arm, [HK83] 66/67 is a relatively bright, elongated knot near the origin of the arm, just 0.6' W of center. The arm, itself, is brighter as it extends NW for another ~0.8'. [HK83] 53 is a diffuse knot just north of the nucleus of NGC 4536. It appeared as a small, round brightening 15" N of center.  [HK83] 32/33/35/36 form the brightest section of the eastern spiral arm as it extends SE. Finally, [HK83] 22/24/26 is a weak, subtle brightening at the SE tip of the eastern arm of NGC 4536.

48" (4/4/13): very bright, gorgeous showpiece spiral with two very stretched arms extending NW and SE ~7'x2.5'.  Contains a very bright, slightly elongated core that increases to an intense stellar nucleus.  One long arm emanates from the W side of the core and shoots to the NW, extending over 3' from the nucleus.  Close W of the core is a brighter, knotty region identified as [HK 83] 66/67 in the Hodge-Kennicutt "Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies".  The second arm is connected at the NE side of the core and stretches to the SE. A small brightening (#53) is just N of the core where the arm is attached.  This arm contains a brighter, elongated section which includes [HK 83] 23/33/35/36, opposite the brighter region on the western arm.

24" (5/24/20): at 260x; bright, very large, very elongated at least 3:1 NW-SE with two long, slightly arched arms, ~6.5'x2'. The galaxy is strongly concentrated with a bright elongated core that increases to a very small but non-stellar nucleus. The long eastern arm is attached on the north side of the core and is brightest in a 1.5'-2' section angling to the SE. The arm dims with a diffuse, lower surface brightness extension out to 3.5' SE of center, spreading further south at the eastern end. The western arm is also brightest in the initial 1' section on the west side of the core. The arm dims and narrows but stretches northwest for ~3' from center, where is seems to bend north and fade out.

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, very large, very elongated NW-SE, weak concentration, stellar nucleus.  Spiral structure is suspected at the ends of the major axis.  Forms a pair with NGC 4533 8' N.  Located 12' WSW of mag 7.0 SAO 119485 and 12' S of mag 8.6 SAO 119474 (4' N of NGC 4533).  NGC 4527 lies 30' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4536 = H. V-2 = h1337 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 120) and noted "F, L, cE.  It is bright in the middle in two or three places."  He recorded the galaxy on 4 different sweeps.  John Herschel reported "pB; vL; mE in pos 20° np; suddenly brighter middle."

On 19 April 1855, R. J. Mitchell (Lord Rosse's assistant) observed with George J. Stoney, [visiting between professorial duties].  Stoney didn't see the faint curve at the west extremity, but Mitchell was confident.  Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 29 May 1856 (Plate XXVIII, Fig. 24 in the 1861 publication) and clearly showed the central bar and long arms forming an stretched "Z" shape.
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NGC 4537 = NGC 4542: = UGC 7746 = MCG +09-21-021 = CGCG 270-011 = PGC 41909
12 34 48.9  +50 48 18; CVn
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 21°

See observing notes for NGC 4542.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4537 = Sw. 1-22 on 16 Mar 1884 and recorded "eeF; S; R; nearly between 2 stars."  There is nothing at his position, but 49 seconds of RA due east is NGC 4542 (discovered by John Herschel), the brightest nearby candidate.  Also in the vicinity is MCG +09-21-022 = PGC 41909, 3.2' northeast of NGC 4537 and with respect to Swift's position, 1.0 min of RA east and 2' north.  But this galaxy is substantially fainter (V = 15), and if it was Swift's object, I would assume he would mention brighter NGC 4542.  Either galaxy could be made to fit his comment "nearly between 2 stars."

The RNGC and PGC (and secondary sources such as Megastar) identify MCG +09-21-022 as NGC 4537.  Both Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin concur that NGC 4537 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 4542.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4538 = MCG +01-32-105 = CGCG 042-161 = PGC 41850
12 34 40.9  +03 19 25; Vir
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 80°

17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  NGC 4544 lies 22' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4538 = m 242 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, nearly R."  His position matches CGCG 042-161 = PGC 41850.
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NGC 4539 = UGC 7735 = MCG +03-32-071 = CGCG 099-092 = LGG 289-054 = PGC 41839
12 34 34.8  +18 12 09; Com
V = 12.0;  Size 3.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/13/02): fairly faint but fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 2.4'x0.9'.  Fairly uniform low surface brightness but bulges slightly at the core.  Two mag 14 stars are 1.5' SE of center.  Located 13' SW of the beautiful double 24 Comae (5.0/6.6 at 20").

John Herschel discovered NGC 4539 = h1338 on 17 Mar 1831and logged "pB; pmE."  His position and description matches UGC 7735.
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NGC 4540 = UGC 7742 = MCG +03-32-074 = CGCG 099-093 = Holm 421a = PGC 41876
12 34 50.8  +15 33 05; Com
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, even surface brightness.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' W of center.  Forms a close pair with IC 3528 1.6' NE.  The IC galaxy, which lies far in the background, appeared extremely faint and small, round.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4540 = H. II-94 = H. II-119 = h1335 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted H. II-94 as "F, S."  Caroline's reduced position is 5' southeast of UGC 7742 but there are no other nearby candidates.  Several objects in this relatively early sweep have poor positions. He found it again on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted H. II-119 "pL, resolvable.  Moonlight."  John Herschel made two observations but his RA was 30 seconds too small.  Finally, d'Arrest made 3 observations and measured an accurate position.  Reinmuth says IC 3528 is 1' S and questions whether the galaxy NE is IC 3519?
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NGC 4541 = UGC 7749 = MCG +00-32-024 = CGCG 014-071 = PGC 41911
12 35 10.6  -00 13 17; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 91°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated E-W, weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4541 = H. III-493 = h1342 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 507) and noted "eF, S, irregular."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 3' too far south.  John Herschel made a single observation but did measure an accurate position.  The NGC dec is 1.5' south (apparently this position is from Holden) of UGC 7749.  The RNGC position is 6' too far south!
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NGC 4542 = NGC 4537: = UGC 7746 = MCG +09-21-021 = CGCG 270-011 = PGC 41864
12 34 48.9  +50 48 18; CVn
V = 13.9;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 21°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', very small slightly brighter core.  A near equilateral triangle of mag 11 stars lies to the NE (closest vertex 4' NE).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4542 = h1341 on 17 Feb 1831 and noted "eF; pL; R; 30"."  His position matches UGC 7746.
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NGC 4543 = MCG +01-32-109 = CGCG 042-167 = PGC 41923
12 35 20.3  +06 06 54; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 11.8;  PA = 0°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, very small bright core.  NGC 4532 lies 25' NW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4543 = h1340 on 27 Dec 1827 and recorded "pF; R; bM; 40"."  His position matches CGCG 042-167 = PGC 41923.  See NGC 4577.
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NGC 4544 = UGC 7756 = MCG +01-32-110 = CGCG 042-168 = PGC 41958
12 35 36.6  +03 02 04; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 161°

17.5" (3/24/90): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' ENE of center.  NGC 4538 lies 22' NW and NGC 4527 30' SW.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 16 year-old son, discovered NGC 4544 = Sw. 6-45 on 27 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF; S; R; bet 2 stars."  The Swifts' position was 14 seconds of time preceding UGC 7756 but the comment "bet 2 stars" clinches the identification.  Perhaps due to the poor position, this galaxy was found on Crossley plates taken at Lick Observatory in 1898-1900 and catalogued as a new nebula (#505) in the 1908 Publ of Lick Obs, Vol VIII.
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NGC 4545 = UGC 7747 = MCG +11-15-064 = CGCG 315-047 = PGC 41838
12 34 34.2  +63 31 30; Dra
V = 12.3;  Size 2.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 8°

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, moderately large, round, about 2' diameter, broad weak concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the NNE edge of the halo 1.0' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4545 = H. II-850 = h1346 on 20 Mar 1790 (sweep 954) and recorded "pB, pL, irregularly round, very gradually brighter middle, r."  His position is 2' too far north.  John Herschel made a single interesting description, "vF; L; wedge shaped, or has a vF * nf, which gives it a distorted appearance."
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NGC 4546 = MCG -01-32-027 = UGCA 288 = PGC 41939
12 35 29.5  -03 47 38; Vir
V = 10.3;  Size 3.3'x1.4';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 80°

17.5" (3/24/90): bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, very bright core, bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is 2.0' SE of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4546 = H. I-160 = h1339 on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 674) and recorded "vB, cL, E from sp to nf but nearer the parallel [E-W] than the meridian, a bright nucleus with faint branches, the nucleus very gradually diminishing."  John Herschel made four observations and recorded (sweep 147) "vB; mE; very suddenly much brighter middle to a r nucleus; 2' long, 90" br."  Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy elongated at least 3:1 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 8 Apr 1878. (p.170 in logbook)
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NGC 4547 = MCG +10-18-069 = CGCG 293-030w = PGC 41896
12 34 51.8  +58 55 00; UMa
V = 14.0;  Size 0.7'x0.5'

18" (5/12/07): this is a very small and close double system oriented NW-SE.  The slightly brighter and larger NW component is very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter while the SE component is extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter.  The pair is cleanly resolved, though the centers are just 27" apart.  MCG +10-18-68 lies 3' NW and NGC 4549 is 4.3' NE.  Located 3.8' WNW of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4547 = H. III-802 = h1344 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923). He logged "very faint, little elongated."  His re-reduced position is just 1.3' too far NE.  This is a double system, but Herschel likely only saw the brighter northwestern component.  A second observation a week later (sweep 926).  He confirmed the position of III-802 and also picked up extremely faint III-807 (= NGC 4549).

John Herschel made two observations, noting on sweep 345, "pF; pL; E; very gradually brighter middle; precedes a * 9m."

RNGC and CGCG misidentify the double system as NGC 4547 + NGC 4549.  MCG misidentifies MCG +10-18-068 as NGC 4547 and MCG +10-18-069 as NGC 4549.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for a thorough discussion of the identifications.
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NGC 4548 = M91 = UGC 7753 = MCG +03-32-075 = CGCG 099-096 = PGC 41934
12 35 26.4  +14 29 47; Com
V = 10.2;  Size 5.4'x4.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 150°

24" (5/22/17): at 282x; very bright, large, strongly concentrated with a very bright round core that elongates into a bar oriented WSW-ENE.  The initial portions of spiral arms are attached at both ends of the bar.  On the WSW end, a weak arm extends north, curving slightly counter-clockwise and on the east end, a subtle arm starts to curl south.  Both arms blend into a low surface brightness outer halo that extends ~3.5'x2.5'.

CGCG 099-097 was picked up 6.6' SE of the center of M91.  At 375x it was very faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~18"x14", low surface brightness.

17.5" (5/23/87): bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 3'x2', gradually increases to a bright core and a very small nucleus.  M88 is 50' WSW.

Charles Messier discovered M91 = NGC 4548 = H. II-120 = h1345 on 18 Mar 1781.  For a long time M91 was considered a missing Messier object as there is nothing at his position.  In "The Missing Messier Objects" (Sky & Tel Oct 1960), Owen Gingerich championed that M91 was likely a duplicate observation of M58 (same RA as Messier's position for M91 but differs by 2° in dec). Gingrich noted that M91 had been previously proposed to be a comet (suggested by Harlow Shapley and Helen Davis). But in 1969 Texas amateur William C. Williams of Fort Worth found that Messier had determined its position using offsets from M89, though he assumed it was from M58.  Making this correction, the position of M91 matches NGC 4548.

William Herschel independently discovered the galaxy on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187). He assumed it was new (due to Messier's erroneous position) and included it his first catalogue as II-120: "large, resolvable, moonlight [end of a long night]." A second observation was made on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691): "very bright, large".  Oddly, he recorded the position again 73 seconds later (at the west edge of the field), not sure whether it was a new object.  A similar error had occurred for NGC 4754 (15 Mar 1784) and NGC 5839 (24 Feb 1786).  John Herschel made 3 observations, first on 3 Apr 1826 (sweep 24): "pB; R; bM; 60" [diameter]."
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NGC 4549 = MCG +10-18-072 = PGC 41954
12 35 21.2  +58 56 59; UMa
V = 15.2;  Size 0.45'x0.2';  PA = 100°

18" (5/12/07): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter, required averted vision to glimpse, though transparency was very mediocre.  Located near the midpoint of a mag 14 star 2.3' N and a mag 11 star 2.7' S.  This galaxy is not identified as NGC 4549 in the RNGC or CGCG.  Located 4.3' ENE of the double system NGC 4547.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4549 = H. III-807 = h1347, and reobserved III-802 (NGC 4547) on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926).  He recorded both as "Two, both extremely faint, small, elongated different ways.  The place is that of the first [NGC 4547], the 2nd [NGC 4549] is about 4' following and 3' more north, and still fainter than the 1st."  His offset pretty clearly identifies NGC 4549 as MCG +10-18-072 = PGC 41954.  At V = 15.2, this galaxy is certainly one of the faintest he discovered and perhaps the smallest galaxy!  It was found using the front-view (no secondary) configuration.

RNGC and CGCG misidentify MCG +10-18-070 (the fainter member of a double system wth NGC 4547) as NGC 4549.  The identifications of NGC 4547 and 4549 are covered in Harold Corwin's identification notes and by Malcolm Thomson in his correction lists.
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NGC 4550 = UGC 7757 = MCG +02-32-147 = CGCG 070-182 = Holm 422a = PGC 41943
12 35 30.6  +12 13 14; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 3.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 178°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, fairly small, pretty edge-on N-S, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 2.9' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4551 3.2' NNE.  Located 20' S of M89.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4550 = H. I-36 = h1343, along with NGC 4551, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Two small but bright nebula; both lE."  John Herschel made 3 observations (earliest on 11 Apr 1825, sweep 3) and recorded on 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 245), "pB; R; bM; 20"; the sp of 2; pos of the other from this by micrometer = 33.5°."
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NGC 4551 = UGC 7759 = MCG +02-32-148 = CGCG 070-183 = Holm 422b = PGC 41963
12 35 37.9  +12 15 50; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 70°

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 ~E-W, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 13 star lies 2.1' NW of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4550 3.2' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4551 = H. I-37 = h1349 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Two small but bright nebula; both lE."  John Herschel made 2 observations and recorded (sweep 245) "pB; R; bM; 25"; the nf of 2; place by comparison with the preceding."
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NGC 4552 = M89 = UGC 7760 = MCG +02-32-149 = CGCG 070-184 = PGC 41968
12 35 39.9  +12 33 20; Vir
V = 9.8;  Size 5.1'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, irregularly round, fairly small but high surface brightness with an intense, very small bright core and substellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4550/NGC 4551 pair 20' S.

Charles Messier discovered M89 = NGC 4552 = h1348 on 18 Mar 1781.  William Herschel first (and only?) observation on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) reads "B, pS."

John Herschel made four observations.  Two examples are 10 Apr 1825 (sweep 2): "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"; has a * nf."  and 4 May 1829 (sweep 192): "B; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40...50" [diameter]."
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NGC 4553 = ESO 322-030 = MCG -06-28-006 = LGG 298-032 = PGC 42018
12 36 07.5  -39 26 20; Cen
V = 12.2;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 176°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, oval NNW-SSE.  A mag 11.5/12.5 double star at 22" separation lies 3.6' NNE.  This possible member of the Centaurus galaxy cluster (AGC 3526) is located 10' SW of mag 6.8 SAO 203629.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4553 = h3400 on 22 Apr 1835 and recorded "F; R; or little extended; gradually little brighter middle."  His single position is accurate.
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NGC 4554
12 35 42  +11 11; Vir

= Not found, Dreyer and Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4554 in 1882 while observing NGC 4567/4568 (the "Siamese Twins").  He noted in the text portion of paper V "The double nebula is preceded by a very faint nebula, about -50 sec in RA and -2 1/2' in dec, according to my drawing." There is nothing at Tempel's offset and neither Bigourdan (visually) nor Royal Frost (photographically at the Harvard College Observatory) could locate Tempel's object.  Both Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 list of NGC Corrections and RNGC classify the number nonexistent and Harold Corwin was unsuccessful searching for a good candidate.
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NGC 4555 = IC 3545 = UGC 7762 = MCG +05-30-026 = CGCG 159-021 = PGC 41975
12 35 41.2  +26 31 23; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 125°

17.5" (4/13/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.7', very small bright core.  With averted vision the major axis increases a little and the core seems irregular with a fleeting impression of a knot on the preceding side of the core.  Located 33' NNW of NGC 4565!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4555 = H. II-343 = h1350 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "a nebula, not large."  Caroline's reduction is 7 seconds of time preceding and 1.5' S of UGC 7762. On 13 Apr 1831 (sweep 343), John Herschel logged, "B; irreg R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a * 12m.".

Max Wolf mistakenly catalogued NGC 4555 in his 4th discovery list (W. IV-211) and labeled a much fainter nearby galaxy as NGC 4555.  As a result IC 3545 is another identity for NGC 4555. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4556 = UGC 7765 = MCG +05-30-027 = CGCG 159-022 = PGC 41980
12 35 45.6  +26 54 32; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 80°

18" (5/12/07): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.6'x0.5', bright core, very small brighter nucleus. A mag 14 star is just off the south side.  First in a group with NGC 4558, NGC 4563, IC 3556, IC 3559, IC 3561, IC 3585 and IC 3590.  The group is located ~55' N of NGC 4565.

IC 3556, located 4.4' northeast of NGC 4556, appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15". This galaxy is misidentified in CGCG, MCG, UGC, and PGC as either NGC 4563 or NGC 4558.

IC 3561, located 4.2' east-southeast of NGC 4556, appeared very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.6'.  A mag 13.5 star is just off the south edge 0.7' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4558 5.2' NNE.  Several other faint galaxies are nearby but the sky conditions were deteriorating and I wasn't able to search for these.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4556 = H. II-380 = h1351 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 14 sec of time too large.  John Herschel made two observations and measured a more accurate RA.  There are several identifications problems within this group.  See NGC 4558 for more.
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NGC 4557
12 35 49.8  +27 03 14; Com

= ***?, Corwin and Thomson.  Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4557 = Big. 55 on 22 Apr 1886 and simply noted a "star accompanied by nebulosity."  His position in Comptes Rendus (5 Dec 1887) is 1.5' south of a faint triple star (mag 14.5/15/15.5) in a 30" line, and Harold Corwin confirms his offset from nearby NGC 4558 points to this triple.

RNGC appears to misidentify IC 3559 as NGC 4557, although the rectangular coordinates would then be in error.  MCG and PGC misidentify NGC 4558 as NGC 4557 and IC 3556 as NGC 4558.  Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin sorted out the correct identifications.
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NGC 4558 = MCG +05-30-028 = CGCG 159-023 = PGC 41996
12 35 52.6  +26 59 31; Com
V = 14.4;  Size 0.7'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.8

18" (5/12/07): faint, very small, round, 20"-24" diameter, slightly brighter core.  Symmetrically placed on the opposite side of a mag 13 located at the midpoint of NGC 4556 and NGC 4558.  Located 5.2' NNE of NGC 4556 in a small group.  IC 3556 lies 2' SE and appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15".  IC 3559 is 2.4' E, but with mag(B) = 16.6, it was only glimpsed knowing the exact location.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4558 = h1354 on 19 Apr 1827 and logged "vF; the nf of 2 (the p is II 380); a third suspected.  His offset is 10 sec of RA east and 3' north of NGC 4556 (measured the same sweep).  Unfortunately, his position falls very close to IC 3556, though d'Arrest measured two good positions so the NGC position is less than 1' off.

MCG and PGC misidentify this galaxy as NGC 4557 and misidentify IC 3556 as NGC 4558.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4559 = UGC 7766 = MCG +05-30-030 = CGCG 159-024 = Holm 423a = PGC 42002
12 35 57.7  +27 57 36; Com
V = 10.0;  Size 10.7'x4.4';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 150°

48" (4/7/13): very bright, very large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 9'x3', large bright core that gradually increased to the center.  The core appeared irregular, mottled and dusty.  The inner portion of the disc showed weak spiral structure.  At 488x, the outer halo was very patchy with several knots.  Superimposed on the southeast side are three mag 12/12.5/13 stars between 1.5'-2' from center and the galaxy faded out rapidly beyond these stars to the southeast.  Near the southeast end is IC 3563, a very compact HII region and IC 3564, a star association attached on the east side.  Both objects were easily visible but merged as a fairly faint 20" patch, 3' SE of center.

The outer halo faded out gradually and extended much further on the northwest side, up to 5' NW of center.  IC 3555 was a faint, 20"x10" HII region, extended NW-SE, and situated 1.8' NNW of center in the halo.  IC 3552, a smaller HII region close NW, was not seen.  IC 3551 was visible as a faint, 10" HII knot on the west edge, 0.9' WNW of center.  IC 3554 is a mag 15 star 2.1' SSW of center (at the edge of the visible disc) and IC 3550 = NGC 4559C was seen as a faint, 8" HII knot 0.8' WNW of the star.  All of the IC numbers were found by Max Wolf on a Heidelberg plate in 1903.

17.5" (4/9/99): bright, large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~7'x3'.  Exhibits a striking, unusual appearance with a broad, weak concentration to a large, elongated core.  The overall surface brightness is noticeably irregular with hints of brighter and darker spots.  The outer halo has a low surface brightness, particularly on the SE end which is wider than the NW side and shows no tapering.  A trio of mag 12-12.5 stars cradle the galaxy at this end and there appears to be mottling near the superimposed stars.  NGC 4559 is located exactly 2.0° N of NGC 4565.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4559 = H. I-92 = h1352 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  His description reads, "extremely bright, very large, beautiful.  Four stars are scattered over it.  pretty much extended from np to sf.  The greatest brightness is not in the middle but more towards the following part, where 3 of the 4 stars are placed; the whole extent may be 10 or 12'.

John Herschel made 3 observations and described it as "vL; gradually brighter in the middle, but not to a nucleus; mE; has 3 stars south following.  By a diagram, the southern end is broader than the northern, giving it a clubbed appeared."

IC 3550-52, IC 3555, and IC 3563 are HII regions and/or star clouds within NGC 4559 that were discovered photographically by Max Wolf on a Heidelberg plate.
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NGC 4560 = NGC 4526? = UGC 7718 = MCG +01-32-100 = CGCG 042-155 = PGC 41772
12 34 03.1  +07 41 59; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4526.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4560 = H. I-119 = h1353 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) and noted "vB, pS."  There is nothing near his position although his description implies a prominent nebula.  But 2 min of RA preceding his position is NGC 4526, which fits the description.  If this is the case, Herschel catalogued the galaxy three times as I-31, I-38 and I-119.

John Herschel made the single observation "B, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle", although the RA is marked +/-.

Bigourdan and Winnecke (visually), and later Arnold Schwassmann and Karl Reinmuth (photographically) were all unable to locate an object near WH's position.  See Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 4561 = IC 3569 = UGC 7768 = MCG +03-32-076 = CGCG 099-098 = VV 571 = LGG 289-055 = PGC 42020
12 36 08.2  +19 19 20; Com
V = 12.5;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 30°

18" (4/5/03): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration in halo, but suddenly contains a very small brighter core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4561 = H. II-407 = h1355 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "pB, pL, lE."  His RA was 15 sec too large.  John Herschel made a total of 4 observations and d'Arrest measured the position twice, so the NGC position is an excellent match with UGC 7768 = PGC 42020.

Royal Frost found the galaxy at Arequipa on a Bruce 24-inch plate (taken on the night of 9 May 1904) and reported as number 978 in Harvard Annals 60.  His position is 11 sec of RA too far east.  Dreyer apparently thought it was new, but NGC 4561 = IC 3569.  NGC 4336 = IC 3254 is another similar situation.
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NGC 4562 = NGC 4565A = UGC 7758 = MCG +04-30-004 = CGCG 129-008 = Holm 426b = PGC 41955
12 35 34.8  +25 51 00; Com
V = 13.5;  Size 2.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 48°

17.5" (5/13/88): faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, even surface brightness.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, low even surface brightness, visible with direct vision.  Elongated at a right angle to NGC 4565 13' NE.  Located just south of a string of five mag 10-12.5 stars of length 11' oriented N-S.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4562 in 1882 while observing NGC 4565.  In the text portion of his 5th paper (AN 2439), he mentioned another nebula was found south preceding NGC 4565, though no offset was mentioned.  Dreyer gives a very rough position in the NGC.  The only galaxy in this location that Tempel might have picked up is UGC 7758 = PGC 41955.  Édouard Stephan made an observation (perhaps an independent discovery) on 27 Mar 1886.

Due to the poor NGC position, this galaxy was found on Crossley plates taken at Lick Observatory in 1898-1900 and catalogued as a new nebula (#508 of 744) in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII.  The RNGC also calls this galaxy NGC 4565A.
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NGC 4563 = (R)NGC 4557 = MCG +05-30-033 = PGC 42030
12 36 12.8  +26 56 28; Com
V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  PA = 104°

18" (5/12/07): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, stellar nucleus.  A very faint star appears to be at the west edge.  Comparable in brightness to NGC 4558 located 5.4' NW.  Located in a small knot of galaxies with NGC 4556 6' WSW.

18" (4/5/03): faint, extremely small, round, 10"-15" diameter.  Appears to have a mag 14.5 star superimposed on the west edge or a fairly bright offset stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4563 on 13 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His two micrometric positions match MCG +05-30-033 = PGC 42030, so there is no question on the identification.

RNGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 4557.  Furthermore, CGCG and RNGC misidentify IC 3556 (located 3.5' west-northwest of NGC 4563) as NGC 4563.  Finally, in the UGC notes for NGC 4556, IC 3556 is misidentified as NGC 4536.
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NGC 4564 = UGC 7773 = MCG +02-32-150 = CGCG 070-186 = PGC 42051
12 36 27.0  +11 26 21; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 3.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 47°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, sharp concentration; increases suddenly to a small bright core with a stellar nucleus, fainter extensions.  The NGC 4567/NGC 4568 pair lies 11'S at the edge of the 220x field.

13.1" (5/14/83): moderately bright, small, edge-on streak, fairly high surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4564 = H. II-68 = h1356 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "pB".  The terse description is probably due to the multitude of galaxies passing through his field. Immediately afterwards he logged the impressive Siamese Twins, NGC 4567 and NGC 4568.  He was able to view all three in the same field. John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4565 = UGC 7772 = MCG +04-30-006 = CGCG 129-010 = FGC 1471 = Holm 426a = PGC 42038 = The Needle Galaxy = Berenice's Hairclip
12 36 20.8  +25 59 16; Com
V = 9.6;  Size 15.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 136°

48" (2/18/12): the view of the dust lane and structure along its edge was remarkable at 287x and 375x.  But we spent time exploring the distant galaxy cluster (2.2 billion light years) that resides just off the SE tip and detected three mag 17.7-18 (V) members!  Also three nights later, we revisited the cluster and I picked up SDSS J123631.45+255857.2, a mag 17.7V galaxy just 2' SE of the mag 13.5 star NE of the core of NGC 4565.  

17.5" (several dates 3/28/87 to 3/24/90): bright, very large, edge-on 12:1 NW-SE, dimensions approximately 16'x1.5'.  A beautiful dark lane is visible continuously with direct vision along most of major axis although more prominent in the center.  The galaxy is split asymmetrically by the dust lane with the southern half both larger and brighter.  Subtle scalloped structure is visible along the dust lane.  Contains a small bright core with a stellar nucleus at the south edge of the lane.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' NE of the center. A string of five mag 10-12.5 stars of length 11' oriented N-S is west of the galaxy and the southern end leads directly to NGC 4562, 13' SW of center.

13.1" (4/28/84 and 5/27/84): the absorption lane is prominent at 100x and portion of the galaxy beyond fairly easy.  A stellar nucleus is visible within the bright central bulge.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, very large thin streak, bright core.  The dust lane is clearly visible to the north of the bright nucleus along the central portion of the galaxy.

13.1" (4/24/82): a faint dark lane splits the central bulge into two unequal parts.  The nucleus is brightest to the south of the lane.  The strip of the galaxy on the north side of the dust lane is fainter.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4565 = H. V-24 = h1357 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393).  He recorded "a lucid ray with a very bright spot in the middle.  The ray about 20' long [extending beyond his 15' field at 158x] and about 3 or 4' broad; extended from np to sf, making an angle of about 35° with the meridian.  The nebula makes a beautiful appearance."  This was his only recorded observation. John Herschel made four observations and noted the fainter strip on the northeast side of the dust lane.  On 28 Mar 1832 (sweep 407) he recorded "vL; an immensely long ray; pos = 134.5° by micrometer.  Both Lord Adare and Mr Hamilton, who viewed it with me, agreed that a feeble parallel band extends below (north) of the nucleus."

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant on 17 Apr 1855 , remarked "a beautiful object, very well seen in finding eyepiece.  The whole neb is much broader (taking into account the appendage) at Nucl than elsewhere, narrowing off suddenly and very symmetrically towards both ends, and the Nucl projects forward into the dark space; and immediately opposide this the faint appendage is broadest and brightest.  The ray is 12' or 14' long and there is a faint star at Alpha [on diagram]. (Mr. Johnstone Stoney [on vacation from teaching] was with me)."  On 29 Apr 1862, William Lassell made a fine sketch showing the dark lane through his new 48-inch equatorial Newtonian.
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NGC 4566 = UGC 7769 = MCG +09-21-024 = CGCG 270-012 = PGC 42007
12 36 00.1  +54 13 15; UMa
V = 13.1;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 80°

18" (5/8/04): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4'.  Increases to a very small brighter core and faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4566 = H. III-880 = h1360 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001) and noted "eF, S."  His position is poor - 4.5' north and 15 sec of RA west of UGC 7769.  John Herschel logged "pB; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; 20"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4567 = VV 219b = UGC 7777 = MCG +02-32-151 = CGCG 070-189 = Holm 427b = PGC 42064 = The Siamese Twins = Butterfly Galaxies
12 36 32.7  +11 15 29; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 3.0'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 85°

17.5" (4/25/87): northern member of a double system with NGC 4568.  Moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W.  Slightly smaller than NGC 4568 attached at the east end [1.2' between centers] but NGC 4567 has a slightly higher surface brightness. 

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly faint, elongated E-W.  NGC 4568 is attached at the NE end.

8" (4/16/83): faint, moderately large, appears as a double nebula at moderate to high power.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4567 = H. IV-8 = h1358 = h1363, together with NGC 4568, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He recorded a "double nebula [with NGC 4568], or two pretty considerable nebula apparently running into one another.  The foregoing nebula [NGC 4564] may be taken into the field of view these two."  Caroline's reduced position is ~6' southeast of the Siamese Twins.  

Because of his father's poor position, John Herschel recorded the pair as a Nova (h1358 and 1359) at the correct position.  He also made another observation with a poor position (h1363), but correctly associated h1363 with IV-8 and IV-9.  The error was noted by d'Arrest in a 1863 paper.

The nickname "Siamese Twins" was coined by Leland S. Copeland and mentioned in his Feb. 1955 article "Adventuring in the Virgo Cloud".
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NGC 4568 = VV 219a = UGC 7776 = MCG +02-32-152 = CGCG 070-189 = Holm 427a = PGC 42069 = The Siamese Twins = Butterfly Galaxies
12 36 34.2  +11 14 25; Vir
V = 10.8;  Size 4.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 23°

17.5" (4/25/87): this is the southern member of a double system with NGC 4567.  The NE end of this galaxy is nearly attached to the east end of NGC 4567.  Moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, large brighter core.  Two mag 11/12 stars lie 3.5' E.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, two stars following.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4568 = H. IV-9 = h1359 = 1363, along with NGC 4567, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He recorded both together as a "double nebula [with NGC 4567], or two p. considerable nebula apparently running into one another.  The foregoing nebula [NGC 4564] may be taken into the field of view these two."  See NGC 4567 for more.
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NGC 4569 = M90 = Arp 76 = UGC 7786 = MCG +02-32-155 = CGCG 070-192 = PGC 42089
12 36 49.9  +13 09 44; Vir
V = 9.5;  Size 9.5'x4.4';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 23°

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, sharply concentrated, suddenly increases to a bright stellar nucleus (possibly a superimposed star), fairly even surface brightness to halo.  IC 3583 lies 6' NNW.

Charles Messier discovered M90 = NGC 4569 on 18 Mar 1781.

William Herschel observed M90 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187).  He described it as "pretty large, with a nucleus, perhaps cometic, but moonlight permits not to give a proper description."  John Herschel made no observations.
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NGC 4570 = UGC 7785 = MCG +01-32-114 = CGCG 042-178 = PGC 42096
12 36 53.4  +07 14 47; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 3.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 159°

17.5" (3/24/90): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 3:1x1.0', very bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4570 = H. I-32 = h1361 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  He described it as "pretty bright, not large, elongated, much brighter in the middle."  On 1 May 1786 (sweep 560) he called this galaxy "very bright, elongated in the meridian [N-S], bright nucleus with faint branches."  The branches are just the outer part of the elongated disc and do not refer to spiral structure.

John Herschel made five observations and recorded on sweep 117, "vB; mE; very small much brighter middle; 2' long; pretty bright arms and a resolvable centre."
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NGC 4571 = IC 3588 = UGC 7788 = MCG +02-32-156 = CGCG 070-194 = PGC 42100
12 36 56.4  +14 13 02; Com
V = 11.3;  Size 3.6'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 55°

17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 2.5' diameter, diffuse, weak concentration.  Located 2.8' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 100177.

48" (2/18/12): Malin 1, a giant low surface brightness galaxy, lies 6.8' NNE of the center of NGC 4571.  At 287x, it was immediately picked up as an extremely faint, non-stellar glow.  At 488x, it was visible ~75% of the time with averted vision as a very small, round, low surface brightness, ~10" diameter.  With direct vision, a faint stellar nucleus was occasionally visible.

Malin 1, discovered in 1986 on an image by David Malin, has the most extended low surface brightness outer halo of any known disk galaxy with a diameter of 650,000 light years.  More recently it was discovered that within 30,000 light-years of Malin 1's center lies a normal barred spiral galaxy.  The galaxy lies at a distance of 1.1 billion light years.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4571 = H. III-602 = h1362 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and recorded "vF, cL, very gradually brighter middle.  South of a cB star."  John Herschel called this galaxy "vF; pL; E; very gradually brighter middle; attached like a nail to a star (place that of the star.)  He included a sketch in the Slough Catalogue.  His observation of h1367 may also apply to this galaxy.

Arnold Schwassmann found NGC 4571 again on 12 Sep 1900 with a plate taken by Wolf with the 6" astrograph at the Königstuhl Observatory in Heidelberg.  But he misidentified the nearby 14th mag star to the west (Sn. 292) as NGC 4571 and listed Sn. 293 (later IC 3588) as new.  His position for IC 3588 is an exact match with NGC 4571, although both Schwassmann and Dreyer missed the NGC designation, which has a good position.

Dreyer mentioned this galaxy as a possible candidate for M91, though this is very unlikely due to its faintness.  See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4572 = UGC 7775 = MCG +12-12-012 = CGCG 352-037 = PGC 41991
12 35 45.5  +74 14 34; Dra
V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 14.3;  PA = 170°

18" (5/8/04): faint, moderately large, appears as a very low surface brightness glow oriented NNW-SSE, ~1.2'x0.8', with just a weak concentration.  Located 7.5' NW of brighter NGC 4589.  This galaxy has an unusual "integral sign" shape on the DSS.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4572 = H. III-939 = h1364 on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066).  He noted "extremely faint, small."  Caroline's reduction is 3' south of UGC 7775, the same offset for nearby NGC 4589, so the identification is certain.  This was last of 5 galaxies discovered in Draco, observing in the north under the pole.

John Herschel made the single observation, "eF, only to be seen with very long attention."  IC 802 (found by Bigourdan) matches in RA but is 3' further north and probably refers to a star. See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4573 = ESO 268-026 = MCG -07-26-014 = PGC 42167
12 37 43.7  -43 37 16; Cen
V = 13.0;  Size 2.6'x2.0';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 150°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, ~0.8'x0.6', increases in size with averted.  Using direct vision a stellar nucleus was seen.  A mag 10.5 star is 1' N, close off the north edge.  Located 16' SE of mag 7.6 HD 109638.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4573 = h3401 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF; S; almost exactly south of a * 10m, 30" dist."  His position and description matches ESO 268-026 = PGC 42167.
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NGC 4574 = ESO 380-049 = MCG -06-28-007 = LGG 297-001 = PGC 42166
12 37 43.6  -35 31 04; Cen
V = 13.0;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 113°

18" (3/28/09): very faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.9', low surface brightness, weak concentration and the halo fades into the background.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4574 = h3402 on 20 Apr 1835 and recorded "vF; L; little extended; very gradually little brighter middle; 60" l, 40" br."  His position is just off the northeast side of ESO 380-049 = PGC 42166.
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NGC 4575 = ESO 322-036 = MCG -07-26-015 = PGC 42181
12 37 51.2  -40 32 15; Cen
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 106°

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, very elongated ~E-W.  A mag 12 star is at the west end 1.0' from center and a mag 11.5 star is 1.6' SW of center.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4575 = h3403 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "F; pmE; 25" l, 15" br; follows 2 stars."  His position and description matches ESO 322-036 = PGC 42181.
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NGC 4576 = UGC 7792 = MCG +01-32-116 = CGCG 042-182 = PGC 42152
12 37 33.6  +04 22 03; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 159°

17.5" (4/21/90): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, low surface brightness.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.8' N of center.  Located 8' NW of mag 6.9 SAO 119502.  NGC 4586 lies 15' ESE.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 4576 on 27 Apr 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory and recorded "F; np a star 7th mag."  A second observation on 20 Apr 1882 added "preceding GC 3125 [ NGC 4586] 55.5 sec and 3' north."  His position and description matches UGC 7792 = PGC 42152.
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NGC 4577 = NGC 4591?? = UGC 7821 = MCG +01-32-125 = CGCG 042-191
12 39 12.4  +06 00 44; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4591.  Identification uncertain.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4577 = H. III-13 on 28 Jan 1784 (sweep 132) and recorded "a minute before [the transit of 24 Vir] I suspected a vS neb, but while I put on a higher power to examine it, I lost it and would not stop too long to look for it again."  A very rough position was noted.

Harold Corwin notes the star 24 Vir is actually a duplicate entry for 5 Boo, so Herschel made an error as his sweep is not near this star. "There are no galaxies in any of the places that come from WH's observations, from GC/NGC, or from attempting to correct WH's RAs using the idea that H. II 26 = NGC 4453 (the only other nebula found that night) is actually NGC 4430. However, the approximate RA that we do have, along with the constraints on the declination, point to either NGC 4580 or NGC 4591 as probably being the object that WH saw. Since N4580 is H. I-124, and N4591 is H. III-504, the sparce description of N4577 strongly suggests that it is N4591."
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NGC 4578 = UGC 7793 = MCG +02-32-159 = CGCG 070-195 = Holm 429a = PGC 42149
12 37 30.6  +09 33 19; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 3.3'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 35°

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x1.0', small bright core with possibly a stellar nucleus.  A mag 10.5 star lies 4.1' W of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4578 = H. II-15 = h1365 = h1366 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 86) and recorded "F, S.  It is not cometic though pretty round; of the first class."  John Herschel made two observations which differed by 5' in declination, so he was uncertain if they refered to the same object.  As a result, he included two GC designations which Dreyer combined in the NGC.
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NGC 4579 = M58 = UGC 7796 = MCG +02-32-160 = CGCG 070-197 = PGC 42168
12 37 43.5  +11 49 06; Vir
V = 9.7;  Size 5.9'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 95°

17.5" (4/25/87): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, small very bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 7.6' E of mag 8.3 SAO 100179.

13.1": bright, increase to a small bright core, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse halo.

Charles Messier discovered M58 = NGC 4579 = h1368 (along with M59 and M60) on 15 Apr 1779.  On 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174), William Herschel logged, "pB, pL" on 15 Mar 1784.  On 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) he wrote, "F, L.".  John Herschel made four observations, first on 9 May 1825 (sweep 4) as "vB; irreg R; gradually brighter in the middle; a B * precedes 1/2 field.".

William Parsons (Lord Rosse) or an assistant apparently noticed spiral structure in M58 by 1850 as it was included in the listed of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in the 1850 PT paper.  The 1861 and 1880 monographs, though, do not list an observation earlier than 1851.
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NGC 4580 = UGC 7794 = MCG +01-32-117 = CGCG 042-183 = PGC 42174
12 37 48.4  +05 22 08; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 165°

17.5" (4/21/90): moderately bright, moderately large, irregular shape though slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration with an uneven surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4580 = H. I-124 = h1369 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "pB, cL, R."  Caroline's reduction is 1.4' northwest of UGC 7794.
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NGC 4581 = UGC 7801 = MCG +00-32-028 = CGCG 014-083 = PGC 42199
12 38 05.2  +01 28 39; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.9'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 173°

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, even concentration to a small bright core.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 4581 on 20 Apr 1882 with the 15.6-inch refractor at the Washburn Observatory and recorded "F, S, bM, stell N" (Publications of the Washburn Observatory, Vol II, p101).  His position is 1' north of UGC 7801.
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NGC 4582
12 38 10.1  +00 10 57; Vir

= *, Carlson and Corwin.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 4582 = HN 20 on 30 Apr 1859  with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars.  He simply noted "in a faint nebulosity" and at his exact position is a single mag 13.4 star -- this mirrors his other 8 discoveries at HCO!  Karl Reinmuth and Harold Corwin also equate NGC 4582 with a star.
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NGC 4583 = MCG +06-28-017 = CGCG 188-011 = PGC 42198
12 38 04.4  +33 27 31; CVn
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, round, bright core.  Two mag 15 star are 1' NW and 1' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4583 = H. III-495 = h1370 on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508) and recorded "eF, S, iF, r."  His position is within 1' of CGCG 188-011 = PGC 42198.  John Herschel made two observations and called this galaxy "F; S; R; bM."
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NGC 4584 = UGC 7803 = MCG +02-32-162 = CGCG 070-199 = LGG 286-007 = PGC 42223
12 38 17.9  +13 06 35; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4584 on 21 Apr 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His measurements on 3 nights matches UGC 7803 and he noted a mag 15 star (called mag 18) that follows by 16 seconds of time.
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NGC 4585 = MCG +05-30-042 = CGCG 159-037 = PGC 42215
12 38 13.3  +28 56 13; Com
V = 14.1;  Size 0.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 114°

18" (4/10/04): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.  Located 5.8' W of mag 10.3 SAO 82417.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4585 = Sf. 21 on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single micrometric position is an excellent match with CGCG 159-037 = PGC 42215 and he mentions the mag 10.3 star which follows by 27.3 sec in RA.  Truman Safford independently discovered the galaxy on 16 May 1866.
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NGC 4586 = UGC 7804 = MCG +01-32-122 = CGCG 042-187 = PGC 42241
12 38 28.4  +04 19 08; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 4.0'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 115°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE.  Contains a very bright core.  Located 10' E of mag 6.9 SAO 119502.  NGC 4576 lies 15' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4586 = H. I-125 = h1371 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and recorded "pB, pL, E."  His position at the north edge of UGC 7804.  John Herschel made two observations and logged "pB; pmE; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle." on sweep 141.
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NGC 4587 = UGC 7805 = MCG +01-32-123 = CGCG 042-188 = PGC 42253
12 38 35.4  +02 39 26; Vir
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 48°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration.  Surrounded by seven mag 13-14.5 stars within a 3' radius.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 4587 on 17 Apr 1882 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory. His discovery position in AN 2520 matches UGC 7805.  This was the first of 8 NGC galaxies discovered by Palisa.
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NGC 4588 = UGC 7810 = MCG +01-32-124 = CGCG 042-189 = PGC 42277
12 38 45.4  +06 46 05; Vir
V = 14.3;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 57°

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Observations made through thin clouds.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4588 = H. III-98 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191).  His description reads, "eF, eS.  By a misunderstanding the time & number [PD] was not taken; however at 12h 24m the time was marked down, which was less than 1 min after the transit of the nebula; so that the time of the nebula must be about 12h 23m or 12h 23m 30s.  The number as far as I can recollect might perhaps be about 40, which gives 45'; but is more uncertain than the time. I saw the nebula very well."  Though very possibly a coincidence, his rough position is just 2.4' northeast of UGC 7810.  In the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, Dreyer states "It may = IC 3591 or IC 3617.  No object on Wolf's plate in the place of NGC 4588."
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NGC 4589 = UGC 7797 = MCG +12-12-013 = CGCG 352-038 = CGCG 335-017 = LGG 284-008 = PGC 42139
12 37 25.0  +74 11 31; Dra
V = 10.7;  Size 3.2'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 75°

18" (5/8/04): bright, fairly large, elongated ~4:3 E-W, 2.5'x2.0'.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright prominent core and a fainter halo.  A mag 13 star is at the west edge of the core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4572 7.5' NW and NGC 4648 lies 22' NE.  A wide mag 8/10.5 double at 24" lies 17' NE (in the field with NGC 4648).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4589 = H. I-273 = h1374 on 22 Nov 1797 (sweep 1064) and logged "vB, R, much brighter in the middle, 3 or 4' dia."  His position is 4.5' too far SE.  This was first sweep since 18 Oct 1784, a span of over three years!  The sweep was conducted in the north, but under the pole.

John Herschel made 4 observations, recording on sweep 348 "B; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 30"; a S * np; dist 1'."  His position on this sweep was very accurate.
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NGC 4590 = M68
12 39 28.0  -26 44 35; Hya
V = 7.7;  Size 12.0';  Surf Br = 0.1

48" (5/21/23): at 375x and 610x; spectacular resolution of the core and halo into a few hundred stars with a wide variation in  magnitude, including numerous unusually bright stars.  ESO 506-029, a faint galaxy, is 10' SSW.

24" (5/22/17): at 375x; very bright, well resolved globular with quite a number of surprisingly bright stars [brightest stars Vtip = 12.6] spread over the central region and around the edges, giving a fairly loose appearance [class X].  The unresolved central background glow is large and bright.  Perhaps 60-75 stars are resolved in the central region, but excluding the outer portion of the halo, which also seems to contain a number of brighter stars out to at least 8'.

17.5" (2/28/87): 30-50 stars resolved including many fairly bright stars over unresolved background haze. 

13.1" (3/24/84): about 20 stars resolved around edges of core and in halo.  The core is mottled but unresolved.

8" (3/24/84): few stars resolved across disk.

Charles Messier discovered M68 = NGC 4590 = h3404 on 9 Apr 1780.

William Herschel first observed M68 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550) and recorded: "a beautiful cluster of very compressed stars, irregular figure but chiefly round. There are very few scattered stars about it; all the stars red, near 3' broad and about 4' long."  The comment about consisting of red stars was repeated in several other descriptions of globular clusters.  In his 1814 PT publication he noted "this oval cluster is also approaching to the globular form, and the central compression is carried to a high degree."  John Herschel a the single observation: "GC; irr R; gradually brighter in the middle; diam in RA = 12...15 sec. All clearly resolved into stars 12 m; very loose and ragged at the borders."
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NGC 4591 = NGC 4577? = UGC 7821 = MCG +01-32-125 = CGCG 042-191 = PGC 42319
12 39 12.4  +06 00 44; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 37°

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.3', weak concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4591 = H. III-504 = h1372 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "vF, vS."  NGC 4577 is possibly an earlier observation.  See that number.
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NGC 4592 = UGC 7819 = MCG +00-32-032 = CGCG 014-091 = LGG 292-047 = PGC 42336
12 39 18.3  -00 31 53; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 5.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 97°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, moderately large, 3.0'x1.2', weak concentration.  Located 1° NNW of beautiful double Porrima = Gamma Virginis (3.6/3.7 at 4").

William Herschel discovered NGC 4592 = H. II-31 = h1373 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "a nebula; extended from east to west and also towards the north; it is not cometic and seems to be resolvable."  His sketch shows the object bulging towards the north in the center.

John Herschel made a single observation:on 14 Apr 1828 (sweep 145): "eF; L; pmE; very gradually little brighter middle."  He made an error, though, precessing the coordinates for the GC, so the published position was 30' too far N.  As a result, when Edward Holden found it again on 23 Apr 1881 he reported it as new (#8) in  Publ. of the Washburn Observatory, Vol I.
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NGC 4593 = MCG -01-32-032 = Mrk 1330 = PGC 42375
12 39 39.4  -05 20 39; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 3.9'x2.9';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 55°

48" (4/28/22): at 488x; very bright and large barred spiral, elongated SW-NE.  Sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core and an even brighter nucleus!  The bar itself is very well-defined.  At the SW end a very short arm curls counterclockwise towards the N and a short curving extension is symmetric at the NE end of the bar.  The incipient arms fade quickly into the general faint glow of the halo.

MCG -01-32-033, located 3.8' E, appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated SW-NE, 0.4'x0.25'.

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  First of four in a group (USGC S181) within a 32' field including NGC 4602 19' NE.  Contains a Sy 1 nucleus.

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright and large, strong bright core, elongated WSW-ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4593 = H. II-183 = h1375 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205) and recorded "pB, cL, E, much brighter middle but the brightness confined to a small place."  John Herschel made two observations and first logged (sweep 147) "very small brighter middle to a * 11-12m, with a faint chevelure."
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NGC 4594 = M104 = MCG -02-32-020 = UGCA 293 = PGC 42407 = Sombrero Galaxy
12 39 59.4  -11 37 23; Vir
V = 8.0;  Size 8.7'x3.5';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 89°

82" (5/4/19 and 5/5/19, McDonald Observatory): at 400x; remarkable view of the Sombrero with a shockingly black dust lane (like an occulting bar) oriented precisely vertically through the entire eyepiece field.  Perhaps due to the curvature of the dust lane towards the tips and subtle structure in the galaxy's disc, the view had 3-dimensional depth, with the dust lane in front and the disc trailing into the background.

Sombrero UCD 1, an Ultra-Compact Dwarf discovered in 2009, was easily visible as a slightly soft mag 17.5 "star", 2.6' SSE of the center of M104.  It forms a 10" double with a somewhat brighter star.

48" (2/20/12, 4/5/13, 4/30/19, 4/25/25): stunning view of the jet-black super high-contrast dust lane at 375x.  The fainter section of the galaxy south of the dust lane was quite prominent and nearly as extensive as the northern half and the central bulge region was noticeably thicker in proportion to the major axis than views in smaller scopes (extending to a mag 13.5 star 1.5' N of center). I also clearly noticed that although the dust lane was very flat in the central region (oriented precisely E-W), it bent slightly north and widened just a bit on both the east and west ends of the disc, giving it a slightly warped appearance.

LEDA 962963 lies 8' SW of center. It appears fairly faint, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 18"x14".  A mag 10.4 star is 1.3' NW with a mag 16.5 star near the midpoint of the galaxy and the bright star.

17.5" (3/12/94): very bright, very large, elongated 3:1 E-W, 7.5'x2.5'.  Very prominent dust lane along the entire length of the major axis and divides the core into two non-symmetric sections.  The prominent section of the core is just N of the dark lane.  Overall, the galaxy is brighter and much more extensive to the N of the lane.  The portion of the core and halo S of the dust lane is much fainter, smaller and unconcentrated.  A mag 10 star lies 4' WSW. 

13.1" (4/24/82 and 5/21/82): very bright, large, very elongated, arms long and thin.  A prominent dark lane is visible along the length of the galaxy.  Only a faint glow is visible to the S of the dust lane.

8" (7/5/80): bright, large, central bulge, south edge has a sharp light cut off [due to dust].

15x50mm (6/19/08 and 4/6/13): easily visible in binoculars as a elongated glow with brighter center.

Pierre Méchain discovered M104 = NGC 4594 = H. I-43 = h1376 on 11 May 1781, after Messier's final catalogue was sent to publication.  The discovery was mentioned in a letter dated 6 May 1783 to Johann Bernoulli, the editor of the Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch.  He wrote, "On May 11, 1781, I have discovered a nebula above Corvus; it did not appear to me to contain stars; it is faint & very difficult to see when the wires of the micrometer are illuminated; I have compared it on this day & the following to the Ear of Virgo [Spica], & I have derived its right ascension 187d 9' 42", its south. declin. 10d 24' 49". It is not included in the Connoissance des tems."  The note was published near the end of the 1786 Jarbuch volume.  Messier penciled in the position into his own copy of his catalogue, published in 1784.  French astronomer Camille Flammarion introduced the new designation M104 in 1921.

As M104 wasn't published in Messier's catalogue, William Herschel independently discovered it on 9 May 1784 (sweep 210) and catalogued it as new.  He described H. I-43 as "elongated, very bright middle, about 5 or 6' long, but daylight is too strong to see the whole extent of it.  The bright place in the middle is pretty large, but breaks off abruptly."  The abrupt break is due to the dust lane on the south side, but he didn't specifically mention a dark division.  He made a second observation on 11 Mar 1788 (sweep 819): "much elongated, from about 20° sp. to nf., BN, 4 or 5' long."

John Herschel was the first to comment on the dust lane.  On 9 Mar 1828, he recorded "vB, vmE, in pos 2° np to sf; very suddenly much brighter middle to a nucleus; 5' l, 30" br, a bright star sp.  There is a faint diffused oval light all about it, and I am almost positive that there is a dark interval or stratum separating the nucleus and the general mass of the nebula from the light above (south) of it.  Surely no illusion."  In his sketch (Fig. 50) he adds the remarks "The strong suspicion of a parallel appendage to the latter of these, is almost converted into certainty by its undoubted existence in V. 24 [NGC 4565], in which it was seen by two other observers as well as by myself."  Later sketches were made by William Lassell in 1862 with his 48" and Wilhelm Tempel in 1882 with an 11" refractor.  The first photo was taken by Isaac Roberts in April 1897.

Francis Pease first measured the rotation of M104's galactic disk in 1916 at Mount Wilson.  Two years later he did the same with M31.

Leland Copeland called M104 the "Sombrero" in the June 1942 issue of S&T.  The back cover featured an image taken by the Mount Wilson 60-inch in 1916. The image is referred to as the "Sombrero nebula".  The classic photo of M104 was made with the Palomar 200-inch in 1950 and published in the Hubble Atlas of Galaxies.
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NGC 4595 = UGC 7826 = MCG +03-32-081 = CGCG 099-106 = LGG 292-124 = PGC 42396
12 39 51.9  +15 17 52; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 110°

17.5" (4/13/02): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.7', broad concentration.  Followed by two mag 12.5 stars which lie 2.5' E and 3.1' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4595 = H. II-632 = h1377 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and logged "F, pL, R, very gradually brighter middle."  Caroline's reduced position is 2.5' northeast of UGC 7826.  John Herschel made four observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4596 = UGC 7828 = MCG +02-32-170 = CGCG 070-206 = PGC 42401
12 39 56.0  +10 10 34; Vir
V = 10.4;  Size 4.0'x3.0';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 135°

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, elongated WSW-ENE, small bright core, possible substellar nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is 1.1' SSE of center at the edge of the halo and two brighter mag 10/11 stars are 3' SE.  NGC 4608 lies 19' E. 

13.1" (4/16/83): bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated ~E-W.  Located about 30' W of mag 5 Rho Virginis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4596 = H. I-24 = h1378 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "pB".  His RA was 40 seconds too large.  John Herschel made 5 observations, first on 9 May 1825 (sweep 4), "B, round, gradually much brighter middle, 3 small stars follow."
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NGC 4597 = MCG -01-32-034 = PGC 42429
12 40 12.8  -05 47 59; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 4.1'x1.9';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 30°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, elongated SSW-NNE, very large but diffuse, smooth surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4597 = H. II-636 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 706) and noted "F, vL, bM."  Caroline's reduced position is 3' southwest of MCG -01-32-034 = PGC 42429.
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NGC 4598 = UGC 7829 = MCG +02-32-171 = CGCG 070-207 = LGG 296-011 = PGC 42427
12 40 11.9  +08 23 02; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, moderate concentration to center with a small, brighter core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star is just off the south edge (0.8' from center) and a mag 8.3 star lies 8.6' N near the edge of the 220x field.

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.9'x0.8'.  Located 8.6' S of mag 8.3 HD 110184.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4598 = H. III-105 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and noted "eF but vL."  Caroline's reduction is 18 sec of RA east of UGC 7829.
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NGC 4599 = UGC 7833 = MCG +00-32-034 = CGCG 014-099 = PGC 42453
12 40 27.1  +01 11 48; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.7'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 144°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4599 = H. III-509 on 22 Feb 1786 (sweep 527) and noted "vF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 1.5' northwest of UGC 7833 = PGC 42453.  JH did not make an observation.
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NGC 4600 = UGC 7832 = MCG +01-32-128 = CGCG 042-198 = PGC 42447
12 40 22.9  +03 07 04; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 60°

17.5" (4/21/90): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, small bright core.  Forms the west vertex of a right triangle with mag 8.8 SAO 119527 3.5' E and mag 8.6 SAO 119525 2.9' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4600 = H. II-577 = h1379 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and logged "F, S, between 2 B stars; making a triangle with them."  John Herschel noted "F; S; R; precedes 2 stars 8-9 mag."  Both descriptions and positions match UGC 7832.
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NGC 4601 = ESO 322-050 = MCG -07-26-026 = LGG 298-057 = PGC 42492
12 40 46.7  -40 53 36; Cen
V = 13.5;  Size 1.8'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 16°

25" (4/2/19 - OzSky): at 244x; at least fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated nearly 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.3', brighter core.  Located 5' NNW of NGC 4603. ESO 322-053, situated 4' E, appeared faint, very small, round (core only), 12" diameter, stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus. 

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; nearly moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5', brighter along the major axis.  Situated 5' NNW of NGC 4603 in the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526).

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this Centaurus cluster member (AGC 3526) appeared moderately bright, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.5', broad concentration.  Located 5.3' NNW of NGC 4603.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4601 = h3405, along with NGC 4603 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; L; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle.  The first of 2."  His position is 12 sec east and 1.6' south of ESO 322-050 = PGC 42492.  This is the same offset in RA as nearby NGC 4603, discovered together.
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NGC 4602 = MCG -01-32-036 = PGC 42476
12 40 36.7  -05 07 55; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 3.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 105°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, oval WNW-ESE, fairly large, bright core.  A mag 14 star is just off the east end 1.3' from center.  Second of four in a group (USGC S181) with NGC 4604 11' S and NGC 4593 19' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4602 = H. II-184 = h1380 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205) and recorded "not F, L, little extended, not mbM, r."  His position is poor -  18 sec of RA too large.  John Herschel made the single observation "F; L; E; very gradually little brighter middle; 50"." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4603 = ESO 322-052 = MCG -07-26-028 = LGG 301-001 = PGC 42510
12 40 55.4  -40 58 34; Cen
V = 11.6;  Size 3.4'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 27°

25" (4/2/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, very large, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, slightly brighter core, ~2.5' major axis.  Two obvious stars are superimposed; a mag 14.5 star 0.8' SW of center in the halo and a mag 14 star 0.4' NW of center at the edge of the core.

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; bright, large, oval 5:3 SSW-NNE, ~2.5'x1.5', broad concentration but no distinct core or nucleus.  Two stars are superimposed; close NW of center and near the SW end.  A number of Centaurus cluster members are nearby including NGC 4601 5' NNW, ESO 322-053 5.6' NNE, NGC 4603B 7.5' SW.

ESO 322-053: faint, very small, round (core only), 12" diameter, stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.
NGC 4603B: very faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SSW-SSE, 40"x10", low surface brightness streak with no core.

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared very bright, very large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 3'x1.5', broad concentration though the brightest portion seems offset towards the a star embedded just west of of the core.  A second superimposed star is near the southwest end.  NGC 4601 lies 5.3' NNW and NGC 4603B is 7.8' SW.  This subgroup of AGC 3526 (Centaurus Cluster) is catalogued as Klemola 19.

17.5" (4/7/89): extremely faint, moderately large, round, very low surface brightness.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4603 = h3406 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "F; L R; very gradually brighter middle; r(?).  The following of 2 [with NGC 4601].".  His RA is 11 sec east of ESO 322-052 = PGC 42510, a similar error as NGC 4601.

Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 8 Apr 1885 with the Melbourne telesocpe and recorded "very faint, pretty large, irregular, gradually little brighter middle, mottled, roundish.  A *15 mag attached to n.p. side or involved with the nebula - yes, just within it.  Another star 15 mag s.p. very close to the edge of thenebula.  Contour uncertain - seems to spread out but can't be traced by the eye."
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NGC 4604 = MCG -01-32-037 = PGC 42489
12 40 44.9  -05 18 09; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 115°

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE.  Third of four in a group (USGC S181) and located 11' SSE of NGC 4602.

NGC 4604 is very possibly a duplicate observation of NGC 4602, which appeared  fairly bright, oval WNW-ESE, fairly large, bright core.  A mag 14 star is just off the east end 1.3' from center.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 4604 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory.  The discovery wasn't published in either of his two Copernicus lists in 1881 and 1882, so he must have communicated it directly to Dreyer, who did not include a description in the NGC.  The published position is 2' southeast of the center of NGC 4602.

The 1921 Helwan Observatory publication reported that NGC 4604 was not found on an 80 min exposure taken between 1914-16 with the 30" reflector.  Dorothy Carlson mentioned this in her NGC errata list and RNGC classified the number as nonexistent.  RC3 and SEGC identify MCG -01-32-037 = PGC 42489 as NGC 4604.  This galaxy is nearly 10' south of the NGC position.  Peters may have made a digit error in declination but considering the close match in position it is more likely that NGC 4604 is a duplicate observation of NGC 4602.  Courtney Seligman strongly argues that NGC 4604 = NGC 4602.
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NGC 4605 = UGC 7831 = MCG +10-18-074 = CGCG 293-031 = PGC 42408
12 39 59.4  +61 36 33; UMa
V = 10.3;  Size 5.8'x2.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 125°

18" (5/14/07): very bright, large, nearly edge-on 3:1 NW-SE.  The relatively large, bulging core is mottled.  The southeast extension is brighter, mottled (HII regions) and tapers towards the tip. The very tip of this extension appears to hook slightly towards the east. The fainter northwest extension is much more diffuse, is broader and fades at the ends.  The major axis of the two extensions are slightly skewed with respect to each other as if they were bent at the center or possibly the brighter southeast extension is warped or distorted.

18" (5/8/04): very bright, large, quite elongated 5:2 ~NW-SE.  Contains a relatively large, high surface brightness elongated core.  This galaxy's structure is very unusual with careful viewing.  The southeast extension is clearly brighter and more tapered than the northwest end.  The surface brightness of the southeast extension is noticeably uneven with a mottled or splotchy appearance possibly from HII regions and an irregular distribution of dust.  Near the center there is a slight bend or kink to the major axis, with the fainter northwest extension slightly misaligned.  Also the northwest extension appears to fan out somewhat at the northwest edge and fade into the background.

8": bright, moderately large, very elongated NW-SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4605 = H. I-254 = h1381 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 953) and recorded "eB, E, about 5' long in the parallel, all over equally bright, except just on the edges."  John Herschel made a single observation (sweep 344): "B; L; vmE; in pos 118.6°; gradually little brighter middle; 4' l and 1' br."
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NGC 4606 = UGC 7839 = MCG +02-32-174 = CGCG 070-213 = Holm 436a = PGC 42516
12 40 57.5  +11 54 41; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 3.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 33°

17.5" (4/25/87): fairly faint, very elongated SW-NE.  A mag 13.5 star is superimposed on the SSW end 0.5' from center and a mag 14 star is at the SSW edge 1.1' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4607 3.8' ESE. 

13.1" (4/16/83): faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE.  Two stars are at the south edge.  Located 20' NW of M59.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4606 = H. III-43 = h1382 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and simply noted "a nebula".  John Herschel made 3 observations (earliest on 11 Apr 1825, sweep 3) and recorded on 25 Mar 1830 (sweep 245), "vF; a curious object; 2 or 3 vF stars form a line with an oblique ray of neb."  Nearby NGC 4607 was missed by both Herschels.
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NGC 4607 = UGC 7843 = MCG +02-32-176 = CGCG 070-216 = Holm 436b = PGC 42544
12 41 12.4  +11 53 08; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 2.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 2°

17.5" (4/25/87): extremely faint, edge-on streak N-S, low even surface brightness.  Located 3.8' ESE of much brighter NGC 4606.

13.1" (5/14/83): extremely faint, edge-on N-S, low surface brightness, requires averted.  Close following NGC 4606.

13.1" (4/16/83): extremely faint, near visual threshold, very elongated N-S, low surface brightness.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4607 on 24 Apr 1854. While observing NGC 4606 he noted "about 3' or 4' following there is also a F lenticular R, E np sf."  Mitchell's note was not included in the 1861 monograph (only the 1880 publication) so NGC 4607 was not included in the GC and Dreyer missed it while compiling the GC Supplement.
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NGC 4608 = UGC 7842 = MCG +02-32-177 = CGCG 070-214 = PGC 42545
12 41 13.6  +10 09 23; Vir
V = 11.0;  Size 3.2'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/18/87): bright, fairly small, oval SW-NE, very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.6' WNW of center.  Forms a wide pair at low power with NGC 4596 19' W.  Located 11' SW of Rho Virginis (V = 4.9).

13.1" (4/16/83): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4608 = H. II-69 = h1383 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and recorded "A nebula.  It may be taken into the field with 30 (Rho) Virginis and precedes that star, but is 8' more south."  The actual difference in Dec is less than 5', but the identification is certain.  On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120) John Herschel called it "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a *12 1' np, and a *5.6 in field nf."
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NGC 4609 = ESO 095-014 = Cr 263
12 42 20  -62 59 36; Cru
V = 6.9;  Size 5'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, 30 stars mag 9.5-13 are resolved in a 4'-5' region.  Most of the stars are arranged in a curving lane ~NNW-SSE with fainter stars trailing off to the NNW and a few stars scattered to the east. The main string is oriented roughly N-S and bends towards the east on the north side.  The cluster includes some doubles and triples with a nice mag 10.5 star pair at 15" and a distinctive triple on the south end of the lane.

NGC 4609 is situtated just 7' NW of mag 5.3 BZ Crucis = HD 110432.  This star is located 1.8° E of Acrux, and is the only easy naked-eye star within the Coal Sack!  The cluster resides behind the Coal Sack and is dimmed accordingly.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): faint, small glow attached to a bright star (BZ Crucis).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4609 = D 272 = h3407 on 12 May 1826.  He reported "a group of five stars of the 8th or 9th magnitude, with a great number of extremely small stars resembling faint nebulae.  3' or 4' diameter."  His handwritten notes also mention "north of a star of the 7th mag and preceding it by 25" in RA."

On 8 Mar 1837 (sweep 778), John Herschel called it a "Cluster class VII. Stars 11..13th mag; about 6' long and 4' broad; has 10 stars 11th mag, and some 20 or 30 smaller. It occurs in the midst of the black space following Alpha Crucis, which is by no means void of stars."  Melotte noted "A few stars only. Not considered a cluster." (1915).  This was based on the Franklin-Adams Charts.
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NGC 4610 = NGC 4470 = UGC 7627 = MCG +01-32-082 = CGCG 042-132 = PGC 41189
12 29 37.9  +07 49 25; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4470.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4610 = H. II-19 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 105). He recorded "South of and at rectangles to the great Nebula [M61] and the small star near it, is a nebula incomparably more faint.  My field [15' dia] takes them both in together."

Dreyer notes in the 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues that "there is no nebula in the place of GC 3147 [NGC 4610]" (Ann Harvard Coll Obs, xiii p 81 and Max Wolf, List II) and that M49 is most probably H. I-7 (assumed by Herschel to be M61).  Dreyer further comments that M49 has a smaller nebula [H. II-498 = NGC 4470] 9 sec of RA west, 10.5' south and the sketch perfectly agrees with M49, the star following it and NGC 4470 (found by Herschel on 28 Dec 1785).  So, NGC 4610 = NGC 4470.
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NGC 4611 = IC 805 = UGC 7849 = MCG +02-32-179 = CGCG 070-218 = PGC 42564
12 41 25.4  +13 43 46; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 126°

18" (5/28/06): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2.5:1 or 3:1 NW-SE, nearly 0.6'x0.2', low surface brightness, no concentration.  Forms the southern vertex of a triangle with two mag 12 stars 2.7' NNW and 3.3' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4611 = St. 12-49 on 27 Apr 1878.  His published position (list 12, #49) as reduced on 17 May 1881 with description "eeF; S; lE SE to NW; between 2 vF stars."

Stephan's list was published in 1883 but when Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 20 Apr 1889 he reported it as new in his 8th list, #65 (later IC 805).  His description reads, "vF; pL; R; 2 pB stars n and nf."  His position was 8 seconds of RA too far west, but close enough that I'm surprised neither Swift nor Dreyer noticed the equivalence.  Dorothy Carlson and Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 equate NGC 4611= IC 805 although UGC, MCG, CGCG, PGC and HyperLeda only applied the NGC 4611 designation.
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NGC 4612 = UGC 7850 = MCG +01-32-134 = CGCG 042-205 = PGC 42574
12 41 32.7  +07 18 53; Vir
V = 10.9;  Size 2.5'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 145°

17.5" (4/21/90): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a very bright compact core.  Located at the SW end of a string of five bright stars mag 9-10.5 including a mag 10.5 star just 1.0' E.  The NE end is this string is a double star 10.5/12 at 20".  NGC 4623 lies 25' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4612 = H. II-148 = H. II-20 = h1384 on 23 Jan 1784 (problematic sweep 105).  Sometime after viewing "a beautiful nebula", which turns out to be M49 (see NGC 4472 for more), Herschel recorded a "very faint" nebula that was catalogued as H. II-20.  There is nothing at Caroline's reduced position, but the four nebulae found on this early sweep had very poor positions, which Wolfgang Steinicke suggests was due to his sidereal clock failing.

On 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) he rediscovered the galaxy again and logged H. II-148 as "not F, R, bM and growing fainter by slow degrees."  His offset from 31 Vir was accurate.  Another observation was made on 1 May 1786 (sweep 560): "preceding the most south of a row of stars.  cB, pL, much brighter in the middle."   He or Caroline identified it correctly as H. II-20 -- perhaps based on a telescopic sketch, which shows the chain of nearby stars leading to NGC 4612.  As a result, the general discovery number #320 was crossed out in Caroline's sweep records.  John Herschel decided, though, that H. II-20 and H. II-148 were possibly different objects because of the discrepancy in positions and assigned two GC designations.  But Dreyer realized their equivalence based on the sketch and combined the two H-designations in the NGC.  He commented that a sketch of H. II-20 "agrees perfectly with the the description of H. II-148 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 498) "preceding a row of considerable stars and near the south of them, making a triangle."
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NGC 4613 = KTG 45A = Holm 439c = MCG +04-30-011 = CGCG 129-016 = Mrk 780 = WBL 419-002 = PGC 42570
12 41 28.9  +26 05 19; Com
V = 14.6;  Size 0.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9

24" (6/1/13): faintest in a trio (KTG 45).  At 282x appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter.  NGC 4615 lies 2.1' SE and NGC 4614 is 2.8' SSE.

17.5" (4/6/91): extremely faint, very small, round, weak concentration.  Located 2.5' NNW of NGC 4614.  Faintest of a trio.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4613, along with NGC 4614 and NGC 4615, on 9 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is exactly 1' south of PGC 42570.
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NGC 4614 = KTG 45B = Holm 439b = UGC 7851 = MCG +04-30-012 = CGCG 129-015 = WAS 60 = WBL 419-001 = PGC 42573
12 41 31.5  +26 02 34; Com
V = 13.3;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 175°

24" (6/1/13): brightest in a triplet (KTG 45) with NGC 4615 2.2' NE and NGC 4613 2.8' NNW.  At 282x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, well concentrated with a very bright core, overall fairly high surface brightness. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.8' W.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is 1.9' WNW.  Second brightest in a group with NGC 4615 2.5' NE and NGC 4613 2.5' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4614 = Sf. 11, along with NGC 4613 and NGC 4615, on 9 May 1864.  His position (measured on two nights) matches UGC 7851 = PGC 42573.  He also measured the mag 11 star as 8 sec of time west and 23" north.  Truman Safford independently discovered NGC 4614, as well as NGC 4615, on 11 May 1866.
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NGC 4615 = Arp 34 = KTG 45C = Holm 439a = UGC 7852 = MCG +04-30-013 = CGCG 129-018 = WBL 419-003 = PGC 42584
12 41 37.3  +26 04 22; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 125°

24" (6/1/13): largest in a small triplet with NGC 4613 2.1' NW and NGC 4614 2.2' SW.  Fairly faint to moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.5', weak concentration.  This is a nice little trio forming a small isosceles triangle with NGC 4615 at the eastern vertex.  NGC 4615 is in Arp's category of "Integral Sign" galaxies.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness.  Third and largest of three with NGC 4614 2.5' SW and NGC 4613 2' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4615 = Sf. 12, along with NGC 4613 and NGC 4614, on 9 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured on two nights) matches UGC 7852.  Truman Safford independently discovered NGC 4615, as well as NGC 4614, on 11 May 1866.
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NGC 4616 = ESO 322-056 = MCG -07-26-030 = LGG 305-003 = PGC 42662
12 42 16.4  -40 38 31; Cen
V = 13.4;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this member of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526) appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, broad and weak concentration, perhaps an extremely faint halo.  Located just 42" SW of a mag 12 star and 7' NW of NGC 4622.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4616 = h3408 on 5 Jun 1834, along with NGC 4622, and recorded "eF; vS; R; sp a star at the edge.  His position is 1.7' south of ESO 322-056 = PGC 42662.  Brightest in a group surrounding the Centaurus cluster (in the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster).

Using the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 6 Apr 1885, Pietro Baracchi described NGC 4616 as "pB; pS; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; diam about 30"."
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NGC 4617 = UGC 7847 = MCG +09-21-028 = CGCG 270-013 = PGC 42530
12 41 05.8  +50 23 36; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 3.0'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 179°

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 1.5'x0.4', weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is close south.  Located 2.7' SW of mag 9.3 SAO 28477.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4617 = H. II-744 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816).  He noted "very faint, small."  A second observation was made on 26 Apr 1788 (sweep 929): "Faint, small, irregular figure, easily resolvable."   Although the final 2000th object in Herschel's second catalogue was discovered on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889), later sweeps up to 929 were included in the total observations and the summary description as the catalogue was being prepared.  So, II.744 shows two observations.
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NGC 4618 = Arp 23 = VV 73 = Holm 438a = UGC 7853 = MCG +07-26-037 = CGCG 216-017 = IC 3667 = PGC 42575
12 41 32.5  +41 09 02; CVn
V = 10.8;  Size 4.2'x3.4';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 25°

48" (4/7/13 and 4/19/17): fascinating one-armed asymmetric spiral (Arp 23).  At 488x the core region is offset to the north side and appeared extremely bright, irregular, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.6'x1.0'.  A prominent, thick, knotty arm is attached on the NE end and sweeps counterclockwise to the south and then west.  It includes a small, round knot 0.8' due east of center.  IC 3669 is a brighter arc or section of the arm, about 1' SE of the core.  IC 3668 appears as a bright, elongated HII region(s) at the south end of the arm (1.7' south of center), ~20"x10".  The arm continues to rotate towards the north on the west side of the galaxy, but this feature has a very low surface brightness and ends roughly west of the core.  Only a faint, diffuse glow with no structure was seen to north of the core.  The total size of the galaxy extended 3.5'x2.5'.  NGC 4618 forms a pair with NGC 4625 8.3' NNE.  Interestingly, both galaxies have single prominent arms, though the arm in NGC 4625 was more subtle visually.   Member of the CVn II Group, with brightest member M106.

18" (5/15/10): This is a very unusual, asymmetric Arp galaxy with a single massive arm (similar to NGC 4027).  At 220x it appeared bright, fairly large, obviously irregular, with a slightly elongated main body ~2'x1.5', extended 4:3 SW-NE.  Within the main portion of the galaxy a brighter, elongated bar was visible, roughly 1.5'x0.5'.  The central bar, though, is displaced to the NW side of entire glow as extending mostly to the south side is a faint, beefy arm that often appears detached and barely connected on the east end of the central region.  This broad arm winds counterclockwise from east to south roughly 100° with IC 3668, the brightest region or knot near the south end of the arm, ~1.8' from the center of the bar.  This single arm increases the overall size to ~3'x2'.  IC 3369 refers to the brighter SE portion of the spiral arm.

13.1" (4/12/86): moderately bright, fairly large, faint elongated halo with large brighter core which appears displaced towards the north.  This is an unusual one-armed spiral galaxy with a more extensive halo on the south side.  Forms a pair with NGC 4625 8.3' NNE.  IC 3668 is a knot in the southern arm.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4618 = H. I-178 = H. I-179 = h1385 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725).  Interestingly he recorded it as double and assigned two catalog designations: "Two. The most north considerably or very bright.  The most south pretty bright.  Their nebulosities run into each other; the most north very much brighter in the middle."  The southern object might be IC 3668, the HII complex on the south end of the galaxy, but more likely it refers to the halo on the south side.  John Herschel also called this galaxy double (probably following his father).  On 12 Apr 1830 he logged, "Double; a bright, large nebula, gradually brighter middle, with a faint one attached, 70° sf, so as to run together into one; moonlight."

Two bright knots in the southern portion were noted during several observations at Birr Castle.  Assistant R.J. Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 27 Mar 1856 (Plate 28, Fig. 25 in the 1861 monograph) and clearly revealed the entire southern spiral arm: "The faint branch [spiral arm] to the left extends round as far as the preceding extremity of the bright branch [central bar]. "

Max Wolf found this galaxy in 1903 on a Heidelberg plate and catalogued it as the first object in his 6th discovery list (later IC 3667), although his position matches the NGC.  IC 3668 and IC 3669 refer to bright knots or parts of the southern arm (probably observed at Birr Castle).
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NGC 4619 = UGC 7856 = MCG +06-28-018 = CGCG 188-014 = PGC 42594
12 41 44.4  +35 03 46; CVn
V = 12.7;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broadly concentrated halo, fainter halo.  Located 1.9' WNW of mag 8.6 SAO 63141.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4619 = H. II-411 = h1388 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "pF, S, R, just preceding a cB star."  John Herschel made three observations and described this galaxy as "eF", "F" and "pB".
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NGC 4620 = UGC 7859 = MCG +02-32-182 = CGCG 070-223 = LGG 292-023 = PGC 42619
12 41 59.3  +12 56 34; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 1.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 40°

18" (4/10/04): moderately bright, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration to the center with a small slightly brighter core.  Forms the NW vertex of an obtuse triangle with two mag 11 stars 4.7' ENE and 5.3' SSW.

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4620 = h1387 on 29 Mar 1830 and logged "vF; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; 15"."  His position matches UGC 7859 = PGC 42619.
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NGC 4621 = M59 = UGC 7858 = MCG +02-32-183 = CGCG 070-223 = PGC 42628
12 42 02.4  +11 38 48; Vir
V = 9.6;  Size 5.4'x3.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 165°

48" (4/19/17): at 697x; extremely bright, very large, oval nearly 3:2 NNW-SSE.  Contains a very bright elongated core and an intensely luminous nucleus.

UCD 3, the brightest ultra-compact dwarf in M59 (considered the remnant nucleus of a recently accreted galaxy) was easily visible continuously as a mag 16.4 "star 2.2' E of the center of M59.  It forms a pair with a slightly fainter mag 16.5-17 star 20" NW.  This object was announced in 2015 as the densest known galaxy!

UCD 1, located just 1.4' SW of the center of M59, appeared as a very faint, possibly "soft" star, just visible continuously with averted vision.  It forms a wide pair with a slightly brighter mag 16.5 star 0.5' NW.

IC 809 = IC 3672, 6.6' NNE of M59, appeared moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 5:4 NW-SE, contains a large brighter core but no nucleus, and a low surface brightness outer halo ~50"x40".  A mag 10.9 star is 1.2' SSW.

24" (5/22/17): at 200x and 375x; extremely bright, very large, oval 4:3 or 3:2 NNW-SSE.  Strongly concentrated with a very bright roundish core and an intensely bright quasi-stellar nucleus.  The core/nucleus is within a brighter central region, but then the surface brightness drops sharply with a very low surface brightness outer halo that extends 3.5'x2.5' NNW-SSE.  A mag 12 star is at the north edge of the halo.  IC 809 = IC 3672 lies 6.5' NNE, just north of an 11th magnitude star. 

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, 3'x2', small very bright core, stellar nucleus.  A mag 15 star is at the SW edge and a brighter mag 13 star is off the north end 1.9' from center.  The NGC 4606/NGC 4607 pair lies 20' NW. 

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, slightly elongated N-S, bright core. M60 lies 25' E and NGC 4606/4607 is 20' NW.

German observer Johann Gottfried Koehler discovered M59 = NGC 4621 = h1386, along with M60, on 11 Apr 1779.  It was independently found by Charles Messier 4 nights later.  On 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199), William Herschel recorded "pB, R, not S, much brighter middle."  John Herschel made 3 observations and logged on 4 Apr 1831 (sweep 338), "vB; S; little extended; very small & very much brighter middle; 2' l, 1 1/2' br."
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NGC 4622 = ESO 322-057 = MCG -07-26-031 = LGG 305-004 = PGC 42701
12 42 37.6  -40 44 39; Cen
V = 12.2;  Size 1.7'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.2

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526) appeared bright, fairly large, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, halo extends to 1.5'.  NGC 4616 lies 7' NW and NGC 4603D is a similar distance SW (both viewed).

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, round, low fairly even surface brightness.  Located within the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526) with NGC 4622A/B 14' ENE.  Forms a trio with NGC 4616 7.3' NNW and NGC 4603D 7.3' SW (not seen on this observation).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4622 = h3409, along with NGC 4616, on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "pF; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 15".  The following of 2."  His position matches ESO 322-057 = PGC 42701.

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 19 Mar 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and discovered 6 other members of the cluster.  He described NGC 4622 as "pF, S, R, gradually pretty much brighter middle, diameter 50", indefinite edge." and labeled it as (1) in his logbook descriptions and sketch.
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NGC 4623 = UGC 7862 = MCG +01-32-135 = CGCG 042-207 = PGC 42647
12 42 10.6  +07 40 36; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 2.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 176°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 N-S, small bright core.  NGC 4612 lies 25' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4623 = H. II-149 = h1389 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "vF, irregular nebula."  His position is 4.5' too far south.  John Herschel called this galaxy "pB; E; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4624 = NGC 4665 = NGC 4664 = UGC 7924 = MCG +01-33-005 = CGCG 043-018 = PGC 42734
12 45 06.1  +03 03 21; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4665.  Uncertain identification.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4624 = h1390 on 9 Apr 1828 and noted"B, E. RA ill observed." and placed at 12 42 15.7 +03 03 32 (2000).  There is nothing near his position, though his description states this is a bright nebula.  Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey, notes "not found; NGC 4624 = NGC 4636?"  NGC 4636 is 24' southeast of Herschel's position , but certainly fits the description and was not seen on the same sweep that NGC 4624 was observed.  Harold Corwin notes "During the same sweep, he made a one-degree error in the polar distance for NGC 4636, an error that he himself suggested, and that Dreyer finally rectified for the NGC. Thus, NGC 4624 cannot be NGC 4636 as suggested by Reinmuth and adopted by RNGC."  NGC 4600 is 2.0 min of RA west of Herschel's position, though probably would not be described as "bright" (WH called it "faint").

Harold Corwin concludes "[NGC 4624] is most likely NGC 4665 [nearly 3 min of RA east of Herschel's position] which Herschel described as "B, pL" in two other sweeps.  This, and the appearance of the bright bar of the galaxy, matches his terse description for NGC 4624, "B, E."  In addition, his declination is correct for all three observations. There is a faint possibility that NGC 4624 is NGC 4600, but Herschel's two observations of that make it "F, S" in contrast to his note on NGC 4624.  In addition, the declination of NGC 4600 is off Herschel's measured dec for NGC 4624."
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NGC 4625 = IC 3675 = Holm 438b = UGC 7861 = MCG +07-26-038 = CGCG 216-018 = PGC 42607
12 41 52.7  +41 16 26; CVn
V = 12.3;  Size 2.2'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.8

48" (4/7/13): at 488x, this companion to NGC 4618 appeared bright, fairly large,~1.3' diameter, bright core that is offset to the north side.  With careful viewing a low contrast spiral arm is visible along the south side of the halo with a darker gap between the arm and the south side of the core.  Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, brighter core.  Forms a pair with NGC 4618 8.3' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4625 = H. II-660 = h1392 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, pL, R, much brighter in the middle."  R.J. Mitchell, observing at Birr Castle on 10 Apr 1855, recorded "...the brightest part [core] seems excentric, being nearer the nf edge.  From this I suspect a branch [spiral arm] round n to sp." A sketch (figure 25 in the 1861 publication) clearly shows the spiral arm as a ring with the core embedded on the northeast side.  

Max Wolf found this galaxy in 1903 on a Heidelberg plate and assumed it was new.  Although the NGC position is accurate, Dreyer recatalogued NGC 4618 as IC 3675.
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NGC 4626 = MCG -01-32-040 = Holm 441b = PGC 42680
12 42 25.3  -07 02 39; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 35°

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' SSE.  Forms a similar pair (size, elongation and position angle) with NGC 4628 5' N but has an almost even and lower surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4626 = H. II-772 = h1393 = h3410, along with NGC 4628, on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) and noted "F, S, E."  John Herschel made a single observation from the Cape of the Good Hope and logged "vF; little extended; gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 4627 = Arp 281 NED1 = UGC 7860 = MCG +06-28-019 = CGCG 188-015 = Holm 442b = PGC 42620 = The Pup
12 41 59.7  +32 34 26; CVn
V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x1.8';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 10°

13.1" (5/27/84): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE.  Located 2.6' NW of the center of the remarkable galaxy NGC 4631 and is completely overshadowed by its beauty.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4627 = H. II-659 = h1391, along with NGC 4631 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722).  He logged "faint, small, round, just north preceding the large following one [NGC 4631]."
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NGC 4628 = MCG -01-32-041 = Mrk 1333 = Holm 441a = PGC 42681
12 42 25.3  -06 58 17; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 46°

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.4', even concentration down to a small bright core.  Two mag 11 stars are just 1.5' N and 1.5' NE and two mag 10 stars are in the field 7' E and 7' ESE.  This galaxy is the slightly brighter of a pair of very similar very elongated systems with NGC 4626 4.4' S.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4628 = H. II-773 = h1394 = h3411, along with NGC 4626, on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) and noted "F, S, E."  John Herschel made a single observation from the Cape of the Good Hope and logged "vF; R or little extended; gradually little brighter middle."
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NGC 4629 = UGC 7869 = MCG +00-32-037 = CGCG 014-109 = PGC 42692
12 42 32.7  -01 21 04; Vir
V = 13.6;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 80°

17.5" (5/22/93): faint, round, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness, weak concentration, diffuse halo.  Forms a pair with UGC 7883 10' NE.  Gamma Virgo = Porrima is just out of the field 15' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4629 on 19 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  There is nothing at his position (measured only this night).

Reinmuth describes NGC 4629 as a pair of mag 14 stars at 0.7' distance.  These two stars are 4' due south of d'Arrst's position, and a plausible candidate, though I would think would be too easily resolved.  RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and NGC 4629 is not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Sky Atlas.  Harold Corwin identifies NGC 4629 = UGC 7869 = PGC 42692, located 27' due north of d'Arrest's position.  UGC, MCG and CGCG do not identify this galaxy as NGC 4629, although NED, HyperLeda and the NGC/IC Project use this identification.
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NGC 4630 = UGC 7871 = MCG +01-32-136 = CGCG 042-208 = CGCG 043-001 = PGC 42688
12 42 31.2  +03 57 30; Vir
V = 12.7;  Size 1.8'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 10°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, brighter core, oval ~N-S.  CGCG 043-003 lies 18' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4630 = H. II-532 = h1395 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "vF, S, little brighter in the middle."  His position is at the northwest edge of UGC 7871.  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; vS; R."
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NGC 4631 = Arp 281 NED2 = UGC 7865 = MCG +06-28-020 = CGCG 188-016 = Holm 442a = PGC 42637 = The Whale Galaxy
12 42 06.5  +32 32 24; CVn
V = 9.2;  Size 15.5'x2.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 86°

48" (4/16/15): Although I've viewed NGC 4631 a few times previously in the 48-inch, it was difficult to take notes as the amount of structure was overwhelming.  At 375x (13mm Ethos, 16' field), the galaxy stretched across nearly the entire field and consisted of numerous bright luminous patches and irregular dark patches. The overall shape is asymmetric; gradually tapering down to nearly a point on the west end, bulging in the center and broader along the eastern side, only narrowing significantly near the very tip.

A mag 13.5-14 star is just north of the western tip.  A relatively bright knot, [CM69] 7/8, lies 0.6' SE of this star. Several obvious bright knots and splotchy regions line the western side of galaxy: [CM69] 19 is 1.5' ESE of the star, [CM69] 23 is 2.2' ESE of the star, and a faint patch is 2.7' ESE. [CM69] 34, a prominent region, is 2.2' WSW of a mag 12.5 star situated at the north central edge of the galaxy.

Although NGC 4631 doesn't have an obvious core, several bright patches are near the center.  A luminous patch is 1' S of the mag 12.5 star and a very bright patch [CM69] 65-67 is 1.5' ESE of the star.  Additional knots or patches are lined up on the east side, mostly along the northern edge of the galaxy.  A large patch is 2.5' ESE of the mag 12.5 star and [CM69] 81 is a smaller HII knot 3.6' ESE of the star. The galaxy bulges out (star association or arm?) on the south side near the eastern end and contains [HK83] 21/22.  The dusty eastern tip of the galaxy has a very faint HII knot [CM69] 88.

17.5" (6/5/99): at 280x (14' field) this remarkable galaxy runs edge to edge across the field!  The surface brightness is unusually irregular with bright and dark mottling across the surface.  There is no well-defined core but a prominent knot is close following (east) the geometric center along the north side and a second weaker knot is along the west side.  The north edge has an unusually "scalloped" appearance particularly along the west side due to dust and brighter splotches.  The galaxy gradually bulges towards the center and tapers at the tips, particularly along the west end.  A mag 13 star is situated just north of the edge at the geometric center and NGC 4627 appears to hover over this "starship" a couple of arc miinutes northwest of center.

13.1" (many dates from 5/27/84 to 4/12/86): stunning galaxy, very bright, unusually large and interesting edge-on E-W, 15'x1.5'.  A bright knot is east of the core and a faint knot is west of core.  Appears very mottled along the major axis.  A mag 13 star is just north of the core.  NGC 4627, a companion galaxy, lies 2.6' NW of the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4631 = H. V-42 = h1397, along with NGC 4627, on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722). He recorded "very bright, much extended from sp to nf, but near the parallel.  About 16' long and much brighter middle.  A little below the center of it is a small star, but probably unconnected."  Two minutes later he discovered the "Hockey Stick" pair, NGC 4656 and 4657.

John Herschel made two observations and called it (sweep 74) "vmE; a long ray which crosses the whole field, rather curved upwards (to south).  Has a vF nucleus and a B * nearly in the parallel."  His sketch of the pair is on plate XV, figure 76 of the Slough Observations.

Three observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 26 Mar 1848, assistant William Rambaut wrote, "A most extraordinary object with a B * near the centre, and at the right [north] masses of light appear through it in knots."  George Johnstone Stoney made a detailed sketch on 19 Apr 1849 (fig. 9, 1850 Rosse paper). William Lassell sketched the galaxy on 27 May 1862 from Malta (plate V, figure 24) and included a knot on the west side, the bright region east of center, and a third knot towards the east end.  To determine a position, Kobold measured two of the knots/star clouds - one on the west side (#63/64) and the bright region east of the geometric center (#33-36).
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NGC 4632 = UGC 7870 = MCG +00-32-038 = CGCG 014-110 = LGG 299-001 = PGC 42689
12 42 32.1  -00 04 57; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 3.1'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 63°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, mildly concentrated.  Member of the NGC 4666 group (

William Herschel discovered NGC 4632 = H. I-14 = h1396 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "not cometic, seems to be resolvable and much like the foregoing [NGC 4592].  John Herschel made a single observation under poor conditions, but his position was accurate.
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NGC 4633 = IC 3688 = UGC 7874 = MCG +03-32-085 = CGCG 099-111 = CGCG 100-001 = Holm 445b = PGC 42699
12 42 37.2  +14 21 31; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 30°

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2x0.8, no central concentration, halo fades into background.  A mag 13 star is just off the NW edge of halo 0.8' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4634 3.8' SSE.

Édouard Stephan descovered NGC 4633 = Sw. 6-46 on 26 Apr 1878 during an observation of NGC 4634.  Apparently he never measured a precise position as the discovery wasn't published. Both Herschels missed this galaxy, although both observed nearby NGC 4634.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 16 year-old son, rediscovered NGC 4633 on 27 Apr 1887 and reported it as new in his 6th discovery list (#46) with description, "eeF; pS; R; F star close preceding.; [NGC 4634] nr preceding."  The description should read "F star close following".

Arnold Schwassmann found this galaxy again on a plate taken with the 6" astrograph at Heidelberg at the turn of the century and assumed Sn. 295 (later IC 3688) was new, possibly due to the discrepancy in RA, or not checking the NGC carefully. All modern sources equate NGC 4633 = IC 3688.
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NGC 4634 = UGC 7875 = MCG +03-32-086 = CGCG 099-112 = CGCG 100-002 = Holm 445a = PGC 42707
12 42 41.0  +14 17 46; Com
V = 12.4;  Size 2.6'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 156°

17.5" (5/22/93): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x0.7', weak concentration.  Forms a pair with NGC 4633 3.8' NNW.  This galaxy is fairly striking.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4634 = H. III-603 = h1398 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and recorded "vF, about 2 1/2' long, from np to sf."  His position and description matches UGC 7874, though both Herschel's missed nearby NGC 4633.
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NGC 4635 = UGC 7876 = MCG +03-32-087 = CGCG 099-113 = CGCG 100-003 = PGC 42704
12 42 39.1  +19 56 44; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 170°

17.5" (5/22/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 1.6'x1.2', broad weak concentration.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4635 = h1400 on 17 Mar 1831 and logged "eF L; bM; 3' diam."  The comment "an over-estimation" was later added. His mean position (2 observations) matches UGC 7876 = PGC 42704.
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NGC 4636 = UGC 7878 = MCG +01-32-137 = CGCG 043-002 = PGC 42734
12 42 49.6  +02 41 18; Vir
V = 9.5;  Size 6.0'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 150°

24" (2/24/20): at 200x; I took a quick look at this galaxy to observe SN 2020ue, a type Ia supernova discovered on 12 Jan '20.  It was very easy to identify as roughly 14th magnitude.

17.5" (3/24/90): very bright, large, slightly elongated NW-SE, very bright core, substellar nucleus, extensive halo appears mottled.  Located between two mag 12/13 stars 3.4' NNW and 3.1' S, respectively.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4636 = H. II-38 = h1399 = h1401 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "pB, pL.  It seems to be of the resolvable kind, and is of an irregular shape."  John Herschel measured two good positions under h1399, logging "B; L; R; very gradually very much brighter in the middle, but not to a nucleus." in sweep 238.  But on sweep 142, he listed it again as h1401, a possible "Nova", this time with a 1° error in declination (too far north).
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NGC 4637 = UGC 7881 = MCG +02-32-188 = CGCG 071-007 = PGC 42744
12 42 54.1  +11 26 16; Vir
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.5';  PA = 97°

24" (5/25/14): NGC 4637 is the eastern companion of NGC 4638, just 1.6' E of its center.  At 225x it appeared extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~25"x10". Required averted vision and I could only hold it for fairly brief intervals.  The identification of this number is uncertain and it may be a duplicate of NGC 4647 instead.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 4637 on 1 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72" and recorded a "Double nebula [including II-70 = NGC 4638], faint nebulosity connects them."  No comment was made on the relative brightnesses or orientation and there were no further observations at Birr Castle or by any others.  RNGC identifies NGC 4637 with an extremely faint spindle-shaped galaxy just following NGC 4638. Although this is identification is reasonable (repeated by Carlson), the RNGC magnitude of 12.0 is greatly in error and the identifications of NGC 4637/4638 are reversed in MCG.

But Dreyer comments in the NGC notes "It is very possible that the Birr observer mistook M60 and III 44 [NGC 4647] for h1402 and a nova." In his photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel", Karl Reinmuth notes "not found, = NGC 4647?"  Adelaide Ames also states "not found" in the Virgo-Coma Survey at Harvard College Observatory, Vol 88, No 1.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for further analysis but the identification of NGC 4637 is uncertain - either applying to the faint companion of NGC 4638 or the companion of M60.
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NGC 4638 = NGC 4667 = UGC 7880 = MCG +02-32-187 = CGCG 070-230 = CGCG 071-006 = PGC 42728
12 42 47.4  +11 26 32; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 125°

24" (5/25/14): very bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', sharply concentrated with a very bright, very elongated core (bar or edge-on S0?) and a much fainter oval halo.  NGC 4637, an extremely faint companion, is 1.6' E of center.

17.5" (4/25/87): moderately bright, very elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, fairly small, bright core, substellar nucleus.  Located between M59 and M60.

13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, small, bright core, elongated.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4638 = H. II-70 = H. II-176 = h1402 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and simply noted "a nebula."  His position was 5' too far south, but fairly close in RA.  On 11 Apr 1825 (early sweep 3), John Herschel recorded, "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle."  His position was 2' too far south.  NGC 4667, found again on 23 Mar 1830, is a duplicate observation (see notes on that number).

MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 4637 and 4638 (see NGC 4637 for more).
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NGC 4639 = UGC 7884 = MCG +02-32-189 = CGCG 070-2310 = CGCG 071-008 = PGC 42741
12 42 52.3  +13 15 26; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 2.8'x1.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 123°

17.5" (4/13/02): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.5'x1.0', broad concentration to a larger, brighter core.  The core increases sharply to a small bright nucleus.  A mag 12.5 star is close following just 1.0' from center.

17.5" (4/21/90): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.6'x1.0', faint stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star is just off the SE side 1.0' from the center.  NGC 4654 lies 17' SE and NGC 4659 is 28' NE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4639 = H. II-125 = h1403 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and noted "not vF; S; r."  His position was 3.7' too far north. John Herschel's description reads, "B; E; has a * 12m sf; 1' dist."

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 22 Apr 1854, recorded "a remarkable object.  Spiral?  Suspected a twist to the left at the preceding end."  Five nights later he logged "saw tonight the curve in p part previously remarked."
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NGC 4640 = UGC 7888 = MCG +02-32-190 = CGCG 071-009 = Holm 446a = PGC 42753
12 42 57.8  +12 17 12; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 45°

18" (4/29/06): very faint, moderately large, elongated ~3:2 ~E-W, 0.9'x0.6', low even surface brightness.  Located 3.4' NE of a mag 10.5-11 star.  NGC 4641 lies 14' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4640 = Sw. 6-47, along with NGC 4641, on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF; pL; little extended; * nr p; np of 2 [with NGC 4641]." His position is just 30" south of UGC 7888, although the nearest star he might have picked up is 1.5' due south (a brighter one is 3.4' southwest).
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NGC 4641 = UGC 7889 = MCG +02-32-191 = CGCG 071-011 = PGC 42769
12 43 07.6  +12 03 03; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

17.5" (4/13/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness, 0.6'x0.45'.  Located 1' NW of a mag 12.5 star.  The declination in the RNGC is one degree too far south.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4641 = Sw. 6-48, along with NGC 4640, on 17 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF; pL; R; F * nr f; sf of 2 [with NGC 4640]."  His position is 5 sec of RA west of UGC 7889 and the star he mentions is 1' southeast.

The RNGC declination is exactly 1 degree too far south.  Furthermore, this error is repeated in NGC 2000.0 and the galaxy is misplotted on the first edition of Uranometria 2000 Sky Atlas.  UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 all give the correct declination.  Listed in my RNGC Corrections list #2.
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NGC 4642 = UGC 7893 = MCG +00-33-004 = CGCG 015-007 = PGC 42791
12 43 17.7  -00 38 40; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 37°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, elongated SSW-NNE, fairly small.  A mag 15 star is involved at the NE end.  Forms a pair with NGC 4653 10' NE near the edge of the 220x field.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4642 = H. III-494 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 507) and noted "eF, vS."  Caroline's reduction is 1' south of UGC 7893.
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NGC 4643 = UGC 7895 = MCG +00-33-005 = CGCG 015-008 = PRC D-22 = PGC 42797
12 43 20.2  +01 58 41; Vir
V = 10.8;  Size 3.1'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

17.5" (3/24/90): fairly bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE, prominent core.  Three mag 11-14 stars lie northwest, the closest is a mag 11.5 star 2.4' NW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4643 = H. I-10 = h1404 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 121) and noted "pB, S."  His summary description from 4 observations is "vB, pL, little extended, gradually much brighter middle, 2' l, 1 1/2' br."  John Herschel called it "B; S; little extended; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4644 = UGC 7887 = MCG +09-21-030 = CGCG 270-014 = Holm 447a = LGG 300-001 = PGC 42708
12 42 42.6  +55 08 43; UMa
V = 13.9;  Size 1.6'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 53°

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3'.  Contains a bright elongated core.  NGC 4644 is the northernmost in a group of galaxies (LGG 300) including NGC 4669, 4675, 4686, 4695 and UGC 7905 (double).

NGC 4644 is the western component of a close pair with much fainter NGC 4644B = MCG +09-21-032 1.4' E.  The companion appeared very faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 30"x10".  Despite a low surface brightness, it was easier than I expected based on the SDSS magnitudes (V ~15.0).

18" (6/28/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core.  Forms the north vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 12 star 6' SW and 6' ESE.  First in a group of 6 NGC galaxies (LGG 300) with 4 on a line stretching from NGC 4644/4669/4675/4686.  A very faint edge-on (NGC 4644B = PGC 42725) just 1.7' following was not noticed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4644 = H. II-794.1 = h1406 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921). He noted "faint, small."  His re-reduced position (with respect to Epsilon UMa) is 2' too far west (12 sec of time).  John Herschel recorded "eF; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"."  His position matches UGC 7887, although he thought it was a new discovery.  H. II-794.1 refers to NGC 4646.  See that number.

On 25 Apr 1878, Dreyer observed the field from Birr Castle, and described "3177 [NGC 4644] is eF, vS, E sp nf, small companion or star 3/4' f."  The "small companion or star" is the nucleus of NGC 4644B = PGC 42725, which did not receive a NGC designation.  See notes for NGC 4646 for more on this observation.
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NGC 4645 = ESO 322-066 = MCG -07-26-037 = PGC 42879
12 44 09.9  -41 45 01; Cen
V = 11.8;  Size 2.2'x1.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 52°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharp concentration.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4645 = h3412 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "pB; S; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12".".  His position is ~2' west of ESO 322-066, the only nearby galaxy.

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 8 and 9 Apr 1885 and logged a new nebula that preceded by 38 seconds and 40" to the south, but at this offset is a faint double star.
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NGC 4646 = UGC 7892 = MCG +09-21-031 = CGCG 270-015 = PGC 42740
12 42 52.1  +54 51 21; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.4;  PA = 18°

24" (5/30/16): at 225x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE,  0.6'x0.3', bright irregular core seems knotty.  A mag 14.8 star is very close to the northeast edge.  Four collinear mag 13-14.5 stars extending to the northwest begins 2.5' W.

UGC 7905, a disturbed, interacting system with tidal tails extending from both galaxies, lies 8.5' ENE.  The pair is oriented SSW to NNE with centers separated by 35".  At 225x, the southwest member (Mrk 220) appeared fairly faint, small, high surface brightness, roundish, 18" diameter.  The northeast component (Mrk 221) appeared faint, fairly small, 18", low surface brightness. Only the central region was seen and I missed the tidal tail extending to the north and east.

18" (6/28/03): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.25', stellar nucleus.  There appears to be a faint star at the NE tip (verified on DSS).  A striking line of four mag 13-14 stars (total length 2.8') is close NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4646 = H. II-910 = H. II-794.2 = h1407 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001) and noted "faint, small".  His position (Caroline's reduction) is within 1' of UGC 7891.  Caroline incorrectly equated the observation with H. II. 794 (later NGC 4644), which was discovered on  14 Apr 1789.  As a result, Caroline didn't assign NGC 4646 a discovery number and it wasn't included in William's catalogs.

John Herschel recorded "Has 4 vS stars south-preceding in a line."  His position matches UGC 7891, though the string of stars is north-preceding. He sorted out the confusion with his father's two observations of II-794 in preparing the GC and listed them as II-794.1 and II-794.2.  Dreyer agreed that these are different objects in his revision of William Herschel's catalogs and introduced the new designation II-910 (following the last number assigned) for the second observation.

Dreyer examined the field at Birr Castle on 25 Apr 1878.  After observing NGC 4644, he moved 20' south and described NGC 4646 as "pB, E 50°, biN (Dist. 23"), 4 st nearly in a line p and a little n, 3'-4' from neb." The second "nucleus" is a very faint star at the northeast edge of the galaxy.  Then he reported "A third nebula, biN in Pos. 16.5°, Dist 44", sp Nucl much the brighter, other one fainter and smaller, perhaps composed of st.  This nebula is in Pos 71.5°, Dist 533" from [GC] 3179 [NGC 4646]." At this separation from NGC 4646 is the double galaxy UGC 7905, which fits Dreyer's description. He assumed this nebula was [GC] 5668 = NGC 4669, so UGC 7905 did not receive a NGC designation.
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NGC 4647 = Arp 116 NED1 = VV 206b = Holm 448b = UGC 7896 = MCG +02-33-001 = CGCG 071-015 = WBL 421-001 = PGC 42816
12 43 32.5  +11 34 56; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 2.9'x2.3';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 125°

48" (4/28/22): bright, large, strong concentration with a bright core. The fairly bright 2' diameter halo is mottled or uneven in surface brightness and elongated 4:3 ~E-W. The SE edge of halo appears to be in contact with the outer halo of M60, which is centered 2.5' SE.  Type Ia supernova 2022hrs, discovered on 16 Apr and situated 35" SE of center, was blazing at mag 12.5, is 

17.5" (4/25/87): forms a close double with M60.  Located just off the NW edge 2.8' from the center of M60.  Fairly faint, pretty large diffuse halo, small brighter core.  Appears slightly smaller than M60 but clearly less concentrated.

13.1" (5/14/83): faint, moderately large, diffuse.  Forms a close pair with M60.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4647 = H. III-44 = h1405, companion to M60, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174). He recorded them together as "Two nebula, one of them [M60] vB."  John Herschel made 4 observations. NGC 4637 is possibly a reobservation of this galaxy (see that number).
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NGC 4648 = UGC 7868 = MCG +13-09-029 = CGCG 352-039 = Kaz 31 = PGC 42595
12 41 44.4  +74 25 16; Dra
V = 12.0;  Size 2.1'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 70°

18" (5/8/04): fairly bright, moderately large, strongly concentrated with a bright 30" core and a much fainter halo ~1' in diameter.  Situated within a wedge-shaped group of 8 stars.  A striking mag 8.1/10.5 pair 7' W is collinear with the galaxy (oriented E-W).  NGC 4589 lies 22' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4648 = H. I-274 = h1410 on 22 Nov 1797 (sweep 1064). He logged "considerably bright, very small, 6 or 7' following a coarse double star."  It was found on his first sweep conducted with the 18.7" in over three years.

John Herschel made 5 observations and recorded "F; S; bM".  He measured an accurate position on sweep 348.
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NGC 4649 = M60 = Arp 116 NED2 = VV 206a = Holm 448a = UGC 7898 = MCG +02-33-002 = CGCG 071-016 = WBL 421-002 = PGC 42831
12 43 39.8  +11 33 11; Vir
V = 8.8;  Size 7.4'x6.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 105°

48" (4/19/17 and 4/28/22): at 375x and 488x; M60 was extremely bright and large with a very luminous large core that increased to an intensely brilliant nucleus.  The outer halo was slightly extended E-W, ~5'x4'.  A blazing mag 12.5 supernova in NGC 4647 (SN 2022hrs) was situated 2' NW of center.

In 2017 my main target was UCD 1, the brightest ultra-compact dwarf in M60.  It appeared as a very faint, possibly "soft" star, just visible continuously with averted vision, and situated 1.4' SW of the center of M60.  The UCD forms a wide pair with a slightly brighter mag 16.5 star 0.5' NW.

CGCG 071-018 lies 6' SE of M60 and was logged as fairly faint (V = 15.5), moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.2', fairly even low surface brightness.

17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, fairly large, diffuse halo, slightly elongated ~E-W, very bright core with a bright substellar nucleus.  Forms a double system with NGC 4647 which is almost tangent to M60 barely off the NW edge. 

13.1" (5/14/83): bright, very bright nucleus, slightly elongated ~E-W.

German astronomer Johann Koehler discovered M60 and M59 on 11 Apr 1779 and noted "Two very small nebulae, hardly visible in a 3-foot telescope: The one above the other."  Koehler was tracking the comet of that year.  Italian astronomer Barnaba Oriani independently discovered M60 the next night (12 Apr 1779) at the Brera Observatory (Milan), noting "Very pale and looking exactly like the comet."  Also, Messier made an independent discovery on 15 Apr 1779 (along with M58 and M59).

William Herschel first recorded M60 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) as "Two nebula [with NGC 4647], one of them vB." John Herschel's first observation was on 11 Apr 1825 (sweep 3).  He logged, "A most curious double nebula.  The center dist 1/6 of the field or about 3'.  They join with very faint nebulosity."
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NGC 4650 = ESO 322-067 = MCG -07-26-038 = LGG 298-041 = PGC 42891
12 44 19.6  -40 43 55; Cen
V = 11.6;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 83°

48" (4/21/17): at 488x; bright, moderately large, round, sharply concentrated with an intense core surounded by a roundish, mottled halo ~1 diameter.  A mag 15 star is 0.5' SW of center at the edge of the halo and a mag 15.5 star is 0.3' NE of center in the halo.

PGC 42911, situated just 1.8' E, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 E-W, 0.6'x0.25', low surface brightness.  NGC 4650A, a well-known polar ring galaxy 5.7' ENE, appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 3:2 WSW-ESE, small brighter core.  The polar ring extensions were extremely faint and difficult, though viewed in windy conditions.

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appeared bright, fairly large, round, strong even concentration with a very bright core inceasing to a small nucleus.  A faint star is on the W side of the halo.  NGC 4650A, a famous polar-ring galaxy, lies 5.6' ENE and PGC 42911 is a mere 1.9' E of center.  The close companion appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.3', even surface brightness.

48" (5/12/12): NGC 4650A appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 WSW-ESE, 24"x16".  The polar ring was occasionally visible as faint, thin extensions oriented NNW-SSE.  Need to reobserve as viewed through thin clouds.

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core.  Appears slightly brighter than NGC 4622A 5.8' WNW.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4650 = h3413 on 26 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF; R; bM; r.  Wind violent."  He later added the note "Right reduced.  The degree of PD certainly correct."  His position is accurate, though MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 4650.

Joseph Turner observed this galaxy, along with NGC 4622, in July 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate V, figure 58) but failed to notice any of the surrounding galaxies.  He called it "small; extremely faint; center has somewhat of a stellar character; quite round; appearance of a faint halo."  Pietro Baracchi observed the surrounded field on 19 and 20 Mar 1885 with the GMT and described NGC 4650 as "pB, S, R, gsmbM, small star south-preceding near it." In addition he discovered 6 nearby galaxies; NGC 4622A, 4550A, ESO 322-075, NGC 4603A, ESO 322-047 and NGC 4603C.  He
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NGC 4651 = Arp 189 = VV 56 = UGC 7901 = MCG +03-33-001 = CGCG 100-004 = LGG 289-096 = PGC 42833
12 43 42.6  +16 23 36; Com
V = 10.8;  Size 4.0'x2.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 80°

18" (4/10/04): bright, large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W.  Well-concentrated with a very bright, elongated 1.0'x0.6' core which increases to the center.  Surrounding the core is a large, low surface brightness halo increasing the size to at least 2.5'x1.4' and perhaps 3'x2'.

13.1": fairly bright, slightly elongated, broad moderate concentration, fainter extensions ~E-W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4651 = H. II-12 = h1409 on 30 Dec 1783 (sweep 74) and recorded "vF, pL, almost R but not cometic, about 3/4 degree sp 27 Coma Ber."  Caroline's reduction is a poor match (common in his early sweeps), but his offset from 27  Com matches.  This was the last galaxy he discovered in 1783, after two months of initiating his sweeps.  John Herschel made 4 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4652 = MCG +10-18-078 = CGCG 293-035 = PGC 42802
12 43 19.7  +58 57 54; UMa
V = 14.5;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 40°

18" (5/12/07): very faint, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3', very weak concentration.  Located 5'-6' NNW of a wide pair of mag 7.9 (HD 110762) and 9.6 (HD 238153) stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4652 = h1413 on 1 May 1831 and recorded "Not vF, pL, gradually brighter in the middle.  It is almost 6' dist np two stars sts 8 and 10m".  His position is 15 sec of RA preceding CGCG 293-035 = PGC 42802, but the two bright stars are just where he placed them southeast.  Interestingly, Dreyer insisted the two stars were northwest, while observing at Birr Castle on 27 Apr 1875.
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NGC 4653 = UGC 7900 = MCG +00-33-006 = CGCG 015-009 = PGC 42847
12 43 51.0  -00 33 40; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 3.1'x2.7';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 30°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, fairly even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 2.7' SE and a mag 13 star 1.4' SE of center.  In a group with NGC 4642 10' SW, NGC 4666 20' ENE and NGC 4668 25' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4653 = H. III-662 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and recorded "vF, pL."  His position is 10 sec of RA too large.  JH did not make an observation.
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NGC 4654 = UGC 7902 = MCG +02-33-004 = CGCG 071-019 = IC 3708 = PGC 42857
12 43 56.5  +13 07 33; Vir
V = 10.5;  Size 4.9'x2.8';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 128°

17.5" (4/21/90): bright, large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, bright core, mottled.  Appears to have a dust lane along the north side.  Several bright stars are in the field including a mag 10 star 3.2' WNW, a mag 11 star 6.1' NE and a mag 12 star 2.1' N.  NGC 4639 lies 17' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4654 = H. II-126 = h1411 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and noted "pF, pL, E, r."  John Herschel recorded (sweep 192) "vF; vL; 2' l, 90" br; 3 stars near, one = 9th mag."  In sweep 245 he questioned if "it is double nebula?".

Harold Corwin identifies IC 3708, found by Schwassmann in 1900 on a plate taken by Max Wolf, as the northwestern arm of NGC 4654.
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NGC 4655 = MCG +07-26-042 = CGCG 216-021 = PGC 42823
12 43 36.5  +41 01 07; CVn
V = 13.8;  Size 1.0'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = E°

18" (3/30/05): faint, small, round, contains a very small brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star lies 0.9' E of center.  Forms a pair with IC 3713 10' NE (not looked for).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4655 = H. II-661 = h1412 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, vS, stellar.  Just p a smal star.  Not verified, but not much doubt.  His position is just 1' southeast of CGCG 216-021 = PGC 42823.
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NGC 4656 = UGC 7907a = MCG +05-30-066a = CGCG 159-065a = LGG 299-006 = PGC 42863 = Hockey Stick Galaxy = Fishhook Galaxy
12 43 58.2  +32 10 13; CVn
V = 10.5;  Size 15.1'x3.0';  Surf Br = 14.5;  PA = 33°

48" (4/23/17): this showpiece galaxy was viewed at 375x and 488x and the structure/details was very comparable to the POSS2.  The galaxy extended ~8'x1' SW-NE, though it has a much lower surface brightness on the SW end.  It is well concentrated with a very bright and large, elongated core on the south end of the brighter half, giving a very asymmetric appearance.  A bright stellar or quasi-stellar knot is at the southwest edge of the core (this is a huge star cloud on the HST image identified in SIMBAD as [BKD2008] WR 462, from a 2008 paper on Wolf-Rayet features).  A faint (17th mag?) stellar object is close east.

The low surface brightness SW portion of the galaxy was broader than the NE section.  It includes a faint, quasi-stellar knot (identified in SIMBAD as CasHII N4656a, from a 1984 Case University survey of HII regions in blue galaxies) along the western edge with a SDSS magnitude of 17.8V.

At least 4 main HII complexes are at the northeast end of the galaxy (NGC 4657), including a separate detached section.  On the southwest edge is a bright knot, ~8" diameter, catalogued in SIMBAD as CasHII N4656f and in NED as NGC 4656:[DBT2008] 85 from a 2008 paper on massive clusters.  A brighter 10" knot, identified in NED as 2MASX J12440599+3212340 (probably CasHII g), is ~20" N, also along the west edge of the NE extension.  The northeast end of the galaxy (NGC 4657) has a sharp extension to the east with a slightly brighter patch, identified in NED as 2MASX J12440844+3212340. Finally a bright, elongated patch ~30"x15" oriented NNW-SSE is detached to the east.  SIMBAD identifies this object as NGC 4657, though the NGC designation should probably apply to the entire bent NE end of the galaxy.

18" (5/14/07): this fascinating galaxy forms one of the most striking pairs in the sky with NGC 4631 32' NW.  At 220x, the distorted shape extends ~9'x1.5' in a SW-NE orientation.  On first glance, it appears the bulging core is offset at the SW end, though with averted vision a very low surface brightness broader extension continues to the the SW of the core for several arcminutes before fading into the background.  The core is very bright and mottled with a bright knot (HII region) jutting out to the west at the southwest end of the core.  The NE extension has a remarkable, fairly bright 2' extension (NGC 4657), hooking to the east at a 45° angle from the major axis (the "blade" of the hockey stick).  There is a small, faint, detached knot beyond the east end of the "blade" that appears to have broken off.  The unusual bend and knot at the NE end is a result of a prior tidal interaction with its more massive neighbor, NGC 4631.

13.1" (many dates from 5/28/84 to 4/12/86): striking!, fairly bright, very elongated SW-NE.  Appears wider and brighter at the SW end.  The NE end hooks sharply east to merge with NGC 4657 which may be a part of NGC 4656 and not a separate galaxy. A star or knot is attached at the south end.  Appears like a celestial hockey stick!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4656 = H. I-176 = h1414, along with NGC 4657, on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722).  They were recorded together as "Two, their nebulosity join; they are both elongated and together form the shape of the letter "S".  The most south [NGC 4656] considerably bright, much brighter middle.  The most north [NGC 4657], pretty bright from sp to nf, but very near the meridian.  John Herschel made a total of 5 observations.  In sweep 342 he noted, "a long nebulous ray pos = 34.3° (by micrometer).  Its southern half is fainter than its northern.  It meets and cuts? another nebula [NGC 4657].  A strange object."  A sketch was published in plate 15, Figure 75 in his Slough Observations.  The pair was discovered two minutes after the discovery of NGC 4627 and 4631.

Birr Castle assistant Bindon Blood Stoney sketched the pair on Apr 26 1851 (Plate 28, Fig. 26 in Rosse's 1861 publication).  The following year he called this pair "like a caterpillar on a leaf."
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NGC 4657 = UGC 7907b = MCG +05-30-066b = CGCG 159-065b = PGC 42863
12 44 08.2  +32 12 32; CVn
Size 1.1'x0.7';  PA = 90°

48" (4/23/17): NGC 4657 consists of at least 4 main HII complexes at the northeast end of NGC 4657, including a separate detached section.  On the southwest edge is a bright knot, ~8" diameter, catalogued in SIMBAD as CasHII N4656f and in NED as NGC 4656:[DBT2008] 85 from a 2008 paper on massive clusters.  A brighter 10" knot, identified in NED as 2MASX J12440599+3212340, is ~20" N, also along the west edge of the NE extension.  The northeast end of the galaxy (NGC 4657) has a sharp extension to the east with a slightly brighter patch, identified in NED as 2MASX J12440844+3212340. Finally a bright, elongated patch ~30"x15" oriented NNW-SSE is detached to the east.  SIMBAD identifies this object as NGC 4657, though the NGC designation should probably apply to the entire bent NE end of the galaxy.

18" (5/14/07): The north end of NGC 4656 has a remarkable, fairly bright 2' extension (NGC 4657), hooking to the east at a 45° angle from the major axis (the "blade" of the hockey stick).  There is a faint, small, detached knot beyond the east end of the "blade" that appears to have broken off.  This unusual bend and knot is likely a starburst region of NGC 4656 and the result of a prior tidal interaction with its more massive neighbor, NGC 4631.

13.1" (severa dates from 6/30/84 to 4/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE.  NGC 4657 is attached at the NE end of the remarkable galaxy NGC 4656 and elongated at nearly a right angle to the curving section of NGC 4656 just west.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4657 = H. I-177 = h1415 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 722).  See descriptions under NGC 4656.

The UGC, MCG and CGCG list a single entry for the pair and NGC 4657 may be a tidally disturbed "tail" of NGC 4656 and not an independent galaxy.  The primary designation for this object in NED is NGC 4656 NED02, with NGC 4657 the second identification.  The position is on NE warped section (elongated E-W) of NGC 4656.  The position is SIMBAD, though, is on the partially detached section close east with classification HII galaxy.  HyperLeda has a listing for 2MASXJ12440844+3212340, with secondary designation NGC 4657 and object type "Part of galaxy".  Corwin's position is on the brightest patch on the west side of E-W tail.
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NGC 4658 = MCG -02-33-001 = PGC 42929
12 44 37.7  -10 05 03; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 2.1'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, elongated ~N-S, appears mottled or irregular.  Located 2.5' E of mag 8.6 SAO 138945.  A faint mag 14.5 star is off the NW edge 0.6' from center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4663 7.2' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4658 = H. II-558 = h3414 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and recorded "F, E in meridian [N-S], nearly 3' l, following a cB star."  John Herschel logged "eF; attached like a wisp to a * 16m; a * 9m precedes."
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NGC 4659 = UGC 7915 = MCG +02-33-007 = CGCG 071-024 = PGC 42913
12 44 29.4  +13 29 55; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 173°

17.5" (4/13/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:4 ~NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.8'.  Contains a small, bright round core embedded in a fainter halo.  Located 1.4' NE of a mag 9.8 star.  NGC 4639 lies 28' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4659 = H. II-127 = h1416 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and recorded "F, vS, R, little brighter middle, r, stellar."  John Herschel logged "F; R; bM; 30".", and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4660 = UGC 7914 = MCG +02-33-006 = CGCG 071-023 = PGC 42917
12 44 32.3  +11 11 27; Vir
V = 11.2;  Size 2.2'x1.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 100°

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated E-W, very small bright core.  Located 25' SSE of M60.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4660 = H. II-71 = h1417 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and simply noted as "S".  There is nothing at Caroline's reduced position, but 40 sec of RA following and 3' south is UGC 7914.  There are no other galaxies in the vicinity he might have picked up and several objects in the sweep have a poor RA.

John Herschel listed h1417 as a Nova in the Slough catalogue with description "vB; S; very small & very much brighter middle almost to a star."  His position matches UGC 7914.
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NGC 4661 = NGC 4650B = ESO 322-072 = MCG -07-26-040 = LGG 301-004 = PGC 42983
12 45 14.8  -40 49 27; Cen
V = 13.5;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 116°

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this Centaurus cluster member (AGC 3526) was moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.4'.  Located just 1' S of a 45" pair of mag 12.5 stars and 11.7' SE of NGC 4661.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4661 = h3415 on 5 Jun 1834 and logged "F; R; pL; gradually brighter in the middle.".  His position was not measured accurately - the RA is given to the nearest minute of time and the RA to the nearest min of arc and marked "+/-".  There is nothing at his rough position, though 16' north is ESO 322-072  = PGC 42983, often referred to as NGC 4650B in the literature.  The letter designation originated in the RC2.  Corwin notes that ESO 322-072 is the only reasonably candidate for NGC 4661, so the identification is fairly certain.
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NGC 4662 = UGC 7917 = MCG +06-28-025 = CGCG 188-018 = PGC 42904
12 44 26.3  +37 07 15; CVn
V = 13.0;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 55°

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, round, gradually brighter halo, very small brighter core.  A mag 14.5 star is 3.1' NW and a mag 15 star 2.5' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4662 = H. II-643 = h1418 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and noted "F, pL, gradually brighter in the middle, r."  John Herschel logged "pB; pL; R; bM; 40"."
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NGC 4663 = IC 811 = MCG -02-33-002 = PGC 42946
12 44 47.1  -10 11 52; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, edge-on ~N-S, very small, brighter core, almost stellar nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4658 7' NNW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4663 in 1883 with the 11-inch refractor at Arcetri in Italy.  In the narrative portion of his fifth paper (AN 2439) he described a nebula that is 8' south-following NGC 4658, but he was unable to make a measurement using the circle micrometer. This galaxy is 7.2' south-southeast of NGC 4663, so the identification is certain, although the NGC RA is 12 seconds too large and the Dec off by 2' too small.

Bigourdan found this galaxy again on 13 May 1888, assumed it was new, and reported it in his Comptes Rendus discovery lists as #176.  As a result, Dreyer recatalogued NGC 4663 as IC 811.  See Corwin's notes on IC 811
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NGC 4664 = NGC 4665 = NGC 4624 = UGC 792 = MCG +01-33-005 = CGCG 043-018 = PGC 42970
12 45 06.1  +03 03 21; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4665.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4664 = H. II-39 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 158) and recorded "pB. It contains two stars in the center and is preceded by a small star at the distance of 1/2 or 3/4 minute."  There is nothing at his position, but 10' south is NGC 4665.  In the 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues, Dreyer comments "Neither [William] nor [John Herschel] nor d'Arrest saw more than one nebula here, it is therefore = I-142 [NGC 4665] with an error of 10' in PD."  The star mentioned in the observation clinches the identification.  So, NGC 4664 = NGC 4665.  Although NGC 4664 is an earlier observation (I-142 was found on 30 Apr 1786), the modern designation is NGC 4665.  NGC 4624 may be another observation of this galaxy (see that entry).
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NGC 4665 = NGC 4664 = NGC 4624: = UGC 7924 = MCG +01-33-005 = CGCG 043-018 = PGC 42970
12 45 06.1  +03 03 21; Vir
V = 10.5;  Size 3.8'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/24/90): bright, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, prominent core.  A mag 15 star is at the NNW end 1.2' from center.  Located 1.7' NE of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4665 = H. I-142 = h1419 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558).  He recorded "cB, pL, irregularly round, gradually much brighter middle.  John Herschel logged (first of two sweeps) "B; not vL; very suddenly brighter in the middle; has a * 10m 45° sp at 1' distance."  NGC 4664 = H. II-30 is a duplicate (earlier) observation, but he made a 10' error in the north polar distance.  And John Herschel's h1390 = NGC 4624 may also be another observation of this galaxy.
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NGC 4666 = UGC 7926 = MCG +00-33-008 = CGCG 015-015 = Holm 453a = LGG 299-002 = PGC 42975
12 45 08.5  -00 27 42; Vir
V = 10.7;  Size 4.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 42°

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, fairly large, 4'x1', very bright core, mottled and streaky appearance.  A close trio of mag 11-13 stars lies 5' SE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4668 8' SE, which follows the triple star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4666 = H. I-15 = h1420 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "E from sp to nf, seems to contain bright places in the middle; it is not cometic, but appears to be resolvable.  It resembles the two foregoing nebula [NGC 4632 and NGC 4592] but is narrower." John Herschel logged "pB; mE; pretty suddenly brighter middle; pos 45° nf or sp." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4667 = NGC 4638 = UGC 7880 = MCG +02-32-187 = CGCG 070-230 = CGCG 071-006 = PGC 42728
12 42 47.4  +11 26 32; Vir

See observing notes for NGC 4638.

John Herschel found NGC 4667 = h1421 on 23 Mar 1830 and logged "B; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"." There are no bright galaxies near his position, but Harold Corwin found that Herschel made an error in his reduction for h1421.  Using 41 Virginis as a reference star (also in the sweep), the re-reduced position lands on NGC 4638.  Reinmuth, Frost, d'Arrest and Vogel all reported NGC 4667 as not found (at the incorrect published position).
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NGC 4668 = UGC 7931 = MCG +00-33-009 = CGCG 015-016 = Holm 453b = LGG 299-003 = PGC 42999
12 45 31.9  -00 32 10; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 5°

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S.  Forms a pair with NGC 4666 7.4' NW.  A triple star is 3.0' due west consisting of mag 11.5/13/13.5 stars at 20" separation between the closer pairs.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4668 = H. III-663 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and logged "vF, S, iF."  d'Arrest made two observations and mentioned the triple star that preceded by 12 sec in RA.
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NGC 4669 = UGC 7925 = MCG +09-21-038 = CGCG 270-018 = LGG 300-002 = PGC 42942
12 44 46.8  +54 52 33; UMa
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 177°

24" (5/30/16): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.3', small brighter core.  Mag 9.7 HD 238159 is 3.0' ENE.

UGC 7905 = VV 708, located 8' WNW of NGC 4669, is a disturbed, interacting system with tidal tails extending from both galaxies.   The pair is oriented SSW to NNE with centers separated by 35".  At 225x, the southwest member (Mrk 220) appeared fairly faint, small, high surface brightness, roundish, 18" diameter.  The northeast component (Mrk 221) appeared faint, fairly small, 18", low surface brightness. Only the central region was seen and I missed the tidal tail extending to the north and east.  This pair was discovered by Dreyer, but didn't receive an NGC designation due to a misidentification. 

18" (6/28/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.35', fairly low nearly even surface brightness.  Located 3.0' W of mag 9.8 SAO 28505 in a group (LGG 300) of 6 NGC galaxies.  NGC 4675 lies 10.5' SE and NGC 4646 is 16' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4669 = H. III-778 = GC 5668 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921). He noted "considerably faint, small, elongated."  My re-reduced position (with respect to 77 UMa) lands 1.5' NE of UGC 7925.  He reobserved this galaxy on 24 Mar 1791 (sweep 1001).

John Herschel mistakenly equated H. III-778 with GC 3206 (NGC 4675).  As an assistant at Birr Castle, Dreyer observed NGC 4669 on 25 Apr 1878, noting "F, S, E n-s", but he referred to it as GC 3206 and he repeated this error in the NGC.  In the same observation, Dreyer clearly observed UGC 7905 (pair described as "bi-nuclear in pos 16.5°, dist 44"), but UGC 7905 didn't receive a NGC designation as he assumed it was NGC 4669!

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 4669 on 10 Dec 1866 and noted a mag 10-11 star followed by 21.5 seconds of time, confirming the identification with UGC 7925.  Although Dreyer attributed d'Arrest with the discovery in the NGC, he equated H. III-778 with NGC 4669 in his 1912 NGC Correction list.
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NGC 4670 = Arp 163 = UGC 7930 = Haro 9 = VV 1563 = MCG +05-30-072 = CGCG 159-069 = PGC 42987
12 45 17.0  +27 07 31; Com
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 90°

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  Located 4.5' W of mag 9 SAO 82478.  Forms a pair with NGC 4673 5.6' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4670 = H. III-328 = h1422, along with NGC 4673, on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F, S."  John Herschel made four observations, calling this galaxy "B", "pB" and "F".
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NGC 4671 = MCG -01-33-004 = Mrk 1334 = PGC 43029
12 45 47.6  -07 04 11; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 141°

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Gradually increases to a very small brighter core, symmetrical appearance.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4671 = H. II-774 = h1423 on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) and logged "pB, S, much brighter in the middle, iR."  His position matches PGC 43029.  John Herschel made the single observation "F; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4672 = ESO 322-073 = MCG -07-26-041 = PGC 43073
12 46 15.5  -41 42 23; Cen
V = 13.2;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 134°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, slightly brighter along the major axis, broad weak concentration. A group of five stars is south and southwest including a mag 11.8 star 3.5' S and a mag 12.3 star 2.4' SE.  NGC 4672 is a member of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526) with NGC 4677 11' NE, NGC 4645 24' WSW and NGC 4696D 24' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4672 = h3416 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; very gradually brighter middle."  He later added the noted "Right reduced.  See No. 3413."  His position matches ESO 322-073 = PGC 43073, a polar ring galaxy.
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NGC 4673 = UGC 7933 = MCG +05-30-073 = CGCG 159-070 = Mrk 656 = PGC 43008
12 45 34.6  +27 03 38; Com
V = 12.9;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 170°

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.  Located 4.1' S of mag 8.9 SAO 82478 which forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with NGC 4673 and NGC 4670 5.6' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4673 = H. III-329 = h1424, along with NGC 4670, on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "vF, S.  Goes in the field with the former [NGC 4670]."  John Herschel made three observations, although his positions were not very accurate.
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NGC 4674 = MCG -01-33-005 = PGC 43050
12 46 03.5  -08 39 19; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 119°

18" (4/9/05): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5'.  At first I only noticed the brighter 0.4' core, but with averted vision the fainter extensions were visible.  Located 9' ENE of mag 9 HD 110901 at the edge of the 225x field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4674 = h3417 on 5 May 1836 and recorded "vF; R: gradually little brighter middle; 30"."  An early SN discovery (1907A) was made by Luyten
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NGC 4675 = UGC 7935 = MCG +09-21-039 = CGCG 270-019 = LGG 300-010 = PGC 42998
12 45 31.9  +54 44 15; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 1.3'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 97°

18" (6/28/03): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', weak concentration.  A mag 11 star lies 3.9' SE.  Located between NGC 4669 10.5' NW and NGC 4686 15' SE in a large group of NGC galaxies (NGC 4644/69/75/86/95 are all collinear in a one degree string).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4675 = H. II-795 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921).  He noted "very faint, very small."  My re-reduced position (with respect to 77 UMa) lands 1' NE of UGC 7935, so this identification is certain.  He revisited this region on 2 Apr 1791 and discovered NGC 4646 as well as NGC 4695, but missed NGC 4675.  See NGC 4686 for the confusion this caused.

John Herschel mistakenly identified this galaxy as III-778 (which applies to NGC 4669) in the GC and Dreyer followed in the NGC.  d'Arrest also measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4676 = Arp 242 = VV 224 = CGCG 159-072 = Holm 459 = The Mice
12 46 10.7  +30 43 38; Com
V = 13.0;  Size 2.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 0°

82" (5/5/19, McDonald Observatory): at 613x; the tidal tail north of IC 819 (NNW member of the interacting "Mice" = NGC 4676) was very prominent as a direct vision streak, extending at least as far as the mag 17.3 star situated 1.6' N of center of the galaxy. The tidal tail south of IC 820 was only seen as a very low surface brightness glow without any definite structure.

48" (4/6/13): fascinating interacting pair consisting of IC 819 (NNW component) and IC 820 (slightly brighter SSE component), separated by 40" between centers.  At 375x and 488x in soft seeing, IC 819 appeared fairly bright, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 24"x16", high surface brightness. IC 820 was bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 30"x20", high surface brightness, increased to a small, very bright nucleus.  The two galaxies are connected or surrounded by a low surface brightness bridge.  IC 819 has a remarkable bright, long thin tidal tail shooting due north!  The tail has a high surface brightness (brightest feature of this type I've observed in any galaxy) and extends roughly 80"x8", dimming at the north end and ending just east of a mag 17.3 star.  IC 820 has a small, low surface brightness halo on its south side, but its tail to the south was not clearly resolved.

24" (5/22/17): the interacting "Mice" duo (Arp 242 = VV 224) was observed at 375x.  IC 819 = NGC 4676A is the slightly fainter northwest component.  At 375x, it appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 15" diameter.  The tidal tail was easily seen as a straight thin extension due north, so the combined galaxy/tail extended ~60"x10".  The tail has only a slightly lower surface brightness than the "head" (core of the galaxy).  IC 820 = NGC 4676 is the slightly brighter southeast member.  It appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, very small brighter nucleus, 20" diameter.  With averted vision the there was a strong hint of haze on the south side, but its tidal tail wasn't seen.  The cores of the pair are separated by just 35" between centers. 

17.5" (4/28/89): the NW member (IC 819) of the interacting pair "The Mice" appeared faint, small, low surface brightness, elongated N-S.  NGC 4676B = IC 820, the SE member of the pair was slightly brighter and appeared faint, small, round with a small bright core.  The thin "tails" of the the Mice extending north and south were not seen.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4676 = H. II-326 = h1425 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387).  He noted "faint, much extended in the meridian [N-S]."  John Herschel made the single observation "extremely faint; query if not bicentral; sky perfectly clear".  So he suspected two components.  No observations were made at Birr Castle.

Rudolf Spitaler resolved the two components (IC 819 and IC 820) on 20 Mar 1892 with the 27" refractor at the Vienna observatory.

In a 1957 paper, Vorontsov-Velyaminov named this class of objects "mice" and the nickname was used in the Burbidge's 1959 paper "Some Interconnected Multiple Extragalactic Nebulae".
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NGC 4677 = ESO 322-078 = MCG -07-26-044 = LGG 298-043 = PGC 43127
12 46 57.0  -41 34 58; Cen
V = 12.8;  Size 1.7'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 167°

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.4'.  Gradually increases to a small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located in the core of the Centaurus cluster, 26' SW of NGC 4696.

NGC 4696A, located 5.2' N, appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 N-S.  Appears like a low surface brightness version of NGC 4677, which was viewed immediately before.

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, oval N-S, low even surface brightness.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4677 = h3418 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; little extended; very gradually brighter middle."  His position is just off the south end of ESO 322-078 = PGC 43127.  Pietro Baracchi found this galaxy again on 13 May 1885 and again on 4 Jul 1885.  He assumed it was new and wrote, "vF; vS; R; little brighter in the middle."  On the second observation he also picked up NGC 4696A to the north.
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NGC 4678 = IC 824 = MCG -01-33-018 = PGC 43385
12 49 41.9  -04 34 46; Vir
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.5';  PA = 85°

18" (4/30/11): faint, but easily picked as a small glow, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x15".  A mag 15 star lies 30" ESE of center.  I kept having the impression that I was resolving a very faint star or nearly stellar galaxy that was attached and the SDDS image reveals this is a double system (oreinted E-W) with two nuclei encased in a common halo [17" separation], comfirming my impression.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 4678 = LM 2-456 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.1' dia, R, neb?; * follows 2 sec."  There is nothing anywhere near his position.  But exactly 3.0 min of RA east is IC 824 and a mag 15 stars follows by 2 sec, so despite the poor position, this identification is certain. Stephane Javelle found IC 824 on 15 May 1893 and placed it accurately.

Because of the bad position, RNGC classifies NGC 4678 as nonexistent and MCG labels this galaxy IC 824, though NGC 4678 should be the primary designation.  This is either a merged double system with two nuclei or a bright knot is at the west end.
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NGC 4679 = ESO 322-082 = MCG -06-28-018 = LGG 305-014 = PGC 43170
12 47 30.1  -39 34 17; Cen
V = 12.4;  Size 2.4'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 4°

18" (3/28/09): at 175x appeared very faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.0'x0.7', low surface brightness.  Located 5.5' NNE of mag 8.8 HD 111142 and 21' NW of mag 8.1 HD 111373. A distinctive group of stars including 3 in a string is in the field to the NW. This galaxy resides 1.8° N of NGC 4696 on the north end of AGC 3526.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4679 = h3419 on 22 Apr 1835 and recorded "eeF, pL, R, 60" (No doubt)." His position is 15 sec of RA west of ESO 322-082 = PGC 43170.
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NGC 4680 = MCG -02-33-007 = PGC 43118
12 46 54.7  -11 38 10; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 45°

17.5" (3/29/89): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated.  Unusual appearance as the galaxy appears to fan out from a mag 12 star embedded at the east edge.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4680 = h3420 on 27 May 1835 and recorded "eF; S; has one or two small stars entangled in it."  His position and description matches MCG -02-33-007 = PGC 43118.  Herbert Howe noted "a star of mag 11 follows the nebula 1 second, 0.1' south."
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NGC 4681 = ESO 268-040 = MCG -07-26-046 = PGC 43166
12 47 28.7  -43 20 05; Cen
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 5:4 N-S, ~40"x32", fairly high surface brightness, gradually increases to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus.  A number of bright stars are scattered in the field: mag 7.8 HD 111073 is 6' NW, mag 8.8 HD 111266 is 10' E, mag 9.2 HD 111019 is 9.2' WNW, a mag 10.2 star is 3' NE and more.  In addition a mag 13.8 star is just off the south side [50" from  center].

John Herschel discovered NGC 4681 = h3421 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded, "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"."  His position matches MCG -07-26-046 = PGC 43166.  MCG fails to label MCG -07-26-046 as NGC 4681.
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NGC 4682 = MCG -02-33-008 = PGC 43147
12 47 15.5  -10 03 48; Vir
V = 12.2;  Size 2.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly large, very diffuse, elongated ~WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is off the NE edge 1.5' from center.  The NGC 4658/NGC 4663 pair is located 35' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4682 = H. III-523 = h3423 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and recorded "vF, E from sp to nf, 3 or 4' l, near 3' br."  John Herschel called this galaxy "pF; E; gradually very little brighter middle; 45" l." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4683 = ESO 322-083 = MCG -07-26-047 = LGG 298-014 = PGC 43182
12 47 42.2  -41 31 42; Cen
V = 12.7;  Size 1.4'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 130°

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.5'x0.3', moderate concentration with a 10" core.  A mag 14.5 star is off the SE end and a mag 13 star lies 1.0' SW.  Located 18' SW of NGC 4696 in the core of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4683 = h3422 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; very gradually brighter middle; 60"; nf a small stars.  His position was 1.7' too far south.

While observing the field of NGC 4683, Pietro Baracchi discovered NGC 4696A on 4 Jul 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  He described NGC 4683 as "F; S; R; very little brighter middle.  Has a star 13th mag preceding it by 4 seconds and 40" south of it."  This galaxy was reported as new at Helwan observatory in 1921, based on plates taken of the Centaurus cluster in 1919-20.
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NGC 4684 = UGC 7951 = MCG +00-33-011 = CGCG 015-019 = PGC 43149
12 47 17.5  -02 43 38; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 2.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 23°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, brighter along the major axis, bright core.  A mag 14 star is off the NNE tip 0.8' from center and a mag 15.5 star is following the SSW end.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4684 = H. II-181 = h1426 on 22 Apr 1784 (sweep 912) and logged "pF, pL, E, r."  John Herschel made the single observation "B; not vL; pmE; pretty gradually brighter middle." and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4685 = UGC 7954 = MCG +03-33-004 = CGCG 100-007 = PGC 43143
12 47 11.4  +19 27 51; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 1.6'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 158°

18" (5/15/04): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.3'.  Sharply concentrated with a 0.3'x0.2' core which increases to a stellar nucleus.  The small, dim halo is very faint and required averted vision.  Situated between mag 10 SAO 10025 4.8' SW and a mag 13 star 3.8' NE.

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, very small (viewed core only), 20" diameter.  Fairly high surface brightness with a sharp, mag 14 stellar nucleus which easily stands out.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4685 = H. III-398 = h1427 on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted "vF, vS, r."  John Herschel made three observations calling this object (sweep 61) "pB; S; resolved or resolvable.  Has a star in centre."  His mean position is accurate and d'Arrest's is withing a few arcsec of center.
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NGC 4686 = UGC 7946 = MCG +09-21-044 = CGCG 270-021 = LGG 300-003 = PGC 43101
12 46 39.8  +54 32 03; UMa
V = 12.6;  Size 2.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 3°

18" (6/28/03): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.3', fairly sharp concentration with a small bright core.  Two mag 14 stars close NE are collinear with the core.  In a group of NGC galaxies and between NGC 4675 15' NW and NGC 4695 12' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4686 = H. II-795 = h1428 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921). He logged "pretty bright, considerably large, bright nucleus, little elongated."  My re-reduced position (with respect to 77 UMa) is within 1' of UGC 7946.  On 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001), Herschel reobserved NGC 4686 and called it "pretty bright, very small, much brighter middle."  At the same time he discovered NGC 4695, located 12' SE.  But Caroline was confused with the identifications and assumed the new object was a reobservation NGC 4686 and the second observation of NGC 4686 was a reobservation of NGC 4675!  As a result of this confusing situation, NGC 4695 didn't receive a Herschel designation.  Dreyer, In the 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogue, Dreyer added a new designation III-985 to refer to NGC 4695.

John Herschel called it "pretty bright; pretty much elongated; very suddenly brighter middle."
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NGC 4687 = UGC 7958 = MCG +06-28-031 = CGCG 188-021 = Mrk 442 = LGG 302-002 = PGC 43157
12 47 23.8  +35 21 07; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 0.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', slightly brighter quasi-stellar nucleus.  Forms the SW vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 13 stars 5.7' NE and 5.8' ENE.  NGC 4711 lies 17' E.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4687 = h1430 on 11 Mar 1831 and logged "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15".". His single position is accurate.
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NGC 4688 = UGC 7961 = MCG +01-33-013 = CGCG 043-028 = Holm 461a = PGC 43189
12 47 46.4  +04 20 10; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 3.2'x2.8';  Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (4/21/90): extremely faint, fairly large, round, very low surface brightness, brighter core.  Appears as a hazy region without distinct borders.  Located 3.8' E of a mag 10.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4688 = H. III-543 = h1429 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and noted "eF, pL."  John Herschel measured a fairly accurate position and noted "10 sec following a * 9-10 mag."  A bright knot on the northwest end appears bright enough to be a visual object.
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NGC 4689 = UGC 7965 = MCG +02-33-022 = CGCG 071-043 = PGC 43186
12 47 45.7  +13 45 45; Com
V = 10.9;  Size 4.3'x3.5';  Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ENE, 3'x2', large diffuse halo, weak concentration, ill-defined brighter core, possible mottling.  A pair of mag 11.5/12 stars with separation 1.2' (parallel to the major axis) are located 3.5' N.  At 280x, a 1.0' core is more prominent and the outer halo become becomes difficult to view.  At low power, forms the northern vertex of a triangle with 28 Comae Berenices (V = 6.6) 14' SSE and mag 8.2 SAO 100258 14' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4689 = H. II-128 = h1431 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and logged "L, R, bM, r."  John Herschel made 3 observations and measured an accurate (mean) position.

On 29 Apr 1851, LdR assistant Bindon Stoney recorded "vF, gradually brighter in the middle, edges fade off.  I fancied a dark space p the central portion."  A few nights later he noted "F, suspected spiral."
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NGC 4690 = UGC 7964 = MCG +00-33-012 = CGCG 015-021 = PGC 43202
12 47 55.5  -01 39 22; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 150°

17.5" (4/21/90): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very small bright core is possibly stellar.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4690 = H. III-664 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and logged "vF, S."  His position is 2.5' south-southeast of UGC 7964.  No observations were made by JH but d'Arrest made a single observation with an accurate position.
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NGC 4691 = MCG +00-33-013 = CGCG 015-023 = UGCA 299 = PGC 43238
12 48 13.6  -03 19 58; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 2.8'x2.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 75°

17.5" (2/28/87): bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, brighter along the major axis, small bright core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4691 = H. II-182 = h1432 on 22 Apr 1784 (sweep 204) and recorded "pF, pL, E, r."  John Herschel made the single observation "B; pmE nearly in the parallel [E-W]; gradually much brighter middle; 90" l, 60" br." and measured a fairly accurate position.

The SDSS image shows a very knotty bar and Hermann Kobold measured two positions in 1894 at Strasbourg; one he labeled as the main nucleus and a seond (close west) that he identified as nebulous.  This galaxy may be a late merger based on the SDSS image.
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NGC 4692 = NGC 4702 = UGC 7967 = MCG +05-30-086 = CGCG 159-078 = PGC 43200
12 47 55.3  +27 13 20; Com
V = 12.6;  Size 1.3'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration.  Located 7' NNW of mag 8.0 SAO 82502.  Three mag 13.5-14 stars forming an equilateral triangle cradle the galaxy off the SW, south and SE sides.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4692 = H. II-381 = h1433 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and logged "F, S."  John Herschel made three observations and d'Arrest made two observations (and measured an accurate position).

NGC 4702, discovered by d'Arrest, is possibly another observation of this galax (see that number).  IC 823, found by Bigourdan on 17 Apr 1885, is perhaps a star 1.3' SW of NGC 4692 or it may not exist.  In any case, UGC, CGCG, MCG, PGC and LEDA incorrectly equate IC 823 with NGC 4692.
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NGC 4693 = UGC 7962 = MCG +12-12-018 = CGCG 335-023 = Holm 460a = LGG 303-001 = PGC 43141
12 47 09.2  +71 10 34; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 2.5'x0.5';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 34°

18" (5/8/04): faint, moderately large, edge-on streak 5:1 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.3', broad weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is south of the SSW extension, 1.8' from the center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4693 = H. III-906 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037).  He logged "very faint, extended, about 2' long and 1/2' broad."  His RA was 40 seconds too small.
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NGC 4694 = UGC 7969 = MCG +02-33-023 = CGCG 071-044 = PGC 43241
12 48 15.1  +10 59 01; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 3.2'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 140°

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.0', overall high surface brightness, faint halo with an abrupt bright core and stellar nucleus.  A mag 14.5 star lies 1.3' W of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4694 = H. II-72 = h1434 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "S, lE.  The 2nd figure of the minutes was in the great hurry forgot to put down; but I suppose it was intended for 31 min."  His estimated RA was 1 minute too small. John Herschel made up for this by measuring the RA accurately on 6 sweeps, the earliest on 9 May 1825 (sweep 4), when he called it "pB, round, gradually much brighter middle."
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NGC 4695 = IC 3791 = UGC 7966 = MCG +09-21-048 = CGCG 270-023 = LGG 300-004 = PGC 43173
12 47 32.1  +54 22 29; UMa
V = 13.4;  Size 1.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 80°

18" (6/28/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4', low even surface brightness.  With averted vision the size increases slightly and seems brighter along the major axis.  Located 8.5' SW of mag 8.9 SAO 28523 in a galaxy group (furthest SE).  NGC 4686 lies 12' NW and last in a one degree chain of 5 NGC galaxies.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4695 = H. III-985 = h1435 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1001).  He noted "extremely faint, pretty small." His position was accurate, but Caroline mistakenly assumed this was a duplicate observation of NGC 4686, found on 14 Apr 1789, so she didn't assign a new discovery number.  The GC and NGC positions are accurate, although NGC 4695 is called H. II-796, which should apply to NGC 4686.  Unfortunately, NGC 4695 is left without a Herschel designation, so Dreyer created a new catalog designation III-985 (all numbers after III-978 were added later by John Herschel or Dreyer) in the 1912 update of the Herschel catalogues.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 23 May 1897, assumed it was new, and recorded it in discovery list XI-141 (later IC 3791).  There is nothing at his position but 5' S is NGC 4695.  He mentions "NGC 4732 in field", which is impossible, but Harold Corwin notes he probably was referring to NGC 4686 to the NW.
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NGC 4696 = ESO 322-091 = MCG -07-26-051 = LGG 298-044 = PGC 43296
12 48 49.2  -41 18 40; Cen
V = 10.4;  Size 4.5'x3.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 95°

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.8'x1.2'.  Gradually increases to a brighter 30" core.  The halo reaches a mag 13.5 at the NW edge.  This galaxy is the brightest member of the Centaurus cluster (ACO 3526) and the surrounding rich star field is littered with faint galaxies (18 were observed within just 25' and I could have observed many more with larger finder charts).

17.5" (4/7/89): brightest galaxy in the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).  Moderately bright, moderately large, oval WNW-ESE, brighter core.  A mag 13.5 star is at the NW edge.  NGC 4709 lies 15' ESE and NGC 4706 12' E.  NGC 4696 is located 1.4° SW of 4.3-magnitude n Cen (HD 111968).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 4696 = D 510 = D 511 = h3424 on 7 May 1826.  He described D 510 (from handwritten notes) as a "faint nebula, about 12" or 15" diameter, very ill defined at the edges, slightly condensed to the center, 14' or 15' south - rather preceding - a star 7th mag."  His position was 16' too far NW.  D 511 was logged as a "pretty large faint nebula." and his position was 12' too far SE.    Neither of these positional discrepancies are unusually large.

John Herschel made the single observation on 5 Jun 1834, "pB; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2' resolvable."  Herschel discovered 16 other galaxies in the Centaurus cluster.
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NGC 4697 = MCG -01-33-010 = UGCA 300 = LGG 314-003 = PGC 43276
12 48 35.8  -05 48 02; Vir
V = 9.2;  Size 7.2'x4.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 70°

17.5" (4/21/90): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE.  Even concentration in halo, then a very bright intense core.  The large halo gradually fades out at edges.  A mag 12 star is 2.7' NE of center.  Located 35' NNE of mag 6.3 SAO 138967.  Visible in the 16x80 finder.  Brightest in a large, loose galaxy group (LGG 314) with two dozen members including NGC 4731, 4941, 4948, 4951 and 4958.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4697 = H. I-39 = h1436 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205).  His description reads, "vB, vL, irregularly extended, much brighter middle but the brightness breaks off abruptly [sharply concentrated] so as almost to resemble a resolvable nucleus consisting of 4 or 5 bright stars.  There is however too much moonlight to describe the nebula completely."  He observed it again on 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913): "vB, little elongated from sp to nf, very gradually brighter middle, 3 or 4' long, but clouds coming on."  He published his sketch from 1784 in his 1811 PT paper (Fig. 23) as an illustration of "nebulae that are suddenly much brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4698 = UGC 7970 = MCG +02-33-024 = CGCG 071-045 = PGC 43254
12 48 23.0  +08 29 16; Vir
V = 10.6;  Size 4.0'x2.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 170°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, small very bright core.  Situated between a mag 11 star at the north edge 2.1' from the center and a mag 10.5 star off the south edge 2.7' from center.  Mag 7.7 SAO 119597 lies 6.7' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4698 = H. I-8 = H. III-6 on 18 Jan 1784.  H. III-6 was the only object recorded in the early sweep 87 and was noted as "a nebula of the first class."  The RA was only roughly taken and there was a problem determining the polar distance - only a two degree range was known.  He observed this galaxy again on 23 Jan (sweep 106) and called it a "considerable nebula. "  The second observation was catalogued as H. I-8, as Caroline considered it a new object.  Another observation of H. I-8 was made on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194): "vB, not L, little extended, much brighter in the middle.  It is between some pB stars."  Again on 1 May 1786 (sweep 560): "cB; cL; between 2 pB stars, gradually much brighter middle." Caroline realized that H. I-8 was identical to H. III-6 and added the note "See I.8." to her later copy of the sweep records.

Dreyer commented in his 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues, "the place [of III-6] agrees sufficiently with that of I-8  and a sketch also agrees with one of I-8.  The identity seems certain, and was assumed to be so by J.H. [in the GC]".  The RA in the NGC is 10 seconds too large.  Schwassmann's corrected RA (based on a Heidelberg plate) in the IC 2 notes is accurate.
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NGC 4699 = MCG -01-33-013 = UGCA 301 = LGG 307-005 = PGC 43321
12 49 02.2  -08 39 52; Vir
V = 9.5;  Size 3.8'x2.6';  Surf Br = 11.9;  PA = 45°

17.5" (4/21/90): very bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, very small intense core with a bright stellar nucleus.

NGC 4699 is the brightest in a group in the southern extension of the Virgo Cluster.  Other members include NGCs 4700, 4722, 4742, 4781, 4790, 4802, and 4818.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4699 = H. I-129 = h1437 = h3425 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and recorded "very brilliant, irregularly round, very gradually much brighter middle."  From Slough, John Herschel described "vB; R; very suddenly much brighter middle to a fine resolvable nucleus, 40".  He mistakenly added in parentheses "doubtless a globular cluster".

Based on photos taken at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt in 1919-20, the galaxy was described as "A curious and complex form of spiral.  The N is vB and alm stellar.  From it project two bright slightly curved spiral arms in p.a. 55° and total length 40"; these merge into a pB oval disc with a sharp edge 1' x 40", E 50° in which are dark lanes and indications of spiral structure; outside this is a vF slightly irr. oval disc 3.5'x 2', E 45°. "
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NGC 4700 = MCG -02-33-013 = LGG 307-006 = PGC 43330
12 49 07.8  -11 24 46; Vir
V = 11.9;  Size 3.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 50°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, thin edge-on 5:1 SW-NE.  A mag 12 star lies 2' W of center.  NGC 4708 lies 21' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4700 = H. III-524 = h1438 = h3426 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and noted "cF, 4' long and 3/4' broad."  His position matches MCG -02-33-013 = PGC 43330.  From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "pB; mE; very little brighter middle; 30" l; 15" br."
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NGC 4701 = UGC 7975 = MCG +01-33-015 = CGCG 043-034 = PGC 43331
12 49 11.6  +03 23 19; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 2.8'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 45°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weakly concentrated.  A small trio of mag 13 stars lie 3.5' N (closest pair 21" separation).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4701 = H. II-578 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and noted "F, S."  His position matches UGC 7975.
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NGC 4702 = NGC 4692 = UGC 7967 = MCG +05-30-086 = CGCG 159-078 = PGC 43200
12 47 55.3  +27 13 20; Com

See observing notes for NGC 4692.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4702 on 4 Mar 1867 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  He described (translated by Corwin from Latin) as "Doubtless a very small, very much compressed cluster."  There is nothing at his position but exactly 1 minute of RA west is NGC 4692.  d'Arrest observed and measured this galaxy on two nights, but not on the night he logged NGC 4702.  So, Corwin equates NGC 4702 and NGC 4692.
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NGC 4703 = MCG -01-33-015 = FGC 1504 = PGC 43342
12 49 19.0  -09 06 31; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 3.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 14.1;  PA = 156°

18" (4/9/05): very faint edge-on, 4:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.25', low even surface brightness.  Located 8' NE of mag 7.6 HD 111384.  On the DSS this galaxy looks like a miniature version of NGC 4565 with a bisecting dust lane and bulging core.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4703 = H. III-514 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and recorded "eF, vS, E."  His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1' south of MCG -01-33-015 = PGC 43342.

Based on plates taken at the Helwan observatory in 1919-20, it was described as "F, 2.5' long, vmE 155°, pF almost stellar N; absorption cuts off the northeast edge of the nebula in a sharp line parallel to its greatest extent, giving it much the appearance of the well known nebula NGC 4565."
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NGC 4704 = UGC 7972 = MCG +07-26-054 = CGCG 216-031 = PGC 43288
12 48 46.4  +41 55 16; CVn
V = 13.7;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 105°

18" (3/30/05): faint, fairly small, round, fairly low surface brightness with only a very slightly brighter core which seems offset from the geometric center.  Located 6.4' SE of mag 8.6 SAO 44330 and 54' NW of M94.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4704 = H. II-662 = h1439 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "F, S, R, bM."  John Herschel made two additional observations.
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NGC 4705 = MCG -01-33-016 = PGC 43350
12 49 25.1  -05 11 46; Vir
V = 12.8;  Size 3.2'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 125°

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, brighter middle but no core.  A mag 14.5 star is involved at the east edge 0.9' SE of center.  Located 5' SSW of mag 8.8 SAO 138982.  NGC 4718 lies 19' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4705 = H. III-610 = h1440 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 706) and noted "cF, pL, E."  John Herschel made a single observation, though his RA is 17 sec too large.  Henrich d'Arrest made two observations and measured an accurate position (given in the NGC).
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NGC 4706 = ESO 323-001 = MCG -07-26-055 = LGG 308-001 = PGC 43411
12 49 54.1  -41 16 47; Cen
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 24°

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE.  Fairly well concentrated with a bright 15" core.  The halo increases in size to 0.7'x0.4' with averted vision.  Located 6.4' NNW of brighter NGC 4709 in the core of the Centaurus cluster.  PGC 43402, situated 3.2' NNW, appeared faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, even surface brightness.

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, oval SSW-NNE, low surface brightness.  Located 6.4' NNW of NGC 4709 and 12' ENE of brightest member NGC 4696 in the central portion of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4706 = h3427 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "vF; vS; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 10"."

Pietro Baracchi observed the field on 12 May 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote, "pretty bright, very small, round, a little brighter middle."
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NGC 4707 = UGC 7971 = MCG +09-21-050 = CGCG 270-025 = DDO 150 = I Zw 43 = PGC 43255
12 48 23.2  +51 09 48; CVn
V = 12.9;  Size 2.2'x2.1';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 25°

18" (3/30/05): very unusual appearance to this magellanic spiral as all I could detect was a moderately large (~1.5') very low surface brightness glow with no concentration surrounding what appeared to be a mag 14 star. The DSS and SDSS confirms this is a star and the galaxy extends mostly to the west of the star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4707 = H. III-815 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "small, stellar neb."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 20 tsec east and 1' north of UGC 7971.
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NGC 4708 = MCG -02-33-016 = Holm 463a = PGC 43382
12 49 41.5  -11 05 35; Vir
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 55°

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~0.9'x0.7'.  The surface brightness is irregular and the elongation sometimes changes orientation using averted vision.  NGC 4700 lies 21' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4708 = H. III-722 on 11 Mar 1788 (sweep 819) and logged "F, S, E."  His position is 1' south of PGC 43382.
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NGC 4709 = ESO 323-003 = MCG -07-26-056 = LGG 305-006 = PGC 43423
12 50 03.8  -41 22 56; Cen
V = 10.9;  Size 2.4'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 112°

18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8'x0.7' diameter.  This member of the Centaurus Cluster had a symmetrical appearance and steadily increased to a small, bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  NGC 4706 lies 6.4' NNW and ESO 322-102 is 5' W ("faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.2', very weak concentration".

NGC 4709 is located 14' ESE of NGC 4696 in the core of the cluster with many faint galaxies within 10'.  It is the brightest member in a subgroup called Cen 45 that has significantly higher recessional velocities, though these galaxies may be streaming towards the main cluster.

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W.  Four mag 12-13 stars forming a parallelogram are roughly 4' NE.  Located 15' ESE of NGC 4696 within the core of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526) and the second brightest member.  Forms a pair with MCG -07-26-057 1.2' SE (not seen).

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 4709 = h3428 = D 511? on 7 May 1826 and reported "pretty large faint nebula".  His position (single observation) is 6.7' SW of NGC 4709.

John Herschel rediscovered NGC 4709 = h3428 on 7 May 1826 and recorded "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"." (More nebulae hereabouts.)"  His position was 1' too far northeast.  Joseph Turner probably discovered nearby ESO 322-102 on 4 May 1880 while observing NGC 4709 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  MCG -07-26-057, a small companion 1' SE, was discovered at the Helwan observatory in 1921, based on a plate taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector in 1919-20.
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NGC 4710 = UGC 7980 = MCG +03-33-009 = CGCG 100-011 = PGC 43375
12 49 38.8  +15 09 55; Com
V = 11.0;  Size 4.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 27°

18" (5/14/07): bright, fairly large edge-on, nearly 7:1 SSW-NNE, ~3.5'x0.5' with tapered extensions.  The core is small and round, ~25" in diameter.  The galaxy is irregular in surface brightness and mottled with a brighter knot near the NNE end.  A dust lane appears to slash across the galaxy to the NE of the core.  A mag 13 star lies 1.5' E of the core.

17.5" (5/14/94): beautiful edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE (PA 30°), bright bulging core.  Distinctly mottled with an irregular surface brightness and clearly brighter along the NNE extension.  A mag 13 star is 1.4' E of center.  At 280x, the dimensions are 3.5'x0.6' and the galaxy appears to have a sharper light cut-off along the preceding edge possibly due to dust.  Very mottled with a couple of bright and dark patches along the major axis. IC 3806 lies 19' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4710 = H. II-95 = h1441 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "pB, vmE.  The direction of extent is nearly in the meridian or perhaps about 5 or more degree sp and nf."  His position was poor, but John Herschel observed the galaxy twice, noting "vB; vmE; pos = 28.5° by micrometer; bM; 90" long" and measured an accurate position.

A total of 12 observations were made at Birr Castle.  On 16 Feb 1855, R.J. Mitchell wrote "vB ray, a dark band across on each side of nucleus, separating it from the extremities."  The dark lane was commented on in each observation.  His sketch made the next night was published on Plate 28, Fig. 27 in the 1861 Mongraph.  On 16 Apr 1855, he wrote "My sketch exaggerates the dark lines, they should be broader and not so well defined.  Mr. Johnstone Stoney [visiting between professorial duties] remarked a second dark line across the n branch near its extremity."  On 13 Apr 1876, Dreyer logged "cB, pL, bM, no very defined Nucl, E 28.2°, about 230" long.  On both side of Nucl are dark bands.  The n end of neb is brighter than s one and the maximum of brightness is about 40" from the end.  Maximum in s part is nearer the nucleus.  Centre looks a little oval with higher power."
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NGC 4711 = IC 3804 = UGC 7973 = MCG +06-28-033 = CGCG 188-022 = PGC 43286
12 48 45.9  +35 19 58; CVn
V = 13.4;  Size 1.5'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 40°

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, broad weak concentration.  NGC 4687 lies 17' W.  Located 6.2' W of a mag 7.8 star.

17.5" (4/28/89): fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, gradually brighter middle.  Located 6.2' WNW of mag 7.7 SAO 63208.

17.5": fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration.  Located 7' W of mag 8 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4711 = H. II-412 = h1443 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "F, S, E, er."  His position is only 4 sec of RA east of UGC 7973. JH's single position is 38 sec of RA too large and he used this erroneous position in the GC as well as by Dreyer in the NGC.  Perhaps because of this error, the UGC and CGCG do not label the entries as NGC 4711.

Max Wolf found the galaxy on a Heidelberg plate on 21 Mar 1903, assumed it was new, and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 3804.  So, NGC 4711 = IC 3804.  CGCG, UGC, and MCG use the IC desgination, though the primary identity should by NGC 4711.  This confusion was noted by Malcolm Thomson as well as Harold Corwin.
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NGC 4712 = UGC 7977 = MCG +04-30-021 = CGCG 129-025 = Holm 468b = PGC 43368
12 49 34.2  +25 28 12; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 2.5'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 160°

13.1" (5/26/84): faint, diffuse, very elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness.  Located 11.9' WSW of NGC 4725.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4712 = h1442 on 28 Mar 1832 and noted "vF; pL."  His position matches UGC 7977 = PGC 43368.

On 9 Mar 1850, George Stoney or LdR logged NGC 4725 as "another spiral.  Another neb 15' p."  The other nebula is NGC 4712, though it was assumed to be new and received the designation GC 3241 (LdR nova).  Dreyer combined the two GC designations in the NGC.  R.J. Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 17 Feb 1855 (included in LdR's 1861 monograph).
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NGC 4713 = UGC 7985 = MCG +01-33-018 = CGCG 043-041 = PGC 43413
12 49 57.8  +05 18 39; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 2.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 100°

17.5" (4/21/90): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is 2.5' SE and a brighter mag 11.5 star 3.2' SSE.  Located 11' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 119609.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4713 = H. I-140 = h1444 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and recorded "cB, pL, much brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made 4 observations and recorded (sweep 153) "pB; L; little extended; 60" l, 50" br; two stars sf; 2' dist."
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NGC 4714 = MCG -02-33-018 = PGC 43442
12 50 19.2  -13 19 28; Crv
V = 12.7;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 150°

18" (5/16/09): moderately bright, moderately large, very bright core 20"x15" surrounded by a much fainter elongated halo elongated NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.6'.  NGC 4722 lies 18' due east.

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness.  Even concentration to center with a fairly faint stellar nucleus.  Located 18' SSW of mag 7.3 HD 111581.

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4'.  There appears to be a small, much fainter envelope so my description probably applies to a sharply concentrated core with a very low surface brightness halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4714 = H. III-536 = h1445 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and noted "eF, stellar."  His position matches MCG -02-33-018 = PGC 43442.  John Herschel made two observations and noted (sweep 352) "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12"."
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NGC 4715 = UGC 7986 = MCG +05-30-096 = CGCG 159-085 = PGC 43399
12 49 57.8  +27 49 20; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 1.9'x1.7';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 20°

18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak even concentration to a small brighter core.  A mag 13/14.5 double at 28" separation lies 4' S.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4715 on 10 May 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position (measured twice) matches UGC 7986 = PGC 43399.  Listed as #266 in his AN 1537 discovery list.
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NGC 4716 = MCG -01-33-021 = KTS 46A = LGG 312-004 = PGC 43464
12 50 33.1  -09 27 04; Vir
V = 12.9;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 80°

48" (4/28/22): at 488x; bright, moderately large, elongated nearly 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.5', strong concentration with an intensely bright nucleus.  Forms a very close pair with NGC 4717 just 50" SSE, and nearly merged at the southern edge of the eastern side.  A third galaxy, MCG -01-33-022, is 4' S.

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus.  Forms a double system with NGC 4717 just 0.8' SSE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4716 = T. 5-19a, along with 4717, on 2 May 1878.  He gave a single position in his notebook that lands on this pair, though he never published the discovery and wasn't credited in the NGC.

Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered both of these galaxies on 12 Apr 1882 with the 11-inch Amici I refractor at Arcetri Observatory near Florence.  He reported them as new in his 5th discovery paper (#19) with description "Double nebula; the position is that of the brighter, north preceding [NGC 4716], has a definite stellar nucleus.  The small, fainter companion [NGC 4717] follows by 1 sec and is barely 3/4' south. A star 11-12m is 2' north."  His micrometric position is accurate.
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NGC 4717 = MCG -01-33-023 = KTS 46C = LGG 312-002 = Holm 466a = PGC 43467
12 50 34.4  -09 27 47; Vir
V = 13.2;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 12°

48" (4/28/22): at 488x; bright spiral, very elongated ~3:1 N-S, ~75"x25", small brighter nucleus.  An obvious spiral arm extends south and curls a bit counterclockwise to the west.  A lower surface brightness arm nearly brushes up against NGC 4716, which is centered 50" NNW.

Forms a trio (KTS 46) with MCG -01-33-022 3.5' due south.  The last galaxy is a moderately bright, thin edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.2', very slightly brighter core.  A mag 15.4 star is close to the NNW tip. 

18" (4/9/05): faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, 0.7'x0.3'.  Forms an 0.8' double system with NGC 4716 off the north side.  MCG -01-33-022, a low surface brightness edge-on, lies 3.5' S (not noticed).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 4717 = T. 5-19b, along with NGC 4716, on 2 May 1878.  He gave a single position in his notebook that lands on this pair, though he never published the discovery and wasn't credited in the NGC.

Wilhelm Tempel rediscovered the pair on 12 Apr 1882 and reported them as new in his 5th discovery paper (#19).  See his description under NGC 4716.
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NGC 4718 = MCG -01-33-020 = PGC 43463
12 50 32.6  -05 16 56; Vir
V = 13.9;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 95°

24" (3/23/22): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, slightly brighter core.  Between a mag 11.5 star 2' E and a mag 13.5 star 3' W. 

LEDA 170209 (possibly IC 825), located 6' SW, appeared extremely to very faint, very small, roundish, 15" diameter.

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, low even surface brightness, collinear with a mag 13.5 star 2.9' W and mag 12 star 2.0' E.  NGC 4718 lies 19' WNW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4718 = h1446 on 19 Feb 1830 and logged "eF; vS; between 2 stars 5' asunder."  His position and description matches MCG -01-33-020 = PGC 43463.  See Harold Corwin's identification notes for IC 825.
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NGC 4719 = UGC 7987 = MCG +06-28-035 = CGCG 188-024 = Mrk 446 = PGC 43428
12 50 08.7  +33 09 33; CVn
V = 13.2;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, small, round, sharp stellar nucleus, small halo.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4719 = H. III-424 = h1448 on 3 May 1785 (sweep 407) and noted "vF, stellar or a little larger."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2.5' southeast of UGC 7987 = PGC 43428.  John Herschel called it "eF; easily mistaken for a * 15m." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4720 = MCG -01-33-024 = PGC 43478
12 50 42.7  -04 09 21; Vir
V = 14.2;  Size 1.0'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 120°

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration, fairly high even surface brightness.  Located 3.7' SW of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4720 = H. III-611 = h1447 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 706) and noted "Suspected, vF, S.  I did not stop to verify it."  Nevertheless, his position is accurate and was verified on 11 Mar 1787 (sweep 709).
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NGC 4721 = MCG +05-30-097 = CGCG 159-086 = PGC 43437
12 50 19.9  +27 19 26; Com
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 114°

18" (4/10/04): faint, small edge-on WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.2', very small brighter nucleus.  Forms a pair with brighter NGC 4721, 6.8' NNE.  A mag 11 star lies 3.6' NNE, midway between NGC 4721 and NGC 4728.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4721 on 24 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single measurement is accurate.
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NGC 4722 = IC 3833 = MCG -02-33-031 = LGG 307-003 = PGC 43560
12 51 32.3  -13 19 48; Crv
V = 12.9;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 35°

48" (5/7/24): at 488x; bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, contains a very bright core and nucleus.  NGC 4748 (a contact, interacting pair) is 11' SE.  This extremely isolated galaxy is located in the Lynx-Cancer void. 

18" (5/16/09): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2  SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.5'.  Contains a round bright core that increases to the center with direct vision.

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.4', small bright core.  A mag 14 star lies 1.1' E of center.  In field with NGC 4748 11' SE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4722, along with NGC 4723, in 1882, and reported it in the narrative portion of his fifth discovery paper (AN 2439). He simply noted "Following [NGC 4714] are two class III nebulae that I sketched, but could not yet measure."  The position in the NGC (estimated by Dreyer) is 0.7 min of RA west of MCG -02-33-031 = PGC 43560, the brightest galaxy east of NGC 4714. So, this is very likely one of the two galaxies seen by Tempel.

Bigourdan independently discovered this galaxy on 15 Apr 1895 and reported it as Big. 302 (later IC 3833) with an accurate position, so the IC identification is certain.  Herbert Howe searched the field in 1898 with the 20" refractor in Denver looking for NGC 4722/4723 and reported finding only a single nebula.  His position (given in the IC 2 Notes section) matches IC 3833.  Jermain Porter also measured an accurate micrometric position in 1907 using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory, though he called this object a "Nova".  See notes for NGC 4723 and Harold Corwin's identification notes for the full story.
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NGC 4723 = MCG -02-33-026 = Holm 471a = PGC 43508 = PGC 43510
12 51 02.9  -13 14 13; Crv
V = 14.2;  Size 1.1'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 40°

18" (5/15/10): at 220x appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, requires averted to glimpse and too faint for any noticeable structure.  A mag 15 star lies 34" NW.  Located 9' NW of NGC 4722 and 12' NE of NGC 4714.

18" (5/16/09): not seen.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4723, along with NGC 4722, in 1882, and reported it in the narrative portion of paper V (AN 2439). He simply noted "Following [NGC 4714] are two class III nebulae that I sketched, but could not yet measure."  One of these is likely IC 3833 = PGC 43560, which is 1.2 min of RA following NGC 4714, and NGC 4722 is equated with this galaxy.  Herbert Howe could only find this object when he searched the field, so the identification of the second galaxy is very uncertain.

One possibility is the second galaxy is MCG -02-33-026 (RNGC and PGC equate NGC 4723 with this galaxy), located 9' northwest of IC 3833, though it may be too faint to have been picked up by Tempel.  MCG does not label their catalogue entry as NGC 4723.  Another possibility is the second galaxy is a reobservation of NGC 4848, located 11' southeast of IC 3833.  Finally, a third possibility is MCG -02-033-024, located 11' southwest of IC 3833.  As 

The identification here is the one used in the NGC and PGC, but as Harold Corwin comments "It's clear, though, that we do not (yet) know which nebulae Tempel found."
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NGC 4724 = MCG -02-33-022 = Holm 470b = PGC 43494
12 50 53.8  -14 19 54; Crv
V = 13.9;  Size 0.9'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 95°

18" (5/16/09): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus (or a star is superimposed).  Forms a contact pair off the west side of brighter NGC 4727 (50" between center).  Two mag 12 stars in an obtuse, isosceles triangle to the north are collinear with the pair.

18" (4/9/05): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Contains a faint, quasi-stellar nucleus.  Located just off the west side of larger and brighter NGC 4727!

William Herschel discovered NGC 4724 = H. III-280 = h1449, along with NGC 4727. on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372). He recorded "About half a minute preceding [NGC 4727] is a vS star which I strongly suspect to be stellar, but could not verify it with 240."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; R: the np of two, 1' distant."
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NGC 4725 = UGC 7989 = MCG +04-30-022 = CGCG 129-027 = Holm 468a = PGC 43451
12 50 26.3  +25 30 03; Com
V = 9.4;  Size 10.7'x7.6';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 35°

48" (5/3/19 and 5/5/24): very bright, very large, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, strong concentration with a very bright oval core and an intense nucleus.  The inner ring (interpreted as spiral arms in my 18" observation) was very obvious and highlighted by bright arcs or "handles" at the SW and NE ends.  The ring dimmed on the E side but could be traced between the two arcs.  The W side, though, had a missing gap.  At least one OB association or HII knot was seen on the SW end [2.1' WSW of center]. This is perhaps NGC 4725:[BKB2006] 11, which is in the spiral arm immediately to the W.  A portion of the low surface brightness arm was faintly visible extending N. A faint OB association was also noted on the NE end of the ring, probably NGC 4725:[BKB2006] 4.

18" (5/12/07): very impressive spiral structure visible.  Two arms emerge from the very bright oval core. One arm is attached at the NE end of the core and sweeps to the N before hooking back to the W.  Three faint stars are superimposed along this arm.  A second broader arm is attached at the SW end of the core.  This arms heads S before hooking towards the E.  Both arms have brighter patches or arcs near the ends of the major axis.

13.1" (5/26/84): very bright, impressive, very small bright core, elongated SW-NE, large halo.  Structure suspected with the WSW edge possibly brighter.  NGC 4712 lies 12' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4725 = H. I-84 = h1451 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393). He recorded "considerably bright, irregularly round, 7 or 8' the longest way, the brightness confined to a small spot; the rest being milky nebulosity."

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered spiral structure on 9 Mar 1850.  NGC 4725 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 PT paper.  The following February, Bindon Stoney logged "Spiral, 2 arms and some stars in following arm."  On 15 Apr 1858, R.J. Mitchell wrote "vL and vB.  The centre itself it like an E neb with Nucl; the centre is enveloped is an irr ring or rings of nebulous light ..."  His sketch clearly shows the inner ring surrounding an oval core or bar.  On 3 May 1858, he added "The surrounding ring of nebulosity is of irregular shape, it curves gently at delta (south preceding end) but bends more sharply at gamma (north following end), where it is brightest. The centre seems to reach up to and to blend with the nebulosity at delta."
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NGC 4726 = LEDA 926789
12 50 46.1  -14 16 07; Crv
Size 1.0'x0.2';  PA = 76°

18" (5/16/09): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12".  Based on this description I only viewed the core region of this thin edge-on.  Located 1.2' SSE of a mag 12 star and 4.5' NW of the NGC 4724/4727 duo.  The identification of this NGC number is uncertain and most other sources equate it with IC 3834.

IC 3834 appeared faint, small, round, low even surface brightness.  A mag 15 star lies 43" W of center.  Located 11' NE of the NGC 4727/4724 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4726 in 1882.  In the narrative portion of his fifth paper (AN 2439) he mentions "4' further north of the beautiful double nebula [NGC 4724/4727] is a fainter companion."  Dreyer's position is 4' north of the midpoint of NGC 4724 and 4727.  LEDA 926789 is situated 4.5' north-northwest of the pair and the only galaxy in the vicinity.  It was found again on 24-inch Bruce plates at Harvard's Boyden Station in Bloemfontein, South Africa and reported as new in 1940 by Harlow Shapley and John Paraskevopoulos.  But is it too faint to have been picked up visually by Tempel with the 11-inch refractor at Arcetri Observatory?  Possibly, so this identification is uncertain.

Herbert Howe searched unsuccessfully for this object at the NGC position in 1899 with the 20-inch refractor in Denver.  But on two nights he measured an object which he assumed was NGC 4726.  His position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) matches IC 3834 = PGC 43559, a much brighter galaxy discovered by Bigourdan on 14 Apr 1895 and recorded as B. 303.  This galaxy is nearly 11' northeast of NGC 4724/4727, so it doesn't match Tempel's object.  But based on Dreyer's erroneous "corrected" position, modern catalogues (with the exception of NED) identify IC 3834 as NGC 4726.
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NGC 4727 = NGC 4740: = MCG -02-33-023 = Holm 470a = PGC 43499
12 50 57.2  -14 19 58; Crv
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 130°

18" (5/16/09): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5', broad, weak concentration with no core but contains a quasi-stellar brighter nucleus with direct vision.  Forms a close contact pair with NGC 4724 barely off the west side.

18" (4/9/05): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', broad concentration with a slightly irregular surface brightness though no defined core or nucleus.  Forms a close, striking pair with NGC 4724 just 50" between centers.  The V magnitude appears brighter than listed (13.6).

William Herschel discovered NGC 4727 = H. II-298 = h1450, along with NGC 4724, on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and recorded "F, pL, little brighter in the middle."  His position is a very good match with the brighter, eastern component of this close pair.  John Herschel made a single observation, noting "F; R; the sf and brighter of 2, dist 1'."

NGC 4740, found by Lewis Swift, is probably a duplicate observation.  See that number for more.
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NGC 4728 = MCG +05-30-098 = CGCG 159-087 = Holm 469a = PGC 43455
12 50 28.0  +27 26 05; Com
V = 14.0;  Size 1.0'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 108°

18" (4/10/04): faint, small, round, 20" diameter, no noticeable concentration.  Forms the north vertex of a thin triangle with a mag 11 star 3.3' S and a mag 13 star 3.8' SSW.  Another 3.6' S of the mag 11 star is NGC 4721 (6.8' SSW).  Located 18' WSW of mag 4.9 31 Comae Berenices and a similar distance ESE of mag 5.8 30 Comae!

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  A mag 11 star is 3.3' SSW.  This outlying member of AGC 1656 forms a trio with NGC 4728A = UGC 7992 2' ESE and NGC 4728B 3.5' NNE.  NGC 4745 lies 13' E.  Located 18' SE of 30 Comae Berenices (V = 5.8) and 17' SW of 31 Comae (V = 4.9).  The CGCG magnitude =15.6z is too faint.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4728 on 3 Mar 1867 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position, measured on two consecutive nights, is accurate.  This is the brightest of three with (R)NGC 4728A = UGC 7992 at 2.2' ESE and (R)NGC 4728C at 3.6' NNE.
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NGC 4729 = ESO 323-016 = MCG -07-27-002 = A1248-40 = LGG 298-018 = PGC 43591
12 51 46.2  -41 07 57; Cen
V = 12.3;  Size 1.5'x1.4';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, oval NW-SE.  A mag 13 star is 1.0' N.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4730 2.8' ESE.  Located within the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526).  Misidentified in the RNGC as ESO 323-008.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4729 = h3430, along with NGC 4730 = h3431, on 8 Jun 1834.  He gave only a single approximate position (nearest minute of RA and nearest minute of dec, both marked as +/-), although he mentions in his observation of NGC 4744 on the same sweep that this pair was to its southwest.  ESO 323-016 and ESO 323-017 are 5' and 8' southeast of JH's rough position, and these are the two brightest galaxies southwest of NGC 4744.  Harold Corwin mentions that Ron Buta and Andris Lauberts first suggested NGC 4729 = ESO 323-016 and NGC 4730 = ESO 323-017 and these identifications are used in the ESO.

Helwan Observatory reported "No nebula here", based on photos taken with the 30" Reynolds reflector in 1919-20 but listed ESO 323-016 as a new nebula with description "pF, S, globular nebula."  MCG does not label its two entries as NGC 4729 and 4730.  RNGC misidentifies ESO 323-008 as NGC 4729.  See Corwin's identificiation notes for the full story.
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NGC 4730 = ESO 323-017 = MCG -07-27-003 = PGC 43611
12 52 00.5  -41 08 49; Cen
V = 12.9;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small.  A star lies off the south edge.  Forms a close pair with NGC 4749 2.8' WNW.  Member of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526).  Misidentified in the RNGC as ESO 323-009.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4730 = h3431, along with NGC 4729 = h3430, on 8 Jun 1834.  See notes for NGC 4729.

Helwan Observatory reported "No nebula here", based on photos taken with the 30" Reynolds reflector in 1919-20 but listed ESO 323-017 as a new nebula with description "F, S, stellar nucleus."
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NGC 4731 = MCG -01-33-026 = UGCA 302 = Holm 472a = LGG 314-005 = PGC 43507
12 51 01.0  -06 23 33; Vir
V = 11.5;  Size 6.6'x3.2';  Surf Br = 14.6;  PA = 85°

48" (4/2/11 and 5/14/12): NGC 4731 is an amazing stretched barred spiral with a long, thin central bar oriented NW-SE. The bar is quite bright and very elongated ~4:1, extending ~1.6'x0.4'.  Long spiral arms are attached at the ends of the bar: the arm beginning at the NW end curves gently west, while the one at the SE end stretches due east.  The bar + arms form a very distinctive, shallow "integral sign" symbol, ~5' in length from west to east!

The eastern arm is slightly brighter and longer.  It fans out and becomes patchy towards the eastern end.  A 15th magnitude star is at or just beyond the tip.  The western arm bends gradually towards the south. A large region of faint, diffuse haze spreads south of the arm increasing the total size of the galaxy.  A mag 14 star is just south of the bar and a small triangle (sides 30"-40") of mag 15.1-16.3 stars is north of the bar.  A faint, very small HII knot (NGC 4731:[HK83] 21/22) is squeezed between the triangle of stars and the bar.

NGC 4731A was picked up 10' SSE. It appeared moderately bright and large, irregularly round, ~0.6' diameter, broad concentration, brightens gradually to the center.  A faint star or knot at the SW edge was not noticed in a quick observation at 375x.

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, low even surface brightness.  A mag 14 star is just south of the nucleus.  Forms a pair with NGC 4731A = MCG -01-33-027 10.5' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4731 = H. I-41 = h1452 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and recorded "B, L, little brighter middle, irregular figure, resolvable."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; pL; E; third class; sky perfectly clear and fine."  His position is accurate, although Dreyer was concerned about the discrepant descriptions and positions.  In the IC I notes, Dreyer remarked "Herschel in 1784 described it as "little brighter in the middle" not "suddenly brighter middle: as in GC.  There has apparently not been any change; it is diffused, without concentration.  The RA in NGC [from John Herschel] is correct."  Dreyer based this comment on two observations he made at Armagh observatory.
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NGC 4732 = UGC 7988 = MCG +09-21-053 = CGCG 270-026 = PGC 43430
12 50 07.1  +52 51 00; UMa
V = 13.8;  Size 1.2'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 8°

18" (7/1/03): faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3'.  Contains a large, brighter middle with faint extensions.  A mag 12 star lies 2.3' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4732 = H. II-814 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "F, S, very suddenly mbM."  Caroline's reduced position is 2.5' north of UGC 7988.
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NGC 4733 = UGC 7997 = MCG +02-33-028 = CGCG 071-054 = Holm 473a = PGC 43516
12 51 06.8  +10 54 43; Vir
V = 11.8;  Size 1.9'x1.8'

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 13.5-14 star is 30" off the west edge and 1' from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4733 = H. II-73 = h1453 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "F, not vS."  John Herschel made 5 observations (earliest on 11 Apr 1825, sweep 3).  On 13 Mar 1826 (sweep 22) he recorded, "F; R: has a * 12m immediately p."
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NGC 4734 = UGC 7998 = MCG +01-33-019 = CGCG 043-045 = PGC 43525
12 51 12.9  +04 51 32; Vir
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 145°

18" (4/29/06): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak concentration. Appears brighter on the north edge or the core is asymmetrical on the north side.  Located 33' NE of NGC 4713.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4734 = h1454 on 7 Apr 1828 and noted "vF; vS; R."  His position is good.
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NGC 4735 = MCG +05-30-104 = CGCG 159-091 = PGC 43509
12 51 01.7  +28 55 40; Com
V = 14.5;  Size 0.6'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.6;  PA = 95°

17.5" (5/14/94): faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.3', very little central brightening.  The major axis is collinear with a mag 13.5 star 2.2' W of center which has a mag 15 companion.  On line with mag 8.5 SAO 82534 5.8' SE and mag 9 SAO 82535 9.8' SE which detract from viewing.  NGC 4738 in field 8.6' SSE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4735 = Big. 56 on 9 May 1885.  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4736 = M94 = UGC 7996 = MCG +07-26-058 = CGCG 216-034 = CGCG 217-001 = LGG 290-012 = PGC 43495
12 50 53.0  +41 07 12; CVn
V = 8.2;  Size 11.2'x9.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 105°

13.1" (4/12/86): very bright, very impressive, fairly large, oval WNW-ESE, very bright core containing a stellar nucleus.

Pierre Méchain discovered M94 = NGC 4736 = h1456 on 22 Mar 1781.  William Herschel recorded (sweep 717 on 18 Mar 1787) "very brilliant.  A large, luminous nucleus of more than 20" diameter with faint chevulure and branches extending 6 or 8'."  Again on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725), he logged "Very brilliant, with much F nebulosity on the [south preceding] and more on the following side."  As with other known Messier objects, Herschel didn't include M94 in his catalogs.  John Herschel made 6 observations and a sketch (Plate XIII, figure 41).  In May 1828 (sweep 150) he wrote, "vB; R; pretty suddenly very much brighter middle to a nipple; with 240x, resolvable; glimpses of stars seen. A fine object. 90" or 2' in diam."  

Bindon Stoney reported it as a new spiral in his observation at Birr Castle on 9 Apr 1852.  On 13 Apr 1855, R.J. Mitchell logged "vlE pf, dark ring round the nucleus, the bright ring exterior to this.  The annulus, however, is not perfect, but broken up and patchy, and the object will probably run out to be a spiral."

Heber Curtis described the appearance based on a Crosley photograph at Lick: "A beautiful object.  From the very bright, large nucleus spring many bright, closely packed whorls, formling a bright inner oval 2' x 1.5' in p.a. about 110°.  These inner whorls show many stellar condensations..Fainter, closely packer, rather uniform outer whorls bring the nebula to a size of 5'x3.5'.
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NGC 4737 = MCG +06-28-036 = CGCG 188-025 = PGC 43490
12 50 52.9  +34 09 24; CVn
V = 13.8;  Size 0.9'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 49°

17.5" (4/28/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4737 = H. III-496 = h1457 on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508) and recorded "eF, vS, pmE."
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NGC 4738 = UGC 7999 = MCG +05-30-103 = CGCG 159-092 = FGC 1510 = PGC 43517
12 51 08.9  +28 47 17; Com
V = 13.4;  Size 2.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 34°

17.5" (5/14/94): faint, small, very thin edge-on 6:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.2', slightly brighter along major axis.  Forms a very close pair with a mag 14.5 star 50" SE of center.  NGC 4735 lies 8.6' NNW.  Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 8.4 SAO 82534 4.9' NNE and mag 9 SAO 82535 5.7' ENE.

George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4738 = Big. 57 on 1 Mar 1851.  He simply noted "nova, Nucl, E" and gave a rough position.  Guillaume Bigourdan independently discovered this galaxy on 9 Mar 1885 and noted "elongated in PA 30°."  The NGC position from Bigourdan is accurate.
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NGC 4739 = MCG -01-33-029 = PGC 43571
12 51 37.1  -08 24 37; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 1.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, gradual central brightening, possibly contains faint stellar nucleus.  Located 10' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 139005.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4739 = H. III-515 = h1455 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and reported "vF, S, E."  His position is at the southeast edge of MCG -01-33-029 = PGC 43571.
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NGC 4740 = NGC 4727: = MCG -02-33-023 = PGC 43499
12 50 57.2  -14 19 58; Crv
V = 13.0;  Size 1.4'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 130°

See observing notes for NGC 4727.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 4740 = Sw. 6-49 on 27 Apr 1887 and recorded "pF; pS; R; mbM."  There is nothing at this position, but 50 sec of RA west is NGC 4727 and this relatively bright galaxy is a good match in description.  The closest galaxy to Swift's position, though, is IC 3834, which is located 6' north and 14 sec of RA preceding.  So, there are two possible candidates.

Herbert Howe, examining the area in 1899 with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, commented "I cannot see anything in the NGC place for NGC 4740.  Under date of 1899 August 9 Dr. Swift writes, in reply to a query: "I have examined the record of 4740, and find that it was made 1887 April 27, with position 12 46, -13 41.  The right ascension is for 1890, the declination for date of discovery.  I have no recollection about it."  This position agrees so well with NGC 4726 that I assume them to be identical."  But Howe couldn't find NGC 4726 at Tempel's location 4'  north of NGC 4724/4727 but found IC 3834, which he assumed was NGC 4726.

Malcolm Thomson feels NGC 4740 is IC 3834, but Harold Corwin argues that NGC 4740 is more likely a duplicate observation of NGC 4727.
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NGC 4741 = UGC 8000 = MCG +08-23-098 = CGCG 244-045 = CGCG 245-003 = PGC 43504
12 50 59.5  +47 40 17; CVn
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 165°

18" (7/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, broad concentration.  Form the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides ~3' with a mag 14 star to the NE and a mag 12.5 star to the SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4741 = H. III-721 = h1458 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "vF, S."  John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; pretty suddenly brighter in the middle" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4742 = MCG -02-33-032 = UGCA 303 = LGG 307-008 = PGC 43594
12 51 48.0  -10 27 17; Vir
V = 11.3;  Size 2.6'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 75°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, small, bright stellar nucleus.  A mag 12 star lies 1.3' SE of center.  Situated 9' SE of STF 1682, a bright unequal double star with components 6.4/9.7 at 30".  In a group with NGC 4760 20' E and NGC 4781 38' E.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4742 = H. I-133 = h3432 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and logged "cB, vS, BN."  His position matches MCG -02-33-032 = PGC 43594.  JH described "A star 9m, with a strong burr about of very small extent, diam 10".  It is the best specimen of the class of "stellar nebulae" that I remember to have seen."
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NGC 4743 = ESO 323-021 = MCG -07-27-005 = LGG 298-046 = PGC 43653
12 52 16.0  -41 23 26; Cen
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.5';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 176°

17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, elongated N-S.  Located 15' S of NGC 4729 and NGC 4744 within the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4743 = h3429 on 8 Jun 1834 and logged "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle." His position is accurate, though MCG does not label its entry (MCG -07-27-005) as NGC 4743.

Pietro Baracchi discovered and sketched nearby ESO 323-019 on 13 May 1885 while observing the field of NGC 4743 with the 48" Melbourne telescope.  NGC 4743 was described as "pB; S; R; little brighter in the middle."
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NGC 4744 = ESO 323-022 = MCG -07-27-006 = LGG 298-019 = PGC 43661
12 52 19.5  -41 03 37; Cen
V = 12.6;  Size 2.1'x1.0';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 122°

25" (3/31/19 - OzSky): at 244x; nearly moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 24"x18", brighter core. Located 8' E of mag 9.1 HD 111324.

17.5" (4/7/89): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness.  Third of three and located about 7' NE of the NGC 4729/NGC 4730 pair within the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4744 = h3433 on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "F; L; E; gradually brighter in the middle; has two more nebulae preceding, a little to south [NGC 4729 and 4730]." His position is is just off the southeast side of ESO 323-022 = PGC 43661.
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NGC 4745 = MCG +05-30-105A = CGCG 159-094 = Holm 474a = PGC 43539
12 51 26.1  +27 25 16; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.8'

17.5" (5/14/94): faint, small, round, well-defined edge to halo, no concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.4' ENE of center.  The view is hampered by 31 Comae Berenices (V = 4.9) located 8.0' NNE and mag 9 SAO 82532 5.3' SSW.  NGC 4728 is at the edge of the field 13' W.  There were several brief impressions of an extremely faint companion galaxy 1.7' WNW (NGC 4745B).  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4745 on 24 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position on two nights is at the northeast edge of CGCG 159-094 = PGC 43539.  The RC3 mag =15.1V appears too faint.
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NGC 4746 = UGC 8007 = MCG +02-33-029 = CGCG 071-060 = PGC 43601
12 51 55.2  +12 04 59; Vir
V = 12.6;  Size 3.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 120°

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration with no well-defined nucleus.  A mag 11 star lies 3.5' WSW and a mag 13 star is 2.3' N of center.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4746 = h1460 on 29 Mar 1830 and logged "pB; mE; r.'  His position is just off the south side of UGC 80007 and his description is appropriate.
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NGC 4747 = Arp 159 = UGC 8005 = MCG +04-30-023 = CGCG 129-028 = Holm 468c = PGC 43586
12 51 45.5  +25 46 30; Com
V = 12.3;  Size 3.5'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 30°

13.1" (5/26/84): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 3'x1', diffuse, low even surface brightness.  Located 22' NE of NGC 4725.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4747 = H. II-344 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F; pL; lE." Caroline's reduction is 1' south of UGC 8005.  Although John Herschel recorded nearby NGC 4725, though either missed or didn't look for this object.
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NGC 4748 = MCG -02-33-034 = PGC 43643
12 52 12.6  -13 24 49; Crv
V = 13.5;  Size 0.9'x0.7';  Surf Br = 12.7

48" (5/7/24): NGC 4748 is a contact, interacting pair with the main galaxy on the SW side a Seyfert 1 type. At 488x it appeared fairly bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, very strong, sharp concentration with a very bright, very small (or stellar) nucleus.

The companion (LEDA 3797560) is in contact at the NE edge (16" between centers) and it was faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, faint nucleus.  The two galaxies appear to be in a common halo.  NGC 4722 is 11' NW.

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, very small bright core.  Located 3' NNW of a mag 10 star.  Pair with similar NGC 4722 11' NW.  Appears double on the POSS with smaller component at the north side.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4748 = H. III-537 = h1459 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and noted " vF, vS, iF."
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NGC 4749 = UGC 8006 = MCG +12-12-020 = CGCG 335-026 = LGG 303-002 = PGC 43527
12 51 12.4  +71 38 05; Dra
V = 13.5;  Size 1.8'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 158°

18" (6/28/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.3', brighter core.  A distinctive "kite" asterism of mag 12-13 stars is close NW.  Four mag 8-9 stars are in the 20' field around the periphery including mag 7.9 SAO 7686 at 8.5' ESE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4749 = H. III-907 on 7 Apr 1793 (sweep 1037). He noted "very faint, extended from np to sf, about 1 1/2' long and 1/2' broad."  His RA (Caroline's reduction) is ~ 1.0 tmin too small (same error as NGC 4250 in the sweep).  Bigourdan measured an accurate position used in the NGC.
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NGC 4750 = UGC 7994 = MCG +12-12-019 = CGCG 335-025 = LGG 303-003 = PGC 43426
12 50 07.2  +72 52 28; Dra
V = 11.2;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.5

18" (5/8/04): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.4'x1.2', well concentrated with a prominent 30" core which increases to a distinct stellar nucleus with direct vision.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4750 = H. IV-78 = h1463 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1101, under the pole).  He recorded "considerably bright, round, brighter middle, about 1 1/2' diam.  Somewhat approaching to a planetary nebula, with a strong hazy border."  Based on his impression, NGC 4750 was catalogued as in class IV for planetary nebulae and misc. types.  John Herschel (probably working with his father's description) made the single observation "pF; L; R; 40" diameter; the central portion up to diam 30" is nearly uniform, so as to give an approach to the appearance of a planetary nebula."  His position is accurate.

The 1967 Perek and Kohoutek "Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebulae" includes NGC 4750 in a list of "Objects Omitted", likely based on the Herschel descriptions.
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NGC 4751 = ESO 323-029 = MCG -07-27-011 = LGG 309-003 = PGC 43723
12 52 50.7  -42 39 36; Cen
V = 11.8;  Size 3.0'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 175°

18" (3/28/09): this member of AGC 3526 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', small bright core.  Located on the SE side of AGC 3526 (Centaurus cluster), 1.5° SE of NGC 4696 and 30' NW of mag 5.5 HD 112213.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4751 = h3434 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "B; R; first very gradually, then very suddenly brighter in the middle; 50" diameter."  His position matches ESO 323-029 = PGC 43723, although MCG fails to label its entry as NGC 4751.
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NGC 4752 = CGCG 071-058 = PGC 43555
12 51 29.1  +13 46 55; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 0.9'x0.3';  PA = 154°

18" (5/12/07): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.3'x0.2', visible continuously with averted vision.  Located 43' SE of 5.7-magnitude 29 Coma.

The NGC identification with this galaxy seems unlikely due to a poor match with William Herschel's position.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4752 = H. III-82 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189) and recorded "vF, S, E, r."  There is nothing near his position -- 4.05 min of RA east and 15' south of NGC 4689.  Bigourdan searched unsuccessfully for this object.

Karl Reinmuth, using Heidelberg plates, identified NGC 4752 as a mag 12 star close to Herschel's position with "no nebulosity, *13.5 nf 2.8', S double star sf 3.0'."  Dorothy Carlson, repeated this identification in her 1940 NGC Correction paper and it was followed by the RNGC.  But Herschel's comments "vF" and "elongated" wouldn't apply to a single 12th mag star.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 4752 may refer to CGCG 71-58.  This galaxy is a very poor match in position -- 38 seconds of time preceding and 15' N of Herschel's position -- so the identification is very uncertain. Seligman suggests UGC 8032 (nice edge-on) as another candidate, but its position is even further out.  He concludes this number is likely nonexistent or lost.
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NGC 4753 = UGC 8009 = MCG +00-33-016 = CGCG 015-029 = LGG 315-003 = PGC 43671
12 52 22.0  -01 11 58; Vir
V = 9.9;  Size 6.0'x2.8';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 80°

48" (5/12/18): very bright and large, irregular oval, ~5'x3'.  Sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core that increased to an intense stellar nucleus.  The halo was irregular, particularly on the east side, which had a tattered appearance due to dusty intrusions.  NGC 4753 is an unusual I0 galaxy (amorphous irregular) with dust filaments from the shredded remains of a small spiral galaxy that was captured by a much larger elliptical galaxy. 

18" (5/28/06): very bright, very large, the halo increases to a large bright core.  The halo appears irregular in shape with averted vision with a strong impression of a low surface brightness extension on the southeast side and a less-defined extension to the northwest.  On images, this distorted galaxy has very unusual chaotic, twisted dust lanes and disc, with a much fainter outer halo inclined to the main body.

17.5" (4/21/90): bright, large, oval 2:1 E-W, the halo brightens down to a small very bright core.  Overall, an impressive galaxy.  Mag 9 SAO 139015 lies 8' ESE and mag 7.8 SAO 13910 is 16' NNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4753 = H. I-16 = h1461 on 22 Feb 1784 (sweep 153) and recorded "a fine nebula, brightest in the M; pL; 4 or 5' extent.  It is not quite R, but a little compressed.  The middle though vB does not resemble the nucleus of a comet."  John Herschel made a single obervation and measured an accurate position.

Based on photographs taken in 1921-22 with the 30” reflector at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt, Knox-Shaw first reported "two lanes of absorption in the nebula, north and south of centre meeting in the preceding end.”
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NGC 4754 = UGC 8010 = MCG +02-33-030 = CGCG 071-062 = Holm 478b = PGC 43656
12 52 17.5  +11 18 50; Vir
V = 10.6;  Size 4.6'x2.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 23°

17.5" (4/13/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated halo SSW-NNE, 3' diameter.  Sharply concentrated with a very bright, small round core that contains a substellar nucleus.  Located in the center of a group of six faint mag 14 stars.  A brighter mag 11 star lies 3.1' SW of center.  Forms a pretty pair with NGC 4762 11' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4754 = H. I-25 = H. II-74 = h1462 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He recorded I-25 as "bright, small, in a line with two stars."  Caroline's reduced position is 18 seconds of RA preceding UGC 8010 and the description nails the identification.  Just 45 seconds or so later he recorded NGC 4754 (a second time!) and NGC 4762:"Two pretty bright nebula; the preceding [NGC 4754] of them is almost round.  The following [NGC 4762] very much elongated; they are not far from the same parallel and about 8 or 10' distant."  The second observation was catalogued separately as II-74!

Wolfgang Steinicke analyzes the sweep in his book on William Herschel: "When Herschel saw I 25 (NGC 4754), the companion was out of the field (to the east). While describing his find, it moved towards the center. Then the tube was move up a whole field and to turn back abruptly about the same distance. Now two nebulae entered the field: II 74 and II 75.  Herschel did not realize that the western one (II 74) was actually I 25. The eastern, II 75 (NGC 4762) was indeed new. Thus, NGC 4754 was found twice."

John Herschel made four observations (noting the equivalence of I-25 and II-74) and six observations were made at Birr Castle.
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NGC 4755 = ESO 131-16 = Cr 264 = Jewel Box Cluster = Kappa Crucis Cluster
12 53 37  -60 21 24; Cru
V = 4.2;  Size 10'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, 120-150 stars are resolved in the Jewel Box cluster with careful viewing.  A huge number of mag 13-14 stars form a rich carpet in the background of a half-dozen very bright stars in the cluster.  The three brightest mag 6-7 stars form a 4.4' NW-SE string with orange-red DU Crucis (V = 7.2-7.7) 40" NE of the 'central mag 7 HD 111934 (BU Cru).  The SE star is mag 5.9 HD 11973 (B2-type Supergiant), sometimes called Kappa Cruci.  The half-dozen brightest stars in the cluster form a capital "A" asterism.   The star distribution is very irregular with a number of stars arranged in strings, loops, pair and triplets.

This small naked-eye cluster is just north of the Coalsack and roughly 1° SE of mag 1.3 Mimosa (Beta Crucis).

12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): the Jewel Box cluster is a beautiful, naked-eye cluster about a degree SE of Beta Crucis.  At 186x, the cluster includes a half-dozen very bright stars (mag 6-7.5) set over a rich background of scores of mag 9-13 stars within a compact 10' diameter.  A line of three mag 6-7 crosses the center of cluster from NW to SE with a striking orange-red variable star (DU Crucis = SAO 252073) near the center.  Other stars have a blue-white and yellow-white tint, though these colors are subdued.  South of the cluster is the remarkable 6°x4° dark Coalsack, which sits adjacent to the SE side of the Southern Cross.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): the Jewel Box is bright naked-eye cluster close to Beta Crucis (Mimosa).  Several very bright stars were resolved and some fainter stars using the 10x30 binoculars.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 4755 = Lac II-12 = D 301 = h3435 in 1751 through a 1/2" telescope during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He classified it as a nebulous star cluster and noted "5 or 6 small stars between two of sixth magnitude".  The cluster was observed at the Parramatta Observatory during regular meridian work and described as "a cluster of 12 or 14 small stars, in the form of a rhomboid, very close together. Part of this cluster forms a very perfect cone of mixed stars."

On 26 May 1826 at Parramata, James Dunlop described "(Kappa Crucis, Bode) is 5 stars of the 7th magnitude, forming a triangular figure with a star of the 8 or 9th magnitude between the second and the third, with a multitude of very small stars congregated around the 4th or most southerly star on the south side."  Based on 6 observations with his 9" speculum reflector, he noted "Figure 13 [sketch] is a very correct representation."

John Herschel first observed the cluster on 14 Mar 1834 and recorded "the central star (extremely red) of a most vivid and beautiful cluster of from 50 to 100 stars. Among the larger there are one or two evidently greenish; south of the red star is one 13th mag, also red; and near it is one 12th mag, bluish."  In preparation for his meticulous sketch of the cluster, he drew up a catalogue of 110 stars, accompanied by the following explanation: "Though set down by Lacaille as nebulous, and on that authority entered as a nebula in Bode's Catalogue, no nebula is perceptible in any part of the extent of this cluster, which though neither a large nor a rich one, is yet an extremely brilliant and beautiful object when viewed through an instrument of sufficient aperture to show distinctly the very different colour of its constituent stars, which give it the effect of a superb piece of fancy jewelery. The area occupied by it is about one-forty-eighth part of a square degree, within which area I have laid down, partly from micrometric measures (as regards the large stars) and partly from intertriangulation by the eye (as respects the small ones) the stars (110 in number) of the following catalogue." Herschel listed eight stars in which the "colour is conspicuous"; 3 are described as "greenish-white, 2 are green, 1 blue-green, 1 red and 1 ruddy. These colors are phenomenological and not physical, as only orange-red DU Crucis has a distinct color.

In May 1862, English-Australian amateur astronomer and meteoroligist Francis Abbott constructed a map of 75 stars (from Hobart, Tasmania), five of which Abbott thought were not shown by Herschel.  He commented "certain changes are apparently taking place in the number, position, and colours of its component stars."  In 1872 Henry Chamberlain Russell, director of the Sydney Observatory, decided to investigate Abbott's claim and carefully measured the positions of the stars using the observatory's 7.25-inch Merz refractor and creating a catalog of 130 stars.  He also mistakenly noted change and thought several stars had changed their positions based on Herschel's sketch.  He also criticized Herschel by remarking that he missed several of the fainter stars that he (Russell) measured with a smaller telescope.  Russell later took perhaps the first photograph of the cluster in 1891.
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NGC 4756 = MCG -02-33-039 = LGG 306-003 = PGC 43725
12 52 52.6  -15 24 48; Crv
V = 12.4;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 50°

18" (5/28/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', broad mild concentration.  A mag 14.5-15 star is at the NE edge. Brightest in a cluster (LGG 306) superimposed on AGC 1631.  A total of 10 galaxies in both clusters were tracked down.

18" (4/29/06): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.3'x0.8', broad concentration.  Brightest galaxy in a galaxy group (LGG 306) superimposed on AGC 1631 and situtated near the center of the cluster.  Several faint galaxies are visible in the field including a trio ~8' SW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4756 = H. III-281 = h1464 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 372) and noted "vF, pS, resolvable."  Caroline's reduction is less than 2' southwest of PGC 43725.
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NGC 4757 = MCG -02-33-040 = PGC 43715
12 52 50.0  -10 18 37; Vir
V = 14.3;  Size 1.5'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.3;  PA = 58°

17.5" (5/17/90): faint, small, round.  An extremely faint star is at the NW edge.  Forms a pair with NGC 4766 5' SE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4757, along with NGC 4766, in 1882.  In the narrative portion of his fifth paper (AN 2439) he mentions finding two nebulae about 10' north of Winnecke's GC 5674 [NGC 4760].  Although no positions were given there, Tempel probably later measured them and communicated the results to Dreyer, as the NGC position is just 1.6' S of MCG -02-33-040 = PGC 43715.  This galaxy lies 12' NNW of NGC 4760.
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NGC 4758 = UGC 8014 = MCG +03-33-015 = CGCG 100-015 = PGC 43707
12 52 44.1  +15 50 54; Com
V = 13.1;  Size 3.1'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 160°

18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated ~3:1 NNW-SSE, 2.2'x0.6'.  Fairly low surface brightness, but appears irregular or slightly mottled.  A mag 14 star is 40" N of center, just off the eastern flank.  Located 17' SSE of mag 6.3 SAO 100312.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4758 = H. III-70 = h1465 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "vF, not S."  Caroline's reduced position is 6 sec of RA too far west.  John Herschel made three observations and his mean position matches UGC 8014.
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NGC 4759 = NGC 4776 + NGC 4778 = MCG -01-33-036/037 = Holm 477a/b = HCG 62a/b = PGC 43754
12 53 05.2  -09 12 08; Vir
V = 12.0;  Size 1.8'x1.8'

18" (6/17/06): NGC 4759 is a striking double system consisting of the two brightest members of HCG 62.  The SE component (NGC 4778 = HCG 62A) is slightly larger and brighter of the duo and appears fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Contains a small bright core surrounded by a lower surface brightness halo.  Located 1.5' N of a mag 9.5 star that detracts somewhat. Slightly fainter NGC 4776 = HCG 62B is nearly tangent to the NW edge. It appeared fairly faint but very small, round, 20"-24" diameter. NGC 4761 = HCG 62c lies just 1.3' following.

17.5" (4/13/96): the brightest object in HCG 62 is a double system with SE component HCG 62A = NGC 4759e = NGC 4778 and NW component HCG 62B = NGC 4759w = NGC 4776.  The SE galaxy is the brighter of the pair and appears fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter, increases to a small bright core.  Virtually attached at the NW edge is a slightly fainter and smaller galaxy, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  Mag 9 SAO 139019 is just 1.5' SSW of the pair.

17.5" (5/17/90): double system consisting of NW component NGC 4759a = NGC 4776 and SE component NGC 4759b = NGC 4778 with 28" separation between centers.  The NW member appears faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core.  The contact companion NGC 4759b is attached at the SE end.  The SE member is the slightly larger and brighter of the double system and appears faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core.  Located 2' N of mag 9.1 SAO 139019.  Second of four with NGC 4761 1' ENE and NGC 4764 4' S.  The SE component is incorrectly listed in the RNGC as NGC 4761.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4759 = H. II-559 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and simply noted "F, S".  His position corresponds with this double system .  John Herschel resolved the pair and assigned them two designations - h3437 (later NGC 4776) and h3438 (later NGC 4778), although his RA was 1.0 minute of time too large.  In the General Catalogue, JH equated H. II-559 with h3437 (assuming his father's position was poor).

Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen on 30 Mar 1867 and noted a mag 10 star 1.5' south and 1-2 seconds of time preceding, but only saw a single (unresolved) nebula.  Wilhelm Tempel, later using an 11-inch refractor at Arcetri Observatory, confirmed d'Arrest's position but described it as double.  Dreyer gave H. II-559 = NGC 4759 a separate (accurate) designation in the NGC, noting it as double, assuming H. II-559 must be different from JH's pair.

RNGC and MCG misidentify the components of the double system as NGC 4759 and NGC 4761, while ESGC identifies the pair as NGC 4776 and 4778.
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NGC 4760 = MCG -02-33-041 = PGC 43763
12 53 07.3  -10 29 40; Vir
V = 11.4;  Size 2.0'x1.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 10°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, moderately large, fairly weak broad concentration, irregularly round.  Located between mag 8.7 SAO 157565 4' SSW and a mag 9.5 star NNE.  NGC 4742 lies 20' WNW.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 4760 on 30 Mar 1876 with a 6.5-inch comet-seeker by Reinfelder & Hertel at the Strausberg Observatory.  The NGC position is accurate.
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NGC 4761 = HCG 62C = (R)NGC 4764 = MCG -01-33-039 = Holm 477b = PGC 43768
12 53 09.8  -09 11 52; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 0.4'x0.3';  Surf Br = 11.6;  PA = 80°

18" (6/17/06): faint, small, this small spindle in HCG 62 is elongated 3:1 N-S, 30"x10".  Contains a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision.  Located just 1' following the double system NGC 4759.

17.5" (4/13/96): HCG 62C appears very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 25"x15".  Located just 1.2' ENE of the NGC 4759 double system (HCG 62A/B).

17.5" (5/17/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  Located 1' ENE of the double system NGC 4759.  Fourth of four in a group.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4761, along with NGC 4764, in March 1882 and reported it in his 5th discovery paper, near NGC 4776 and 4778.  The NGC description reads "eF, eS, 1' f D neb II 559 [NGC 4759]". As Tempel didn't mention any direction in the AN paper, this information must have been communicated directly to Dreyer.  At his position, is MCG -01-33-039 = PGC 43768 = HCG 62C.

HyperLEDA, MCG and RNGC mislabel NGC 4761 as NGC 4764 and misidentify NGC 4778 (the eastern component of NGC 4759) as NGC 4761.  The identifications are discussed in Malcolm Thomson's "Catalogue Corrections" as well as in Harold Corwin's NGC identifcation notes.
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NGC 4762 = UGC 8016 = MCG +02-33-033 = CGCG 071-065 = Holm 478a = PGC 43733
12 52 55.9  +11 13 50; Vir
V = 10.3;  Size 8.7'x1.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 32°

48" (4/4/13): extremely bright, stunning thin edge-on SW-NE, ~6.0'x0.6'.  An extremely thin bright streak extends along the major axis, brightening at the center to a remarkably bright core and stellar nucleus.  Beyond the tips of the very high surface portion of the edge-on disc, the galaxy has diffuse extensions at both ends that flare out and appear like water being sprayed out the end of a hose.  The extensions increase the length to at least 8'.  The bright disc has a sharp edge, particularly on the west side, but a low surface brightness glow is visible on both sides, increasing the width to at least 1' and the overall dimensions to 8'x1'.  The southern side of the galaxy is flanked by two mag 9.5 stars and a mag 10.5 star is directly south.  NGC 4754 lies 11' NW.

17.5" (4/13/91): very bright, fairly large, beautiful edge-on 12:1 SW-NE, 6.0'x0.5', small intensely bright core, stellar nucleus.  The unusually thin arms taper at the ends.  The galaxy appears to have a sharper light cut-off, possibly due to a dust lane along the west side.  Located almost midway between two 9th magnitude stars (SAO 100313 3.9' WSW and a mag 9.5 star 2.8' E).  Forms a pair with NGC 4754 11' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4762 = H. II-75 = h1466, along with NGC 4754, on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174).  He recorded them together as "Two pB nebula; the preceding [NGC 4754] of them is almost R.  The following [NGC 4762] very much extended; they are not far from the same parallel and about 8 or 10' distant."  His position is between the two galaxies.  But NGC 4754 was recorded twice (I-25 and II-74) within 45 seconds!  See that number.

In February 1863, Lord Rosse's assistant Samuel Hunter reported "I strongly suspect the ends to be twisted."
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NGC 4763 = MCG -03-33-013 = PGC 43792
12 53 27.2  -17 00 20; Crv
V = 12.6;  Size 1.2'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 130°

18" (4/29/06): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration.  A mag 11.5 star lies 2.5' NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4763 = H. III-489 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and recorded "vF, S, little brighter in the middle."  Not observed by JH.  His position is 9 sec of time preceding and 1' north of MCG -03-33-013 = PGC 43792.
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NGC 4764 = HCG 62D = PGC 43760
12 53 06.6  -09 15 27; Vir
V = 15.0;  Size 0.8'x0.4'

18" (6/17/06): extremely faint and small, round, 10"' diameter.  Located 1.9' SSE of mag 9.5 HD 111960 that hampers the view and 3.4' SSE of the double system NGC 4759.  Requires averted to view.

17.5" (4/13/96): HCG 62d appears extremely faint and small, round, requires averted but once located can hold at least 50% of time.  Located 1.9' SSE of a mag 9 star.  A mag 13.5 star lies 1.3' SW.  Faintest of four in HCG 62.

17.5" (5/17/90): extremely faint and small, round, almost stellar, glimpsed for moments only.  Located in a compact galaxy group 3.5' S of double system NGC 4759 and 2' S of mag 9.1 SAO 139019.  A mag 14 star is 1.5' SW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4764, along with NGC 4761, in March 1882, and reported it in his 5th paper near NGC 4776 and 4778.  The NGC description reads "eF, eS, sf Dneb 4759." As Tempel didn't mention any direction in the Astronomische Nachricten article, this information was perhaps communicated directly to Dreyer.

NGC 4764 is probably HCG 62D = PGC 43760, located 3.5' due south of the double system NGC 4759 = NGC 4776/NGC 4778.  If this identification is correct, HCG 62D would be the faintest galaxy Tempel discovered (V = 15.0).  RNGC, MCG and LEDA identify HCG 62C = NGC 4761 as NGC 4764.  In addition, LEDA places the label NGC 4778 on NGC 4761.  This identification mess is discussed further by both Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin.
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NGC 4765 = UGC 8018 = VV 366 = MCG +01-33-020 = CGCG 043-054 = PGC 43775
12 53 14.6  +04 27 48; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.1'x0.8';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 80°

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright but fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration with no nucleus, fairly high surface brightness.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4765 = H. III-544 = h1467 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and noted "vF, vS."  John Herschel made the single observation "pB; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 20"."  Both positions are reasonably accurate.
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NGC 4766 = MCG -02-33-042 = PGC 43766
12 53 08.1  -10 22 41; Vir
V = 14.5;  Size 0.7'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.2;  PA = 130°

17.5" (5/17/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.  A mag 12 star is 1.0' ENE.

NGC 4766 forms a close pair with LEDA 183408 1' NW.  The companion appeared very faint, extremely small, round.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4766, along with NGC 4757, in 1882.  In the narrative portion of his fifth paper (AN 2439) he mentions finding two nebulae about 10' north of Winnecke's GC 5674 [NGC 4760].  Although no positions were stated, they were probably measured and communicated later to Dreyer, as the NGC position is 20 seconds of RA west of MCG -02-33-042 = PGC 43766.  This galaxy lies 7' due north of NGC 4760.
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NGC 4767 = ESO 323-036 = MCG -06-28-023 = LGG 2989-051 = PGC 43845
12 53 52.9  -39 42 52; Cen
V = 11.5;  Size 2.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 130°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval NW-SE, bright core.  Located 26' N of n Centauri (V = 4.3) in the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4767 = h3436 on 21 Apr 1835 and recorded "B; S; little extended; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 25"."
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NGC 4768
12 53 17.2  -09 31 54; Vir
V = 13.5

18" (4/29/06): appears as a mag 13 star located 3.7' W of NGC 4770.  Forms a 20" pair with a mag 13 star (this is NGC 4769) to the SE.  These two NGC entries are from Tempel while observing the field of NGC 4770.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4768, along with NGC 4769, in 1882.  He simply noted in paper V (AN 2439) finding two faint nebula close preceding III 525 [NGC 4770]."  Dreyer gives only a rough position in the NGC due west of NGC 4770.  The only object preceding NGC 4770 is a 20" pair of mag 13.5 stars.  Harold Corwin assigns NGC 4768 to the northwestern component and NGC 4769 to the southeastern component, which is a merged double star on the DSS and a resolved pair on the PanSTARRS image.
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NGC 4769
12 53 18.0  -09 32 10; Vir

18" (4/29/06): this is a close double star 3.5' W of NGC 4770.  In poor seeing it appeared as a single mag 13 star.  Forms a pair with NGC 4768, a mag 13 star 20" NW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4769, along with NGC 4768 in 1882.  These two numbers probably apply to a 20" pair of mag 13.5 stars. NGC 4769 appears to be a merged double star on the DSS but is cleanly resolved on the PanSTARRS image. See NGC 4768.
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NGC 4770 = MCG -01-33-040 = PGC 43804
12 53 32.1  -09 32 29; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 1.5'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 90°

18" (4/29/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.5'.  Contains a moderately bright, round core, ~20" diameter with faint extensions.  Located 12' W of mag 5 Psi Virginis.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4770 = H. III-525 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546). and simply noted "very faint, extremely small."  Due to the sweep motion he didn't record nearby Psi Virginis.  Édouard Stephan made an observation on 2 May 1878.
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NGC 4771 = UGC 8020 = MCG +00-33-017 = CGCG 015-031 = LGG 315-006 = PGC 43784
12 53 21.2  +01 16 10; Vir
V = 12.3;  Size 3.9'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 133°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, only a weak concentration.  Located 2.7' E of a mag 10 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4771 = H. II-535 = h1468 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 532) and recorded "F, mE, 2' l and 3/4' br from np to sf."  John Herschel made the single observation "F; mE; follows a * 9m in parallel; sky not quite clear." and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4772 = UGC 8021 = MCG +00-33-018 = CGCG 015-032 = PGC 43798
12 53 29.1  +02 10 06; Vir
V = 11.0;  Size 3.4'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 147°

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, elongated NW-SE, fairly small.  Contains a bright core with faint extensions.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4772 = H. II-24 = h1469 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 122) and recorded "F, pL."  His position is about 1 min of RA east of UGC 8021 (same error as NGC 4643, the previous object viewed) but he measured an accurate position on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and noted "pB, pL, bM."  John Herschel made 3 observations, logging "B, suddenly much brighter middle, R, 1' diam." on sweep 142.
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NGC 4773 = MCG -01-33-041 = PGC 43810
12 53 36.0  -08 38 21; Vir
V = 14.1;  Size 1.3'x1.0';  Surf Br = 14.2;  PA = 95°

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, small bright core.

Forms a contact pair with MCG -01-33-042 on the S edge.  The companion appeared very faint, very small, round.

NGC 4773 is located 6' NNW of mag 8.8 SAO 139029 and is the brightest of four with NGC 4780 7.3' ENE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4773 = H. III-516 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and noted "vF, S."  Caroline's reduction is 2' south-southeast of MCG -01-33-041 = PGC 43810.  No observations were made by JH.
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NGC 4774 = VV 789 = I Zw 45 = MCG +06-28-037 = CGCG 188-026 = PGC 43759 = Kidney Bean Galaxy
12 53 06.6  +36 49 06; CVn
V = 14.3;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.5

48" (4/7/13): at 488x this collisional ring galaxy appeared fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, irregular.  It appeared slightly brighter on the north side, which contained a faint stellar nucleus, but I didn't resolve the darker center.  Forms a close pair with LEDA 2087677, about 30" N of center.  The companion, which is identified as the collider in Madore's collisional ring catalogue, appeared very faint (V = 16.7), very small, round, 9" diameter.

NGC 4774 is nicknamed the "Kidney Bean Galaxy" by Zwicky in his red book (I Zw 45).  It was first mentioned as a ring galaxy in 1970 by Cannon, Lloyd, Penston in "Ring galaxies" (The Observatory, Vol. 90, p. 153-154) and it is listed as a collisional ring in Madore, Nelson and Petrillo's 2009 "Atlas and Catalog of Collisional Ring Galaxies" (ApJS, Vol 181, p. 572-604).

17.5" (4/28/89): very faint, small, round, even surface brightness.  Appeared fainter than the CGCG mag of 14.6p.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4774 = H. III-618 = h1471 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 714) and noted "eF, vS."  John Herschel logged "eF; S; R: bM.  Sky perfectly clear" and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4775 = MCG -01-33-043 = UGCA 306 = PGC 43826
12 53 45.8  -06 37 20; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 2.1'x2.0';  Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, weak concentration, mottled appearance.  A mag 13.5 star is off the SW edge 1.3' from center.  NGC 4786 lies 18.4' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4775 = H. II-186 = h1470 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and logged "rather F, cL, R, r."  John Herschel made the single obwervation "vF; L; R; 90"; very gradually little brighter middle.  Its companion [NGC 4786] looked for but not seen."

Based on a photograph taken at the Helwan observatory between 1927-31 with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector, NGC 4775 was described in the 1935 bulletin as an "open spiral, pF complicated central region with an almost stellar nucleus and many stellar condensations n.p. and s.f. of centre."
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NGC 4776 = NGC 4759nw = HCG 62B = MCG -01-33-036 = Holm 477a NED1 = PGC 43754
12 53 04.5  -09 12 00; Vir
V = 13.0;  Size 0.9'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.7

18" (6/17/06): NGC 4776 = HCG 62B is the northwest component of the striking double system NGC 4759.  At 225x it appeared fairly faint but very small, round, 20"-24" diameter. NGC 4761 = HCG 62c lies just 1.3' following.  Nearly tangent to the southeast edge is slightly brighter NGC 4778 = HCG 62A, just 28" between centers.

17.5" (4/13/96): NGC 4776 is virtually attached to the northwest edge of NGC 4778 and is slightly fainter smaller, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus.  Mag 9 SAO 139019 is just 1.5' SSW of the pair.

17.5" (5/17/90): the northwest component of this double system appears faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core.  The contact companion NGC 4778 = HCG 62A is attached at the SE end (see notes).  Located 2' N of mag 9.1 SAO 139019.  Second of four with NGC 4761 1' ENE and NGC 4764 4' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4776 = h3437, along with NGC 4778, on 5 May 1836 and recorded "vF; S; R; very little brighter middle; the preceding of a double nebula [with NGC 4778]."  This is an unusual situation as his father's H. II-559 = NGC 4759 refers to this double system, though William did not resolve the two galaxies. John resolved the pair, and each component has its own GC and NGC designation, although his RA is exactly 1.0 minute of time too large.  See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 4777 = MCG -01-33-044 = PGC 43852
12 53 58.5  -08 46 32; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 1.8'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.9;  PA = 8°

17.5" (5/17/90): faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core.  Located 4' SE of mag 8.8 SAO 139029.  Third of four in a group.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4777 = H. III-517 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536) and noted "vF, S."  Caroline's reduction is 6 sec of RA following MCG -01-33-044 = PGC 43852.  No observations were made by JH.
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NGC 4778 = HCG 62A = NGC 4759se = MCG -01-33-037 = Holm 477a NED2 = PGC 43757
12 53 05.7  -09 12 17; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.8'x1.4'

18" (6/17/06): NGC 4778 = HCG 62A is the southeast component of the striking double system NGC 4759 and the slightly larger and brighter of the duo.  At 225x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter.  Contains a small bright core surrounded by a lower surface brightness halo.  Located 1.5' N of a mag 9.5 star that detracts somewhat.  NGC 4776 = HCG 62B is nearly tangent to the northwest edge (28" between centers).

17.5" (4/13/96): this is the brighter southeast component of the double system NGC 4759 (see notes) and listed as HCG 62A.  At 220x, it appears fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter, increases to a small bright core.  HCG 62B is virtually attached to the northwest edge.  Mag 9 SAO 139019 is just 1.5' SSW of the pair.  

17.5" (5/17/90): the southeast member of this double system is slightly larger and brighter and appears faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core.  Located 2' N of mag 9.1 SAO 139019.  Second of four with NGC 4761 1' ENE and NGC 4764 4' S.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4778 = h3438, along with NGC 4776, on 5 May 1836 and recorded "vF; S; R; very little brighter middle; 15"; has a * sf; the following of two [with NGC 4776]."  He later added the note "II 559 is not noticed as double in Sir W. Herschel's description."  See notes for NGC 4476.  RNGC, PGC and SIMBAD misidentify this galaxy as NGC 4761.
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NGC 4779 = UGC 8022 = MCG +02-33-034 = CGCG 071-068 = Mrk 781 = PGC 43837
12 53 50.9  +09 42 36; Vir
V = 12.4;  Size 2.1'x1.8';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 70°

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, broad concentration.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4779 = H. III-106 = h1472 on 15 Apr 1784 (sweep 194) and logged "vF, pL, rather bM, r."  Caroline's reduction is within 1.5' of UGC 8022.  John Herschel made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position.
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NGC 4780 = MCG -01-33-045 = Holm 482a = LGG 313-003 = PGC 43870
12 54 05.1  -08 37 16; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.9'x1.3';  Surf Br = 14.4;  PA = 10°

17.5" (5/17/90): faint, small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.  Unusual appearance as a mag 14 is at the west edge and the galaxy extends to the east of this star.  NGC 4780A, which forms a line-of-sight pair 2' S, was not seen.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4780 = T. 5-20 in 1880 and reported it in the narrative portion of his 5th discovery paper.  He mentions there are two nebula in the field to the north of NGC 4777, the western object being NGC 4773 and the following one new. His position was 2' too far south but accurately placed this object 27.5 sec of RA following and 1' 10" north of NGC 4773.
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NGC 4781 = MCG -02-33-049 = Holm 483a = LGG 307-009 = PGC 43902
12 54 23.6  -10 32 11; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 3.5'x1.5';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 120°

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, large, very elongated ~E-W, high surface brightness but weak concentration.  A mag 12.5 star is embedded in the preceding side 1.0' W of center and two comparable stars lie 2.0' W and 3.6' ESE of center.  Forms a pair with NGC 4784 5.7' SSE.  NGC 4790 lies 18' NNE and NGC 4760 20' W.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4781 = H. I-134 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and logged "cB, 7 or 8' long, about 3' broad."  His position matches MCG -02-33-049 = PGC 43902.
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NGC 4782 = VV 201a = Holm 485a = MCG -02-33-050 = 3C 278 = PGC 43924
12 54 35.7  -12 34 07; Crv
V = 11.7;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 155°

48" (4/21/17): at 813x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~45" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core.  Forms a striking N-S contact pair (halos form a dumbbell or dogbone outline) with NGC 4783 [39" between centers].  A mag 14.5 star is 30" NW, barely outside the halo.  A 16th magnitude star is within the northeast side of the halo.  NGC 4782/83 are the brightest in a large group that includes NGC 4794 9' ESE and NGC 4792 8' NE.

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, very small, round.  Forms an extremely close contact pair with NGC 4783 in a common halo 0.6' NNE of center.  

8" (3/28/81): faint, very small.  Contact pair with NGC 4783 oriented SSW-NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4782 = H. I-135, along with NGC 4783, on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548).  He recorded them together as "Two, both cB, R, cS, much brighter middle in the direction of the meridian., nearly within 1' of each other, and the chevelure [halo] mixing."  His position is accurate (landing on the southern galaxy).  See Harold Corwin's NGC notes on problems with the identifications of the two components.
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NGC 4783 = VV 201b = Holm 485b = MCG -02-33-051 = 3C 278 = LGG 316-001 = PGC 43926
12 54 36.6  -12 33 28; Crv
V = 11.5;  Size 1.8'x1.7';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 105°

48" (4/21/17): NGC 4783 is the northern galaxy of a striking contact pair with NGC 4783 [39" between centers].  The merged halos of the two galaxies form a dogbone or dumbbell outline. At 813x, it appeared bright, moderately large, round, ~40" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is 30" SE of center (just outside the combined halos).  An extremely faint "knot", roughly 5" diameter, is at the northwest edge of the halo.  Checking later, I found this is a nearly stellar galaxy, catalogued in HyperLeda as PGC 5065968 and in NED as [QRW96] 073.

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, very small, round.  Forms an interesting contact pair with NGC 4782 0.6' SSW within a common halo. 

8" (3/28/81): faint, very small.  The pair is elongated SSW-NNE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4783 = H. I-136, along with NGC 4782, on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548).  See notes on NGC 4782.
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NGC 4784 = MCG -02-33-053 = Holm 483b = PGC 43929
12 54 37.0  -10 36 47; Vir
V = 14.2;  Size 1.2'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 101°

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, slightly elongated.  Fainter of pair with NGC 4781 5.7' NNW.  Forms the SE vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11/12 stars 2.1' W and 2.0' N.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4784 = H. III-526 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and noted "eF, eS, some little doubt."  Despite the doubt, his position is a good match with MCG -02-33-053 = PGC 43929.
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NGC 4785 = ESO 219-004 = PGC 43791
12 53 27.4  -48 44 58; Cen
V = 12.4;  Size 1.9'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 81°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 0.9'x0.3', high surface brightness.  Contains a small bright core and a bright stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus (this is a Sy2 galaxy).  A mag 13.8 star is just off the west side [58" from center] and a mag 15 star is 1.3' SW.

Several brighter stars are to the north of the galaxy including a mag 10.8 star 4.5' NW, a mag 10.6 star 6' N and a mag 11 star 4.3' NNE.  Located 12' NNE of mag 4.3 HD 111915.  It helped to place this annoyingly bright star outside the field.  NGC 4785 is situated 2° NW of the large spiral NGC 4945.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4785 = h3439 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded, "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle."  There is nothing at his single position, but 1.75 minutes of time to the west is ESO 219-004 = PGC 43791, the only nearby galaxy, and his declination matches.  ESO/Uppsala calls the NGC designation uncertain, though it is very likely.
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NGC 4786 = MCG -01-33-046 = PGC 43922
12 54 32.4  -06 51 34; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 1.6'x1.3';  Surf Br = 12.4;  PA = 170°

17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 N-S, increases to a small bright core.  A mag 12 star is 2.5' N.  Forms a pair with NGC 4775 18.4' NW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4786 = H. II-187 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and recorded "pF, pL, r."  John Herschel noted in his observation of NGC 4775 that he looked for this nebula without success.
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NGC 4787 = UGC 8026 = MCG +05-30-121 = CGCG 159-111 = CGCG 160-006 = WBL 424-002 = PGC 43875
12 54 05.5  +27 04 06; Com
V = 14.4;  Size 1.1'x0.3';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 2°

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, low but uneven surface brightness.  A mag 10 star lies 2.9' WSW.  Forms a pair with NGC 4789 3.0' E.  Member of AGC 1656.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4787 on 3 Apr 1867, measured an accurate position and noted it was 13.6 sec of RA preceding NGC 4789.  This galaxy was missed by both Herschels when they observed nearby NGC 4789.
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NGC 4788 = MCG +05-30-123 = CGCG 159-112 = CGCG 160-007 = PGC 43874
12 54 16.0  +27 18 12; Com
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.3';  PA = 140°

17.5" (5/14/94): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter.  Located 1.3' E of a mag 10.5 star.  NGC 4798 lies 10.9' NE.  Member of AGC 1656.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4788 on 23 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position is 4 sec of RA west of CGCG 159-112 = PGC 4387 and he mentions the mag 10 star that precedes by 6 sec of RA.
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NGC 4789 = UGC 8028 = MCG +05-30-124 = CGCG 159-113 = CGCG 160-008 = PGC 43895
12 54 18.9  +27 04 04; Com
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 0°

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S.  A mag 10 star is just 40" N of center.  Forms a pair with close NGC 4787 3.0' W.  Located 18' NNE of mag 6.9 SAO 82554.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4789 = H. II-345 = h1473 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and noted "F.  Just south of a pB star."  Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 4787, which was discovered by d'Arrest.
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NGC 4790 = MCG -02-33-056 = LGG 307-010 = PGC 43972
12 54 51.8  -10 14 52; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.7'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 85°

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, fairly large, broad and pretty weak concentration, elongated ~E-W.  NGC 4781 lies 18' SSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4790 = H. II-560 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 546) and noted "pF, pS, iR."  John Herschel didn't record this galaxy but Édouard Stephan made an observation on 2 May 1878.  Harold Knox-Shaw identified this galaxy as an "open spiral" in 1915, based on a photograph taken with the 30" reflector at the Helwan Observatory between 1912-14.
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NGC 4791 = MCG +01-33-021 = CGCG 043-060 = PGC 43950
12 54 44.0  +08 03 12; Vir
V = 14.2;  Size 0.5'x0.35';  PA = 70°

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, very small, round, broad concentration.  A wide double star is 2' SE (mag 11/12.5 at 39" separation N-S).  The double system NGC 4795/NGC 4796 is just 5' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4791 = m 243 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, little extended, very little brighter middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4792 = PGC 43999
12 55 03.6  -12 29 50; Crv
V = 14.2;  Size 0.7'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 140°

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, extremely small, slightly elongated NW-SE.  Forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 4794 7' SSE and the NGC 4782/NGC 4783 duo 8' SW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4792 in 1882.  I can't find his description in paper V (AN 2439), but the NGC description reads "vS, R, 7' nnp of II 538 [NGC 4794]" and at this position is PGC 43999.  The NGC position is 2' too far south.  Herbert Howe reported that he hunted for NGC 4792 while measuring NGC 4794, but "I could not be sure of it.  Possibly it is a suspicious-looking star of mag 11."  Certainly Howe was mistaken.
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NGC 4793 = UGC 8033 = MCG +05-31-003 = CGCG 159-116 = CGCG 160-011 = PGC 43939
12 54 40.6  +28 56 17; Com
V = 11.6;  Size 2.8'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 50°

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.0', fairly high and irregular surface brightness, broad concentration with no well-defined core.  A mag 15 star lies about 1' off the SW edge and 1.7' WSW of center.  Located 1.8' S of a mag 9.5 star which detracts from viewing.  At 280x, a very small bright nucleus is visible and there is an impression of a dark patch or dust along the NE extension.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4793 = H. I-93 = h1475 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396).  His description reads, "cB, pL, about 1.5' south of a [mag 9-10] star."  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate positon.
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NGC 4794 = MCG -02-33-060 = PGC 44012
12 55 10.5  -12 36 30; Crv
V = 13.7;  Size 1.5'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.6;  PA = 150°

17.5" (3/23/85): very faint, small.  A mag 14 star is at the WSW edge 33" from center and a mag 13 star is at the ENE end.  In a group with NGC 4792 7' NNW and the NGC 4782/NGC 4783 pair 9' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4794 = H. III-538 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and recorded "2 or 3 small stars with very faint nebulosity." His position is just 1' too far SE, and the description applies.  Less than 1/2 min prior he discovered the galaxy pair NGC 4782/84.  The H-designation of II-538 in the NGC was a typo.
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NGC 4795 = UGC 8037 = MCG +01-33-024 = CGCG 043-064 = PGC 43998
12 55 02.8  +08 03 56; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.6';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 115°

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, bright core, high surface brightness. Located 3.9' S of a mag 10 star.  NGC 4791 lies 4.7' W and NGC 4803 13' NE.

Forms an interacting contact pair with NGC 4796 attached at the east end, 27" from center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4795 = H. II-21 = h1474 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 107) and recorded "A nebula, vF and of an irregular shape.  1/2° sp the following star [HD 112503]."  Although his position was very uncertain, this galaxy is 35' SW of the star, matching the description.

John Herschel made three observations, recording it on 27 Dec 1827 (sweep 117) as "bright; round; pretty gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; a very small * included, following" and measured an accurate position.  The "very small *" applies to NGC 4796!
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NGC 4796 = PGC 93119
12 55 04.6  +08 03 58; Vir
V = 14.4;  Size 0.2'x0.2'

17.5" (4/4/92): contact pair with brighter NGC 4795.  Very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated, faint stellar nucleus.  This object is attached at the east side of the halo of NGC 4795.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4796 = m 244 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, eS, alm stell, close to [NGC 4795]."  The SDSS shows an extremely compact galaxy with extensions WSW-ENE, superimposed on the eastern arm of NGC 4795. The Deep Sky Field Guide to the Uranometria 2000 Atlas refers to this object as "star or very bright patch 0.5' E of center", but does not refer to this object as NGC 4796.
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NGC 4797 = NGC 4798 = UGC 8038 = MCG +05-31-004 = CGCG 159-118 = CGCG 160-013 = WBL 426-002 = PGC 43981
12 54 55.2  +27 24 44; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, very weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' S of center and a mag 10 star 7.5' E.  Member of AGC 1656 with NGC 4788 10.9' SW, NGC 4807 9.9' NE and IC 3900 14.5' SE.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 4797 on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  There is nothing at his position, but 4.8' north is NGC 4798, discovered by William Herschel on his most productive night of 11 Apr 1785.  d'Arrest observed and accurately measured NGC 4798 on two nights, but not the one in which he recorded NGC 4797 as new.  As a result, Corwin equates NGC 4797 = NGC 4798.  Because of d'Arrest's poor position, Karl Reinmuth or Max Wolf reported that NGC 4797 was not found on Heidelberg plates.
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NGC 4798 = NGC 4797 = UGC 8038 = MCG +05-31-004 = CGCG 159-118 = CGCG 160-013 = WBL 426-002 = PGC 43981
12 54 55.2  +27 24 44; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 30°

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, very weak concentration.  A mag 14 star is 1.0' S of center and a mag 10 star 7.5' E.  Member of AGC 1656 with NGC 4788 10.9' SW, NGC 4807 9.9' NE and IC 3900 14.5' SE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4798 = H. II-382 = h1477 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pS."  WH was rapidly on his way to discover 74 galaxies in this sweep, so for the next several objects he gave very brief descriptions.  John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4799 = UGC 8043 = MCG +01-33-025 = CGCG 043-066 = PGC 44017
12 55 15.5  +02 53 47; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 91°

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star is attached at the south edge 1' from center.  Located 9' S of mag 7.9 SAO 119665.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4799 = H. III-548 = h1476 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 558) and recorded "vF, cS, near a vS star.  240x confirmed, and showed it lE."  His position matches UGC 8043.  John Herschel called this galaxy "F; S; close to a *."
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NGC 4800 = UGC 8035 = MCG +08-24-004 = CGCG 245-005 = PGC 43931
12 54 37.8  +46 31 52; CVn
V = 11.5;  Size 1.6'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.0;  PA = 25°

13.1" (4/12/86): fairly bright, fairly small, fainter halo with large bright core containing a stellar nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is just 0.8' WNW from center.  Located 15' SE of mag 7.6 SAO 44376.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4800 = H. I-211 = h1478 on 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 823) and recorded "pF, vS, bM."  On 29 Apr (sweep 836) he logged "pB, pS, R, bM, following a small star."  John Herschel made two observations but the position was only measured once.  Heinrich d'Arrest noted the mag 13 star, which he measured 4.7 seconds of time preceding and the mag 13 star 19.6 seconds of time following and a little south.
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NGC 4801 = MCG +09-21-060 = CGCG 270-030 = PGC 43946
12 54 37.7  +53 05 24; UMa
V = 14.4;  Size 0.8'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.5;  PA = 138°

18" (6/27/03): very faint, very small [core only viewed], irregularly round, 0.5'x0.4', low surface brightness.  A fairly even pair [47"] of mag 12/13 stars lie 7' WSW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4801 = H. III-816 = h1479 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "eF, S, lE."  His position (Caroline's reduction) is 2.5' northeast of CGCG 270-030 = PGC 43946.  John Herschel made a single observation and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 4802 = MCG -02-33-061 = LGG 307-002 = PGC 44087
12 55 49.8  -12 03 19; Crv
V = 11.8;  Size 2.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 20°

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, very small, weak concentration to a virtually stellar nucleus.  A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge.  Located 30' NE of the NGC 4782/NGC 4783 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 4802 = T. 5-21 on 20 Apr 1882.  His micrometric position is an exact match with MCG -02-33-061 = PGC 44087.  Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported "this was searched for in vain one night.  Its description is so similar to that of 4804 that they may be identical, if the declination is of 4802 is just 1° in error."  Howe was mistaken - Tempel's position for NGC 4802 is correct, but 4804 is probably off by 1°!

William Herschel probably discovered this galaxy on 27 Mar 1786.  It was recorded as H. IV-40 (later NGC 4804) but his declination was exactly 1 degree too far south.  Corwin notes that is also possible that Herschel mistook a double star for a nebula.
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NGC 4803 = MCG +02-33-036 = CGCG 043-069 = CGCG 071-073 = PGC 44061
12 55 33.7  +08 14 25; Vir
V = 14.4;  Size 0.6'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE.  Overpowered by a mag 9.5 star at a SE edge 0.7' from center.  The NGC 4795/NGC 4796 pair is 13' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4803 = m 245 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, eS, R, little brighter in the middle."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4804
12 55 49.8  -13 02 19; Crv

=*, Steinicke.  = **, Gottlieb.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4804 = H. IV-40 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548). He "suspected a pB star, with a seeming brush to the north preceding.  May be a small nebula close to it, but there was no time to verify it."  There is nothing near his position except of 20" pair of 14th mag star oriented NW-SE (matching Herschel's description).

But exactly 1° north of Herschel's position is NGC 4802 (found later by Tempel) and Harold Corwin suggests NGC 4804 might be this galaxy.  Herschel's description is appropriate since the galaxy is just NW of an 11th mag star.  The equivalence of NGC 4804 and 4802 was first proposed by Herbert Howe when he examined the field in 1899-00.  It was later suggested by Harold Knox-Shaw, based on a plate taken with the 30" reflector at the Helwan Observatory in 1912-14. But Wolfgang Steincke states this identification is ruled out based on the sweep data (direction and northern limit of the sweep).  Instead he identifies NGC 4804 with the mag 9.8 star HD 112303, which has a 14th mag companion 20" SE. (why not the double star, which is much closer to Herschel's position?)
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NGC 4805
12 55 24.2  +27 58 48; Com
V = 15.0

= *, Corwin

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4805 = Big. 59 on 11 May 1885.  There is nothing non-stellar at his position, and Harold Corwin states "NGC 4805 is a [15th mag] star positively identified by Bigourdan's two observations.  In spite of the accuracy of his measurements, he comments that "... near it is a star 13.4-13.5, but it's impossible to tell which direction it is from the nebula's center.''  This must be the object itself as there is nothing else in the area that he could have seen."

LEDA misidentifies PGC 44030, situated 2' SSE of the 15th mag star, as NGC 4805.  RNGC either selects this galaxy or PGC 93687, situated 3' SE of the 15th mag star, as NGC 4805 (its position is imprecise).  But both galaxies are too faint to have been seen by Bigourdan.
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NGC 4806 = ESO 443-012 = MCG -05-31-003 = PGC 44116
12 56 12.5  -29 30 11; Hya
V = 12.7;  Size 1.2'x1.0';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 50°

18" (5/16/09): faint, diffuse glow, moderately large, irregularly round, 45"x40".  A kite-shaped asterism of 4 stars (one is a double) is close SW.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4806 = h3440 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; gradually very little brighter middle; 40"."  His position is accurate.
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NGC 4807 = UGC 8049 = MCG +05-31-006 = CGCG 160-017 = Holm 488a = WBL 426-006 = PGC 44037
12 55 29.1  +27 31 15; Com
V = 13.5;  Size 1.0'x0.8';  Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly faint, round, 0.8' diameter, bright core.  A mag 13 star is 3.2' NNW.  Member of AGC 1656 with NGC 4798 9.9' SW and MCG +05-31-008 8.1' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4807 on 23 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His position, measured 3 times, matches UGC 8049.
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NGC 4808 = UGC 8054 = MCG +01-33-028 = CGCG 043-071 = LGG 315-012 = PGC 44086
12 55 49.0  +04 18 15; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 2.8'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 127°

18" (5/29/05): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.8'.  Broadly concentrated with a mottled nuclear region but no well-defined core or nucleus.  A mag 14 star is off the NW side, 1.9' from center.  Located 54' N of mag 3.4 Delta Virginis.  Picked up while viewing Comet Tempel (9P) 30' S.  The Comet will be impacted by a spacecraft in just over one month! (July 4).

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.2', broadly concentrated with no nucleus, tapered ends.  A mag 14 star lies 1.9' WNW of center.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4808 = H. I-141 = h1480 on 17 Apr 1786 (sweep 553) and recorded "vB, cL, E from np to sf."  His position is at the southeast end of UGC 8054 = PGC 44086.
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NGC 4809 = Arp 277 NED1 = VV 313a = Holm 486a = UGC 8034 = MCG +01-33-022 = CGCG 043-062 = LGG 292-055 = PGC 43969
12 54 51.1  +02 39 14; Vir
V = 13.8;  Size 1.7'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.8;  PA = 68°

48" (5/4/16): at 610x; moderately bright, elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, ~1.2'x0.35'.  This galaxy has an unusual irregular "banana" shape with a patchy appearance; it bends slightly south on the east-northeast end and has a blunter west-southwest end that also twists slightly south. There is a slightly brighter patch that is offset just north of the geometric center.  I assumed this was the core region, but on the SDSS it appears to be a large HII region and there is no central core.  A second slightly brighter patch is at the west-southwest end and this is clearly an active star-forming complex on the SDSS.  NGC 4809 is the larger member of an interacting pair with NGC 4810 just 0.8' S.

18" (3/30/05): very faint, very small, slightly elongated.  This galaxy is nearly attached to the north side of NGC 4810.  Although smaller (must have viewed only a portion as the size is larger on the DSS), it may have a higher surface brightness.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 4809, along with NGC 4810, on 18 Apr 1855 while looking for h1509 [NGC 4900].  His description reads, "faint, double nebula, elongated at right angles to each other." He gave a rough position of 12 48.5 (1860) and stated it was "a little north of [NGC 4900]."  Édouard Stephan observed both galaxies on 26 Apr 1878.

Mitchell's description pins down the identification of the pair, but John Herschel and Dreyer could only list a single (rough) position in the GC and NGC. The identification of NGC 4809 with the northern component is from the RC2 and repeated in the NGC 2000.0 and RNGC.  But UGC reverses these identifications and has a typo with the RA (1 minute of time too large).  The data (size, PA and possibly magnitudes) listed under NGC 4810 in the RC3 applies to NGC 4809.  The position angle listed under NGC 4809 probably applies to NGC 4810.
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NGC 4810 = Arp 277 NED2 = VV 313b = Holm 486b = MCG +01-33-023 = CGCG 043-061 = LGG 292-056 = PGC 43971
12 54 51.2  +02 38 25; Vir
V = 14.3;  Size 0.8'x0.55';  Surf Br = 13.7;  PA = 162°

48" (5/4/16): at 610x; moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.4', irregular surface brightness with only a slightly brighter core.  This galaxy is the southern member of an interacting pair of dwarf irregulars (Magellanic types) with NGC 4809 just 45" N.

18" (3/30/05): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.4'.  Forms a double system with NGC 4809, which is nearly attached at the north end.  Located 10' E of mag 8.4 HD 112130.  There is disagreement in catalogues regarding the identifications of these galaxies as the NGC gave only one position for both galaxies.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 4810, along with NGC 4809, on 18 Apr 1855.  See notes on NGC 4809.
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NGC 4811 = ESO 323-047 = MCG -07-27-019 = AM 1254-413 NED01 = PGC 44201
12 56 52.3  -41 47 51; Cen
V = 13.0;  Size 1.3'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 35°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): slightly brighter of a close pair with NGC 4812 1' S.  Fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, sharply concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus, elongated 3:2 N-S, 30"x20".  A distinctive trio of mag 10/10/12 stars lies 3'-4' NE.  Located 7' N of mag 8.2 HD 112404 in a busy star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4811 = h3441, along with NGC 4812, on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40".  The preceding of 2 [with NGC 4812].  His position is accurate.  MCG doesn't label MCG -07-27-019 as NGC 4811.
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NGC 4812 = ESO 323-048 = MCG -07-27-018 = AM 1254-413 NED02 = PGC 44204
12 56 52.7  -41 48 49; Cen
V = 13.1;  Size 1.1'x0.4';  Surf Br = 12.1;  PA = 36°

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 160x): slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 4811 1' N.  Fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.  Located 6' N of mag 8.2 HD 112404 in a fairly rich star field.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4812 = h3442, along with NGC 4811, on 8 Jun 1834 and recorded "eF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 30"; 90" dist from the foregoing [NGC 4811] pos = 170.9°."  MCG doesn't label MCG -07-27-018 as NGC 4812.
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NGC 4813 = IC 833? = MCG -01-33-055 = Holm 385a = PGC 44160
12 56 36.1  -06 49 04; Vir
V = 13.7;  Size 1.3'x0.6';  Surf Br = 13.3;  PA = 35°

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.  Located 11' NE of a mag 9.5 star.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4813 = H. II-777 = h1482 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 916) and recorded "F, S, R, bM."  John Herschel reported "S; R: bM; wind violent.".  Harold Corwin suggests IC 833 may be a duplicate observation.  Ssee his IC identification notes.
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NGC 4814 = UGC 8051 = MCG +10-19-003 = CGCG 293-044 = CGCG 294-003 = PGC 44025
12 55 22.0  +58 20 39; UMa
V = 12.0;  Size 3.1'x2.3';  Surf Br = 14.0;  PA = 135°

17.5" (5/19/01): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.6'x1.2'.  Increases to a brighter core and quasi-stellar nucleus.  A pretty 19" pair of mag 9/10 stars (oriented E-W) lies 11' S.  A third mag 9.5 star is just 2' following the closer pair.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4814 = H. I-243 = h1483 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 947) and recorded "cB, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle."  John Herschel made two observations, recording on sweep 323 "pB; L; little extended; very gradually brighter middle; 90" l, 75" br."
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NGC 4815 = ESO 096-1 = Cr 265 = Lund 628 = OCL-893
12 57 58  -64 57 42; Mus
V = 8.6;  Size 3'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, two mag 10 stars are surrounded by a number of very faint stars within 3'.  The cluster is superimposed on a fairly bright milky background of unresolved stars.  A third mag 10 star is apparently outside the border off the SW edge. At 200x, the unresolved glow is most prominent at the following end and 12-15 mag 13 stars are sprinkled over the backround glow (the cluster was viewed at a very low elevation which probably detracted from the view).  This reddened cluster is heavily obscured and is located just within the SE border of the Coalsack and barely over the border into Musca, 1.1 degrees ENE of the bright double star Theta Muscae (5.9/7.7 at 5").  The two brighter mag 10 stars (separated by 1.3') may be foreground stars and not actual cluster members.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4815 = h3443 on 13 Mar 1834 and recorded "Class VI, p rich, irregular fig, gradually brighter in the middle, 3', stars vS, comparatively insulated; has two bright stars 8-9th mag and 9-10th mag."  On a second observation he described a "Cluster, R, pS, resolved; irreg; gradually brighter in the middle, 3', stars 13..18th mag."

Robert Innes observed the cluster in 1898 using the 7-inch refractor at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, and reported "[Herschel calls this a cluster.  It now looks like an irregular nebula surrounding two stars."  In 1901 he stated again "it is doubtful if this [which Herschel calls a cluster] is resolvable in the 7-inch.  It is involved with, but to the south of the two stars.." (MN, 62, 469).
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NGC 4816 = UGC 8057 = MCG +05-31-010 = CGCG 160-021 = WBL 426-010 = PGC 44114
12 56 12.2  +27 44 43; Com
V = 12.8;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 13.1;  PA = 84°

18" (5/12/07): faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.4'x0.3', broad weak concentration.  A mag 13.5-14 star is just off the NE end.  The brighter of a close pair with CGCG 160-023 1.8' E.

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 E-W, brighter core, diffuse halo.  Confusing appearance at low power as a mag 13.7 star is close off the NE edge 34" from center creating the appearance of elongation.  Also forms a close pair with CGCG 160-023 1.8' ENE.  The three objects are well resolved at 280x.  This member of AGC 1656 is located 14' E of mag 8 SAO 82565.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4816 = H. II-383 = h1481 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL."  His position is 10 seconds of time west of UGC 8057.  John Herschel made a single observation and his position is further off -- 15 seconds of time too far west.  d'Arrest made three observations (the first in May 1863) and his mean position was used by Dreyer in the NGC.
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NGC 4817 = PGC 83663
12 56 29.8  +27 56 23; Com
V = 14.8;  Size 0.6'x0.6'

18" (5/12/07): very faint and small, round, 20" diameter.  A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE.  Located on the west side of AGC 1656 about 45' W of the core.  A similar galaxy, NGC 4828, lies 5.6' NE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4817 = Big. 60 on 11 May 1885.  There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin notes his Comptes Rendus position (repeated in the NGC position) is incorrect and Bigourdan's offsets from a mag 11.7 star situated 5' WNW points to PGC 83663.

Max Wolf reported NGC 4817 was not found on a Heidelberg plate, likely due to Bigourdan's poor position (stated in the IC 2 notes), and RNGC erroneously listed the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 4818 = MCG -01-33-057 = LGG 307-015 = PGC 44191
12 56 48.9  -08 31 32; Vir
V = 11.1;  Size 4.3'x1.5';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 3°

17.5" (5/17/90): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, broad concentration.  A mag 13 star is just off the south edge and a fainter mag 14 star is 1.4' E of center.  A double star lies 5' SW (mag 11/13 at 19" separation).  A mag 10 star lies 6.5' WNW.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4818 = H. II-549 = h1484 = h3445 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 536).  He recorded it as "pretty bright, very large, little brighter middle, irregular figure."  A sketch, showing the central region, was included in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 14)  under the head of "Nebulae that are gradually a little brighter in the middle".

John Herschel observed this galaxy from Slough: "pretty bright; pretty large; little elongated in the meridian; very gradually brighter in the middle".  And later from the Cape of Good Hope:"bright; large; much extended in the meridian; gradually pretty much brighter in the middle; 3' length."
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NGC 4819 = UGC 8060 = MCG +05-31-014 = CGCG 160-025 = Holm 490a = WBL 426-013 = PGC 44144
12 56 27.9  +26 59 14; Com
V = 13.2;  Size 1.2'x0.9';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 160°

17.5" (5/14/94): brighter of pair with NGC 4821 2.0' S.  Fairly faint, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration, brighter center but no nucleus.  A mag 13.5 star is 3.6' SW.  NGC 4819 lies 12' NNE.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4819 = H. II-346 = h1487 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and logged "vF, pS, irr."  Caroline's reduction was 6 seconds of time preceding and 2.5' south of UGC 8060.  John Herschel measured a more accurate North Polar Distance, but his RA was off by nearly 30 seconds too far east.  Heinrich d'Arrest measured fairly accurate positions on 3 nights (first on 6 Apr 1864), so the NGC position is good.
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NGC 4820 = MCG -02-33-067 = PGC 44227
12 57 00.5  -13 43 10; Vir
V = 14.8;  Size 1.0'x0.2';  Surf Br = 12.9;  PA = 105°

17.5" (5/17/90): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE.  Forms a pair with NGC 4825 4.3' NE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4820 in 1882, along with NGC 4823 and 4829, while observing nearby NGC 4825.  No position was given in the discovery note (list V), but the NGC position (communicated directly to Dreyer?) matches MCG -02-33-067 = PGC 44227.  See notes for NGC 4823.
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NGC 4821 = MCG +05-31-015 = CGCG 160-024 = Holm 490b = WBL 426-012 = PGC 44148
12 56 29.2  +26 57 25; Com
V = 14.5;  Size 0.5'x0.3';  Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (5/14/94): fainter and smaller of pair with NGC 4819 2.0' N.  Faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, no concentration.  A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' WSW and a mag 13.5 is 3.5' W (this star forms the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with NGC 4821 and NGC 4819).  NGC 4827 lies 13.8' N.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4821 on 6 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen while observing and measuring nearby NGC 4819.  His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 4822 = MCG -02-33-069 = PGC 44236
12 57 03.7  -10 45 43; Vir
V = 13.3;  Size 1.2'x0.7';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 90°

18" (5/28/06): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration.  A mag 13 star lies 2' NE and a similar mag star is 3.4' WNW.  Located 7.5' NNE of mag 8.9 HD 112464.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4822 = T. 5-22 on 21 Apr 1882 and recorded "class III, stellar nucleus, +6 sec [of time] and +7.5' [dec] from Lamont 1239 [mag 9 star]."  His micrometric position in the main table is accurate.
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NGC 4823 = PGC 44305 = (R)NGC 4829
12 57 25.5  -13 41 56; Vir
V = 16.6;  Size 0.8'x0.2';  Surf Br = 13.4;  PA = 175°

24" (5/25/14): extremely or very faint, small, elongated 3:1 N-S, 20"x6", low even surface brightness.  Located 3.8' SE of NGC 4825.  NGC 4829 lies 2.4' S.  Observed at 27° elevation (nearly 3 hrs past the meridian).

17.5" (5/17/90): not found.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered the trio of NGC 4820, 4823 and 4829 in 1882, just south of NGC 4825.  In Tempel's list V (AN #2439), he only mentions "three more faint nebulae south of 3320 [NGC 4825]" found with the 11" refractor at Arcetri and no positions are given.  The NGC position (probably communicated directly to Dreyer) for NGC 4820 matches MCG -02-33-067, and the position for NGC 4829 matches PGC 44299.

The position for NGC 4823, though, is close southwest of NGC 4820 and must be erroneous.  Harold Corwin assigns NGC 4823 = PGC 44305, which is 18 sec of RA east and 1'-2' south of the NGC position.

The PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 4829 and 4823.  RNGC misclassifies NGC 4823 as nonexistent and misidentifies NGC 4823 as NGC 4829.  See my RNGC Corrections #5 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 4824
12 56 36.4  +27 25 57; Com
V = 15.0

= *, Corwin.

RNGC, PGC, HyperLeda, SIMBAD, MegaStar and more misidentify PGC 44162 as NGC 4824.  In my 17.5" at 280x, PGC 44162 appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 0.2' diameter, almost visible continuously with averted.  Forms a near isosceles trapezoid with two mag 14 stars 5'-6' W and a mag 13.5 star 4.4' SSW.  Located 11.4' WNW of NGC 4839 within AGC 1656.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 4824 = Big. 61 on 19 Apr 1885.  His Comptes Rendus position is close to a single mag 15.0 star at 12 56 36.4 +27 25 57 (J2000) and Harold Corwin verifies that Bigourdan's offsets point to this star.

PGC, RNGC, HyperLeda, SIMBAD, Uranometria 2000 Atlas (1st edition), MegaStar etc. misidentify PGC 44162 as NGC 4824.  This galaxy is located 6' N of Bigourdan's star.  I included the identification error in most modern sources in my 7th list of RNGC Corrections.
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NGC 4825 = MCG -02-33-070 = PGC 44261
12 57 12.2  -13 39 54; Vir
V = 11.7;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.5;  PA = 135°

17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, large prominent core, faint halo.  Forms a trio with NGC 4820 5' SW and NGC 4829 5.3' SSE.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4825 = H. II-563 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 548) and recorded "pB, bM, iF."  JH did not make an observation.  Wilhelm Tempel discovered 3 "novae" to the south (NGCs 4820, 4823 and 4829).
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NGC 4826 = M64 = UGC 8062 = MCG +04-31-001 = CGCG 130-001 = PGC 44182 = Black Eye Galaxy
12 56 43.6  +21 40 57; Com
V = 8.5;  Size 10.0'x5.4';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 115°

13.1" (4/24/82 and 4/28/84): very bright, large, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE, 6'x3', small bright core, almost stellar nucleus.  The famous curved dark patch or "Black Eye", located just northeast of the core, was quite prominent and visible with direct vision.  Located 55' NE of the tight double star 35 Comae.

German astronomer Johann Elert Bode is generally considered the discoverer of M64 = NGC 4826 = h1486 on 4 Apr 1779 and independently by Messier on 1 Mar 1780.  But recently it was found that English astronomer Edward Pigott observed it a few days earlier on 23 Mar 1779.  Pigott's discovery was announced in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. LXXI (1781), p. 82-83.  Bigourdan was the first to identify Pigott's nebula with M64 but this was generally ignored until 2002.  See http://www.seds.org/messier/more/m064_pigott.html for more of the story.  Charles Messier independently discovered it on 1 Mar 1780.

William Herschel first observed M64 on 13 Apr 1785 (sweep 398): "vB, E from np to sf, about 7 or 8' long and 2' broad.  A vB nucleus in the middle, but moonlight and haziness probably lessen its appearance considerably.  The nucleus is very small in proportion to the rest and is not round, but irreg elongated in the same direction."  M64 was observed on 6 sweeps with the nickname "Black-eye" originating with his observation on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 699): "A very remarkable object, much extended about 12' long, 4 or 5' broad, contains one lucid spot like a star with a small black arch under it, so that it gives one the idea of what is called a black eye, arising from fighting."  Six nights later was first light for the 40-ft, with a view of the Orion Nebula.  He also showed the "black arch under the bright point" to visitor Charles Blagden (British doctor and Secretary of the Royal Society).

John Herschel described his sketch as follows: "The dark semi-elliptic vacancy (indicated by an unshaded or bright portion in the figure) which partially surrounds the condensed and bright nucleus of this nebula, is of course unnoticed by Messier. It was however seen by my Father, and shown by him to the late Sir Charles Blagden, who likened it to the appearance of a black eye, an odd, but not inapt comparison. The nucleus is somewhat elongated, and I have a strong suspicion that it may be a close double star, or extremely condensed double nebula."  So perhaps Blagden first mentioned the term and William liked the analogy used it in his description.

At least 18 observations of the "Black eye" were made at Birr Castle.  On 11 Mar 1848 (one of the earliest descriptions): "curious circular-shaped nebula, with a dark and large spot at one side, around which is a close cluster of well-defined little stars."  William Lassell sketched the galaxy on 22 Apr 1862 with his 48-inch on Malta. The sketch showed the "remarkable dark space" as distinctly crescent-shaped. Hee wrote that it appeared "as dark as any part of the surrounding sky."
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NGC 4827 = UGC 8065 = MCG +05-31-016 = CGCG 160-028 = PGC 44178
12 56 43.6  +27 10 43; Com
V = 12.9;  Size 1.4'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (5/14/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a faint halo and a very small bright core.  The NGC 4819/NGC 4820 pair is 12.0' SSW.  Outlying member of AGC 1656.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4827 = H. II-384 = h1485 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL."  John Herschel made a single observation and his RA was 6 seconds too small.  NGC 4827 wasn't found on two attempts at Birr Castle in the 1850's (on one the sky was noted as hazy) but d'Arrest reported observing it on 10 May 1863 using the 11" refractor at Copenhagen, as well as 3 later observations.
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NGC 4828 = MCG +05-31-017 = CGCG 160-029 = PGC 44176
12 56 42.9  +28 01 13; Com
V = 14.2;  Size 0.6'x0.6';  Surf Br = 12.7

18" (5/12/07): very faint and small, round, 20" diameter.  Located on the west side of AGC 1656 about 45' W of the core.  Forms a similar pair with NGC 4817, located 5.6' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4828 on 22 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.  His single position is accurate.  d'Arrest's mentioned there are others nearby to the southwest -- so perhaps he noticed NGC 4817, although it was not measured.
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NGC 4829 = PGC 44299
12 57 24.4  -13 44 15; Vir
Size 0.5'x0.3'

24" (5/25/14): very faint, extremely small, round, 12" diameter.  Located 5.3' SE of NGC 4825 and second brightest of 3 faint companions, with NGC 4823 2.4' N and NGC 4820 6.0' WNW. Observed at 27° elevation (nearly 3 hrs past the meridian).

17.5" (5/17/90): extremely faint and small, glimpsed for moments with averted.  A mag 13.5 star is 1.8' S and a mag 12.5 3.6' SSW.  Third of three and 5.3' SSE of NGC 4825.  NGC 4823 is 2.4' N but was not seen.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4829 in 1882, along with NGC 4820 and 4823.  In list V (AN 2439), he mentions "Quite close to the south [of N4825] are three more faint nebulae.", although no positions were measured.  The NGC position matches PGC 44299 at 12 57 24.4 -13 44 15 (2000), so the position may have been communicated directly to Dreyer.

The PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 4829 and 4823.  RNGC misidentifies NGC 4823 (2.3' north) as NGC 4829.  This error was listed in my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 4830 = ESO 575-037 = MCG -03-33-024 = PGC 44313
12 57 27.9  -19 41 29; Vir
V = 12.1;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 157°

18" (5/15/04): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7'. Well-concentrated with a small, high surface brightness core which increases to a well-defined, bright stellar nucleus.  Forms the NW vertex of a trapezoid with three mag 8-10 stars!  The closest is a mag 10.5 star 2' S with mag 8.3 HD 112528 4' SE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4830 = T. 4-9 = T. 5-23 on 26 May 1880.  His micrometric position is accurate.
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NGC 4831 = ESO 507-055 = MCG -04-31-010 = LGG 310-011 = PGC 44340
12 57 36.7  -27 17 32; Hya
V = 12.5;  Size 1.7'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 178°

18" (4/29/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration, very small slightly brighter nucleus.  Located 13' NE of mag 7.2 HD 112403.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4831 = h3447 on 22 Mar 1836 and logged "faint, round, gradually brighter middle, 25" diameter."  His position is accurate.

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel made the original discovery during a 10-minute sweep of the ecliptic with his 40-foot telescope (48-inch mirror) on 9 Apr 1793.  The discovery (3rd of 3 objects) was never published, but found by analyzing his sweep records with the 40-foot.
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NGC 4832 = ESO 323-051 = MCG -06-29-001 = LGG 298-027 = PGC 44361
12 57 48.5  -39 45 40; Cen
V = 12.2;  Size 1.9'x1.2';  Surf Br = 13.0;  PA = 25°

17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, bright core.  Located 7.6' ENE of mag 8 SAO 203967.  Member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526).

John Herschel discovered NGC 4832 = h3446 on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "pF; vS; R; suddenly brighter in the middle to a * 17m; pos from * 10m (distant 60") = 250.3°."  His position is 1' northeast of ESO 323-051 and the description matches.  But in the General Catalogue (GC) he made a 1° typo in the declination (too far south) and Dreyer copied this error into the NGC.  As a result, MCG didn't label MCG -06-29-001 as NGC 4832 and RNGC claimed the object was nonexistent.
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NGC 4833 = ESO 065-004
12 59 34.9  -70 52 28; Mus
V = 7.0;  Size 13.5';  Surf Br = 1.0

18" (3/29/25) - Coonabarabran; even at 121x, NGC 4833 was highly resolved into 80-100 stars with a very bright core and a fairly large, well resolved halo.  Numerous resolved stars cover the densely resolved core. 

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this is a gorgeous highly resolved globular with several hundred stars splashed across the core and within a loose, well-resolved halo.  The center is strongly compressed with a very bright 3' core surrounded by a large halo, roughly 10' in diameter.  Beyond 5' or 6' from the center the halo becomes scraggly but continues further out in loops and strings.  A brighter mag 8.7 star is superimposed in the halo, 2.5' N of center.

18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This was a surprising find for a little known globular!  At 171x, it appeared as a bright, fairly large globular of low concentration class.  The loose halo was highly resolved and numerous stars were splashed across the brighter core.  Many of the stars formed large loops and chains.  A single bright star (mag 8.7 SAO 256996) is superimposed on the N side of the halo.  The core spans roughly 3', while outliers increase the overall halo to at least 10' [John Herschel gave similar dimensions].  Located 42' NNW of mag 3.6 Delta Muscae and 3° NE of gc NGC 4372 which is a comparable cluster.

10x30mm Canon IS (3/27/19 - Tasmania): moderately bright and large globular, round.  Contains a brighter star on the N edge.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 4833 = Lac I-4 = D 164 = h3444 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.  He included it in his 1755 catalogue as I-4, classifying it as a nebula, and noting it resembled "a small faint comet." 

James Dunlop observed this globular with his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector on 29 Apr 1826 (second night he recorded objects).  His summary description reads "a pretty bright round nebula, about 4' diameter, moderately condensed to the centre. This, with the sweeping power, has the appearance of a globe of numerous matter with very small stars in the north following margin. But with a power sufficient to resolve it, the globular appearance vanishes in a very considerable degree; and the brightest and most condensed part is to the preceding side of the centre, with the stars considerably scattered on the N.f. side. Resolvable into stars of mixt small magnitudes."  He observed the cluster on 5 nights.

John Herschel first recorded "globular cluster, B, L, R, gradually brighter in the middle, stars 14th mag, and one 7th mag north-preceding the centre; a fine object." On a second sweep he logged "globular cluster, pB, L, p rich, at first gradually, then very suddenly pretty much brighter middle; diameter of the bright part 3', of the loose stars 10'; stars 12..16th mag, and one large one 7th mag, 3' or 4' north of the centre."
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NGC 4834 = MCG +09-21-067 = CGCG 270-034 = PGC 44136
12 56 25.3  +52 16 45; CVn
V = 14.5;  Size 0.9'x0.4';  Surf Br = 13.2;  PA = 110°

18" (6/27/03): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4'.  Forms the east vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 12/12.5 stars 4' SW and 4' WNW.  Either contains a very faint stellar nucleus or a faint star may be superimposed.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4834 = H. III-817 = h1488 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "cF, S, iF."  Caroline's reduced position is 1' north of CGCG 270-034 = PGC 44136.  John Herschel logged "eF; R S; bM."
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NGC 4835 = ESO 269-019 = AM 1255-455 = PGC 44409
12 58 07.8  -46 15 51; Cen
V = 11.7;  Size 4.0'x0.9';  Surf Br = 12.8;  PA = 150°

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, appears fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2.5'x0.7', slightly brighter bulging core.  A mag 13 star is at the SSE tip.  Located 5.4' NW of a mag 9.6 star and 10' N of mag 7.5 SAO 223791.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4835 = h3448 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "B; L; mE; gradually little brighter middle; 2 1/2' or 3' l, 1' br; pos = 157° +/-."  On 20 Apr 1836, a second observation reads "F; mE; very gradually brighter middle; 90" l, 25" br."
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NGC 4836 = MCG -02-33-072 = PGC 44328
12 57 34.3  -12 44 39; Vir
V = 12.5;  Size 1.3'x1.1';  Surf Br = 12.7;  PA = 5°

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, round.  Located 4.1' N of mag 8.4 SAO 157621!  This galaxy has a very lo