Harold Corwin

In his paper where Herbert Howe announces the discovery of this nebula, he adds a note:

No. 4 [in Howe's list] should perhaps be reckoned as identical with [NGC] 690, though the N.G.C. place of the latter is 1h 44m 31s -17d 14'.0 when reduced to 1900.0 [01 49 18, -16 44.2 for J2000]. However, Leavenworth's declinations are not apt to be so erroneous as would be the case if No. 4 were identical with 690.

In fact, the two objects are different galaxies. Leavenworth's sketch shows the two stars northeast of NGC 690 in their correct relative locations and brightnesses. And, as Howe suggests, Leavenworth's declination is less than an arcminute off the true declination. Leavenworth's RA, however, is east of the galaxy by 1m 30s, a common error in the Leander McCormick lists.

― IC Notes by Harold Corwin

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