Harold Corwin

IC 656 is a triple star with a very faint galaxy just south of the eastern-most star. Found by Bigourdan, he later claimed it to be identical to NGC 3460 (not true; see NGC 3460 for more). There has been additional confusion over the identification of this, since it is possible that this was actually the object seen by John Herschel and the "Mr. Bailey" mentioned in John Herschel's description.

It is also possible that d'A saw this object when he was looking for h793. See both NGC 3457 and NGC 3460 for more.

In any event, the IC identification is secure; Bigourdan's position, from five measurements on two nights, is within a few arcsec of the triple, and his description is appropriate. I'm not sure that he could have seen the faint galaxy, but it may have somewhat enhanced the nebulous appearance of the stars.

― IC Notes by Harold Corwin

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