Andrew Cooper
Jun 13, 1998    Pinal Peak, AZ (map)
20cm f/10 SCT

Conformed with finder chart from Burhnam's then located NGC4290 nearby, the galaxy is just on the edge of the 8" capability

William Herschel
Aug 5, 1799    Observatory House, Slough (map)

Not visible in the finder.

Charles Messier
Oct 24, 1764    

[1780 and 1781] Two stars very close together & very small, placed at the root of the tail of the Great Bear: One has difficulty to distinguish them with an ordinary telescope of 6 feet. While searching for the nebula above the back of Ursa Major, reported in the book Figures des Astres, and which is supposed to be for 1660 at 183d 32' 41" right ascension, & 60d 20' 33" northern declination, which Messier couldn't see, he has observed these two stars.[1780 and 1781] Two stars very close together & very small, placed at the root of the tail of the Great Bear: One has difficulty to distinguish them with an ordinary telescope of 6 feet. While searching for the nebula above the back of Ursa Major, reported in the book Figures des Astres, and which is supposed to be for 1660 at 183d 32' 41" right ascension, & 60d 20' 33" northern declination, which Messier couldn't see, he has observed these two stars.

― Connaissance des Temps, 1781

Drawings, descriptions, and CCD photos are copyright Andrew Cooper unless otherwise noted, no usage without permission.

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