Discovered by Pierre Méchain at the end of September 1780.
[PT 1818 p. 448, SP2 p. 600]
The 74th of the Connoissance. [M 74 = NGC 628]
"1783, 1784, 7 feet telescope. With 100 and 120 it its a collection of very
small stars; I see many of them."
"1799, 1801, 10 feet telescope. Several of the stars are visible; it is a
very faint objects."
"1784, 20 feet telescope. Some stars are visible in it; the edges are not
resolvable."
"1805, 1810, large 10 feet telescope. With 108 it consists of extremely small
stars, of an irregular figure; a very faint object of nearly 12 minutes
diameter."
"1799, December 28, 40 feet telescope. 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."
By the observations of the 7 feet telescope, the profundity of the nearest
part of this cluster must be of the 243d order, but most probably a
susscession of more distant stars was seen in the larger telescopes.
Sweep 173 (September 7?, 1828)
RA 1h 27m 34.8s, NPD 75d 5' 17" (1830.0)
B; L; R; pgmbM ; 90" diam; resolvable.
Bright; large; round; pretty ggradually much brigher toeard the middle; 90"
diameter; resolvable [mottled].
Last Modification: March 30, 2005