Discovered by Pierre Méchain in July 1781.
Independently rediscovered by William Herschel on March 9, 1788.
Sweep 255 (April 26, 1830)
RA 12h 10m 32.7s, NPD 41d 46' 19": (1830).
vB; vL; vsbM to an oval nucleus which is not in the middle of its length;
6'l, 3'br.
Very bright; very large; very suddenly brighter toward the middle to an oval
nucleus which is not in the middle of its length; 6' long, 3' broad.
Sweep 329 (March 7, 1831)
RA 12h 10m 32.7s, NPD 41d 44' 6":: (1830).
vB; vL; sbM to a *; 6'l, 4'br.
Very bright; very large; suddenly brighter toward the middle to a star;
6' long, 4' broad.
Sweep 256 (April 27, 1830)
RA 12h 10m 32.7s, NPD 41d 46' 56":: (1830).
vB; L; vmE.
Very bright; large; very much extended [elongated].
[Appendix]
[Figure on Plate XIV, Figure 55, No. 1175, V. 43, RA 12h 10m 33s, NPD 41d 46']
Plate XIV. Figs. 50 .... 67. [includes I.43 (M104),
V.8 (NGC 3628), V.1 (NGC 253), M65,
h 875 (M66?), V.43 (M106), I.156 (NGC 1023),
I.210 (NGC 4346), IV.42 (NGC 676), I,109 (NGC 1201), II.600 (NGC 7640),
II.280 (NGC 2695), IV.30 (NGC 4861), I.55 (NGC 7479), IV.2 (NGC 2261),
IV.66 (NGC 2701), III.602 (NGC 4571), and I.143 (NGC 4900)]
- Long nebulae. The general form of elongated nebulae is elliptic, and
their condensation towards the centre is almost invariably such as would
arise from the superposition of luminous elliptic strata, increasing in
density towards the centre. [..]
Last Modification: January 4, 2005