E.E. Barnard discovered IC 1284 on a photographic plate taken with the 6" Willard lends on 31 May 1892. He noted "an unknown nebulous star [BD -19° 4953]. It is shown on the photograph to be nearly symmetrically surrounded with a faint diffused nebulosity about 15' in diameter. Perhaps this nebulosity is a little denser and more extensive following. Visually with the 12 inch, I cannot be certain of seeing the nebulosity on account of the brightness of the central star." He later described nearby IC 1283 in AN 3111. Barnard's position matches the mag 7.6 star involved.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/26/95): this is the northeastern section of the IC 1283/1284 nebulosity surrounding mag 7.6 SAO 161273. Although brightest around the star, the nebula appears to nearly merge with IC 1283 stretching SW to a mag 9 star located 7' SW. Located less than 15' NE of the bright reflection nebulae NGC 6589 and NGC 6595.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb