Stephane Javelle discovered IC 156 = J. 2-536, along with IC 154, on 15 Dec 1892 and recorded "pB, R, 30" diameter, mbMN = * 12 mag."

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE. A mag 14 star is 0.9' N. Located 2.5' W of mag 8.7 SAO 92617. Member of the NGC 665 group with IC 154 6' NNW and NGC 665 11' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb