Stephane Javelle discovered IC 2738 = J. 3-1178, along with ICs 2735, 2744 and 2751, on 22 May 1903.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/88): very faint, extremely small, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, slightly elongated. A mag 13.5 star is close off the west edge 35" from the center. Second of six in the core of AGC 1228 with IC 2735 4.0' WSW and IC 2744 4.0' E. Mag 9 SAO 62507 lies 3.5' directly north.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb