Lewis Swift discovered IC 284 = Sw. VIII-13 on 27 Oct 1888 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. He noted "eeF, pL, lE, D * np, bet 2 st". His position is 12 sec of RA west of UGC 2531 but the comment "D * np" pins down the identification.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/24/87): faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, gradually increases to a small bright core. A mag 11 double at 16" separation is 2.5' NW. Located 18' E of NGC 1175.

600/800mm - 24" (1/25/14): at 200x and 375x appeared moderately bright, large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, at least 3'x1.5', weak concentration to a brighter core. Two mag 15 stars are superimposed on the east edge of the core. V Zw 319 = PGC 11646 is on the southwest edge of the halo, 0.7' SW of center! The companion appeared very faint, round, only 12" diameter. A 17" pair of mag 11.5 stars lies 2.5' NW. IC 288 lies 15' E.

NED has no distance info on V Zw 319, though there is no indication of interaction on the SDSS and an arm from IC 284 is silhouetted on V Zw 319, indicating it may be a background object.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb