Pietro Baracchi discovered IC 285 = J. 2-578 on 7 Dec 1885, during an observation of NGC 1200 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He commented "almost as faint as [NGC 1195] and as small; vvF, vvS. Indistinct outline." His diagram of the field includes NGC 1200, along with NGCs 1195 and 1196. IC 285 is accurately placed with the note " NGC 1200] and new."

Stephane Javelle rediscovered IC 285 = J. 2-578 on 7 Dec 1893 while viewing[NGC 1195, 1196 and 1200. As Baracchi's discovery was never published, Javelle received credit in the IC.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, very low even surface brightness. Last of four in the NGC 1200 compact group with NGC 1200 3' WNW.

600/800mm - 24" (12/6/18): at 375x; nearly fairly faint, fairly small, elongated at least 2:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness, ~40"x18". Located 3.2' SE of NGC 1200 in a distinctive quartet. The major axis of the galaxy points to the center of NGC 1200.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb