Lewis Swift discovered IC 2969 = Sw. XI-125 on 4 May 1897 and recorded "eF; pS; R; B * f[ollows] 55 sec; np of 2." There is nothing at his position but 8.6' S is MCG -01-30-040. The bright star is mag 8.2 HD 103252 and the galaxy southeast is Swift's IC 2972 (identical to NGC 3952).

600/800mm - 24" (5/20/20): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, ~40"x30", low nearly even surface brightness. Located 14' W of mag 8.1 HD 103252. Observation several hours past the meridian (elevation 25°).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb