Hermann Kobold discovered IC 3963 = K. 2-15 on 12 May 1896 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/28/90): extremely faint and small, elongated E-W. Third of three in equilateral triangle with IC 3959 1.4' WNW and IC 3957 1.4' WSW in AGC 1656.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/10/18): at 610x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W, ~0.4'x0.3', very small bright nucleus. Forms the eastern vertex of a small isosceles triangle with IC 3959 1.3' NW and IC 3957 1.4' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb