James Keeler discovered IC 4263 on two long-exposure plates of M51 taken in May 1899 with the 36-inch Crossley reflector at Lick Observatory. (MN, 59, 1899, pg 537). He described it as "spindle-shaped; diam. = 0.2'." with an additional note "long and narrow, with a bright, somewhat irregular axis." It was included in the 1908 Publications of Lick Observatory, Vol VIII, catalogue of as #667 of 744 new "nebulae". UGC has a typo and labels this galaxy IC 4563. MCG +08-25-007 is not identified as IC 4263.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/10/86): extremely faint, edge-on streak WNW-ESE, averted vision required. Located 20' SW of M51!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb