E.E. Barnard discovered IC 4562 on 20 Aug 1890 in a sextet (5 in IC) with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He noted "pretty bright, small, round, much brighter in the middle." and placed it accurately in his notebook sketch (published in 1906). He also indicated a very small nebula close northeast (IC 4562A), though was uncertain if it was a faint star.

His positions are not very accurate (particularly in RA) and the position for IC 4562 is 18 seconds too far west and 3.5' south. Still the identifications are certain based on the sketch. MCG doesn't identify its +07-32-034 as IC 4562.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/27/98): First in a group of six galaxies discovered by Barnard with a 12" at Lick Observatory along with IC 4564/65/66/67. Fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, bright core. Stellar nucleus detected at 280x. Located between two mag 11.5-12 stars 1.3' WSW and 2.5' ENE. Forms a close pair with IC 4562A just 1.2' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb