E.E. Barnard discovered IC 4572 = J. 3-1380 visually, probably along with IC 4569, on 29 Jan 1889 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. His position of 15h 36m 53s +28° 25' (1889) corresponds with a group of IC galaxies (IC 4568, 4569, 4570, 4572, 4574), but is closest to IC 4572 and IC 4570. The southeast galaxy on his simple sketch (probably IC 4572) is noted as "pF, pL, gbM, Rndish." The northwest galaxy (either IC 4570 or IC 4569) is noted as "pS, gbM, Rndish." The sketch of the 80x field shows a single star - probably mag 8.4 SAO 83949 = HD 140253. If the field diameter is close to 40', then the second galaxy is more likely IC 4569 (separation of 17'), which has a higher surface brightness and was more evident in my visual observation.

Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again on 25 Jul 1895 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory and measured an accurate position. Barnard didn't publish his discovery or notify Dreyer so Javelle was credited with the discovery in the IC.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/3/97): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, 40"x25", weak concentration. Located 9' NE of mag 8.0 SAO 83949 in a group of IC galaxies discovered by Javelle.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb