E.E. Barnard discovered IC 4685 photographically in Jul 1905 using the 10-inch Bruce telescope at Mt. Wilson. In describing the region surrounding M8 (see AN 4239), he mentions "The star Gou 24695 of 7 and 1/2 magnitude is the center of a larger but very diffused condensation." The IC position corresponds with mag 7.4 HD 165921.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/20/87): at 88x with UHC filter appears as a very large, extensive region of nebulosity just west of NGC 6559 and extended N-S. Mag 7.4 HD 165921 is involved at the west end.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb