Lewis Swift discovered IC 472 = Sw. IX-18, along with IC 472, on 20 Apr 1890. He recorded "eeF; pS; R; sf of 2 [with IC 471]. D * nr sf nearly points to both." His position is 3' too far northwest, a similar offset as IC 471, and the double star is Es 1082.

600/800mm - 24" (2/7/16): at 260x; fairly faint to moderately bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, 30"x24", well concentrated with a roundish bright core. Forms a pair with IC 471 3.9' NW. Double star Es 1082 = 10.1/11.1 at 5.6" lies 4.7' SE and is collinear with the two galaxies.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb