Rudolph Spitaler discovered IC 485 = Spitaler 12a, along with IC 484 and IC 486, on 6 Mar 1891 with the 27" refractor at Vienna. He noted it made an equilateral triangle with IC 484 and 486 though didn't measure a position. Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 30 Jan 1892 and measured an accurate position.

600/800mm - 24" (2/7/15): at 260x; very faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x10". Faintest in a trio forming an equilateral triangle with IC 484 4.7' SW and IC 486 5.3' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb