Lewis Swift discovered IC 870 = Sw. VIII-72 on 22 Apr 1889 and recorded "eeeF; vS; R; 5th of 5; 4 pB st. in a curve sf point to the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th." Although his position was 2' too far WSW, the identification with CGCG 130-029 is certain based on this description; the close two stars to the south point directly to IC 870. Javelle independently discovered the group on 11 Jun 1891 (adding one additional galaxy) and measured pretty accurate positions that were used in the IC.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/21/17): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, at least 0.5'x0.3', small bright core. Last in a group of IC galaxies with IC 868 0.9' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb