Stephane Javelle discovered IC 989 = J. 1-278, along with IC 988, on 28 May 1891. His position is accurate.

600/800mm - 24" (7/1/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, fairly small, roundish, 0.6' diameter, very small brighter nucleus. Located 12' S of mag 6.4 HD 124681 and 7' W of STF 1819 (7.7/7.9 at 0.9"). Brightest in a group (WBL 496) with IC 988 6' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb