Lewis Swift discovered IC 998 = Sw. 10A-5 = Sw. XI-169, along with IC 997, on 16 May 1892 (last two months at the Warner Observatory) and recorded "eeF; S; R; following of 2 [with IC 997]." This galaxy is the faintest of a quartet, but Swift's offset from IC 997 points directly to this galaxy. Swift reobserved it again on 16 Sep 1896 from Echo Mountain in Southern California and reported it as new in his 11th discovery list, probably to make sure Dreyer didn't miss this discovery. Herbert Howe took LEDA 1058483 as IC 998 when he observed the field carefully around 1900 and also discovered IC 4401. But Malcolm Thomson argues against this identification. See his detailed analysis in IC identifications. Also see Corwin's comments on IC 997/998.

400/500mm - 18" (6/18/04): faint, very small, round. The view is a bit confused by a very faint star which is close south (~20") so these objects could initially appear to be a faint, close double. The galaxy appeared only 10" or so in diameter. Barely visible with direct vision though only a faint stellar nucleus remained. Faintest of trio with IC 997 and IC 4401 and situated 5' ENE of IC 997.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb