Charles Messier discovered M89 = NGC 4552 = h1348 on 18 Mar 1781. William Herschel made an observation on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and noted "B, pS." John Herschel made four observations and recorded on 10 Apr 1825 (sweep 2) "F; R; gbM; 25"; has a * nf." On 4 May 1829 (sweep 192) he called M89 "B; R; gbM; 40...50" [diameter]."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/87): very bright, irregularly round, fairly small but high surface brightness with an intense, very small bright core and substellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 4550/NGC 4551 pair 20' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb