John Herschel discovered NGC 1031 = h2490 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 20"; the following of two [with NGC 1025]". His position is close west of ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907.

600/800mm - 30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star lies 3.3' NNE. Forms a pair with fainter NGC 1025 2.7' W. Located 15' W of h3520 = 7.6/8.8 at 21" and 40' SW of mag 5.2 Zeta Hor.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb