Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1048 = Sw. III-19 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position matches the contact pair PGC 10137 and 10140, and he perhaps viewed the combined glow of both. The northern component is brighter and often labeled NGC 1048, though sometimes the southwestern component is called NGC 1048A and the northeastern galaxy NGC 1048B (as in the RC1 and RC2).

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/26/94): at first glance, appeared as an ill-defined faint glow 1' S of a mag 14 star. One closer inspection, NGC 1048 resolved into a pair of small, faint galaxies 1.0' between centers oriented NNE-SSW. The northern member (generally identified as NGC 1048) was clearly brighter and elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.3'. Just 1.0' SSW is a fainter companion (NGC 1048A). Located 7' SSE of the large, low surface brightness system NGC 1042 within a large group.

17.5" (11/1/86): large, very diffuse system best viewed at 83x. There was a slight brightening to the south but the fainter companion was not clearly resolved in poor seeing.

900/1200mm - 48" (10/26/16): at 488x; fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 40"x16", bright core. A mag 14.4 star is 1' NNE. Located 7' SW of NGC 1042.

Forms a similar pair with NGC 1048A 1.0' SW. It was moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 30"x15", bright core, mottled appearance. LEDA 1002216, a compact companion, is just 30" S. It appeared faint (V = 16.8), very small, round, 10" diameter, low surface brightness.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb