Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1083 = Sw. V-43 on 29 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and reported "eeF; pS; vE; surrounded by 5 or 6 stars; np of 2 [with NGC 1089]. His position is close to MCG -03-08-015 = PGC 10445 and the comment "surrounded by 5 or 6 stars" applies. His comment "np of 2" should read "sp of 2".

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint but striking edge-on streak 5:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.3'. Weak concentration with no distinct core. Located almost at the midpoint of two mag 11 stars 2.5' NW and 3.2' SE. Second of three on a line with NGC 1081 16' SW and NGC 1089 18' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb