William Herschel discovered NGC 1140 = H II-470 = h275 = h2500 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 475) and logged "F, S. I had hardly been out long enough, but yet I think it was no deception." A second observation showed it as "pretty bright, but hardly to be distinguished from a star." John Herschel observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope.

300/350mm - 13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, very small, round, stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb