?douard Stephan found NGC 1144 = St VIIIa-10 (along with NGC 1143 = St VIIIa-11) on 17 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. This galaxy was discovered by Albert Marth on 5 Jan 1864 and catalogued as NGC 1142, but his position was 40' too far N. So, NGC 1144 = NGC 1142. Based on the earlier discovery, NGC 1142 should be the primary designation, but due to Marth's poor position, Stephan's number has been used.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, round, bright core. Slightly brighter of pair with NGC 1143 in a common halo 0.5' WNW.

900/1200mm - 48" (10/25/11): at 488x, appeared very bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 50"x35". Contains a large, very bright core that is offset to the SE side. The core gradually increases to an intense center. A mag 16.4 star is off the southeast side. Forms a double system (Arp 118) with NGC 1143, attached on thenorthwest side where the halos merge. This galaxy is highly disrupted with a loop or ring on the NW side. An extended halo was seen on this side, but only a hint of the actual ring was visible.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb