Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1148 = Sw. III-23 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate although Bigourdan could not find the galaxy. Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in list II-352, though his position was 30 seconds of time too far east.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/28/94): very faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness, no concentration. A mag 15 star appears superimposed at the NE side. Forms a pair with NGC 1152 8.5' SE. Located 9' ESE of mag 8.7 SAO 130198. Appears fainter than V = 12.7.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb