William Herschel discovered NGC 1248 = H III-443 = h292 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), noting "vF, vS, confirmed by 240 power." John Herschel made three observations and initially assumed he had made the discovery.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, possible stellar nucleus. Located 5.5' S of mag 8.3 SAO 130357.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb