E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1255 = LM 1-98 on 30 Aug 1883 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2, page 226 and Object "b" in AN 108, 370, 1884) and described a "faint nebula, not large, pretty even in light. A faint star close p and slightly south probably involved. Star is s and f the nebula by about 30'." Ormond Stone made an independent discovery in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "4.1'x2.0', PA 315?." The NGC position is 2.5' south of ESO 481-013 = PGC 12007, although Stone's declination is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, large, fairly diffuse, weak concentration, elongated NW-SE. A mag 12 star is 2.0' SW of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb