The redshift-based distance of this galaxy is nearly 1.1 billion l.y., with a second measurement in NED yielding 1.4 billion l.y! The larger figure places it as the most distant NGC, further than NGC 5609 at 1.2 billion l.y.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1262 = LM 1-99 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.0, pS, iR, sbMN, halo 15.5." Within the accuracy of his measurement (nearest minute of RA), his position matches MCG -03-09-014 = PGC 12107. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/30/99): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, no concentration. Requires averted vision and could not hold steadily. A mag 15 star lies 1.0' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb