Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1285 on 28 Oct 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. His single position is just off the east side of the galaxy.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/28/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak broad concentration but no defined core. Slightly mottled or irregular surface brightness.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb