William Herschel discovered NGC 1294 = H III-575 = h295, along with NGC 1293, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and described these as "Two NGC 1293 and NGC 1294]. Both vF, stellar, vlbM, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest." His position was ~10 seconds of RA too far west. Furthermore, John Herschel mistaenly called this galaxy the "north-following of two" on 18 Sep 1828 (sweep 182).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1293 2' NNW. Member of AGC 426.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb