Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1386 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "g" in his table). His position is at the east edge of ESO 358-035 = PGC 13333.

200/250mm - 8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, bright core, almost round.

300/350mm - 13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core. NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE and NGC 1369 15' S (not observed). Located 5.2' NNW of mag 9.5 SAO 194401. Member of the Fornax I cluster.

400/500mm - 18" (12/17/11): bright or very bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 2.5'x1.0'. Gradually brighter outer halo, then sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that increases towards the center. NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb