William Herschel discovered NGC 1393 = H III-451 = h2565 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "vF, S, R." JH logged "pF, R, glbM, 30".", and measured an accurate position. Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1391 and NGC 1394 to the northeast.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/11/99): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1' diameter, bright core. Member of the NGC 1407 group. First of three on a line with NGC 1391 5.6' NE and NGC 1394 10' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb