Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1486 = LM 2-393 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is about 25 sec of RA east of ESO 549-037 = PGC 14132. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/22/03): very faint, fairly small,, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with a roundish, brighter core, requires averted vision. The halo appears elongated SSW-NNE although difficult to pin down a consistent orientation. Located 10' E of mag 9.7 SAO 168958 and 9' ENE of mag 9.4 SAO 168962.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb