John Herschel discovered NGC 1490 = h2599 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, S, lE, pmbM, 18" dia." His position is accurate.

600/800mm - 24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 280x appeared bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core that increases to the center, surrounded by a diffuse 1.2' halo. A faint star is embedded at the east edge of the halo. NGC 1503 lies 18' E and ESO 083-012 is 9.5' NE. Located 1.5 degrees SE of mag 3.8 Beta Reticuli and 4' N of mag 9.3 HD 24957.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb