William Herschel discovered NGC 1588 = H II-9 = h317, along with NGC 1587 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54). His published summary description (from 4 sweeps) reads "Two [with NGC 1587]. The second F, vS, r." On 23 Nov 1827 (sweep 107), John Herschel called this "the north-following of a double nebula; F; S; R. Position by a drawing made at the time 30..40? nf."

300/350mm - 13.1" (12/22/84): faint, very small. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1587 1' W.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/3/03): fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, 0.6'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright stellar nucleus. Smaller and fainter of close pair with NGC 1587 just 0.9' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb