William Herschel discovered NGC 1600 = H I-158 = h319 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "pB, pL, irr R, vgmbM." Just two nights later (sweep 640) he noted "cB, pS, mbB." John Herschel made 4 observations and the observers on LdR's 72" made 5 observations of the field, discovering NGC 1601, 1603 and 1606.

300/350mm - 13" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, broad concentration.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/1/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, broadly concentrated halo, almost stellar nucleus. Brightest in a large group with NGC 1601 1.6' N, NGC 1603 2.6' ESE and NGC 1606 7' NE. Other members include NGC 1599, NGC 1604, NGC 1607, NGC 1609, NGC 1611, NGC 1612, NGC 1613 and IC 373. Located 12' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 131262 12' NW and 15' ESE of mag 9 SAO 131258.

600/800mm - 24" (2/24/20): at 260x and 375x; very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, ~1.6'x1.2', very bright core, stellar nucleus, brighter along a N-S central axis. Two adjacent NGC companions (1601 and 1603).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb