John Herschel discovered NGC 1602 = h2649 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "eF, L, roundish undefined. The following of two [with h2648 = NGC 1596]." His position is accurate (two sweeps).

A lithograph was prepared (with NGC 1596) based on Joseph Turner's observation on 17 Jan 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate II, figure 15) but it was never published.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40" diameter, low surface brightness. Forms a pair with the prominent galaxy NGC 1596 just 2.9' NW. Member of the Dorado Group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb