James Dunlop discovered NGC 1617 = D 339 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula, bright in the centre, N.p. Alpha Doradus". His position was off by 11.5' (typical error) to the southeast. JH observed the galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged (for h2651), "B, L, mE, first very gradually then very suddenly much brighter to the middle to a nucleus 5" in diameter; 3' long, 1' broad." The next night he reobserved it and noted "pB, L, mE, sbM, 3' long, 2' broad, pos. 105.8 degrees." His mean position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 2.8'x1.4'. Well-concentrated with a bright 30" core which increases to a bright stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus! This member of the Dorado group is easily located 33' NW of mag 3.2 Alpha Doradus. The galaxy is cradled by three mag 12 stars 4' WNW, 5' SSW and 6' SE. The NGC 1596/1602 pair lies 43' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb