This LIRG (infrared-luminous galaxy) is an advanced-stage merger with a tidal tail to the NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 34 = Sw. VI-1 on 21 Nov 1886, along with NGC 35, with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description ("equilateral triangle with 2 stars, one a close double") matches MCG -02-01-032 = PGC 781. Frank Muller independently found this galaxy in 1886 and reported it in his list II-276 (later NGC 17). His position was 2.0 minutes of RA too far west, but the description matches. So, NGC 34 = NGC 17 (discovery priority unknown). Herbert Howe searched for NGC 17 unsuccessfully with the 20" refractor at Denver and concluded it was equivalent to NGC 34 based on the similar descriptions.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A close double star (WZ 1 = 12.4/13.9 at 7") is 2' W. Forms a pair with NGC 35 6' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb