William Herschel discovered NGC 1700 = H IV-32 = h336 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and noted "cB, S, mbM." On 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he reported "cB, vS, bM. Like a star affected with irregular burs." NGC 1700 was observed 10 times with the 72". On 13 Jan 1858 R.J. Mitchell logged, "B centre which I strongly suspect resolvable, faint nebulosity stretches out a long way, involving a minute star preceding." WH's observation probably influenced the Birr Castle observers to look for (nonexistent) structure.

300/350mm - 13" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core. Located 20' NNE of 62 Eridani (V = 5.5).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/23/89): bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W, very bright core. Located 6' SSE of mag 7.8 SAO 131619. Forms a pair with NGC 1699 6.7' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb