John Herschel discovered NGC 175 = h2334 on 11 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, pL, E, gbM, r, 80" long, 60" broad. If this nebula be really III.223 [NGC 171], the P.D. [polar distance] assigned to that nebula by my Father's observations must be 1 degree in error. The error cannot lie in this observation, the 109th degree of Polar distance being beyond the possible reach of the instrument in [this] sweep." His position and description matches ESO 540-006 = PGC 2232.

By historical precedence, the principal designation should be NGC 171, but the galaxy is usually identified as NGC 175 due to the unambiguous position.

200/250mm - 8" (10/13/81): faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, oval small bright core, diffuse halo. Forms a right angle with two mag 11 stars 4' SSE and 5' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb