Frank Muller discovered NGC 177 = LM 2-289, along with NGC 168 and 172, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Muller's position is 2' S of ESO 474-006 = PGC 2241, although he was uncertain if this object was a star. His comment "E 175°" is fairly accurate (actual PA = 9°). The IC 2 notes remark "Delete the (original) query; it seems to be a nebula (Howe)"

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): third and brightest of three with NGC 168 and NGC 172. Faint, edge-on 4:1 N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 172 lies 5' WSW.

600/800mm - 24" (10/3/13): this galaxy is the most prominent of a trio of edge-ons (KTS 4) with NGC 172 5' SW and NGC 168 13' WSW. Moderately bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 nearly N-S, 1.5'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small, bright elongated core increasing to a stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb