Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 179 = LM 2-290 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position matches ESO 540-007. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round. Forms a double with a mag 14.5 star just 25" NNW of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb