Forms a close pair with ESO 203-019 2.2' SE. The companion appeared as a slightly soft mag 13 "star", as only the nucleus of the galaxy was seen.

John Herschel discovered NGC 1803 = h2737 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, vglbM; query whether a star 11..12th mag near it S.f. be not also nebulous." Herschel's object south-following is likely ESO 203-019, located 2.2' southeast, which did not receive a NGC designation (Steinicke concurs).

300/350mm - 14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 30"x24", fairly high surface brightness. NGC 1803 is situated 4.7' ENE of mag 5.0 Eta-2 Pictoris and the bright glare of the star hampered the observation.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb