William Herschel discovered NGC 233 = H III-149 = h54 on 14 Oct 178 (sweep 266) and logged "eF, vS, R." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 22 Nov 1854, recorded "pB, vS, R, a F* v close preceding??". There is a very faint star close west of the core. The NGC position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo, no distinct edges.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb