Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 235 = LM 2-293, along with NGC 230 and 232, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3 min of RA east of ESO 474-016 = PGC 2569. This is a double system with the brighter component on the NW side, although it was not resolved by Leavenworth. Often NGC 235 is taken as the northwest component with the southeast component (ESO 474-017) a separate galaxy, though Leavenworth likely observed the merged image of both objects. MCG labeled the two galaxies as NGC 235A and 235B but PGC as NGC 235 and 235A. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), but also makes no reference to it appearing double.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/3/88): the western member of this double system appeared faint, very small, round, small bright core. The eastern component, attached at the following end, appeared extremely faint and small, round. Forms a double with NGC 232 2.5' SW.

600/800mm - 24" (12/22/14): at 260x; NGC 235A, the brighter northwest component of this interacting double system, appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter high surface brightness, bright core increases to a very bright stellar nucleus. NGC 235B is attached on the southeast side and appeared fairly faint, small, 12" diameter, round, very small brighter nucleus. The pair of galaxies are separated by just 20" between centers!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb