R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2480 on 1 Feb 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72". He described NGC 2481 as a "F ray with pB nucleus. There is np this a companion neb vvF, elongated as in diagram. star at Alpha, suspected another at Beta." The sketch clearly identifies NGC 2480 = UGC 4116, although no coordinates or offsets were given by Mitchell. UGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2481.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, very elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2481 1' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb