William Herschel discovered NGC 2488 = H III-837 = h475 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called "eF, vS." His position was 1' SSW of UGC 4161 = PGC 22520. Auwers' reduction, though, gave a difference of 10' in dec; the same as NGC 2469 = H III-836, NGC 2497 = III-838, NGC 2505 = III-839 and NGC 2534 = III-840 on this sweep. On 9 Feb 1831, John Herschel wrote "vF; R; glbM; 15 arcseconds." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, bright core. UGC 4164, situated 6' NNE, appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, gradually increases to a bright core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb