William Herschel discovered NGC 2505 = H III-839 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called it "eF, vS." His position (CH's reduction) is just 1.8' south-southwest of UGC 4193 (typical error). Auwers' reduction, though, shows a difference of 10' in dec for several objects in the sweep.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, very small brighter nucleus. Located 10' SW of mag 7.1 SAO 26650 at the edge of the 220x field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb