William Herschel discovered NGC 2629 = H III-982, along with NGC 2641, on 30 Sep 1802 on his last sweep 1112. He recorded "Two [NGC 2629 & NGC 2641], the place is that of the last NGC 2641]. That of which the place is taken NGC 2641] is vF, S. The other [NGC 2629] precedes it RA = 42 seconds and is 6' more north. The preceding one stellar. It is within 1' of a small star which follows it, and which is free from the burs which affect the stellar."

This nebula was not included in WH's third catalogue as it was discovered after his 500 discovery threshold was reached on 26 Sept 1802. It was added as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("William Herschel omitted nebulae") by JH in the Appendix to his Cape Observations and then included in the GC as III 982. Caroline Herschel's reduced position (for 1800) is 5' due south of UGC 4569, though the NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 2630-31 in MCG (+12-09-010). See identification notes for NGC 2630 and NGC 2631.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 40" SSE. Brightest of three with NGC 2641 6.3' SSE and (R)NGC 2630 = UGC 4547 7' WNW. NGC 2614 lies 20' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb