John Herschel discovered NGC 2656 = h523 on 10 Feb 1831 (sweep 324) and simply noted "eF; psbM." His position from this single observation matches CGCG 264-015 = PGC 24707.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness. A mag 12 star lies 3.5' W. This is a double system with a compact companion (not seen) at the west edge. Forms a pair with much fainter CGCG 264-014 3.4' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb