R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2686 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2687, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684. He described it as "double or is a neb with hazy * close f" and labeled it on the sketch as Beta. MCG +08-16-036/037 is a double galaxy and the orientation on the sketch (E-W) is correct, so this identification is certain. RNGC and MCG have separate listings for NGC 2686A and B.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/8/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Located 1' SW of a mag 12.5 star and 1.5' SE of NGC 2684. Second brightest of three in NGC 2684 group.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up while viewing NGC 2684. Extremely faint, very small, appears elongated 2:1 E-W. Located 1.3' SE of NGC 2684 and requires concentration to view. The mag 13 star mentioned in the observation of NGC 2684 is 0.9' NE. This is an (unresolved) double system with the components oriented E-W. The fainter eastern member is designated NGC 2686B. Member of a group of faint galaxies along with NGC 2687.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb