R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2687 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2686, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684. There was no description given (or approximate offsets from NGC 2684), so JH gave a single position in the GC for NGC 2686, 2687 and 2688. The sketch, though, shows NGC 2687 east or slightly ESE of NGC 2684, with a star just preceding NGC 2687. The SDSS reveals this a very close pair of galaxies (MCG +08-16-038 and -039) with the following component much brighter.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/8/97): faintest of close trio with NGC 2684 and NGC 2686. Appears extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W with concentration. Requires averted vision to clearly view. Located just 30" following a mag 12.5 star and 2' E of NGC 2684. Looked for NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 unsuccessfully.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up 1.9' E of NGC 2684 and 30" E of a mag 13 star. Extremely faint, very small, requires averted vision but repeatedly glimpsed. This unresolved double system appeared elongated WNW-ESE, matching the orientation of the members.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb