George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2709 on 27 Jan 1852. His sketch places it 11' SE of NGC 2699 (the actual separation is 9'). On 7 Mar 1877, Dreyer made a more detailed micrometric observation, noting "vF, pL, lE sp nf, north of [NGC 2708]. Pos 9.5°, Dist 434.4"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/13/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2708 7.1' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb