Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 272 on 2 Aug 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His single position points directly to this group of stars. It is listed in the 4th edition of the Gosta Lynga catalogue but was removed from the 5th edition. Visually it appears to be a scattered asterism.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/26/92): 9 stars in a 5' diameter forming a "hook" asterism. Includes a mag 9 star and a close double star. Appears to be fully resolved and only an unimpressive, scattered asterism.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb