Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2738, along with NGC 2737, on 23 Feb 1863. His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 4752 = PGC 25454 and he noted a mag 14 star that precedes by 8 seconds of RA and 30" north.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 2737 3.7' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb