R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2739 on 18 Feb 1855 while observing h549 = NGC 2740 with Lord Rosse's 72". He noted a "Double nebula, vF, south one the larger, both S, R." A sketch clearly shows both galaxies as well as two nearby stars (JH logged "four small stars with a strong suspicion of nebula among them").

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Forms a close double system with NGC 2740 40" SE. This galaxy is the smaller of the pair but is slightly more noticeable due to a small brighter core and stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 12 star lies 51" NNE of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb