John Herschel discovered NGC 2740 = h549 on 17 Feb 1831 (sweep 328) and recorded "four small stars with a strong suspician of nebula among them." This observation probably refers to both NGC 2739 and NGC 2740 (one or two of Herschel's "stars" are probably the nuclei or cores of these galaxies), but LdR is credited with the discovery of NGC 2740 in the GC and NGC. His position is 1.3' north of CGCG 264-060 = PGC 25531, and falls very close to a nearby star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. A mag 14 star is 35" SE of center. Forms a double system with NGC 2739 40" NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb