John Herschel discovered NGC 2776 = h563 on 19 Mar 1828 (sweep 139) and described "pB; vL; R; vgbM; resolvable; 3' diam." His position is accurate. R.J. Mitchell, the 72" observer on 16 Feb 1858, noted "pL, mottled and suspect spiral.".

200/250mm - 8" faint, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration. Located 8' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 42735.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/16/96): moderately bright, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, round. Fairly even concentration with a large 1' core increasing to a 20" nucleus. A mag 11 star is 4' SSE. Located 9' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 42735.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb