George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 2779 on 13 Mar 1850 and noted "a third neb [with NGC 2778 and NGC 2780], eF, found." The sketch clearly shows the three galaxies correctly positioned and a micrometric offset from NGC 2778 was measured in 1867.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/92): extremely faint, very small, round, can almost hold steadily with averted. Forms a close pair with NGC 2778 1.7' SSW. Faintest of three including NGC 2780. A wide evenly matched mag 10 pair at 38" separation is just 3.5' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb