William Herschel discovered NGC 2780 = H III-826 = h567 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and called "vF, S, resolvable." Caroline's reduced position is 2' south of UGC 4843. The previous nebula observed in the sweep was brighter NGC 2778, which had been discovered 28 Mar 1786. John Herschel made a single observation on 3 Apr 1831 (sweep 337).

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 12/13.5 double star at 15" separation in PA 90° is 1.8' WNW. Appears slightly larger than NGC 2778 7.3' NNW but has an lower surface brightness. This galaxy is the second brightest of three with NGC 2778 and NGC 2779.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb