William Herschel discovered NGC 2803 = H III-63 = h575 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "Two [with NGC 2802]; vF, pS, R, r, both rather bright middle. 240 shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian."

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, small, round, weak concentration. Slightly larger than NGC 2802, which forms a double system just 30" NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb