John Herschel discovered NGC 2821 = h3155 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, attached to a star 11th mag; somewhat doubtful." His position and description matches ESO 497-034. Herbert Howe noted the mag 11 star is northwest of the galaxy. MCG does label their catalogue entry (MCG -04-22-007) as NGC 2821.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, broad weak concentration. A mag 13 star is attached just NW of the center. A faint very close double star lies 1.8' W and a brighter mag 12 star is 2.0' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb