Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 283 = LM 1-14 (along with NGCs 284, 285 and 286) on 2 Oct 1886. He gave the same positions for NGC 283, 284 and 285 in his discovery list, although the (rough) position is good. NGC 286 was placed 2' further N. Since the positions were only given to the nearest minute of RA, this is reasonable and his rough position is a reasonable match with MCG -02-03-031 = PGC 3124. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 of NGC 282, 284, 285 and 286 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NE. First of four similar galaxies with NGC 284 3' E and NGC 285 5' E almost on a line.

600/800mm - 24" (10/5/13): first and largest of five galaxies including four similar NGCs and much fainter MCG -02-03-03. At 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NE. NGC 284 and 285 follow directly east by 2.7' and 4.1' with NGC 286 5.2' NE and much fainter PGC 173072 is 1.9' NNE. The entire quintet fits in a 5' circle.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb