Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 284 = LM 1-15 (along with NGCs 283, 285, and 286) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-032 = PGC 3131. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/28/89): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' NW. Second of four similar galaxies with NGC 283 3' E, NGC 285 1.5' E and NGC 286 3' SE.

600/800mm - 24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15". Collinear with NGC 285 1.4' E and NGC 283 2.7' W, all three similar in brightness. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NW with MCG -02-03-032 2.4' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb