William Herschel discovered NGC 2840 = H III-827 = h586 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and noted "eF, vS, south-following a vS star." His position (CH's reduction) is 3' south of UGC 4960 and the description of the nearby star clinches the identification. John recorded on 5 Mar 1828 (sweep 127), "vF; not vS; R; 100"-120"; s f a * 10 mag." His position was very accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, appears elongated in direction of a mag 11 star 1.0' NW although the catalogued dimensions are nearly circular, almost even surface brightness. Located 1° north of Alpha Lyncis.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb