William Herschel discovered NGC 2855 = H I-132 = h592 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and logged "F, S, vgbM, R, 1.5' dia." On 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995), he noted "pB, R, mbM like a nucleus, about 1' dia." John Herschel recorded on 9 Mar 1828 (sweep 129), "pB; R; 45"; pgmbM; almost to nucleus."

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): moderately large, diffuse halo rising to a sharp, bright core with a brighter nucleus.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core. Located 4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 155121.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb