Albert Marth discovered NGC 2878 = m 165 on 28 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2877 = m 164) and recorded "vF, S, vlE." His position is accurate.
400/500mm - 17.5" (3/8/97): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, unconcentrated. Slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 2877 located 8.5' N.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb