John Herschel discovered NGC 2883 = h3164 on 7 Apr 1837 and recorded "a vF, S, cluster, class VI; vglbM; resolved so as to see the stars which are 15th mag; almost to be called a vF, large nebula." His position matches ESO 372-024 = PGC 26713 and his description matches the superimposed and nearby stars. MCG misidentifies MCG -06-21-006 as NGC 2883 instead of MCG -06-21-005.

400/500mm - 18" (3/11/07): faint, moderately large, elongated at least 2:1 ~N-S, 1.1'x0.5'. Unusual appearance as the galaxy has an irregular, mottled appearance and perhaps three faint stars are superimposed (with several others nearby).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb