William Herschel discovered NGC 2894 = H III-8 = h603 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 101) and recorded "Nebula. I see 3 stars in it, & I believe it may all be resolved; yet my 240 power does not clear it quite of nebulosity. [Higher] power gives me 3 very obscure nebulous stars, but leaves it undetermined whether there are more stars in it or whether these are only nebulous for want of light." John Herschel's observation from 25 Dec 1827 (sweep 116) simply states, "2 or 3 st and nebulosity".

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, prominent core with faint extensions. Unusual appearance as a mag 13.5 star is at the east end and a mag 14.5 star (Holmberg 133b) at the west end. Located 3.0' NNE of mag 8.6 SAO 117726.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb