William Herschel discovered NGC 2921 = H III-597 = h3173 on 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 663) and logged "vF, S, R, vglbM. His position is within 1' of ESO 565-017 = PGC 27214. JH made two observations and on sweep 770 discovered NGC 2920.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.8', broad concentration to a 15" core. A mag 14 star is just off the NW side [53" from the center]. Forms a pair with NGC 2920 5.8' NW. Located 33' NW of NGC 2935.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb