John Herschel discovered NGC 2954 = h3181 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF; R; 20". Another suspected [NGC 2953] 6' south, nearly on the same parallel. His position is at the north edge of UGC 5155. There is nothing near his position for[NGC 2953, and it likely refers to a faint star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, bright core, fairly high surface brightness. Located on a line with two mag 12 stars 1.8' NNW and 2.5' NNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb