John Herschel discovered NGC 2959 = h618 on 28 Oct 1831 (sweep 377) and logged, "F; R; pL; vglbM; 40"; is south of a small group of stars." His position matches UGC 5202 = PGC 27939.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, halo brightens to a small bright core. A mag 14 star is 1.3' W of center. Forms a close pair with NGC 2961 1.5' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb