William Herschel discovered NGC 2985 = H I-78 = h629 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and recorded "vB, cL, mbM and the brightness confined to a pretty small space." His position was 35 sec of RA too far east (equivalent to 2.7'). On 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382) John Herschel wrote, "vB; R; pgmbM; 50"; has a *13 m following 1' distant, exactly in the parallel." His position was 50 sec of RA too far west (only 4' at this declination).

200/250mm - 8" moderately bright, bright core, fairly large.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/4/92): bright, moderately large, irregularly round, gradually increases to a very bright well-defined core, stellar nucleus. The faint outer halo extends to 2.0' diameter reaching a mag 12.5 star at the east edge of the halo 1.0' from center. NGC 3027 lies 25' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb