William Herschel discovered NGC 2990 = H II-624 on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 672) and recorded "F, lE, about 1.5' l, not far from the parallel." His position is 15 sec of RA too far west and 2.5' too far south. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 3 nights and noted the difference with WH's position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration to a brighter core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb