C.H.F. Peters discovered NGC 3054 on 3 Apr 1859 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory. The NGC RA (from Peters) is just 6 sec west of ESO 499-018.

Ormond Stone found the galaxy again on 14 Jan 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded it again as #60 in the first LM first discovery list. His rough RA is ~1.5 minutes too large but his description (PA = 120°, 2.7'x0.8') matches this galaxy.

Based on photographs taken in 1919-20 at the Helwan Observatory, the galaxy was described as "F, 3'x2', E 110°, spiral with pF almost stellar nucleus and faint well defined whorls [arms]."

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo, elongated WNW-ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb