William Herschel discovered NGC 3055 = H VI-4 = h656 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 116) and noted "a nebula or cluster of very close and small stars." His position is 38 sec of RA east of UGC 5328 (not an uncommon error in his early sweeps). He included this galaxy in class VI (Very condensed and rich clusters of stars). John Herschel made 3 observations and noted on 10 Apr 1828 (sweep 143), "pB, gbM; r; lE; 60" l, 40" br; twilight. No other cluster or neb near." The NGC position is accurate.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 15 Mar 1855, recorded the following detail: "E sp nf, has a B nucl and a knot in sp end, or rather a twist towards then." The following Jan he remarked "I see it as last year with appendage or curved branch at sp end."

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, moderately large. There is a sharper light cut-off on the east side due to dust. Located 5.7' SSE of a mag 10.5 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb