William Herschel discovered NGC 3066 = H II-334 = h655 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and recorded "Two [along with II-333 = NGC 3065], pF, S, bM. The most north a little larger and brighter than the southern one; otherwise much alike; not far from being in the same merian." CH's reduced position is 30 sec of RA east of UGC 5375 and UGC 5379.

This pair was also the very last objects WH observed on his last sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802 and he also noted a third object (II-909), which turns out to be a double star. John Herschel made a single observation on 4 Nov 1831 (sweep 382), noting "F; R; 20"; vglbM." The NGC position (from d'Arrest) matches UGC 5379.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, gradual moderate concentration but no sharp core. Only slightly fainter than NGC 3065 3' NNW but has a smoother surface brightness.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb