John Herschel discovered NGC 3085 = h3212 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vS; R. PD liable to some uncertainty." His position is 1.5' south of ESO 566-038. Herbert Howe observed the galaxy in 1899-00 with a 20" refractor and noted "this is called "R" by h, but it seems to be much elongated at 90°."

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE. NGC 3091 lies 12' SE. Member of the NGC 3091 Group, of which HCG 42 is the core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb