John Herschel discovered NGC 3087 = h3213 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; pmbM; between 2 st 13m." His position matches ESO 374-015. Joseph Turner, observing with the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 8 Mar 1878, noted the star directly north [by 1.4' from center] was double. Pietro Baracchi described it as "B; S; R: gbM; sparkling; resolvable? A star 13m precedes by 5 1/2 sec and is on the same declination."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very small, small bright core, fainter halo. Bracketed by two mag 12/13 stars.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb