John Herschel discovered NGC 3096 = h3217 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; R; lbM; follows II 293 [NGC 3091]. (Place somewhat uncertain.)" His position is 7 sec of RA east 1.5' north of ESO 566-042.

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): extremely faint, small, round, requires averted. Located 5' ESE of NGC 3091.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): faint, weak concentration, visible with direct vision. Located 4.7' ESE of NGC 3091 in HCG 42.

600/800mm - 24" (2/9/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 24"x12" (central bar), very small brighter nucleus. The larger, low surface brightness halo was not seen. Located 1.5' SW of a mag 11.5 star and 1.8' SE of a mag 10.6 star.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/1/11): this member of HCG 42 appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3, 0.9'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1.5' NE and a mag 10.6 star is 1.8' NW. Forms a pair with fainter PGC 852084 1.3' SW (not included by Hickson). The mag 12 star, NGC 3096, PGC 852084 and a mag 13.8 star are collinear and nearly equally spaced on a 3.7' line oriented NE to SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb