John Herschel discovered NGC 31 = h2311 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "eeF; the following of 2. Requires attention, but leaves no doubt" and on a later sweep as "eeF; S; R." The preceding object is h2310 = NGC 28. JH's positions clearly establishes NGC 28 = PGC 730 and NGC 31 = ESO 149-020 = PGC 751. Nevertheless, the PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 28 and 31. The galaxy identified in the RC2 as NGC 28 is actually NGC 31. The ESO entry (149- G20) for NGC 31 does not give the NGC equivalence. The SGC (Southern Galaxy Catalogue) identifications are correct although the PGC errata paper claims the SGC reverses the identifications.

600/800mm - 30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): this is the largest of 9 members of AGC 2731 viewed. Appeared moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, bright core. Situated in the center of the cluster with NGC 28 1.8' W, NGC 25 5.7' SW and NGC 37 6.3' ENE. A mag 12 star lies 1.7' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb