William Herschel discovered NGC 3145 = H III-518 = h673 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and noted "vF, S, R, 7 or 8' sp Lambda Hydra." On 7 Mar 1791 (sweep 997) he called it "F, pL, iR, vbmbM, in the field with Lambda Hyae." His position and description matches MCG -02-26-036 = PGC 29591. In a note to 8th discovery list at Lowe Observatory, Swift "corrected" the position but was 7' too far NNW. Furthermore, Swift placed the star Lambda too the northwest, insteast of northeast. Finally, he commented it was strange the bright star was not mentioned by Herschel, though it was Dreyer who left this off the NGC summary description.

300/350mm - 13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, fairly small, nearly round, weak concentration. Overpowered by the glare of Lambda Hydrae (V = 3.6) 8' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb