William Herschel discovered NGC 3196 = H III-348 = h694 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and remarked "suspected, eF, pS, lE. I do not much doubt it; but there is too much light to verify it." Caroline's reduction is 30 sec of time following CGCG 153-035 = PGC 30121. John Herschel's position from 17 Feb 1827 (sweep 57) is just 30" south of this galaxy, though he noted "so eF that I remained unsatisfied". Given that comment and the magnitude of this galaxy, it's amazing that WH apparently picked it up during twilight. Sweep 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 was WH's most productive -- with 72 discoveries -- and this was the first object found in the sweep.

400/500mm - 18" (2/23/06): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Located 0.5' W of a mag 15-15.5 star that confuses the observation. This galaxy is unusually faint for a William Herschel discovery. Located 13' NE of striking double star ∑1421 = 8.2/9.3 at 4.5".

Notes by Steve Gottlieb