William Herschel discovered NGC 3202 = H II-720 = h696 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and noted "F, vS." CH's reduction is 3.5' southwest of UGC 5581 (similar offset as NGC 3205 = II-721 and NGC 3207 = II-722). On 12 Apr 1830 (sweep 248), John Herschel wrote, "vF; R; vgbM; 30"; the preceding of 3 neb in a triangle. Some stars near." His position was approximate and as a result the NGC position is 2' too far south.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', only a weak concentration with a small brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' W of center. First of three with very similar NGC 3205 4.4' SE and NGC 3207 5.7' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb