Albert Marth discovered NGC 321 = m 21 (along with NGCs 325, 327 and 329) on 27 Sep 1864 using Lassell's 48" on Malta. His description simply reads "eF, vS", but his position matches MCG -01-03-043. Nevertheless, the RNGC, MCG, RC3 and others misidentify MCG -01-03-041 (located 5' further N) as NGC 321. Furthermore, MCG -01-03-043 is misidentified as NGC 325 in RNGC, MCG, PGC and other sources. MCG -01-03-041 was visible in my 13" so it is odd that Marth did not notice this galaxy.

300/350mm - 13.1" (7/12/86): very faint, small, round.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/11/99): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. The faintest of 5 galaxies in the field (NGC 325 = MCG -01-03-045 not seen in very soft seeing) including NGC 327 4.8' SE, MCG -01-03-041 5.1' NNW and NGC 329 5.7' WNW. Located 1.4' SE of a mag 12 star.

600/800mm - 24" (12/1/13): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Easily visible 1.5' SE of a mag 12.5 star and 5.7' WSW of NGC 329 in a group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb