William Herschel discovered NGC 3238 = H II-883 = h708 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "F, S, R, bM." Caroline's reduced position is just 1' NE of UGC 5649. On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323) John Herschel reported "Not vF; R; pslbM; 20" [diameter]."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, even concentration with brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with MCG +10-15-079 5.4' NW. NGC 3220 lies 27' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb