John Herschel discovered NGC 3249 = h3251 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "eF; pL; R; vgvlbM; 60"." His position matches ESO 375-024 = PGC 30657.

400/500mm - 18" (4/10/04): extremely faint, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter. Requires averted vision and concentration to glimpse a very low surface brightness circular patch with no details. Located 4.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star. Member of the Antlia Cluster (ACO S636).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb