John Herschel discovered NGC 3263 = h3260 on 3 Feb 1835 (along with NGC 3262) and recorded "F; mE in pos = 280° +/- [WNW-ESE]; psbM; 20"."

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, broad weak concentration. A faint star is at the WNW tip. Forms aa distorted, interacting pair (a faint plume extends E) with NGC 3262 2.6' SSW. Brightest member of the Klemola 12 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb