Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3290 = LM 2-422 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.7, 0.4' dia, lE 180°, gbM, * 7.5 n 6'." His position is 0.5 min west of MCG -03-27-020 = PGC 31346 and a mag 8 staris 5' north, so the identification is certain.

400/500mm - 18" (3/29/03): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', low surface brightness, very weak concentration. In field with mag 8.4 SAO 156083 7' N and mag 7.8 SAO 156089 9' SW which detract from viewing.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb