William Herschel discovered NGC 3299 = H III-54 = h726 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and logged "eF, cL, R, r, without nucleus." There is nothing at his position but 42 sec of RA east and 3' south (10' ESE) is UGC 5761 = PGC 31442 and this galaxy fits his description. On 4 Apr 1831 (sweep 338), John Herschel noted, "pL; so faint as to be barely perceptible, but a sure observation."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/1/03): very faint, fairly large, unusually large low surface brightness galaxy with a very weak concentration making detection difficult. Appears at least 1.5' in diameter and roughly circular. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3306 12' ESE. Required averted but once identified I could hold it most of the time with concentration and averted vision.

600/800mm - 24" (4/20/14): faint, fairly large, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~1.6'x1.2'. No noticeable core or zones. First in the KTG 30 trio (not physically related) with NGC 3306 11.8' SE and CGCG 065-069 11' ENE. Redshift-independent distance of 17.6 million l.y and part of the M96 Group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb