Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 331 = LM 2-296 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, though he mentions the RA (which is often bad) is doubtful. Harold Corwin suggests the possible identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 = PGC 2759 (listed here), though that assumes Leavenworth made a 10 min error in RA. Leavenworth's description mention a *12 located 3' NE and there is a faint star (closer to mag 15) in this relative position. RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG -01-03-039 as NGC 331. This galaxy is closer to Leavenworth's position but has a mag 7 star 5' NW, so does not fit his description. See Corwin's notes.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Requires averted to glimpse and can only view for moments knowing exact location. A nice mag 13/14 double lies 6' N [at 20" separation]. Located 14' W of NGC 259. The identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 is very tentative.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb