John Herschel discovered NGC 3314 = h3283 on 24 Mar 1835 and simply noted "the 8th of a group." His position is an exact match with ESO 501-IG046A/B. Pietro Baracchi recorded this object as "pF; S; R; gbM. A star 14m close n.p. Also a star 16m also np." (10 Mar 1886, GMT) NGC 3314 consists of a face-on galaxy NGC 3314B) superimposed on an edge-on galaxy. The HST has a remarkable image showing the dust within the foreground galaxy visible because it is silhouetted against the light from the object behind it.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, moderately large, spindle-shaped, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.5'. A mag 13 star is at the NW tip. Located 7' ESE of a mag 6.7 star which detracts from viewing. Similar to NGC 3312 in the core of AGC 1060, but slightly smaller.

13.1" (2/23/85): fifth of five in the core of AGC 1060. Fairly faint, small, elongated ~NW-SE. Located 6.8' ESE of mag 6.8 SAO 179027. NGC 3312 lies 7.6' NNW.

600/800mm - 24" (3/28/17): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 4:1 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.35' spindle. Modest concentration with a slightly brighter bulging central region. A mag 13.5 star is situated at the northwest tip [36" from center].

900/1200mm - 48" (4/21/17): at 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.4', brighter core. Roughly spindle shaped but tapers more on the northwest end. Irregular surface brightness (slightly brighter along the south side), but the foreground galaxy could not be distinguished. A mag 13.5 star is just north of the NW tip.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb