Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3361 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector. His description reads "A F[aint] pair, f one brighter." There is nothing at his position, but 10' north is MCG -02-28-004 = PGC 32044, which forms a pair with NGC 3360 about 3.8' SW. The position angle 160° given in the NGC description is accurate, though it was not given in Common's list.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration. A mag 15 star is close preceding. Forms a pair with NGC 3360 3.8' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb