William Herschel discovered NGC 3396 = H I-117 = h766, along with NGC 3395, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487). See notes on NGC 3395.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/94): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.3', brighter along the major axis, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core. Forms a prominent double system with NGC 3395 almost attached just south of the west end!

900/1200mm - 48" (5/4/16): NGC 3396 is the eastern member of a striking interacting double system (Arp 270 = VV 246) with NGC 3395 1.2' SW. At 375x, it appeared bright, very elongated ~3:1 E-W, ~1.5'x0.5', contains a very bright small core and quasi-stellar nucleus that's offset to the west side of the galaxy. A much lower surface brightness glow extends east from the main body and appears slightly offset or bent in orientation to the main part of the galaxy. The galaxy is virtually merged with NGC 3395 on the west end.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb