Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3409 = LM 2-426 (along with NGC 3420 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.3' dia, E 200°, 2 vF st inv in eF neb ". His position and PA of 20° matches MCG -03-28-012 = PGC 32470.

400/500mm - 18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.15'. A faint star is just west of the south end of the galaxy. Located 12' NNE of NGC 3420 and 13' WSW of NGC 3431 which are both brighter galaxies.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb