William Herschel discovered NGC 3412 = H I-27 = h774 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "pB, S, lE. It seems to have a nucleus or very bright place in the middle." John Herschel made two observations, noting on 20 Mar 1830 (sweep 241), "B; R; vsmbM almost to a *; 30" dia."

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/9/94): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x1.5', smooth halo, sharply concentrated with a striking bright core. The core is evenly concentrated to an almost stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is at the NE edge of the halo 1.4' N of center. Member of the Leo Group (also called the M96 Group).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb