Albert Marth discovered NGC 342 = m 26 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS". Second in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 340 7' SW and second of six in the NGC 349 group. Located 11' WNW of mag 7.2 SAO 129088.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb