Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3420 = LM 2-427 (along with NGC 3409 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.4, 0.2' dia, R, *8.5 6' S.". His position is 30 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-011 = PGC 32453 and the description matches (a mag 9.8 star is 5' south). Herbert Howe's micrometric position measured in 1899-00 is accurate.

400/500mm - 18" (3/11/07): faint, small, round, very low surface brightness halo is difficult. Contains a 15"-20" core that is weakly concentrated surrounded by a hint of an larger halo. NGC 3431 is 21' NE and NGC 3409 lies 12' NNE. This group is located about 0.9 degrees SSE of 3.1-magnitude Nu Hydrae.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb