Andrew Common discovered NGC 3422 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector, along with NGC 3421. The pair were simply noted as "Two, F, R". There is nothing at his position, but 13' south is the pair MCG -02-28-013 NGC 3421) and MCG -02-28-015 (NGC 3422). Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor in Denver around the turn of the century, could not recover NGC 3422, although he viewed brighter NGC 3421.

400/500mm - 18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only). A mag 10.3 star is 42" SSW of center, just off the SW end. Forms a pair with NGC 3421 5.5' SW. NGC 3404 lies 23' NW and NGC 3411 29' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb