William Herschel discovered NGC 3424 = H II-494 = h778 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "pB, pL, iR." Caroline's reduced position is 8 seconds of RA west of UGC 5972. On 6 Mar 1828 (sweep 128), John Herschel noted "B; E in a wisp; the sp of 2 [with NGC 3420].

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 2.1'x0.7'. A mag 13.5 is superimposed at the east edge and a brighter mag 11.5 star is 1.4' SE of center. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3430 6.0' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb