William Herschel discovered NGC 3486 = H I-87 = h805 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "vB, vL, the brightness decreasing very gradually." John Herschel recorded a total of 10 observations of this galaxy!

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 7 Mar 1856 with LdR's 72", noted "pB, R, B central Nucl, light mottled about Nucl?

300/350mm - 13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, large, slightly elongated E-W, 4'x3', diffuse outer halo with a brighter core. Located 15' SW of mag 7.9 SAO 81621.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb