William Herschel discovered NGC 3488 = H I-269 = h803 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and logged "cB, R, about 1' dia, just north of a small star." His position is accurate. On 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 323), John Herschel noted "It is north of a *13, just at the edge of the nebula."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, gradually brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is at the SSE edge 1.0' from center. Forms a pair with CGCG 291-021 7' NNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb