William Herschel discovered NGC 3547 = H II-42 = h828 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "F, S. Does not require 240x to see it." On 18 Jan 1828 (sweep 120), John Herschel wrote, "F; S; lE; of nearly uniform brightness."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated N-S, bright core. Possible member of the Leo group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb