William Herschel discovered NGC 357 = H II-434 = h82 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and recorded "F, S, irr figure, bM, resolvable." His position is accurate. JH observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, logging on 10 Oct 1828: "F; R; sbM; to a *13m; 20" a *14 10 sec nf." His position and description is a perfect match with MCG -01-03-081 = PGC 3768.

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/3/86): moderately bright, small, compact, very bright core. A faint mag 14 star is at the ENE edge. NGC 355 4' WNW not seen in 13.1" but glimpsed in 17.5".

Notes by Steve Gottlieb