William Herschel discovered NGC 3608 = H II-51 = h846, along with NGC 3605 and 3607, on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 170). See NGC 3605 for description.

300/350mm - 13.1" (2/16/85): moderately bright, small, stellar nucleus. Appears slightly fainter than NGC 3607 5.7' S. In a trio with NGC 3605 and NGC 3607.

600/800mm - 24" (5/27/17): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small core and an intense nucleus. Northern galaxy in a prominent trio with NGC 3607 5.9' S and NGC 3605 8.5' SS W and part of the larger group USGC U376. Two mag 12.3 and 12.8 stars are 1.4' NW and 1.9' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb