William Herschel discovered NGC 3613 = H I-271 = h848 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and logged "vB, cL, E, mbM." His RA and Dec is too large (noted by Dreyer in Scientific Papers). JH recorded "vB; mE; pos 305°, a nucl and F branches." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/19/88): bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, very bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 3619 lies 15' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb