John Herschel discovered NGC 3673 = h3341 on 22 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; vL; vglbM. Several small stars near, and one = 7m nearly south, at 6' distance. HIs position and description matches ESO 503-016.

400/500mm - 18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 2.0'x1.4', broad concentration to halo. Appears brighter along the major axis like a bar (verified on the DSS) with a very small brighter core. Two mag 11.5 and 13 stars following closely, 2' and 1.5' from the center. Located 8' N of mag 8.7 SAO 179863.

18" (3/19/04): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 2:1 WSW-ENE. Contains a bright 45" elongated core embedded in a much faint halo, ~2.5'x1.5'. Within the halo is the strong impression of a bar and the galaxy is locally brighter immediately following the bar.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb