Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3721= LM 2-441 in 1886 and simply recorded "mag 15.5, 0.1' dia, R, gbM." There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin lists PGC 35727 as a possible candidate at 11 34 07.8 -09 28 01 (2000). This galaxy is 1.5 tmin of RA east of Leavenworth's position (typical error) but matches in declination. Corwin lists PGC 170156 as a preferable candidate at 11 31 53.4 -09 31 57. This galaxy is 0.7 min of time west of Leavenworth's position but is 4.5' south (a less common error). Finally, RNGC identifies MCG -01-30-003 as NGC 3721. Although brighter than the other candidates, it is 1.7 min of RA east and 7' south of Leavenworth's position. All in all, there is no compelling candidate to me. See Corwin's identification notes for more.

600/800mm - 24" (3/9/13): fairly faint, small, oval 5:3 NW-SE, 24"x15", lens-shaped. Two mag 15/15.5 stars lie 2' SE. The identification of this galaxy with NGC 3721 is uncertain. Member of a large group (USGC S171) at z = .021 with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb