William Herschel discovered NGC 3731 = H III-80 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 188) and noted "vF, vS, R, stellar; brightest in the middle. 240x confirmed it." His position is The NGC position is 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 6553.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/4/02): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration. A wide mag 10/14 pair lies 7' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb