Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3771 = LM 2-446 in 1886 and logged "mag 14.5, 0.1' dia, R, *10 p 15 seconds." There is nothing near his position, but 1.7 min of RA east is MCG -01-30-018 = PGC 36107. To clinch this identification, there is a star 16 sec preceding as Leavenworth's notes, though the mag is closer to 13. Still, Corwin gives this identification as somewhat uncertain. Jermain Porter measured an accurate micrometric position in 1907 using the 16-inch Clark refractor at the Cincinnati Observatory, though he called this object a "Nova". The RNGC RA is 0.7 minutes too far west.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/2/92): faint, fairly small, round, increases to a bright core, appears to have a very faint larger halo. Appears similar to NGC 3791 8' E. This identification is uncertain as the NGC position from Leavenworth is 1.7 tmin farther west. Member of a large group (USGC S171) with brightest members NGC 3730 and 3771.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb