John Herschel discovered NGC 3788 = h932 on 29 Apr 1827, along with NGC 3786, and logged "pB, E in merid [N-S]; gbM; 40-50" long; the nf of 2 [with NGC 3786]."

Bindon Stoney, observing with LdR's 72" on 24 Feb 1852, reported "2 rays, forming an angle of about 100°, the south one has a nucleus, and there is a knot at the north extremity of the north one." Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1891 at the Vienna Observatory.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, brighter core. Forms a striking pair of elongated spirals with NGC 3786 1.4' SW (Arp 294), which is almost attached at the south end of NGC 3788. A mag 10.5 star lies 2.7' SE.

600/800mm - 24" (6/16/20): at 260x and 375x; bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 N-S. Contains a relatively large, bright elongated core. A small bright nucleus is embedded on the north side of the central core. A quite noticeable bright arc (outer curve of the northern spiral arm) is at the northern end of the disc. The disc is relatively dark (due to a dust lane) just on the inside (south) of the arc, so it appears partially detached.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb