William Herschel discovered NGC 3818 = H III-284 = h948 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 379) and recorded "vF, S, iE, lbM." His RA is 33 sec too large. JH logged "B; R; psbM; 30". At least 2nd class." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/10/86): fairly bright, fairly small, oval, very bright core containing a stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb