William Herschel discovered NGC 383 = H II-217 = h86, along with NGC 379 = II-215 and NGC 380 = II-216, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). See description under NGC 379. John Herschel made 3 observations and reported on 22 Nov 1827 (sweep 106), "pB; pL; gbM."

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, almost round, bright core. Forms a double with NGC 382.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/19/87): brightest in the NGC 383 cluster. Fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo. Forms a double system with NGC 382 30" SW. NGC 380 is 4.5' NNW, NGC 379 6.8' NNW, NGC 386 3.3' SSE, NGC 385 5.5' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb