John Herschel discovered NGC 3831 = h957 on 9 Mar 1828 and logged "F; vS; R; bM. Well observed." His position is within 1' of MCG -02-30-023. Herbert Howe noted an elongation in PA 20 degrees.

400/500mm - 18" (3/19/04): fairly faint, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4'. Contains a small, bright core and very faint extensions which fades at the tip. Surrounded by several MCG galaxies, though these were not searched for. A mag 9 star lies 6' N. NGC 3823 lies 1° south.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb