William Herschel discovered NGC 3838 = H II-831 = h959 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 951) and logged "pB, vS, lE." CH's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 6707.

400/500mm - 18" (5/31/03): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3', spindle-shaped. Sharp concentration with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 3.2' S. Member of the LGG 246 group along with NGC 3757 and NGC 3795.

600/800mm - 24" (5/20/20): at 375x; very pretty edge-on at 375x, bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.35', very strong concentration with a very bright core and an intensely bright nucleus. A mag 12.1 star is 3' S. Brightest member of the LGG 246 group.

CGCG 292-024, situated 7' SE, appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~25"x20", strong concentration, bright core, small brighter nucleus, faint halo with averted. A mag 15.5 star is at the N edge. Located 7' SE of NGC 3838.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb