Lewis Swift discovered NGC 389 = Sw. II-12 on 6 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 30 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 703 = PGC 4054. His description "* near" applies to the star just off the NE end of this galaxy.

400/500mm - 17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 11 star is just off the NE edge 0.7' from center which detracts from viewing. Forms a pair with NGC 393 3.3' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb