William Herschel discovered NGC 3983 = H III-343 = h1024 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, vS." JH logged "F; S; R; psbM" and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/4/02): faint, elongated 3-1 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.3', very faint stellar nucleus. Appears to have a brighter bar along the major axis. Located 80' SSW of the NGC 4005 group (possible member?).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb