On the DSS, NGC 4004 appears to be an interacting, distorted galaxy (or the result) with a long tidal tail to the south.

William Herschel discovered NGC 4004 = H III-354 = h1036 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF, vS. It was in the field I was gaging otherwise it would probably have been overlooked." CH's reduction is 6.5' NNE of UGC 6950. Because of the poor position, JH listed this object as a "nova" (h1036), though questioned if it was identical to III-354 in the GC. JH recorded "pF; lE; gbM; the f of 2 in parallel [with NGC 3988] with a star between." Both Herschels missed nearby IC 2982, next to the star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/9/99): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.4', no concentration. A mag 13.5 star is close following [57" SE of center]. Last and brightest of a trio with IC 2982 3.1' W and NGC 3988. IC 2982 appeared faint, very small, elongated 20"x15" SW-NE. Just follows a mag 11 star [45" to center] which is the brightest star in an inverted "L" asterism and which detracts from viewing.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb