Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 403 on 29 Aug 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 715 = PGC 4111 and he also noted the four stars to the south, measuring the one nearly due south.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/23/89): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, bright core, small bright nucleus. Four mag 10-13 stars are close south. Brightest of a trio with MCG +05-03-071 = CGCG 501-105 2' SE and NGC 399 8' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb