Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 4072 on 3 Apr 1872 using the 72" during an observation of GC 2686 = NGC 4061 and GC 2689 = NGC 4065. He described "a third and much fainter neb south-following the second NGC 4065], in pos 128.4°, dist 144.1" At precisely Copeland's offset is CGCG 098-045 = PGC 38176.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold. A mag 13 star is 1.1' NE of center. Located 2.6' SE of NGC 4065. Member of the NGC 4065 cluster.

600/800mm - 24" (3/22/14): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Not difficult to pick up 2.4' SE of NGC 4065. A mag 13.6 star is 1' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb