William Herschel discovered NGC 4096 = H I-207 = h1081 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and reported "cF, mE about 4' long from sp to nf but nearer the meridian." On 10 Apr 1788 (sweep 830) he recorded "cB; mE; 6 or 7' long, from sp to nf, about 70°." In his 1811 PT paper, WH commented "it seems to join to imperceptible nebulosity on the south preceding side." The galaxy does extend further out and more gradually fade on the southwest side. On 8 Mar 1831 (sweep 330), John Herschel logged, "B; vL; mE in pos 32°; seen through much fog." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/7/89): bright, very large, almost edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, sharp concentration with a very small bright core embedded within the long extensions. Member of the CVn II Group (brightest member M106).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb