R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 4118 on 20 Apr 1857 using LdR's 72". He noted "about 60" or 70" sff [of NGC 4117] is an eF nebulous knot which I at first took for a star." The 1880 publication includes a sketch and this object is labeled "delta". Dreyer credited Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, with the discovery.

300/350mm - 13" not seen.

400/500mm - 17.5" extremely faint, very small, requires averted to glimpse. Forms a close pair with much brighter NGC 4117 1.6' NW.

600/800mm - 24" (5/30/16): at 225x; very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~14"x10". Located just 1.5' SE of NGC 4117. Member of the NGC 4111 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb