William Herschel discovered NGC 4142 = H III-814 = h1103 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and logged "vF, S, easily resolvable." His position is accurate. John Herschel made a single observation on 4 May 1831 (sweep 347) and noted, "vF; irreg fig; vglbM; twilight."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/13/88): faint, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration, oval ~N-S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb