At 220x, NGC 4219A appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.35', weak concentration, irregular surface brightness. Situated in a group of stars.

John Herschel discovered NGC 4219 = h3385 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; pmE; vgbM; 2' l, 45" br. His position (measured on 4 nights) and description matches ESO 267-037.

600/800mm - 24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 220x appeared bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, broad concentration but no distinct core, ~2.5'x1'. Direct vision revealed a very faint stellar nucleus. The arms (extensions) dim towards the ends and seem irregular in surface brightness (DSS shows an irregular, knotty appearance). NGC 4219A lies 21' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb