Albert Marth discovered NGC 4249 = m 234 on 26 May 1864, along with NGCs 4252, 4266, 4282 and 4287. His position is an exact match with CGCG 041-068 = PGC 39481.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 4252 7' ESE. Located at the west edge of the large NGC 4261 group.

600/800mm - 24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration to the center. NGC 4252 lies 8.2' ESE and CGCG 041-072 ("very faint, round, 12" diameter, low surface brightness") is 5.5' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb