William Herschel discovered NGC 4253 = H III-702 = h1172 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 805) and noted "vF, vS." CH's reduction is 5 sec of time preceding and 2.5' north of UGC 7344. JH called this galaxy "vF; R; 20".", but did not measure a very accurate position either.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/98): fairly faint, very small, irregularly round, 20" diameter. Fairly high surface brightness, quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star lies 1' N. Located 22' NW of NGC 474. Observation in hazy conditions. Contains a Sy 1 nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb