William Herschel discovered NGC 426 = H III-592 = h91, along with NGC 429, on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and logged "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 430], which is the largest and most north, F, S. The next in size is about 2 or 3' sp [NGC 426], vF, vS. The last NGC 429] is about 5' south of the 1st; eF, eS, not verified." John Herschel called this object on 20 Dec 1827 (sweep 113), "vF; R; sbM."

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, prominent bright core. First of trio with NGC 429 4' SE and NGC 430 3.5' NE. Slightly fainter than NGC 430 but comparable in brightness.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb