William Herschel discovered NGC 4290 = H II-805 = h1193 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 923) and recorded "pB, pL, mbM. The following of two [with H III-798 = NGC 4284]." His offset from NGC 4284 is an exact match with UGC 7402. JH observed this object on a single sweep and noted "pB; L; R; gbM; 60"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/13/88): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 4284 4.6' W. A wide double star = M40 lies 15' E. Located 15' N of 70 Ursa Majoris (V = 5.6).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb