William Herschel discovered NGC 4302 = H II-112 = h1199, along with NGC 4298, on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Two resolvable nebula. The first NGC 4298] R. The second [NGC 4302] E. About 2' from each other." On 26 Apr 1832, JH noted "L; vmE nearly in the meridian [N-S]; the f of 2."

300/350mm - 13.1" (3/24/84): faint edge-on streak N-S close following NGC 4298.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/87): fairly faint, large edge-on 7:1 N-S, 4.5'x0.6', low surface brightness, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is off the north edge 2.0' from center. Forms a close pair with NGC 4298 2.4' W.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/7/13): at 610x; beautiful, thin edge-on stretches at least 8:1 N-S, ~5.0'x0.5'. Contains a brighter, elongated, mottled core. A very thin dust lane extends along the major axis! The core is slightly brighter on the east side of the dust lane. The northern tip extends beyond a mag 14.2 star off the northwest end. A mag 14.3 star is just west of the southern tip. Forms a superb pair with NGC 4298 just 2' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb