On the DSS, this galaxy is a face-on barred spiral similar to NGC 1300. A bright HII region lies on the south side and this probably contributed to the appearance of "mottled" or having a superimposed "star".

John Herschel discovered NGC 4304 = h3387 on 28 Apr 1834 and logged "vF; pL; R; vgvlbM; 90"; r." His position is accurate. Based on a photograph taken with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector between 1912-14, Harold Knox-Shaw stated it was a "S-Shaped spiral".

400/500mm - 18" (5/28/06): very faint, fairly large, round, 2' diameter, broad weak concentration. Appears as a diffuse glow of low surface brightness though seems mottled or one or more very faint stars is superimposed. Located 6.9' NW of mag 8.2 SAO 203407.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb