William Herschel discovered NGC 4312 = H II-628 = h1209 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and logged "pB, cL, E." CH's reduced position is 6 sec of RA east of UGC 7442.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright and large, very elongated N-S, 2.5'x0.6', brighter the along major axis. A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars at 21" separation lies 2.5' ESE. Located 18' SSW of M100.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb