William Herschel discovered NGC 4386 = H I-277 = h1247 on 10 Dec 1797 (sweep 1066) and recorded "cB, cL, mbM." JH made two observations and logged (sweep 348) "pB; lE; psmbM; 25"." His position matches UGC 7491.

400/500mm - 18" (3/5/05): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Contains a small bright core which increases to the center, surrounded by an oval halo 1.2'x0.8'. Third in an impressive trio with NGC 4291 and NGC 4319.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb