Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4396 on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured the position on 2 nights. He also observed NGC 4379 and was uncertain which was H II-87 (likely NGC 4379, see that number).

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/87): faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is at the NW end [probably IC 3310] 1.1' from center and a brighter mag 12 star is 1.4' NNE of center. Located 11' S of mag 6.9 SAO 100095 which is at the north edge of a 220x field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb