William Herschel discovered NGC 4414 = H I-77 = h1258 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 387) and recorded "vB, L, E, broadly [concentrated] to a mbM." JH made two observations and logged (sweep 342) "vB; L; pmE; first gb and the vsvmbM to a nucleus = 11m; 3' l, 90" br."

Spiral structure was not described at Birr Castle, though on 12 Apr 1849, LdR or assistant George Stoney recorded "uncertain whether double nucleus or nucleus and star; neby decidely darker in middle, following the nucleus and rather brighter outside this." The 7 Mar 1856 observation by R.J. Mitchell also mentions "Has a double nucl or a nucl and a star which are excentric, being nearer the sp side; light uneven and patchy. I suspect especially a darkness north of the main nucleus."

200/250mm - 8" fairly bright, elongated NW-SE, small bright nucleus.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/98): bright, elongated NNW-SSE, ~3'x2'. Sharp concentration with a prominent rounder core which increases to a stellar nucleus. There appears to be a sharper light cutoff along the preceding edge and an hint of spiral structure in the outer halo. Observation hampered by hazy skies.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb