William Herschel discovered NGC 4421 = H II-89 = h1264 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted "S, resolvable, brightest in the middle, near a bright star." There is nothing at CH's reduced position but 10' northwest (similar error as NGC 4379) is UGC 7554 as well as the bright star." JH made two observations and measured a fairly accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/19/01): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S. The 1.5' diameter halo is punctuated by a 30" prominent core. Located 2.4' SE of mag 9.5 SAO 100101.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb