William Herschel discovered NGC 4440 = H II-173 = h1276 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 199) and recorded "Three faint nebulae; the two first vS [NGC 4431 and 4436], the third [NGC 4440] S." His single position is roughly 30 sec of RA too large, but the identifications are certain. JH noted "B; R; bM; 50"; resolvable."

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, small, small bright core, diffuse fainter halo. Third of three with NGC 4436 3.2' NW and NGC 4431 6.5' W.

600/800mm - 24" (5/29/14): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6'. Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core containing a bright stellar nucleus. Brightest in trio with NGC 4436 3.4' NW and NGC 4431 6.4' W. Nearly at the midpoint of mag 9.2 HD 108469 5.7' SW and mag 9.6 HD 108577 6.5' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb