William Herschel discovered NGC 4454 = H II-180 = h1284 on 22 Apr 1784 (sweep 204) and recorded "pB, L, R, er, near some stars." On 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) he noted "F, pL, lE." John Herschel made a single observation: "F; R; gbM; 20"; a stellar point 18m in the centre; 2 B stars precede, distant."

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, the large diffuse halo has a gradual concentration down to a small bright core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb