William Herschel discovered NGC 4477 = H II-115 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "Two resolvable nebula [NGC 4477 and 4479]." His single position matches NGC 4477. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy along with NGC 4473 on 29 Mar 1856, apparently unaware of WH's prior observation. See notes for NGC 4473.

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): bright, slightly elongated N-S, small bright nucleus, NGC 4479 5.5' SE.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/87): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 4479 5.5' SE and NGC 4473 lies 12' SSW.

600/800mm - 24" (5/29/14): very bright, fairly large, round, 2.0' diameter, sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core and stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 4479 5.3' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb