William Herschel discovered NGC 4540 = H II-94 = H II-119 = h1335 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 182) and noted H II-94 as "F, S." CH's reduced position is 5' southeast of UGC 7742 and there are no other nearby candidates. Several objects in this relatively early sweep have poor positions. He found it again on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted H II-119 "pL, resolvable. Moonlight." JH made two observations but his RA was 30 sec too far west. Finally, d'Arrest made 3 observations and measured an accurate position. Reinmuth says IC 3528 is 1' S and questions whether the galaxy NE is IC 3519?

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/87): moderately bright, fairly small, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is 1.2' W of center. Forms a close pair with IC 3528 1.6' NE. The IC galaxy (missed by the Herschels) appeared extremely faint and small, round.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb