William Herschel discovered NGC 4568 = H IV-9 = h1359 = 1363 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and recorded a "double nebula [with NGC 4567], or two p. considerable nebula apparently running into one another. The foregoing nebula [NGC 4564] may be taken into the field of view these two." See NGC 4567 for more.

300/350mm - 13" fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, two stars following.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/87): this is the southern member of a double system with NGC 4567. The NE end of this galaxy is nearly attached to the east end of NGC 4567. Moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, large brighter core. Two mag 11/12 stars lie 3.5' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb