William Herschel discovered NGC 4602 = H II-184 = h1380 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205) and recorded "not F, L, lE, not mbM, r." His position is poor - 18 sec of RA too large. JH made the single observation "F; L; E; vglbM; 50"." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, oval WNW-ESE, fairly large, bright core. A mag 14 star is just off the east end 1.3' from center. Second of four in a group with MCG -01-32-037 11' S and NGC 4593 19' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb