John Herschel discovered NGC 4616 = h3408 on 5 Jun 1834, along with NGC 4622, and recorded "eF; vS; R; sp a star at the edge. His position is 1.7' south of ESO 322-056 = PGC 42662. Brightest in a group surrounding the Centaurus cluster (in the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster).

Using the 48" Melbourne Telescope on 6 Apr 1885, Pietro Baracchi described NGC 4616 as "pB; pS; R; gpmbM; diam about 30"."

600/800mm - 24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this member of the Centaurus Cluster (AGC 3526) appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, broad and weak concentration, perhaps an extremely faint halo. Located just 42" SW of a mag 12 star and 7' NW of NGC 4622.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb