William Herschel discovered NGC 4617 = H II-744 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 816) and noted "vF, S." CH's reduction is 6 sec of RA east and 3.5' north of UGC 7847 (only nearby galaxy).

400/500mm - 18" (5/8/04): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 1.5'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 14 star is close south. Located 2.7' SW of mag 9.3 SAO 28477.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb