John Herschel discovered NGC 4622 = h3409, along with NGC 4616, on 5 Jun 1834 and recorded "pF; S; R; pslbM; 15". The following of 2." His position matches ESO 322-057 = PGC 42701.

Pietro Baracchi observed the galaxy on 19 Mar 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and discovered 6 other members of the cluster. He described NGC 4622 as "pF, S, R, gpmbM, diameter 50", indefinite edge." and labeled it as (1) in his logbook descriptions and sketch.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, round, low fairly even surface brightness. Located within the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526) with NGC 4622A/B 14' ENE. Forms a trio with NGC 4616 7.3' NNW and NGC 4603D 7.3' SW (not seen on this observation).

600/800mm - 24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this member of the Centaurus cluster (AGC 3526) appeared bright, fairly large, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, halo extends to 1.5'. NGC 4616 lies 7' NW and NGC 4603D is a similar distance SW (both viewed).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb