William Herschel discovered NGC 4647 = H III-44 = h1405 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 174) and noted "Two nebula, one of them [M60] vB." JH made 4 observations. NGC 4637 is possibly a reobservation of this galaxy (see that number).

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): faint, moderately large, diffuse. Forms a close pair with M60.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/25/87): forms a close double with M60. Located just off the NW edge 2.8' from the center of M60. Fairly faint, pretty large diffuse halo, small brighter core. Appears slightly smaller than M60 but clearly less concentrated.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb