William Herschel discovered NGC 473 = H III-206 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and noted "eF, S." His position is 5' southeast of UGC 859 = PGC 4785, but this is the only nearby galaxy.

300/350mm - 13.1" (10/20/84): moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated. Two very faint stars are off the east edge and a mag 9 star follows.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration, bright core, stellar nucleus. Several bright stars are in the field including three mag 9 stars 5' SE, 10' SSW and 11' NW. NGC 463 lies 20' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb