John Herschel discovered NGC 4776 = h3437, along with NGC 4778, on 5 May 1836 and recorded "vF; S; R; vlbM; the preceding of a double nebula [with NGC 4778]." This is an unusual situation as his father's H II-559 = NGC 4759 refers to this double system, though WH did not resolve the two galaxies. JH resolved the pair, and each component has its own GC and NGC designation, although his RA is exactly 1.0 tmin too large. See Harold Corwin's notes.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/96): NGC 4776 is virtually attached to the northwest edge of NGC 4778 and is slightly fainter smaller, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. Mag 9 SAO 139019 is just 1.5' SSW of the pair.

17.5" (5/17/90): the northwest component of this double system appears faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core. The contact companion NGC 4778 = HCG 62A is attached at the SE end (see notes). Located 2' N of mag 9.1 SAO 139019. Second of four with NGC 4761 1' ENE and NGC 4764 4' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb