William Herschel discovered NGC 4801 = H III-816 = h1479 on 26 Apr 1789 (sweep 929) and noted "eF, S, lE." His position (CH's reduction) is 2.5' northeast of CGCG 270-030 = PGC 43946. JH made a single observation and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 18" (6/27/03): very faint, very small [core only viewed], irregularly round, 0.5'x0.4', low surface brightness. A fairly even pair [47"] of mag 12/13 stars lie 7' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb