Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 4802 = T V-21 on 20 Apr 1882. His micrometric position is an exact match with MCG -02-33-061 = PGC 44087. Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported "this was searched for in vain one night. Its description is so similar to that of 4804 that they may be identical, if the declination is of 4802 is just 1° in error."

This galaxy was probably discovered earlier by WH on 27 Mar 1786 and recorded as H IV-40 = NGC 4804, but his position was exactly 1 degree too far south. Corwin notes that is also possible that WH mistook a double star for a nebula.

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, very small, weak concentration to a virtually stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge. Located 30' NE of the NGC 4782/NGC 4783 pair.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb