John Herschel discovered NGC 4903 = h3450, along with NGC 4905, on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; 30"; attached to a star; the preceding of 2 [with NGC 4905]." His dec was 1.3' too far south.

400/500mm - 18" (3/17/07): largest of trio with NGC 4905 and ESO 443-034, but the lowest surface brightness. Appears fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.0'-1.2' diameter, halo fades into the background, very weak concentration. Three stars are close south including a pair of mag 14.5-15 star just off the south side. NGC 4905 lies 4.3' NNE and ESO 443-034 the same distance ENE. The ESO galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.6'x0.5' (large low surface brightness halo not seen). A mag 10 star lies 2.3' E. ESO 443-039 lies 18' NE. It's odd that John Herschel missed this galaxy when he picked up the other two.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb