William Herschel discovered NGC 4908 = H III-363 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and simply noted "vF". Caroline's reduction matches UGC 8129. This galaxy was probably found by d'Arrest on 22 Apr 1865, though his position is between NGC 4908 and slightly fainter MCG +05-31-090 = PGC 44828, located 2.3' north-northwest. Dreyer used d'Arrest's position for NGC 4908, assuming it was more accurate.

Kobold and Bigourdan later observed both galaxies, but the position from Kobold for IC 4051 matches the brighter galaxy as he assumed the fainter galaxy was NGC 4908. To further confuse the issue, John Herschel misassigned H. III-363 to h1510 = NGC 4894 -- see that number for additional problems! -- and this was copied into the GC.

Since William picked up the slightly brighter south-southeast galaxy (and presumably d'Arrest), NGC 4908 should apply to this galaxy, though modern catalogues reverse the identifications. See Corwin's notes for more on this confusing story.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/90): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Located in the central region of AGC 1656 with NGC 4908 2.5' N and IC 4042 2.5' SW. This galaxy is identified as IC 4051 in most modern catalogues (except MCG).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb