William Herschel discovered NGC 495 = H III-156, along with NGC 496 and NGC 499, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "Three [along with NGC 496 and 499], eS and F, forming a triangle." He observed this trio again the next night (sweep 271) in more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south NGC 499], the short leg preceding [NGC 495], the long towards the north NGC 496]. Those in the legs [NGC 495 and 496] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle NGC 499] a deal larger and brighter, but still vF." The NGC position (from Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz) is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Located midway two mag 14 stars 1.1' SSW and 1.1' NNE. First of three with NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 499 3.3' ESE. Located in a rich galaxy group.

600/800mm - 24" (10/4/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 30"x20", contains a small bright core. Bracketed by two 14th magnitude stars 1' SSW and 1' NNE. Located in the core of the NGC 507 group (actually the NGC 499 subgroup), with NGC 499 3.3' ESE, NGC 498 3.4' ENE, IC 1684 3.5' S, NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 501 6' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb