William Herschel discovered NGC 4951 = H II-188 = h1523 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and recorded "F, cL, E, r." His position is 13 sec of RA west and 1' south of MCG -01-33-081 = PGC 45246. Heinrich d'Arrest measured a fairly accurate position (single observation) and noted the error in RA.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/22/93): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 2.1'x0.7', broad concentration, faint extensions.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb