William Herschel discovered NGC 4983 = H III-365 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "vF". CH's reduction is 13 sec of time preceding CGCG 160-147 = PGC 45542.

400/500mm - 18" (7/1/03): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.5'. Weak, even concentration to the center. Located 7.5' NE of mag 10 SAO 82669. NGC 4971 lies 24' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb