William Herschel discovered NGC 4989 = H II-185 = Au 31 on 24 Apr 1784 (sweep 205) and recorded "F, S, irr, near a pB star." His position is 20 sec of RA west and 3' north of PGC 45606. The "pB star" is probably a mag 11.5 star 2.5' south. Edward Cooper (or assistant Andrew Graham) also found this galaxy at the Markree Observatory on 9 Apr 1852 while measuring positions for the comprehensive Markree ecliptic Catalogue. Auwers listed it in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae, so it received a GC number (3426). Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (on 4 nights) and discovered NGC 4990 7' north. Dreyer combined the two GC entries in the NGC.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, very small, round, compact, high surface brightness, small bright core. Located 12' NW of Theta Virginis (V = 4.4/9.5 at 6"). Forms a pair with NGC 4990 7.4' N.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb