William Herschel discovered NGC 4995 = H I-42 = h1540 = 3472 on 25 Apr 1784 (sweep 207) and recorded "cB, pL, bM and diminishes gradually towards the ends; near a vB star." On 20 Mar 1789 (sweep 913) he also recorded "pB almost cB, mbM, about 2' dia." From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "pB; R; vgpmbM; 60"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Located 3.4' SSE of mag 8.3 SAO 139185 and 10.8' S of mag 7.3 SAO 139187.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb