Albert Marth discovered NGC 4996 = m 247 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "pB, S, R, bM." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 18" (5/28/06): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Unusual appearance with a very low surface brightness halo surrounding a faint stellar nucleus. Located 7' N of mag 9.1 HD 114266.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb