William Herschel discovered NGC 507 = H III-159 = h108, along with NGC 508 = III-160, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded both as "Two. Both eF, S, but unequal." John Herschel made 2 observations, calling it "extremely faint" on 17 Nov 1827 (sweep 104) and 5 nights later as "pretty bright".

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, very bright core. Second of three with NGC 508 1.5' N and NGC 504 4' SSW in a large group. Located 6' ESE of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

600/800mm - 24" (10/4/13): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a blazing core that increases to the center. The outer halo gradually fades out, so there is no distinct edge, but just beyond the halo on the north side is NGC 508 (1.5' between centers). Brightest in a large group with over 20 members that is part of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster.

A number of galaxies are nearby including NGC 504 4' SW, IC 1687 4.6' WNW, PGC 5100 3.0' S, CGCG 502-072 5.1' NE ("fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter") and NGC 503 5.2' NNW. A mag 14.3 star is just off the NW side, 1.3' from center and a mag 15.3 star (= NGC 506) is off the southwest side, 1.3' from center. Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6.2' WNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb