William Herschel discovered NGC 508 = H III-160 = h109, along with NGC 507, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded both as "Two. Both eF, S, but unequal." The NGC position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, round. Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S. Third of three with NGC 504 5.3' SSW. Located 6' E of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

600/800mm - 24" (10/4/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, round, broad concentration with a brighter nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S in the central region of the NGC 507 Group. Also nearby is NGC 503 3.9' NW, CGCG 502-72 4.2' NE, IC 1687 4.6' W and NGC 504 5.3' SW. Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb