William Herschel discovered NGC 515 = H III-167 = h113, along with NGC 517, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271 using Beta Andromedae as the reference star). WH simply noted "Two, both stellar" and his single position (marked uncertain) is about 35 sec of RA east of UGC 956. JH made the single observation "Precedes NGC 517] and is 2' north." Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (4 nights) and noted the error in WH's position.

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, faint stellar nucleus. An extremely faint mag 16 star is suspected at the NW end (confirmed on the POSS). Forms a pair with NGC 517 3' SSE.

600/800mm - 24" (10/4/13): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 ~NW-SE, ~36"x24", fairly well concentrated with a bright core. A mag 15.7 star is superimposed on the NW side. Forms a pair with NGC 517 2.9' SE. Located on the east side of the NGC 507 Group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb