Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5439 = Sw. I-28 on 9 Jul 1883 and recorded "vF; pL; cE; bet 2 stars forming with 2 others a trapezoid, the nf being a fine double star of 2.5". First neb discovered at this observatory. I have not been able to see this object well since its discovery, at which time I called it pB with p sharp outlines, but since the appearance of red sunsets it has been ill defined and difficult to see except as a hazy spot. This remark applies to all vF nebulae. The double star is new [SWI 1 = ADS 9090]."

Bob Erdmann noted that Krakatau went off in Indonesia on Aug. 26-28, 1883 about a month after his original discovery! Although this was the first nebula Swift discovered while systematically searching, a few were discovered earlier in April and June (NGC 3522, 3588, 6317, 6388, 6382), while still testing and adjusting the telescope. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position (MN, LXI, 1900).

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/23/01): faint, fairly small, very elongated SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.25', small brighter core. A well matched close double, discovered by Lewis Swift (SWI 1 = 10.1/10.3 at 3.7") lies 6' ENE. Located nearly at midpoint of a mag 13 star 3' N and a mag 12 star 3' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb