John Herschel discovered NGC 549 = h2413 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "eeeF, S, R, vgbM. The 4th of a group of four [with NGC 534, 544 and 546]." There is nothing at this position, but 15' N is ESO 296-026 = PGC 5278, and ESO, SGC and RC3 identify ESO 296-026 = NGC 549. These galaxies were observed on two sweeps and given very accurate positions.

Instead, I suggested that NGC 549 = ESO 296-022 = PGC 5243. This galaxy matches JH's position in declination but his RA would be off by 18 tsec. Although ESO 296-022 is much smaller and fainter than ESO 296-026, it is closer in position (off only in RA) and a much better match with JH's description "The 4th of a group of 4" [with NGC 534, 544 and 546]. So, although the identification of NGC 549 is not definite, NGC 549 = PGC 5243 appears to be a much better choice. See Corwin's identification notes.

This identification was suggested by Pietro Baracchi, when he observed the group with the 48" Melbourne telescope on 19 Dec 1887. He noted "GC 324 [NGC 549] found but out of position...It is eeF; eS; R." It precedes [NGC 544] by 6s and is 5' 10" north of it. In this group [GC] 316, 320, 321 agree with Herschel in appearance, relative and absolute position, but 324 [NGC 549] is out altogether. It agrees very well in appearance but its relative position with regard to the other three objects is quite different. Herschel observed [NGC 549] only once and the other three were observed twice - it is probable that he made some mistake in placing or connecting the four objects together."

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/97): not visible

Notes by Steve Gottlieb