Frank Muller discovered NGC 556 = LM 2-307, along with NGC 554 and 555, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.5 min of RA east of ESO 476-013 = PGC 5420. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/6/93): not seen.

600/800mm - 24" (12/6/18): at 260x; very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter. Situated 1.8' NNE of NGC 554. A mag 12.3 star is 1.7' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb