John Herschel discovered NGC 574 = h2416 on 1 Sep 1834 and described "A Double Star. The left eye leaves no doubt of its being involved in a vF neb. diffused over 15". An extremely delicate and difficult object. Pos. of the double star 225 degrees; dist. 4", 15 and 16 mag." On a later sweep he noted "vF, S, R." and the next sweep he recorded it again: "There is a nebula but I perceive no double star in it." This galaxy is a barred spiral, and possibly he detected a brightening in the bar at one end.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/97): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak even concentration to a brighter core. Follows an asterism of four mag 13 stars, the closest being 2.4' W. In same field with NGC 568 15' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb