William Herschel discovered NGC 596 = H II-4 = h132 on 13 Dec 1783 (early sweep 44). On 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) he logged "pB. Much like the brightest of the two preceding [NGC 584]; but rather smaller." His summary description from 6 observations reads "pB, pS, R, mbM, resembling a telescopic comet." John Herschel reported "pB; R; a * 6m follows 47.5 seconds and is 40" north." (sweep 40, 2 Jan 1827). On 31 Oct 1877, R.J. Mitchell, observing with the 72", noted "B, S, R, Nucl, a vF * preceding and another north." The 2 mentioned stars are mag 16-16.5.

200/250mm - 8" (9/25/81): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. Located 12' W of a mag 6 star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/2/86): fairly bright, fairly small, very bright core, surrounded by a small faint halo. Located 12' W of mag 5.8 SAO 129371.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb