Frank Muller discovered NGC 601 = LM 2-311 (close southeast of II-310 = NGC 599) in 1886 using the 16" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 5 sec of RA west of PGC 73980 and his PA of 115° with respect to NGC 599 is within 5° of the correct value. Bigourdan missed this object and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. PGC 73980 is not catalogued in the MCG or RC3, but is included in Harold Corwin's Southern Equatorial Galaxy Catalogue (ESGC). It appears virtually stellar on the POSS with a slightly "soft" appearance. PGC equates NGC 599 = NGC 601.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round. Initially appeared as a mag 15.5 "star" but a very small 10" halo was visible after extended viewing. Located 3.3' ESE of NGC 599. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. Appears stellar on the POSS.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb