Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 617 = LM 2-314 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 1.2 tmin east of MCG -02-05-007 = PGC 5831, a common error with the observations there. MCG (-02-05-007) does not label this galaxy as NGC 617.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/97): at 220x appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness. Requires averted to view and cannot hold steadily. Slightly easier to view at 280x. Located 30' NW of NGC 624.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb