John Herschel discovered NGC 630 = h2428 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15", precedes two stars 11th mag. The two stars are there and Herschel's position is accurate.

400/500mm - 18" (10/25/08): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.45, small bright core increases to the center, fairly high surface brightness. Forms a close pair with slightly fainter ESO 297-008 1.8' SW, which was surprisingly missed by John Herschel. NGC 626 lies 13.5' NNW. The companion is just over the constellation border into Phoenix and appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', low even surface brightness.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb