Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6339 = Sw. IX-78, along with NGC 6343, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pL; iR; sp of 2 [with NGC 6343]." His position is 6 seconds of time too large and 1.8' north of UGC 10790, a low surface brightness SBd galaxy. The discovery was relayed directly to Dreyer as he was compiling the NGC and referenced as list VI, though Swift published the discovery a couple of years later in list IX.

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/18/85): large, slightly elongated. Very diffuse appearance with a broad concentration. NGC 6343 lies 13' NNE.

600/800mm - 24" (7/16/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, large, overall low surface brightness but contains an easily visible "bar" 3:1 or 4:1 WNW-ESE, ~25"x7". The large, roundish halo is slightly elongated N-S and contained a hint of (spiral) structure.

MCG +07-35-062 = PGC 60007 lies 3' NE. This challenging edge-on (B = 15.9) appeared extremely faint and thin, ~25"x5". It required averted vision and was only occasionally glimpsed. CGCG 225-097 (polar-ring galaxy) lies 10' SE and appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 18"x12".

Notes by Steve Gottlieb