Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6343 = Sw. IX-79, along with NGC 6339, on 21 Apr 1887. He recorded, "vF; S; lE; nf of 2 [with NGC 6339]." His position is 10 seconds of time too large and 1.4' north of CGCG 225-095 = PGC 60010 (similar offset as NGC 6339). The discovery was relayed directly to Dreyer as he was compiling the NGC and referenced to list VI, though Swift published the discovery a couple of years later in list IX. Kobold later measured an accurate position in 1898 at Strasbourg.

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/18/85): faint, small, round, compact. Located 12.5' NNE of brighter NGC 6339.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb