Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6361 = Sw. IV-48 on 18 Aug 1886 and recorded "vF; pS; eE; spindle, nearly bet 2 pB distant stars, nearer the preceding." His position is 1' northwest of the center UGC 10815 and his description "eE, spindle" applies to this edge-on.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, brighter core. A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' SE and a pair of mag 14 stars at 22" separation lie 1.5' NW. Forms a pair (Arp 124) with extremely faint MCG +10-25-003 1.8' SW. The companion is extremely faint and small, round. A mag 15 star lies 25" NW.

600/800mm - 24" (9/25/19): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.4', contains a large brighter, elongated central region but no nucleus. The outer extensions are thin and low surface brightness. Located 16' ESE of bright, orange VW Draconis.

Forms a close pair (Arp 124) with MCG +10-25-003 1.8' SW. The companion was fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~15"x10", very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15.8 star lies 24" NW.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/15/12): fairly bright, fairly large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.45', sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core. The center bulges slightly and the tips taper. The SW arm has a very faint extension (partial bridge) in the direction of companion MCG +10-25-003, increasing the total length to 2.0'. MCG +10-25-003, 1.8' SW of center, appeared fairly faint, very small, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~15"x10", very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15.9 star lies 24" NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb