John Herschel discovered NGC 641 = h2432 (along with NGC 644 = h2433) on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, R, gpmbM; the preceding of two [with NGC 644]." His mean position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 244-042 = PGC 6081.

600/800mm - 24" (10/3/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 36", well-defined E-type appearance, gradually increases to the center. A mag 10 star lies 4.2' SW and a mag 13 star is 1.9' NE, but the field is quite barren of stars. Forms a pair with NGC 644 4.3' SE. Located 24' N of mag 6.7 HD 10167. Surprisingly bright for a galaxy at only 10° elevation.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb