William Herschel discovered NGC 6434 = H III-741 = h1987 on 6 Jun 1788 (sweep 847) and recorded "eF, stellar. A few minutes north of a considerable B star, verified by 300, which showed it lE in the parallel [E-W]." JH made the single observation "vF; vS; R; bM; 6"; 90" n of a * 8m."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/11/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE, bright core. Located 2.0' N of mag 7.3 SAO 8860, which detracts from viewing.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb