Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6474 = Sw. IV-58 on 22 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; 3 st. in a line nr and 3 others in a line point to it; e diff; n of 2." His position is 12 seconds of RA west of UGC 10989 = PGC 60850 and his description applies. The "3 st. in a line nr" are probably the three equally spaced stars to the southwest in a 3.7' string. The "3 others in a line point to it" refer to three stars to the northeast. See NGC 6473, recorded the same night as the "s of 2", has a nearly identical position. But, there is only a single galaxy here, so Swift made some error. See that number for more.

UGC identifies UGC 10989 as NGC 6473, MCG labels it NGC 6474, and CGCG labels it NGC 6473 = NGC 6474. Since the description of NGC 6474 is more complete and unambiguous, it makes sense to use it as the primary designation.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/19/90): very faint, small, slightly elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, small bright core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb