Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 649 = LM 2-317 (along with NGC 647 = II-316) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position angle (N-S) is off by 20° but it is clear that NGC 649 = MCG -02-05-034 = PGC 6169. MCG misidentifies NGC 649 as NGC 647.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 3' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 129437, which hampers the observation. Forms a pair with NGC 647 3.3' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb