Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6597 = Sw. I-89, along with NGC 6594, on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; R; diff. by proximity to a B *." His position is just 9 seconds of RA too small and the bright star is mag 8.2 HD 167347.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint, very small, elongated ~E-W. Located 3.3' E of mag 7.8 SAO 17798, which detracts from viewing. Third in large group of faint galaxies with NGC 6594 8.7' WSW.

600/800mm - 24" (7/19/12): faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 18"x12", gradually increases to a faint stellar nucleus. Situated 3.3' E of mag 8.2 HD 167347. In a 30' group of 9 NGC/IC galaxies with NGC 6594 8.7' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb