Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6609 = Sw. I-93, along with NGC 6607 and 6608, on 4 Aug 1883 and recorded "vF; lE; pS; F * nr." His position for NGC 6607 is 17 seconds of RA too far west, so applying this same offset to his position for NGC 6609, lands at the north edge of CGCG 301-021 = PGC 61559, the brightest of three galaxies in a small group. The "F * nr" applies to a mag 14.5 star off the south side, so this identification is certain.

Herbert Howe searched for these 3 galaxies in 1899-00 with the 20" at Denver and reported "a nebula supposed to be 6609 was measured in 2 nights. Its position differs from that given by Swift only 16 seconds in RA and 0.4' in declination. The "F * nr" is of mag 12, and lies about 25" south of the nebula, a little preceding. There is another star of mag 13.5 which is one the opposite side of the nebula, at about the same distance." His position matches CGCG 301-021.

MCG, RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 301-021 as NGC 6608, instead of NGC 6609. CGCG and RNGC have the correct identification. See notes on NGC 6608, which has an identification problem.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/21/98): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, brighter core. A mag 14.5 star is off the south edge 30" from center.

17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 14 star is 1' S. Forms a close pair with NGC 6607 2.2' W.

600/800mm - 24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, very small, round, 18" diameter, weak concentration. Bracketed by a mag 14.5 star 30" SSW and a mag 15.2 star 35" NE. A mag 11 star lies 1.5' E. Brightest in a close trio with NGC 6607 2.2' W and NGC 6608 (identification unlikely) 2.1' SSW. MCG and PGC misidentify this object as NGC 6608

Notes by Steve Gottlieb