Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 6727, along with NGC 6726, in October 1860 with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory. He made a second observation on 8 Feb 1861 (also NGC 6729) that was published in 1865 (AN 65, 263) . Albert Marth rediscovered this bright reflection nebula on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "* 7.5m in a F, pL, white envelope."

In Oct. and Nov. 1915, Robert Innes, at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, reported the star CPD -37 8450 (= TY CrA) was a new variable. Although normally mag 8.7, he noticed it was mag 12.4 on 29 Oct 1915 and mag 11.5 on 24 Nov. He also remarked "that the nebulous envelope is also variable. As this envelope actually touches another one of about the same size NGC 6726] it is most excellently situated for comparison."

200/250mm - 8" (7/31/81): fairly bright circular halo surrounds star in contact with NGC 6726.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/29/92): bright, round, 1.5' diameter, surrounded variable star TY Coronae Australis (mag 9-10). Forms a pair with NGC 6726 in contact at the SSW end. See NGC 6726 for description.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb