John Herschel discovered NGC 6784 = h3790 on 23 Jun 1835 and recorded "eeF; pL; among small stars." He made three observations (all called "eeF"), but made no reference to it being double. So, as Harold Corwin notes, its impossible to tell whether he saw one or the other, or both.

600/800mm - 30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; NGC 6784 is a close pair of similar galaxies oriented SW-NE that were both easily visible. NGC 6784A, the southwest component, appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 24"x20". A mag 15 star is 0.7' SW of center and a ~4" pair of mag 15/15.5 stars is 0.8' N. NGC 6784B, the northeast component, is slightly brighter and logged as fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x 18", slightly brighter nucleus. The pair is situated 5' NW of mag 8.3 HD 181957 and 20' ESE of mag 7.3 HD 181018.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb