John Herschel discovered NGC 6805 = h3796 on 24 Aug 1834 and logged "eF; R; vgbM." One week later, he returned to the field and noted "well looked for, but only a small star-group found." There is nothing at his position (used in the NGC), but exactly 1° north is ESO 338-014 = PGC 63413. The 1° error in declination is noted in Corwin's Southern Galaxy Catalogue.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/20/96): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, slightly brighter core. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' ESE. Viewing suffers due to low elevation.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb