William Herschel discovered NGC 682 = H II-501 = h154 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "F, S, R, very small pretty bright nucleus." On 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), John Herschel called it "vF; R; vgbM; 15" [diameter]." The NGC position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very small bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated fainter outer halo. Located 15' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 148020.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb