John Herschel discovered NGC 6876 = h3817 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; r; 15"." On a second observation he logged "pF; R; 20"; a vS almost invisible star sf; 2nd of 4 [with NGC 6877 and 6880]."

400/500mm - 18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest member of the Pavo-I Group (mean redshift 3800 km/s). At 171x, it appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.5'x1.3', containing a brighter core. A star is at the south edge 0.5' from center. Forms a close pair with NGC 6877 just 1.5' following. I also observed these additional members of the group: NGC 6872, NGC 6877, NGC 6880, IC 4970, IC 4972 and IC 4981.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, round, 1.5' diameter. Broadly concentrated with a slightly brighter core. A star is superimposed on the south edge.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb