William Herschel discovered NGC 6962 = H II-426 = h2087, along with NGC 6964, on 12 Aug 1785 (sweep 425) and recorded "Two, the preceding [NGC 6962] F, S, iR, mbM... 240 showed the same. The time and NPD is that of the preceding." His position is within the halo. On sweep 81, John Herschel logged "pF; S; R: gbM; 15...20"." His mean position (2 measures) is accurate.

Based on Helwan Observatory photos (1914-16), NGC 6962 was described as "vF, 2.5'x2.0', lE 60°, open spiral with bright nucleus."

300/350mm - 13.1" (7/27/84): fairly bright, fairly small, small bright core, almost round. Largest and brightest in a group.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/16/88): brightest in the NGC 6962 group. Moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. On a line with NGC 6964 1.8' SE and NGC 6961 3.3' NW. Also forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 6959 7.1' NW and NGC 6967 6.6' NE.

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, roundish, strong bright core, stellar nucleus.

600/800mm - 24" (9/25/19): at 375x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W. Sharply concentrated with a very bright core, ~40" diameter, with an intense nucleus. I initially noticed only the central region, but lowering the power to 200x there appeared to be a very large, low surface brightness halo, extending ~2.5' diameter. A mag 14.5 is at the W edge, 1.4' from center, and a similar star 1.7' E of center. Brightest of 4 NGC galaxies and 8 overall in the group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb