Albert Marth discovered NGC 6972 = m 426 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "F, S, R." His declination is 1' too large.

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/29/84): very faint, brighter core, irregular shape, slightly elongated NW-SE. A mag 12 double star at 23" separation is 2' WSW.

400/500mm - 18" (9/10/07): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, 0.4'x0.25', very small brighter core, stellar nucleus. Situated within a oval ring of 8 stars (4.5'x2') mag 11-13.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb