Albert Marth discovered NGC 6976 = m 427, along with NGC 6977 and 6978, on 12 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, irr R." His position is less than 1' north of MCG -01-53-015 = PGC 65620. NGC 6975 is a duplicate observation from Bigourdan. See that number.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/16/88): extremely faint, very small, round, very diffuse. This is the furthest south of three galaxies on a line in HCG 88 with NGC 6977 1.8' NE and NGC 6978 4.3' NE.

600/800mm - 24" (9/27/19): at 375x; fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, fairly low surface brightness, slightly brighter core. Third brightest of 4 in HCG 88.

HCG 88D, situated 3.6' SW, was easily the faintest of the quartet. At 225x it appeared as an extremely faint, small, elongated smudge, which only occasionally popped.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb