John Herschel discovered NGC 698 = h2441 on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "vvF; S." His single position is 10 tsec of RA east and 2.5' south of ESO 353-051 = PGC 6710 (same amount of offset as NGC 696).

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably viewed core only), low surface brightness, no concentration. Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily. Forms the northern vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 4.7' S and brighter NGC 696 5.1' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb