John Herschel discovered NGC 6987 = h3846 on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB; S; lE; gbM; among B stars." His position (2 observations) is fairly accurate.

600/800mm - 30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately to fairly bright, sharply concentrated with a very bright core surrounded by a relatively large, slightly elongated NW-SE halo extending 1.1'x0.8'. A mag 13 star is near the west edge, 40" from center. A mag 12 star is 2' S and an 11th mag star 3' SW. In addition mag 8.8 HD 199212 is 6.4' W

Notes by Steve Gottlieb