Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 7018 = LM 1-239, along with NGC 7016 and NGC 7017, on 8 Jul 1885. He noted "vF, vS, vlE, glbMN, 3rd and brightest of 3." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 2' south of ESO 529-027 = PGC 66141 = PGC 93985. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20-inch refractor at Denver.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/21/98): the brightest member of AGC 3744 appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 30"x20", weak concentration. A mag 13 star lies 1' N. Brightest in a quartet with NGC 7016 3.2' SW and NGC 7017 3.7' SSW.

17.5" (7/21/90): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.0' N. Brightest in a trio with NGC 7016 and NGC 7017 3' SW. Located 30' SSE of 24 Capricorni (V = 4.5).

600/800mm - 24" (9/26/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, ~0.6'x0.4', broad concentration. A mag 13.5 star is close north [1' from center].

24" (8/14/15): at 225x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~30"x18". At 375x, resolved into a very close pair of galaxies [just 10" between centers!] oriented E-W. The western component is slightly smaller and fainter, with the brighter 15" component is on the east side. A mag 13.5 star lies 1' N.

24" (9/27/14): at 375x, the brightest member in AGC 3744 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~E-W. This double system often resolves into two tangent components; the eastern member (NGC 7018 NED02 = 2MASX J21072565-2525430) is slightly larger and brighter (18" diameter) and the western component (NGC 7018 NED01 = 2MASX J21072463-2525569) is very compact (12" diameter).

Nearby are NGC 7016 3.2' SW, NGC 7017 3.7' SSW and MCG -04-49-016 2.6' ENE. The MCG appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 12" diameter. A mag 15 star is 0.6' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb