John Herschel discovered NGC 7162 = h3901, along with NGC 7166, on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "F; L; mE; vgbM; (fog)." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 18" (10/16/09): very faint, fairly large, appears as a very hazy ill-defined glow, ~1.2'x0.8' N-S. This galaxy was surprisingly difficult for a V = 12.7 galaxy, though the low elevation affected the view. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 7166 11' SE.

600/800mm - 30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright to bright, very large, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, ~2.5'x0.9', broad concentration with an elongated, brighter core. A mag 16.2 star is at the west edge. Second brightest in a trio (similar redshifts) with NGC 7166 11' SE and fainter NGC 7162A 14' NE. Situated 10.6' NNW of mag 8 HD 208812. NGC 7162A, a Magellanic spiral, appeared very diffuse, large glow, circular,~2' diameter, no distinct core or zones.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb