R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 72 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. The NGC position matches UGC 176 = PGC 1204.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. Located in the core of the NGC 68 group with NGC 72A 1.3' ESE, NGC 69 1.8' W, NGC 71 1.7' NW.

600/800mm - 24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 30"x24", very small brighter nucleus. Member of the compact NGC 68 group and in a string with NGC 60 1.7' W and NGC 72A 1.3' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb