William Herschel discovered NGC 720 = H I-105 = h165 = h2443 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451) and noted "cB, pL, iR, mbM.". This galaxy was observed by John Herschel at both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope where he logged "pB, lE, psmbM, 40"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/26/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.0', well-defined very bright core with dimensions 40"x20". A very faint halo extends the major axis to almost 2' length.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb