William Herschel discovered NGC 7248 = H III-863, along with NGC 7250, on 8 Nov 1790 (sweep 977) and recorded "vF; vS; mbM." His position (CH's reduction) is off by 7 seconds of RA east and 1' north.

300/350mm - 13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, small, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, small bright nucleus. Two faint double stars are near including a mag 13/14 pair at 12" located 2' E. NGC 7250 lies 17' ENE.

600/800mm - 24" (9/2/16): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.25'x0.5'. Strong concentration with a very bright slightly elongated core that increases to the center. The outer extensions have a low surface brightness. Sitated in a rich star field between two doubles; a 12" pair is 2' E and a 8" pair is 2.7' W. NGC 7250 is 17' ENE.

24" (8/7/13): at 375x appeared fairly bright, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.9'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a bright oval core that increases to the center and a moderately large halo. A 12" pair of mag 13.5-14 stars lies 2' E, a 7" pair of mag 12-12.5 stars is 2.7' W, and finally a 10" pair of mag 14 stars lies 3' WNW. Not surprisingly in a Milky Way field. NGC 7250 is 17' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb