John Herschel discovered NGC 7297 = h3945, along with NGC 7299, on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R. The preceding of 2 [with NGC 7299]." His position is less than 1' southwest of ESO 405-023 = PGC 68980.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/20/96): very faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~40" diameter. Located 2.7' WSW of a mag 13 star. Pair with NGC 7299 4.6' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb