William Herschel discovered NGC 7311 = H II-428 = h2168 on 30 Aug 1785 (sweep 427) and recorded "F, pS, R, lbM." On 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) he noted "pB, S, irr R, r." JH made two observations and his mean position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, small, very elongated ~N-S, small bright core, sharp bright stellar nucleus. This striking galaxy forms a wide pair with NGC 7312 16.4' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb