William Herschel discovered NGC 7339 = H II-234 = h2175, along with NGC 7332, on 19 Sep 1784 (sweep 278) and recorded "F, E, r, the direction of the extent different from that of the foregoing NGC 7332]." On 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 302) he reported "E of the size of the foregoing NGC 7332], and the extension in a different direction, almost at rectangles to the former; the direction nearly in the parallel, about 1 1/2' in length." On sweep 290, John Herschel recorded "vF; mE in parallel; 60" l; the following of two [with NGC 7332] and a third suspected." There is no other nearby third object, so perhaps he glimpsed a very faint star.

200/250mm - 8" (7/24/82): faint, very elongated ~E-W. Aligned nearly perpendicular to NGC 7332 5' WNW and has a similar size.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/2/89): moderately bright, thin edge-on 5:1 E-W, brighter core but no sharp nucleus. Forms a striking pair with edge-on NGC 7332 5.2' W.

600/800mm - 24" (6/14/15): bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 E-W, 2.2'x0.4', large bright core, slightly mottled appearance. The north edge of the central region had a sharper light cut-off (apparently due to dust) and a very low surface brightness glow was visible just beyond this edge. A mag 14.6 star is 1.6' WSW and a mag 15.4 star is 1.4' NW of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb