R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 7402 with LdR's 72" at Birr Castle on 23 Oct 1857. This object is labeled "E" on the sketch and is shown on a line with "C" [NGC 7397] and "D" [NGC 7401]. Mitchell noted, however, "E is doubtful and needs confirmation." Because of this comment, JH didn't assign a GC designation but Dreyer added it in the NGC. Mitchell's sketch matches the position and orientation of PGC 69914.

The galaxy identified as NGC 7402 in RNGC, MCG, PGC and RC3 is[NGC 7401. [NGC 7401 is the brighter of the close pair and is close west of NGC 7402. See[NGC 7401 and my RNGC Corrections #2.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/27/87): extremely faint and small, round, at visual threshold. Forms a difficult pair with NGC 7401 1.5' W and last in a group. Forms a near equilateral triangle with NGC 7398 5' NE and NGC 7397 4.5' W. Appears just nonstellar on the POSS.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb