John Herschel discovered NGC 7412 = h3961 on 2 Sep 1836 and recorded "eF; vL; 3' diam at least; it is south-preceding a star 7m, 8' dist."

Based on a photo taken at the Helwan observatory in 1919-20, it was described as a "2-branched spiral with pF almost stellar nucleus and condensations; like the letter "S"."

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/3/86): faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated ~N-S. Located 6' SSW of mag 7.3 SAO 231361.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb