John Herschel discovered NGC 7417 = h3962 on 20 Jul 1835 and recorded "B; R; gpmbM; r; 40"." His mean position (2 observations) is accurate.

600/800mm - 30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 N-S, ~1.4'x1.0', well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group including IC 5266 6.4' SSE, IC 5272 14' SE and PGC 127682 11' S. Mag 9.5 HD 216941 lies 6.5' NE and similar star is 10' E. These galaxies and stars just fit in the 20' field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb