The historical identification of NGC 7433 is ambiguous (see notes), but this galaxy is misidentified as NGC 7431 (which is 2.9' W) in CGCG, UGC, PGC, U2000 and Megastar.

R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 7433, along with NGC 7435, on 12 Oct 1855. While observing the field of NGC 7436 this galaxy was clearly shown on a diagram and sketch showing 4 galaxies (including the companion of NGC 7436). Nevertheless, there are only three entries in the GC and NGC. The reason is probably Dreyer's 1875 observation that noted "The object preceding in the diagram from 1857 is a faint star. Night bad". The question remains which object Dreyer intended to exclude in the NGC -- CGCG 475-006 (the galaxy generally associated with NGC 7433) or the companion at the west edge of NGC 7436?

Malcolm Thomson gives a detailed analysis of the identifications of NGC 7433 and 7435 in his Catalogue Corrections and concludes Dreyer rejected CGCG 475-006 so that NGC 7433 refers to the galaxy the western component of NGC 7436. On the other hand, Harold Corwin supports the view NGC 7436W was rejected by Dreyer and CGCG 475-006 is NGC 7433. Corwin's identification is used in NED and Steinicke and adopted here, though Thomson's argument is very persuasive.

600/800mm - 24" (7/20/12): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 24"x8". A mag 14.3 star is just 24" S of center. Located in the core of the NGC 7436 group, just 1.5' NW of NGC 7436.

900/1200mm - 48" (10/26/16): at 610x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 35"x14", brighter nucleus. Located 1.5' NW of NGC 7436 in a group. A mag 14.3 star is 0.4' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb