William Herschel discovered NGC 7444 = H II-451 = h2198 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 450) and recorded "Two [with NGC 7443], both lE and about 1.5' from each other; they extend in different directions. The sweeping power showed but one, but 240 distinguished them both, and I saw them afterwards also both with the former power. Both vF, vS." JH made three observations and called it "pF; irr R; sbM almost to a nucleus; r; the southern of a double nebula."

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/15/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 7443 1.6' NNW. NGC 7450 lies 10' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb