William Herschel discovered NGC 7556 = H II-235 = h2220, along with NGC 7566, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 279) and noted "vF, pS." His summary description (based on a later observation) reads "F, pL, broadly E." JH reported "pB, R, a bright double * follows". His single position is accurate. LdR's assistant Bindon Stoney observed the galaxy on 4 Nov 1850 and wrote, "Has nucleus; I suspect a F, S, neb about 1' sf." Very likely this second nebula is LEDA 195267, situated 1.4' SE of NGC 7556 (described in my 24" observation). The RNGC declination is 3' too far north.

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, moderately large, almost round, brighter core.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/87): moderately bright, moderately large, oval ~E-W, bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 7554 47" WNW of center. Brightest in the large NGC 7532-7556 group.

600/800mm - 24" (9/29/16): at 375x and 500x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~0.8'x0.5', well concentrated with a bright core, high surface brightness. Surrounded closely by several smaller and fainter companions including NGC 7554 48" W, NGC 7556A just 19" SW, LEDA 195267 1.4' SE and LEDA 195265 3.3' SSE. A mag 10.6 star is 2.7' E.

At 500x; NGC 7556A appeared extremely faint and small, round, ~8" diameter. Situated at the southwest edge of the halo of NGC 7556. At 375x LEDA 195267 appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter. LEDA 195265 was a difficult object, extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb