John Herschel discovered NGC 7690 = h3997 on 3 Oct 1834 and recorded "B; S; E; psbM." On a later sweep he noted "pB; S; R; 20"; precedes a * 8m 37 seconds [of time]."

600/800mm - 30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, fairly large, oval 5:2 NW-SE, ~100"x40", sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. The galaxy bulges very slightly at the center and rounds near the ends. Located 6.2' WNW of mag 8.5 HD 221593.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb