Frank Muller discovered NGC 77 = LM 2-280 in 1886 using the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick observatory in Charlottesville, Virginia. Although the discovery positions at the observatory were generally very imprecise due to poorly calibrated circles (in this case off by 30 tsec in RA), Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section), which matches ESO 473-015 = PGC 1290. Furthermore, Muller stated a mag 9 star lies 2.8' W (in PA 280°) and a mag 11 star is 3.1' WNW in PA 282°. ESO and SGC correctly identify this galaxy as NGC 77, but the RNGC misidentifies MCG -04-02-003 as NGC 77. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint spot on the threshold of visibility with averted vision. Only glimpsed for moments several times although sighting certain. Located 3.1' ESE of a mag 11.5 star. Next closest is a 14th mag star 4.0' WSW. Incorrectly identified in the RNGC as MCG -04-02-003.

17.5" (10/21/95): not seen, though viewed through thin clouds.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb