William Herschel discovered NGC 7707 = H III-579 = h2254 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621) and logged "vF, vS, just following a pB star." JH made two observations, first noting "eF; R; 20"; has a * 11m, 45° np; distance 25"." This object was missed at Birr Castle on one attempt.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/29/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 1' diameter, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. The impression of elongation may be due to a mag 15 star at the NNE tip. Located 53" SE of a mag 10.5 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb