Lewis Swift discovered NGC 7709 = Sw. VI-97 on 21 Oct 1886 and recorded "pF; S; R; betw 2 distant B stars." His RA was 12 seconds too large, but the description matches MCG -03-60-002 = PGC 71828. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 16 Nov 1890. Herbert Howe reobserved the galaxy in 1897-98 and noted "This is described as "R". I find it much elongated at 225°. It lies 8' south of a star of mag 8. Its length is 20", with a possible further faint extension." His micrometric position was accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/15/90): fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, bright core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb