William Herschel discovered NGC 7771 = H II-231 = h2275, along with NGC 7769, on 18 Sep 1784 (sweep 277) and recorded "F, pL, E in the direction of the parallel [E-W], towards the sp part seems to be a vS stellar nebula within the nebulosity of the large one, but it may be only a small star." The "vS" nebula is probably NGC 7770. He observed NGC 7771 again on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 635) and noted "cB, pL , lE, mbM." but missed NGC 7770. JH made two observations (sweep 91 and 92). On 25 Aug 1827, JH logged "pB; E; bM; has a vS almost stellar nebula about 45° sp, dist 40"." This clearly refers to NGC 7770.

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/9/83): fairly bright, very elongated WSW-ENE. In a trio with faint NGC 7770 just 1' SW and similarly bright NGC 7769 5' NW.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/31/86): fairly bright, pretty lens-shape 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.4'x 0.7', bright core, possible faint stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5 star lies 2.1 ENE of center. Forms a close pair with NGC 7770 1.1' SW of center. NGC 7769 lies 5' WNW.

600/800mm - 24" (10/5/13): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.7', moderate concentration with a large, elongated core that gradually increases to the center. Largest in the KTG 82 triplet with NGC 7770 1.1' SSW and NGC 7769 5.4' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb