William Herschel discovered NGC 7778 = H III-231 = h2278, along with NGC 7779, on 12 Nov 1784 (sweep 313) and recorded "Two, vF, stellar." His single position is between the pair. On 15 Aug 1830 (sweep 280), JH logged "pB; R; psbM; 20"."

300/350mm - 13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, small bright core. Observed at 220x.

13.1" (9/9/83): faint, small, round, small bright core. Appears just slightly fainter than similar NGC 7779 1.8' E in the NGC 7782 group.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/86): third brightest of five in the NGC 7782 group. Moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Not as large or bright as NGC 7779 1.8' E. A mag 12.5 star is 1.7' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb