John Herschel discovered NGC 842 = h203 on 8 Jan 1831 and noted "vF; R; psbM; 12" [diameter]." Herschel's position is 2' N of MCG -01-06-055 = PGC 8258. Mrk 1023 is equated with NGC 842 in the PGC but Mrk 1023 is a separate galaxy (PGC 1013430).

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE in direction of a mag 13 star 1.5' SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Third of three with NGC 830 12' W and NGC 829 16' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb