William Herschel discovered NGC 887 = H III-486 = h216 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "vF, vS, iF, better with 240 power". On 15 Oct 1830 (sweep 307), John Herschel logged "pB; R; pgbM; 25" [diameter]." George Stoney, using the 72" on 17 Sep 1852, recorded a "* in the edge, perhaps cometary or like a snowdrop."

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/4/93): faint, fairly small, round. Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is embedded in the NE end. Located between a mag 11 star 3.5' SE and a mag 12 star 3.9' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb