Frank Muller discovered NGC 943 = LM 1-54, along with NGC 942, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and described both as a "nebulous double star?" His rough position is a close match with MCG -02-07-019 = PGC 9457, the northwestern member of the pair. Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory as well as Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II). RC 2 reverses the identifications. Ralph Copeland first discovered this galaxy, along with NGC 942, on 31 Oct 1872, but mistakenly assumed he was observing NGC 945. See NGC 942 for more.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/4/93): this is the northern member of a contact pair with NGC 942. Faint, very small, weak concentration. The center of NGC 942 is just 30" S within a common halo. NGC 950 lies 12' S.

600/800mm - 24" (12/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 18"x15", very small brighter nucleus. NGC 943 is the southern component of a 30" double system with NGC 942. The halos of the two galaxies are merged. IC 230 lies 5.5' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb