Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 951 = LM 2-336 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.3, 0.4' dia, E 0° [N-S], double star?"." His position is just 1.5' S of ESO 479-008 = MCG -04-07-001 = PGC 9442 and his PA = 0° matches the central bar.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint, small, round, 0.4'. The faint glow requires averted and has a low surface brightness with no noticeable core. Situated at midpoint between two mag 11.5 stars 3' NW and 3' SE. Forms a close pair with MCG -04-07-002 2' S (not seen).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb