William Herschel discovered NGC 958 = H II-237 = h230 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and recorded "faint, extended about 2' long in the direction of the meridian". On 16 Oct 1827 (sweep 96), John Herschel logged "pB; R; or irreg figure; bM." Bindon Stoney, using the 72" on 24 Nov 1851, commented the "brightest part near preceding edge; E nnf-ssp; double star north, to which nebula does not reach."

200/250mm - 8" faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, slightly brighter along the major axis.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/17/01): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 2.5'x1.0'. Contains a brighter, bulging core and appears brighter along a thinner "bar" (the major axis). A similar comment was made in the 12/4/93 observation. MCG -01-07-016 lies 24' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.8'. Appears brighter along the major axis. The brighter core has an occasional sparkle or bright spot. A mag 13.5 star lies 2.0' N of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb