John Herschel discovered NGC 974 = h233, along with NGC 969 and NGC 978 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; R; bM. The second of 3". His position matches UGC 2049 = PGC 9802.

300/350mm - 13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, moderately large, broadly concentrated, diffuse halo, two faint stars on opposite ends. Forms a pair with NGC 969 3.9' W. NGC 970 not seen.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, small brighter core. Situated between two mag 14 stars 56" NNW and 45" SSE. Located in the NGC 978 group with NGC 969 3.8' W, NGC 970 3.3' NW, NGC 978 8' SSE.

600/800mm - 24" (2/18/20): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, ~50"x40", broad weak concentration to a small brighter core. Two mag 14.5 stars are close off the S side and N side. Brighter NGC 969 is 3.8' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb