John Herschel discovered NGC 978 = h234, along with NGC 969 and NGC 974, on 22 Nov 1827. His position is a good match with UGC 2057 = PGC 9821, despite being mentioned as roughly placed with respect to NGC 969. The brighter northern component of this double system is identified as NGC 978A in MCG. Forms a contact pair with NGC 978B = MCG +05-07-017 at the southeast end, 0.35' from center.

300/350mm - 13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core. Brightest of three with NGC 969 10' NW and NGC 974 8' NNW.

400/500mm - 17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent core within a small halo. A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' ESE. Located 6' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 55679. Brightest of four in a group with NGC 969 10' NW, NGC 974 8' NNW and NGC 970.

600/800mm - 24" (2/18/20): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~35"x30", gradually increases to a bright core but no distinct nucleus. NGC 978 is a contact pair with NGC 978B = PGC 9823, which is merged at the SE end of the galaxy. The companion was visible as a very faint, low surface brightness extension, poking out towards the SSE, ~15"x8". It contained a brighter stellar nucleus. Mag 8.1 HD 16015 is 6' ENE and NGC 969, 970 and 974 are ~10' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb