Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 996 = St III-13 (along with NGC 995 = St III-12 and NGC 1001 = St III-16) on 7 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2123 = PGC 10015. Second in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

400/500mm - 17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 999 2' NE in the NGC 995-1005 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb