400/500mm - 17.5" (11/28/97): HCG 99a is the second brightest in a close trio. Appears very faint, very small, round - only the core was initially viewed. Located very close north of a mag 12 star [24" to center] which detracts from viewing. At moments very faint extensions are visible oriented N-S, ~20"x10", possibly reaching to the nearby star. HCG 99C = MCG +05-01-021 lies 1.7' NE and HCG 99B = UGC 12899 lies 2.2' NE.

600/800mm - 24" (11/24/14): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, ~36"x12". Contains a very brighter nucleus that appears offset towards the mag 11.5 star at the south end - probably because the southern tip of the halo is lost in the glare of the star. First and second brightest in HCG 99. CGCG 499-026 lies 13' SW.

24" (10/3/13): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, ~40"x13". A mag 11.5 star is attached at the south end detracts from viewing. First and largest of five in HCG 99. HCG 99C = CGCG 499-33 is 1.7' NE and HCG 99B = UGC 12899 lies 2.3' NE. Located 13' WSW of mag 6.8 HD 224895.