WH discovered UGC 2272 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) though wasn't certain if it was a nebula. He recorded "A star of about 8th of 9th magnitude, with an extremely faint nebulosity about 1' north of it; but it so faint that there is a doubt whether it may not consist of 2 or 3 small stars only." His position corresponds with UGC 2272, located 2' north-northwest of mag 7.6 HD 17382 but because of the doubt he didn't assign an internal discovery number. Steinicke confirms this pre-NGC discovery (April 2015).

600/800mm - 24" (1/1/16): at 225x; fairly faint/moderately bright, very thin edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 1'x10", slightly brighter core. Situated 2.1' NNW of mag 7.6 HD 17382 and 27' SW of mag 3.6 41 Ari.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb