NGC 496

NGC 496, also occasionally referred to as PGC 5037, UGC 927 or GC 288, is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is located approximately 250 million light-years from the Solar System and was discovered on 12 September, 1784 by astronomer William Herschel.

Observation history

The object was discovered by Herschel along with NGC 495 and NGC 499. He initially described the discovery as "Three, eS and F, forming a triangle.". As he observed the trio again the next night, he was able to make out more detail: "Three, forming a ; the to the south NGC 499, the short leg preceding '', the long towards the north . Those in the legs the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle a deal larger and brighter, but still very faint."
NGC 496 was later also observed by Bindon Blood Stoney. This position is also noted in the New General Catalogue.