NGC 739 was discovered by English astronomer Ralph Copeland on January 9, 1874.[4] He was using the 72" telescope at Birr Castle in an observation of Arp 166, which is composed of two interacting galaxies NGC 750 and NGC 751.[4][5] Copeland reported the wrong direction of the newly observed galaxy, but gave the correct orientation as PA 292° (WNW) and separation 524" (8.7').[4] Because of his error the derived position was in error and this was copied into the NGC Catalogue.[4]
In 1913 American astronomer Heber Curtis noted there was nothing at that position and suggested MCG +05-05-030 was in fact NGC 739, based on Edward Crossley's photographs taken at Lick Observatory.[4]
