Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2650 (= GC 1690 = WH II 908, 1860 RA 08 36 10, NPD 19 11.4) is "pretty bright, pretty large, irregular figure, extremely mottled but not resolved".
Physical Information: Based on a recessional velocity of 3825 km/sec, NGC 2650 is about 180 million light years away. Given that and its apparent size of 1.6 by 1.2 arcmins, it is about 85 thousand light years across.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2651 (= GC 5434, Marth #133, 1860 RA 08 36 11, NPD 77 45) is "extremely faint, small, extended".
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.6 by 0.5 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2652 (Ormond Stone list II (#406), 1860 RA 08 36 12, NPD 93 06.7) is "faint, pretty small, extended 50°, gradually brighter middle and stellar nucleus, 9th magnitude star 50 arcsec to southwest". The first IC notes "Not found by Spitaler".
Physical Information: Apparent size 3.4 by 2.1 arcmin. Depending upon the reason for the double listing this entry may contain only historical information, in which case you should refer to NGC 2974 for physical data and images.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2653 (Tempel list VI (#7), 1860 RA 08 36 41, NPD 11 04) is "very faint, very small, faint star close to north, I 288 to south", (WH) I 288 being NGC 2655.
Physical Information:

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2654 (Tempel list VI (#6), 1860 RA 08 36 55, NPD 29 13) is "pretty faint, small, faint star in middle, faint star close to southwest".
Physical Information: Classified as peculiar because of the X-shaped regions near the nucleus (which are too faint to show up in the HST image, but are visible in the SDSS images). Apparent size 4.2 by 0.8 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2655 (= GC 1691 = JH 520 = WH I 288, 1860 RA 08 37 02, NPD 11 15.6) is "very bright, considerably large, a little extended 90°, gradually then suddenly very much brighter middle".
Physical Information: NGC 2655 is used by the Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies as an example of a galaxy with the appearance of fission, with the note "Very faint diffuse outer arms, absorption one side of nucleus." It is also a Seyfert galaxy. Apparent size 4.9 by 4.1 arcmin? (inner region only; outer extensions span nearly 12 arcmin)

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2656 (= GC 1692 = JH 523, 1860 RA 08 37 28, NPD 35 36.8) is "extremely faint, pretty suddenly brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.0 by 1.0 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2657 (Stephan list XIII (#43), 1860 RA 08 37 41, NPD 79 51.1) is "very faint, very small, irregularly round, faint star attached on east".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.0 by 0.9 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2658 (= GC 1693 = JH 4017, h o n, Dunlop #609, 1860 RA 08 37 46, NPD 122 09.1) is "a cluster, pretty small, a little rich, a little compressed, irregular figure, stars from 12th to 13th magnitude".
Note About "h o n": Just as "H O N" refers to objects observed by William Herschel in 1802 but not published until they were included in John Herschel's Cape of Good Hope paper, "h o n" refers to objects observed by John Herschel while at the Cape of Good Hope but only noted in the Errata at the end of the Cape Catalog.
Physical Information: Apparent size 10 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2659 (= GC 1694 = JH 3137, 1860 RA 08 37 50, NPD 134 27.3) is "a cluster, large, rich, pretty much extended, stars from 11th to 14th magnitude".
Physical Information: Apparent size 15 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2660 (= GC 1695 = JH 3138, 1860 RA 08 38 01, NPD 136 42.3) is "a cluster, pretty small, much compressed, irregularly round, gradually brighter middle, stars from 13th to 15th magnitude".
Physical Information: Apparent size 3.0 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2661 (= GC 1696 = WH III 50, Bigourdan, 1860 RA 08 38 16, NPD 76 52.7) is "extremely faint, considerably large, round, a little brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.4 by 1.3 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2662 (= GC 1697 = JH 3139, 1860 RA 08 39 00, NPD 104 47.3) is "very faint, very small, round, brighter middle, 15th magnitude star near". The second IC lists a corrected NPD (per Howe) of 104 36.8.
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.2 by 1.1 arcmin.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2663 (Swift list III (#40), 1860 RA 08 39 30, NPD 123 19.8) is "pretty faint, pretty small, a little extended".
Physical Information: Apparent size 3.5 by 2.4 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2664 (= GC 1698 = JH 524, 1860 RA 08 39 30, NPD 76 53.2) is "a cluster, stars from 9th to 10th magnitude".
Physical Information: Apparent size 5.0 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2665 (Muller list II (#407), 1860 RA 08 39 38, NPD 108 48.6) is "faint, small, round, gradually brighter middle and nucleus".
Physical Information: Apparent size 2.0 by 1.5 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2666 (= GC 1700 = JH 525, 1860 RA 08 40 20, NPD 42 25.7) is "a cluster, a little compressed".
Physical Information: A scatter of stars around HD 75135, whose position is that listed for the cluster.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2667 (= GC 1699, d'Arrest, 1860 RA 08 40 21, NPD 70 27.8) is "extremely faint". The position precesses to RA 08 48 20.6, Dec +19 01 27, which is almost 7sW and 16"N of the presumably correct position. There are two faint spirals located just to the east of Dreyer's position, but the brighter one is almost certainly the correct one, for if d'Arrest had been able to see the fainter, he should have seen both; so the identity is reasonably certain. Both objects were photographed by Wolf, with the brighter one becoming IC 2410, thanks to the error in d'Arrest's position, and the fainter, previously unobserved galaxy becoming IC 2411.
Physical Information:

Warning About Non-Standard Designations: PGC 24755 is the fainter of the two galaxies noted at NGC 2667, and due to its proximity to that galaxy, sometimes called NGC 2667B. However, it has a perfectly good IC listing, so that is its proper designation, and this entry only notes the erroneous use of the NGC number. Therefore, see NGC 2667 for a wide-field image, and IC 2411 for anything else. (Warning: Wikisky shows both galaxies as NGC 2667.)

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2668 (Stephan list IX (#17), 1860 RA 08 40 24, NPD 52 46.0) is "very faint, very small, round, mottled but not resolved".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.5 by 0.9 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2669 (= GC 1701 = JH 3140, Sûfi, 1860 RA 08 40 51, NPD 143 27.5) is "a cluster, large, poor, a little compressed, stars from 10th to 13th magnitude".
Discovery Note: The observational credit assigned to Al-Sufi is by Dreyer, as it is not noted in the GC, and presumably based on Al-Sufi's "Book of Fixed Stars", published in 964 CE.
Physical Information: Apparent size 14 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2670 (= GC 1702 = JH 3142, 1860 RA 08 41 03, NPD 138 16.5) is "a cluster, pretty large, poor, a little compressed, stars from 13th magnitude".
Physical Information: Apparent size 7.0 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2671 (= GC 1703 = JH 3141, Dunlop 489? 490?, 1860 RA 08 41 07, NPD 131 22.5) is "a cluster, pretty rich, a little compressed middle, stars from 12th to 13th magnitude". (Steinicke lists only Dunlop 489 as equal to this object.)
Physical Information: Apparent size 5.0 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2672 (= GC 1704 = JH 526 = WH II 80 = WH II 48, 1860 RA 08 41 23, NPD 70 24.8) is "pretty bright, pretty large, irregularly round, much brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 3.0 by 2.8 arcmin. A physical pair with NGC 2673. Used by the de Vaucouleurs Atlas of Galaxy Types as an example of galaxy type E1-2. Used (with NGC 2673) by the Arp Atlas as an example of a galaxy with a diffuse counter tail.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2673 (= GC 1705, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 41 25, NPD 70 24.9) is "very faint, very small, close east of h 526", (JH) 526 being NGC 2672.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case George Stoney. (The attribution to William Herschel (as WH II 48 = WH II 80) and John Herschel (as JH 526) is by Steinicke; this will be explored further in the next iteration of this page.)
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.2 by 1.2 arcmin. A physical pair with NGC 2672, which see for images. Used (with NGC 2672) by the Arp Atlas as an example of a galaxy with a diffuse counter tail.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2674 (Ormond Stone list I (#152), 1860 RA 08 41 35, NPD 103 46.4) is "extremely faint, small, nebulous?". The second IC adds "Not found by Howe (2 nights)".
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.6 by 0.3 arcmin.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2675 (= GC 1706, d'Arrest, 1860 RA 08 41 52, NPD 35 58.8) is "very faint, rich, 15th magnitude star 12 seconds of time to west".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.5 by 1.1 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2676 (Swift list VI (#33), 1860 RA 08 41 58, NPD 41 54.5) is "most extremely faint, pretty small, round, 4 pretty bright stars to northeast".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.2 by 1.2 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2677 (= GC 1707 = JH 527 = WH II 48?, 1860 RA 08 42 01, NPD 70 28.3) is "extremely faint, very small, partially resolved (some stars seen), (very small cluster)".
Discovery Note: Since Dreyer (and/or John Herschel) lists WH II 48 as equal to WH II 80 = NGC 2672, the presumption would be that William Herschel did not observe NGC 2677; but since the possibility is noted in the NGC, it is also shown above, albeit with a caveat. I will do some research on this in the next iteration of this page, and try to resolve the question. (Unlike NGC 2672 & 2673, Steinicke does NOT list William Herschel as an observer of NGC 2677.)
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.6 by 0.3 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2678 (= GC 1708 = JH 528 = WH VIII 10, 1860 RA 08 42 33, NPD 78 08.8) is "a cluster, very little compressed, poor".
Physical Information: Apparent size 10 by 2.5 arcmin??

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2679 (= GC 1709 = JH 529 = WH III 294, 1860 RA 08 42 59, NPD 58 36.6) is "pretty faint, pretty small, round, brighter middle, a double nebula with NGC 2680".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.6 by 1.3 arcmin. "Involved" with NGC 2680, which see.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2680 (= GC 1710, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 43 00, NPD 58 36.6) is "very faint, very small, round, brighter middle, a double nebula with NGC 2679". The position is identical to that of NGC 2679, save for being a second of right ascension to the east; and on lower quality images there is a somewhat fuzzy looking object just to the east of the nucleus of the larger galaxy. As a result, NGC 2680 is listed in most databases as a 15th-magnitude compact galaxy of apparent size 0.2 by 0.15 arcmin, superimposed on or part of a physical pair with NGC 2679. However, in higher quality images it is obvious that it is merely the two stars immediately to the east of NGC 2679's nucleus. (Note: The color and contrast of the higher quality image have been adjusted to ensure that the sharpness of the image is not compromised, while emphasizing the different appearance of the stars compared to their nebular "companion".)
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case Bindon Stoney.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2681 (= GC 1711 = JH 530 = WH I 242, 1860 RA 08 43 28, NPD 38 09.8) is "very bright, very large, very gradaully then very suddenly much brighter middle equal to 10th magnitude star".
Physical Information: NGC 2681 is used by the de Vaucouleurs atlas of galaxy types as an example of type (R)SAB(rs)0/a. Apparent size 3.6 by 3.3 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2682 (= GC 1712 = JH 531, M67, Oriani, 1860 RA 08 43 34, NPD 77 40.6) is "a remarkble object, a cluster, very bright, very large, extremely rich, a little compressed, stars from 10th to 15th magnitude".
Discovery Note: Per Steinicke, this is one of eleven Messier objects for which Dreyer assigned the wrong discoverer. Although Oriani did observe three Messier objects while observing the comet of 1779 (and as a result was the discoverer of M61), he never observed M67.
Physical Information: From NOAO site: M67 is an open star cluster in the constellation Cancer. One of the oldest known such clusters, M67 is believed to be 10 billion years old. It contains approximately 500 stars within its 12 light-year diameter and is located some 2500 light-years away. Apparent size 25 arcmin?

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2683 (= GC 1713 = JH 532 = WH I 200, 1860 RA 08 43 59, NPD 56 03.4) is "very bright, very large, very much extended 39°, gradually much brighter middle".
Physical Information: NGC 2683's recessional velocity of 410 km/sec is too small to yield a reliable estimate of distance, as its peculiar (non-Hubble-expansion) velocity could be a significant part of its overall motion. Ignoring that caveat, its redshift implies a distance of 18 million light years, in reasonable agreement with redshift-independent distance estimates of 18 to 45 million light years. Given its 9.3 by 2.2 arcmin apparent size, the galaxy is about 50 thousand light years across if at the closer distance, and over 100 thousand light years across if the more distant estimate is closer to being correct. (The galaxy's impressive appearance and well-organized structure suggest that the larger size and distance are more likely, but appearances are often misleading.) A study of irregularities in the velocity distribution of stars in the central region suggests that like our own galaxy, NGC 2683 has a barred structure; but because of the galaxy's nearly edge-on presentation, it is impossible to tell that from the images shown here. The HST closeup (third below) shows the relatively bright core (the reason it is classified as a Seyfert (type Sy 2) galaxy), extensive dust clouds outlined by the light of stars scattered throughout its disk, and numerous clusters of hot young blue stars scattered along the spiral arms which are mostly shrouded by the clouds of gas and dust lying in the plane of its galactic equator.

Physical Information: This catalog mostly ignores galaxies that do not have an NGC, IC or PGC entry; but in searching for such an identification of 2MASXJ08524947+3321216, information was obtained which seems of adequate interest to justify an entry, despite its not being included in any of those catalogs. Given its recessional velocity of 33600 km/sec, a straightforward calculation indicates that the galaxy is about 1.5 billion light years away. However, for such distant objects, we must take into account the expansion of the Universe during the billion and a half years it took the light by which we see the object to reach us. Doing that indicates that we see the galaxy when it was about 1.375 billion light years away, and that it took the light it emitted at that time about 1.45 billion years to reach us (the difference between the two numbers being due to the expansion of the space through which the light passed on its way here). Given that and the galaxy's apparent size of about 0.25 by 0.2 arcmin, it is about 100 thousand light years across. In other words, this faint speck is about what our galaxy would look like if seen by the inhabitants of worlds in that distant object.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2684 (= GC 1714 = JH 533 = WH III 712, 1860 RA 08 45 02, NPD 40 18.6) is "faint, pretty large, round, gradually brighter middle, 4 small (faint) stars near".
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.9 by 0.7 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2685 (Tempel list VI (#8), 1860 RA 08 45 04, NPD 30 41) is "pretty faint, round, faint star in centre".
Physical Information: Apparent size 4.6 by 2.5 arcmin. A polar ring galaxy. Used by the Arp Atlas as an example of "miscellaneous galaxies".

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2686 (= GC 1715, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 45, NPD 40 20±) is "very faint, very small, double or single star close to east". Although Mitchell's description suggests that the eastern member of the pair might not be part of the nebula, his diagram clearly shows the object as double, so both galaxies must be considered part of the NGC object.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case R. J. Mitchell.
Physical Information: Apparent size of PGC 25025 = 0.3 by 0.2 arcmin; of PGC 25026 = 0.5 by 0.3 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2687 (= GC 1716, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 45, NPD 40 19±) is "very small". The very rough position precesses to RA 08 54 51.4, Dec +49 09 25, on the southwestern rim of NGC 2684, which is such a poor position that it could make it difficult or impossible to tell which of the numerous galaxies in the area is NGC 2687. However, Mitchell's diagram clearly shows the various nebulae in the region, so there is no doubt that the galaxy (or pair of galaxies) listed above is/are the NGC object.
Note About PGC 25031's Inclusion In NGC 2687: Although PGC 25031 is often treated as part of the NGC object, Mitchell's diagram shows only a single object and his notes do nothing to alter that impression; and PGC 25031 is so faint that it probably did not influence his observation of its brighter companion, and should probably not be considered part of the NGC object. However, since every database I've checked lists the two objects by the non-standard designations of NGC 2687A and 2687B (and worse yet, assigns "B" to the brighter object which certainly is part of the NGC object), this entry (reluctantly) treats both galaxies as part of NGC 2687.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case R. J. Mitchell.
Physical Information: PGC 25030: Vr 14720 km/sec, z 0.049101, Apparent size 0.3 by 0.2 arcmin?
Nothing appears to be known about PGC 25031 save for its apparent size; most likely, the inclusion of it as a part of NGC 2687 has led to the assumption that it is a physical companion of the brighter galaxy, and a lack of interest in verifying or disproving that supposition. I can't even find any effort to determine its type, and given the relatively low quality of the best images available, any opinion about the accuracy of the estimates I've given is left up to the reader.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2688 (= GC 1717, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 45, NPD 40 21±) is "very very faint, small". Clearly shown on Mitchell's diagram of the region.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case R. J. Mitchell.
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.3 by 0.2 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2689 (3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 45, NPD 40 22±) is "very very faint, small". Note: PGC 25042 is sometimes misidentified as NGC 2689, but Mitchell's diagram clearly shows that the nebula is in a southeastern line with NGC 2686 and 2688, and must be the galaxy listed above.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case R. J. Mitchell.
Physical Information: Vr 16105 km/sec, z 0.053725, Apparent size 0.3 by 0.2 arcmin?

Historical Misidentification: As noted above, this object is sometimes misidentified as NGC 2689 (e.g., NED incorrectly treats PGC 25042 and PGC 2333935 (= NGC 2689) as the same object); but as the discussion of that NGC object shows, that cannot be correct.
Physical Information: Vr 15540 km/sec, z ?, apparent size ?

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2690 (Swift list III (#41), 1860 RA 08 45 14, NPD 92 05.8) is "pretty faint, small, extended". The second IC lists a corrected 1860 RA (per Howe) of 08 45 34.
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.9 by 0.5 arcmin?

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2691 (= GC 1718 = WH II 658, 1860 RA 08 45 43, NPD 49 55.2) is "pretty faint, very small, much brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 0.9 by 0.5 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2692 (= GC 1719 = JH 534 = WH III 831, 1860 RA 08 46 50, NPD 37 24.1) is "very faint, small, round, pretty suddenly brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.3 by 0.5 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2693 (= GC 1720 = JH 535 = WH II 823, 1860 RA 08 46 58, NPD 38 07.1) is "pretty bright, a little extended, pretty suddenly much brighter middle".
Physical Information: Apparent size 2.6 by 1.8 arcmin. Recessional velocity 4940 km/sec. A pair with NGC 2694.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2694 (= GC 5435, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 46 58, NPD 38 08) is "very faint, very small, 1 arcmin south of h 535", (JH) 535 being NGC 2693.
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case George Stoney.
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.2 by 1.1 arcmin. Recessional velocity 5090 km/sec. A pair with NGC 2693, which see for images.

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2695 (= GC 1721 = JH 536 = WH II 280, 1860 RA 08 47 23, NPD 92 32.1) is "pretty faint, considerably small, round".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.7 by 1.2 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2696 (Ormond Stone list I (#153), 1860 RA 08 47 30, NPD 94 27.2) is "extremely faint, very small, stellar".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.3 by 1.3 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2697 (= GC 1725, 3rd Lord Rosse, 1860 RA 08 47 58, NPD 92 27.2) is "very faint, very small, round".
Discovery Notes: Although Dreyer credits the discovery to William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, he notes that many of Rosse's nebular discoveries were actually made by one of his assistants, in this case Bindon Stoney.
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.8 by 1.1 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2698 (= GC 1726 = JH 538, 1860 RA 08 48 32, NPD 92 38.6) is "very faint, pretty small, round, 9th magnitude star 4 arcmin to northwest".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.5 by 0.5 arcmin

Historical Identification: Per Dreyer, NGC 2699 (= GC 1727, d'Arrest, 1860 RA 08 48 44, NPD 92 35.0) is "very faint, small, round, 15th magnitude to northwest".
Physical Information: Apparent size 1.1 by 1.0 arcmin