DeLisle Stewart discovered IC 5038 = D.S. 684 on a plate taken on 23 Aug 1900 at Harvard's Arequipa station in Peru. He noted "vF, vS, R, alm stell."

600/800mm - 30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; moderately bright, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, ~40"x28", brighter core. Two mag 14 and 15 stars are off the WSW end [1.0' and 1.6' from center]. Forms a pair with IC 5042 7' SE. A 30" pair of mag 10.7/11.5 stars is 5' ENE. IC 5038 was easily found 6.5' due south of mag 6.7 HD 197359.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb