DeLisle Stewart discovered IC 5078 = DS 703 on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station on 26 Sep 1900. He noted "nebulous streak, nr middle * of 3, susp."

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/11/96): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~2:1 WSW-ENE, low surface brightness. The view is severely hampered by a mag 12 star superimposed on the SW side of the galaxy. The extension following the star is easier to view, but still requires attention and could easily be passed over. The galaxy is sandwiched between a mag 12 star 1' SE and a brighter mag 11 star 1' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb