Lewis Swift discovered IC 5156 = Sw. XII-32 on 16 Oct 1897 and reported "pF, pS, R, in vacancy." His position is just 2' too far north, unusually accurate for his last summer of observing at age 77.

300/350mm - 13.1" (10/20/84): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, weakly concentrated.

400/500mm - 18" (7/21/04): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.4'x0.5', brighter core and fairly easy stellar nucleus. A wide pair of mag 12/13 stars lies 7'-8' E. Forms a pair with ESO 404-023 situated 7' WNW. Also ESO 404-019 lies 23' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb