E.E. Barnard discovered IC 5351, along with IC 5352, 5356, 5367 and 5369, on 28 Oct 1889 and noted "cF, vS, bM". This group (best known as HCG 97) was discovered while observing Brooks Comet (1889V) with the 36-inch Clark refractor at Lick Observatory. His sketch in AN 4136 clearly identifies all members in the group.

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/3/94): this is the third brightest galaxy in HCG 97 group = Shkh 30. Extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. A mag 11 star attached at the south side makes viewing very difficult. Located 1.3' SW of IC 5357. IC 5356 lies 2.5' SE and IC 5359 is 4.7' E.

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 12 star attached at the south side detracts from viewing.

600/800mm - 24" (9/28/19): at 322x; faint, small, round, ~20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. Attached on the north side of a mag 12.7 star, which partly masks the galaxy! IC 5357, the brightest in the quintet, is just 1.3' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb