E.E. Barnard discovered IC 5356 on 28 Oct 1889 while observing Comet Brooks (1889V) with the Lick 36-inch refractor. He noted "not F, R, mbM."

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/3/94): second brightest galaxy in HCG 97 group. Very faint, very small, slightly elongated (although difficult to pin down direction), very weak concentration. Located between two mag 14 stars off the SW and NE ends and 3.0' due south of IC 5357. Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 2.5' NW and a mag 10 star 2.6' NE. IC 5351 lies 2.5' NW and IC 5359 is 4.0' NE.

17.5" (10/21/95): very faint, small, round. A mag 14.5 star is 45" SSW.

600/800mm - 24" (9/28/19): at 322x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 5:3 SW-NE, ~30"x18", well concentrated with a small bright nucleus and much fainter extensions. A mag 14.5-15 star is 0.8' SW and a similar star 45" NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb