E.E. Barnard discovered IC 5357 on 28 Oct 1889 while observing Comet Brooks (1889V) with the Lick 36-inch refractor. He noted "'B, R, mbM."

400/500mm - 17.5" (9/3/94): brightest of four IC galaxies in HCG 97 = Shkh 30. Faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.4', gradually brightens to a small bright core and an almost stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star (with IC 5351 attached) is 2' SW. IC 5351 lies 1.3' SW, IC 5356 3.0' S and IC 5359 3.8' ESE. IC 5352 = HCG 97E was not seen.

17.5" (10/21/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE.

600/800mm - 24" (9/28/19): largest and brightest member of the HCG 97 quintet. At 322x; moderately bright, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', brighter core that gradually increases to the center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb