Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5006 on 31 Mar 1881, while observing NGC 5018. In the narrative portion of list V, he noted a new nebula 1 min of time preceding and 16' north of NGC 5018. Although the difference in RA is 1 min 15 sec, his declination offset is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'. Contains a round 30" brighter core with faint extensions. A mag 14 star is less than 1' NW of center. Two mag 10 stars lie 4' and 5' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb