William Herschel discovered NGC 5012 = H I-85 = h1549 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "cB, pL." CH's reduction is 11 sec of RA preceding UGC 8270. JH made two observations and recorded (sweep 409) "vF; L; double or wedge-formed bicentral; pos 17° per micrometer. Each neb vglbM; a large star (the first of a trapezium) 25s following." JH confused the superimposed star with another nucleus.

400/500mm - 18" (7/1/03): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, 2.0'x1.2', fairly well concentrated with a very small bright core. A mag 13-14 star is superimposed on the north end. The surface brightness is uneven and the galaxy appears slightly mottled.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb