William Herschel discovered NGC 5018 = H II-746 = h1554 on 8 Apr 1788 (sweep 826) and recorded "pB, S, pBN." His position is within the halo of ESO 576-010 = PGC 45908. JH made the single observation "B; R; pgmbM; 30"." and measured an accurate position. Nearby NGC 5022 was discovered by Wilhelm Tempel.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/96): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, roughly 2.5'x2.0'. Very bright core dominates much fainter halo. Located 6' SE of mag 9.3 SAO 157792. Forms a pair with NGC 5022 7.2' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb