William Herschel discovered NGC 5037 = H II-510 = h1565 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "F, lE, 1 1/2' long." His position is an excellent match with MCG -03-34-029 = PGC 46078. JH recorded "pF; R; bM; 25". A * 12m 1' np." The mag 12 star is instead at the north-following end.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is perched at the NE tip. Second of six in the NGC 5044 group with NGC 5035 6.2' NNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb