Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5039 = LM 2-459, along with NGC 5036, on 25 Jan 1887, and recorded "mag 15.8, 0.1' dia , E 45°, 2nd of 2 [with NGC 5036]." His position is accurate and Corwin notes his sketch clearly shows it in relation to NGC 5036.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/1/02): extremely faint and small, round, 0.2' diameter. Requires averted and only intermittently visible between a mag 12.5' 1.5' SSW and a mag 13 star 1.6' NNE. DSFG lists a V magnitude of just 16.1!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb