William Herschel discovered NGC 5044 = H II-511 = h1566, along with NGC 5049, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "pB, R, bM." Another observation on 7 May 1787 (sweep 732) reads "pB, pL, R. I believe I saw a very faint one preceding." His position is accurate. Interestingly, there is a very faint galaxy, PGC 83851, less than 5' west, but at B = 16.2, it may be too faint to have been picked up by WH. JH made the single observation "pF; pL; R; 30"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): fairly bright, round, 2.0' diameter, moderate concentration. Brightest in a group and third of six in a 20' circle with NGC 5049 8' E, NGC 5046 7' NE, NGC 5047 10' SE, NGC 5035 10' SW and NGC 5037 14' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb