Edward Holden discovered NGC 5046 on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. He recorded "F, vS, R, stellar nucleus. GC 3465 [NGC 5044] precedes 21 sec." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated. Located 3.2' SSW of mag 8.9 SAO 157821. Fourth of six in the NGC 5044 group with NGC 5044 7' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb