William Herschel discovered NGC 5061 = H I-138 = h3480 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550) and recorded "cB, R, mbM in a pretty small place." His position is accurate. From the CGH, JH logged "vB; R; bM; has a *10m 11s following; 30" south."

200/250mm - 8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, small, round, small bright nucleus. A mag 10 star is 3' E.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, fairly small, round, small very bright core. A mag 13 star is embedded in the NE portion of the halo. Located 2.5' WNW of mag 8.5 SAO 181534.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb