William Herschel discovered NGC 5076 = H III-117 = h1576 = h3489, along with NGC 5077 and NGC 5079, on 11 May 1784 (sweep 211) and recorded "three nebulae; the most north NGC 5077] pB, vS, bM. The next NGC 5079] eF, vS. The most south [NGC 5076] excessively faint, 240 verified it. The 3 nebulae form an obtuse triangle, the base of which direction from about 30° south-preceding to 30° north-following and vertex follows the base." His position matches NGC 5077. From Slough, JH logged "vF; S; R: 15"; the sp of 3." His position is less than 1' north of MCG -02-34-026 = PGC 46453. d'Arrest also observed the trio on two nights and measured accurate positions.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/11/88): first of three in a group with NGC 5079 3.1' NE and NGC 5077 5' N. Moderately bright, small, irregularly round, even concentration down to a bright core.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb