Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5081 on 19 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 8366 and he noted Lalande 24724 [HD 115782] precedes by 5 sec and 203" north.

400/500mm - 18" (5/30/03): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.6'x0.6', weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 30" N of center. Located 4' SSE of mag 7.2 SAO 82777, which detracts from viewing.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb