William Herschel discovered NGC 5084 = H II-313 = h1579 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 709) and recorded "pB, lE in the parallel, the greatest brightness is towards the following side, which is also the thickest; the preceding part being more like a ray proceeding from it." JH made a single observation, logging "B; R: psbM; 35"."

300/350mm - 13.1" (7/5/83): fairly bright, very elongated 4:1 E-W, fairly large, small bright nucleus with thin faint extensions. Brightest in a group (LGG 345) that includes NGC 5087 and NGC 5134.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb