William Herschel discovered NGC 5085 = H II-780 on 26 Mar 1789 (sweep 918) and recorded "F, L, vglbM, about 4' dia." His position is 2' north of ESO 508-050 = PGC 46531, the only nearby large galaxy. JH did not observe this galaxy.

300/350mm - 13.1" (3/17/86): large, diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated. Located 4.2' N of mag 8.5 SAO 181562 and 10.8' WNW of mag 7.1 SAO 181577.

13.1" (7/5/83): fairly faint, moderately large, very diffuse, very little or no concentration.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb