John Herschel discovered NGC 5098 = h1585 on 29 Apr 1827 and logged "F; S; between 2 stars; the nf of 2 [with NGC 5096]." Although the two components of this double system are fairly equal in brightness, JH only reported a single object and his position is just south of the midpoint. Harold Corwin notes the comment "between 2 stars" fits the western component better, though they are close enough that either may have been his object.

MCG misidentifies the western component (PGC 46515) as NGC 5096. See Harold Corwin's notes for further discussion.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/98): Both components of this close double system (separated by 38") appeared very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. A mag 11 star lies 2.0' S. In a group with NGC 5096 3.5' SSW and MCG +06-29-079 9' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb