William Herschel discovered NGC 5101 = H II-567 = h3493 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 550) and recorded "pB, pL, gbM; iF." His position is 46 tsec preceding ESO 508-058. JH made two observations from the CGH and measured an accurate position.

200/250mm - 8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE. A mag 12 star is close W.

300/350mm - 13.1" (3/17/86): moderately bright, elongated WNW-ESE, gradually increases to a small bright core. A mag 12.5 star is 1.6' W of center. NGC 5078 lies 27' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb