John Herschel discovered NGC 5119 = h3497 on 6 May 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R: or lE; definition bad; doubted at first if it really was a nebula, but remained satisfied." His position is just off the south edge of PGC 46826. In the Cape catalogue, JH equated this object with H III-115, but NGC 5146 = H III-115.

400/500mm - 18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.2', fairly high surface brightness (possibly viewed core only). Increases to a sharp stellar nucleus. Located 70' SSW of Spica.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb