Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5122 = Sw. VI-56 on 24 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R; in finder field with Alpha Virginis." His position is just off the northeast side of the galaxy. NGC 5122 is a relatively nearby and well-known polar-ring galaxy. The faint ring is very nearly perpendicular to the disc, and both are seen nearly edge-on.

400/500mm - 18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.2'. Contains a sharp, stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed. Confusing the situation is a similar mag 14 star that is just off the WNW extension and in line with the major axis of the galaxy. Located 35' NNW of Spica. NGC 5130 lies 27' N.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/19/17): at 610x; bright, moderately large, very elongated spindle WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.3', tapers at the tips. Contains a very bright core and a sharp stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is barely off the WNW tip. An extension bulges out perpendicular to the major axis at the core towards the SSW. This is the beginning of an edge-on polar ring, which extends out 1' from the center SSW and NNE, but only a small section to the SSW was noticed.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb