John Herschel discovered NGC 5169 = h1611 on 26 Apr 1830 and logged "vF; R; 50"." His position is 2.3' south of UGC 8465. JH equated this observation with H III-672, but his father's number applies to brighter NGC 5173.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, elongated 5:2 ESE-WNW, 1.6'x0.6', weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 5173 5.5' SE. Located 36' SSW of M51 and 21' W of NGC 5198.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb