John Herschel discovered NGC 5181 = h1616 on 29 Mar 1830 and recorded "F; S; R; 15"." His mean position (two observations) is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very small, round, 30" diameter. No concentration but moderated surface brightness. Located 4.9' NE of a mag 9.5 star. A nice close string of four stars lies 6' NNE. Forms a pair with NGC 5185 8.3' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb