William Herschel discovered NGC 5183 = H II-679 = h1617 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 5184], F, pS, iF." His positions are ~30 sec of RA too large, and the polar distances are reversed (NGC 5183 is 3' south of NGC 5184). JH described "F; lE; gbM; 20"; the first of 2." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, broadly concentrated. Forms a pair with NGC 5184 3.7' NNE. Brightest in a group of 7.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb