William Herschel discovered NGC 5184 = H II-680 = h1618 on 11 Apr 1787 (sweep 726) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 5183], pB, pL, 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; nearly R; gbM; 30"; the second and brighter of 2." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/7/89): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration. Larger but lower surface brightness than NGC 5183 3.7' SSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb