Albert Marth discovered NGC 5196 = m 260, along with NGC 5192 and 5197, on 12 Apr 1864 and noted "vF". His position is less than 1' southwest of CGCG 017-002 = PGC 47540.
400/500mm - 17.5" (4/7/89): very faint, small, oval NW-SE. NGC 5197 lies 5' SSE. Located within the NGC 5183 group.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb