William Herschel discovered NGC 5198 = H II-689 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "pF, L, stellar [nucleus]." His position is accurate. He made another observation on 29 Apr 1788 and called it "pB, pL."

200/250mm - 8" faint, small, round. Located about 30' S of M51 in the same low power field.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/19/01): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter. Contains a large, brighter core with a thin halo. Forms the SE vertex of a small rectangle with three mag 13-14 stars - the closest star 45" W. Located 32' S of M51. NGC 6169 lies 21' W.

17.5" moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, small very bright core, possible stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is 45" W of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb