William Herschel discovered NGC 5203 = H III-507 = h3517 on 4 Feb 1786 (sweep 522) and recorded "vF, vS, er. 240 left a doubt of the nebulosity, but rather confirmed it; may be a small patch of stars." His position is within 1' of MCG -01-35-001 = PGC 47610. JH logged from the Cape of Good Hope, "vF; S; R gbM; 15"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/8/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'. Sharply concentrated with a moderately bright 20"x10" core and a much fainter halo. A pair of mag 10.5/12.5 stars at 27" separation is 7' SE. Located 3° NE of Spica.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb