John Herschel discovered NGC 5220 = h3521 on 3 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; S; R: precedes a * 10m, dist 1 1/2 diam by diagram." His position and description matches ESO 383-036 = MCG -05-32-046. MCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 5220.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/01): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 E-W, 1.5'x0.6'. A mag 13 star is at the following end [52" from center] and a mag 14.5 star is just north of central region. A mag 9.1 star lies 2.8' SE. NGC 5215 (pair) lies 10' W. Located 17' SE of mag 6.6 HD 118010. The dust lane (similar to M104) was not seen. Member of AGC 3565.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb