William Herschel discovered NGC 5221 = H III-86 = h1637, along with NGC 5222 and 5230 on 12 Apr 1784 (sweep 189), and recorded "Three small nebula, all vF and R; the last is little larger than the other two. The first and last differ 0.6 min in RA and 10' in polar distance." JH made two observations, logging "F; R; pslbM; 25", and "eF; R". NGC position is just off the south side of the galaxy.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/30/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, broad mild concentration, very faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 5222 5.4' S. A mag 14.5 star 2.5' S is midway NGC 5221 and NGC 5222. Member of the NGC 5230 group. NGC 5226 lies 5.7' NNE (not seen).

600/800mm - 24" (6/1/13): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.25", well concentrated with a small bright nucleus. Interacting pair with NGC 5222 5.4' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb