William Herschel discovered NGC 5294 = H III-785 = h1667 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and noted "2 eF stars with seeming nebulosity, but doubtful." His position is just 1' from PGC 48761. JH recorded "eF; hardly more than a violent suspicion, owing to auroral light in the sky". Nevertheless, his position (h1667) also is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/11/02): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, requires averted vision. A mag 15.5 is just off the NW edge, 25" from center and requires careful viewing to separate from the faint glow of the galaxy. Several mag 10.5-11 stars are in the 20' field. Located 2.5 degrees NW of M101.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb