John Herschel discovered NGC 5302 = h3539 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 30"." His position is 30 sec of RA east and 1.5' north of ESO 445-043. His position is also poor for nearby NGC 5298 (see notes).

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. NGC 5298 is located 5.8' NNW. Member of the IC 4329 cluster (AGC 3574).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb