William Herschel discovered NGC 5311 = H II-710 = h1675, along with NGC 5313, on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 799) and noted "F, S." His position is 3' north-northwest of UGC 8735. JH logged "F; vS; R; sbM."

200/250mm - 8" (5/21/82): very faint, small, small brighter core. Picked up while viewing NGC 5313 9' E.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/7/97): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ESE, 1.3'x1.0', well concentrated with an occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star lies 2.5' E. Forms a pair with NGC 5313 9.2' E. Member of the NGC 5371 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb