William Herschel discovered NGC 5320 = H II-669 = h1682 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "pB, pL, vgmbM." His position matches UGC 8749. JH made the single observation "F; R; gbM; 40"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/22/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, weak concentration, irregular surface brightness. A mag 14 star is off the SSW end 2.3' from center, a mag 11 star is 3.7' NE and a mag 12 star lies 3.1' ESE of center. Member of the NGC 5371 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb