William Herschel discovered NGC 5323 = H II-899 = h1689 on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1074) and recorded "F, S, E nearly in the meridian, about 1' long." His position is 1' from UGC 8719. The NGC position from JH is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/5/99): faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, slightly brighter core. A mag 13.5-14 evenly matched double lies 4'-5' NW [11" separation].

Notes by Steve Gottlieb