William Herschel discovered NGC 5327 = H II-685 = h1683 on 15 Apr 1787 (sweep 729) and noted "vF, S, iR. Following 2 stars, and in the parallel with them." His position is 2' too far south. JH made a single observation and his position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/11/96): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 2' diameter. Weak concentration with a very small core slightly offset north of geometric center. CGCG 017-079 lies 4.8' N (not seen).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb