William Herschel discovered NGC 5356 = H III-506 = h1701 on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521) and noted "vF, E, 2' long." CH's reduction is at the north end of the galaxy. On 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043), he logged "p or cB, E, cL." JH made 5 observations, estimated a size of 80"x30" and a position angle of 15°.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/28/90): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, slightly brighter bulging middle. Forms a thin isosceles triangle with a pair of mag 12 stars 2.6' NE and 2.6' NNE. Third of 7 in NGC 5363 group with NGC 5363 17' ESE and NGC 5348 14' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb