William Herschel discovered NGC 5377 = H I-187 = h1712 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 734) and recorded "cB, BN with very gradually fading branches from about 30° sp to nf." JH made four observations, logging on sweep 255 "vB; mE; psbM; 50" l, 15" br; pos = 40.4° by micrometer.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/30/92): bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x0.7', striking very bright compact core with a bright stellar nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb