William Herschel discovered NGC 5380 = H II-698 = h1714 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 738) and logged "F, S, R, vsmbM." JH made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.
400/500mm - 17.5" (6/6/86): moderately bright, small, bright core contains a stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 5378 11.5' N.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb