William Herschel discovered NGC 5383 = H I-181 = h1717 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "cB, cL, mbM." JH made the single observation "not vB; R; gbM; 40"." and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/27/95): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 2.5'x2.0'. Contains a prominent bright core about 45"x30" elongated E-W (bar) with the fainter halo tilted 45° with respect to the core. A close pair of mag 14 stars at 8" separation is at the east edge 1.1' from center. Located near the midpoint of mag 10.5 and 12 stars 3' SE and NW.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/9/18): at 375x and 610x; I was impressed by the prominent "Z"-shaped barred spiral appearance! NGC 5383 is strongly concentrated with a very bright oval core, ~0.6' diameter, containing a very small brighter nucleus. The core isn't elongated in the direction of the bar, though, but angles WSW-ENE towards an 8" pair of mag 14 stars 1.1' from center. The central bar is oriented NW-SE and extends ~1.5' x 0.4'. At both ends of the bar are relatively large, bright knots (regions of enhanced star formation), ~18" diameter. A fairly thin, striking "wing" (spiral arm) extends ~0.7' SW from the SE end of the bar, forming a sharp right angle. A less distinct and shorter arm angles NE from the NW end of the bar, completing the "Z" with a "stroke" (core) outline. A low surface brightness, roundish halo, encompasses the striking shape. Two mag 16-16.5 stars are superimposed north of the core. Member of the NGC 5353/5371 Group (LGG 363/361).

UGC 8877, a very low surface brightness dwarf, lies 3' S. At 610x it appeared faint, fairly large, low even surface brightness. This face-on barred spiral didn't display any structure due to an anemic surface brightness. A mag 10.8 star is 2' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb