William Herschel discovered NGC 5389 = H I-240 = h1719 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 926), along with NGC 5379, and recorded "pB or almost cB, E, B small ncl." His position matches UGC 8866.

200/250mm - 8" (5/21/82): faint, small, elongated N-S, bright core. NGC 5376 lies 15' SSW. Forms a pair with NGC 5379 4.1' W (not seen). Located 4' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 16223.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/27/95): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 N-S, 2.5'x0.8'. Strong concentration with a prominent core, fades at ends of the extensions. Located 3.9' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 16223. A nice evenly matched pair of mag 11.5 stars at 27" separation lies 5' NNW. Forms a pair with NGC 5379 4.1' W.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb