Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5409 = T VIII-5 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group. In the narrative portion of list VI (AN 2511), he noted this object was class III, round, and situated 27 sec of RA preceding NGC 5416. His published position in discovery list VIII-5 is 2' south of UGC 8938.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/4/94): fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0'. Just a very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core and an occasional faint stellar nucleus. Halo fades into background without a distinct edge. In a trio with CGCG 74-48 3.7' NE and NGC 5416 6.9' ESE and one or two others suspected. Member of NGC 5416 cluster = ZC 1400.4+0949.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb