Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5412 = Sw. III-77 on 18 Jun 1884 and recorded "pF; S; R; double star nr preceding." His position is 9 sec of RA west and 2' south of UGC 8905 and his comment of the double star clinches the identification (the pair is 8' west).

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/16/01): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 40"x35". Weakly concentrated halo but embedded is a very small 5" brighter core. Situated near midpoint of mag 14 stars 4.8' NW and 4' SE.

17.5" (6/7/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration to a "confused" center. A mag 12 double at 16" separation lies 8' due west.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb