Located between mag 8.8 SAO 120258 6.4' N and a mag 10 star 3.9' S. Member of the NGC 5416 cluster with NGC 5431 6.4' SW and NGC 5424 6.8' WSW. Also the NGC 5436, NGC 5437, NGC 5438 trio is in the field to the NE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 5434 = T VIII-11 on 25 Apr 1883 while observing the NGC 5416 group. This galaxy was first mentioned (along with the other discoveries in the group) in the narrative portion of list VI, but his published position in list VIII-11 matches UGC 8965.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/4/94): this is a close double system with the western component (NGC 5434A) larger and brighter. Fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', very little concentration. Forms a contact pair with NGC 5434B at the northeast end with a separation 1.5'. The companion appeared faint, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.3', low surface brightness, no concentration.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb