George Johnstone Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered the numerous knots in M101 during observations in April and May 1851. Samuel Hunter sketched NGC 5449 in Apr 1861 based on multiple observations. John Herschel later computed the GC position based on the sketch as 33" south of NGC 5447. Harold Corwin identifies NGC 5450 as the southeast component of the HII region connected with NGC 5447. Dreyer modified the position of NGC 5447 2' further north, so the NGC position of the pair is further apart.

300/350mm - 13" this is a knot in an outer arm of M101 on the western side. Easily visible, compact, round. Located symmetrically opposite from NGC 5462 on the opposite side of the core.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/7/97): this is the bright HII region on the west side of M101 8' SW of center. Connected with NGC 5447 (see description). Appears as a very elongated glow NW-SE just south of a mag 13.5 star. A very small knot is partially resolved at the north edge (NGC 5447) within a common halo with NGC 5450.

600/800mm - 24" (5/24/20): at 375x; larger of a close pair of HII regions with NGC 5447, located at the SW end of the halo 8' from center, and just south of a 14th magnitude star. NGC 5450 is moderately bright, ~20"x10", and is elongated in the direction of NGC 5447. The nearby star is 50" N. The two HII complexes were cleanly resolved at 375x.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb