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. The NGC position (based on the sketch) is just 1' too far south.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/7/97): extremely low contrast HII knot in M101. Highly suspected hazy spot 3.5' N of NGC 5457 but difficult to confirm.

600/800mm - 24" (5/24/20): at 375x; this M101 HII region appeared faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. Probably less obvious than NGC 5451, which is 2.5' NE. Situated 6.8 W of center and 3.5' N of NGC 5457/540. NGC 5449 has two adjacent components, separated by 20".

Notes by Steve Gottlieb