R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5472 on 29 Mar 1856 with LdR's 72" during an observation of NGC 5468. He noted "about 4' f is a S, pB, E knot." Wilhelm Tempel observed NGC 5468 in 1882 and also noted NGC 5472 as 5' following. He mentioned it was probably the one seen earlier by LdR. In addition Tempel mentioned two other nearby objects (NGC 5465 and 5467) to the southwest, which are either nonexistent or single stars. See Corwin's notes.

Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 10 Mar 1886 and noted it was "within a triangle of minute stars - very very faint. Hardly visible, irregular uncertain outline - very small."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/8/96): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.3', small brighter core with faint extensions. A mag 13 star is 0.4' ESE and a mag 14 star 0.9' NW. Located 5.0' E of brighter NGC 5468.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/12/18): at 488x; fairly bright, moderately large, strong concentration with a very bright elongated core, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.3'. Situated between a mag 13.5 star 0.4' E and a mag 14.3 star 0.9' NW. Forms a pair with NGC 5468, a face-on multi-arm spiral 5' W. Mag 8.3 HD 123265 is a similar distance southwest.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb