William Herschel discovered NGC 5478 = H III-762 on 23 Mar 1789 (sweep 917) and noted "vF, vS." His position is barely off the north side of the galaxy.

400/500mm - 18" (5/29/05): fairly faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter. Weak, even concentration to the center but there was no well-defined core. A mag 11 star lies 2' WSW.

18" (6/18/04): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter. Weak, even concentration to a small, brighter core giving a symmetrical appearance. A mag 11 star lies 2.4' WSW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb