William Herschel discovered NGC 5485 = H I-232 on 14 Apr 1789 (sweep 921) and recorded "Two, cB, R, vgmbM. Has another preceding [NGC 5484 = III-791]; vF, R, nearly in the meridian 3 or 4' dist preceding." CH added the comment in her fair copy that "By the description it should be perhaps be nearly in the parallel." His single position corresponds with UGC 9033.

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/26/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, increases to a bright core.

13.1" (6/29/84): fainter halo increases in size with averted.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/10/86): fairly bright, bright core, possible stellar nucleus. Nearby galaxies are NGC 5484 3.8' WNW and NGC 5486 6.4' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb