William Herschel discovered NGC 5540 = H III-805 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924) and noted "eF, vS, stellar neb, 300 verified it." His position matches CGCG 295-041 = PGC 50883.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/27/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, moderate surface brightness. Situated on a line between a mag 10 star 6.9' NE and mag 8.4 SAO 16313 11' SW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb