William Herschel discovered NGC 5548 = H II-194 = h1773 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220) and noted "vF, stellar." On sweep 425, JH reported "B; vsvmbM; like a star with feeble atmosphere." and measured an accurate position (mean of two sweeps). Deep images reveal a very low surface brightness outer tidal arm, though no obvious interacting companion.

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/4/83): fairly bright, small, fairly bright stellar nucleus [Seyfert galaxy], round, faint halo. Brightest in a small group (LGG 381) with NGC 5559 26' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb