William Herschel discovered NGC 5549 = H III-552 = h1772 on 1 May 1786 (sweep 560) and recorded "Two [with III-552 = NGC 5549], both eF and vS. The place is that of the last; a little inaccurate. I would not stay to verify it properly. So that there remains some little doubt; the 1st precedes the last about 3 or 4'." His position is within 1.5' of UGC 9156. See NGC 5546 for problems with the identity of III-552.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/10/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated. Mag 8.9 SAO 120396 lies 7' E. Located at the south side of the NGC 5546 group with NGC 5546 15' NNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb