Albert Marth discovered NGC 5551 = m 276 on 8 May 1864 and noted " 3 * * in nebulosity." His position matches CGCG 047-003 = PGC 51139, despite the odd description.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/1/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, contains a nearly stellar nucleus. A very faint star is at the south edge of the halo (verified on DSS).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb