William Herschel discovered NGC 5589 = H III-416 = h1788, along with NGC 5590, on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "Two, the time is that of the south-following, both vF and S. Distance about 6' or more." JH made two observations and noted on sweep 337 "The np of 2. Pos with the other = 330° [NNW] by micrometer." JH's h1789 = NGC 5588, found on 9 May 1826 (sweep 28), is probably a duplicate observation. See that number.

300/350mm - 13.1" (4/10/86): faint, round, even surface brightness. Forms a close pair and similar size with NGC 5590 located 4.8' SE. Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb