William Herschel discovered NGC 5596 = H III-418 = h1795 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "eF, stellar." JH made the single observation "eF; S; R" and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/23/01): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.7'x0.6'. Weak concentration with a very small, slightly brighter core. Located 13' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 64115. Member of the NGC 5557 group (LGG 378).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb