William Herschel discovered NGC 5597 = H III-122 = h1793, along with NGC 5595, on 14 May 1784 (sweep 214). See description for NGC 5595. John Herschel described this galaxy (sweep 157) as "vF; L; R; the second of 2; 60 or 80" diam; delta RA = 15 sec."

Based on a Franklin-Adams photograph taken in April 1911, H.E. Woods described NGC 5597 as a "small round nebula with bright nucleus; about 60" diameter; magnitude 12.5."

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/18/85): faint, small, round, small bright nucleus, very slightly elongated, faint halo. Forms a pair with NGC 5595 4' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb