William Herschel discovered NGC 5598 = H III-733 = h1796, along with NGC 5603, on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 837) and recorded "vF, vS." JH made two observations, although he noted that one position was bad and the second was uncertain in dec. Nevertheless his second position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/15/99): slightly larger of similar pair with NGC 5603. Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', very weak concentration. In a group with NGC 5603 7' NE. Located 6' E of mag 9.5 SAO 45011.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb