William Herschel discovered NGC 5608 = H II-673 = h1801 on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and logged "F, pL, E, vlbM." JH made the single observation "F; R; pL; vgbM; 80". Sky very fine." and measured a fairly accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/10/99): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~1.8'x1.2'. This galaxy has a pretty low surface brightness with very weak concentration and an ill-defined edge to the halo. Located 11' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 45037.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb