William Herschel discovered NGC 5642 = H III-126 = h1822 on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "two small stars with suspected nebulosity between. 240 rather confirmed it, but left a doubt." On 10 Apr 1831 (sweep 342), John Herschel reported "pB; vS; close to and np a * 12m; pos from * = 33.5° by micrometer." His position and description matches UGC 9301.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/5/99): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, small bright core, 1.2'x0.8'. A mag 13 star is attached on the following side 18" from center. A mag 12 follows by 1.5'.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb