Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5647 = St XI-27, along with NGC 5644, on 11 Jun 1880. His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/24/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. There is a hint of extremely faint extensions N-S. A mag 12 star lies 1.2' SW of center. Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 5644 4.0' NW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb