Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 5663 = LM 1-203 on 31 May 1886 and reported "mag 16.0, 0.2' dia, R, glbM." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.9 min of RA too far west.

400/500mm - 17.5" faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration. Situated 4.5' NNE of a neat triple star (23"/29") of mag 13-13.5 stars. Also a wide pair of mag 12 stars (with a mag 14 star near) is just 2.5' SE. Located 14' NNW of mag 7.2 SAO 158642.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb