William Herschel discovered NGC 5679 = H II-894 = h1841, along with NGC 5674, on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043) and noted "F, S." His position is 9 sec of RA west of Arp 274. JH made a total of 5 observations and noted (sweep 250) "among stars and seems attached to a * 12m like a wisp."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/8/91): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE, low surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star is attached at the west end 0.7' from center and confuses the view. NGC 5674 is 20' WNW and UGC 9400 18' ESE.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/16/12): MCG +01-37-034, the fainter western component of NGC 5679, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter, round, small bright core. An uncatalogued pair (~6" separation) of relatively bright stars is at the north edge! Forms a close pair with MCG +01-37-035, the brighter eastern component of NGC 5679, just 0.6' following between centers. MCG +01-37-035 appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 or 5:3 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.6', well concentrated with a bright core. MCG +01-37-036, the faintest member of the Arp 274 trio, lies 0.6' ESE. It appeared fairly faint, small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, weak concentration.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb