John Herschel discovered NGC 5688 = h3575 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "not vF; S; vgbM; 25"; among stars." His position is 1' south of ESO 272-022 = PGC 52381.

400/500mm - 22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~2'x1.5'. Contains a moderately bright 45" core surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo. Striking setting as the galaxy is surrounded by a number of stars around the periphery from the north around the west side and back along the south side. A linear string of 4 stars oriented SW to NE is off the NE flank of the galaxy. The overall star field is rich in faint stars.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb