George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5693, along with NGC 5682 and 5683, on 13 Apr 1850. He was observing the field of NGC 5689. He labeled NGC 5693 "C" on a diagram, and placed a star at the south edge.

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/26/84): faint, extended N-S, diffuse, low even surface brightness. A faint mag 14.5 star is attached at the SSE edge. Located ~15' SE of NGC 5689.

13.1" (3/24/84): very faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S (possibly enhanced by faint star at south edge.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/27/98): faint, fairly small, round, ~1.0' diameter. Appears as a low surface brightness glow with only a weak central brightening. A mag 13.5 star is at the south edge confusing the observation and a second mag 13 star lies 2' north. Located 11.5' SE of NGC 5689 in a group. NGC 5700 lies 8.7' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb