Édouard Stephan found NGC 5706 = St XIII-78, along with NGC 5709 = St XIII-79, on 12 May 1883. His position matches CGCG 164-004. William Herschel discovered this galaxy nearly a 100 years earlier on 16 May 1784 and catalogued it as H III-127 (later NGC 5699), but the GC and NGC position was 1° too far south (clerical error). So, NGC 5699 = NGC 5706. Based on historical precedence NGC 5699 should be the primary designation, but this galaxy is primarily known as NGC 5706 because of Stephan's unambiguous position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/21/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 15" diameter. Can just hold continuously with averted. Forms a pair with NGC 5709 2.1' SE.

600/800mm - 24" (6/29/16): at 375x; faint to fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, moderately high surface brightness, visible continuously. Located 2.2' NW of NGC 5709.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb