Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 5700 on 4 May 1877 during an observation of the NGC 5689 field. With reference to NGC 5693 (nova "B"), he noted "9' f and 2' or 3' s of the nova there is a smaller & eF neb with 2 or 3 st in it & a *11m 4' sp." This description points to NGC 5700 = UGC 9423, although his comment "2 or 3 st in it" is incorrect.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/27/98): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3'. A very faint star is 30" SE of center. Last in NGC 5689 group of 5.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb