John Herschel discovered NGC 5711 = h1858 on 17 Mar 1831 and recorded "eF; vS; the following of 2 [with NGC 5710], close to a double star [HJ 2737]."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/20/01): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE. A close double star lies 1' NW. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 5710 3.5' NNW with the double star between the two galaxies.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb