William Herschel discovered NGC 5712 = H III-950 on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1074) and recorded "vF, S, r. It is preceded by a small patch of stars which appears almost like this nebula, but more resolved." CH's position is 2.5' south and 25 sec of RA east of MCG +13-10-021 = PGC 51799. MCG does not label this galaxy NGC 5712.

The "small patch of stars which appears almost like this nebula" in WH's description applies to IC 4470, situated 4' west-northwest, which was rediscovered by Bigourdan on 11 Jul 1887. Interestingly, Bigourdan also calls it a star cluster: "Object which, at first sight, could be nebulous, but in which I suspect several stellar points. It is therefore a cluster enveloped in nebulosity; it is vaguely elongated at 90 degrees and is 1' l and 40" wide." Corwin and Steinicke both agree that WH should be credited with the discovery of IC 4470, although it did not receive a NGC designation.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/24/95): extremely faint and small, round, 10-15" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with IC 4470 4.0' WNW. IC 4470 appeared very faint, very small, round. There is a mag 14.5 star just off the NE side 21" from center which confused the observation. At moments, the compact core of the galaxy and the star appeared to form a faint double star. I missed the faint extensions (arm) E-W on the POSS. Forms a pair with NGC 5712 4.0' ESE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb