William Herschel discovered NGC 5730 = H III-657 = h1867, along with NGC 5731, on 9 Apr 1787 (sweep 725) and recorded "Two, both vF, vS, E, but in different directions. The preceding [NGC 5730] is the brightest; about 2 or 3' distance, nearly in the parallel [E-W]. Each situated south of a small star." JH made the single observation "eF; pL; E; seen only with great attention. Place estimated from III. 658 NGC 5731]. His estimated declination is 1.5' north of NGC 5731, but he reversed the direction, which should be 2' south of NGC 5731. This error was carried forward to the GC and NGC

The identifications of these galaxies are reversed in the RNGC and CGCG due to this mix-up, although UGC, MCG and PGC have the correct identifications. See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Corwin's notes.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/27/98): larger of a faint pair of edge-on galaxies with NGC 5731 3.9' NE. Faint, fairly large, elongated 5:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.3', weak central brightening. A mag 11 star lies 3.0' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb