William Herschel discovered NGC 5770 = H II-576 = h1881 on 29 Apr 1786 (sweep 557) and recorded "F, S, lE; like two stellar joined very closely." His RA is 36 sec too large. JH made 3 observations and measured an accurate position. On 26 Apr 1851, LdR (or assistant Bindon Stoney) reported "strongly suspected to be a very close double nebula; but definition and clouds." On 12 May 1858, R.J. Mitchell reported "closely double preceding - following, p companion vS." The preceding companion is a superimposed star.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, increases to a small bright core containing a stellar nucleus. The core is surrounded by a small halo. NGC 5774 and NGC 5775 are located 25' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb