William Herschel discovered NGC 5771 = H III-129 = h1882, along with NGC 5773, on 16 May 1784 (sweep 218) and recorded "Two, extr F and vS, R nebula; about 6' from each other. 240 confirmed them with difficulty." His single position matches NGC 5771. JH made the single observation "vF; S; R; pgbM; 15"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/21/93): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, broad moderate concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments. Forms a pair with NGC 5773 4' ESE. NGC 5774 lies 24' SSE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb