R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 5896, along with NGC 5895, on 23 May 1854 while observing NGC 5893 at Birr Castle. See notes for NGC 5895.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x seen as an extremely small, faint glow, ≤10" diameter. Visible with averted vision ~50% of the time just 1' N of NGC 5895.

17.5" (7/12/99): this galaxy forms a double system with NGC 5895 and was only suspected for moments 1' N and 1.3' NW of the mag 14 star just west of NGC 5895). The observation was only marginal and probably viewed through thin clouds.

17.5" (5/2/92): Not seen.

600/800mm - 24" (6/21/20): at 375x; extremely faint, very small, round, 12: diameter. Forms a close (line of sight) pair with NGC 5895 1' N. This is one of the faintest galaxies in the NGC.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb