MCG -01-39-003 (nicknamed the "Hooked Galaxy") appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. A mag 10 star is 1.8' ESE. On deep images MCG -01-39-003 has two tidal tails, with a long one stretching north about 2/3 of the way to NGC 5917 and then hooking east at the end.

John Herschel discovered NGC 5917 = h3602 on 16 Jul 1835 and recorded "eF; S; psbM; 10"." His single position is 1' too far north.

Supernova SN 2005cf exploded in the vicinity of the bridge connecting NGC 5917 and MCG -01-39-003 in May 2005.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, brighter along the major axis. A mag 15 star is just off the SW edge. Forms an interacting pair (Arp 254) with MCG -01-39-003 4.2' S. Located 4' NNE of a mag 10 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb