Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5940 = Sw. VI-82, along with NGC 5941/42/44 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF, pS, R, 1st of 4." His position is 1.4' due north of UGC 9876.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/7/94): faint, round, 45" diameter, weak concentration but no distinct core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' WNW of center. The HCG 76 quartet (including NGC 5941, NGC 5942, NGC 5944) lies about 12' SE at the edge of the 225x field.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb