Lewis Swift discovered NGC 5944 = Sw. VI-85, along with NGC 5940, -41 and -42 on 19 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; eee diff; 4th of 4." See notes for NGC 5941 on problems with the modern identifications.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/7/94): very faint, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration, slightly brighter core. Second brightest in the HCG 76 with MCG +01-40-002 = HCG 76D 1.8' SW, NGC 5941 2.6' NW and NGC 5942 2.7' W.

900/1200mm - 48" (5/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 35"x10", bulges slightly in the center and tapers at the tips. Second brightest in the HCG 76 septet. HCG 76E lies 40" ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb