William Herschel discovered NGC 5949 = H II-906 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1103) and noted "F, S, lE from sp to nf, vglbM." His position is just 1' south of UGC 9866.
300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, moderately large, oval, even surface brightness.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb