William Herschel discovered NGC 5954 = H II-179 = h1927, along with NGC 5953, on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 200) and described both in sweep 200 as "Two, vS, stellar nebula, very near each other; the southern one NGC 5953] is the largest and their nebulosities run into each other. 240x confirmed it." See NGC 5953 for more.

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/7/94): forms the NE member of a striking double system (Arp 91 = VV 244) with NGC 5953 attached at the SW side. Fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.3'. Almost even surface brightness but possibly brighter on the south end (photograph shows the core asymmetrically placed on the south end). The galaxy is preceded by a string of three mag 13 stars which are 4' W. A pair of mag 13 stars with 1' separation lies 1.5' SE. A mag 10 star lies 6' S.

600/800mm - 24" (6/8/13): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.35', broad weak concentration. Merges or partially overlaps with NGC 5953 on the SW side, 45" between centers.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb