Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 5956 on 29 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the mag 14 star at the east end (called mag 16), 25"-28" from center.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/4/94): moderately bright, round, 1.2' diameter, sharp concentration with a small prominent core. Located in a small group of four stars. Bracketed by a mag 15 star 1' NW and a mag 14 star 36" ENE of center and 2' S are a pair of mag 12 and 13.5 stars oriented N-S that are almost collinear with the galaxy. NGC 5957 lies 19' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb