George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 5976, along with NGC 5981, on 6 May 1850. He called it "eeF, S" and measured an accurate offset from NGC 5981, although this galaxy was only noticed on this single observation out of 7 at Birr Castle.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/14/96): extremely faint, very small, roundish (elongated NW-SE on the POSS). On a line with two mag 10/12 stars to the NW by 5' and 7'. Located 8.2' W of NGC 5981, which is first of three in a striking linear trio with NGC 5982 and NGC 5985. NGC 5976A lies 11.6' NW (not looked for).

600/800mm - 24" (7/6/13): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 NW-SE, ~28"x12", low even surface brightness. Located 8' W of NGC 5981 and 5' SE of a mag 10.5 star.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb