Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 6008 = St XI-39 on 10 Jun 1880. His position is accurate.

300/350mm - 13" (6/29/84): faint, small, round, diffuse.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/14/88): faint, fairly small, round, small bright core. There is possibly an extremely faint knot or star at the east end (there is a slightly brighter "arc" in the eastern arm on the POSS). Forms a pair with NGC 6008B = PGC 56301 3.3' ESE. Located 25' ENE of Rho Serpentis (V = 4.8).

NGC 6008B appeared very faint, very small, round. Collinear with two mag 14/15 stars close SE (the mag 14 star is 1.3' SE).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb