John Herschel discovered NGC 6017 = h1941 on 9 May 1828 and recorded "pF; vS; R; much condensed in the centre. A disc with a burred borders. Almost a planetary nebula." His position is fairly accurate.
400/500mm - 17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb