William Herschel discovered NGC 6118 = H II-402 = h1953 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400) and recorded "F, cL, E from sp to nf, about 3' l and 2' broad, r." John Herschel made a single observation: "eF; vL; oval; 3' l, 2' br; cloudy; 3m preceding nearly in the parallel is a fine double star [STF 2033]." NGC 6118 is often mentioned as one of the most challenging objects on the Herschel 400 list.

300/350mm - 13.1" (6/4/83): moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE. This is a very diffuse object with no concentration and ill-defined edges. Located 17' SW of mag 6.2 SAO 141129 in the SE corner of Serpens Caput.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb