William Herschel discovered NGC 6120 = H III-623 = h1955 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 715) and noted "vF, vS, north of 2 stars. 300 confirmed it." John Herschel made 3 observations (first on 24 Apr 1827) and measured an accurate position. Nearby NGC 6119 and 6122, were discovered by JH and Bigourdan, respectively.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/27/87): fairly faint, very small, almost round, even surface brightness. Located 2' N of a wide unequal double star mag 10/13 at 44". Brightest of three with NGC 6119 2.3' NW and NGC 6122 4.6' ENE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb