Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 6161 = St I-4, along with NGC 6162 and 6163, on 30 Jun 1870. His positions are accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/14/96): the third brightest member of HCG 82 appears very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, slightly brighter core. In a compact quartet with HCG 82D 50" WNW and NGC 6162 = HCG 82A 2.3' due north.

17.5" (7/1/89): very faint, very small, low even surface brightness. In a tight trio (HCG 82 group) with NGC 6162 2.3' N and NGC 6163 2.6' NNE. Located 10' NE of mag 7 SAO 65320.

600/800mm - 24" (7/15/15): at 375x; fairly faint, small, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 24"x12", very small bright nucleus. A mag 16 star is at the south tip.

24" (6/16/12): at 322x this member of HCG 82 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.4'x0.2,' very small brighter nucleus.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb