Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 6162 = St I-5, along with NGC 6161 and 6163, on 30 Jun 1870. His micrometric position was accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/14/96): this galaxy is the brightest in the very compact HCG 82. Appears faint, small, slightly elongated, ~30" diameter, slightly brighter core, very faint stellar nucleus. In the quartet are NGC 6163 1.2' E, NGC 6161 2.3' S and HCG 82D 2.5' SW.

17.5" (7/1/89): faint, small, round, bright core. Brightest of HCG 82 with NGC 6163 1.2' E and NGC 6161 2.3' S. Located 10' NE of mag 7 SAO 65320.

600/800mm - 24" (7/15/15): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x20", very small bright nucleus.

24" (6/16/12): at 322x appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3', very small bright core. Slightly smaller and fainter NGC 6263 lies 1.2' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb