John Herschel discovered NGC 6165 = h3634 on 1 Jul 1834, along with NGC 6164, and recorded "F; S; lE; vglbM; 35"; certain; follows a double star." His position corresponds with the bright arc on the southeast end. Harold Corwin notes the central star is not double on the DSS.

400/500mm - 18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bipolar emission nebula was a startling sight at 171x and UHC filter! A bright illuminating star (HD 148937 at V = 6.8) is surrounded by two lobes or loops to the northwest (NGC 6164) and southeast (NGC 6165). Both loops contain brighter arcs symmetrically placed at the opposite ends. This is a large object, ~6' diameter, with the southeast knot a bit brighter. A mag 9 star is 3' NE, outside the nebulosity. Located near the midpoint of mag 4.5 Epsilon Normae 1.3° NW and NGC 6188/6193 a similar distance SE.

600/800mm - 24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this striking bi-polar nebula was quite impressive at 200x and UHC filter. The two bright loops or arcs are symmetrically placed along the rim, 2.6' NW and 3' SE of center with the southeast arc brighter. The interior of the rim is filled with a fainter glow and the entire object forms a slightly elongated, 6.2'x5.2' oval. The nebula is dominated by the mag 6.8 central star (HD 148937). Mag 9 HD 148988 lies 3' NE of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb