William Herschel discovered NGC 6186 = H III-730 on 28 Apr 1788 (sweep 835) and recorded "eF, vS, E." His position is good. 11 minutes later he noted the "moon very bright" and ended the short sweep.

400/500mm - 17.5" fairly faint, fairly small, small bright core, substellar nucleus, faint extensions SW-NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb