Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 6486 = St XI-59, along with NGC 6487, on 28 Jul 1880. His micrometric position is accurate.
400/500mm - 17.5" (8/1/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Two mag 14 stars are 0.7' S and 2.1' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 6487 1.9' NE.
Notes by Steve Gottlieb