About C51
Description
IC 1613 is a dwarf irregular galaxy in Cetus, about 2.4 million light-years away. It is a member of the Local Group and one of the few galaxies that shows a blueshift, meaning it is approaching us. It has very low metallicity and active star formation.
Observing Tips
An extremely challenging visual target due to its very low surface brightness (about 14.2 mag/arcsec²). Requires at least a 10-inch telescope, dark skies, and averted vision. Best in autumn evenings.
History
Discovered by Max Wolf in 1906. It is important in cosmology because its low metallicity and proximity make it ideal for calibrating the Cepheid period-luminosity relation for distance measurements.
Fun Facts
IC 1613 has almost no interstellar dust, making it transparent and allowing clear views of background galaxies through it. Its low metallicity means it has undergone relatively little chemical enrichment from stellar evolution.
Observe
1Properties
Position & Identifiers
2How easy to spot?
| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | V. hard+ | V. hard | Imp. |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Hard | Hard | V. hard+ |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Hard | Hard | Hard |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
3Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
4
Eyepiece View
5
Best Magnification
Explore
6
Surface Brightness
7
Morphology Decoder
8
Inclination & True Shape
9
Blueshift
10
Size Comparator
Discover
11
Light Travel Time Machine
12
Relativistic Travel
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
