About C67
Description
NGC 1097 is a barred spiral galaxy in Fornax, about 45 million light-years away. It is a Seyfert galaxy with an active nucleus, and Hubble images reveal a spectacular nuclear ring of star formation about 5,000 light-years in diameter.
Observing Tips
Visible as a moderately bright, elongated glow in a 6-inch telescope from dark sites. The bar structure is visible in 10-inch scopes. Best observed from southern or tropical locations in autumn evenings when Fornax is well placed.
History
Discovered by William Herschel on October 9, 1790. It was one of the first galaxies identified as having jets emanating from its nucleus, visible in deep photographs.
Fun Facts
NGC 1097 is consuming a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 1097A, which orbits within its halo. The nuclear starburst ring is fueled by gas funneled inward along the galaxy's bar.
Observe
1Properties
Position & Identifiers
2How easy to spot?
| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | Easy | Medium+ | Medium+ |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Easy | Easy | Easy |
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
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Surface Brightness
7
Morphology Decoder
8
Inclination & True Shape
9
Redshift
10
Size Comparator
Discover
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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.
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