Galaxy · Cetus

C51 IC 1613

Magnitude
9.9
Season
Autumn
Difficulty
Hard
Star-hop chart
C510.0° field0° rotation
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Imaging reference
IC 1613 (C51) Galaxy

Observer's guide

About IC 1613

IC 1613 (C51) is catalogued as a galaxy in Cetus. Its J2000 position is RA 01:04:48, Dec +02:07:04, corresponding to 16.2017 degrees RA and 2.1195 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,300,000 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 16.2 by 14.5 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a hard target at magnitude 9.9. It is associated with autumn observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around October. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 40.1 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is GiC. SIMBAD records the morphology as IB(s)m. A published radial velocity value is -233 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 1325 bibliographic references.

At roughly 16.2 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 16.2 by 14.5 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for C51 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 16.201696° · Dec 2.119496°
SIMBAD classification
GiC
Morphology
IB(s)m
Angular extent
16.2′ × 14.5′
Position angle
50°
Surface brightness
24.46 mag/arcsec²
Radial velocity
-233 km/s
Redshift
-0.0007769
Linked bibliography
1,325 references
Best midnight placement
October
Observable latitude range
-87.9° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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