De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: SAB(rs)c

Filter: B

Telescope: McGraw-Hill 1.3-m
North up , East left
Field Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.0 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SAB(rs)bc
RSA Type: Sbc(r)II
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 16.5-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.6
Elmegreen Spiral Arm Class: AC 5

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

Although the bar is well-defined in this galaxy, the inner pseudoring is difficult to disentangle. The feature appears defined by possibly three main arms. The spiral structure is complex with numerous star-forming regions. In the bar an irregular dust pattern is seen. The core is small and round but is conspicuous. We base the Sc classification on the patchiness and openness of the main arms.

NGC 4051 is a very well-studied Seyfert 1 galaxy. The bright core seen in the image is mostly the Seyfert nucleus.