De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: SB(s)cd

Filter: B

Telescope: CTIO 1.5-m
North up , East left
Field Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.8 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SA(s)c:
RSA Type: Sc(s)I
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 19.5-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -21.4

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

Although classified similar to NGC 7741 , NGC 5161 looks very different because its spiral pattern is more multi-armed Although missed by de Vaucouleurs and Sandage, the bar is a clear feature with a small nucleus. One leading bar dust lane is present. On the likely near side, a large irregular dust patch obscures a significant fraction of the bar, but this does not mask the bar enough to cause it to be completely invisible in blue light. The two arms which break perpendicularly from the bar ends also curve sharply further out. One can identify up to six spiral features in the outer disk.