Stephane Javelle discovered IC 1097 = J. 1-343, along with IC 1096, on 20 Jul 1892. His micrometric position is accurate. See IC 1096.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/3/00): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 40"x20". Contains a 15" brighter core with very faint extensions visible intermittently. A mag 11 star is just 0.9' NW of center. Forms a pair with MCG +03-39-009 (misidentified as IC 1096 in major catalogues) 2.2' NW.

600/800mm - 24" (6/13/15): faint, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 30"x12", small slightly brighter core. A mag 11.2 star is 0.9' NW. Largest and second brightest in a trio with fainter IC 1096 2.4' WNW and brighter CGCG 106-011 2.2' NW. A mag 10.3 star is 1' W of CGCG 106-011.

CGCG 106-011 is the brightest of the triplet. It appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 18" diameter, small bright nucleus. Flanked by a mag 11 star 1.3' SE and a mag 10.3 star 1' W, so in a 3' region there are 3 galaxies and two fairly bright stars! CGCG 106-011 is misidentified as IC 1096 in all modern catalogues.

UGC 9738 was picked up 8.7' NE. It appeared very faint, small, round, very low surface brightness, 20" diameter.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb