Lewis Swift discovered NGC 161 = Sw. VI-4 on 21 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. He recorded, "eF; eS; R; nearly between 2 equal mag stars." His position is 18 sec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -01-02-036 = PGC 2131 but his description matches. Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 9 Oct 1890, as well as Herbert Howe at Denver.

The MCG, PGC, RNGC and Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 incorrectly equate NGC 161 with IC 1557. IC 1557 is a separate galaxy just 1.7' south that was discovered by Howe.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Bracketed by two mag 12 stars 1.2' N and 1.5' S.

600/800mm - 24" (10/6/18): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~30"x20" though the length increases with averted. Contains a bright core and a very tiny nucleus. A mag 12.1 star is 1.2' N. Forms a pair with IC 1557 1.7' due south (in line with the mag 12 star).

24" (11/24/14): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, fairly high surface brightness. Contains a small bright nucleus that increases to a stellar point. A mag 12 star is 1.2' N and a mag 12.5 star is 2' SSW. Forms a close pair with IC 1557 1.7' S. Located 6' SE of mag 8.8 HD 3205.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb