NGC 6240, also known as the Starfish Galaxy, is a nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) in the constellation Ophiuchus. The galaxy is the remnant of a merger between three smaller galaxies. The collision between the three progenitor galaxies has resulted in a single, larger galaxy with three distinct nuclei and a highly disturbed structure, including faint extensions and loops.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge 0.6' from center.

600/800mm - 24" (7/22/14): the Rumpled Starfish appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, irregular but roughly elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~60"x40", though it increased in size with averted vision. The surface brightness is irregular, with a mottled texture. The brightest portion had an offset nucleus or knot on the east side. On the northeast side, a faint narrow wing extended to the north. A very short extension was also glimpsed on the southeast side. A mag 13.5 star is 0.6' NE and a mag 15.7 star is 50" SSE of center.

24" (8/15/12): this irregular galaxy appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.5', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core. The shape is unusual as the NNE end is narrow, like an edge-on, while the south-southwest end appears wider. With careful viewing, a very faint extension branches south from the central region, creating a forked appearance with the brighter portion trending SSW. A mag 13.5 star is 0.6' NE and a mag 15.5 star is 0.8' SE of center.

900/1200mm - 48" (4/6/13): NGC 6240, a highly disrupted merger, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.2'x0.8', irregular shape! A prominent, thin extension or spike extends 4:1 or 5:1 to the NNE from the central region. This wing is sharply defined and narrow. A short, bright, broader extension juts out to the SSW, in the opposite direction of the NNE wing. Finally, a faint short wing (~15"x5") extends south from the central region on the east side (on the DSS, this branch curves at the south end). A mag 13.5 star is 30" E, a mag 15.5-16 star is 0.8' SSE and a 12" pair of mag 13.5/15 stars lies 1.5' S.