NGC 1288

Spiral galaxy NGC 1288 Composite image of NGC 1288 taken with the Very Large Telescope. Supernova SN 2006dr is visible just to the left of the nucleus.
Observation data
Constellation	Fornax
Right ascension	03h 17m 13.176s
Declination	–32° 34′ 33.08″
Redshift	0.01500
Helio radial velocity	4,497 km/s
Distance	196 Mly (60 Mpc)
Type	SABc(rs)
Mass/Light ratio	14 M☉/L☉
Apparent dimensions (V)	2′.2 × 1′.8

NGC 1288 is a barred spiral galaxy located about 196 million light years away in the constellation Fornax. In the nineteenth century, English astronomer John Herschel described it as "very faint, large, round, very gradually little brighter middle." The morphological classification of SABc(rs) indicates weak bar structure across the nucleus (SAB), an incomplete inner ring orbiting outside the bar (rs), and the multiple spiral arms are moderately wound (c). The spiral arms branch at intervals of 120° at a radius of 30″ from the nucleus. The galaxy is most likely surrounded by a dark matter halo, giving it a mass-to-light ratio of 14 M_☉/L_☉.

On July 17, 2006, a supernova with a magnitude of 16.1 was imaged in this galaxy from Pretoria, South Africa, at 12″ east and 2″ of the galactic core. Designated SN 2006dr, it was determined to be a type Ia supernova.