NGC 1659 is a peculiar spiral galaxy in the constellation of Eridanus. Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is , which corresponds to a Hubble distance of . However, 11 non-redshift measurements give a much closer mean distance of . It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 28 November 1786. The galaxy was also observed by American astronomer Lewis Swift on 22 October 1886, and listed as NGC 1677.
NGC 1659 is a Seyfert II galaxy, i.e. it has a quasar-like nucleus with very high surface brightnesses whose spectra reveal strong, high-ionisation emission lines, but unlike quasars, the host galaxy is clearly detectable.
NGC 1667 group NGC 1659 is a member of the NGC 1667 galaxy group (also known as LGG 118). This group contains at least nine galaxies, including , NGC 1667, , , , , and .
See also List of NGC objects (1001–2000)
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