NGC 1097: Spiral Galaxy with a Central Eye . ... Credit Copyright: NASA , JPL-Caltech , SINGS Team ( SSC ) Explanation: What's happening at the center of spiral galaxy NGC 1097? ... Currently about 40 thousand light-years from the larger galaxy's center, the gravity of the companion galaxy appears to be reshaping the larger galaxy as it is slowly being destroyed itself. NGC 1097 is located about 50 million light years away toward the constellation of the furnace ( Fornax ). ...