The galaxy lies about 35 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that IC 239 is approximately 50,000 light years across.

The bulge of the galaxy is small and embedded in a thick bar.

From its end of the bar emerge two low surface brightness arms that can be traced for half a revolution before fading, with a grand design pattern.

[5] However the galaxy, although appearing centrally in the group in the sky, has a radial velocity higher than that of the other members of the group, indicating it is lying in the background.

[7] Makarov and Karachentsev consider the galaxy a member of the IC 239 group, along with NGC 1023C, and is located in the same galaxy cloud with NGC 1023 and its group.