NGC 45 is a low surface brightness[7] spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Cetus.

[9] The galaxy is located at a distance of 22[4] million light years and is receding with a heliocentric radial velocity of 466 km/s.

[6] Unlike the Milky Way, NGC 45 has no clearly defined spiral arms, and its center bar nucleus is also very small and distorted.

On 22 May 2018 a luminous red nova was detected and subsequently labeled AT 2018bwo (type LRN, mag.

[14] A few months later, on 3 November 2018, a luminous blue variable was discovered and designated AT 2018htr (type LBV, mag.