Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 802 ± 3 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 38.6 ± 2.7 Mly (11.82 ± 0.83 Mpc).

[2] It was discovered on 30 June 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop, observing from Parramatta, Australia.

[4] One of the largest spiral galaxies, NGC 6744 is considered as a Milky Way mimic in the immediate vicinity, displaying flocculent (fluffy) arms and an elongated core.

[5][6] It also has at least one distorted companion galaxy (NGC 6744A) superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds.

[7] NGC 6744 is a LINER galaxy, i.e. its nucleus has an emission spectrum characterized by broad lines of weakly ionized atoms.