NGC 7242 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Aquila. It is approximately 50 million light-years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of around 13.5, making it faint but observable with a telescope. Discovered by the astronomer Édouard Stephan in 1870, NGC 7242 is part of a group of galaxies known as the Stephan's Quintet. Its structure features a prominent central bar and spiral arms, which are characteristic of barred spiral galaxies.