NGC 3184 is among the more impressive NGC galaxies. This 9.8 magnitude spiral appears 8’ in diameter with a stellar nuclear region when viewed at 82X in the 10-inch. It seems a 13-inch or larger instrument should begin to resolve this galaxy's delicate spiral structure. The galaxy is oriented face-on and positioned 12' east of 6.6 magnitude HD 89053. 3.0 magnitude Mu (34) Ursae Majoris shines 46' to the east.

In the 18-inch Obsession at 141X (17-mm Nagler T4 w/ Paracorr), NGC 3184 reveals spiral structure that is lost to smaller apertures. 6.6 magnitude HD 89053 lies just inside the western edge of the field. An 11th mag. GSC star stands sentry at the northern edge of the galaxy. The central disk is punctuated by a stellaring at the core. A bright, looping spiral arm extends south and then curves northward. Two more extremely subtle spiral arms, one curving generally to the east and the other to the southwest, are also seen.