Far western Ursa Major is home to this spiral nebula. NGC 4051 is listed as either an Sc- or SBc-type galaxy in the RC3, which indicates a loose spiral structure with a possible bar feature at the core. NGC 4051 presents as a 4'x2' oval in the 10-inch Newtonian. Its long axis is aligned northwest-to-southeast and there's an 11th magnitude GSC star adjacent to the west. You'll find NGC 4051 about 1.5 degrees due north of 5.2 magnitude 67 Ursae Majoris.