NGC 2997 is a face-on spiral galaxy about 40 million light-years away in the constellation Antlia. It is the brightest galaxy of the NGC 2997 group of galaxies. NGC 2997 is particularly notable for a nucleus surrounded by a chain of hot giant clouds of ionized hydrogen.
There are also numerous background galaxies throughout the field; note in particular what appears to be a background ring galaxy seen through the outer spiral arms at about 5 o'clock, and also another one at the same angle but 80% further out from the centre.

*** Note: Image has been reprocessed and updated on the 18th March to correct some star alignment issues and some minor colour improvements