C7 is seen from Earth at an oblique angle, making its multiple spiral arms clearly visible. This is a comparatively small spiral galaxy (with a diameter of some 50,000 light years, it is only about half the size of the Milky Way). C7's arms are dotted with H II regions where star formation is taking place. One of these star-forming regions is truly immense: desginated NGC 2404, it connects to C7's northernmost spiral arm, and measures nearly a thousand light years from side to side. C7 is also notable as being the first galaxy outside the Milky Way in which Cepheidvariables were positively identified.