IC 342 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis, located relatively close to the Milky Way. Despite its size and actual brightness, its location in dusty areas near the galactic equator makes it difficult to observe, leading to the nickname “The Hidden Galaxy”. The dust makes it difficult to determine its precise distance; modern estimates range from about 7 Mly to about 11 Mly. It is one of the brightest in the IC 342/Maffei Group, one of the closest galaxy groups to the Local Group.

IC 342
IC 342 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis, located relatively close to the Milky Way. Despite its size and actual brightness, its location in dusty areas near the galactic equator makes it difficult to observe, leading to the nickname “The Hidden Galaxy”. The dust makes it difficult to determine its precise distance; modern estimates range from about 7 Mly to about 11 Mly. It is one of the brightest in the IC 342/Maffei Group, one of the closest galaxy groups to the Local Group.
Photographed with RC8″ reflector telescope and ASI 2600MC color camera in Stuvsta, December 2022. Rxposure was 43*3min with IDAS LPS D2 light pollution filter.

IC 342
IC 342 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis, located relatively close to the Milky Way. Despite its size and actual brightness, its location in dusty areas near the galactic equator makes it difficult to observe, leading to the nickname “The Hidden Galaxy”. The dust makes it difficult to determine its precise distance; modern estimates range from about 7 Mly to about 11 Mly. It is one of the brightest in the IC 342/Maffei Group, one of the closest galaxy groups to the Local Group.
Photographed with RC8″ reflector telescope and ASI 2600MC color camera in Stuvsta, December 2022. Rxposure was 43*3min with IDAS LPS D2 light pollution filter.