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Writer's pictureCalvin Klatt

Recent Observations: IC342

Updated: Nov 11, 2021



The galaxy named IC342 is located along the plane of the Milky Way galaxy as viewed from Earth. It is located vastly beyond our galaxy, of course, it just happens to be lined up that way. Being outside the galaxy with a large number of stars as well as dirt and dust in the way makes it a bit harder to observe (& image) clearly. Apparently it has taken the nickname the "hidden galaxy".


To me this is a galaxy easily observed much of the year which is relatively big (20 minutes of arc across) and bright. Of all the galaxies, only Andromeda (M31) and Triangulum (M33) appear bigger to us (angular extent as seen from Earth). It is strangely hard to get a sharp image of, perhaps because of the Milky Way being in the way.


IC342 is close enough to us (10 million light years) and big enough (100 billion stars) that, according to Wikipedia, it would be visible with the naked eye if it were not hidden behind all that junk in the foreground.


Speaking of Andromeda, it is actually quite a bit bigger (10 times bigger than IC342) and closer (2.5 million light years). I suspect IC342 would be much harder to see than Andromeda, which is not exactly easily spotted with the naked eye. Count me a skeptic about it being visible with the naked eye.


This image was captured on October 28, 2021 using the RASA-11 and the ZWO ASI-6200 colour camera without a filter. 63 frames of 60 seconds were retained and stacked. The spiral arms appear as glowing blobs but some individual bright stars and nebulae/clumps are easily seen: A good quality image of this galaxy.



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