Maffei 1
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Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
---|---|
Constellation: | Cassiopeia |
Right ascension: | 02h 36m 35.4s[1] |
Declination: | +59° 39′ 19″[1] |
Redshift: | 13 ± 22 km/s[1] |
Distance: | 9.8 ± 2.0 Mly (3.0 ± 0.6 Mpc)[2] |
Type: | S0- pec[1] |
Apparent dimensions (V): | 3′.36 × 1′.68[1] |
Apparent magnitude (V): | 11.4[1] |
Notable features: | |
Other designations | |
PGC 9892[1] | |
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies |
Maffei 1 is an elliptical galaxy in the constellation Cassiopeia . Maffei 1 is the closest giant elliptical galaxy to the Milky Way. Once believed to be a member of the Local Group, it is now known to be a member of the IC 342/Maffei Group. It was discovered with the neighbouring Maffei 2 by Paolo Maffei in 1968 from their infrared emissions. Maffei 1 might have two possible satellites (MB1 and MB2).
Maffei 1 lies in the zone of avoidance and is heavily obscured by the Milky Way's stars and dust. It had been previously been catalogued as an emission nebula or H II region. If it were not obscured, it would be one of the brightest and best known galaxies in the sky.