Maffei 1

Maffei 1
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationCassiopeia
Right ascension02h 36m 35.4s[1]
Declination+59° 39′ 19″[1]
Heliocentric radial velocity66.4 ± 5.0 km/s[2]
Distance2.85 ± 0.36 Mpc[3]
4.4+0.6
−0.5 Mpc[4]
Apparent magnitude (V)11.14 ± 0.06 (V-band)[2]
Characteristics
TypeS0− pec,[1] E3
Size75,000 ly
(23,000 parsecs)
Apparent size (V)3′.36 × 1′.68[1]
Other designations
PGC 9892, UGCA 034[1] Sharpless 191
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Maffei 1 is a massive elliptical galaxy in the constellation Cassiopeia. Once believed to be a member of the Local Group of galaxies, it is now known to belong to a separate group, the IC 342/Maffei Group. It was named after Paolo Maffei, who discovered it and the neighboring Maffei 2 in 1967 via their infrared emissions.

Maffei 1 is a slightly flattened core type elliptical galaxy. It has a boxy shape and is made mainly of old metal-rich stars. It has a tiny blue nucleus in which stars continue to form. Like all large ellipticals it contains a significant population of globular clusters. Maffei 1 is situated at an estimated distance of 3–4 Mpc from the Milky Way. It may be the closest giant elliptical galaxy.

Maffei 1 lies in the Zone of Avoidance and is heavily obscured by the Milky Way's stars and dust. If it were not obscured, it would be one of the largest (about 3⁄4 the size of the full moon), brightest, and best-known galaxies in the sky. It can be observed visually, using a 30–35 cm or bigger telescope under a very dark sky.

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  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Fingerhut2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Davidge2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).