IC 342

Object

IC 342
Description

IC 342 is a nearby (14 million light years) spiral galaxy whose light is attenuated by the intervening gas, dust and foreground stars of our own Milky Way. It is for this reason that the galaxy is not as well known as others in the Messier catalogue. A deep exposure of this galaxy reveals it has graceful spiral arms with a myriad of star clusters and nebulae. It is often suggested that this galaxy is one of the best examples of a nearby spiral galaxy that closely resembles our own galactic home. This image was taken during the dark of the moon.

Objects in image: IC 342
Image
Scope

Explore Scientific 127ed APO refractor
Camera

ASI-1600mm pro (monochrome)
Mount

Paramount MYT
Filters

RGB filters
Guiding

Askar 400 with off axis guider
Exposure Info

LRGB image with a total of 34 hours of exposure time
Luminance 140 * 4 min
Red 140 * 4 min
Green 120 * 4 min
Blue 110 * 4 min
Date

12/18/2025
Copyright

Photo copyright Thomas Kerns, Beluga Lake Observatory