IC342

IC 342 is a nearby (14 million light years) spiral galaxy whose light is attenuated by the intervening gas and dust 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.