Map of the Universe

Maffei 1

Galaxy · Giant Elliptical galaxy in the constellation Cassiopeia

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Maffei 1
Picture: Atlas Image [or Atlas Image mosaic] obtained as part of the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), a joint project of the University of Massachusetts and the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center/Califo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

About Maffei 1

Maffei 1 is about 18.59 million light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 18.59 million years ago.

The map lists it as a galaxy and shows it at the scale of the Milky Way and the Local Group, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.

Its distance or nature is debated, and the map shows one published value.

Hidden behind the Milky Way's dust. Distance contested: 2.85 Mpc (older) or about 5.7 Mpc (Anand et al. 2019).

Key numbers

Distance18.59 million light-years (5.70 Mpc)
Distance methodredshift-independent (literature)
Supergalactic coordinatesSGL 359.3°, SGB +1.4°

Where it is

Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.

Zoom out to see it in context: Council of Giants, a view about 36 million light-years across.

From Wikipedia

Maffei 1 is a massive elliptical galaxy near the constellation borders between Perseus and Cassiopeia, located 9.8 million light years away. 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.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Maffei 1, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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