Maffei 2

Maffei 2 is a medium sized spiral galaxy in the constellation Cassiopeia, about 10 million light-years away from our solar system.

Maffei 2 and Maffei 1 were both detected by means of their infrared emissions in the year 1967 by the Italian astronomer Paolo Maffei. Maffei 2 is located amidst the galactic planes of the Milky Way the so-called Zone of Avoidance. 99.5 % of the light of the galaxy is obscured or absorbed by dust clouds and stars of the Milky Way, which is why it is very difficult to observe in the optical.

Shortly after the discovery of Maffei 2, it was still assumed to be part of the Local Group. Recent measurements show Maffei 2 is part of a own, that of our group of galaxies of the Local Group galaxies closest group of the Maffei group.