MB3 | |
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Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Cassiopeia |
Right ascension | 02h 55m 42.7s |
Declination | +58° 51' 37" |
Distance | ~10 Mly (~ 3 Mpc) |
Group or cluster | IC 342/Maffei |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 17.33 (V-band) |
Characteristics | |
Type | dSph |
Apparent size (V) | ~ 1.9′ |
Notable features | Companion of Dwingeloo 1 |
Other designations | |
2MASX J02554290+5851394, KK98-021, | |
MB3 is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy discovered in 1997 and located about 10 million light-years away from the Earth. It was discovered during an optical survey of the IC 342/Maffei group to which the galaxy is a member. MB3 is a companion galaxy of Dwingeloo 1 and situated in the Zone of Avoidance. MB 3 is thought to be a member of the IC 342/Maffei Group, a galaxy group adjacent to the Local Group.
The visible diameter of MB 3 is approximately 1.9′, which at the distance of 3 Mpc corresponds to about 2 kpc. In optical images it appears as a highly flattened diffuse oval located approximately 9.2′ to the southwest of Dwingeloo 1. No neutral or molecular hydrogen has been detected in it, which is consistent with its classification as a dwarf spheroidal galaxy.