Maffei II

Maffei II is a large barred spiral galaxy (type SBb) in Cassiopeia. Maffei II and Maffei I were both discovered by Paolo Maffei in 1968 from their infrared emission.

Maffei II lies in the zone of avoidance and is heavily obscured by the Milky Way, so is barely detectable at optical wavelengths.

It has been suggested that Maffei II may be a member of the Local Group, but it is now thought to be a member of another nearby group, the Maffei Group.