| MB 3 | |
|---|---|
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Cassiopeia |
| Right ascension | 02h 55m 42.7s [1] |
| Declination | +58° 51' 37" [1] |
| Distance | ~10 Mly (~ 3 Mpc) [2] |
| Group or cluster | IC 342/Maffei |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 17.33 (V-band) [3] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | dSph |
| Apparent size (V) | ~ 1.9′ [1] |
| Notable features | Companion of Dwingeloo 1 |
| Other designations | |
| 2MASX J02554290+5851394, KK98-021, PGC 166069 | |
MB 3 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. [4] MB 3 is thought to be a member of the IC 342/Maffei Group, a galaxy group adjacent to the Local Group. [2]
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. [3] No neutral or molecular hydrogen has been detected in it, which is consistent with its classification as a dwarf spheroidal galaxy. [4]