Can you find the Hidden Galaxy (IC 342)?

Not every thing in the night sky even though it's up there and visible is easy to see this can be due to various different things but in this case it's due to dust and the Galaxy being in the way. If the dust wasn't obscuring the galaxy it would be one of the brightest objects in  the night sky.

The hidden galaxy is a special object in the night sky and has been designated number five in the Caldwell Catalogue written by Patrick Moore. This is a catalogue of deep sky objects that are interesting deep sky targets for the amateur astronomer.

I am going to try and find the hidden Galaxy using this equipment a Celestron SE6 with a guide scope, camera along and filter wheel. The telescope mount is also motorized and it's guided by an Astroberry running on a Raspberry PI. 

Click to enlarge Sky Map

Part of the challenge when trying to view the Hidden Galaxy is that you really need to be using an 8 inch telescope to view IC 342. But as I only have a 6 inch telescope it is going to make the whole process a lot more challenging but not impossible.

To find this you need to look find the constellation Camelopardalis and then find these two bright stars indicated in the sky map and you should find the galaxy about halfway between them.

What you could see through an eyepiece

Although as this is a circumpolar constellation it should be visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere.

To know what you are looking for here's a five second exposure of the Hidden Galaxy and as you can see it's an incredibly faint object.

But this image also shows the extra boost a camera attached to your telescope can give. You can increase the sensitivity of your telescope as a camera is a lot more sensitive than your eyes! This will allow you to capture more of the night sky with the same telescope.

Watch the episode below to see the images I took over a five night period.

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