Credits: T. Rector (U. Alaska Anchorage), H. Schweiker, WIYN, NOAO, AURA, NSF

IC 342 (also known as Caldwell 5) is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis, located relatively close to the Milky Way.

Facts about IC342 by Keith Turnecliff

Despite its size and actual brightness, its location in dusty areas near the galactic equator makes it difficult to observe,
leading to the nickname "The Hidden Galaxy", though it can readily be detected even with binoculars.