Draco Triplet

Image information:

Date: 06/22/2025
Equipment: QHY178c camera with QHY CFW3S filter wheel using Baader CMOS optimized LRGB filter set through APM/LZOS 105/650 APO telescope on Pegasus Astro NYX-101 mount. The telescope was working at f6.2 with Astro-Tech 2" field flattener.
Image type: LRGB
Exposure time: 30X3min L, R, G & B each binned 1X1.
Comment:  

Object information:

Object designations:

Draco Triplet consists of edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 5981, elliptical galaxy NGC 5982 and spiral galaxy NGC 5985

Object type:
Group of galaxies
Object size:
  • NGC 5981 2.7' x 0.4'
  • NGC 5982 3.1' x 2.0'
  • NGC 5985 4.0' x 2.0'
Constellation:

Draco

Comment:
t

Related images:

List of related images:

Draco Triplet is a common name for NGC 5981, NGC 5982 and NGC 5985. This grouping is most likely an optical effect, the galaxies are not gravitationally bound and also not so close together.

NGC 5981 is a small spiral galaxy that we see from the side. It has a diameter of 95 kly. It is approximately 100 million ly distant.

NGC 5982 is an elliptical galaxy with a diameter of 110 kly. This galaxy has a structure that is the result of a merger with another smaller galaxy. At its center resides a supermassive black hole. It is some 130 million ly away from us.

NGC 5985 is a large barred spiral galaxy with a diameter of 190 kly. This galaxy has an active black hole at its nucleus. NGC 5985 is about 120 million ly away.

 

Home