NGC 5981 + NGC 5982 + NGC 5985 (Galaxy)
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Also known as: Draco trio
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Right ascension: 15h 38m
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Declination: 59° 21'
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Constellation: Draco
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Date/time: 2008.06.30 00:00 UT
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Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
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FoV: 36'
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Magnification and filter(s): 71x
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Seeing: 7/10
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Transparency: 5/5
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Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
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Observer: Ferenc Lovró
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Description:
The trio, also known as the "Draco group" is just like an illustration for a book to show the variety of galaxies: it consists three totally different galaxies lined up on line from East to West. Some details about these galaxies westward: the huge NGC 5985 (11m) is a nearly face-on spiral galaxy. Plenty of its arms are visible even with direct vision! Its galactic core is not really bright. This is followed by the tiny NGC 5982 (11m) which is an elliptic galaxy with homogeneous surface and a very bright, star-like core. While drawing these, I've noticed that something just appears more to the West: it was the faint NGC 5981 (13.2m), another spiral galaxy, but with edge on. If I were just taking a small glimpse instead of taking the time to sketch this area, I'd have surely miss this gem. This is why sketching is wonderful: it is what makes observation complete!
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Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]
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