Draco Trio of galaxies stands out as a captivating trio of – NGC 5985, NGC 5982, and NGC 5981. The Draco Trio resides in the northern celestial hemisphere, nestled within the constellation Draco, the Dragon. This region of the sky is rich with astronomical treasures, and the Draco Trio takes center stage as a group of interacting galaxies.
The Draco Trio isn’t just a chance alignment of galaxies; it represents a dynamic of gravitational interactions and the complex interplay of cosmic forces. The gravitational forces between these galaxies leads to tidal distortions, triggering bursts of star formation and influencing the overall structure of each member.
- NGC 5985 – The Spiraled Spectacle:
NGC 5985, the largest member of the trio, graces the cosmic stage with its grand spiral arms. This majestic spiral galaxy is characterized by the intricate patterns of dust lanes and star-forming regions that adorn its arms.
- NGC 5982 – The Elliptical Elegance:
In contrast to its spiral companion, NGC 5982 presents itself as an elliptical galaxy, showcasing a smooth and symmetrical form. Elliptical galaxies are often shaped by the gravitational interplay with neighboring galaxies, and NGC 5982 is no exception.
- NGC 5981 – The Compact Companion:
Completing the Draco Trio is NGC 5981, a compact and intriguing galaxy that adds its own unique character to the cosmic trio. NGC 5981’s proximity to its larger neighbors suggests intricate gravitational interactions that have shaped its appearance.
About the photograph:
This is a 2-pane mosaic as this area is large for our telescope. We are seeing these galaxies edge-on and face-on. The central galaxy is an eliptical galaxy NGC 5982 and is perhaps the largest of the three. The spiral galaxy NGC 5985 is face-on while NGC 5981 is edge-on barred-spiral galaxy. You can also see other smaller, multiple fainter galaxies in the photograph.
We took this image from Likey, California, in 2023.
Draco Trio Details
| Catalogue Names |
NGC 5981, NGC 5982, & NGC 5985 |
| Constellation | Draco |
| Distance (Light Years) | 120+ million light years |
| Photographic Information | |
| Exposure | 15+ hours (LRGB) no Ha so far. |
| Equipment | AGO 10” Newtonian, QHY 178MM, Paramount MyT |
| Processing | APP, Pixinsight, Lightroom |
| Imaging Location | Likely, CA |
