NGC 5985 and companions - Galaxy Group
A collection of galaxies highlighted by the delicate spiral arms of NGC 5985 (left).

  • RA: 15:49
  • Dec: 59:21
  • Sizes: 5.4x2.7, 3.0x2.1, 2.7x0.3'
  • Magnitudes: 11.0, 11.1, 13.0
  • Distances: 121, 134, 104 Mly
  • Constellation: Draco
  • Millennium Star Atlas: Vol. II, pp. 553-4
  • Scope: 12.5" Ritchey-Chretien at f/9
  • Autoguider: ST-4 in average mode
  • Sky conditions: Superb transparency, fair seeing
  • Film: FLI Dream Machine CCD
  • Exposure: 20x90 seconds L, 7x300 seconds R,G,B
  • Date: 6-20-03

As it turns out, the sky was probably the clearest I've ever seen (the Milky Way was clearly visible right through Perseus) but not surprisingly, the seeing was none too good. Still, this image came out reasonably well, especially in terms of depth. The Sbb (ring) class galaxy NGC 5895 is on the left with the E3p elliptical 5982 in the middle and the Sbc class spiral 5981 on the right. I considered putting 5976 in the frame but it didn't show enough detail to make it worth hunting for a guidestar to reframe the shot.


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