light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 5982 is about 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on May 25, 1788.[3]
NGC 5982 has a kinematically decoupled nucleus, with its major axis being nearly perpendicular to the rotation of the galaxy.
shells in its envelope, nearly 26. The shells form circular arcs, with the further being located at a radius of 150 arcseconds along the major axis of the galaxy,[5] while the innermost one lies 8 arcseconds off the nucleus.[6] The shells and the kinematically decoupled nucleus are the result of the merger of the elliptical galaxy with a small elliptical galaxy.[5]
NGC 5981 (right), NGC 5982 (centre), and NGC 5985 (left) form a close trio of galaxies.
NGC 5982 belongs to a galaxy group known as the NGC 5982 group. Other members of the group include the galaxies NGC 5976, NGC 5981, NGC 5985, NGC 5987, and NGC 5989.[10] NGC 5981, a spiral galaxy seen edge-on, lies at a separation of 6.3 arcminutes from NGC 5982 and NGC 5985, a spiral galaxy seen face-on, lies at a separation of 7.7 arcminutes.[11] The three galaxies are known as the Draco Trio or the Draco Group, although there is no evidence that they form a compact group.[12]
Media related to NGC 5982 at Wikimedia Commons
