- G45 minutes (9 frames)
- B40 minutes (8 frames)
- R45 minutes (9 frames)
- L40 minutes (8 frames)
Galaxy NGC 5866, also known as the Steeple Galaxy, is located in the constellation Draco and is one of the largest objects in the Local Group of galaxies. It is a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way, located approximately 44 million light-years from Earth and has a diameter of about 60,000 light-years.
NGC 5866 was discovered in 1781 by astronomer Charles Messier. Its shape resembles a needle or spire, which explains its unofficial name. Observations show that the galaxy NGC 5866 does not have active star formation activity, which makes it especially interesting for studies of the structure and evolution of galaxies.
One of the most interesting objects inside NGC 5866 is a star stream, which is formed when the galaxy passes through small satellites. This stream of stars provides a unique opportunity to study the origin and evolution of galaxies.
Observations of NGC 5866 allow scientists to better understand the processes occurring inside galaxies and their evolution throughout the history of the Universe.
Characteristics and features
NGC 5866 is a slit galaxy (type S0) with a prominent dusty disk that is observed almost exactly along the edge. This is unusual for galaxies of this type, where dust is usually concentrated around the center. There may be a ring structure in the dusty disk, but due to the orientation of the galaxy, its shape is difficult to determine precisely.
It has been suggested that NGC 5866 may have been misclassified as a slit galaxy due to its orientation, but is actually a spiral galaxy. This would explain the presence of a dusty lane.
Galaxy Group
NGC 5866 is one of the brightest galaxies in the NGC 5866 group, which also includes the spiral galaxies NGC 5879 and NGC 5907. This group is likely a subcluster of a larger structure that includes the M51 and M101 groups.
Other Features
Among the unusual features of NGC 5866 is the slightly warped dusty disk relative to the light disk of stars. This distortion indicates possible gravitational influence of another object in the past. This is also supported by the fact that NGC 5866 is the largest galaxy in the NGC 5866 group.
This warping and possible past collisions provide important clues about the formation and development of galaxies, as well as their evolution.
Visibility chart of Spire Galaxy (NGC 5866) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•