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Splinter Galaxy (NGC 5907)
spiral galaxy in Draco
The Splinter Galaxy is a thin edge-on spiral in Draco, with a razor-sharp dust lane. Very deep exposures reveal a faint stellar stream wrapped around it, the remains of a smaller galaxy that it swallowed. The galaxy itself is bright enough for a modest scope.
Save your telescope or lens on the planner to lay your camera frame over this diagram.
// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 5907
- Type
- spiral galaxy
- Constellation
- Draco
- Size
- 12′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 10.3
- Distance
- about 50 million light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- May
- Typical prime months
- Feb to Jul
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Filter
- No filter (broadband); a light-pollution filter is optional
Pick a saved location or share your device location. Your coordinates are used only to calculate tonight and are not stored. To save locations, use the planner.
How to image Splinter Galaxy
- At 12 arcminutes long, use 1,000 to 2,000 mm.
- The stellar stream needs a very dark sky and dozens of hours, so it is a project for experienced imagers.
- Draco is high on spring and summer nights from northern sites.
Framing: what focal length?
NGC 5907 is small, so a "60% of the frame" focal length would be impractical. Here is how much of an APS-C frame it covers at common long focal lengths; expect to crop.
| Focal length | Share of the frame width |
|---|---|
| 1,000 mm | about 15% |
| 2,000 mm | about 30% |
| 3,000 mm | about 45% |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 5907 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 89° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 79° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 69° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 59° | Workable |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | below horizon | Never rises |
Also worth imaging
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