NGC 3982

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3982 (= H IV.62), type SAB(r)b (Sb), in Ursa Major

[NGC 3982 image]
Right Ascension 11 : 56.5 (h:m)
Declination +55 : 08 (deg:m)
Distance 60000 (kly)
Visual brightness 11.8 (mag)
Apparent dimension 2.3x2.0 (arc min)

NGC 3982 was discovered by William Herschel on April 14, 1789, and mis-classified as planetary nebula, as can be seen from his catalog entry in his fourth object group and his numbering H IV.62.

It is a member of the Ursa Major Cloud or Cluster of Galaxies, which also contains M 109.

NGC 3982 is receding from us at 1109 km/sec, which corresponds to a recession velocity of 1187 km/sec from the center of our Milky Way.

  • SIMBAD Data of NGC 3982
  • NED Data for NGC 3982
  • NGC Online data for NGC 3982
  • Observing Reports for NGC 3982 (IAAC Netastrocatalog)

    Supernova 1998aq

    On April 13, 1998, British amateur astronomer Mark Armstrong discovered supernova 1998aq on a CCD image at about 14.9 magnitudes. This SN reached at least mag 12.2; estimates even mentioned 11.4 visual magnitudes. From its Spectrum (obtained by CfA/Harvard) this supernova was classified as of type Ia.

    Our image was obtained by Norbert Stapper on April 22, 1998, 21:38 UT, with a Celestron 8 (f=2m), LPR-Filter, and ST-7 high Res. CCD camera, 3 exposures of 5 minutes each and one of 15 minutes exposure time. At this time, the supernova had a brightness of about 12.5-12.7 magnitudes. In addition to the SN, the spiral arms of NGC 3982 are clearly visible in this image.

    [Supernova Stuff] | [Constellations] | [SEDS] | [MAA] | [DSS image]

    Hartmut Frommert [contact]