Draco Dwarf - Characteristics

Characteristics

Paul W. Hodge analyzed the distribution of its stars in 1964 and concluded that its ellipticity was 0.29 ± 0.04. Recent studies have indicated that the galaxy may potentially hold large amounts of dark matter. Having an absolute magnitude of -8.6 and a total luminosity of only 2×105 L, it is one of the faintest companions to our Milky Way.

Draco Dwarf contains many red giant branch (RGB) stars; five carbon stars have been identified in Draco Dwarf and four likely asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars have been detected.

The Draco Dwarf is estimated to be about 80 ± 10 kpc from earth and span a distance of 830 ± 100 × 570 ± 70 pc.

Read more about this topic:  Draco Dwarf