* Astronomy

NGC 5996 (also Arp 72, IRAS 15447+1802, MCG 3-40-39, UGC 10033 and PGC 56023) is a magnitude +12.8 spiral galaxy located 152 million light-years away in the constellation Serpens.
The galaxy is gravitationally interacting with the neighbouring galaxy NGC 5994: these two galaxies are listed as Arp 72 in the Atlas of peculiar galaxies.

The galaxy was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel using a 47.5 cm (18.7 inch) f/13 speculum reflector at Datchet, Berkshire, on the 21st March 1784.

Right Ascension 15h 46m 58.9s, Declination +17° 53' 02"