Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Ursa Major (UMa)  ·  Contains:  Bode's Galaxy  ·  Cigar Galaxy  ·  M 81  ·  M 82  ·  NGC 3031  ·  NGC 3034
Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major, Steve Milne
Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major
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Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major, Steve Milne
Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major
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Description

Messier 81 (Bode’s Galaxy, NGC 3031) and Messier 82 (the Cigar Galaxy, NGC 3034) are around 12 million light years away in the constellation of Ursa Major.  The irregular dwarf galaxy Holmberg IX can be seen below M81 in this image.

To the left of Messier 82, there is a small arc of nebulosity visible in the Ha data.  This is galactic halo material that has been ionized by the superwind shock or intense ultraviolet radiation from the young, massive stars in the galaxy's core (Information: APOD). This ‘cap’ is around 35,000 light-years from M82.

M81 and M82 were photographed between 12 February and  21 March 2023.

Capture details:

Ha: 55 x 600s
Lum: 67 x 300s
Red: 51 x 300s
Green: 49 x 300s
Blue: 54 x 300s

A total of 27 hours and 35 minutes.

Capture: Steve Milne & Barry Wilson
Processing: Steve Milne

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  • Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major, Steve Milne
    Original
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    Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major, Steve Milne
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Messier 81 and 82 in Ursa Major, Steve Milne