Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Ursa Major (UMa)  ·  Contains:  Bode's Galaxy  ·  Cigar Galaxy  ·  M 81  ·  M 82  ·  NGC 2959  ·  NGC 2961  ·  NGC 3031  ·  NGC 3034  ·  NGC 3077
M81 region, Gabe Shaughnessy
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M81 region

M81 region, Gabe Shaughnessy
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M81 region

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M81 and M82 are two bright nearby galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major, both lying around 12 million light years away. M81, is a grand spiral galaxy and was discovered by Johann Bode in 1774. M82 is a starburst galaxy and is about 5 times more luminous than our Milky Way. The starburst activity is believed to be started by the gravitational interaction with M81. Throughout this frame are other smaller galaxies in the M81 galaxy group, including Holmberg IX, the bright patch near M81's spiral arms. Also riddled throughout the frame is the Integrated Flux Nebula, which is distant interstellar dust which is illuminated by the entire Milky Way.

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M81 region, Gabe Shaughnessy