Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Ursa Major (UMa)  ·  Contains:  Bode's galaxy  ·  Bode's nebulae  ·  Cigar galaxy  ·  M 81  ·  M 82  ·  NGC 3031  ·  NGC 3034
M81 and M82, Mark Spruce
Powered byPixInsight

M81 and M82

M81 and M82, Mark Spruce
Powered byPixInsight

M81 and M82

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

Messier 8`1 (Bode's Nebula) and Messier 82 (The Cigar Galaxy)

M81 and 82 are found in the constellation of Ursa Major. M81 is about 12 million light-years away. Which in astronomical terms is very close to Earth. Meaning that is is heavily studies and observed due to its large size, proximity and active galactic nucleus contains a 70 million solar mass black hole.

M82 is again about 12 million light-years away and is a starburst galaxy. It is about five times more luminous than the Milky Way and has a centre one hundred times more luminous. As a starburst galaxy it is extremely active, containing one of the brightest pulsars ever discovered.

Unfortunately due to a guiding camera failure I lost a LOT of Ha data which would have enhanced some of the fainter detail in M82. I may try to obtain this at a later date and add it in.

Comments

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

M81 and M82, Mark Spruce

In these collections

Galaxies
Messier Catalogue