Messier 81 and Messier 82 - galaxies in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Messier 81 and Messier 82 - galaxies in the constellation of Ursa Major. Both Messier 81 (Bode’s Galaxy, NGC 3031) and Messier 82 (the Cigar Galaxy, NGC 3034) are around 12 million light years away. The dwarf, irregular galaxy, Holmberg IX) can be seen above M81. To the right and slightly below Messier 82, there is a small arc of nebulosity visible in the Ha data. This has been dubbed ‘the cap’ - it consists of 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.
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Keywords: 81, 82, 3031, 3034, arps, astronomical, astronomy, astrophotography, bear, beauty, bodes, cap, cigar, constellation, cosmos, deep, dwarf, galaxies, galaxy, great, holmberg, ix, loop, m81, m82, major, messier, ngc, night, sky, space, spiral, stargazing, telescope, ursa
