M81 & M82

Higher resolution image

Image information:

Date: 04/14/2007
Equipment: SBIG ST2000XM with CFW8a and Astronomik type 2c LRGB filter set through WO ZS105ED telescope on Losmandy GM8 mount. WO ZS105ED working at f5.6 with WO 0.8X reducer/flattener.
Image type: LRGB
Exposure time: 15X6min Luminance binned 1X1, RG&B 7X4min each binned 2X2.
Comment:  

Object information:

Object designations:
  • M81, NGC3031, Bode's galaxy
  • M82, NGC3034, Cigar galaxy
Object type:
  • M81 Spiral galaxy
  • M82 Irregular galaxy
Object size:
  • M81 21' X 10'
  • M82 9' X 4'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Comment:
 M81 is the most prominent galaxy of "M81 Group", group of 34 galaxies in the constellation Ursa major. Several tens of million years ago a close encounter occurred between the galaxies M81 and M82. During this event, larger and more massive M81 has dramatically deformed M82 by gravitational interaction. Even today their centers are only 130 kly apart. Disturbed core of M82 is a strong source of radio and infrared radiation. M81 and M82 are some 12000 kly distant from us.

Related images:

List of related images:

M81&M82, OSC, Moravian C1+ 12000A through APM/LZOS 105/650 APO telescope

 

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