M81/M82 – Bode’s and Cigar Galaxy

Posted on von bjoern
distance 12 million lightyears
total integration time296x 30 sec. RGB with IR cut filter / 2.5 hours
right ascension09h 55m 33.2s
declination+69° 3′ 55″
high resolution downloadM81_M82_v1_1.jpg
licencePublic Domain

In the upper left area is Bode’s galaxy ( M81 / NGC 3031 ). This galaxy is about 12 million lightyears away from us. Johann Elert Bode discovered it on 31 December 1774, hence the name Bode’s galaxy.

In the lower right are ist the cigar galaxy ( M82 / NGC 3034 ). In 2014 was a supernove to been seen also from earth.

M82 and M81 are influencing with another. That is the reason for supernovae to happen that can been opserved from earth sometimes.