Messier 81 (M81) and Messier 82 (M82)

Common Name: Bode's Galaxy (M81) and Cigar Galaxy (M82)

Also Known as: NGC 3031 (M81) and NGC 3034 (M82)

Object Type: Grand Design Spiral Galaxy (M81) and Irregular Galaxy (M82)

Constellation: Ursa major

M81 Distance from Earth: 11.8 million light years

M82 Distance from Earth: 11.4 – 12.4 million light years

M81 Apparent Magnitude: 6.94

M82 Apparent Magnitude: 8.41

M81 Coordinates: : RA 09H 55M 33.2S DEC 69 deg 03 min 55 sec

M82 Coordinates: RA 09H 55M 52.2S DEC 69 deg 49 min 47 sec

M81 Actual Size:: 92,000 light years in diameter... M82 Actual Size:: 37,000 light years in diameter.

M81 Apparent Dimensions:: 26.9 arc-minutes x 14.1 arc-minutes ... M82 Apparent Dimensions:: 11.2 arc-minutes x 4.3 arc-minutes

Discovered by: M81 & M82 were independently discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler in 1774. He described it as a "nebulous patch", this one about 3⁄4 degree away from the other, "very pale and of elongated shape".
Koehler described M81 and M82 as ‘two nebulous stars at the ear of the Great Bear’. In 1779, Pierre Méchain independently rediscovered both objects and reported them to Charles Messier, who added them to his catalog.

Description: M81 is a grand design spiral galaxy.
It is large and bright making it a target of study for both observers and Astro photographers.
The M81 Galaxy Group contains 34 galaxies. Several members of the M81 group, including M82, are located in the same region.
M81 is the largest member of the group and its gravitational influence have strongly affected its neighbors.
M81 has clearly defined spiral arms and is an example of a grand design spiral.
M81 contains 250 billion stars.
It is the most remote galaxy that is moving towards us (73 km/s).
M81 has 2 well defined spiral arms that contain large quantities of stellar dust associated with numerous starburst regions.
See the M81 page for more details.

M81 can easily be seen with binoculars which show a dim patch of light. In larger telescopes which reveal details of the galaxy’s spiral structure. The best time to observe M81 is in the spring months.

Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:

M82 is an edge-on starburst galaxy. It forms an impressive pair with its large companion, M81.
M82 is about 5 times more luminous than our galaxy and contains 30 billion stars. It is also the closest starburst galaxy.
It is one of the smallest galaxies in the Messier catalog and is inclined by about 80 degrees. The galaxy is moving aways at 203 km/s.
The Cigar Galaxy is strongly affected by interaction with M81. Star forming activity in M82 is caused by interaction with its larger neighbor.
See the M82 Page for more details.

In binoculars and small telescopes the Cigar Galaxy appears as a thin rod of light. Large scopes (6 and 8 inch) reveal the bright core and dark patches across the galaxy’s surface. Larger scopes show more details.
Best time to view M82 is during the spring months.

Platesolve

M81 & M82 Galaxies

Imaging Details
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