M82 — Cigar Galaxy
Galaxy in Ursa Major
About
A starburst galaxy in Ursa Major, about 12 million light-years away, seen nearly edge-on. Close passes by its larger neighbour M81 funnelled gas into its core, and supernovae there drive a bipolar outflow of gas.
Imaging tips
- About 11′ by 5′, so 2,200–3,670 mm on APS-C spans a third to half of the frame; at shorter lengths it is a small streak.
- The outflow glows in hydrogen-alpha: one 8.4-hour image added 3 hours of Hα (12 × 15 min, 6 nm filter) to RGB data and shows it clearly.
- A much deeper Hα set exists: nearly 100 hours through a 3 nm filter, so the outflow rewards long integration.
- Dust hides part of the core, and bright knots mark regions of intense star formation.
- Best in February and March; it climbs above 70° from 50°N.
Facts
- Size
- 11′ × 5′
- Magnitude
- 8.4
- Coordinates
- RA 9h 55.7m, Dec +69° 41′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2200–3670 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3380–5630 mm
- Best months
- Feb, Mar
- Peak altitude
- 70° from 50°N, 55° from 35°N