wide field astrophotography
The interacting duo M81 (Bode's Galaxy) and M82 (Cigar Galaxy) sit roughly 12 million light years away in the constellation Ursa Major.
Camera: ASI2600MC | Scope: Askar 107PHQ | Exposure: 2h 24m | Date: 2025-05-08 & 2025-05-26
Largest in the image with its spiral arms and bright yellow core is the spiral galaxy M81 (Bode's Galaxy). To its right with its red gas and dust clouds is irregular galaxy M82 (Cigar Galaxy). The pair have been locked in gravitational combat for about a billion years. Also seen in the image is the elliptical galaxy NGC 3077 (Garland Galaxy).
Astrometric annotations courtesy of Pixinsight
