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: 61mm WO Zenithstar 61 | Exposure: 2h 30m | Date: 2023-05-28 & 2023-05-29
Largest in the image with its spiral arms and bright yellow core is the spiral galaxy M81 (Bode's Galaxy). To its left with its red gas and dust clouds is irregular galaxy M82 (Cigar Galaxy). The pair have been locked in gravitational combat for about billion years. Also seen in the image is the elliptical galaxy NGC 3077 (Garland Galaxy) and the dwarf galaxy NGC 2976 (as well as NGC2961 and NGC2959).
Astrometric annotations courtesy of Pixinsight
