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M81 on the left and M82 on the right are two gravitationally linked galaxies sort of like our Milky Way and sister galaxy Andromeda. M81 is in fact about the same size as our galaxy (100,000 light years across), and probably looks to us like our Milky Way galaxy would look to them. The edge on galaxy on the right (M82) is called a star burst galaxy because it's core is creating new stars at a tremendous rate. M82 is a much studied galaxy because astronomers believe it represents what early galaxies were probably like. The large, fuzzy, faintly colored knots are huge star forming nurseries. These two companion galaxies can be detected with binoculars and can be found between the outside edge or lip of the big dipper and the north star. They are highest in the sky from mid winter to early spring |
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4" refractor, Canon 300D at prime
focus,
120 sec ISO 1600 |