M 81 - Bodes Galaxy

M81, also known as Bode’s Galaxy (NGC 3031), is a large spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major and is one of the brightest and best-known galaxies in the northern sky. It lies about 12 million light-years from Earth and has a diameter of roughly 90,000 light-years. Its very bright, compact core and the extensive, well-defined spiral arms, containing numerous star-forming regions and young star clusters, are characteristic features.

M81 is part of a galaxy group that includes several companion galaxies, the most notable being its neighbor M82, the so-called Cigar Galaxy. Gravitational interactions between the two galaxies, triggered by past close encounters, have created extended streams of hydrogen connecting them.

The image shown here is a crop from a larger exposure that includes both M81 and M82. The crop focuses on the structured spiral galaxy M81, while the full image highlights the dynamic interaction between both galaxies within their shared cosmic environment

Shooting Data