Object Information                                            Imaging Details

M81 and M82 are two splendid galaxies in the Northern sky. The pair are only about 12 million light years distant from Earth so are practically in our celestial backyard. In fact, with the exception of the Sculptor Group, the M81 group is the closest group of galaxies to our own local group. M81 (aka Bode's Galaxy) is about the size of our Milky Way. M82 (aka the Cigar Galaxy) is about half as large.

The galaxy pair is easily located by drawing a line from Phecda through Dubhe in Ursa Major (or the Big Dipper). M81/M82 is about as far from Dubhe as is Phecda. At magnitude 7.9, M81 is easily spotted using binoculars or any telescope. M82 is somewhat less bright (mag 9.3), but still easily spotted with a small telescope. Larger aperture scopes bring out additional detail.

This image was taken at the 2006 Texas Star Party. Transparency was good; seeing was moderate. Galaxy PGC 29146 is visible in the upper right of the above image.

Clicking the above image will bring up a wider field and slightly higher resoltuion image. Placing the curser over the map (or clicking the map) gives a more detailed image of the location of the galaxies.

Telescope:

Orion ED80