Bode's 'Nebula'
M81 in Ursa Major
was discovered in 1774 by German astronomer, Johann Elbert Bode. A classic Sb spiral, M81 is one of the most beautiful galaxies in the heavens.
At 12,000,000 light-years distance, it is among the furthest Messier objects.
Tiny bluish Holmberg IX, an irregular dwarf galaxy, appears at 6 o'clock below M81.
Its neighbor, M82 is here. Both galaxies can be viewed together, here.
Many thanks to my clients, Jim Olsen and Khavar Dar for the data, acquired from Michigan and New Mexico.
LARGE
was discovered in 1774 by German astronomer, Johann Elbert Bode. A classic Sb spiral, M81 is one of the most beautiful galaxies in the heavens.
At 12,000,000 light-years distance, it is among the furthest Messier objects.
Tiny bluish Holmberg IX, an irregular dwarf galaxy, appears at 6 o'clock below M81.
Its neighbor, M82 is here. Both galaxies can be viewed together, here.
Many thanks to my clients, Jim Olsen and Khavar Dar for the data, acquired from Michigan and New Mexico.
LARGE