Multi-Wavelength viewer
Thursday, 12-Jun-2025 13:17:58 GMT

M82 is an irregular galaxy in the constellation of Ursa Major. At a
distance of 12 million light years, M82 is the nearest example of a class of galaxies
known as "starbursts" because of they form stars at a higher rate than
normal galaxies like our own Milky Way. Because of its shape when viewed
through a small telescope it is also known as the Cigar galaxy.
Owens Valley Radio Telescope image. Shows M81 and M82 as well as the gas bridge between the two.