M82

Object: M82; NGC3034
Constellation: Ursa Major
Distance: 11-12 Million Light-Years
Magnitude: 8.4

COMMENTS: M82 is a starburst galaxy resulting from a near-miss encounter with the nearby galaxy, M81 a few hundred million years or so ago. The gravitational encounter set off an explosive burst of new star formation sending wisps and tendrils of hot gas and relativistic particles spewing from its poles for tens of thousands of light-years. A large black hole in its center surrounded by huge numbers of stars going supernova are thought to produce the relativistic hot out gassing. Eventually, this burst of intense activity will settle down when much of the compressed gas and dust has thinned.

Date Imaged: February 2008
Place: Ft. Davis, TX
Exposure Details: LRGB:300:180:180:180, unbinned.
Processing: CCDSoft, RegiStar, PSCS3, MaxIm DL.
Optics: 12.5" RCOS Truss
Focal Length: 2808MM at F9
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera: STL6303E
Focuser: RCOS
Guiding: External Guide Camers/OAG
Filters: Tru-Balance LRGB, 1 1/4"