Visible-light view of Messier 81

Ssc2003-06d2
spitzer_ssc2003-06d2 December 18, 2003

Creator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1078-ssc2003-06d2-Visible-light-view-of-Messier-81

This image shows a visible-light view of the nearby galaxy Messier 81 (M81). Located in the northern constellation of Ursa Major (which also includes the Big Dipper), M81 is easily visible through binoculars or a small telescope. M81 is located at a distance of 12 million light-years. This image was obtained with a ground-based telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory and traces the distribution of stars in M81. The image reveals a very smooth stellar mass distribution, with the spiral arms relatively subdued.

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

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Image Details

Image Type
Observation
Object Name
Bode's Galaxy Messier 81 M81 NGC 3031 UGC 5318
Subject - Local Universe
Galaxy » Type » Spiral

Distance

Universescale2
12,000,000 light years

Position Details

Ssc2003-06d2
Position (ICRS)
RA = 9h 55m 34.0s
DEC = 69° 3’ 54.9”
Orientation
North is 268.7° CCW
Field of View
23.5 x 17.9 arcminutes
Constellation
Ursa Major

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Arrow_left_blue NOAO Optical (B-band) 440.0 nm
Arrow_left_green NOAO Optical (V-band) 550.0 nm
Arrow_left_red NOAO Optical (R-band) 700.0 nm
Spectrum_base
Arrow_top_blue
Arrow_top_green
Arrow_top_red