Visible-light view of Messier 81
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
Position Details
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NOAO | Optical (B-band) | 440.0 nm |
|
NOAO | Optical (V-band) | 550.0 nm |
|
NOAO | Optical (R-band) | 700.0 nm |
