Messier 82

Messier 82 (also known as NGC 3034, M82 ) is a spiral galaxy with dimensions of 11.2 ' x 4.3 ' and the apparent brightness of 8.6 mag in the constellation Ursa Major.

Description

For a long time the irregular galaxy M82 type assigned. However, recent studies in the near infrared show spiral arms. The galaxy probably corresponds to the morphological type of a barred spiral galaxy ( Sbc ), that is, the arms originate at the ends of a not particularly long in this case the beam.

In its vicinity is the bright spiral galaxy M81, with which it forms a physically bound pair and the core of about 12 million light- years away, M81 galaxy group. Through the interaction with M81 at a close flyby about 500 million years, the galaxy M82 has been changed dramatically. In its inner region has the rate at which new stars out of interstellar matter is greatly increased ( Starburst ). This is one of the brightest infrared galaxies M82 and one of the brightest galaxies in the radio range (Ursa Major A). As a result of the starburst is produced by supernova explosions a turbulent gas motion which is observed as outflow perpendicular to the plane of the galaxy M82. Their proximity and brightness of M82 one of the best-studied starburst galaxies.

M82 contains in one of its star clusters, the ultra-bright X-ray source M82 X-1, maybe a medium weight black hole with a mass of 200 to 5000 solar masses, which is circled by a superheavy star.

The galaxy was discovered on 31 December 1774 by Johann Elert Bode the German astronomer.

Supernova 2014J

On January 21, 2014, the university lecturer Steve Fossey and discovered four students from University College London in the formation of the telescope in the outer region of the galaxy happens to be a Type Ia supernova, according to prevailing theories, ie the explosion of a white dwarf. You can already see the pictures from the January 15, 2014 and got the registration SN 2014J.

Other images

X-ray image from Chandra

Composed of images of SST, HST and Chandra image

Amateur recording of M81 and M82