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Photons from Messier 81 (Bode's Galaxy) and nearby Messier 82 (Cigar Galaxy) traveled for about 12 million years before being deposited on the sensor attached to my telescope the night before last. These galaxies began interacting about 100 million years ago, triggering an intense burst of star formation. The red, glowing streams emanating from the Cigar Galaxy's core and the pink orbs dotting the spiral arms of Bode's Galaxy contain abundant hydrogen, and are rendered visible with the help of an optical filter whose narrow bandpass is centered on the H-alpha emission line.

Two galaxies are juxtaposed against a field of stars on an inky black sky. The larger of the two, Messier 81 (Bode's Galaxy) has distinct spiral arms, dotted with pink orbs of glowing red hydrogen. The smaller one, Messier 82 (Cigar Galaxy) is seen almost edge-on, with wisps of glowing hydrogen emanating from its intensely luminous central core.
A close-up of Bode's Galaxy, (M 81).
A close-up of the Cigar Galaxy (M 82).
#astrophotography
Mar 23, 2025, 05:03 AM·Public·Web
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