M 82 – The Cigar Galaxy

Description:

M 82 is a spiral galaxy with an impressive bipolar jet that serves as a real study laboratory for scientists. It is 5 times more luminous than our Milky Way and its proximity to the galaxy M81 creates a gravitational attraction which could be at the origin of the intense star formation that we observe there and the generation of several supernovas. In addition, it is relatively close to us at 12.7 million light years so easily observable.

It is part of a group of around forty galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major. Its location relatively close to the celestial pole means that it can be observed most of the year.