rex.on.life
Bode's Galaxy and Cigar Galaxy
Galaxy Season is almost upon us so I thought I'd get things underway a little early with a January attempt at two of my favorite galaxies. Here are two gems of the northern sky- M81 and M82, known as Bode's Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy respectively. These two galaxies are sort of right in the middle of a group of galaxies encompassing the constellation of Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). Bode's is one of the most picturesque and gorgeous observable spiral galaxies in my opinion. The pair reside about 12 million light years away, meaning we are looking at some pretty old light ðŸ”
Bode's is about 36,000 light years in diameter with approximately 20 billion suns- making it one of the densest known galaxies. It was discovered by EJ Bode in 1774. M82 / the Cigar Galaxy is intricately involved with Bode's and has undergone a series of fascinating and somewhat mysterious gravitational events due to their gravitation intermingling. M82 has rapid and diverse star creation as a result of this cosmic interaction.
Their cosmic dance will "soon" come to an end however as it's theorized that the two will merge into one galaxy within the next few billion years- not unlike our own Milky Way and neighboring giant Andromeda.
Specs: 81x200" (4.5 hrs total), 30 dark frames, 40 flats, 40 dark flats. TS130 APO, .80 reducer, Zwo ASI294MCPRO camera, Skywatcher EQ6-R mount. All shots at -20c, unity gain, no light pollution filtering.
Bode's Galaxy and Cigar Galaxy
Galaxy Season is almost upon us so I thought I'd get things underway a little early with a January attempt at two of my favorite galaxies. Here are two gems of the northern sky- M81 and M82, known as Bode's Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy respectively. These two galaxies are sort of right in the middle of a group of galaxies encompassing the constellation of Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). Bode's is one of the most picturesque and gorgeous observable spiral galaxies in my opinion. The pair reside about 12 million light years away, meaning we are looking at some pretty old light ðŸ”
Bode's is about 36,000 light years in diameter with approximately 20 billion suns- making it one of the densest known galaxies. It was discovered by EJ Bode in 1774. M82 / the Cigar Galaxy is intricately involved with Bode's and has undergone a series of fascinating and somewhat mysterious gravitational events due to their gravitation intermingling. M82 has rapid and diverse star creation as a result of this cosmic interaction.
Their cosmic dance will "soon" come to an end however as it's theorized that the two will merge into one galaxy within the next few billion years- not unlike our own Milky Way and neighboring giant Andromeda.
Specs: 81x200" (4.5 hrs total), 30 dark frames, 40 flats, 40 dark flats. TS130 APO, .80 reducer, Zwo ASI294MCPRO camera, Skywatcher EQ6-R mount. All shots at -20c, unity gain, no light pollution filtering.