M81 Galaxy Group

M81 Galaxy Group

 

A near by group of galaxies 11 million light years away. The major members of the group in the image are:

- the spiral galaxy M 81 / NGC 3031 known as Bode's galaxy

- the irregular starburst galaxy M 82 / NGC 3034 known as the Cigar galaxy

- the elliptical galaxy NGC 3077 known as the Garland galaxy.

 

M82 has a supernova driven outflow of ionised hydrogen. I've used Ha data to highlight this outflow and the HII regions in the spiral arms of M81. Total integration time: 11.5 hours.

 

Ha: 31 x 300 Sec

R: 129 x 45 sec

G: 128 x 45 sec

B: 108 x 45 sec

L: 341 x 45 sec

 

Celestron RASA 8

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

ZWO ASI1600MM Pro

 

Newbury, Berkshire, UK

 

Done