Back to gallery

M81 -- Bode's Galaxy

This is the largest of a group of more than thirty galaxies. The blue color of its spiral arms indicates a population of young stars. The red knots along the arms represent regions of glowing hydrogen gas where new stars are still forming. The galaxy was first discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774.

 

The galaxy lies 12 million light years distant beyond our Milky Way in the constellation Ursa Major.

 

This image was captured under high desert skies near Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA with a 12" SCT telescope at f/8 and an electrically-cooled CCD camera. Approximately 6 hours total exposure (HaLRGB).

 

3,540 views
24 faves
6 comments
Uploaded on June 20, 2015
Taken on April 24, 2018