Bode’s Galaxy (Messier 81 or M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (Messier 82 or M82) are two striking galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major, about 12 million light-years away. They are often observed together as they are gravitationally interacting and provide a stunning pair for astronomers.
Bode’s Galaxy (M81):
- Type: Grand design spiral galaxy.
- Appearance: Features bright, well-defined spiral arms and a prominent central bulge. The galaxy’s golden core contrasts beautifully with its bluish spiral arms, making it an iconic spiral galaxy.
- Interesting Fact: Its structure resembles a classic spiral galaxy, and it is often studied to understand galaxy formation and evolution.
Cigar Galaxy (M82):
- Type: Starburst galaxy.
- Appearance: Elongated shape due to its edge-on orientation from Earth. It shows reddish hues from massive star-forming regions and filament-like features of superheated gas being ejected.
- Interesting Fact: The starburst activity is triggered by its gravitational interactions with Bode’s Galaxy.
Observation Context:
During lockdown, reduced air pollution and light pollution in urban areas like Bristol made the skies clearer for astrophotography and stargazing. Observing these galaxies from Bristol would have required:
- Equipment: A telescope with a decent aperture (e.g., 8-10 inches) and a camera capable of long exposures to capture the faint details.
- Techniques: Stacking multiple long-exposure images to reduce noise and enhance faint structures.
- Lockdown Advantage: Limited vehicle and industrial activity meant less interference from light pollution, allowing these distant galaxies to stand out more clearly.
