M82 = NGC3034 ( 9h 55.8m +69°41´, 8.4 mag. )
This peculiar starburst galaxy in Ursa Major was discovered by Bode in December 1774 and Messier observed it on February 9, 1781.
M82 is another member of the M81 group of galaxies found in the region of Ursa Major. This object is officially classified as an irregular galaxy. Its shape contains no discernable structure.
M82, the Cigar Galaxy, located 12 million light years away is one such galaxy studied by both Fermi and VERITAS.
M82
Credit: FOCAS, Subaru 8.2-m Telescope, NAOJ.
An idea of the extent and orientation of the galactic wind of M82 is seen in this image, which traces the ionised hydrogen (red) contained within it.
M82 The Cigar Galaxy
Description: irregular galaxy
Constellation: Ursa Major
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M82 (rifle)M82 X-1M83
M83 (album)M83 (band)M83 group of galaxies
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M82, the archetype starburst galaxy, has experienced a 10-fold increase[60] in star formation rate as compared to a "normal" galaxy.
In M82, young stars are crammed into tiny but massive star clusters. These, in turn, congregate by the dozens to make the bright patches, or "starburst clumps," in the central parts of M82.
M82 (NGC 3034, companion to M81)
M87 (NGC 4486, elliptical galaxy)
M97 (NGC 3587, Owl Nebula)
M101 (NGC 5457, spiral galaxy)
M104 (NGC 4594, Sombrero Galaxy)
M110 (NGC 205, companion to M31)
Mach's principle
MACHO Project
MACHOs ...
Finally, to locate M81 and M82, look for the Big Dipper, and locate the 4 stars which make up the bowl of the Dipper.
Except for the plane of our own galaxy, the brightest far-infrared object in the sky is central region of a galaxy called M82. The nucleus of M82 radiates as much energy in the far-infrared as all of the stars in our galaxy combined.
Ursa Major has five Messier objects: M40, M81, M82, M97, and M101. M40 is the Messier object that really isn't one. In 1764 Messier went looking for an object that had been catalogued as a nebulosity in this area.
High-resolution radio observations of M82 and NGC 253 shows rich collections of small (sometimes fading and expanding) sources that are just right to be radio-bright supernova remnants, so that part checks out.
Half of a degree away from M81 is the elongated spiral galaxy, M82. This is also known as NGC 3034. Only about 1/3 the apparent diameter of M81, it is also dimmer, at magnitude 8.4.
Violent galaxies include QSOs and exploding galaxies like M82. About 1 percent of the galaxies are classified as violent. Violent galaxies release on the average 1058 ergs of energy, compared with a supernova release of 1049 ergs.
M40 Winecke 4 (double star)
M81 Bode's Galaxy or Bode's Nebula (spiral galaxy)
M82 The Cigar Galaxy (irregular galaxy)
M97 The Owl Nebula (planetary nebula)
M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy (spiral galaxy)
M108 (spiral galaxy)
M109 (spiral galaxy) ...
(b) The galaxy M82 seems to show an explosive appearance, although interpretations remain uncertain. (c) Many irregular galaxies are small and dim, but this one, NGC 4449, is comparable in both size and luminosity to the Milky Way Galaxy.
Sobre la cabeza del oso hay dos galaxias, M81 y M82. Ambas se encuentran a una distancia de 12 millones de años, pero M81 es una de las galaxias más brillantes del cielo. Finalmente, la nebulosa del buho está situada a la izquierda inferior de Dubhe.
The prototype example of such a starburst-forming interaction is M82, which experienced a close encounter with the larger M81. Irregular galaxies often exhibit spaced knots of starburst activity.
Active nucleus ...
The Big Dipper that we know and love is the bottom left part of Ursa Major. The splotches labeled M81, M82, and M101 are galaxies; M97 is a nebula. You'd need a telescope to see these objects. Photo and diagram courtesy of O.
A galaxy that is extremely luminous at radio wavelengths. A radio galaxy is usually a giant elliptical - the largest galaxy in a cluster - and is a strong emitter of synchrotron radiation. M87 and M82 are examples. [H76]
Radio Interferometer ...
The star at the bottom of the Big Dipper's bowl closest to the handle. A line from Phecda to Dubhe and an equal distance past it points to the location of the galaxies M81 and M82.
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Sabik ...
Another source of irregular galaxies may be very young galaxies that have not yet reached a symmetrical state. Also, in some irregular galaxies, like M82, young stars eject energetic bubbles gas, giving the galaxy a blobby look.
at least an aperture of 15 cm to resolve the components.
Even with smaller scopes M81 is worth for observing. On photographs it reveals one of the most beautiful spirals in the sky. Please check the Messier Database for more info about M81 and M82.
 See also: Galaxies, Sky, Galaxy, Star, M81
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