M81 Series of Images
This series of images illustrates how observations throughout the
electromagnetic spectrum can reveal different components of the stars, gas,
and dust making up the luminous part of a galaxy. M81 is among the nearest
and brightest spiral galaxies, visible even with binoculars at dark sites.
Recent results from the Hubble Space Telescope place its distance at 3.6
megaparsecs (11.7 million light-years). This is the brightest galaxy in one
of the groups of galaxies nearest our own Local Group. It is interacting
with the neighboring starburst galaxy M82
and weakly with the more distant neighor NGC 3077. Galaxy collisions
begin in our own backyard.
Each thumbnail image is linked to a full-sized version with its own
caption.
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| X-ray | Ultraviolet | Visible |
Near-Infrared | Far-Infrared | Radio continuum |
New added attraction: M81 and the asteroid!
Messier gallery |
Galaxies |
Image gallery |
UA Astronomy |
Bill Keel's home page
keel@bildad.astr.ua.edu
Last changes: 3/2007 © 2001-7