M81
Thu Mar 09 2023
Bode's Galaxy, Messier 81, is a grand-design spiral in Ursa Major, one of the brightest galaxies in our sky and a favorite among astrophotographers. For this version I swapped hydrogen-alpha data into the red channel to bring out the pink star-forming regions threaded through its elegant arms.
About this object
- Type
- Galaxy
- Constellation
- Ursa Major (the Great Bear)
- Distance
- ~12 million light-years
- Apparent magnitude
- 6.9
- Apparent size
- 21.6′ × 11.3′
- Also known as
- Bode's Galaxy
- Catalogue designations
- M 81, NGC 3031
Equipment
- Telescope / Lens: Celestron C8
- Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro
- Mount: Celestron CGEM II
- Filters: Antlia V-Pro Blue 31 mm, Antlia V-Pro Green 31 mm, Antlia V-Pro Luminance 31 mm, Antlia V-Pro Red 31 mm
Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.