M81
About this celestial object
Bode’s Galaxy M81 shines with a serene core and far‑reaching dust arms.
This grand spiral in Ursa Major stands in close company with M82; fine dust arcs wrap around its bright, old bulge.
The rendering preserves core structure and outer halo while letting numerous background galaxies sparkle in the field.
A neutral color balance sets the blue of young regions against the yellowed central areas.
Image and observation
Catalogue: M81
Capture date: 2026-03-07
Imaging and processing: Ulrich Schwarz · Vespera Pro
Read the sky journey
Welcome to M81’s neighbourhood in Ursa Major. Three galaxies share this field: M81, M82 and NGC 3077. They look very different, but their common environment and past encounters connect them. We begin with the large spiral galaxy and then visit its two neighbours.
Bode’s Galaxy M81
M81 shows a bright central region and an extended, tilted disk. The oblique view gives it an elongated appearance. Its spiral arms are much fainter than the centre. Take a moment to follow the transition. The image shows no sharp galactic boundary: towards the outside, starlight gradually fades into the background.
Cigar Galaxy M82
M82 looks narrow, earning it the name Cigar Galaxy. Stars form particularly actively within it. Past encounters with M81 have influenced its evolution. We cannot reliably examine the spectacular gas outflow seen in research images in detail here. Comparing the two galaxies’ shapes already reveals their contrasting appearances.
NGC 3077
The smaller NGC 3077 completes our journey. Its modest appearance hides a history also shaped by interactions. Radio observations reveal gas connections within this group that cannot be seen in our visible-light image. These three separate islands of light are therefore parts of a shared cosmic story.