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Credit & Copyright: Nicolюs Villegas
Explanation:
Large galaxies and faint nebulae highlight this deep image of the
M81
Group of galaxies.
First and foremost in the wide-angle 12-hour exposure is the
grand design spiral galaxy
M81, the largest galaxy
visible in the image.
M81 is
gravitationally interacting with
M82 just below it,
a big galaxy with an unusual halo of filamentary
red-glowing gas.
Around the image many other galaxies from the
M81 Group of galaxies can be seen, as well as a
lucky satellite glint
streaking across the image left.
Together with other galaxy congregates
including our Local
Group of galaxies and the
Virgo Cluster of galaxies, the
M81 Group is part of the expansive
Virgo
Supercluster of Galaxies.
This whole galaxy menagerie is seen through the faint
glow of an
Integrated
Flux Nebula, a little studied complex of diffuse gas and dust
clouds in our
Milky Way Galaxy.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 81 - M 81 group
Publications with words: M 81 - M 81 group
See also: