Unusual M82: The Cigar Galaxy
Explanation:
Something strange happened to this galaxy, but what?
M82
is a nearby galaxy in the
group of galaxies dominated by itself,
M81, and
NGC 3077.
M82 is thought by some to be limping away from a
close encounter with
M81. This
galactic collision might have stirred up the
inner stars and gas in
M82, causing the unusual dark lanes of
dust
visible in the above photograph.
M82
is a
starburst galaxy with a very
active center containing
star clusters far brighter than any in our own
Milky Way Galaxy.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
