M82: Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind
Explanation:
Why is the Cigar Galaxy billowing red smoke?
M82, as this
starburst galaxy is also known, was stirred up by a
recent pass near large
spiral galaxy
M81.
This doesn't fully explain the source of the red-glowing outwardly
expanding gas and dust, however.
Evidence indicates that this gas and dust is being
driven out by the combined emerging
particle winds of many stars, together creating a galactic
superwind.
The dust particles are
thought to originate
in M82's interstellar medium and are actually
similar in size to particles in cigar smoke.
The featured photographic mosaic highlights a specific color of
red light strongly emitted by ionized
hydrogen gas, showing detailed filaments of this gas and dust.
The filaments extend for over 10,000
light years.
The 12-million light-year distant
Cigar Galaxy is the
brightest galaxy in the sky in
infrared light, and can be seen in visible light with a small
telescope
towards the
constellation of the Great Bear
(
Ursa Major).
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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.
