Messier 82

Overview

Messier 82 is a starburst galaxy and close companion to our galaxy,the City of Stars. Indeed it is as a result of the strong gravitational interaction between the two galaxies that triggers the extraordinarily high rate of star formation in Messier 82.

Structure

From Calmarendi we see Messier 82 more or less face on and can easily discern its spiral structure. Tellurians, on the other hand, see it only edge on giving it, from their perspective, a lenticular appearance, hence they refer to it as the "Cigar Galaxy".

Messier 82 by NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA). Acknowledgment: J. Gallagher (University of Wisconsin), M. Mountain (STScI) and P. Puxley (NSF).

Alternative Name(s)

NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy

Type

Galaxy