Galaxy War M81 and M82
In this stunning cosmic vista, galaxy M81 is on the right surrounded by blue spiral arms. On the left marked by massive gas and dust clouds, is M82. These two mammoth galaxies have been locked in gravitational combat for the past billion years. The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82's gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81's spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.
Photo Details
Telescope: FSQ106EDX (530 mm) Takahashi
Camera: ST-8300M, Sbig Filter wheel, Baader 36mm round HLRGB filters
Mount: NJP Takahashi
Guiding: Self-guided
Exposure: LRGB L 20x900sek, R 4x600sek, G 4x600sek, B 4x600sek
When: February/March 2011
Other information: good transparency, good seeing