M81 and M82 Bodes Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy

M81 and M82 are a pair of galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major. The pair are located approximately 10 degrees northwest of the "Big Dipper" pointer star Dubhe (Alpha Ursae Majoris). The apparent separation of the galaxies is 31 arc-minutes but at a distance of 12 million light-years, their actual distances from each other is 150,000 light years. They are the largest members of the M81 Group, a physical association of of 34 galaxies.

M81 and M82 are best seen during the spring. The image above shows M81 (Lower) and M82 (Upper)