A peculiar galaxy in Ursa Major, M82 lies approximately 12 million LY from Earth.  It is involved in heavy star
formation and a prototype of the class of starbusting galaxies.  The core of this galaxy has suffered from a recent
encounter with it's neighbor M81 about 50 to 100 million years ago.  This interaction generated the increased star
formation and is largely the cause of M82's peculiar shape.



April 11, 2010
10" Astro-Tech RC
Canon Digital Rebel 500D / Modified (Hutech)
160 Minutes / 32x300s@ 800ASA
Orion StarShoot AutoGuider
Skyhawk Observatory, West Bend, WI
Rick Kazmierski