GALAXIES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site M81 (NGC 3031) M81. Hubble Space Telescope image Infrared image of M81 by the Spitzer Space Telescope M81. Image courtesy Richard Crisp A giant spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 (NG 2031) is the brightest and probably dominant member of the M81 group, the second nearest galaxy group to the Local Group. Discovered by Johan Bode in 1774, and sometimes referred to as Bode’s Nebula, M81 is one of the easiest and most rewarding galaxies for amateur astronomers in the northern hemisphere and, under exceptional seeing conditions, has even been glimpsed with the naked eye. A few hundred million years ago, a close encounter took place between M81 and its smaller, near-neighbor, M82, during which the latter was dramatically deformed. The encounter has also left traces in the spiral pattern of M81. The galaxies are still close together – their centers separated by as little as 150,000 light-years. Visual magnitude 6.9 Angular size 26.9' × 14.1' Distance 11.8 million light-years (3.6 Mpc) Position R.A. 09h 55m 33.2s, Dec. +69° 03' 55" Other designations UGC 5318, PGC 28630 Related categories    • MESSIER CATALOGUE    • GALAXIES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP