M82

About image

M82 galaxy in Ursa Major has apparent dimension of 11.2’x4.3’ and an estimated distance of 12 million of light years. 

It is the closest starburst galaxy: its activity is due to an interaction with the neighbouring galaxy M81 (the distance between the two galaxies is about 300000 light years). This interaction has led in M82 to an increase of the star forming regions mainly in the central zone where there are 4 regions of high superficial luminosity.

The peculiarity of this galaxy is the presence of a superwind perpendicular to the galaxy plane: it is originated just from the central active region and it is powered by the explosions of supernova stars.

Technical data
Optic            GSO RC12 Truss - Aperture 304mm, focal lenght 2432mm, f/8
Mount         10Micron GM2000 HPSII
Camera          Moravian G3-16200 with external filter wheel 7 positions
Filters        Astrodon Gen2 E-Serie Tru-Balance 50mm unmounted LRGB, Ha 5nm  
Guiding system      OAG Moravian M68 with guide camera Moravian G1-0301
Exposure details    L 33x600" bin2 -20C + 16x300" bin2 -30C
            R 17x300" bin2 -30C
                          G 18x300" bin2 -30C
                                      B 18x300" bin2 -30C
            Ha 58x900" bin2 -30C                        
Total integration    25.8h
Acquisition        Voyager, PHD2
Processing        Pixinsight 1.8, Photoshop CS5
SQM-L         21.2    
Location         Promiod (Aosta Valley, Italy), own remote observatory
Date             7 November 2019, 7/12/29/30 December 2019, 1/5 January 2020