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Messier 82: Difference between revisions
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[[File:M82 HST ACS 2006-14-a-large web.jpg|thumb|Messier 82]] | [[File:M82 HST ACS 2006-14-a-large web.jpg|thumb|Messier 82]] | ||
[[Messier 82]] (also known as NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy or M82) is a starburst galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation [[Ursa Major]]. It is about five times more luminous than the whole Milky Way and one hundred times more luminous than our galaxy's center. | [[Messier 82]] (also known as NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy or M82) is a starburst galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation [[Ursa Major]]. It is about five times more luminous than the whole Milky Way and one hundred times more luminous than our galaxy's center. The starburst activity is thought to be triggered by interaction with neighboring galaxy M81, and M82 is a member of the M81 Group. As the closest starburst galaxy to our own, M82 is the prototypical example of this type of galaxy.SN 2014J, a Type Ia supernova, was observed in the galaxy on 21 January 2014. | ||
In 2014, in studying M82, scientists discovered the brightest pulsar yet known, designated M82 X-2.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_82 Messier 82]</ref> | In 2014, in studying M82, scientists discovered the brightest pulsar yet known, designated M82 X-2.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_82 Messier 82]</ref> | ||
In 2005, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed 197 young massive clusters in the starburst core. | |||
In 2005, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed 197 young massive clusters in the starburst core. The average mass of these clusters is around 200,000 solar masses, hence the starburst core is a very energetic and high-density environment. Throughout the galaxy's center, young stars are being born 10 times faster than they are inside our entire Milky Way Galaxy. | |||
==Messier 81 Interaction== | ==Messier 81 Interaction== | ||