Astronomy Picture of the Day

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with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2021 July 9

M82: Starburst Galaxy with a Superwind

Image Credit &
Copyright:
Team ARO,
Alentejo Remote Observatory

Explanation: M82 is a starburst galaxy

with a superwind.
In fact,
through ensuing supernova explosions and
powerful winds from massive stars,
the burst of star formation in M82
is driving a prodigious outflow.
Evidence for the superwind
from the galaxy's central regions
is clear in sharp telescopic snapshot.
The
composite image highlights emission from
long outflow filaments of atomic hydrogen gas in reddish hues.
Some of the gas in the superwind,
enriched in heavy elements
forged in the massive stars,
will eventually
escape into
intergalactic space.
Triggered by a
close encounter with
nearby large galaxy M81,
the furious
burst of star formation in M82 should last about
100 million years or so.
Also known as the Cigar Galaxy for
its elongated visual appearance,
M82 is about 30,000 light-years across.
It lies 12 million light-years away
near the northern boundary of
Ursa Major.

Tomorrow's picture: Mercury and the Da Vinci Glow

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff

(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)

NASA Official: Phillip Newman

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