Explanation: On the right, surrounded by blue spiral arms, is spiral
galaxy M81. On the left, marked by red gas and dust clouds, is irregular
galaxy M82. This stunning vista shows these two mammoth galaxies locked
in gravitational combat, as they have been for the past billion years.
The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each
hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82's gravity likely raised
density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81's
spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and
colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few
billion years only one galaxy will remain.
(Text from apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100324.html)
Mosaic of 2-frame (M81+M82)
This mosaic was taken during february-march , processed in april 2011 in village Khlepcha near Kiev, Ukraine.
Equipment: Telescope SW 25012P 1200 mm f/5, Mount WS-180, camera QSI-583wsg, Baader MPCC. Off-axis guidecamera Orion SSAG.
Ha and LRGB filter set Astronomik.
M81: H-a: 7*15 min. bin 2x2, L: 11*10 min+12*5 min+ 12*2.5 min, bin 1x1, R: 8*450 s.. bin 2x2, G: 5*450 s. bin 2x2
M82: H-a: 14*15 min., bin. 1x1, L: 9*10 min., bin 1x1 , RGB: 9*10 min., bin.2x2 in each filter.
Processed MaximDL, Pixinsight, Fitstacker, Photoshop CS5
North at left Size 33%
Full version: (3920*2205, 2.2 mb.)